Food & Food Equipment News

PEAKFRESH LEADS THE WAY IN PRODUCE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

Whether a grower, a supermarket or a consumer—everyone wants produce and flowers as fresh and beautiful as the day they were harvested. But with everyone closely watching budgets, this desire for freshness can’t come at the risk of waste.

Since 1992, PEAKfresh® USA has been the leading provider of specialty Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to the produce and floral industries worldwide. PEAKfresh  impregnates its packaging with an all-natural mineral film that removes and absorbs ethylene gas, the catalyst for ripening. By removing the ethylene, the ripening rate is dramatically reduced, therefore prolonging shelf life. The country’s leading growers, packers and exporters entrust PEAKfresh USA’s modified atmosphere packaging to ensure that more than $300 million in goods arrive at their destination fresher and safer.  

Unlike competitors’ sealed systems requiring gassing with environmentally unfriendly carbon dioxide, PEAKfresh is an unsealed system—giving customers more value for their money. When the pallet or cartons arrive at their destination, they can be inspected and then re-covered with PEAKfresh, protecting the produce or flowers until needed. The covers are easy to remove and reapply, requiring one person and no special equipment.  

Although PEAKfresh USA has been the value-based solution for berry and cherry growers throughout California and Florida for years, the company’s exclusive technology is a smart choice for many produce categories. 

Ethylene gas is especially a problem with fresh cut flowers and plants. If a potted plant’s leaves or petals experience damage during shipping, it’s because the plant creates excessive amounts of ethylene, ultimately resulting in either plant death or visual damage. In the case of cut flowers, too much ethylene can greatly increase chances that a formed bud will not open to maturity. As opposed to polyethylene products, PEAKfresh bags remove ethylene (slowing down ripening process), while also maintaining a high level of humidity, another critical step to maintaining freshness.  

Broccoli has the highest respiration rate of any fruit or vegetable and has a very short post-harvest life. Broccoli must be cooled to OºC immediately following harvest to protect the tight, compact flowers on the head. Once this temperature is achieved, PEAKfresh USA’s Iceless Broccoli Liners require no ice nor expensive special waxed boxes—and broccoli can be stored up to four weeks!  These same Iceless Liners work effectively with green onions, carrots and radishes as well.

In 2009, PEAKfresh USA decided to extend its commitment to protecting valuable produce for maximum value directly to consumers.  According to the New York Times, a family of four throws out an average of 24 pounds of produce a month. PEAKfresh USA’s Home Pack Produce Bags use its same exclusive mineral technology, more than doubling the storage life of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. This means not only fresher and tastier produce, but a tremendous cost savings by allowing them to purchase produce in bulk and eliminating produce waste.

For more information, visit PEAKfresh USA.

CARLSON AIRFLO IMPROVES AND ACCESSORIZES RETAILERS’ PRODUCE DEPARTMENTS

*By Victor Robelet, President - Carlson Airflo*

Carlson Airflo Products and Technology

There are many retailers who have investigated and accepted the need for creating a more exciting adventure for their customers. These retailers are the ones currently enjoying the upsurge in the business within the produce market. Our products are now, and will be, the fore front movers in the merchandising field as a result of our desire to satisfy the innovative spirit of our retail customers.

Carlson Airflo’s Distribution

Carlson AirFlo is a direct supplier to the retail supermarket industry. We work closely with merchandisers through a trained network of manufacturers’ representatives along with produce wholesalers whose primary focus is to sell produce knowing the support structure for the produce is the key to the presentation. These individuals are the eyes and ears in the field and their recommendations support our businesses model.

Sales

Our primary target end-user is the supermarket produce merchandiser. This is the customer who has an ongoing need to create the best and most efficient means for presenting their produce.  Produce is a living product which is very sensitive to handling, time and environmental conditions, and most important, the presentation to the end customer. Carlson AirFlo is diligent at supporting their message and assisting in getting this message across—a message that supports the need by merchandisers to work for their customer. 

Trade Show Objectives

PMA 2009 looks to be the best show we have participated in. This year our theme is accessorize your produce department. Add freshness and excitement to your world of produce through the variety of products available. At the Carlson AirFlo exhibit you will have the opportunity to:

1. View the wall of products, a vertical merchandising theme.
2. View the Pod separation concept, the ice merchandising concept and the variety of product separation tools for reducing the amount of product displayed to create an abundance look.
3. Experience our main objective to position ourselves as a consultant for the retailers to show current trends and present options to current merchandising ideas and applications.
4. To be available for questions in planning a change in their current set as they see it.

Outlook

We see the produce side of the business growing and becoming more of a staple product for the consumer. There are many retailers throughout the country that need to update their ideas, thoughts and produce departments. Carlson AirFlo believes the current economic conditions have not adversely affected the merchandising of their product. Sales within the produce market will continue to prosper. What the retailers need to remember is 1) the reduction of shrink through better, more focused merchandising will increase profits, 2) *the way the produce looks to the consumer will determine the purchase,* 3) the appearance of the produce will reflect its ability to radiate freshness and excitement, 4) consumers are looking for bargains and value without sacrificing quality; the way a product is displayed will either support or negate this opinion. A simple change in the produce department—a low cost investment—will bring life to the retail environment.

For more information, visit Carlson Airflo.

TIRED DRIED FRUIT CATEGORY ENERGIZED WITH PRIZE

California Raisin Packer to Satisfy Public’s Craving for Energy with Healthy Source

Michael Chooljian, President of Chooljian Bros. Packing Company, marvels at the proliferation of energy drinks and supplements consumed by the public in an attempt to just get through the day. “Men and women are working harder at their jobs these days, yet they still strive for a quality family life. I can understand why they reach for any food or drink promising boundless energy,” Chooljian said. “Unfortunately, children too are being caught up in this need for an energy rush,” he added.

To help meet this need for energy in a more user-friendly, healthy fashion, Chooljian Bros. is introducing at the PMA 2009 Fresh Summit new 12/1 oz. retail packages of the most popular varieties in its PRIZE Real Fruit Snacks line. These include Perfect Pineapple, Tropical Adventure Mix and Apricot Sunrise Blend.

Promoting this pack under the theme “Sustainable Energy,” Chooljian Bros. capitalizes on the fact that energy-rich complex sugars are concentrated in dried fruit as a result of the dehydration process. It takes, for example, some 4 pounds of fresh grapes to yield one pound of raisins.  When consumed, these sugars are released over time at a rate which does not overwhelm the body’s ability to convert them into energy. The sugars in energy drinks, on the other hand, can be released too rapidly causing a serious “letdown” once they are metabolized. Constant infusions of massive amounts of sugar can eventually reduce the capacity of the body to perform this metabolization.

Chooljian Bros.’ enthusiastic outlook for the 12/1 oz. retail package stems largely from its success in marketing PRIZE Real Fruit Snacks to the school food service community. Dale New of Cal-Tropic Producers Inc., master distributor for Chooljian Bros. school program, says, “Students like *real* fruit snacks for their sweet fruit taste, and school food service directors like them for their nutritional value, price and convenience. It is very helpful too that the Chooljian Bros. packing facility is free of peanuts and other allergens.”

Energy is not the only benefit promised to consumers by PRIZE Real Fruit Snacks. Those watching their weight will find that each snack pack has no more than 100 calories. Moreover, the fiber in dried fruit is known to induce a sense of fullness in the stomach. For the athlete or outdoor enthusiast, the snack pack can serve as a tasty, portable source of lasting energy for the track or the trail.

Chooljian Bros. Packing Company Inc. was founded in 1946. Located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, it is a major grower and packer of raisins for retail, food service and industrial uses.

For more information, visit Chooljian Bros. visit representatives of the company at the PMA Fresh Summit in booth 4068. You may also contact Michael Chooljian, President, at 559-875-5501.

A NEW NAME AND FACE LAND ON THE PRODUCE SHELF

The new Clifford Produce – an amalgamation of 20 southern Ontario greenhouse operators – has relaunched itself with a major brand overhaul and a clean new look designed to appeal to the trade and to consumers. 

“We wanted a new logo that represented our strongest assets: the small scale, quality-focused operations under which we grow our produce and, on the other and, the significant shipping capacity made possible by our strategic amalgamation,” said Board of Directors member Duffy Kniaziew. Hargreaves Stewart, a Windsor-based marketing firm with extensive experience in consumer products and agri-business, plus in depth knowledge of channel marketing, was hired to oversee the corporate makeover.

The new logo features a clean corporate font from which a generic vegetable sprout emerges. “We wanted to express the small farm/big business duality,” says the agency’s V.P. Marketing, Tim Stewart. “We all like the way the new logotype subtly captures the essence of both concepts.”  The company’s new slogan “Where small farms mean big business” further drives home Clifford’s unique selling proposition.

“We want our marketing to stand out as a reflection of our produce. Our ad (in the PMA issue of Produce Business magazine) illustrates the kind of “out-of-the-box” thinking we’ll be bringing to every aspect of our operation,“ said Kniaziew, adding, “This is only the beginning.”

“The new branding program is very much in its infancy,” echoes Andrew Przytocki, Head of Sales and Marketing, “so we’ll need a few months to catch up with packaging and collateral materials.” Even so, the company’s display at booth 1502 is a strong indicator of things to come. “We’re 100 per cent focused on building a strong brand – one that has meaning for the trade and ultimately for consumers,” Przytocki adds. 

The company is not giving up its popular Paysanne brand. “Clifford is the corporate umbrella under which we will continue to market our better known brands, of which Paysanne is a clearly recognized leader,” said Przytocki. 

For more information on the new Clifford or on Paysanne procude, please visit booth 1502 or contact the company toll free at 1-888-662-8620. The company is headquartered at 1593 Essex County Road #34, Ruthven, Ontario N0P 2G0. 

For more information, visit Clifford Produce.

ORGANIC FARMING AND BEYOND: EARTHBOUND FARM REDUCES ITS ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

When Earthbound Farm’s founders began farming organically more than 25 years ago, they committed to caring for the land responsibly and sustainably — and that spirit of environmental stewardship continues through every aspect of the company today.

Earthbound Farm understands that its responsibility goes beyond using Earth-friendly organic farming methods to produce the highest quality, safest products. The company is constantly looking for ways to reduce the impact of its business on the environment wherever possible. 

In 2009, Earthbound Farm’s organic farming operations on more than 33,000 acres will: 

• Avoid use of over 305,000 pounds of toxic and persistent pesticides 
• Avoid use of nearly 10.3 million pounds of synthetic fertilizers
• Conserve an estimated 1.6 million gallons of petroleum by avoiding use of petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides
• Sequester carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, at an estimated rate of 3,670 pounds per acre each year. For Earthbound Farm, that’s equal to taking about 7500 cars off the road. 
• Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials are environmentally friendlier choices

This year, Earthbound Farm made an industry-first switched to 100% PCR PET plastic for all clamshell salad packages.

Post-consumer recycled PET is made from plastic products, like soda and water bottles that have been used and then recycled. PCR materials use a fraction of the resources to produce and re-use what might otherwise wind up in a landfill. Annually, compared to using virgin plastic, the company’s switch to PCR PET will save:

• CO2 emissions: 16,191 tons
• Energy: 424,224 million BTUs
• Solid waste: 1,308,623 lbs
• Water: 68,307 gallons

Earthbound Farm shipping cartons are also post-consumer recycled — made from 99% post-consumer/1% post-industrial recycled corrugate. Based on the company’s annual usage, compared to the 50% recycled corrugate used previously, annually this switch will conserve: 

• 106,594 trees 
• 2,382,603 gallons of oil 
• 18,811 cubic yards of landfill space 
• 25,081,030 kilowatts of energy 
• 43,891,803 gallons of water

Better fuel choices

Earthbound Farm now uses cleaner-burning biodiesel in much of its farm equipment, in its local delivery truck, and company vehicles.

Since 1999, Earthbound Farm has planted more than 550,000 trees with American Forests to offPlanting trees helps offset greenhouse gas emissions set greenhouse gas emissions from our energy use. These trees will absorb about 183,000 tons of CO2 during their lifetimes.

For additional information, visit Earthbound Farm.

Sunrise Growers Committed To Quality With Their Frozsun Foods

The employees and growers of Sunrise Growers Frozsun Foods have a passion for excellence and constant improvement. Sunrise Growers is the leading value-added supplier of frozen strawberry and other fruit products in the United States, providing a complete solution from branded to private label products in the fresh and frozen categories. Sunrise Growers’ unique position as a vertically-integrated supplier in both the fresh and frozen strawberry market has allowed the company to develop significant advantages in quality and food safety while exceeding customers’ expectations.

Sunrise Growers maintains a commitment to food safety and the environment by following Good Agricultural Practices from the FDA and USDA and maintaining a strict food safety program, supporting small farmers through a grower model, using solar power, using recycled materials for packaging and reducing and recycling waste water. 

Sunrise Growers Frozsun Foods offers a full range of products, from fresh strawberries to frozen strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mixed fruit, cherries and blackberries; as well as a line of delicious smoothies. Sunrise Growers Pure Fruit Smoothies are made of 100 percent fruit and fruit puree with no sugar added. 

Sunrise Growers’ commitment to quality doesn’t stop with the product. Expertise in the category and a strong drive to innovate has led to seven years of Category Colonel Awards in a row, as well as three years of Annual Produce Marketing Awards. Along with providing quality products, Sunrise Growers Frozsun Foods strives to bring inventive marketing and promotion ideas to retail and food service partners. 

Visit Sunrise Growers Frozsun Foods at booth 1362 for a taste of its innovative thinking.

For more information, visit Sunrise Growers.

Exceeding Expectations: CaliFresh Bringing Old World Produce Into The Present

Old World produce delicacies are rarely re-discovered in a way that fits the modern consumer’s desire for taste, convenience and nutrition as well as the fresh garbanzo.  

In the Eastern Mediterranean, they are known as “chickpeas” and in the Spanish-speaking world as “garbanzos.” They are a staple in healthy, flavor-rich diets from Spain to India, making them the most consumed legume in the world. For thousands of years these cultures have embraced the simplicity and versatility of this delicious food source, and now mainstream American consumers are discovering the secret of this unique, nutritious, easily-prepared legume.  

Fresh garbanzos are tender green seeds, nestled in their paper thin pods, picked at that precise time when sugars start to convert to carbohydrates and flavor and nutrition are at their peak. The pods are pale green and just visibly “fuzzy,” the peas within are tender and crisp. They may be eaten straight out of the shell, quickly steamed or roasted, or sautéed. They are fantastic with just a touch of salt, and make a tasty appetizer. 

They are as healthy as they are flavorful, rich in nutrients such as soluble fiber, protein, calcium, iron, folate and vitamins A and C. Fresh garbanzos are also high in potassium, low in sodium and offer the added health benefit of lowering blood pressure—an ideal food for the vegetarian and health-conscious consumer. 

Consistent quality from Califresh ensures consumer demand and sales. Proven introduction strategies from packing to retail are available, followed by store support. Packaging has been designed to maintain maximum quality and freshness, and meet traditional food retail and food service handling requirements, from bulk displays to value-added convenience. Product is available year-round.

The result is that this unique specialty, whether encountered in the produce department of a neighborhood supermarket or on the menu of a favorite restaurant, most often exceeds consumers’ expectations.

Initiate a fresh garbanzo program. Call Sales—Morgan Murray, Alex Ochoa at 559-875-1602 or Business Development—Bob Rinker at 661-638-0378.  

For more information, visit CaliFresh.

Transportation, Storage, Value Added, What Is Next For BCS In McAllen, Texas

Border Cold Storage would like to once again announce their commitment to continue to develop their service offerings to their clients. The company’s new facility offers a state-of-the-art refrigeration system, 11 different cold rooms, food safety program, value added programs, office space and real-time access to client information. All of these services are staffed by motivated, hardworking people that truly do care about the client and their product. Border Cold Storage feels that they are not just a vendor; they are a strategic partner for many of their clients.  

Border Cold Storage is a one-stop-shop for clients. The great advantage of this convenient set-up allows clients to save time by just having to make one phone call to accomplish so much, including storage, value added programs, quality control and logistics.

Border Cold Storage is once again showing their dedication to their customer base by providing all the tools necessary for their customer to be more successful than the other. The recent addition of logistics is so important for BCS customers because BCS feels that they can provide Less-Than-Truckload service nationally on a weekly basis for almost all products. Border Cold Storage believes this single addition will provide their customers with a service that they have a difficult time finding. That is why BCS should be the single choice for handling your product when coming from Mexico through McAllen, Texas.  

Border Cold Storage purchased a scale and bagger just several months ago, and this new addition now allows many of their customers to bag a wide array of products such as limes, lemons, peppers and various other produce. This is so important because it is not just opening a new door for Border Cold Storage but it is more importantly opening doors for their customers.

For more information, visit Border Cold Storage.

Blanc Industries Inc. Presents SMT Smart-Shelf Management Tray Systems

Blanc Industries Inc. will be unveiling their brand *new* line of SMT™ Smart-Shelf Management Tray Systems that is guaranteed to increase customer product sales by keeping merchandise self-faced, organized, highlighted, and efficiently spaced. These innovative, spring-loaded trays are perfect for displaying any product while increasing the sales of any type of produce display. Having produce merchandise organized and front-facing not only makes a department look more appealing and professional, but it also maximizes shelf space and increases the customers’ ease in finding products quickly. No more half-empty shelves, no more items pushed over or mixed with other merchandise, not to mention, saving valuable time not having to re-face shelves 2-3 times a day.

SMT tray systems are adaptable for any type of product display in the produce department. From perishable items such as bagged salads or vegetables, packaged herbs or mushrooms, and fresh salad dressings—to dry items like jars of garlic, packaged fruit rolls, bagged croutons and nuts or dried fruits.

Custom Designed Dividers

Any SMT divider can be customized in shape, size, color and/or design, and are adjustable verses other trays. Blanc Industries can print any logo, design or caption that will promote any products along with the matching shelf strips, danglers, accordion pricing strips, track signs, etc. for a complete look. Just tell them what needs to be printed or highlighted and their design team will customize the dividers/signs for each unit. They also offer standard sizes, shapes, and colors.

  

Depth

Unlike other tray systems that only allow only a couple of choices from a few stock sizes, Blanc is offering the flexibility to build to any specifications, in any depth, at no extra charge and with no minimum quantity requirements. The possibilities are endless.

Individual Parts Replaceable

If, at any time, one of the SMT components break or malfunction, you can re-order that specific item without having to replace a whole tray. All of the SMT™ pieces are replaceable and guaranteed to fit and match the existing unit, saving the customer money without compromising quality. 

Blanc Industries’ SMT tray systems have all of the same great features and qualities as other tray systems and are designed for quick and easy installation as well as being durable. Two or more trays, mixed or matched, can be attached next to each other, acting as one continuous unit to accommodate any length of display. Each tray is made from high-impact mostly-recycled plastic and variable-resistance springs and is completely washable. The custom designed dividers, adjustable depth, and individual parts replacement allows flexibility that no one else can offer except Blanc Industries Inc. 

Come see Blanc Industries Inc. at booth 1982 at this year's PMA Fresh Summit.

For more information, visit Blanc Industries Inc.

The Little Potato Company: From Humble Beginnings To Great Success

Since its inception in 1996, The Little Potato Company (LPC) has successfully developed a new category in the fresh potato market: the little potato. While, at the time, other fresh market producers were grading out the small potatoes as waste, LPC saw the opportunity to create a niche product of specialty small breed potatoes that have become high in demand with consumers across Canada. 

“Little potatoes” began with Jacob van der Schaaf, a Dutch immigrant living in Canada since the 1960s. Working within the agricultural industry and always the entrepreneur, Jacob often reminisced about the small tasty potatoes he enjoyed as a small boy growing up in Holland. Jacob convinced his daughter Angela to test the idea of growing a small crop and gauging the popularity of little potatoes with consumers.

The experiment began with a one acre plot just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, planting, harvesting and washing the first harvest of spuds by hand. The experiment was a success, so father and daughter upgraded to an old cold root cellar where Angela began the arduous task of sorting, washing, bagging and making the rounds to restaurants and farmers’ markets.

The family knew success was on their doorstep when they convinced several restaurants to try their potatoes. This success led to a regional retailer stocking their stores with little potatoes. The company now supplies national retailers in North America, and has seen a remarkable growth over the years. 

LPC’s potatoes are well-suited for today’s fast-paced lifestyle and increasing focus on fresh, healthy, easy-to-prepare mealtime solutions. Whether boiled, roasted, steamed, sautéed or barbequed, all of LPC’s potato varieties go from bag to plate in 15 minutes—no washing, no peeling, no waste. In addition, LPC’s potatoes provide a higher nutritional value because they retain their skin.

Proprietary varieties are key to the company's success. With Angela at the helm of The Little Potato Company, Jacob runs the research and development company Tuberosum Technologies out of Saskatchewan, travels the world collecting potato varieties that perform better and can be marketed differently. The company now has the proprietary rights to several varieties of creamer potatoes, each with their own distinct appearance, texture and taste. Varieties include Baby Boomer, Piccolo, Blushing Belle and the popular Terrific Trio, a mix of red, yellow and blue varieties. In addition, LPC also markets organic red and white creamer varieties. 

For more information, visit The Little Potato Company.