Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/738363
Produce Show Daily Sunday, October 16, 2016 6 0 Technology has the potential to transform the way we process fresh cut roses in the floriculture market today. "This new technology will give our customers more control and options in their fresh cut flower processing," says Jim Daly, Vice President of Floralife, OASIS ® Grower Solutions, Research and Technology. "With Floralife's Express Technology, our customers will not only realize savings in their operations, but a transformative opportunity that they will see in harvesting, shipping, handling and designing." Floralife's Express Technology is now available in a full range of prod- ucts for hydration, storage and trans- port and flower food. More details on these products may be found by visit- ing the company's product pages at Smithers-Oasis Company (Cont'd. from p. 1) www.floralife.com. Products available include Express Clear 200 liquid and powder, Express Clear ULTRA 200 liquid and powder, Express Universal 300 liquid and powder and Express Rose 300 (Europe only) liq- uid and powder. About Floralife With more than 75 years of experience in postharvest care and handling of fresh cut flowers, Floralife is a world leader in providing products and technical services to its customers around the globe. From harvest to home, there is a Floralife prod- uct every step of the way in the flower chain. For more information, visit booth #3743, contact Catherine Jakaitis, Director Global Marketing at cjakaitis@flora life.com or go to www.floralife.com. TSMG: Many people know Sun-Maid from the little red boxes of raisins. What they might not know is that Sun-Maid Growers of California was founded over 100 years ago in 1912. This century-long history as the world's largest processor of raisins means that if you laid out end to end all the raisins Sun-Maid has sold dur- ing our 100 years, they would stretch from the earth to beyond the sun! I've represented the brand since 1915, when I posed for the brand's trademark wearing a red bonnet and holding a tray of grapes. PSD: What are people talking about at Sun-Maid? TSMG: Natural sugar versus processed sugar – that's the big conversation. Raisins have been around for centuries, however, it's as if they are being discovered for the first time because of their health and nutri- tional benefits as a natural sweetener. Since the World Health Organization came out with new guidelines on sugar over a year ago, the focus has been on finding a healthy alternative to refined sugar. Raisins fill this need. We've added some new peo- ple to our product development team, and are looking at new possibilities with raisins and raisin paste as a naturally sweet ingre- dient for a variety of products. We are also testing the latest trends of combined sweet and savory flavors. Be sure to check back with us often, because we have some new products on the horizon. PSD: What else is new at Sun-Maid? TSMG: We've recently introduced our Sun-Maid Growers (Cont'd. from p. 1) Sun-Maid Salad Toppings – sweet and savory combinations that make the per- fect addition to salads, baked potatoes, soups or straight out of the box. They are great for boosting flavor and texture, and adding the vitamins and minerals that bodies need to function. PSD: What information is important to know about raisins and dried fruits? TSMG: Dried fruits serve as important healthful snacks worldwide, and are nutritionally equivalent to fresh fruits. I've known this because I've seen our growers harvest grapes and dry them in sun. That's all that goes into our raisins: grapes and sunshine! Because of their nutritional value and enjoyable taste, raisins have been popular as a healthy food for millennia. They are known as nature's candy and counted among the most nutritious dried fruits globally. PSD: What makes Sun-Maid special? TSMG: As the world's largest processor of raisins and dried fruit, people assume we're a fortune 500 company. In reality, Sun-Maid is an American cooperative of family farmers, which means that the 750 family farmers that grow our raisins also own the company. I love that our 100- year-old company is owned by the people who actually harvest the product and take it to market. In some cases, the grape vineyards have been farmed by the same families for generations. For more information, visit booth #3801, go to www.sunmaid.com, call 559.896.8000 or email info@sunmaid.com. prior to accepting the position of President of Farm Fresh Direct just over six months ago. PSD: How has the transition gone over the past several months? JH: It's been great! The Farm Fresh growers and staff have been extremely welcoming and helpful. Farm Fresh has a very rich and successful history, and there's always that concern about how you'll fit in, but they have gone out of their way to make the transition as seam- less as possible. PSD: Very soon, Jim Knutzon, the previ- ous President will be retiring, and you'll be stepping into his shoes. How has that interaction gone? JH: Extremely well. I've worked with, and for, a lot of very good people, but Jim is truly unique. As President and Chief Executive Officer he certainly possesses the leadership skills and forward thinking strategy development needed in that role. But he can also talk with growers about agronomic issues and opportunities, or key customers about changing consumer trends, or promotional and pricing tests. I've spent the past six months traveling with Jim, visiting growers and cus- tomers, trying to learn and absorb as much as I can. It's been a great learning experience. PSD: What are some of the issues that Farm Fresh Direct (Cont'd. from p. 1) Farm Fresh and the industry face going forward? JH: I think one of our biggest challenges is responding to the changing consumer, and increasing demand and improving our per capita consumption. Potatoes are still the No. 1 most popular fresh vegetable, but many consumers think potatoes are a little old fashioned, or take too much time to prepare, not to mention the incredible selection of fresh produce now available today. We need to recreate that excitement about potatoes, continue to innovate and figure out ways to engage with the chang- ing consumer demographics. PSD: What is Farm Fresh doing to address these changes and improve per capita consumption? JH: Farm Fresh got a head start. They were the first to introduce the single serve microwave potato more than 15 years ago, and with the trend towards convenience it's been a growing part of the business. Another important piece of our business is organics. When many felt that organics were a fad versus a trend, Farm Fresh began the long process of certifying acres and making the neces- sary changes in their packing sheds to be a leader in the organic segment, and that commitment is continuing. I'm very opti- mistic about the industry and Farm Fresh Direct and I'm excited to play a role as we move forward. Visit Farm Fresh Direct at booth #461. For more information, call 719.852.2600 or go to www.farmfreshdirect.net. "organic" claims have grown 24 percent and 28 percent, respectively. Zippy's Veggie Bites ® blend good taste with good health. Zippy's Veggie Bites are crunchy clusters made with whole vegetables, fruits and nuts packed into convenient, crunchy, bite-sized pieces. Each flavor offers a high source of fiber, zero cholesterol and no trans fats and are non-GMO, vegan-, gluten- and dairy-free with no artificial ingredients or flavors. Zippy's great tasting Veggie Bites combine convenience and health in mouthwatering flavors: California Ranch and Spinach Cranberry. Lemon Caesar and Tomato Ranch are two additional Zippy's flavors in development which are rich in flavor inspired from your favorite salads. Drawing from his extensive entre- preneurial background, Keith Mullin Zippy's (Cont'd. from p. 1) founded Zippy's as a way to help others do the things they love with a healthy, tasty snack. As the health food industry grows and consumers across the U.S. are shifting toward more nutritious selections, Zippy's offers a delicious veggie snack with a satisfying crunch and flavor. Here are some consumer quotes: "OMG – so delicious and just a tiny bit sweet! I always have a bag of these Veggie Bites in my office desk drawer." – Linx L., Young Professional "It's great to have such a healthy snack that's easy to take on-the-go. The Spinach Cranberry bites are so yummy and I can enjoy the whole bag without any guilt!" – Olivia D., Professional Dancer For more information, visit www .gozippys.com. top seal by carefully addressing the con- cerns of both the customer and the retail- er. With the Habitat line, Orora Fresh has developed optimal top seal solu- tions that are proven to extend shelf life and optimize your packaging. The unique "TotalFlange" provides up to 85 percent more film strength, contin- uously adhering the film to the tray. The "Hide-Away Venting" strategical- ly places venting in a hidden area below the sealing flange. Additionally, the "InvisaRib" is the first ribbing fea- ture ever designed to protect soft fruit from the side wall of the trays. Finally, the Habitat "JuiceTrap" can be incor- porated into any tray, holding fruit juices away from the product being displayed to extend shelf life and improve appearance. The innovation doesn't stop there! Orora Fresh (Cont'd. from p. 1) Habitat is also the first stock produce tray that will be micro-commodity protected, allowing top producers to distinguish their products against price-driven competitors. Habitat is only available to growers who meet specific quality criteria, such as grow- ing method, and to those who are interested in distinguishing their prod- ucts as superior to the standard mar- ket. Orora is a world leader in total packaging solutions, and a large, multinational leader in produce pack- aging. With more than 70 locations in Canada, the United States and Mexico, its team is available to provide every produce grower with an innovative solution from corrugated cartons to clamshells, tray liners, labels and flex- ible packaging. Visit Orora Fresh at booth #147. For more information, call 519.325.0108.