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Produce Show Daily 7 3 Thursday, October 19, 2017 important factors in their produce buying decision (before price). Eighty-six per- cent of shoppers occasionally purchase produce on impulse based on these two key attributes. Additionally, increasing consumer focus on health and wellness further drives demand of quality pro- duce, and consumers will shop wherever they need to in order to get it, even if it means shopping at multiple retailers to meet their weekly grocery needs. "Better quality/freshness of produce" is the No. 1 reason for switching channels. Your store can be the one they switch to! The RipeLock™ Quality System from AgroFresh provides unmatched control over the banana ripening process, helping bananas retain their freshness throughout the supply chain all the way to the kitchen counter. RipeLock enables the consistent retail display of high qual- ity bananas at the color consumers prefer, extends yellow life and delivers the smooth, creamy texture they crave. Studies show that consumers prefer RipeLock bananas over regular bananas more than 2 to 1 (MMR Research Worldwide independent study, February, 2015) when evaluating taste, texture, color, freshness, ripeness and appearance – for both unpeeled and peeled bananas. Research suggests that a successful banana program delivers more consistent quality and a longer shelf life of bananas, which will increase customer loyalty, reduce waste and ultimately help drive RipeLock (Cont'd. from p. 1) increased produce sales overall. The RipeLock system consists of two synergistic parts: a specially designed Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) bag and an ethylene- inhibiting application. In preparation for shipping to retailers, bananas are placed in RipeLock bags, creating an optimal environment that controls respiration and maintains proper humidity during the shipping process, reducing rot and mold. Approaching the end of the ripen- ing cycle, the RipeLock application helps to hold the bananas' color longer, reduce sugar spots and maintain pulp freshness and texture. When the bananas reach the retail backroom, they remain in the RipeLock bags to maintain quali- ty until they are ready for display or consumption. "At AgroFresh, we are committed to reducing global food loss by preserving and enhancing food freshness through solutions that work throughout the entire value chain to optimize the quality of produce. RipeLock is one innovation within the AgroFresh portfolio that helps achieve that goal, while providing sub- stantial value to retailers in terms of increased consumer purchases, enhanced loyalty and minimized waste," said Kevin Frye, RipeLock North America Sales Manager. For more information, visit booth #4217, go to www.ripelock.info or con- tact Kevin Frye at 704.962.2872 or kevinfrye@agrofresh.com. the United States due to a patent. So for a very long time, U.S. customers had no choice but to use this product. I believe in the value of patents, but I also believe in free market capitalism. So once a patent has run out, it allows the market to dic- tate whose product to use." Schutte Bag Closures from the Netherlands has partnered with NNZ Inc. to distribute Clipps closures for bags. Clipps work on all existing automated bagging machinery and come in the same styles and opening sizes as the current product. NNZ Inc. will be stocking the product in its seven warehouses through- out the U.S. to allow for just in time delivery, without the two week delay for production. The product is packaged in NNZ Inc. (Cont'd. from p. 1) the same quantities as the current product (number of clips/roll, number of rolls/case, number of cases/pallet) so that no new calculations are necessary to determine what is needed for production and ordering. In addition, the Clipps product has been competitively priced, which allows for a cost savings to the customer base. "Competition is good for all," remarks Greenfield. "It fosters innova- tion and ultimately it benefits the cus- tomer. While patents have their place, it is always good to have a choice. Now the market has that choice. Hopefully people will choose the Clipps product." For more information, stop by booth #5719 or visit www.nnz.com. seasonal surges while still meeting the critical timing that temperature-sensitive produce requires, service centers need enough space and the right amenities. This could include multiple dock doors – including refrigerated docks to help ensure that produce maintains the proper temperature as it arrives and departs – and dedicated coolers for specific pro- duce temperature storage requirements, a temperature-controlled production room for sorting and repacking, facility backup generators and more. Stringent guidelines and certifica- tions: Look for a service center that adheres to food safety and quality assur- ance requirements. These can include Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) cer- tification, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance, Product Traceability Initiative (PTI) compliance and organic certification. Flexible suite of customized solu- tions: To help bring fresh products to market more efficiently, find a service center that provides solutions that meet your business's needs and are supported by a team of distribution and supply Robinson Fresh (Cont'd. from p. 4) chain experts. Versatile solutions to con- sider include: Transportation: inbound and out- bound freight modes for national and regional programs, direct store delivery. Distribution: crossdock, LTL con- solidation, forward distribution, invento- ry storage, just in time services. Packing: sorting, repacking, bulk/bin custom packing, tray packing, overwrapping, flow wrapping, value- added packing, private label capabilities. Quality control and assurance: load reconciliation, inspections (temperature pulping, weighing, visually inspecting, siz- ing, pressure testing, brix testing and more). International: import/export han- dling. Robinson Fresh has a new service center in Los Angeles, California. The 105,000 square foot facility includes 45,000 square feet of temperature-con- trolled operations, 50,000 square feet of ambient operations, 15 dock doors, a pro- duction room and food safety lab – all in close proximity to the major shipping ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For more information, visit booth #1017 or go to www.robinsonfresh.com. and he sees an even greater technological focus over the next five years. One of Able's first projects to come out of its new technology department is a new customer portal. 'Data Hub' makes available to its customer all relevant data pertaining to any shipment they have going through Able Freight Services. "It is more than just a shipment air- way bill tracker," says Wong. "It is a real- time visibility of all the processes and milestones throughout the journey of the customer's shipments. It allows for proactive resolutions and management." With this innovative tool, customers can now instantly review historical and current data to assist them in making informed decisions about upcoming ship- ments, and it guides clients when fore- casting future shipping seasons. "It is a literal one-stop shop of all client data and it provides vast opportunities to improve performance and service," explains Wong. The leading role of adapting rele- vant technology for use in the perish- able freight forwarding industry is cast, and the market now demands high per- Able Freight (Cont'd. from p. 4) formance and precision for its players. Wong proudly notes that Able Freight Services' early attention to a customer- centric approach with technology allows it to provide the best possible customer service now and into the future. After all, he reminds his team, "the customer is still always right." About Able Freight Services Based in Los Angeles, California, Able Freight Services, Inc. is a global expert in importing and exporting perishable commodities from the United States to destinations worldwide. The company creates competitive advantages for cus- tomers by offering innovative solutions and access to proprietary technology. Many of the world's most recognized brands trust Able Freight with their shipments. Able Freight Services' 25 years in the business and hundreds of years of collective employee experi- ence means clients benefit from indus- try-leading knowledge and responsive- ness. For more information, stop by booth #3922 or go to www.ablefreight.com. security, leak resistance and freshness. In order to open the package, a tear strip must be removed to gain access to the newly exposed tabs to remove the lid. This design makes it simple for con- sumers to see if the package has been tampered with. All of the containers are 100 percent recyclable, stackable, have flawless clarity and are easy to use. No shrink bands, no film, no added costs or complexities. When it comes to new packages, Lacerta looks at market trends and what its customers really need. Many of its products originally began in collab- oration with its customers, looking for something that was not in the market. To stand out on the shelf, Lacerta designed a line of round base to square top containers. The containers stack per- fectly on the shelves and come in 8, 10, 12, 16 and 24 ounces, all in the same footprint of 4.71 inches by 5 inches. The round base to square top is unique and interesting, just like your product. Lacerta's new square bowls offer a contemporary clean look that gives your food stand-out shelf appeal. Ranging from 8 to 48 ounces in three different footprints – 4.5 inches, 6 inches and 7.5 inches – they are the perfect way to make your food pop on the shelves. The containers were designed with sleek lines for salads, fresh cut produce, on-the-go foods and more. The smallest 4.5-inch square is available in Lacerta Group (Cont'd. from p. 1) 8, 12 and 16 ounces. The 6-inch ones are perfect for on-the-go salad with 24 and 32 ounces. The 7.5-inch footprint also is available in 24, 32 and 48 ounces, both the 6-inch and 7.5-inch also offer a variety of multi-compartment film sealable inserts for all of the salad or snack toppings you could want. Having film sealable inserts extends shelf life, keeps your food fresh and offers a lot of options for assembling. Lacerta did not forget about multi- compartment containers and how versa- tile they can be. Lacerta added a square 4-compartment package with 16 ounces in each compartment, getting the perfect mix of 4 pounds of produce. Another new multi-compartment package features a compartment for a film sealed portion cup to be placed in, ideal for dips. About Lacerta Group, Inc. Lacerta is a family-owned manufacturer of plastic food packaging. From concept to prototyping, mold-making and produc- tion, Lacerta is a turnkey manufacturer of custom and stock packaging, including produce and party trays, herb clamshells, deli cups and more. The Fresh n' Sealed tamper evident line ranges from 1.5 to 120 ounces and has expanded to include parfaits, snack packs, leafy green con- tainers and square bowls, to name a few. For more information, stop by booth #5610, visit www.lacerta.com or call 508.339.3312.