WASHINGTON, D.C. Twenty-nine of the top new products in the produce industry will compete in six categories for the title of Best New Product at United Fresh 2010, April 20-23 in Las Vegas, Nev. The United Fresh Produce Association presents the awards each year at its annual convention and expo.
New and improved products stimulate the growth and profitability of our industry, said John Toner, vice president of convention and industry relations for United Fresh. The awards honor the results of years of R&D and the foresight of companies in bringing new innovation to the marketplace.
New product development is one of the primary reasons we host a trade show along with the educational programs at our annual convention, said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. Our goal is to drive innovation and adoption of new technologies to help boost value to the consumer and profitability to the industry. The finalists for this years new product awards provide a wide array of innovations for our industry and will offer a wealth of fresh ideas to everyone visiting the show.
Products will be on display in the United Fresh Membership Booth on the show floor, where they will be judged by all attendees throughout the show. Winners will be determined by total votes received as of 2:00 p.m. April 22, and will be announced approximately one hour later after tabulation.
This years finalists are:
Best New Packaging
Fresh Express Artisanal Salads, Chiquita Brands
Renewable Wide-Flange Container and Lidding Film, Clear-Lam Packaging, Inc.
Pack-in-MAP Technology, Pack-in-MAP Technology
Tamper-Resistant Rectangles, PWP Industries
RunRite Clamshells, Sambrailo Packaging
Best New Food Safety Solution
SISTEM 4.0, Alchemy Systems
FlashLink VU, DeltaTRAK, Inc.
FieldPack PTI, TraceGains, Inc.
VoiceCode, HarvestMark
Best New Processing Equipment
FogTunnel Produce Treatment System, AgSolutions, Inc.
Fresh-Cut Accessories, Charlies Machine and Supply, Inc.
CARR-O-CUT, Everett Brothers Engineering, Ltd.
In-Crate Washing and Drying System, FTNON USA, Inc.
OnCore Lettuce Core Removal System, Key Technology, Inc.
Automatic Multi-Decorer Titano 2010, Turatti SRL
Best New Fruit Product
Grab N Go Grape Tomato Bags, Andrew & Williamson
Chiquita Fresh & Ready Avocados, Chiquita Brands
Del Monte CRT Single Finger Banana, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
Ready To Eat Mimi Candy Tomatoes, Mastronardi Produce/Sunset
Ready Snax Fresh Fruit Parfaits!, Ready Pac Produce
Dipping Chocolates, Tropical Nut & Fruit
Best New Packing/Packaging Equipment
Primus Optical Sorter, Best Sorting
Ultra Bagger (Girbagger) Bagging Machine, Giro Pack
MacroTote, Macro Plastics
MCT Absorbent Pouch Filling System, Maxwell Chase Technologies
6428 RPC, Polymer Logistics
Best New Vegetable Product
Ready Pac Bistro Seasonal Salads Italiano & Waldorf, Ready Pac Produce
Jade Asian Greens, San Miguel Produce
Simply Special Vegetable Sauces, USA Fresh, LLC
Last years New Product Award winners were:
Best Food Safety Tool or Service: Ultra Wireless Label, PakSense
Best New Packaging Equipment: Genius Optical Sorter, Best Sorting
Best New Processing Equipment: Broccoli Floret Machine, Charlies Machine & Supply, Inc.
Best New Packaging: Air-O-Films Ventilated Pallet Wrap, West Coast Supplies
Best New Fruit or Vegetable Product: Chiquita Pineapple Bites, Chiquita Brands
Source: United Fresh Produce Association