United Fresh announced 48 new products as finalists for the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2019 Innovation Awards. This year’s finalists will compete in seven categories for the title of Best New Product at United Fresh 2019, June 10-12 in Chicago, where attendees will be able to vote for those winners during the trade show.
FreshPlaza has presented the finalists for Best New Fruit product & Best New Vegetable product, Best New Field Technology and Best New Indoor Growing Technology. Today, we present the finalists of Best New Packaging and Best New Packing/Processing Equipment.
Best New Packaging
100% Backyard Compostable Packaging
Mastronardi Produce Ltd. – Booth # 10040
"Sunset® is proud to offer a line of 100 percent backyard compostable packaging, which breaks down naturally in your backyard compost. This increases the likelihood the top seal and tray are properly composted and empowers consumers to make a difference—literally in their own backyards!"
Brighthouse Organics Tomato Medley 8oz
NatureSweet LTD – Booth # 4027
"Introducing New Brighthouse Organics Tomato Medley! This little greenhouse holds a trio of the best tasting organic snacking tomatoes and is made from transparent recycled (and recyclable) packaging. Merging the best of traditional farming with the latest greenhouse technology yields simply better produce. Brighthouse Organics - sustainably sown, greenhouse grown!"
Film-sealed Fruit Cups
Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc. –
Booth # 2000
"Del Monte Fresh Produce continuously works to develop innovative packaging with consumer trends in mind. Today’s consumers seek more sustainable, recyclable packaging that is convenient and easy to use. Our new film seal packaging enhances product quality and delivers an improved consumer experience."
Fox Stand-Up Combo® Bag
Fox Packaging – Booth # 6012
"The retailer and end-user substantially benefit from the Stand-Up Combo® bag ― with impulse purchasing on the rise, the aesthetic of this bag captures consumers' eyes, extends shelf life and, in responsibility, is reusable and recyclable ― communicating convenience, a clean lifestyle, and healthy choices." 
Giro "Easy Open" Bag
Giro Pack Inc. – Booth #10022
"The Perfect close! The new patented "Easy Open" system allows you to open and re-close the bag with ease. The bag is also sturdy enough to stand tall, even after opening. Our research shows breathability and ease of use, packaging is what consumers want. It’s so Easy!"
LivingCube™ - Living Lettuce
Del Fresco Produce Ltd. – Booth # 12027
"With multiple varieties available, the LivingCube™ can grow many different living lettuce and leafy green varieties in each growing chamber. We’re able to customize our packaged living lettuce combinations to satisfy our retail partners’ requests. We offer our retail partners new, innovative and local commodities with various options."
Mix & Match
Limoneira Company – Booth # 10030
"The Limoneira Mix & Match Bag features three lemon varieties: Classic, Meyer and Pink in one enticing grab-and-go-bag. The packaging clearly highlights key flavor differences - Meyer are sweeter while Classic are tart and Pink are tangy. Consumers can scan the code on the bag for pairing information and recipes."
Peel and Reseal Compostable Packaging
Naturipe Farms, LLC – Booth # 6036
"Naturipe® now offers convenient Peel and Reseal technology on their compostable Earthcycle® packaging. The new easy-access feature provides consumers with a packaging alternative that protects fresh berries, while reducing spills and potential waste. When paired with our delicious berries and eco-friendly pack, this new addition enhances the overall consumer experience."
PlatBioWrap
The Platinum Packaging Group –
Booth # 10019
"High Barrier Paper / Film"
Schur's ZIP POP
Schur Star Systems Inc. – Booth # 4021
"Utilizing our patented flavor release chamber to cure / spice the contents, Our Schur®Star Zip-Pop packaging - automatically packed dual chamber pouch, a unique combination of engineering, design, and materials. In the bottom compartment you pack any product to microwave. The Flavor release chamber in the top holds the butter-puck / spice mix separate from the product below."
Simple Snack
Mucci Farms – Booth # 9024
"Simple Snack Simple Pack! This “GreenERhouse” package is made of cardboard and 100% recyclable film. Enjoy your favourite Mucci Farms snacking items in a simply sustainable container. Sustainable Innovation Made Purposely for our Living Environment."
Best New Packing/Processing Equipment
Multivac R535 with Integrated Yamato Combination Weigher & Depositor
Multivac, Inc. – Booth # 6033
"A combination of Multivac thermoformer to make snack packages from semi-rigid film and Yamato multihead weigher with distribution and depositor to fill package compartments with fruits, vegetables, nuts and diced cheese. The combined approach eliminates labor and food safety risk while improving throughput and product quality."
Pouch Bagger
Fox Solutions – Booth # 6012
"With pack-line efficiencies and food safety as priorities, the Pouch Bagger is custom built for fresh produce packinghouses. Unlike others, the Pouch Bagger improves automation and reduces changeover downtime; being servo-driven, the Pouch Bagger is specified for precise bag filling, packaging compatibility, and control of speed and soft-fill options."
Strawberry cap removal system / de-caylx / de-stemming machine
Atlas Pacific Engineering – Booth # 14011
"The Atlas Pacific Strawberry Capper (patent pending) is designed to effectively and efficiently remove the caps (calyx) from strawberries at a rate of 5 berries per second per lane so 6,000 lbs/hour can be achieved with our 12 lane machine. The complete system will include washing through cap separation."
Vortex 150
Turatti North America – Booth # 18009
"Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Turatti Group, a new automated spin dryer had been released: the Vortex-150. The model is setting new standards in Product Quality and Hygienic Design and is bringing a number of Patented Designs together for Optimum Performance. A Compact Dryer with a Big Future!"
The 2019 United Fresh Innovation Awards finalists will be displayed on the trade show floor at United Fresh 2019 in Chicago, where attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes for their favorite new and innovative products on Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12. United Fresh will announce winners from the Main Stage on Wednesday, June 12 at 2:00 pm at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center.
For more information:
Mary Coppola
United Fresh Produce Association
Ph: +1 (202) 303-3425
mcoppola@unitedfresh.org
www.unitedfresh.org