Besides the usual photo reports of exhibitors and their familiar faces, there was a large glass window at last week's PMA Fresh Summit, held in Anaheim, California, and there was a lot to see behind it. This so-called Fresh Ideas Showcase held all the new, innovative or potentially interesting products, and we photographed them.
Plastic, paper or cardboard
The Fresh Ideas Showcase had a strong focus on packaging solutions. These came in all shapes and sizes of plastic containers with fitting lids or top seals. There was also an abundance of cardboard containers, some of which had a bit of plastic with the purpose of keeping the packaging transparent. There were even some examples of 'packaging' with the prime purpose of traceability through the use of, for example, a QR code.
Promoting healthy living
In the fruit-vegetable sector, there were various kinds of snack vegetables which are meant to stimulate vegetable consumption. The Produce Marketing Association has a similar aim and uses Sesame Street packaging for products such as garlic.
Optimizing the whole chain
There were also a few pieces of technology behind the glass, specifically in the areas of logistics and refrigeration, as well as the optimization of a product's perfect storage conditions.
Added value
The variety of processed fruit and vegetable products on display was remarkable. The growers themselves often work to create the variety in order to add more value to their products. Examples of this are beverages, juices, spreads or pastes, as well as convenience items such as easy-to-use, pre-cut products.
Get surfing, though not on the Californian waves
A quick look at the ideas could give you new ideas and make you privy to the innovations happening today - either way, you don't have to pay for a plane ticket. Not bad, right?