This year, due to the ongoing global pandemic, the CPMA New Product Showcase, which is traditionally held at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show, was moved online. The 2020 CPMA Virtual New Product Showcase, sponsored by Canadian Grocer, featured 56 products from 44 companies.
CPMA announced the winners in four product categories: The Organic Product Award, Packaging Innovation Award, Best Snackable Product, and the Best New Product Award.
Best Snackable Product category
The winner of the newly renamed Best Snackable Product category (previously called Freggie-Approved Product), is Mastronardi Produce’s SUNSET® Honey Bombs™ Golden Cherry Tomatoes-on-the-Vine. Sweet-like-honey with the perfect crunch, Honey Bombs™ are the latest addition to the SUNSET® Bombs™ lineup of on-the-vine snacking tomatoes. Honey Bombs™ offer the same high-impact Bombs™ taste experience that consumers crave, with a golden-hued color and fruit-like flavor.
“Our Bombs™ lineup has had such an overwhelming response from customers and consumers, first with Flavor Bombs® and then Sugar Bombs®,” says Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce. “Honey Bombs™ offers the same explosive flavor that consumers come to expect with our brand and is already garnering the same cult-like attention as our other Bombs tomatoes.”
“While our circumstances have changed tremendously over the past several months, it’s fantastic to see how the industry is still connecting virtually and celebrating innovations in fresh produce,” continues Paul. “We are thrilled to receive this award for one of our latest produce innovations.”
2020 Packaging Innovation Award
The 2020 Packaging Innovation Award has been awarded to Mucci Farms for their Paper Top Seal, continuing Mucci’s momentum from winning Best Sustainable Packaging for Simple Snack at the 2019 PMA Fresh Summit Conference and Expo. The new innovative solution reduces the use of plastic on common footprint containers, and effectively converts them into 100% fully recyclable packages. “It’s no secret that sustainability is a primary subject in the food industry so it’s great to be recognized for our ongoing efforts to address these global challenges,” said Fernanda Albuquerque, Packaging Development Manager.
The Award-Winning Paper Top Seal package replaces the plastic top seal film with a paper film, allowing both the PET tray and lid to be fully recyclable. “We are focused on reducing plastic in every way we can, so it was exciting to be able to innovate and modify an existing package and make it that much more environmentally friendly.”
The company additionally introduced ZingersTM Shishito Peppers, mild finger length peppers that offer a unique experience with 1 in 10 peppers being spicy, Teeny-Tiny SmucciesTM, a bite-sized version of another Award-Winning product, as well as a renewed push and expanded Organic Cucumber program.
Organic Product Award winner
This year’s Organic Product Award winner is La Huerta Imports’ Wana Bana Organic Fruit Puree. Wana Bana exotic-flavored 100% Organic Fruit Purees are selected from the best fruits found in Ecuador. The puree is extracted without adding anything – no preservatives and no added sugar, only the fruit. This product is packed in packets that do not require refrigeration for up to 12 months.
2020 Best New Product Award winner
The 2020 Best New Product Award winner is The Little Potato Company’s Easy Sides. Easy Sides are seasoned, fully cooked creamer potatoes, hot and crispy in seven minutes, and available in four culinary-inspired flavors. Eye-catching packaging highlights pairing options for a complete meal solution.
The winners, along with all product submissions can be found on the CPMA Convention and Trade Show website. CPMA will once again host the New Product Showcase in-person, along with a digital component, at the 2021 CPMA Convention and Trade Show, taking place March 2-4, 2021, in Vancouver B.C.
For more information:
Allan Gordon
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 (613) 226-4187 x225
Email: agordon@cpma.ca
www.cpma.ca
Justine Chevalier
Mastronardi Produce
Tel: +1 (519) 326-1491
Email: justine.chevalier@sunsetgrown.com
www.sunsetgrown.com
Ajit Saxena
Mucci Farms
Tel: +1 (519) 326-8881 ext 2253
Email: ASaxena@muccifarms.com
www.muccifarms.com