Viva Fresh announces Gateway to Innovation Awards finalists
The Viva Fresh Expo, hosted by the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), has named the category finalists for its first Gateway to Innovation Awards. The groups said the purpose of these awards is to further expand on what is happening in the Tex-Mex produce corridor, and recognize this region’s excellence in areas like packaging design, new product development, food safety, machinery, software and technology.
“The category finalists and winners will be prominently displayed outside the exhibit hall on Saturday, April 7 starting at 8 a.m. so attendees will be able to view the region’s best products or services in the award category areas as they head to the show floor,” said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of TIPA.
The contest was open to all Viva Fresh exhibitors. Category finalists and winners were selected by a panel of judges comprised of retail, foodservice, and produce industry veterans based on a strict set of criteria.
2018 Gateway to Innovation Award Finalists include:
Most Innovative Fruit Product
- Marvelous Jackfruit as meat substitute from Cabefruit Produce (Booth 97)
- Mission Minis (conventional and organic) from Mission Produce (Booth 28)
- Winter Sweetz from Lone Star Citrus Growers (Booth 79)
Most Innovative Vegetable Product
- Honey and vinegar golden beets from Love Beets USA (Booth 32)
- Lorabella Blossom “blissfully bright” tomato from Village Farms (Booth 129)
- SUNSET Aloha peppers from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
Most Innovative Fruit Packaging or POS Solution
- Autumn Glory pouch bags from Domex Superfresh Growers (Booth 5)
- Black Label by London Fruit (Booth 67)
- Halos tree and tractor display from Wonderful Citrus (Booth 82)
- Winter Sweetz from Lone Star Citrus Growers (Booth 79)
Most Innovative Vegetable Packaging or POS Solution
- Cherto gourmet cherry tomatoes on the vine from Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
- SUNSET Sweet Bites Pail with SUNSET Snack Pack from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
- Veggies to Go from Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
Most Innovative Value-Added Solution
- Beet salsa by Love Beets USA (Booth 32)
- Hummus (homestyle hummus, parsley hummus, red pepper hummus) from Del Monte Fresh Produce (Booth 149)
- SUNSET You Make Me pasta kits from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
Most Innovative Technology Application or Software
- ALC dock scheduling from ALC Logistics (Booth 38)
- Food Safety by ScanTech Sciences
- Micro-budded, small tree, and higher-density citrus farming under HLB conditions by U.S. Citrus (Booth 44)
- Mucci International Logistics App by Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
Most Innovative Product Solution
- Single Entry: Food Safety by ScanTech Sciences
Most Innovative Equipment
- Single Entry: pouch bagger by Fox Packaging (Booth 64)
A Best of Show winner will be selected by popular vote on Saturday, April 7. Attendees will be encouraged to vote via text or online and the winner will be announced at 3 p.m. during the expo.
