Gold Coast Packing’s Crystal Chavez Details New Items at IFPA Foodservice Conference
SANTA MARIA, CA - The time is nigh for innovations and solutions in Monterey, California, as the fresh produce and foodservice industries convene for this year’s International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Foodservice Conference. Gold Coast Packing is coming out of the gate swinging with several new products hitting the market. I got in touch with Crystal Chavez, Marketing Coordinator, to discuss the latest items hitting our radar.
“This year, we are excited to showcase our newly developed Chopped Cilantro offering. We have been producing Chopped Cilantro for several years, and we just made it even better!” Crystal explains to me. “Our previous Chopped Cilantro had an 11-day shelf-life. Now, we have extended the shelf-life to 16 days, making it more convenient to use and creating less food waste.”
Gold Coast’s Product Development and Innovation team worked with its packaging suppliers and production plant to perfect the shelf-life-extending process to reach the maximum point of freshness. With this extended life, the chopped cilantro offering is able to travel to foodservice operators across the country.
If you’re curious to try this fresh product out for yourself, well you’re in luck. As Gold Coast is a sponsor of the IFPA Foodservice Closing Reception, attendees can look forward to a signature cocktail featuring the grower’s Chopped Cilantro. An easy way to get both your greens and libation in while networking.
Another item the Gold Coast team will be showcasing is its new Bite-Size Broccoli, a smaller and more convenient cut for everyone’s favorite trees.
“This cut is the perfect fork-able size,” explains Crystal. “It was created after many requests from our customers for a smaller floret. This item is available in 4x5 lb pack size. It’s perfect to use as-is in side or main dishes that require smaller cuts, such as mac ’n cheese or broccoli beef.”
For Gold Coast, foodservice makes up most of its business. By attending shows such as IFPA’s conference, growers and suppliers like Gold Coast can really showcase its capabilities and offerings that save time, labor, and resources. Items such as small portion packs and 2 and 3 lb packs are perfect for cutting prep time in the back of the house. Larger bulk packs are also available and ideal for industrial accounts.
Communication remains key for Gold Coast, and the opportunity to have in-person conversations is invaluable to creating solutions and products to meet changing demands.
“Those that visit our booth will get to see a majority of our foodservice offerings. We provide a range of products fit for every need,” continues Crystal. “Being face-to-face with our customers and having the opportunity to meet up with new potential customers are some of the things we look forward to most. Events like these allow us to show off our products, see what is trending, and talk to chefs about what they want for their kitchens.”
Stop by booth #800 to talk shop with the Gold Coast Packing team, and be sure to keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest in our industry.
