SAN ANTONIO, TX - Now that the dust has settled after my first Viva Fresh show, I am feeling a bit dazed and majorly amazed by all of the innovative ways that our industry continues to push fresh forward. Booming with excitement, the showroom floor was teeming with industry leaders. As I meandered the booths, weaving in and out of the swirling creative energy, I found myself particularly drawn to a handful of products, though it was tough to narrow down with so many…

Domex Superfresh Growers® Autumn Glory® Pouch Bags

Fall is my favorite season for more reasons than I can count, but the colors and flavors that it supplies are right at the top of the list. Bringing sunset-hued apples and packaging to retailers year-round, the company taps into the reminiscence and romance that autumn brings, making Thanksgiving-inspired apple pies a regular occurrence in my house. Beyond the beauty of these snacks, these apples offer a crisp crunch emboldened by juicy flavor. Be right back, going to make some pie crust now...

London Fruit Black Label Carton

It’s all about style for me, and this new packaging has got the look. Sleek black lines frame the produce held inside in a picture-perfect design. The Black Label open-top cartons are stamped with the company’s signature logo, but nothing catches the eye like the pop of colors that the bright fruit provides when juxtaposed against the striking, sleek, and sophisticated design. The new Black Label packaging is also primed to drive sales, celebrate the much-loved Ataulfo variety mango, and provide customers and end consumers with the freshest possible London Fruit offerings.

SunFed® Almost Famous Eggplant

Maybe it’s the Greek in me—or maybe it’s the various ways that this pretty veg can be used—but I’m all about that eggplant life. I crave it in moussaka, roasted as a carb-free pizza crust, and dipped in hummus. The fun packaging highlights the perfection found in produce, regardless of a few scratches around the edges. Along with bringing a unique character to the grocery experience, these grab-and-go bags also address the challenge of selling items in bulk and ensure that the produce is rung up correctly at the register.

Cabefruit Produce Marvelous Jackfruit Meat Substitute

The nostalgia is real when I think about family gatherings at my favorite Mexican restaurant, where I all but drank salsa by the cup. My favorite dish, shredded beef tacos, is made all the more enticing with this meat substitute. The shredded fruit blends flawlessly with veggies to make meal-time prep more interesting and bites guilt-free, with tastes that make you wonder, “How have I not had this all along?!” So, I can now get the tasty, textured, versatile meal without the weighty meat?! I have three words for that: love, love, love.

Village Farms Lorabella Blossom™ Tomato

The best part about these snacks is that you can grab a handful at a time. Offering consumers delicious flavor, a crisp bite, and vibrant color, this tomato variety offers a rush of emotions that, really, only food can tap into, if you ask me. Foolproof when put into salads, sautéed with asparagus, or tossed in with pasta, the only thing that can make these tiny pretties any better is their grab-and-go allure in the produce aisle, and a consumer has got to eat!

Now that my first produce show experience has left me dazzled, I'm pretty sure that what Ricky Martin meant to sing was, "Livin' la Viva Produce," and I'm looking forward to more of it! For more industry news and revised singalong tunes, keep with us at AndNowUKnow.