NatureFresh™ Farms Peter Quiring To Receive FreshTEC Achievement Award; TOMZ® Best New Vegetable Finalist
CHICAGO, IL - Adding another recognition for leadership and creativity to its belt, NatureFresh™ Farms is looking forward to a few distinctions at this year's United Fresh 2017. Owner and President Peter Quiring will receive the FreshTEC Achievement Award, in addition to some of the company's offerings named as Award Finalists.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by your peers,” Quiring said. “Innovation in the way we build our greenhouses and how we grow our vegetable is what has driven my companies for many years. Implementing the latest in technology has allowed us to be a more efficient operation from start to finish.”
According to a press release, Quiring will be honored at the United Fresh Produce Association’s Annual FreshMKT & FreshTEC Expos & Convention in Chicago, IL, which runs from June 13-15. Quiring was selected for his contributions to the produce industry over the last 20 years.
“Peter’s contributions to greenhouse technology have advanced the industry significantly,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “His competitive drive and commitment to invest in technology advancements in controlled growing environments are what set him apart. We’re proud to honor Peter with this FreshTEC Achievement Award.”
In addition to receiving the FreshTEC Award for Achievement, NatureFresh Farms has been named a Finalist for the Best New Vegetable Award for its TOMZ® Snacking Tomato Program.
“We saw a need in the marketplace to create a category wide program that would give consumers consistent quality, regardless of the season,” said Director of Marketing Chris Veillon. “Consumers want summer-like flavor in July, November, and February and the TOMZ Program does just that.”
The TOMZ Program provides consumers with up to seven different types of specialty tomatoes under one brand. Varieties include:
- Red/Yellow/Orange Grape
- Red Cherry
- Mixed Snacking
- Mixed Grape
- Sweet Red Cocktail Tomatoes
By growing in its new state-of-the-art greenhouse in Delta, OH, from October to July, and in its greenhouses in Leamington, ON, March to November, NatureFresh™ is ensuring locally-grown snacking tomatoes are available year-round.
The TOMZ Program seeks to promote the category as a whole rather than just one item by driving marketing by flavor with seven unique products under a single brand, reducing food miles to create extended shelf-life, creating a consumer connection with multiple flavors, and providing consistency by using the same farms, growers, and seeds. Additionally, the program utilizes geo-targeted consumer facing digital content to raise product awareness, high-impact packaging colors to brighten the produce aisles, and year-round availability.
“We believe that the TOMZ Program can strengthen the snacking category as a whole,” said Director of Business Development Ray Wowryk. “It is not just about one tomato with flavor, it is a complete line of fresh tomatoes with flavor.”
NatureFresh Farms will continue to sample its TOMZ Tomatoes at all #GreenInTheCity tour stops this year with the company’s mobile Greenhouse Education Center.
NatureFresh Farms will have its complete line of greenhouse grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers on display at the FreshMKT Trade show during the United Fresh Convention in Chicago, June 14-15. Attendees are invited to visit booth #3231.
