MONTEREY, CA - Like my foremothers before me, I am a grazer. In fact, I come from a long line of grazers, munchers, snackers, and eaters on both my mother’s and father’s side. So, while I look forward to meeting more of our industry at every tradeshow I attend, I have to admit that what I look forward to the most in my show floor conversations is: “would you like to try it?” Yes, yes, always yes! Here are but a few of the latest produce innovations I kept coming back to snack on at PMA Foodservice…

Tanimura & Antle Artisan Baby Iceberg Lettuce

More and more in our industry are launching traditional fruit and vegetables in less traditional, more innovating sizes, and I’m here for it. One such company is Tanimura & Antle whose new Artisan Baby Iceberg Lettuce is arguably the cutest thing I’ve seen. I can’t possibly be the only consumer who would have to pause just to coo at these baby bulbs. A score for foodservice chefs looking to switch things up with something fun and sassy, at the very least Tanimura & Antle’s Artisan Baby Iceberg Lettuce will always be a sight to behold on any plate.

Duda Farm Fresh Dandy® Fully Shucked Super Sweet Corn

I have a confession: I’m not one to admit when I need help—in the kitchen or otherwise. So, as soon as I stumbled upon Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Dandy® Fully Shucked Super Sweet Corn, I knew I had met my match. Now, those in foodservice not only have a kitchen helper thanks to Duda’s value-added offering that takes all of the prep out of corn, but also have the same high-quality sweet corn many have come to expect from Duda. The ultimate win-win if you ask me.

Del Monte Pineapple Rings

Pineapple is the most delicious pizza topping—put down your torches and pitchforks, I will not be engaging in any arguments on this subject. And my affinity for putting the tropical fruit on savory dishes doesn’t stop at pizza either, which is why Del Monte’s Pineapple Rings know me and know me well. Cut in the best shapes for stacking on burgers or topping on fried rice, Del Monte’s Pineapple Rings are a no brainer in the value-added and foodservice realms and even more so for those sad souls (me) who still haven’t learned the art of cutting a pineapple.

Babé Farms Purple Ninja Radish

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I like a lot of things just because they’re pretty and Babé Farms’ Purple Ninja Radishes are dang pretty. A stunning combination of dark and light purple hues, the Purple Ninja Radish immediately caught my attention on the show floor. While it is named the Purple Ninja because of its spicy kick in flavor, the tricks it does when you slice it up to get to the gem-like colors inside are noteworthy, too. I would eat only Babé Farms’ Purple Ninja Radish purely for the aesthetic if I could get away with it.

Gold Coast Packing Sunny Superfood Salad

The best kind of salads are bright, crisp, and brimming with lots of different flavorful fruits and vegetables. And Gold Coast Packing has mastered all these attributes in flying colors in its newest Sunny Superfood Salad offering. Not only does the Sunny Superfood Salad bring the sunshine all year long thanks to its array of deep green kale, Napa and green cabbage, bright orange carrots, magenta-hued watermelon radish, broccoli slaw, and hints of cilantro, but it is also all sorts of yummy that foodservice chefs will definitely want to get into consumers' tummies.

Until next year, PMA Foodservice!