NEW YORK CITY — Each year, the New York Produce Show delivers great products, innovation, people and a regional school spirit that's palpable on the expo floor. This year was no exception. Here's more from last week's gathering at the Javits Center:
Guacamole Has Room to Grow in Northeast
Sales of guacamole are growing double digits in the Northeast, says Tara Murray of Fresh Innovations and Yo Quiero Brands. The New York Produce Show provided the perfect opportunity to introduce this increasingly important market to the company's guacamole, roasted salsas and more, including its Cantina Style line of Mexico Inspired Guacamole, Hatch Verde Salsa, Authentic Salsa and Roasted Salsa.
“There's a great spice mix and vegetables in this line,” says Murray, who sees a resurgence in authentic Mexican flavors in guacamole and salsa. “Consumers are really loving it, and there's lots of room for growth here in the Northeast.”
Apples Get Ludacrisp
Rooted in JP & Co. Apple Packaging Sullivan, a 100-year-old Massachusetts company, Red Heads Eastern Apples showcased its rebranded look designed to pop off the shelf.
“There's lots of browns and greens in the apple industry, so we thought we'd stand out with red and black,” says Red Heads' Scott Dault. The company also featured its Ludacrisp apple, an open pollinated apple with the crunch and Brix of Honeycrisp with tropical flavors, Dault say.
Doing What Greenhouse Growers Do Best
Justin Wright of Canadian greenhouse grower Great Lakes Greenhouses, says that while tariffs, trade and freight have required some navigation this year, Great Lakes is sticking to its roots and what it does best: hydroponically grown cucumbers.
Great Relationships
Mike Armata of E Armata, says the New York Produce Show is an opportunity to connect with customers and shippers.
“This is about reminding them that we're here for them for the whole season, not just a couple of times a year,” says Armata, who adds the NYPS is like a reunion. “We have so many great relationships here.”
Serving Customers
Consistency of supply was also a key message at the Lipman Family Farms booth, where the team discussed the benefits of working both with its network of farms as well as Lipman's own farms to serve its retail and foodservice customers in the best way possible.
Micro-greens Go Macro
South Carolina-based micro-greens greenhouse grower City Roots is in expansion mode. It not only just got picked up by Trader Joe's, it also recently marked reaching capacity at its first greenhouse.
“We need another greenhouse,” says City Roots' Eric McClam, who says the greenhouse grower is set to break ground on a second facility in 2026.
Fresh from the Farm Fast
The sixth-generation farming family behind the Canadian Little Junior brand says customers can get its romaine, romaine hearts, iceberg lettuce, celery and much more almost anywhere in the Northeastern U.S. within 24 hours.
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