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Major produce industry award to veteran grower

June 13, 2017, Chicago, IL – Thousands of produce industry executives are arriving in Chicago this week to attend the United Fresh Produce Association’s Annual FreshMKT & FreshTEC Expos and Convention (June 13-15).

During the festivities on June 13, greenhouse vegetable grower NatureFresh™ Farms owner and president Peter Quiring will be receiving the FreshTEC Achievement Award his contributions to the produce industry over the last 20 years.

“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.”

“It is a great honour to be recognized by your peers,” said Quiring. “Innovation in the way we build our greenhouses and how we grow our vegetables 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.”

TOMZ SNACKING TOMATO LINE AN AWARD FINALIST

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 market place to create a category wide program that would give consumers consistent quality, regardless of the season,” said Chris Veillon, director of marketing.

The TOMZ program is unique in that it provides consumers with up to seven different types of specialty tomatoes under one brand: Red/Yellow/Orange Grape, Red Cherry, Mixed Snacking, Mixed Grape, and Sweet Red Cocktail Tomatoes.

Grown in NatureFresh’s new state of the art greenhouse in Delta, Ohio, from October to July and in NatureFresh’s high tech greenhouses in Leamington, Ontario, from March to November, the company is ensuring that locally grown snacking tomatoes are available year-round.

“Consumers want summer-like flavour in July, November and February and the TOMZ program does just that,” said Veillon.

The TOMZ program is built on the following principles:

• TOMZ is promoting the category as a whole, not just one item.

• Driven by Flavour – seven unique products under one brand.
• Reduced food miles creates extended shelf life.

• Creating a consumer connection with multiple flavours.

• Same seed by the same grower on the same farms equals consistency.

• High impact packaging colours to brighten the produce aisle.

• Geo-targeted consumer facing digital content to raise awareness.

• Available year-round.

“We believe that the TOMZ program can strengthen the snacking category as a whole. It is not just about one tomato with flavour, it is a complete line of fresh tomatoes with flavour,” said Ray Wowryk, director of business development.

NatureFresh Farms continues to sample its TOMZ tomatoes at all #GreenInTheCity tour stops this year with the company’s mobile Greenhouse Education Centre.

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. Attendees are invited to visit Booth 3231.

To learn more about NatureFresh Farms, visit naturefresh.ca.