Mucci Farms' Stephen Cowan Details Product Innovations Ahead of CPMA Convention and Trade Show

Each year, attendees from across the globe assemble in Canada for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) annual Convention and Trade Show. This year, they will gather in Vancouver, where exhibitors from the country and the rest of the world will showcase their innovative offerings. Among them is Mucci Farms, which prides itself on being a partner to the organization and a driver of cutting-edge product development in the greenhouse sector.

“The CPMA Convention and Trade Show holds special significance for us, particularly because it's in our backyard. As a proudly Canadian company, we feel a strong sense of pride and ownership over the event, especially because there remains a lack of awareness regarding the magnitude and importance of the Canadian produce industry,” says Stephen Cowan, Director of Retail Sales for Mucci Farms. “We are proud to seize the opportunity to showcase the remarkable efforts underway in Canada to ensure access to fresh fruits and vegetables. This pride extends not only to Mucci Farms but also to the broader national industry.”

This year, Mucci Farms will continue its big push behind its Savorries Sweet Strawberry Tomatoes for Best New Product. The variety is the newest edition to the supplier’s premium tomato lineup, setting itself apart with its versatility and presentation.

Savorries are shaped like strawberries but taste like tomatoes. They are the perfect conversation starter and addition to snacks, appetizers, and even salads, pastas, and sauces. Their sweet and savory flavor is sure to enhance any dish. Savorries are also offered on the vine, which gives them that natural farm-fresh aroma, a beautiful presentation, and, most importantly, maximum flavor.

“Over the last several years, snacking has been one of the fastest-growing segments of the fresh produce category,” explains Stephen. “With that knowledge, we’ve made a concerted effort to identify the best snacking varieties across all of our offerings. Our design team does a wonderful job creating world-class brands that help us compete with typical unhealthy options.”

Mucci Farms will also be spotlighting its freshly rebranded Veggies-to-Go for the snackable category. The lineup allows customers to mix and match award-winning tomato, pepper, and cucumber varieties. It has been a big hit with young people, and parents have appreciated the intentional approach to encourage kids to snack healthily.

This focus on consumer trends and innovation, coupled with Mucci Farms’ ability to execute, makes the company a strong partner for buyers and retailers.

“As a vertically integrated organization, we can service our partners from seed to retail with direct control over each stop in the supply chain,” Stephen states. “We pride ourselves on long-term partnerships that extend to working together to bring new innovative products to the marketplace. Our in-house marketing team has agency-level capabilities, including large-scale print for POP items and in-store displays, packaging development, creative design, and communications. We eagerly work with retail marketing teams to find ways to cross-promote through sponsored ads and store-level promos.”

The company also offers in-store demos to engage with shoppers, showing them various usage ideas and product information. This is in addition to its high emphasis on social media, where it engages with consumers and inspires interest in the company’s products.

Beyond its showcase at CPMA, Mucci Farms is sponsoring the relaxation lounge at the event, which has been renamed the Fresh HUB, where attendees can take a load off, charge their devices, have meetings, or catch up on emails.

The provider also actively participates in committees that offer thought leadership and collaborates with industry members to find ways to improve access to and increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Overall, Mucci Farms takes pride in promoting the association’s programs, especially its Half Your Plate Initiative.

Visit the team at booth #531 to learn more about Mucci Farms and all that it offers its industry partners.