SunFed's Gretchen Kreidler Austin Discusses Viva Fresh Expo Plans
- by Anne Allen
RIO RICO, AZ - Everything’s better in Texas—or is it bigger? No matter the turn of phrase, Texas will be the place to be come April 25, when members of our industry gather at Texas International Produce Association’s (TIPA) Viva Fresh Expo. One such company bringing that better and bigger attitude is SunFed. I spoke with Gretchen Kreidler Austin, Director of Marketing and Business Development, to learn more about the company plans to highlight at this year’s show.
“We will focus a little more on our summer programs through Texas, including zucchini, yellow squash, grey squash, cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, hot peppers, bell peppers, and melons,” Gretchen told me. “We also continue to focus on our Perfect Organics, such as cucumbers and squash. SunFed is seeing an increased interest from our customers for over wrapped or flow wrapped packages, so we will exhibit some of our packs. SunFed uses MAMH film for our special packs extending freshness, flavor, and shelf life. We continue to seek out innovation improving the eating experience of our products.”
In addition to summer programs, SunFed will utilize the time at the show to discuss its melon machine, which was chosen for the Gateway to Innovation Showcase, as well as a new recipe and its Texas operation.
“So many messages to share, so little time! We will show off our sweet melon machine technology—in an 18x18x18 inch cube—that reads a melon’s sugar level before shipping,” she said. “We will also focus on low-carb and keto-friendly zucchini with a new recipe and naming contest that will keep people coming back for more. And finally, since Viva Fresh is in Texas and timing is near our summer season, we will focus on our Texas operations, including our Texas onion and beet programs as well as our Mexico-grown items crossing through the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.”
Having been a major supporter of Viva Fresh and TIPA over the years, SunFed appreciates the value TIPA brings to the produce industry. Gretchen let me know one of the highlights of the show is the face-to-face interaction between displaying vendors and attending buyers.
“SunFed has a reputation for quality, and we hang our hat on it. Industry veterans know about our quality but younger buyers, newer to the industry, might not know us,” Gretchen concluded. “SunFed is so focused on quality and innovations that Perfect Produce is our tagline, our registered trademark, and the cornerstone of our brand promise and mission.”
Be sure to visit SunFed at booth #60 to see what quality is all about!