Oppy products shine and partnerships grow at PMA

KeeWee, the Super Fun Superfood from Oppy, will debut in December.

Chairman, President and CEO John Anderson with Social Media Coordinator Kelsey Van Lissum and Marketing Communications Manager Karin Gardner.

Traffic was constant at the Oppy booth.

Oppy Category Development Director Jason Fung was recognized among Produce Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40.

North America’s largest fresh produce trade show, the PMA Fresh Summit, brought together over 1,200 exhibitors and more than 21,000 attendees from 65 countries—including a dedicated group from Oppy intent upon driving business forward at this record-breaking event.

The annual Fresh Summit provided a backdrop for the Oppy team to meet with members of its international grower family as well as retail customers, strengthening relationships and planning for the future.

“Fresh Summit was once again a marvelous opportunity for members of our executive management, sales and marketing groups to interact with key growers, retailers and service providers from across the industry,” said Oppy Executive Director of Marketing James Milne. “The energy was infectious and our international connections on display for all to see, including a good cross section of Total Produce executives. Our sponsorship of the lanyards is a source of pride for all.”

On the show floor, Oppy showcased a full assortment of products, including KeeWee, a new kiwifruit brand slated to go live in December. Featuring a playful kiwi character and set apart by seriously good flavor, KeeWee The Super Fun Superfood™ will be available in clamshells, bags and bulk.

With grower partner SunSelect, a leading greenhouse producer in Canada and the U.S., Oppy launched a new mid-sized, high lycopene, high brix tomato-on-the-vine called Sweet Thing. Weighing in at 100 grams, this deep red, clean slicing tomato fills the usage niche between larger TOVs and snacking tomatoes. Sweet Thing attracted several media interviews and engaged retailer attention.

Meanwhile, Oppy’s JAZZ™ Apple Smoothie bowl recipe competed as a finalist at the Sensory Experience event, where retail and foodservice buyers—and local children—rated ten produce-filled recipes for flavor and fun.

Other highlights for the team included Oppy’s Food Safety and Government Relations Administrator Valerie Hannig’s insights about the new Food Safety Modernization Act presented in a panel discussion about the implementation of FMSA.

As well, Director of Category Development Jason Fung was honored at Produce Business Magazine’s Rising Star Reception as one of the industry’s “40 Under 40” distinguished leaders. Other current Oppy team members who have earned this distinction are Karin Gardner, Brett Libke and David Nelley.