After hearing phenomenal feedback from both vendors and customers following the inaugural New York Produce Show in 2010, Jonathan’s Sprouts Inc., a d/b/a of Jonathan’s Organic, in East Freetown, MA, decided it was too important an event to miss, and so it began exhibiting the second year.

Liz Reilley, vice president of sales and marketing, said the show is well attended and very efficient.

“We have picked up at least one new account at every show,” she said. “This year we’ll be at booth No. 223.”

She pointed out that the company has “sprouted” a new look that it will be sharing with visitors to the New York Produce Show.

Liz Reilley, vice president of sales and marketing for Jonathan’s.“With the help of Single Source Marketing in Danvers, MA, we have updated our packaging,” explained Reilley. “Our new labels feature our beautiful historic barn — renovated for organic food production — which we have been operating out of for 40 years. We also offer two- and four-foot merchandising racks for cleaner displays. Our products now pop off the shelves; no more searching row after row looking for sprouts.”

Jonathan’s is a leader in the development of safe production protocols for the sprout industry. The company was founded by Bob and Barbara Sanderson in 1976, who remain owners today. Reilley is the couple’s niece. She explained that the couple is strongly involved in food-safety organizations, especially those related to sprouts.

“Bob is the founder and current president of International Sprout Growers Association,” she noted. “And they hold membership in the International Association for Food Protection. “They have been initiators, sponsors and participants in risk analysis research suggesting improvements in present Food and Drug Administration safety recommendations for sprouts. And they are involved in numerous other committees, such as the Sprout Safety Task Force Subcommittee to develop sprout safety audit with the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

Sanderson also serves on the steering committee for the FDA Sprout Safety Alliance. He is also credited with developing and promoting sampling and testing protocols. Further, he was a presenter at the first World Congress on Organic Food regarding organic risk-management strategies.

“In addition to pre-production testing of each seed shipment, every crop grown at Jonathan’s is sampled and tested after 48 hours growing time,” said Reilley. “Every day these production samples are delivered to our independent lab where they are tested, in duplicate. Test results must be back before the crop leaves our production facility. Samples are also quality tested in Jonathan’s own program.”

She added that the company has a very active Facebook following, and it is getting great response to its newly designed website, www.Jonathanssprouts.com.