The Produce Exchange to market 'Emeril's Gourmet Produce
The Produce Exchange to market 'Emeril's Gourmet Produce
Chef Emeril Lagasse, Pride of San Juan and The Produce Exchange have restructured the "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" line so that The Produce Exchange is the exclusive sales, marketing and distributing agent for the brand.
The Produce Exchange, based in Livermore, CA, will lead new product development of the brand. Pride of San Juan will continue to manage the primary farming operations, and Mr. Lagasse will oversee the brand, new products and recipe development.
"From the very start, this venture has been about our passion for quality produce and to make it available to folks at home," Mr. Lagasse said.
Since its inception in 2004, "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" has launched more than 30 fresh produce products focused on flavor. The first were spring mix blends, fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes. In 2005, The Produce Exchange became involved and has since developed several new products in other categories for the brand.
Stephen Wyrick, president and chief executive officer of San Juan Bautista, CA-based Pride of San Juan, said that PSJ's association with The Produce Exchange started with heirloom tomatoes.
"This restructure really allows each of us to do what we love and ensure greater success for the brand," Mr. Wyrick said.
In early April, Salinas, CA-based grower-shipper Church Bros. LLC and its processing entity, True Leaf Farms, acquired Pride of San Juan's processing facility in San Juan Bautista. The new facility continues to operate as Pride of San Juan Cooling, although True Leaf Farms -- a partnership of Church Bros., Rio Farms and Pride of San Juan principal Stephen Wyrick -- is the owner. True Leaf will be the exclusive packer and supplier of the "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" line.
With offices in Livermore as well as Phoenix and Kent, WA, The Produce Exchange brings 28 years of new product development, sales, marketing and distribution experience to the brand.
Within The Produce Exchange is The Branded Group, whose purpose solely is "to make something happen with the 'Emeril's' brand," said Doug Wyrick, director of marketing and product development at The Produce Exchange. Mr. Wyrick - brother to PSJ CEO Stephen Wyrick - left his role as director of sales and marketing at PSJ for his current role.
"There's lots of experience in retail and wholesale distribution" on The Branded Group's team, Doug Wyrick said. "We came in to help with sales."
Sam Jones, president of The Produce Exchange, said that the partnership "is a passionate joining of strengths" with Mr. Lagasse leading food trends and providing inspiration for products, Stephen Wyrick managing farming and production, and The Produce Exchange developing new products, marketing and selling. He added that the partners have experience in farming and field operations, retail merchandising, fresh produce marketing and logistics.
Dennis Werner, general manager of The Branded Group, listed some of the more popular "Emeril" products as Romanita tomatoes, Mardi Gras bell peppers, traditional spring mix, and "Kicked Up" spring mix, edible flowers and organic spinach.
The Produce Exchange, based in Livermore, CA, will lead new product development of the brand. Pride of San Juan will continue to manage the primary farming operations, and Mr. Lagasse will oversee the brand, new products and recipe development.
"From the very start, this venture has been about our passion for quality produce and to make it available to folks at home," Mr. Lagasse said.
Since its inception in 2004, "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" has launched more than 30 fresh produce products focused on flavor. The first were spring mix blends, fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes. In 2005, The Produce Exchange became involved and has since developed several new products in other categories for the brand.
Stephen Wyrick, president and chief executive officer of San Juan Bautista, CA-based Pride of San Juan, said that PSJ's association with The Produce Exchange started with heirloom tomatoes.
"This restructure really allows each of us to do what we love and ensure greater success for the brand," Mr. Wyrick said.
In early April, Salinas, CA-based grower-shipper Church Bros. LLC and its processing entity, True Leaf Farms, acquired Pride of San Juan's processing facility in San Juan Bautista. The new facility continues to operate as Pride of San Juan Cooling, although True Leaf Farms -- a partnership of Church Bros., Rio Farms and Pride of San Juan principal Stephen Wyrick -- is the owner. True Leaf will be the exclusive packer and supplier of the "Emeril's Gourmet Produce" line.
With offices in Livermore as well as Phoenix and Kent, WA, The Produce Exchange brings 28 years of new product development, sales, marketing and distribution experience to the brand.
Within The Produce Exchange is The Branded Group, whose purpose solely is "to make something happen with the 'Emeril's' brand," said Doug Wyrick, director of marketing and product development at The Produce Exchange. Mr. Wyrick - brother to PSJ CEO Stephen Wyrick - left his role as director of sales and marketing at PSJ for his current role.
"There's lots of experience in retail and wholesale distribution" on The Branded Group's team, Doug Wyrick said. "We came in to help with sales."
Sam Jones, president of The Produce Exchange, said that the partnership "is a passionate joining of strengths" with Mr. Lagasse leading food trends and providing inspiration for products, Stephen Wyrick managing farming and production, and The Produce Exchange developing new products, marketing and selling. He added that the partners have experience in farming and field operations, retail merchandising, fresh produce marketing and logistics.
Dennis Werner, general manager of The Branded Group, listed some of the more popular "Emeril" products as Romanita tomatoes, Mardi Gras bell peppers, traditional spring mix, and "Kicked Up" spring mix, edible flowers and organic spinach.
