“This show is one of our favorite regional trade shows, drawing a large audience of qualified buyers from across North America,” said Mark Munger, senior director of marketing for the Castroville, CA-based company. “Its smaller scale creates an especially favorable customer-to-buyer ratio, fostering a relaxed atmosphere that allows us to spend more quality time with attendees. We use the opportunity to meet with key customers, review business plans, and explore new accounts and relationships. The March timeframe also fits perfectly for us to discuss our spring and summer crop programs.”

Ocean Mist Farms will be at booth No. 918, and members of the team appearing at the show include Munger; Jeff Hutterer, director of value-added sales; Joe Angelo, director of sales; Brian Hawes, sales account manager; and Tom Botelho, also a sales account manager.

“We are sending several key sales team members who look forward to taking advantage of the unique opportunity each year to interact directly with our valued customers,” Munger said. “It’s also a great event to make new connections and dialog with new and potential customers who are interested in learning more about Ocean Mist’s full line of premium commodity vegetables, as well as our value-added items and latest award-winning innovation, Roastables Ready-To-Roast kits.”

At the booth, members from the team will be sampling some exciting new line extensions to Ocean Mist Farms’ popular Roastables line that was just unveiled last year.

“In addition to our new meal kit solutions, we’ll also be showcasing our coveted Gold Standard artichokes along with our full line of premium fresh vegetables and value-added items,” Munger said.

The company’s big news will be around its newest innovative line which has received rave reviews from industry colleagues, customers and consumers alike. It was just launched last October and by December, received its first award, the Joe Nucci Innovation Award at the New York Produce Show.

“Nutrition and flavor don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” Munger said. “Partnering with a culinary team in San Francisco, we developed unique, restaurant-quality chef-crafted flavors for our new Roastables line.”

Ocean Mist’s new line offers the convenience of home-cooked meals with craveable flavors and minimal prep time making it easy to create wholesome and tasty side dishes the whole family will love. Or Roastables can be easily transformed into complete meals with the addition of a favorite protein.

Created with health-conscious consumers in mind, these latest Roastables contain just 50-80 calories per serving. All Roastables recipes are free of artificial preservatives, colors and flavors, and contain 0 grams of saturated fats. Best of all, Roastables are fast and easy to whip up with minimal prep and quick roasting times.

“We understand that today’s consumers are busier than ever, with many households balancing two working parents,” Chris Drew, Ocean Mist’s president said. “Our goal with these roasting kits is to help families reclaim valuable time without compromising on nutrition or taste.”