“The name says it all: this show is about innovation,” said Leona Neill, director of marketing and packaging for the Kingsville, ON-based company. “Our goal is to guide our customers through our latest in packaging innovation, addressing evolving consumer demands, and providing sustainable solutions to help them achieve their environmental goals.”
Additionally, the company’s sales team will take this opportunity to share the latest efficiencies in Red Sun Farms’ growing operations through technology, automation and better yielding varieties.
“These advancements were key considerations as we prepared for the fall and winter crops,” Neill said.
One of the pros of attending Southern Innovations is that it’s dedicated to highlighting industry innovation with multiple discussion points with customers and peers.
“Southern Innovations will be a busy event, as our team looks forward to participating in educational sessions, showcasing our latest innovative products at the exhibition and attending networking receptions,” Neill said. “Southern Innovations is an event that fosters reconnections and new relationships. Our team is excited about the prospect of establishing fresh relationships that will serve as the cornerstone for ongoing growth and partnership in the years ahead.”
The Red Sun Farms team will be focused on showcasing both product and packaging material innovations at the show at booth No. 302.
“We have hand-selected our team for Southern Innovations based on strategic customer conversations, expertise in sustainability initiatives and for development of the newest members of our team,” Neill said.
Among the innovations Red Sun Farms will be showcasing at its booth will be Empress Limited Edition Tomatoes, which Neill described as “cherry tomatoes that retain their classic taste and size while featuring a luxurious purple hue inside and out. Rich in antioxidants and offering superior health benefits, this unique, patented bioengineering technique combines snapdragon genes with tomatoes, creating an unparalleled culinary experience.”
The company will also have it snacking Sweetpops Tomatoes on hand.
In addition, the company will be highlighting its sustainability journey, presenting the transition to more environmentally friendly packaging solutions for mini cucumbers, recyclable solutions for TOV & SURP bags, and advancements in BioPET and Mono topseal packaging.
So far in 2024, Red Sun Farms has faced many of the same challenges plaguing others in the industry.
“The market has been challenging due to extreme weather conditions, crop yield impacted by disease control in the greenhouses and increasing operational costs,” Neill said. “Our team will continue to use this opportunity to identify efficiencies through technology and automation, as well as innovation in better yielding varieties. These changes are big steps and take time to implement, but they are long term improvements that will ensure our operations continue to survive in future markets.”
To drive future growth, the Red Sun Farms team is excited to focus on product innovation, advanced greenhouse technology and sustainability.
“These efforts will not only drive our business forward but also contribute positively to the industry and environment,” Neill said.
As the company gets ready to head out to the show, leadership is excited to build new relationships that will lay the groundwork for continued growth and partnership in the years to come.
“SEPC serves as a platform that brings together the produce community, fostering the renewal of existing connections, the formation of new relationships, the advancement of education and the unification of the entire industry,” Neill said. “A successful show allows us to reconnect with our retail partners and align our communications on shared goals for 2024, as well as begin planning conversations for 2025.”
