Corn is a popular vegetable in Canada, rated the sixth most popular just behind potatoes, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and carrots. Fresh corn imports into Canada have exploded within the past 5 years to reach 64.2 tons, an increase of 33%. The average Canadian purchases 3.37 kg per person/per year and this number has grown by 15% over the last 5 years, making it one of the fastest growing vegetables behind carrots.
Fresh corn should be cooked and served the day it is picked/purchased. As soon as the cobs are picked, their sugar begins to gradually convert to starch, losing 25% of its sugar within 24 hours, reducing corn's natural sweetness. This is why Lassonde processes their Peaches and Cream variety corn within hours of harvest. The corn is harvested, peeled, sorted, cut, packed, cooked and refrigerated, all on the same day which helps keep the corn crunchy and sweet. The vacuum-pack eliminates the need for preservatives or additives and the only requirement is that Sunbites must be kept refrigerated.
All of the corn is sourced in Canada and has a shelf life of 18 months from the harvest day.
The packaged corn is a great alternative to out of season corn on the cob that had previously been offered in cans or frozen. Sunbites offers the convenience of processed corn with the taste of fresh. The packaged corn is ready within 2 minutes from microwave to table.
Sunbites has been available to the Canadian market since 2014 and the company is currently in the process of shipping their first orders to the US market this year.
For more information:
M. Stefano Bertolli
Lassonde
Tel: +1 450-469-5816
www.sunbites.ca