Packaged Facts reports that sales of branded packaged produce through all retail channels increased by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% between 2009 and 2013 to reach $5.6 billion. Conservatively forecasting a CAGR for this category of 4.6% through 2018, when sales are expected to approach $7 billion according to the report. Higher sales volume, higher prices, and consumer demand are key factors in this projection.
At the 2015 United Fresh Show, Bejo Seeds, Inc. will highlight their success with branded produce. Booth #1257 will be featuring the award winning Tasti-Lee® Tomatoes along with other branded vegetable varieties such as the Sweetheart Lettage® and Kool Robbi®.
Ten years in development by Dr. John “Jay” Scott at the University of Florida, this vine-ripened tomato caught fire with consumers and is now the #1 brand of fresh round tomatoes in the US (AC Nielsen FreshFacts® 52 Weeks Ending July 26, 2014). Tasti-Lee® brand messaging is recognized by consumers to have up to 50% higher lycopene levels, superior flavor, sun-ripened, and excellent quality. The seed is produced and distributed worldwide by family-owned international seed company, Bejo Zaden of The Netherlands, with its North American division, Bejo Seed, Inc. responsible for the rapid success of the Tasti-Lee® Tomatoes brand.
The demands for creating the perfect tomato were two fold, shares Dr. Scott. For one, the tomato needs to have delicious flavor year-round, have a naturally plump size, and keep shape after cutting for sandwiches and cooking. Second, the fruit needs to be sturdy enough to withstand the pressures of commercial agribusiness and transport. Tasti-Lee® aced both the demands and have since gained a loyal following of consumers looking for Tasti-Lee’s® delicious flavor, color, size, and hearty lycopene content.
These soil-grown, non-GMO tomatoes naturally turn a beautiful deep red color from sun-ripening (never gassed with ethylene). The perfect balance of sweet and tangy taste, Tasti Lee® tomatoes not only contain 50% more lycopene than your average tomato, but they stay firm on the consumers’ kitchen counter resulting in a superior cutting tomato.
Grown by experts in the farming community, Tasti-Lee® tomatoes come in both organic and conventional varieties, and are available in leading natural supermarkets and mainstream grocery chains around the nation. Tasti-Lee® truly brings the fresh taste and texture of homegrown tomatoes to supermarkets year-round.
Look out for the Tasti-Lee® farm truck full of farm fresh tomatoes and sample Tasti-Lee’s delicious new salsa at Bejo Seeds, Inc. booth #1257 at the United Fresh Show.
For more information
Bejo Seeds, Inc.
1972 Silver Spur Place
Oceano, California, 93445
USA
T: (805) 473 - 2199
F: (805) 473 - 0897