Dec 14, 2017

Viva Fresh Expo launches Gateway to Innovation Awards

The Viva Fresh Expo, hosted by the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), has launched its first annual Gateway to Innovation Awards to recognize this region’s excellence in packaging design, new product development, food safety, machinery, software and technology.

Since the inception of the Rio Star red grapefruit or the Texas 1015 sweet onion, Texas has always been known for its agricultural advancements. But today, the accelerated growth of the Lower Rio Grande Valley that brings together a variety of multi-national industries and talent has made it a hub for technology.  This has also resulted in the continued development of some of the country’s most innovative fruit and vegetable products and tools,” said Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO of TIPA. “Our vision for this award program is to recognize excellence in innovation from this region in a wide range of important areas including machinery and technology in addition to new product development.”

The contest is open to all Viva Fresh exhibitors.  Winners will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of retail, foodservice, and produce industry veterans based on a set of strict criteria. Applicants may submit their entries at the official application webpage: www.vivafreshexpo.com/viva-fresh-gateway-to-innovation-awards.  All applications are due by Jan. 30, 2018 and the finalists and winners will be notified by March 8.

The category finalists will be displayed at the Viva Fresh Expo April 5-7, 2018 at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas, and The Excellence in Innovation Award for Overall Best in Show will be announced during the event. For more information, visit VivaFreshExpo.com.

The Viva Fresh Produce Expo was established in 2015 by TIPA in order to create meaningful networking and educational opportunities for its members while shining a light on the importance of the Lower Rio Grande Valley as an emerging trade corridor and production zone for healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables available all year long. In just three years, the Viva Fresh Produce Expo has catered to sold out crowds and increased buyer attendance by over 140 percent.