Village Farms celebrates 25 years at PMA

"In celebration of Village Farms' journey over the last 25 years, we are saluting the company’s heritage that hails from Italy just like our exclusive and authentic Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato." The founder’s father was born and raised on the same rich volcanic soil that cultivated the famous San Marzano variety. "The parents of our Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato. Village Farms is the only company in North America to grow an authentic Mini San Marzano. This variety is known for real flavor coveted by chefs, gourmets, and foodies alike. Recently a number of companies have been marketing similar knock-offs but these impostors are just a ‘san marzano type’, and not the least bit authentic as the Heavenly Villagio Marzano."

At the booth during PMA #1665, visitors can sample and see the limited edition Heavenly Villagio Marzano Heritage bag with exclusive graphics. "These graphics are from a painting created especially for us by artist Shirley Chapman depicting the journey of Village Farms over the past 25 years. This limited edition art will also be featured in the booth along with the founder and CEO’s father who inspired a Paisano Recipe series for Village Farms. “Paisano”, or countryman recipes are simple easy to prepare dishes that highlight the cooking versatility of the Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato."

Today as a 25 year old company Village Farms grows, markets, and distributes 450 acres of greenhouse grown produce in USA, Canada, and Mexico. "We sell primarily to major retail grocery stores in USA & Canada under the Village Farms Greenhouse Grown brand name. The company has many things to be excited about moving into its 25th year." Recently, Village Farms signed an exclusive marketing agreement with Great Northern Greenhouse in Leamington, Canada. "Village Farms is now the exclusive marketer for all of Great Northern products which will increase our distribution in the central and Mid-Atlantic markets for both USA and Canada." Doug Kling, Senior Vice President and Chief marketing Officer for Village Farms says these are interesting times indeed as we look to the next 25 years, “As the company evolves with exclusive authentic varieties and extensive partnerships along with our innovative branding we look forward to sharing these exceptional growth opportunities with our retail partners and consumers.”

Village Farms has yielded great success with its new exclusive varieties. "More innovation was recently launched when Village Farms debuted two new cherry varieties, Cabernet Estate Reserve, a wine colored tomato with a deep red color and the Cherry no. 9: Fall in Love Again, a sweeter than sweet juicy little tomato that has you falling in love with tomatoes all over again." Trialing and the development of these new varieties takes time for Village Farms. According to Debi Street, Director of Variety Development & Innovation, whose job it is to search the world over for unique varieties that will pique consumer interest, “the quest for flavor is a company mission, as well as providing attributes such as longer shelf life that deliver value throughout our customer supply chain.”

"We are Village Farms and we are proud to be celebrating 25 years with you at PMA."

Visit them at PMA booth #1665 or for more information go to www.villagefarms.com