Nunhems, the vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience, has entered into agreements with Mann Packing and The Produce Exchange to allow the two companies to market new specialty seed varieties in the US.
Two Nunhems innovations – Intense, the full-flesh tomato, and Greenglace, a new green leaf-iceberg hybrid lettuce – are being marketed to the US foodservice industry as improved ingredients for sandwich or hamburger applications.
“These products are demonstrative of Nunhems’ commitment to providing consumers an improved eating experience through our genetic expertise,” explained Rebecca Catlett, Nunhems’ produce chain manager, in a press release.
“Consumers will notice less sogginess on their sandwich with a tomato that does not leak and lettuce that is not only crisp, but sweet too.”
Martin Mazzanti, founder of The Produce Exchange, began marketing the Intense tomato under the Tesoro brand in 2011 after he discovered it during a visit to seed trials in Spain in 2006.
Tesoro is an award-winning tomato that, because of its full flesh and reduced leakage, greatly enhances cooking, slicing and dicing functions, according to Nunhems.
“Tesoro is a tomato that offers a different functionality and a different result than its juicy, conventional cousins,” Mazzanti said.
“Its performance, when used in recipes, promises to offer a convenient and delicious option that will bring more sales to fresh tomatoes.”
Mann Packing, meanwhile, will be marketing the leaf lettuce variety Greenglace under the Better Burger Leaf brand.
Mann Packing was introduced to the unique leaf lettuce variety Greenglace during trial visits to the UK in 2010, and the firm launched it under the Better Burger Leaf brand at this week’s PMA Foodservice Conference.
“We loved the leaf variety because it filled the shape of sandwich breads and burger buns better than traditional green leaf. It has a tender crunch and a sweet iceberg flavor,” said Rick Russo, Director of Foodservice Sales at Mann Packing.
“We worked closely with Nunhems to make sure we can grow in both the dessert and Salinas seasons to ensure seamless sourcing throughout the year.”
