MANN PACKING COMPANY WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR INNOVATION IN PACKAGING

SALINAS, Calif. -- October 29, 2008 -- Mann Packing Company, the Salinas based supplier of fresh-cut vegetables, is one of seven fresh produce companies named a packaging innovator by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), which bestowed its first annual Impact Awards: Excellence in Produce Packaging at the organization's international convention and exposition in Orlando, Fla., earlier this week. The award recognizes companies with exceptional produce packaging that demonstrates "out-of-the-box-thinking" and makes an impact on consumers. Mann Packing Company was recognized for its Simply Singles package - a 6-ounce rigid (clamshell) package that contains single leaves of cut, washed, ready-to-eat leaf lettuce and is sealed with a tamper-evident strip rather than the traditional wrap-around plastic seal. This innovative new package creates efficiencies for the entire supply chain including transportation, handling, storage and merchandising, and prevents product loss due to physical and climatic effects.

When presenting the awards on Oct. 25, PMA Chairman of the Executive Committee Bruce Taylor, said packaging plays an important part in increasing the sales of fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Packaging offers rich opportunities to promote branding, and to advance key initiatives such as sustainability," Taylor said. "This award highlights innovative packaging ideas that positively affect store sales - whether the goal is to catch the consumer's eye on store shelves, to protect a product in transit, to extend shelf life, or increase efficiencies and sustainability."

PMA created the awards program to recognize and encourage excellence in fresh produce packaging. This year's contest was announced in June; entries were accepted through Sept. 5, 2008. PMA received more than 100 entries that were narrowed down to 25 finalists and submitted to a panel of judges who selected the winners.

A variety of academia, produce and packaging professionals comprised the panel of judges including: Leonard Batti, senior partner of MIXTEC Group; John Bernardo, founder and owner of Sustainable Innovations, LLC; Odonna Mathews, president of Odonna Mathews Consulting, Inc.; Jim Prevor, founder and editor-in-chief of Produce Business, Deli Business and Perishable Pundit; Dr. Paul Singh, professor and Ph.D. at Michigan State University, School of Packaging; and Dr. Robert Whitaker, PMA chief science officer.