The jury presiding over the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (FLIA) 2009 has revealed the ten nominations for this year's competition, with companies from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Malaysia all vying for the title.
The award, which is presented in recognition of an outstanding new product or service in the fresh produce sector, is one of the most prestigious awards in the fresh produce trade, and is running for the fourth time this year.
Nominees include Germany’s Cargofresh AG, which has been selected for its CargoSWITCH system for controlled atmosphere and modified atmosphere transport, and the School Apple movement by the Association for the Promotion of Integrated Fruit from the Altes Land region of Germany. The final nomination from the country is the Wasgau crate from Wasgau Packaging GMBH, a solid fibre cardboard vessel with 'improved stackability'.
France will be represented at the FLIA by the Selena Elliot autumn pear from Escanda Plants Sarl, and Prim 'Santerre’s ready-to-eat Sliced Chicory convenience product.
Quickfold, branded the “fastest foldable reusable crate in the world” by Dutch manufacturer Beekenkamp Verpakkingen B.V., is one of the Netherlands’ nominees, along with Enza Zaden’s Sweet Green Pepper.
Meanwhile T.R. Turoni of Italy has been selected for its DA-Meter, a portable ripeness tester, Lava of Belgium is nominated for its Flandria Baby Leaf lettuce leaves, and Malaysian Agrifood Corp has been picked for its Paiola Papaya variety.
Visitors to Fruit Logistica will be able to vote for the award during the first two days of the event, which takes place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, Germany on 4-6 February. The winner will be announced on 6 February at a special awards ceremony.
Previous winners of the award include Nunhems' Intense tomato (2008), Rainbow's Vitaminis snack line (2007) and Rijk Zwaan's Salanova lettuce (2006).
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