CASTROVILLE, Calif. (November 22, 2022) – Ocean Mist Farms Brussels sprouts are currently headed into the peak fall crop, just in time to meet shopper demand during the busy holiday season. Known for their Gold Standard Artichokes, Ocean Mist Farms also provides high quality, exceptional Brussels sprouts which are being harvested out of Castroville, CA. through January, and will be coming out of Coachella and Mexico beginning in late-December.
“The fall crop is peaking now along the central coast of California, right in time for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” said Mark Munger, Senior Director of Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “Although Ocean Mist Farms grows Brussels sprouts year-round, the crop peaks during November, which is a reason Brussels sprouts continue to grow in popularity as a holiday favorite. The season will begin shifting to the Coachella Valley in late December and we expect the central coast harvest to continue well into January. We anticipate a very smooth transition into our desert growing region with supply coming out of all three regions during the December holidays.”
Ocean Mist Farms’ Brussels sprout volume has increased steadily over the last couple of years to meet demand. The company’s release of the “Season & Steam” pack created further interest with this convenient cook-in pack. This past year, as the company has added a wider range of value-added products, including the 16 oz. and 32 oz. family size form & fill packs as well as halved and shredded Brussels sprout packs, demand has risen sharply. During the holidays, Ocean Mist Farms also offers Brussels sprout stalks, a fun way to purchase, display and even cook Brussels sprouts. Stalks are limited to only the holiday season.
According to a recent article, shoppers spend $4.3 million on Brussels sprouts every year at Thanksgiving. This holiday season, Ocean Mist Farms encourages retailers to let their shoppers know this nutrition-rich vegetable may look like cabbage but has a denser texture and milder flavor. When it comes to providing options for shoppers, Ocean Mist Farms has a library of information, recipes, and more for consumers to learn how to prepare and cook their fresh Brussels sprouts. Recipe inspiration includes year-round ideas for weeknight dinners as well as holiday dishes, such as Shredded Brussels Sprouts With Bacon & Pecans, Supershreds Cesar Salad, and Apple Glazed Brussels Sprouts.
“We’ve found that when retailers merchandise a range of pack options, including bulk, packaged whole, and fresh-cut, sales increase significantly,” said Munger. “We also recommend displaying sprouts in the value-added case and also in the wet rack, providing a variety of convenient options within arm’s reach.”
Brussels Sprout options offered for shoppers and operators from Ocean Mist Farms:
Through Ocean Mist Farms rigorous food-safety practices and procedures, the company provides shoppers with only the best quality Brussels sprouts. Shoppers can visit this page for the latest information about where Ocean Mist Farms Brussels sprouts are currently being produced. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms food safety commitment, click here.
For more information, please reach out to contactus@oceanmist.com.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (October 20, 2022) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., is pleased to announce Mark Munger has joined Ocean Mist Farms as Senior Director of Marketing. With this hiring, Ocean Mist Farms has brought on an experienced professional with over 36 years in the produce industry.
In his new role, Munger will be responsible for leading the day-to-day management of trade and consumer marketing initiatives at Ocean Mist Farms. Prior to accepting the position, Munger served as VP of Marketing & Strategy at 4Earth Farms, and before that he served as VP of Marketing at Andrew Williamson Fresh Produce. Munger’s career also includes marketing positions with Driscoll’s, the Produce Marketing Association, and various California commodity boards. He earned his BS in Agricultural Science and Management from the University of California, Davis.
“Bringing on a professional of this caliber to lead our marketing team ushers in an exciting time at our company,” said Rick Bravo, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “With his proven track record and experience in produce marketing, Mark will bring immediate value to Ocean Mist Farms and the marketing and sales teams. His skill set will be instrumental in our overall success.”
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2022 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (October 19, 2022) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., will attend IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Booth #1661 October 27-29, 2022.
Ocean Mist Farms will feature their new Broccoli Slaw and 2lb sizes from the value added product line (Broccoli Florets, Vegetable Medley, and Brussels Sprouts) at the Global Produce & Floral Show. The company will also be showcasing their Gold Standard Artichokes to those who stop by the booth. With artichokes grown in Ocean Mist Farms growing regions of Castroville and Coachella, the company looks forward to showcasing their produce to attendees around the country this month.
“We look forward to being at the Global Show this year and to speak to customers in person about our new Broccoli Slaw and 2lb sizes from our value added product line for the first time,” said Rick Bravo, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “Being able to present our products with current and potential customers is of the utmost importance to us and we appreciate the opportunity to make these meaningful connections.”
To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, stop by booth #1661 at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show October 27-29. For more information, please reach out to contactus@oceanmist.com.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2022 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (January 24, 2022) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., announces the launch of the Coachella artichoke production season. Growing in the region for over 20 years, 2022 also marks the fourth consecutive year of Ocean Mist Farms’ highly successful Peace Love & Artichokes messaging campaign.
“Every year is different, with Mother Nature being in charge. said Jeff Percy, VP Production in Coachella for Ocean Mist Farms. “Artichoke harvest is in full swing a bit earlier than last year, and we are pleased with the demand for our Frost Kissed® chokes. Looking at production volumes we have good quality and supply for the balance of the Coachella artichoke season.”
Promotable volumes of Ocean Mist Farms artichokes will be available for the majority of the Coachella season and Artichoke buyers are encouraged to connect with their Ocean Mist Farms salesperson to discuss opportunities.
Artichokes traditionally grow in a Mediterranean-like climate, as the vegetable requires mild temperatures and plenty of moisture. However, Ocean Mist Farms has honed a desert-grown proprietary seed variety specifically for the Coachella Valley climate. By utilizing Coachella’s optimal growing conditions during the winter-to-spring months, Ocean Mist Farms is able to maintain their high-quality standards year-round.
Ocean Mist Farms will be issuing a bi-weekly video field report as part of their Trade Email campaign to show off Coachella artichoke production during February. This is just one trade activation being employed to elevate Ocean Mist Farms branded artichokes with decision makers.
To further incentivize shoppers to put artichokes in their baskets, Ocean Mist Farms is launching a multifaceted campaign, launching next week and lasting through April 8. The campaign will include email marketing to a robust community of artichoke shoppers and produce buyers, social media & Google advertising, and sweepstakes prizes – all to drive sales, brand engagement and in-store demand.
To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com. To receive weekly trade information, please sign up HERE. For more recipe inspiration and tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2021) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes, welcomes the first Frost Kissed® crop of the season. The Frost Kissed artichokes are shipping now and will be intermittently available throughout the winter. Each Frost Kissed® Artichoke includes a petal insert to let the shopper know about this unique condition.
Once the temperature drops below 32 degrees, the artichokes’ skin darkens due to the freezing conditions, which seals in more flavor and provides a nuttier flavor profile for Ocean Mist Farms’ Frost Kissed artichokes. While this limited time offering has a slightly darker exterior, the brown outer layer peels off once cooked resulting in the green artichoke shoppers are familiar with.“Frost Kissed artichokes offer a unique flavor for a limited time that many shoppers look forward to experiencing when available,” said Diana McClean, senior director of marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “These artichokes have a unique color to them that is strictly cosmetic and does not impact the quality and actually intensifies the artichoke flavor that artichoke aficionados enjoy.”
In an effort to elevate the Frost Kissed artichokes as a satisfying menu item, Ocean Mist Farms will provide recipe inspiration through its social media channels, as well as sharing information on the website to educate consumers. All Frost Kissed artichokes are packed with a Frost Kissed® petal insert so shoppers can easily recognize them on shelf, and Frost Kissed POS materials are available for order on the Ocean Mist Farms’ website HERE.
“The Frost Kissed artichokes are a seasonal treat we look forward to as we don’t see a freeze every season,” added McClean. “This fall, we’re working to ensure our shoppers are educated on ways to prep the artichoke so they too can enjoy its unique flavor for a limited time when they are available.”
For additional Frost Kissed® inspiration and to learn more, visit www.oceanmist.com/products/frost-kissed-artichokes and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business based in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (October 14, 2021) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S. and premium supplier of fresh vegetables for nearly 100 years, is pleased to announce the promotion of Christopher Drew to President and Chief Executive Officer.
In his new role, Drew will be responsible for leading all commercial, operational, financial, and administrative aspects of Ocean Mist Farms. Drew will provide a clear vision allowing for organizational growth and financial success in addition to fostering innovation and cultivating strong relationships internally and with external stakeholders. His role as President and CEO will require the analysis and evaluation of product line offerings, building business plans to drive expansion, and ensuring Ocean Mist Farms has the proper infrastructure to support such growth.
The Board of Directors unanimously selected Drew from among many distinguished Produce and Consumer Packaged Goods executives sourced through a national search conducted by executive search partner Kincannon & Reed.
“Chris has been integral to executing the strategic growth plan and Ocean Mist Farm’s vision of becoming the partner of choice for produce solutions in his role of Chief Operating Officer here,” commented Kirk Martin, Ocean Mist’s Board Chair. “His history with our company spans nearly two decades in various roles and his knowledge base is unparalleled. The passion he has for this industry and our organization is apparent and we are confident he will be instrumental in the future success of Ocean Mist Farms.”
In his previous role as COO, Drew collaborated with teams across the organization to streamline strategies and processes in addition to overseeing the operational departments and facilities across the organization: cooling, shipping, production, harvesting, food safety, quality assurance, and value-added operations.
Prior to joining Ocean Mist Farms, Drew earned his Bachelor of Science in Crop Science from California Polytechnic University – San Luis Obispo followed by his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix – San Jose.
Drew is active in several affiliations including the Cal Poly - SLO Horticulture and Crop Science Advisory Council, where he is Chairman of the Board and is a member of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Advisory Board among others.
“Chris embodies the spirit of Ocean Mist Farms and embraces our company values,” Martin commented. “We are excited to be a part of this next chapter with him.”
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business based in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation, and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (October 14, 2021) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., welcomes the Cardone vegetable for retail distribution and shopper consumption ahead of the annual holiday season.
“Cardone is an Italian favorite that we seasonally grow between October and Jan in two California regions, Castroville and Coachella,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “We take pride in growing Cardone that is extremely tender with a robust flavor, anticipated each holiday season Ocean Mist Farms Cardone is among the finest examples of the vegetable in North America and is anticipated each year by home cooks and professional chefs alike.”
Ocean Mist Farms provides tips, like storage and eating, as well as recipes for how to incorporate Cardone into weeknight meals on their website for shoppers to learn more about the multifaceted vegetable.
Cardone, also known as Cardoon, is a traditional Mediterranean vegetable considered a delicacy by many who specialize in traditional French and Italian cuisine. A cousin of the artichoke, Cardone has an edible stalk like celery; however, it is not eaten raw. The best Cardone stalks are a grey-green color very similar in color to the artichoke plant. Stalks should feel heavy and moist. They will not be crisp like celery.
The Cardone stalk is hand-harvested from the plant and packed and cooled within four hours. Ocean Mist Farms’ strict cut-to-cool standards ensure quality product is delivered to retail stores. To learn more about Cardone and Ocean Mist Farms, please visit https://www.oceanmist.com/products/cardone.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business based in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation, and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (September 21, 2021) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., has the perfect fresh solution for busy families this fall with five new additions to the award-winning microwavable cut vegetable product line, Season & Steam. The line includes 10 varieties that are sure to spice up dinner time, each with the same convenience, customizable seasoning and exclusive resealable bag technology shoppers already love.
The varieties include:
“We’ve found busy families want Season & Steam because of the packaging technology that uniquely allows them to customize seasoning for their personal taste preferences and reseal the microwavable bag prior to cooking,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms.
Per the FMI’s “Power of Produce 2021” study, value-added produce items have increased 8.1% to reach $15.5 billion in sales, with an 11.4% increase for vegetables in 2020 versus a year ago. More shoppers (37%) purchased value-added vegetables frequently or whenever available, and shopper expectations point to accelerated growth in the year to come.
Recipe Inspiration
The Season & Steam line is completely customizable and includes endless ways to make a meal for everyone. In line with this thinking, Ocean Mist Farms has launched their fall “Meals in Minutes” campaign driving home this point with a variety of recipe options to choose from. In addition to this, Ocean Mist Farms provides shoppers with recipes and cooking class videos year-round at www.oceanmist.com/season-steam-meal-inspiration.
This is the only steam bag that gives the option to pre-season your vegetables, reseal and steam by microwave all within the same bag. This exclusive technology is available for artichokes, sweet baby broccoli, broccoli, cauliflower, vegetable medleys, and three Brussels sprouts items (SuperShreds SuperFood®, Quick Cook Sprouts® and Microwavable Wholes).
Recipes are inspired by culinary flavors that can be found around the world, including:
To build consumer awareness and demand for this easy-to-use and customizable product line, Ocean Mist Farms will engage a wider audience with a fall consumer promotion and sweepstakes that will engage shopper audiences and drive store traffic. To learn more about Season & Steam, please visit oceanmist.com/products/season-steam. Ocean Mist Farms, please visit www.oceanmist.com/.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business based in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
CASTROVILLE, Calif. (August 19, 2021) – Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., is once again investing in partnerships with national influencers for the 2021-2022 crop year. Ocean Mist Farms will partner with The Real Food Dietitians, What Great Grandma Ate and Food With Feeling to create entertaining and educational content and expand the brand’s reach to new audiences.
“We are pleased to announce our influencer partnerships for the next 12 months, , which includes previous partners as well as some new faces as we continue to evolve our reach with our influencer program,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing for Ocean Mist Farms. “This year, we will be expanding the program further with the addition of more TikTok influencers over the next few months. We’re excited to have this additional engaging platform to share our brand story with shoppers.”
The influencer partners chosen cover a wide range of audiences. The Real Food Dietitians are registered nutritionists and dietitians who create credible and nutritious dishes, while What Great Grandma Ate and Food With Feeling are creating TikTok and Instagram Reel content to continue driving brand and product awareness across every platform.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on these partnerships, follow Ocean Mist Farms on social media or visit the website at: www.oceanmist.com.
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About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business based in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, is committed to delivering the highest standards in the industry for food safety, product quality, customer service, innovation and sustainability. The company’s full line of over 30 fresh vegetables includes the award-winning Season & Steam and Ocean Mist Organic product lines. To stay up to date on the 2021 artichoke season, follow Ocean Mist on Instagram. To learn more about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com/. For recipe inspiration and preparation tips, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
