Mastronardi Produce has won the CPMA Packaging Innovation Award for its SUNSET Tomato Branch, a triangular packaging format designed for greenhouse-grown, on-the-vine micro-grape tomatoes. The recognition was announced at the 2026 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Tradeshow, marking the second consecutive year the company has received the award.

The SUNSET Tomato Branch stands out because its structure is directly inspired by the way tomatoes naturally grow on the vine. Instead of using a conventional rectangular tray or clamshell, the pack uses a distinctive triangular carrier that reflects the branching form of the product itself. This creates a stronger visual connection between packaging, product and fresh produce storytelling.

In fresh produce, packaging must do more than hold the product. It has to protect delicate items, communicate freshness, support merchandising and help shoppers understand value quickly at shelf. For premium greenhouse-grown tomatoes, shelf appeal can be especially important because visual impact, perceived quality and product differentiation all influence purchase decisions.

Produce packaging innovation is increasingly focused on combining shelf impact, product protection and recyclable materials without disrupting existing retail systems.

The triangular design gives the Tomato Branch a strong point-of-sale presence while keeping the tomatoes visible and organised. For retailers, this type of format can help create a more premium produce display, especially in a category where many packs can look similar. For consumers, the shape helps reinforce the idea of tomatoes still connected to the vine, supporting freshness and natural growth cues.

According to Mastronardi Produce, the pack is made with fully recyclable materials and is designed to fit into existing retail systems. This is important because even attractive packaging innovations can struggle if they require major changes in shelf layout, handling, logistics or replenishment. A successful produce pack must work for growers, retailers and shoppers at the same time.

• Triangular structure reflects the natural branching of tomatoes on the vine.
• Recyclable materials support retailer and consumer sustainability expectations.
• Retail compatibility helps the format integrate into existing produce displays.
• Premium presentation strengthens differentiation in the greenhouse tomato category.

The award also reinforces Mastronardi Produce’s recent focus on packaging development. In 2025, the company received the same CPMA Packaging Innovation Award for a resealable paper lettuce bag used under the Backyard Farms brand. That pack reduced plastic use by 65% compared with a traditional PET tray, showing a continued effort to rethink fresh produce packaging beyond standard plastic formats.

For the broader produce industry, the Tomato Branch highlights a key direction of travel. Packaging innovation is no longer limited to material substitution. Shape, structure, consumer experience, merchandising value and sustainability must all be considered together. A recyclable pack that lacks shelf appeal may fail commercially, while an eye-catching pack that is difficult to recycle may face growing resistance from retailers and consumers.

Greenhouse-grown produce is particularly well suited to this type of packaging innovation. These products are often positioned around flavour, consistency, freshness and premium quality. Packaging can reinforce those attributes by presenting the product carefully, reducing damage and creating a stronger brand impression at the point of purchase.

The challenge is balancing creativity with practicality. Produce packaging must protect against bruising, moisture issues and handling damage while remaining efficient for packing lines, distribution and retail display. Any new structure must also be cost-conscious, because fresh produce operates in a competitive retail environment where margins can be tight.

Mastronardi Produce’s recognition at CPMA suggests that the market is rewarding packaging that connects product identity with sustainability and retail execution. The Tomato Branch does not simply replace one material with another; it uses structure to tell a product story while addressing recyclability and shelf performance.

As fresh produce brands look for ways to stand out, packaging will remain a central tool for differentiation. The SUNSET Tomato Branch shows how format innovation can support both brand value and responsible material choices, pointing toward a future where produce packaging is more distinctive, more functional and more aligned with how consumers understand freshness.