Camden, New Jersey
October 15, 2003
Campbell Soup Company
is launching its first certified organic product, new
Campbell's® Organic Tomato Juice. Made from 100% certified
organic tomatoes, the new juice variety carries the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Seal. It will be
available in 46-ounce, multi-serve plastic bottles at mainstream
and specialty supermarkets nationwide by November.
The launch
of Campbell's Organic Tomato Juice marks Campbell's foray into
the organic arena. The organic food aisle is one of the most
vibrant sections in today's supermarket environment, having
grown 15-20% annually over the last 10 years, according to the
Organic Trade Association, a membership-based business
association representing the organic industry in the United
States, Canada and Mexico.
"Campbell
recognizes the tremendous growth in organic products and as the
number one national brand, we wanted to expand our offerings to
give consumers an organic option within the tomato juice
category," says Sean Connolly, Vice President/General Manager of
Campbell's Beverage Division. "We are very excited about the
opportunities that this new product represents."
Campbell's
first organic tomato varieties were planted in April, bred from
seedlings selected by Campbell's Seeds Company in Davis,
California. Campbell contracts with certified organic farmers in
California who meet the highest standards to grow Campbell's
organic vine ripened tomatoes. The tomatoes were harvested in
early August and processed on certified lines in Campbell's
Sacramento facility within 48 hours. The juice started shipping
to stores on September 5th and full national distribution for
the product is expected in November. The suggested retail price
for the multi-serve plastic bottle is $2.69.
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer
and marketer of high quality soup, sauce, beverage, biscuit,
confectionery and prepared food products. The company owns a
portfolio of more than 20 market-leading businesses each with
more than $100 million in sales. |