Mann Packing Co., Inc. – a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.-- is launching Real Mann's Broccolini™, an informational campaign to educate consumers, chefs, and restauranteurs about the trademark status of the term Broccolini® and to protect the company's trademark for its baby broccoli.
"The term Broccolini is a symbol of our company's commitment to quality and innovation," said Melissa Mackay, vice president of marketing, Fresh Del Monte N.A. "We helped develop Broccolini baby broccoli more than a quarter of a century ago as a broccoli and Chinese kale hybrid from an exclusive seed that produces long, tender, and edible stems which you simply can't get anywhere else."
Baby broccoli is growing in popularity as a side dish among chefs and tastemakers at upscale restaurants and trendy eateries across North America. While the menus at many of these establishments offer a range of entrees that are designated as "with broccolini," there is little evidence they are serving actual Broccolini – the trademark for a proprietary type of baby broccoli created over 25 years ago by Sakata Seed Company for Mann Packing Co., Inc. Many U.S. restaurants simply list "broccolini" on the menu, without attributing the correct brand name and trademark that lets customers know they're getting the real product — and not inferior baby broccoli with a bitter taste, stringy stalk and hard texture.
Broccolini baby broccoli is a natural hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale (gai lan), which debuted in 1998 as a new vegetable grown by Mann Packing Co. after an eight-year development period. With a sweeter and milder flavor than regular broccoli, Broccolini baby broccoli is 100 percent edible from flower to stem.
The company will support its Real Mann's Broccolini initiative with social media programs, PR and advertising campaigns, and a dedicated landing page that informs both the restaurant industry and consumers about what sets Broccolini baby broccoli apart from anything else on the market.
"While this campaign is intended as an educational opportunity to remind the foodservice industry that our product name cannot legally be used generically, we are serious about protecting our trademark," said Mackay. "It's important for consumers to understand the Broccolini difference and know that the name matters. If restaurant menus do not accurately refer to the product by name, it can be misleading to customers who expect a certain level of flavor and quality."
For more information:
Mann Packing Co.
www.veggiesmadeeasy.com/real-manns-broccolini/