MMG Citrus Innovation Award given to ‘Mandarossa’ clementine
Thomas Drahorad (NCX) and Rocco Lardaruccio (COA).
This was demonstrated yet again on 16 October, when the ‘MMG Citrus Innovation Award’ was given to the ‘Mandarossa’ clementine produced by COA srl “Calice d’oro”, the important Sicilian company specialized in citrus production.
This prize is awarded every year by the Fresca Group – a leading UK fresh fruit and vegetable giant – to specific products from its best suppliers. The ceremony took place on 16 October during the Fruit Attraction event in Madrid. A jury made up of four directors of the UK company decided to award the prize to this clementine variety, introduced with success to the British Marks & Spencer supermarket chain last year. In doing so the judges praised the extremely innovative nature of the 'Mandarossa', the result of a long selection process that led to the birth of a new product whose outstandingly attractive taste, total lack of pips and bright red pulp made it hugely popular with UK consumers.
Mandarossa is the trade name of Mandared, a hybrid between the clementine and the Tarocco blood orange, developed in Acireale in 1985. It made its debut in the UK in the first four month of 2014, when it appeared on the shelves of the Marks & Spencer retail chain. A jewel of Italian fruit-growing expertise which has quickly conquered a large following in the UK.
Pictured from left to right: Antonio Avalos (MMG Citrus), Thomas Drahorad (NCX), Rocco Lardaruccio (COA), Nigel Trood (Mack) and Rob Harvey (MMG).
"This prize brings us great pleasure. It rewards the efforts our company has made to innovate, in order to benefit our client companies and our end consumers" – comments Rocco Lardaruccio, chief executive of COA Srl “Calice d’oro”. "The prize received in Madrid is a recognition of our work ethos, our commitment and our ability to draw strength from the particular features of our home territory. Features which are strongly appreciated in Northern European countries in particular, where top sector specialists recognize and reward the quality of the produce created by Sicilian skill and efficiency", he concludes.
For more information:
Lorenzo Minin
COA Srl ‘Calice d’oro’
Tel: +39 059 786320
Fax: +39 059 7863889
Email: [email protected]
www.fruitecom.it