HAMILTON, MT - Local Bounti recently made AndNowUKnow headlines with the announcement of a consumer-driven packaging refresh. On the heels of this debut, Jazmin Tonnemaker, Director of Commercial Insights and Product Strategy, and Baltazar Garcia, Vice President of Sales, shared some of the details behind the rollout.

What inspired this recent update to Local Bounti’s baby leaf packaging?

Jazmin Tonnemaker: “The redesign strengthens shelf visibility while making it easier for shoppers to identify the key benefits that differentiate Local Bounti products. As consumers increasingly seek transparency around how their food is grown, the new packaging provides a clear, simple way to communicate our commitment to quality, freshness, flavor, and convenience. The goal was to create a package that not only stands out on shelf but also helps consumers quickly understand the value behind the product they're purchasing.”

What are consumers telling you about packaging and produce purchases today?

Jazmin: “Consumers are telling us they want packaging that helps them make quick, informed decisions at the shelf. They are looking for clear information about how their food is grown, what makes a product different, and how it fits into their lifestyle. Attributes such as pesticide-free greens, freshness, convenience, and transparency are becoming increasingly important purchase drivers, particularly in the leafy greens category.”

Baltazar Garcia: “For us, that feedback reinforced the need for packaging that clearly communicates our product benefits and growing practices while creating a more intuitive shopping experience. The new design helps consumers immediately understand the value they're getting from a product that is pesticide-free, ready to eat, and grown for exceptional quality, freshness, and flavor. Ultimately, consumers want produce that tastes great and fits seamlessly into their lives, and our packaging helps connect those benefits to the Local Bounti brand.”

What features will shoppers notice first when they see the new packaging?

Jazmin: “They'll notice a cleaner, more modern design with clear communication of the product benefits shoppers care about most. We wanted to make it easier for consumers to quickly understand what makes Local Bounti different, while highlighting key attributes such as pesticide-free production, ready-to-eat convenience, freshness, and flavor. The design also brings greater visibility to the Local Bounti brand and reinforces the transparency behind how our greens are grown.”

What advantages does the new packaging deliver from a retailer perspective?

Baltazar: “For retailers, the new packaging helps drive stronger shopper engagement by clearly communicating the attributes consumers are increasingly seeking, including pesticide-free, ready-to-eat greens paired with exceptional freshness and flavor. The refreshed design improves shelf visibility and brand recognition, making it easier for shoppers to quickly understand the Local Bounti difference and make confident purchasing decisions.

By more effectively connecting our product benefits, growing practices, and commitment to quality, the packaging supports category growth, encourages repeat purchases, and reinforces the trusted, reliable brand experience that retailers value.”

How does the new packaging better communicate the Local Bounti brand story?

Jazmin: “The redesign is more than a visual update. It's a clearer expression of our commitment to delivering fresh, flavorful, pesticide-free greens. The packaging helps connect consumers with the benefits of greenhouse-grown produce and our controlled environment agriculture platform, including consistent quality, freshness, and great-tasting greens. It reinforces not only how our products are grown, but why that matters to the eating experience consumers enjoy and the reliability our retail partners depend on.”

As Local Bounti lays the groundwork for further growth, what industry trends are you watching most closely?

Baltazar: “One of the most important trends we're watching is the growing consumer awareness and appreciation of greenhouse-grown produce. As shoppers become more interested in how their food is produced, they're increasingly recognizing that greenhouse-grown products can deliver meaningful benefits, including consistent quality, year-round availability, freshness, and transparency.

At the same time, retailers are seeking differentiated products that clearly communicate these benefits at the shelf. We believe there is a significant opportunity to help consumers better understand the value of greenhouse-grown produce and why consistent growing conditions can contribute to quality, freshness, and enjoyment.”

Jazmin: “We're also seeing consumers connect growing methods with product performance. They want greens that are fresh, flavorful, and dependable every time they purchase them. Greenhouse-grown produce helps deliver that consistency by providing a controlled environment that supports optimal growing conditions throughout the year. As awareness continues to grow, we're seeing the conversation evolve from simply where food is grown to how it's grown and how that translates into a better eating experience.”

To learn more about Local Bounti, don’t forget to swing by booth #3961 at this year’s Global Produce & Floral Show!

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Winn-Dixie Company (TWDC) and its charitable arm, the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation, are helping provide 1 million meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity during Hunger Action Month^® through a $100,000 donation to Feeding America® to support 10 partner food banks across Florida and southern Georgia*. The grocer also donated fresh produce and shelf-stable food to thousands of neighbors through mobile food pantries with Feeding Northeast Florida and Feeding Tampa Bay, bringing nutritious food directly to local communities and helping meet immediate needs.

Raymond Rhee, President and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, said, “As a grocer, nourishing our communities is more than what we do; it’s part of who we are. For more than a century, Winn-Dixie has stood alongside our neighbors, especially when support is needed most. During Hunger Action Month and throughout the year, we’re honored to join Feeding America and the network of local partner food banks in helping expand access to nutritious food, enrich lives, and strengthen the communities we are proud to call home.”

As part of its Hunger Action Month commitment, Winn-Dixie made a $100,000 donation to Feeding America, providing $10,000 to each of the following 10 partner food banks: All Faiths Food Bank, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.

Hunger Action Month, led by Feeding America each September, spotlights the growing issue of food insecurity nationwide, especially now when so many communities are feeling stretched and uncertain. Nearly 48 million people in the United States face hunger each year, including 1 in 5 children, according to the USDA. Winn-Dixie recognizes this reality and continues its legacy of nourishing communities, helping ensure every neighbor has access to the food and resources we all need to thrive, stated in a press release.

Lisa Mann, Chief Development Officer for Feeding America, said, “Hunger Action Month unites neighbors in community care and collective action. Support from partners like The Winn-Dixie Company is critical in helping the Feeding America network deliver nutritious food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity while responding to the unique needs of their communities. We are grateful for Winn-Dixie’s continued commitment to our mission and a future where everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”

The Hunger Action Month initiative builds on TWDC’s longstanding partnership with Feeding America and its year-round commitment to increasing access to nutritious food in the communities it serves. Earlier this year, TWDC donated $150,000 to the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs to help provide nutritious meals and snacks to children during the summer months.

TWDC also provides customers with an ongoing way to support local hunger-relief efforts by purchasing prepackaged donation bags for $5, $10, or $15 at their neighborhood Winn-Dixie store. Each donated bag is distributed to a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping neighbors experiencing hunger. Since the program launched in November 2025, it has generated more than $900,000 in donated products, benefiting more than 100 organizations across Florida and southern Georgia.

^{* $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of Feeding America partner food banks.}