PHILADELPHIA - Already recognized as a seven-time World Champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, what could be the latest venture under Tom Brady’s belt? The star athlete has forged a multi-year partnership with instant commerce company Gopuff, collaborating with the brand on product development, content creation, and more.

“Since my first time using Gopuff, I’ve been amazed by how fast and seamless the deliveries are, offering so many different options right at your fingertips,” said Brady. “I’m excited to be working with the Gopuff team to continue to drive innovation and help create an even better experience for their customers.”

As Gopuff looks to bolster its brand awareness and deliver unique customer experiences, Brady and Gopuff will work together to create new and exciting experiences that drive value for customers and fans alike.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tom Brady, one of the most recognizable and respected athletes in the world, to Team Blue,” added Yakir Gola, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Gopuff. “For more than two decades, Tom made history on the field, breaking records, outperforming nearly every expectation, and leading teams to victory. With a shared passion for innovation, together we’ll redefine the future of commerce and make Gopuff the world’s go-to solution for immediate, everyday needs.”

According to a press release, some of these initiatives include:

• Exclusive Product Collaborations: Combining Gopuff’s deep customer insights and Tom’s expertise in the health, wellness, and CPG spaces, they will work together to develop unique products available exclusively to Gopuff customers
• TB’s Health & Wellness Category: A new category on the Gopuff app and website curated by Brady will be available in the coming weeks
• E1 Team Brady: Gopuff, which offers customers some of the fastest delivery times on the planet, will also become the official instant delivery partner of Team Brady’s E1 electric powerboat racing team

More exciting things are expected to be announced as the partnership develops.

As the release went on to note, this alliance comes on the heels of the launch of Gopuff’s national brand campaign, which is designed to aid the brand in its strategic growth, build awareness, and define Gopuff’s new chapter.

As the delivery company pushes toward increased brand visibility and a wider customer base, ANUK will report on the latest growth strategies in our industry.

SALINAS, CA - Excitement is brewing within the Markon Cooperative offices as a new leader steps into their position. The industry partner has named Anthony Easterling to the newly created role of Regional Buyer on the East Coast, underscoring Markon's commitment to providing unparalleled support to its five independent member-distributor companies.

Easterling brings years of industry experience in both foodservice and retail that will enable him to establish and maintain relationships with local growers, processors, and distributors, and ensure a diverse and reliable supply chain for Markon's members. According to a press release, he will also collaborate closely with internal teams to identify emerging trends, market dynamics, and opportunities for optimization, driving continuous improvement in procurement strategies.

With growing demand for local produce in the foodservice industry and evolving operator needs, Markon has recognized the importance of having a dedicated presence beyond the West Coast. The introduction of this new buyer position will strengthen Markon’s ability to ensure the timely and seamless procurement of high-quality fresh produce in the region.

Markon's decision to create the Regional Buyer position aligns with its long-standing commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction. By expanding its purchasing capabilities on the East Coast, the release continued, Markon reaffirms its position as a trusted partner for its members.

"It has been a long time coming, and I could not be happier that we now have an East Coast presence representing Markon’s purchasing culture, food safety, and membership with the addition of Anthony Easterling," said Mark Shaw, Vice President of Operations. "This newly created position will play a pivotal role in increasing our face-to-face representation with both our shipping community and distribution centers based across the Midwest and East Coast.”

Congratulations to Markon’s newest buyer!

CHICAGO, IL & BOISE, ID - Grocery delivery has become a staple in some households, and Albertsons shoppers now have even more options. The retailer announced a partnership to bring nearly 1,800 Albertsons Cos. stores to Grubhub’s Marketplace for delivery including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, and Tom Thumb.

“At Albertsons Cos., we are committed to providing customers with convenience, choice, and variety,” said Amber Kappa, Vice President of Business Development and Digital Innovation at Albertsons. “With our latest collaboration with Grubhub, shoppers can receive fresh produce, household essentials, and regional favorites directly from our stores to their homes with a simple tap on Grubhub.”

Albertsons Cos. banner stores will also be available on Grubhub+, Grubhub’s loyalty program. According to a press release, Albertsons Cos. is Grubhub’s first national grocery partner following its partnership with Mercato.

Grubhub continues to grow its product offerings to include grocery and convenience partners as well as expand merchant menu capabilities to support thousands more images and items.

“We’re pleased to grow our grocery offering with Albertsons Cos., one of the leading grocery retailers in the U.S., and give customers the opportunity to conveniently place their grocery orders within Grubhub,” said Craig Whitmer, Vice President of New Verticals at Grubhub. “Through this exciting partnership, we’re giving consumers more choices while maximizing value so that they find exactly what they need on Grubhub delivered right to their door.”

To see where this partnership goes next, keep reading ANUK.

CORAL GABLES, FL - In just a couple of days, consumers across the world will be celebrating International Pineapple Day—which means a category boost is on the way. As the holiday approaches on June 27, Fresh Del Monte Produce is debuting its new You’re Welcome™ campaign, complemented by a recent independent survey highlighting Americans' love for pineapples.

“The You’re Welcome campaign invites the public to experience the world of Fresh Del Monte and serves as a double entendre,” said Melissa Mackay, Fresh Del Monte’s Vice President of Marketing, North America. “On one hand, it acknowledges the pineapple as a historical symbol of hospitality, while on the other, it playfully credits Fresh Del Monte for revolutionizing pineapple consumption. This campaign reminds pineapple fans of the leadership and innovation that Fresh Del Monte has brought to the category since the 1990s.”

Features of the campaign include:

• Engaging social media content and unique recipes showcasing the versatility and possibilities of pineapples
• A nationwide advertising program, including connected TV, outdoor, digital out-of-home, and social media
• Dedicated campaign content on Fresh Del Monte’s website from now through December, offering recipes, serving suggestions, and ways to engage with the brand
• Promotions on the brand’s Instagram and TikTok pages, offering pineapple-themed prizes, including a customized gift box from Melissa’s Produce containing a variety of Del Monte pineapples

In addition, the brand conducted a survey of 3,000 participants with Pollfish to highlight America’s love for pineapples. As a press release explained, Fresh Del Monte has played a key role in supporting the significant increase in pineapple consumption per person, which has more than doubled over the last 20 years, largely due to the company's ongoing initiatives to innovate and introduce pineapple varietals that satisfy consumers’ evolving taste preferences.

Key highlights revealed in the survey include:

• While 6 in 10 shoppers believe they know how to properly cut a pineapple, approximately 80 percent didn’t know the skin is edible and packed with essential vitamins and minerals
• Almost 7 in 10 shoppers prefer eating pineapple in chunks, while just over 1 in 10 prefer spears
• Over half of Americans surveyed prefer to eat pineapple as a snack over any other mealtime
• 57 percent of respondents choose to eat pineapple because they love the taste
• 70 percent of respondents are aware of the potential benefits of pineapple for digestion
• Only 1 out of 4 individuals know it takes 18 months to grow a single pineapple

With International Pineapple Day on the horizon, Fresh Del Monte produce is a powerful player to have on your team.

Dig further into the details of the survey and newly launched campaign here.

And keep reading ANUK for more industry news.