SALINAS, CA - In the fresh produce industry, innovation and growth are the life blood that drives us forward. Church Brothers Farms is putting its growth on full display with the introduction of its new lineup of offerings, which includes five new products. The line will be released under the Green Giant Fresh® brand, and includes: sweet baby broccoli, sweet baby cauliflower, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, and sweet potato.
“These new items give retailers the opportunity to build a Sweet Baby category. Their uniform stand-up pouches look great side by side on the shelf,” said Rick Russo, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
The Sweet Baby vegetable lineup includes baby cauliflower that comes packaged in 10-ounce bags and baby broccoli that hits the shelves in 8-ounce bags. According to a press release, the veggies come pre-washed and ready to eat. They boast a 16-day shelf-life, so that consumers can keep them stocked for future meals.
While the sweet baby broccoli touts a sweet flavor from stem to florets, it is also 100 percent edible, as the company aimed to reduce food waste. The sweet baby cauliflower also features a sweet taste, as well as a tender green stem that lightens as it cooks.
“Our goal is to deliver fresh, healthy food that is prepped and ready to use for consumers looking to bring restaurant-style dishes into their home,” continued Russo. “The cubed veggies are a fresh take on favorite fall vegetables. We are excited to deliver nutrition and flavor to shoppers at affordable prices.”
Accompanying the Sweet Baby line is the Cubed and Crumbled lineup of value-added products. It includes sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash all packaged in 16-ounce bags. The new options will join the company’s Original Cauliflower Crumbles® and Cauliflower Crumbles® Fried Rice.
With convenience and exciting new products on the top of both retailers’ and consumers’ minds, Church Brothers is making sure that it is staying on the cutting edge in the produce aisles, and is sure to catch the eyes of shoppers everywhere. If these new products sound like the perfect addition to your produce section, be sure to hop on board and keep customers coming back for more.
PHOENIX, AZ - A rebrand is no small feat, and when it is made without much fanfare it takes on the effect of a stone tossed in still waters, sending ripples throughout the newswire that grow bigger as they expand. Sprouts Farmers Market, which has long marketed itself as one of the fastest growing names in the game, has skipped quite the stone with the quiet unveiling of a new brand identity and slogan.
Across its Facebook cover, updated last week, is a sketched farmer and his dog driving a truck bed of produce, a brand new Sprouts logo on the door and the tagline Sprouts, Where Goodness Grows™ beneath.
A video series has launched to complement the new look and approach, following the same etching style while still spotlighting a produce focus, bringing it from the sketch of the farm to the physical produce department.
The new logo is a clean stamp, holding to the similar font we all know of the farmer-themed retailer, but instead of the box of produce on top and the circled outline, the O in the banner has become the circle, now its own leafy representation of the company’s rooted ag approach.
One thing is for sure, while this may be a whole new look for Sprouts Farmers Market, the message remains strongly tied to fresh with a new edge to deliver it.
SALINAS, CA - Green Giant Fresh™ is one of the most recognizable and nostalgic brands in the world. During challenging times, as consumers look to ground themselves in trust and comfort, big food brands are reemerging as go-to choices from baby boomers to millennials and beyond.
“Brand loyalty is priceless, and for legacy brands who have built a following over decades, it is resurging as consumers seek familiarity amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tom Byrne, President, Growers Express LLC shares with me. “Legacy brands, like Green Giant Fresh, bring comfort to consumers in a time where they feel anxious and want to be assured that they will get the quality they have become accustomed to over the years.”
Monterey-based Growers Express holds the master license for the Green Giant Fresh brand and manages the licensing program with its many sublicense partners.
According to the Wall Street Journal, many shoppers have favored fresh foods over processed products in this time of need, and Green Giant Fresh is making sure that the brand delivers the reliability of high-quality product consumers have become accustomed to getting.
“We also cultivate the Green Giant Fresh licensing partner community in supporting them in any way possible, especially during times of crisis, by adding value to their operations and enhancing opportunities for continued growth,” Tom tells me. “Green Giant has over 90 percent brand awareness among U.S. consumers and especially during uncertain times, consumers rely on familiarity.”
If we take a look back, in 2009, Growers Express purchased the licensing rights to the Green Giant Fresh brand for use on fresh vegetables and since that time, visibility, demand, and consumer following have grown.
“Being a legacy brand through the years, consumers have come to trust the quality, freshness, and reliability of the many products that are proudly packed under the Green Giant Fresh label. That continues today and Green Giant Fresh has set a benchmark for today’s brands who are looking to rise up in the hierarchy of consumer brand loyalty,” Tom adds.
Part of the Green Giant Fresh vision that continues to drive success forward for the marketing behemoth is its willingness to prioritize innovation first. A key example of this strategy that allowed the company to pair a risk-taking innovation with the safety of a well-known brand was when Green Giant Fresh launched the original Cauliflower Crumbles® chopped cauliflower back in 2015. This helped revitalize what has been a commodity-driven category and has since exploded in usage and demand. This example of the company’s ability to pivot and adapt, is one arena where the operation continues to thrive and can combine its historical brand loyalty with the drive for innovation.
What new trends and movements will surface as the crisis holds space for opportunities? Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow as we lead you down our path of discovery!
MURRIETA, CA - California-based grower, packer, and distributor of premium avocados, West Pak Avocado, just released a new campaign video. The fifth episode for the company’s ongoing 2020 series, Avocados - A Ripe Responsibility covers the ethical weight of the avocado beyond its societal success within the health industry, pop culture, or “foodie” trends.
“In our continued effort to provide a steady flow of fresh, quality avocados to tables across the globe, we at West Pak Avocado have made some changes to ensure that we are building a safe and efficient future,” said CEO Mario Pacheco. “We’ve taken extraordinary measures to not only enhance our workflow and strengthen our infrastructure, but also to dramatically improve safety measures.”
According to the press release, the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused essential industries to shift to accommodate a “new normal,” making the world’s food supply more demanding than ever.
For West Pak, Avocados - A Ripe Responsibility highlights the ways the global organization is taking both ethical and moral responsibilities to ensure the avocado reaches people’s plates every day.
“At the heart of our operations department is always efficacy and employee safety,” commented Vice President of Operations Trevor Newhouse. “Continuous improvement and increase of sustainability—this is also a core strategic area we focus on when enhancing anything and everything we do. We are well-positioned not only to support our customers’ growth in the years ahead but also to ensure that our West Pak family is always safe.”
With careful monitoring throughout the company’s entire establishment from sourcing and production, to distribution, health and food safety are top of mind to ensure the avocado upholds its “ripe” responsibility for the world it reaches.
“On behalf of our employees and board of directors, we’re proud to be building a better future for this generation and beyond,” Pacheco added.
For more ripe and fresh updates in our industry, keep checking back to AndNowUKnow.
MILPITAS, CA - When a company finds the perfect match to fill a role, it’s like putting the last piece of the puzzle in place. I’m sure Agriculture Capital (AC) Brands feels the same way as Evan Pence joins its family, bringing 15 years of experience in the fresh fruit industry to his new role as Vice President of International Procurement.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be part of these established teams, and I’m excited to help AC Brands develop a Latin American supply program that will strengthen and complement our position in the retail market,” Pence commented.
The industry pro will be pulling on his vast experience in produce, most recently as Director of Sourcing for Dole Diversified. His career experience spans across all berries as well as stonefruit, citrus, and table grapes, making him an exceptional addition to the team that packs, sells, and markets fruit for AC Foods companies Suntreat® Citrus and Columbine Vineyards®.
According to the press release, Pence has extensive experience in Latin America—from living and working in Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico post-grad to his most recent position at Dole Diversified, overseeing procurement operations in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Mexico. With his extensive knowledge, he should be a perfect fit as AC Brands plans to expand its grape, citrus, and berry offerings to cover all 52 weeks of the year.
“Our customers have made it clear to us that they would like to see our offerings expand year-round, and this is the first step toward achieving that goal. Evan's experience gives us the ability to hit the ground running as we look to procure strong volumes of high-quality grapes, citrus, and berries” says Rick Johnston, EVP of Sales and Marketing. "We look forward to Evan driving our growth and opportunities with his leadership, passion, and experience on import supply chain."
Suntreat, exclusive home of Sumo Citrus®, and Columbine Vineyards, has strong national retail support throughout the U.S. domestic seasons. The company now looks to capitalize upon that momentum and will begin to develop an international supply plan that complements that volume.
Congratulations to Evan Pence on his new role and the new bonds being made!
ARLINGTON, VA - Expansion is the name of the game for retail giant Lidl as the company has rolled out massive strategic efforts in Great Britain, Italy, and France, just to name a few that have kicked off in 2020. Today, the grocer is honing in on U.S. markets, laying the groundwork for 50 new stores set to open next year.
With new locations in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia, Lidl will invest more than $500 million in the new stores and create roughly 2,000 new jobs across these communities.
This strategic expansion will be a boon for customers, too. Recent academic studies have documented Lidl's cost-cutting effect in new markets it enters, with a new study from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School stating Lidl's pricing is up to 45 percent lower than nearby national grocers.
This month, the National Retail Federation ranked Lidl as the top retailer in its Hot 100 Retailers list of fastest-growing companies. The grocery chain opened its third regional headquarters and distribution center in Cecil County, Maryland, earlier this year to support its store network. It also plans to open its fourth distribution center in Covington, Georgia, over the next two years.
As part of Lidl's ongoing effort to prioritize the most convenient locations, Lidl also will close two stores in Havelock and Shelby, North Carolina. According to a press release, all employees there will be given the opportunity to relocate to another store within Lidl's growing network. To view the complete list of new store locations, click here.
Which region will Lidl tackle next? Stick with us at ANUK to find out.
MANTECA, CA - As Oscar Wilde once said, “And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” Already September is on our doorstep, and that means pumpkin season is almost upon us. For Van Groningen & Sons, the season is just about to start, and it looks like it’s going to be one for the record books.
Harvest is looking to be on the early side due to practically perfect growing conditions this season. Van Groningen expects a bumper crop on its medium carving and pie-sized pumpkins, as well as some of its heirloom varieties and gourds.
“Most of the reason for the bumper crop is the temperature. The heat did not cause many blossoms or young pumpkins to burn off. The bees were also working most of the day since it never got too hot,” stated Plant Health Manager, Tommy Van Groningen. “The cool nights allowed the plants to ‘breathe’ or properly respire so they weren’t sending all their energy to just survive. They were able to spend more of the inputs on producing a crop.”
The pumpkin provider is expecting this year to be strong for sales. With most children distance learning and many parents working from home, the company believes this will lead to more pumpkin home-based activities and increased decorating to give a sense of normalcy, according to the press release.
Stay with us as we bring in more seasonal updates and all of the industry’s latest on ANUK.
FORT COLLINS, CO - While the produce market is filled with uncertainties that often make this industry so exciting, having insights that can help predict the future are always intriguing. That is why Agronometrics has relaunched its platform that offers tools like market updates, price alerts, and easy navigation through USDA data to give operators across the industry a leg up.
"With these tools, many people use the site to stay abreast of what's going on in the markets for their commodity, or study historical trends to have a better idea of what the future might hold,” said CEO Colin Fain.
The company’s platform provides users with an easy-to-navigate dashboard that produce veterans and newcomers alike can use to decipher the data that drives the market. According to a press release, at the click of a mouse, users will have access to weekly summaries and market data for the sector they work in.
“What people most appreciate about the service is the ability to gain access to reliable market data when they need it. This way our clients are not stumbling around in the dark when looking to make an important commercial decision,” added Fain.
Agronometrics' relaunch comes as the company has restructured the platform after years of requests from customers, modifications to streamline the service, and the implementation of new tools that helped raise the bar on the company’s offerings. The new interface provides an updated ease of use that makes this platform comprehensive for all operators across the produce industry.
As Agronometrics continues to partner with a wide range of companies across the supply-chain and retail markets, the data that will become available and the services that the company will be able to offer will only grow. In an industry where change is inevitable, having concrete data makes it that much easier to roll up our sleeves and tackle the twists and turns ahead.
For more innovative reports like this, keep coming back to ANUK.
PARSIPPANY, NJ - The parent company of Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to facilitate a $75 million sale. The company interested in purchasing the grocery banners is TLI Bedrock.
"We are pleased to be moving forward with a sale so we can position Kings and Balducci's for even greater long-term success. During this COVID crisis, our Associates and communities have demonstrated not only the viability but absolute necessity of our markets in their communities. Our sales and service have never been stronger; we are confident we will emerge from this process without missing a beat, well-positioned for future stability and success," said Judith Spires, CEO of KB US Holdings.
According to a press release, KB has obtained a commitment for approximately $20 million in debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing from its existing secured lender. Upon court approval, the new financing, combined with cash generated from the company's ongoing operations, will be used to support the business throughout the sale process.
The parent company noted that it has sufficient liquidity to meet its go-forward business obligations and will operate with business as usual. This means that its business partners will be paid for goods and services provided on or after the Chapter 11 filing date.
As part of the filing, KB has filed a number of customary "first day" motions seeking authorization to maintain its operations during the court-supervised process, including authority to continue payment of employee wages and benefits, as well as post-petition obligations to its vendor community.
Part of the sale process is that higher and better bids will be solicited following the former approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
How does this sale better positions both banners for retail success? AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the news.
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES - Active weather is occurring off the Gulf Coast, as many fear back-to-back hurricanes. Although Hurricane Marco was downgraded to a tropical storm late last night, Tropical Storm Laura continues to gain momentum off of the coast of Louisiana. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before touching land.
According to CNN Weather, both of these storms were predicted to hit land within 48 hours of each other—a weather event that has not yet been seen in modern meteorological history.
Meteorologists warn that Laura is getting stronger in the warm waters of the Caribbean and may assume full strength by Tuesday. By Wednesday, it could become a Category 2 storm.
Tropical Storm Marco was expected to sweep through Lousiana and into part of Southeast Texas. Tropical Storm Laura is expected to sweep straight through Lousiana.
Stay safe as AndNowUKnow continues to keep you abreast of any weather news that might cross fresh produce regions.