BALA CYNWYD, PA - Love Beets, a leader in premium, ready-to-eat beets in North America, has teamed up with Genuine Coconut, creators of the innovative ready-to-drink coconuts, to help make them more widely accessible in the US market. Both companies have been collaborating to increase distribution of two very different Organic Drinkable Coconuts—the Genuine Coconut Selection, ideal for drinking straight from the coconut with Easy Open System, and the Eat & Drink Coconut for a functional beverage and a healthy coconut meat snack in one!
Genuine Coconut will be co-exhibiting at the Love Beets booth at the 2019 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in just a few days in Anaheim, California. The companies together will sample and display their popular superfood products at the show.
“We are excited to work together with a fun and trendy brand that emulates the same core brand values as Love Beets,” said George Shropshire, General Manager of Love Beets USA. “Genuine Coconut has two certified organic products that we are proud to represent in the US market.”
Both premium produce brands heavily focus on transparency and functionality through quality and ethically sourced products that appeal to consumer demands and trends. Both Love Beets’ and Genuine Coconuts’ products attract like-minded customers who prioritize shopping for healthy foods without compromising the trend of convenient ready-to-eat on-the-go food and drink items. This collaboration is a perfect match as Love Beets’ core brand values of taste, quality, convenience and health hold true for the Genuine Coconut brand as well.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to exhibit at such a large-scale event in the produce industry,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, Commercial Director of Genuine Coconut. “We love working with the Love Beets team to grow our U.S. distribution.”
Love Beets continues to push the envelope with upbeat trends and products each year, and together with Genuine Coconut in 2019, they will continue on that same innovative path. Visit booth #4659 at the PMA Fresh Summit to check out the new and exciting products that both Love Beets and Genuine Coconut have to offer and meet the team! Visit the Genuine Coconut website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for news, events, and health benefits.
To learn more about Love Beets products, recipes, and ways to enjoy beets, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - ’Tis the season of new products! Bolthouse Farms has dropped more than 25 new products for its spring 2020 shipping in an endeavor to make its vision for the future—Plants Powering People—a reality.
“Product innovation is fueling our growth once again,” said Bill Levisay, President. “We are very excited about the breadth of our new products and product lines, all examples of Bolthouse Farms evolving to a healthier and more functional platform.”
The new Bolthouse Farms' product lineup was born out of a vision and passion for guiding a new way for people to eat and live healthier lifestyles, a vision that’s reflected in the new products. Since the acquisition in June 2019, the company has focused on being an innovation leader in plant-based and plant-powered foods, according to a press release. The new line builds on the company’s rich heritage of fresh carrots and plant-based foods and will include line extensions, new flavors, new categories, and innovations in fresh carrots.
“With our product innovation, we focused on new flavors and new categories that are industry-leading and on the cutting edge of consumer trends and needs,” added AJ Bernstein, Vice President of Marketing.
And just what are we to expect from the new lineup? From CBD to protein shakes, Bolthouse Farms covers a pretty wide spectrum. The press release lists the categories as:
- Bolthouse Farms Protein Keto: ready-to-drink protein beverages–available in Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Coffee, and Matcha flavors in February 2020.
- Bolthouse Farms BOLTS: functional shots that pack a powerful punch–available in Immunity, Digestion, Energy, Wellness, and Metabolism.
- CBD Functional Infusions and RTD Coffee Beverages: easily drinkable and functional beverages with the added benefits of CBD. These CBD lines will be marketed under a new brand name and will begin distribution in early 2020 and initially only to customers regionally.
The new flavors and line extensions include:
- Protein Plus—Dutch Chocolate Banana
- Carrot Ginger Turmeric Juice
- 52 oz C-BoostTM
- Refrigerated Dressings—three new flavors: Honey BBQ Ranch, Pomegranate Poppy Seed, and Lemon Basil
For the full press release describing the products more in-depth, click here. All new products will be featured at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit show on October 17-19 in Anaheim, California, at the Bolthouse Farms booth #3265. Stop by to find out more information on Bolthouse Farms and what it has coming your way.
MIDDLETON, WI - PMA Fresh Summit is the perfect produce locale to show off in front of the whole industry, whether it be via new products, hires, or branding. California Sun Dry is coming in hot with the latter, with plans to launch its first branding evolution and new identity at this year’s big show.
“The new branding strongly resonates with the values of California Sun Dry," said Charles Olins, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at California Sun Dry’s parent company Saco Foods. "Our intention was to tell the story of our fresh, quality tomatoes and natural California origins."
The brand refresh, which includes a new design, label, and logo, hones in on the core values of California Sun Dry products, namely its California roots, natural flavor, and healthy benefits.
According to a press release, the sun-dried tomato provider has always been committed to providing foods that support today’s eating trends. With its rebrand, California Sun Dry is hoping to drive this messaging home with new packaging across its entire portfolio of sun-dried tomatoes, sauces, and spreads—redesigned to catch consumers’ eye.
If you happen to be wandering through the showfloor on the 18th and 19th, look for Charles Olins, who will be on on-hand to meet PMA attendees and share information on the companys extensive product line.
For those of us who won’t be in attendance at PMA Fresh Summit, we can keep our eyes peeled in 2020 for the official rollout of the new packaging.
Stay right here with AndNowUKnow as we continue to bring you all the latest about PMA Fresh Summit.
OXNARD, CA - With PMA Fresh Summit literally just days away, the excitement builds as more and more updates are unveiled—especially when Mission Produce, Hazel Technology, and sustainability are involved. The avocado experts over at Mission will be talking innovation at PMA Fresh Summit this year, divulging its latest ground-breaking solution: an exclusively marketed technology that extends the shelf-life of avocados and reduces food waste.
“Hazel Technologies designed this solution for the avocado supply chain to ensure an unprecedented avocado quality extension and an unparalleled consumer eating experience,” said CEO of Hazel Technologies Aidan Mouat.
This post-harvest product dubbed AVOLAST was designed by Hazel Technologies, a USDA-funded company that develops new technologies to extend the quality and shelf-life of fresh produce in global supply chains, stated the press release. Mission Produce and Hazel Technologies announced their partnership earlier this year.
“By integrating AVOLAST into our business, customers across the world will notice an increase in the shelf-life and quality of their avocados. No other solution can do that,” said Mission's Senior Director of Business Development Patrick Cortes. “AVOLAST makes sense because the program can be tailored to fit any of our customer’s needs and infrastructure, much like our ripe program.”
The technology is a quarter-sized, biodegradable packaging insert that successfully slows down the avocado ripening process by conditioning the atmosphere in the box to slow the fruit’s respiration rate. This is not to be confused with an ethylene scrubber. For the past year, Mission Produce’s R&D team has conducted extensive testing on this product throughout its global supply chain. Not only does the technology benefit Mission Produce’s customers, but it also serves a greater purpose: the fight against global food waste.
"Since 2018, we estimate that our technologies prevented about 130 million pounds of fresh produce from going to waste, which is equivalent to over 3,000 full truck loads,” said Mouat. "This directly translates to offsetting more than 100,000 metric tons of CO2E from food waste. As food waste and loss continues to rise, it is critical for companies like Mission Produce to play its part in reducing the amount of fruit that goes squandered.”
To learn more about this innovative, post-harvest solution, visit Mission Produce’s booth #2075 or Hazel Technologies’ booth #4806 at PMA. Stay with us at ANUK as we cover more news leading up to the event.
NEW YORK, NY - As the grocery retail sector heats up, reputation is everything, and sometimes a tarnished reputation can make a company reevaluate its place in the market. New York-based grocery delivery service FreshDirect recently hit a setback after a failed move for expansion, leading it to consider buyers to keep its operations afloat.
For some time now, FreshDirect has held a prominent position in New York City’s grocery delivery space, prompting it to expand to a massive new facility in the Bronx. However, following the move, service glitches multiplied, according to The New York Post, and the company’s customer base has been significantly impacted, even prompting an apology email.
Though in the past, FreshDirect turned down acquisition offers from leading retailers—in 2010 Amazon and Walmart offered $2.3 and $2.6 billion, respectively—the company’s largest investor, JPMorgan, has begun the search for a buyer, the news source reports.
As FreshDirect continues to struggle—the company reportedly downsized about one-third of its staff, and has begun consolidating services—potential buyers are keeping a close eye on the company. A former FreshDirect executive claimed that both Walmart and Amazon continue to show interest, but are likely waiting for the company’s valuation to fall further before making a move, according to The New York Post.
With FreshDirect seemingly up for grabs, Walmart and Amazon are poised to acquire not just the company, but a significant chunk of the lucrative New York City market as well.
Will FreshDirect follow through with a sale? And which mega retailer will win out? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
UNITED KINGDOM - Most everyone has gotten into the online grocery game but there are some who continue to mull the situation over. For Lidl, a well-known discount grocer, it appears that it may be launching an online grocery platform sooner rather than later.
According to a report from Retail Gazette, the retailer recently put out a job advertisement for a new Digital Project Manager, one who will help it “deliver a new online platform.” In addition, this person will drive online sales along with being responsible for “multiple projects to enhance business growth and revenue.” This new hire will work closely with Lidl’s head of e-commerce.
As of now, this online grocery service would be set to launch in the United Kingdom, with no word yet on when Lidl would bring the platform to its United States customers.
Will this give the retailer the push to launch a service globally? AndNowUKnow will await the latest.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Humans are highly-visual creatures in an increasingly tech-driven world, meaning we must pivot the way we carry our messages while staying true to the authentic vision behind a given narrative. As storytellers, our industry continues to find more ways to reach the trade through new mediums as is berry-innovator Driscoll’s. The company is highlighting its award-winning documentary, The Last Harvest, this month and addressing today's labor shortage and immigration reform.
“The Last Harvest is just one small part of our journey to demonstrate our commitment to enrich the lives of everyone we touch across our farming communities,” said Soren Bjorn, President of the Americas. “As one of the few brands in a typically commodity-driven agriculture industry, we have the unique opportunity to advance topics, themes, and challenges that are otherwise invisible to most consumers. In many cases, strategic collaborations across public and private sectors are needed to improve these larger industry challenges. We support solving systemic issues at a legislative and policy level and continue to be active in timely discussions.”
This feature, set to screen at PMA Fresh Summit as part of the expo’s first Experience Extension with Films, engages the dialogue around labor shortage and immigration reform through a grassroots strategy of community-led forums and discussions. Those attendees as curious as I am, can join an in-depth discussion on Thursday, October 17th at 9 AM in Room 213B, Level 3, ACC with a panel that will include Driscoll’s Bjorn.
Produced in partnership with the award-winning storytelling studio Farm League, The Last Harvest offers the chance for viewers to hear the hopes, hardships, and a sense of life-purpose in harvesting good berries from three independent family growers, according to a press release. While the documentary explores the issues around some of the most impactful issues in ag today, it also takes the opportunity to propose possible solutions to overcoming these challenges.
Driscoll’s CEO and Chairman J. Miles Reiter also addresses the company’s vision in this film, while helping to shed light on the challenges that affect today’s farmers and operational leaders—things that the company feels are largely unknown to the average consumer.
In addition, this month, the company announced joining the Corporate Roundtable for the New American Workforce. Through the National Immigration Forum, the program aims to provide resources designed for immigrant workers.
“As a company whose network represents over 50 percent of foreign-born workers, it is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with immigrants that contribute so much to our company’s success,” said Bjorn. “We join other companies and industries in the Corporate Roundtable to collaborate on ways to best welcome and support a diverse workforce into our country.”
To learn more about the film and its mission and vision, a dedicated website is available at www.thelastharvestfilm.com.
It is just about time to lower the lights, turn your cell phones to silent, and let the film speak for itself.
KINGSVILLE, ON - The week of PMA Fresh Summit is officially here and if you do not already have booth #4385 marked on your target list, you should! SUNSET will be debuting its newest on-the-vine tomato bomb at the tradeshow and expo, and we’re relishing the sweet anticipation.
“SUNSET dominates the on-the-vine snacking category, which is the fastest growing tomato segment,” says Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO, and the fourth-generation family member to lead Mastronardi Produce. “We’ve built a massive fanbase for the Bombs™, and we can’t wait to share this new addition to the line-up.”
Curious? So are we! The sweet-like-honey golden snacking tomato follows the success of Flavor Bombs® and Sugar Bombs™. These items are both ripened and packed on the vine for optimal flavor, according to a press release. The new addition offers the same high-impact Bombs™ taste experience that consumers have grown to crave.
Additionally, the company has a vast array of new items to showcase, including Organic Wild Wonders®, a certified organic offering of the number one tomato-mix brand in the United States.
Have a great show and keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for details, flavors, and more!
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI - The ANUK team’s excitement has only risen in fervor every time an industry leader sends a PR detailing a new produce variety our way. With PMA literally this week, we’ve been positively bouncing out of our orange chairs thanks to a slew of new variety announcements hitting our inbox. The latest new product announcement was from Good Foods, who revealed it will be unveiling a delicious way to dress up all those new varieties coming down the pipeline in the way of a clean ingredient salad dressing line!
“Good Foods is answering our consumer’s call for delicious dressings with the clean labels they crave,” said Danyel O’Connor, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We chose to elevate the most sought-after salad dressings with bright, fresh flavors by harnessing the power of cold pressure.”
According to a press release, Good Foods’ products use high pressure processing (HPP), which wields the power of water to keep the food and ingredients fresher for a longer period of time while also maximizing nutrition and eliminating harmful pathogens.
The line will include six gluten-free salad dressings, each containing fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs without any preservatives or additives. In fact, the ingredients list only includes easily recognizable items, like avocados and lemons, in order to offer a transparent label to consumers. The six plant-based flavors include: Harvest Apple, Asian Ginger, Avocado Goddess, Blue Cheese, Avocado Ranch, and Caesar—with the last three containing dairy.
To try the Blue Cheese and Avocado Goddess dressings for yourself, stop by booth #2319 at PMA Fresh Summit—with a few of its neighboring booths’ new produce varieties in tow to dress up, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down!
For more pre-PMA coverage, stay right here with ANUK.
ROCHESTER, NY - Many of us in the industry got our start by bagging groceries and stocking shelves. For some, it may have even been your first job in high school that somehow blossomed into an executive role. No matter the journey, these humble beginnings are often what forges great leaders. Jack DePeters of Wegmans Food Markets is one of such individuals, retiring from his position as Senior Vice President of Store Operations at the year’s end, and capping off a career that spanned over 52 years.
“Jack has played an immeasurable role in the success of our company by bringing our values to life and always putting people first,” said Danny Wegman, President of The Wegman Group. “His career has set an example of continuous learning and leadership for the many generations that followed.”
Like many, DePeters’ first job was at Wegmans as a 16-year-old part-time employee. After graduating from Aquinas Institute, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from St. John Fisher College in 1973. DePeters then became a full-time employee, serving in many capacities, including as a Store Manager and a Buyer. He eventually moved from store operations to the merchandising side of the business, starting as Head Grocery Buyer and Director of Wegmans’ brand in 1982. Four years later, in 1986, he was named Director of Grocery, Dairy, and Frozen, a position he held until 1999 when he was named Senior Vice President of Store Operations. Over his long career, DePeters has implemented a number of important initiatives that kept Wegmans on the leading edge of the industry.
“When we listen to those closest to the work, we always find ways to get better,” said Jack. In response to that adage, he created Ask Jack, a program that allowed Wegmans employees to reach out directly to him with comments or suggestions. Since Ask Jack began in 2002, more than 16,000 employees have sent messages to Jack and received a response. Comments and responses that are deemed to be of broad interest are shared through Wegmans intranet on a page that receives about 130,000 ‘hits’ each year.
DePeters points to the words of the late Robert Wegman as inspiration: “Never think about yourself; always help others.” DePeters says, “Those words motivated me to create opportunities for our people to learn and grow, provide them with meaningful work, and deliver incredible service to each other and to our customers.”
DePeters has been on the St. John Fisher College Board of Trustees since 2007 and is the current Chairman. He has worked with the United Way of Greater Rochester since 1987, serving on a number of committees and as a member of its Board of Directors from 1999 until 2002. DePeters and his wife Donna have been Tocqueville members since 2010, and they jointly served as Tocqueville Chairs in 2017 and 2018.
When asked his proudest achievement, DePeters doesn’t hesitate: “The day I learned we were #1 on Fortune’s list of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For,’ and seeing how much this meant to our people.”
As the praises are aplenty, so too are the sentiments of those who will miss DePeters when he retires.
“Counting the number of people and families Jack has impacted throughout his professional career and through his community efforts would be an impossible feat,” added Wegman. “Our family is grateful for all that he has contributed to our company and our community.”
Bob Farr, who joined the company in 1980 at the age of 16, will succeed DePeters as Senior Vice President of Store Operations. Farr has had a long career in store operations, including as a Store Manager at several Rochester locations, and more recently as Virginia Division Manager and Senior Vice President.
From all of us here at ANUK, thank you to Jack DePeters for all you’ve done to support the industry.