GREENSBORO, NC - With plans to drive home merchandising efforts next year, The Fresh Market has brought on an industry expert to lead the way. The company, a leading fresh-focused specialty grocer, has appointed Dan Portnoy as Chief Merchandising Officer, who will report to President and CEO Larry Appel.
"I believe Dan to be one of the brightest and most creative merchants in the industry," said Appel. "He possesses both a strong understanding of our specialty brand and the business acumen to deliver results. With Dan at the helm of our merchandising team, I am confident that we will achieve our vision of being the premier, fresh-focused, specialty food retailer."
Having been the President and CEO at Kings Super Markets/Balducci's Markets and the Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Winn-Dixie Stores, Portnoy brings with him over 35 years of experience. His retail background is complemented by a deep knowledge of consumer products goods attributed to prior leadership positions at Cott Corporation, a leading beverage company, and Daymon Worldwide, a private brand development company.
In addition to serving on the Senior Leadership Team, Portnoy will head up The Fresh Market's group of Merchandising Directors, as well as Group Vice President of Merchandise Operations Lance Twitty, as reported in a news release.
Portnoy received his MBA in Marketing and Consumer Research from Baruch College, and his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Statistics from Babson College. A Boston native, Portnoy will be relocating to Greensboro from Jacksonville, Florida.
We at AndNowUKnow extend our congratulations to Dan Portnoy and wish the best of luck to The Fresh Market as it implements his expertise.
NORTH LANARKSHIRE, SCOTLAND - Lidl has definitely been upping the ante on its U.S. expansion, acquiring smaller retail chains and plans in place to open 25 new stores in targeted markets across the East Coast. But what about the grocer’s overseas expansion? Not one to ignore growth opportunities, Lidl has officially opened its largest distribution center ever, in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The new 630,000-square-foot warehouse is set to service the retailer’s 99 stores throughout Scotland. This is not the first time that Lidl has pushed further into Scotland’s retail space, as it has announced plans to open 12 additional stores in Scotland over the next three years, according to BBC News.
The company commented that the new facility is "a pivotal moment in our ambitious growth plans across Scotland.” And while an estimated 600 current employees have relocated to the area, the company claims there is "scope for a further 250 jobs."
Lidl is not the only retailer making investments in this sort of mega-distribution center, as H-E-B, Amazon, Publix, and more are constructing their own gargantuan facilities.
Are giant warehouses the way of the future? Or will the industry shift toward micro-facilities? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
ANAHEIM, CA - PMA Fresh Summit is one week away. I repeat: one week away. The event is sure to razzle dazzle down in Anaheim, and I’m sure everyone is bringing their A-game. Lance Peterson, President of Super Starr International, reveals to me exactly how Super Starr International is stunning the crown in a couple of weeks, and I'm pretty hyped up myself.
“Not only is PMA Fresh Summit a great time to reconnect with customers and foster in-person relationships, but it prepares the team for the season ahead,” Lance starts. “It is also a great opportunity to continue sharing company updates and other exciting news.”
You mean to tell me I can expect star-quality papayas this year? The answer is yes, yes I can.
“Super Starr will showcase its superior papaya variety, Royal Star Papaya, which is an extension of the company’s dedication to elevating the category and growing high-quality, premier papayas,” he continues. “Grown in the nutrient-rich volcanic soil of Colima, Mexico, the Royal Star Papaya variety has revolutionized the industry due to its uncommon level of sweetness, pleasant smell, and long shelf life.”
This delectable variety is available year-round with a vibrant orange flesh that invites the eater to chomp away to the very rind. Before I get too lost in the papaya, I ask what Super Starr is looking forward to most at this time of the year. Lance responds with connections and the ability to showcase the hard effort Super Starr and its team puts into the product.
“We look forward to speaking with customers about the benefits of sourcing from the grower and elevate their commitment to steadfast food safety procedures,” Lance elaborates. “Super Starr is constantly monitoring all fresh products from field to retailer to ensure the highest quality fruit for customers. They are the grower and they control the quality of their papayas from the seed to when it lands in customers’ hands. By leaving out the middleman, Super Starr is able to regulate the entire production process and set the standard for safe, exceptional papayas.”
If you happen to be able to attend the 70th PMA this year in Anaheim from October 17-19, be sure to visit Super Starr International at booth #2248. Lance Peterson; Chris Hoffman, Salesman; Mert Gumus, Quality Control Manager; and Nazario Rodriguiez, Partner in Super Starr, will be available to divulge more on what Super Starr is up to. For more PMA updates, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
FELLSMERE, FL - One of the busiest times of the year is upon us! Between retailers and foodservice operators ramping up their fall and holiday programs and PMA Fresh Summit trending just on the horizon, I can’t help but feel like the industry is abuzz. B&W Quality Growers is riding that energy as well, with the show just around the corner and so much to share as October gets underway.
“This year, we are going to be focusing on continuing to increase awareness of watercress, and expanding distribution of our new Power 4 blend, which includes arugula, watercress, baby spinach, and red kale,” Todd Gosule, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing shares with me. “We have a lot of exciting things happening at B&W. Recently, we have become Kosher Certified, which has opened many doors for us, and we are also on the brink of our 150th anniversary, which takes place in 2020.”
I can barely wrap my mind around what 150 years could encompass and what milestones and leaps the company must have taken to arrive where it is today as one of the leading greens growers in the industry. One thing those 150 years do bring? A wealth of knowledge and relationships that will be prime conversation at the upcoming tradeshow in Anaheim.
“Not many companies get to celebrate this amazing milestone, and we are very proud to be a part of such a great organization,” Nikki Hartman, Marketing Manager, tells me.
As the largest show of the year, PMA Fresh Summit gives the B&W team the ability to interact with its customers, industry peers, and prospects—all in one place. The team at B&W is also far from a newcomer as the company has exhibited at this show for many years and feels that it is incredibly beneficial every time.
Along with the PMA buzz is that valuable holiday push, and B&W is ready to rock: palate forward and promising to draw that incredible consumer demand.
“B&W is working with various chefs to create a variety of new recipes that are perfect for the holiday season,” Nikki says. “We are excited to share these incredible dishes in an attempt to showcase the distinctive flavor and versatility of our products. We believe these recipes will be well received by consumers seeking inspiration for delicious holiday meals.”
Mark your target lists for the PMA Fresh Summit show floor with a keen eye on the B&W crew and all they have to offer. Check out booth #4149. See you all in Anaheim!
CARLISLE, PA - GIANT Food Stores is riding the wave of its latest acquisition all the way to the “Now Open” beach, if you catch my drift. That’s right, after adding Musser’s Market's three locations to its own store portfolio back in August, the retailer is officially opening up its newly acquired locations in November.
“We look forward to opening the doors to our three newest stores, which will be updated with plenty of GIANT’S fresh ideas and amenities, while also keeping customer favorites like Musser’s bakery cookies, assorted pork sausages, and signature chicken salad,” said Nicholas Bertram, President of GIANT Food Stores.
A few of these fresh ideas and amenities will include GIANT’S signature fresh departments, coupled with expanded product variety and new offerings, according to a press release.
“We know how important these stores are to their local communities, and it’s our privilege to be able to serve our new neighbors. We can’t wait to get to know our new customers across Lancaster and Lebanon County and we look forward to welcoming them to GIANT,” continued Bertram.
GIANT’s new Lebanon, Pennsylvania, store, located at 1750 Quentin Road, will open on Friday, November 1 at 8 a.m. and its stores at 3985 Columbia Ave., Columbia and 35 Friendly Drive, Quarryville will open one week later on Friday, November 8. Each store will offer expanded hours of operation (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.), seven days a week, and employ more than 300 full- and part-time associates, including 220 from Musser’s Markets.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you in front of the latest grocery retail news as it hits the newswire.
TOPSFIELD, MA - Fall is the time for ghouls, goblins, and gourds, and while children and autumn-enthusiasts everywhere are picking out premium pumpkins for carving, others have different plans for their pumpkins. At the New England Topsfield Fair, the New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off took center stage, where locals trotted out some truly beefy pumpkins. But there was one that stole the show. A Connecticut man’s weigh-off submission was big enough to make you say, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
Now, when I say big, I mean big—this whopper clocked in at 2,294.5 pounds, that’s about 48 pounds heavier than a Chevy Spark, and over 2,200 pounds heavier than a Dachshund! Though the gargantuan pumpkin was a wonder to behold, it narrowly missed the Guinness World Record Heaviest Pumpkin, which was an impressive 2,634.6 pounds, according to KCTV5 News.
But world records aren’t everything, and the Connecticut man snagged an $8,519 grand prize, and, presumably, a lot of high fives, fist bumps, and free drinks.
Will we find a pumpkin hefty enough to beat out the Guinness World Record? Only time will tell, but until then, I’ll be headed to the nearest pumpkin patch on Halloween Eve with my favorite security blanket, to scan the skies for the flying, present-giving, Great Pumpkin.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company has undergone some roster shuffling recently. Morgan Underwood was promoted back in June, and Leonora Winegar and Jeff Kleyn were promoted this past August. It seems now that the company has decided to bring in someone outside the company, and has found its new Director of Perishable Logistics in Andy Shoemaker. Shoemaker's role will be identifying and nurturing produce business growth opportunities for ALC.
“We are excited to have someone with Andy’s experience come to work for us. The produce business is paramount to our success, and our expectation is that Andy will help grow this segment for us with multiple shippers,” said Edward Lund, President.
No pressure there! According to the company’s press release, Shoemaker has more than 30 years of experience as a sales and marketing leader in the food business. His expertise includes foodservice national account development, contracting, market share, and branding, and he is a key contributor in developing and implementing strategies to build a multi-billion, world-class produce supplier.
“I couldn’t be happier to add Andy Shoemaker as our Director of Perishable Logistics to the Allen Lund family,” Bob Rose, VP of Produce Sales, commented. “Allen Lund began his journey hauling produce across the USA. Our core business today centers around the cold chain and keeping our customers fulfilled. Andy has been in all aspects of the produce business with most of his time spent with Taylor Farms. He brings a unique perspective to ALC as he understands what our customers go through on a daily, weekly, yearly basis. We welcome Andy in his new role and know he will help make us even stronger in the perishable landscape.”
Just as much as ALC is looking to add Shoemaker to its ranks, so is Shoemaker himself wanting to test his mettle and revive his talents.
“I've been in the industry for a long time and have always admired the reputation and culture the Allen Lund Company had,” Shoemaker added. “When I realized I still wanted to work and utilize my talents, traits, relationships, etc., it was the reputation of ALC that enticed me to ‘get back in the hunt.’"
We at ANUK can’t wait to see what is in store for Shoemaker and ALC in the upcoming future.
LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor® continues moving onward and upward in the greenhouse growing sector. Not only is it increasing acreage on tomato, pepper, cucumber, and eggplant crops, but it is focusing on strategic growth that will bring new specialty items to meet the demands of retail, foodservice, and consumers. After years of research and development, the company will unveil its new RedRoyals™ Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine at PMA Fresh Summit next weekend.
“We are excited to be bringing a new variety to market that we believe will be a game changer,” said Jamie Moracci, President.
After researching consumer trends, trialing dozens of varieties, and conducting community sensory testing, the Pure Flavor team selected a fantastic varietal with a unique burst of sweet and unmistakable flavor. RedRoyals are rich with a vibrant crunch, making them the perfect accent to any eating occasion. Hand-picked with the utmost care, their flavor is nurtured on the vine by the family of growers, who carefully select each piece of fruit themselves.
The company has been working with its growers, seed companies, and retail partners to bring new items to market. The following items will be on display at Fresh Summit:
- RedRoyals Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine
- Mini Munchies Tomato Snack Packs
- Organic Sangria Medley Tomatoes
- The Craft House Collection
- Stingrays Hot Peppers
- ‘3’ Sweet Snacking Tomatoes
“It’s been a great year for launching new products and brands. We look forward to showcasing them all at Fresh Summit in Anaheim at Booth #4451 and in the New Product Showcases,” said Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Officer.
To learn more about Pure Flavor and what it’s promoting, be sure to stop by the booth at Fresh Summit. Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we jam pack the newswire with Fresh Summit festivities.
MIAMI, FL - Tropical avocados—also known as green skins—may not be well-known, but WP Produce, the largest importer and seller of tropical avocados from the Dominican Republic, sold under the Desbry brand, is working to change that.
Tropical avocados themselves are their own selling point. Their many positive attributes include their large size and bright, fresh green color. They also stay green (most varieties don’t change color as they ripen), and have a substantially longer cut life—meaning they don’t oxidize as quickly after being cut. The convenience factor comes into play when looking at their size; given that they’re larger than the average avocado, consumers as well as foodservice operators enjoy the value and convenience.
WP will be featuring its newly-refreshed Desbry brand logo at PMA and will be at the Dominican Republic booth #4471 to answer questions about tropical avocados.
Chris Gonzalez, VP of Sales for WP Produce, shares with me, “We see great potential for tropical avocados—especially among Millennials—and shoppers and retailers seem to agree. Focus groups have shown just how interested consumers are by the idea of having another type of avocado—they love something new. Our retailers have seen a significant increase in sales in the past few years, and our foodservice customers appreciate the value.”
Gonzalez’s Uncle and company founder Willy Pardo has been a pioneer in the tropical avocado industry for decades, and first began sourcing this fruit from the Dominican Republic in 1992 after hurricanes severely affected the Floridian crop. Since then, the high quality of the Dominican fruit and year-round seasonality has kept WP Produce coming back to the DR as a supply partner.
“Our high season for Dominican fruit starts on October 15. Our strong relationships with our growing partners allow us to provide high-quality supply and consistent volume throughout the season,” Chris tells me. “The Semil variety also begins shipping during this time, which is a crowd favorite for both consumers and retailers. They love the smooth yet hearty texture and fresh flavor profile!”
If you’ve never tried a tropical avocado (or can’t get enough of them!), be sure to visit WP’s booth at the Freshtival at PMA Fresh Summit (located outdoors between the Hilton and Marriot near the conference center). WP will be sampling several tropical avocado recipes, including avocado toast in the morning and a delicious family recipe for avocado salad in the afternoon, created by founder Willy Pardo.
KINGSVILLE, ON - This time of the year, anticipation heightens as the best of the best come together with innovation, ingenuity, and a contagious passion to raise the standards in industry excellence. And if you are a company rich in vision like SUNSET®, you never disappoint. With PMA Fresh Summit nearly upon us, the company is igniting the pepper category with two new flavor innovations: KABOOM!™ black jalapeño and premium Wild Wonders® peppers.
“SUNSET is the fastest-growing pepper brand in the United States,” said Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO, and the fourth-generation family member to lead Mastronardi Produce. “Our latest offerings deliver the signature fresh flavor consumers are looking for.”
KABOOM! brings to the stage a more full-flavored and juicier cousin to the traditional green jalapeño, according to a press release. It will make its North American debut at PMA’s Fresh Summit Trade Show and EXPO next week in Anaheim, California.
“KABOOM! packs a taste explosion, rather than the pure heat of traditional green jalapeños. They are the perfect complement to salads and nachos, and their dark color really stands out,” said Celebrity Chef Roger Mooking, SUNSET’s Culinary Director.
Also gracing the spotlight will be Wild Wonders gourmet peppers that combine super-sweet flavor and an eye-catching shape with the thrill of discovery, as the company shares. Tucked in each colorful package, veggie lovers can expect to find a mix of red, yellow, orange, and chocolate brown peppers.
“Wild Wonders peppers are deliciously sweet with no bitter aftertaste, so they lend themselves well to a variety of dishes,” continued Mooking. “And they have barely any seeds, which makes for easy prep whether you stuff, grill, or slice them.”
Check out booth #4385 at PMA Fresh Summit next week to see the new products for yourselves and meet the team behind the fresh and flavorful new features!