BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is excited to announce a comprehensive brand refresh that reflects its evolution as a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer. From its humble beginnings in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1951, Walmart has grown into a global leader dedicated to helping people save money and live better.

As Walmart has grown, this commitment extends from providing affordable prices on products to serving customers and members in ways that make the shopping experience more delightful. The company aims to save its customers and members time while enabling people to be healthier, build their wealth, and strengthen communities and the planet.

Introducing Walmart’s updated brand identity

Walmart’s brand identity has evolved to reflect what the retailer offers today while honoring what has always been special about the one-stop shopping destination. Walmart’s business has grown to meet the changing needs and wants of its customers from affordable prices to digital offerings to health services and more. This updated brand identity will better represent who Walmart is today.

According to a press release, some key features of the brand’s refresh include:

• The wordmark is inspired by Sam Walton’s classic trucker hat and brought to life with a modern, custom font that differentiates Walmart from the crowd
• The spark exudes the energy of Walmart and remains a beacon that guides customers through all facets of the Walmart experience
• The color palette—True Blue and Spark Yellow—leans on the retailer’s most recognizable tones and its heritage of blue, while ushering in new updates to keep the brand fresh
• The tone is relatable, approachable, and representative of the millions of customers that shop with Walmart, whether conveyed through its brand voice, illustrations, or photography

“Walmart aims to be an inspirational, digital retailer that provides all the products, brands, and services our customers need and want. This update, rooted in the legacy of our founder, Sam Walton, demonstrates our evolving capabilities and longstanding commitment to serve our customers of today and tomorrow,” said William White, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Walmart U.S. “While the look and feel of our brand is more contemporary, our refreshed brand identity reflects Walmart’s enduring commitment to both Sam’s principles and serving our customers however they need us. As our customers evolve, we will too. Our Walmart will always be their Walmart, and our brand will always be a testament to how we innovate and change alongside them.”

The updated brand identity will help Walmart build credibility and connection, become known for its convenient digital-first services, and be seen as a more modern, culturally dynamic brand.

For more from the press release, click here. And stick with ANUK for the latest updates.

NEW YORK - The Mushroom Council kicks off the new year by celebrating Jason’s Deli’s latest limited-time offerings (LTOs) that put fresh mushrooms front and center.

Now through March, Jason’s Deli‚ with support from the Mushroom Council—is menuing two irresistible Cheesy Truffle Pastas with fresh mushrooms. Guests can choose between classic cheesy pasta or a cheesy chicken pasta, both featuring fresh mushrooms and spinach, paired with a savory truffle cheese sauce served over penne pasta and finished with a sprinkle of Asiago cheese. Each dish is served with a side of toasted herb focaccia.

Family-owned and community-focused, Jason’s Deli serves guests at 239 delis in 27 states. Known for its dedication to quality ingredients and innovative flavors, Jason’s Deli continues to delight customers with menu items that blend indulgence with feel-good ingredients.

To promote their new mushroom-centric pastas, the restaurant is engaging customers online, in-store and through whimsical stickers that celebrate mushrooms’ one-of-a-kind flavor and versatility. Jason’s Deli will also encourage guests to celebrate Mushroom Monday, a weekly reminder to enjoy the umami-packed goodness of fresh mushrooms.

“Fresh mushrooms are having their moment, available at restaurants nationwide as center-of-the-plate meals, and we wanted to start the year embracing the mushroom trend,” said Clare Wilson, Vice President of Culinary R&D at Jason’s Deli. “Mushrooms are not only delicious and versatile but also a perfect complement to the cheesy, savory flavors in our new truffle pastas. These dishes highlight how mushrooms can bring depth and richness to every bite, making them a must-try for our guests.”

The Mushroom Council is amplifying the menu promotions with a robust social media influencer initiative and targeted digital advertising, ensuring fresh mushrooms remain top of mind for Jason’s Deli fans throughout the nation.

“Jason’s Deli’s Cheesy Truffle Pastas with fresh mushrooms are the perfect way to start 2025,” said Amy Wood, President of the Mushroom Council. “This menu promotion celebrates everything fresh mushrooms bring to the table: rich flavor, unmatched versatility, and a touch of everyday indulgence. We greatly appreciate Jason’s Deli for showcasing how mushrooms can elevate any dish while at the same time supporting our nation’s mushroom growers in such a meaningful way.”

We'll continue to keep our eyes on more industry news, so stay tuned to ANUK.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Organic Trade Association is pleased to announce the expansion of its leadership team with the hiring of two new Vice Presidents in key strategic and growth roles. Joining the association as Vice President of Government Affairs is Ivanna Yang, and as Vice President of Industry Relations is Matt Landi.

As a press release announced, Yang will spearhead OTA’s legislative advocacy efforts in achieving organic priorities in appropriations, the farm bill, and tax and trade policies. She will work with OTA’s DC coalition partners and other agriculture associations, as well as with lawmakers and policy makers to advance and grow organic agriculture.

Yang is an accomplished government affairs manager and coalition builder on both the state and federal level. She most recently led the government affairs program for Geno, a leader in the technology of replacing fossil fuels with plant-based feedstocks to accelerate the transition to sustainable materials. Yang has been at the forefront of successful and innovative manufacturing and consumer protection campaigns at every level of government.

“I look forward to working with the new Congress and Administration to ensure that the organic industry and our members have a seat at the table and a hand in crafting legislation to strengthen and transform our food systems. As an avid consumer of organic products, I am thrilled to represent an industry that touches many of our lives every day,” said Yang.

As Vice President of Industry Relations, Landi will lead a department that includes membership engagement, events, and membership-related communications and marketing. This will include the team that guides OTA’s sector councils such as Produce, Fiber, Dairy, Grains, Dietary Supplements, and Wine, with a new Poultry Council on the way.

Landi brings to his new position over two decades in the organic food and agricultural trade in a number of different leadership roles in California, the Pacific Northwest and New England. His career has included stints in retail, wholesale distribution, international trade, and more recently, leading a regional start up brand in Vermont. Landi has also served as board chair for OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) and board president for the SFTA (Sustainable Food Trade Association).

"I’m grateful to have found purposeful and fulfilling livelihood in advancing organic agriculture over the last 20+ years and am honored to take on this new role as part of the amazing OTA team. There's no place I'd rather put my energy than working on behalf of the organic trade, and I look forward to serving our incredible community of members and stakeholders,” said Landi.

“Bringing these two outstanding and experienced individuals into our leadership team will greatly enhance our work to advocate for organic farmers and businesses, and to better serve our members. We are thrilled to have Ivanna and Matt on our team,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of OTA.

“Organic is facing many challenges and also opportunities in the coming years. Ivanna’s and Matt’s expertise, along with their proven commitment to organic, will help us meet those challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. The OTA team has never been stronger,” said Tom Chapman, Co-CEO of OTA.

The Organic Trade Association is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing organic businesses and producers across the nation. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, brands, retailers, and others.

For more industry news, be on the lookout for updates from ANUK.

ATLANTA, GA - Cox Farms, a Cox Enterprises company and the largest greenhouse operator in North America, announced a partnership with Feeding America to help address one of the country’s most pressing challenges: food insecurity. This collaboration will bring fresh, healthy produce to food banks and communities across the United States and Canada, helping to increase access to fresh food and promote better nutrition for millions of families.

“Cox Farms is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve, and our partnership with Feeding America reflects our mission to provide access to fresh, healthy food for people facing hunger,” said Steven Bradley, President of Cox Farms. “By leveraging our cutting-edge greenhouse technology and sustainable practices, we’re addressing food insecurity while donating nutritious produce like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and peppers throughout the year. Together, we’re helping to nourish families and ensure they can lead healthier lives.”

This collaboration aligns the strengths of both organizations to tackle hunger at scale, a press release noted. Feeding America aims to end hunger by connecting people to food and addressing its root causes.

Through its nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, Feeding America currently helps provide 5.9 billion meals each year to people facing hunger. In addition, the Feeding America network plays a crucial role in safely distributing 4 billion pounds of excess food to meal programs, food banks and pantries, reducing the waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

“The movement to end hunger takes shared vision and dedicated partnerships,” said Erika Thiem, Feeding America’s Chief Supply Chain Officer. “Together with Cox Farms, we are providing more access to nutritious food, including fresh produce all year-round, to people facing hunger in communities across the country."

Cox Farms is a leader in indoor agriculture, operating over 700 acres of greenhouses, a workforce of more than 2,500 employees and more than 450 million pounds of fresh produce harvested annually. The company’s portfolio includes BrightFarms and Mucci Farms, two brands that embody its mission to future-proof agriculture. Innovation and sustainability lie at the core of Cox Farms' priorities, driving advancements in their greenhouse technology. The company will contribute millions of pounds of fresh, nutrient-rich produce to the Feeding America network of local food banks. This partnership aims to tackle critical challenges such as food insecurity and the urgent need for improved daily nutrition in underserved communities, bringing healthy food options to more communities.

Stay tuned as we bring you more industry news.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Sun World International announced that its President, Bernardo Calvo, has been named Chief Executive Officer, and David Marguleas has become Sun World’s Executive Chair.

“Bernardo’s experience, wisdom, and work ethic are beyond what I could have hoped for, and I’m delighted to appoint him CEO, confident that he’s the ideal leader for Sun World’s ambitious next chapter,” said Marguleas. “Bernardo’s been an integral part of our recent growth moves and has already proven himself to be the respected leader inside our company, that he is known to be in our industry.”

Calvo is now responsible for leading all corporate and operational functions. Before joining Sun World, he spent the bulk of his career at the Monsanto Company, now part of Bayer AG, in leadership roles across multiple countries. He held CEO positions in regions around the world, as well as Global Head for some of the company’s franchises with responsibility for thousands of team members and several billion dollars per year.

Calvo noted, “I'm humbled and incredibly excited to take the helm of Sun World in the years ahead. This is a special company that puts the needs of customers first and operates with integrity in all things. These pivots in focus for myself and David are designed to capitalize on the many opportunities that exist to be seized in the exceedingly favorable climate we find ourselves in.”

Marguleas becomes Executive Chair and will focus on leading Sun World’s Board of Directors, as well as driving value-add strategic initiatives in service to producers, including expansion of the company’s genetics offerings. “I’ve been keen to focus more intently on strategies that can add significant benefits for our customers and impact for our company. Having the ideal team in place makes this possible,” added Marguleas.

In addition to the changes announced, Sun World has been slowly and carefully adding top talent to its executive ranks. Every member of Sun World’s Leadership Team has been an important strategic promotion or hire over the last several years. This effort helps to ensure the right mix of skills to help Sun World realize its potential as an enterprise driven by new technologies, accelerated advancements in science, and a push toward sustainability.

Congratulations to Bernardo Calvo on this new position!

SALT LAKE CITY, UT & AUSTIN, TX - ReposiTrak, the world’s largest food traceability network, and Upshop, the technology leader in store operations for food retail, today announced a global partnership to integrate their technology platforms, connecting traceability data from the supply chain to the retail store, creating a true, end-to-end traceability solution.

According to a press release, the partnership creates a critical connection between suppliers and the retail store that:

• Leverages ReposiTrak’s network of thousands of suppliers and their traceability shipment data, and Upshop’s network of more than 450 retailers and their retail stores
• Enables a comprehensive program for creating and storing complete traceability records that meets the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204d (FSMA 204) requirements,
• Unlocks margin and growth opportunities in stores by connecting supply chain data with store data to optimize inventory, labor and customer experience management automation

"Traceability requires data from the supply chain and – importantly—confirmation at the retail store that the proper and accurate lot code data from each shipment has been captured when the product is received. The missing piece for us has been the supply chain data. ReposiTrak is the leader in capturing and managing supply chain data, starting at the suppliers. Together, we can deliver a single, comprehensive traceability solution," explained Mark Hawthorne, Chief Innovation and Strategy officer at Upshop.

"Once the data is flowing the benefits are compounding,” continued Hawthorne. “Traceability data can be used to improve food safety, reduce invoice discrepancies, and identify ways to reduce waste and improve efficiencies throughout the store.”

Under FSMA 204, retailers are required by law to track Key Data Elements (KDEs) to the store-level for every shipment containing high-risk food items from the Food Traceability List (FTL). Major industry retailers have made public commitments to traceability, announcing programs that require more traceability data for all food product on a faster timeline. The efforts of those retailers have activated the industry, motivating others to institute traceability programs now, ahead of the FDA’s enforcement deadline of January 20, 2026.

“Our partnership combines ReposiTrak’s strength in traceability data management and connectivity with Upshop’s broad base of retail technology,” stated Randy Fields, Chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak. “Together, our existing platforms make traceability even easier for retailers, and their suppliers. It allows the traceability requirements to be achieved without adding steps to the check-in process and without retooling legacy systems.”

ANUK will continue to cover industry partnerships like this one.

ATWATER, CA - A.V. Thomas Produce, the nation’s largest producer of organic and conventional sweet potatoes, is proud to announce the donation of over 12.4 million pounds of sweet potatoes to the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) in 2024. This contribution underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to fighting hunger and supporting communities in need across California.

“We are honored to partner with the California Association of Food Banks to help families facing food insecurity,” said Jason VanDusen, Marketing Director of A.V. Thomas Produce. “At A.V. Thomas Produce, we believe everyone deserves access to nutritious, high-quality food. By sharing our sweet potatoes, we hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

This record-breaking donation builds on A.V. Thomas Produce’s longstanding dedication to giving back to the community. Sweet potatoes are not only a versatile and delicious staple but also packed with essential nutrients, making them an ideal addition to the food banks’ offerings. Through this partnership, millions of Californians have been able to enjoy the health benefits of sweet potatoes while receiving much-needed support.

As a press release outlined, the California Association of Food Banks works tirelessly to distribute fresh produce to over 6 million residents annually through its network of 41 member food banks.

“The generosity of A.V. Thomas Produce has been instrumental in helping us provide healthy, fresh food to families across the state," the association noted. "This donation of sweet potatoes has been a game-changer in our mission to end hunger."

As 2024 comes to a close, A.V. Thomas Produce reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and making nutritious food accessible to all. The company looks forward to continuing its partnership with CAFB and other organizations dedicated to making a positive impact.

Keep reading ANUK for the latest updates across fresh!