ORANGE COUNTY, CA - With new packaging and a national consumer campaign, Zespri is launching its season in a big way. Its campaign, titled “Let Your Taste Wander,” is designed to reach more consumers than before, with several in-store elements to drive traffic at retail. Additionally, Zespri’s retail trade campaign, “Get with the Program,” encourages retailers to meet with Zespri’s market development managers to create customized retail programs designed for their unique shoppers.
“Zespri is investing in growing consumer demand,” explained Sarah Deaton, Shopper Marketing Manager. “Our SunGold brand awareness has increased over 41 percent nationally and over 117 percent in top U.S. cities year over year. We finished last season with a strong 47 percent growth in our proprietary SunGold variety, with plans to continue to invest for growth in the coming season.”
According to a recent press release, Zespri’s SunGold Kiwifruit is a healthy snack consumers can eat on the go. Simply cut, scoop, and enjoy! Zespri’s new packaging conveys the nutritional information as well as care instructions. Its consumer campaign helps drive this message in addition to encouraging consumers to “let your taste wander.”
The consumer campaign is also aimed at helping shoppers explore outside of their typical fruit selections. As part of the promotion, Zespri encourages consumers to wander and experience new things in their daily lives. Shoppers can earn badges to win prizes, including airline miles and family adventure vacations. The promotion will be featured in Hulu TV, People magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and a variety of health publications.
The company also noted that on average, retailers who fully execute Zespri’s SunGold Kiwifruit programs receive increases in their incremental sales. In fact, a recent third-party study has shown a 96 percent dollar increase when doubling the size of the kiwifruit display to 6 ft x 2 ft. Multiple display locations also help increase sales. Additionally, the third party study indicated that merchandising kiwifruit next to berries and grapes increased kiwifruit sales by 80 percent.
Zespri’s market development managers are available to meet with retailers to customize programs and provide in-store signage along with a digital integrated campaign to geo-target shoppers to reach them at different touch points throughout their day. These digital tools help bring top-of-mind awareness to SunGold and other varieties of Zespri Kiwifruit.
SunGold, Green, and Organic varieties will be available at retail in bulk, one-pound and two-pound clam packs.
Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit will be available May through February. The New Zealand season ends in November and Zespri Kiwifruit from Italy will extend the season through February. The company noted that SunGold Kiwifruit from Italy is grown to the same strict standards, producing kiwifruit that is consistently sweet and delicious.
For the latest in fresh produce updates, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Fyffes fights for a crucial cause for many people. The produce importer and distributor supported thousands by donating more than 2,500 bananas to participants who walked to end pancreatic cancer, at this year's PurpleStride New York City at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
The 5K community event is aimed at promoting awareness and raising funds for the fight against pancreatic cancer. It was hosted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) New York City Affiliate.
“Fyffes is committed to recognizing and supporting community members who are inspiring change and making a difference in the lives of others,” said Marion Tabard, VP of Marketing for Fyffes North America. “We are honored to be able to support PurpleStride and its incredible community of survivors, families, loved ones, researchers, and more who are working tirelessly to bring awareness and change the future of this deadly disease.”
According to the company’s press release, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. with a five-year survival rate of just nine percent. Funds raised through PurpleStride support critical pancreatic cancer research as well as PanCANs clinical initiatives and patient services, including Know Your Tumor ®, Precision Promise SM, Clinical Trial Finder, and the Patient Registry.
“We’re so appreciative of our sponsor Fyffes for donating fresh bananas to all our participants,” said Elite Rubin, Event Experience Chair, PurpleStride New York City. “Funds raised through this event support critical pancreatic cancer research as well as the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s clinical initiatives and patient services.”
Providing fresh produce since 1888, Fyffes partnered with PurpleStride as part of the company’s “Fuel with Fyffes” initiative, which is focused on inspiring, empowering, and encouraging people's will to create a better future.
For updates on Fyffes and PurpleStride's partnership, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bako Sweet® has become a brand you can trust for fresh, flavorful sweet potatoes from California. But Country Sweet Produce is celebrating the sweeter things across a different category this spring and summer with its San Joaquin Valley-grown sweet onions.
“Our sweet onion season will begin June first for both conventional and organic,” Gina Pettit, Director of Sales and Marketing, told me. “We are looking forward to another successfully season of sweet onions, expecting the quality to meet or exceed our high expectations and standards.”
Though wet weather earlier in the year suggested a late harvest might be on its way, recent sunshine in the Golden State is helping Country Sweet Produce close the gap, and the company anticipates consistent supply of sweet onions come June.
“Our farm team grows the Century Flat sweet onion very well,” Gina continued. “The Southern San Joaquin Valley’s rich soil and climate are ideal for this variety and growing season. The sweet onions grown in the valley have a low pyruvic acid rating making the Bako Sweet sweet onion sweeter than most. There has been incremental growth in the sweet onion market year over year and we anticipate this upward trend moving forward in to 2019.”
Country Sweet Produce offers a sweet onion in a variety of pack styles and sizes.
“Although our bulk sweet onions are still the favorite, interest has grown in the 2lb and 3lb handle bags,” Gina added. “The packaging is vibrant and electric, and we will offer all pack styles during the summer season.”
For more on fresh seasonal offerings primed to propel produce department sales, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
McALLEN, TX - When we speak of roots in the fresh produce industry, we are acknowledging both the literal and the symbolic spaces they occupy. One of those companies with deep roots—choose your kind—is GR Fresh. Originally founded by Juan Gonzalez Reyes, more than six decades ago, the company continues to prosper in its efforts to impact food supply in North America.
“Juan Gonzalez’ integrity, vision, and commitment have been handed down to the third generation as grandsons’ Antonio Viillalobos and Luis Webb, continue to drive his firm beliefs in sustainability, social responsibility, and excellence in safe food production,” Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares with me. “This year’s Viva Fresh Expo will highlight not only what we bring to market, but how we do it. The needs of our customers are incredibly important to us and we are primed to evolve as the state of the industry does as well. Keeping the conversation on the topics impacting North American trade today will be key at this event and I expect we will all be hoping to see what everyone brings to the table.”
GR Fresh offers a full product line, which includes Roma, round, and grape tomatoes as well as bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, hot peppers, carrots, pomegranate, and zucchini, yellow squashes. Also gaining some momentum this winter is the company’s iceberg lettuce, celery, and romaine program and not to forget organic Romas. Additionally, GR Fresh’s organic category has grown in interest as requests are up on organic Romas. With all these products grown in Mexico, these are very uncertain times for not only GR Fresh, but the industry as a whole. But Tony remains positive that Mexico’s contributions will remain key.
“It is important that we take every opportunity to elevate the discussion around Mexico’s contributions to the fresh produce supply chain. The country’s multiple growing regions and fertile landscape have responded to the global market’s demand for more fresh produce opportunities,” Tony says, adding that the landscape is changing, and the industry will need to adjust very rapidly to stay ahead of the curve and challenges facing us around every corner. “The next several months will provide some clarity but currently political tensions exist whether it be illegal immigration, border blockades, and longer wait times for crossings or tariffs on tomato products; they will all impact our industry forever going forward.”
With the economy and policies in flux, Tony sees it as a need, more than ever, to become more full-service from an operational and logistical point of view. Full-service growers facing a lot more demand, not from a supply standpoint but from a logistics standpoint.
“Topics such as consolidation is a huge consideration today with the cost of transportation in general whether it is full loads or LTL’s, one location...all these things are of economic importance,” Tony reflects. “And who better than a grower/shipper to handle your products than one who understands the focus and value placed on in-and-out handling of its own categories.”
Viva Fresh is sure to be buzzing with opportunities this year as well as with a heightened awareness of the state of today’s North American market. Check out more of what the GR Freshteam has to share at Viva Fresh Expo booth #133!
See you all there!
SAN ANTONIO, TX - As Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” blasted out of the speakers at happy hour, I looked over a sea of women and felt a surge of empowerment. The Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC), now in its seventh year, is an annual gathering of the dedicated women of the produce and floral industry at a conference designed to target the unique issues that women in the workplace face. The women in attendance ran the gamut from executives to produce industry newbies, but all of them were ready to get down to business and focus on learning, connecting, and lifting each other up.
As a first-timer at this event, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I definitely felt like I had “NEWCOMER” tattooed on my forehead. But what I experienced over the conference was nothing short of inspiring, and I instantly felt welcomed into the fold. While I was hugely impressed with the conference—from the world-class speakers, to the stimulating breakout sessions, to the attendees themselves—I was curious how this year’s “I Will” theme compared to previous years. For this, I turned to the conference veterans.
“This year’s CGT Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference brought together female produce and floral industry leaders from across our community to connect, have conversations about the challenges they face, and come away with strategies that will profoundly affect their professional and personal lives. Organizations that sent their female executives to this conference should expect them to come back stronger and more impactful to their businesses,” said PMA CEO Cathy Burns.
WFPC Co-Chair Leslie Simmons said it perfectly.
"It’s is my last year as Co-Chair; I’ve served three on the committee and two as Co-Chair. I am so proud of the work we’ve done and can’t wait to see what is to come. There is no other industry experience that compares to this. We’ve created this special place to ask the hardest questions. To be the most vulnerable and the most honest. To lift each other up," she shared. "This year, authenticity was front and center. The theme of 'I will' was a powerful through line that directed content and centered conversation on the 'active promises' we take back for ourselves, our companies, and the industry."
Returning this year was Superfresh Growers' Communications Manager Catherine Gipe-Stewart, this time as a new mom.
“Well, every year is excellent, and every year there is a different focus,” Catherine explained. “This year I am in a different place mentally at work, so I feel like one thing that's amazing is the conference meets me where I'm at. So for this one, let's be real, I'm a new mom, and that's heavily on my mind. This year is all about ‘I Will,’ and I really learned that I will state my needs and do them, which is something that I hesitate with.”
Without a doubt, my favorite feature of the conference, besides the women attending, were the speakers. Three in particular stood out to me.
Rachel Hollis—motivational speaker, blogger, and author of numerous bestselling books, including Girl, Stop Apologizing and Girl, Wash Your Face—was impossible to forget. Rachel kickstarted her session with an impromptu mini-Beyonce dance party, getting everyone on their feet. With her pentecostal preacher’s style, she brought an abundance of energy, but also a message: While we each walk our own path, we all must be ready to take chances to achieve success. Rachel’s’ position as a woman who blends motherhood and her professional ambitions together resonated particularly well with a crowd familiar with the struggle.
“I have a five month old and this is really fresh for me. So that was really empowering to know that the person speaking has been through what I've been through. And that's one of her images,” said Catherine. “I'm feeling a lot more pumped up. When I came originally I was feeling more curled up than I usually do and now I'm feeling more extended and open.”
The conference rounded out with a session with Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director, and Senior Client Advisor for Morgan Stanley, and a gospel singer, no less! Carla imparted upon us her “pearls of wisdom,” as a way to determine our own “success equations.” She also stressed the importance of taking risks to show that you are comfortable with change, since, as she said, “keeping your head down does not keep you from getting shot!”
My personal favorite, however, was Grace Killelea, a top-rated speaker, CEO of the GKC group, TEDx Speaker, author of “The Confidence Effect,” and all-around all-star. She explained that particularly for women, success requires you to Show Up, Suit Up, and Speak Up. I was lucky enough to talk with her, and she spoke of the importance of events like WFPC.
Grace explained seeing women’s empowerment in the workplace as a global issue, and it was amazing to hear her describe us in terms of an untapped, but abundant, resource.
At happy hour, the sun was setting and the music shifted from Ms. Parton to Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” and I listened intently to the group of outstanding women I was sitting with. They were talking not just about empowerment, but of travel, family, and connections. These connections were truly the star of the show, and the women I spoke to at the conference only further solidified my curiosity for and reverence of this unique industry.
“I’d like to thank conference Co-Chairs Julie Lucido and Leslie Simmons and the program advisory committee for creating an empowering experience focused on the new forward-looking ‘I WILL’ theme that will help propel us all forward into successful futures," Cathy said. "Following WFPC in San Antonio, I can’t wait to be part of the next WFP offering in July.”
To stay in-the-know about the produce events that bring us together, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
HERMOSILLO, MEXICO - The Hermosillo Grape Growers Association (AALPUM) is predicting a seriously hefty haul this grape season. At the Mexican Spring Summit, held in Tubac, Arizona, last month, AALPUM President Marco Molina announced an estimate of 22 million boxes expected to be exported during the 2019 season—up from 21 million exported in 2017 and 16.3 million in 2016.
“It is critical for sales planning to have good information on the volume and timing of the grape harvest,” said John Pandol, Grape Division Chairman of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americans (FPAA), an association of produce importers based in Nogales, Arizona. “Retailers fall into two categories. Retailers who have a 52-week plan based mostly on last year's sales, and retailers who plan 3 to 6 weeks out based mostly on this year’s supply. Now is the time for retailers to either adjust or create plans for the grape season.”
A statement issued by Pandol outlined the following breakdown of Mexico’s massive crop:
- 49% red seedless
- 39% green seedless
- 5% black seedless
- 7% unspecified
Harvest of promotional volumes is expected to begin the week of May 20th (week 21) and will continue through the week of June 24 (week 26). Though weekly volumes were not announced, some private estimates reportedly peg weeks 22 through 25 (May 27 through June 22) at 4,000,000 cartons per week.
Historically at least 70% of grape volume from the region is shipped in June and early July.
Molina outlined the AALPUM’s estimates at the March 21st Mexican Spring Summit in Tupac, Arizona. This was the first year the event was held in March, allowing for a more strategic relationship with Easter and other spring holidays.
This year’s Summit was also the first held in the United States, a move intended to encourage more U.S. sales companies to attend. Caborca Grower Association President Librado Macias reported that his group was very happy to see the robust attendance of U.S. marketers—who made up nearly a third of the event’s 250 attendees.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
BALTIMORE, MD - The discount retailer continues the $1.9 billion renovation plan it announced in 2017, revealing additional stores that are set to undergo a remodel this summer.
According to a report from the Baltimore Business Journal, an Aldi supermarket in East Baltimore is one of 13 in the Baltimore area that has or will be renovated as part of an $18 million local effort. The store, located on East Fayette Street, will cost approximately $1 million, and will temporarily close in mid-June while the remodeling work is completed.
Vice President of Aldi’s Frederick division, Jeff Baehr, stated to the news source that renovations to the stores will include additional space for fresh produce, dairy, and meat. The store will have a refreshed look, and will boast open ceilings and natural lighting.
So far, seven of the 13 planned stores in Greater Baltimore have been renovated. These include:
- 6503 A Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville
- 6639 D Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie
- 8124 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena
- 7500 Albert Road, Brandywine
- 746 South Philadelphia Blvd., Aberdeen
- 8670 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore
- 3140 Washington Blvd., Baltimore
As Aldi continues its national renovation plans, will other discount retailers—such as Walmart—start looking over their shoulder for this up-and-comer? AndNowUKnow will continue to report the latest.
MIYAZAKI, JAPAN - Yeah, with mo money there’s mo problems but, conversely, with mo money there’s mo mangos. I’m just saying. The Kyodo News reported that a pair of premium mangos sold for the record-breaking price of 500,000 yen ($4,488) in a local Miyazaki market. Whoever walked away toting those pricey produce items in their bag is the M to the A to the N-G-O queen, and I love that for them!
The mangos were of the “Taiyo no Tamago” or “Egg of the Sun” variety, meaning they weighed at least 350 grams each, possessed a high sugar content, and showcased the iconic bright red hue of their brethren, according to the news source.
The premium produce was scooped up by an undisclosed local produce wholesale company at a Fukuoka department store’s first auction of the season. Of course this means that this particular bunch of mangos will be joining a some of produce’s hall of famers, including $1,000 durian, $27,000 melons, and a few of its Australian kin that sold for $22,000 back in 2016.
Now, I know Ariana is coming off of the high of a stellar Coachella debut, but I’d bet even mo money than what those mangos went for that the “undisclosed local wholesale company” was actually the pop princess in disguise, given that she loves mangos. Like really loves them.
To know about any and all fancy fruit and valuable vegetables as they hit the market, the ANUK team will continue to keep our nose to the produce grindstone.
REIDSVILLE, GA - Shuman Farms has just released an update on its Vidalia onion crops.
“As we begin harvesting, we’re cautiously optimistic about the upcoming Vidalia season,” said John Shuman, President and CEO. “Although yields are lower than previous years, quality looks good at this point.”
The front-end of the crop looks better than the back-end, the company stated in a press release. With a national onion shortage ongoing, Vidalias will start their season off 17 percent down in total acreage. The industry's hope for good supplies this summer hinges on Vidalia’s late-season yields, as the company notes.
“It’s a wait-and-see attitude right now,” said Shuman. “It has been my experience, that any shortage of Vidalia supply will be felt more so during the summer storage season and not so much in May.”
The company plans to keep a close eye on the late season varieties to see how the summer storage season will unfold.
Shuman said the market remains steady and demand continues to be good. The company began shipping USA Georgia grown sweet onions this week with plans to transition to Vidalia Sweet Onions this Monday, April 22.
For more updates on Shuman Farms' crops, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SCARBOROUGH, ME - A few of Maine’s Hannaford Supermarkets and Pharmacies are officially back in business and ready to take on the fresh sector. The Ahold Delhaize-owned grocer announced that four of its locations in Portland, Westbrook, Gorham, and Falmouth have completed renovation projects and will be available to shoppers with new looks that celebrate fresh, produce, and convenience.
“We’re excited to offer our customers more convenient and fresh options while also maintaining our commitment to low, everyday prices,” said Ericka Dodge, External Communications Manager for Hannaford. “The new renovations show how Hannaford is investing in services like Hannaford to Go and offerings like our expanded kitchen that will provide even more options for our customers. We understand that with today’s busy lifestyle fresh and quality are still important—and we deliver on that promise.”
In its updated store design, Hannaford has made sure fresh food is the star of the stores, with expanded produce departments and in-store kitchens, which include offerings like prepared salads and sandwiches, hand-battered fried chicken, sushi chefs, a hot bar with entrée options, and a stir-fry bar at select locations.
According to a press release, all four stores now have Hannaford to Go, a service that allows customers to order groceries online and pick up their order at the store. All orders have been personally packed by store associates. But that’s not all in the way of convenience; Hannaford even went that extra mile and now offers self-check-out registers.
For more of the freshest news as it relates to the produce industry, keep following AndNowUKnow.