MURRIETA, CA - Coming off the launch of new retail offerings and the Avo-Opportunities retail marketing program at PMA Fresh Summit, West Pak Avocado is celebrating a successful reception on all counts.
“In support of our many retailers, West Pak’s bagged avocado program provides retail-ready brands that help elevate consumer enthusiasm for avocados,” said Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Meyer. “Each of our brands features healthy eating tips and easy recipes on the label with packaging that proudly showcases the American Heart Association’s coveted Heart-Check certification. Our bagged avocado program is designed to give our retailers options that appeal to specific markets and help bolster their avocados sales year-round.”
The global grower, packer, shipper, and distributor of premium avocados officially launched its bagged avocado program and debuted the company’s marketing program on the Orlando, Florida, show floor last month.
“We’re very proud of our offerings and are elated to report that our bagged avocado program has been met with much enthusiasm. First with our organic versions debuted at Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California, in July and now with both organic and conventional offerings at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando,” Doug said in a press release.
When asked about the Avo-Opportunities program, West Pak Avocado’s Marketing Manager George Henderson shared that the company’s in-house creative team, or as they are affectionately called in-house, “avo-agency,” is at-the-ready with fresh ideas to help retailers succeed.
“With our Avo-Opportunities retail program we offer personalized packaging, marketing, sales, educational, and retail materials as well as customized digital marketing, video, and social media content and strategy,” George continued. “Retailers can take advantage of our vast knowledge of this favorite green fruit with avo facts, trends, and figures through our dedicated education support program. Our creative team can even serve up easy recipes and serving suggestions for our retailer’s avo-hungry customers. It all comes down to providing our retail clients with the best possible sales and marketing tools so that they can reach their ultimate sales potential. And speaking on behalf of our entire team, we’re thrilled to be a part of that success!”
Congratulations to the West Pak team on a successful Fresh Summit. Here’s to what the holiday season might hold!
SALINAS, CA - With the holidays coming up, all industry eyes are on those produce items that traditionally grace tables on some of our most important meals of the year. Cranberries are not the least of those holiday specialties, and in the spirit of the holidays, Naturipe Farms is happy to announce its organic supply will be at its peak out of Wisconsin from now through the third week of December.
“Harvest is about 70 percent complete on organic cranberries, and outside of a cold snap a few weeks ago, the weather has been perfect,” said Brian Vertrees, Director of Business Development. “The cooler temperatures have brought on great color this year, and we are really excited about the quality available for the Thanksgiving shipping period.”
With organic demand and purchasing on the rise, Naturipe has significantly increased production over the years, according to a press release. Vertrees noted: “Volumes are up from last year, offering retailers many opportunities to promote organic cranberries and surpass 2017 sales.”
To make the most out of this increase of promotable supply, Naturipe advised that retailers plan accordingly and offer both organic and conventional displays to its customers. And to help with those displays and increase cranberry consumption, Naturipe’s is offering a 24x12oz bag option.
Now doesn’t that get you in the holiday spirit!
LOS ANGELES, CA - Dare I say it—mushrooms are where it’s at these days. No longer a mysterious item reserved for special menus and the brave foodie, mushrooms are quickly climbing the ranks and becoming a produce item for the people, and companies like Guan’s Mushroom are jostling to make sure they don’t lose their new-found place in consumers’ hearts.
Following the success of the launch of its Blend line, Guan’s Mushroom is taking its popular product line to new markets and expanding its operations at a rate only those in produce are familiar with. I caught up with Vivianna Van Horst, Business Development Manager, to find out more about the company’s growth that is carving out specialty mushrooms niche in consumers’ shopping carts.
“We just launched at Bristol Farms, California, and Northgate, California, which is really huge for us,” Vivianna tells me. “We’ve received really great response from everybody. Everybody loves the new blends and they love the recipe on the back, which is one of the reasons why we are diving into new markets and expanding both our Los Angeles- and Pennsylvania-based operations.”
Specifically, Guan’s is bolstering its processing warehouses in both states in order to be able to fully process all of its Blend products and more at both locations. This, when coupled with Guan’s transportation overhaul in the Central region of the U.S., will allow the company to ship its delicious products anywhere in the country.
To celebrate its launch into new markets, Guan’s is performing in-store demos featuring an enoki pesto pasta recipe, a collaboration with Marie Reginato, that uses actual mushrooms instead of noodles. If you don’t catch any of the demos, curious consumers and retailers alike can tap into the versatility of mushrooms by scanning the QR code on the Blends packaging to access a whole treasure trove of cooking videos, recipes, and more on Guan’s website.
“We’re really excited to launch our Blends into new markets. For us as a company, all the expansion means that we can develop new products for the public that keep mushrooms the top choice as a healthy alternative,” Vivianna says. “One new product we have in development right now, which we showcased at PMA Fresh Summit, is our Shiitake Chips. There’s nothing like our Shiitake Chips on the market now. They have a lot of health and nutrition behind them and are crispy, savory, and sweet deliciousness.”
I’m not the only one salivating, right? Retailers can keep their eyes on 2019 for the official launch of the Shiitake Chips. In the meantime, let’s congratulate the Blends and Guan’s Mushroom on an exciting and bountiful 2018! Cheers to you!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- The Big Red Barn LLC, operating out of Riverview, Florida, for failing to pay a $13,545 award in favor of a Minnesota seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Christopher Phillips was listed as a member of the business.
- Lunas Produce & Trucking Inc., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $19,460 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gabriel A. Luna was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
DELTA, CANADA - For those who attended 2018 PMA Fresh Summit, you know there was an abundance of excitement to spare. One such company leading the action was Village Farms, who asked showgoers to vote for their favorite tomato in their “Are you Sweet or Smooth?” tomato taste test challenge. Participants casted their vote by stating their preference for either Village Farms signature and exclusive “Sweet” red Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato or, the newest variety to their offerings, the “Smooth” orange Lorabella Blossom tomato. Each tomato offers a unique flavor profile, but the results were not as divisive as one might expect. Those in the sweet camp were practically equal to those in the smooth camp.
“It is wonderful to compliment the Nielsen consumption data we use with this rich qualitative taste challenge data that shows consumers are becoming more adventurous in their taste preferences and delighting in our little orange snacking tomato Lorabella Blossom just as much as they have been with our Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato," said Helen L. Aquino, Director of Brand Marketing & Communication.
Village Farms noted in its press release that after the success of its Heavenly Villagio Marzano—a variety that launched at PMA seven years ago—the company was sure the market was ready for the smooth taste of Lorabella Blossom. Aquino stated that while the orange tomato is unconventional in color, this promotion has shown consumers are ready for new flavor opportunities in the tomato category.
Participants in the “Are you Sweet or Smooth?” challenge were entered in a random drawing to win a Traeger grill. They also had an opportunity to provide feedback on why they liked either tomato. Some of the comments for the Lorabella Blossom tomato included the words: ‘tasty,’ ‘zippy,’ ‘refreshing,’ ‘smooth,' and ‘outstanding!’ For the Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato the comments ranged from ‘sweet,’ ‘tastes like a real tomato,’ to ‘zesty,’ and ‘crisp texture.’ Other said that it had a ‘garden fresh flavor,’ a tagline the company already uses.
Village Farms is ramping up production on both the Heavenly Villagio Marzano and Lorabella Blossom tomatoes and is ready for a strong winter season with these varieties, as well as all of its other flavorsome tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumber varieties.
For the latest in fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
HOUSTON, TX - Global foodservice distributor Sysco Corporation announced the winners of its 2018 Supplier Excellence Awards—celebrating Sysco customers' most valued and trusted business partner. The produce pack was loaded with companies committed to quality, but only one could take home the Gold Supplier Award; that award went to Church Brothers Farms.
“Our customers are at the center of all that we do, so it’s important that we partner with suppliers and brokers who can help us improve our customers’ overall experience,” said Brian Todd, Sysco’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising, in a press release. “It’s equally important for us to recognize them for all the hard work and dedication they put forth to help us make our customers successful.”
According to that press release, award recipients were selected based on sales growth and support, operational excellence, and other key business performance metrics laid out by Sysco’s merchandising, quality assurance, and supply chain departments.
Winners in the fresh produce category included:
Gold Supplier Award Winner
- Church Brothers Farms
Silver Supplier Award Winner
- D’Arrigo California
Bronze Supplier Award Winners
- Mann’s, a Del Monte Fresh Company
- Driscoll’s
- Onions 52, Inc.
Additionally, the field of Frozen/Canned Fruits & Vegetables winners included a number of fresh-focused suppliers, including J.R. Simplot Company. And Sysco’s Cutting Edge Solutions award went to plant-based meat substitute maker Beyond Meat—a company that made headlines, recently, for reportedly pursuing an IPO.
For a complete list of winners, read Sysco’s press release here.
Congratulations, from the ANUK team, to the much deserving winners. Stay tuned for more fresh-focused news.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - What goes better than fresh fruit and running? Nothing! Chiquita Brands International announced it is the official banana sponsor for the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon. The day of the race, Chiquita’s banana character Bananaman will help the company hand out over 46,000 bananas to participants at the start, finish, and at mile markers 21, 22, and 23.
“During a marathon the runner's body is put to the ultimate test,” said Jamie Postell, Director of Sales North America for Chiquita. “We encourage runners to eat at least one Chiquita banana before and after the run because bananas are known to not only help improve running performance, but also contain the essential nutrients to help the body repair itself after an intense run.”
According to a press release, Chiquita is committed to supporting health and wellness for consumers and its employees and continuously looks for opportunities to expand health and wellness programs. To showcase this commitment, Chiquita is supporting its Senior Transportation Analyst Jennifer Griggs, who plans to run in the marathon for the first time.
“I’ve been working at Chiquita for more than four years, and I’m grateful for their support in helping to achieve my dream of running in the TCS New York City Marathon, especially with the natural fruit that helps fuel my runs,” said Griggs. “I run to challenge myself both physically and mentally, and I look to Chiquita bananas to give me the boost I need to power through the long miles and even help me to avoid cramping post-run.”
Fans and fellow marathoners can follow Jennifer Griggs’ journey on Chiquita’s Instagram. On the day of the marathon, Chiquita encourages participants and supporters to take selfies with Bananaman and cheer on Jennifer Griggs and the other runners.
For more active fresh produce news, keep following AndNowUKnow.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist® Farms is marrying organics with convenience to meet the needs of this winter's shoppers. Following a successful launch at PMA Fresh Summit’s Fresh Ideas Showcase, Ocean Mist announced the addition of three new products to its expanded organics and convenience lines, including Brussels sprouts, green onions, and washed and ready-to-eat Brussels sprouts.
“We recognize the increased consumer demand for both organic and convenience items,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing. “Therefore, we are pleased to be able to offer three new items in these growing categories and continue our dedication to providing quality solutions to our retail partners.”
The convenience line of Brussels sprouts is available in 2 lb packagaing and are ready to ship to retailers immediately, according to a press release. Ocean Mist Organic Brussels sprouts are available in 1 lb bags and the Organic green onions are available in 5.5 oz bags, both of which will be available to retailers this January.
Want more information? Retailers can find out more about Ocean Mist’s latest products by subscribing to the company’s bi-monthly crop update newsletter. And to stay in-the-know on the latest in fresh produce, keep following AndNowUKnow.
LAKELAND, FL - Publix announced the results of its third quarter fiscal 2018 this week. The company reported growth in sales and earning despite the adverse impact of back-to-back hurricanes on the Southeast U.S. retailer’s outlook.
“In the last six weeks, many of our associates and customers have faced difficult times with Hurricanes Florence and Michael,” said CEO and President Todd Jones. “I’m proud of our associates for their extra efforts and pleased with our team’s results.”
Highlights from the three-month period ending September 29, include:
- Sales of $8.8 billion, a 3.2 percent increase from $8.5 billion in 2017. Comparable store sales increased 0.6 percent
- Net earnings of $677.7 million, compared to $474.9 million in 2017, an increase of 42.7 percent
The company estimated that its increased sales for the quarter were 3.1 percent lower than would otherwise be anticipated due to the impact of Hurricane Irma on sales in September 2017. Excluding the impact of the hurricane, Publix estimated, sales for the company’s Q3 2018 would have increased 6.3 percent and comparable store sales would have increased 3.7 percent.
Though not publicly traded (ironically?), Publix also announced that, effective November 1, the company’s stock price increased from $42.55 per share to $42.70 per share; Publix stock is made available for sale only to current associates and members of its Board of Directors.
For more information, read Publix’s press release in its entirety here.
KINGSVILLE, ON - If you’re anything like me, the day after Halloween is a day where you regret how much Halloween candy you indulged in, and vow to make healthier choices. And SUNSET® is here to provide me—and consumers—the inspiration to lead healthier lives. With its latest commitment, the company has once again partnered with the Movember Foundation to raise funds and awareness about men’s health. This year’s donation of $20,000 brings the total amount raised by SUNSET for the Movember Foundation to $80,000.
“In 2014, our Kumato® tomato was named one of the healthiest foods for men by Men’s Health magazine, which inspired us to partner with the Movember Foundation and support their vision to have an everlasting impact on men’s health,” CEO Paul Mastronardi explained. “With our #MOKUMATO campaign, we’re giving consumers a platform to salute the fathers, brothers, friends, and partners who inspire them. It’s a fun campaign to inspire men to get serious about important men’s health issues.”
Throughout November, social media users are invited to share photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram of men who inspire them, using the hashtags #MoKumato and #Movember. SUNSET’s own limited edition packages of its Kumato tomato will have peel-off moustache-shaped labels to promote the Movember Foundation, according to a press release. Consumers are invited to peel off the sticker and snap a selfie—moustache on, of course!—before posting the picture with the above hashtags. Throughout November, the company will randomly select one of the contestants every Friday and reward a prize pack valued at over $200.
No purchase is necessary; alternative methods of entry are posted at sunsetgrown.com/movember. Visitors to the website can view a gallery of user-generated photos, infographics about men’s health, the progress of SUNSET’s moustache-growing employees, and donate to the company’s Movember Foundation fundraising team.
For more news on how those in our industry are working to better the world around them, stick with us here at AndNowUKnow.