GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash is at it again, announcing that it has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Markham Enterprises, Markham Oil, and its affiliates, a three-store chain of convenience stores and fuel distributors in mid-Michigan.

“Markham Enterprises fits well in our current retail portfolio, as we look to expand our fuel center and convenience store footprint,” said Masiar Tayebi, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Information Officer, SpartanNash. “We are in the process of refreshing many of our existing fuel centers, so this acquisition is another exciting milestone in our investment in this part of our business—and in our strategic growth plans overall. We will continue to leverage insights from our fuel centers and convenience stores to continuously innovate our products and operations across our wholesale business, unlocking new customer potential.”

Following the closing of this transaction in early December, SpartanNash will continue employment of Markham Enterprises’ 42 team members.

According to a press release, this deal follows the company's acquisition of Fresh Encounter, announced earlier this month.

“Our team is impressed with SpartanNash's business model and the importance they place on their People First culture,” said Denise Markham, President and Chief Executive Officer, Markham. “We are excited for the ways SpartanNash will expand this business and continue to serve the Perry, Howell, and Lansing communities—and our associates.”

The transaction is expected to close in December. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Did you know ANUK reports on news in our industry every day? Don’t forget to click back!

CHELSEA, MA - Nothing says colder weather recipes like hard squash and Brussels sprouts! The produce aisle will abound with these offerings in the coming months, and Morning Kiss Organic has the supplies to meet rising demand. The grower has announced the availability of five varieties of organic squash—Butternut, Acorn, Spaghetti, Buttercup, and Delicata—and organic Brussels sprouts.

“Squash varieties like Butternut, Acorn, and Spaghetti, along with our organic Brussels sprouts, are quintessential to fall dining, and we are thrilled to offer consumers these organic options,” says Mike Guptill of Morning Kiss Organic.

In addition to squash, Morning Kiss Organic is proud to offer organic Brussels sprouts. These bite-sized delights are rich in vitamins C and K, folate, and fiber, a press release noted. Known for their potential to support immune health and reduce inflammation, Brussels sprouts are a great addition to any diet. They can be enjoyed roasted, sautéed, or even shredded in salads.

Working closely with East Coast suppliers, including local New England farms, Morning Kiss anticipates an excellent crop this season. Both squash and Brussels sprouts are not only hydrating but also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. Their versatility makes them perfect additions to meals, whether served as sides or featured in plant-based main courses.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Morning Kiss Organic utilizes just-in-time inventory management to minimize product spoilage, ensuring retailers can maintain profitability while providing fresh produce to customers.

I know I am one consumer who can’t wait to add these offerings to my basket!

DENVER, CO - Household penetration is always a hot topic in the produce industry. Exemplifying the power that potatoes have in the produce aisle, Potatoes USA recently released its latest sales data. It states that 85.2 percent of households purchase fresh potatoes at nearly 11 times per year. Potatoes are not only a beloved choice but also a top performer in the produce section.

“Potato dollar sales remain strong, generating $4.4 billion over the past year,” said Nick Bartelme, Global Marketing Manager of Retail, Potatoes USA. “Their consistent ranking in the top five fresh produce categories, among 130 categories, for dollar sales demonstrates remarkable resilience in the face of challenging market conditions.”

As a powerhouse in produce sales, potatoes account for 9.7 percent of total produce pounds and 21.1 percent of all vegetable pounds, making them the top seller in fresh vegetables by volume, according to a press release. Potatoes continue to be a top seller and play a major role in retail success.

From June 2023 through July 2024, potato sales contributed an additional $1.3 billion in sales when compared to sales in June 2018-2019 prior to the pandemic. In addition, those same 12 months represent the second-highest potato volume sales in six years with an additional 322 million pounds moved compared to pre-pandemic (2019). This upward trend in sales and volume growth is a testament to strong consumer demand and the value that potatoes bring to retailers’ bottom lines.

“As we’ve shared with retailers before, one of the most promising insights from this year’s study is the potential for further growth,” said Bartelme. “If just half of the households that currently purchase potatoes were to make one additional purchase per year, it could drive a potential $218M in sales and 231M extra pounds, significantly impacting the market. Retailers could see major gains from this simple shift in consumer behavior.”

With 85 percent of households already buying potatoes, this increase in purchasing frequency could yield considerable growth for both growers and retailers, the release noted.

“Potatoes continue to be a reliable, year-round sales powerhouse for produce departments, contributing significantly to retail success,” Bartelme added.

For more category insights, ANUK has you covered.

NEW ZEALAND - Zespri™ is spreading the joy of kiwifruit all around the globe! The grower’s last charter vessel of the 2024 kiwifruit season has departed the Port of Tauranga bound for Japan, and around 4,610 tonnes of Zespri Green Kiwifruit are onboard and expected to reach Tokyo at the start of November, before sailing onto Kobe.

“Fruit quality this season has been some of the best we have seen in the past five years and we’ve been hearing great feedback from our customers in market, which is positive when we have a lot more fruit to sell and to meet the strong demand we’re seeing across our markets,” started Jason Te Brake, Chief Executive Officer. “The New Zealand sales season is expected to wrap up for SunGold in Europe at the end of this week, while Green will run through to the end of November, and the season will finish up in late November/early December in Asia.”

There has been significant effort from the industry this season to deliver a record crop of more than 190 million trays (684,000 tonnes) to more than 50 markets around the world, a press release shared. Zespri has used 62 charter vessels to ship this season’s kiwifruit from New Zealand, including three to Northern Europe, 13 to the Mediterranean, three to North America’s West Coast and 43 to Asia. That’s up from 51 charter vessels last season, with the season’s final container shipments carrying the remaining 4,400 tonnes of the crop, also expected to conclude in the coming weeks.

“Our sales and marketing teams are focused on maintaining strong sales rates to ensure we close the season well and deliver the best possible result to our growers. Europe’s been performing really strongly with France a particular standout, along with strong sales in Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands,” added Te Brake. “In the U.S. we continue to be the number one kiwifruit brand driven by strong SunGold performance.”

The release went on to note that in response to increasing demand and intensifying competition, Zespri has been discussing the expansion of ZGS with New Zealand producers and will confirm shortly if it will be holding a producer vote to plant more hectares of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit in the northern hemisphere.

“In Asia, it’s been a huge season in Greater China with volume up 40 percent on last year and we continue to buck the trend in fresh produce with both value and volume up year-on-year. In difficult market conditions, sales have also been tracking well in Japan and Korea,” said Te Brake.

To get all the details, check out the full release here.

When you’re craving an industry update, click back to AndNowUKnow for more.