CARPINTERIA, CA - As one of the biggest events for product unveilings draws nearer, Pete’s Living Greens looks to be a booth worth stopping at. The team is celebrating the expansion of its organic living program, welcoming three new additions to the lineup: Organic Red Butter, Organic Spring Mix, and Organic Romaine.
“Sales of organic produce offerings continue to increase and show no signs of slowing down. This growth is driven by consumers who continue to demand organically grown produce, including lettuce,” Marketing Manager Corrie Hutchens tells me. “As such, we are committed to providing consumers with organic versions of our most popular varieties including Organic Red Butter Lettuce, Organic Spring Mix, and Organic Romaine in addition to the Organic Butter Lettuce and Organic Watercress that we already have in our portfolio.”
Introducing these new offerings at the fast-approaching PMA Fresh Summit, the latest additions to the company’s organic line will be available for both its retail and foodservice customers.
“Given that our organic living green offerings are harvested and sold with their roots still attached, we provide consumers with organic offerings that stay fresher longer than organic fresh-cut green varieties. Not only can consumers feel good about eating something that is organic and fresh, but they can also feel good about helping to reduce food waste,” Corrie explains.
Pete’s Living Greens Organic Spring Mix, Organic Butter Lettuce, Organic Red Butter Lettuce, Organic Romaine, and Organic Watercress are grown in the company’s own Carpinteria/Oxnard, CA, facilities. Additionally, the company now has Organic Green and Red Butter Lettuces growing in Texas and Virginia to better serve East Coast customers.
“Pete’s continues to expand its organic offerings to meet consumer needs,” Corrie adds.
See these exciting products and learn about how they can best serve your organic program, foodservice or retail, at PMA Fresh Summit booth #4064 in Orlando, Florida, Oct 19-20.
LEAMINGTON, ON - A new line of greenhouse-grown fresh produce is landing smack in the middle of PMA Fresh Summit, as Pure Flavor® promises not one but seven new products to reveal.
“We are bringing new products to market that will help our retail and foodservice customers grow their business. New items not only create impact in the produce aisle but are also a vehicle to help increase fresh produce consumption,” commented company President Jamie Moracci.
The new items expected at the show range in size, flavor, and commodity.
REDZILLA™ Monster Sized Sweet Red Peppers
The King of Peppers has arrived, Pure Flavor said! Rich, sweet, stuffed, or sliced, this larger-than-life pepper is said to be versatile and a consumers’ meal-time hero.
Stingrays Hot Peppers
Spicy and ready to sting, these multi-colored hot peppers are the secret ingredient to give a little heat to your shoppers’ next authentic creation.
Mini Munchies Tomato Snack Packs
Pure Flavor’s Mini Munchies Snack Sized Veggies aim to promote a healthy, active lifestyle to both children and their parents alike. The perfect healthy snack combination makes it easy for a grab-and-go snack.
SNACKERZ One Bite Nano Cucumbers
“Uh Oh, we shrunk the cukes!” the company stated playfully in a press release, explaining it tried smaller but the technology would not allow it. Snackerz are here, enabling consumers to hydrate by the handful with an option that could change recess and/or break-time forever with something fresh, crunchy, and full of healthy goodness.
SNACKERZ One Bite Nano Tomatoes
Looks like the tomatoes got shrunk, too! Small handfulls of sweet treats like these tomatoes are sure to go well on their own or right along with their counterparts, Nano Cucumbers, for those on-the-go snackers.
Juno On The Vine
Nurtured on the vine and hand-picked at peak flavor, the new Juno on the Vine Sweet Red Grape Tomatoes are the perfect selection for a tomato connoisseur. As Pure Flavor says, “Vine Fresh Sweetness in Every Bite!”
Azuca On The Vine
A sweet red cherry tomato on the vine, this offers a premium option for the discerning tomato aficionado.
In addition to its portfolio, the company has also bolstered its distribution footprint via its new Georgia facility, as we recently reported in our sister publication The Snack Magazine.
“By having a variety of fresh vegetable options from our family of growers, we remove the seasonality and provide a consistent, flavorful product 12 months a year. With new options and our Georgia facility getting ready for its first crop, we have a very exciting year ahead of us," Jamie said.
The new greenhouse facility in Georgia will soon be growing tomatoes and cucumbers year-round under the Georgia Grown brand.
“Our brand strategy is to always go beyond the package; when it comes to bringing new products to market, we want to ensure that our customers have all the information they need to make the right purchasing decision,” said Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Officer.
Pure Flavor develops in-depth product descriptions and multi-product recipes, performs nutritional testing, and develops an extensive variety of promotional content to support all of its products.
With a new website that was launched in July, Pure Flavor said that it employs a variety of digital strategies to connect with consumers in geo-specific regions throughout North America.
Its family of growers are producing more than ever before, fueling the company’s positive momentum in the marketplace, which the team said is setting up opportunities to connect with retail and foodservice partners at the PMA Fresh Summit Trade Show in Orlando, FL, October 19-20. To find out more for yourself, swing by booth #707.
CINCINNATI, OH, & CHICAGO, IL - Kroger and Home Chef recently announced the launch of weekly rotating in-store meal kits at select Kroger Family of Stores locations. In addition, the company will roll out a limited market test of the new Home Chef Express product, a quick-cook meal kit ready to eat in about 15 minutes. Kroger and Home Chef offer variety and convenience to customers with the launch of these new in-store offerings, providing customers with an on-demand solution for tonight's dinner.
Home Chef's meal kits will first be available at select locations in Illinois at Mariano's and in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin at Pick 'n Save and Metro Market. According to a company press release, Kroger anticipates rolling out Home Chef meal kits to additional markets in 2019.
"We are excited to introduce Home Chef's new retail meal kits to our store customers," said Robert Clark, Kroger's Senior Vice President of Merchandising. "Offering a rotating menu of recipes is one more way we are providing our customers with innovative culinary experiences and choices. The Home Chef meal kits will redefine the way customers shop for, prep, and cook their meals."
Each week, there will be four Home Chef meal kit options available in participating store locations. The same recipes will also be available to customers through homechef.com, where shoppers will find even more weekly variety.
"We've built a strong business helping people plan their meals in advance. We also know there are customers who want the convenience of a Home Chef meal, without having to plan ahead," said Pat Vihtelic, Home Chef's Founder and CEO. "We're excited to take this first step in revolutionizing mealtime by bringing Home Chef's signature variety and great-tasting meals directly to Kroger customers. We are also looking forward to introducing our new line of Home Chef Express meal kits that address a major customer need—faster meals."
The in-store meal kits will include Home Chef's fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that are easy to prepare and guaranteed to delight everyone around the table.
Home Chef Menu (Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin)
- Week of 10/8 - Brasserie-Style Sirloin Steak, Breaded Italian Chicken, Blue Cheese and Smoked Almond Pork Chop, Adobo Chicken Enchiladas
- Week of 10/15 - Steak Strip Marsala Risotto, Chicken Chimichangas, Chimichurri Pork Tenderloin, Prosciutto and Sage Linguine
- Week of 10/22 - Steak Strip Chimichangas, Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Smoked Almonds, Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin, Turkey Burrito Skillet
Home Chef Express Menu (Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio)
- Week of 10/8 to w/o 10/15 - Acapulco Steak Tacos, Mongolian Meatballs, Chicken Alfredo, Honey Butter Pork Chop
- Week of 10/15 - Steak Stroganoff, Chicken Fajitas, Pork Spring Roll Bowl, Beef Chili
Each meal serves two and starts at $8.50 per serving. Information about participating locations is available at homechef.com/grocery.
GONZALES, CA - PMA Fresh Summit 2018 is looking to be the best one yet, as more from around our industry announce teasers of what’s to come at the event. Joining the fray of innovations set to launch at this year's show is Misionero. The grower is unveiling new salad kits, bowls, and washed-and-trimmed lettuces at PMA, including its new Sweet Earth Taco Salad Kits, Asian Salad Wraps, and Earth Greens and Garden Life Single Serve Bowls.
“We recognize that today’s shoppers are more mindful than ever about what they eat and are concerned with not only how their food is grown, but also how it is packed and distributed,” said Marketing Manager Nicole Zapata. “That is why we are steadfast in improving our production and sustainability practices to offer convenience products that meet the needs of shoppers looking for healthier and less processed meal options.”
Misionero has a 40-year history of fresh thinking and fresh food and has demonstrated a dedication to innovation by creating kits and bowls with clean flavors and ingredients and by reducing plastic consumption by 20 percent via its lettuce lines. These innovations also demonstrate Misionero's mindfulness of the next generation of consumers and how it can better serve them, according to a press release.
“In addition to the release of our new bowls and kits, we are excited to announce that Earth Greens and Garden Life lettuce clamshells now utilized Peel-and-Reseal technology,” Zapata added. “We are also launching extended offerings in these lines like Earth Greens Pure Gems and Pure Butter Lettuce and Garden Life Deli Leaf, which shoppers will love as a quick, convenient, and crunchy addition to not only sandwiches, but also diverse hot and cold meal preparations.”
To see the latest bowls, kits, and extended line of Earth Greens and Garden Life lettuce clamshells, as well as previously launched items like the Earth Greens Organic Simple Salad Kits and Wholesome Salad Kits, stop by booth #1273 on October 19 and 20. For more information on Misionero and its new products, visit misionero.com.
WAKIMA, WA - Some things are just written in the stars as a well-established fact, as can be seen in the gargantuan amount of innovative offerings set to debut at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit. Forget the North Star—the time has come to turn to the upcoming event for guidance. Cosmic Crips® apples are shining brightly this year, as the new variety sees unprecedented support from Washing State apple growers. In fact, growers and sales companies discussed a consumer launch campaign, which is led by Proprietary Variety Management (PVM), at the Cosmic Crisp Marketing Advisory Group meeting in September, and it is currently working its magic.
“The Cosmic Crisp apple is a one-of-a-kind variety. Our marketing campaign will build consumer awareness and demand to match the caliber of this high value apple. We’re in a unique position to set the bar, and we have the industry and partner support to make it happen,” shared Kathryn Grandy, Director of Marketing for PVM.
PVM is creating an integrated launch for Cosmic Crisp that will usher it into the consumer-focused marketing sphere for fresh produce, as growers plan for a Fall 2019 harvest and sales. Packaging, in-store marketing, influencers, and a digital campaign will all be utilized to build excitement around the launch. Industry-first sponsored programs and high-profile events will be created to highlight the development of this exciting new varietal. According to a press release, the launch will be the largest investment in consumer marketing for a single apple variety. Investments are expected to reach over $10 million, so preparations for the debut are currently underway.
McDill Associates, the award-winning agency leading the marketing for the campaign that has decades of experience launching and building produce brands and category winners, will orchestrate the breakout of Cosmic Crisp apples.
“With a deep history in produce, I can honestly say we know a game changer when we see it. Cosmic Crisp is everything that a consumer is looking for—and creates a differentiator for retailers. We’re looking forward to partnering with PVM to bring Washington State apple growers an effective launch, and ongoing success,” said McDill Associates’ President and Creative Director, Melissa McDill.
In 2020, an estimated 2.2 million boxes of Cosmic Crisp apples are set to hit the market.
No doubt, Cosmic Crisp’s star-studded launch will shine brightly as the campaign moves forward. For more news in our industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
UNITED STATES - Uber is synonymous with ridesharing, but will it soon become synonymous with grocery? CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that due to the company’s success in the delivery of food—which reached $6 billion in bookings earlier this year—it makes sense to take another look at the grocery market.
“With [Uber] Eats, we’re getting into the business of moving food around. I think that this product of delivering great quality food to you at home in 30 minutes or less is magical and is going to move into grocery in a way that’s fundamental, and a lot more people are going to be eating at home … you can absolutely see grocery as being an adjacency,” he said, according to Yahoo Finance.
Earlier this year, Uber partnered with Walmart to test out grocery delivery, but the project was shut down in May after only three months.
As Uber looks to fly solo in the grocery space, it has some formidable competition to consider, including Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Postmates Fresh.
“Eating is something you do three times a day. So these are habits that go very, very deep. And someone needs to be the orchestration layer for people moving around cities, and I think that can be us. It’s an enormous opportunity. The real challenge for us is where do we focus and where do we partner,” Khosrowshahi said.
Willl Uber’s foray into grocery pay off? Will potential retailers step forward to become its partner? AndNowUKnow will keep you posted with the latest.
ORLANDO, FL – The National Mango Board (NMB), in conjunction with the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, will host the Annual Mango Industry Reception during PMA’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Expo in Orlando, FL. The reception will take place on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Note new time). This annual industry event provides the opportunity for members across a broad line of the mango supply chain to connect and network.
The event will be held at Orlando Rosen Centre Hotel—Ballroom AB, located at 9840 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819 (Adjacent to convention center). The NMB will announce the 2018 Mango Retailer of the Year at 6:15 p.m. sharp. After the award, the reception will officially kick off. The Mango Retailer of the Year Award honors retailers who offer strong and consistent support to the mango industry and deliver outstanding mango promotion results. Special appearance by the zany Professor Mango from Mango University!
WHO: The National Mango Board
WHAT: Annual Mango Industry Reception at PMA
WHEN: Friday, October 19, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Orlando Rosen Centre Hotel (Adjacent to convention center), Ballroom AB, 9840 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
The Annual Mango Industry Reception is free of charge and open to all mango industry members, no RSVP required to attend. Visit mango.org for more information.
NEWARK, DE - Center for Growing Talent (CGT) is accepting applications from young professionals through Nov. 16 for the Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence. Two scholarships will be awarded to help young professionals advance their careers by undertaking leadership development training.
This is the tenth year of the scholarship program named after the late Terence “Tip” Murphy, a beloved industry leader who was passionate about supporting young people in the industry. A committed industry advocate, he volunteered on Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Board of Directors and on the association’s former retail board. The scholarship in his honor covers the cost of registration for recipients to attend a CGT leadership development program or a major PMA event, including CGT’s Emerging Leaders Program or Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference, PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo or PMA’s Foodservice Conference & Expo.
“Young leaders are the future of our industry. The Tip Murphy scholarship program not only helps young professionals to invest in and advance their careers by undertaking leadership training, it also helps their companies to invest in their future and the industry’s long-term sustainability,” said Center for Growing Talent Vice President Talent Portfolio Alicia Calhoun. “That’s a win for everyone.”
By applying for the scholarship and the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, young professionals can demonstrate their personal drive and professional commitment to their company and the industry, Calhoun added.
2017 scholarship recipient Katy Classon, Sales Manager with Wholesum Berries, Amado, Arizona, chose to attend CGT’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP).
“Thanks to the Tip Murphy scholarship and my experience at ELP, I’ve become a more effective and confident leader. I’ve improved my financial and analytical skills, and now work with increased ease across departments. That has pushed my own and my team’s creativity, perspective and effectiveness,” she said.
Jason Thornton, Produce Specialist with Nicholas and Company, Salt Lake City, also received a 2017
scholarship and chose to attend ELP. “The program has absolutely contributed to my personal and professional successes, and I highly recommend this to any young leader in our exciting industry,” he said. “What continues to resonate with me months after the program is how to think more strategically and to balance the vision of the future with realities of today.”
Eligible scholarship candidates can come from any segment of the produce or floral supply chain, must have been employed in the industry for a minimum of three years, and be able to demonstrate character and leadership with a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the industry. They also must agree to speak at CGT activities about their scholarship and development experience.
The Tip Murphy scholarship program is one way that Center for Growing Talent fulfills the 'develop' part of its mission, which is to provide industry-specific solutions to attract, develop and retain talent. CGT also provides leadership development programming across the career continuum, from young professionals to senior executives and women. CGT also hosts in-person networking events for young professionals at industry events including Fresh Summit.
To learn more about and to apply for the Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence,
click here. Applications must be received by Nov. 16.
NEWARK, DE - Mentors and mentees who participate in Center for Growing Talent’s (CGT) Mentoring Initiative will meet up at Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit later this month, taking advantage of North America’s largest gathering of the global fresh produce and floral supply chain for a rare opportunity to get
together face to face.
“Long-distance mentoring is great, and sometimes it’s the only option in an industry where our connections are spread across the globe. That said, widely-attended industry events like Fresh Summit provide an opportunity to make those connections even stronger by meeting in real life,” said CGT Vice President Talent Portfolio Alicia Calhoun. “So we are encouraging our Mentoring Initiative participants to come together in Orlando!”
Center for Growing Talent has invited its Mentoring Initiative’s mentors and mentees who are already planning to attend Fresh Summit to connect over a Fresh Summit Forum for the Future on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 18-19, at the Global Street Festival Welcoming Reception Thursday evening, or at CGT’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Leadership Breakfast on Saturday morning, Oct. 20. To view the Fresh Summit schedule for other meet-up opportunities, mentors and mentees can visit www.FreshSummit.com. Details about the breakfast featuring champion alpine skier Lindsey Vonn can be found at here.
Center for Growing Talent’s Mentoring Initiative, launched in 2017, is designed to help mentees broaden their industry networks, strengthen their competencies, and build confidence. For mentors, it offers the opportunity for experienced industry members to give back to their industry. CGT uses the online platform MentorCity to facilitate mentoring relationships. Participation in the initiative is free.
“The Mentoring Initiative gives our industry a shining opportunity to get involved with their extended
community, by both teaching and learning,” said mentor Jill Overdorf, Naturipe Farms Director of Business Development and a member of CGT’s Board of Directors. “This is an incredible opportunity to build meaningful and enriching relationships across industry sectors.”
The Mentoring Initiative falls under the “develop” component of Center for Growing Talent’s mission, which is to provide industry-specific solutions to attract, develop and retain talent. CGT also provides leadership development programming across the career continuum, from young professionals to senior executives and women; and hosts in-person receptions for young professionals at key industry events. To learn more about CGT’s programs and work, visit www.CenterforGrowingTalent.org.
Want to give back to your industry by becoming a mentor? Are you looking for a mentor to help guide your career development? “If you haven’t connected with someone yet, contact us—Center for Growing Talent can help,” said Calhoun.
To join CGT's free Mentoring Initiative, click here. To learn how you can support this nonprofit charitable organization’s vital work addressing the industry priority of talent—by contributing to CGT, by volunteering, or both—click here.
NEW ZEALAND - T&G Global knows a thing or two about apples. Owners of the Envy™, Jazz™, and Pacific Rose™ brands, the company continues to wow its retail partners with premium apple varieties.
I had the opportunity to speak with Brock Nemecek, Regional Marketing Manager, about T&G’s apple program, merchandising tools, and more.
As the company continues to impress its brands on retailers, Brock lets me know that T&G’s current customers can count on its premium apples' quality, consistency, and unique flavor and texture profiles.
“We’re also reinforcing to our customers our commitment to the seamless integration among our consumer marketing, trade marketing, and retail activation efforts with our sales agent partners, Oppy, CMI Orchards, and Rainier Fruit Company,” Brock explains to me. “Not only do we have large-scale, integrated programs launching over the next several weeks and throughout 2019, but each one will include a through-the-line component to directly drive and incentivize sales and repeat purchases of our premium apple brands.”
In addition to rebate offers on popular shopping app, Ibotta, and incentives to purchase that align with brand promotions, T&G and its sales agent partners utilize an extensive sampling program to drive trial and purchase—such as the annual Envy Roadshow, a country-wide tour which stops at various retail stores and popular destinations to share samples of the Envy apple.
On top of this already impressive lineup, Brock tells me that the company offers its retail customers tailored marketing programs to support their own promotion of T&G products. Social promotions, targeted email marketing, banner ads, influencer appearances, and cooking school sponsorships are just a few of the tactics ways in which T&G utilizes to drive shopper initiatives.
“We’re always open to bringing to life ideas that will help our customers achieve their specific goals,” Brock says.
He goes on to share with me some of the specifics of T&G’s latest merchandising efforts, which includes its PB&JAZZ and Envy-able Spread campaigns. Keeping JAZZ top-of-mind for fans of the apple-peanut butter combo, and Envy as the slow-to-brown ideal for charcuterie boards, T&G capitalizes on creative cross-merchandising with complementary brands and products.
“We regularly provide those product, recipe, and lifestyle photos and videos to our retail and foodservice customers to enhance their own storytelling,” Brock expresses.
To wrap our conversation up, Brock tells me that the company will soon unveil a versatile and interactive display program for ENVY and JAZZ that will enable retail customers to merchandise T&G brands outside of the produce department and into high-traffic areas to encourage impulse purchases.
“We have a variety of bagged options for both conventional and organic products—including poly and pouch bags—and are developing additional pack types/sizes, value-added options, and POS and display materials that we will begin announcing in late 2018!” Brock concludes.
And for those attending PMA Fresh Summit, be sure to visit with T&G’s sales agents: Oppy #2643, CMI Orchards #2483, and Rainier Fruit Co. #3861—you might even run into Brock himself!
For the latest in fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.