GLENVILLE, GA - For Delbert Bland and his family, farming is a way of life. Not surprisingly, then, the Bland Farms family just announced its 70th year of farming. Over the years, Bland Farms has been instrumental in growing the Vidalia® brand, including being one of the first farms to incorporate Vidalia onions into processed foods. It also began a mail order business in the late 80s that introduced the Vidalia name to markets west of the Mississippi River.
According to a press release, Delbert and his wife, Sandra, have honored and grown the family business that was passed down to them from Delbert’s parents. Like his father did with him, Delbert is passing down the lessons of the family farm to his sons Troy and Landis. Sandra and additional family members are also involved in the day-to-day operations of running the farm. Bland Farms noted that it will always be a family affair.
In 1982, Delbert Bland and his late father, Raymond, began growing Vidalia sweet onions on just five acres at Bland Farms in Glennville, Georgia. Today, Bland Farms represents a large amount of the entire Vidalia crop annually. Recognizing and acting on the rising demand for sweet onions, Delbert expanded production outside of the Peach State, both domestically and internationally including Texas, California, Peru, Nevada, and Mexico. These strategic growing partnerships have proven themselves to be extremely valuable, allowing Bland Farms to supply sweet onions year-round.
Bland Farms saw an opportunity to expand its produce offerings and began growing sweet potatoes, specifically the Covington variety, in 2014. Delbert says he learns something new every year.
Through hard-work, perseverance, and faith, Bland Farms has developed into a produce industry leader. The family noted that due to this success, they have been able to give back to their community and industry. With the Raymond D. Bland Scholarship for Agriculture, Bland Farms rewards students who have demonstrated similar qualities to those of Bland Farms and are in pursuit of an agriculturally related field of study.
The family is also a supplier with America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, a locally-inspired, volunteer-driven, non-profit food bank. Bland Farms provides 4,000 lbs of onions weekly, which is then distributed through 300 agencies to families in need throughout southeastern Georgia. During the month of October, Bland Farms packages sweet onions in pink packaging to bring awareness to Breast Cancer. In addition to the pink packaging, Bland Farms makes a yearly monetary donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Congratulations to Bland Farms from the ANUK team on 70 years of farming!
CINCINNATI, OH and SANTA BARBARA, CA - One of the U.S.’s largest retailers—Kroger—has announced a new partnership with Apeel Sciences, the Bill Gates-backed ag tech startup that’s turning avocado spoilage into a thing of the past. The new partnership will involve The Horton Fruit Company supplying Apeel avocados to the grocery titan, starting in its hometown of Cincinnati.
"Apeel is an innovative partner that will help Kroger reduce food waste and redefine the customer experience through first-to-market technology," Frank Romero, Kroger's Vice President of Produce, said. "Kroger's relationship with Apeel developed as a result of the exciting work we're doing with startups and enterprising companies to create the future of retail now."
Kroger will launch Apeel avocados in 109 stores in its Cincinnati market, with plans to expand to new cities.
This month also marks the one-year anniversary of Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative—which is, in part, aimed at eliminating food waste across the company by 2025. Apeel avocados boast double the ripe time, which allows for less food waste on the shelf and at home.
"Kroger is at the forefront of the fight against food waste, and we're honored to be a resource in their journey to zero waste," said James Rogers, CEO and Founder of Apeel. "Kroger's commitment to families and the health of the environment is admirable, and together, we believe we can dramatically advance our shared goal of less waste and better-quality food for all."
Through the partnership, Kroger noted in its press release, the retailer will be able to offer the freshest avocados to shoppers and reduce food waste on the shelf and at home.
According to the retailer’s press release, roughly one-third of food goes to waste throughout the global supply chain, and the partnership between Apeel and Kroger marks a measurable step toward preventing food waste at every level.
Annually, Americans throw away more than 400 pounds of food per person, costing a household of four approximately $1,800. Collective retail losses due to food waste amount to an estimated $18 billion.
Apeel avocados maintain optimal quality and ripeness twice as long, without requiring the use of refrigeration or preservatives, stopping food waste before it happens and making it possible for premium quality avocados to reach more people across the country. The company was recently named a 2018 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and a CNBC Disruptor 50. The Kroger and Apeel partnership comes after Apeel's news last month of $70 million in new financing led by a leading global hedge fund, Viking Global Investors, and the company's plans to accelerate operational scale-up in response to supplier and retailer demand for programs across avocado, citrus, berry, stone fruit, and asparagus categories.
Additionally, Kroger noted, Fortune recently recognized Kroger on its 2018 Change the World list—a list for the retailer's bold social impact plan Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, which aims to end hunger in the communities Kroger calls home and eliminate waste across the company by 2025. The annual list highlights the work of 57 big companies—Kroger the sixth among them—using their resources to solve societal problems.
WOODRIDGE, IL - As our industry continues to push for more traceability, Capital City Fruit made the decision to switch to Produce Pro Software. With the amount of repacking within its operation, the company was in search of a robust inventory management system.
“I originally heard about Produce Pro in the late 90s at a produce convention,” commented Christian Comito, CEO. “And, as I went to conventions over the years, I noticed the customer logos on Produce Pro’s trade show booth kept growing and businesses we knew were being added.”
In 2009, the company considered Produce Pro Software when it installed its first inventory management system. After scoring various software companies based on features, Produce Pro Software ranked the highest, but Capital City Fruit went with another option. However, after ten years passed, the team decided to finally make the switch.
“Produce Pro has good systems but they also have good people,” Comito added. “A lot of their staff has worked within the produce industry in the past and truly understands the intricacies of produce; especially their trainers which is completely different from other software companies we’ve looked at previously. I was also impressed by the company’s longevity. This really sets them apart from the other software that’s available.”
When it came time to implement the new system, Produce Pro Software’s strong systems and knowledgeable staff were evident once again.
“Their implementation process prepared us for the transition. I like that they have an orientation for senior leadership to learn about the business and find areas that might affect processes, so we could start changing those processes before the software went live,” said Comito. “Not to mention, our implementation process was actually fun! The staff all have a great sense of humor and were willing to be light-hearted with our team when we needed a break from training or a stress-reliever.”
Sean Overholser, Production Manager, added that, “I also cannot say enough about the entire Produce Pro team. The level of support is exceeding my expectations. Any time, day or night, they are there to provide guidance and help answer questions.”
Since going live with the system just a few months back, Capital City Fruit has already realized several improvements throughout their operation.
“The shipment reports are much easier to build in Produce Pro which saves me time each day,” commented Marc Newman, Transportation Manager.
In addition to this improvement, Sean Overholser noted that the entire repack module has been extremely easy to use.
“We’ve increased our efficiency with label management as well as repack accuracy several times over,” he said. “Repacks that used to take 10-15 minutes each are now processed in under a minute. Label format selection is automatic and also super simple. Produce Pro is so fast and reliable.”
So, what’s next for the company after making the switch to Produce Pro Software?
“Produce Pro enables us to accurately track the input product and what outputs are produced from that input product,” Brendan Comito, COO, said in a press release. “We also have much better reporting that allows us to find and fix inventory issues in real time. Next up, we’re planning to implement Produce Pro’s Warehouse Management System. We think this will enable us to get an even better handle on our inventory and improve our shipping accuracy, so we are looking forward to the enhancement of our system and continuous improvement of our operation even more so into the future.”
For the latest in produce tech, keep following us at AndNowUKnow.
MONROVIA, CA - Just when I thought I was experiencing all Germantown had to offer as we explore Nashville, TN, amidst Southern Innovations, I found I’m missing one new addition by a hair. Trader Joe’s is opening four new East Coast stores—in Maryland, Connecticut, Virginia, and yes, Tennessee—all within mere weeks of each other.
The stores in Manchester, CT—sitting at 1510 Pleasant Valley Road—and Ashburn, VA—nestled at 44755 Brimfield Drive—both opened today.
Come tomorrow, consumers in North Potomac, MD, will be able to get their fresh produce and more at Trader Joe’s. The chain’s newest location in Maryland will open its doors at 10076 Darnestown Road.
In another week, however, Germantown, TN, Trader Joe’s-goers will be able to peruse the aisles at 2130 Exeter Road.
With stores opening left and right, what will we see next in expansion strategy for the company? Stick with AndNowUKnow as we dig into more details on Trader Joe’s and more industry news.
NASHVILLE, TN - While this year’s Southern Innovations is already chock-full of exciting events, the Southeast Produce Council is adding a speaker to its lineup, and boy, are attendees in for a treat. USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach will be speaking at the General Session & Keynote Luncheon on Friday, September 7 at 11:30 am CST.
Ibach will be touching on some of the industry’s hottest topics like the new Trade Agreement advancements, the GMO Labeling Rule, CRISPR/Gene Editing, “Trade Aid” for farmers, and more, according to a press release.
As Under Secretary, Ibach facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products. Prior to his role as Under Secretary, Ibach served as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture, where he developed and implemented strategies to analyze issues and create solutions for domestic and global initiatives that would support Nebraska agriculture. He has also served as the President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
Over the course of his career, Ibach has been inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement and the Block and Bridle Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with the Service to Agriculture Recognition from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, College of Agriculture Science and Natural Resources.
The luncheon will take place in the Presidential Ballroom CDE. ANUK will see you there!
WATSONVILLE, CA - When I grab some berries at the store, my first instinct is to use them in cheesecakes or sangrias—or even eat them all by the time I get home, who knows?—and it seems that I am far from alone in those practices. Driscoll’s is capitalizing on the shared experiences that berries offer with its newest initiative that is a one-of-a-kind experiential activation, 3D picnic basket on wheels. You heard that right, ladies and gents. Driscoll’s is taking its berries to the streets to champion berries in its latest campaign. To do this, the picnic basket will roll through local communities and neighborhoods to share the berry joy and deliver berry treats.
“Brands are driving the double-digit +11.5% dollar growth in the produce industry,” Director of Marketing and Global Brand Lead Frances Dillard said. “Driscoll’s has become a trusted consumer brand, and, according to the Nielsen Company, we are now the largest produce brand based on dollar sales. We continue to invest in our brand journey as our brand advocates inspire a consumer movement to share the berry joy.”
This is just the latest step in Driscoll’s #BerryTogether campaign efforts. It is a strategic move that supports the company’s branding, transitioning berries from the produce aisle into an inspirational emblem that promotes emotional connections through shared experiences. Driscoll’s latest work is not the last stop on its journey. The company continues to build brand differentiation in the commoditized ag industry, according to a press release.
“Our goal in this next phase of #BerryTogether was to disrupt the marketplace with a unique and authentic experiential activation that brings together local communities,” Brand Manager Jamie Bassmann shared. “Last year we announced the top ten berry loving cities and launched a pop-up 3D berry picnic art mural. This year, we’ve gone bigger and better with an extraordinary berry picnic basket on wheels.”
#BerryTogether jumped into action last year and has since become the company’s first U.S. communications strategy since it released its unified global visual identity system throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and China, the release expressed. The emotional draw that Driscoll’s is creating is making waves amongst consumers, which has relayed in the company taking home several prestigious industry awards.
Wanting to see the berry mobile in action? You and me both, my friend! Check out the video above to see #BerryTogether in motion.
Keep your eyes peeled for more campaign elements as they roll out on social media and retail activations this holiday season and beyond.
Stick with AndNowUKnow to bite into more fresh produce news.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - What’s nutritious, fuzzy, and green—or gold—all over? Why, Zespri® Organic Kiwifruit of course! With this on-trend fruit and a booming organic produce sector, retailers have a recipe for success in driving sales performance.
“The time for organic kiwifruit is now,” said Chris Ford, Organics and Foodservice Category Manager for Oppy, Zespri’s North American sales and marketing partner. “Zespri Green and SunGold Kiwifruit are at their peak of flavor. With summer stonefruit availability wrapping up, this is the time to fill shelves with a great-tasting and nutritious fruit grown in New Zealand for quality, consistency, and an amazing eating experience.”
Ford pointed out that the greatest opportunity may lie in fixed-weight packs of organic green kiwi.
“Industrywide, sales of one-pound clamshells of organic green kiwifruit are up 76 percent compared with a year ago, according to IRI data,” he said. “We offer Zespri Green Kiwifruit in one-pound clamshells and bags. Packaging enables us to tell kiwifruit’s terrific nutrition story, share some usage ideas, and create a connection between shoppers and the brand.”
Another great reason to take advantage of the packaged kiwifruit opportunity is differentiation.
“With increasing volumes of yellow-fleshed Zespri SunGold coming into the market, packaging helps consumers understand how it differs from green kiwifruit, especially its flavor,” said Sarah Deaton, Marketing Manager, North America, Zespri. “A benefit for the retailer, of course, is that the larger unit increases the ring.”
Deaton also noted that the kiwifruit category is growing at a faster rate compared to other fruit sales, with SunGold contributing admirably to category growth.
“Efforts to build consumer awareness and trade confidence in both organic and conventional SunGold are really starting to turn the dial,” she said.
How can retailers dial in to this boming category? Deaton describes Zespri’s “A Real Snack for Real Life” SunGold campaign, which includes targeted digital media and social media outreach, digital coupons, streaming radio and traditional advertising, as well as a consumer contest offering a winner-customized prize pack worth $15,000.
“Our target consumer is a higher-income working mom—or woman who plans to start a family soon—who’s proactive about health and interested in food trends,” Deaton said. “We can see that consumers in this demographic are responding enthusiastically to the campaign now and we are confident they will be looking for organic options.”
Organic and conventional Zespri Kiwifruit is available now, with organic Green and SunGold from New Zealand continuing through the next few months.
For the latest in fuzzy fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SEATTLE, WA - Amazon’s successes keep barreling through competition. After much anticipation of the achievement, and as of Tuesday, the e-tailer giant has reached the $1 trillion mark, the second company ever to do so after Apple reached the high-water mark in the beginning of August.
Analysts are already throwing around their bets for whether or not Amazon will beat Apple to $2 trillion, or if one or both of the companies’ steam will run out after hitting their current successes.
According to CNN Money, Amazon’s web services have positioned the company for growth in non-core areas, including its foray into brick and mortar with its acquisition of Whole Foods.
Fox 61 shares that Amazon has grown at an exponential rate over the past few years—in the beginning of 2018, it was worth just $580 billion. The company’s net income shot up to $2.5 billion during the second quarter of 2018, a far cry from its $197 million in the second quarter of 2017.
How will Amazon’s continued growth strategies influence the rate at which it gains its $2 trillion badge? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest.
THERMAL, CA - We all know fresh fruit and vegetables are darn good, but good enough to make someone believe they’re above the law? Apparently so. In Southern California, authorities spoiled one thief’s plans to steal away with 800 pounds of lemons, keeping our precious fruit on the right side of justice.
Last Friday, the thief attempted to flee into the dead of night with the hundreds of pounds of freshly picked lemons stashed in his car, only to have his plans sour when police pulled him over at the intersection of Grapefruit Boulevard (so close to being Lemon Boulevard) and Pierce Street—not my typical Friday night, but to each their own.
According to a report by NBC San Diego, a sheriff’s sergeant on the scene allegedly said the lemons were stolen from a nearby farm and were related to larger ongoing investigations into a series of agriculture thefts sweeping through the Coachella Valley.
Remember, there’s only one way to enjoy citrus, and that’s below the law—get it? No? Okay.
For more produce puns, jokes, and more, keep following AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - The bonds we forge with other industry professionals at tradeshows never cool down, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have the opportunity to do so once we get to the inspiring events. Duda Farm Fresh Foods, always the innovator, has really outdone itself this time after introducing its fresh sweet corn via gelato at PMA Foodservice.
“We have a new product coming out: our fresh fully husked sweet corn for foodservice. It’s kind of hard to serve raw corn, for sure,” Senior Director of Marketing Nichole Towell laughs before diving into the strategy behind the creation. “We wanted to showcase the super sweet flavor of fresh corn. Ice cream and gelato are trendy right now, and the flavor turned out amazing.”
The company moved forward with gelato to put its produce front and center, as sometimes the big production in trade show offerings detracts from splendor found in a single ingredient. Chef Todd Fisher, Culinary Ambassador, jumps in to explain that this new appeal to meandering show attendees reels in the focus—a practice in the art of beautiful simplicity.
“In years past, with all of our products, we always showcased the exceptional product itself, the flavor profile, the texture, the sweetness of our varieties of celery, radishes or citrus. With corn, we have historically done something similar. We were utilizing the corn in unique ways, but really, our product—in some way, shape, or form—was a supporting actor as opposed to the star,” Chef Todd tells me of the creation. “This time, the idea was, ‘Let’s do something where it’s basically just sweet corn.’ You add a little sugar, but not much because the corn naturally has sweetness, with milk to make the gelato part of it. The flavor of the corn was so prominent and the sweetness was so robust that you couldn’t help but be wowed when you tried it. You could do nothing but walk away talking about the corn.”
This is a unique opportunity that the company seized as it continues to evolve and find new ways to engage customers on the show floor.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries on the fresh sweet corn since the show, so the gelato definitely did what we designed it to do, which is get people interested in our foodservice corn product,” Nichole says.
This is a trend I can bite into by the spoonful.