LUCAMA, NC - Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that the word “foodservice” is popping up in produce industry dealings now more than ever. To keep up with the always growing place for produce in foodservice, North Carolina-based sweet potato provider Scott Farms has been working hard to stay in step while still maintaining the quality and consistency operators demand from their suppliers. With that commitment in mind and Southeast Produce Council’s foodservice-centered Southern Innovations show around the corner, I spoke with Director of Marketing Jeff Thomas to delve further into what the company is bringing to the table.
“One of the things that makes us so innovative in the foodservice sector is our ability to consistently grow and pack our products,” Jeff tells me. “Our state-of-the-art, automated facility is second to none in the industry and allows us to have full control of the product from beginning to end. Uniformity in packing capabilities allows us to work with our customers to make certain they receive what they need in a consistent pack.”
Consistency has always been a point of pride for the sixth generation family farm. When I ask what Scott Farms’ owes that consistency to, Jeff tells me that it’s the company’s many years of growing experience and the extreme level of detail that goes into producing every item offered. The company even operates its own micropropagation facility, which allows it to have complete control of the product our customers enjoy, all the way from the seed to the product that ends up on tables internationally.
At Southern Innovations in Nashville, Tennessee, September 6th through 8th, Scott Farms will bring a bevy of its varieties to showcase to foodservice operators. Traditional Covington variety sweet potatoes, as well as the Bonita and Murasaki varieties will all be in tow, available in foodservice packs, steam in bags, microwavable packs, and 4 pack family options. But Jeff says the company’s growth in the sector doesn't stop there.
“Scott Farms continues to grow while maintaining the level of service our customers have come to expect. Our presence in the foodservice marketplace and beyond is a testament to treating our customers with respect and working as true partners to understand what they need, want, and expect from their suppliers. We plan to continue to innovate and cultivate relationships with our customer partners in the industry, helping them continue to offer their customers the best sweet potatoes available.”
Scott Farms has been a longtime member of the Southeast Produce Council and has attended both the Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations conferences for many years. Jeff shares with me that he is excited to once again reconnect with industry partners and friends at booth #618. To that, I say cheers, and see you in the Music City!
CHICAGO, IL - Picture this: You invite your friends over for a fun dinner and movie night in. Then, as you and your besties munch and gush over the film on the small screen, you receive the biggest compliment of your life… “You remind me of Oprah!” Who, ME?! Yes, you! The reason behind this praise is that you served up Kraft Heinz’s new cauliflower-inclusive pizzas, a venture that the industry mover and shaker collaborated with Oprah Winfrey. The pizza crust uses cauliflower for about one-third of its dough’s ingredients.
“O, That’s Good!” They remark, and you smile and say in return, “Yeah, that’s what the product is called!”
In a recent press release, Kraft Heinz announced that it is partnering up with the media and movie powerhouse to launch the line O, That’s Good! Frozen Pizza.
“Pizza is a favorite, fun, and easy food to share with family and friends,” said Winfrey. “I am always looking to add a nutritious twist to my foods, so we made part of the crust in my new pizza with cauliflower while maintaining that classic, cheesy pizza flavor you and your family love.”
The healthy take on pizza is part of an ongoing partnership between Winfrey and the company called Mealtime Stories, which debuted a line of refrigerated soups and dishes in 2017.
Winfrey will take on the small screen with a national TV ad promoting the cauliflower-incorporating line, which costs $6.99 and comes in Pepperoni, Five Cheese, Supreme, and Fire Roasted Veggie.
“At Kraft Heinz, we understand that the trifecta of great taste, real ingredients, and convenience in food options is nearly impossible to find,” said Christopher Urban, Head of Mealtime Stories at Kraft Heinz. “After the success of O, That’s Good! Refrigerated Soups and Sides, we wanted to bring excitement to the pizza category and give families even more delicious options to please everyone at the dinner table.”
If following Winfrey’s suite is not enticing enough, the press release expresses that 10 percent of Mealtime Stories’ profits will be equally split between charitable organizations Rise Against Hunger and Feeding America to support the fight against hunger. Further, to boost the venture until it becomes profitable, Kraft Heinz Company Foundation intends to make annual donations on behalf of Mealtime Stories.
So… you’re telling me that I get to eat like Oprah and contribute—on a very small scale—like Oprah? Cauliflower never sounded so great!
WASHINGTON, DC and BEIJING, CHINA - The Trump administration’s 25 percent tariffs on $16 billion in goods went into effect today—at midnight ET Thursday August 23. The new round of tariffs will affect 279 Chinese products.
“The list contains 279 of the original 284 tariff lines that were on a proposed list announced on June 15,” said the Office of the United States Trade Representative, in a statement. “Changes to the proposed list were made after USTR and the interagency Section 301 Committee sought and received written comments and testimony during a two-day public hearing last month. Customs and Border Protection will begin to collect the additional duties on the Chinese imports on August 23.”
China responded immediately with its own 25 percent retaliatory tariff, releasing as statement at 12:01 a.m. ET that, according to an NPR report, vowed to “make the necessary counterattacks.”
U.S. tariffs will largely affect chemicals, semiconductors, plastics, and transportation products—including motorcycles and railway cars—but also ag products including “seeders, planters and transplanters, nesoi” and “fertilizer distributors.” Retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports to China will affect diesel fuel, coal, medical instruments, and cars.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, this is the second tranche of additional tariffs, with the first tranche of tariffs on approximately $34 billion of imports from China having gone into effect on July 6.
Will the escalating trade row between the U.S. and China imperil our industry? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SALINAS, CA - The countdown is narrowing from weeks to days as the industry prepares to pack its bags for Nashville, TN, and the Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo that awaits us September 6-8. Along for the ride will be Mann Packing’s newest product innovation: Caulilini™ Sweetstem™ Cauliflower.
“Caulilini is the newest member of the brassica family, and features long edible stems and blonde, open florets. Sweetly succulent in flavor, its ‘perfectly imperfect’ shape adds both flavor and texture to side dishes, crudité platters, or entrée builds,” Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist Jacob Shafer recently shared with me.
The company first unveiled Caulilini at PMA Foodservice last month to a warm reception, and Jacob says he’s looking forward to further enhancing its visibility, as well as Mann’s organic line, at the intimate show.
“We’re looking forward to engaging with our partners and leveraging the format of this event. There, we’ll be able to showcase both our organic products and some new innovations in foodservice,” Jacob said. “We’re also eager to sit-in on the educational workshops and networking opportunities.”
One of the well-known trademarks of SEPC’s Southern Innovations is the exclusivity of it, emphasizing quality connections and opportunities, this year with the dynamic backdrop of Music City.
Some of those educational opportunities Jacob is referring to include promising keynote sessions by DMA Solutions’ Founder and CEO Dan’l Mackey Almy and Heisman Trophy winner and retired college football coach Steve Spurrier, plus a foodservice and retail panel composed of reps from Schnucks, Food Lion, Blue Apron, The Fresh Market, and more, moderated by Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert.
Don’t miss what Mann Packing and parent company Fresh Del Monte might be cooking up at booth #319. The festivities kick of September 6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. See you there!
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Are things truly bigger in Texas? Mucci Farms is about to find out. The company just opened a brand new distribution facility in San Antonio, Texas, a location strategic to its goals to optimize service in the southern United States. The company plans to begin operations over the next 8-10 weeks.
“San Antonio was a logical city for us because it is a major southern crossing, and this location will help us increase efficiencies and assist with logistics,” said Danny Mucci, President of Mucci International Marketing, in a recent press release. “Through this facility, we’ll be able to distribute our full lineup of products to the region in a timely manner, allowing consumers to take advantage of maximum shelf life and high quality of our produce.”
With an appetite for a larger U.S. footprint, the announcement comes on the heels of Mucci Farms’ first harvest from Phase 1 of a 3-Phase 60-Acre Huron, Ohio expansion. The organization has been actively searching for a strategic opportunity to serve current and potential clients in the south and southwestern United States.
“We are thrilled to continue our expansion into the U.S. with a southern facility that can help us service the region effectively,” said Joe Spano, Vice President of Mucci International Marketing. “As a company committed to efficient execution, our main focus was to reduce food miles as well as our carbon footprint to better serve our partners and customers.”
For the latest in facilities, expansions, and more, keep with us at AndNowUKnow.
MONTEREY, CA - The heat is beginning to simmer. The cooler breezes are rolling in. We are reminded that colder days spent indoors are just around the bend, and to get customers ready to dive into dishes, Baloian Farms is bringing its peppers to foodservice in a big way.
Lori Hickey, of the company’s Marketing Department, tells me that Baloian Farms has green, red, and yellow peppers, as well as mini sweet peppers, in production right now.
"We're shipping in bulk box sizes, 25 and 15 pounders. And you can expect top notch through and through," Lori tells me. "With the quality and flavor profile that we're seeing right now, our peppers are all fabulous for any fresh products—salads, fajitas, grilling—they can be used in many different recipes."
For more information on Baloian Farms' foodservice efforts, check out the video exclusive above.
Stick with AndNowUKnow for your daily dose of fresh produce news.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Target is off to the races. The retailer announced on Wednesday that sales at stores open for at least a year have spiked 6.5 percent, the fastest pace since 2005.
"We are extremely pleased with Target's second quarter results, which demonstrate our guests' excitement for the enhanced and differentiated shopping experience we're building. For the second consecutive quarter, traffic growth is better than we've seen in well over 10 years, driving 6.5 percent comp growth—Target's best in 13 years," said CEO and Chairman Brian Cornell.
The jump in sales can be seen as a reflection of its shifting strategy and the consequential 47 percent increase in the retailer’s stock over the past year. Target’s new plan is to improve store experiences and generate more digital sales after a slow 2016 holiday shopping season. To do this, Target informed investors it would spend $7 billion to redesign its stores, extend its exclusive brands, and lower prices on items, according to CNN Money. In addition to these steps, the retailer ventured into a new store format, which has proven to be successful.
"We laid out a clear strategy at the beginning of 2017, and throughout this year we've been accelerating the pace of execution. We're on track to deliver a strong back half and we've updated our full year guidance to reflect the strength of our business and the consumer economy," Cornell continued. "As we look ahead to 2019, we expect to achieve scale across the full slate of our initiatives—creating efficiencies and cost-savings, further strengthening our guest experience and positioning Target to continue gaining market share."
Target’s quarterly report stated the following:
- Traffic growth of 6.4 percent is by far the strongest since the company began reporting traffic in 2008
- Comparable sales increased 6.5 percent, the best comp at Target in 13 years
- Comparable store sales grew 4.9 percent
- Comparable digital sales grew 41 percent, on top of 32 percent growth a year ago
- GAAP EPS from continuing operations were $1.49, up 22.7 percent from last year. Adjusted EPS were $1.47, up 19.8 percent from last year
- For the back half of 2018, the company has raised its outlook for both comparable sales and EPS
- The midpoint of Target's third quarter EPS guidance range of $1.00 to $1.20 represents growth of more than 20 percent compared with last year
Further, as Shipt’s member base tripled over the last year, a growth that is of particular importance since the retailer recently purchased the delivery service for $550 million, Target’s customers have proven to spend up to three times more when they order from the digital platform than when they enter brick and mortar. Additionally, Target’s digital sales increased 41 percent last quarter when compared with the same time last year.
How will Target’s strategy continue to evolve, and will it change the face of fresh produce within its stores as a result? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest.
NASHVILLE, TN - With a busy 2018 coming to a close and an even busier 2019 on the way, CMI Orchards’ VP of Marketing George Harter recently shared with me that the next big calendar event for the team is the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) 2018 Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo.
“This is a big show for us. We've got our Daisy Girl Organics™ brand that has been very successful over the years and we are anticipating another successful year to come,” George shares. “We are looking forward to this show to be able to engage with our customers and talk about some of the exciting plans we have coming this year.”
Southern Innovations presents a perfect opportunity to drive home CMI Orchards’ 2018 introductions, such as its Daisy Girl Organics Ship ’n’ Shop bins.
“We saw some real success with our Ship ’n’ Shop bins this year—they are really easy to work with, shipping with 16 cases of fruit that are easy for retailers to use and build on. We have results we will be sharing about why the Ship ’n’ Shop pallet display is so successful,” George comments. “In addition to bulk, our Daisy Girl Organics brand is available in pouch bags, which are very desirable for retailers to ensure or improve their scan results, as there is a UPC code on the bag that gets scanned more accurately than a manually entered PLU code, not allowing for human error.”
CMI Orchards has been increasing its organic production for Daisy Girl Organics year-over-year, as well as the other organic brands it owns or works with, matching shoppers’ ever-rising demands.
“Customers are looking for increased flavor and a profile that stands out amongst the mainstays of the commodity. So those items—KIKU®, Kanzi™, Ambrosia, Envy—introduced organically we believe will increase sales for retailers who adopt those programs,” George tells me.
While the team is playing any new innovations close to the chest until fall, George adds this is the perfect time to prime CMI’s audience for what’s to come.
“We are not unveiling anything just yet, but we are working on an accelerated organic promotion we feel our retail partners can take and build upon. The timing of this show is perfect leading up to what we are rolling out at PMA Fresh Summit,” he says.
The big event takes place September 6-8, 2018 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Don’t miss CMI Orchards and all that it has in store at booth #302.
SALINAS, CA - Ready-to-eat fresh food maker Taylor Farms is continuing to support local youth and give back in the communities in which it operates through the eighth iteration of its annual backpack giveaway program. In partnership with the Golden State Food (GSF) Foundation, Taylor Farms provided over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students across communities throughout the U.S., including Salinas, CA; Gonzales, CA; Tracy, CA; and Dallas, TX.
“The yearly backpack giving program is one of our team’s favorite community facing programs,” said Taylor Farms' Katrina Gargiulo, in a press release. “It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to give back and support the future of the communities in which we operate.”
This year, Taylor Farms and its partner distributed 1,150 backpacks to elementary school students throughout the country—including the children of Taylor Farms employees.
“When school begins each year, Taylor Farms’ annual donation of backpacks greatly benefits our students' learning,” said Elizabeth Armenta, Principal, Alisal Community Elementary School. “Every year it's a joy to see our students' happy faces and hear their excitement. These efforts have truly made a difference and have touched so many lives.”
To date, between its internal backpack giveaway program and the partnership with GSF Foundation, the company noted in its press release, Taylor Farms has provided more than 11,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students.
Kudos to Taylor Farms for its efforts to give back. Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more fresh produce news.
THAILAND - The jig is up! Another attempt at disguising illicit substances as our precious produce has been thwarted after police busted three suspects allegedly trafficking almost 15 million methamphetamine pills in fruit boxes throughout Thailand.
But the drug bustin’ tale doesn’t end there. According to a report by The Nation, Thai police began investigating this case back in July after a tip rolled in. The tip incriminated a drug gang based in the North of transporting and distributing more than just produce in trailer trucks around the country. Following the lead, investigators staked out a warehouse in Chiang Rai’s Thoeng district, catching the trailer truck being emptied of its fruit-filled boxes and loaded up with 1.5 billion THB ($45 million USD) worth of drugs.
Two days after the stake-out, police caught the three suspects, who later confessed to transporting narcotics. The suspects have since been charged with possessing drugs with the intent to sell.
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) Chief Lt-General Sommai Kongvisaisuk revealed that the gang had effectively evaded officers’ process of opening up and searching trailer trucks’ boxes because they had used a seal bearing the Customs Department’s logo. Tricky, tricky.
The Nation also reports that the Chief Lt-General believes the drugs are linked to a drug trafficking gang known to haul loads of over 10 million meth pills per trip around Thailand and Laos—a gang that could allegedly even be connected to a notorious drug trafficker, who had reportedly faked his own death two decades ago and underwent plastic surgery to avoid arrest. There appears to be no limit drug traffickers will go to keep misusing our fresh fruit and veg for their own devices.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more produce busts, heists, and shenanigans.