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BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart has not been shy in its moves to bolster both its e-commerce business and its Sam’s Club banner, and now, the retailer is investing in both with one fell swoop. Sam’s Club has opened a new facility in Memphis, Tennessee, that will be used as an e-commerce fulfillment center (FC). And, according to the company, the FC is the first in a series of planned conversions of former club locations that will take place across the country.
“We moved fast to bring this FC online, and I’m proud of the team that made this happen,” said Mohan Akella, Vice President of Online Supply Chain for the banner. “This FC is going to make sure our members get their orders even faster, and we’re excited about what this means for our business.”
Highlights of the new facility are as follows:
- 135,000-square-feet
- Fifty full-time associates
- First package shipped by the team was to John Furner, Sam’s Club President and CEO, and contained a 100-count box of coffee pods
- Located five miles from a major regional shipping hub, shortening delivery times
- The conversion took less than four months, with the first package shipping in 46 days
- Earlier this year the company announced free shipping on most items for Plus members
- In Q1 2018, Sam’s Club saw online sales increase about 25 percent and a 5.2 percent comp sales increase, excluding fuel and tobacco
- Other regions being considered for fulfillment centers include Texas, Central Florida, the Mid-Atlantic, Southern California, Chicagoland, and the Northeast
“We’re excited Memphis was chosen to be the home of the company’s first FC,” said Charles Dodge, General Manager of the Memphis FC. “We appreciate the support of the community as we’ve converted the club and look forward to continuing the great partnership we have for years to come.”
Will Walmart’s investments in Sam’s Club and e-commerce pay off in big dollar gains? AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest.
CALGARY, AB - Looking to get inspired by your lettuce? The Star Group has the answer in its newest offering: Inspired Leaves. Canadian grown, pesticide-free, pre-washed, pre-cut, and ready-to-eat, there’s a lot to love about this lettuce. This new product is an extension of Inspired Greens living lettuce, which is greenhouse grown year-round in Coaldale, Alberta.
“We are taking ultra-clean, fresh lettuce and making it more convenient for consumers,” said David Karwacki, CEO. “We want to offer a better option in the packaged lettuce category, and we are able to do that because our greens are grown and cut from living lettuce in Western Canada—making it as fresh as possible when it hits retail.”
In March, The Star Group released its Inspired Leaves Multileaf Blend into retail to test the market and the internal operations at its cut facility, Sliced FC, which currently runs two Canadian facilities. According to a company press release, the company decided to expand the Inspired line after seeing promising results. Committed to the future of Inspired Leaves, The Star Group invested in a new cut facility in Calgary, AB to expand Sliced FC’s capabilities. With state-of-the-art machinery purchased specifically for the use on tender leaves, and an experienced staff, Inspired Leaves will take clean, fresh greens and make them more convenient for consumers to enjoy.
The Star Group will be launching 4 new offerings under the Inspired Leaves label: Butter Blend, Crispies & Crunchies, Greenhouse Greens, and Canadian Reds. The line is expected to launch Mid-June and will be available in 142g packs.
Inspired Salads is in the works for fall 2018, which will offer consumers a full spectrum of options of how they can enjoy these delicious greens.
For the freshest news on salads, greens, and more, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - There’s no slowing the meal kit train down, and now SpartanNash has purchased a ticket, launching a new private brand, Good to Go!™. Available at Family Fare Supermarkets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, and Forest Hills Foods locations throughout Michigan, the company’s latest brand is fresh from Open Acres™ and offers one-stop meal solutions, including entrees, sides, and desserts, for any and all busy consumers.
“Our store guests enjoy serving home-cooked meals to their friends and family, but don’t always have the time to make it themselves,” said Vice President of Private Brands John Paul. “With Good to Go! entrees and sides, we’ll do the cooking for you. Whether it’s ready-to-eat, ready-to-heat, or interactive meal kits, Good to Go! is our solution for today’s busy lifestyles.”
Good to Go! has dozens of new options that feature trending flavors and comfort food faves, like twice baked potatoes, apple crisps, tilapia with lemon orzo, chipotle chicken, and shepherd’s pie. While the new brand is currently only available at SpartanNash retail stores, the company has plans to expand the brand to more than 300 Michigan independent retailers soon.
After introducing Open Acres in 2016, which includes more than 1,000 fresh-made produce, bakery, deli, meat, and seafood options, SpartanNash is launching Good to Go! to complement these items with a variety of convenient meal solutions and simple side dishes at a budget-friendly price, according to a press release.
To stay in-the-know on who’s tapping into the meal kit craze next, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
GLENDALE, AZ - From my understanding of beer brewing, it takes a careful combination of just the right amount of components to craft that perfect sip. Although you might not think cantaloupe belongs in a beer, you might want to think again. I chatted with Legend Produce’s Pete Weisman, Sales, to see how a visit to Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company became a match made in heaven.
“It’s a melon that reminds you of the cantaloupe you had as kid,” Pete begins, clueing me in to what makes this Origami cantaloupe so special. “We have the exclusive on this variety and have been growing it for a number of years. It has exceptional flavor, sugar, aroma, and travels very well.”
But still, the question lingers, how did this well-received melon make its way into Arizona Wilderness’ beer lineup? The story seems almost like a twist of fate.
“Arizona Wilderness opened up a little over four years ago, and in time, it’s become one of the better breweries around,” Pete shares with me. “I thought that it would be a good opportunity for Legend Produce because the brewery is known to use mostly local ingredients in the beers they make and the food they serve. All I did was go in there one day and talk to one of the guys walking around the brewery. I told him who I was and what we do, and then I asked if they’d ever be interested in doing a cantaloupe beer. Within seconds, they were like, ‘Absolutely!’”
The beer itself, a sour IPA named Virga, was brewed using 120 gallons of Origami cantaloupe juice provided by Legend. Pete explains to me that Arizona Wilderness collaborated with a UK based brewery named Cloudwater, all of which made for the perfect opportunity.
“We told them we’d be able to deliver the cantaloupe within a certain time frame, and it just so happened to work out that they were also collaborating with Cloudwater Brewing during the same time. It was kind of a match made in heaven.”
Over the years, sour beers, as well as IPAs, have exploded in popularity. With sharp acidic tasting notes, sour beer is beloved by many. IPAs are known for their traditionally hoppy taste, which can vary from bitter to sweet. What interested me about the sour IPA was the combination, because it was one I’d never heard of before. For Pete, it was his first time trying a sour IPA, too!
“If you’ve ever had a sour beer, you’re going to have a typical sour start and then it’s going to finish similarly to a regular IPA,” he enlightens me, making me want to fly down to Arizona and give it a try myself. The beer is a special local offering, and I’ve never been so jealous of Arizona in my life.
Canning 120 cases out of 40 kegs, this beer is sure to go quickly, so if you’re anywhere near Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company, stop in and try that sour IPA, made possible with Legend Produce Origami cantaloupe.
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WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s “Pursuit of Flavor” miniseries is already paying off big for the mega berry company, with the latest data showing it may be soon breaking its own records for engagement. So far, the miniseries has grabbed upwards of 116 million impressions and over 2.1 million views during its just under 10-week run.
“Driscoll’s consumers trust our brand promise of Only the Finest Berries, and the miniseries allowed us to share the stories behind the art and science of growing great tasting berries,” said Frances Dillard, Director of Marketing and Global Brand Lead.
Diving further into the data Driscoll’s shared with us, it looks like mobile users (looking at you, fellow millennials) are the primary viewers of Pursuit of Flavor. Over 70 percent of views occur on mobile devices and from women between the ages of 25 and 44. The company noted that this demonstrates that the miniseries resonates with the core berry shopper demographic.
Also noteworthy is that 208 million of those views have been watched 100 percent to completion—no easy feat when launching a long format miniseries with run times ranging from 03:47 to 05:10. The episode on Driscoll’s blackberries has the highest average view duration.
At 600 thousand views, Driscoll’s episode on raspberries is currently the most-watched episode and has driven the highest rate of earned views. After watching this episode—the story of Driscoll’s breakthrough raspberry variety, patented as Maravilla—32 thousand viewers went on to watch a second.
“Video is a cornerstone of our digital strategy, and our 2.1MM views of the miniseries to date affirm that this medium, when coupled with the power of the most recognized brand in berries, makes for a winning combination to reach and engage our consumer base,” Diane Scalisi, Senior Digital Marketing Manager added.
Want to see more on this video series? Check out our exclusive article with Fran, Diane, and Gavin Sills, Global Plant Breeding Director, to learn even more berry goodness.
MONTEREY, CA - The countdown is on for the third annual Organic Produce Summit and there is less than one month to go. With a 30 percent increase in attendance and over 250 retail buyers on the guest list, it's hard not to feel the excitement. Mark your calendars, OPS 2018 will be held July 11-12 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.
“As we head into our final month before the show, it’s been very gratifying to see the growth of the show and the continued support of our attendees and the industry as a whole,” said Susan Canales, President. “Participation from the retail and buying communities is tremendous and our educational program is second to none. OPS provides all attendees with the right balance of education, information, and networking. We hear all the time that OPS is an event where contacts are made, and deals are done. We’re excited to make this year’s OPS the best yet.”
The two-day OPS wastes no time getting to the action—the show kicks off with sold-out retailer/buyer tours at five of the nation's’ leading organic fresh produce companies and follows with a series of educational sessions and keynote presentations focused on the opportunities and challenges, as well as look into the future of organic fresh produce. The event concludes with a sold-out exhibition featuring 130 organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors networking with retailers, wholesalers, and buyers from across North America.
What’s more is that the OPS 2018 educational program will feature six sessions this year, ranging from issues related to organic fresh produce. According to a press release, the sessions include:
- “Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy”
- “Organics and the Media – New Landscape of Information”
- “The Organic Supply Chain I & II – Opportunities and Challenges”
- “E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail”
- “Organic Ingredients – Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department”
The educational sessions will be followed by two keynote presentations featuring Dan Buettner, noted journalist, and discoverer of Blue Zones; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands.
Up next is the big conclusion: the Retailer Roundtable. Featuring panelists Roger Harkrider, Director of Produce for Meijer; Ron McCormick, Senior Director of Global Produce Sourcing at Wal Mart Stores, Inc; and Randy Riley, Director of Produce Merchandising for Kroger; and with OPN Co-Founder Tonya Antle as moderator, this is definitely one of the most anticipated events at OPS 2018. The Retailer Roundtable will highlight how each retailer incorporates organic fresh produce in their operations, as well as their analysis on the challenges, opportunities, and future of the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce industry.
There will be plenty of opportunities to register for OPS—registration for the event will remain open until show dates and same-day on-site registration is also available. Looking more more info? Visit www.organicproducesummit.com.
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Agriculture Committee marked up and voted to pass the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, clearing at 20 to 1.
The United Fresh Association, upon the announcement, applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee, in particular the leadership of Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, for introducing and passing the Act.
“In particular for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, the bill continues and enhances key policy priorities including expanding research and trade resources, increasing access to fresh produce through federal nutrition programs, and providing needed policy and funding on pest and disease exclusion and state block grants. Additionally, new programs that help urban agriculture, greenhouse operations, and focus on mechanization research will only further enhance consumers’ access to healthy and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables,” the Association stated in a press release.
As we reported previously, several ag aspects were addressed, including providing certainty for farmers, ranchers, and growers; investing in the rural community; growing the diversity of the American agricultural economy; and strengthening integrity and food access for families, among other items, all of which can be read about in detail here.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) pledged that the full Senate will vote on the entire 2018 farm bill before the July 4 recess, according to CNBC, having said he's "hopeful the House will get to theirs, but it will probably look a little different than ours."
“[A House vote soon] would give us a chance to get into conference and actually make a law here," said McConnell.
Taking a bipartisan approach in the crafting of their measure, The Senate Agriculture Committee included many provisions important to our industry:
- $80 million in funding for all specialty crops under the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and new prioritization for mechanization projects
- $25 million annually for citrus greening research through the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund
- $4 million annually for a new research initiative focusing on urban agriculture
- Reauthorization of the Office of Pest Management Policy
- Full $85 million in funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) with $5 million set aside for multi-state programs to be administered through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is maintained as a FRESH only program
- An increase to $50 million in mandatory funding for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI)
- Full funding for trade programs such as the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (TASC)
- A new Harvesting Health Pilot Program that provides a “produce prescription” to those who may be suffering from diet-related conditions
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, where United Fresh serves on the leadership team, made up of more than 120 member organizations, has been amongst the leading groups managing the Farm Bill debate since the 2008 Farm Bill.
RALEIGH, NC - “The Triangle” has gotten a little too hot for retail giant Kroger, it seems. The company announced it will be closing and selling all 14 of its store locations in the Raleigh-Durham citing fierce competition and oversaturation.
"After a thorough evaluation of the market for a significant time period, we have decided to close our stores in the highly competitive Raleigh-Durham market," said Jerry Clontz, Mid-Atlantic Division President. "While we have had some success, we have not been able to grow our business the way we would like in this market."
Food Lion will take over the lease for at least one store, Harris Teeter—a subsidiary of Kroger, will purchase eight stores, and Crunch Fitness will also purchase one. The remaining stores are still up for grabs for now, according to the Raley Patch.
“The retail environment is challenging and changing in Raleigh-Durham,” Clontz continued in a press release. “Many retail analysts say the Raleigh-Durham market is over-stored.”
More than 1,500 employees, the majority of which are part-time, will be affected by the store closures, the Patch reported. Clontz said Kroger will be offering job fairs, job placement services, and employee assistance programs to associates to help ease their transitions.
“We’re making every effort to assist our associates in finding employment,” Clontz explained.
The complete list of stores affected by Kroger’s decision is as follows:
- 202 W. NC Hwy 54, Durham
- 3457 Hillsborough Rd., Durham
- 5116 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham
- 1273 N.W. Maynard Rd., Cary
- 8345 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh
- 940 US Hwy 64, Apex
- 1802 North Point Dr., Durham
- 1371 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina
- 6300 Creedmoor Rd., Ste. 150, Raleigh
- 7905 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
- 2680 Timber Drive, Garner
- 350 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
- 3420 Southwest Durham Drive, Durham
- 3825 S. Roxboro St., Ste. 101, Durham
In total, Kroger’s Roanoke, Virginia-based Mid-Atlantic has 122 stores in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.