VANCOUVER, BC - Two produce marketing veterans have been promoted to newly created leadership roles within Oppy’s marketing team. Former Marketing Development Manager Cathie MacDonald will be taking on the role of Director of Marketing Services, while former Marketing Communications Manager, Karin Gardner, will be taking on Director, Corporate Communications.

“Cathie and Karin have contributed significantly toward our goals with a unique blend of thoughtfulness and passion for more than 25 years apiece,” said Vice President of Marketing James Milne. “Few have worked harder behind-the-scenes, driven by a belief in what we do and perseverance that yielded remarkable results. Their complementary expertise has helped Oppy evolve to become the full-service marketing company we are today.”

In 1991, in Vancouver, MacDonald began her career as the Marketing Coordinator for ENZA Fresh, Inc., which was absorbed by Oppy in 1997, leading MacDonald to become the company’s Trade Relations Manager. Since then, MacDonald has served in a variety of marketing roles, including Promotions Manager—Marketing, Packaging and Marketing Development Manager, and Creative Services and Marketing Development Manager. Over the course of her time with Oppy, MacDonald has contributed to and managed a creative service team tasked with building and executing Oppy’s dive into new areas like brand development, packaging, and design.

“Cathie has consistently been our go-to leader as we’ve branched out into new marketing disciplines. And she always comes through with unique and practical solutions. We’re looking forward to enabling Cathie to drive our strategic focus on innovation in her new position,” Milne said. “Karin combines the craft of good writing with her love of the produce industry to shine the spotlight on Oppy and our brands and products. Using various media, she has shaped our narrative for more than two decades, elevating our profile and striving tirelessly to create a consistent presence for Oppy and our grower family.”

In 1992, Gardner joined the Oppy team as a Public Relations Assistant after graduating from the University of Washington with a journalism degree. In 1998, she was promoted to Communications Manager, and then went on to serve in various marketing positions. Outside of Oppy, Gardner is active with United Fresh and the Produce for Better Health Foundation, as well as served as the PBH Marketing Communications Committee Chair in 2008-2009.

“As Karin, Cathie, and I sat around the same table many years ago to craft, alongside an agency partner, the Oppy brand promise of expect the world from us, I am delighted to say these promotions couldn’t go to two more deserving people who live this pledge each and every day,” Milne concluded.

Gardner's new role will complement MacDonald's as she leads Oppy’s internal and external communications initiatives and execution of related strategies to complement. According to a press release, Gardner will also lead the strategic aspects of marketing communications, focusing the team’s results with a blend of traditional and new media, while also linking more deeply with the communications priorities of the executive team.

Congratulations to Cathie and Karin on their new roles!

Oppy

WASHINGTON, DC - Penick Produce Company Inc., operating out of Vardaman, Mississippi, has posted a $75,000 cash surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to a press release, the company posted the bond to obtain a license to operate in the produce industry.

Under the regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), the company was required to post the bond following its prior involvement in bankruptcy.

USDA will hold the bond for three years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct business according to PACA rules.

The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

OVIEDO, FL -  Can you imagine the days when we couldn’t simply get citrus whenever we wanted? It seems like a nightmare. Although those days are far behind us, Duda Farm Fresh Foods is here to ensure we won’t have to experience a citrus-less life. The company announced that it has entered into its 16th summer of bringing imported citrus into the United States. Duda is also testing new easy peeler varieties to add to its line of Dandy® branded citrus products.

“Our imported citrus program is something which we have worked hard to maintain over the years,” said Dan Duda, President, in a company press release. “Providing consistent, high-quality citrus offerings to our customers is one of our main priorities. We are proud to have a dedicated team of employees who have strong grower partnerships which deliver first class citrus solutions.”

After the U.S. markets are out of the citrus growing season, imported citrus enters the U.S. starting in early May. According to Duda, the southern hemisphere experienced optimal pre-season weather, meaning the fruit is expected to have good sugar levels, great eating quality, and an increase in volume.

To ensure consumers receive excellent tasting fruit, Duda maintains its long-lasting relationships in the southern hemisphere to provide richer flavors and consistent quality. For the past 16 seasons, the company has primarily sourced fruit from Chile, Uruguay, and Peru and looks to continue bringing high-quality products to the United States from these growing regions.

“As consumer demand increases, we will continue to fill that demand with high-quality products that we know our established imported program can deliver,” said Alberto Cuellar, Vice President of Global Business. “We look forward to the opportunity to take care of our customer needs with favorable weather conditions, quality citrus, and increased volumes moving forward.”

The Cara Caras join the citrus line-up of easy peelers—which already includes clementines and mandarins. Navels and lemons sold under the Dandy® label are available now through late October.

Want to stay in-the-know about the latest news in citrus and other fresh produce? Keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods

LOUISVILLE, KY - Kroger has responded to the current minefield of grocery battles with full-blown price cuts of its own. Even the typically pricey blueberry is included in the cut, along with bananas and grapes. The retailer’s Louisville Division, which covers 116 stores in Kentucky, southern Indiana, and southern Illinois, is the first to implement the new price cut campaign, dubbed REFRESH, to thousands of its items over 2018.

“Savvy shoppers know there’s a grocery war going on,” Louisville Division President Ann Reed said. “Kroger is priced right as we do what’s right and take care of our customers. Kroger is a great place to shop where you find friendly service, food inspiration, and amazing value. That’s why Kroger has been serving Kentucky and nearby states for 90 years.”

According to a press release, the following are just some of the items we’ll see discounts on in Kroger stores soon:

• Grapes
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Lettuce
• Eggs
• Bread
• Heritage Farm-brand chicken
• American cheese
• Yogurt
• Creamer
• Biscuits
• Crackers
• Butter
• Milk
• Peanut Butter
• Macaroni & cheese

“Each week, we are watching how the competition lowers prices and we are determined that your Kroger offers you the best value in the marketplace,” added Vice President of Merchandising Scott Caro. “Say hello to lower prices every day in every aisle.”

Kroger will be highlighting its lower prices using yellow, giant-size REFRESH wrap ads covering every store’s front doors and yellow price tags throughout each location. Customers will not need a loyalty card to save on our REFRESH-priced items.

Will these price cuts give Kroger a leg up in the grocery war? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Kroger

BAKERSFIELD, CA - There’s much in the works for Western Veg-Pro as the summer months approach. Dylan Lym joined me to discuss an expanded grape program, including new varietal offerings, as well as updating me on the integration of broader organic strawberry offerings.

“We are now partnering with a third-generation, family-owned grape grower that is adding a premium operation to our existing acreage,” Dylan shares, telling me that the grapes and their label are high-end quality. “These new offerings will be packed under the King Pak label, which is really a premium brand to match the program. This new partner has good ground and high-quality varieties.”

Kicking off the season towards the end of June/first week of July, this bolstered portfolio will bring Western Veg’s grape program to upwards of 11 varieties. Packed under its LBK, El Rancho, and King Pak labels, these include:

• Red Seedless: Flames, Scarlet Royal, Vintage Red, Magenta
• Green Seedless: Sugraone, Valley Pearl, Autumn King, Ivory
• Black Seedless: Summer Royal, Autumn Royal
• Red Seeded: Red Globe

The company is excited to welcome the Ivory variety, a newer green seedless grape Dylan describes as a premium green in color and flavor, to be packed under the King Pak label.

The increase in its grape acreage, both with this new partner and additional ranches, seems to be just the beginning. Dylan tells me that the team is looking to grow its grape portfolio to the extent it has its strawberry program.

On the note of strawberries, Dylan shares that the company is seeing return on its investment in the ever-growing organic sector.

“We’re excited to be kicking off the organic strawberry program we recently added, a category we are looking to continue to expand as we broaden our resources and portfolio,” he tells me. “We’ve increased our acreage in organic strawberries as well, with plans to continue that expansion year-over-year. As it is, shipments this year will be triple what they have been previously as we continue to grow our numbers.”

This is an exciting add-on to the company’s conventional strawberry program, which as we previously reported, has reached year-round supply capabilities.

Western Veg-Pro’s organic strawberries will be packed under its Short and Sweet label. As summer demand approaches for such snackable produce categories, continue to check in with AndNowUKnow for the latest in supply, quality, and more.

Western Veg-Pro

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Giumarra Vineyards recently announced unique PLUs for its ARRA proprietary varieties.

"The addition of unique PLU’s and UPC-A codes on our ARRA branded bags will provide our retail partners with the data needed to better segment the grape category," stated Mimi Corsaro, Vice President of Marketing and Director of Export Sales, in a company press release. "We are excited to offer fresh and flavorful premium varieties that will result in a noticeably larger ring at the register compared to conventional varieties."

The updated PLUs are as follows:

Green Varieties:

• ARRAFIFTEEN – ARRA SWEETIES – 3491
• ARRATHIRTY – ARRA SUGAR DROP – 3504

Red Varieties:

• ARRATWENTYEIGHT – ARRA PASSION PUNCH – 3503
• ARRATWENTYNINE – ARRA PASSION FIRE – 3492

Black Varieties:

• ARRATWENTYSEVEN – ARRA MYSTIC STAR – 3502
• ARRATHIRTYTWO – ARRA MYSTIC DREAM – 3505

To stay up-to-date on the latest news in fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Giumarra Vineyards

SUNBURY, PA - The plant-based revolution has made its way to Weis Markets. The company has announced a new themed health and wellness program, Plant Powered, that tackles educating consumers on how to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into their diets.

If that sounds like a win for the produce industry to you, it is! Customers will now see special signage in-store that identifies foods that support a balanced, plant-powered diet. Foods identified as Plant Powered by the Weis Dietitians include the following:

• Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
• Beans and lentils
• Fruits packed in 100% juice or water
• Vegetables that can be drained and rinsed
• Whole-grain rice
• Pasta
• Cereal
• Bread and specialty grains
• Soy and almond milks
• Healthful oils
• Select nuts and tea

“Our Plant Powered program offers guidance on an eating approach that is more flexible than vegetarianism or veganism, yet may offer many of the same benefits, including lower risk for heart disease and an increased intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and unsaturated fats,” said Lifestyle Initiatives Manager Beth Stark. “According to Nielsen survey data, we know that more than one in three Americans are actively trying to include more plant-based foods in their diets. This program aims to help them understand where to find these foods and how to enjoy them at home.”

The new program works closely with Weis Markets’ registered dietitians, who will also offer simple plant-based swaps in addition to new plant-powered recipes. According to a press release, this initiative is designed to help ease the shift from animal-based to plant-based ingredients in shoppers’ favorite meals, including roasted vegetable tacos and overnight oats with almond milk.

More retailers joining the cause behind increasing produce consumption? Sounds like a win for all to me.

Weis Markets

LOS ANGELES, CA - Meal kit company Chef’d has announced a slew of new retail locations as the category continues to boost its presence in brick and mortar. The company announced it will be available in 30 select Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in the metropolitan New York area, in partnership with Smithfield Foods.

“Since its launch as the only non-subscription meal kit company, Chef’d has been dedicated to providing customers with more quality meal kit offerings in more locations,” said Kyle Ransford, Chef’d CEO. “Through our expansion into New York area Walgreen’s stores in partnership with Smithfield Foods, we are able to extend meal kits to new audiences and occasions.”

This marks Chef’d company’s first drug-store chain retailer, where a selection of its meal kits will now be available for last-minute pickup from refrigerated displays at convenient Walgreens locations. Chef’d meal kits will be available at 28 stores in New York State, including 22 in New York City, one in Forest Hills, one in Yonkers, and four in Brooklyn. They will also be available in two New Jersey locations one in Hoboken and one in Jersey City.

Each Chef’d kit features ready-to-cook pre-portioned ingredients, like fresh herbs, leafy greens, and USDA Choice proteins. According to a press release, in-store Chef’d meal kits are designed for convenience, with total prep-to-plate times of 10 to 30 minutes, and 1-2 pan clean up. In-store meal kits serve two or more and start at $15.99, and meal selections at Walgreens will include:

• 20 Clove Garlic Chicken with Mashed Purple Potatoes and Spinach
• Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice, Raita, and Naan Bread
• Herb Crusted Flank Steak with Roasted Potatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, and Horseradish Cream Sauce

By leveraging Smithfield’s extensive experience at retail and vast distribution network, Chef’d said it now offers quick and easy recipes at more than a dozen retailers in 27 states.

The launch is currently a pilot program in the drug-store chain’s metropolitan locations, and as this and other meal kit companies quickly look to a broader brick and mortar presence it will be interesting to see the sector’s next move.

Chef'd Smithfield Foods