SAN ANTONIO, TX - With a massive $130 million investment in the company’s backyard, H-E-B is reportedly planning to build the largest distribution center in the company’s history—a 1-million-square-foot facility.
According to a report from the San Antonio Express-News, the project is expected to create 300 new jobs and cost the retailer more than $130 million over the course of three years.
“Our company continues to grow in all of our markets…This particular location allows us great access to serve all of our markets along the corridor,” Dya Campos, H-E-B's Director of Public Affairs, San Antonio/West, told the Express-News, noting that H-E-B no longer had room to expand its preexisting San Antonio distribution and manufacturing facilities—located on a 70-acre plot along Interstate 35.
H-E-B’s new facility will be located on an 871-acre plot on San Antonio’s East Side.
On May 17th, the San Antonio City Council will reportedly vote on whether or not to waive up to $1 million in city development fees and up to $500,000 in SAWS water and sewer impact fees for the site. Over the course of the next decade, the city expects to accrue $8 million in tax revenue from the new development, with $20 million expected to go to surrounding taxing jurisdictions during that same period.
Will the retailer’s massive investment pay big dividends in terms of growth in the important Texas market? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
DELANO, CA - It’s that time again when retailers look to the coveted California table grape industry to bring a premium product to the fresh produce department that drives traffic, excitement, and sales through summer and into the fall. At the top of its table grape game is Castle Rock Vineyards, with harvest kicking off in Coachella, California, in late May.
“This year we are anticipating outstanding quality and great tasting fruit for our retail partners,” Sales Manager Laura Berryessa, tells me. “Our program in Coachella will run through July 4th if Mother Nature cooperates. Growing conditions have been very good and we will have enough volume to meet our customers’ needs as demand continues to grow for our program.”
Castle Rock packs its table grapes in bulk as well as in clamshells, beginning with Flames and Sugraones, which will be followed by popular varieties that include Summer Royal and Sweet Celebration grapes.
“For our Sweet Celebration grapes, we will have larger volumes this season, making it an ideal year for retailers to showcase the revered variety,” Laura says. “While Coachella is a small window for us, we know that once California table grapes are available, retailers will jump at the chance to stock them. This region allows us to bring them an in-demand produce item, just as summer gets underway.”
Next up after Castle Rock wraps at its Coachella ranches? Arvin. The company will then move north through the state’s Central Valley, supplying retailers with a premium grape experience through December.
“The goal for us is always the same, wherever we are growing: pack the best quality grapes we can, cultivate a great tasting product, and service our customers at the highest level,” Laura shares with me.
After all, it’s all about the flavor!
SELAH, WA - Rainier Fruit is the Boston Marathon’s "Official Apple" three years running! (See what we did there?) Providing over 100,000 apples to this year’s historically challenging marathon—cold temps, heavy rains, and windy conditions made the run even more difficult than usual—Rainier Fruit was happy to provide nourishment for runners, guests, and fans alike.
"There’s nothing quite like the Boston Marathon," remarked Andy Tudor, VP of Business Development, in a press release. "Even in an epic downpour, the city still comes alive with energy surrounding the marathon. People gear up and come out to support the runners—spending hours outside to cheer for strangers. It’s a really wonderful demonstration of community, and we’re happy to play a part in it."
Rainier Fruit set up tents at the finish line in downtown Boston and the Newton Fire Station past mile seventeen. At these tents, the Rainier’s team distributed apples, as well as t-shirts and towels emblazoned with Rainier’s "Wholesome to the Core" message.
"Finding the strength to push through this year’s challenging weather is not only impressive; it’s what we mean when we say "Wholesome to the Core,'" Tudor explained. "At Rainier Fruit we want to support people as they cultivate the best in themselves, pushing harder and overcoming obstacles. It’s pretty amazing what the human spirit can accomplish, and farming has given us great appreciation for the often herculean tasks of forging ahead when Mother Nature is unkind."
Over the past several years, Rainier Fruit has practiced what they preach in regards to its "Wholesome to the Core" message. By promoting community engagement, the company noted that they support events that encourage healthy, active lifestyles. Rainier stated that its work with marathons across the country, as well as Wanderlust yoga events, has transformed the company into an active lifestyle brand.
Continuing in the tradition of "Wholesome to the Core," Rainier Fruit partnered with Whole Foods Boston to support One Boston Day, in which the company helped raise over $4,000 for the Last Call Foundation of Boston. In addition to the Whole Foods partnership, Rainier partnered with the Newton Firefighters Children’s Fund.
Not only was Rainier’s apple the official apple of the Boston Marathon, the company headed a team of 6 runners—not including its partnership with Newton Fire Department, which gave the company another 10 runners. Rainier is proud to say that all team members finished the race!
Congratulations to Rainier! And for more industry news, keep with us at AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK, NY - Chrissy Teigen is a woman after my own heart: a hardcore cooking and eating machine. And, ever a queen for the people, Teigen is partnering with Blue Apron so that cooking and eating machines (like me) everywhere can enjoy a few of her favorite home-cooked meals à la her first cookbook Cravings, Blue Apron style.
“It’s no surprise to anyone that I love cooking at home. I’m constantly experimenting with new recipes and sharing both my hits and my misses!” Teigen said. “I am excited to partner with Blue Apron to share some of my favorite recipes directly with my fans, followers, and home cooks, making it easy and convenient for them to cook with me in their home kitchens.”
After collaborating with Blue Apron’s culinary team, Teigen adapted her recipes exclusively for the meal kit company, with some recipes offering a sneak peek at what’s to come in her second cookbook, Cravings 2, which won’t hit stores until September.
“Chrissy’s love for food is absolutely infectious. She has established herself as an authentic and trusted culinary authority,” said Christine Fu, Head of Partnerships for Blue Apron. “This partnership is a natural fit for Blue Apron, namely because we share Chrissy’s passion for addictive, incredible, and unforgettable recipes. We are so excited to bring Chrissy’s recipes to our menus this summer, so that home cooks across the country can enjoy her original creations.”
Starting June 4th, one Chrissy Teigen recipe will launch each week and, according to a company press release, will include mouth-watering recipes like:
- Garlic & Soy-Glazed Shrimp with Charred Broccoli & Hot Green Pepper Sauce
- Sesame Chicken Noodles with Bok Choy
- Chinese Chicken Salad with Crispy Wontons
- Chicken Lettuce Cups with Sweet Peppers, Mushrooms, & Jasmine Rice
- Chipotle-Lime Chicken Fajitas with Mushrooms, Monterey Jack, & Crema
- Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches with Pickled Cucumbers & Carrots
This star-studded partnership is part of Blue Apron’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate its place in consumer shopping carts, and comes weeks after also announcing it will be heading into brick and mortar thanks to a partnership with Costco.
Will Blue Apron’s latest partnership help the company return to its former glory? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.
CHINA - Warehouse store giant Costco has introduced plans to enter a more-than-billion consumer market. The retailer will open its first stores in China over the next two years.
According to a report by Inside Retail Asia, Costco plans to open its first physical store in Shanghai’s Minhang district next year—with a second store planned for Pudong, set to open in 2021.
The U.S.-based retailer has also, according to local news sources, signed an agreement with state-owned Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao Group to set up a new Chinese headquarters in Kangqiao, in Shanghai’s Pudong district.
Costco has been selling branded products in China through Alibaba’s Tmall e-commerce platform since 2014. Though international retailers like Tesco and Lotte have scaled back their investments in the region because of “market barriers and disappointing sales,” Inside Retail Asia reports, Costco is apparently diving into the market without trepidation.
For more on this and other important retail news, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
BOISE, ID - Albertsons is returning to its roots as it lays out and implements moves to invest back in its home state. With five new stores to be opened in the region, including remodels that will showcase a fresher focus, such as an expanded salad bar, new cold cases and check stands, and a revamp of its dairy section, the retailer is spicing things up in Idaho.
“Since 2013, we have made investment in the Treasure Valley a top priority and have remodeled all of our Albertsons stores here to ensure our customers have an exceptional and modern shopping experience,” Kathy Holland of the retailer’s Intermountain Division told Idaho Statesman of the plan.
A single remodel will cost Albertsons upwards of $230,000, and in addition to the features listed above, will include a new Starbucks kiosk and floor tiles for the store.
Albertsons will also debut its first Idaho Market Street banner, remodeling a 100,000-square-foot former Shopko that will be unveiled with an emphasis on fresh products, according to the news source, and should open this fall. The retailer is also replacing a recently-demolished store with a new building set to open in June, featuring an in-store dining and a tap room and spanning 63,000-square-feet.
Additional new stores for the state include:
- A 50,000-square-foot store issued by the city of Boise last month
- A new store to be built on a 12-acre parcel in Ada County
- A new store to be built on an 11-acre parcel in Barber Valley
- A new store in south Meridian with no size provided
The two stores already set to open will employ 400 to 500 workers, Holland noted, and while there is no open date yet planned for the other new locations, Albertsons plans to hire 300 to 500 workers when they are up and running.
AndNowUKnow will report further moves from Albertsons and other retail expansions that could influence the produce industry.
DEWITT, MI - While this time last year we consumers were enjoying fresh Michigan asparagus, this year, due to unseasonably cool spring temperatures and late season snowfall, harvesting on asparagus in the Southern region of Michigan began just this week—one of the latest asparagus season starts in memory. To make up for the late season start, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board has bolstered marketing efforts to keep asparagus top of mind.
“We may have a delayed start, but most grower shippers are on schedule to harvest and deliver similar volume to last season,” John Bakker, Executive Director, said. “The biggest difference will be that the buildup of volume will not happen slowly over a couple of weeks but come on quickly between the week of May 13th until it reaches promotable volumes beginning the week of May 20th and continuing throughout the season.”
According to a press release, the cooler spring has given growers in West Central Michigan plenty of time for seasonal field work like mowing, weeding, and fertilizer applications, as they gear up for the May 13th start date. The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board also noted that pricing and quality will not be affected by the late season start thanks to the marketing programs currently underway to prime consumers for the start of the season.
This year, the advisory board formed partnerships with 55 online food bloggers—an increase from last year’s 38—as well as upped the ante by adding new blogger events.
During the week of April 30th-May 5th, #BrunchWeek started the asparagus frenzy off, increasing consumer engagement from a variety of social platforms. Designed to get consumers back to thinking about this favorite taste of summer and to alert them when to look for Michigan asparagus in stores, the #BrunchWeek event included more than 30 online influencers sharing their favorite brunch recipes that feature asparagus.
And later this month, starting May 21st, the advisory board is keeping the party rolling with #BBQWeek, a new event that will highlight interesting preparations of asparagus for backyard barbecues as a lead-up to Memorial Day.
Not to mention, consumers can connect and engage with the board on social media and enter to win weekly nationwide flash giveaways for $50, blogger events for $100, and the board’s season-long giveaway of over $2,000 in cash prizes including a $1000 grand prize.
With quality and volume expected to be high this year, the 120 family farmers that produce the majority of Michigan’s asparagus are looking forward to a great season and continuing their commitment to seasonally fresh, U.S.-grown, local, and sustainable Michigan asparagus perfect for the spring and summer months.
For more of the latest happenings in the growing fields, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
BRUNEI - Though it may be known for beefy burgers, McDonald’s is introducing new menu options that bring fresh fruit to the fore.
A conveniently portable take on the traditional Malaysian dish Nasi Lemak, McDonald’s new Nasi Lemak Burger comes complete with a coconut-flavored chicken fillet, a special sambal sauce, a fried egg, caramelized onions, and fresh cucumber—all on a chili bun.
And, if the savory, sweet, and spicy dish is too much heat, the company has introduced cool and fruit new desserts to placate the palate. With a new Banana Sundae—soft serve topped with a banana-based sauce—and Banana McFlurry—a banana and chocolate flavored take on the company’s signature dessert—McDonald’s is providing sweet relief to ease that sambal sauce heat.
These new menu items are currently exclusive to the company’s Brunei locations, but with fresh food trending in the U.S. and palate-expanding international items making their way onto menus across the country, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw U.S. versions soon enough.
For more on fresh fruit and veggies, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
FOWLER, CA - Bee Sweet Citrus hosted its first annual mammogram event for its employees last week. Coordinating with United Health Centers (UHC), Life Saving Images, and Susan G. Komen’s Central Valley, the citrus company wanted to continue its social sustainability outreach by ensuring the health of its employees.
“The health of our employees is incredibly important to the Bee Sweet Citrus team,” said Human Resources Manager Jasmine Reynozo, in a press release. “We want to provide them with services that aid their well-being and shed light on the importance of preventative health care practices.”
Mammograms can detect breast cancer in its early stages, when the chances of recovery are high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is commonly found in women 50 years or older, but can affect younger women.
In fact, 11 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States are in women younger than 45 years of age.
“Prevention is key to tackling life-threatening diseases,” said Life Saving Images CEO Jim Dury. “I have three family members that have breast cancer; all later-stage cases that could have possibly been detected early on.”
Events like Bee Sweet Citrus’ give women access to a service they might otherwise be unable to get, noted the company.
“Many women choose not to schedule a visit with their doctor because they are either too busy or too scared to do so,” said Victor Gonzalez, United Health Centers Enrollment Specialist Supervisor. “These events give them the opportunity to find out what’s going on without interfering with their schedule and can also allow them to talk to a healthcare professional about any questions they may have.”
For the latest in fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
VANCOUVER, BC - As soon as the weather heats up, almost nothing can satiate my cravings for juicy fruit like fresh cherries. Domex Superfresh Growers® is gearing up for another season full of the summertime must-have item.
I stole a moment from Paul Newstead, Director of Business Development, who offered me some insight into the company’s cherry season.
“We’re thinking it’s going to be around a 20-22 million box crop, which really allows the retailers to promote pretty much every week they can with...heavy emphasis on July this year,” he tells me.
Good news for customers: the company’s crop offers excellent quality, size, and volume this year, with a start date for cherries set for the 7th or 8th of June, he shares.
The company is featuring its Two-Bite Cherries™ bag this year, showcasing its premium cherries for consumers to see through the translucent packaging.
Quality, size, hardness, sugars—it’s all there, Paul tells me, and his descriptions have me dreaming of breezy evenings in a hammock with nothing but a bowl of crisp cherries on my mind.
Check out the video exclusive above to hear the whole inside scoop on Domex Superfresh Growers’ cherry happenings.
Check back with us at AndNowUKnow for more industry exclusives and fresh produce news.