BOONE, IA - This May, Fareway Stores is celebrating its 80th year in business by refreshing its look with the addition of the words grocery and meat in solid red lettering to its logo. The grocer is also jumping on the meal kit bandwagon and remodeling its stores as it looks ahead to another 80 years of evolving with grocery excellence.
“While this new design focuses on Fareway’s strengths, it also symbolizes a fresh perspective," said CEO Reynolds W. Cramer, in a press release. "As part of this effort, we’re committed to refreshing your Fareway experience. Customers have already seen architectural and in-store fixture changes, which will continue to other locations. Once inside the store, customers will see our focus to raise the bar within our produce departments and to refresh categories to include items customers are seeking—whether trendy or staples. We will also be adding meal kits and prepared meal options in our stores.”
Fareway is also adding a new shield of quality icon to fresh products that are high in quality and value throughout its stores.
“We know who we are at Fareway. We are evolving our brand to better tell our story and to meet the needs of our customers going forward,” Cramer continued.
To celebrate this milestone, Fareway is also launching a series of weekly in-store promotions and a series of throwback Thursday pricing specials running throughout the month of May.
Congratulations, Fareway Stores, on 80 years, and here’s to 80 more! For more of the latest in retail, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - On the heels of Big Day of Giving, The Produce Moms™ (TPM) joined forces with #GiveHealthy™ to sponsor a #GiveHealthy drive. This drive was launched at Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) Innovating a Healthier Future Summit, held May 2-4 in Washington DC. All donations will benefit Brighter Bites, and all attendees were encouraged to donate to the campaign by texting GIVEHEALTHY to 554-98.
“We love how the #GiveHealthy movement has redefined the traditional canned food drive into one where people can donate fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy food to food banks,” said Lori Taylor, Founder of TPM, in a press release. “It’s a perfect pairing for us to designate Brighter Bites as the beneficiary of TPM’s #GiveHealthy drive since Brighter Bites is also on the forefront of redefining how food is donated and distributed in our communities.”
Partnering with like-minded organizations, TPM hopes to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and veggies. TPM noted that Brighter Bites and #GiveHealthy’s strong presence at the summit provided the perfect platform for TPM’s #GiveHealthy drive launch.
“There truly is strength in numbers and an integrated campaign like the one we are launching with #GiveHealthy and Brighter Bites amplifies the goal of all three of our organizations,” Lori explained.
For the latest news on events, programs, and drives, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CORAL GABLES, FL - On the heels of its acquisition of Mann Packing, Fresh Del Monte Produce is already reaping the rewards. Net sales for the first quarter of 2018 were $1.1 billion, compared with $1.03 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The increase in net sales was the result of higher net sales in Del Monte's other fresh produce and banana business segments, partially offset by lower net sales in the company's prepared food business segment.
“Our growth during the first quarter is a testament to our initiatives to strengthen the foundation of our company through diversification to become the world’s leading supplier of healthful, wholesome and convenient fresh and value-added food and beverages,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. “The acquisition of Mann Packing already contributed robust one-month sales growth and profitability in the value-added product line without the implementation of any synergies. Our avocado product line also showed strong results. These are two good examples of our continued commitment to executing our diversification strategy.”
Fresh Del Monte Produce reported its financial results for the first quarter ending March 30, 2018, which showed the following highlights:
- First quarter of 2018: earnings per diluted share of $0.85, compared to $0.90 per share at the same time the previous year
- Gross profit for first quarter of 2018: $106.5 million, compared to $99.1 million last year
- Operating income for first quarter of 2018: $56.5 million, compared to $53.9 million last year
- Comparable operating income for first quarter of 2018: $57.9 million, compared to $51.2 million last year
- Net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $41.5 million, compared to $46.4 million the previous year
- Comparable net income for the first quarter of 2018 was $42.9 million, compared to $43.7 million last year
“We did face a series of external headwinds brought on by unfavorable weather and logistical challenges that hindered our progress. We remain resolute and enthusiastic about future opportunities, especially in our value-added products, with several exciting new direct to consumer ventures and innovative products to emerge during the coming months to further drive diversification,” stated Abu-Ghazaleh.
With this recent acquisition, Fresh Del Monte Produce’s numbers have nowhere to go but up!
For more produce news, be sure to keep following AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has entered into a settlement agreement with Ionian Food Imports Inc., Stamford, Connecticut, for allegedly operating without a valid and effective license under the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act (PACA). Ionian Food Imports Inc. has complied with the terms of a settlement agreement alleging that the company violated section 3(a) of the PACA for conducting business operations subject to the PACA without a valid and effective license during the period of May 2016 to May 2017. The agreement resulted in a civil penalty of $11,000.
According to a press release, the parties entered into a consent decree on April 17, 2018, wherein it was agreed that PACA would issue a new license to Ionian Food Imports Inc. upon application, and that the agreement would settle and relinquish those civil claims for violations under PACA that relate to alleged previous operations without a license.
Ionian Food Imports Inc. paid the civil penalty and applied for a new PACA license, which was issued on April 24, 2018. The company is now operating with a valid and effective PACA license.
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.
COALDALE, AB - While CPMA is now but a fond memory, the team at The Star Group is still celebrating its CPMA Best New Product win for its “Inspired Salads” line! In response to consumer demand for a tasty and convenient product, The Star Group’s “Inspired Salads” line is gaining attention left and right for being designed around familiar salads and favorite meals.
“Our greens are so clean you probably don’t need to wash them, but we will,” said David Karwacki, CEO. “The lettuce is grown without the use of pesticides and is never touched by human hands until it is harvested. We have set out to grow the cleanest lettuce possible and are excited that it will now be a component of our award-winning ‘Inspired Salads.’”
Projected to launch August of 2018, The Star Group’s “Inspired Salads” line is packed with top-quality, local ingredients that are a culmination of the company’s partnership with some of the best in the industry. Set to be available in two pricing tiers, according to a press release, “Inspired Salads” are sure to wow with every bite, with plant-based pulse options and sous vide protein, in particular, offering a variety of taste and dietary options to grocery shoppers everywhere.
While the “Inspired Salads” won’t be out until autumn, The Star Group has been taking the salad category up a notch for the last year with a few of its other offerings, like its line of whole head “Inspired Greens” lettuce, which includes Batavia, Oak, Butter, and Crispy. And thanks to the success of “Inspired Greens,” the company recently launched “Inspired Leaves” to build on the demand of whole head lettuce. Available in 142g and 284g packs, the “Inspired Leaves” line offers varieties like Canadian Reds, Crispies & Crunchies, Tender Leaf Blend, Butter Blend, Greenhouse Greens, Multileaf Blend, Lettuce Wrap Leaves, and Burger & Sandwich Leaves.
“Awards are nice, but we want to execute day in and day out with ‘Inspired Greens,’ ‘Inspired Leaves,’ and ‘Inspired Salads,’” Karwacki continued. “This is a game-changing line that we know consumers are going to love.”
Congratulations to The Star Group on its latest win! For more companies reaping rewards for their hard work, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
PHOENIX, AZ - Sprouts Farmers Market has ended its Prime Now delivery partnership with Amazon.com as of the first of May and cut its full year sales targets, which resulted in the grocer’s stocks falling by almost 12 percent, according to Reuters.
“The transition will impact comps for the next several quarters, but we remain very confident about growing our home delivery business as it brings a unique health and value proposition to our customers,” Chief Executive Amin Maredia said on a conference call with investors.
This move follows the company’s January announcement that it began offering home delivery through Instacart, as the news source also reported. That move allowed Sprouts to expand its home delivery beyond the eight cities to which it delivered with Amazon and to add more zip codes, beginning with select regions Phoenix and Tuscon, Arizona.
In addition to this shift on the delivery side, the company also cut its full year sales forecasts, according to a press release from the company.
Some financial results from Q1 2018 include the following:
- Net sales growth was cut from 11.5-12.5 percent to 10.5-11.5 percent
- Unit growth remained the same at approximately 30 stores
- Comparable store sales growth was cut from 2.5-3.5 percent down to 1.5 to 2.5 percent
- Diluted earnings per share remained the same at $1.22-$1.28
- Effective tax rate remained the same at 19-20 percent
- Capital expenditures (net of landlord reimbursements) remained the same at $165M-$170M
In a separate conference call with investors, Maredia stated, “For the first quarter, sales increased by 14 percent; new store productivity was in the low-80s, above our historical average; and we grew EBITDA by 12 percent, all resulting in solid cash flow generation. Despite tightness in produce supply and slight deflation, we achieved EPS of $0.50, which beat our internal expectations for the quarter, driven by higher gross margin and labor productivity improvements. For the first quarter, sales rose to $1.3 billion with strong performance in new stores, a comp of 2.7 percent, and continued positive traffic. Our private label initiative optimizing our promotions with BI tools and products that are more relevant to our customers are driving comps and adding to the full shopping experience that our customers embrace at Sprouts.”
To follow this and more shift in the rapidly evolving grocery market, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
OVEIDO, FL - Chef Todd Fisher, culinary ambassador to Duda Farm Fresh Foods, achieved a 26-year old dream by cooking at the James Beard House this past March. After this success, Fisher and his team went on to recreate their own James Beard House experience on the Monterey Peninsula. With the help of The James Beard Foundation Experience, Fisher cooked for a sold out, one-night-only event at Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse, where he serves as Executive Chef.
“It was an absolute honor to be chosen to cook at the James Beard House, as I have dreamt of this since I started my professional career and I could not be more thrilled to share this experience with others back home in Monterey,” said Chef Todd Fisher in a press release. “Since day one, Duda Farm Fresh Foods has supported me in my belief of bringing high-quality, fresh produce to people’s plates, and I could not be more grateful for their support.”
Not only does Duda Farm Fresh Foods utilize key influencers like Chef Todd Fisher to alter people’s perception around fresh products, it offers educational resources, such as tips and recipe inspiration to consumers.
“We enjoy having Chef Todd represent the Dandy® brand and identify him as a key player to help us evolve consumer perceptions,” said Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing. “He is a pivotal part of our team, and his culinary perspective bolsters our efforts to inspire people to eat more fresh produce.”
The company also noted, in a press release, that it is proud of Chef Todd and all that he has achieved so far in his profession. As the company continues to inspire people with chef tips and recipe inspiration, be on the lookout for more of Duda’s fresh take on food.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL - Produce for Kids has introduced its latest project, The Healthy Family Project by Produce for Kids podcast, which hopes to reach out to families in new, informative ways. Launching early June, the podcast will feature content ranging from healthy eating, physical activity and mental health, as well as expert knowledge from Produce for Kids’ blog contributors.
“With more than 300 blog posts on produceforkids.com and a panel of 12 dedicated expert blog contributors, it only made sense to take this content and bring it to life in audio form,” said Amanda Keefer, Director of Marketing Communications. “Our audience is evolving, and we intend to do the same, providing them with the information they need in the way they are choosing to receive it.”
According to the Nielsen Q3 2017 study, 50 percent of U.S. homes listen to podcasts. That’s more than 60 million homes! Half consider themselves fans of at least one podcast, and nearly a quarter call themselves “avid” podcast fans. Due to these promising numbers, Produce for Kids said in a press release that the podcast is just one part of Produce for Kids' concentrated effort to grow its digital marketing efforts.
SACRAMENTO, CA - "Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright..." or, rather, better than alright... for the two winners in our recent Quiz Quix opportunity. Zespri® SunGold Kiwifruit has made a splash—it was a tight race, but two winners came out victors.
The buy-side winner, Kimberly Chan with 99 Cents Only, is going home with $100 cash, thanks to her acute attention to detail and quick-to-the-right-answer clicks.
"I was happy enough to learn more about kiwis, and what made it more fun was getting rewarded," Kimberly shared with me.
Supply-side winner Sandy Eason of Calavo is also walking out of Thursday with the prize. Her expertise in the industry has come in handy when noting what details to pay attention to, providing her with the know-how to quickly best her competition.
Check out who came in the top spots in the leaderboard below to see the stiff competition for this Zespri quiz and maybe those you enter in the future…
It’s not always easy when the pressure is on, as we all know. So, what question stumped most quiz takers? Let’s take a look…
Most missed Question:
When you’re looking to cater to your retail location’s consumers, who ya gunna call?
Correct Answer:
Market Development Managers, who you can reach out to here: http://www.zesprikiwi.com/
There are more opportunities to jump on the prize-winning train if you missed out on this Zespri quiz. You can take this one to practice your quickness for the next round of quiz wiz fun by checking out the link below, or you can subscribe, if you’re not already, to stay in-the-know on our next quiz opportunity—just click the link here.
Zespri® SunGold Kiwifruit Quiz Quix
Sign in through your email or one of several social media accounts to hop on the next Quiz Quix, and, if you are fast enough and take the right notes, you might end up as the next winner of $100!
Quiz Quix is our way of encouraging some healthy, fun, informative competition within the industry. Signing in will give us a token to verify you and allows us to put your name in the ranking. It doesn’t give us access to more than your name and email address. Participants must have a valid email address registered in their individual name in order to play.
Congratulations to both Kimberly and Sandy on your win—will you be next?
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against Valley Produce Corp.
According to a press release, the company, operating from Georgia, allegedly failed to make payment to 19 produce sellers in the amount of $873,986 from August 2016 through October 2017.
Valley Produce Corp. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
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.