BAKERSFIELD, CA - As soon as the weather hits 80 degrees, barbecue tongs and a picnic blanket never leave my side. And some of my personal must-haves at all outdoor spring and summer gatherings are potatoes—you can’t go wrong with a crisp potato salad—and grapes—for snacking while the main dishes cook on the grill. Since 1972, Mazzei-Franconi has been working with some of the finest growers in the San Joaquin Valley to keep us barbecue-enthusiasts well-stocked with produce staples, potatoes and grapes, and this season is no exception.
I caught up with Tom Franconi to get the inside scoop on Mazzei-Franconi’s upcoming potato and grape seasons.
“We are getting ready to start our new crop for California white, red, and yellow potatoes in Kern County, California,” Tom tells me. “We had a freeze in late February that affected some of our early planted potatoes, but since then, the potatoes have bounced back nicely. Despite starting a little later than usual, we are anticipating a good quality from start to finish.”
Gearing up to kick off the first week of May, Tom is already anticipating leaning into the colored potato market as the company recently increased acreage as a means to grow volumes.
“We are expecting a good market for the upcoming potato season. As the storage states’ supplies start to dry up, we begin to offer new crop to consumers,” Tom explains. “This time of the year, markets are looking for new, fresh potatoes, and we provide that.”
And potatoes aren’t the only Mazzei-Franconi crop with increased acreage. Starting the last week of June in Arvin and Delano, California, the company’s grape crops will have new acreage coming into production now.
“We are able to provide our customers with grapes from start to finish out of California. With some of the earliest grapes in Arvin, we find customers are ready to make the switch to Arvin grapes as soon as we are ready to start,” Tom says. “We are excited about some of our newer varieties, including Ivory, Kryssy, Magenta, and Allison, in good production for the upcoming season.”
Under the Get Fresh and Fresh Pak labels, Mazzei-Franconi packs grapes in a stand-up high graphic bag, in 19 lb cartons and RPCs as well as clamshells. And the company offers potatoes in 50 lb cartons, 10/5lb bags, 16/3lb bags, and bulk totes under the Get Fresh El Diablo Rojo and Bluejay labels.
For more on what's happening crop-side, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
HENRICO COUNTY, VA - Fruit, veggie, or carnage along the interstate? Tousled tomatoes and peppers presented a grisly scene, to be sure, this weekend, after a truck carrying those tomatoes and peppers upended—tumbling thousands of pounds in fresh produce along the side of the highway.
The accident occurred along the side of a ramp on Interstate-295 in Henrico County, Virginia, and a ramp from Interstate-295 north to I-64 east remained closed for hours after the single-car incident as crews worked to clear the crash and its contents.
Virginia State Police told local ABC affiliate WRIC that speed had been a factor in the incident, and the driver and a passenger were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
No word was forthcoming on the contents of the trailer.
For more on tossed tomatoes, wrecked radishes, and accidental salads along the roadside, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
GREENSBORO, NC - A go-to for grocery needs throughout 24 states, The Fresh Market is promoting Rich Durante to Chief Merchandising Officer. In his new role, Durante will oversee the retail chain’s buying activities and develop strategic purchasing plans to take its merchandising practices to the next level, as well as boost product innovation and product quality throughout its locations.
“One of my main priorities as chief merchandising officer is to create programs and initiatives that will further position The Fresh Market as an industry leader in freshness and quality,” said Durante. “I look forward to expanding The Fresh Market’s signature and specialty categories, as well as driving market innovation through our meal solutions.”
This is the next step in Durante’s career at The Fresh Market; he stepped into the role of Executive Vice President of Midwest and Southeast Merchandising for the chain in April of 2017. In that role, he managed merchandising departments and private label programs within the regions, a recent press release explained.
His experience spans over 39 years of food retail—from gourmet to contemporary markets. Prior to joining The Fresh Market, he held the position as Chief Operating Officer for AG Supermarket Holdings—which operates Kings Food Markets, Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market, and Balducci’s On the Go Café. In addition to this role, Durante has experience with responsibilities, such as leading merchandising, operations, marketing, and engineering teams at Kings Super Markets.
“Rich is an experienced food retailer, and his expertise in merchandising and operations is a great asset to our team” said Larry Appel, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Love of food is at the heart of The Fresh Market, and I’m confident that under Rich’s leadership, we will further enhance our product offering and continue to deliver unique, quality items to our guests.”
Congratulations to Rich and the entire The Fresh Market team! We, at AndNowUKnow, look forward to seeing what successes come from this next step and more in the future.
SANTA PAULA, CA - Making #MomLife a thing to relish is Limoneira, with opportunities to celebrate and pamper those who were there for us through the good, the bad, and the ugly (crying face when she said no to candy for dinner). Mother’s Day offers an opportunity to shine a light on the ability citrus has to create powerful self-care products.
Megan Roosevelt, spokesperson for Limoneira, and Elizabeth Shaw, guest collaborator, are offering some tips and tricks on how to really do up the holiday, with a media campaign featuring recipes for tasty bites on Limoneira’s YouTube channel all month long.
Viewers can catch Roosevelt’s and Shaw’s creations all month long here.
In addition to Roosevelt’s and Shaw’s workings, global chefs and mixologists, nutritionists, and beauty lifestyle and green-cleaning experts will all offer their unique perspective, a company press release explains.
Some of the DIY recipes are as follows:
Whipped Lemon Lotion
This is a great post-bath luxury item to complement a relaxing night.
Ingredients:
- 1 Limoneira classic lemon, cut in half
- 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil (optional—any favorite scent will work)
- ½ cup soft coconut oil (not melted, but not rock hard—room temperature)
Directions:
Juice half of the lemon. Whisk ingredients together until you have a fluffy, smooth lotion. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer. Apply and enjoy!
Cucumber Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
This is a refreshing dish that works great with the spring weather.
Ingredients:
- 1 mason jar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar of choice
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp poppy seeds
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 long English cucumber, sliced
Directions:
Add ingredients (except cucumber) to mason jar with secure lid or blender and shake/blend until ingredients emulsify. Pour over cucumber slices and mix so dressing coats slices evenly. Serve with meal of choice—or enjoy by itself!
Roosevelt’s expertise on all things citrus spans throughout this month and beyond, so be sure to check out the company’s YouTube channel for more insight and tips to bring its produce to life in new and exciting ways, improving life one recipe at a time.
For more fresh produce news, keep checking back with us at AndNowUKnow.
IRVINE, CA - The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has a theory: if a restaurant menu item has “California” in the name, it usually means there is avocado in the dish. With this idea in mind, the Commission has created marketing programs centered around “iconic California” recipes as a way to promote California avocados via retail programs.
“We have been actively developing and implementing these programs timed to California avocado peak volume from May through the summer,” said Jan DeLyser, Vice President, Marketing, in a press release. “Key promotion opportunities for California avocados in May include Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day weekend. Promotable volume should continue through Labor Day.”
Featuring popular recipes like the California Burger, California Eggs Benedict, and California Caesar Salad, CAC, in partnership with retailers, developed a series of recipe videos that focus on where California avocados are in distribution. The videos also build on other marketing activities specific to retailers, like in-store radio media, merchandizing programs, supermarket dietitian promotions, and more.
“According to 2016 IRI data, the west and California have the highest household penetration for avocados, at 62.5 percent and 70.6 percent respectively, compared to 52.2 percent for the nation,” said DeLyser. “So, to continue building the California avocado business—and category development—CAC provides California avocado fans with inspiration to go back to retailers and purchase avocados more often.”
In partnership with multiple digital partners, including Food52 and Tasty, CAC also worked with two chef spokespeople—Chef Josiah Citrin of Charcoal Venice and Chef Kevin Meehan of Kali—who created recipes offering new twists on California recipes like Linguine with California Avocado Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes, and Charred California Avocado Salad with Pistachio Gremolata. These recipes and more are featured on CaliforniaAvocado.com, as well as CAC’s consumer media press release and social channels.
For more of the latest marketing strategies leaving a mark on our industry, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
UNITED STATES - New Zealand’s KORU® Apple harvest is in full swing, with shipments having started to arrive in U.S. ports starting April 13. The fruit itself will arrive in markets across the country beginning in May.
“Being a new apple variety, many of the orchards have not yet reached maturity, so you can expect the volume of KORU Apples to increase significantly over the next several years as these orchards come into full production,” said Andy McGrath, Variety Manager. “Also, USA plantings will produce good volumes from 2020, making KORU an all-year-round apple.”
Now coming in on its sixth year in the U.S., here’s what the brand says you can expect out of this year’s KORU Apple crop:
- Amazing taste: Fruit-sugar levels of 13-15 on the Brix scale makes for a naturally sweet KORU Apple.
- Bigger size: 90% of this year’s fruit size is in the 60-80 range, with under 10% in the 100-150 sizes, meaning less bagged snack-sized apples this year and more large apples to cut and share.
- Beautiful color: KORU Apples have a unique orange/red coloring over a yellow background.
- Exceptional quality: KORU Apples are grown and picked to specific grade standards, and some growers have gone that ‘little bit extra’ to clip the stems which means less markings and bruising on the apples as they’re packed and shipped. It’s all done to give consumers the best eating experience, every time.
- Freshness: With a two-hemisphere production, KORU growers provide you with the freshest apple possible.
With consumer feedback like, “This is my new favorite apple!” and “Awesome apples…the best!” consumers sound like they're loving this fruit. Export volumes have been increasing annually, along with production, according to a press release, with this year’s New Zealand crop estimated to reach 180,000 Z-pack equivalents, or about 7.2 million pounds of KORU Apples.
“With good cool nights in growing regions Hawkes Bay and Nelson, the fruit color is exceptional,” said Mike van Workum of Fern Ridge Fresh, New Zealand’s export logistic provider.
New Zealand-grown KORU Apples are picked in March and sold in the States’ markets from May to September, followed by USA-grown KORU Apples picked in October and sold in USA markets from October to April.
“Although KORU Apples store extremely well, the two-hemisphere production means you won’t find a KORU Apple in the markets over six months from its picking date,” McGrath assured consumers.
KORU Apples from New Zealand are sold exclusively in the U.S. by three premier sales organizations: Chelan Fresh in Chelan, WA, Oneonta Starr Ranch in Wenatchee, WA, and New York Apple Sales in Glenmont, NY.
Koru® Apple Chelan Fresh Oneonta Starr Ranch New York Apple Sales
PASADENA, CA - Industry veteran and marketing maven Kate Reeb has made the jump to Cuties® and Mighties™ pioneer Sun Pacific. Reeb will now be the grower-packer-shipper’s Director of Marketing, taking the lead on marketing the aforementioned clementine and kiwifruit brands, as well as Vintage Sweets navel oranges and Air Chief grapes.
“I am beyond excited to join an organization like Sun Pacific, with such recognized and loved brands,” Reeb shared upon taking on the new role. “Their dedication starts with their farming practices and extends to every aspect of exceeding the consumer’s eating experience. Sun Pacific’s commitment to reach, engage, and delight the consumer will be foremost as we plan together with our retail partners to drive sales and meet the demands of the consumer on a variety of platforms.”
Reeb has cultivated a career across many areas of the produce industry over the past 30 years, working with companies such as Veg-Fresh Farms, Coast Produce, and Naked Juice in a variety of marketing, merchandising, and sales roles. Reeb will now be based in Sun Pacific’s Pasadena, California office, according to a press release.
“Kate’s ability to see the whole picture, from grower to consumer, will benefit our retail partners programs as we focus on meeting the evolving consumer demands for the Cuties and Mighties brands,” said Owner and President Barney Evans. “Her enthusiasm, creativity, and knowledge will blend seamlessly with our sales team as we work to drive customers to our retail partners and strengthen our brand preference.”
Congratulations and best wishes to Reeb as she makes this exciting new leap in her career! And for more on major moves within the produce industry, keep following us at AndNowUKnow.
UNITED KINGDOM - After spending almost 20 years with U.K.’s Asda, an original purchase that was for $11.4 billion and included net debt, Walmart is bidding the chain across the pond a fond farewell for £7.3 billion, or $10.1 billion USD.
To whom is the U.S.-based retailer selling its U.K.-based chain, you ask? Sainsbury is picking up Asda to create a market-leading alliance, according to Wall Street Journal.
The deal values Asda at almost $10.1 billion, or about 11 times its operating profits—this is a far cry from when Walmart picked up the retail chain in 1999, when it was running at about 18 times of its operating profits, the news source revealed in another article.
The Wall Street Journal goes on to explain that, with this sale, Walmart will gain almost £3 billion, or $4.14 billion USD, in cash. The remainder of the sale will be a 42 percent stake in the combined company, which was originally worth £4.3 billion when the deal was announced but, by midday Monday, shot up to about £5 billion after Monday’s open and Sainsbury’s stock surged. This deal ties Walmart to the stake for four years, but, after two of those years, it can reduce its stake to just under 30 percent.
The news source relays that Judith McKenna, President and Chief Executive Officer for Walmart International, said that the retailer’s moves outside the States are a result of its “thoughtful” portfolio decisions, “perhaps in a way we haven’t done before.”
"We believe the Combination offers a unique and exciting opportunity that benefits customers and colleagues,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon, according to a press release. “As a company, we’ve benefited from doing business in the U.K. for many years, and we look forward to working closely with Sainsbury’s to deliver the benefits of the combination."
With the newly-combined company, Sainsbury and Asda have found £500 million of cost savings by comparing sourcing books and taking on lower prices for comparable products, the news source shares. The combined company, however, will have to go through a protracted antitrust review.
Walmart’s press release expresses the following benefits of this transaction:
- Creating one of the U.K.’s leading grocery, general merchandise, and clothing retail groups, with combined revenues of c.£51 billion for 2017A
- Enabling investment in areas that will benefit customers the most: price, quality, range, and creating more flexible ways to shop, across Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Argos. It is expected that value will be passed on to customers through significant price reductions
- Maintaining both the Sainsbury’s and Asda brands and enabling them to sharpen their distinct customer propositions and attract new customers
- Offering more opportunities for over 330,000 colleagues at all levels within the enlarged and more resilient group, drawing on the shared values and heritage of both businesses
- Combining a complementary network of more than 2,800 Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Argos stores and several of the UK’s most visited retail websites to create greater choice for customers through more store formats and channels, with a combined 47 million customer transactions per week
- Generating net synergies, post-price investments, across the enlarged group of at least £500 million. These are comprised largely of buying benefits, opening Argos in Asda stores and operational efficiencies. There are no planned Sainsbury’s or Asda store closures as a result of the Combination
- A comprehensive range of channels and formats across supercenters, superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and digital
For more details on this transaction, you can check out the press release in its entirety here.
And for more details on our industry, keep checking back with us at AndNowUKnow.
MCALLEN, TX - With nearly fifty years under its belt supplying flexible packaging solutions to the produce industry, Fox Packaging™ is compiling the knowledge it has picked up along the way in its Display-Ready Packaging eBook. A downloadable resource available now, the Display-Ready Packaging eBook gives produce brands and retailers tips and tricks on reaching millennial shoppers, trends in flexible packaging, and the results that display-ready packaging can generate.
“With our knowledge from serving the fresh produce industry in the packaging space for nearly 50 years, we saw the need to share what we’ve learned from creating display-ready packaging,” said Aaron Fox, President of sister company Fox Solutions. “We hope to nurture our existing customers and inspire new customers to think about their packaging as a differentiator and challenge them to think outside the box.”
Despite the rise in online grocery shopping, according to a company press release, Fox Packaging sees opportunities for fresh produce brands to create engaging and enticing in-store experiences with consumers in mind. As a result, Fox Packaging is providing produce suppliers solutions on how to remain relevant at retail and how to stay up-to-date on the latest food trends.
Walking readers through the process of planning, collaborating, and the need for attention to detail at every step of the way, Fox Packaging offers a checklist in the eBook in order to provide the best practices regarding display-ready packaging.
For more information about Fox Packaging, visit www.foxbag.com or the company’s Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. For more companies keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry’s needs, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
SUNBURY, PA - With a slew of growth in the works, Weis Markets has plans to invest $101 million in new stores, remodels, supply chain improvements, and continued information technology upgrades.
“We plan to invest $101 million in our continued growth. This is a disciplined program that is designed to produce long-term benefits,” said Chairman and CEO Jonathan H. Weis. “It includes two new stores—a unit in Nottingham, Maryland near Baltimore, which opened two weeks ago, and a store in Randolph, New Jersey, which will open later this summer. We also plan 20 remodels, a fuel center, and four new pharmacies.”
Weis addressed shareholders at the retailer’s annual meeting last week, speaking on a number of areas, including online growth and tax savings from 2017’s Federal Tax Reform, which decreased its income tax and should do so again this year.
“Over the past year, we’ve expanded and upgraded our Weis 2 Go online ordering service with curbside pick-up. We recently introduced this service in 25 additional stores and currently offer it in 79 locations. In 2018, we will also test an online ordering delivery service. While we are a brick and mortar operator, we know there is a market for these services. We are in the business of constantly offering our customers more choices and options from which to choose,” Weis said, according to a press release.
As for its savings from the income tax changes, the retail chain plans to reinvest them into its growth and development programs.
“We will use these savings to strengthen our company’s long-term prospects. This reduction has helped us make major- and continuing-investments in associate training and career development. It has allowed us to increase our Cap Ex spending to more than $100 million while simultaneously paying down our banking line of credit. It also provides additional resources for potential acquisition opportunities,” the Chairman and CEO concluded.
Continue to follow AndNowUKnow as more details are released on the company’s plans to expand its brick-and-mortar and cyber footprints.