BAKERSFIELD, CA - Cal-Organic farms is kicking off potato season with a fresh new crop of red and gold potatoes. The company announced that it is packing its first cases this week—with the first of its premium-quality potatoes slated to hit the market next week.
“Cal-Organic ground is ideal for growing organic potatoes. Once we finish harvest in the desert, we’ll transition back to our Kern County growing region,” said Bob Borda, Vice President of Organic Sales. “Balancing our fresh potato program across these regions allows us to offer continuous supply over the next six months.”
According to a company press release, Cal-Organic—a division of Grimmway Farms—has been one of the first growers able to harvest potatoes this early in the season. The company also noted that it seeks optimal growing conditions to sustain supply through summer and into fall, migrating its crops to ensure consistent, premium quality throughout its season.
Cal-Organic currently offers organic red and gold potatoes in 2-, 3-, and 5-pound packs as well as 50-pound bulk cartons filled with A, B or C sized spuds. Potatoes from this new crop are already shipping across the U.S. and Canada—and are some of the first to market this year.
Starting mid-May and mid-June, respectively, Cal-Organic expects to add rainbow fingerling and classic russet potatoes to its seasonal lineup, with Organic fingerlings available in 1.5-pound mesh packs and organic russets for sale in 3- and 5-pound packs as well as 50-pound bulk cartons.
Cal-Organic also noted that its potato program is fully integrated with Grimmway’s carrot business, combining top quality with convenience for customers, and the company’s unique structure is designed to enable seamless ordering and single-stop loading.
For more fresh-focused news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CORONA, CA - The summer months are coming and coming fast! With longer days just around the corner, consumers like me are gearing up for adventures, adventures, and more adventures, and Veg-Fresh Farms has just the grab-and-go items to throw in my bag.
I caught up with one of Veg-Fresh Farms’ managing partners, Randy Cancellieri, to get the inside scoop on what the company is returning to grocery shelves this season.
“We’re highlighting our ready-to-eat Handy Candy Blueberries that are coming out June 1st; these are ready to eat with a 21-day shelf-life on them,” Randy tells me. “And the revamped version of our Handy Candy Tomatoes are coming out in the middle of May. We’re also highlighting our jalapeños as well as our organic sweet corn that are year-round and super sweet.”
Because convenience is all the rage these days, Veg-Fresh Farms is catering to consumer demand and bringing peel-and-reseal technology to a majority of its products, so the snacking doesn’t have to stop. And, not to mention, Veg-Fresh Farms was recently Rain Forest Alliance and Fair-Trade certified, something that is sure to catch consumers’ eyes on its Handy Candy Tomatoes packaging.
“Every one of them are resealable and most are organic too, so we are excited about all these different commodities that are coming down the pipe,” Randy says.
Keep your eyes peeled for the latest from Veg-Fresh hitting retail soon!
For more on what retailers can anticipate on their shelves, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Have cooking shows taken over family time during your evenings, too? Side Delights® knows it and is tapping into the cooking craze, particularly with shows geared toward child chefs, by offering easy recipes and options that parents and children can enjoy together, while sticking with their healthy choices.
The company’s products offer recipes that might seem easier, but don’t skimp out on taste, such as Baked Tater Tots, Rainbow Potato Pancakes, and Quick and Healthy Baked Pizza Potatoes. These recipes only take 15 minutes to cook up, then boom, dinner with the family is served, and kids feel all-the-more connected with their meals. Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins is also a great option for everyone in the family.
In addition to its easy-to-cook recipes, the company offers Steamables™, Bakeables™, and Flavorables® product lines that are microwaveable to cut back on cooking times and get healthy meals on dinner plates faster.
“Side Delights® offer fresh, wholesome potatoes that parents and kids love. In addition to potassium, potatoes are good sources of vitamins and fiber, all of which help with digestion, the development of the body, and energy,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “The popularity of kids cooking shows is a perfect match for potatoes.”
According to a company press release, Parents magazine listed potatoes as one of “5 super foods” that kids need because of its abundance of potassium. The magazine expounds upon the low amount of potassium that kids’ diets are currently getting, less than 60 percent of the recommended dose, which could be because they are not eating enough fruits and veggies.
Because of the exciting success of child baking and cooking shows, Side Delights products are an easy way for young ones to join in on the cooking experience. For example, Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship and Chopped Junior ranked as the highest rated Monday and Tuesday 8 p.m. slots, respectively—1.5 million children between the ages of 2 and 11 watched the show, and 2 million+ viewers were between 18 and 49, a sweet spot for shoppers, the company notes.
This trend doesn’t stop at the small screen. Parents are now engaging with their kids in new and exciting ways, the company explains, thanks to cooking classes in which kids can dive into the power of food and time spent at home with parents prepping and cooking meals together.
With so many exciting ways to engage with the company’s products, it makes cooking easier than ever for end-consumers in a day-and-age that is always looking for ways to make life smoother than ever before.
For more industry happenings and trends, keep checking back with us at AndNowUKnow.
SANDPOINT, ID – Litehouse has announced plans to bolster its brand in Canada and build its North American leadership team.
The company promoted Dorrie Francis to the role of Vice President of Technical Services last week. In her new role, Francis will oversee food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and research and development (R & D) teams at Litehouse.
“Litehouse’s growth is a direct reflection on the company’s dedication to product innovation, powered by our investment in state-of-the-art facilities,” said Francis, in a press release. “I am proud to lead a team dedicated to quality excellence and partner with a company that values the importance of technical and product innovation.”
Francis, who has been with Litehouse since 2013, will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to President and CEO Jim Frank. Francis brings more than 17 years of food industry experience to her new role, with responsibilities encompassing areas of R&D, regulatory, and food safety management. Under her leadership, Litehouse earned the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certification for the Simply Artisan Reserve's manufacturing plant, the industry’s highest and most rigorous safety achievement.
“As a leader in our industry, we are committed to continuously investing in resources that elevate our quality standards and exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Frank. “The standards and quality of our products are our top priority and we recognize the need to have these services represented at the top level of our company. In addition, we are fortunate to have Dorrie’s expertise and leadership to guide our fast-growing brand as we continue to provide best in class innovation and lead the industry by producing products that meet the needs of ever-changing consumer trends.”
Additionally, Litehouse announced plans, this week, to brighten up the company’s refrigerated produce shelves—with a refreshed packaging design for 41 SKUs across its core line of dressings and dips in Canada.
“The employee owners of Litehouse take great pride in our products and the new design highlights great taste, real ingredients, nutrition claims, and product versatility, which we know are all important to consumers,” added Frank, in a separate press release. “We updated our branding with the consumer in mind and invested in research to ensure our look would appeal to brand loyalists and new customers alike.”
Litehouse first unveiled its newly rebranded identity last year and is now introducing the look to the Canadian market. According to that press release, the new rebrand features easy-to-read flavor names in a big, bold, contemporary font, and vibrant color bands for quick and easy flavor identification, the new design makes selecting Litehouse products easier than ever. A modernized Litehouse logo prominently features the iconic Lighthouse design and a more impactful brand name for improved on-shelf visibility, but the company’s beloved, recyclable glass jars and bottles remain unchanged to help consumers recognize their favorite dressing. New packaging also clearly conveys product highlights, including the fact that Litehouse products are gluten-free and contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Each dressing and dip label features its own Tasty Tip to showcase product versatility and serving suggestions. And for additional inspiration, consumers can visit the Litehouse website to explore the more than 635 recipes available online.
For more breaking news on fresh produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against The Produce Connection Inc.
According to a press release, the company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make full payment to 58 produce sellers in the amount of $1,488,447 from June 2015 through January 2017.
The Produce Connection Inc. 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.
BOISE, ID - Albertsons has announced an executive shift in order to grow the company’s innovation efforts and brand expertise; the retailer has declared that Sean Barrett—formerly of Albertsons’ Own Brand team—will assume the role of Senior Vice President of Advertising and Marketing effective April 30th, 2018.
According to a press release, Barrett brings strong brand expertise and proven leadership from his tenure with the Albertsons Companies Own Brands team and prior roles at Procter & Gamble, which culminated in his being named Chief Marketing Officer of the P&G/Whirlpool Joint Venture.
"Sean’s depth of expertise in retail makes him the ideal leader to take on this new role,” said Shane Sampson, Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer. “In his prior role with our Own Brands Team, Sean led the rebranding and integration of our popular brands like O Organics, Open Nature, and Signature across the enterprise. Sean also helped to drive innovation in our product development, ensuring shoppers constantly have new and exciting products to find in our stores. I’m excited to have a leader of his caliber to run our Advertising and Marketing efforts.”
Barrett joined Albertsons just two years ago, and most recently served as the company’s Group Vice President Innovation, Product and Brands on the company’s Own Brands team—overseeing innovation efforts across Albertsons’ various private label brands—including O Organics®, Lucerne®, Open Nature®, and the company’s Signature™ line.
Barrett has a BA in Economics and Computer Science from Boston College and an MBA from London Business School. In his new capacity as Albertsons’ SVP of Advertising and Marketing, Barrett will office out of the Boise corporate campus.
For more retail news as it pertains to fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Our favorite day of the month where we get to see our favorite produce industry faces and the cover of The Snack Magazine together at last is finally here! That’s right the Snack Contest for the April issue starts now!
You know the drill: whip out your copy of the April issue of The Snack Magazine, featuring the smiling face of Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Jessie Garza, and race to win $100 cash. If you haven’t received a copy, click here for the digital cover and try your luck.
Before you send:
- Are you pointing at the ANUK Apple Logo?
- Can we see your face?
If you can answer yes to both questions, the race is on! Leave friends and industry pals in your dust by emailing your photo to [email protected] and claim the $100 cash prize.
And, don’t forget, we select two winners—the first overall entry from the industry and the first buy-side member of the industry.
Previous winners include:
- Sherry Harper of Beachside Produce
- Francesca Fordice of J. Marchini Farms
- Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- David Carrick of EarthFresh Fods
- Adam Donikian of Sobeys
- Jennifer Velasquez of Golden Sun Marketing
- Kate Reeb of Veg-Fresh Farms
- Scott Hakes of Ciruli Brothers
So snap your Snack and see who wins in a subsequent ANUK newsletter.
Interested in receiving a copy of The Snack to give you a leg up in future challenges? Subscriptions are valued at $129 per year, click here to subscribe.
KINGSVILLE, ON - SUNSET® is continuing to earn accolades for innovation; the company’s You Make Me™ line of pasta kits secured the Packaging Innovation Award at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show held in Vancouver, Canada, this week—marking the second innovation award that SUNSET has secured this month.
“It is extremely gratifying to earn the approval of our peers here in Canada at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show for our You Make Me pasta kits,” shared CEO Paul Mastronardi. “We were honored to receive the Gateway to Innovation Award at the Viva Fresh Expo in San Antonio, Texas earlier this month for this exciting product, and I look forward to seeing more positive responses in the future.”
SUNSET’s line of four pasta kits were selected from a field of 48 products featured in the CPMA New Product Showcase. SUNSET was selected by a panel of industry leaders—who honored the You Make Me line, according to CPMA, for “taking packaging to the next level.”
According to a press release, the You Make Me pasta kits launched by SUNSET in 2017 were designed to provide busy consumers with a healthy and fast meal solution using fresh produce. Each pasta kit contains fresh SUNSET tomatoes, perfectly portioned pasta, a spice packet, and some come with gourmet infused oil. You Make Me is available in four different flavors, Classic Italian (“You Make Me Fresh”), Spicy Arrabbiata (“You Make Me Hot”), Creamy Parmesan (“You Make Me Blush”) and Cold Pasta Salad (“You Make Me Chill”). Each kit serves dinner for two or makes four sides, and can be prepared in 15 minutes or less.
For more on fresh innovations in the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - It's always the season for fresh in our business. Atlas Produce is taking fresh in a new direction by bringing new-to-the-industry Luke Fountain and promoting Carey Jimenez to the Sales and Marketing team, breathing life into the company in invigorating ways.
I was able to chat with President Robert Dobrzanski, Luke, and Carey recently, and they filled me in on what their new roles mean to them, the company, and the industry.
“Luke came on board in December and is doing a really great job helping to elevate our sales program, special projects, and marketing vision,” Robert shares with me, before expanding on how impactful the addition of Luke has been. “He truly rounds out our team. While it is important to envision great projects and ideas, it is important to find someone that can also execute and get things done—that is Luke.”
Originally, Luke had plans to head into law enforcement. What he didn’t know when he started working with Robert is that he would fall in love with the produce industry in its entirety. With plans to educate people about the power of dates rather than the laws of the land, Luke jumped into action and hasn’t looked back. His new goals, you ask? To spread the news of the health benefits for these bite-size treats and the benefits carrying dates brings to retailers—all the while settling into his new role and new state.
“I’m new to California, having relocated from Florida, which is really exciting. I started working with Robert at PMA a few years ago, and that opened my eyes to the produce world,” Luke shares on his introduction to his newfound career path. “I’m really excited to travel, meet so many interesting people, and learn more about the industry. And I get to work with something that is alive, which is so incredible.”
While Luke is stepping into a whole new playing field, Carey is stepping into a new role at Atlas Produce, a company she already calls home.
“Carey has been with me for eight years. When she was Office Manager, she became more knowledgeable with the product. She stepped in and has been doing a great job. We’re really happy with what she has been doing. We’ve hired additional people as support for the sales team, too,” Robert tells me.
With a background in accounting, Carey was primed and prepped for the sales world. Her innate attention to detail and customer service make her a dream for clients to work with, Robert explains. Her follow-through, though, is what takes her role in the company to a new level of important. Because of her persistence and acute attention to details and numbers, Carey is making the magic happen, effectively producing results that Robert is thrilled to see, he tells me.
“Postive recognition is always great, and being promoted feels awesome,” Carey shares. “With more of my focus being directed toward business development, I’m looking forward to working with additional clients and providing the exceptional care and service that our current customers have experienced to ultimately grow our bottom line.”
With such an eagerness to grow and a drive to move up within the industry, these two new members to the sales team are ready to shine a light on the company and the goods it offers. Success seems to be part of the map guiding Atlas Produce to bigger and better opportunities.
BROCKTON, MA - To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Concord Foods has undergone new branding and introduced new products and innovations. The company, which was started by Jeff Neville in 1968 to sell plastic shaped lemons and limes filled with juice in the produce department, has expanded over the last half century to include a full-range of fresh, all-natural products, including seasoning and smoothie packs, all-natural chocolate and caramel dips, crispy vegetable snacks, and fresh squeezed juices.
“We’re not only celebrating 50 years of being a company, but rather 50 years of innovation and accomplishments,” said Charles Olins, Vice President of Sales & Marketing in a press release. “From overcoming the challenge of selling acidic citrus juice in plastic bottles to creating a clean label caramel, we’re excited to see what more Concord can accomplish in the coming years. 2017 was a great year of innovative new products and we can’t wait to expand those product lines in 2018!”
Concord Foods currently has more than 70 products with national distribution. The company’s products are stocked in the produce department as each item requires the use of fresh fruits and vegetables. Concord foods has dedicated itself to improving its technology to ensure high-quality products for its consumers. The brand continues to invest in equipment to streamline processes and keep manufacturing cost low.
To follow all milestones in the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.