SACRAMENTO, CA – AndNowUKnow's Sun Pacific Mighties® Kiwifruit Quiz drew so many quiz takers. Wow! People really love kiwifruit!
Members of the produce industry from East to West came together to compete to show who really knows the "amazing fuzzy fruit" best!
On the supply-side, Sandra Flores of J. Marchini Farms dominated: completing the quiz in the fastest time and nabbing the highest score! Sandra said, "I always look forward to reading AndNowUKnow. And of course these little quizzes are so much fun!"
Trinidad Valdivia stole the win for the buy-side, with a total of 14,885.7724 points! The competition was fierce, and the Produce-Floral Quality Assurance Manager for SuperValu beat out the likes of some of retail's finest for the win!
Trinidad said of his win, "Big fan of the Mighties from Sun Pacific. Love how they are ready-to-eat and the Spife is wonderful!!"
Check out the leaderboard below to see how you or those you know fared in the tight competition:
If you’re still puzzling over a question, the answer may be below.
Most Missed Question:
What is NOT one of the best practices for increasing Mighties sales?
Answer:
Build a kiwifruit destination upside down.
If you feel a little flustered in the wake of this Quiz Quix, don’t worry–keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for your next chance to win a $100 cash prize, as well as those fun bragging rights around the office.
If you want to try again, or give it a shot for the first time, follow the link below:
Sun Pacific Mighties® Kiwifruit Quiz
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. Terms to play limit one entry per person, per subscriber email address, per Quiz. More than one entry from any person or e-mail address will void all entries from that person or email address. Participants must have a valid email address registered in their individual name in order to play.
Congratulations to Sandra and Trinidad!
CINCINNATI, OH - One of the country’s biggest retailers has reached a new landmark in the movement toward making organic produce ubiquitous. Kroger’s organic produce sales are now sitting at $1 billion annually.
"Kroger offers one of the largest organic produce departments in America, and we are proud to have led the way in making this category more mainstream, accessible, and affordable," said Robert Clark, the retailer’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising. "We have a dedicated procurement team that partners with more than 300 organic produce growers and suppliers every year to bring our customers an exciting selection of organic fruits and vegetables."
According to a press release, Kroger’s top-selling organic produce categories are the following:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Bagged salads
As of 2016, the U.S. organic produce market hit $5 billion, and is still continuing to grow, IRI reports.
"We know our customers want both organic and conventional choices," Clark continued. "Kroger makes it easy for our customers to shop how they want for their families. It's just one more way we are redefining the customer experience as outlined in our Restock Kroger plan."
And produce in not the only category in which Kroger is making strides in as far as organics. The company recently announced its Simple Truth® brand reached $2 billion in annual sales, marking the growing popularity of its brand of natural, organic and free-from products.
DUNDALK, IRELAND and WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - Major European fresh produce company Total Produce has announced a binding agreement with Dole Food Company to acquire a 45 percent equity stake in the company. Total Produce will acquire the stake from Dole owner David H. Murdock for a cash consideration totaling $300 million.
“We are delighted to have signed an agreement with Dole, long held in the highest regard as one of the world's best fresh produce companies, with iconic brands dating back to 1851,” announced Carl McCann, Chairman of Total Produce, in a press release. “We are particularly pleased to be partnering with David Murdock who has been an inspirational and visionary leader since he acquired a majority shareholding in Dole in 1985…I believe that this investment by Total Produce in Dole is the single most positive step in our company's history. It places Total Produce at the forefront of our industry, and we anticipate it will create significant additional value for shareholders in the years ahead.”
The two companies also noted the following highlights of the transaction:
- Attractive industry backdrop: Fresh fruits & vegetables sector is expected to outperform vis-à-vis packaged food driven by a structural trend towards healthy eating and snacking
- Dole is an iconic brand with leading market positions and scale: Dole has #1 and #3 positions in bananas in North America and Europe, and #2 and #3 positions in pineapples in North America and Europe and #2 position in fresh-cut salads in North America
- Bringing together two highly complementary businesses: The transaction creates the world's leading fruit & vegetables group with potential to realize synergies
- Balanced transaction structure and terms: Provides Total Produce with significant governance rights and flexibility on path forward
- Total Produce has a proven track record: The investment is a continuation of Total Produce's successful acquisition strategy with approximately 325 percent of total shareholder return delivered to shareholders over the last 5 years
The transaction will see Total Produce acquire a minority stake in one of the world’s largest fresh produce companies. During the fiscal twelve months ending October 7, 2017, Dole generated revenue of $4,455 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $237 million. The two companies noted in a press release that the transaction consideration for the 45 percent interest implies a Dole enterprise value of approx. $2 billion—approximately nine times Dole Adjusted EBITDA.
“With great pride I announce the creation of a new partnership between Dole Food Company and Total Produce, for many years I have cherished my friendship with the McCann Family, and I know that my late friend Neil McCann would be so proud to see his son Carl McCann completing this strategic partnership between our two companies,” said David H. Murdock, Chairman and Owner of Dole. “Both Dole and Total Produce have a standard of perfection that leads the industry in innovation, together we will further our joint mission of providing the highest quality produce to the world.”
Terms of the transaction also allow Total Produce—in addition to the initial $300 transaction or “First Tranche”—to approach a “Second Tranche” and acquire an additional six percent of the company. Total Produce has announced no intention of exercising this option.
This announcement follows news, earlier this month, that Greenyard and Dole had concluded negotiations without reaching an acquisition agreement.
For more information on this and other important transactions in our industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
CASHMERE, WA – To address one of parenthood’s biggest struggles, Crunch Pak® has made healthy snacking easier than ever for tiny tots by expanding its snacking line with Disney. The company has added an organic Snacker—which will include organic apple stix, cheddar cheese pieces, and pretzels in a three-pack option—to be distributed at Costco. The club retailer purchase is made even more fun by adding vibrant and fun graphics, perfect for attracting the attention for consumers’ mini-mes.
“We want to provide preschool-age children with fresh snack options that they find appealing,” said Megan Wade, Marketing and Product Manager. “The power of Disney and the characters is immeasurable. We think it’s a great, fun way to teach children good food choices.”
Crunch Pak has had a fruitful relationship with Disney since its 2010 partnership, launching 20 items that have since been sold in grocery, club stores, and mass and convenience stores nationwide. What makes the new release in Costco so exciting is that it is its second organic Crunch Pak item to be carried in the club retailer.
If you’re looking for more details on the company, you can visit www.crunchpak.com. And if you’re wanting more fresh product industry news, stick with us at AndNowUKnow!
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneria is enticing consumers to better their grooming routines and up their citrus purchases all at the same time. In the company’s latest tips and tricks for a lemon-filled calendar, Megan Roosevelt, alongside guest vlogger and #OWNshow host Ami Desai, will be bringing her favorite DIY beauty methods to the Limoneira YouTube channel all through February.
As the company stated in a recent press release, lemons are an endlessly versatile fruit, and can be as helpful in a skincare routine as they can in the kitchen.
Learn new ways to inspire your shoppers by watching Megan and Ami create the recipes in the above video or by following them in the recipe below.
Honey Lemon Sugar Scrub
This homemade remedy from Ami Desai is perfect for skin rejuvenation, whether it’s for a Valentine’s date or just a self-pampering night in. Ingredients include:
- One Limoneira lemon
- Honey
- Sugar
Directions: Cut lemon in half and sprinkle sugar on top of one half of the lemon; add honey for moisture; rub lemon half over face and leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.
Lemon Toner
Every good skincare routine has multiple components. Megan Roosevelt has the perfect DIY toner without the harmful chemicals and mystery ingredients one might find in a store. Ingredients include:
- ½ cup Limoneira lemon juice (Eureka or Lisbon)
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup Witch Hazel
Directions: Simply add all ingredients to a jar or bottle with a well-fitting lid. Shake well and use.
Subscribe to Limoneira’s Youtube channel for more information on the many ways this endlessly versatile fruit can improve life inside the home and beyond. Videos with more wonderful recipes, tips, and tricks not detailed in this release will be added to the channel each Friday throughout the month.
Additionally, Limoneira has partnered with more global chefs and mixologists, nutritionists, and beauty lifestyle and green cleaning experts to share their knowledge with the customers of its retail and foodservice partners. Biographies can be found on Limoneira’s website here.
GERMANY - Canadian-American film executive Jack Warner once said, “I don’t want it good. I want it Tuesday.” To this point, HelloFresh’s Tuesday was much better than good—the German-based meal-kit delivery firm’s revenue reportedly grew on Tuesday, and to boost shares, the company hopes to break even by the end of the year.
After rising 49 percent in the nine previous months, preliminary fourth-quarter sales jumped 58-59 percent to 250-253 million euros, the equivalent to $309-313 million. As of January 30th at 9:08 a.m. GMT, Fortune reports that HelloFresh shares were up 6.5 percent—the company has continued to do well since listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November.
While HelloFresh’s competitor Blue Apron stumbled after its June listing and industry titan Amazon has jumped into the ring as another delivery service threat, the company’s U.S. market, which is its biggest, has grown exponentially; in fact, sales have reportedly doubled in constant currency terms for its U.S. market, while international businesses has grown by under a third. Full reports on the the company's sales growths will be published on March 21st, but for the fourth quarter of this year to yield group profitability, the company reported it is reining in losses.
As for Jack Warner's request, that sounds better than good; that sounds like a Tuesday worth celebrating!
With such high hopes for fourth quarter of this year, how will the company’s trajectory of success carry out throughout the duration of the coming seasons, and what strategies will it implement to stay atop competing forces? AndNowUKnow will continue to report!
LAKELAND, FL – In an effort to anticipate consumers’ shifting needs in an increasingly competitive grocery market, Publix Super Markets is reportedly introducing a new small-format store—with a focus on delivery services.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Publix has introduced plans for a less-than-30,000-square-foot store in Longwood, Florida. Longwood Economic Development Manager Tom Krueger told the Sentinel that the new store format will be “a mix” between a traditional Publix location and a GreenWise—Publix’s small-format, fresh-focused banner.
Krueger also described the new store as “something built around delivery because the way the market is changing.” Publix is reportedly in talks with a local church to purchase a 4.2-acre parcel of land for the new project, though the church did not respond to the Sentinel’s requests for a comment.
The 30,000-square-foot format will measure roughly half the size of a traditional Publix supermarket.
News of the new format follows accolades from Fortune magazine; the business publication awarded Publix with the top spot on the company’s annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies in the food and drug stores industry category.
Will Publix continue to expand into the grocery delivery game—with new store formats that function as grocery fulfillment centers as much as traditional stores? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SALINAS, CA - Though some may be experiencing a chill stateside, further south, blueberry season is heating up. I spoke with Naturipe Farms’ Mario Flores, the Director of Blueberry Product Management, and Brian Vertrees, Director of Business Development–West, about the grower’s clever new FeBLUEary campaign. The marketing move brings the all-American berry to the forefront of consumer-consciousness and provides retailers with a tool kit to promote the Chilean blueberry season.
“With the cool spring conditions and later crop timing this Chilean season,” Mario began, “we will have our late peak of blueberries from Southern Chile arriving the latter half of February. Organic blueberries, especially from Chile, will have a large peak late in February. Conventional arrivals will continue with good volumes of pints through February. This campaign will be a great support system for retailers.”
And, with Naturipe’s FeBLUEary campaign sure to ramp up berry sales through winter, this late February peak will come at an ideal time.
“FeBLUEary is a reason for folks to get as excited about fresh blueberries during the winter months as we get!” Brian said, “This campaign is two-fold, focused on both the consumer and the retailer to really impact sales. The key for retailers is to make sure blueberries are front and center in the produce department so that consumers understand that now is the peak of flavor and supplies.”
Naturipe launches this campaign as a collaboration with retailers.
“From signage to digital content,” Brian said, “we have them covered to ensure their customers are engaged and excited about blueberries in February. We are also supplying plenty of usage ideas for retailers to leverage. Blueberries are so versatile and part of the FeBLUEary story is highlighting these whether it be eating them fresh out of hand, adding to salads, or as a smoothie ingredient.”
Luckily, the blueberry crop will rise to meet these versatile demands, Brian continued.
“Currently, conventional volumes are already at promotable levels and will continue to increase as the best is yet to come in February with stronger volumes,” Brian said. “Organic blueberries are also an exciting topic for FeBLUEary as we will see peak volumes arriving the first few weeks of February. Retailers have the options to promote multiple pack sizes and can increase sales by taking advantage of pints and 18 oz. blueberries. The pints and 18 oz. are an exciting option for this time of the year and a great way for retailers to increase sales by upsizing consumers to a larger pack.”
To keep up-to-date on the crescendos of berry crops through this season and into the next, stay tuned to AndKnowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - As a strong supporter of the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month each February, Mann Packing is rallying around the “heart” of the matter and helping to spread this campaign’s passion throughout the Mann team and the industry.
“To kick off the month, Mann Packing employees are wearing red in honor of Heart Health and also for AHA’s National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 2nd,” Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing, shares with me. “We wear red to help raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and those programs that help save lives. We encourage all companies to participate in National Wear Red Day, so ask your employees and friends to all wear the vibrant color and support #GORED, and help spread the word!”
ANUK would love for you to share your individual or company photos with us too by directly emailing [email protected] with "GO RED" in the subject line, or post those special moments on Instagram and add the hashtag #ANUKGORED.
During the February campaign, Mann Packing will be hosting a month long exercise, BINGO, to encourage employees to stay fit for heart health, while also offering a heart healthy cooking class to employees.
Mann’s Heart Health Bingo begins today, February 1st, and runs through the end of the month. Mann team members can pick up one card per person, per day, in an effort to fill up a heart healthy Bingo square card over the month with the designated activities. A bingo win is five completed squares in a row—horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Prizes will be awarded for all bingo winners, and all winners will be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the month. Cards are everything from “Go for a walk” and “Attend yoga class” to “Make a heart healthy recipe at home” and “Donate to the America Heart Association.”
And on February 16th, Mann Packing will sponsor the Northern Central Coast Go Red for Women Luncheon where the company is the presenting lunch sponsor, ensuring all guests have a heart healthy lunch featuring Mann’s Fresh Vegetables.
When I ask Gina, why this cause is so close to Mann Packing’s heart, she shares that the company supports this cause in honor of her brother, Joe Nucci.
“After Joe died of a heart attack, our entire family learned so much about heart disease and its effects to all ages—even the young. Joe was only 40 years old and previously in great health,” Gina tells me. “We also learned about the effects on women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States—that’s about one in four women. Knowing that, and being women and a women-owned company, we felt passionate about spreading the word.”
In addition, heart disease is largely a preventable disease. Knowing your numbers—blood pressure and cholesterol levels—both good and bad—and eating a heart healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are top recommendations, Gina adds.
I don’t know about you, but I will be joining the groups of individuals sporting red this Friday for National Wear Red Day, and I hope to see you all clad in the color too!
WATSONVILLE, CA – The strawberry has long held heavy symbolic weight for love and passion. To gain more insight into the current state of the romantic berry, both in the market and in the ground, I recently spoke with Dan Crowley of Well•Pict, who shared his take on the season thus far. Dan shared how the berry grower has managed to create a constant supply of strawberries to bolster sales through Valentine's Day and into early spring. With the holiday fast approaching, the company already has its dance card full.
"There are already Valentine's Day ads that are in place—locked and loaded as we like to say," Crowley exclaimed. "We have them for both areas of production: Florida and Oxnard. Our current volumes in Florida will hold for several weeks, running through mid-February. At that time, we will probably start seeing a decrease, ever so slightly, every week after that as we move into March."
To offer consistent supplies of strawberries through the season, Well•Pict grows two types of berries in Florida, Florida Beauty and Radiance, using two different methods—plug plants and bare roots.
"Where one might be falling off, the other will pick up the slack, and the end result to a retailer is steady production," Crowley continued. "Suffice to say there will be ample volume through the month of February and into the first half of March."
Out West, the berry season is just warming up.
"We are underway with our crop but not anywhere near the high numbers that we'll see once this weather warms up as we get further into spring. As far as current promotions go, our biggest push from out here, is our stem berries," Crowley explained.
And some crop the stem berries are!
"Valentine's Day is the biggest stem holiday for us and for retail as well," said Crowley, "It is a phenomenal thing where retailers will bring stem berries into their back rooms and chocolate dip them and showcase the berries in three packs and six packs. These items have been very well-received and have grown in popularity over the past several years. Consumer demand for strawberries has been very high and continues to grow."
Though the grower faces some seasonal difficulties, Dan shared that, "You don't have optimal growing conditions in the month of January-let's face it, but we have a staggered, integrated growing system that Well•Pict has implemented to allow us to largely mitigate negative seasonal trends."
"In Florida our varieties all have their distinct peaks," Crowley explained. "They're staggered, which, in the end, if you are looking at a graph, you have volume over time, and each of the distinct peaks between the two varieties and two types—plants vs. plugs—and what it does, is it gives you a nice plateau. One of those varieties will fall off; the other will pick up. We put the plug plants in the ground early, so you can get an early crop to hit those high markets in December—and then they typically fall off this time of year where the berry plants will come in high production and then they'll cycle down and then the plug plants come back into production."
Crowley reflected on raspberry conditions as well. He is excited to reveal a longer growing season for raspberries; a project which has been years in development.
"Our raspberry program in the past has been strictly out of the district up here in Watsonville, which is basically a nine-month crop—springtime through the fall. We hadn't had any raspberries in wintertime in years past, but what we've done differently, and we've been working on it for several years, is having production out of Oxnard. So, we have that category twelve months a year because of the new program we have down at Oxnard."
With berry growers rising to meet the high consumer demand, we look forward to seeing new innovations from Well•Pict, and we hope you'll stay with us at AndKnowUKnow as we follow these berry developments.