SAINT ANN, MO - Save A Lot is joining the DoorDash marketplace, increasing its reach and convenience factor by offering delivery from over 400 locations. The partnership will allow the timely delivery of fresh groceries, including fresh produce, to the many consumers who utilize DoorDash for their shopping needs.

“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery store chains in the United States with over 750 stores,” DoorDash stated in a press release. “With over 400 stores currently live on DoorDash, consumers can access high-quality fresh products at everyday low prices and enjoy same-day delivery in under an hour, on average.”

The new delivery partnership gives consumers increased access to fresh produce, quality products, and fresh-cut meat while providing an affordable and convenient solution for customers with a range of circumstances like limited transportation options or individuals looking to save a trip to the store during a busy day.

Save A Lot has remained true to its mission of being a hometown grocer for nearly 50 years, offering quality and value to local communities seeking significant savings on their grocery spend, the press release explained.

More information on the grocer’s latest alliance can be found here.

And more retail updates can be found here on the pages of ANUK.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - A bold strategy was adopted by Loblaw Companies Limited earlier this week after the retailer announced it rolled out a new grocery promise to its shoppers. The new Fresh Promise program promises that if customers are not satisfied with produce purchased in-store, it will be replaced and refunded, within seven days, no questions asked.

“We want customers to walk out of our stores every day feeling like they got the right value for them, and our stores across the province have doubled down on this commitment, with some exciting new programs,” said Frank Gambioli, President, Loblaw Super Market division. “We know how much freshness and quality plays into value, and the Fresh Promise means that Canadians shopping in Loblaw grocery stores can be confident in the produce they are buying. Because if it’s not fresh, it’s free.”

As a press release outlined, the Fresh Promise applies to any fresh produce item purchased at Loblaws, Independent, valu-mart, and Zehrs locations, both in-store and online.

The Fresh Promise program is aimed at delivering unparalleled quality and value. Loblaw noted that the promise means customers can trust that all produce at Loblaw grocery stores across Canada has been selected and handled with meticulous care to maintain optimal freshness. Once in-store, teams are then committed to routine stock checks to keep inventory fresh for customers.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest in retail updates like this.

UNITED STATES - Produce marketers in need of inspiration, get your fix here! DMA Solutions recently revealed an August calendar that is chock full of food holidays that we can either use to our advantage—National Cherry Turnovers Day, anyone?—or create a cross-merchandising spin.

For example, August kicks off with National IPA Day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t highlight produce. I know many of my favorite IPAs have a citrus-forward kick, and I know I’d be intrigued to know which citrus varieties pair best with which IPAs!

Other days on the calendar, such as National Watermelon Day on August 3, and National Potato Day on August 19, are direct callouts to categories. Some, like National Rum Day on August 16, may require more inspiration—but the industry has that in spades.

For more inspiration from DMA's social media calendar, click here.

AndNowUKnow will be here to deliver the latest in produce marketing, so stay tuned.

MONTEREY, CA - Returning to Monterey for a trade show always feels like a return to my very young roots in this industry. The journey to cutting my teeth began in 2011, and the International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference (then PMA) was one of the first thresholds I ever crossed. Accompanied by the ocean breeze, a town built to entertain, and an industry brimming with mentorship, innovation, and comradery, I could not help but feel both challenged by it and in love with it. I felt the same this week as I crossed over from the Sacramento heat into the cool Central Coast of California. Those who cross this threshold know they are in for a treat, and an experience bolstered by value, ingenuity, and commerce.

“It was an incredible two days for this year’s Foodservice Conference. The resilience and creativity of the restaurant sector and those who supply it were on full display. While the program featured valuable insights on how to grow fresh produce consumption throughout foodservice channels and identified more opportunities for women to shape the future of foodservice, we also celebrated the chefs and K-12 professionals who consistently develop creative options for fruits and vegetables in schools and restaurants,” said International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns in a press release. “The expo, year after year, is the showcase for innovation and inspired fresh produce products that meet the ever-changing culinary needs of restaurants and evolving consumer demands. A heartfelt thank you to our guests, exhibitors, sponsors, our volunteer leaders on the Foodservice Council, the K-12 and chef communities, and IFPA staff for continuing to raise the bar on this Conference every time we meet in Monterey.”

IFPA shared that the conference was a resounding success, bringing together more than 2,220 attendees, including almost 1,000 buyers and menu influencers, with an almost 1:1 buyer-to-supplier ratio.

The week's trade show started smoothly mid-week with the Foodservice Council Meeting and K-12 School Forum Welcome Reception on Wednesday, followed by the building momentum of Thursday’s Buyer Sourcing Meetings and Lunch and Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards.

“The IFPA Foodservice show serves as a prime venue for us to engage closely with foodservice buyers and introduce our latest innovations. It's a unique chance to connect, discuss, and showcase our products with foodservice purchasers in a focused setting. Our team is able to see product trends while walking the show floor and get fantastic educational insights directly from the foodservice community,” Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing and Packaging Procurement at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, detailed. “The interaction with school nutrition professionals at the K-12 School Foodservice Forum is particularly rewarding, reinforcing our commitment to this vital community.”

One of the many elements we love is the awards and honors bestowed at every turn of the conference. Here are some of the highlights from this year:

• Best of Show Winner: J. Marchini Farms – Joe’s Premium
• Best of Show Runner Up: Avocados From Mexico
• Best Product Promo Winner: Wild About Sprouts for their Alfalfa Broccoli and Kale Sprout Line
• Chef’s Choice Winner: Mission Produce for their Mango Panna Cotta

"The IFPA Foodservice Conference is the only event that allows anyone in the Foodservice segment to fully understand and experience the fresh produce Industry,” Gene Harris, Senior Purchasing Manager, Denny's, reflected. “It allows you to learn more about how and where the items are grown, packed, shipped, and distributed. The networking opportunities are abundant. I highly recommend it!"

Discussions carried the afternoon into a rich fusion of IFPA's latest research endeavor with Technomic to determine the flow of commodities throughout foodservice channels elevated by educational breakout sessions including “School Meals 101: A Focus on FRESH,” “Leveraging Technomic Insights,” and “Maximizing Fresh Produce on Menus.”

"The IFPA Foodservice show in Monterey stands as the pinnacle event for the produce industry, offering opportunities for networking, innovation, and business growth. Monterey provides the perfect setting that combines the beauty of the Salinas Valley with a relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to catching up with customers and industry friends every year," Nelia Alamo, Vice President of Marketing, Markon, stated.

Drawing together the best of the best in foodservice, IFPA then hosted a Networking Reception at Custom House Plaza Monterey State Historic Park to round out the beautiful evening in Monterey.

Inspired and invigorated, attendees then launched into Thursday’s exciting schedule with events including “Empowering Women in Foodservice: A Panel Discussion on Success, Challenges, and Innovation.” Moderator Lauren M. Scott, Executive Director, The Foundation for Fresh Produce Chief Strategy Officer, IFPA, opened up an insightful conversation with Lisa Hearne, Senior Vice President of Foodservice Sales and Marketing, Taylor Farms; Maria DeSarbo, President, Carbonella & DeSarbo; Linette Dodson, State School Nutrition Director, School Nutrition Division, Georgia Department of Education; and Danielle Kuhn, Owner, Scratchboard Kitchen.

With diverse backgrounds, each panelist pulled back the curtain and gave us a look through the window of the challenges and opportunities in foodservice through their unique experiences.

In addition, Taylor Farms' Lisa Hearne expressed her overall reflection on the event and its value.

“The Foodservice Conference is always an exciting time and true reflection of the dedication of all our team and customer partners each year. We couldn’t be happier with the 2024 turnout. The opportunity to see so many old friends and make new connections is priceless. This year was by far our largest group field tours, plant visits and traffic on the show floor.  We are grateful for everyone that came out and visited with us!” she stated.

Sysco had many reasons to celebrate the event as well.

"There are so many reasons I look forward to the IFPA Foodservice Conference each year in July,” Julie Olivarria, Vice President, Produce, Sysco, shared with me. “The opportunity to listen to suppliers' priorities and solutions, discover new products and services, and strengthen our relationships while making new ones is invaluable to our team. Each company brings a vision to the Foodservice Conference that elevates its value and its impact in the sector."

With our minds open and buzzing with connection and curiosity, attendees stepped onto the trade show floor. Bustling with conversation and brimming with solutions-driven conversations around packaging, value-added, and culinary preference, a changing tide seemed to move through the crowd and manifested in new products, revitalized programs, and new technologies.

Industry veteran Lisa McNeece shared in the enthusiasm of the day that seemed contagious at the conference.

"The Grimmway Farms team has been looking forward to heading to Monterey, California, all year for the annual IFPA Foodservice Conference!” Lisa, Vice President of Food Service and Industrial Sales, Grimmway Farms, expressed. “This is always a wonderful event that provides us with multiple events to catch up with existing customers and meet new ones. This year, we were excited to introduce a new carrot cut to our value-added line-up and bring it to market."

Having the trade show in its backyard, Church Brothers Farms has long felt the conference's value in many ways.

“It’s not until you visit someone in their home that you really get a sense of who they are. That’s how we feel about the IFPA Foodservice Conference and the weeks leading up to it,” Loree Dowse, Director of Marketing, Church Brothers Farms, said. "By sharing our fields, plant, and hospitality at our annual Ranch Party, we’re able to give customers a complete picture of what makes us tick. And when the Foodservice Conference arrived at the end of the week, we bonded even more strongly with the people we worked hard for all year long. Don’t get me wrong—we’re all a bit tired after the whirlwind, but nothing compares to it.”

With a head and heart full of foodservice ingenuity, we thank the IFPA team for an amazing event! Cheers to fresh produce opportunities ahead.