MCALLEN, TX – In an effort to better serve tree fruit packers, the leading fresh produce equipment supplier Fox Solutions added a new capability to its full-polished stainless-steel Pouch Bagger. The machine’s advanced “soft fill” feature now allows the Pouch Bagger to gently handle apples, peaches, pears, and plums to minimize bruising during the packing process.
“Our team is happy to have come up with such a valuable solution for our tree fruit customers,” said Aaron Fox, President of Fox Solutions, in a press release. “Since introducing our Pouch Bagger last year, we have had a phenomenal response from customers who have wanted an efficient solution to meet the growing demand for pouch bagged produce. The majority of baggers on the market can pack fruit of all kind, but few are fresh produce specific like ours. There simply isn’t a comparable piece of equipment that handles the fruit in a gentle enough way to prevent unnecessary bruising.”
First introduced in 2016, Fox Solutions’ Pouch Bagger is a one-of-a-kind machine engineered to handle a wide variety of fresh produce items while simplifying the pouch bagging process. It delivers maximum bagging efficiency, holding 300 empty bags at a time and filling up to 30 bags a minute.
To see the Pouch Bagger in action, stop by booth #1845 at PMA Fresh Summit where the Fox Solutions team will be demonstrating its Wicketed Bagger, Newtec weighers, and Pouch Bagger. Hope to see you there!
EL SEGUNDO, CA - If you told 13-year-old Jessica she’d one day get to write an article about the star of Titanic, I likely would have fully hyperventilated. Leonardo DiCaprio has joined the world of produce, investing in buzz-making, plant-based burger company Beyond Meat. With this investment, Leo joins the likes of Bill Gates, Twitter Co-Founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams, former McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson, the Humane Society, and Tyson Foods.
“Livestock production is a major contributor to carbon emissions,” DiCaprio said in a statement upon his investment. “Shifting from animal meat to the plant-based meats developed by Beyond Meat is one of the most powerful measures someone can take to reduce their impact on our climate.”
DiCaprio is no stranger to philanthropic work, having been a vocal campaigner for climate change awareness for several years, as well as previously donating upwards of $20 million to combat environmental impacts through his own foundation. On Beyond Meat’s website, the company outlines its mission as the following, “To create mass-market solutions that perfectly replace animal protein with plant protein. We are dedicated to improving human health, positively impacting climate change, conserving natural resources, and respecting animal welfare.” Suffice it to say, the duo are a match made in environmentalist heaven.
“Leo is serious about climate change,” Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown told Fortune. “He’s a really good ally for us,” adding that “this is not a celebrity deal. He is someone who genuinely believes in what we’re doing and wants to help grow it.”
As we previously reported, Beyond Meat recently increased its distribution seven times over, landing the plant-based patties in Kroger, Albertsons, and Safeway locations, as well as inking an exclusive distribution deal with Sysco.
DiCaprio’s prior investments in the environmentally friendly food space include those with plant-based snack company Hippeas and sustainable seafood company LoveTheWild, according to Fortune.
SALINAS, CA – As one of the leaders in agricultural innovation and healthy, value-added fresh foods Taylor Farms continues to expand its offerings by introducing two new delicious and timesaving Stir Fry Kit meal options to its already existing line. These convenient and healthy kits are easily customizable and cook in just five minutes.
“Stir Fry kits continue to be a popular choice for consumers looking for healthy, customizable dinner options,” said Sydney Burlison, Product Manager, Taylor Farms Retail, according to a press release. “Expanding the flavor options creates additional offerings for all palates and preferences.”
New flavors include:
- Pad Thai with Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, carrots, broccoli, green cabbage, and snap peas or snow peas with a Pad Thai sauce.
- Coconut Curry with Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, carrots, red cabbage, and snap peas or snow peas with coconut curry sauce.
Existing flavors include:
- Teriyaki with Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, kale, snow peas, red cabbage, and broccoli with a teriyaki sauce.
- Ginger Garlic with bok choy, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, kale, snow peas, and green cabbage with a ginger garlic sauce.
- Sesame Chili with bok choy, green cabbage, snow peas, and broccoli with a sesame chili sauce.
- Mandarin Orange with Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, kale, and snow peas with a mandarin orange sauce.
Taylor Farms continues its commitment to creating unique, on-trend, and convenient products with the intention of helping customers save time in the kitchen. Through dedication to family, Taylor Farms remains determined to create products that will save time to make time.
For all the latest new products from around the fresh produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
TERRA BELLA, CA — With thousands of grower members in California and Arizona, Sunkist welcomes a new family farm into its operations after Porterville Citrus, a Sunkist affiliated citrus packer-shipper, acquired LoBue Citrus’ packing operations. In the agreement, the LoBue family will continue to own and operate its 1,000 acre family farm, extending its family’s heritage through the Sunkist cooperative.
“LoBue Citrus has a rich history in the industry, and we are pleased to be able to help them continue that legacy through our organization,” said Jim Phillips, President of Porterville Citrus, in a press release. “The purchase also marks further growth for Porterville Citrus, positioning us for a strong season ahead.”
In the upcoming 2017-2018 season, Porterville Citrus will integrate the LoBue Citrus packing facility in Lindsay into its operations and also add a large portion of the organization’s grower network, increasing the Navel orange, mandarin, lemon, and specialty acreage of Porterville Citrus and the Sunkist cooperative as a whole.
“It’s great to start the season by adding more high-quality volume to our mix,” said Russ Hanlin, President & CEO of Sunkist Growers.
Commemorating 125 years of values and legacy, the Sunkist cooperative of family farms offers more than 40 fresh citrus varieties from thousands of family-owned farms where traditional growing practices, stewardship of natural resources, and a dedication to innovation are proudly passed through the generations. Founded under the principle that more can be accomplished by working together, Sunkist continues to promote a culture of family and collaboration with growers and customers to drive positive results for all.
For more produce industry news, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - In the chaotic landscape of PMA Fresh Summit, sometimes all you are looking for is a nice place to kick your feet up and enjoy the busy hum of the show floor. Lucky for attendees of this year’s convention, Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) is once again bringing the FSN Spud Zone to tailgate and potato lovers alike. Setting up camp at FSN booth #1507, the company will be fully equipped with tasty bites, tailgating fun, and a closer look at the new Side Delights® A Cut Above® fresh-cut potato line.
“Tailgating, as you know, is a popular activity either before, during, or after sports games, where friends come together to celebrate the day and eat tasty, yet easy to make food,” company President and CEO Kathleen Triou tells me. “Ask anyone, tailgating is mostly about the food, even though some type of a sporting event provides the anchor for the day. Whether you tailgate in a parking lot, a driveway, or a backyard, Side Delights potatoes are a great addition to the menu.”
Also this year, the FSN booth will highlight the launch of the company’s Side Delights A Cut Above fresh-cut potato items, which offer consumers fresh, never frozen, washed and pre-cut potato products that can work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack menus, and, of course, tailgating!
“Add these potatoes to other items on the grill by cooking in a foil packet, or heat up in a hot plate with your favorite herbs, spices, and other veggies,” Kathleen says as we talk about the new Cut Above line. “Its simple, healthy, good eatin’. We will be sampling this new product line in our booth, so be sure to come over and taste our Red Diced Skillet potatoes and Carnival Cut Fries.”
This year will also mark the first PMA Fresh Summit where FSN will be a title sponsor of the event. The company is one of four breakfast sponsors at this year’s show, providing Red potatoes from North Dakota out of FSN’s NoKota Packers facility to make Side Delights Potatoes O’Brien at Saturday morning’s General Session.
“PMA Fresh Summit is the only national show all year we exhibit at where ALL our Network members participate,” Kathleen explains. “Generally, we tend to focus on the regional shows as they are more relevant to the 8 geo-diverse partners of Fresh Solutions Network, but we make a special effort to show up in a big way at PMA Fresh Summit with a large booth and a food-related theme that really leverages how and where food is being consumed.”
In addition to FSN’s new A Cut Above line, the company will also be sampling its Side Delights Flavorables® potato product line, which pairs fresh potatoes with bold, globally-inspired seasoning blends created specifically to bring out the best flavors in fresh potatoes. Visitors to the booth will be able to try both the Chimichurri Seasoning, which includes roasted garlic, cilantro, and lemon, as well as the Smokin’ Tomato Seasoning featuring roasted tomatoes, garlic, and chives.
And this will not be the last big bang we hear out of FSN for 2017 either. Kathleen tells me to stay tuned as the company wraps up another Food Blogger Challenge, this year tackling #PotatoPowerBowl, with new one bowl, potato-focused meal recipes.
“As we look to the end of 2017, many of our Network partners are still harvesting with AMAZING potato quality,” Kathleen adds. “2018 will be a great year for potato consumers as they will be enjoying beautiful, delicious, and nutritious spuds all year.”
Want to learn more about FSN’s new products and get in on the tailgate action for yourself? Visit FSN booth #1507, and prepare to enter the Spud Zone.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The season seems to be speeding up around the ANUK offices as the industry begins to gear up for 2017 PMA Fresh Summit, showcasing clever new offerings and culinary applications for fresh produce. One company on the forefront of innovations and culinary creations is Country Sweet Produce and its Bako Sweet® brand sweet potatoes. As first-time exhibitors at the event, the company is making its debut by highlighting the versatility of the sweet potato category and the uniqueness of its newly enhanced value-added line.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Gina Pettit, Marketing and Specialty Sales Manager, and learn a little more about the company’s plans for PMA Fresh Summit.
“As first timers we wanted to make a splash, as we are very excited to showcase our new line of value-added items to a large audience. We have renowned chef Mike Thompson, from NOLA Kitchen, and he has made the booth all about the amazing versatility with sweet potatoes—and showing off our microwavable steamer bag by creating three delicious, Cajun infused recipes, all within 10 minutes, start-to-finish!”
“People are becoming more and more excited about all they can do with sweetpotatoes, so when the opportunity is presented to show them how easy it is to create these caliber of recipes – it’s always a fun time,” Gina told me. “The Chefs we have worked with this past year really pushed forward with these Bako Sweet® creations, as you will see at the booth."
In addition to all the fun at Booth 4534, Bako Sweet is featuring new organic offerings in PMA’s Fresh Ideas Showcase.
“In the Fresh Ideas Showcase, we will display our new 4 count Organic Sweet Potato tray packed in a 100 percent recyclable and compostable tray,” Gina noted, explaining that packaging is key when it comes to a category like sweet potatoes. “Merchandising is so important – especially with value-added items. Consumers are looking for convenient healthy eating options and these items can often get lost in the mix if not merchandised properly."
With an array of packaged options suitable to the needs of a variety of consumers, Bako Sweet is helping elevate the sweet potato category, educate eaters via direct to consumer marketing, and tap into increasingly health-conscious consumer trends. Gina noted that the sweet potato is a super food packed with vitamins and nutrients that are extremely beneficial and rich for any healthy eating lifestyle.
“As a company we are determined to promote healthy eating lifestyles. Understanding each consumer is different, we try to execute new concepts matching different phases of life.” Gina added. “Sweet potatoes are approved for any healthy eating trend, i.e. Whole 30 and Paleo. They level out blood sugar levels, hormones, and provide a consistent source of energy throughout the day. We want to encourage people to eat more sweets.”
Attendees at the 2017 PMA Fresh Summit can check out Bako Sweet’s on-trend offerings at booth 4534. AndNowUKnow will continue to report on all things fresh produce.
DELTA, BC - PMA Fresh Summit is so close you can almost taste it, and if you are Village Farms, “taste” will be a big part of this year’s events, along with a new tomato variety and exclusive varieties that are Better for the Story, demos and do it yourself events, and unique giveaway opportunities.
New to the fold this year is Lorabella Blossom®, an intensely orange snacking tomato variety that has been described as ‘blissfully bright,’ according to a press release. The Lorabella Blossom is part of the authentic San Marzano family of products exclusive to Village Farms and is great for snacking but also wonderful for cooking and enticing those at-home chefs. This year, tomato lovers can find the Lorabella Blossom in a 10 oz clamshell and with 10 oz bag styles on the horizon. Village Farms has some fun product demos planned as well as a full schedule of interactive DIY’s (do it yourself) at its booth.
“Visitors to the booth are in for some real fun. We are fortunate to have Brand Ambassador Kristina La Rue, Registered Dietitian with us this year,” Helen L. Aquino, Director of Brand Marketing & Communication, says. “We have some surprising events planned that are interactive like a DIY cucumber hand scrub or a smashing tomato toast demo, as well as a whole schedule of fun things to taste and try. Kristina will also be doing some sweet giveaways for those who take part in the events.”
Brand Ambassador LaRue, the mind behind the blog Love & Zest, fancies herself a sports dietitian, food photographer, mom, and NFL agent’s wife living in Central Florida. She creates healthy recipes that are delicious, quick and great fuel for an active lifestyle.
“I’m looking forward to my first PMA in New Orleans as a brand ambassador for Village Farms. Fresh Summit is a great opportunity to engage with everyone about all of the company’s fabulous tasting products,” LaRue shares. “I especially love Village Farms flavorful exclusive tomato varieties, like their newest Lorabella Blossom®. It has a unique and alluring flavor all its own. I am really looking forward to sharing many innovative, fun, healthy ways I have created to use their products. So please come by to sample a dish, take part in a demo, or just to say hello.”
For a bit more of a teaser, in addition to Lorabella Blossom™, Village Farms will feature its other unique and exclusive varieties including Heavenly Villagio Marzano®, Cabernet Estate Reserve®, Cherry no 9 Fall in Love Again®, True Rebel Mix®, Sinfully Sweet Campari®, Lip Smack’n Grape®, Delectable TOV®, Savory Roma®, Juicy Beefsteak®, Scrumptious Mini® cucumbers, Luscious Seedless Long English® cucumbers, Sweet Bell® peppers in customer preferred pack sizes.
To check out more of what Village Farms is all about, stop by booth #453 and try some of the company’s treats or just say hello!
TORONTO, ON - Metro Inc. continues to unveil strategies for growth. Already this month the chain entered a $3.6 billion deal to acquire Jean Coutu, then announcing plans to sell off $1.2 billion in Couche-Tard Holdings to fund the buy-out. Now, the company is investing more into its distribution power, with plans to put upwards of $400 million into its Ontario distribution network over the next six years.
"This investment will enable Metro to continue its growth and expansion in the Ontario market," said Eric R. La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With a new and modernized supply chain infrastructure, we will be even more responsive to the needs of our customers."
The investment strategy will modernize its operations in Toronto between 2018 and 2023 by building a new fresh distribution facility and a new frozen distribution facility, according to a press release. Both are planned to leverage technological improvements, including automation.
"The new distribution centers will provide improved product assortment and selection accuracy as well as more flexibility which will allow us to improve service to our store network and customers," commented Carmen Fortino, Executive Vice President and Metro Ontario Division Head. "In addition, they will feature state-of-the-art technology to enhance efficiency."
The retailer currently operates six different distribution centers in Ontario, four of which are located in Toronto with two in Ottawa.
Metro said that it anticipates the decision to modernize and automate a part of its distribution network will result in losing approximately 180 full-time and 100 part-time positions of the over 1,500 it currently provides starting in 2021, adding that it acknowledges the impact its decision will have on these employees and their families.
"Working with our employees and our union, we will provide those who will be impacted by this decision with a range of transition measures to support them throughout the process," said Fortino. "Fortunately, we have some time to plan the transition."
Metro operates over 600 food stores under several banners, employing more than 65,000 throughout Ontario and Québec.
RENO, NV - The word of today is adapt. Take for example a few stats I picked up from Bud Floyd and Butch Peri who recently launched their new venture Freightflow, a cloud-based, transportation management platform for the perishables industry. Every 12 to 18 months computers double their capabilities, and technological advances that took 12 months in 2000 occurred every 66 minutes in 2013, and that is predicted to change every 30 seconds by 2020. Data will drive the biggest changes, if you hadn’t guessed it already, the Freightflow founders tell me.
“That line of sight into every aspect and efficiency of your transportation management platform, or lack their of, will either allow you to compete, or slow your productivity and profits,” Bud tells me. “It is important to not only embrace the changing supply chain, but embrace the speed at which it is evolving, and can evolve for your business.”
So, what are some of the tenets of Bud and Butch’s Freightflow platform? As with the fundamentals of any efficient supply chain network, these components are key according to the founders:
- Connectivity: promotes real-time visibility, seamless collaboration, and modified processes
- Data Intelligence: offers actionable insights, enhanced efficiencies, accelerated innovation
- Scalability: integrated processes that are flexible and customized
- Responsiveness: speed is the new currency
“Our intuitive model is designed by industry professionals who understand the perishable supply chain,” Butch shares. “We have built this service with cloud-based technology to maximize adaptability for changing industries, and as we all know, fresh produce is ever-changing.”
In addition, this system consolidates ERP and transportation tools into a single platform for maximum efficiency, is easy to use, and offers real-time analytics and robust reporting. To top it off, Freightflow requires minimal start-up costs that allow small- to mid-sized companies to compete, which truly levels the playing field. To break that down, along with an integrated ERP solution, the Freightflow system has a user-friendly dashboard for easy load management and problem prioritization. The company also provides an Administrative Library where all communications/documents are stored in one place for easy access by load. Another benefit is Freightflow Information Mining Tool, which can pull together reports quickly and delivers real-time, easy to access, business decision-making information and knowledge.
When I spoke with Bud earlier this summer, I asked him how a company, just launching in the industry tests its product for efficiencies while continuously updating and upgrading software to the program.
“One of the differences that we pride ourselves on is that before we ever integrate anything new into our current software it goes through 2,100 electronic tests,” Bud shared with me. “The reason for this is that we do not want to integrate an upgrade that will compromise the system. We want to integrate and have it work from day one. We are only as successful as our customers–and the buck stops here.”
With the new frontier of technology in the fresh produce supply chain already here, Freightflow is primed and ready to make an impact and a difference.
MENLO PARK, CA - After a year of suspected intent and speculation, Facebook has launched a foodservice pilot that challenged the likes of Uber Eats, Amazon Restaurants, and other such delivery systems to consumers.
Having kicked off late last week, the service gives U.S. users the ability to order food for take-away or delivery directly through the popular app and/or website, according to Fortune.
Partners in the pilot include:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Jack in the Box
- Five Guys
- Papa John’s International
- Panera
“People already go to Facebook to figure out what to eat by reading about nearby restaurants, and seeing what their friends say about them. So, we’re making it even easier,” the company said in a release, touting a combination of food ordering services like EatStreet, Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow, and Olo.
Fortune reported Facebook’s shares are up nearly 1% in early trading on Friday while shares of food order and delivery service GrubHub dropped nearly 3%.
The service allows all U.S. Facebook users, of which there are predicted to hit about 207.36 million in 2018 according to statista, to browse nearby restaurant and delivery options by going to the Order Food section in the Explore menu.
What spin will this add to convenience and consumption in our industry? The team at AndNowUKnow will be sure to keep you in the loop.