BALA CYNWYD, PA – You may have heard the phrase “Nature’s Candy” referring to beets before, but with Love Beets latest product, that phrase takes on new meaning. Introducing its new Honey and Vinegar Diced Golden Beets ahead of this year’s PMA, LoveBeets are taking flavor- and nutrient-rich golden beets and turning them into a delicious, versatile, and ready-to-eat product for sweet and savory food lovers alike.

“We’re delighted to present a long anticipated, golden beet to our product line, with a perfected recipe consisting of honey and vinegar marinade,” said George Shropshire, General Manager. “There has been a high demand for a golden beet offering since the beginning of Love Beets, and we are happy to provide a colorful, kid-friendly addition to our all natural, ready-­to-eat beet products.” 

What really gives Love Beets’ latest product its edge, however, is that the company has pre-diced its golden beets for simple and easy consumption, and with honey as the only added natural sweetener and vinegar to bring out its flavor, these value-added beets make for both a great stain-free alternative to red beets and a great substitute for candies for the kids. The golden beets are gluten-free with no added sugar, according to a press release, and pre-cut for consumers to make for a great “no mess, no fuss” ingredient or by-itself snack. 

“As well as the remarkable yellow-gold color, golden beets are typically sweeter and less earthy–meaning more sweet and mellow than red beets,” added Daniel Cross, Managing Director of the company’s production facility. “Golden beets have all the great nutrition and health benefits of red beets, but bring their vibrant bright yellow-gold color to salads, roasted vegetables, burgers, hot dogs, smoothies, and more.”

Also like their relative, the red beet, golden beets contain betalain, otherwise know as betanin, a powerful antioxidant. But that just scratches the surface of what golden beets have to offer.

“Nutritionally, golden beets are very similar to red beets, and are packed with other antioxidants, potassium, and nitrate, which lower blood pressure,” Daniel continued. “Golden beets are low calorie, a great source of fiber, and have a lot of calcium. We're thrilled to launch another product that maintains our commitment to providing healthy and convenient items.”

And as the company looks to continue its pledge to high quality, Love Beets plans to continue harvesting golden beets from the western region of New York State. The New York harvest has already begun, and will continue locally through October. In the spring, Love Beets plans to keep its harvest of golden beets in the U.S., remaining in top choice growing states such as Texas, Georgia, and California.

Want to learn more about Love Beets and its entire line of convenience- and health-focused beet solutions? Attendees of PMA Fresh Summit can find the team at booth #4400, and be sure to check out www.lovebeets.com.

Love Beets

TABOR CITY, NC – Lipman Family Farms has announced a new partnership designed to expand the company’s reach and double down on its commitment to sustainability and high-quality farming. The company has partnered with North Carolina-based watermelon grower Table Fare Farms.

“We are very excited to partner with [Table Fare Owners] Larry and Tammy O’Ferrel,” said Scott Rush, Director of Lipman Local, in a press release. “Table Fare Farms will be a great addition to the Lipman family and will allow us to expand our local produce offerings to our customers.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Lipman will be the exclusive marketer for the farm. Lipman is currently affiliated with more than 50 local farmers in more than 20 states, and through its “Lipman Local” program, the company partners with growers across the country to bring its customers local, quality produce year-round.

“Working with Lipman is the ideal next step for us,” said Table Fare Farms Owner Larry O’Ferrel. “We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Lipman also noted in its press release that the company plans to expand this partnership to include other categories in the future.

For more on important produce partnerships, look to AndNowUKnow for breaking news.

Lipman Family Farms

BENTONVILLE, AR - As Walmart gears up to host its annual investment community meeting today, Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon is preparing to announce some big strategic investments the company has planned for the fiscal 2018 and 2019. Including plans to invest $11 billion in capital expenditures, raise U.S. eCommerce growth by 40 percent, and add 1,000 online grocery locations, it looks like Walmart has big plans to prime the next few years for massive growth.

“We have good momentum in the business, we’re executing our strategy and moving with speed to win with the customer, who is more connected than ever and embracing tools that will save them both time and money,” McMillon shared in a statement ahead of the investment meeting. “We’re combining the accessibility of our stores with eCommerce to provide new and exciting ways for customers to shop. I’m proud of the team we have in place, the work we have underway and how we are positioned for success in the future.”

In the retailer’s pre-meeting news release, Walmart highlighted several new strategic plans the company plans to implement going forward, including its U.S. division’s goal to continue to prioritize store remodels and digital experiences over new stores.

This investment in digital experiences will likely include enhanced supply chain capabilities, more fulfillment capabilities, and an $11 billion capital expenditure budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Other highlights from the company’s release include:

• Expectancy to grow consolidated net sales at or above 3 percent
• Anticipation of sales growth at Walmart U.S. eCommerce to be about 40 percent
• Expectancy to add 1,000 online grocery locations in Walmart U.S.
• Expectancy for effective tax rate to be approximately 32.5 percent
• Global unit growth of approximately 280 for each of the fiscal years 2018 and 2019
• Walmart U.S. expects fewer than 15 new Supercenters and 10 Neighborhood Markets in fiscal year 2019
• Walmart International expects approximately 255 new stores with a focus in Mexico and China

At the meeting, Walmart CFO Brett Biggs will also be discussing financial projections. Biggs commented, “We feel good about where we are as a company. Our plans are designed to win with both customers and shareholders as we operate within our financial framework. Our financial position is strong, which allows us to invest in the business while returning significant cash to shareholders.”

With big, headline-grabbing numbers such as $11 billion investments and 1,000 new locations, will Walmart’s new moves be enough to keep its position near the top of the retail food chain? AndNowUKnow will continue to follow this and other major moves in grocery.

Walmart

SALINAS, CA & TRACY, CA – Fresh food provider Taylor Farms announced today that it has completed the company’s largest solar panel installation to date—an array spanning 300,000-square-feet and supplying 67 percent of energy needs at the Taylor Farms Pacific facilities in Tracy, California.

"I am thrilled to see yet another one of our sustainability projects come to fruition, and this is one of our most exciting projects to date," said Nicole Flewell, Director of Sustainability. "With each installation, whether solar, wind, or cogeneration, we continue to add clean power to our facilities nationwide in the most sustainable manner possible."

This 8,204 panel installation spans 7.5 acres of rooftop space, making it the largest private solar panel array in San Joaquin County, according to a company press release. The system will provide 2.256 megawatts (MW) of direct current (DC) power to the facility, produce 3,697,800 kWh annually, and reduce C02 emissions by 2,752 metric tons.

Since 2012, Taylor Farms has invested in eight major sustainable power projects in North America including, solar, wind, fuel cells, and cogeneration. The company has installed five solar arrays at facilities in Texas, Tennessee, and three facilities in California, which together generate 8.4 Million kWh/year. The company also noted that it has dedicated sustainability resources to determine the best energy strategy for each location and pursue localized incentives to make projects economically viable.

Taylor Farms Pacific will be hosting an Open House and Launch Party at its onsite Innovation Center to celebrate the installation, the people of Taylor Farms, and the company’s commitment to community and to caring for the planet. Mayor of Tracy, Robert Rickman, will deliver a keynote speech, alongside Flewell.

"This is a wonderful achievement for Taylor Farms' sustainability program," noted Rickman, in a press releases. "We're excited about not only the innovation that Taylor Farms is bringing to the City of Tracy, but what's to come with our partnership."

For more on sustainability initiatives, community outreach, and the forward-thinking produce companies paving the way forward for our industry, look to AndNowUKnow.

Taylor Farms

WATSONVILLE, CA - Plant-based and blended proteins are on the rise both at the buy-side and in foodservice. In line with the trend is the newest product line soon to be unveiled by Monterey Mushrooms; the company announced it will launch its new Let's Blend™ line at the PMA Fresh Summit next week.

“People want to eat better without giving up flavor and texture,” said Lindsey Roberts, Marketing Specialist, of the new finely-diced mushrooms, ready to blend with ground meat. “Let’s Blend works well with ground beef, chicken, lamb, pork, or turkey. It makes meat juicier without adding fat or cholesterol.”

Clad in a high-graphic, 8-ounce package with an inspiring blended protein dish, the recyclable packaging has cooking instructions on the pack, a visible best-by date, and a cut out window to see the fresh product.

Retailers, in turn, can appreciate the added value Let’s Blend brings to the refrigerated mushroom, as well as an extended shelf-life.

Let's Blend is launching with three pre-seasoned flavors:

• Classic
• Mexican
• Italian

“It’s an easy way for home cooks to achieve the same Blend Concept that is appearing on restaurant menus nationwide,” Lindsey explained. Listed amongst popular media coverage for the movement are names like The Today Show, Food & Wine, Forbes, and more.

Now, Let’s Blend will help home cooks achieve the dishes at home they’ve been able to sample on restaurant menus, the company said.

Born from a partnership between the Mushroom Council, UC-Davis researchers, and Culinary Institute of America chefs, The Blend concept is a result of studying the flavor-enhancing properties of mushrooms and the appeal of blending them with ground meat. During a 2014 study, they found mushrooms’ umami makes for a boost in flavor when a traditional ground meat recipe is prepared with 50 percent mushrooms and 50 percent meat.

In addition to the Let’s Blend line, Monterey Mushrooms said it will showcase all the products and packages in its fresh line including clean-n-ready, vitamin D, certified-organic, whole and sliced mushrooms at booth #1906.

The team is also sponsoring the PMA Chairman's Invitational Reception and celebrating that both Lindsey and Sales Manager Erica Manfre will be honored for achievements among the 40 under 40.

It all goes down at the 2017 PMA Fresh Summit Convention and Expo, Oct. 20-21 in New Orleans. See you there!

Monterey Mushrooms

MILWAUKEE, WI - As the business of brand building evolves, FullTilt Marketing highlights its new and improved content marketing services with the launch of an updated website. With a focus on content marketing enriched with storytelling, FullTilt’s new website shares information about its strategic positioning process and gets to the heart of what content marketing is.

“It’s about a common thread that helps brands understand that everyone has a food story and makes one food story relatable to the next,” said Managing Partner Melinda Goodman. “While all marketing starts with sound strategic planning and on-brand messaging, today’s consumer expectations and brand preference are not driven by a great TV commercial or magazine ad, but by absolute transparency rooted in authentic stories and validation from their peers that allows influencer marketing to become the new word-of-mouth advertising. That is the root of content marketing.”

For the past five years, industry veterans Heidi McIntyre and Melinda Goodman have steadily grown their boutique marketing agency to include strategic marketing, public relations, event marketing, brand management, and more, but continued changes in food marketing and online distribution channels have continued to dial in its focus on social media, influencer marketing, and personalized storytelling. This focus helps clients understand the new role of content marketing as part of a strategic brand building effort that reaches across B2B and B2C marketing and integrates a disciplined approach to focused messaging across all channels.

Telling great stories can’t be the only role of content marketing. Understanding the marketplace and the influencers that command its universe are equally important and FullTilt Marketing has spent years cultivating close relationships with influencers across food, lifestyle, and health platforms. Part of that relationship includes understanding audiences, needs, and overall perspective in the marketplace. That understanding has included the release of insights including feedback on food trends and direct feedback on how to work with influencers to promote your brand.

“Influencers aren’t just bloggers. They are content creators that can be passionate advocates for your brand and bring you face-to-face with consumers in authentic ways. Whether it’s infographics, videos, personal stories, or user generated content it’s a brave new world that requires new skills and new relationships that bring in real life (IRL) and online experiences together as one,” commented Managing Partner Heidi McIntyre.

If you are ready to tell your food story, learn more about content marketing, or get started with an influencer marketing program, the staff of FullTilt Marketing will be available for free marketing consultations at PMA. To schedule your free meeting during or after PMA, contact [email protected].

For more news like this, AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.

FullTilt Marketing

MONTGOMERY CREEK, CA – Commuters along Highway 299 in Northern California experienced serious delays last week when a semi-truck toppled spilling its piquant contents—79,000 pounds of onions—into oncoming traffic.

The crash, which occurred around 8:40 AM on Wednesday October 4^th, didn’t cause any injuries; it did, however block traffic for the better part of the day, according to local news source the Redding Record Searchlight.

Two-way traffic was completely blocked for more than an hour before the California Highway Patrol (CHP) could clear a lane. One-way traffic was restored by 10am, but ongoing efforts to clear bagged and stray onions persisted well into the afternoon. The CHP finally reported the road open and the produce wrangled at 2:34 PM—just in time for the afternoon commute.

No word was forthcoming on the fate of the onions involved, but I would speculate that some residents of the Redding area may be shorted some sweetness and spiciness in their soups, salads, and sandwiches this week.

For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

MONTEREY, CA - Mustards Grill Owner & Executive Chef Cindy Pawlcyn was whipping up some delicious concoctions with Sunkist Growers’ citrus.

The Chef and Napa restaurant owner took that time to share with me some insights on what is piquing foodservice interests in using citrus.

“What’s happening for us in the restaurant industry with citrus is that we’re learning more about it’s year-round availability,” Cindy explains, showing off some of the dynamic twists chefs can do with the fruit.

Her Citrus Ceviche, for example, offered some California flair, while the Whole fruit Valencia Orange Bread Pudding used every piece of the orange. She explained that she even caramelized the orange peel for the dish.

“There’s a bunch of fun fruits like the striped zebra lemon that has a pink flesh,” Cindy added to the category’s possibilities, naming off creative possibilities like wonderful mandarin oranges, pink ruby grapefruits, and more.

Hear all about Cindy’s excitement for the produce in our brief video interview above.

Sunkist Growers

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI – With PMA Fresh Summit just a couple of weeks away, Good Foods announced its new line of refrigerated salad dressing will be showcased at PMA on October 20-21. If you can’t catch the new line at PMA, the six varieties–Asian Ginger, Beet Balsamic, Apple Thyme, Avocado Ranch, Blue Cheese, and Classic Caesar–are also now available nationwide.

"Consumers are demanding fresher, cleaner dressings and dips that deliver incredible flavor without having to add artificial ingredients or preservatives," said Mandy Bottomlee, Marketing Director, in a recent press release. "We’re excited that we are able to offer a line of dressing based on real, simple ingredients like fresh herbs, fresh produce, and cold-pressed juices.”

Chicago-based market researcher Mintel showed in its May 2016 “Sweet & Savoury Spreads” Category Insight that 30 percent of Americans who buy chips or dips agree that “no artificial ingredients” is an important nutritional attribute, the company said. While shelf-stable dressings have seen flat to declining growth over the last few years, the refrigerated offerings have grown to a $400M category with sales up 3.1 percent, according to data from IRI Worldwide.

Good Foods dressings are made with natural ingredients including fresh herbs, like shallots, parsley, chives, and dill; fresh produce, like carrots, avocados, apples, onions, and garlic; and cold-pressed juices, like carrot, beet, apple, lemon, and orange. All Good Foods’ dressings are high pressure processed to capture the flavors and to maintain freshness.

Check out the new line at PMA, and look for it in your local produce section.

For more PMA announcements, keep following AndNowUKnow

Good Foods