CITRUSDAL, SOUTH AFRICA - Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) is in the final stretch of its season, with two final shipments to arrive with Navels and Easy Peelers, along with the first shipment of the popular Midknight variety into the U.S. The last conventional vessel is slated to arrive in the Port of Philadelphia the week of October 9.
“We have established a unique collaboration with incredible logistics partners who are equally committed to meeting USDA requirements. Without dependability and service excellence from Seatrade who provides our dedicated cargo vessels as well as FPT Group who manages our Capetown loading facility, we would not be able to execute such a consistently strong program all season long,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO. “In addition, we are fortunate to work closely with the government bodies involved in the pre-clearance process for our fruit, including USDA/APHIS, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the Perishable Product Export Control Board. All of these groups play a significant role in maintaining a well-managed and successful program year after year.”
With sophisticated logistics services and consolidated resources, SCSA has been able to maintain steady movement of fruit throughout the season. SCSA continues to provide the freshest and sweetest citrus varieties with their Midknight crop arriving at its peak of season with the last harvest of Navels and Easy Peelers entering the US with these final two vessels.
“2017 has been another exciting growth year for the summer citrus category, and we’ve been pleased that our group has been able to increase our support of US retail partners,” Conradie added. “We’ve enjoyed the 17th season and hope to replicate for years to come!”
To support the collaborative sales efforts of SCSA growers and importers, the brand collectively pursued consumer engagement with its second annual digital promotion, this year called Swing Into Summer. The campaign included a two phase online promotion, national influencer partnerships and social media outreach aimed at raising brand awareness and elevating in-season citrus options. The campaign tripled the number of consumer contacts opting in to receive information about summer citrus from South Africa, and they will continue to be nurtured with a year-round digital marketing strategy.
To schedule an appointment with Suhanra Conradie at Fresh Summit, contact Suhanra at [email protected], or visit the Global Connections Reception, sponsored by SCSA, Oct. 20 from 5:15 pm – 7 pm.
CINCINNATI, OH - New rumors that one of America’s biggest grocers may soon be acquired sent the internet and stock prices buzzing this week. According to the Cincinnati Business Courier, speculation that international retailer Ahold Delhaize may buy Kroger had the American chain's stock price raise as much as 4 percent on October 3.
In what sounds like a web of hearsay, the source shared that Berstein supermarket analyst Bruno Monteyne wrote in a new report that, “Bloomberg reported that Twitter speculation referenced Ahold reportedly has hired advisers to look into a possible bid for Kroger at $32 a share.”
While Monteyne believes a deal between the two could likely be in the works, he wrote in his report that any deal between the two would have to be structured as a merger of two equal companies, and that the proposed $32 per share would more likely refer to what the combined companies’ valuation would be after a merger.
According to the Courier, Kroger shares rose nearly 4 percent in early afternoon yesterday. Stock prices rose as high as $20.73, up 77 cents, before closing the day up 60 cents, or 3 percent, to $20.56.
“The increased scale would make Ahold Delhaize-Kroger the leading U.S. grocer with buying power and distribution efficiency in line with Walmart but much stronger in ‘food experience’ and online,” Monteyne wrote, according to the source. “Ahold-Kroger…would be the leading player in this unconsolidated market and would have fantastic firepower to compete as the No. 1 player in the U.S. food and grocery market.”
When the Courier reached out for comment, Kroger’s Head of Communications and Media Relations Kristal Howard said the company never comments on rumors or speculation.
If this deal were to ever come to fruition, it could feasibly create a company with $180 billion in U.S. sales, the source reported, putting it nearly as large as Walmart’s grocery operations. Monteyne wrote in his report that the merger could result in "$1.8 billion in synergies," but would likely have to divest 258 stores due to antitrust issues.
One caveat emerged with Monteyne’s theory, however. As Ahold and Delhaize themselves just merged last year, another deal may take some time to prepare for. He predicts any deal with Kroger coming in another two to three years.
Will these be the next major move in grocery retail? While its too early to tell, you better believe ANUK will be keeping a close eye on these two power players.
SANTA PAULA, CA – Calavo Growers announced today that Jim Catchot will retire as President of its Renaissance Food Group (RFG) effective October 31, 2017. Jim Gibson, founding co-member and former Chief Operating Officer, will succeed him as RFG President.
“Jim Gibson will be a great successor to Jim Catchot as President,” said Lee Cole, Chairman, President and CEO of Calavo Growers. “Jim’s leadership and fourteen years of experience as RFG COO make him a natural choice to lead our RFG division and continue its growth and success.”
According to a recent press release, Jim Catchot co-founded RFG in 2003 along with his brother Ken Catchot and Jim Gibson, and eight years later Calavo Growers acquired the fresh foods company in 2011. Ever the entrepreneur, Jim Catchot began his career when he founded JC Produce in 1980. In 1991, Jim was one of six founding members of Pro*Act, serving as its founding Chairman and CEO for 5 years before founding RFG.
With headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California, RFG products are produced and shipped from seven fresh food facilities nationally, including company operated facilities in Sacramento, Riverside, Green Cove Springs, and Houston.
For more of the latest industry news, keep following AndNowUKnow.
DELANO, CA - With autumn colors on the way, consumers will need to freshen up their recipe books with more healthy, tasty options. As the weather cools and the kitchen becomes the place to be, see What’s in Store for Columbine Vineyards and our creative CoVi Kitchen.
At Columbine Vineyards, we’re ecstatic about the “foodie” culture rising out of social media as creative, beautiful ways to prepare meals push grapes into the spotlight. To showcase their versatility, we’ve created an easy, interactive destination for anyone looking for a new, healthy, delicious way to use this vine-grown gem.
From breakfast to dessert, you and your customers can find a wide array of inspiration when visiting CoVi Kitchen. Browse numerous ideas broken down into simple, easy-to-prepare steps that will elevate your grape offerings.
And not to worry Holiday® Grape lovers! Having kicked off late September, these exclusive red seedless gems are available now for all your grape needs. Crisp, sweet, and juicy, don’t miss out on the variety consumers ask for by name! Get them before their gone in early December.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube to ensure you never miss a chance to inspire your shoppers with our latest CoVi℠ recipes.
Thank you for watching What’s In Store.
PARIS, FRANCE – Amidst speculation that the online retailer could be looking for a brick and mortar grocery acquisition target in France, Amazon has reportedly approached Leclerc—a privately-held supermarket operator—over a prospective logistics partnership.
“Yes, we have been approached by Amazon,” Leclerc CEO Michel-Edouard Leclerc told Reuters. “Amazon could—why not—be our logistics partner.”
Leclerc’s comments reportedly come after several days of speculation that Amazon is shopping for on-ground retail and distribution targets in France. A Le Monde report cited sources suggesting that the Seattle-based company has approached French supermarket giant Casino over the company’s Monoprix division. Monoprix is a chain of hybrid grocery-department stores comparable, perhaps, in terms of product offerings, to a Target or Walmart.
According to Le Monde, though, Casino has no intentions to sell Monoprix, and the company has also reportedly received similarly unfavorable feedback from Intermarché and Système U—two independent food distributors in France linked to a potential acquisition.
“Amazon is not our friend: in the end their goal is to eat us,” Le Monde’s source, an unnamed grocery dealer, said, “and we are not going to open the door to them and give them the menu. "
The French news source also cited rumors linking Amazon to Carrefour and British supermarket Morrisons.
Amazon threw the industry into a frenzy of speculation earlier this year when the online retailer announced its plans to acquire Whole Foods for $13.7 billion. Since then, the company has implemented sweeping changes to Whole Foods’ pricing structure, and those changes seem to be paying dividends for the ever-expansive online retailer.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with news on this and other important retailers in our industry.
LEAMINGTON, ON - The industry is revving its engine for PMA Fresh Summit, which is just two short weeks away. Thousands of produce professionals will be heading to New Orleans LA, and Pure Flavor® will be turning out for the event with an interactive display for both the show. Pure Flavor has been ramping up its promotional activities with a focus on everything snacking following the groundbreaking of a new greenhouse in Georgia.
“Our snacking programs are well established in the marketplace with the likes of our Juno® Bites Red Grape Tomatoes, Aurora™ Bites Sweet Mini Peppers, and Poco Bites™ Cocktail Cucumbers,” said Matt Mastronardi, Executive Vice President.
Pure Flavor’s complete line of snacking items also include 6 different types of snacking tomatoes that are packed in a unique oval clamshell. Customers will be able to view the snacking series which will be on display at booth #1635, as well as on display in the Featured Product Showcase at the trade show.
“The Pure Flavor® Mini Munchie Snack Size Veggie program combines healthy snacking ideas in a convenient pack format,” stated Ken Paglione, Key Account Manager.
The Mini Munchie Program is a versatile program that allows for different snacking (tomatoes, mini sweet peppers, cocktail cucumbers) product configurations in snack-sized formats. Studies conducted by Pure Flavor have shown that 4 oz packages are the perfect snack sizes for kids, parents, and senior citizens alike. The Mini Munchie Program will be on display in the Featured Product Showcases, as well as at the Mini Munchie interactive area outside of the convention center.
Pure Flavor will once again be working with Elite Personal Chefs at PMA Fresh Summit to create a variety of appetizers for customers to enjoy at the show. From Cucumber Popsicles and Fire Roasted Mini Peppers to Roasted Eggplant & Crab Dip and others, trade show attendees will enjoy a bevy of flavors at Pure Flavor’s booth #1635.
“Our partnership with Elite allows us to create recipes that embody the core characteristics of our vegetables; from sweet to savory, the versatility of our items provides a unique eating experience,” commented Sarah Pau, Director of Marketing.
While PMA has identified the theme of ‘great ideas are always in season’ being the focus of this year’s Fresh Summit in New Orleans, Pure Flavor is planning for years to come with the groundbreaking of the company’s new 75-acre greenhouse project in Peach County, GA.
“In late September, we broke ground in Georgia on our new 75-acre greenhouse project, shovels are in the ground and land levelling has begun,” said Jamie Moracci, President. “We are committed to growing our business throughout North America and as a vertically integrated grower/marketer, this is a major step forward for the Pure Flavor brand.”
The $105 million-dollar investment in Georgia is the biggest single investment the company has made to date. Using the latest in high tech greenhouse technology, Dutch greenhouse builder Havecon was selected to build and manage the project.
The Georgia greenhouse facility will be growing tomatoes and cucumbers under lights to help grow year-round. The number one economic driver in the state of Georgia is agriculture and represents a $75 billion-dollar economic impact.
“We are honored that Pure Flavor selected Georgia for their greenhouse vegetable project. Georgia is the #1 state in the U.S. four years running where local food systems flourish. Pure Flavor will play an integral part in the growth of the Georgia Grown branding program in the southeastern United States,” stated Gary W. Black, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner. “Agriculture makes life better.”
Completion of the construction part of the project is expected by early Summer 2018; the first picks of Georgia grown greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers will take place in mid-Fall 2018 and will continue throughout the winter that year. To learn more about Pure Flavor, please visit Pure-Flavor.com.
SOUTH AFRICA - October is the month of treat yo' self, and what better way to celebrate than having a gold avocado on toast.
No, seriously! Last week, Tesco began selling rare gold-flecked GEM® avocados, and the millennial in me couldn’t be happier for a new avocado-based reason to shirk home-owning responsibilities.
“This outstanding avocado stands out from other varieties because of its rich taste, melt in the mouth texture, smooth creaminess, and slight nuttiness,” Tesco Category Buying Manager Andrew Pattison said in a recent press release. “But it is also notable for its eye-catching golden lenticels or speckles which appear on the dark skin of the ripe fruit and which make it stand out from other avocado varieties.”
Exclusively grown by elite groups around the world, the South African GEM avocados are hand-picked to optimize fruit condition, and sold perfectly ripened and ready to eat. The combination of its sweet flesh and thick skin make it easy to scoop out with a spoon and a perfect snack to enjoy any time of day.
“Avocados have massively grown in popularity from the days when they were still considered a niche food 25 years ago and have even made their way onto British breakfast menus as a trendy and tasty addition to egg on toast,” Pattinson explained.
But this unique avocado isn’t the first rare variety Tesco has offered. Tesco also recently sold mini avocado called Zilla Eggs and a giant, five times the size of a regular avocado, sized one called Avozilla.
What will be the next gold-flecked food variety? AndNowUKnow will keep you posted.
PHOENIX, AZ – 2018 is already looking like a big year for Sprouts Farmers Market. Today, Sprouts announced nine new locations scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018, and approximately a total of 30 new stores to open across the country throughout the year as well.
Each store is expected to bring 120 new career opportunities to its local neighborhood. The new Sprouts stores will open at the following locations:
- Albuquerque, NM – 5600 Coors Boulevard NW
- Ellicott City, MD – 9150 Baltimore National Pike
- Fayetteville, NC – 2810 Freedom Parkway Drive
- Green Valley, AZ – 18755 South Nogales Highway
- Las Cruces, NM – 2350 E. Lohman Avenue
- Mesa, AZ – 3150 N. Recker Road
- Sacramento, CA – 2810 Del Paso Road
- Tempe, AZ – 931 East Elliott Road
- Valrico, FL – 3309 Lithia Pinecrest Road
Since opening its doors 15 years ago, Sprouts has appealed to everyday shoppers interested in fresh, natural, gluten-free, and organic products at affordable prices. Sprouts offers more than 1,800 Sprouts Brand items in fresh produce, meat and seafood, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli with freshly prepared entrees and sides, dairy, bakery, and natural body care items, all of which meet strict ingredient standards while delivering exceptional value, taste, and quality.
Sprouts is also dedicated to growing responsibly and has committed to a “Zero Waste” threshold by 2020, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One way it has lowered waste is through its Sprouts Food Rescue program, which donates unsold and edible groceries, including fresh produce, from its stores and distribution centers to food banks in all of its markets. In 2016, Sprouts donated more than 19 million pounds of product, equivalent to 15 million meals. Food that is not fit for human consumption is either composted or sent to cattle ranches through Sprouts’ Food Waste to Farms program.
The new Maryland store is the company’s first opening in the mid-Atlantic region, and brings the total number of states with Sprouts locations to 16, according to a recent press release. For a list of stores by region or to see locations coming soon, visit sprouts.com/stores/search.
Congratulations, Sprouts! For more news like this, keep following AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA – Capitalizing on fresh food trends and continuously innovating, Mann Packing has announced a hot new addition to its award-winning line of Nourish Bowls™. The company has introduced a Spicy Thai variety with fresh kohlrabi noodles.
“We filled a demand in the market when we created Nourish Bowls—which have become increasingly popular for their convenience and health benefits—so, naturally, we are thrilled to launch our Spicy Thai flavor featuring kohlrabi noodles,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing, in a press release. “Thai food is popular, yet can be intimidating to prepare at home. The color and texture of kohlrabi really mimics that of a noodle. The eating experience is flavorful and genuine.”
As the only warm, veggie-based meal kits in market, Mann’s noted, Spicy Thai expands the company’s popular Nourish Bowls line with an additional on-trend flavor profile. With fragrant hints of lemongrass and coconut, the new bowl features nutrient-rich kohlrabi noodles, fresh kale and carrots, a spicy Thai sauce, and toasted, sweetened coconut flakes for topping.
“The sweetness of the coconut offsets the heat of the Thai sauce for a flavorful, yet healthy eating experience,” noted Nucci. “We’re committed to expanding the Nourish Bowl line-up with more unique, convenient, and healthy solutions.”
According to Mann’s press release, Nourish Bowls appeal to a wide demographic and have gained over 32,000 points of distribution across North America since launching last year. Nourish Bowls have created a new segment within Specialty Veg (Vegetable Bowls) and have brought in new sales dollars with 27 percent of total sales in the category, which resulted in 42 percent of total dollar growth to the category.
The company also noted the increasing popularity of products featuring coconut, with coconut-containing product launches increased an average of 21 percent a year between 2011 and 2016, growing to meet burgeoning demand.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on new product offerings in our industry.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Model Chrissy Teigen, who made her debut in Sports Illustrated, has steadily gained notoriety as a sassy Twitter sensation during her years in the public eye. Now, she’s used that attention to go where no celebrity has gone before: crowdsourcing produce.
Rather than the traditional move of asking a neighbor for a cup of sugar Teigen, who is married to singer John Legend, took to her 7.5M fans on Twitter, asking followers if they could spare some brown bananas for a special banana bread recipe. She even offered to swap her husband's celebrity skivvies to up the stakes of the deal.
In the onslaught of responses, Teigen delivered specific instructions to validate credibility and narrated the transaction with her wry sense of humor.
Upon culmination of the swap, Teigen delighted fans by detailing her culinary exploits through videos and even shared the highly-demanded recipe on her Instagram.
I don't know about you, but I think Chrissy Teigen might be on to something, and really, I'm always happy to see produce getting its moment in the limelight.