GONZALES, CA - The fall season is bringing a new look along with it for California vegetable company Misionero. The company has unveiled a rebranded new logo for its Garden Life logo, as well as a revamp of its packaging for the Washed and Trimmed Leaf Lettuce line.
The idea for this rebrand and packaging design came straight from listening to the voices in the market, according to a press release, and includes a variety of new, well-thought-out elements. From new product usage callouts on the front of the label to new peel and reseal label technology, Misionero says its new look effectively removes the lid, while eliminating 20% of plastic used in its prior packaging design. The new consumer brand was also designed for more product visibility on the retail shelf, and the company plans on moving all of its retail valued-added products to this peel and reseal film.
This launch is just one of many in Misionero’s continued focus on cutting-edge innovation, the company says, and is part of its mission to build on ideas that benefit both the consumer and our environment. As its slogan says, “Misionero…Real People, Creating Real Food for a Greener Future (on and off the plate).”
Misionero also has a new website in the works to further support its new look, so stay tuned for the new and improved www.misionero.com.
BRONX, NY – Baldor Specialty Foods, a premier ingredient source for NYC’s top chefs, joins the meal kit craze with the the launch of its Urban Roots line of Veggie Side Kits, available at grocery and specialty markets across the Northeast now.
"We wanted to make quick, easy, and good-for-you meal solutions available to consumers everywhere through traditional retail outlets,” says Senior Director of Marketing & Development Benjamin Walker.
Urban Roots Veggie Side Kits are offered in three unique cauliflower rice offerings:
- Chili Cilantro Cauliflower Rice
- Tabouli Style Cauliflower Rice
- Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Rice
Unlike mail delivery meal kits, Urban Roots Veggie Side Kits offer flexibility at the point of purchase, minimal packaging, and extremely quick cooking (3 minutes maximum) and cleaning times since every meal only needs one pot or pan.
Healthy, easy-to-prepare, and plant-based, these kits are made from scratch daily from the same premium produce and specialty ingredients that Baldor delivers to some of the country’s best chefs, according to a press release.
The perfect sides for two or a meal for one, Baldor’s Urban Roots line of Veggie Side Kits is available now! Follow Baldor on Instagram @meeturbanroots for future product launches, and follow AndNowUKnow for more news like this.
BENTONVILLE, AR - As one e-commerce subsidiary grows its reach to test private label groceries, Walmart has bought up another in an effort to expand its delivery prowess. The retailer announced today that it has acquired technology-based, same-day, and last-mile delivery company Parcel.
“Parcel has partnerships with several meal kit, grocery, and e-commerce companies, and has delivered more than 1 million meals in the past two years,” commented company SVP of U.S. e-Commerce Supply Chain Nate Faust. “So our immediate plan is for Parcel to continue serving its existing clients and growing its customer base. There’s a lot of upside, and I’m excited about the potential there.”
Faust added that Walmart plans to leverage Parcel for last mile delivery to customers in New York City–including same-day delivery–for both general merchandise as well as fresh and frozen groceries from Walmart and Jet.
Same-day delivery is a key offering in online grocery shopping, especially for perishables, with an increasing circle. Big players include Amazon and Instacart, and it is easy to call The Big Apple a hub for delivery.
“Delivery is increasingly one of the most important elements for today’s online shoppers, as demands for speed, flexibility, and reliability continue to grow. That’s why my team spends a lot of time thinking about ways we can make deliveries faster and more convenient for customers,” Faust said. “Parcel is a proven leader in e-commerce package delivery, including taking fresh, frozen, and perishable food the last mile–that is, the last step in the shipping process as products make their way from a fulfillment center to your door.”
But, Faust said he sees even more upside for the retailer’s own same-day deliveries. In addition to this latest step in growth, Jet.com has been testing free same-day delivery of certain orders to customers in New York City.
The deal closed on September 29, 2017, and while financial details weren’t disclosed, Walmart did say it was a smaller buy than previous acquisitions it’s made this year.
You can see Faust’s full Q&A about Parcel on the retailer’s blog. As the cyber and delivery aspects of produce and grocery continue to grow, AndNowUKnow will bring you the latest.
SANTA PAULA, CA – It’s October, and Halloween is just around the corner!
In that spirit, Limoneira spokesperson and Healthy Grocery Girl’s Megan Roosevelt has put together a selection of her favorite delicious fall recipes and spooky, ghoulish décor tips to get the most out of the season as the temperatures outside fall. As always, the emphasis is on simplicity, ease, and health–and Limoneira citrus, of course.
Take a look at this month’s recipes and décor tips below.
Fall Door Décor – Want some spooky citrus curb appeal before this year’s All Hallows Eve? Stylize your front stoop!
You’ll need:
- Your favorite Limoneira citrus
- Several hurricane lanterns
- Optional: pumpkins and/or assorted gourds
Directions: Add the brightly colored citrus of your choosing to hurricane lanterns and arrange on your front stoop. Feeling extra festive? Arrange alongside a nice pumpkin or Jack-o-Lantern and be the envy of the autumnal neighborhood!
Slow Cooker Apple Orange Oatmeal – There’s no better way to get going on a cool fall morning than a hearty, tasty bowl of homemade oatmeal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 2 cups water
- 1 orange
- 1 apple
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Directions: Juice the orange and dice the apple. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours, or low for 6 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Citrus Apple Cider – Nothing says comfort on a cool autumn day quite like a hot cup of apple cider – with a twist!
You’ll need:
- 4 cups apple juice
- 1 orange
- Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
Directions: Add apple juice, orange slices, ginger, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a small pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for at least 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Each month, Megan features another wonderful facet of citrus living. For helpful demonstrations, you can watch Megan create the recipes on Limoneira’s Youtube channel as well as find more information on the many ways this endlessly versatile fruit can improve life inside the home and beyond.
Happy Halloween!
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – In a move that will nearly double the retailer’s store count, Canadian grocer Metro Inc. announced that it has made a formal offer to acquire the Jean Coutu Group. Metro announced the proposed acquisition in a statement released Monday, October 2nd. The proposed transaction would see Metro paying approximately $24.50 per share in a C$4.5 billion ($3.6 billion USD) transaction.
"We're honored to become the steward of the iconic Jean Coutu Group brand and we intend to build on this exceptional legacy," said Eric R. La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer of Metro, in a press release. "This transaction is attractive and compelling from a financial and commercial perspective. It is a unique opportunity to bring together each company's expertise to better serve the growing consumer demand for healthier choices, value, and convenience. The Jean Coutu Group's extensive retail network and state-of-the-art distribution center will provide us with increased scale and reach, operational efficiencies, and enhanced growth potential. We look forward to having Jean Coutu Group shareholders become important METRO shareholders."
Under the terms of the Transaction, Jean Coutu Group shareholders will receive an aggregate consideration which will consist of 75 percent in cash and 25 percent in METRO common shares. The two companies expect the deal to produce $75 million in synergies in the next three years—with a slate of cost-cutting initiatives including shared warehouses, an expanded online presence for each chain, and the eventual cross-selling of products.
"Bringing together our two highly-respected and longstanding Québec brands represents an exciting milestone in the history of the Jean Coutu Group," said Jean Coutu, Chairman of the Jean Coutu Group. "I am confident that this combination will ensure the safeguard of our entrepreneurial vision and corporate values as well as the perennial strength of the brand and will enable us to pursue our growth plan.”
The deal will see Metro’s combined store count to grow to more than 1,300 stores—combining more than 850 Metro grocery and drug stores in Quebec and Ontario with Jean Coutu’s 419 pharmacies in Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Jean Coutu also boasts a state-of-the-art distribution center that will provide Metro increased scale and reach, operational efficiencies, and enhanced growth potential.
François J. Coutu, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jean Coutu Group, added, "The strategic and commercial fit between the two companies and their retail networks represents an opportunity for continued growth; it will consolidate our position as the leading destination for professional services, health, beauty, and wellness with a network comprised of more than 675 independent stores. This transaction also represents an opportunity for our shareholders to realize significant and immediate value while providing them the opportunity to participate in the future upside through continued ownership in the combined entity."
Combined, the two companies expect to generate approximately $16 billion in revenue, over $1.3 billion in EBITDA, and $500 million in free cash flow, including those $75 million in expected synergies within three years.
For more details, read Metro’s statement in its entirety, here.
VANCOUVER, BC - Oppy has announced staff moves designed to strengthen its entire supply chain, by fortifying Western Canadian sales efforts with the promotion of Derek Lenko to Sales Manager, while applying proven expertise to the supply of produce from Mexico by moving Todd Plaxton into a newly created Procurement Manager position.
“With Todd and Derek in these roles, we’re strengthening both ends of the Oppy supply chain,” Walt Breeden, Vice President of Sales for Canada and the U.S. West Coast, said. “Their contributions will enhance the service we provide to customers in Canada while creating a deeper and wider assortment of Mexican vegetables for those Oppy serves throughout our sales network.”
Calgary, Alberta-based sales manager Todd Plaxton is returning to Nogales, Arizona, in the newly created role of Procurement Manager. Plaxton joined Oppy as a Sales Representative in June 2015, bringing with him a successful record of extensive procurement responsibilities in Nogales spanning more than a decade.
Plaxton, on the other hand, will secure new products and create new grower partnerships in alignment with Oppy’s growth strategy, according to Breeden. He will focus specifically on hothouse and field vegetables that will help round out existing Oppy programs for both the U.S. and Canada.
Derek Lenko has been promoted to Sales Manager of Oppy’s Calgary team. Lenko joined the company a decade ago, holding a wide range of positions including Quality Assurance Assistant, Operations Coordinator, and Transportation Supervisor. In February 2012, Lenko was promoted to Sales Representative. With mentorship from Plaxton and Steve Young, Oppy’s Director of Sales, Canada—as well as an intense product knowledge and proven ability to understand and deliver on customer needs—Lenko is well equipped to lead the Calgary team, Breeden said.
Congratulations to the Oppy team, and best of luck in your endeavors!
NEW YORK, NY - Will BJ’s Wholesale Club soon be up for sale for the second time in 6 years? According to a report from The New York Post, the answer is yes. CVC Capital Partners and Leonard Green & Partners, the private equity firms which took BJ’s private in 2011 for $2.8 billion, are nixing plans to launch an initial public offering and instead plans to sell for as much $4.5 billion, sources told the Post.
When purchasing the chain in 2011, CVC and Leonard Green invested about $600 million in cash in buying the chain and the rest of the purchase price was funded with debt. Then this year, CVC and Leonard Green originally planned to pursue going public, even reaching the point of hiring investment bankers to explore options. The firms reportedly intended to file an IPO in the second half of 2017, according to the New York Business Journal.
Now, if the chain were to sell for a proposed $4 to $4.5 billion price tag, the equity firms would be pocketing about ten times EBITDA—a similar premium to the one Amazon paid for Whole Foods, the Business Journal reports.
As of now, the Business Journal has identified KKR & Co. as the only specific firm in talks to buy the chain, but the New York Post says the buyer could likely be any number of private equity firms.
The Post estimates BJ's revenue stream from membership fees alone at $250 million annually. The club retailer has 213 locations along the East Coast and into the Midwest, operated by 25,000 employees.
Will BJ's be the next big headline-grabbing acquisition of 2017? If so, count on AndNowUKnow to share all the details.
CANADA - Instacart’s delivery is looking to take on a new frontier, hoping to enter the Canadian market via a possible partnership with Loblaw. The undertaking could be a big move for both sides, with Instacart having grown slowly in the States before venturing international, and Loblaw being equally vigilant about expanding its online presence.
The Wall Street Journal reports that this is the closest Instacart has ever come to venturing over the Canadian/U.S. border, though the company has been looking to do so for a few years. Amazon’s sudden steps into brick and mortar via its Whole Foods acquisition spurred Instacart to follow through on its plans, according to the news source.
“With all the leading retailers expanding their e-commerce offers, fees could become an important differentiator as they start to overlap with each other,” said Stewart Samuel, Program Director at analyst firm IGD Canada, on the deal.
Instacart offers savings to partners in relying on existing grocers’ inventory and infrastructure, as opposed to housing its own operations like Amazon. Its entry into the country could shake-up the online marketplace, according to the source, especially as the country’s online market is relatively smaller than others.
Even so, WSJ reported last month that Amazon plans to roll out its one- and two-hour Prime Now membership delivery service into Canada later this year amongst other online delivery proposals in the country, giving the entering company a fair amount of competition to come into.
Profitero Inc., an e-commerce analysis firm, estimates that the country’s online market will be worth about 3% of C$120 billion sales by next year, while online grocery currently accounts for less than 5% of the U.S.’s nearly $800 billion in food and beverage sales.
If the Instacart/Loblaw deal goes through, the service would launch in the coming months, according to people close to the matter. Instacart’s territory would cover Toronto initially before expanding nationally throughout the grocer chain over the next year, according to a source.
Loblaw currently offers a grocery pickup service at more than 100 stores across the country with the possibility of more home delivery experimentation in the near future. It operates more than 2,400 locations, ranging from discount and supermarket groceries to pharmacies, throughout the Canadian market.
TORONTO, CANADA – Sometimes the time it takes to prep delicious meals is just too long, but Canadian consumers seeking easy meal planning are in luck. Sobeys is simplifying mealtime with the launch of Easy Meals, a line of pre-packaged meals, prepared in-store in the Seafood, Meat, Kitchen, and Deli departments.
"We're taking the stress and hassle out of mealtime by providing Canadians with wholesome, convenient and affordable meal options, right when they need them, in the departments they're familiar with," says Richard Allardyce, Senior Director, Home Meal Replacement (HMR). "We're incredibly proud and excited to be bringing these meals to Canadians' tables nationwide."
With continually evolving, chef-inspired recipes that are seasonally relevant and always on trend, Easy Meals include a variety of meat and seafood selections with pasta and veggie sides, served in ready to “heat and serve” and “cook and serve” formats–no chopping, slicing, or seasoning necessary; and best of all, no cleanup work required.
"What's exciting about Easy Meals is that in addition to directly addressing our consumers' needs, it also reflects how we are growing and diversifying our business," says Bryon Feener, Senior Director, Commercial Programs - Meat & Seafood. "We're working in unison with our various departments and vendors to provide a consistent offering for customers coast to coast. The result is an affordable and quality solution for Canadians who are in a mealtime-pinch."
Easy Meals has been more than a year in the making and take inspiration from international retailers, as well as insights from Sobeys customers and internal analytics teams. The new initiative also comes at a time when Sobeys is strengthening its business offering, providing diversified products and services to meet the changing needs of the industry and its customers.
According to a recent press release, the launch will also be supported by an extensive marketing program which includes in-store, direct-to-customer initiatives and a dedicated ad campaign across owned and digital media.
Perfect for Canadians of all ages, from students missing home-cooked meals to seniors, empty-nesters, and busy young families, Easy Meals can help Canadians save time without compromising on quality or taste. Check out your local Sobeys and Safeway stores for Easy Meals today.
SALINAS, CA - Recognized for its outstanding leadership in food safety, quality, and sustainability, Taylor Farms was awarded McDonald’s first ever Self-Managed Excellence Award earlier this month.
"This award was an amazing honor that highlights the outstanding work of our Taylor Farms team. Our team not only focuses on daily execution, but also looks to stay ahead of short and long term issues,” said John Millwater, Account Manager. "I believe this award is recognition of our leadership in many areas such as food safety, automation, innovation, and assured supply.”
Amongst the various reasons McDonald’s awarded Taylor Farms are the efforts made by Founder, CEO, and industry leader, Bruce Taylor, who has set his company apart by challenging both the industry to address labor pressures, including that which supports the company in the field, facility, and in transportation. Taylor also encourages the use of automated harvesting machines in order to reduce the amount of manual labor and create a more comfortable work environment for employees.
McDonald’s also acknowledged Taylor Farms’ built-in contingency plan, now covering all of North America, diversifying its growing regions and focusing on smaller growing windows.
Taylor Farms and McDonald’s partnership first began after Taylor Farms supplied McDonald’s with iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. Twenty years later, their partnership is still going strong, as Taylor Farms’ agile supply chain continues to support McDonald’s locations around the world.
Congratulations to our friends at Taylor Farms, and keep up the good work!