ORLANDO, FL – Citing a record number of entries and strong sales from participants, the National Mango Board (NMB) has announced the results of its seventh annual Mango Mania Display Contest.
“The response and enthusiasm we received this year for the display contest was remarkable,” said Valda Coryat, Director of Marketing, in a press release. “This year, the contest broke records on participation and an overall increase in the quality of entries–the competition gets tough each year! This sends us a clear message, retailers are excited to promote mangos, and this contest is a great way to boost mango sales and increase mango movement.”
For one week during the month of July, participating retailers competed to develop the most impressive, eye-catching displays possible in stores across the U.S. 181 entries were judged based on creativity of the display, visual appeal, and effectiveness in educating customers about mangos–a 101 percent increase in participants over the previous year’s competition. The board also reported an outstanding 83 percent increase of mango volume for participating stores, compared to the same week in the prior year.
Winners were sorted into categories by store size. They include:
1 to 6 Registers
- 1st Place, $1,000 prize: Eddie Palacio and Marlene Melendez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Ft. Worth, TX
- 2nd Place, $800 prize: Juan Delgado and Romero Gonzalez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX
- 3rd Place, $600 prize: Sergio Fernandez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX
- 4th Place, $400 prize: Nathen Conat, Bayview Thriftway, Olympia, WA
1 to 6 Registers: Honorable Mentions, $200 Prize Each
- Elizabeth Magana and Ana Fernandez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Arlington, TX
- John Gernenz, Harps, Searcy, AR
- Irene Sheffield, JustSave Foods, Ramseur, NC
- Tim Baker, Lowes Foods, Hickory, NC
- Tracie Newberry, Piggly Wiggly, Pinetops, NC
- David Gwaltney, United Supermarkets, Clyde, TX
- Chris Gonzales, United Supermarkets, Post, TX
- Katie Bastian, Weis Markets, State College, PA
7 or More Registers
- 1st Place, $1,000 prize: Garrett Fowden, Payson Market, Payson, UT
- 2nd Place, $800 prize: Favio Martinez, Foodland Markets, Forest Hill, TX
- 3rd Place, $600 prize: Maria Chavez, Foodland Markets, Fort Worth, TX
- 4th Place, $400 prize: Israel Huerta and Emmanuel Lopez, Elrod’s Cost Plus, Dallas, TX
Honorable Mentions, 7 or More Registers, $200 Prize Each
- Anthony Estrada, Ball’s Sunfresh Market, Kansas City, KS
- Russell Varga, Chuck’s Produce, Vancouver, OR,
- Dean Goncalves, PriceRite, Cranston, RI
- Vincent Venditti, PriceRite, Johnston, MA
- Linda Dumais, PriceRite, Chicopee, MA
- John Clancy, Rouses Supermarkets, Ponchatoula, LA
- Jessica Granier, Rouses Supermarkets, Thibodaux, LA
- Trig’s, Minocqua, WI
For a complete list of 2017 Mango Mania Display Contest winners, visit Mango.org/contest.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - Relationships are the bread and butter of fresh produce. This is a sentiment that the Southeast Produce Council has captured and demonstrated with the latest iteration of its annual Southern Innovations event, introducing the inaugural Organics and Foodservice Expo, which dialed in the focus of the council’s annual fall festivities over the past weekend.
The SEPC has a reputation for high-ROI, intimate events which facilitate meaningful connections. This years Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo, hosted in Hilton Head Island, SC, truly amplified that message. The fresh produce industry turned out for the growing event, with nearly 600 attendees and 73 booths at the first-time expo.
After enjoying the ocean air and beach front at the Farm to Table Welcome Reception on Thursday evening at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort, the council went hard out of the gates at Friday morning’s Keynote Breakfast.
“Produce is different than working in any other part of retail grocery. Produce is unique,” said SEPC Chairman Teri Miller in her State of the Council address. “You need networking, and we can provide you with those connections, and friends, and reach within the community, to help drive innovation.”
Teri touched on the growth, charity, and vision for the future of the Southeast Produce Council as she opened the forum for a day of produce ingenuity. The council exemplified it’s commitment to bringing the industry together and doing good with its Auction for Irma, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting farmers and victims of the recent catastrophe.
Following the State of the Council, keynote speaker Daphne Oz, a New York Times best-selling author, public speaker, and television host took the stage to dive into healthy lifestyles and trends. This transitioned smoothly into the educational workshops, Getting to the Root of Organic Matters, and What’s on the Menu for the Future?, which helped attendees understand current trends and harness that information to fuel continued success.
Woven throughout the mornings sessions, it was easy to see the four pillars of the Southeast Produce Council springing to action:
- Networking
- Innovation
- Community
- Education
Next up, the SEPC hosted a ribbon-cutting for it’s first-ever Organics and Foodservice Expo. Tantalizing smells from the live cooking demonstrations wafted down the aisles as buyers and growers made connections on the intimate show floor.
"SEPC appeals to us because, as an East coast retailer, its a fantastic way to stay connected to the growers,” first-time Southern Innovations attendee, but long-time SEPC loyalist, Mike Lappin, Director of Produce at Earth Fare shared with me between meetings. "The size of the show allows for easy communication, and is a great way to conduct our business."
With the supply chain making connections up and down the aisles, the expo evoked a warm and familial feeling. The friendly environment was a perfect setting to let produce professionals do what they do best, build relationships.
“We couldn't be more happy with that way things have turned out with this event. It's electric. The positive response from exhibitors, retailers, and foodservice has been tremendous,” David Sherrod, President and CEO of SEPC shared with me on the bustle of the floor. “Small and intimate—that's how we have differentiated SEPC. This event really brings it back to where we started, and we’re always trying to deliver that value."
The evening culminated with the President’s Dinner Dance, where the council announced honorees and changes to the board. In a heart-wrenching speech, President and CEO David Sherrod led the audience in a fond farewell to the outgoing Chairman of the Board, Teri Miller. Miller then officially “Passed the Gavel” to the incoming Chairman, Faye Westfall of DiMare Fresh.
Finally, the council introduced a new honor at the event, the first-ever SEPC Next Generation Award, which went to 8th generation farmer, Adam Lytch, of L&M. The council then welcomed the new 2018 Board of Directors before attendees danced the night away.
It’s safe to say that the inaugural SEPC Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo was a massive success, and we look forward to the growth in years to come!
ELGIN, MN - In recent years, the produce department has welcomed an influx of new fruit and vegetables varieties, fresh packaging aesthetics, and merchandising solutions to grab the consumer’s eye, and a share of their wallet. In the run up to PMA Fresh Summit and with all the new items and diverse range of products in the produce spread, I asked Don Roper, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Honeybear Brands, what differentiates an item and makes a first-time consumer a repeat customer. And like the many whom I have asked this question to before, he tells me: flavor.
“Pazazz, our newest premium variety is the end product of ten years of intensive nurturing and growing in the finest apple growing regions in North America,” Don shares with me. “And it definitely shows. Pazazz has a flavor profile that’s a perfect blend of sweet and tart, so it appeals to almost every apple lover’s tastes and palette. In fact, feedback from retail partners in more than 30 markets across the country, during last year’s sales cycle, pointed to flavor as one of the key reasons why consumers buy Pazazz and quickly become repeat customers.”
With October and November quickly approaching, Honeybear is ramping up to offer the Pazazz apple in major markets throughout North America. With new acreage reaching maturity next year, Honeybear will be doubling in volume between now and next season, and then nearly doubling again the season after that.
“With the constant flow of new varieties into the produce department, the biggest challenge is getting the consumer, in a very limited time window, to try a new variety. For this reason, a new variety must be both aesthetically eye-catching, with the flavor experience that keeps bringing the consumer back,” Don tells me.“Pazazz does just that. It exhibits that on-shelf beauty appeal and the eating experience introduces the consumer to a whole new spectrum of flavor.”
“Honeybear is a company that invests in, and understands, the importance of being at the forefront of varietal development. We realized earlier than most that the apple category is changing rapidly. Consumers want and demand flavor, crunch, and an incredible apple eating experience,” Don explains. “The older varieties of years gone by just can’t deliver that in the same way as a variety like Pazazz—one that has been carefully grown and nurtured for maximum flavor, a second to none crunch factor, and a wow apple eating experience.”
Don adds that retail partners across North America have seen year-over-year sales growth from Pazazz, a variety designed to extend their retail windows but make an even bigger impact with customers who crave real taste.
So, how else does the variety differentiate within the competitive apple category? While Pazazz is harvested in fall like many apples, its flavor actually improves in the late fall and winter months. So by the time some other varieties in-store have lost their just-picked freshness, Pazazz is bursting with flavor and really helping retail partners extend their premium apple sales window and drive incremental sales at all their stores.
“We are incredibly excited for this year’s Fresh Summit and really interested in getting on-the-floor feedback and reactions from attendees trying Pazazz for the first time, or sampling some of our sneak peek varieties that are in development but not quite ready for retail yet,” Don says, adding that if you’re near the Honeybear booth, one thing is certain, you’ll hear the explosive crunch of Pazazz being sampled.
Honeybear will also be sampling some of its other varieties that are close to retail readiness and discussing with booth visitors the incredible, unique factors that are going to make them retail stars over the next few years.
“In order to adapt to the changing fresh produce environment, we think in three ways but all at once: like a grower, a retailer, and a consumer, and we let the needs of each of those audiences really drive what we’re doing,” Don notes. “Honeybear has put into place protocols and ways of growing that really help provide sustainable, profitable livelihoods for our families and communities of growers across North America. We also work hand in hand with our retail partners, not just during apple season but year round to understand how the varieties we grow—and particularly Pazazz—impact and affect their business and bottom line.”
And above all else the company focuses on the end consumer: the mom or dad and their kids who are looking for the freshest, best tasting, and healthiest apples to eat.
Stop by PMA Fresh Summit booth 1609 to check out the Pazazz apple, get a sneak peak of new varieties, and meet the team behind the Honeybear Brands mission.
SANTA PAULA, CA - Game, set, match. Limoneira and the power of lemons hit the courts recently with spokesperson and Healthy Grocery Girl® Founder and CEO Megan Roosevelt, who spoke on the importance of healthy living and the key role lemons can play for athletes.
“Tennis, with its aerobic movement, helps to burn fat, increase energy level, and increase our heart rate. It’s a great, fun way to exercise, and lemon water is one of the healthiest beverages that an athlete or anyone can consume,” Megan explains in the video one-on-one. “Lemons contain the immune-boosting and antioxidant vitamin C that can help balance pH levels and help us stay hydrated.”
Kicking off tomorrow, September 30th, is a key tennis event Limoneira is happy to be a part of: the 2017 Riviera ITA Women's All American Championship.
To discuss the details, Megan “served it up” to CEO of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, Tim Russell, who explained the event takes place at the Riviera Country Club, one of the oldest and largest tennis clubs in the western U.S.
“We invite everyone to come out to watch some of the nation’s most talented young women compete, it’s going to be an exciting event! In October we also celebrate ITA Community Service Month presented by Limoneira,” Tim said.
He explained that working with and being embedded in the communities it serves is a great measure of the ITA’s success. All programs are encouraged to participate in Limoneira’s hours challenge, a running tally to showcase what teams have completed the most service hours.
“The ITA Community Service Month will represent the totality of all of our ITA programs combined in giving back as true leaders,” Tim explained.
Watch the full video, tennis ball tossing and all, to get further details.
AUSTIN, TX - Those who have been following news from Whole Foods Market in the weeks since it was purchased by Amazon have probably seen a pattern emerge—Amazon lowers Whole Foods prices and customers come running, even for produce. From a 43 percent discount on organic Fuji apples to 38 percent off bananas, Whole Foods has been experimenting with deep discounts on items throughout the produce department in an effort to shake their “Whole Paycheck” stigma. Now, in honor of October 1st’s World Vegetarian Day, the retailer is taking an ax to its produce prices again, offering highly coveted bunches of organic kale at just $1.
Available starting September 27 through October 3 while supplies last, the promotion was inspired by Sunday’s World Vegetarian Day. According to the national day’s website, the day was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978. For those new to vegetarianism, it serves as a pre-holiday season motivation to give meatless meals a shot, as well as raise awareness for the many benefits of plant-based diets.
“Each bunch of kale meets the USDA’s standards for organic produce and offers a good source of dietary fiber, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus,” the company announced in a press release. “It’s also an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese.”
The offer is only available while supplies last, so if you would like to get on the kale train in your personal, as well as professional life, hop to it! And keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for more compelling veg news.
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Faith and Stiles Farmers Market, operating out of Lauderhill, Florida, for failing to pay a $12,035 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daimia Matthews was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- Angel Gomez, doing business as Chapulin Fresh Produce, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay an $8,566 award in favor of a Massachusetts seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Angel Gomez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – The world of sustainability has a new leader in its midst. After basing solutions and sustainable business models on the provision of approximately 590 million reusable pallets, crates, and containers for shared use throughout the global supply chain, Brambles, the supply-chain logistics company operating in more than 60 countries, was ranked as the top performing company in the global Commercial Services and Supplies industry category for 2017 by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).
“We are extremely proud of this recognition,” said Graham Chipchase, CEO, in a press release. “Brambles’ approach to sustainability is core to the long-term value we create for all our stakeholders. Through the successful combination of our circular, ‘share and reuse’ business model, our global scale and supply-chain expertise, we are able to reduce operating costs and demand for natural resources, both in our own company and across the world’s supply chains.”
Representing the ‘gold standard’ for corporate sustainability, the DJSI is the first global index to track leading sustainability-driven companies based on RobecoSAM’s analysis of financial material Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and S&P Dow Jones Indices’ robust index methodology. The DJSI assessed 2,400 of the largest companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index to find the most sustainable in each industry. Brambles was ranked second in its category in 2016. In 2017, Brambles increased performance in key areas such as Customer Relationship Management, Environmental and Social Reporting, Corporate Governance and Code of Conduct.
Key milestones for Brambles’ sustainability efforts in the 2017 financial year included:
- Saving more than 2.5 million tons of CO2, 1.4 million tons of waste, and 1.6 million trees through its share, and reusing a circular business model
- Obtaining 99.1% of its timber from certified sources globally, bringing Brambles closer to its 2020 target of 100%
- Using Brambles’ human capital and supply-chain expertise to benefit more than 100 food banks worldwide
- Continuing to have a significant impact in global supply chains through collaboration projects with more than 200 customers
- Helping those customers reduce costs and deliver on their own sustainability commitments
RobecoSAM’s annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) measured the eligible companies based on a consistent, rules-based methodology to convert an average of 600 data points per company into one overall score.
“Being a pioneer and thought leader in Sustainability Investing for over 20 years, we understand the right questions to ask in our CSA in terms of financially material sustainability aspects within the corporate world,” said Manjit Jus, Head of Sustainability Application & Operations at RobecoSAM. “This is what firms appreciate about the CSA. It brings them a big step ahead in terms of Corporate Sustainability and with this–a big step ahead of their competitors–getting a coveted spot in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index makes sure they continue to play in the premier league of companies.”
Brambles’ approach to sustainability has helped to establish the company as a supply-chain sustainability leader, recognized not only by customers, employees, and investors, but also by the principal global sustainability and corporate social responsibility frameworks, such as the United Nations Global Compact.
Congratulations Brambles!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against C & D Produce Outlet Inc.
According to a press release, the company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment to seven produce sellers in the amount of $104,595 from May 2015 through October 2016.
C & D Produce Outlet Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND - Attention all kiwi-lovers: the kiwifruit harvest is in full swing in Italy this week and growers are expecting a fruitful season.
“Kiwifruit is just a tiny but fast-growing part of the global fruit trade. Supplying premium quality fruit all-year round helps us grow kiwifruit consumption around the world and meet the needs of our consumers who want Zespri-quality kiwifruit 12 months of the year,” said Dan Mathieson, Chief Executive.
To keep the Northern Hemisphere markets supplied and happy during the several months a year when New Zealand kiwifruit is not available, Zespri said in a press release that it has partnered with Italian growers to grow Zespri kiwifruit for the past 17 years. Having a consistent year-round supply of fruit also keeps Zespri’s brand top of mind for consumers and is critical in maintaining relationships with customers, noted Mr. Mathieson.
Simon Limmer, Chief Operating Officer, explained Zespri is doubling its European SunGold production over the next five years to catch up with the strong year-round demand for kiwifruit around the world.
“Our New Zealand grower-owners realized the importance of supplying their markets 12 months of the year and set up relationships with kiwifruit growers in the Northern Hemisphere to grow Zespri Kiwifruit in Italy, France, Korea and Japan," he said. "All our offshore fruit meets stringent quality standards to make it into to a Zespri box, supporting Zespri’s premium brand in the market.”
This season, over NZ$150 million was also invested in marketing to keep up with global demand.
As more of the recently grafted vines reach full production, European SunGold volumes are expected to increase by around one-quarter to 5 million trays. The Zespri Board announced earlier this year the allocation of 1,800ha of SunGold license in Europe, the initial 1,200ha of which will be in Italy. Zespri also procures green kiwifruit from Europe which meets its grade standards.
“We now have around 1,100 producing hectares of our proprietary gold variety in Italy and this is set to treble to 2,900 hectares in the next five years – to put this in context, we have 4,600 producing SunGold hectares in New Zealand now. Twelve-month supply is a key part of Zespri's strategy and this investment aligns our offshore production with the strong increases in New Zealand SunGold volumes, set to double to around 90 million trays over the next five years,” said Limmer.
Zespri said it invests strongly in supporting its growers around the world with technical advice to maximize their returns from growing for Zespri and is working closely with its Italian partners to grow supply over the coming years. Zespri also shares best practice growing techniques, Psa learnings, and R&D with grower forums in its offshore production bases. Around 20 Zespri staff are based in Latina, Italy, to support this growing part of the business.
Keep following AndNowUKnow for more updates.
HEATHROW, FL – In an effort to give back to communities affected by Hurricane Irma and provide much-needed support to disaster victims throughout central Florida, employees of greenhouse provider Village Farms volunteered their time at the local Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando, Florida.
“Village Farms takes the business of growing food for people very seriously so having the opportunity to give back to our local Food Bank who makes it a business of feeding people in need was a real pleasure”, said Helen L. Aquino, Director Brand Marketing & Communication. “Our time spent here today really felt great and something we wish to partake in again very soon.”
Village Farms employees assisted in the relief effort and sorted food donations slated for disaster victims residing in six counties in central Florida.
According to a Village Farms press release, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, in addition to providing a vital emergency food supply for the community in time of need, distributes tens of millions of meals each year through 550 local non-profit feeding programs. These programs are aimed at providing for the most vulnerable people such as seniors and children.
The company’s Hurricane Irma relief efforts follow less than a month after Village Farms assisted in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, contributing more than ten-thousand pounds of fresh tomatoes to beleaguered communities in eastern Texas.
For more information visit about Village Farms, interested parties can visit the company’s website.
For more on the beneficent side of the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.