IRVING, TEXAS - Convenience is king, and nothing exemplifies that more than the meal kit trend sweeping across the retail landscape. The concept picked up when companies like Blue Apron and HelloFresh broke onto the scene in a big way, and has since permeated into traditional brick-and-mortar retail with behemoths like Kroger and Hy-Vee following suit. Now, with Blue Apron on rocky ground following its infamous IPO and consequential turmoil, the meal kit trend is reaching another new frontier: convenience stores.
7-Eleven announced that it is turning up the heat on its prepared-food program with 15 new locally made, chef-inspired recipes, piloting in North Texas locations, according to a press release.
“With these chef-inspired entrees, 7‑Eleven can provide busy individuals and families with a delicious, premium-quality, whole-meal solution in one stop,” said Kelly Buckley, Vice President of Fresh Food Innovation. “You can add a salad, beverage, and dessert. The creamy mac and cheese is particularly kid-friendly and pairs well with chicken tenders and a cup of fresh-cut fruit. We want to take the hassle out of meal time with a variety of options and without giving up quality. There is something for everyone.”
With a focus on fresh, the heat-and-eat meals include the following veggie-infused options:
- Homestyle Turkey Chili – Homestyle chili made from ground turkey, black beans, ripe tomatoes, red bell peppers, onions, and celery in an ancho chile pepper puree.
- Asian-style Beef and Broccoli Bowl – Premium steak cuts on a bed of long grain white rice, served with broccoli, roasted red peppers, and a teriyaki glaze.
- Chipotle Chicken Bowl – Shredded chicken seasoned with crushed tomatoes and onions, served with rice, vegetables, and ranchero beans, and topped with cheddar cheese.
- Chipotle Steak and Egg Bowl – Roasted potatoes topped with poblano queso sauce, scrambled eggs, chipotle-seasoned beef, fire-roasted peppers and onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Click here to see the full list.
“Dining occasions are evolving from traditional meals and mealtimes,” Buckley said. “Younger demographic groups, in particular, are constantly snacking throughout the day vs. eating three traditional meals. As a 24-hour operator, 7‑Eleven has a wide variety of hot and fresh foods that can be purchased and eaten any time.”
According to an NPD Study, almost two-thirds of consumers surveyed said they buy premade meals at least once a week. 7‑Eleven offers a convenient solution to that dilemma, and the locally made meals add to 7‑Eleven’s growing prepared-food offerings, which now stand at more than 300 items.
“7‑Eleven has always been a hot spot for snacks and drinks,” Buckley said. “Now, whatever you’re craving for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack, 7‑Eleven has it. If someone wants a breakfast bowl for dinner, we’ve got it. If you want pizza and fruit or a burger and a protein snack pack, you don’t have to go to two places to get it. Hearty, healthy, heavy, or light–our mission is to have a selection of delicious foods at all hours of the day.”
How will the expanding prevalence of prepared food fare for specialized business like Blue Apron? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.
RIVERHEAD, NY – Hapco Farms’ Maine broccoli program has hit its stride, with ample supplies of the much-loved veggie coming from the company’s growing operations the region. And now, Hapco Farms has introduced a new video to inform customers and consumers about the process from farm to fork.
“Here at Fresh from the Start, we control all the inputs,” Grower Andy Ayer explains in the video. “We control the seed selection, all the way through harvesting with our own harvest crews, post-harvest, and our trucking to the customer. This gives our customers an assurance that Fresh from the Start has product traceability and food safety through the entire process and gives them the final consistency, in the stores, that they need.”
Available in eight different varieties, depending on the time of year and the specific needs of its customers, Hapco Farms offers crown cuts and bunch broccoli. The company is involved in every aspect of the process from seed through cooling and shipping ensuring the traceability, food safety, and the consistency customers need.
Hapco Farms has been growing broccoli in Maine for more than 20 years, shipping over a million boxes every season—from July through October. The company’s high-quality Maine-grown broccoli offers a freshness advantage to customers throughout the eastern U.S.
For more information, see the video above and visit Hapco Farms’ website, here.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE CA - The Allen Lund Company continues celebrating its 40th year in business and its 40 Acts of Kindness by raising $2,300 in the months of July and August for the Braille Institute and Guide Dogs for America.
“One of our teammates, Michael Wilson, has Gyrate Atrophy, which is characterized as progressive vision loss that ultimately leads to blindness,” said Keith Curtis, Manager of EDI and Integrations. “He is a big part of our team and was the first IT support staff hired by ALC. We wanted to honor him by gathering donations.”
ALC’s IT and TMS departments put together a fundraiser that offered the purchase of casual dress passes to the employee at its headquarters. Donations fully fund the Braille Institute and Guide Dogs for America, according to a press release.
Most recently, ALC Dallas and ALC Logistics have continued to sponsor the Wounded Warrior Project for the Military Heroes 5/10K Run.
"This year there was $17,000 raised, which goes to affiliated groups such as Texas Sentinels Foundation, America's Fund, Patriot Anglers, and 22KILL,” said Scott Fletcher, Manager of the ALC Dallas office. “Due to Hurricane Harvey, most of our crew missed the 5K run this year as all were involved in coordinating hurricane relief for our customers.”
Additionally, ALC Grand Rapids supported the Penguin Project of Muskegon Civic Theater by providing snacks for rehearsals, funded and organizing a silent raffle, as well as participating in the Labor Day Parade.
Where will ALC invest its efforts to give back next? AndNowUKnow will report.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Everybody wants a date for the holidays. As demand for Medjool dates and date-related products continue to rise, retailers are looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors, according to Atlas Produce & Distribution, Inc. Founder and industry veteran, Robert Dobrzanski. That is where Caramel Naturel comes into the picture with 100% Coachella, California-grown Medjool dates and value-added date products that will prepare your produce department for growth.
Aside from having founded and built his own produce business, which is going on 15 years strong, Robert has also worked with recognizable brands, such as SUN WORLD®, bringing more than 25 years of experience to the table.
With a lifetime of experience in Ag, stemming from his early years in Bakersfield, California, picking grapes in the summer, to his time studying Agricultural and Managerial Economics at the University of California at Davis, Robert gave me some insights on how the date industry has developed and trends have pushed retailers to fill orders earlier than previous years.
"Dates have been seeing an upward trajectory as consumers become more aware of the health benefits and look for better snacking options," Robert comments, and in response, his team has been steadily growing volume to match. Likewise, the company recently unveiled an eye-catching new look for its Caramel Naturel dates dubbed Fresh Energy™.
While many leaders and producers might look to branding arms and agencies, Robert tells me he was hands on throughout the entire design process of the colorful new look.
"Our main objective with the new updated label was to draw more attention and sales to our product line that will help retailers to maximize sales and get repeat customers because of our high-quality fruit," Robert explains. "We wanted something that would stand out while still conveying all the benefits of FRESH ENERGY Medjool dates to all consumers."
The labels stand out in the produce section of the retailers' shelf and draw in consumers, and likewise hit all the marks for what experts like Nielsen say consumers seek, including:
- California Grown
- Non-GMO
- Vegan and Gluten-Free
With jumbo-sized fruit to offer, and the date market poised for increasing growth, Atlas has been preparing its program to answer retail needs for holiday supply as early as June.
“We are confident that our newly-revamped Fresh Energy™, our supply and our experience in dates will help not only capture that initial ring at the register, but bring shoppers back for more,” Robert tells me.
For those looking to remain ahead of the curve as consumer demands continue to shape and change our industry, connect with the Atlas Produce team here.
CHELAN, WA - Between the upcoming holidays, continued back-to-school promotions, and the consumer’s desire for healthier snacking options–now is the perfect time to promote Pacific Northwest apples and pears and impact retail sales.
One of those companies helping to create treefruit destinations at retail is Chelan Fresh, which recently merged with Borton Fruit and Columbia Valley Fruit to grow their programs and offerings. Mac Riggan, Director of Marketing for Chelan Fresh, takes a moment to share the latest and greatest with me on the teams’ organic focus as we talk fall fruit.
“Apple and pear promotions are key for retailers as we enter the fall season. The recent merger is going to nearly double, overnight, our organic offerings and takes our organic apples up to 12 varieties and organic pears to six,” Mac shares with me. “It also allows us to start considerably earlier by about two weeks, and will extend the season for our customers.”
Some of those key varieties that Chelan Fresh will be shipping this year are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Ambrosia apples, as well as nine varieties of Asian pears, and Bartlett, D’Anjou, and Bosc pears to boot.
New to the fold this year, are redesigned organic apple and pear pouch bags, as this packaging style continues to draw demand.
“We will have these new pouch bags for organic D’Anjou and Bosc pears, along with pouch bags for our major organic apple varieties,” Mac says, adding that pouch bags are becoming the go-to option across retailers and demographics. “Pouch bags add value to the treefruit category and they also communicate a premium product to the consumer.”
These bags maintain a fresh, crystal clear look on the shelf, while also allowing the fruit to speak for itself and draw the consumer eye. In addition, the pouch bags help to address the challenges with organic vs. conventional apples and pears being rung incorrectly at the register.
“When produce is misrung at the register, it becomes shrink at the top, front end,” Mac adds. “With pouch bags it is impossible because they are UPC. So one of the things that a pouch bag does is prevents misrings on organic produce.”
Chelan Fresh pouch bags are available 2 lb and 3 lb options across apples and pears and Mac suggests creating a destination in the produce department, with a big display front-and-center. Promotional pricing will also help drive sales this fall and, as Mac adds, retailers should have clear, stand-out signage to call out the program and make the opportunities for impulse purchases, that much more fruitful.
As fall peeks over the horizon and Chelan Fresh’s program ramps up, stay tuned for more stories from AndNowUKnow and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart has announced a plan to downsize from six divisions to four as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and stimulate growth.
“Our last field restructure was several years ago, and our business has changed over that time,” the retailer said in a statement yesterday, reported on by Reuters. “The structure we are putting in place will help improve communication and execution, streamline decision-making, and help us accelerate our pace of change.”
Though the company is currently structured across the West, South East, South Central, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions, a source close to the matter said the new divisions will take on a “different look.”
“We had a similar structure in place three years ago, and we are going back to that,” the source explained, but did not give the news source further details.
As part of the restructuring effort, the company is planning to downsize from 44 regional managers to 36 and expects the overall restructuring to be completed come October.
This recent announcement is only one of a number of strategic moves the retailer has announced in recent weeks as the grocery market has continued to heat up. Walmart has announced a number of ambitious undertakings in recent days, including investing in growing its presence in the Brazilian market with a $316 million revamp plan and launching a partnership with Google to challenge Amazon’s Alexa voice shopping technology.
The current restructuring efforts could also be seen as an extension of "right-sizing" efforts that the retailer has been pursuing throughout the year.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with more on important developments in retail.
NEW YORK, NY - Blue Apron just can’t seem to catch a break following its much-hyped IPO this past June. According to a new SEC filing, Capital World Investors, once Blue Apron’s second largest investor, has sold all of it’s remaining stock in the company.
As of June 30, Capital World Investors, a division of Capital Group, reported a 12.9 percent stake, according to Bloomberg. But today, that once second largest stake has dwindled down to zilch. With the company's current market cap at over $1.1 billion, that stake would have totalled around $129 million.
This move comes on the heels of several misses from Blue Apron after its rocky IPO shook investor’s confidence. Late last month, the company announced it would put a freeze on all hiring amidst Human Resources VP Kate Muzzatti’s resignation and a new lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of the company’s shareholders. In late July, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wadiak announced he will be stepping down into an advisory role.
According to Bloomberg, the reason for these struggles lies in Blue Apron’s inability to convince investors that its products will appeal to broader types of audiences than you’d see typically buying into meal kits. Since going public, the source says that Blue Apron’s shares have fallen more than 45 percent. As of 5:18 PM EDT, stocks were down 0.04 (0.74 percent), hitting $5.37.
As we've previously reported, as of June, activist investor Jana Partners, most well-known for being the instigator of Whole Foods' sale to Amazon, had a 2 percent in the company. At that time, a 2 percent stake was valued at about $5.6 million.
Neither Blue Apron nor Capital Group have publicly commented as of the time of writing, but AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
DALLAS, TX – Brands looking to make an impact in 2018 should take note; DMA Solution, Inc. is offering free consultations in the buildup to PMA Fresh Summit and at the event itself.
“We expect that, with the expansion of trade marketing over the last several years, there will be significant focus on connecting with customers more strategically than before,” said Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and CEO, in a company press release. “To get results and use marketing as a lead generator for sales, it takes a unique mindset and more resources than ever before which is why our team is offering free consultations. During these discussions, we intend to uncover challenges and provide solutions that are effective and approachable for fresh produce marketers.”
DMA Solutions, Inc.’s leadership team—including Dan’l, alongside Vice President Megan Zweig, Account Directors Marci Allen and Mackenzie Wortham, and Communications Director Beth Atkinson—will meet with a limited number of fresh produce companies at PMA Fresh Summit to walk through 2018 planning, offer support with strategy development, budgeting, resource planning, and more.
“I took advantage of a free consultation last year with Megan and Beth, and it was incredibly helpful to have their insights as we talked through my business’ child nutrition program,” noted Lori Taylor, CEO of The Produce Mom. “Together, we were able to identify long-term goals for my brand and some of the immediate next steps needed to get there—I highly recommend every marketer take advantage of this opportunity."
DMA Solutions, Inc. is also available for consultation and immediate support on the vast number of opportunities leading up to the trade show. The company’s consultations can focus on everything from developing sales collateral, to designing booth graphics, to press release writing, and distributing.
Interested parties can request a free consultation by completing this form and can take advantage of additional free resources at https://www.dma-solutions.com/marketing-resources.
For more on opportunites in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Food, and the methods in which it arrives on consumer tables, is continuing to evolve along with technology. In the latest from the intersection of tech and food comes a new app, Wildkale, which is being lauded as “Uber for Farmers Markets.”
According to an article by Andrew Amelinckx posted on SmithsonianMag.com, the tech offers small and medium farms a platform to create virtual farm stands, and connects consumers directly to the farmers in their area.
According to the source, consumers search the nearby area for available farms and order items a la carte, with a minimum order of $30 and a $5.99 shipping charge. After submitting, the order pops up on the vendor's end along with a packing label, and notifies UPS of the delivery. Wildkale provides the vendors with packaging. The order is harvested, packed, shipped, and received by the consumer within 24 hours. Wildkale takes a 25 percent cut of the order, which it claims is similar to the cost of getting product to traditional farmers markets.
This model is differentiated from others because there are no lengthy distribution channels or warehouses to pose logistical issues, according to the company website. Currently, the app is focused in the Northeast U.S., and will continue to expand nationwide as new farmers are added to the network.
Will this new approach to digital farmers markets shift the competitive landscape in fresh produce? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.
LOS ANGELES, CA - POM Wonderful has recently added to its already substantial reach of growing and providing fresh pomegranates, pomegranate arils, and pomegranate juice in the U.S. The company has acquired leading fresh pomegranates and arils processor and distributor Ruby Fresh.
“The addition of Ruby Fresh to the POM Wonderful family significantly enhances our ability to provide customers with pomegranates and arils both during the North American season and outside of it,” said Elizabeth Stephenson, President of POM Wonderful. “This season’s crop is shaping-up beautifully, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer both delicious and healthy brands to even more consumers through this acquisition.”
The Ruby Fresh brand leverages both domestic and international grower partners, according to a press release, enjoying a strong reputation within the marketplace that Wonderful said will remain intact.
“POM Wonderful is a well-respected leader within the pomegranate industry,” commented Ruby Fresh’s Head of Sales, David Anthony. “We’re excited to be joining The Wonderful Company family and look forward to working together to grow the market for fresh pomegranates and arils.”
While financial details were not disclosed in the release, the companies did say that Ruby Fresh’s employees and physical operations will be integrated into POM Wonderful.
POM Wonderful added that it will be able to further improve its service to customers through this acquisition by providing greater supply during the North American season, with increased access to arils beyond the traditional October to January season, as well as offering a wider variety of package sizes.
As more news comes out of this latest produce union, AndNowUKnow will keep you briefed on the latest.