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ORLANDO, FL – In efforts to encourage families and classrooms to eat more nutritious lunches and make healthier choices, Produce for Kids® is kicking off its fourth bi-annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™. The pledge will run from August 7th through September 22nd, with Power Your Lunchbox Pledge partner brands collectively donating one dollar of every pledge taken to Feeding America® programs that impact children and families.
The pledge drive is expected to add to the near 660,000 meals provided to Feeding America in previous years, to encourage healthy eating and produce consumption, and benefit children and families struggling with hunger.
“Families are looking for ways to start the year off on the right foot and the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge offers everything they need in one spot,” said Trish James, Vice President, in a company press release. “Families want to know their kids are receiving the right brain food to get them through the day. Our registered dietitian-approved meal inspiration, tips, and ideas provide the foundation families need for success.”
Again this year, retail dietitians will join pledge efforts by sharing Power Your Lunchbox Pledge news with shoppers and gathering pledges at in-store and school events and hosting in-store events. Power Your Lunchbox sponsor NatureFresh™ Farms will be offering shoppers the chance to take the pledge as part of its Mobile Greenhouse tour during the campaign timeframe.
Other likeminded brands supporting the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge 2017 include:
- Zespri® Kiwifruit
- Bee Sweet Citrus
- Sun World®
- Earthbound Farm®
- GROW Bananas by Organics Unlimited
- Pero Family Farms®
- Crispy Green®
- Vegy Vida® Dips ‘n More
- Avocados from Mexico
“To date, Power Your Lunchbox Pledge has raised nearly 660,000 meals for Feeding America,” continued James. “It’s important that during the hustle and bustle of back to school, we don’t forget that there are many families who are dealing with hunger and need extra support.”
And this year, Produce for Kids has partnered with The World of Eric Carle as an added element to encourage classroom pledges. Elementary and preschool classrooms that take the pledge will be entered to win an Eric Carle reading nook for their classroom, and teachers can access Eric Carle and Produce for Kids-themed activities and lesson plans through the Power Your Lunchbox website. Additionally, Produce for Kids will be giving away a popular Eric Carle book, like Brown Bear, Brown Bear or The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to an individual who has taken the pledge.
Produce for Kids is also Partnering with its first official media partner—Macaroni Kid—a hyper-local digital publishing company, engaging with more than 2 million families across 5,000 communities in 47 states. The pledge will be featured in the National edition of Macaroni Kid Eats along with digital display ads on the homepage, which will run in August and September and connect Macaroni Kid website visitors with poweryourlunchbox.com.
Partners are showcased in kid-friendly and registered dietitian-approved lunchbox, snack, and dinner recipes on the Power Your Lunchbox website; featured in e-newsletters; and included in food blogger outreach during the campaign timeframe.
For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
PHOENIX, AZ – It seems as though Amazon’s push for fresh foods isn’t quite done. Sprouts Farmers Market has announced that it has expanded its partnership with Amazon, bringing fresh produce, by delivery, to consumers within one to two hours. Sprouts products will be offered through Amazon Prime Now in the Atlanta, GA, region.
The fresh produce and other groceries from high-end Sprouts Farmers Market will now be available to consumers daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Amazon Prime Now already offers fresh foods, but its extended partnership with Sprouts will allow convenience-minded consumers access to its produce, meat, and seafood.
Sprouts’ goods will be available within the Atlanta region, with a one-hour delivery for $7.00 and two-hour delivery provided at no additional cost. For one step further in easy access, orders for fresh can be placed through the Prime Now app.
Though Amazon has been making continual headlines over the pursuit of its Whole Foods acquisition, this isn’t the e-commerce giant’s first foray with the sought-after fresh goods of Sprouts. As we’ve previously reported, Sprouts discussed at the end of last year moving its Amazon partnership forward. Last month, the companies announced their partnership had also moved to Denver, CO, as well.
This partnership expansion is right in line with Amazon’s mission to further strengthen its same day delivery offerings, and that of its fresh foods selection, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Will Sprouts continue to expand its brand through the Amazon platform? As retailers continue to strengthen their buy-side standing and explore the possibilities of e-commerce, AndNowUKnow will report with all the latest.
MONTEREY, CA - Whether I am driving down the highway, sitting at a café, or traversing the restaurant-packed locales across the country, I know a Sysco/Fresh Point truck is never far away. This year, we are in for a sweet surprise. The foodservice powerhouse is unveiling a new look as the team looks to evolve their messaging and brand.
Sitting in sunny Salinas in the lead up to PMA Foodservice, the crowd at the Sysco/Freshpoint annual BBQ was introduced to these new beauties, now ready to hit the road
“Our fleet rebranding reinforces our passion and dedication to our customers, communities and associates,” said Bill Goetz, Sysco’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Sysco delivers fresh foods, ideas, and solutions, with heart. Our new truck wraps embody this focus to provide our customers with what they need to be successful.”
The fleet rebrand will highlight the messaging, Sysco “At the heart of food and service,” with various product offerings, from the farm to the table. Showcasing vibrant designs and graphics, larger than life produce offerings that look freshly harvested and ready for the table, these new wraps will take the Sysco message far and wide. Take in the handfuls of strawberries, tomatoes, or avocados, and tall bunches of asparagus and dishes fine-tuned to perfection–there will never be a truckload too far from reach.
So, keep a look out throughout the year as the new trucks roll out in the United States and Canada.
SALINAS, CA – The 2017 American Packaging Design Awards by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) honored some of the finest designers and marketers in the nation from across a variety of industries. And in fresh produce, Moxxy Marketing earned accolades for its work on the Josie’s Organics brand of value-added salads and fresh-cut vegetables.
“It’s always a thrill to have our work recognized by the creative leaders of our industry,” said Karen Nardozza, President of Moxxy, in a company press release. “But the even greater joy is knowing we’re helping our client build a premier retail brand. Those Josie’s Organics bags and DRCs don’t just jump out at you in the produce department—they can be seen from across the store! Now that’s attention-getting packaging design.”
The company took home awards for four Moxxy designed projects, including:
- Josie’s Organics Vegetable Medley: bags and display-ready cartons
- Josie’s Organics Sweet Kale Chopped Salad: bags and display-ready cartons
- Josie’s Organics Asian Chopped Salad: bags and display-ready cartons
- Josie’s Organics Baby Leaf Lettuces and Salad Blends: clamshell labels
Moxxy’s packaging designs—bags, display-ready cartons (DRCs), and clamshell labels—were chosen from more than 2,000 entries.
In its press release, Moxxy noted that the company has received numerous awards from national and international competitions for its work on the Josie’s Organics brand. Prior awards have recognized design and communications excellence for the Josie’s Organics website, videos, product packaging, ad campaign, and trade show displays.
“Package design and related disciplines are increasingly the difference-makers in advancing the brand and influencing the purchasing decision,” said GDUSA. “Our annual competition celebrates attractive graphics, of course, but more importantly the power of design to forge an emotional link with the buyer at the moment of truth.”
Congratulations to Moxxy on its well-deserved awards. For more on the produce industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
UNITED STATES – As the buy-side continues its upward momentum of competition, retailers may be exploring a new strategy to cement the success of their chains in the U.S. sector. Grocery retailers may be looking to move further into the suburban landscape, scooping up locations that are being vacated by department chains.
According to Business Insider, department chains that found their ballast in the suburban shopping mall in decades past but are seeing declining foot traffic, are now preparing to close a large amount of their stores. These closures are leaving empty mall spaces in their wake.
"Food retail is one thing helping struggling malls survive," June Williamson, an architecture professor at the City College of New York, and Co-Author of Retrofitting Suburbia.
Williamson also stated that losing an anchor store and its lease payment can make it difficult for a mall’s survival. However, malls are starting to focus on answering consumer needs apart from just clothing. As the consumer shopping experience continues to change, malls could prove a successful financial hub by offering food-related business.
Banners such as Kroger and 365 by Whole Foods have already made their foray into joining the surburban mall lineup. Kroger will reopen a new location in a 45-year-old Macy’s store in Upper Arlington, OH, with the 365 banner opening a mall location in Bloomington, IN.
Wegmans already has two suburban mall locations; one in Pennsylvania, and another in Maryland. The company has slated a third location to open next year in a former J.C. Penney in Natick Mall, MA. Wegmans says it chose the location over others because of the empty department store’s space, parking, and convenient location.
"Because our business model is predicated on high volume, we need a lot of customers to shop in our stores," Wegmans Media Relations Coordinator Valerie Fox said of the decision to move into Natick Mall, according to Business Insider. "While we don't specifically seek out shopping malls, we consider them if they meet the things we're looking for... Natick Mall met all our criteria for a store site."
Shopping malls are generally located in close proximity to housing and public transportation, making for good grocery chain locations without the need to construct an entirely new building from the ground up.
"There are too many malls in the U.S.," Williamson said. "Conventional department stores are under threat, partly from online shopping and people wanting to go to the specialty boutique rather than the Macy's. People still want to go out, and food is a real draw for the social part of consumption. So you may buy your socks online, but you might want to go out with your friends to eat or grocery shop at the mall."
Business Insider noted that hundreds of department store locations are expected to close their doors, including 300 from Sears by the end of the year, and 138 from J.C. Penney.
As some department retail chains continue consolidating, will grocery retail banners take up the charge? AndNowUKnow will report.
MORRO, CA - Midsummer means finger limes are back! The viral sensations are ready once-again to tantalize consumer tastebuds, and now in its seventh year of shipping and marketing, Shanley Farms is prepped to offer Citriburst Finger Limes with the added bonus of Organic and Global Gap certification.
“We are so excited to be kicking off our seventh finger lime season with a bang! With a viral video from Eater, a Tastemade Instagram story with over 3 million views, as well as a bigger than ever partnership with Blue Apron—we are so thrilled finger limes are becoming the sensation that they are destined to be,” Megan Shanley Warren, Co-Owner of Shanley Farms shared with me.
As we reported last summer, popular online food news site Eater filmed a short finger lime feature at Shanley’s Morro Bay ranch which ended up hitting the screens of more than 11 million views. And the press didn’t stop there, another popular consumer food media company, Tastemade, shared an Instagram post featuring finger limes that garnered another 3 million views.
Now, being featured as one of Blue Apron’s Season’s Best, and reaching online sales of an 800 fold increase over last year, it's safe to say the finger lime crave will not be stopping any time soon.
Want to jump on the finger lime train yourself? Shanley Farms’ wholesale inquiries can be directed to (805) 323-6525.
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four 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:
Harvest Pro
Operating out of Modesto, California, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $7,781 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Danny Castillon was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Happyfoods of SW FLA Inc.
Operating out of Cape Coral, Florida, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $102,892 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Darlene D. Dean was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Farmers Best of NYC
Operating out of Brooklyn, New York, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $35,302 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Evenaim Eran was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
Tama Tropical Inc.
Operating out of Farmingdale, New York, this company received sanctions for failing to pay a $10,470 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anthony Berritto and Anthony Marotta were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
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.
EL SEGUNDO, CA - Those who stay on top of food trends, particularly in the realm of plant-based foods, may be familiar with the groundbreaking “bleeding” vegan burger from Beyond Meat®. The company, with investor backing from the likes of Bill Gates and Tyson Foods, made waves earlier this year when Safeway announced it would stock the item in 280 stores. Now, Kroger is joining the party and will offer Beyond Meat burgers in 605 stores.
“At Beyond Meat, our focus is on building meat directly from plants–juicy, delicious, satiating meat that also delivers the upside of plant-based protein,” said Beyond Meat’s CEO Ethan Brown, in a company press release. “We are grateful to see Kroger place the Beyond Burger in the meat aisle, where consumers are accustomed to shopping for burgers and believe this is an important step in broadening the way people think about, and define, meat.”
The pea protein, yeast, and coconut oil meatless patties cook like real meat, even "bleeding" beet juice, according to a report from Business Insider. The uniquely authentic meat-like experience has attracted a nearly cult-like vegan following, and an impressive list of investors, including Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, the Humane Society, alongside Bill Gates.
The Beyond Burger will begin to roll out in 605 select Kroger-owned stores across 13 states within four of Kroger’s key banners: Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Kroger, and Ralph’s:
- Fred Meyer (AK, ID, OR and WA)
- King Soopers (CO, UT and WY)
- Kroger (AL, GA, MI, OH and SC)
- Ralph’s (CA)
According to the company press release, the multi-state roll out will begin with Ralph’s, King Soopers, and Kroger stores, with Fred Meyer locations coming online in early August. The full roll-out is expected to take a few weeks’ time, so consumers are encouraged to call ahead to their local store to ensure the Beyond Burger is in stock. For a full list of participating Kroger stores that will carry the Beyond Burger, visit the Beyond Meat blog.
For all the latest in plant-based fruit and vegetable news, check in with AndNowUKnow.
YAKIMA, WA – With the last day of July upon us, Dave Gleason has once again graced the industry with his take on Domex Superfresh Growers’ bountiful crops coming out of the Pacific Northwest. The company is coming off of a record cherry crop and preparing for excellent season for apples and pears.
“We love what we are doing. The summer cherry harvest has really been smiling on us, and fruit has been progressing nicely. The sugar is great, the flavor is excellent, and we like what we are picking,” Gleason says, with his signature stonefruit wisdom.
Superfresh saw ideal growing conditions for this year’s cherries, according to a press release. The fortuitous growing season has made for large fruit, setting a record cherry crop this summer. The company says that this year’s crop will extend into late August, providing retailers with great opportunity to generate sales.
In his latest orchard update video, Gleason walks viewers through one of the high-elevation cherry blocks in Selah, WA. Seasons like these, he says, are a favored time of cherry pickers, as pay is high and the majority of picking is done during the cooler part of the day–in the morning. The day starts early in the morning and finishes around lunchtime, to ensure only the sweetest, firmest, and most delicious Superfresh cherries are provided.
“In these late summer days, we are careful with the hot temperatures,” Gleason continues. “We organize our picking and packing in a way that we get the cherries off the tree, into the bin quickly, and into refrigeration as soon as possible. We understand if the fruit warms up, it will soften and affect the condition.”
As the cherry crop wraps up, apple and pear season will take off. The company expects its earliest harvest dates to hit in mid- to late-August, and ramp up in September. Superfresh expects an excellent and large crop for its organic apples and pears.
The company noted that a cool spring slowed cell-division for its apple and pears, resulting in smaller fruit for this year. For both organic and convetional, apple and pear sizing will be down from previous years, making an ideal harvest for pouch bags, self-merchandising, and providing easy-grab options for busy shoppers.
Want to get a peek of Superfresh’s sun-dappled orchards yourselves? Watch Dave’s video above.