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HIGHLAND, IN – As Strack & Van Til continues to sort out its future, the grocer is looking to possibilities like lower-priced items and a broader offering of organics under new distribution.
Associated Wholesale Grocers has struck a deal with the chain, according to NWI Times, bringing the weight of one of the country’s largest wholesalers at $10 billion a year in revenue.
"We will be migrating to AWG. We're very excited about having the backing of a much larger co-op. With that comes better services they can provide us to help us remain competitive, whether it's on a cost of goods nature, marketing and merchandising,” said President and CEO Jeff Strack. “They have an extensive array of private labels in different tiers from a low-end tier to a mainstream to a natural and organic. So we feel that our offerings will be much more impactful than what we used to have with the Centrella Brand."
Amongst the wholesaler’s brand offerings are:
- Always Save
- Best Choice
- Clearly Organic
- IGA
- Superior Selections
The move could also have more supplier opportunities for Strack & Van Til, its executive said.
"One of the things we're looking forward to, now that we're independently owned again, is more opportunity to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves, whether it's produce from the market, or special deals from vendors and manufacturers," Strack said, according to the report. "We're excited about that, and our customers will be the ultimate winners from that. That's what it takes today for the independents to survive against the big players: being nimble and flexible."
After having declared bankruptcy earlier this year and then showcasing a family and team effort to buy the chain back from auction, will AWG’s support give the brand what it needs for a turnaround in the increasingly competitive retail market?
While Strack & Van Til cautions that it will not be an overnight change, AndNowUKnow will keep you up to date on this and other news that could hold sway in the produce industry.
SEATTLE, WA – Hot on the heels of Amazon’s agreement to acquire Whole Foods, the online retailer seems to be tackling another fresh food front; CNBC reports that the company has registered a trademark for a meal kit service.
On July 6, 2017, Amazon registered for a U.S. trademark on a service called “We do the prep. You be the chef”—a program offering pre-prepared kits of fresh foods “ready for assembly as a meal.”
As we previously reported, one of the world’s largest meal kit providers, Blue Apron, launched an IPO late last month. CNBC remarked that the patent filing may imperil Blue Apron; the meal kit company’s stock closed Friday at $7.36 per share, down nearly 10 percent for the week.
CNBC also noted that the meal kit format seems like a logical extension of the company’s AmazonFresh program. According to the news source, Amazon has been testing both food delivery and meal kits through AmazonFresh since 2007.
"If Amazon wants to do meal kits, Amazon will do meal kits," Mark Bittman, a consultant to activist investor Jana Partners, who own a large stake in Whole Foods, told CNBC last month. Bittman was also an integral part of another meal kit service, Purple Carrot, and previously served as the company's Chief Information Officer. "Amazon will sell anybody anything they want to buy…Amazon is in the business to sell everything."
AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with news as it occurs.
WENATCHEE, WA – With the industry entering the second half of the summer, Stemilt Growers is primed to begin harvest of organic peaches and nectarines. Stemilt—an organic grower since 1989—has suggestions for retailers to take advantage of the company’s brightly-colored, full-of-flavor organic peaches and nectarines to add ring at the register and boost organic sales.
“Stonefruit is one of summer’s best treats,” said Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director, in a press release. “Not only do peaches and nectarines scream the dog days of summer, they are a great, nutritious snack or the perfect topping for summertime desserts. And since they are organic, well, we are able to tap into another unique crowd that is driving the produce industry to a whole new level.”
According to the company’s press release, a mild spring and recent warm weather have poised Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ peach and nectarine crop for another memorable season. Pepperl noted that peaches and nectarines will be average-sized with excellent sweet, flavor profiles that should “wow” consumers and provide a great eating experience. Retailers should begin the push on Artisan Organics™ peaches and nectarines in August, in high-density areas and organic sections to boost sales before transitioning into fall produce items.
With fruit available through August and most of September, Pepperl suggests using peaches and nectarines as a seasonal item for their Lil Snappers® kid-sized fruit program, as well as giving consumers the option of buying bulk. Retailers seeking to increase visibility and sales can use Stemilt’s story-telling display bins and Artisan Organic™ boxes to create a destination for the seasonal summer fruits.
Since 2009, when Stemilt and the Douglas family—a fourth generation farming family that owns Douglas Fruit and farms the lion’s share of Stemilt’s stonefruit—made the decision to switch from conventional, Stemilt’s entire crop of peaches and nectarines has been certified organic.
“We knew organic farming wouldn’t always be the easiest path, but we firmly believed that it would be a great differentiation point for our peaches and nectarines, and that we could grow organically while keeping flavor and quality high because of the incredible locale that we farm these fruits at,” said Jill Douglas, Co-President of Douglas Fruit. “After almost a decade, we know this to be true.”
The company also noted that organics is a growing segment. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reported that American consumers are spending nearly $50 billion on organic products, annually. Some 14 percent of produce purchased is organic, and 75 million Millennials are now choosing organic and ensuring their families follow suit—with parents between 18-34 years of age are the biggest group of organic buyers in America.
“Organics is a thriving consumer trend so retailers, growers, and producers need to jump feet first into the organic pool if they want to do it right,” Pepperl said. “Stemilt did it almost 30 years ago and that foresight positioned us as a leader in the pack.”
The Douglas family has farmed fruit in Pasco, Washington—a growing locale with a dry, arid climate, a noticeable temperature swing from day to night, breeze from the nearby Columbia River, and a volcanic, nutrient-rich soils—for more than a century. According to Stemilt, the family sought organic farming as a way to naturally boost the depth of flavors of its peaches and nectarines.
With a focus on growing classic peach and nectarine varieties, the Douglas family recognize that shoppers prefer these fruits with both high sugars and acids and continually remodel the company’s orchards with new varieties and growing techniques in order to offer shoppers the best flavors. Douglas Fruit is committed to harvesting fruit when tree-ripe with high sugars, even if that means harvesting the same trees up to six times. Following harvest, fruit is rapidly and evenly jet cooled in order to maintain high qualities and shelf-life.
“It’s these little differences that add up to the best peach and nectarine experience of the season,” added Pepperl. “Our Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines are juicy and sweet, with balanced acidity, and certified organic—all of these features are the perfect differentiation point for retailers to share and wow their shoppers with as we near the big months of August and September.”
According to the company’s press release, a mild spring and recent warm weather have poised Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ peach and nectarine crop for another memorable season. And Pepperl noted that peaches and nectarines will be average-sized with excellent sweet, flavor profiles that should “wow” consumers and provide a great eating experience.
For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers Farms has a full calendar in preparation for PMA Foodservice at the end of the month, including hosting events, sponsoring key activities, and more.
Before the long foodservice-centric weekend even begins, the company’s own Vice President of Sales Jeff Church will be returning to ride in the fourth annual Tour de Fresh 2017. The 275 miles pedaling from California’s Pismo Beach to Monterey, I’m sure, will not stop him from attending the annual Church Brothers Farms’ Ranch Party on Saturday, July 29th.
“The family ranch party tradition is part of the Church Brothers’ legacy in the Salinas Valley,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing. “Our customers and trade partners look forward to it all year; we use the opportunity to showcase our products and say thank you for your support.”
Earlier that same day, the company is sponsoring the Saturday opening education session with Technomics, presenting the “State of the Foodservice,” report, according to a press release. Church Brothers also noted that it will also hold field and plant tours during the week leading up to the show, including its innovative Clean Power Station, a cogeneration system.
As for the PMA Foodservice Expo on Sunday, July 30, you can expect to see its line of commodities and value-added packs created specifically for the foodservice channel in booth #1101, such as its cleaned and cored Chef Ready Bell Peppers–green and red bell peppers where the top and seeds removed to offer consistent quality, size uniformity, and convenience.
For more details on what you might see, visit the company’s website here.
SALINAS, CA – Mann Packing is bringing a new partnership into its fold, looking to boost the flavor and health benefits of its innovative Vegetable Slaw Blends. In this vein, the company has announced a new promotion with the California Walnut Board to boost summer sales.
“Recognizing California walnuts’ versatility and variety of health benefits, a partnership featuring our slaw blends is a wonderful opportunity to boost summer sales,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing. “Mann’s is committed to collaborating and creating a synergy with organizations like the California Walnut Board, and we look forward to working with them to complement each other’s strengths.”
This promotion will give consumers easy access to Mann’s popular Slaw Blends line, and link together the flavorful and nutritious possibilities of walnuts and the slaw blends. According to a press release, when consumers purchase a 7.5 oz or larger package of California walnuts this summer, they will receive $1.50 off per pack of Mann’s Power Blend or Kale Beet Blend.
“Walnuts are a perfect ingredient for summer salads and we are delighted to partner with Mann Packing on this Summer Slaw promotion,” said Michelle Connelly, Executive Director of the California Walnut Board. “Additionally, the combination of these superfoods packs a delicious punch of nutrition.”
One of the key focuses of the California Walnut Board is to promote the use of walnuts throughout the U.S. through the use of advertising, publicity, and educational programs. California Walnuts was established in 1948, and represents over 4,800 walnut growers and more than 90 walnut handlers throughout California.
Additional promotions will be available at the following banners, among others:
- Safeway
- Albertsons
- Meijer
- Wakefern
- Raleys
- Schnucks
- Giant Eagle
The promotion will run from the end of July through mid-August, to tap in on prime summer sales.
As innovative companies merge together to create powerful promotions and consumer connections, AndNowUKnow will have all the latest.
BURLINGTON, WA - The woman-owned company that has been providing the industry with painted pumpkins, long stem ornamentals, organic squash, and more, is about to get a big influx of production power come next year. Bay Baby Produce has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art facility, set to open in time for its 2018 season.
"This facility is a big step for our company and we look forward to growing in our new office and warehouse,” shared Michele Youngquist, Owner, when asked for comment.
Bay Baby broke ground on the new facility in mid-June, following what the company said was a long process of approvals. According to a press release, the new 55,000-square-foot facility will offer expansive production, storage, and shipping capabilities, and will also be home to Bay Baby’s new corporate office. With this expanded space, Bay Baby will increase its production capacity, making it possible to meet the always increasing demand for the company's products in both current and future markets.
Based in the Skagit Valley of Burlington, WA, Bay Baby has been in operation for over 30 years. As the company continues to expand with this facility and its growing product lines, Bay Baby assured it has plans to continue to grow well into the future.
Congratulations to Bay Baby Produce on this exciting new move! AndNowUKnow will keep you updated as the construction continues.
ROSEMONT, IL – Continuing its trend of precipitous growth, US Foods has announced plans to acquire three broadline distributors, The Thompson Company, Braunger Foods, and Variety Foods—a family of companies previously owned and operated by TOBA Inc.
“This acquisition allows us to expand further into the Midwest and positions us even closer to our customers,” said Russell Scott, Midwest President of US Foods, in a press release. “We look forward to building on the expertise of the strong employee base at The Thompson Company, Braunger Foods, and Variety Foods and welcoming them to US Foods.”
TOBA Inc. entered food distribution with the purchase of Grand Island, Nebraska-based distributor The Thompson Company in 1995. The company subsequently expanded with the 2002 acquisition of Braunger Foods, located in Sioux City, Iowa, and Variety Foods, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2007. The three companies serve independent restaurant, school, grocery, and convenience store customers in seven states across the Midwest—with more than $130 million in combined sales each year.
US Foods noted in its press release that the company will continue to operate all three companies’ locations and expects to welcome the approximately 250 team members employed by the companies into the US Foods family.
Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close by late-July, were not disclosed.
For more on important acquisitions and other news in the produce industry, check in with us at AndNowUKnow.
OAK BROOK, IL - For just over a year, one of the most ubiquitous fast food chains has offered premium greens—baby kale—on its Signature Sriracha sandwich at select locations. Now, according to Eater, the delicious sandwich is going nationwide.
The sandwich is part of the Signature Crafted Recipes line, where customers pick their protein and McDonald’s adorns it with baby spinach and kale, tomato, crispy onions, Sriracha Mac Sauce, and white cheddar in a fresh-forward flavor explosion. According to Eater, this is the first instance of the fast-food purveyor using the trendy green on any of its sandwiches.
In recent years, the chain has made efforts to incorporate upscale flavors and fresh produce into its offerings, including a pilot of a Pesto Mozzarella Melt last year.
Will fast food continue piling on the produce as consumer trends shift towards nutritious fruits and veggies? Follow along with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.
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