SALINAS, CA - As the company looks to expand its portfolio and consumer reach across the globe during its centennial year, Naturipe Farms has announced a new leader to boost its brand. The company has appointed CarrieAnn Arias as Vice President of Marketing, effective June 9.

“Joining the Naturipe Team during the 100 year anniversary creates an added layer of excitement to this amazing opportunity,” said Arias. “I am passionate about agriculture and everything that the produce industry stands for. Naturipe Farms commitment to its growers, retailers, consumers, and each other aligns perfectly with my core values. I cannot wait to get started!”

In her new role, Arias will be responsible for leading the brand, consumer, and trade marketing efforts for the full spectrum of Naturipe products.

Arias comes to Naturipe Farms with 12 years of industry experience from Dole Fresh Vegetables and Berries. There, she served most recently as Vice President of Marketing.

“We are thrilled to have CarrieAnn join our senior management team,” said CEO and President Dwight Ferguson. “She’s a groundbreaking marketer in the produce industry. Her focus on shoppers, consumers, and retailer relationships will be a tremendous asset as we expand both our core and value-added product lines.”

Congratulations, CarrieAnn, on your appointment. We can't wait to see where you take things next!

Naturipe Farms

CHELAN, WA - In a move that doubles Chelan Fresh’s organic treefruit program, the company has entered into a marketing agreement with Columbia Valley Fruit of Union Gap, Washington. The agreement will allow Chelan Fresh to become the exclusive marketer of organic and conventional apples from Columbia Valley Fruit.

“Columbia Valley Fruit has a long history as one of Washington State’s premium organic fruit grower-packers. We are very excited to be working with the Columbia Valley family,” CEO of Chelan Fresh Tom Riggan, shared. “Our customers value the high-quality, strong varietal mix that Columbia Valley Fruit brings to the market.” 

It’s exciting times at Chelan Fresh and Columbia Valley Fruit, as this agreement comes just a little more than a month after Chelan Fresh and Borton Fruit announced their merger. Slated to go into effect September 1, 2017, partners Orlin Knutson, Mark and Tom Tudor, Chris Vizena and Bill Monson will retain ownership of Columbia Valley Fruit, under the marketing agreement.

"Our growers are our top priority–whether it be providing support and guidance to produce great quality fruit, or making strategic moves to assure top returns for their efforts," said Orlin Knutson, Partner and spokesperson for Columbia Valley Fruit. "We are confident that the market access achieved through this alliance with Chelan Fresh will provide our growers with exciting economic opportunities well into the future." 

The organic and conventional apple program will be marketed under Chelan Fresh’s organic Cascade Crest label and the internationally recognized conventional Trout label, according to a press release.

Working with progressive farmers in Washington to grow, store, and pack high-demand organic and conventional apple varieties, Columbia Valley Fruit brings modern orchard systems to its program that increase harvest volumes of the highest quality apples per acre. The company has nearly 30 years of experience growing organic fruit and is also a certified organic handler by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. In addition, the farmers grow in accordance with the National Organic Program Standards. 

Congratulations to Chelan Fresh and Columbia Valley Fruit on the new marketing agreement and the fruitful road ahead!

Chelan Fresh  Columbia Valley Fruit

SEATTLE, WA - Not a stranger to fanciful food stunts, Lady Gaga is teaming up with Starbucks in the name of fruit and in the name of a good cause. In a new partnership between Starbucks and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, this new line of produce-centric beverages will translate into a 25 cent donation to the cause for every refreshing drink purchased.

“We’re healthier and happier when we live our lives with compassion and our communities are stronger when we treat one another with generosity and respect,” shared Lady Gaga upon the launch of the new fruity drink line. “Born This Way Foundation and I are so excited to partner with Starbucks to help inspire positivity and love through the Cups of Kindness collection.”

The Born This Way Foundation supports programs that encourage youth wellness and empowerment by fostering kindness, improving mental health resources, and creating more positive environments, according to a press release. Starting today, June 13, each colorfully clad Cup of Kindness purchased through June 19 will equal a 25 cent donation to the cause.

The full Gaga-backed Cups of Kindness collection includes four handpicked iced drinks, including her personal favorite, Matcha Lemonade, and a blackberry-packed Violet Drink.

All four members in the Cups of Kindness collection include:

Matcha Lemonade

A refreshingly green drink made with finely ground Teavana® matcha green tea, crisp lemonade, and shaken with ice to create a lightly sweet and tasty drink.

Violet Drink

Sweet blackberries meet tart hibiscus in a twist on the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher. The Lady Gaga version is swirled together with creamy coconut milk and ice, creating a refreshing, violet-hued thirst quencher.

Ombré Pink Drink

A light, fruity Cool Lime Refresher meets cool and creamy coconut milk, topped with a splash of Teavana® Shaken Iced Passion Tango™ Tea and a lime wheel.

Pink Drink

A favorite of mine, the lightly sweet beverage features strawberry, passion fruit, and açaí, combined with coconut milk, and topped with a scoop of strawberries. Only United States customers will be able to grab this one as part of the Cups of Kindness collection.

As Lady Gaga and Starbucks have come together for this fruity union, the coffee-giant has committed to a minimum $250,000 contribution to Born This Way Foundation. What other forays into the produce industry will Lady Gaga strut her way into? Keep with AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

Starbucks

SANDPOINT, ID - Fresh produce and dressing go hand in hand. And dressing purveyor, Litehouse Foods, is a major advocate for fresh, launching last years' successful See The Lite campaign to drive traffic from shelf stable dressing over to the produce department.

This year, the company announced it will be expanding the campaign into nine new markets and Toronto. I connected with Stacey Miller, Director of Business Development, to get the details.

"We're doing an integrated marketing campaign," Stacey reveals. "There's a TV element, digital and social element, and there is radio. So really we're trying to reach consumers through all different ways, to let them know that we have really great, fresh tasting dressing that they can find in the produce section of their grocery store."

What other marketing innovations does the company have up its sleeve? Check out my interview with Stacey, above, to find out.

Litehouse Foods

CHICAGO, IL - Adding another recognition for leadership and creativity to its belt, NatureFresh™ Farms is looking forward to a few distinctions at this year's United Fresh 2017. Owner and President Peter Quiring will receive the FreshTEC Achievement Award, in addition to some of the company's offerings named as Award Finalists.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by your peers,” Quiring said. “Innovation in the way we build our greenhouses and how we grow our vegetable is what has driven my companies for many years. Implementing the latest in technology has allowed us to be a more efficient operation from start to finish.”

According to a press release, Quiring will be honored at the United Fresh Produce Association’s Annual FreshMKT & FreshTEC Expos & Convention in Chicago, IL, which runs from June 13-15. Quiring was selected for his contributions to the produce industry over the last 20 years.

“Peter’s contributions to greenhouse technology have advanced the industry significantly,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “His competitive drive and commitment to invest in technology advancements in controlled growing environments are what set him apart. We’re proud to honor Peter with this FreshTEC Achievement Award.”

In addition to receiving the FreshTEC Award for Achievement, NatureFresh Farms has been named a Finalist for the Best New Vegetable Award for its TOMZ® Snacking Tomato Program. 

“We saw a need in the marketplace to create a category wide program that would give consumers consistent quality, regardless of the season,” said Director of Marketing Chris Veillon. “Consumers want summer-like flavor in July, November, and February and the TOMZ Program does just that.”

The TOMZ Program provides consumers with up to seven different types of specialty tomatoes under one brand. Varieties include:

• Red/Yellow/Orange Grape
• Red Cherry
• Mixed Snacking
• Mixed Grape
• Sweet Red Cocktail Tomatoes

By growing in its new state-of-the-art greenhouse in Delta, OH, from October to July, and in its greenhouses in Leamington, ON, March to November, NatureFresh™ is ensuring locally-grown snacking tomatoes are available year-round. 

The TOMZ Program seeks to promote the category as a whole rather than just one item by driving marketing by flavor with seven unique products under a single brand, reducing food miles to create extended shelf-life, creating a consumer connection with multiple flavors, and providing consistency by using the same farms, growers, and seeds. Additionally, the program utilizes geo-targeted consumer facing digital content to raise product awareness, high-impact packaging colors to brighten the produce aisles, and year-round availability.

“We believe that the TOMZ Program can strengthen the snacking category as a whole,” said Director of Business Development Ray Wowryk. “It is not just about one tomato with flavor, it is a complete line of fresh tomatoes with flavor.”

NatureFresh Farms will continue to sample its TOMZ Tomatoes at all #GreenInTheCity tour stops this year with the company’s mobile Greenhouse Education Center.

NatureFresh Farms will have its complete line of greenhouse grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers on display at the FreshMKT Trade show during the United Fresh Convention in Chicago, June 14-15. Attendees are invited to visit booth #3231.

NatureFresh™ Farms

OXNARD, CA - Responding to its continued growth in the produce industry, Mission Produce announced that the company has promoted Stephen Fink to Director of Sales Planning. Fink brings five years of experience with Mission Produce to the position–most recently as a sales representative, after serving previously as an inventory analyst.

“Mission has grown dramatically in the past few years, and our ability to service our customers as we grow is our highest priority,” Fink said. “With my background in inventory management and sales, my goal is to improve our overall performance and satisfaction levels with our customer base.”

Fink will work with Mission’s sales, operations, and sourcing teams on overall demand management for the company. In his new position, he will manage short-and-intermediate-term sales planning activities. Further, he will focus on ensuring optimal inventory levels at Mission’s nine North American distribution centers.

In his new role, Fink will report to Vice President of Sales & Marketing Brent Scattini.

“We are adding depth in our sales management and planning processes with the goal of enhancing Mission’s leadership position in avocados,” Scattini said. “Managing demand at the customer level is a strategic area of focus for Mission, and this position will magnify our capabilities. Stephen has been an important member of the sales team at Mission, and has proven himself capable of handling both customer interaction and sales planning at the highest level. As the Director of Sales Planning, he will continue to have key account responsibility, but will support our business model in aligning demand and supply.”

Want to learn more about the ever-growing Mission Produce? Check out the company's website here.

Mission Produce

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, Marsh Supermarkets has begun to auction off its assets, fielding “numerous” bids for the Midwest banner's remaining locations.

“Qualifying bids have been received from numerous bidders," said Thomas Mulligan, an Senior Executive from Sitrick and Company, a firm hired by the retailer to respond to inquiries on store closures and asset sales. "The company, its advisors, and the creditors committee are evaluating the bids."

According to local ABC affiliate RTV6, the auction officially began Monday June 12, 2017 at 10 a.m. The auction includes only bidders who are considered to be qualified to operate the assets of the company.

The embattled supermarket chain filed for bankruptcy earlier this year after attempts at a sale were unsuccessful. The company has closed more than twenty stores throughout the first half of this year, bringing the chains store count to 47. The company recently petitioned—and was approved for—an expedited bankruptcy sale plan in Delaware courts in order to court a stalking horse bidder. RTV6 reports that, so far, roughly 3,700 Marsh employees have lost their jobs due to store closures, and were the remaining stores to close, an additional 2,788 employees would be laid off.

"While today's decision was extremely difficult, we believe this action is necessary to preserve the value of the business as we seek a sale," said Chief Executive Officer Tom O'Boyle on the occasion of the company’s decision to file for bankruptcy this May. "After reviewing every alternative, we concluded that Chapter 11 clearly provides the most effective and efficient means to ensure the best recovery for the Company's stakeholders."

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the situation as news is forthcoming.

Marsh Supermarkets