RALEIGH, NC - Summer is fast approaching, and when I think of sunny weather spreads, onions are a staple from grilling, to salads, and everything in between. To peel back the layers on the produce that packs a crisp bite, I connected with Derek Ennis, Sales Manager for Potatoes & Onions of L&M to get an update on the warmer spectrum of its year-round onion program.
“We have exciting developments this year in our spring and summer onion crops,” Derek tells me. “We started harvesting new crop California red, white, and yellow varieties in April and will transition to New Mexico and North Carolina in early June. We have doubled our North Carolina acreage, added a new grower, and are trialing a new red variety there for the summer.”
L&M will start harvesting and packing out of New Mexico June 1 through the end of August, while the North Carolina crop will be harvested June 5 through mid-July. The company is anticipating very good yields and quality in all three of the warm weather growing regions.
“The size profile for our California crop will be larger and heavy to jumbo and colossal sizes,” Derek shares. “Our North Carolina crop is typically on the smaller side of the size profile. We typically get a heavy medium size profile which is ideal for local retailers to market.”
For all the latest in fresh produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow!
WENATCHEE, WA - Washington State growers have BIG cherries in-store for them this season, and with them, big merchandising opportunities at retail. As the season approaches, Stemilt Growers is prepping to be what it refers to as the home for big cherries, gearing up to share new marketing strategies with retailers to boost sales for its increased volumes and cherry size.
“It’s a fact that bigger is better when it comes to cherries,” shared Marketing Director Roger Pepperl. “And here at Stemilt, we emphasize that point to our retailers time and time again—bigger cherries make for better sales.”
Not only do large-sized cherries always put a twinkle in consumers’ eyes, Stemilt assures they also deliver big flavor. According to a press release, big cherries naturally have more sugars, making them sweeter and more firm than the average 10 ½ row cherry. Research conducted at Washington State University has previously found that for cherries, fruit size directly correlates to brix, meaning larger cherries have higher sugar levels.
“For most shoppers, cherries are an impulse purchase. Big displays of high-quality fruit drive the first cherry purchase, and the fruit’s flavor and overall eating experience drives repeat purchases,” Pepperl says. “While they have a short season, cherries are a big dollar generator to the produce department, and retailers who promote around size and flavor are the ones that find greatest success.”
And impulse buying is no joke. In fact, Stemilt shared data from Northwest Cherry Growers that states 71 percent of cherry purchases are impulse buys. In that vein, Pepperl suggests using Stemilt’s big cherry size and premium cherry programs as a selling point to capture consumer eyes. Another tip from Pepperl—place large-sized cherries in prominent, heavy-traffic areas in attractive displays to encourage consumers to grab fruit for their baskets.
“Stemilt’s Kyle’s Pick™ cherries are one way to differentiate through size at retail, and July is the key time to promote these,” added Pepperl. “We reserve select varieties and our biggest and best cherries for these specially marked packs, because those are the exact qualities that its namesake, 4th generation grower Kyle Mathison, farms during this timeframe.“
As Pepperl touched on, Stemilt is no stranger to big cherries. Company Founder Tom Mathison has been pruning for cherry size and quality since Stemilt’s founding in the early 1960s, and today, Stemilt’s commitment and foresight have kept them a prime locale for big, flavorful cherries. Stemilt says it is now able to pack size consistently better than it ever has with the aid of innovative electronic packing equipment, allowing for optical sizing and grading of cherries.
“Tom had it figured out long before others in the industry did, and today’s optic sizing technology allows us to deliver on what he always envisioned,” says Pepperl. “At Stemilt, being the home for big cherries is all about growing the best tasting fruit in order to delight shoppers all summer long.”
Keep a look out for more news from Stemilt as the company hits its cherry season stride. Until then, happy growing!
BENTONVILLE, AR – As retailers investigate new strategies to combat the competitive nature of the buyside sector, there’s one that seems to remain at the forefront: pricing. Together with its subsidiary Jet.com, Walmart has unveiled a new low pricing strategy to garner consumer purchases: “pick-and-mix” pricing.
“Pick-and-mix” aims to slash prices by giving shoppers control over how much they want to pay when choosing e-commerce as a platform. According to Forbes, Walmart and Jet.com are now offering lower prices to shoppers for agreeing to certain purchase options like no free returns, pick up in store versus delivery, or paying with a debit card.
This particular strategy then gives consumers small rewards for their purchase, while also providing benefits to the retailer as well. Forbes stated that strategies like these are especially appealing to consumers as it provides them a greater choice and empowerment over purchases, making Walmart’s e-commerce even more competitive to sites like Amazon.
This “smart pricing,” as Forbes calls it, allows consumers to share in lower costs while also allowing things like shipping costs to absorbed by retailers in the product price. As we recently reported, Walmart is currently riding a wave of e-commerce success as the company's stocks saw a 52-week high after its long string of web-based acquisitions.
Jet.com also made headlines in the fresh produce world as the company announced a new brick and mortar pop-up store, called “Story Fresh,” that sells fresh fruits and veggies and similarly themed items. No word has yet been released as to whether Jet.com will continue these produce pop-ups, and whether or not the “pick-and-mix” pricing extends to this location.
Will more retailers pick this up as consumers continue to turn to the convenience of e-commerce? AndNowUKnow will report as new pricing strategies are unveiled.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Bolstering its executive team as the company continues its expansion in Arizona, Vision Produce has promoted Lance Nichols to Vice President/General Manager Arizona.
“I am very honored and excited to be given the opportunity by Vision Produce,” said Nichols on the occasion of his promotion. “I look forward to working with a talented, committed group for many years to come.”
The company also noted its intent to continue expanding its grower deals throughout Mexico.
“Lance has been an integral part of our operational growth in Phoenix over the last several years and we look forward to tapping into his years of experience as he oversees all of our Arizona operations,” noted Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Donald Souther in a press release. "Vision Produce Company sees many opportunities for growth in Arizona, and we feel fortunate that Lance and John can help guide our team."
Additionally, the company indicated that Vice President John Caldwell will now be concentrating solely on the company’s expansion in Nogales.
"I am excited at the opportunity to solely concentrate my time and effort on our growth in Nogales," added Caldwell. "I will be leading the strategy for expanding our grower deals in Mexico and positioning the sales team for success."
Congratulations to Lance Nichols on his promotion. We on the AndNowUKnow team wish him the best in future endeavors and will continue to report on this and other expanding companies in the produce industry.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Celebrities are using salad ingredients in a way that only the A-listers could conceive...facials.
Top tier facialist Joanna Vargas has treated such famed faces as Dakota Johnson, Zac Posen, Karlie Kloss, and Michelle Williams with a regiment composed of broccoli, radish, and clover sprouts seedlings, according to Hollywood Reporter, and I for one am eating it up.
Her new limited-edition Spring Clean Detox Facial is an hour-long treatment available through the end of the summer at her Joanna Vargas Salons in Los Angeles and New York City for $250 a sitting.
Vargas said the potent mixture is full of enzymes that “stimulate the lymphatic system to cleanse, detox, and feed the skin,” Hollywood Reporter wrote.
So, why apply straight to the face instead of our traditional mode of consumption? Because this brings all the nutrients directly to the visage instead of the entire body, as with other popular practices to get your fruits and veggies. Vargas also supports and endorses juicing and eating greens, offering recipes on her website.
Want to know how it works? Sit back, relax, and read the process that has turned produce into the celebrity pastime for skincare:
- Vargas starts with microdermabrasion, in which the face is sprayed with exfoliant crystals to remove dead skin cells
- Cleansing, then exfoliation with an oxygenating microgreens-based scrub
- A face massage
- A microgreen-infused mask
- Finish with an oxygen treatment using Vargas’s eponymous oxygen serum
One hour later, A-listers are left with cleared pores, reversed environmental damage, and glowing skin.
It is something the news source is calling “Hollywood’s new obsession,” and I hope it catches on enough that I get to give it a go.
Ms. Vargas, the produce industry is ready for its closeup!
PORTERVILLE, CA - With a passion for organics that just can’t be beat, here’s What’s In Store for Homegrown Organic Farms.
As more consumers look to wrap their hands around Homegrown Organic Farms stonefruit, we’ve revamped our program to include new plantings and new varieties to flesh fill out any peaks and valleys during the season. With a pure and lasered focus on organics, we are dedicated to growing the organic treefruit industry with a full line of peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, and apricots.
Higher demand than normal is expected this year, as consumers look to pair their spring and summer holidays with high-quality and large-sized fruit. California’s wet weather has led for a beautiful season for the state’s stonefruit. Get ready to wow your shoppers with our astounding Dulce Vida line, from our partnership with Giumarra.
Our organic prowess is also extending into a banner year for organic blueberries. Through our vertically-integrated foundation, we control the majority of our farming, packing, and shipping operations as a way to better service our customers and continue to provide high quality organic berries throughout the year.
With blueberries coming out of California this April, Oregon this July, and new California coastal supplies joining the overall program this fall, we’re looking to keep your shelves flush with high-quality organic blues all year round. As the largest organic blueberry grower in the nation, Homegrown Organic Farms has all eyes set on a stellar year for both flavor and sizing.
At Homegrown Organic Farms, we’re passionate about the one and only thing we do; growing organic produce. Providing you with premium organic fruit since 1998, our family farmers stay the course at what we do so you can have fresh fruit as it was meant to be. Always organic, always Homegrown.
Thank you for watching, What’s in Store.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - The comical Jimmy Fallon is up to his melon mischief once again, this time challenging Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg to a watermelon-slinging competition.
It may not be consumption the way industry endeavors, but it certainly had the crowd collected at the New York Rockefeller Plaza pretty pumped over melons.
Wahlberg took to the sling first, nearly hitting a bullseye with an impressive splash.
From instant replays over where the melon falls, to golden melons worth triple points, watch the two in action and see he who takes the title below.
This is far from Fallon’s first foray into shining a spotlight on fresh produce. For melons specifically, the host hopped on the trending internet challenge to see how many rubber bands it takes to blow up a melon, marrying it comically with a spoof on Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise.
He also had First Lady Michelle Obama on the show to talk increasing fresh produce consumption earlier this year, specifically the FNV movement to make fruits and veggies cool.
Here’s to keeping it fresh, Fallon, we look forward to the next antics involving produce.
HOUSTON, TX – MountainKing® Potatoes has announced the return of its popular summertime grilling promotion, touting the ease of adding its high-flavor potato varieties to the backyard barbecue.
“In past years, we focused our summer grilling promotion on the Steakhouse Roasters,” said John Pope, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Based on the overwhelming response, we expanded the promotion to include several of our other popular varieties which also are ideal for outdoor grilling.”
According to a company press release, MountainKing’s “Get Grilling” summer promotion—available through Labor Day—features the company’s 1.5 lb Steak House Roasters, 3 lb Steak House Golds, 4-count Steak House Bakers, 3 lb Russets, 3 lb Reds, and 3 lb B-Reds merchandised in grilling half bins, secondary location bins, and display-ready cases.
“The backyard cookout has become a complete cooking experience where the entire meal is grilled,” Pope added, noting that MountainKing is looking to capitalize on the roughly 40 percent of grill owners who researched new grilling techniques or recipes in the past year. “This promotion is ideal for encouraging trials of our fresh potato varieties which shoppers may not have considered for the grill.”
The company added that a 2016 Usage and Attitude Study performed by the 2016 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association found that 75 percent of U.S. adults own a grill or smoker; 45 percent of U.S. adults plan to purchase a new grill or smoker; and 30 percent plan to grill more in 2017.
Promotional materials available through the program include all-new high-graphic signage, display sleeve header cards with recipe pads, and grilling directions on Kwik Lok or generic label.
Retailers also can submit photos of their “Get Grilling” merchandising display for the chance to win an outdoor grill. Entries must be submitted to [email protected] by August 31, 2017.
For more on promotional opportunities in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
CALIFORNIA - The inaugural Produce Packaging Seminar is almost here, and seats are going fast. Moxxy Marketing’s Terry Feinberg recently took the time to update me on what attendees can expect as slots fill up and the premier day in Salinas approaches.
“Salinas will be our first and our biggest audience,” Terry tells me of the seminar launch, adding that while spots are still available they are limited. And because lunch is included, those who want to join in too late “may go hungry,” he laughed.
Beyond the complexities presented in the produce aisle, legal sponsors of the seminar will be discussing real lawsuits and defense scenarios they have addressed for clients when it comes to protecting intellectual property and complying with complex labeling regulations.
“Those attending will hear about lawsuits that have been filed, how those clients were protected, and what should be looked at to protect intellectual property while still in compliance with all the regulations that are out there,” Terry comments. “Everybody will walk away with a lot of good information, real-world examples and resources for their own products and businesses.”
As for what you could be in for as you learn about navigating the complex waters of produce packaging, Terry said that the Moxxy team will be showing many examples of packages done best.
“From a design standpoint, you’ll be seeing a lot of images as we show solutions to the challenges packaging confronts in the real world,” Terry explains, emphasizing that this will go beyond the usual ‘mock-up’ approach. “This will give the context of how these brand approaches will stand out amongst competitive products, but also when the curious consumer is introduced.”
This, he tells me, is a factor not often addressed when it comes to presenting the package. “The grocery aisle is rarely as pristine as we would hope. Competitor products abound. Consumers pick packages up and turn them over. The best designs anticipate these challenges,” Terry adds.
As we previously reported, the team bringing this event together includes Western Growers, Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, Garlock Printing & Converting, and Downey Brand, LLP.
With all this and much more in store, be sure to book your seat while you still can. The lineup of stops include:
- Salinas, CA – Wednesday, May 31, 2017, from, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Visalia, CA – Wednesday, June 7, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Sacramento, CA – Tuesday June 20, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Attendance is free, with a limit of about 75 per session. Click here for more details and registration.
Moxxy Marketing Western Growers Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty Garlock Printing & Converting Downey Brand, LLP
GREENSBORO, NC - As more retailers look to catering directly to consumers, The Fresh Market has become the latest chain to offer meal prep solutions with its grab-and-go “Little Big Meal” program.
Available nationwide across the grocer’s 175 stores, the “Little Big Meal” program serves to answer the quintessential “what’s for dinner?” question. According to a press release, the program will offer consumers a different meal each week to solve their dinner needs.
The Fresh Market will have a “Little Big Deal” display in each of its stores that consumers can stop by to choose from a variety of fresh ingredient options every day of the week. The program will be offered for $25 or less.
The selections for each week through the month of June will be as follows:
- May 31-June 6: Roasted Chicken Roll Ups in four flavor combinations, with a roasting kit of broccoli, red potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, and thyme.
- June 7-13: Summer Pasta with mushroom or meat toppings, and a choice of primavera vegetable kit with four varieties of Garofalo noodles.
- June 14-20: Chicken on the Grill alongside a hand-picked vegetable grilling kit, with organic Spanish rice or a basil bell pepper, rosemary, or a Spanish style quinoa and rice mix.
- June 21-27: Kabobs with hand-picked ingredients such as seasonal vegetables or tropical fruits with pork or chicken. Also features a pita pocket bread, Mediterranean pasta salad, and choice between five Yasso Greek yogurt bars.
The Fresh Market is just the latest in a line of retailer-based meal options. Kroger, Hyvee, and Publix have also launched new programs to take on other successful platforms like Blue Apron.
As consumers turn to fresh in their convenience plans, which retailers will join this trend next? AndNowUKnow will report.