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TRAVERSE CITY, MI – In a major move for a US company, North Bay Produce has begun importing two new offerings from Peru. This month, the USDA-APHIS has approved shipments of fresh pomegranates and figs from North Bay Produce shareholder Agricola Athos in Lima, Peru.
“Without the vision of Jorge Checa of Agricola Athos, the valuable cooperation of SENASA PERU, USDA-APHIS, Gateway America and Federal Strategies, we would not have been able to make this vision become reality,” said Mark Girardin, President of North Bay Produce, in a company release. “Their hard work and expertise has been invaluable throughout the process. North Bay is very proud to have worked in conjunction with these organizations to become the first importer of Peruvian figs and pomegranates.”
Agricola Athos has been growing figs for over twenty years, and the grower’s experience in the category has resulted in exceptional quality fresh figs imported to Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, the Middle East, and now, the United States.
The company’s fresh figs will be available in clamshells and bulk tray packs January through May.
Agricola Athos first began planting Wonderful variety pomegranates in 2000 in a joint venture on the North Bay, SA farm. The company currently harvests two early varieties of pomegranate in addition to the Wonderful. These varieties have been bred selectively for color, flavor, shelf-life, and size, and through the company’s efforts the company is now able to provide the U.S. market with 5-20 count, 3.8 kilo cartons of pomegranates from January through April, with storage fruit available into July.
Fresh figs and pomegranates will arrive in North America by air and sea, and will be trucked to Gateway America to be irradiated. After that, product will then be shipped to North Bay Produce’s Mid America facility in Mascoutah, Illinois, and directly to distribution warehouses.
Agricola Athos is one of the largest producers of figs and pomegranates in the Southern Hemisphere.
For more developments in the import market that expand the seasonal availability of produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
ATLANTA, GA - Is the key to inspiring kids to love fruits and veggies in the way it’s delivered? Maxwell Chase thinks so, looking to offer a more appealing package to boost childhood consumption of fresh produce.
Tom Gautreaux, National Sales Director, and Jeff Gibbs, VP & GM, took the time to share with me the inspiration and innovation of its proprietary Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Container.
“The beauty of our package is the absorbent pad at the bottom of the container pairs fresh fruit with easy-peel packaging so that children automatically know what to do,” Jeff says. “From bite-sized portions to the convenient container, it’s exactly what we need to help get kids eating more fruit.”
Maxwell Chase’s Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Container involve a “food safe absorbent packaging” used to both improve the freshness of the contents and extend the shelf-life.
“In light of the 'fresher is better trend' we hope to help customers gain a natural edge in a very competitive market. To do so, we offer innovative and patented packaging that can ensure a profitable shelf-life and noticeable product integrity without added sugar,” the company’s new Sales Associate, Derek Riley, adds. “Our smart containers are catching eyes with the crystal clear lidding and absorbent technology.”
Fruits include:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Assorted color grapes
- Blueberries
Not only does the absorbent technology have a 10 to 14 day shelf-life while still looking and tasting fresh off the farm, but it’s available in several sizes to reach a multitude of age groups.
“We have the 2.5 oz mini-container, which is targeted for elementary kids, 4 oz for high school, 6 oz for anyone from college/university level to even hospitals,” Tom tells me.
The team also zeroed-in on how much of a factor convenience can be in eating fresh produce, no matter the age group.
“One of the ways to boost children’s fresh fruit consumption is to make it easier,” Tom shares, explaining that the idea began to form when he was at a meeting about boosting fruit and veg consumption for kids at United Fresh. “Look at the success of apple wedges–give a child or an adult fresh-cut fruit and they love it. If it’s convenient, fast, tasty, and easy, they’ll eat it again.”
Comprised of a patented blend of food-safe materials that comply with both FDA and EU Food contact regulations and just as well-suited for stores as it is for shoppers, our conversation turns to the buy-side and what Fresh-R-Pax® Mini-Containers can do for retailers.
“I’ve seen many retailers focusing on nutrition,” Tom shares, specifically citing a major Midwestern retailer’s efforts to make healthy-eating easier with more access to eating experts. “This retailer for example, is ensuring that there is a nutritionist in every store to walk you through and show you a healthy way to eat.”
Tom continues that the retailer has also developed a “Healthy Kids Zone” featuring fresh-cut fruit and veggies in ready-to-eat single portion sizes just for the kids; and the “big kid” in all of us too.
This, he says, is just one example of innovative moves the buy-side is making to help both the industry and consumers.
And now Maxwell Chase has more in the works, it seems, with the possibility of even more versatile packaging options for consumers on the go. Keep checking in as we continue to report on this and other growing companies in the industry.
LINDSAY, CA - LoBue Citrus’ new Super Nova mandarin orange is turning heads, having recently been featured in the Los Angeles Times to announce its debut commercial season.
“This is a fantastic mandarin,” said Joe LoBue, Vice President of Sales at Lobue Citrus. “Its flavor profile and stunning dark color will make this fruit jump off the shelf.”
First launched in December and expected to be available into February, the new variety is described as a rich balance of sweet and acid flavoring, according to a press release. The company said that the signature name was created after the deep blazing orange color of its flesh. Named by General Manager of LoBue Farms Robert LoBue, Super Nova will be trademarked by LoBue, resulting in other growers of the fruit creating their own brand names, the company noted.
Super Nova made its way to California when an Orlando-based breeder for the USDA crossed and grew the variety but got no fruit. The breeder sent budwood to California with the hope that a change in soil and climate would coax fruit out of the hybrid.
Needless to say, the seedless mandarins did grow, bringing with it “tantalizing” aromatics that LoBue assures will make them proven winners at retail.
To read the Los Angeles Times’ coverage of what it tells consumers may be their “favorite new fruit” click here.
WAPAKONETA, OH - Red Sun Farms has announced the planting of its first set of seedlings, digging into the soil as of January 21st. This initial step marks the first stage of its Wapakoneta Ohio facility, which the company announced is its second expansion in the U.S.
"This first group of crops will be ready within 8 weeks," said Paul J. Mastronardi, Co-Owner of the project.
Featuring state-of-the-art technology, including high-pressure sodium lighting to increase the growing season of fresh local greenhouse produce. In fact, the location will be equipped to provides fresh greenhouse produce anywhere within a 10 hour transport radius–nearly 60% of the U.S population–according to a press release.
With high-tech water recycling systems in place to help reduce its environmental impact, the greenhouse space is expected to host over 200,000 seedlings across its 20 acres.
Also the home of a 26,000-square-foot distribution center, the company said that the new facility also looks to provide its retail and foodservice partners with some of the freshest, most flavorful greenhouse produce in North America.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report as the company makes further moves for growth.
ITALY – An international drug ring has been taken down, thanks to the uncovering of some less-than-sweet bananas. After uncovering an initial test run of smuggled cocaine within a fruit shipment, authorities were able to take intercept a potential load valued at $1.7 billion in drugs from entering into Europe.
Authorities were first alerted to the crime ring’s activities after 139 pounds of pure cocaine was found in a shipment of bananas. According to Reuters, criminals were using the loaded bananas to test smuggling drugs through the central Italian port city of Livorno.
If left unchecked, this would have enabled the organized offenders to smuggle upwards of 17,000 pounds of cocaine into Europe through fruit. Instead, authorities took 54 people into custody that had ties to a notorious Southern Italy mafia group.
The haul itself was seized off a plantation in Colombia, near Port Turbo. The seizure, and preventative measure, was what Italian newspaper La Repubblica called “the largest drug seizure in Italian history of combatting drug trafficking.”
With bananas protected from a nefarious outcome this time, what crafty ways with seedy felons look to incorporate fresh produce into their practices next? AndNowUKnow will have the latest.
SALINAS, CA – Looking forward to the warm days of summer and the industry events it will hold, attendees of the 2017 Organic Produce Summit (OPS) will have even more heat to count on as the event has announced two key presenters. Former Costco Food Buyer Erica Welton, and former Costco Executive Dennis Hooper, and Co-Founders of The Organic Coup, have been tapped as keynote presenters.
“We are thrilled to have Erica and Dennis share their thoughts on organic food and creating the nation’s first USDA certified organic fast food. The Organic Coup is at the forefront of revolutionizing fast food as we know it, and something our attendees won’t want to miss learning about,” said Susan Canales, Director of Operations of the Organic Produce Summit.
Both Welton and Hoover will engage event attendees in an inspiring talk on the future of food. The former Costco associates created The Organic Coup, which is America’s first USDA certified organic fast food restaurant, according to a press release. The chain has nine locations throughout the Bay Area in California, with plans to grow through 2017 including a location in AT&T Park.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to share our story with those responsible for producing and marketing organic fresh produce,” Welton said. “The future of food come from people with deep courage, powerful voices and unwavering vision who want to make a positive impact. It’s rewarding to connect with others who share our mission and we look forward to being a part of OPS 2017.”
Welt and Hoover are one of four featured presentations that will take place at the second annual event. With one keynote presentation that will soon be announced, the other two planned presentations in addition to The Organic Coup are as follows:
- Nielsen: The consumer research agency will dive into current organic sales, and give an outlook on upcoming organic trends and opportunities.
- Retailer Roundtable: Three of the nation’s largest and most progressive retailers will discuss the challenges and opportunities for organic produce in today’s buy-side environment.
The OPS, which is dedicated solely to producers and buyers of organic produce, will be held at the newly renovated Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA, on July 12-13.
Want to attend? Registration is open now for retailers and buyers, with more information available here. General registration will open on February 6.
As we move closer to OPS 2017, count on AndNowUKnow for the most up-to-date announcements and insights on the event.
THERMAL, CA – 2017 is looking to be a year of growth, as we’ve already seen in just a couple of weeks from suppliers, growers, buyers, and more. North Shore is next on the list with a big expansion planned for its current greenhouse operations.
As Vice President of Sales & Marketing Suzette Overgaag recently told me, the greenhouse expansion will boost the company’s operations on the North Shore of the Salton Sea, California, and double North Shore’s organic clamshell volume capacity.
“Our plans will allow for the physical expansion of our highly automated hydroponic system that also aligns with our mission to operate and produce with sustainable growing methods and practices,” Suzette says.
North Shore, grower of both North Shore Living Herbs® and North Shore Organic Living™, will power its soon-to-be bigger facility with new solar panels that were installed on the property in 2016. The solar panels will provide the space with up to 70% of its energy.
Micki Dirtzu, Director of Marketing tells me that this expansive decision was made from an increase in consumer demand for organic produce, resulting in North Shore’s new investment. Phase 1 of the project will be completed in early spring of 2017, with phase 2 reaching its finishing stage by the end of the year.
“North Shore continues to keep innovation in technology and sustainability top of mind as we strive to grow premium quality culinary herbs,” Micki continues. “We pride ourselves on leading the category in offering products that both increase shelf-life and reduce waste.”
What’s next for the Coachella Valley-based company? Keep up with AndNowUKnow as we report with more news forthcoming soon.
BENTONVILLE, AR – Fleshing out previously-announced plans to streamline operating costs, Walmart Stores Inc. has announced plans to trim 200 e-commerce jobs in California. The job cuts are part of an ongoing effort, on the part of the retailer, to streamline, grow the company’s e-commerce presence, and shift the company’s e-commerce staff into more shopper facing roles.
In a memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Marc Lore, the company’s new e-commerce chief and President and CEO of Walmart.com, the retailer is “focused on adding the right talent to our team and making sure we're investing in ways that directly improve our customer experience."
According to MarketWatch, the cuts, announced Tuesday January 24, are intended to shift the retailer’s e-commerce staff toward more shopper-facing roles and pare away unnecessary operating costs as the company continues to aggressively purse e-commerce goals. As Walmart.com grows—the site sells millions more product now than it did a year ago—more employees will be required to manage those items.
"We don't need as many senior people, and there is some aspect that is performance related," explained Dan Toporek, Vice President of PR/Corporate Communications at Walmart Global E-Commerce & Technology.
These recent cuts may seem counter-intuitive, as Walmart has invested billions to boost its e-commerce sales, buying Jet.com for $3.3 billion last year, and the company announced goals to add 10,000 retail jobs—and 34,000 jobs overall—over the course of the next year. The cuts, however, are part of an effort to streamline and continue growing their burgeoning e-commerce efforts.
For more updates as they occur, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
WENATCHEE, WA - Our next big retail holiday is right around the corner, believe it or not, and Stemilt is channeling the luck of the Irish to kick off a new St. Patrick’s Day promotion for its vibrant and high-quality crop of larger-sized Granny Smith apples. The company will be placing a decorative leprechaun sticker on its “Apple Lover’s” 5lb. pouch bags, helping retailers promote the much-beloved green apple while driving up the average purchase size through the 5lb. grab-and-go bag.
According to Stemilt’s Fruit Tracker program and analysis of Nielsen Fresh Facts retail scan data, Granny Smith has consistently been the number 4 selling apple variety in the U.S. since the new crop started in September 2016, with an average of 11 percent of apple category sales.
This year’s conditions brought along larger-sized Granny Smith apples than in years prior, which Stemilt noted will be great for March’s bulk promotion opportunities. So, what is the recipe for translating that into a larger ring with consumers? Stemilt’s Marketing Director Roger Pepperl pointed to a St. Patrick’s Day bulk ad on size 72 and larger Granny Smith apples.
“Sizing up is one of the easiest ways to drive sales in the category, as people tend to purchase the same number of apples when buying bulk, but will be purchasing more weight because of the larger fruit size,” explained Pepperl, according to a press release. “Bulk accounts for more than 64 percent of all apple sales, and must be a focus as we head into the springtime.”
Another tip Pepperl recommended was to use larger-sized Granny Smith apples in 5lb. or 6lb. bag options to provide consumers with a grab-and-go bag at a better value than they would receive with a bulk purchase. “Large bags are great for in-and-out promotions and driving tonnage up. It’s a perfect way to capture impulse sales through large displays at the front of the store,” Pepperl said.
This St. Patrick’s Day campaign seeks to vault off the success of Stemilt’s candy cane-themed bag during the holiday season. This seasonal promotion will see a festive St. Patrick’s Day sticker on 5lb. Apple Lovers pouch bags of Granny Smith apples for a limited time.
“The sticker helps retailers promote Granny Smith apples around the St. Patrick’s Day theme, and it also conveys to the consumer that the apples inside each bag are freshly packed. This makes a high-quality product stand out in store displays,” added Pepperl.
To learn more information about the company’s St. Patrick’s Day promotion opportunities and its Granny Smith program, retailers can contact their Stemilt representatives.