HULL, IOWA - Fareway Stores is bolstering its Iowa footprint, officially announcing the grand opening of its newest location in Hull, Iowa.

“Communities depend on a local grocer to offer high-quality products and unmatched service,” said Fareway President Garrett Piklapp. “We look forward to serving area residents of Hull and want to thank city staff and community leaders for helping make this project possible.”

The new store will be managed by Grocery Manager Troy Marty and Market Manager Tyler Benning, a press release stated.

Standing at 10,600 square feet, the new location features an impressive grocery selection with fresh-cut produce, healthy varieties, and locally sourced items. Other features of the store include a full-service butcher counter.

The store also touts impressive customer service and convenience-boosting features like Fastlanes, a self-service checkout option, as well as online ordering with curbside pickup.

The store opened to the public yesterday, July 17.

Where will Fareway expand its reach next? ANUK will be on the lookout for the latest updates.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FreshEdge added another company to its operations. Western Sky Produce, a fresh produce service provider specializing in customized programs, joined the FreshEdge distribution family.

"Western Sky Produce will be an amazing addition to our growing family of customer-obsessed companies,” said Steve Grinstead, Chief Executive Officer, FreshEdge. “We share the same company values centered around integrity, service, and making our customers the number one priority.”

Based in the Salinas Valley of California, Western Sky Produce was established in 2020 by Wyatt Meiggs and Phil Giles. These two friends shared a passion and a vision to start servicing the complex supply chain of the industry.

“We proudly welcome Wyatt, Phil, and their outstanding team to FreshEdge,” said Greg Corsaro, President and Chief Operating Officer, FreshEdge. “We look forward to working together to continue providing unprecedented service to all Western Sky and FreshEdge customers."

According to a press release, when Meiggs and Giles first started working together, their goal was to develop procurement solutions that would help customers effectively navigate the perishable supply chain.

By combining their 20+ years of industry experience with their history of cultivating solid grower-shipper relationships, they are able to do just that.

“We strongly believe in the power of synergy and are eager to begin working alongside FreshEdge and its family of companies,” said Meiggs, President, Western Sky Produce. "Together, we strive for increased efficiency, sustainable growth, and seamless collaboration to drive innovation and success for our customers.”

Today, Western Sky Produce has an impressive track record of maintaining strong working relationships in the produce industry that leads to an outstanding customer satisfaction rating.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with FreshEdge and look forward to this new era of growth and success for Western Sky,” added Giles, Chief Operating Officer, Western Sky Produce.

Congratulations to the two companies on this new trajectory!

OXFORD, MS - We spy mango lovers in our future! The National Mango Board (NMB) recently partnered with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Athletics and will now sponsor all Ole Miss football and basketball home games for the 2024–2025 season.

“We are looking forward to kicking off our partnership with Ole Miss Athletics, extending our support to all football and basketball home games for the 2024–2025 season,” commented Dan Spellman, Director of Marketing. “This collaboration allows us to celebrate the joy of mango with an even larger audience. We look forward to engaging with the Ole Miss community, enhancing their game-day experiences with our refreshing fruit. Hotty Toddy!"

According to a press release, this partnership kicks off with the highly anticipated Ole Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State football game on September 7, 2024. At this game, the National Mango Board will serve as the official game sponsor.

This partnership is one way that NMB is promoting the health benefits and delicious taste of mango with the vibrant energy of collegiate sports. Fans can taste the joy of mangos during a season filled with activities, engaging promotions, and numerous opportunities to sample.

The association will also be involved in various promotional activities throughout the football and basketball seasons, aiming to increase awareness about the versatility and health benefits of mango among students, athletes, and fans.

We love to see great partnerships like this take place!

SACRAMENTO, PA - The Masser Family of Companies (MFC), one of the founding members of Fresh Solutions Network, is enhancing its operations through a strategic alliance. The eighth-generation potato farming company recently partnered with fifth-generation farm Szawlowski Potato Farms (SWAZ).

“Our partnership with the Szawlowski family-owned and operated potato farm is exciting as we look to our year-round potato program with a recognized brand in the Northeast," said Bob Meek, Chief Revenue Officer at Masser Family of Companies. “This reinforces our commitment to supporting local family farms to provide quality produce to the market.”

Under the new agreement, MFC will provide supply chain management services, including sales, logistics, procurement, and marketing services, to SWAZ, a press release explained.

The strategic collaboration is set to enhance customer service, increase production, and streamline the supply chain processes while allowing efficiencies to market in the Northeast and New England regions. The organizations’ combined efforts will also enforce the local relevance of family farms, providing fresh, quality potatoes to market and a direct connection from farm to shelf, the release added.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Masser Family of Companies to enhance the quality and range of products available and ensure continuity in both our business and on our farm,” added Diane Szawlowski Mullins, Director of Sales/Marketing/Public Relations for SWAZ. “Partnering with a company known for innovation and excellence is truly exciting, and we look forward to what this melding of two legacy potato farms will bring to our local customers in the northeast.”

By boosting their capabilities and joining forces, MFC and SWAZ plan to ensure continuity in both businesses and on the farm, bringing greater value to their customers.

For more industry updates like this, leave a tab open to ANUK.

SALINAS, CA - Ippolito International is tapping into a well of talent with its two latest hires. The company recently announced the addition of Joseph Mallobox and Bob Polovneff to its formidable team.

“I am looking forward to the future at Ippolito, and feeling grateful for the past,“ said Mallobox regarding his new role.

Mallobox brings experience across employment regulations, recruitment, and staff development, having held positions at Taylor Fresh Foods, True Organic, and Coastal Vineyard Care. He joins the Ippolito International team after working in the human resources arena for over two decades, a press release noted.

“We are happy to have Joseph on board! Joseph’s experience working across a broad range of human resource functions will improve Ippolito’s performance and culture,” commented Keith Mallett, Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to Mallobox’s hiring, the produce supplier also welcomed Bob Polovneff to the team.

Polovneff has experience working in the produce industry for Salinas-based grower shippers including Ocean Mist Farms and Dole Food Company. He brings a wealth of experience in commodity management as well as knowledge in sales across the retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels.

“My years on the sales desk have given me an understanding of the ebb and flow of Salinas Valley produce,“ Polovneff stated. “I’m glad to be with an organization where my knowledge can be helpful and can contribute to the overall growth of the business.”

Dan Canales, Senior Vice President, commented on Polovneff’s addition.

“Bob’s experience in the produce industry will bring value to our Sales group,” he stated. “He has a solid and reputable track record as a commodity and sales manager, and we look forward to having him on our team.”

Congratulations to both of these industry vets on this newest step in their careers!

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Great American Blueberry Challenge culminated in the first-ever blueberry eating championship this past Saturday. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), in partnership with Major League Eating, invited professional competitive eaters to eat as many blueberries as possible in the span of eight minutes, setting a world record of 18.475 lbs. The championship took place during the Advil Targeted Relief Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament.

"While we work to generate excitement for blueberries all year long, we think National Blueberry Month makes July the biggest and best month of the year, and we know that many blueberry superfans feel the same way! What better way to capture that enthusiasm than with a thrilling spectacle that turns ‘grab a boost of blue’ into a literal sport—while at the same time engaging pickleball players and fans as the Official Fruit of Major League Pickleball,” said Shelly Hartmann, Chair of the USHBC, blueberry grower, and Owner of True Blue Farms. “Whether you enjoy blueberries for an active lifestyle, or simply because they’re delicious, we hope to inspire and grow even more love and passion for blueberries year after year.”

Featured at the event were special guest officiants Hartmann and professional pickleball player Anna Bright of the MLP St. Louis Shock.

Patrick Bertoletti took first place in the competition, earning a cash prize as well as the inaugural title of blueberry eating champion, a press release stated. An impressive total of 82.769 lbs of blueberries were devoured by the competitors during the event, with a final ranking as follows:

• First place: Patrick Bertoletti, 18.475 lbs
• Second place: Geoffrey Esper, 16.044 lbs
• Third place: James Webb, 15.319 lbs
• Fourth place: Nick Wehry, 12.600 lbs
• Fifth place: Gideon Oji, 12.569 lbs

The Great American Blueberry Challenge social media contest runs through July 31 and is specifically for everyday consumers. USHBC invites people to think of an idea that shows off a creative, unique, or downright wacky way to enjoy blueberries. To enter, participants must share their video on Instagram, tagging @blueberries and including #BlueberryChallengeContest in the post.

We applaud all of the competitors on their dedication to blueberry consumption!