MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA - Mini cucumbers are seeing the light! Due to their sensitivity to growing conditions, cucumber yield and quality are often impacted. Sollum Technologies has sought to advance the growth of mini cucumbers with its dynamic LED lighting that allows precision control over light intensity and spectra. With optimal light promoting accelerated photosynthesis and growth, there could be significant yield improvements.

“The dynamic LED lighting solution provided by Sollum improved our crop yield by over 16.7 percent and reduced our energy costs significantly during critical periods,” said Sarah Lombardi, General Manager of Red Sun Farms Ontario. “The personalized support from their agronomy team throughout our growing season ensured we could fully leverage this technology,” Lombardi added.

Sollum's dynamic LED lighting has contributed to an average yield increase of 16.7 percent across several varieties of mini cucumbers, a release stated.

Additionally, Sollum reported a 26 percent reduction in energy usage from January to May. Peaking at 44 percent savings in May, this was achieved with Sollum’s SUN as a Service® (SUNaaS®) cloud platform, which automatically adjusts lighting to respond to natural light conditions. As greenhouse growers know, energy efficiency is of paramount importance.

The automation of the cloud-based interface enables remote monitoring and adjustments, could cut labor costs, and importantly improves the predictability of crop output. This is essential when planning and meeting market demands. A market that is increasingly health-conscious with consumers looking for high-quality mini cucumbers.

Investing in Sollum's dynamic LED lighting technology can translate into improvements in profitability and market positioning, due to enhanced product quality, as well as the sustainability appeal that attracts a broader customer base.

For commercial greenhouse growers, specializing in mini cucumbers, the benefit of Sollum's dynamic LED lighting technology and its agronomy support could give growers the edge they need in the competitive market of high-quality vegetable production.

AndNowUKnow will keep reporting on the latest tech advancements in the industry, so stay tuned.

DENVER, CO - Potatoes USA is providing an in-depth guide to navigating today’s consumer trends and shopping habits with the release of its new Potato Path to Purchase study. The study digs into key consumer purchase patterns, exploring the pre-shopping and in-store experiences that contribute to increased potato consumption.

“Potatoes are a staple in consumers’ kitchens. They earn a place on the table whether it’s a casual Wednesday night or a Thanksgiving feast, and consumer favorability for potatoes translates to valuable opportunities for retailers,” said Kayla Vogel, Senior Global Marketing Manager at Potatoes USA. “Ranking purchase factors, freshness/quality receives the top rating, ahead of price. For retailers, it is important to highlight freshness, including tips on how to best store potatoes at home to optimize shelf-life and prevent unnecessary food waste.”

With over 90 percent of potato purchases being pre-planned, the Consumer Path to Purchasing Potatoes study, fielded by Nielsen IQ, found that shoppers' path to purchase potatoes is mostly influenced by three key factors—quality, price, and quantity. A majority (84 percent) of consumers want transparent bags that allow them to gauge the freshness and quality themselves.

In addition to revealing the most recent data, the study provides actionable steps for retailers to help drive potato sales. Potatoes USA advises merchandisers to create eye-catching displays with quality products and inspiration to try new potato recipes and varieties.

“In-store, visual displays, and inspirational signage drive influence more than discounts and promotions. As budgets tighten, people have remained loyal to potatoes,” Vogel adds. “That means there are opportunities to significantly achieve scaled results through improved visibility, merchandising, and cross-merchandising. To inspire mealtime with potatoes, provide on-pack and shelf inspiration to show how potatoes can be used in the meal lineup multiple times a week without eating the same thing twice. It’s also important to highlight new ways of using common varieties in special ways as well as expand on special occasions to increase sales.”

The report also dug into several other shopping patterns, noting that:

• Potato purchasing decisions are driven by planned meals
• 80 percent of respondents plan which potato type they will buy, with more than 44 percent going directly to the planned type in-store
• 89 percent of consumers believe potatoes are versatile and easily adapted to many different types of dishes.

The full report can be accessed here. Keep reading ANUK as we continue to cover the latest category updates.

CORAL GABLES, FL - The new Del Monte® Precious Honeyglow™ is already making a splash amongst industry pundits. This personal-size fresh pineapple, which weighs less than two pounds and offers an extra sweet taste, recently won the Overall Food Innovation of the Year award in the 2024 Mindful Awards.

“Our product development is focused on offering convenient and enjoyable ways for consumers to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their daily routines—but we also have a major emphasis on sustainability and eliminating food waste,” said Melissa Mackay, Vice President of Marketing in North America. “We are honored to win the 2024 Mindful Award for Precious Honeyglow™ pineapples because it represents our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.”

The Mindful Awards recognizes conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and products. Its mission is to honor CPG companies and products that offer healthier choices with an environmental and social consciousness in mind. According to a press release, Fresh Del Monte’s Precious Honeyglow pineapple was selected from thousands of nominations worldwide, across various categories, including snacks, food, beverages, supplements, home products, and more.

Fresh Del Monte’s new Precious Honeyglow is the most compact pineapple in Del Monte's history, weighing about half the average weight of a full-size traditional fresh pineapple. The smaller Del Monte Precious Honeyglow pineapple is designed to offer consumers more choices in the variety and size of their fresh pineapple, to suit taste preferences and reduce food waste.

Precious Honeyglow pineapple is the latest innovation in Fresh Del Monte’s line of Honeyglow pineapples, which offer a distinctly sweeter taste than its traditional pineapples. Grown at specialty farms in Costa Rica, Del Monte Honeyglow pineapples are left to mature and ripen naturally on the plant for a few extra days, resulting in an extra sweet taste and radiant golden hue.

I know a few consumers who would agree that this is one innovation that should be front and center.