AUSTIN, TX - Ding ding! The bell is ringing! Or rather, it has already been rung. Whole Foods Market Chief Executive Officer Jason Buechel rang the Nasdaq opening bell this week alongside 70 Team Members to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first New York City flagship store.

“Today, we’re not just reflecting on our impact in New York City over the past two decades. We’re also looking forward to an exciting future of continuing growth in a city that has embraced Whole Foods Market with such enthusiasm,” said Buechel. “It made perfect sense for us to launch a new store format right here. Whole Foods Market Daily Shop will conveniently bring our high-quality natural and organic food to even more New York City customers.”

According to a press release, the 2004 opening of the Columbus Circle flagship store marked a major step in the company’s expansion in New York and transformed the city’s grocery offerings with high-quality natural and organic foods. Since then, Whole Foods Market has grown in the New York City area to 17 locations and more than 5,000 local Team Members.

“The opening of the Whole Foods Market Columbus Circle store was, in my opinion, one of the most important openings in the history of our company,” said Christina Minardi, Executive Vice President of Growth and Development at Whole Foods Market and Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores. “It made a huge impact on our future growth, and the excitement I felt at that opening is very much what I feel today with our Team Members.”

The first Whole Foods Market Daily Shop location is set to open on the Upper East Side at 1175 Third Avenue this fall. The company also announced the second future location for the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop format in Hell’s Kitchen. An additional New York City location and national rollout will follow.

Whole Foods Market Daily Shop stores will feature a variety of fresh, seasonal produce, prepared foods, and essential grocery items. The innovative, smaller store format will range between 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, or about a quarter to half the footprint of an average 40,000 square foot store.

For more from the press release, click here. And keep reading ANUK for more retail news.

FRESNO, CA - A monumental trade decision occurred earlier this week. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Vietnam has granted market access for California peaches and nectarines effective immediately.

“The California stonefruit industry identified Vietnam as a strategic export market because Vietnamese consumers value high quality and sweet fruit. Naturally, the varieties California growers have invested in over the years will be popular there. Access to this market is something our industry has been working toward for a significant amount of time, so we are looking forward to introducing the best stonefruit in the world to a new group of consumers,” remarked Caroline Stringer, California Fresh Fruit Association’s (CFFA) Director of Trade.

According to a press release, eliminating the phytosanitary barriers keeping California peaches and nectarines out of the Vietnamese market required multiple rounds of technical negotiations that took place over the course of several years.

CFFA would like to extend its appreciation to the following for their invaluable contributions to this process: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Agricultural Research Service’s negotiators and experts, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Fresno County and Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner offices.

“This market access is a big win for California’s nectarine and peach producers,” said USDA’s Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “Our APHIS trade team members have worked diligently to make this opened market a reality for Vietnam’s citizens. We are thrilled they will now have access to the fine peach and nectarine fruit that California produces.”

As always, ANUK will be here to report the latest with regard to import and export updates.

YAKIMA, WA - Something new is falling in the world of cherries. Brandt’s Fruit Trees announced it has been granted exclusive propagation rights in the United States for the KIR™ series of sweet cherries. The grower has also partnered with Stemilt Growers to test the cultivars under Washington State growing conditions, with an option to commercialize the selections in the U.S.

“In finding a partner such as Stemilt Growers, we are confident that the KIR series of cherries will soon find a home in the hearts of consumers looking to enjoy first-class Pacific Northwest cherries throughout the summer months," said Kevin Brandt, Vice President of Brandt’s Fruit Trees.

The overarching brand name, KIR, is for a collection of 13 cherry selections developed from open pollinations of the Sweetheart variety, hailing from Kettig, Germany and grown by Mr. Hilmar Gräb.

Gräb, along with his son and daughter, focused on desirable characteristics for the cherry breeding program, such as larger size, firmness, flavor, and an ultra-late ripening window, a release stated.

Three of the more advanced selections have already been branded by the owner, under the trade names KIR Rosso®, Kir Lamour®, and KIR Vulcano®.

“Stemilt is excited to test the KIR series at our high altitude locations and we look forward to bringing these high-quality selections into the A Half Mile Closer to the Moon® cherry portfolio in time,” said West Mathison, Stemilt's President.

Now shoppers can look forward to more perfectly cultivated cherries in their future!

WATSONVILLE, CA - In the era of connectivity, a digital pathway to your company is a must. Putting its best foot forward in this regard, Gem-Pack Berries recently announced the launch of its newest website. With a dazzling new design and enhanced functionality, it is now easier than ever for users to connect with Gem-Pack’s products.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new website, which reflects our dedication to providing the best possible experience for consumers and partners,” commented Michelle Deleissegues, Director of Marketing. “This launch represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey, enabling us to better serve our community with faster, more accessible online content.”

According to a press release, the redesigned site was developed in collaboration with Dystrick and combines the leading-edge performance of React with the intuitive ease of WordPress, all to provide a seamless and engaging experience for visitors.

Key elements of the new website include:

• Enhanced Performance: Built with React, the new website ensures faster load times and a smoother browsing experience
• User-Friendly Design: The WordPress integration allows for easy content updates and management, to better surface the most current information
• Improved Navigation: The streamlined layout and intuitive menus make it easier for visitors to find the information they need
• Mobile Optimization: The responsive design ensures a seamless experience across all devices, from desktops to smartphones
• Engaging Content: Website visitors can explore content sections featuring company news, product details, and sustainability insights

As the release went on to note, the website’s launch is part of Gem-Pack Berries’ broader strategy to enhance its digital presence and better connect with consumers and stakeholders.

For more information, click here.

AndNowUKnow will be here to report on all supply-side news, so stay tuned.

OVIEDO, FL - We regret to report the passing of another industry great last week. DUDA, the parent company of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, announced the passing of its former Chief Executive Officer, Ferdinand Stephen Duda, on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Duda, known as F.S. to family and friends, was a third-generation descendent of company founder Andrew Duda. He officially began his career with DUDA in 1961 as the Assistant Unit Manager at the company’s Belle Glade farm. He held various influential positions within the company before being appointed CEO in 1998, a role he held until his retirement in 2004. His tenure as the Chairman of DUDA’s Board of Directors then began in 2005 and lasted until 2013.

His significant contributions to Florida agriculture were acknowledged by various industry organizations over the years, including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), where in 1993 he served as President and Chairman of the Board and, in 1997, received the FFVA Distinguished Service Award. Duda served on the Florida Council of 100 until 2011 and was a longstanding member of the Florida Land Council. In 2015, he was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame alongside his cousin Edward Duda and brother Joseph Duda.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Duda actively contributed to and volunteered at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida, and served on the board of trustees for the Lutheran Haven Retirement Center in Slavia, Florida. He also dedicated numerous years to the school board of St. Luke’s Lutheran School.

“F.S.’s conviction and impact on both DUDA and Florida agriculture as a whole cannot be overstated,” says current DUDA CEO Sammy Duda. “His commitment to both has helped us grow into the thriving business we are today. I will remember F.S.’s legacy with gratitude and humility, knowing the groundwork he laid is a significant reason for our continued prosperity and strength. His memory will continue to inspire and guide future generations.”

Following a private family burial, a memorial service will be held this Thursday, July 18, at 11:00 a.m. EST at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St Luke’s Lutheran Church and School or the Lutheran Haven Retirement Center.

Our hearts go out to all those who have experienced this great loss.