SALINAS, CA - As the industry preps for the full swing of July, the celery market deserves a good look as companies continue to move through their harvests. Growers and shippers are reporting a slight improvement to the market as celery demand remains steady with a tightening supply.
Sammy Duda, V.P. of Western Operations at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, says that the company is currently harvesting proprietary varieties out of Salinas, CA, with regional harvests in Michigan and Canada expected to begin within the next ten days.
“Quality is generally really good,” Sammy says as he talks about the current crop status. “Weather has been somewhat erratic this season, but not significant enough to dramatically affect the crop, so we’re pleased with our results.”
Sammy stated that the current market is moving relatively slow, but that demand is normal for this time of the season. “Prices are showing improvement as upcoming supplies are declining with regions shifting, but demand remains the same,” he says.
Duda is experiencing good volumes of fresh cut celery, so Sammy says, “We’re in a great position to promote!”
John Chobanian, Commodity Manager, says that Ocean Mist Farms is also harvesting out of Salinas, CA.
“Volume is right where we expected it, and quality is exceptional as weather has been cooperative,” he tells me about the company’s current celery offerings.
John states that the market has improved slightly over the past couple of weeks due to a steady demand from the consumer end, although that demand has slowed just a bit following the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Ippolito International is seeing great supply out of Salinas, CA, and also packing out of Oxnard, CA, Yuma, CA, and Mexico. Teresa Bunnell, Sales/Commodity Manager, says that the company’s supply has generally not been impacted by weather fluctuations this year, aside from adjusted harvesting times to promote good quality.
“Our quality has been very nice; good clean centers, with good color and normal sizing,” Teresa tells me. “We are a little higher in volume overall this year, but our current summer plantings are typically lower due to local growing deals.”
The celery market, Teresa says, has remained steady for the past month or so and looks to remain at around $10-$12. “The market may go up due to some weather patterns and lower planting schedules, but for the most part it looks to remain steady through the summer,” Teresa finishes.
Church Brothers Farms is currently harvesting its standard varieties out of the Salinas, CA-region with steady supplies, according to Jason Lathos, Manager of Commodities.
“We’re seeing very good supplies, with no dips or peaks expected,” Jason says of the company’s crop. “Weather has been a bit of an issue in this region, with fluctuation between high and low temps, but this has had no effect on celery. Great quality this year.”
Jason divulges that the market should remain steady until Michigan harvests start in a few weeks.
“The market may get a little higher due to cooler weather,” finishes Jason.
As companies continue to move through harvesting regions, and shift strategies based on consumer demand and weather fluctuation, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods Ocean Mist Farms Ippolito International Church Brothers Farms
CINCINNATI, OH - Retail veteran and CEO of Kroger’s recently-acquired Roundy’s, Bob Mariano, has announced that he will be retiring after almost 50 years in the business.
Mariano, now 66, entered the grocery industry at the ground level in 1967, starting out as a part-time deli clerk in Chicago’s Dominick's supermarket when he was a teenager. Since then he has worked his way up through a number of roles, including Senior Vice President and, in 1995, President and CEO of Dominick's.
In his leadership role, Mariano saw Dominick’s through a series of growth and transitions, including its 1996 initial public offering and its 1998 acquisition by Safeway.
In 2002, Mariano stepped into his current leadership role with Roundy’s, and oversaw the debut and growth of the 34-store Mariano chain.
"Bob has been a tremendous leader for Roundy's and the entire supermarket industry,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chairman and CEO, according to a press release. “The centerpiece of his career, of course, is the Mariano's chain of stores in his hometown of Chicago. We see a bright future ahead for our Pick 'N Save and Metro Market stores in Wisconsin and for Mariano's stores in Chicago. And we look forward to our continued partnership with Bob as a strategic consultant and advisor. The entire Kroger and Roundy's family extends our best wishes to Bob and his family in retirement."
Kroger added that the current Mariano’s President, Don Rosanova, and Roundy's Supermarkets Wisconsin President, Michael Marx, will continue to serve in their current roles leading the two supermarket divisions.
Congratulations to Mr. Mariano on a successful career.
SALINAS, CA – Mann Packing Company has announced some new changes to its marketing department structure, with Gina Nucci being promoted to Director of Corporate Marketing and Loree Dowse assuming the role of Foodservice Marketing Manager.
In her newly-created position, Nucci will be tasked with leading Mann’s efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate marketing programs that promote Mann’s image in the marketplace. With a focus on developing strategic product messaging and supporting revenue-generating initiatives, she will be establishing and maintaining consistent company and brand messaging communication, according to a press release.
“The foodservice side of our business has been Gina’s baby for the last 18 years,” said Rick Russo, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This new role will showcase all of her strengths at the corporate level now and allow her to execute campaigns with a broader scope and reach.”
Now Mann’s Foodservice Marketing Manager, Dowse will be heading all marketing programs geared toward the company’s foodservice customers. She began her tenure with the marketing team in December 2015, joining with not only a background in marketing and communications, but also culinary arts. In addition to traditional marketing activities, she also conducts recipe development, advises on new products, and authors the Foodservice blog Mann, That’s Easy!
“We’ve been working hard to put together a marketing team that reflects the growth our company has seen in the last few years,” added Russo. “We’re really humming now.”
Congrats to both women on these new roles within Mann’s marketing department!
MONTEREY, CA - With a sold out exhibitor and attendee list, as well as a confirmed 60 different buying organizations attending and totaling over 40,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada, the inaugural Organic Produce Summit (OPS) is promising to be a must-attend event. This summit will showcase the growing $13 billion organic fresh produce marketplace with a series of educational sessions, and featured speakers, including Principal of Tanimura & Antle and Master of Ceremonies for the OPS, Tonya Antle.
As July 13th and 14th quickly approach for the Monterey, California, event, Tonya took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to speak with me about the importance of a trade show like this, and why organic produce demand is evolving at such a rapid pace.
“Monterey is the perfect location for this inaugural show. California is the dominate state in the country for fresh organic production and Monterey County leads in organic vegetable and berry production,” Tonya tells me, adding that the region is also in its prime season along the coast, so it is most appropriate to have the show in its current locale. “It's also a tremendous opportunity for so many facets of the organic produce industry to gather, network and exchange ideas and focus in on this ever-growing category. Organic produce is in the cat bird seat and this show is the hottest place to be...evident by its busting-at-the-seams sold out status!”
When I ask Tonya what is driving this rapid growth in consumer demand for organic produce, she tells me that it is “fresh” which is the driving factor in the demand for organic. Consumers are shopping for perishables in the perimeter of the store first and foremost. The numbers tell the story.
“The food industry shows a total growth rate at 2.6 percent. Embedded in that rate is all organic food sales at a growth rate of 10.6 percent of which organic produce makes up 36 percent of this segment and accounts for 14.4 billion dollars in sales,” Tonya says. “It remains the key gateway category for consumers. This relates back to the total fresh category and the direct link between consumers embracing healthier lifestyles and food choices.”
With the growing popularity in organics, Tonya talks to me about the possibilities within the segment, and how she has seen the sector change over the years. She smiles to begin, and tells me that this is a coming of age story.
“As you know, I have been a member of this segment of the industry since the early 80s when we were considered a counter culture revolution,” she says, remarking that at that time their buyers were strictly Mom and Pop natural health food stores, natural foods wholesalers and organic buying coops. “Now, the tent has grown to include every segment of the food supply chain. The possibilities went from a dream to make organic food available and affordable to as many people as possible, to a global reality. And the future remains bright for the organic produce segment."
As the Master of Ceremonies for the OPS, Tonya hopes to spark dynamic conversations that will allow attendees to learn and gain valuable insights from a new class of organic industry leaders and innovators. Then this dialogue will continue onto the trade floor as the group brings buyers and sellers together to share and experience the latest organic industry trends and products first hand.
Along with the incredible insights that Tonya brings, and will bring, to the summit, event speakers also include the likes of Juicero CEO and Founder, Doug Evans; Laura Batcha, President of the Organic Trade Association; Chad Hagen, Vice President of Consumer Products, SunOpta; Mark Bittman,noted author and former New York Times columnist.
A series of educational sessions hosted by the Organic Trade Association will cover a wide range of issues and opportunities for the organic produce industry. Among the topics covered are organic merchandising, the growth of international supply channels, future trends in the organic industry, and a look at the growing direct to consumer e-grocery business.
The Organic Produce Summit is co-sponsored by Taylor Farms and Braga Fresh, and includes other major sponsors such as Tomorrow’s Organics, VBZ & Sons, Homegrown Organic Farms, Earthbound Farms, and Driscolls. Due to the response to this year’s event, the 2017 Organic Produce Summit will again be held in July in Monterey, CA. Information about next year’s event will be made available later this month.
The Organic Produce Summit is just days away, and with the incredible show lineup and ideal destination, I am sure that the inaugural event will not disappoint.
RIVERHEAD, NY - It is that time of year again when Fresh from the Start is gearing up for its Maine Broccoli season—the company’s largest program of the year.
Fresh from the Start expects to start shipping in mid-July and the company anticipates another great crop this year. Eric Scannelli, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing gives us some insights on this years’ crop and their Maine Broccoli program.
Q: What makes Maine broccoli unique and what are the benefits?
Northern Maine has cool nights, warm days, and clean, fresh water which are optimal conditions for broccoli farming.
Maine broccoli is also fresher for our customers on the East Coast. Our product is picked, packed, and shipped all in the same day, resulting in ultimate freshness for our East Coast customers.
Q: Tell us about the process from the field to shipping.
Once our broccoli is ready to be harvested, it is boxed and packed in the field. The box is then pre-cooled with a Slush Ice Injection System and then it’s ready for shipping. In-house inspectors are on-site to inspect each load. There is limited to no storage time on our end, the broccoli is harvested, iced, and shipped in the same day. Additionally, 80% of the Maine broccoli is Asian Cut Crowns, available in 14ct. with 18ct. bunches also available.
Q: Hapco Farms has been shipping broccoli for over 20 years, has the demand for broccoli increased over the years?
Yes, definitely. First off, more people are eating broccoli today than they were 20 years ago. This is driving the demand up at the retail level. Also, production of Maine broccoli has increased due to consistent variety testing resulting in better quality product over the years. The popularity of “locally-grown” produce also has helped drive demand on the East Coast.
Q: When does the Maine broccoli season officially start?
We begin shipping in mid-July and we ship through October. But for us, the season never stops. In the winter we are researching seed varieties, options in shipping boxes, as well as innovations in traceability and food safety initiatives. Prior to seeding, there is also field preparation and crop rotation. We are involved throughout the entire process, which is a full year cycle.
We ship broccoli year-round with our Western program and Maine program, making it seamless for our customers.
As the Maine broccoli season gets underway, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more industry updates and news from across the category.
DUBLIN, OH – Further exemplifying the chain’s commitment to utilizing only the freshest ingredients, Wendy’s has announced that the restaurant will feature blackberries for a limited-time in its Summer Berry Chicken Salad.
“After years of planning and hard work, we are proud to serve fresh blackberries at the peak of their season—something no other national QSR [quick-service restaurant] is able to deliver—and continue to pioneer for quality and freshness in the food industry,” stated Carl Loredo, VP of Brand Marketing at Wendy’s. “Our new Summer Berry Chicken Salad is an incredible example of how Wendy’s allows customers to enjoy ingredients fresh from the farm, literally.”
Wendy’s stated in a press release that this effort to bring blackberries fresh to consumers began two years ago. The result is bursting berries from qualified growers, to be highlighted only throughout blackberries’ peak season; when the berries are gone, the offering will end.
Wendy’s stated that by keeping Founder Dave Thomas’ mission, “Quality is Our Recipe®” at the forefront of its culinary innovations, it is now the first national QSR to feature blackberries in its products.
“At Wendy’s, fresh is not just a word but a personal challenge to which we are dedicated,” finished Loredo.
To further engage consumers with its commitment to freshness, Wendy’s has released a video outlining its dedication to quality. See for yourself below.
Wendy’s stated that the entire salad, like of all its fresh offerings, exemplifies its “Fresh from the Farm,” and “Only the Best” policies. As we previously reported, Church Brothers Farms was recently featured in a Wendy’s spotlight for its role in contributing to fresh QSR food for consumers.
The Summer Berry Chicken Salad pairs fresh blackberries with strawberries and crunch red apple chips, on a bed of fresh-cut lettuce, topped with feta. Featuring freshly grilled chicken and a light blackberry vinaigrette, Wendy’s stated that this 390-calorie salad will make any consumer feel summer-ready as long as the berries last.
As Wendy’s continues to put blackberries and other forms of fresh produce at the forefront of its consumer offerings, stay with AndNowUKnow as we report on innovations in the QSR realm.
BENTONVILLE, AR – Walmart is cutting the ribbon on one of its biggest investments in the state of North Carolina–a $100 million refrigerated distribution center.
Located in Mebane and measuring at 450,000-square-foot, the facility is due to open tomorrow, July 13th, and is expected to create more than 550 jobs in the area, according to the Triangle Business Journal.
The project was initially projected to open August of this year when it went under way a few years ago, with an estimated 400 new jobs or so, and the boost in both the timeline and the workforce look to be well received in the area.
As it currently stands, Walmart will receive a $1.1 million incentive grant from the state, The Triangle reports, as well as $4.4 million in local town and county incentives, contingent on meeting its hiring goals.
According to Walmart’s website, it currently has upwards of 160 distribution centers (this will make the fourth in North Carolina) with about one million-square-feet of facility space for more than 5.5 billion cases of merchandise.
This latest addition to that production reach is in what could be a burgeoning retail hub, with Lidl having slated its regional headquarters and distribution center in the same city.
The new refrigerated Mebane distribution center will be used for both storage and distribution of the retailer’s perishable food products going to Walmart stores in both North Carolina and Virginia.
SALINAS, CA – Building on the company’s chopped salad kit line, Taylor Farms is now expanding into the organic salad segment with the introduction of Organic Chopped Salad Kits. Available this summer, the company will be debuting their organic options at the Organic Produce Summit on July 13-14, 2016 in Monterey, CA.
“Taylor Farms brought the original chopped salad kits to market in 2012. The innovation generated a new sub-segment within the salad kit category now valued over $400 million,” said Bryan Jaynes, Vice President of Product Management, Taylor Farms Retail. “The time is right to bring this growth-generating product line into the organic segment. Taylor Farms chopped salad kits have been selling faster than any other brand in the market – and chopped kits now represent more than a third of the salad kit segment.”
Taylor Farms’ new line offers a convenient and healthy, multi-serve solution for busy families looking for an organic option. The Organic Chopped Salad line consists of three premium chopped salad kits:
- Organic Toasted Sesame Chopped Salad
- Organic Sriracha Ranch Chopped Salad
- Organic Asian Ginger Chopped Salad
These kits include fresh vegetables such as broccoli, celery, carrots, cabbage, and romaine. The salad kits also include organic toppings such as quinoa crisps, pita chips, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and pepitas, along with dressings unique to each salad.
Taylor Farms is a co-founding sponsor of the Organic Produce Summit, where the company will be debuting the line. For more information on these products and more, check out www.taylorfarms.com.
FRESNO, CA - A new lawsuit has been filed by the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority and Westlands Water District, stating the U.S. government had failed to effectively examine the effects of existing measures before restricting water pumps at the bottom of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Last Friday’s lawsuit, filed by the Water Authority, alleges that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation failed to seek alternatives to cutting water supplies when adopting its operations plans for the Central Valley Project in 2008 and 2009. Those plans were based on biological opinions issued under the Endangered Species Act, according to the Porterville Recorder.
The lawsuit seeks to compel Reclamation to perform a new environmental analysis. If successful, this may ultimately result in new measures that will effect water usage and potentially millions of Californians in the Central Valley.
Jason Peltier, the Authority’s Executive Director, told the Sacramento Bee that in spite of the pumping restrictions, fish populations continue to decline sharply.
The Central Valley Project includes both the Shasta and Folsom lakes and a federal pumping station near Tracy, the Bee reports. Delta water is then channeled along canals to over 2 million acres of farmland in the western San Joaquin Valley, and to urban water districts in San Benito and Santa Clara counties.
Shane Hunt, a spokesman for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said the agency declined to comment on pending litigation.
WENATCHEE, WA - If numbers speak volumes then this latest Nielsen Fresh Facts data, analyzed by Stemilt Growers, has the popularity of Lil Snappers® Apples going through the roof! For those unfamiliar with the snacking line, Lil Snappers are kid-sized apples in convenient, 3lb. pouch bags. Grown by Stemilt in Washington State, Lil Snappers come in a range of varieties and flavors from super sweet Fuji and tart Granny Smith to Gala, Honeycrisp, Piñata!®, Pink Lady® and more.
Just to give you an idea of the growth of the Lil Snappers® apple brand, year over year:
- Volume is up 131.1%
- Dollars are up 123%
- Distribution points (total weeks available in unique store count) are up 194%
“Lil Snappers have truly taken off at retail due to their convenience, kid’s size serving-size, high-graphic grab-and-go bags, and playful theme,” Marketing Director, Roger Pepperl tells me. “These are incredible numbers and with the brand still building, this is a trajectory I expect to continue."
So, what is on the horizon for Lil Snappers® Apple products? This fall, Stemilt will be launching a complete organic apple line of Lil Snappers® Apple products available in 3# bags. This size keeps the purchase size and the ring high for the best produce shoppers that enter the department.
“Why minimize your best shoppers with less pounds and dollars?” Roger asks. “We designed these specs specifically to benefit the retailer and the consumer, and to create a destination in the produce department.”
On the pear front, Roger notes, Stemilt is adding an early season variety, Tosca pears, which is a great summer fruit available in Lil Snappers® bags and will be available as soon as the first week in August, with Concorde pears also to be welcomed to the mix. The Concorde variety is a great pear for kids with its super sweet flavor combined with a crunchy and crisp eating experience.
As retailers look to best utilize this innovative snacking opportunity, Stemilt will be offering a new Lil Snappers Lane Stand that allows one box displays of Lil Snappers® to be set up at the cash registers or unique cross merchandising opportunities. These will be free to partners and features super-easy one piece pop-ups.
With a new website remodel upcoming for Lil Snappers, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continued updates on Stemilt and its growing Washington State produce program.