GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Does fresh produce come to mind when shoppers think of Dollar General? With the company’s ongoing fresh food initiatives, they might. In fact, Dollar General has offered fresh produce in more than 5,400 stores since March of this year. It also extended its partnership with Feeding America for a fourth year and an additional $1 million, donating more than $4 million since its partnership began in 2021.

“As America’s largest retailer by store count, we are proud of the positive impact our Feeding America partnership continues to make in combating food insecurity and increasing access to nutritious food,” said Denine Torr, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy. “During the last three years, our work with Feeding America and its local food bank network has provided nutritious essentials to neighbors in need. We look forward to continuing our efforts to address food insecurity and appreciate Feeding America’s ongoing partnership.”

In 2024, Dollar General began donations of its private brand category. According to a press release, the company donates to more than 3,000 communities and expects to donate on average more than 1.9 million pounds of grocery items each month.

“We can end hunger in this country when we work together,” shared Claire Babineaux Fontenot, Feeding America’s Chief Executive Officer. “Dollar General's continued and generous commitments to Feeding America means more people will have access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”

Dollar General has positioned itself to help efforts to reduce hunger and create access to components that create a nutritious meal.

The company currently has more than 20,000 stores and 32 distribution centers in the United States.

For more retail news, keep clicking on ANUK.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Tomorrow is the day! Hispanic retailer El Super is opening its newest store in Bell Gardens, California. The 41,000-square-foot store will offer customers exceptional quality, variety, and value at the lowest possible prices. This expansion marks the second new El Super of the year.

"We can't wait to open our doors in Bell Gardens and extend a warm welcome to our community," said Sal Esquer, Senior Regional Director. "The El Super shopping experience combines great prices with outstanding service, tailored to meet the unique needs of everyone in our vibrant community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new store in Bell Gardens!"

The store will provide shoppers with a vast assortment of grocery products from Latin America as well as household favorites. Approximately 125 positions have been filled to fully staff the new store, according to a press release.

In celebration of the opening, El Super will be presenting two $3,000 donations to Human Services Association and the Mexican-American Opportunity Foundation. The donations are part of El Super’s commitment to supporting organizations and causes in the communities where it operates.

As the retailer continues to expand, keep reading ANUK.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Take a trip to any restaurant today, and there’s a high chance you will find potatoes on the plate. With consumers constantly exploring new ways to enjoy the staple produce offering, Fresh Solutions Network® (FSN) is helping foodservice operators tap into the craze with its A Cut Above® potato line. The premium quality, fresh-cut, foodservice line will be on display at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California, this month.

“For a decade, we’ve been bringing the foodservice sector premium-quality potatoes in response to a profitable and growing segment for on-premise accounts,” said Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Solutions Network. “Since the pandemic, fresh potatoes are found on more menus than frozen potatoes and on menus showing fresh innovation. Appetizers, sides, and spices are also growing categories, pointing to a large opportunity—especially for potatoes.”

As a press release detailed, the A Cut Above line includes fresh whole potatoes, fresh whole peeled potatoes (with or without Kosher certification), fresh-cut French fries, fresh-cut wedges, 1/4” sliced fresh-cut potatoes, and diced fresh-cut potatoes available in 5/8”, 3/4” and 1/2” packed in 30 or 35-lb vacuum-sealed bags.

Most of the products are available skin-on or skin-off. With the convenience of the pre-cut products, foodservice customers are able to streamline kitchen workflow, add profit, and leverage the choices consumers want.

This comes at the perfect time as the growing Gen Z demographic embraces innovative and international new ways to incorporate the fan-favorite vegetable.

At booth #421, Basin Gold Cooperative from Washington and Masser Family of Companies of Pennsylvania will attend the conference on behalf of FSN, the release explained.

“We are successfully selling the A Cut Above French fry, whole peeled, wedge cuts, and a variety of diced sizes,” added Bob Meek, Chief Revenue Officer of Masser Family of Companies. “These fresh-cut signature potato items help the foodservice industry respond to consumers’ changing tastes, provide profitability, and ensure that patrons keep returning.”

A Cut Above Potatoes are exclusively available from Fresh Solutions Network’s partners, complementing the provider’s robust portfolio of Side Delights® potato products.

Tap into today’s trends with the help of this advantageous foodservice lineup!

WESTON, FL - An industry veteran of 15 years has landed in a new role. Jay Guzman was recently named as the new Vice President of Growth and Gratitude at Thx!. In this new role, he will focus on building and expanding strategic partnerships with retailers, brands, and growers.

“I am incredibly proud to have the opportunity to work with a team that is truly innovating the consumer experience by sharing the stories of our farmworkers and how their purchases contribute to making dreams come true,” said Guzman.

Guzman brings a wealth of experience and a passion for social responsibility to Thx!. He will provide strategic vision and guidance, leveraging his relationships with growers, packers, shippers, and retailers across the supply chain.

He formerly worked at Fair Trade USA, where he most recently served as Director of National Retail Partnerships. He played a key role in stewarding the Fair Trade Certified program's significant growth across categories with several major U.S. retailers.

Thx!'s value-driven platform fosters enriching relationships with brands, consumers, and retailers, allowing these shoppers the chance to ‘do good’ with their purchases. According to a press release, conscious consumerism is paramount to today’s consumers, and Thx! empowers partner brands with enhanced product value and a deeper sense of purpose.

“We are delighted to welcome Jay to the Thx! team and confident that his vast experience in produce and passion for ethical worker programs make him a huge asset to Thx! and a strategic leader for our programs,” said Martin Casanova, Chief Dreams Officer. “We couldn't be more excited for this next chapter.”

Raul Fernandez, Thx!'s Chief Imagination Officer, also commented.

“With Jay’s deep retail knowledge, we only expect the value for Thx! partners to grow even stronger. This win-win scenario between Thx! and its retailers and suppliers allows us to empower farmworkers, engage shoppers, and create a more sustainable future for the industry,” said Fernandez.

Join Jay and the Thx! team at the upcoming IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia, this October.

Congratulations to Jay Guzman!

DELTA, CANADA - What offerings should you be spotlighting to fuel summertime demand? Look no further, as WINDSET FARMS® continues to wield its impressive year-round, greenhouse-grown vegetable portfolio to help retailers capitalize across multiple categories.

The greenhouse maven grows and markets over 2,500 acres of CEA production across three strategic growing regions—Delta, British Columbia; Santa Maria, California; and Mexico—providing customers in Western Canada, the United States, and Asia Pacific with nutritious, high-quality produce.

This year, the greenhouse company has extended its growing season, continuing to produce fresh and flavorful produce in BC throughout the winter, a press release explained. In fact, the grower recently completed the first planting of a new 24-acre greenhouse facility in Delta, BC, making it one of the largest LED-lit greenhouse vegetable facilities in Western Canada.

With the summer days upon us, Windset Farms has highlighted multiple staples to help maximize category demand:

• LIVING ORGANIC BASIL: The greenhouse-grown herb has been reintroduced and is exclusively available during the summer
• CRESCENDO® Sweet Pointed Peppers: Windset Farms grows this delicious pepper year-round in four colors—red, orange, yellow, and brown—from all regions. They have few seeds and delicate skin, making them ideal for BBQing, stuffing, and roasting
• New DELICATO® Romaine Lettuce: Grown in BC and available 365 days a year, this irresistible head of crisp leafy greens is available in a 2-count bag

Windset Farms provides a robust greenhouse vegetable portfolio all year round. To read more about the company’s offerings, click here.

As always, leave a tab open to ANUK for the latest fresh produce insights.