LOS ANGELES, CA - As if Wonderful® Pistachios’ range of In-Shell and No Shells pistachios varieties weren’t already drawing consumers’ attention on the shelf, the company is elevating its brand even further with a fresh new look that emphasizes its commitment to quality, nutrition, and fun.

“Our revitalized packaging puts the brand front and center like never before,” shared Diana Salsa, Vice President of Marketing. “The updated packaging not only highlights our commitment to quality and health but also celebrates the unique snacking experience that only Wonderful Pistachios can provide.”

Wonderful Pistachios is rolling out updates to its already iconic In-Shell products in Q4 2024, with the rollout for its No Shells refresh scheduled for Q1 2025. The packaging includes a variety of updated features, emphasizing premium quality with a larger depiction of the word “Wonderful” and a fun “Get Crackin'” callout that reminds consumers of the joy that comes with eating pistachios.

As a press release noted, the updated packaging for In-Shell products showcases the Wonderful Pistachios brand logo more prominently, while the addition of a new “Protein Power” logo reinforces the health benefits of pistachios; a new QR code on each bag also provides easy access to more information, ensuring consumers can stay up to date with Wonderful Pistachios products.

Providing a cohesive experience for shoppers, the brand’s In-Shell No Salt and Lightly Salted varieties are getting a new look to align with the color palette of the No Shells line. The “No Salt” variety will now be called “Unsalted” with a white packaging design, and Lightly Salted bags will transition from pale yellow to a calming blue and match their No Shells counterparts.

As for the No Shells line, the famed “Wonderful” logo on the front of No Shells packaging will be featured in black instead of white to stand out better on-shelf, with a “Get Crackin'” message on the back of every bag to maintain consistency with the In-Shell lineup.

More brand-boosting strategies are coming to the pages of ANUK, so leave a tab open.

INDIA - Just last week on October 22, Westfalia Fruit’s first-ever container of South African Hass avocados arrived in India. This accomplishment comes after the finalization of a long-awaited phytosanitary agreement between South Africa and India—the result of years of dedicated work to open the promising new market.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of our first shipment of South African Hass avocados to the India market,” said Zac Bard, Business Development Executive. “This achievement highlights our dedication to expanding our global footprint and delivering top-quality produce to new markets. We look forward to establishing a strong presence in India and strengthening the ties between our two countries. Supplies of high-quality, large-sized Hass avocados from South Africa to India will complement our supply abilities from other sourcing origins.”

The geographical proximity of Africa to India provides South African avocados a competitive advantage over Latin American origins, which face longer transit times, according to a press release. India, a rapidly growing fruit market, offers excellent opportunities for South Africa, particularly during the April to October period.

“This shipment allows Westfalia Fruit to ensure that we land a quality product in the market, that complies with the requirements set out in the import protocol for India. We can then confidently scale up shipments in the 2025 season with a solid campaign that can support the growing consumption in India,” Bard added.

East Africa, which has faced logistical challenges with shipping to Europe due to the Suez Canal closure, and Kenya and Tanzania are increasingly focusing their efforts on eastern markets which will ensure that there is sufficient supply from all African sources to meet growing demand in the Middle East, India, and Far Eastern markets.

While India is currently a much smaller avocado market compared to Europe, it holds immense potential for growth. Westfalia is committed to supporting this growth by not only supplying high-quality fruit but also partnering with initiatives aimed at raising awareness around the nutritional benefits and versatility of avocados.

“This first shipment to India marks an exciting new chapter for Westfalia as we continue to broaden our global presence,” said Ajay TG, General Manager at Westfalia Fruit India. “India’s growing interest in avocados presents a significant opportunity, and we are eager to build strong partnerships within the market. With our focus on quality and sustainability, we look forward to playing a role in meeting the rising demand for avocados in India.”

Cheers to this first-ever shipment!

WATSONVILLE, CA - A special honor is on the horizon. Lakeside Organic Gardens has announced that its Founder, Dick (Dickie) Peixoto, will be honored with the distinguished Grower of the Year award at the 2024 Organic Grower Summit (OGS). This prestigious accolade recognizes Peixoto’s unwavering commitment to organic farming and pioneering efforts to transform the agricultural industry.

“I am extremely humbled and honored by this award, but this tribute should really go to all my employees who make us who we are,” commented Peixoto. “I got into organic because I thought it was a viable business decision. Improving health and well-being for people and the earth was a byproduct of that business decision.”

Peixoto’s journey into organic farming began nearly 30 years ago, stemming from his passion for nurturing the land and supporting his community, mentioned a press release. His dedication led to Lakeside Organic Gardens becoming one of the largest family-owned, solely organic vegetable grower/shippers in the United States.

The Grower of the Year award is a great honor in the organic farming community and celebrates those who made significant contributions to the industry and shown exceptional leadership in sustainable agriculture.

“The Lakeside family is extremely proud of Dick for receiving this well-deserved recognition,” said Juan Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer, Lakeside Organic Gardens. “His dedication to organic farming practices and the well-being of his employees and community are truly inspiring. Dick is not just a grower, he’s a visionary leader who embodies humility and hard work.”

Peixoto remains deeply involved in every aspect of his farming operations, from daily strategic meetings to spending time in the fields alongside his team, with over 2,200 acres of more than 50 different organic crops.

“Having competed with Dickie for many years, I now have the privilege of working with him and his Lakeside team. He is a dedicated farmer and well deserving of this honor,” said Todd Linsky, Chief Executive Officer, TLC. “Dick’s gracious nature, love of community, and passion for this planet have been a perfect match for what I teach and foster. Love and kindness are how you win the day.”

For all the details, click here to read the full release.

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ROSEMONT, IL - As we all know, there have been some significant shifts in the foodservice industry in recent years. It seems consumer demands continue to drive evolution in this space, as evidenced by US Foods' recent 2024 Diner Dispatch survey. The results showcased key takeaways that can help operators make informed business decisions to help meet or exceed diner expectations.

“As a leader in foodservice and a proud partner of our customers, we are excited to share the diner trends currently shaping the restaurant industry,” said Diane Hund, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Now in its second year, our 2024 Diner Dispatch provides deeper insights into the preferences shaping how diners approach their dining experience. It allows us to delve into how diner preferences have shifted since last year and, in turn, deliver our promise to help our operators Make It.”

The in-restaurant customer experience continues to play a key role in driving profitability and customer loyalty, a press release noted. Despite lingering impacts of inflation on diner behaviors, results showcase an increased preference for dining out at a restaurant.

Survey highlights include:

• Dining-out triumphs takeout with atmosphere and socializing driving this preference
• Monthly spends have increased
• Gender spends have flip-flopped
• Casual dining is king and on the rise
• Patience is prevailing
• QR code menus fall even more out of favor across all generations

Helping operators find the right solutions to navigate a variety of industry opportunities is at the heart of the recently launched US Foods MORE platform. The platform is designed to provide operators with expert support including a solution to navigate the downward impact of inflation, while providing opportunities to capitalize on the dining experience.

The MORE platform support includes:

• MORE QUALITY products that consistently deliver outstanding flavor and performance while minimizing waste and labor
• MORE SUPPORT from a dedicated team of US Foods experts who can help an operator enhance their overall customer experience with staff training tools to reduce wait times and dining room layout suggestions for enhancing social interactions while dining
• MORE TOOLS like US Foods Menu, a program that enables operators to easily update printed menus and enable QR code linking
• MORE DELIVERIES to enable more flexibility, frequency, and responsiveness so the operator has the products they need when they need it

Check out the press release here to read more about the results.

ANUK will continue to keep you up to date on the latest industry events.