PHARR, TX - London Fruit, the South Texas-based provider of tropical fruit from Mexico is gearing up for the rapidly approaching Viva Fresh Produce Expo, and is excited to showcase a new look for its boxes to the floor at booth #93.

“London Fruit was the first company to get on board with Viva Fresh,” explains Kalani Jaime, Project Manager at London Fruit. “We were there right out of the gate, and being able to exhibit at a Southwest-based show while showcasing our products that are grown 100% in Mexico is a huge bonus for us.”

At the show, London Fruit will be showcasing its new, two-layer “place pack” lime boxes, featuring the company’s newly updated look. Starting with just the company’s limes, Jaime tells me the London Fruit will expand the new look to it’s packaging boxes across all of its categories.

Along with the company's year-round lime and avocado programs, the company also provides a seasonal Mexican mango program. Jerry Garcia Sr. says while this year's mango crop has shown lessened supplies industry-wide, London Fruit is optimistic about its position in the market. 

“Although this year’s mango season has shown limited supply, London Fruit’s ability to maintain a strong market share is due to our long-term relationship with our mango producers in Mexico,” added Garcia.

“We invite our friends, our current customers, and new visitors alike to check in with London Fruit and see all of our quality products first-hand,” concluded Jaime.

See for yourself this weekend at London Fruit’s booth #93!

London Fruit

DALLAS & AUSTIN, TX - Still not convinced by all the hype on online ordering and grocery pick up? It seems like Kroger is, at least. By the end of the year, Kroger expects to expand its “ClickList” online ordering and pickup service to around 20 of its locations in North Texas, mainly in the Dallas and Houston areas.

Starting this summer, shoppers will be able to choose from nearly 40,000 items in the store and pick them up without ever going inside, explains Dana Zurcher, Kroger’s Dallas division President. This decision, of course, is a natural progression of the growing trend in online grocery shopping, particularly in the North Texas region.

“Kroger’s decision is not a defensive move, it’s understanding that the shopper expects you to do business this way,” Craig Rosenblum, Senior Director at research firm Willard Bishop Inmar shared with the Dallas Morning News. “While it may be small, e-commerce will continue to be an important part of every retail business.”

Currently about 8 to 10 percent of its business, Kroger says, Rosenblum expects the e-commerce sector of the business to double over the next three to five years, and reach up to 20 percent. According to the Dallas Morning News, Rosenblum  says the main two demographics of services like ClickList are “soccer mom” types who don’t want have to drag their kids into the store, and the elderly who would prefer to have another person do their shopping for them.

Other recent online grocery expansions into the Dallas-Austin region include:

• Walmart expanding online grocery ordering and curbside pickup service to Dallas-Fort Worth at eight of its stores.
• Shipt, a Birmingham-based online grocery service expanded to Dallas in June.
• H-E-B is currently testing curbside service in Houston. 
• H-E-B partnering with Instacart in Austin and Houston.

While Kroger hasn’t yet released the list of regional stores that will be equipped for ClickList, the Kroger Marketplace that opened last Friday in Prosper, TX, will be one of them, Zurcher says.

“We’re still selecting the stores and trying to pick the ones where more customers are apt to use it,” added Zurcher. “Plus physically, with new stores it’s easy to incorporate it, but with existing stores we have to think about whether we can add it.”

There’s no doubt that retailers will continue to expand their reach for online grocery shopping, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more.

Kroger

SACRAMENTO, CA - California government has reached a deal to push California’s minimum wage to a historic $15 an hour in just under five years, which would make it the first state to do so.

Governor Jerry Brown and a team of legislative labor leaders announced yesterday that the agreement reached would set the the state on a track that will have the minimum wage level at $15 by January of 2022.

Democratic Senate Leader Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles stated this would help as many as six million California residents, according to CBS Local.

The Governor stated the deal was a sign of productivity on the state’s part, saying “California is proving once again that it can get things done and help people get ahead.”

California residents have rallied for the increase with the hopes that it will help to contribute to the economy, and as we reported last May, Los Angeles became a forerunner in developments in the movement when it increased it voted to increase its own city-wide minimum wage over 60%, from $9 to $15.

Worries persist, however, on this business end for smaller companies that worry the boost may endanger their abilities to keep the doors open.

“Dramatic wage mandates are already forcing difficult decisions in relatively wealthier areas, with low margin businesses being forced to lay off employees or close entirely,” said Michael Saltsman of the Employment Policies Institute, according to CBS.

Even chain restaurants have stated that rising wage levels is a concern. As we reported recently, Carl’s Jr. CEO Andrew Puzder told business insider he was open to an automated restaurant plan to mitigate labor.

While this is one more step towards a historic wage raise in the U.S., the deed is not yet signed. If the legislation does pass, California will be the first state to boost the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

RIDGE SPRING, SC – A new partnership with Florida grower Sizemore Farms will result in a longer peach season and increased grow options for South Carolina grower, Titan Farms, the company has announced.

“Thanks to our new partnership with Sizemore Farms, we can offer a seamless transition from Florida to South Carolina peaches while maintaining our high-quality standards,” said Chalmers Carr, President of Titan Farms.

Now gaining an extra five weeks of peach harvesting and new acreage to delve into, Titan Farms will begin shipping from Florida on April 4, and from its own South Carolina orchards starting the third week of May. 

“Much like our home state, Florida has warm, humid nights and unique soils which create an optimal growing environment for producing premium great tasting peaches,” continued Carr in a press release.

Sizemore Farms says that the company is looking forward to the experience and expertise that Titan Farms will bring to its company through the partnership.

“As a vertically integrated company, we are constantly looking to improve our operations and align with those who share a similar vision to our own,” said John Sizemore, Principal at Sizemore Farms. “We look forward to aligning with Titan Farms due to their success and track record in the Southern peach industry.”

Peaches shipping out from Florida under the partnership will be packaged in eight pound, one layer cartons and shipped throughout Canada and the U.S.. 

Count on AndNowUKnow news for more produce partnership and shipping announcements. 

Titan Farms

Welcome to What’s In Store. 

Ocean Mist Farms is expanding its popular line of organic vegetables to include three exciting new items: asparagus, romaine hearts, and green onions. As demand accelerates for this growing category, the company is responding to changes in the marketplace with these new additions. 

Farmed in multiple locations throughout California and Mexico, Ocean Mist’s sustainable organic program provides superior quality, flavor, and value year-round. Since 2000, the company has grown its organic offerings to include a variety of vegetables, including artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and many more. Today, the company offers 18 organically grown produce items under the Ocean Mist Organic label.

Founded by Italian immigrants in 1924, this fourth-generation grower-owned business has made significant strides in environmental stewardship. Over nine decades later, Ocean Mist Farms is still committed to preserving and enhancing the land on which it farms and the surrounding ecosystems.

With its diverse organic line, Ocean Mist is continuing to meet the ever-evolving demands of its customer base and exceed consumer expectations. Visit oceanmistorganic.com for more information.

Thank you for watching What’s In Store. 

Ocean Mist

WATSONVILLE, CA - Tour de Fresh sponsorships are filling up fast as the program gains traction and viewership, with sponsorships for 2015’s event having garnered 51 million media impressions.

“It’s amazing to see brands, both in and outside of the fresh produce industry, step up in support of our riders who spend months training and raising money to make a school’s wish come true,” Cindy Jewell, VP of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms, said in a press release, commenting, “This event is incredibly personal to our industry because it offers an opportunity for us to invest in our mission to feed the next generation more fresh fruits and vegetables.”

This year’s ride takes place July 26-28 from Napa Valley to Monterey, California, with riders from the industry finishing off more than 150 miles by riding into the PMA Foodservice Conference. Below is a video from last October's ride from North Carolina to Georgia:

The event, which seeks to raise enough money to place salad bars in schools across the U.S. and promote produce consumption, has successfully placed more than 100 salad bars since its inception in 2014.

CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing with Dole Fresh Vegetables, commented that the company is thrilled to participate in and sponsor an event much like its own produce Get Up and Grow! Together™ campaign, adding, “We also appreciate that Tour de Fresh offers social opportunities for our team to encourage our riders and the event as a whole."

With placements in more than 300 digital and print publications last year, this promotes not only a good cause and industry growth, but a key promotional opportunity according to Tour de Fresh Steering Committee, who is encouraging brands to take advantage of the limited number of sponsorships still available to support the event.

Confirmed sponsors include:

Paula Onofrino of the Martinez Unified School District in Martinez, California, which has received four salad bars through Tour de Fresh donations, said that they have done so much more for the district than she could have ever imagined. “My lunch staff is feeling inspired to get creative with cooking fresher meals because they’re seeing the excitement that our students have when the salad bar is full of new, fresh options.”

Tour de Fresh offers companies a number of options to participate and promote, including sampling stations to provide fresh energy-packed snacks along the tour route, and so much more.

To join the growing list before all spots are taken, visit www.tourdefresh.com or contact Brock Nemecek at [email protected].

Tour de Fresh

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Directing its programs from Mexico to the U.S., and expanding to overseas markets throughout the year, GreenFruit Avocados has announced a new merger with Mexican grower and packer, FrutiVal. 

“I am extremely excited about the new partnership,”stated Brian Gomez, Vice President of GreenFruit Avocados. “Not only does this make us a direct grower and packer in Mexico, but it also enables us to customize programs for our clients in the USA and around the world.”  

A strong move in GreenFruit Avocados’ directional goals for growth within the U.S. and Asian markets, this merger makes the company a grower for both organic and conventional supply in Mexico as well.

As its consumption levels increase, Greenfruit says that this partnership provides a crucial supply of steady product to its customers.

FrutiVal gives Greenfruit access to a state-of-the-art packing facility in Uruapan, Michoacán that features separate packing lines for both the U.S. market and overseas markets. 

“This alliance presents exciting new opportunities for our clients to obtain avocados directly from the grower,” said General Director at FrutiVal S.A. of C.A., Yngacio Valerio, in a press release. “GreenFruit clients can expect fresh fruit, and a fully compliant food safety program. We see a long, successful partnership with GreenFruit Avocados to provide our clientele with a service they can trust.” 

Greenfruit says that customers can expect more product volume and long-term fixed prices from the merger, as the company continues to research field cost and product quantities. 

More information on Greenfruit Avocados, and its merger with FrutiVal, can be found by contacting [email protected]. 

GreenFruit Avocados FrutiVal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Harris Teeter has announced an entirely new feature for its customers to try out, featuring to a new partnership between the retailer and UberRUSH.

“Harris Teeter is excited to enhance the online ordering process by offering home delivery,” said Harris Teeter Communication’s Manager, Danna Robinson, in a press release. “UberRUSH delivery will help us reach our customers where they are by making the grocery shopping experience even more convenient.”

Previously a pick-up service only, Harris Teeter now plans to deliver through in-home service options. Users need only select “delivery” or “pick up” during check-out using Harris Teeter’s online shopping tool to dispatch an UberRUSH driver.

Once check out is completed, the order will then be collected and promptly delivered to the customer by their driver. Mobile users will be able to watch the entire delivery with real-time updates, similar to those currently seen with the Uber platform.

The Harris Teeter and UberRUSH partnership is currently in its pilot phase, and available only to mobile users only. Home delivery is being tested within a five-mile radius of Harris Teeter’s Constitution Square location in Washington D.C.

Keep an eye on AndNowUKnow News for more in retail delivery announcements.

Harris Teeter UberRUSH

CHINA - You may be a lover of fruity pizza—a good pear gorgonzola, or a Hawaiian with pineapple. Or the thought may have you shuddering in fear. Either way, this latest concoction from Pizza Hut China will probably have you raising your eyebrows.

It's called durian pizza, and if you’re familiar with the distinctively scented fruit, you know it smells like “turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock,” or at least that’s according to Food writer Richard Sterling. The fruit is so pungent, in fact, that its banned on the Singapore Rapid Mass Transit even when its wrapped in its natural husk intact, according to the Smithsonian.

So why is Pizza Hut putting durian on its China market pizzas? While the smell may scare off many Americans, its custardy and succulent flesh is extremely popular in many Asian countries, China included. And if you’re still scared? CBS News Money Watch promises that when its immersed in cheese and dough, the fruit marries quite nicely in pizza forms.

Wall Street Journal reports that Pizza Hut started introducing the pizza by testing it in the southern province of Guangdong before rolling it out in several Chinese cities this year "creating a lot of buzz" with Chinese consumers. 

Want to try the dish for yourself? While it’s not likely it will make its way to the United States any time soon, the smelly pizza is now available in select Chinese cities at prices in the range between 59 yuan ($9) for a half-durian, half-Hawaiian pizza and 97 yuan for a stuffed-crust durian pizza.

Pizza Hut