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IDAHO FALLS, ID - Welcome to What’s In Store.
Since 1943, Wada Farms has made its goal to put quality potatoes on the American dinner table with integrity and respect. While the company continues to expand its program, Wada Farms is introducing its new product line of grown in Idaho, Organic potatoes. The company has consistently grown within its boundaries of the land to keep farming healthy and mother nature happy.
Choosing this Wada Farms bag of Organic potatoes is not only a personal choice, but also a mindful one for the planet. Wada Farms Organic Potatoes are packaged in the new eco-friendly Tatermade bag which is comprised of 25% starch based renewable content. Not only a healthy choice for the consumer, but also for the planet.
Recent consumer data shows that organic potato demand is on the rise with 30% increases in volume and 28% gains in retail dollars making it a viable option for all produce departments. Wada Farms is helping the potato category grow by offering 3 lb. and 5 lb. sizes in their new innovative and sustainable Tatermade packaging for all Russet, Red, and Gold potato varieties.
Wada Farms believes in the value of providing both organic and conventionally grown potatoes. While organics are not for everyone, the company is excited about the opportunity to grow with this category to meet the increasing demand.
Thank you for watching What’s in Store.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Wonderful Pistachios is again looking at the trends and lining up its marketing tactics, this time incorporating perhaps the most infamous nut-lover in current film: Ice Age’s buck-toothed, early-generation squirrel, Scrat.
The character skittered into the hearts of millennials and their kids with his obsession for a stray acorn, and now he is sorrowfully deterred from Wonderful Pistachios for consumers to enjoy “for the shell of it.”
To see the commercial, which debuted during The Bachelor last week via early morning, prime, syndication, and cable, watch he video below.
While we’re not exactly sure if it’s the devastation of losing the pistachio, or fear of getting struck by lightning, the character’s desire for the nut is palpable.
The 15 second spot is the latest in the company’s trendy Get Crackin’ campaign, which recently released a commercial featuring popular emojis with green-hearted eyes for the product.
Wonderful Pistachio’s commercial is aptly timed with the coming addition to the Ice Age series, Ice Age: Collision Course from 20th Century Fox, starring the crazy rodent and his beloved companions, hitting theaters this coming July.
CASHMERE, WA- As Crunch Pak® continues to grow its ever-evolving program, the company is also promoting three of its employees to the team’s Wenatchee offices this week. Drew Dalgetty, John Graden, and Ozgur Koc have been promoted to positions within the Slicing Division to improve efficiency and guarantee timely orders for its customer base.
“The changes we’ve made in our Slicing Division will enable us to support the increased demand for quality and efficiency as we earn new business,” said President, Mauro Felizia. “We’re looking forward to bringing three of our top employees over to the Wenatchee offices to support continued growth and success of the Crunch Pak® brand.”
Crunch Pak® continues to see exponential growth in sales and distribution, according to a press release.
Drew Dalgetty, General Manager of the Slicing Division, brings a manufacturing expertise and has served as a consultant to the company, prior to his role as GM. In his role he will support the Slicing Division by facilitating communication between Logistics, Procedures, Food Safety, and Purchasing departments to deliver the highest quality products to buyers.
John Graden, Member of the Board of Directors, will be elevating the Procurement and Strategic Planning department in his new role, by managing inventories and raw product procurement for the company.
Ozgur Koc, Senior Director of Food Safety, Quality & Research, will report directly to the President of Crunch Pak®, Mauro Felizia, and will oversee new processes and procedures for the sliced apple provider’s continued growth.
Congratulations to Drew, John, and Ozgur on these recent promotions and the promising road to come.
BELLINGHAM, WA - Could it be that the Albertsons/Haggen saga has finally come to end?
After a tumultuous ride in legal battles, the latter has accepted an acquisition bid from the former for $106 million for 29 of its 32 core stores, 22 in Washington and 7 in Oregon, just before they were to go on the auction block. In addition, Albertson is to pay a closing adjustment amount for the stores and put down a deposit of $68 million.
As we previously reported, Haggen had scheduled and re-scheduled the auction several times without explanation prior to the announcement, presumably while in discussion with Albertsons.
Not long ago, however, the two sides were back and forth in court with lawsuits over inventory and contracts concerning Haggen’s acquisition of more than of Albertsons’ stores in 2014.
So how has Haggen responded to this twist in events?
“We are excited about the opportunity to have the backing of Albertsons and look forward to be part of the Albertsons grocery family,” John Clougher, CEO of Haggen, said, according to a press release. “Haggen has been a part of the Pacific Northwest and the Bellingham community for more than eight decades and we will continue the traditions of operating great Haggen stores focused on community involvement, fresh northwest products and great service.”
Haggen added that 15 of the stores operating from its home base of Bellingham, Washington, will continue to operate under its banner.
“Our customers can be assured that the Haggen focus on sustainably-sourced and locally-produced products will not change,” Clougher added. “Haggen has operated as a partner to the communities it has so proudly served and will continue to do so. We thank our dedicated stores crews, loyal customers, vendors, partners and others that have supported us. We are looking ahead to a promising future.”
Two Washington stores and one Oregon store remain, however, added to a list of subjects that the retailer will put in front of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
That string of topics to be put in front of a judge include:
- Approval to begin going out of business sales for stores not included in the sale agreement.
- Approval for the sale to Albertsons.
- Approval for a new facility with Albertsons.
- Approval for a new financing commitment.
So will this be the end of the tumultuous legal relationship the two companies have shared? Bankruptcy court is scheduled to hear the case and consider approval of the sale agreement on March 29, 2016, so keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
CARPINTERIA, CA- Always evolving, Hollandia Produce, L.P., has been honored by the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) with the its Food and Beverage Innovation (FABI) award for the company’s newest foodservice product: Grower Pete’s Organic Living Baby Butter Lettuce.
“We are thrilled and honored to earn this award,” CEO Pete Overgaag, said. “Early customer feedback on our new Grower Pete’s Organic Living Baby Butter Lettuce has been very positive. This award really validates this offering as a progressive product that will make a significant impact within the restaurant industry.”
Grower Pete’s Organic Living Baby Butter Lettuce is a nutritious, versatile and mildly sweet, new lettuce variety that offers foodservice operators and chefs, an easy wash-n-serve option that fits the one or two serving need or dish, according to a press release. This item is hydroponically greenhouse-grown and harvested with its roots attached for longer shelf-life and freshness, like many of the company’s offerings.
The FABI awards are selected prior to the NRA’s annual tradeshow and convention each year, with the 2016 show to be held on May 21 – 24 in Chicago. Only 26 products received FABI awards. Honorees are selected based on achievements in taste, marketability, creativity and profitability potential in the foodservice industry.
Hollandia, along with other FABI Award recipients, was chosen by an independent panel of expert judges, who represent some of the industry’s most well-known brands and organizations. The 2016 FABI judges include:
- Timothy J. Dietzler, Director of Dining Services, Villanova University
- Lori Estrada, Senior Vice President of R&D, Wendy’s
- Christopher Koetke, CEC CCE HAAC, Vice President, The School of Culinary Arts, Kendall College
- John Li, Senior Vice President of RD, Bloomin' Brands
- Jennifer Pollhammer, Global Procurement Director, Aramark
- Robin Rosenberg, Vice President, Chef de Cuisine, Levy Restaurants
Congratulations to Hollandia on its ongoing innovation and this most recent honor!
IRVING, CA - DMA Solutions Inc. has announced that, to bring the best talent to the industry, its Aggies for Fresh program will introduce six top-performing students from Texas A&M University at the second annual Viva Fresh Expo.
“I’m thrilled to have personally selected six incredibly talented Aggies to the wealth of opportunity in the fresh produce industry, with the expectation that they will be inspired by the possibilities of what the fresh produce industry can offer them,” Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and CEO of DMA Solutions, Inc., said in a press release.
Aggies for Fresh, with support from the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) and other industry leader at the event, will be looking to provide these six students with different fresh produce industry opportunities ranging from Food Science to Ag Communications.
“My hope is that companies will embrace these students with opportunities for summer internships or full-time positions,” Almy added.
The selected scholarship attendees for the 2016 Viva Fresh Expo include:
- Sarah Bockholt, Bachelor’s of Agricultural Communications and Journalism (Graduates May, 2016)
- Alonso Villaran, Master’s of Agribusiness (Graduates May, 2016)
- Brooke Prather, Master’s of Agricultural Communications and Journalism (Graduates May, 2016)
- Katy Crocker, Bachelor’s of Agricultural Economics (Graduates Dec., 2016)
- Jackie Parker, Bachelor’s of Nutritional Sciences (Graduates May, 2017)
- Maricella Gomez, Master’s of Food Service (Graduates May, 2017)
According to DMA, it looks to support a constant stream of talent coming from Texas A&M due to its core values aligning with those of the fresh produce industry.
“For the same reason that I chose Texas A&M, these students are passionate about creating a positive impact through food that is grown,” Almy said. “What a perfect opportunity for us to harness that passion within our industry.”
In addition to providing scholarships to Texas A&M students and bringing them to opportunities like Viva Fresh, Aggies for Fresh supports graduate research and campus events in the College of Agriculture.
The 2016 Viva Fresh Expo kicks off at the end of this month, from March 30 – April 2nd at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, Texas.
GREENSBORO, NC & NEW YORK - The Fresh Market, Inc. announced this morning that it has accepted Apollo Global Management, LLC’s offer to acquire the chain for about $1.36 billion.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Apollo, which follows a comprehensive review of strategic and financial alternatives that generated interest from numerous parties,” Rich Noll, The Fresh Market’s Lead Independent Director, said, according to a press release. “After an open and thorough process, our Board concluded that this offer maximizes value for our stockholders.”
While the company did term is a “definitive agreement,” the terms do include that The Fresh Market has 21 days to solicit other offers. An interesting note concerning Kroger Co.’s expressed interest in acquiring the chain.
Despite the possibility Kroger could come back with a higher offer, The Fresh Market was quoted as happy with the current decision.
“We are excited about this transaction with Apollo, which recognizes the value of The Fresh Market’s strong brand and significant growth prospects while providing stockholders with an immediate and substantial premium,” Rick Anicetti, The Fresh Market’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Apollo is a highly-regarded investor, bringing deep industry expertise and financial resources, and we look forward to working with them to build on our progress in achieving our strategic plan to deliver long-term profitable growth.”
The transaction, currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2016, is a $28.50 per share all-cash offer by the Apollo Funds, which the company said is conditioned upon satisfaction of the minimum tender condition requiring that “shares representing more than 50 percent of the Company's common shares (other than shares held by Ray and Brett Berry that are being rolled over) be tendered.”
Both Ray Berry and Brett Berry, who together own about 9.8% of The Fresh Market’s outstanding shares, agreed not to tender their shares into the tender offer, both participating in and rolling over the majority of their holdings to Apollo.
George Golleher, former CEO of Smart & Final and Ralphs Grocery Company/Food-4-Less during ownership by Apollo-affiliated funds, will also be a co-investor with the Apollo funds in the transaction.
“We are delighted about this transaction with The Fresh Market, which was one of the early pioneers in small-box grocery, offering unique, delicious and healthy food with a keen focus on perishables,” said Andrew S. Jhawar, Senior Partner and Head of the Retail and Consumer Group at Apollo.
While The Fresh Market noted that superior offers may not be made in the next three weeks, or even that they will discuss developments, Kroger has until midnight on April 1, 2016 to remain in the running.
SALINAS, CA - Organic produce, while an increasing sector of the industry, has not always gotten the attention of its conventional counterparts. Now, with the inaugural Organic Produce Summit (OPS) commencing July 13-14 in Monterey, California, members from the growing category will be able to make connections and create solutions to the industry’s biggest issues in a trade show environment for the very first time.
I spoke with Melody Meyer, organic produce champion and Vice President of Policy and Industry Relations for United Natural Foods (UNFI), about why its important to catch such a conference, and what attendees can expect.
“Its important to attend because we’ve never really celebrated the organic produce industry before. I think there’s a lot to learn from each other,” Melody tells me. “The OPS will have an inspiring education program that will help us engage as produceprofessionals in learning where the innovations are and celebrating the growth that we’ve have. We need to understand who we are and how we can help each other achieve growth.”
So far, the lineup of educational speakers include Founder of Pacific Organic Produce and Purity Organics brand juices, Greg Holzman and Purple Carrot Co-Founder Mark Bittman, with even more yet-to-be-announced.
Since 1999, UNFI has had a separate business unit dedicated to the sale and distribution of organics, known by the name of Alberts Organics. Melody tells me the growth of that sector has been an extremely important part of the UNFI sales structure.
“Alberts Organics is an integral part of our business model,” she continues. “We’re seeing growth in the perimeters of the store, the center of the store just isn't as active. The perimeter is really what UNFI is focusing on, and that includes produce.”
And that focus on organic alternatives in the perimeter has been a big focus of UNFI’s strategy in the previous years and beyond, Melody says. It’s important to realize just how important organic sales can be to a business model.
“Organic produce is really the gateway to the organic consumer,” Melody says. “When they walk through that door and see a nicely done fresh display of organic produce next to the conventional, that shopper is going to go into the store and likely purchase organic. When you look at sales data, a shopper who purchases organics will spends more money in your store overall.”
That's not the only enlightening data the Organic Trade Association offers either. According to the most recent data set available from 2014, the organic produce sector occupies total market sales of $39.1 billion, and market growth of 11.3% over the previous year. The largest category of all organic sales is produce, and this is up 12% from 2013 to 2014. 36% of all organic food sales are produce.
To give your voice to this rapidly expanding produce category, registration is now open for exhibitors, retailers and attendees and can be accessed through the event website www.organicproducesummit.com.
HOLLYWOOD, FL - Maybe you didn’t make it out to SEPC’s Southern Exposure this year, or maybe you just got caught up with the Hula dancers out front—either way, I'm here to give you a little insight into some of the products that caught my eye on the show floor. With this convention being one of the most intimate gatherings in produce, here are what I think you should get up close and personal with:
Ocean Mist’s Season & Steam Artichokes
Ocean Mist has been providing customers with the convenience of its Season & Steam products for several years now, but now the company is putting its hallmark product, artichokes, in its innovative microwaveable packaging. Introducing Season & Steam Microwaveable Artichokes, promising a perfecting cooked artichoke in just seven minutes. For someone who gets intimidated by the thought of cooking artichokes but loves the taste, this solution is one that has stuck in my mind since spotting it on the show floor.
Taylor Farms Chopped Salad Kits
Yes, you’re probably familiar with Taylor Farm’s Chopped Salad Kits, but the company has introduced one of its newest flavors— it's Greek Chopped Salad. Taylor Farms is a company that always knows how to take you to a destination with its flavors, and this variety is no exception, taking your mouth on a trip to the Greek Islands.
Ippolito’s Value-Added Brussels Sprouts
Ippolito has been doing Brussels Spouts for a while, but with this foray into value-added products, the company is really hitting its stride. Available shredded, halved, petite, or with full sprouts, each offering can be fully microwaved in the bag, taking the guesswork out of how consumers can get the perfect flavor. If this is the direction Ippolito will be going, I’m excited to see what’s next.
RFG’s Juicing Kits
I buy a lot of fresh pressed juices and the prices really start to add up. I’d love to be able to see the exact amount of each fruit or veggie I should put into each juice, and this product definitely helps with that. RFG’s Juicing Kit each offer one 8-oz. cup of fresh juice in seven different flavors, capitalizing on the growing demand for cold-pressed juices. Definitely something to keep your eye out for.
Church Brothers Baby Kale Medley
Church Brothers introduced a new item at the show this year: a Baby Kale Medley. I’m a sucker for any healthy kale mix and throwing arugula into the mix takes up the flavor power by giving it that signature peppery kick. Now available for the foodservice industry in a 3x1-pound bag, this is definitely something I'd love to start seeing more of on the menu in restaurants as a healthy and flavor-packed option.
My first Southern Exposure definitely did not disappoint. Thanks to SEPC and all the companies I had the chance to visit with. And stay tuned for more favorite picks coming soon!