CORAL GABLES, FL – Del Monte Fresh Produce and ad tech startup, Gnack, are teaming up to break the world record for “Most People Dressed As Fruit” on March 13th.
Approximately 850 people donned in banana costumes are expected to party throughout the day at The Belmont in Austin, Texas during “The World Record Breaking Banana Bash.”
After seeing previous success with its banana costume Halloween campaigns, Del Monte Fresh wanted to continue finding fun and unique ways to connect with its millennial audience. According to a press release, fans on Facebook have already embraced the idea, with some users posting, “What’s better than being a banana?” and, “When I was younger I wanted to break a world record. Now I can, with my fellow banana costumed friends.”
“Consumers love dressing up as bananas. Using that excitement to break the world record is a great opportunity for Del Monte Fresh and our friends at Gnack to generate buzz and benefit from the viral power of social media,” Dennis Christou, Del Monte Fresh’s Vice President of Marketing, said in a press release.
As Christou explained, the event went viral shortly after its announcement on Facebook.
“It was just a funny idea at first, then about 48 hours after we created the Facebook event we had over 100,000 organic impressions all unpaid,” said Dean Thomas, CMO at Gnack. “The public spoke and we really got serious about the planning. People began to post about and share the event so much that we sold out of early bird tickets in just a few days.”
With that said, there’s a good chance Del Monte Fresh and Gnack are in the running to far exceed the current world record - which stands at 629 people – held by international DJs/Producers, Dada Life.
If you’re interested in joining the fun in Austin, Texas, click here to buy tickets. Tickets include entrance to the party and a banana costume that participants can keep as a souvenir.
TAMPA, FL - Part of the company’s newfound deal with Walmart, IFCO’s new Wood Grain Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) have officially entered the produce supply chain, and the first of an anticipated 30 million have been shipped to fresh produce growers.
The first Walmart supplier to receive IFCO Wood Grain RPCs, Kings River Packaging of Sanger, California, was delighted to be able to use the new containers, said company President David Hines.
“These RPCs represent everything we’ve come to know and appreciate about IFCO RPC quality,” Hines added. “The IFCO Wood Grain RPC features of additional vertical ribbing and enhanced latching are first-rate, and detailed wood grain texture really looks great. We think the retail customer will love it once in store.”
Announced last October, the Wood Grain RPCs will be used for Walmart’s both wet and dry produce, initially including apples, potatoes, onions, and citrus items.
“Walmart customers deserve the very best shopping experience,” explained Dorn Wenninger, Vice President of Produce for Walmart U.S. “That means the best possible quality at the lowest possible price. Wood Grain RPCs are one of many changes we’re making to improve our overall fresh produce customer experience.”
According to IFCO, the development of its Wood Grain RPCs has required millions of dollars in investments. Undergoing extensive, months-long real world and laboratory testing to verify functionality and product protection capabilities, the containers were designed to Walmart's specifications and incorporated feedback received from the grower community.
“IFCO has designed an innovative and unique fresh produce packaging solution that benefits growers, retailers and ultimately consumers,” added Daniel Walsh, President of IFCO North America. “Wood Grain RPCs have all the benefits of traditional RPCs with aesthetic appeal that helps them transition seamlessly from transportation and storage to in-store display.”
In the United States, IFCO’s Wood Grain RPCs are 100% sourced and manufactured in America and meet the Federal Trade Commission’s standard for its “Made in the USA” country of origin label, the company says. In addition, IFCO Wood Grain RPCs are cleaned and sanitized at one of six US service centers throughout their life cycle.
PEORIA, IL – SunSelect Produce and Caterpillar are joining forces on a new project that will utilize waste from a power generation plant to maximize plant production in a new hydroponic greenhouse facility.
As part of the collaboration, SunSelect will purchase real estate adjacent to Caterpillar’s energy generation facility, Advanced Tri-Gen Power Systems (ATPS) in Mossville, Illinois, to construct a hydroponic greenhouse, according to a press release. The greenhouse will use excess thermal energy and carbon dioxide from ATPS’s natural gas fired turbines, which will enhance plant production and allow for more efficient use of Caterpillar’s power generation plant.
Once fully operational, the year-round greenhouse operation will add up to 300 permanent local jobs and serve as SunSelect’s Midwest hub for both production and distribution.
“This collaboration is a significant step in our long-term growth strategy,” said Reinhold Krahn, Director of SunSelect. “Building on our existing distribution footprint, this Midwest base will allow us to expand our ability to grow fresh and healthy vegetables, safely and responsibly, on the smallest amount of land possible.”
Frank Crespo, Caterpillar’s Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer with responsibility for ATPS, couldn’t agree more on the benefits this project will bring to both companies and the area itself.
“We’re optimistic about what this project will mean for our local community, bringing new jobs to the area and a new options for locally-grown produce to consumers,” said Crespo. “This project also perfectly exemplifies Caterpillar’s commitment to sustainability – which seeks a balance of environmental stewardship, economic growth, and social responsibility.”
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016 and is subject to permitting, regulatory approvals, satisfactory due diligence, and other required steps.
KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce is at it again; the company has officially hit 7 consecutive years as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.
The award, presented by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business, and Mackay CEO Forums, is based on sustained growth, financial performance, management practices, and the efforts of the entire organization, Mastronardi’s statement explained.
“Best Managed Platinum winners are amongst the elite Canadian-owned and managed companies,” explains Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte, and Co-Leader of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “They have a proven track record of outstanding leadership, business performance, and sustained growth. It takes a dedicated effort from an entire team to focus on a core vision, create stakeholder value, and excel in the global economy to achieve this level of success.”
Mastronardi Produce has become know for its signature line of greenhouse grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and now strawberries, marketed under their SUNSET® brand. Now dubbed a platinum member of Canada’s Best Managed, fourth generation CEO Paul Mastronardi congratulated his team on the achievement.
“My grandfather was a pioneer of the North American greenhouse industry,” shared Mastronardi. “His goal was to make healthy, flavorful produce available for everyone, and that is what our team does today. I’d like to congratulate our team, in all locations, for achieving this milestone. It is because of your dedication to greatness that we are where we are today. Thank you.”
To learn more about Mastronardi Produce and its numerous proprietary products under the SUNSET® brand, visit www.SunsetGrown.com.
WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt Growers’ fruit tracker program has released a new Stemilt-O-Graphic unveiling insights into the apple category at retail for January.
“Gala continues to be the leading apple variety in the category, but was down 1.6% in volume sales from last year,” Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Roger Pepperl, said, according to a press release. “Red Delicious was flat and Fuji and Granny Smith were each up 1% from last year. Honeycrisp rounded out the top five apples at 8.7% of the category, down nearly 2% from 2015.”
Scan data from Nielsen Fresh Facts® showed Pink Lady® brand apples on the rise, according to the release, showing a 0.6% increase from 2015, 4.1% of the total apple category.
Other brand apples looked to gain attention during the month as well, it seems, with Opal® apples retailing for 7.8% more than last year and Pacific Rose® volumes having more than doubled from sales in 2015.
As for the company’s signature apple variety, Piñata®, Stemilt noted that heavy promotions across the nation in January helped to move more volume than the previous year.
“With tight supplies on bulk apples this year and most varieties down in size, bags provide a nice promotion vehicle,” Roger said. “Retailers can build on the momentum of trademarked apples like Pink Lady® and Piñata® with springtime promotions on 3lb. Lil Snappesr® or 5lb. pouch bags. This drives up the purchase size and helps boost volume sales to the category.”
Overall apple prices continued to rise for retail in January, with bulk apples selling for $0.05 more than they did in December of 2015.
The percentage of apples sold in bags boosted due to smaller fruit size according to the Stemilt-O-Graphic, making up 39.1% of category volume in January 2016, while bulk apples made up 60.9%.
What’s in store for apples at retail as we head into spring? Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow all influential categories in the produce industry.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – USDA has filed action against Mi Pueblo Latin Market Inc. for failure to pay for produce.
The Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency within USDA, said in a press release that the Colorado-based company allegedly failed to pay six produce sellers in the amount of $428,165 from August 2013 through August 2015.
Mi Pueblo Latin Market Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing, but if the USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. In addition, its Principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
All interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits must be licensed by USDA under PACA. If any trader violates the act, USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke their license.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - While El Niño has brought the San Joaquin Valley record amounts of rain this winter, it may not be time to start celebrating just yet, Hortau advises. The precision ag tech company says that using its soil tension monitoring systems, you can see that some growers in the Central Valley are surprisingly behind when it comes to their irrigation management programs early in the season.
During the most recent bloom, Hortau sent a team of grower support specialists to visit several almond orchards and use its soil tension sensors to measure plant stress and available water to a tree in real time.
While the region saw plenty of rainfall over the winter months, Hortau discovered that some of the almond orchards surveyed have not received the deep soil moisture needed to maximize production this year.
Growers don’t need to rely on a visit of Hortau to see their soil’s tension, however. Using the company’s proprietary soil tension platform, growers are able to identify the ideal “comfort zone” for their crops at various depths. Hortau reports that high soil tension (over 35 cbars), means an extremely dry soil profile and high amount of stress for almond trees going into the spring.
Of course, many factors contribute to the quality of any given crop, ensuring trees are within their optimal soil tension range at multiple depths throughout the year has proven to increase production, overall tree health, and also prevent over-watering and leaching of critical nutrients and fertilizers, according to Hortau.
Following its tests at the almond orchards, Hortau released a full report of its findings and why checking the water content of the soil is so crucial to growing the best quality product. To read Hortau’s full report, visit the company’s website here.
PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. has released the results for the second quarter of 2016, with acquisitions in tow, growth on the way, and a plan to restructure its operations.
“Today, we announced several important changes to our organizational structure,” President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Steven L. Spinner, said in an earnings call. “It is a change that we believe brings our teams closer to the retailer/operator and will serve as the primary driver towards an exemplary customer experience across all of our companies. Beginning in August 2016, UNFI will be structured more regionally with the Pacific, Central and Atlantic regions.”
Per the new organization, Spinner stated that each region will have a President responsible for all of products and services within their respective territories, including fresh, grocery, wellness, e-commerce, food service, and gourmet ethnic offerings.
“This is very exciting news for UNFI as we structure resources across our business to fuel even stronger customer relationships,” Spinner said.
Particular highlights for the company’s second quarter of 2016 included:
- Net sales increased 1.5% to $2.05 billion compared to $2.02 billion for the same period last fiscal year.
- Adjusted net sales increased 6.5% compared to the same period last fiscal year for the same period last year, excluding year-over-year impact of the previously disclosed termination of a customer distribution contract.
- Diluted EPS was $0.45 compared to $0.55 for the same period last fiscal year.
- Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.49, which the company said excludes $2.0 million of severance and other transition costs related to a restructuring plan (previously announced) and approximately $1.0 million of acquisition related costs.
- Free cash flow generation of $106.2 million, the largest in UNFI’s history.
“We are intently focused on managing our business in a rapidly changing environment,” Spinner said in regards to the current market. “We will make strategic investments to improve our sales growth rate and customer experience through the back half of this fiscal year and into fiscal 2017.”
Looking forward, UNFI stated that it is currently working to build new distribution opportunities, as well as expand its current customer relationships with current customers.
Among its plans for growth are an emphasis in mergers and acquisitions. The company announced last week that it has entered an acquisition agreement with Haddon House Products, Inc., which UNFI added will expand its reach to new customers and areas. It also announced yesterday that it has acquired certain assets of Global Organic, which Spinner said “further demonstrates our strategic focus on increasing UNFI’s product offering into the perishable perimeter.”
“We believe our infrastructure, supply chain, and logistics network are uniquely positioned to add meaningful value to customers in an evolving food retail environment.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to track the company’s growth as it looks to expand its footprint in the fresh industry.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Spring has sprung, and with it the beginning of peak artichoke season. Of course, Ocean Mist Farms has plenty to offer retailers to support sales and generate awareness for the company’s fresh artichokes.
From March through May - peak volume of the Castroville crop - Ocean Mist Farms' artichokes will carry branded petal inserts to help consumers find them in store, explains Diana McClean, Director of Marketing.
“During peak season we activate a strong promotional strategy that includes display and sales contests with Northern California retailers, radio ads in Northern California and a nationwide new product launch featuring cleaned and ready to cook fresh artichokes in our award-winning Season & Steam packaging,” she adds. “This year we are excited to target Millenials with a consumer contest.”
In a response to research that shows some consumers may be intimidated by artichokes, Ocean Mist is introducing its new consumer contest, Be an Artichoke Adventurer.
“Be an Artichoke Adventurer is designed to help people overcome their artichoke fears, by encouraging them to be bold and adventurous,” continues McClean. “We want to encourage people, specifically Millennials, who have never tried or prepared a fresh artichoke to do so. At the same time, we want to celebrate our loyal fans by allowing them to show off their artichoke culinary know-how.”
From March 20 to April 18, home cooks will be asked to upload a picture or video of themselves preparing or eating a fresh artichoke for a chance to win a trip for two to Monterey, CA, a press release reveals. Winners will also receive tickets to the Annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival from June 4-5.
“We are engaging with people who love to cook,” McClean says. “Whether you’ve been a fresh artichoke fan for years, or have never cooked or eaten one, we want to see what you create.”
The company has plans to leverage more than 60,000 artichoke fans who are now members its Artichoke Club, it says, in an effort to communicate information about the contest as well as retail promotions throughout peak season.
“We are looking forward to a strong season with good volume throughout the spring months of March through the artichoke festival in June,” McClean shares.
For even more information about Ocean Mist Farms and all its products, visit www.oceanmist.com.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Jim Leimkuhler, President of Progressive Produce, recently joined AndNowUKnow for a one-on-one interview to share a few more details on the company’s equity sale to Total Produce.
Listen to our brief 90-second audio interview with Jim at the top of the page, or continue reading to get a glimpse into some of the latest information he had to offer.
In February, Progressive Produce announced that 65 percent of its equity had been acquired by Total Produce, a Dublin, Ireland-based company. As Jim explained to me during our interview, this transaction will prove to be a pivotal deal for both companies moving forward.
“This partnership with Total will ensure our customers and employees continuity in the future,” said Jim. “It will give us more access to more global resources, ideas, and efficiencies that will make us more valuable suppliers to our customers. This could easily accelerate our potential growth; it may also create opportunities to build business by partnering with other Total Produce sister companies from around the world.”
Some of these resources Jim mentions includes better access to new items, new growers, or new markets on a global level, as well as better resources related to food safety.
On a day-to-day basis, it’s still business as usual at Progressive Produce. Jim Leimkuhler, Victor Rodarte, and Jack Gyben will continue with an ownership position and their general management responsibilities at Progressive, according to a press release. Jim is confident, however, that the partnership with Total will bring new energy and ideas that will set the stage for further growth, all while staying relevant to the company’s customers.
As for what’s next? The sky’s the limit, Jim tells me.
Don’t miss our audio exclusive with Jim. Check out the interview at the top of the page for more details on the partnership between Total Produce and Progressive Produce.