DALLAS, TX - Now that we’re in the midst of football season, Save Mart is pushing fresh avocados to make your next game day even more exciting.
At our local Save Mart store, we spotted Avocados from Mexico’s (AFM) newest permanent display promoting avocados to help increase the ring at the register this fall. The unique display promotes usage ideas and cross-merchandising opportunities with shelves that allow retailers to add complementary items such as chips, taco shells, beverages, and more.
The top shelf provides two pockets that are 4.625” wide x 2” deep x 3.5” tall. Retailers can add guacamole or taco spices or recipe cards to these pockets for even more cross-merchandising potential.
“For added sales and profits, retailers can now order our new portable wire racks that allow for secondary displays of avocados, non-refrigerated produce, and complementary items along the perimeter and front of the store,” Maggie Bezart Hall, AFM’s Vice President of Trade & Promotion, tells us.
AFM designed the display with wheels for easy transportation and secondary location opportunities. Up to approximately 75 lbs. of avocados can be showcased on the display’s padded shelves. For the adventurous retailer, the unit can also be paired back-to-back to create a complete avocado display, as seen below.
To get the most out of the busy holiday and football season, check out AFM’s new permanent display to boost avocado sales and attract consumer attention.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Berry Fresh LLC, is welcoming Lorenzo Venezian as the new President and CEO.
Mr. Venezian brings a wealth of experience to his new role with more than 25 years of produce industry experience. Mr. Venezian previously served as President/CEO of Hortifrut and Sofruco, which are two leading Chilean companies in the produce and distribution sector.
“We are very excited to have Lorenzo take the helm and welcome his expertise and leadership to the Berry Fresh group,” said Berry Fresh’s Director of Sales, Jyoti Bhogal.
Berry Fresh is a leading importer and distributor of fresh berries in the U.S. and Canada that was founded in 2005. It is owned by Inversiones Agroberries Dos Limitada, a Chilean company.
According to a press release, his results-oriented approach and ability to think strategically will offer significant benefits in ensuring Berry Fresh’s continued growth in the produce industry.
OAK BROOK, IL - So what’s next you ask, as McDonald’s continues to add more produce additions across its menu? Sweet potato fries.
McDonald’s appears to be testing this more nutritious take on the "fry," by trying out the item in select restaurants in Texas. This is part of the company’s "Create Your Taste" program.
McDonald's spokesperson, Jeanette DeBartolo, told AndNowUKnow, "There are approximately 18 Create Your Taste test restaurants in the Amarillo area offering sweet potatoes fries. The fries are available in one size - 16 ounces. Prices vary by restaurant, but on average they are selling for $2.49."
This new customized menu option is McDonald's venture into the fast-casual restaurant concept that is picking up steam across the industry.
"Considering the fries are a test, they will be offered for a limited time as we gather feedback from our customer," DeBartolo added. "There is currently no plan to launch them nationally."
Other "Create Your Taste" regions include Aurora, Colorado, though the sweet potato option seems to currently be limited to restaurants in Amarillo, Texas.
From launching Kale Breakfast McWraps in Canada, to new avocado muffin breakfast sandwiches in its Japanese locations, McDonald's seems to be looking to produce to add more value across their menus.
CINCINNATI, OH – Kroger is looking to fill more than 1,000 positions across several store departments in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.
A hiring fair event was held last weekend in which several hopeful candidates sought up to 1,200 positions in various departments including produce, floral, meat/seafood, deli/bakery, bistro line cooks, online shopping departments, apparel, as well as cashier positions.
Kroger’s continuing surge in development has led to a number of hiring sprees in recent months, the latest of which was reported last August when the retailer hoped to fill tens of thousands of permanent jobs nationwide with veterans and/or their family members.
According to Cincinnati.com, the need for additional workers came as a result of the company’s widespread growth, as well as its new location in Troy, Ohio.
In just this year alone, we have reported that Kroger was seeking candidates to fill approximately 1,000 open positions in Kentucky and Southern Illinois and another 1,200 in Indiana.
Will the trend continue? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to find out.
LADERA RANCH, CA – Dulcinea is continuing to grow the PureHeart® mini-seedless watermelon category year over year, with an 8 percent increase in volume projected for 2016.
Described as “perfectly sweet and delicious,” Dulcinea’s PureHeart® mini-seedless watermelon program has enjoyed a successful season with nice yields and even greater demand.
Steve Dabich, Dulcinea’s Vice President of Sales, tells me that he’s looking forward to seeing the category grow even further in the years to come.
“We feel great about our accomplishments,” he said. “The season as a whole has been good and we’re looking at an eight percent increase in 2016. We have had good supply this year, positive consumer feedback on quality, and demand has been great!”
Supply is currently being shipped from the Hermosillo, Mexico region and will continue until around December 1st.
With Halloween just days away, Dulcinea has also been promoting its “Save a Pumpkin, Carve a Watermelon” campaign throughout the month of October to further entice consumers to choose watermelons this holiday.
“We came up with the idea to inspire the younger generation to eat healthy,” explained Dabich. “In addition, we see pumpkins decorating lots of store space, so the idea is to have bigger displays in the month of October that you can carve and eat.”
Though the month may be winding down, there’s still no better time than now to promote this year-round watermelon. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track Dulcinea’s melon season.
RIO RICO, AZ – SunFed is welcoming a new addition to the team as the company looks to grow its program and Perfect Produce™ brand.
Kim Kinnavy has joined Sunfed in the newly created role of Midwest Business Development as the company continues to establish regional offices to better serve its customers.
Mark Cassius, Chief Innovation Officer, was proud to bring Kim into the SunFed fold.
“Kim is a welcome addition to our SunFed team as she brings in many years of produce experience and has a strong foundation in building successful business relationships,” Mark says. “I have known Kim for many years and I am excited to be working with her once again. I believe that Kim will complement our sales group in her new capacity as Business Development Manager as we continue to innovate and grow our core product mix.”
Kim will work to expand the company’s retail business partnerships in her new role, while also growing the entire produce line for both retail and wholesale partners.
“SunFed has a passion for providing the highest quality fruits and vegetables, with incredible consistency and value. As our customer base continues to grow, we want to ensure that our partners receive the best service and best merchandising programs for their produce departments,” Kim states. “I am looking forward to building upon our current relationships and grow new partnerships as we evolve our footprint in the Midwest.”
Kim reports to Sales Manager, Frank Camera, who will help to grow her role and responsibilities.
“We look forward to having Kim join the team as she brings years of knowledge and expertise on commodities such as lime and Melons. We look at Kim being a big part of our expanded tomato program as she will strengthen our retail business with the customers she knows,” Frank states.
Kim officially joined SunFed on September 28, 2015.
Kim brings a wealth of industry experience to her new role, beginning her career in produce with Dole Fresh in 1997 as Assistant District Sales Manager. Kim remained in that role until 1999 before transitioning to Del Monte. Kim worked at Del Monte from 1999 to 2007 as District Sales Manager where she managed the entire Midwest tropical program. The industry veteran then found herself at Wonderful Citrus where she spent the last 8 years as the Domestic Sales Manager, according to a press release.
“SunFed has already laid the groundwork for a big, bright future and I see myself growing with the team and aligning with SunFed’s vision for growth,” Kim adds.
Congratulations Kim, on joining the SunFed team!
SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers brought a colorful new addition to this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
A leading grower/processor/shipper of more than 500 fresh vegetable SKUs, Church Brothers is now offering a new salad, Kale Color Crunch, for the buying community.
Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing, was excited to share this latest product at PMA Fresh Summit this year.
"Every word in the product name is 'on trend': Kale Color Crunch," Tuggle tells us. "We will start production in November - working around our winter transition plant move."
Kale Color Crunch is a six component, multi-use vegetable blend that includes Rainbow kale, Brussels sprouts, Napa and red cabbage, Radicchio and carrots, according to a press release.
In addition to sharing Church Brothers’ first company commercial on PMAtv, as seen below, check out its popular eco-friendly, sustainably farmed product line that includes second crop baby chards and spinach that uses 50 percent less water to grow.
Looking forward to this debut from Church Brothers as production starts next month.
DELTA, BC – Windset Farms is introducing its newest tomato variety, Axiany, under its Cameo® Elite brand.
Axia Vegetable Seeds partnered with Windset to debut this new cherry tomato to the North American market.
John Newell, Windset’s COO, was excited to debut Cameo® Elite tomatoes to PMA Fresh Summit attendees in Atlanta, GA last weekend.
“We believe Axiany, our newest tomato variety, will set the taste bar for tomatoes in North America,” he explained. “This variety is exceptionally sweet with a great taste profile.”
Cameo® Elite tomatoes offer high brix levels with a sweet bite designed for snacking, according to a press release. The company will provide customers with an assortment of pack sizes and styles, including snack formats and top sealed packages – a first for Windset.
“Top seal will help us reduce consumable packaging by up to 20 percent, enabling us to further enhance our sustainability efforts,” Newell added.
Alois van Vliet, CEO of Axia Vegetable Seeds, said he considers Windset as not only a great marketer, but also as “one of the best tomato growers in the world.”
“They uphold the same care, attention and passion for growing as we do in creating our seeds,” he said.
Windset is currently growing Cameo® Elite tomatoes year-round in state-of-the-art greenhouses, utilizing sustainable growing systems such as solar panels for electricity production and water management systems to enhance water conservation.
NEW YORK – Not only has A&P’s bankruptcy put several of its stores in jeopardy of being sold to the highest bidder, but several of its brands as well.
Hilco Streambank is seeking interested buyers for a number of A&P’s brands and intellectual properties, which includes store banners and private label brands.
A&P will sell all intellectual properties relating to A&P®, Pathmark®, Waldbaum’s®, Super Fresh®, Food Basics®, and Best Cellars®, as well as private label product brands, including America’s Choice®, Woodson & James®, Green Way™, Jane Parker®, Via Roma®, and Live Better® among others, Hilco Streambank said in an announcement on Friday.
“The A&P banners, trademarks, and brands have longstanding and strong recognition by consumers in the Northeast as well as other markets throughout the country,” David Peress, Hilco Streambank’s Executive Vice President, said in a press release. “A&P offers a robust portfolio of private label brands across multiple categories with innovative formulations and labeling, accompanied by rich content including signage, websites, and videos.”
As of October 2015, A&P operated 297 stores under its various banners, including 103 in New Jersey, 135 in New York, 34 in Pennsylvania, 14 in Connecticut, 9 in Delaware, and 2 in Maryland.
The company has roots dating back to 1859 when it opened its first store on Vesey Street in New York City.
A&P generated total gross sales of approximately $6.5, $5.8, and $5.5 billion in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
NOGALES, AZ - As the month of October comes to a close, Crown Jewels is ramping up its Nogales fall produce program in Mexico’s growing regions, with new developments on the horizon and a growing portfolio for retail partners.
The company has begun harvesting its core program in Mexico, consisting of cucumbers and a full spectrum of squash varieties that include zucchini, yellow, and gray. These items will run through the middle of July. Eggplants are on the horizon as well, and will begin shipping in the middle of November with bell peppers coming the first week of December. Crown Jewels’ main Mexican growing regions are in Sinaloa and Sonora, allowing them close proximity to their offices in Nogales, Arizona, for distribution in the U.S. and Canada.
“Cucumbers and squash are two of our longest running commodities and as our retail partners continue to see more and more demand, we are increasing our supplies from Mexico to answer these growing trends,” Jesus Gonzalez, General Manager, tells me.
Crown Jewels is also kicking off its Mexican melon program beginning with watermelon and followed by honeydew, cantaloupe and mini-seedless watermelon. This program is offered during the fall and spring months to support the company’s evolving program.
And speaking of growth, Crown Jewels is bringing two new items into its fold - hard squash and grapefruit. The hard squash will kick off in November with the season running through May, and Grapefruit will come on in mid-November and will go until March. All of these produce items will be packed under the Crown Jewels label.
“We always maintain a consistent focus on research and development,” Jesus says. “Whether that involves bringing a variety to market, or looking for better ways to respond to the latest challenges and climate conditions in our growing areas, the team at Crown Jewels never sits still for long.”
Grapes are also an important focus for Crown Jewels and the company anticipates incredible growth at the close of the Nogales season.
“Last year’s 2015 grape season was a great growth year for us, and this upcoming 2016 Mexico grape season will be another substantial increase to our total grape program with new plantings in all growing areas,” Jesus adds.
In addition, Crown Jewels will be shipping grapes from Peru in November - another new development in the program. The company will have availability in crimsons, flames, thompsons and sugraones from Peru’s growing regions.
“Crown Jewels is offering more innovative programs for our customers this coming year. We find that our retail partners are looking for more opportunities to offer key produce items for longer durations, and we are working with our growers to expand our seasons and availability.”
As the company looks to establish new and unique programs, Crown Jewels is also launching a reinvigorated label for select produce items, dubbed King’s Taste. The label has been around since 1901, and was obtained from Crown Jewels’ pear and apple grower/packer partner Doug Hemly of Courtland, California. King’s Taste will be used by Crown Jewels for various vegetables from melons and grapes to pear and apple packaging applications.
Stay tuned as we bring you more on the development of this new label from Crown Jewels and more.