PASADENA, CA - Sun Pacific is expanding its repertoire and driving category growth.
The latest to join the ranks of the company’s citrus offering is its new Vintage Sweets Heirloom Navel Oranges, which we previously reported just debuted this year, with brix levels individually tested for high sugar content.
“Consumers are looking for produce that provides superior quality and flavor for an exceptional eating experience – and they are willing to pay a premium price for it. That is exactly what Vintage Sweets provide,” Bob DiPiazza, President of Sun Pacific, said, according to a press release. “Our selection process for these navel oranges combines sensory aspects like touching, feeling, and smelling the fruit, with the science of testing of sugar levels to ensure just the right characteristics for that juicy, sweet perfection.”
Along with the addition of the Vintage Sweets, which are available in bulk, in three pound Giro bags, and in six count shrink wrapped trays, the company said that retailers will see millions more Cuties shipping nationwide.
“Cuties is America’s #1 favorite fruit brand and continues to hold consumers’ perception of the highest quality mandarins among all brands,” Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, Vice President of Marketing at Sun Pacific, stated in the release. “That’s why Cuties continues to be the fastest-selling mandarin in the U.S.”
DiPiazza added that Sun Pacific continues to be dedicated to bringing its retailers the supply they desire to meet consumer demand for Cuties, while maintaining its exceptional quality standards.
According to the company, its increased Cuties volume this season is the result of numerous factors, including:
- Many of Sun Pacific’s mandarin groves, plus the groves of some of its supporting growers, are maturing and producing more fruit.
- The company has added more grower partners to the Sun Pacific family.
- More partners meant more mandarins produced at a level that meets or exceeds Cuties high-quality standards.
Additionally, the company said that it has seen its Mighties Kiwis drive category growth since it was introduced to retailers last fall, capturing 78 percent of the branded kiwi market.
“Mighties provide a superior and consistent experience,” said Nuevo-Celeste. “When a consumer buys Mighties, they know they are getting fruit that is ready to simply cut, scoop out with a spoon, and eat. It’s simple, it tastes great and it’s packed with nutrients – making Mighties mighty appealing to consumers.”
Mighties comprised 40 percent of all U.S. kiwi sales, according to the release, and contributed significantly to the overall kiwi sales’ 13.4 percent growth in the country.
Available in one-, two-, three- and four-pound clamshell packages, Sun Pacific stated that its proprietary ripening process ensures that the fruit arrives at grocery stores “ripe and ready.” The company also looks to help consumers understand how to eat the fruit, as well as providing it at perfect ripeness, so that they know how to enjoy this nutritious fruit.
To see all that the company has to offer, learn about the new additions, and to test your cut-and-scoop skills with a kiwi in Sun Pacific’s The Mighties Challenge, stop by booth #415 at the PMA Fresh Summit convention in Atlanta, Georgia, October 24th and 25th.
LAKELAND, FL - David Bridges, Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development for Publix has officially announced his plans to retire January 1, after 49 years of service to the company.
Chris Litz, the current Atlanta Division Regional Director, will fill Bridges' role as Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development upon his retirement.
Starting his career in 1966 as a Front Service Clerk in Lakeland, FL, Bridges rose the ranks to Store Manager in 1981, and District Manager in 1987. Seven years later he was promoted to Lakeland Division Regional Director and again in 2000 to Vice President of Retail Business Development. In 2001, Bridges was named Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development where he has served for the last 14 years.
“David has been a dedicated Publix associate and an integral part of the growth of our fresh and meals departments,” Publix President Todd Jones explained. “He has a passion for providing premier service to his customers and for the training, development, and advancement of his team. We will miss David and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life."
Upon Bridges’s retirement, Publix has announced that current Atlanta Division Regional Director, Chris Litz, will be filling his role as Vice President of Fresh Product Business Development.
“Chris’s experience in retail and support makes him an ideal candidate for this leadership position,” said CEO Ed Crenshaw in a released statement. “His knowledge of both facets of our operations will continue to move our fresh retail business units forward.”
Litz began his 28-year Publix career as a Stock Clerk in Sarasota, Florida, working in various positions before becoming a Store Manager in 1995 and Lakeland Division District Manager in 2000. He was promoted to Director of Warehousing in 2007 and his current position in 2010.
According to a press release, this position will now realign to report to Senior Vice President Dave Bornmann. Bornmann currently holds responsibility over grocery and customer service business development, and the realignment will allow insight across center and perimeter store, as well as front-end operating area impacting the customer shopping experience, Publix says.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that The Alphas Company Inc. satisfied a reparation order issued under PACA.
As we’ve previously reported, The Alphas Company Inc. neglected to pay a $50,025 award in favor of a New York seller and was subsequently restricted from operating in the produce industry.
According to a press release, the Chelsea, MA-based company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. John S. Alphas was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business, and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including Sole Proprietors, Partners, Members, Managers, Officers, Directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
UNITED KINGDOM - Johnson Matthey, the company that recently acquired the modified atmosphere packaging business StePac, is making strides to expanded its reach to post-harvest life extension.
Johnson Matthey is a specialty chemicals company and a global leader in sustainable technologies. Central to all of the company’s businesses are its sustainability initiatives, which are key to their strategy for continued growth. Many of the company’s products and technologies have a beneficial impact on the environment and improve the quality of life of people around the world.
Headquartered in the UK and employing 13,000 people worldwide, Johnson Matthey (JM) recently founded a new business unit, Atmosphere Control Technologies (ACT), where JM’s expertise in gas absorption and catalysis will be applied to extending food freshness.
“To ramp up this new venture, JM acquired StePac, a veteran supplier of modified atmosphere packaging, to bring exceptional added value to the fresh produce industry,” Gary Ward, Technical Development Manager tells me.
StePac has been active in the fresh produce industry for 20 years, during which time it has developed and fine-tuned packaging solutions for over 50 different produce items. It specializes in customizing the packaging to the produce in question, with the emphasis on providing the ideal atmosphere for preserving freshness, extending shelf life and reducing wastage in the supply chain.
“In Mexico, for instance, StePac’s established, high performing Xtend packaging solutions for cucumbers, squash, peppers, eggplants and asparagus have become the industry standard for preserving freshness throughout the supply chain and improving the quality of the produce that the consumers purchase,” says Dwight McKabney, Business Manager for StePac, North America. “In order to help maximize performance, the company provides comprehensive post-harvest technical support to its customers and over the years has accrued much post-harvest know-how and expertise and is revered by the industry as a solution provider."
“The mission of StePac within ACT is to extend the useful life of fresh produce globally, through the application of post-harvest expertise, sustainability, and advanced packaging technologies,” says Ward. “Nevertheless, we have the technology and the vision to expand our footprint not only in the fresh produce industry but also in other industries where controlled atmosphere provides benefit."
“The acquisition by JM is a springboard for further growth and development of Xtend products,” Gary adds. “StePac is a market leader in modified atmosphere packaging with a global reach, post-harvest expertise and applied R&D capabilities. StePac’s broad understanding of post-harvest science and the global fresh produce market needs will drive the development of new functionalities by JM’s R&D and further differentiate our products from those of competitors,” Gary says.
There are several key market trends that are driving the use of shelf life extension technologies in the fresh produce industry, Gary notes, including efforts to reduce global waste of fruits and vegetables, increased nutritional awareness and promotion of healthy eating by governments and NGOs, increasing world population and disposable income and pressure to reduce carbon footprint. Johnson Matthey’s goals are to utilize these trends and drive sales of the company’s existing products in both tapped and untapped territories.
New and exciting products for which ACT has high hopes in 2016 include Xtend packaging for blueberries and grapes.
“Blueberry consumption is increasing, amongst other things due to its high nutritional value and increased awareness of the importance of healthy eating,” Gary tells me. “Xtend modified atmosphere/modified humidity bulk packaging for blueberries is becoming more and more popular amongst Chilean blueberry exporters on account of its ability to provide optimal modified atmosphere conditions and also manage condensation during prolonged shipment.”
And it's not just blueberries. Xtend® modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging for table grapes is also taking off. Limiting factors that affect post-harvest quality of grapes like fungal decay caused by Botrytis and stem dehydration, are imperative. Using Xtend® means there is no bleaching, off taste and less stem dehydration on grapes stored in modified atmosphere packaging.
So what else is upcoming for Johnson Matthey? Stay tuned and come visit them at booth #5029 at the PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist Farms is gearing for PMA Fresh Summit, getting ready to feature two of its newest additions. The company will be showcasing its award-winning value-added Season & Steam™ Kalettes™, as well as its line of organic produce, Ocean Mist Organic.
As a finalist for the 2015 PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging, Ocean Mist Farms’ Season & Steam Kalettes™ will join the company’s four fresh-cut Brussels sprouts formats—SuperShreds SuperFood™, Quick Cook Sprouts™, Baby Sprouts, and Microwaveable Whole Brussels Sprouts. According to the company, these formats are perfectly designed to embody current culinary and consumer trends.
All of the items in the Season & Steam product line use Ocean Mist Farms’ Steamfast microwavable packaging, giving users the option to pre-season the contents to their flavor preference, reseal with the zip lock, and steam by microwave within the same bag.
Ocean Mist Farms’ Season & Steam Kalettes™ are cleaned and ready to cook, with a suggested retail price of $3.29-$3.99 depending on the region. Also, the company adds, the graphics on each of the Season & Steam packages has been recently redesigned to make the instructions clearer on the shelf and even more user-friendly.
On top of all the Season & Steam™ buzz, Ocean Mist will also be displaying its full line of Ocean Mist Farm Organic produce at PMA this month. The company began packaging under this new Ocean Mist Organic Label starting in July. And of course, as one of the largest growers of fresh artichokes in North America, the company will definitely have an assortment of artichokes in multiple packages sizes at the show available for review.
For more on what’s to come from Ocean Mist Farms, check out booth #3547 at the PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta in just a few weeks.
MONTVALE, NJ - It continues to be a tumultuous experience of A&P employees, and it appears the road has not yet smoothed out.
The New York Post reports that the retailer now anticipates that as many as 10,000 workers could be laid off amidst the holidays due to rival grocery chains having bought fewer stores than anticipated. Of the locations that were bid on, a significant percentage of them were by those that have expressed not wanting to keep the current employees.
As we reported recently, A&P had only found buyers for about one third of the properties it offered in last week’s auction.
All in all, 67 stores remain without buyers as of the latest tally, employing about 5,000 people. Another 55 stores were bought mostly by businesses that are either not in grocery or that indicated they will not hire the stores’ current workers.
“Based on what we saw last week, it’s not a pretty picture,” John Durso, President of Local 338, said, according to the Post. He added that he expects to lose “a few thousand” union members to store closures.
Despite this, some thousands have been saved from unemployment. The stores that have been sold to chains like Acme, Stop & Shop, and Key Food in recent weeks will more than likely retain the staff of those locations, about 12,500 employees.
The story is not yet over. Another round of bidding is to be held today for the other two-thirds of properties the chain is trying to sell, and there are a final 30 stores that the New York post reports have not been put up for bidding yet. AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the events as they unfold.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Frieda’s Specialty Produce is showing off more than just new products at the 2015 PMA Fresh Summit convention—the company is unveiling a whole new identity.
At booth #2546 in Atlanta, Frieda’s will launch a new logo and fresh visual identity for the 53-year-old specialty produce company, and showcases its brand new look and packaging on many of its products. Working closely with Florida-based strategic branding consultants Edmundson Martin, Frieda’s conducted a consumer insights initiative, competitive analysis, and in-store reviews.
“We learned that Millennials crave new food experiences and favor brands that engage them, and we believe that our new brand connects with this generation of culinary enthusiasts in a more authentic way,” says Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s Specialty Produce.
The key for Frieda’s new brand is that it's fun, young vibe will appeal to Millennials without alienating Baby Boomers, Caplan explains.
“Our company’s fun and quirky personality really shines through in our new look,” she continues. “It has a sense of humor and is very approachable, which helps with the unusual nature of many of our specialty fruits and vegetables.”
Perhaps even more enticing to some, Frieda’s booth will also feature a sampling of produce-flavored craft beers to encourage visitors to stop by and have a look at the new brand.
“We’re really excited that our brand is positioned to grow the category, and to inspire new food experiences for friends, families, and new food lovers everywhere,” says Caplan.
To see and taste everything Frieda’s has to offer, stop by booth #2546 at the PMA Fresh Summit convention.
CHICAGO, IL – C.H. Robinson is making big moves in the windy city.
The third-party logistics provider has signed a 15-year lease on a 207,000 square foot location in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood at 1511 West Webster. The three-story building represents a 29 percent expansion over the company’s former 160,000 square foot location at 1840 N. Marcey Street.
Mike Ryan, Vice President at C.H. Robinson, said that the company chose the former tannery site as its new Chicago headquarters because of the convenience it provides its employees, many of whom take public transportation to work.
“It’s on a great piece of riverfront property and the built-to-suit aspect will enable us to design a custom space that our current and future employees will love,” Ryan added.
C.H. Robinson’s growth in Chicago has been substantial since 2005. Since then, the company’s employee base has virtually doubled in the city to nearly 2,000. That number accounts for approximately 15 percent of its global workforce, according to a press release.
Now that C.H. Robinson is on the verge of celebrating a century in Chicago, Vice President Pat Nolan said that he looks forward to continued growth in Chicago in the years to come.
“Chicago’s longstanding history as a multimodal transportation hub, its thriving tech industry, and its rich talent pool make it an ideal place for us to do business,” he said.
Sterling Bay will serve as the developer and manage the property.
“We are excited about the opportunity to transform this underutilized property to beautify a portion of the riverfront and to bring jobs to this location,” said Andy Gloor, Sterling Bay Principal.
Occupancy is expected in late 2018.
NORTH CAROLINA - Sweet potato prices will most likely be on the rise just as holiday promotions hit.
Mother Nature dealt the Carolinas a devastating blow earlier this week, cutting off power and running water for thousands. The recent weather challenges lead to a visit from North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory to assure farmers of the state’s support during any impending rough times related to the events.
As a result of the washout, the state’s sweet potato market could reportedly see tightening supply as it comes into one of the category’s busiest times of the year, boosting prices going into holiday promotions.
“Demand is always going to be high going into Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Joshua Wright, International and Domestic Sales for Ham Produce, tells me. While he added that so far he has not received any reports of negative impact, other sources are saying that the industry is going to see the market tighten up.
With such a hit on volumes coming into high consumer demands, a rise in prices can be expected in the coming weeks as the full impact of the storms is realized. The results of the record rains have been such that few were willing to go on record with a full evaluation of the situation.
abc12 reports that Governor McCrory met with about 100 North Carolina farmers of different categories, describing the situation as “devastating news” for growers.
Laura Kornegay Hearn, Marketing and Branding Specialist for Nash Produce, shared that the worst of the storms hit south of the company’s growing area, though the rain did set harvest back one to two weeks.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the impacts of the storm as more information comes to light, so stay tuned.
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Robinson Fresh’s MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon Watermelon Program is proving to be a big hit for retailers.
Most recently, Fresh & Easy stores in California, Arizona, and Nevada participated in the MelonUp!® program from August 17-September 30, raising funds for breast cancer research and increasing awareness of the many health benefits of watermelon.
Proceeds from the sale of MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon watermelons at participating Fresh & Easy stores were donated to City of Hope, a non-profit clinical research center and hospital dedicated to leading the fight against breast cancer.
Consumers responded favorably to in-store signage heralding the cause, helping to increase sales by 30 percent for the duration of the program, according to a press release.
Fresh & Easy Produce Buyer Kraig Loomis said that the company was honored to be a part of City of Hope’s mission to fight breast cancer and that Robinson Fresh’s MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon program gave them “the motivation and the means to make our business matter.”
He added, “In-store staff approached the program ambitiously, and did their best to generate excitement through conversations with shoppers. Thanks to their efforts, our sales of MelonUp!® mini watermelons generated $10,000 towards the cause.”
Hunter Winton, General Manager of Robinson Fresh, West Region, explained that it’s crucial that the company’s brands remain meaningful to the consumer.
“Fresh produce is an opportunity for each and every one of us to make a meaningful purchase for ourselves and our families, every day, and even more so when it also benefits someone in need,” he said. “Thanks to Fresh & Easy for joining us in this worthwhile cause.”
MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon watermelons come with eye-catching, high-impact graphics that inspire shoppers to support worthy causes. For more information on the program, check out Robinson Fresh's website below.