WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - June 27 was International Pineapple Day, and Dole Packaged Foods never misses an opportunity to celebrate. The supplier launched its Dole® Can It Pineapple Snack Hackathon, a three-week-long competition that challenges consumers to reimagine Dole® Canned Pineapple, create original snack recipes, and ultimately widen the scope of applications for the fruit. 

“For decades, Dole has been making quality pineapple a staple in households across the country and globally, helping consumers find unique ways to incorporate our juicy, canned pineapple into everyday recipes. Innovating delicious, new ways consumers can enjoy pineapple is in our DNA, which is why we are excited to hear our brilliant fans’ unique ideas to enjoy it as a snack,” said Orzse Hodi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Dole Packaged Foods, Americas.

The Dole Can It Pineapple Snack Hackathon aims to find the next crave-worthy snack after popularizing the Pineapple Upside Down Cake in a Dole-led recipe contest in 1925 that will inspire generations to come, a press release stated. Canned pineapple can be so much more than just an ingredient—it can be the centerpiece of an extraordinary snacking experience.

Participants can submit their creations based on a different theme each week, giving everyone who enters the chance to win prizes, and, finally, a snack hack grand prize winner will be crowned.

Submissions will be judged based on creativity, craveability, presentation, and theme. Submissions must include a short video (no longer than 0:30 seconds) via TikTok or Instagram using the hashtags #DoleSnackHackathonContest and #CanItPineapple, and tagging @DoleSunshine. Themes include Tastes of Nostalgia, Globally Inspired, and Simples Bites.

Judges will include a panel of fan-favorite foodies, including food creator Faith Christensen, TV personality and social media chef Roice Bethel, and Dole's Executive Chef and Culinary Innovation Director, Chef James Bickmore-Hutt. Judges will award a winning recipe for each theme, and a grand prize winner will enjoy a two-night getaway for two at the Staypineapple.

Dole Canned Pineapple offers delicious, high-quality, tropical fruit that is rich in vitamin C and with no added sugar, making it the perfect staple ingredient for a sweet or savory snack, a topping on a favorite recipe or simply enjoyed on its own.

For more pineapple news, follow along with ANUK.

WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is continuing to foster both its own community and the future workforce as it sees off its second graduates of its Project SEARCH Program.

“May their journey be filled with love, happiness, and fulfillment,” Zach Williams, Stemilt’s Director of People Experience, said. “Whether they find their new jobs here at Stemilt, or in the community, we wish them the very best! Not only do they learn something new during their time here, so do we. We will remember them as Stemilters for their integrity and bringing their best to the table.”

The company’s project helps young people with disabilities secure competitive employment, preparing them for opportunities with Stemilt or in the community. After completing the Stemilt Project SEARCH program, four interns are looking to find employment in the greater Wenatchee valley, according to a press release.

“As we close the chapter on a second year of Project SEARCH at Stemilt, I can say the presence of this year’s interns will be missed,” Williams concluded. “They bring joy to our work lives, and I know our supervisors who guided them through their internships are so proud of how far they’ve come since day one!”

Attending the graduation were representatives from the Chelan-Douglas Development Disabilities Program (CDDD), the Development Disabilities Administration (DDA), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Link Transit, Stemilt, Confluence Health, and the Eastmont School District, who were thanked for their support and involvement. The year-long course provided interns three three-month-long internships in departments at Stemilt including:

• Production
• IT
• Human resources
• Repack
• The retail store

“This crew had an outstanding performance and even when their tasks weren’t always fun, they showed up every day,” said Project SEARCH instructor Terry Brown. “We maybe had 10 absences total all year which really shows the effort and energy they put forth into the program. Each year, we select one intern to be ‘intern of the year’ and boy did they make it hard for us to choose!”

This year’s intern of the year was received by Ayden Snyder, who interned at Stemilt’s Euclid packing facility doing box mezzanine and working on the packing line. Additionally, two interns—Hadley Haggard and Cristian Judd—worked at other community organizations. Haggard set the record for participating in the most internships, with hopes to be a para educator someday.

To each intern, for their hard work and completing the program, Stemilt presented a backpack, water bottle, pin, and hat along with their certificates. To read more about the project and the graduation, see the full release here.

Congratulations to all these incoming professionals and to the Stemilt team!

SACRAMENTO, CA - July is bringing the heat to the West, which promises numbers in the triple digits across various areas of California. Compounded with winds forecasted to pick up tomorrow, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) reported possible power shutoffs in parts of Northern California to avoid fires.

Possible affected counties, according to a Fox 40 report, include Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Shasta, Solano, Tehama, and Yolo.

PG&E stated localized gusts could reach up to 40 miles per hour in parts of the northern and central Sacramento Valley, commenting “forecast weather, the potential for wind-related damage, and fuel moisture content in dead and live vegetation” are factors in the decision.

KCRA 3 reported today as an Impact Day for the Sacramento area because of temperatures above 100 degrees. Tuesday to Saturday, in turn, are being highlighted as Alert Days because temperatures will be well above average and the high wildfire risk.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on any weather conditions that could impact our industry. We hope all stay safe and stay cool as these conditions come in.

ONTARIO, CANADA - Natural nourishment has long been the central focus at Highline Mushrooms. In 2007, the grower became certified organic, and has since leveraged advanced growing methods and controlled growing environments to grow high-quality, ultra-fresh mushrooms.

“Many perceive organics, including mushrooms, to be more nutritious and environmentally friendly due to sustainable growing initiatives and the lack of pesticides,” commented Kelly Hale, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Distribution. “We are seeing the impact of consumers seeking organic mushrooms in the US Mushroom Council’s data that shows a 4.7 percent increase in total dollar growth and 12 percent volume growth in the last four-week period.”

According to the US Mushroom Council, organics accounted for 11 percent of total mushroom sales in the United States last year with over $164 million dollars sold. Over the last four weeks, organic mushrooms have out performed the entire organic produce category with a 12 percent increase in volume sales, a press release stated.

“Now is a great time to promote organics at retail as we lead into long summer weekends and outdoor grilling season,” enthused Hale. “We want consumers to pick up organic mushrooms at every trip to the grocery store as they scoop up other nostalgic summer favorites like corn and watermelon. With over 89 percent of consumers willing to pay more for organics, it ultimately results in a bigger ring at retail.”

Highline Mushrooms will be exhibiting at the Organic Produce Show at booth #511, so be sure to stop by!