Welcome to What's In Store. The first colors of autumn used to signal the end of summertime treats including sweet, plump, juicy berries. But that was then and this is now with Driscoll’s fresh berry patch available all-year-round, from New Year’s Day to New Year’s Eve.
The year-round supply means shortcakes, cobblers, and fruit-topped waffles are always on the menu, and that also means improved sales in baking goods and dessert toppings.
Additionally, Driscoll’s is doing its part to bring shoppers to the market with dedicated campaigns targeting “foodies.”
New recipes, frequently promoted on their website and the daily post on Facebook and other social media outlets are leading people back to the dinner table.
Driscoll’s has been a fresh berry leader for close to half-a-century as they have continued to pioneer the field of natural breeding techniques in some of the world’s best growing regions.
Sales in the berry category have been outpacing other produce items for several years. Produce managers consistently note that a well-stocked ‘berry patch’ complete with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries has become a destination location in produce aisles.
Customers can find latest and best tasting new berry recipes from the company at driscolls.com. And for promotional ideas and opportunities for taking advantage of raspberries during this peak season, contact a Driscoll’s sales representative. Thank you for watching What's In Store.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - While Target's expansion effort in Canada has certainly not gone as planned, recent improvement suggests that the retailer has a three pronged strategy to tackle the setbacks and restore the economic success it enjoyed throughout the 2000s. Business Insider notes that the retailer's shares are up 19% so far this year while recent sales have beaten Wall Street estimates. Take a look at how they've done it:
A New CEO
Replacing Gregg Steinhafel with PepsiCo veteran Brian Cornell has proved key for Target, according to Brian Yarbrough, consumer analyst at Edward Jones. Yarbrough explained to Business Insider how Cornell's new retail strategy has been key to the beginning of a Target turnaround.
"Bringing in the new CEO was the first step for Target," Yarbrough said. "He has a creative new perspective and isn't afraid to take risks."
Finding its Product Niche
Recognizing that Target would struggle to compete with rivals such as Wal-Mart and Amazon on consumer staples, Cornell has helped to re-adjust the retailer's focus back on the "cheap chic" home decor and apparel items where it can thrive.
"You aren't going to beat Wal-Mart and Amazon in those categories," Yarbrough explained.
A New Canadian Retail Plan
A new plan for Canada will be key to turning around Target's fortunes. While there is still an abundance of work to be done in this category, Yarbrough shared that the company's early moves to shutter underperforming stores and implement a new profit strategy are reassuring.
"Target Canada's future can only get better," Yarbrough said.
Where will the retailer go next? Only time will tell, but backed by Yarbrough's findings and the success TargetExpress locations have enjoyed in 2014, I would not be one to count Target out. Stay tuned for more.
CARPINTERIA, CA - Alexander Ranch Inc. has been officially named Non-GMO Project Verified, signaling the company's compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard to its retail partners and loyal consumers.
“Becoming Non-GMO Project Verified is a trustworthy and rigorous process, but worth it for our consumers’ health,” says Marlis Sonnen, Business Development at Alexander Ranch. "We at Alexander Ranch think that consumers should be informed when buying products for themselves and their family. We are proud to carry the Non-GMO Project Verification on our products.”
Alexander Ranch will be selling a wide variety of produce under this new Non-GMO label, including:
- Butter Leaf Lettuce (red and green)
- Oak Lettuce
- Little Gem
- Three in One
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Kale
- Water Cress
Congratulations on this impressive achievement, Alexander Ranch!
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Cutrale and Safra Group has once again extended the deadline for the Chiquita tender offer. The new deadline is now January 5, 2015.
This tender offer, which prices each Chiquita share at $14.50/share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and subject to any required withholding taxes, is the capstone of months of negotiations between Cutrale/Safra and Chiquita.
The Charlotte Business Journal reports that 82% of the Chiquita shares have been submitted since October 27. That number is up from the 73.5% tendered as of the first week of December.
Cutrale/Safra has also taken initial steps toward paying off Chiquita’s debt as part of the acquisition. Last week, it notified Wells Fargo & Co. that it intends to redeem $42.5 million in debt the bank issued in February 2013, according to the Business Journal.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track this acquisition.
SALINAS, CA – The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) has been honored at the 23rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards in Pebble Beach as this year’s Outstanding Philanthropic Service Organization.
“TALC is all about farm families and the companies that service and supply the agricultural industry helping agricultural workers and their families with their healthcare needs,” said TALC Founder John D’Arrigo, a third-generation Salinas Valley grower and President & CEO of D’Arrigo Bros.
TALC, which represents over 125 members in the Salinas Valley including D’Arrigo Bros. Co of CA., Driscoll’s, Taylor Farms and NewStar, was awarded for its more than $1.25 million to date in philanthropic support to Natividad Medical Center.
D’Arrigo added, “TALC is extremely pleased that the community recognizes the need to philanthropically support Natividad Medical Center and values our commitment to Natividad.”
According to a press release, TALC’s donations have supported breast cancer detection devices, critical care incubators for premature infants and Natividad Medical Foundation’s groundbreaking Indigenous Interpreting+ healthcare interpreting program.
Natividad Medical Foundation’s Indigenous Interpreting+ program is one of the few indigenous language interpreting programs in the United States. TALC’s contributions have helped provide trained interpreters to serve indigenous people hospitalized at the center who speak Mixteco, Zapoteco, Triqui and other native languages.
More than 27,000 indigenous people live and work in “America’s Salad Bowl,” and Mixteco, Triqui, Chatino and Zapoteco are in the top seven languages most commonly spoken by the patients. Since its launch in March of this year, Indigenous Interpreting+ had provided 1,000 indigenous language-interpreting sessions for patients at Natividad Medical Center, which includes almost 500 for indigenous languages.
It is always great to see industry members working together for a good cause. Congratulations on this award, TALC!
LOS ALAMITOS, CA – With the new year approaching, Frieda's Specialty Produce is sharing its insights into which food, nutrition, health and fitness trends will govern shopping behavior in 2015.
Plant-based Protein
Rising awareness about the importance of adequate protein consumption in a healthy diet is good news for more than just the cattle industry. In 2015, Frieda's is expecting a healthy boost for protein-packed vegetables like Colored Cauliflower, Purple Baby Brussels Sprouts, Green Artichokes, Edamame, Dried Blackeyed Peas and Frieda’s Soy Nuts.
Digestive Health
Frieda's market research also suggests that fermented products, such as the company's Kim Chee, Sunchokes®, Leeks and Pearl Onions, will be big winners of the 2015 health food movement.
Meatless Monday
Since 2003, Meatless Monday has encouraged shoppers to go vegetarian for the start of each new week and Frieda's sees evidence this movement is gaining increasing traction. The company is marketing its own nutritious Stokes Purple® Sweet Potatoes, Frieda’s Chow Mein Noodles, and Soyrizo™ and SoyTaco™ for Meatless Monday shoppers. More shoppers trekking down the produce aisle for Monday night dinners is good news for the industry as a whole.
Be sure to stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more updates on the latest consumer trends expected to make an impact in the new year.
NatureSweet's Marketing Director Michael Joergensen sat down with AndNowUKnow to discuss the company's latest proprietary offerings. The 24 oz Cherubs pack is NatureSweet's newest value-sized addition to the tomato category. This proprietary package is designed for versatility, with ventilation holes at the bottom that can be used like a colander during rinsing.
NatureSweet is also excited for the potential of its Sunbursts yellow snacking tomatoes as well as the classic Glorys for 2015. The company's original offering, Glorys, is being re-launched starting January 1st with a new variety and package to show it off.
Also in January and February will be the launch of NatureSweet's consumer promotion Fame & Glorys. By entering, consumers earn the opportunity to win tickets to an awards show of their choice!
For more on these exciting topics, be sure to check out the video at the top of this page.
CALIFORNIA - Growers in California’s San Joaquin Valley are preparing for frosty temperatures slated to hit this week. The latest weather reports suggest that the new year will be greeted by an unusually cold storm, bringing in snow and freezing conditions.
Temperatures are expected to drop as low as the middle 20s to near 30 degrees for a couple hours in agricultural areas during Wednesday night and Thursday night in central and northern areas of the state and Thursday night into Friday night farther south, according to AccuWeather. At the same time, a nearby storm will bring snow and cold rain showers to the passes and high deserts of California.
California citrus crops are expected to be relatively safe from the freeze thanks to the thicker rind, according to California Citrus Mutual, but other fruit and vegetable plants could be in danger if left unprotected. Last year’s seven consecutive nights of subfreezing temperatures incurred an estimated $441 million in lost revenue for San Joaquin Valley citrus producers due to freeze damage in December.
Meteorologists forecast snow to fall over the northern Sierra Nevada and over the high deserts. Wet snow could also reach lower elevations over the interior of Southern California, such as Palm Springs and the Mojave Desert, AccuWeather reports.
Little to no rain is forecasted in lower elevations with the storm over northern and central California. Up to a few inches of snow is expected to sweep across Las Vegas, with the majority of snowfall impacting the mountains of northern Arizona, southern Nevada, and the Four Corners region.
It is our hope that given last year’s experience, growers will have the tools they need to tackle this winter freeze. Stay tuned for further coverage.
RALEIGH, NC – Doug Stoiber, Vice President of Produce Transportation Operations for L&M Transportation Services Inc. (LMTS), has resigned from the company, effective January 2015.
“Doug Stoiber has been a valuable asset to LMTS for ten years, and his presence will be missed,” said Mike Devine, LMTS President.
According to a press release, Doug will be leaving to pursue a career as a recruiting consultant in the post-harvest produce industry.
In his new position, he will focus on produce businesses primarily located in the eastern and southeastern United States. Doug will be based in Wilson, NC.
Devine added, “We wish him well in his new endeavor as a recruiting consultant for produce industry positions.”
Good luck in your future endeavors, Doug!
SALINAS, CA – D’Arrigo Brothers Company of California is expanding its Romaine Heart line by launching an Andy Boy Organic Romaine Heart 12x3. As with the conventional Andy Boy Romaine Heart program, D’Arrigo is committed to becoming a premier Organic Romaine Heart supplier in the industry.
“We are very proud and excited about the roll out of our new Andy Boy Organic Romaine Heart 12x3,” said Matt Amaral, Director of Business Development. “We are expanding our business to meet the Organic needs within the industry, and we are in the process of capitalizing on our land equity to become a sustainable player in the category.”
The company designed the packaging to include a bit of history. The D’Arrigo family emigrated from Italy in the early 1900s, and the bag shares their nostalgia and pride for their hometown of Messina, Sicily.
“Our new Andy Boy Organic Romaine Heart box and bag have a new look that is very popular among our customers, we are getting positive feedback on the new colors and the boot of Italy on the back of the bag,” added John Scherpinski, Director of Sales.
The Andy Boy Organic Romaine Heart 12x3 program is USDA certified, allowing them to be sold nationally and internationally.