BOISE, ID - Year-over-year growth headlined Albertsons Companies’ most recent financial report. The retailer recently released the results for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended September 7, 2024.

"In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, investments in our Customers for Life strategy continued to drive strong growth in our digital sales and pharmacy operations," said Vivek Sankaran, Chief Executive Officer. "We also drove strong year-over-year growth in our loyalty members and omnichannel shoppers, and accelerated growth in our Albertsons Media Collective. We want to thank our teams for their ongoing commitment to serving our customers and supporting the communities in which we operate."

Highlights from the report include:

• Identical sales increased 2.5 percent
• Digital sales increased 24 percent
• Loyalty members increased 15 percent to 43 million
• Net income of $146 million, or $0.25 per share
• Adjusted net income of $301 million, or $0.51 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $901 million

"As we look ahead to the balance of fiscal 2024, we expect to see continuing headwinds related to investments in associate wages and benefits, an increasing mix of our pharmacy and digital businesses which carry lower margins, and an increasingly competitive backdrop," Sankaran added. "We expect these headwinds to be partially offset by ongoing and new productivity initiatives."

For more from the report, click here. And keep reading ANUK to stay up to date on the industry’s latest.

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Ultra Orange, operating out of Miami, Florida, for failing to pay a $189,538 award in favor of a Delaware seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Claudio Sira was listed as the member and manager of the business
• Maco Trading Company, operating out of El Paso, Texas, for failing to pay a $30,694 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Mario Colokuris was listed as the manager of the business
• Market Fresh Produce U.S.A., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $48,224 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Abel Lozano was listed as the member of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. 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.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

NEW ZEALAND - Are you registered to vote? I'm speaking of the Producer Vote that Zespri™ is holding as it seeks grower approval to expand the Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) business. Voting will open on November 11 and close on December 5.

“Zespri’s priority is to create value for New Zealand growers. We do that through an outstanding product and brand and also by listening to our markets and delivering what they want and see value in,” said Jason Te Brake, Chief Executive Officer. “What’s clear is that our markets want more of Zespri’s high-quality fruit, and they want it year-round. Competitors have seen this opportunity too, and are building their own brands and supply to take market share.”

A press release explained that the resolution will ask growers to support the allocation of up to 420 additional hectares of SunGold Kiwifruit per year over six years across Italy, France, Japan, South Korea, and Greece, subject to annual review by the Zespri Board, to confirm forecast demand remains ahead of supply and the provision of annual reporting to growers.

Expanding offshore plantings is important in continuing to deliver value to growers and reflects both the positive outlook for kiwifruit and an increasingly competitive category, the release added.

“The expansion of ZGS is a critical part of how we will meet this demand and respond to the growing challenge of more competition, which we expect to continue to increase in the years to come,” shared Te Brake.

For the vote to be successful, it requires support from at least 75 percent of producers who vote, both by number and weighted production. Results will be announced in mid-December.

“It will help us maintain our current position as leaders in a very dynamic category, which will support New Zealand grower returns into the future,” Te Brake concluded.

The resolution reflects significant grower input, industry feedback, and the need for Zespri to expand in line with forecast demand to protect grower returns. Zespri has had offshore production for almost 25 years to complement New Zealand supply.

Don’t be the last to find out! Keep reading ANUK to stay in the know.

SALINAS, CA - Packaging design has a real effect on shoppers. With this in mind, Tanimura & Antle announced a vibrant new look for its Tanimura & Antle Artisan® brand of fresh produce. Inspired by valuable customer feedback, the redesign boasts bold colors and updated graphics, making it easier for consumers to quickly identify Artisan products on store shelves.

“For 15 years, the Tanimura & Antle Artisan line has been a symbol of innovation and superior quality, bringing products like Artisan Lettuce and Artisan Romaine to the forefront of the fresh produce industry,” said Brian Antle, Executive Vice President of Sales. “Listening to our customers and adapting to meet their needs has always been our priority, and this packaging refresh reflects our continued commitment to innovation in both product and presentation.”

The new packaging was officially debuted at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, gaining enthusiastic responses from industry professionals, buyers, and attendees.

While the look has changed, the Tanimura & Antle Artisan brand’s renowned flavors, textures, and quality remain exactly the same, confirmed a press release.

“As an employee-owned farming operation, we are proud to uphold our commitment to quality and sustainability,” said Ashley Kaslin, Director of Marketing. “The updated packaging is a direct reflection of our focus on continuous improvement, ensuring that consumers not only experience the premium flavors of our products but can easily recognize them on the shelf. It’s a win for both our retail customers and their shoppers.”

This packaging refresh is part of a larger strategy to stay at the forefront of the produce industry, catering to evolving consumer demands while maintaining the company's core values. The redesign aims to enhance the shelf appeal of these products while maintaining the same high standards buyers and consumers have come to expect.

The updated Artisan packaging will begin rolling out in stores nationwide this week!

Roll with ANUK some more as we continue to report on all the latest and greatest across produce.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Earlier this month, we reported that Pure Flavor® was launching a new product: Amora™ mini melons. It seems the brand is already gaining attention, as it recently received the Best Product Promo award at the International Fresh Product Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show.

“We are extremely honored to have been awarded the Best Product Promo award for our new Amora mini melons,” said Tiffany Sabelli, Senior Director of Sales. “We feel that we’ve developed a phenomenal product offering—from variety to branding to packaging—and we’re so glad the industry recognizes its potential for success.”

According to a press release, the trade launch was supported by attention-grabbing displays and graphics, product sampling at the booth, digital promotion assets, and a showcase that highlighted the key benefits of the melon, including its exceptional sweet and juicy flavor and convenient mini size.

Being greenhouse grown allows the melons to offer consistent flavor, quality, and supply all year.

Pure Flavor’s Amora mini melons were selected as the Best Product Promo winner from among over 210 entries into the trade show’s Fresh Ideas showcase. The award was selected by a panel of judges consisting of industry experts and retailers who chose the winners based on innovation, appeal, messaging, and attendee engagement.

As the release went on to note, Pure Flavor will ship its first sold-out supply of Amora mini melons this month and is taking orders for shipments beginning early next year.

“We want to congratulate Pure Flavor for winning Best Produce Promo at the Global Produce & Floral Show this year,” said Kyle McMillan, IFPA’s Director of Trade Shows. “The judges were impressed by their eye-catching shelf display and clever messaging, specifically highlighting the innovative single-serve option as a possible extension of the melon category.”

Congratulations to Pure Flavor on the award!

CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA - The time has come, retailers, to kick off holiday purchasing and meet demand with nostalgic and tempting offerings. Few accomplish this like sweet Mandarins, and LIV Produce is opening the gates to its inaugural harvest just in time for the giving season.

“We are thrilled the time is finally here to launch conventional and organic seedless Mandarins from a historic grower deeply rooted in Bakersfield, California,” Anthony Innocenti, Managing Partner, recently shared with me. “This step is significant in terms of our citrus expansion and, with well over 400 acres of high-quality fruit, we are ready to meet retail demand.”

Officially beginning the week of November 4, seedless Mandarins will be available from LIV Produce in both organic and conventional in all value-added retail packs, including 2 lb, 3 lb, 5 lb, bulk, and stickered, as well as with private label options.

“This expansion marks a milestone for LIV and for the citrus market at large, really adding to the mix of offerings while also setting up for promising additional growth in the future,” Anthony said.

Looking toward holiday popularity and coming demand, he encouraged retailers to take advantage of the full range of sizing LIV will offer to complement all recipes and utilization.

“This adds further to the full array of Meyer sweet lemons, Cara Caras, grapefruit, Mineolas, and more as we continue to increase in conventional and organic for a broad range of citrus under one roof,” he noted.

As we recently reported, the debut of this new market and category for LIV follows higher demand and limited supplies, aligning well with the company’s continued commitment to a reputation of citrus strategy, surety of supply, high-quality fruit, and excellent customer service.

As we continue to follow new moves in strategy, offerings, and more, AndNowUKnow will be sure to report the latest into the holiday season and beyond.