Rapper Rick Ross has given a shout out to pears, which he attributes to his recent weight loss of over 100 lbs.
Ross told DJ Tim Westwood in an interview, “I eat pears now and [expletive] like that. Shout out to all the pear.”
The Washington Post points out that the above quote gained viral status after it was captured in a Vine video. That video has been looped 21,298,630 times and continues to grow as I type.
Aside from healthy eating, the Post points out that Ross has also been benefiting from exercise like CrossFit, which the rapper has dubbed "RossFit."
“I still eat the way I want to eat. I just go to the gym… You know, the most I used to do for exercise is stand up and count the money,” he said. “But they give me fruit to eat. I forgot what fruit tasted like.”
While it may be easy to joke about Ross' pear shout out, with millions of loops, 195,800 likes, 164,500 re-Vines and 13,400 comments, the pear category is certainly getting a lot of attention from this viral marketing. It’s always great to see the healthy benefits of fresh produce getting viral attention like this.
UNITED STATES - The United States Sweet Potato Council (USSPC) is on the hunt for a new Executive Secretary to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer for the organization. This person would be responsible for coordinating consistent achievement of the USSPC's mission and financial objectives.
“We are looking for someone who is knowledgeable of the produce industry and in particular in the area of sweet potatoes,” shared Sue Johnson-Langdon, Executive Director at the NC Sweet Potato Commission. “They need to have new and fresh ideas to promote and grow the organization.”
For more information and details about how to apply for this position you can check out the full job listing on Joe Produce.
The sweet potato category has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years, with consumers increasingly turning to the savory tuber because of its versatility, taste, shelf-life, and nutritional profile. Due to controlled environments, American farmers are able to grow premium sweet potatoes year-round in the United States.
“We have the ‘total package’ here with sweet potatoes,” Sue shared. “We’ve always been told to eat our vegetables, and here we have a naturally sweet and flavorful veggie that is a super food nutritionally.”
“Once we began to explore the possibilities of value added products available to consumers, we knew the category would take off,” she continued. “We are seeing continuous increases as sweet potatoes have moved from a holiday staple to a year-round choice.”
The USSPC notes that the candidate will not have to relocate for this position if selected, provided that they live within the borders of the continental United States. This position will be hired under contract with the USSPC, and will be considered a contractor, not an employee of the USSPC.
For any questions regarding this position be sure to check out the full job listing on Joe Produce. Any additional questions can be directed to Sue Johnson-Langdon at [email protected].
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Bryan Lundberg is joining the Allen Lund Company’s Phoenix Office as a Business Development Specialist.
“I am very excited to have Bryan join our team in Phoenix,” said Matt Minthorn, Phoenix Office Manager. “His extensive industry experience from being an over the road driver, company owner, to now on the brokerage side of the business is invaluable for our office. He has a dedicated focus on customer service that aligns perfectly with the company’s core values.”
Bryan’s experience in the industry started with managing a trucking company before joining the Allen Lund Company, according to a press release. He graduated from Minnesota West with a Degree in Powersports technology.
David Lund, Vice President of Sales and Branch Operations, shared his excitement on Bryan’s appointment, noting, “His excellent customer service coincides perfectly with the customer service the Allen Lund Company provides to our customers. We look forward to growth from the Phoenix office, and know that Bryan will be a great addition.”
Speaking on his new position, Bryan said, “I look to continue to grow our presence in Arizona and beyond as a key partner in the transportation industry.”
Congratulations on joining the Allen Lund Company, Bryan!
SALINAS, CA - D’Arrigo Bros. is presenting its new and improved broccoli rabe in a bag.
This latest innovation offers millennial shoppers a nutrient-rich superfood in a re-sealable bag. Triple washed and ready to use, it’s perfect for anyone on the go. A QR code on the front of the bag links to the company website, where consumers can find a list of vibrant featured recipes and basic cooking techniques. Nutritional information also presents a quick way for shoppers to see the value the product provides. On the back, consumers can also find just one of the many ways they can enhance the flavor of broccoli rabe for an even tastier meal.
Don’t miss this exciting new addition to the Andy Boy family!
If you’d like to see your product in this video segment, please send samples to 2020 L Street, Suite 320, Sacramento, CA 95811.
DALLAS, TX - To help promote the popular avocado, Avocados from Mexico (AFM) has debuted a new permanent display for retailers during the busy holiday and football season. Additionally, its universal messaging allows the display to also be used the entire year round. Designed to attract consumers to purchase more avocados, the unique display also promotes usage ideas and cross-merchandising opportunities.
The item comes equipped with 2 Pockets - 4.625” wide x 2” deep x 3.5” tall on top shelf for guacamole or taco spices or recipe cards with a taller bottom shelf for complementary items like chips, taco shells, or beverages. AFM designed the display with wheels for easy transportation and secondary location opportunities for 75lbs. of avocados to be showcased. The display can be composed of a single AFM rack or two that can be paired back to back to create a complete avocado presentation.
In addition to the permanent display opportunity, AFM is partnering with Old El Paso during the football season to launch the Guac Fiesta promotion. The program will be supported with contests, consumer savings, PR and in-store radio and social media. The promo kicks off December 16th and will run through February 1, 2015. The consumer savings include $1 off the purchase of one Old El Paso Shell or Kit and the purchase of two Avocados from Mexico. Consumers can also enter a sweepstakes at AvoFan.com to win an Ultimate Guacamole Taco Fiesta.
Merchandising for the promotion also includes shippers, signage, POS and a unique molcajete bin. Retailers can also take advantage of the promo with a Retail Display Contest.
BATAVIA, IL – Aldi Inc. has made a structural adjustment to its senior leadership organization to support its further expansion both in the U.S. and internationally.
Effective April 1, 2015, Jason Hart, who currently serves as President for Aldi U.S., is being promoted to CEO for Aldi U.S. Supporting Hart, Chuck Youngstrom and David Behm will continue in their roles of co-Presidents for Aldi U.S.
These changes come as this retailer is currently in the early stages of an accelerated strategic growth plan in the United States. For a deeper look at Aldi’s business model and expansion, check out our previous article by clicking here.
According to a press release, Aldi plans to open 650 new stores across the U.S. That will include expansion to southern California and will bring the retailers total number of U.S. stores to almost 2,000 by the end of 2018.
Congratulations on the promotion, Jason!
DUBLIN, VA - Red Sun Farms welcomed more than 225 guests last week to celebrate the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art greenhouse in Dublin, Virginia. Attendees were joined by community leaders, retail partners, and local business owners as the Honorable Terry McAuliffe, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, cut the ribbon and celebrated alongside the company’s ownership and team members.
“I was so pleased with the event; it was wonderful to share this proud moment with the community of Dublin and the New River Valley, our retail partners, and state officials,” said Carlos Visconti, Red Sun’s COO. “Not only were we able to celebrate with our friends and partners, it was the perfect opportunity for guests to taste our produce grown in Virginia and grown in our greenhouse facilities in Canada and Mexico.”
Bubbly champagne and Red Sun’s greenhouse grown vegetables were in abundance as guests feasted on delicacies such as Shallot Red Pepper Tarte Tatins, BLT Scallops, Grilled Shrimp with Tomato Brava Sauce, and Fried Green Tomato BLTs, according to a press release. An Heirloom Tomato Carving Station complete with a variety of cheese and finishing salts from around the globe also rounded off this culinary adventure.
During his opening remarks, Visconti recounted the company’s vision behind the Virginia project and its transition from dream to reality. “With today’s launch of Red Sun Farms Virginia, we will be the first and only company in our industry with food supply integration spanning all three NAFTA countries,” he announced. “With the addition of this facility, Red Sun Farms now operates over 430 acres of high-tech greenhouses. That equates to more than 122 million pounds per year of greenhouse vegetables in restaurants and dinner tables across North America.”
The Virginia project will span three phases for a total investment of over $40 million. The current first phase represents only 18 acres of production. Phase 2 will expand the operation by 12 additional acres, followed by phase 3’s additional 18 acres. Once complete, the three year project will create jobs for over 200 people and boast 48 acres of locally greenhouse-grown tomatoes, organic, and specialty lines of produce. Nearly a third of the greenhouse alone is dedicated to the production of organic tomatoes.
During the closing remarks, Jim DiMenna, President & CEO, said, “We are proud to commemorate the launch of our first U.S. production facility. This state-of the-art greenhouse is the first of its kind in North America with both conventional and organic production.”
Special remarks were also presented by the Honorable Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Honorable Terry McAuliffe, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Honorable Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Drew Lumpkin, Regional Director with U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of United Fresh Produce Association.
At the event, Tom Stenzel congratulated Red Sun on its achievement, and reasserted his commitment to helping increase fresh produce consumption among children. “If you look at the definition of the word ‘innovation’ in the dictionary, you can have this picture,” he said. “Innovation and production of fresh fruits and vegetables, innovation in quality of fresh fruits and vegetables, and you’re going to see innovation in service to our local community throughout the commonwealth of Virginia, throughout the mid-Atlantic region, and increasingly throughout the United States.”
We look forward to seeing the future of this new greenhouse facility. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment, Red Sun!
GREENSBORO, NC - Net sales for specialty grocer The Fresh Market increased 15.1% to $419.5 million, beating analysts’ expectations for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. This double digit increase was complemented by a 3.3% increase in comparable store sales, driven by a 3.0% increase in the number of transactions and a 0.3% increase in average transaction size, according to the report.
“We are pleased with our fiscal third quarter results,” said Craig Carlock, President and CEO. “We generated a 3.3% increase in comparable store sales as we benefited from our efforts to drive customer traffic and grow basket size in a more competitive environment. As we look to the fourth quarter, we are focused on providing exceptional food shopping experiences to our customers during the holiday season.”
During its Q3 conference call on Thursday, Carlock was confident that the company can deliver double-digit store unit growth, especially in the Southeast U.S. The Fresh Market aims to add more than 70 stores in the next three years with approximately half of those stores opening in the Southeast.
“Ultimately, we believe that we will be able to double our store base in the Southeast,” said Carlock.
The Fresh Market opened six new stores during the quarter, including stores in New Jersey, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, California, and Iowa. As of October 26, 2014, The Fresh Market operated 164 stores in 27 states.
Carlock also re-affirmed the company’s focus on increasing customer frequency with its direct mail campaigns. Tests of the direct mail offers have proven positive so far, and Carlock said he expects the campaign to “attract new customers through increased brand awareness particularly during the holiday season."
Other highlights from the Q3 2014 financial report include:
- Adjusted EBITDA was $39.1 million, a 13.3% increase from $34.5 million during the same period last year
- Gross profit increased 13.1%, or $16.0 million, to $138.1 million, compared to Q3 2013
- Operating income was $24.3 million, or 5.8% of sales, in Q3 2014, compared to $18.9 million, or 5.2% of sales, during the same period last year
- EPS under U.S. GAAP increased 34.4% to $0.31 per diluted share, compared to $0.23 per diluted share during the same period last year
In closing, Carlock announced, “We intend to focus on increasing market share by providing the outstanding food quality, customer service, and store environment that are the foundation of our business model. Our team remains committed to finding the right mix of traffic and sales drivers while being mindful of our margins to ensure sustainable and increased profitability long term.”
Congrats on the solid growth this quarter, The Fresh Market!
HOUSTON, TX – Sysco Corp. is looking to sell assets to win regulatory approval for its $3.5 billion merger with US Foods Inc.
As we previously reported, the Sysco has been in talks with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to try to save its merger with US Foods from a potential antitrust lawsuit.
A source tells the New York Post that Sysco is currently in advanced talks to sell some of its assets to a food company owned by Blackstone Group to help win that approval. Reuters suggests that this food company is Performance Food.
That source spoke to the Post on the merger saying, “I think it’s going through. All parties are on the same page.”
Reuters is also reporting that aside from Blackstone's Performance Food, Sysco has also been in negotiations with two other food service players, Reinhart Foodservice and Gordon Food Service, to buy assets.
Earlier this month, Sysco announced that its impending merger with US Foods would be delayed as a result of the FTC discussions, but the company is still expecting to complete the merger before the end of the first quarter of 2015.
For now, we will have to wait and see what the FTC decides. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates on this developing story.
SOLEDAD, CA - Braga Fresh is getting in the spirit of the season with five new holiday recipes targeted at bringing festive shoppers down the produce aisle. With the support of food & lifestyle expert Chadwick Boyd, the recipes bring the rich tastes of Braga's Josie's Organics line of fresh products into the kitchen for a fun holiday dining experience.
Personally, I'd have to say my favorite would be the Braised Kale dish, but they all look like great additions to the dinner table. The five new recipes are:
Roasted sweet baby broccoli and lemon with parmesan pecan gremolata
Wine sautéed red chard with golden raisins and chili
Skillet broccoli stalks with pine nuts
Braised kale with white beans and rosemary
Celery gruyere grati
As Director of Sales Roger Zardo explained to me, these new recipes come at a time when Braga Fresh's growing operations are running in prime form.
“Just in time for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, Braga Fresh is harvesting some of our best looking produce of the entire year,” Roger shared. “Demand is spiking, especially with celery and broccoli which are historically our most popular sellers this time of year. Thanks to the strength of our crop, however, we are confident in our ability to meet demand throughout the holiday season. Our retail partners can rest assured that their produce aisles will remained stocked with the best Josie's Organics brand produce.”
In addition to its new holiday recipes, Braga Fresh has a variety of innovative campaigns designed to promote its Josie's Organics line during the holidays. Through its partnership with the Produce Mom, Braga Fresh attended a Twitter party on November 19th with the hashtag #HealthyThanksgiving. The company is also being featured on The Balancing Act on Lifetime TV. Chadwick and Braga Fresh CEO Rod Braga will join The Balancing Act's host, Olga Villaverde, to show how Josie's Organics products can be easily incorporated into a healthy lifestyle during the holidays.
Congratulations on an excellent start to the holiday season, Braga Fresh!