HEYBURN, ID - Southwind Farms is launching a new recipe contest for foodservice professionals centered around its delicious line of fingerling potatoes. This appropriately named Fingerlicious recipe contest calls on chefs and staff in the foodservice industry who are currently employed in restaurants (independent or chain), colleges/universities, contract operations, hotels/resorts, casinos, cruise lines, supermarket prepared foods sections, or as culinary educators, to come up with their most creative, best tasting dish using Southwind Farms' fingerling potatoes. Whether it's Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day or a birthday party event, the company says it is looking for a “special” recipe creation worthy of being celebrated.
With a grand prize of a three-day Idaho culinary experience, including travel and lodging, a professionally produced video and $1,000 cash (a $6,000 value), this contest is sure to attract a good deal of attention from consumers. Southwind Farms also shares that it will be offering additional cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000 through this contest. In addition, buyers who refer one of the top three winning entries will be eligible to win a cash prize up to $500!
All recipes will be judged based on presentation, flavor and originality, according to a press release. The natural flavor profile and aesthetic appearance of these potatoes are ideally suited to these categories. Southwind Farms promotes its fingerling potatoes as an ideal addition to any dish to add eye appeal, the flavor diners crave, and a fun, festive feel.
The Fingerlicious recipe contest opens November 1, 2014, and closes on March 31, 2015. Winners will be announced April 30, 2015. For full contest rules, make sure to check out Southwind's website for all the details.
VALENCIA, CA - When it comes to citrus merchandising solutions, Sunkist Growers has a few new tricks up its sleeve. As citrus continues to gain momentum as a versatile and diverse category, Sunkist has introduced its Zebra™ (pink variegated) lemon display-ready carton for produce departments.
“This new lemon variety from Sunkist is brightening up the produce section with its vivid green and white stripes and beautiful pink interior! Sunkist pink variegated lemons, branded the Zebra™ lemon for its eye-catching striped peel, is now available for retail display in an equally attention-grabbing display-ready 8-pound carton that retailers can use to display and educate consumers about this unique specialty item,” Joan Wickham, Advertising & Public Relations Manager, tells AndNowUKnow.
In addition, the company has launched a hockey promotion. Since seasonal excitement for hockey crosses borders, Sunkist is offering themed hockey Navel orange packaging across North America for the first time.
The hockey-themed Navel orange packaging including 10-pound cartons, variable weight Giro bags and 4-pound net bags, as well as optional account specific program overlays, will be available for retailers to help drive sales and capitalize on hockey fan's enthusiasm during citrus season.
Sunkist’s Year of the Sheep Navel orange carton is also a great way for retailers to address the citrus benefits of oranges, which are a traditional part of the Lunar New Year celebration.
“Sunkist is helping retailers capitalize on seasonal excitement around the important cultural holiday by offering a commemorative 2015 “Year of the Sheep” 10-pound themed carton. The high graphic carton is whimsical, fun and perfect for building seasonal displays in-store,” Joan notes.
To create awareness around Pummelos this year, Sunkist is offering retailers a new display bin to help educate consumers about this unique, specialty citrus variety. Pummelos, the largest of citrus fruit, are slightly less acidic than a grapefruit, and are packed with vitamins and antioxidants — making them ripe for consumer demand.
“Many consumers can be intimidated by this large fruit. This new Sunkist bin features peeling instructions that makes opening a pummelo quick and easy. It also houses a convenient brochure folder for take-home instructions, and highlights varietal flavor profile information to entice trial,” Joan tells me.
The new Pummelo bin holds a carton or more of bulk or bagged fruit, or a reusable plastic container (RPC) can be dropped directly into the tray, offering retailers an easy way to feature this tasty, seasonal item in the produce section without sacrificing table space.
PASADENA, CA - Sun Pacific has launched Mighties® brand kiwifruit. Leading the charge for this vibrant, new campaign is Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, Vice President of Marketing.
Victoria entered perishables through Naked Juice and Naked Coconut Water, taking the all-natural beverages to new heights as Director of Brand Marketing. She focused on brand stewardship, strategic direction, marketing execution and innovation launches for category powerhouse PepsiCo. Victoria also worked with heavy hitter Nestlé USA having brand management responsibility over several popular brands including Juicy Juice, Nestlé Hot Cocoa, Nestea and Butterfinger, among others.
Now, as the driving force behind the Mighties® campaign, Victoria hopes to take the fuzzy, brown fruit to the forefront of the fresh produce department by highlighting its dynamic characteristics, such as kiwifruit's super-fruit nutritional value, kid-friendly flavor profile and ease of eating. Mighties® is the only kiwifruit delivered ripe and easy to scoop and eat, Victoria tells me.
“In order to compete with other eye-catching produce department brands, we have added a paper sleeve around Mighties® clamshells, which feature a smiling brown kiwi with arms and legs to create a more animated character that makes it friendly and accessible especially to the young ones in the family,” Victoria notes. “We hope that our new brand allows America to discover and fall in love with this amazing fuzzy fruit."
The company’s enormous success with Cuties® brand mandarins has given Sun Pacific the right reach and consumer response to make Mighties® a true game changer within the produce category.
SALINAS, CA - Foxy Produce has been shipping out a new, organic, non-GMO vegetable called BroccoLeaf™ to stores nationwide. I chatted with Matt Seeley, Foxy Produce Vice President of Marketing, for a deeper look at this exciting new product.
According to Matt, Foxy discovered the BroccoLeaf on accident. This summer, Foxy started a series of free juicing activations at retailers across the country called “REJUICENATE With Foxy” to educate the public on how to juice produce without wasting food. During the recipe testing process, an employee proposed incorporating organic broccoli leaves, and the results surprised them.
“It was sweeter without the bitterness,” Matt told me. “The overall reaction from the group was, ‘I never thought it would taste like this.’ We thought it would be bitter, and were pleasantly surprised.”
After making this discovery, the company took the leaf to a couple of labs for nutritional analysis. The results showed that BroccoLeaf contains all of the major vitamins, minerals and health benefits of broccoli, plus the lighter and sweeter taste. The labs showed that BroccoLeaf:
- Provides an excellent source of Calcium
- Is an excellent source of Antioxidants---Vitamin A & K
- Delivers an adult dose of Vitamin C
- Is packed with Folate, a key nutrient for heart health and pregnancy
- Contains phytonutrients which include the 3 cancer fighting Glucosinates
“This is a tremendous nutritionally beneficial product, which is great because it is so rare for a non-GMO organic vegetable to come to market. It is a perfect line extension to the growing organic wet rack across the country like kale, chard and greens. It is a nutritional superstar,” Matt added.
After discovering the nutritional benefits, the company worked with chefs to develop recipes for this exciting new product. You can check them out by clicking here. For Foxy, juicing is where BroccoLeaf really shines.
Matt tells me, “Juicing is a big part of this plant’s future. The stem of the leaf is loaded with juice, more than kale and chard. This is a great way to have a very nutritious liquid as part of a regime.”
Foxy has been shipping BroccoLeaf for more than a month, and sales are steady. Matt says that customers who have tried it are reordering the product. That is good news for the company. BroccoLeaf is available year-round, and Foxy has good supply.
SALINAS, CA – Taylor Farms has been named the winner of the SQFI Primary Producer of the Year award at the the Safe Quality Food International Conference in Orlando, Florida.
As an industry leader in food safety, Taylor Farms adheres to the letter of the strict protocols outlined by SQFI certification. It does not stop there, however. The grower takes its commitment to food safety one step farther, with the implementation of the the revolutionary SmartWash Solutions food safety and process control system in all of its facilities.
“There is no higher priority for Taylor Farms than food safety,” says Jason Kawata, Director of Quality Assurance, who was on site at the Safe Quality Food International Conference with other members of the Taylor Farms team to accept the award. “We are committed to the highest levels of food safety day in and day out, and it’s an honor to be recognized for those efforts. We want all of our customers to know there is no compromising when it comes to food safety.”
According to a press release, the SQF Quality Achievement Awards Program was implemented in order to recognize the commitment, support and performance of individuals and organizations who work with the organization to endorse and improve the SQFI and its certification process. The Safe Quality Food Institute is recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). It was created to show customers the extensive steps taken at every step of the food processing chain in order to ensure the safety of their food.
Congratulations on this impressive achievement, Taylor Farms!
ROBESONIA, PA – A U.S. judge has ruled in favor of Associated Wholesalers Inc. (AWI), officially paving the way for its acquisition by C&S Wholesale Grocers. Earlier this week, ANUK reported on the news that C&S had placed the winning bid in AWI's competitive bankruptcy auction with a $288 million offer. Now with the court's approval, C&S will go forward with its acquisition, which is reported to encompass AWI and all of its subsidiaries, including the White Rose distribution business.
"We are pleased to receive Court approval for the sale of AWI and White Rose to C&S,” shared Matt Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of AWI. “The auction process was robust and competitive and we believe that the winning bid from C&S is in the best interest of AWI and its stakeholders."
“C&S shares AWI's commitment to providing customers and independent stores great deals on products and on helping them grow their businesses,” he continued. “AWI will further enhance C&S's position as the leading wholesale grocery supply company and we look forward to completing the sale. I would like to thank AWI and White Rose employees whose continued hard work and dedication enabled us to move through this process."
According to a press release, AWI and White Rose will continue to operate independently of C&S until the transaction officially closes. This is expected to take place in early November.
Throughout this process, Saul Ewing LLP and Rhoads & Sinon LLP have been serving as legal advisers to AWI. Similarly, Lazard Middle Market is acting as AWI's financial adviser, while Carl Marks Advisors is playing the part of the company's restructuring adviser.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for coverage of C&S and AWI as this acquisition moves closer to completion.
WENATCHEE, WA – Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers (OSRG) is ready to ship apples to China starting the first week of November.
As we previously reported, China is once again buying Washington apples after a two-year market closure. That country will import both Red and Golden Delicious apple varieties.
In a press release, OSRG Marketing Director Scott Marboe said the reopening of China is especially good in this record-breaking production year.
“As the leading export company in the state, we are thrilled we are back in the Chinese marketplace,” Marboe said. “We are known for our expertise in the region and for the work we did in the initial opening of the Pacific Rim. Now that restrictions have been lifted, we're confident China will continue to be a very valuable market for the state.”
Export Sales Manager Steve Reinholt agreed, adding, “Reds will make up 98 percent of what we ship, and we have a tremendous crop this year. It is the quality of fruit that is well-received there – big size and good color and texture with excellent flavor. It should fit into the Chinese market very well.”
In August of 2012, the Chinese government stopped imports, citing fungus concerns. Plant inspectors and officials from both nations have negotiated over the past two years before reaching a deal.
China has been one of the biggest markets for Washington apples in the past. In the 2010-11 shipping year, it imported more than 3 million cartons of apples from the Evergreen State.
The state of Washington produces nearly 90% of all U.S. apple exports. AndNowUKnow will continue to track the effects that the reopening of this market will have on the apple market.
MORGAN HILL, CA - Sakata Seed America is officially kicking off its new Watermelon Plant Program for the Southeast U.S.
Growers can now order young transplants of Sakata’s Bold Ruler and Affirmed triploid watermelon varieties and Ace and SSX8585 pollenizers from Siegers Seed Company, Seedway Inc., Champion Seed Company, and Clifton Seed Company. Plants will be grown and shipped by high-quality Southeastern plant producers, including LTF Greenhouses, LCC (Georgia), Mobley Greenhouses, Inc. (Georgia), Valdosta Plant Company, Inc. (Georgia), Mobley Plant World, LLC (Florida), and Speedling Incorporated (Florida), according to a press release.
“We’re making major strides in watermelon breeding, bringing forth outstanding new genetics that solve real issues for growers and retailers,” said Gattis Guffey, Watermelon Product Manager for Sakata Seed America. “Traits like earliness, yield, firmness, and fantastic flavor are the focus of Sakata breeding and our pipeline is full. This is just one more step in becoming a major provider of high-quality watermelon genetics in the Southeast.”
Sakata says the program is designed to help growers order the quantity of Sakata watermelon plants they will need without the stress and cost of being short or long in plants in the field.
“Growers asked us for this option and we’re happy to deliver,” said John Nelson, Sales & Marketing Director for Sakata. “They wanted an alternative to what’s out there. The value and convenience to the market is high.”
With this new program, Sakata is helping to grow this vibrant category in the industry.
BIRMINGHAM, AL - John Stephen Alexander, the former CFO of the now defunct Birmingham, Alabama-based Adams Produce Company LLC, has plead guilty to withholding information about a scheme to defraud the federal government of $481,000 on a fruit and vegetable contract.
As we previously reported, Alexander and five other men were charged in relation to the fraud scheme at Adams Produce. They were charged in a scheme to create false records that showed a higher cost for fruits and vegetables than was actually paid. It was alleged that enlarged costs were then presented to the U.S. Federal Government, which had agreed to pay a certain amount over cost.
Alexander, who was CFO of Adams Produce from 2007 until the company’s closure in April 2012, pleaded guilty during a hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Virginia Hopkins, according to AL.com.
Back in May, Alexander was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy and 32 counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud, but in a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to one count of misprison - withholding information on a crime.
“The plea agreement and today’s guilty plea evidence Mr. Alexander’s acceptance of his responsibility in the sequence of events at Adams Produce Company,” Alexander’s attorney, Augusta Dowd, said. “Mr. Alexander has been fully cooperative with the government’s investigation into the wrongdoing at Adams Produce.”
AL.com reports that in exchange for his plea and cooperation with prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office dropped the charges in the indictment.
The five other former Adams officials have also plead guilty to charges and sentenced to prison or probation. Four of the men were ordered to pay $481,000 in restitution to the government, and Alexander will also be jointly responsible for paying the restitution as a condition of his plea.
Adams Produce was a produce company that was more than 100 years old. In the wake of the scandal, the company filed for re-organization under Chapter 11 in federal bankruptcy court in April 2013, and ceased operations.
CINCINNATI, OH - At Kroger's annual investor conference held on Wednesday, October 30th, 2014, CFO Mike Schlotman revealed that the retailer was exploring “new frontiers” for expansion. While he did say that Kroger is not yet sure exactly when this will happen, he was confident that the future will see stores popping up in new geographic areas.
"We do know where we want to go," he shared. "We just want to make sure the time is right."
While Kroger boasts an incredibly impressive 2,600 store base nationwide, it still lacks a serious presence in Florida, Chicago, the Northeast, upper Midwest and Oklahoma, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. Any of these locations could potentially be targets for new stores.
In addition to this expansion plan, Kroger shared that it is continually working to improve the performance of its existing store base. While these might seem like surprising words from a company that has posted 43 straight quarters of same-store sales growth, this attitude of improvement is deep-seated in the company's culture.
"Our to-do list is actually longer than our accomplished list," CEO Rodney McMullen shared, revealing the kind of corporate mindset that has played a large part in establishing Kroger as the industry leader it is today. "I was told we don't spend enough time celebrating our accomplishments, so I doubled it from one minute to two minutes."
Kroger will also be working to expand its online presence, both through the online “click-and-collect” service it is preparing to debut in Cincinnati, as well as through the platform it acquired from its $280 million acquisition of Vitacost earlier this year.
"It's a way to serve customers at their doorstep,” Kevin Dougherty, VP of Digital and Vitacost, shared. “While we view it as an important business in its own right, it's also a platform for expansion in many other ways. We intend to service customers how and when they want."
Amazon is shaping up to be one of Kroger's most important competitors in this market, yet Dougherty shared that the company is not overly concerned by the competition.
"We're not fixated by it,” he said in the Phoenix Business Journal. "A decade ago, we decided we have to play our game and focus on our strengths. They may succeed, but what we do has worked for decades, and I'd want to bet on that being sustainable."
“We don't look at it so much in terms of one competitor,” McMullen elaborated during an interview with CNBC's Sara Eisen when asked about how the retailer thrives in the very competitive retail landscape. “It's really trying to understand from our insights, what does a customer want and how do we deliver against that desire and do it better than our competitors.”
The question of the day, is where Kroger will spring up next. To find out, make sure to stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest retail news as it develops.