ANAHEIM, CA - Classic Salads unveiled its new Salad Packaging Label redesign last weekend at Fresh Summit, and the new look is already generating plenty of buzz in the industry.
The new packaging features Classic Salads' “Salad Man” logo on the front. The Salad Man, shown in a running pose, invites consumers to check out Classic Salads' products with the caption “Delivering Freshness.”
Classic Salads' new packaging also appeals to the growing body of consumers in the modern retail market demanding healthier options and more nutritional information from their products. The front label on the new packaging highlights the high vitamin content of the items with large nutritional “Call-Out Bubbles” and Classic Salads' commitment to organics with a large vertical banner.
In addition to this new packaging, Classic Salads also introduced 5 new Conventional Bagged Salads during Fresh Summit weekend:
- Nordic Blend™: Sold in 12x6oz bags, this blend is a mixture of green leaf, red leaf, tango, and lolla rosa.
- Super Mix Superfood™: Sold in 6x5 oz and 6x10 oz clamshells and a 12x8 oz bag, this blend features baby kale, spinach, chards, and beet greens.
- Baby Kale: Sold in 6x5 oz and 6x10 oz clamshells and a 12x8 oz bag, this product features baby kale leaves.
- Chopped Kale: Sold in 12x10 oz bags, this product features chopped kale leaves.
- Winter Mix™: Sold in 12x10 oz bags, this blend features kale and broccoli leaves.
The new packaging will also debut on the rest of Classic Salads' line of leafy green products including:
- Spring Mix
- Baby Spinach
- Half & Half
- Baby Arugula
- Baby Kale
- Super Mix Superfood™
- Fresh Herb Mix
- Sweet Baby Lettuces
- Baby Romaine
- Romaine Hearts Whole Leaves
According to a press release, the packaging will debut with both French and English information in order to meet Canadian retail requirements.
Congratulations on the new packaging and product releases, Classic Salads!
The following text was copied verbatim from a press release:
SALINAS, Calif. – Oct. 17, 2014 – Markon – whose reputation is built upon its dedication to food safety – is welcoming Lianna Kelly as its new food safety director.
In her new role, Kelly will use her knowledge of food science, food microbiology, and food toxicology to enhance Markon’s food safety initiatives. She will be responsible for compliance with Markon’s 5-Star Food Safety® Program standards throughout Markon’s supply chain; ensure all Markon First Crop, Ready-Set-Serve, and Markon Essentials products meet or exceed its stringent food safety standards; and serve as the voice of Markon for all food safety-related matters. She will also deliver relevant industry information to members, alert customers about food safety concerns, and conduct ongoing research in the field.
“Food safety continues to be at the forefront for Markon, our members and foodservice operators alike,” said Tim York, Markon’s president. “We’ve created a culture that puts food safety first. Lianna will be a valuable part of our team, who remains committed to providing Confidence in Every Case™ along with the highest quality fresh fruit and vegetables.”
Markon’s dedication to food safety centers around its 5-Star Food Safety Program, which is based on specifications, inspections, information and third-party audits at five key points: fields, facilities, transportation, distributor warehouses, and operator’s kitchen.
Kelly is a graduate from the University of California, Davis where she studied environmental toxicology, with an emphasis in food toxicology, in the College of Agriculture and Science. Since graduation she has pursued a career in the food industry and previously served as a regulatory compliance specialist for CytoSport, a manufacturer of sports nutrition drinks, powders, and bars.
WASHINGTON, U.S. – Washington Envy apple harvest is now underway, and consumers are invited to “Bite and Believe.”
According to a press release, the Envy “Bite and Believe” marketing campaign leverages touch points inside and outside of stores and was launched at Fresh Summit. David Nelley, Executive Director of the Oppenheimer Group’s apple and pear category said that the campaign is backed by consumer research efforts that show what people are looking for in a premium apple.
“Earlier this year we commissioned a research firm to delve into premium apple varieties,” said Nelley. “Results pinpointed what consumers across the U.S. love about premium apples and Envy in particular. As global production ramps up, the time has come to energize the look and feel of the Envy brand.”
Envy is a natural Royal Gala and Braeburn that can be distinguished by its deep red hue, sweetness, and natural resistance to browning when cut. “Bite and Believe” was inspired in part of zealous Envy fans that regularly share Envy across various social media platforms. The campaign was created by Oppy and the Envy brand owner ENZA/Turners and Growers of Auckland, New Zealand and will touch many global markets over time.
“To our delight, Envy has gained a host of supporters, including produce managers, moms and apple fans who have gone out of their way to spread the word,” he continued. “We think ‘Bite and Believe’ will be very effective because it encourages trial and promises the reward of a genuine eating experience.”
‘Bite and Believe’ will be featured on in-store signage and shipper units, billboards in key markets, outreach and contests on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and a new website at www.envyapples.com. The clean, contemporary site is highly interactive, encouraging users to submit Envy recipes and pairing ideas, and take part in social media discussions.
The Washington season begins in early November and continues through May. Volume is limited, so consumers are encouraged to order early.
ST LOUIS, MO – Schnuck Markets has hired Andrew Nadin as its new Chief Marketing Officer. He will report to COO, Anthony Hucker.
At Schnucks, Andrew will oversee advertising, marketing, Omni/multi-channel and customer research to further develop the Schnucks brand.
“For me, the brand is founded on the family heritage. The fact that Schnucks was started by a woman, a rarity in those days, looking to feed her family and community, is a unique part of that heritage. Now 75 years later, whilst we are all committed to making the business profitable, we still have the qualities and principles developed by Anna (Schnuck) being continued by third and fourth generations of the family,” Andrew said.
Previously, Andrew has worked for Mars Inc where he served as European Brand Director for confectionery, pet food and food products. He was responsible for developing brand communications and marketing strategy for 13 countries in Western Europe, according to a press release. Andrew also worked in management positions at Scottish & Newcastle and at Aldi.
He graduated with honors from Sheffield Hallam University with a bachelor’s in Modern History and is relocating from the U.K where he has served as CEO of the brand marketing firm APN Consultancy for the last four years.
Congratulations on the new position, Andrew!
IMMOKALEE, FL – Lipman Produce is focused on developing new tasty breeds of tomato varieties.
The company employs three breeders and eight veteran scientists with more than 124 years of combined experience in R&D and hybrid seed production.
“At Lipman, we have the R&D process down to a science – but my favorite part remains tasting a delicious, juicy red tomato that my R&D team bred,” said Mark Barineau, Ph.D., Director of Breeding. Barineau began the company’s R&D department in 2004 and has overseen the commercialization of over 30 tomato hybrids, according to a press release.
Over the past 10 years, Lipman has commercialized over 30 tomato varieties. Crimson Queen and Ripe Bites are two of the most recent. An advanced selection and testing process guarantees that every new hybrid is optimized for flavor, color, uniform shape and size. The R&D department also focuses on nutritional value, prolonged shelf life and increased disease resistance.
To achieve the desired characteristics, the company grows all of its tomatoes outdoors as non-GMO hybrids that are planted in various climates and conditions to optimize fruit quality and nutrition, according to a press release.
The research team is located in Estero, Florida, and Lipman recently opened a lab in Manteca, California to enhance the West Coast product line. Veteran farmers assist in the process with extensive trials that identify different varieties to be grown in specific regions using seasonal variables like rain, soils and heat.
“Before we’re ready to roll out a new variety, we invite our customers to tour our facilities and sample the ‘fruits’ of our labor,” Barineau added. The company uses consumer feedback to make adjustments and deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
If you are at Fresh Summit, make sure to stop by Lipman’s booth #474 and learn more.
The following text was copied verbatim from a press release:
Westport, CT (Oct. 16, 2014) – Oh…delicious, creamy guacamole. This healthy offering is no longer considered a specialty or ethnic food. Guacamole has gone mainstream.
Oxidative browning has always been the main detractor to this popular dip. Once prepared, there is very little time to enjoy guacamole before color changes begin. NatureSeal’s scientists have been working diligently to combat this problem and they have literally come up with the solution.
NatureSeal GU-3S is the answer to the unsightly dilemma of discoloration that has plagued guacamole. This combination of vitamins, minerals and organic acids will inhibit the browning of fresh avocado pulp used to make guacamole, without any flavor changes.
The dry powder can be added directly into guacamole and it will stay fresh and appetizing for up to 8 hours in ambient temperature. Now, once a container of guacamole is opened, it will last through the entire event. No more throwing away unappetizing, browned guacamole. Under refrigeration, guacamole with GU-3S added will maintain its fresh qualities for up to two weeks.
NatureSeal will be highlighting this fresh new concept at the PMA in Anaheim October 18 and 19.
Stop by booth 2455 and see and taste for yourself!
DELANO, CA – Paramount Citrus, is expanding its Wonderful Halos brand with a new partnership with Mulholland Citrus, the third largest grower and packer of mandarins. Going forward, Paramount Citrus will be acting as the exclusive sales agent for Mulholland Citrus’ mandarins, consolidating the company's volume under Wonderful Halos in order to expand the category.
“We are focused on working with other like-minded quality farmers to grow the overall mandarin category within the citrus industry,” said David Krause, President of Paramount Citrus. “Working closely with the highly experienced citrus growers at Mulholland Citrus is a logical next step to reinforce the transformation of mandarins into one of America’s most popular produce items.”
“At Mulholland Citrus, we share the same values and a similar vision as Paramount Citrus to expand the market for mandarins and use the power of a well-known brand like Wonderful Halos to reach an ever-increasing number of consumers,” agreed Tom Mulholland, Owner of Mulholland Citrus. “Both of our companies are strongly rooted in California agriculture, and we believe we can help each other give America a healthy alternative as the perfect snack.”
Together with partner Fowler Packaging, Mulholland Citrus is committed to growing and packing quality mandarins for Paramount, helping to maintain the superior taste, quality, freshness and consistency that retailers and consumers alike have come to expect from Wonderful Halos.
With its season lasting from November to April, Wonderful Halos is among the fastest-growing produce brands sold in American supermarkets, according to a press release. Paramount is committed to continuing to grow this booming brand and the mandarine category as a whole, having announced a plan to spend a record $100 million in marketing between 2013 and 2018 to this end.
The company has in fact already invested heavily in marketing and brand awareness-building through an integrated, national campaign intended to market the “pure goodness” of mandarins to the public. Demand has accordingly grown exponentially over the previous few years. Now thanks to its new partnership with Mulholland Citrus, Paramount Citrus will have the expanded supply to meet it.
Congratulations on this exciting new partnership, Paramount Citrus and Mulholland Citrus!
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Supervalu Inc has released its second quarter financial results for fiscal year 2015.
The company saw net sales of $4.02 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $31 million, $0.11 per diluted share.
"Midway through fiscal 2015, I am encouraged with the progress we have made across the business,” said President and CEO Sam Duncan. “The investments we have made at Save-A-Lot continue to drive sales and our Retail Food stores recorded their third consecutive quarter of positive identical store sales.”
Duncan continued, “The addition of the Rainbow stores this past quarter is a positive for our Independent Business and we are encouraged by the early results.”
Q2 net sales were $4.02 billion compared to $3.95 billion last year, a 1.8% increase. Identical store sales in the Save-A-Lot network were positive 6.5%, and for corporate stores in the Save-A-Lot network were 8.2% positive, according to a press release. For the Retail Food segment, identical store sales were positive 0.4%.
Gross profit for Q2 fell 0.4% from $576 million last year to $572 million this quarter. The company attributes this decrease in gross profit rate to lower fees earned under the TSA, predominantly related to the one-year transition fee earned where $18 million were recognized under the second quarter of fiscal 2014, according to a press release.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep an eye on Supervalu’s performance as the fiscal year continues.
IRVINE, CA – Urban Produce is opening its first patented “en motion” High Density Vertical Growing System (HDVGS) this week. A key component of this facility is its PACLINE I-BEAM overhead conveyor system. Urban Produce is excited about this system's ability to meet its need for a durable and safe, yet robust system, capable of transporting the maximum number of growing trays and plant material within the space of roughly 1/8 of an acre.
The PACLINE conveyor system used by the facility is able to have each carrier hold 24 x 2 plant trays, stacked vertically. Carriers were closely packed on 24” c-c and all supports were floor mounted and fabricated to adhere to the rigid seismic regulations and inspection requirements in California, according to a press release.
Urban Produce shares that its patented system uses advanced hydroponic technology to provide a cheaper, more efficient alternative to traditional growing methods. It is confident that its produce will compete competitively with these crops and provide consumers with a product that is both fresher and more nutritious.
Congratulations on the opening of this new facility, Urban Produce!
ANAHEIM, CA – Fresh Summit has arrived, and PMAtv is giving you the inside scoop. Focusing on Global Connections, Science & Technology, Industry Talent and Floral, this year’s expo is bringing industry leaders from all sectors together to look at the future of the industry from farm to consumer to everything in between. Make sure to check out this episode of PMAtv above!