OXNARD, CA – Deardorff Family Farms is expanding both its organic production base as well as its sales team.
The company will have increased production through Fall and Winter from Ventura County, Imperial Valley and Mexico, according to a press release. This increase of production will help Deardorff meet increased demand for year-round vegetable items.
“Our focus for the past two years was on building programs that ensure Deardorff Organics has the highest quality organic vegetables every day. With that now in place, we are scaling our programs to meet our customer’s demand for additional supplies of Deardorff Organics,” said Luke Patruno, Organic Sales Manager.
In line with this organic expansion, Deardorff has hired Tyler Clear to work in its organic sales team.
Tom Deardorff, II, President of Deardorff Family Farms says, “Timing is everything – our organic department is taking off at the same time we found a passionate, young and extremely knowledgeable salesperson in Tyler to join our staff. We are now able to match our increased supply of high quality organic vegetables with superior customer service and sales support. Needless to say, we are very excited about the upcoming season.”
Tyler is a graduate from Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo. He has worked with Albert’s Organics and most recently with Organically Grown Company in Portland, Oregon. He has also worked with PMA, been a part of the Foundation for Industry Talent Emerging Leaders program in 2013 and is currently serving on the Fresh Summit Committee.
Deardorff Family Farms launched its Deardorff Organics line in 2006 and has seen continuous year over year sales growth.
Congratulations on the new position, Tyler!
YUMA, AZ - Shanley Farms and Sandstone Melon Company are reflecting back on their hugely successful cross promotion display contest last summer. From August 4th to August 17th, the two companies paired the flavors of the Sandstone's sweet and juicy Kiss Melons with Shanley Farms' new Citriburst Finger Limes in order to increase product awareness with consumers and expand partnerships with retailers.
“I’m always looking for ways to help consumers learn about Citriburst Finger Limes and how to use them. Tying in with Sandstone’s Kiss Melons allowed us to provide consumers with new ideas for using both our products,” shared Megan Shanley Warren, Director of Marketing and Sales for Shanley Farms.
Patrinka Crammond, Retail Program Director with Sandstone Melon Company, agreed saying, “We have strong relationships with our customers. They were great partners for this cross promotion, all embracing the concept and following through with it at store level.”
Reflecting on the display contest, Joe Watson, Director of Produce for Rouses Supermarkets, recalls, “Rouses is always on the lookout for produce items that stand out in their respective categories. We have participated in the Kiss Melon program for the past 4 years, and let me say, our customers are on lookout for the Kiss Melons when they are in season...The response was wonderful, and sales of Kiss Melons and Citriburst were greater than we even expected. It is proof that quality and flavor sells.”
Jeff Fairchild of New Seasons Markets agreed, adding, “Hats off to [the Kiss Melon] growers who look for the eating experience above all else. Combine that with Shanley Farms' Citriburst Finger Limes that bring out the best in such a wonderful playful way and you have a winning combination!”
According to a press release, Chef Daniel from the Local Tap House in Oceanside, CA used the two offerings to create a delicious sweet summer salad. Display boards with attached recipe cards were distributed to each participating store to utilize in the promotion. Pictures of displays were then submitted, judged, and cash prizes were announced. Judging criteria was based on appearance of the display through the use of Kiss melons, Citriburst and POS materials.
Sandstone shares that its Fall Miss Melon Fall offerings will be headed by the newest addition to the product line, Autumn Kiss, in addition to the year-round favorite, Summer Kiss variety.
Shanley Farms projects to have Citriburst Finger Lime volume through the winter holidays and until January. It will be shipping Gator Eggs year round. Check out Shanley at PMA Fresh Summit at Booth #2887!
Congratulations on the summer successes, Shanley Farms and Sandstone Melon Company!
DELTA, B.C. - Windset Farms has long been a strong supporter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This year it will be furthering its commitment to the organization, donating 10% of net proceeds from select Concerto® Grape Tomato packages during the entire month of October.
“We support healthy living and enjoy giving back to our community,” says John Newell, COO of Windset Farms®. “It’s always great to see the thousands of participants coming out to support this great cause, helping to raise money to find solutions to build a future without breast cancer.”
These specially marked packages of Concerto® Grape tomatoes will be available in retail locations throughout Western Canada during October.
In addition to this showing of community support and generosity, Windset Farms will be participating in the Run for the Cure event, held on Sunday October 5th. The grower will be fielding a team of runners, as well as donating cases of Concerto® Grape Tomatoes and Fresco® Mini Cucumbers for participants and supporters at every Run for the Cure site in British Columbia.
According to a press release, Windset Farms has been a partner of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation since 2012. Last year alone, the company raised $65,000 for for breast cancer research, education, and awareness programs.
Great job on working for this incredibly important cause, Windset Farms!
NEW YORK CITY, NY – AmazonFresh may be making the move to the East Coast by launching grocery delivery service in New York City.
The tech journal Re/code reports that the grocery delivery business may be launching as early as next month, citing two people who have been briefed on the plans. As of right now, Amazon has not announced an official launch date.
In New York City, AmazonFresh would be competing against FreshDirect, a business that has been around for 15 years, which does between $400 million to $500 million in annual sales, according to Re/code. It would also face competition from Google’s new Shopping Express business, Instacart and other brick-and-mortar grocers that offer their own delivery services.
The New York Business Journal reports that though there is now a timeline in place for the retailer’s expansion, in at least three boroughs, New Yorkers have seen the Amazon grocery delivery trucks off and on for the last few months.
New York City will be the latest in the line of expansions for AmazonFresh. We previously reported that the company began its grocery delivery service in San Diego, CA, giving it a presence in four key markets across the West Coast.
It will be interesting to see where the AmazonFresh trucks pop up next. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest developments.
KINGSVILLE, ON - SUNSET® Produce is teaming up with chef and blogger Nikki Dinki for this year’s PMA Fresh Summit to create gourmet appetizers for conference attendees.
“We’re so excited to partner with Chef Nikki Dinki for this year’s summit,” said Daniela Ferro, Communications Coordinator for SUNSET. “Nikki is dedicated to teaching people how easy, healthy, and flavorful it is to use vegetables as a main dish. Her fresh ideas and recipes make her the perfect addition to our team.”
SUNSET’s full gourmet kitchen will be heating up with consumer favorites, including Campari®, Y.E.L.O.™, Kumato™, as well as SUNSET’s featured product, Wild Wonders™, as Chef Dinki demonstrates how versatile produce can be in a variety of meals.
Dinki was eager to share her enthusiasm for the partnership, describing it as the opportunity of a lifetime. “Showcasing fresh, flavorful vegetables is my life, so I am so excited to be partnering with SUNSET to help feature their stunning veggies,” said Dinki. “If you start with the best ingredients you always end up with the best dishes, so with the help of SUNSET’s produce I plan on showing everyone at Fresh Summit what flavor is all about.”
Also a recent Food Network contestant, Dinki’s cooking style is best described as “meat on the side,” with a focus on healthy, flavorful veggie-based meals, according to a press release. She has a series of videos online that showcase the many ways produce can be used in various dishes.
You can catch all the excitement and masterful demonstrations at booth #4228, where SUNSET will also be featuring its newest, most sustainable packaging, the Eco Flavor System™.
See you there!
IRVING, TX (September 29, 2014) –
WHO: Tour de Fresh is a four-day cycling event that raises funds for the United Fresh Foundation’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools (LMSBTS) campaign. The national Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign was founded by the Food Family Farming Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, United Fresh Produce Association Foundation and Whole Foods Market in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative.
WHAT: Participants have raised $78,000 to date; their goal is to raise $120,000 to purchase 40 new salad bars to donate to school districts across the country. Tour de Fresh needs your help in making the public aware of this cause and to raise the remaining $42,000 needed.
WHY: Today, more than 38 million of U.S. school-aged children are obese according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of obese students has tripled since 1980.
WHEN: The ride is from October 13-16, 2014.
The total amount raised will go to United Fresh Foundation during the Official Finish Line Ceremony on October 16, at 12:00 pm.
WHERE: Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.
HOW: Please sponsor a rider and make a monetary donation at www.tourdefresh.com/riders.
# # #
About Tour de Fresh:
Tour de Fresh is the first collaborative fresh produce industry event that brings the most significant produce brands and influencers together for a four-day cycling event that raises funds for the United Fresh Foundation’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to MIDWEST Schools campaign and salad bars for schools in other key locations. The goal of Tour de Fresh and its participants is to raise $120,000 to privately finance 40 new salad bars in school districts across the country. At a cost of less than $3,000 per salad bar, sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that healthy eating opportunities should be available to all of our students! For more information about the inaugural event, please visit: www.tourdefresh.com.
This press release was copied verbatim.
CAROL STREAM, IL – Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Inc. is opening its 8th store in Illinois in Carol Stream. This 100,000 square foot store is attached to the company’s warehouse and corporate headquarters and features a ‘Next Generation Fresh Format.’
“We’re extremely proud and excited to unveil our newest store in the Carol Stream community,” said Robertino Presta, the company’s CEO. “We’ve worked very diligently to produce a shopping experience on a whole new level. I like to refer to it as an ‘event’ for our consumers and their lifestyles. Food is what we know and we understand the impact that a great meal has when enjoyed with family and friends! We want to be that destination for them and be a part of providing that experience.”
For a look at the new store, check out this video from the Daily Herald by clicking here and selecting number 4 on the slideshow at the top of the page.
The new store features an expanded fresh from the farm produce section, a fresh juice bar, a yogurt bar, bakery, deli and more, according to the Daily Herald. The store offers hot food selections for customers as well. A food court is home to a wood burning pizza oven, sushi station, a taco/burrito bar as well as other options.
Keeping the environment in mind, the new store also features an all-new CO2 refrigeration system, which is the first of its kind in the U.S. and largest application in the world, according to a press release. It also features LED lighting on both the interior and exterior and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for customers.
“The Angelo Caputo Family and staff is very excited for the opportunity to serve the great community of Carol Stream and its surrounding communities! The investment, although significant, has proven to be very rewarding to the future of our family business, and as the final phase emerges we take great pride in being able to bring hundreds of new job opportunities to the immediate area with an unmatched facility,” Presta added.
The store held its soft opening last week, and the official grand opening is set for October 8.
ANAHEIM, CA – Avocados from Mexico (AFM) is bringing its new “Made with Love” campaign to the PMA Fresh Summit Exposition this Fall. This campaign shows the love and dedication which AFM puts into every avocado it cultivates, as well as how consumers can use these delicious treats to turn a simple gathering into a fiesta.
“As a strong market leader, Avocados from Mexico is launching a bold, assertive plan that accomplishes our objectives of reinforcing the brand in the minds of consumers, while maintaining a healthy steady growth for the category,” said Alvaro Luque, President of Avocados from Mexico. “As a leading brand in the segment, we are committed to growing the market. Our new plan delivers more than 1.6 billion impressions to drive avocado purchases and frequency.”
According to a press release, Fresh Summit attendees will be able to enjoy avocado dishes from two gourmet food trucks, highlighting the use of avocados in guacamole, sandwiches, salads, and snacks, as well as multimedia content and the latest nutrition information, in a promotional push designing to engage all of the senses.
Key to the “Made with Love” campaign is a multi-tiered marketing program designed to foster category growth through promotions, partnership, and innovations. Celebrities like Chef Patti Jinich, Maggie Jimenez, and Barbara Ruhs will be serving as brand ambassadors for AFM.
Keeping avocado themed dishes at the forefront of sports fans' minds will also be key to this year's promotional efforts.
“Super Bowl Sunday is one of the top avocado consumption days of the year, and AFM will continue with its football/themed promotions through the college bowl season and the National Football League playoffs,” said Maggie Bezart Hall, Vice President of Trade and Promotion for AFM. “We are excited to share our expanded Super Bowl plans with our partners at PMA and continue to build the momentum.”
Check out the rest of AFM Fresh Summit schedule below:
Avocados from Mexico Booth #2414
Saturday, October 18th
- 7:45 am: AFM featured as a PMA General Session Breakfast sponsor.
- All Day: Produce for Better Health Supermarket Dietitian tours by Barbara Ruhs, RD.
- All Day: Avocados from Mexico samples featured four ways.
- 10:30 am: New Booth Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
- 12 noon: Pavel Pardo, Mexican soccer legend and AFM brand ambassador appearance.
Sunday, October 19th
- All Day: Avocados from Mexico samples featured four ways.
- 11 am: Jorge Campos, Mexican soccer icon and AFM brand ambassador appearance.
CASHMERE, WA – Crunch Pak® will be debuting several new items at Fresh Summit in Anaheim.
The company is unveiling its first-ever variety-specific peel and reseal bag, featuring limited quantities of fresh sliced Honeycrisp, Gala and Piñata apples.
“Our shoppers are apple savvy; they know what they like and they look for their favorite varieties in store,” said Tony Freytag, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We created the peel and reseal bag based on shopper feedback; consumers tell us they want to use one bag multiple times.”
The company will be showcasing a variety of new products and will feature its newest items, including the NBA Fit Snacker, which will be sold at Wal-Mart stores this basketball season, according to a press release. The suggested retail price for them is $2.49.
Crunch Pak has been working with the NBA to feature Fit Snackers at events throughout the season. The Snackers contain sliced fresh apples, cheese and pretzels and feature popular players like John Wall, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant on the label. Apart from the NBA, the company also has a relationship with the MLB. Its sliced apples are sold at Yankee Stadium in New York and packages with the Yankees’ logo are sold in select markets.
Crunch Pak will also be debuting FlavorZ in a box, a snack item for kids that has been in test markets since August, according to a press release. The FlavorZ box was created for “grab and go” snacking with a handle for easy portability. The box, which features popular Disney characters, is also reusable. The two FlavorZ boxes featured will be grape and strawberry/vanilla crème.
Crunch Pak’s 20x40-foot booth will also include a display area for its co-branded product line with Disney and licensing agreement partners Marvel Worldwide and the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball, according to a press release.
“This is our opportunity to showcase what we’re doing to meet consumer demand for healthy, fresh convenient food,” Freytag said. “This year we’re excited to highlight our multiple licensing partners as we keep moving the product line forward through innovation.”
Crunch Pak will be at booth #3084 during Fresh Summit.
BRITAIN - Step aside Man vs. Food, Gordon Ramsay is challenging for top-dog in the food competition arena with a mouthwatering batch of giant onion rings. What makes these onion rings so special you might ask? These rings are like no other because they were prepped from a massive onion farmed by the same grower who raised the world's biggest onion.
Just how big is the world's biggest onion? As AndNowUKnow covered in a previous story, this massive offering grown by Moira, Leicestershire's Tony Glover weighs in at 18lbs, 11.5oz. That'd be enough to satiate the hunger of even the most ravenous onion ring lover, 10 times over!
According to the Leicester Mercury, the onion rings were not made from this produce giant however. With Tony not wanting to serve up his record breaker just yet, Ramsay had to settle for a smaller offering...a “puny” 17lb onion, which Tony grew alongside the World's Biggest Onion.
Speaking for all of the BBC viewers who watched him fry these meal-sized snacks up on Tuesday's episode of “One Show,” Ramsay exclaimed, “Look at the size of this thing!”'
For the aspiring chefs out there, Ramsay revealed that he whipped up the batter for his onion rings with a mixture of flour, rice flour, salt, beer and, surprisingly, gin.
“It [the gin] comes from Japan,” he said. “And it’s an incredible way of making a beautiful batter that gives a touch of authenticity. You can taste the juniper berries, but more importantly, it gives it a really nice flavor – especially to the onion.”
What tips did the Hell's Kitchen star have for people at home looking to make their own onion rings?
“Don’t leave them in the deep fryer for too long,” he said simply. “There’s nothing worse than a soggy ring.”
My only regret now is that Ramsay never sent any samples to AndNowUKnow for me to taste-test before writing this article.