EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Robinson Fresh® has announced that its MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon Watermelon program has donated $1 million to breast cancer research organizations since its inception.
“Donations like those on behalf of the MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon Watermelon program play a critical role in the development of major advances in the fight against breast cancer,” said David Egan, Co-Executive Director at Susan G. Komen® Minnesota. “The contributions are used to increase early detection and effective treatment, fund additional research, and ultimately create a world with more breast cancer survivors.”
According to a press release, Robinson Fresh began the MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon Watermelon program in 2007 to educate consumers about the nutritious benefits of watermelon. The American Cancer Society says that watermelon is a significant source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant shown to reduce certain types of cancer.
Every October, Robinson Fresh presents its donations to breast cancer research organizations selected by the participating retailers. This year, the program will donate $173,000 on behalf of over 20 retailers.
“Thanks to the generous donations to Mills Breast Cancer Institute, I and many other breast cancer patients have benefitted from the cancer support groups,” said Renaé Strawbridge, a patient at Urbana, Illinois-based Mills Breast Cancer Institute. “As a 12-year survivor, my focus now is to give back by helping others have a successful journey through this disease and treatment process.”
With each watermelon purchase, a donation is made to breast cancer research, education and support initiatives. To find out more about the MelonUp!® Pink Ribbon Watermelon program please visit the program’s Tumblr, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
Congratulations on the great success of this program!
IRWINDALE, CA - Ready Pac Foods has promoted Tristan Simpson, Vice President of Corporate Communications, to Chief Communications Officer. Simpson will be responsible for leading all strategic initiatives within Corporate Communications, Creative, Marketing, and Research and Development, according to a press release.
“Tristan has demonstrated unparalleled leadership during her time at Ready Pac,” said Tony Sarsam, Ready Pac CEO. “With over 20 years of marketing and communications experience, combined with her breadth of knowledge of the fresh food industry, she will ensure that we are aligned and executing within all her areas of responsibility. Tristan is a relentless champion of the Ready Pac brand, and I am excited to see her grow in this role.”
Moving forward, Simpson will continue to serve as the company’s spokesperson. Since beginning her career at Ready Pac in 2011, she has been instrumental in launching many new product lines, as well as launching the re-designed company website and social media platform in March 2012.
Tristan’s 20 year history of experience in the industry includes working for brands such as Roll Corporation (Sunkist®), Nancy’s Specialty Foods, Frieda’s, Sun Pacific (Cuties® California Clementines), Pandol Bros, as well as extensive retail experience at Smart & Final.
Congrats on the promotion, Tristan!
Bakersfield, Calif.— Since the brand’s launch in 2010, Tasteful Selections has reinvented the potato category by taking traditional comfort food and reimagining it. Tasteful Selections potatoes are evenly sized for consistent cook times, have unique flavor and create a superior culinary experience. Tasteful Selections potatoes are all highly desired by consumers, especially the signature variety Honey Gold and fan favorite Ruby Sensation. In just five years’ time, the specialty potato brand from RPE has grown so much that it needed to expand from its original location to a bigger facility, also in Bakersfield, California.
The new Tasteful Selections facility is expected to open around the end of November, just in time to handle the holiday rush and increased volume. The 200,000 square foot facility is completely dedicated to grading and packaging Tasteful Selections specialty potatoes. Not only will the new facility increase production capacity from eight packaging lines to 12, but it will double the capacity for washing potatoes. Additionally, the facility will have more shipping docks and improved refrigeration and storage using European-style storage bins. Sensitive to sustainability and water conservation, simply increasing the washing capacity wasn’t enough; water processes have been redesigned so that all water used in the facility is reused either for washing more potatoes or is applied to nearby farmland. Overall, the new fully automated Tasteful Selections facility will improve workflow, as well as the overall quality and shelf life of our potatoes for customers and ultimately create a better experience for consumers.
Through collaborations with young rising culinary stars Chef Joey Elenterio and Chef Jack Witherspoon, Tasteful Selections has been developing new recipes to help consumers and foodservice alike realize the hidden potential of potatoes. Although the traditional combination of meat and potatoes still make a great meal, consumers want more variety in their meals throughout the week. Tasteful Selections potatoes are the versatile answer to that need and have been embraced by consumers nationwide.
“The amount of success we have experienced with Tasteful Selections is unprecedented,” explained Russell Wysocki, president and CEO of RPE Inc. “Because of the constantly increasing consumer demand, the new expanded facility in Bakersfield was needed to help us meet the needs and fill the orders of all our customers. Tasteful Selections has provided 50 percent incremental growth for our customers and we are committed to meeting their needs.”
The tremendous growth in consumer demand for specialty potatoes has made Tasteful Selections one of the top selling brands in the country, which is the reason for opening the new facility. The continual increase in demand for our specialty potatoes and the ever-changing needs of today’s consumer have led to expansions of the Tasteful Selections line. In fall of 2012, microwavable bags of Tasteful Selections potatoes were introduced for busy, convenience-minded consumers.
The newest addition to the Tasteful Selections line, organic baby potatoes, addresses the needs of consumers in a segment of the category that has grown year after year, up 44.2 percent in dollars and 35.3 percent in volume. The line will be officially unveiled in the New Product Showcase at PMA Fresh Summit Oct. 17-19. The new Bakersfield facility is designed to fit the needs of packaging both organic and conventional specialty potatoes.
“The brand new facility will help us give our customers and consumers the best possible experience with our potatoes,” said Wysocki. “With the added production area, we’re ready to help customers meet whatever consumer demand for specialty potatoes there is.”
This text was copied verbatim from a press release.
SANTA MARIA, CA – Growers and marketers of Kalettes™ are unveiling the new Brussels sprouts and kale hybrid at Fresh Summit.
“We are very excited by the reception to Kalettes from both consumers and the trade, and with all of the media attention we have been receiving,” said Kraig Kuykendall, Sales Manager of Tozer Seeds America. “Supply hasn’t caught up with demand yet, but crops are in the ground and getting ready for harvest. We are looking forward to seeing it on store shelves and in restaurants in a big way this coming spring.”
As we previously reported, Tozer Seeds has entered into exclusive marketing agreements this summer with six companies to grow and market Kalettes™.
The companies included are: 4Earth Farms, Classic Salads, Mann Packing, Ocean Mist Farms, Southern Specialties and WP Rawl. Also in the agreement, Kalettes seeds are sold by Johnny’s Select Seeds to small farmers and home growers.
Even though supplies remain limited for fall, the companies are giving customers a preview of what’s in store for upcoming seasons. Check them out at:
- Classic Salads - #1268
- Mann Packing - #1538
- Ocean Mist Farms - #2240
- Southern Specialties - #2378
- WP Rawl - #2852
- 4Earth Farms – by appointment, Mark Munger @ 831 345-6937
Kalettes are currently available through 4Earth Farms and Mann Packing and in limited quantities through other companies with distribution increasing throughout the winter, according to a press release. Kalettes will be available to both retailers and food service distributors directly through the companies.
DEERFIELD BEACH, FL - Since its inception in 2008, Agritrade Farms has been on a mission to provide its partners with the finest okra, greenhouse colored bell peppers and Asian vegetables.
With a strong import program and a vertically integrated business model, this grower is able to offer its retail, foodservice, and wholesale partners with a year-round supply of its Caribbean Candy brand sweet peppers and watermelons. Paul Boris, President and Owner of Agritrade Farms, shared with me how every year retailers and consumers alike are more and more impressed with the quality of these offerings.
“We are very proud of the quality of the produce coming out of our Caribbean operations,” he explained. “Our peppers for example have developed a strong reputation for their sweet-as-candy taste. Over the years, Agritrade has refined its greenhouse growing techniques, allowing us to bring a product to market with the enhanced shelf-life and quality retailers look for together with the taste consumers crave.”
Indeed, this commitment to working on enhancing every aspect of the product profile to grow the category as a whole is a key tenet of the Agritrade Farms way of business, Paul explained to me.
“We like to say we 'wear many hats' here at Agritrade,” he said. “At the end of the day, what matters most to us is doing whatever it takes to supply our partners with a premium fresh product that fulfills their every expectation and enhances the quality of their customers' lives.”
Since its founding, Agritrade's specialty has always remained with okra. The grower has become a leader in the industry in this category, growing pesticide-free Gumbo-Licious brand okra on its farms in Honduras and the Dominican Republic, before shipping it out to its domestic facilities in Florida for distribution. The Honduras season lasts from November to May, complemented by year-round production out of the Dominican Republic.
Agritrade has worked through the years to promote this Southern favorite throughout the rest of the United States and Europe. The company sees tremendous growth potential in this still underdeveloped category. By raising awareness among its retail partners about the myriad of health benefits this Southern superfood provides, Agritrade has a plan to put okra into mainstream consumption in the same way that kale has become a produce staple over the past year.
Paul spoke to me about how Agritrade is even working on a new 1lb and 2lb top-seal retail pack in order to further optimize the shelf-life and marketability of its Gumbo-Licious brand.
With PMA Fresh Summit just around the corner and winter approaching, Agritrade Farms is looking forward to capitalizing on its successes so far this season and continuing to develop its okra and greenhouse programs. From where I stand, they look to be in a prime position to do so.
Make sure to look for Agritrade at this year's PMA Fresh Summit!
CHESHUNT, ENGLAND - Word is breaking that Tesco has suspended three more top level executives as part of the fallout from its recent £250 million overstatement scandal. This controversy has already led to the suspensions of five Tesco executives, including Commercial Director Kevin Grace and UK Managing Director Chris Bush.
"We have asked three employees to step aside to facilitate the investigation into the potential overstatement of profits in UK food,” Tesco shared with the BBC in a statement. "We will provide an update on the investigation with our interim results on 23 October."
According to the London Evening Standard, the new suspensions have affected:
- Dan Jago, Director of Beers and Wines
- William Linnane, Director of Impulse Purchases
- Sean McCurley, Director of Convenience
The London Evening Standard is reporting that these executives were the ones charged with negotiating contracts with some of the biggest members of Tesco's supply chain, including Diageo, InBev, Cadbury, Mars and Nestlé. Tesco has not yet released word on who it will be appointing to take over these duties in the wake of this news.
As AndNowUKnow covered in a a previous article, new Tesco CEO Dave Lewis has contracted the services of the accountancy firm Deloitte and the Freshfields law firm to conduct a full investigation. The Financial Conduct Authority is also investigating the matter.
Stay tuned to ANUK for any future updates on Tesco and how it plans to deal with this important issue.
ROSEVILLE, Calif.— Pink Ribbon Produce (PRP), a breast cancer awareness program led by California advertising agency AugustineIdeas, will honor retail and produce partners for donations and commitments to the program at the 2014 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention and Expo. Since the program’s inception in 2006, major retailers, Harris Teeter, Price Chopper and Meijer have joined forces with produce vendors and PRP to raise over $400,000, which has been donated to the National Brest Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to increase awareness and fight breast cancer.
PRP will be present at the SUNSET® produce booth during PMA Fresh Summit on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. to recognize both retail and produce partners for their dedication to the fight against breast cancer. Awards will be given for Outstanding Charitable Giving for Price Chopper, Outstanding Charitable Giving for Meijer, Outstanding Charitable Giving for Harris Teeter, Five Year Participant honoring Meijer and Five Year Participant honoring Harris Teeter.
“We can’t thank our partners enough for their continued support of Pink Ribbon Produce and the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Debbie Augustine, CEO of AugustineIdeas. “It is with their continued support that the program is able to grow and promote healthy lifestyles year after year, while also supporting such a great cause.”
Maggie Bezart Hall, Vice President of Trade & Promotion for Avocados From Mexico and cancer survivor, will be attending the recognition event to speak briefly about her fight against breast cancer and experience with Pink Ribbon Produce.
Janelle Hail, Founder of NBCF will also be in attendance, to speak about the program and the partnership between NBCF and PRP.
For more information about Pink Ribbon Produce, its partners, and ways to donate, please visit pinkribbonproduce.org or follow Pink Ribbon Produce on Twitter @PinkRibbon and become a fan at www.facebook.com/PinkRibbonProduce.
This text was copied verbatim from a press release.
WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt is launching its new Fresh Blenders™ product line in both sweet and tart apple varieties in order to tap into the growing juice and smoothie consumer movement.
“Juicing and blending smoothies at home has taken off in recent years, and continues to grow in popularity among consumers across all age demographics,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Marketing Director. “Apples are the perfect base ingredient to any juice or smoothie creation. Fresh Blenders is the perfect platform to directly market to this crowd and deliver them a great grab-and-go value pack.”
“As a smoothie maker myself, I think Fresh Blenders is a great idea. It taps into the growing trend of blending and juicing with a healthy, fresh, and easy to use ingredient like apples,” agreed Jonah Berger, the New York Times best-selling author of the book Contagious.
Stemilt's 5lb Fresh Blender come in long, narrow, blender-inspired resealable pouch packages, designed to stand up vertically. This allows for both easy retail display as well as simple storage in home refrigerators. Each package has eye-catching colors and illustrations in order to show the consumer how to best use the fruit at home. Under the tagline “the natural start to any juice or smoothie,” each bag is shipped out in a Fresh Blenders display ready carton with an easy pop-off lid.
“The packaging is bright and fun, and the case it ships in self-stacks for building a quick display at retail. Fresh Blenders are ideal for refrigerated endcap displays, and can be easily promoted alongside other key smoothie and juice items like kale and carrots. It’s a great value offering to reach this crowd of consumers, who purchase a lot of fruits and vegetables each week,” Pepperl shared. “A five-pound bag can make a week’s worth of juice or smoothies for most consumers. Fresh Blenders deliver value and convenience, making it easy for shoppers to juice or make smoothies at home all year long.”
In order to help customers form a connection between the fruit they'll be enjoying and the farms it was grown on, Stemilt will be including the Mathison family and their message “from our orchards to you” on every Fresh Blender's package.
Stemilt will also be including a recipe on the back of every bag which incorporates the fruit inside. Sweet Blenders have the “Ridiculously Red” smoothie recipe on the back which brings beets, strawberries, and sweet apples together. Tart Blenders have the “ABC Smoothie” which includes apples, bananas, carrots and an option to make it green with spinach.
“Consumers want to know the story behind where their food was grown and who grew it. Our founding family has been farming apples for going-on six generations and has a great story to share,” said Brianna Shales, Stemilt Communications Manager.
According to a press release, Fresh Blenders will be featured in Fresh Summit's New Products Showcase and at Stemilt's booth, #3154. The company will also be passing out free samples of Fresh Blender creations through a partnership with local juice truck, Juicebox.
Stemilt will also be sharing Fresh Blenders product information, instructional videos, and smoothie and juice recipes on its website, through its The Stem blog, and on social media.
Congratulations on this exciting new product, Stemilt!
VERO BEACH, FL – Seald Sweet is sponsoring a “Guess, Give, and Win” contest during Fresh Summit to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Show attendees are invited to the company’s booth to view a display container of mandarins and submit an entry to guess the number. For every attendee who participates, Seald Sweet will be donating $1 to The National Breast Cancer Foundation, according to a press release.
The person who estimates as close to the number without going over will be awarded their choice of prizes that include a GoPro® Adventure Pack, a choice of three tablets, or an AMEX gift card.
“Our brand believes in growth, progress and supporting worthy causes. It brings us great pleasure to be able to incorporate our colleagues and customers in a well-meaning cause during Breast Cancer Awareness month and one of the biggest produce industry events of the year," says Kim Flores, Director of Marketing.
The company will also be displaying its recently announced Mandarinas™, a new brand and line of packaging for its sweet mandarins. This new brand of oranges take its name from a sweet, little girl character named 'Mandarina' intended to personify the sweetness of the orange.
“As part of our commitment to be an innovative leader in the industry, we launched Mandarina™ this year, which features our juiciest and sweetest varieties which are packed in this brand,” says Mayda Sotomayor, Seald Sweet’s CEO. “It is with great excitement that we are able to showcase “Mandarina” at Fresh Summit in such a fun and worthwhile way. Giving back is so important to Seald Sweet and we look forward to sharing that opportunity with everyone at Fresh Summit.”
Through bright colors on the packaging, an endearingly sweet mascot in Mandarina and kid-friendly graphics which decorate the packaging, Seald Sweet is striving to give candy-like appeal to Mandarina's™ through visual marketing.
To enter the contest and check out Mandarina™, make sure to stop by Seald Sweet at booth #3038 during Fresh Summit.
CARMEL, CA – Tour de Fresh riders received a special send off yesterday from Ocean Mist Farms’ mascot, Arti the Artichoke, and U.S. Congressman Sam Farr.
Tour de Fresh is a collaborative industry event that brings produce brands and influencers together for a four-day cycling event to raise money for United Fresh’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign, according to a press release.
The goal of the event is to raise $120,000 to purchase 40 new salad bars to donate to school districts across the country.
Ocean Mist’s John Pattullo and Paul Scheider have taken on the challenge. The 250-mile ride will end at Fresh Summit in Anaheim.
Good luck to all the riders!