SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Wegmans Food Markets is both expanding its reach and elevating its convenience factor for shoppers. The retailer recently strengthened its alliance with DoorDash, making grocery delivery available at all Maryland Wegmans locations, as well as stores in Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Delaware, and upstate New York. The expanded delivery network is through an extension of an existing partnership between DoorDash and Wegmans Meals 2GO—a convenient delivery program serving hot and fresh ready-made meals.

“DoorDash has been a great partner for our Meals 2GO program, and expanding our offering to include grocery delivery allows us to meet our customers where they are,” said Erica Tickle, Wegmans Vice President of Marketing and Digital Growth. “Our goal is to make meals easy and help our customers live healthier, better lives through exceptional food. Expanding our delivery network is just one way we’re able to continue delivering on that mission.”

Wegmans’ unique selection of products is now available to shoppers on DoorDash Marketplace, including fresh produce, artisan bread, restaurant-quality meals, a diverse cheese case, and more.

Since launching on-demand grocery delivery in 2020, DoorDash has continued to support grocers with innovative tools and technology to bolster their reach with both new and loyal shoppers.

“As noted recently, DoorDash’s grocery business is growing fast with consumers that order from new verticals recently reaching all-time highs. This is in large part due to our commitment to bring the best of every local community online, and Wegmans embodies that,” said Fuad Hannon, Vice President of New Verticals at DoorDash. “Wegmans offers quality foods and a top-notch grocery store experience. We’re proud to help extend their brand to the DoorDash Marketplace and provide the tools and technology to serve customers in a new way.”

As more strategic partnerships are forged in the retail sector, AndNowUKnow will provide the latest updates.

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Miami Lakes, Florida-based Peak Seasons Produce for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

Peak Seasons Produce failed to pay $413,737 to four sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from February 2023 to May 2023. This is in violation of the PACA. Peak Seasons Produce cannot operate in the produce industry until Oct. 3, 2026, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principals, Timothy Plumadore and Justin Daye, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until October 3, 2025, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

ST. CROIX FALLS, WI - Hey, spud fans! This report is for you. The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has welcomed seven new members to its organization since the first quarter of 2024. PSA is an inclusive, pre-competitive collaboration of all players in the potato value chain. Efforts are focused on protecting the environment and streamlining how farm-level data is collected and made available to end users.

“At every stage of the value chain, from growers to retailers, sustainability issues continue to grow in importance. Our job at PSA is to help the potato industry work together, across business lines, to develop comprehensive sustainability guidelines,” said John Mesko, Chief Executive Officer. “Every time we get to welcome a new member company or grower, our organizational reach extends further and we are able to be even more effective in our mission to advance potato sustainability.”

Here is a breakdown of those new members:

• RPE becomes the third member of the Fresh Marketer Sector to join PSA and will be offering access to PSA's annual on-farm self-assessment
• PoLoPo joins the Allied Industry Sector
• RD Offutt Company, Reed Farms, BKR Farms, Sklarczyk Seed Farm, and Alsum Farms and Produce join as Grower Associates

PSA and its members work to define, measure, and advance potato sustainability by using robust metrics to drive improvements in productivity and profitability, a press release explained. This year, a new Grower Associate category was added to address the unique needs and important contributions from potato growers.

For growers that see value in demonstrating their sustainability commitment to their customers, PSA offers an opportunity to connect with an international organization focused on potato sustainability.

When you feel like touching base with the latest and greatest in the industry, turn to ANUK.

CHARLOTTE, NC - Retailers, Dole Food Company is giving you some new ideas for holiday merchandising. A wide array of new recipes was just released by the supplier, sparking inspiration for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.

Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, Dole Manager of Nutrition, Wellness, and Communications, has unveiled seven new dishes as well as a curated holiday-themed collection from Dole’s vast online recipe library.

Included in the launch are thoughtful new uses for leftover turkey and healthier alternatives to apple cobbler, shepherd’s pie, pumpkin pie, and holiday eggnog, a press release stated. Marcus also offers her latest holiday menu plus serving and nutrition tips and tricks in a series of new Dole Nutrition News blog posts.

The new recipes include:

Halloween and Fall

• NEW Autumn-Spiced Apple Pie DOLE WHIP® (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium, and Dairy-Free)
• NEW Roasted Peach-Mango DOLE WHIP (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium, and Dairy-Free)
• Pumpkin Spice-Sweet Potato DOLE WHIP (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium, and Dairy-Free)
• NEW Halloween Choco-Banana Graveyard Puddings
• NEW Simply Good Apple Cobbler (Vegetarian, Low-Sodium, and Low-Fat)

Thanksgiving

• NEW Pineapple-Cider Hot Brined Roast Turkey
• Savory Pumpkin and Greens Souffle
• Thanksgiving Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Thanksgiving Leftovers

• NEW Day-After-Thanksgiving Avocado Toast
• NEW Avocado-Mango Turkey Burritos
• Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash (Gluten-Free and Low-Sodium)
• Banana Bread Monte Cristo

Christmas

• Twisted Candy Cane DOLE WHIP (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium, and Dairy-Free)
• Individual Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
• Crustless Pumpkin Banana Pie (Vegetarian and Gluten-Free)
• Healthy Holiday Eggnog (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Low-Sodium)

DIY Holiday Menu Ideas, Tips, and Tricks

• NEW Don’t Forget the Pumpkin Seeds and Shells
• NEW Scary Good Halloween Snacks
• NEW How to Avoid the Candy Meltdown!

I can only imagine the cross-merchandising opportunities that lie in wait! We look forward to seeing how you bring these recipes into your stores.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - What store will be next? As the food solutions company SpartanNash® continues to advance its grocery store modernization strategy, Family Fare® in Sparta, Michigan, has been reopened and newly redesigned. This is the second pilot store in SpartanNash’s effort to deliver on its customer value proposition, providing a shopping experience centered on fresh products, convenience, and value.

“We gained valuable insights from the success of our Holland store concept and have incorporated those into our Sparta location,” said Bennett Morgan, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer. “Our goal with this project long-term is to continue listening closely to both our shoppers and associates, evolving and shaping the future of grocery shopping with solutions that truly meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

The company has lowered prices on more than 6,000 products, reinforcing its commitment to bringing even more value to the Sparta community. Additionally, the refreshed Sparta location integrates innovation while maintaining the neighborhood feel that Family Fare shoppers expect.

Building on the success and insights gathered from its first pilot store in Holland, Michigan, the Sparta remodel further refines key offerings to meet evolving shopper preferences, a press release shared.

The Sparta Family Fare showcases a layout designed to highlight fresh produce, floral, and bakery, with popular offerings from the Holland pilot location, including:

• $20 healthy meal kits that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less
• A chef-driven grain bowl program featuring international flavors like za'atar, gochujang, and chimichurri
• Curated specialty cheese selections focusing on Michigan and Wisconsin-made cheeses

Future Family Fare remodels will be informed by insights gleaned from the two pilot locations in Holland and Sparta.

Keep turning the pages of ANUK and never miss what’s happening in the retail sector.

LOCKPORT, NY - Crunch Time Apple Growers urges retailers to place orders now as this year’s crop of RubyFrost™ has finished harvesting.

“Harvest was about two weeks early this year, and we anticipate consumers will be ready to buy RubyFrost as fall and holiday festivities start,” remarked Jessica Wells, Executive Director. “Our team is ready to help retailers drum up interest around RubyFrost.”

Crunch Time Apple Growers, a cooperative of more than 150 family farmers across New York State, noted its readiness to support retailers with promotional materials and customized marketing efforts to ensure that all harvested apples go straight into consumers’ kitchens.

RubyFrost apples have become a favorite among shoppers for their stunning color and crisp, white flesh.

“Shoppers love RubyFrost apples for their balanced, tart-yet-sweet flavor,” added Wells. “RubyFrost is great for baking and cooking—they have a bit less sugar so that apple flavor survives the heat! Thanks to their high vitamin C levels, they’re slow to brown, which also makes them the perfect choice for charcuterie boards and salads.”

Last year, a press release noted, RubyFrost recorded double-digit percentage growth in volume among four of its top six retail customers, with a 15 percent volume gain for its top customer. This year, Crunch Time will continue to focus on promoting the apples where they are sold.

Backed by distinctive branding and growing consumer demand, RubyFrost is the perfect choice to elevate the department this fall and winter.

Stick around for more updates from AndNowUKnow!