YAKIMA, WA - Washington Fruit Growers is poised for increased capacity, with plans to open a second state-of-the-art cherry packing line for the 2025 cherry season. Located at its Washington Fruit & Produce campus, this significant investment will expand the company’s packing capabilities, allowing for increased capacity to serve growing needs from the field and customer base.

"We are thrilled to make this investment into the operations of Washington Fruit. By adding capacity to our current best-in-class operations, it will allow us to serve our growing customer base while providing the exceptional service and quality everyone has come to know and expect from the Independent label," said Tommy Hanses, Chief Executive Officer.

The new packing line represents a substantial increase in Washington Fruit Growers’ operational infrastructure. By adding this second line, the company will boost capacity while maintaining its core focus on efficiency. This expansion underscores Washington Fruit Growers’ ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the fruit packing industry, a press release stated.

The new line will incorporate advanced sorting, grading, and packaging technologies already used on Washington Fruit Growers' current cherry line, enabling the company to satisfy the increasing demand for its top-tier cherries. The addition of increased clamshell packaging capabilities will also provide customers with more versatile and convenient packaging options.

With this expansion, Washington Fruit Growers will continue delivering superior products and services to its customers. The company remains dedicated to upholding the highest quality and customer satisfaction standards.

For more expansion news, you know where to find us.

IRVINE, CA - We are now about halfway through the California avocado season, and some new stats were just released. The California Avocado Commission (CAC) announced findings from its mid-season grower and packer crop survey, which now estimates volume to exceed 250 million pounds. The CAC board approved additional investment for the fiscal year, including incremental marketing support.

“California Avocado Month is going very well, and we’re excited to provide partner retailers with even more support from now through the summer,” said CAC Vice President of Marketing Terry Splane. “Our team has been collaborating with the retailers’ avocado packers to align a timely flow of California avocados with promotion activity to support them.”

This forecast for the 2024 crop is about 20 percent higher than the pre-season estimate, a press release stated. About 60 percent of the crop has been harvested, meaning there is about 40 percent of the California avocado crop still maturing and sizing on the trees. There is a good supply of a range of sizes to meet a variety of customer needs.

Marketing activity for California Avocado Month continues throughout June. Now through the end of the season, CAC is bolstering advertising and social media support spotlighting the California avocado difference and focusing on communication of the fruit’s locally grown and sustainably farmed attributes.

“The new California avocado advertising campaign is resonating very well with consumers, retailers, and foodservice customers,” said Splane. “We are very pleased with the performance metrics we are tracking.”

Incremental customized retailer support programs including digital programs, custom point-of-sale materials, display bins, and social media support are key components of California avocado marketing support. In early June, the commission hosted a well-attended influencer event at a Raley’s store in Sacramento. In addition to a lively product demonstration and sampling of California avocado dishes, a conversation with fourth-generation California avocado grower Michael Craviotto was an event highlight. Social content was posted by influencer attendees directly following the event and additional curated posts will be shared on their channels later this month.

As the California avocado season continues, stick with ANUK for updates.

WATSONVILLE, CA - “When the stars align” is the common turn of phrase, but for the latest release from Driscoll’s, it would make more sense to say “when the moons align.” Partnering with Instacart, the supplier is celebrating the Strawberry Moon set to grace skies Friday, June 21, 2024, with an exclusive giveaway.

“In today’s fast-paced world, moments like the rare Strawberry Moon give us a reason to pause and celebrate the wonders around us,” noted Frances Dillard, Vice President of Marketing. “We hope this promotion captures the essence of the zeitgeist by blending a rare celestial event with a modern way of digital shopping with sweetness delivered right to the front door.”

Driscoll’s will give away a free clamshell of Only The Finest™ strawberries up to Friday. All shoppers need to do is add the product to their order before checking out.

This creative strategy does what winning marketing strategies often do: combine the star power of an event with a product that coincides with that event in shoppers’ minds.

“We’re excited to partner with Instacart to offer strawberries, adding an extra touch of delight to this unique occasion. Our online consumers will find it fun and memorable,” added Spencer Axton, Shopper Marketing, Associate Manager.

Here’s to the Strawberry Moon!

TEXAS - From logistic delays to navigating power outages, May saw both challenges and support for the Texas region as inclement weather conditions brought out the fortitude of the region’s buy- and supply-side.

“Sysco donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross and $10,000 to the Houston Food Bank to help aid their community efforts to distribute critically needed food, water, and cleaning supplies,” Henry Fovargue, the company’s Vice President of Sustainability, shared with ANUK. “Sysco colleagues at our Global Support Center in Houston also came together to donate shelf-stable, healthy food items and decorate lunch bags for a local non-profit, Kids’ Meals, which was impacted by power outages.”

While the conditions are by no means simple to take in stride, Texas International Produce Association President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Galeazzi shared, fortunately, Texans are fairly well prepared for these types of events, so most of the impacts are minimal.

On that front, he had this to say.

“But it doesn't mean that businesses went unscathed by the recent storms. Power outages for distributors and large hail for farmers are our two big worries," he explained. “Summer is an active time for Texas weather. On top of the heat, it's when we get most of our rain and all of our storms. The weather in May was obviously more than the usual fare, impacting large parts of the state. Even early this month, storms disrupted transportation throughout the Dallas and Houston region by delaying flights, causing various flooding events, and knocked out power service—again—to both areas and even areas in-between.”

It is a reminder, if nothing else, of the lengths the industry manages to achieve even against the forces of nature to ensure product makes it to the intended destinations.

As we report on all the critical regions maintaining the fresh produce cycle, continue to follow AndNowUKnow.