THE DALLES, OR - Our calendars are marked for June 13, which is when Orchard View Cherries will be picking its first cherries of the season, bringing consistent, large sizing and top flavor to the cherry arena.

“Chelan®, the first variety we pick, is just starting to turn color and is looking great—which tells us a lot about the cherries to come,” Brenda Thomas, President of Orchard View, shared. “We’re seeing consistency and good distribution through the trees, which in turn will give us some nice sizing. Mother Nature has been really good to us so far, giving the cherries ample temperatures at the exact time they need it to develop their sugars. It’s looking to be a really tasty crop.”

As Thomas shared, this season is the most normal season the grower has experienced in a while, with cool mornings and temperate days. After a challenging few years of weather events, the season is progressing well, experiencing moderate conditions for excellent quality, a press release explained.

The high-quality cherries are available in high-graphic pouch bags and top seal. Promotional volumes are expected this month, in perfect time for Father’s Day and the Fourth of July. Peak volumes are anticipated between June 20 and July 7, the release stated.

Orchard View Cherries varieties—including Chelan, Bing, Kordia, Rainier, Lapins, Regina, Skeena, and Sweetheart—are exclusively marketed by Oppy.

“The Dalles is a unique haven,” said Oppy’s Senior Vice President of Categories and Chief Marketing Officer James Milne. “The rich volcanic soil, ample sunshine, and moderate climate create an ideal environment for producing the finest cherries in the world that grade to the highest specs. This is why Orchard View retains widespread national appeal and interest from key export markets around the world.”

With over 100 years of cherry expertise under its belt, Orchard View is helping its partners score big in the produce department.

For more category opportunities, stick around with ANUK.

PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc.’s (UNFI) first Winter & Holiday Selling Show of 2024 was a smashing success. The distributor unveiled a selection of new, innovative products and solutions designed to help drive growth and profitability. UNFI also recognized suppliers for the first time with its inaugural Circle of Excellence awards.

"Congratulations to all of our Supplier Circle of Excellence winners,” said Sandy Douglas, Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to partner with you in supporting our retail customers, and we look forward to continuing to be your go-to-market partner focused on helping to build brands and drive your growth.”

The Circle of Excellence awards celebrate the suppliers’ 2023 achievements in innovation, marketing, and growth through partnership. Fifteen suppliers won across nine merchandising categories, and three companies were recognized with UNFI’s highest Circle of Excellence award, Supplier of the Year.

Nearly 1,400 customers visited more than 850 exhibitors at the show, including over 50 suppliers from the company’s New Product and Diverse Supplier showcases. The event featured UNFI’s full breadth of fresh, natural, organic, and conventional products as well as its complement of retail services, technology, insights, and solutions.

“We’re focused on helping our retail customers differentiate and stand out, so they can focus on building loyalty with their shoppers. With the scale, custom insights, deep partnerships, and innovative products we bring to our shows, we are uniquely positioned to help retailers of all sizes and formats provide high-quality food and unique in-store experiences to compete even more effectively,” said Chief Customer Officer Steve Dietz.

According to a press release, UNFI highlighted its recently launched UNFI Media Network (UMN) powered by Swiftly. During the two seminars, attendees had the chance to hear from leadership as they presented the unique features and benefits of the UMN.

The next UNFI show will be the UNFI Winter & Holiday Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 8–9.

For more from the release, click here.

ANUK has you covered on the latest industry updates.

MONTEREY, CA - With every new announcement, the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) ups its already strong value for attendees. The event’s newest session places a focus on the rise of organic snacking, exploring how to expand business through produce snacking options with “Biting Into Organic Fresh Snacking Opportunities.”

The session, sponsored by Superfresh Growers®, will be moderated by Faith Garrard, Executive Director of Fresh at Raley’s. Panelists will include:

• David Bright, Vice President of Marketing at Grimmway Farms
• Angela Hernandez, Director of Marketing at Trinity Fruit Company
• David Baxter, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Bard Valley Natural Delights®

During the panel, these leading organic producers will share their knowledge on growth opportunities and challenges, including identifying successful items, size and portion control, promotional strategies, pricing challenges, and consumer taste preferences, a press release stated.

This year’s OPS schedule also includes the first morning yoga and community service initiative, Seed to Service. Attendees are invited to help pack 1,000 bags of fresh produce that will be delivered to families in Monterey County.

OPS will take place July 10–11 in Monterey, California, welcoming attendees to a sold-out show floor featuring over 175 producers and processors of organic fresh produce. Registration is currently open, and the full agenda of events can be found here.

Stay tuned as ANUK brings you more event updates and insights!

NOGALES, AZ - A dynamic team is being formed in the ag space, tapping the expertise of several prominent names to back its industry advocacy efforts. Joining 10 other individuals from the agricultural sector, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) President Lance Jungmeyer has been selected as part of the newly created Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

"I am honored to join this esteemed committee and look forward to working collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities facing the seasonal and perishable agricultural sector,” said Jungmeyer, expressing his gratitude. “Together, we can help shape policies that support the industry’s growth and sustainability."

With a diverse membership including farmers, growers, and other industry leaders, the Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee was created to play a critical role in advising the USTR on trade issues affecting the seasonal and perishable agricultural sector.

As a press release explained, Jungmeyer’s addition to the committee is vital in ensuring a variety of seasonal and perishable voices are heard on the advisory committee. The FPAA worked diligently with Members of Congress to secure diverse representation, with notable support from Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, including a letter of recommendation from Senator Sinema. The committee was officially announced on May 30. A full list of committee members is available here.

"We are extremely proud of Lance's appointment to this important advisory committee," said Rod Sbragia, Chairman of the FPAA Board of Directors. "His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly bring valuable insights to the committee, ensuring that the diverse voices of the fresh produce sector are heard and represented."

Congratulations to Lance Jungmeyer for joining this powerful team! Keep reading ANUK for more news from the produce world.