FRESNO, CA - The California Table Grape Commission (CTGC) recently released a statement announcing the hiring of David Dudley as its new Marketing Director of Category Management. Within this new role, Dudley will be responsible for expanding the retail demand for California table grapes in both the United States and Canada.
“We are very excited to welcome David to the team,” stated Kathleen Nave, President, in a press release. “David’s nearly 10 years of experience in produce management and experience in the retail sector will be key to the development of future retail programs.”
Dudley will be joining the CTGC after more than five years of working at Save Mart, where he was most recently a Senior Produce Category Manager. His experience in the industry includes working for Markon Cooperative as a Product Manager. Nave noted that Dudley will be focusing primarily on developing a strategic marketing plan to drive California table grape sales. In his role with the CTGC, he will manage numerous retail accounts and be part of a four-member retail team.
Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Dudley is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness with a concentration in marketing.
Congratulations to David on this new step in his career!
SACRAMENTO, CA – The holiday rush is almost upon us, and as we look to generate as much exposure as we can for our industry friends, we know that buyers are looking at the long-game as well. As they plan for the Thanksgiving and Christmas push and all the festivities that fall in between, we have introduced a holiday issue of The Snack Magazine to debut in November that will be full of WTFs (What the Fork) and UP CLOSE pieces as well core features that will tap into food trends, foodservice innovators, and the arena of burgeoning culinary artistry.
This issue will bring the industry’s most flavor-forward together for an issue that belongs in retailers’, foodservice operators’, and buyers’ kitchens along with their office coffee tables and bookshelves. The barrier to entry? The time you are wasting now ;)
As our industry friends rally around the opportunities in this issue, we let one speak for himself on the ideal time of year to get in front of the buying community and ramp up excitement about the versatility of fresh produce.
Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO, Mastronardi Produce
“November is a great month for The SNACK because everyone is looking forward to the holidays and the unique eating occasions it brings. The WTF theme is a great chance to showcase new products and flavors that will inspire both consumers and retailers to think FRESH this holiday season."
Interested in getting involved? Give us a shout here.
The issue is filling up fast, my friends, hope to see you on the page for November and in the kitchen!
CALGARY, ALBERTA - Outside of organic, there is perhaps no bigger buzzword in the produce industry than local. Shoppers adore locally-grown produce, and Canadian-based, grower, shipper, and packer Thomas Fresh is in tune with evolving consumer needs. The company recently launched a new line of exclusively ‘Alberta’-grown potatoes.
“We have been bringing Canadian potatoes to market for decades, but recently we’ve highlighted an ongoing need for shoppers to buy local on a more centralized level,” said Roy Hinchey, CEO. “Consumers are looking to take the idea of ‘locally sourced’ a step further by directly supporting the provinces they reside in.”
According to a press release, Thomas Fresh’s partner growers work exclusively with the company’s patented potato varieties, which are carefully selected for premium flavor, appearance, and disease prevention. Due to the fact that the company grows both seed and fresh potatoes while it sells to retailers within Alberta allows for an integrated system based on geography. Over time, it noted, a reduction in shipping during various steps along the supply chain will generate a smaller carbon footprint and maximize product lifespan of potatoes.
“Our Thomas Fresh head office is located in Calgary, Alberta, and we have close-knit relationships with our Alberta growers. We know that the marketplace wants local, however quality and availability of product is integral. With our Alberta potatoes, we have united local with premium quality in a great looking product that is readily accessible,” noted Hinchey.
The new line will also sport a look that showcases the history of the Western Canadian province’s heritage, featuring rustic cowboys against a prairie landscape.
“The food we eat is so closely integrated with where we live. Our aim, with our unique product appearance, is to remind shoppers that they are feeding their families with Alberta-grown potatoes sourced from local growers,” explains Andrea Dubak, Marketing Specialist. “Potatoes are as ingrained in our heritage as other food staples, such as Alberta beef. Potatoes have been grown in Alberta since the first settlers arrived and were essential in our province’s growth in the foundational years. This vegetable is part of our identity as Albertans and we are honored to highlight this connection.”
The new Alberta potatoes are available in yellow, white, red, and russet potatoes, which come in recyclable, 5-lb and 10-lb bags.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in produce updates!
LAS VEGAS, NV - How does one gain insider knowledge about consumers? According to Stephanie Lundquist, Target’s Executive Vice President of Food and Beverage, you go undercover and ask them yourself. Posing as third-party researchers, Lundquist and her team sat down and asked consumers some tough questions—and they delivered some tough answers. All of this, however, led to a complete overhaul of the retailer’s grocery options.
"They thought we were researchers, so they were really honest about what they liked, and what they didn't," Lundquist said at her Keynote address at the Groceryshop conference. "We spent hundreds and hundreds of hours listening to our guests as we started building this brand. We shopped our stores with them, we ate with them, and we learned a lot."
Target stepped into the grocery ring a little over a decade ago, refitting 1,000 stores to accommodate fresh food, as Business Insider reported. According to Lundquist, it was a “huge undertaking, undertaken quickly.”
"Within a few years, we turned grocery into a $15 billion business," she said. "As a result, we ended up with a food and beverage category that generates sales on par with the categories that had defined Target for decades, like home, apparel, and accessories. [But we] also ended up with a food and beverage department without much of a point of view."
That’s where interviewing consumers came into play. After talking to folks, Lundquist discovered places in which the retailer could step up its game. A huge result of these “immersion trips” was the rise of Target’s Good and Gather brand, which signaled a shift in the way the retailer approached its grocery business.
"We can control the ingredients in our products, the quality, and the taste, and we can control whether our brands deliver on our purpose of helping our guests find joy every day," Lundquist said. "We're doing these things because our guests shouldn't have to make any sacrifice when it comes to getting food at a good value."
Will other stores take the undercover strategy and start figuring out consumers’ interests on the ground? Only time will tell!
ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods announced this morning that it has collaborated with nationally recognized chefs Diana Dávila, Thai Dang, and Sameh Wadi to create products with Latin American, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences. The new line is dubbed Fall Scoop 2019, which highlights a “Global Discovery Made Easy” concept, as 54 percent of consumers claim to make a point of trying novel global foods.
“Today’s diners are more adventurous, and they expect diverse, authentic food experiences,” said Stacey Kinkaid, Vice President of Product Development and Innovation. “Chef Dávila, Chef Dang, and Chef Wadi shared incredibly helpful insights and feedback on Scoop products with Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian influences, such as al pastor, beef shawarma, and bulgogi beef. By focusing our efforts on items our operators would normally not have the time, resources, or experience to create on their own, we have delivered turnkey solutions they can add to their menus with confidence.”
Chef Dávila is the chef and owner of Mi Tocaya Antojería in Chicago; Chef Dang is the executive chef and owner of HaiSous, also in Chicago; and Chef Wadi is the executive chef and owner of World Street Kitchen in Minneapolis. The three worked as advisors for US Foods as it developed the new Fall Scoop lineup.
Chef Dávila was tasked with bringing the flavors of Latin America to Fall Scoop. A 2019 finalist for the coveted James Beard Award and a 2018 semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category, she is also a recognized authority on Mexican cuisine and draws from nearly 20 years in the restaurant industry.
“Creating al pastor with US Foods was an exciting challenge because it’s typically a street food in Mexico that takes time and special equipment to prepare,” said Chef Dávila. “In staying true to the authentic dish, the Chef’s Line All Natural Al Pastor was cooked on a spit, so the meat comes in shaved slices with charring. It’s a savory and delicious product that is already seasoned so it can quickly be prepared and added to any meal.”
Fall Scoop products made with the ingredients and flavors of Latin America include:
- Chef’s Line All Natural Al Pastor
- Monarch Fire Roasted Corn and Poblano Peppers Blend with Onions
- Del Pasado Mini Chile Rellenos
According to a press release, 54 percent of consumers eat foods influenced by Asian cuisine at least once per month. US Foods partnered with Chef Thai Dang, a two-times James Beard Award semifinalist, to advise on products with multiple culinary influences from Asia, including Korean, Vietnamese, and Taiwanese. Chef Dang is known for his innovative and modern takes on classic Vietnamese dishes at HaiSous, which was recently recognized by Thrillist as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in America.
“I was excited to share my creativity with US Foods and adapt some of my favorite Asian flavors into the new Fall Scoop products,” said Chef Dang. “The Chef’s Line All Natural Bulgogi Beef stands out for me because it can be served in so many ways, like in a stir fry, lettuce wrap, or even as a bulgogi poutine. Operators can put their own spin on a product like this and turn it into a dish they know their diners will love.”
Highlights of Fall Scoop products made with Asian influences include:
- Patuxent Farms Red Curry Seasoned Popcorn Chicken
- Chef’s Line All Natural Bulgogi Beef
- Pacific Jade Korean BBQ Style Spring Roll
The press release also reported that 51 percent of consumers prefer to eat Middle Eastern food at a restaurant rather than making it at home. Chef Sameh Wadi, a self-described “spice connoisseur” who is well known for his creative use of spices, was tasked with bringing Middle Eastern products to Fall Scoop. Chef Wadi is also a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year, and takes a contemporary approach to Middle Eastern cuisine.
“I think the reason so many people love Middle Eastern food is because it’s often made with darker spices and ingredients that have layers of flavor, and shawarma is a great example of that,” said Chef Wadi. “I’m really proud of how well the Chef’s Line All Natural Beef Shawarma can translate for operators’ menus. We tried a few versions to get the seasoning just right, and through different tastings and iterations we created a delicious blend of spices that takes the product to the next level.”
Highlights of Fall Scoop products made with Middle Eastern culinary influences include:
- Chef’s Line All Natural Beef Shawarma
- Devonshire Premium Cheesecake Topped with Honey and Almonds
To see the entirety of the US Foods' Fall Scoop, please click here.
Bringing international flare to the fall time is a unique way for foodservice operators to spice up the season. Stay with us at AndNowUKnow as we unveil the season’s most innovative concepts.
CORAL GABLES, FL - There are few robust portfolios like that of Del Monte Fresh, and the food-focused powerhouse has officially added to it with its new Better Break™ convenience line of prepared meals.
“We are so excited to unveil Better Break,” said Dennis Christou, Vice President Marketing, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. “We know that our consumers—millennials especially—are looking for tasty, convenient, and wholesome options when it comes to lunch and afternoon snacking. Better Break is our solution for everyone who may be too busy to prepare their own plant-forward options, and we look forward to adding them to our Del Monte® lineup at our retailers nationwide.”
Having been made available across the U.S. late this summer, the new chef-inspired meals are available in varieties such as:
- Spicy Pomodoro: made with kohlrabi linguine and chunky, spicy chipotle pepper tomato sauce
- Zesty Green Chile: kohlrabi, cauliflower, kale, chickpea, and bell peppers tossed in a tangy green chile sauce
- Summer Corn: cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato, kale, and corn sauce with roasted corn and bell pepper
The Better Break convenience line stems from FMI – Power of Produce 2019 data that illustrates a growing desire among millennials (60 percent of older millennials and 55 percent of younger millennials) to incorporate more produce during lunch.
According to a press release, these new products meet consumer demand in a groundbreaking new way, created to minimize prep time that can come along with peeling, seeding, and cutting.
In addition to combating these obstacles in fresh produce consumption, Better Break provides a wholesome choice for consumers aiming to enjoy a quick, convenient, healthy lunch or snack option. Better Break products are based on fresh vegetables and contain 130 calories or less per serving, with heat-and-eat, microwave-safe BPA-free packaging allowing for a quick snack or small, healthy meal at a moment’s notice.
Featuring cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes, kale, and corn, plus a delicious sauce, new Better Break offers both vegetarian and plant-based options, packed with 4g of protein per serving.
With an SRP of $3.99, the new single-serve 7 oz. offering is available at retailers nationwide now.
USA - No matter how many people are rooting for grocery delivery and programs, shoppers will still visit actual stores. But just like restaurants and services, grocery stores also fall under the scrutiny of steely reviewers. From big names like Whole Foods to regional niche favorites like Hong Kong Supermarket, reviewers have rated everything in between on Yelp, and 24/7 Tempo has compiled what it believes to be the top 30 markets in the nation, naming Whole Foods Markets as the top organic grocery store.
A business school study of grocery store customer loyalty last year found that 83 percent of shoppers regularly visited between four and nine stores for groceries over a 12-month period. 24/7 Tempo grabbed the top 350 supermarkets, excluding restaurants and delis, and honed in on the top representative store if it was part of a chain. According to 24/7 Tempo, the factors taken into consideration for the list were: convenience, store organization, cleanliness, price, shopper rewards programs, availability of specific products, how a chain treats its employees, and how the parent company is perceived to behave in general. If you ask me, that’s a lot of research to find a good place to buy some dinner. Amongst that list were:
- Eataly NYC Flatiron, New York, NY–1st
- Whole Foods Market, Austin, TX–5th
- Trader Joe’s, New York, NY–6th
- Costco, Honolulu, HI–8th
- Safeway, San Francisco, CA–14th
For the full list of supermarkets and the Yelp reviews to back it up, click here. Us here at ANUK will be taking notes on where to visit when we go traveling.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Vision Produce Company is making major leadership moves, recently announcing the promotion of Dan Lawton to the role of President and Managing Partner. Lawton will soon be taking over the day-to-day operation of Vision Produce, though Bill Vogel will retain his role as Chairman and CEO.
“I’ve been with Bill for over twenty years now, mainly because of his great leadership and philosophy on building a successful company,” said Lawton in a press release. “So, with the help of a very experienced Executive Team, Sales Team, and all the other valued employees at Vision Produce Company. I am honored to continue on with that philosophy and prosper for many years to come.”
Lawton has deep roots in the produce industry that span all the way back to 1994, when he began his career with Dole Fresh Fruit Company. In 1999, he joined Vision Produce and has been a crucial member of the company’s sales and procurement desk for many years. Throughout his time at Vision Produce, Lawton managed the company's Tropical Department before moving on to Vice President. In that role, he was instrumental in helping the Vision Produce maintain and expand its business. Lawton graduated from Long Beach State University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
“Dan’s deep experience with trade operations, customer service, and business relationships makes him the perfect person to lead our company into the next generation,” Vogel commented.
Congratulations to Dan on the new role!
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger is a retailer with a commanding presence in the industry. Whenever it does anything innovative of the sort, all of us within the industry sit up and take notice. No stranger to testing out new formats, Kroger has also embrace the plant-based trend in a big way. Now, it’s leaning harder into this space as it plans to test out a dedicated plant-based meat section with help from the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA).
"The test, which emerged from our partnership with PBFA, will allow us to unearth rich insight regarding how to best merchandise the category and connect with consumers," Marcellus Harris, Assistant Commodity Manager in the meat department for Kroger, commented.
According to a report from Food & Wine, the new department will be a subsection of the retailer’s standard meat departments. Kroger will be testing the new department over 20 weeks in 60 of its stores across Denver, Colorado; Indiana; and Illinois.
The locations were chosen to reach a wide enough range of customers to generate comprehensive data to inform Kroger of the new department’s effect on overall sales.
"Plant-based meat sales have been increasing dramatically year over year, even while most of them are placed where only the most dedicated consumers are likely to find and purchase them," said Julie Emmett, Senior Director of Retail Partnerships for PBFA. "We are confident that this test will demonstrate that plant-based meat sales will increase even more when consumers have easier access to them. We applaud Kroger for taking the lead on plant-based meat merchandising, and we are confident that the outcome will be a win for retailers, suppliers, and especially for consumers."
Will this new plant-based meat section help rocket vegetables to the top? AndNowUKnow will be here to report the latest.
MIAMI, FL - As of today, industry veteran James Paul has joined the Sales Team at Crystal Valley Foods and will handle sales for the entire product line, including asparagus. Before Crystal Valley, Paul was the Senior Category Director for the asparagus category at Grower Direct Marketing. In his new position, Paul will be based in Stockton, California.
“I am excited to have joined the team at Crystal Valley,” said Paul. “The company is a respected leader in the industry and is well-known for its quality products and customer service. I am looking forward to being a part of its continued growth and helping to expand and create new relationships in the U.S. and Canada.”
With a degree from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Paul has also held sales and marketing positions at Greg Paul Produce, Giumarra, Altar Produce, Prima Bella Produce, Apio, and Boskovich Farms.
“We are thrilled that James has joined Crystal Valley,” said Jay Rodriguez, President. “With a family history in the fresh produce industry, Paul brings over 30 years of sales and marketing experience to the company. He is an accomplished and dynamic professional and his passion for the business will make him a great addition to our team.”
Congratulations to James Paul on his new and exciting role at Crystal Valley Foods!