YUMA, AZ; MENDOTA, CA - It’s summertime and melons are ripe for the picking. Every summer, I’m blessed with the abundance of delicious melons to sink my teeth into at a BBQ or just lounging about. And it seems that there are more and more varieties catching my eye—Legend Produce has piqued my interest this season with its Origami cantaloupe.
“We at Legend continue to witness increased demand for Origami every year and are proud to continually build up volume to match that demand,” said Barry Zwillinger, Co-Owner and Sales Manager of this fourth-generation cantaloupe family. “There is no other variety on the market that can match what Origami does. It’s a full slip western shipper that provides an amazing aroma, high brix, a deep orange color, and a phenomenal unmatched flavor. Origami is a hearty melon with a small seed cavity that provides retailers with increased shelf-life and prevents spoilage on the other end to the consumer.”
The sweet and delicious melon is grown lovingly in California and Arizona, so you know that these babies are soaking up all the sun. Seeing as the Zwillinger family has been cultivating melons for consumption since 1955, meeting consumer demands is like second nature.
“In-store retail sales have shown that consumers prefer Origami, and the retailers’ sales data year over year backs that up,” continued Zwillinger. “We have retailers that are requesting only the Origami cantaloupe in their stores during this season.”
Be sure to take advantage during this peak season! AndNowUKnow will keep you updated on all the fruity news.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Target is introducing its small-format stores to the university scene on a grand scale. Recently, the burgeoning grocery retailer announced plans to open 30 new campus locations each year over the next couple of years in order to expand its small-format concept in a crucial market.
“Going off to college is a new life stage—students are making their own shopping decisions for the first time,” said Mark Schindele, Senior Vice President, Target Properties. “We want to help make students’ experiences fun and easy, serve up products and services they’ll love, and show them the best that Target has to offer, so they become lifelong guests.”
According to a press release, Target’s campus stores are like no other college-geared retail experience as each one’s designed for quick and convenient trips and stocked with locally relevant products at affordable prices. Products will include college-handy items like grab-and-go lunch and snack items—including bananas, apples, and more—as well as essentials and school supplies. The locations even offer online grocery services and pick-up.
“While all Target store teams strive to learn what local guests need and adapt accordingly, it’s particularly important for small-format stores near college campuses to get to know the unique needs of our student guests,” said Scott Timpani, Store Team Leader at Target’s University Center, University of California Irvine location. “We have four self-checkout kiosks next to the doors so [students] can quickly complete purchases and be on their way. And for guests who have more time to spend, we’ve created a cozy seating area near Starbucks complete with outlets for charging their devices.”
While this store concept is not new—in fact, Target opened 10 new campus stores in 2018, upping its footprint to two-dozen college locations nationwide—the kicker of the retailer’s latest plan is the rapid growth it’s hoping to achieve in the next few years.
Does Target have any more tailored store concepts up its sleeves it's planning on debuting as it tackles more markets? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms knows that the heart of any great organization is its people, and the company has taken great steps to invest in the future of its personnel. The company recently hosted its employees and their families at its annual Scholarship Luncheon, where Taylor Farms presented 20 new students with college scholarships. The recipients are all children of active, full-time Taylor Farms employees, and are pursuing higher education at a four-year university or graduate program. This year, the company awarded $100,000 in scholarships, and has given away over one million dollars to more than 100 worthy recipients.
“Taylor Farms is thrilled to continue the scholarship program for our team and their families with both new students and renewed scholarships,” said Bruce Taylor, CEO. “We are deeply passionate about creating opportunity for education as the foundation of a thriving future.”
The scholarships are designed to support the students throughout their entire academic career, according to a press release. Students will receive an upfront check for $5,000 with a guaranteed renewal of $5,000 for each year that they remain in their undergraduate or graduate program.
- Adan Lopez Calderon – University of California, Berkeley
- Andrea Rivera Maranon – California State University Fresno
- Brenda Ruby Rodriguez – University of California, Berkeley
- Cecilia Linares – San Francisco State University
- Emma Horton – University of California, Los Angeles
- Erika Servin Vela – California State University, Monterey Bay
- Francisco Javier Romero – San Francisco State University
- Gloria Angelica Tinoco Estrada – California State University, Monterey Bay
- Jasmine Beltran – Sacramento State University
- Jesus Alfar – University of California, Santa Barbara
- Jonathan Josue Quintero Ramos – California State University, Monterey Bay
- Karen G Navarro – California State University, Long Beach
- Leonardo Reynoso – University of California, Davis
- Maria Ramirez – University of California, Davis
- Mariluz Tejeda-Leon – Yale
- Maria Guadalupe Duran – Cal Poly
- Matthew Steven Morasca – University of Nevada, Reno
- Pablo Mendoza Contreras – University of California Davis
- Ronaldo Aguilera – University of California, Los Angeles
- Seth-Abdiel Briano Palacios – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
For the second year running, Taylor Farms has teamed up with the Community Foundation for Monterey County to expand the reach of its scholarship program, allowing applicants to use an online platform to instantly apply for the Taylor Farms Scholarship program, as well as over 40 additional local scholarships that they may not have otherwise known about.
Congratulations from all of us at ANUK to Taylor Farms for a truly inspirational act of altruism!
MANHATTAN, NY - Plant-based foods have reshaped the retail landscape. Where once consumers could find only beef and chicken, they’re now presented with numerous options that plug in fresh veggies as the main component. The latest meat getting the plant treatment is shellfish: lobster in particular.
According to a report from LIVEKINDLY, ethical eaters are searching for humane lobster options. At May Wah Vegetarian Market in New York City, vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians alike can purchase vegan lobster meat made out of yam flour and vegetable oil. The recommended way to prepare this “lobster” is to boil it in hot water before letting it cool down. Once it’s been cooked, it should be sliced and marinated, then served either cold, in a stir-fry, or in a stew.
Where will the plant-based movement take us next? Potato shrimp? Squash-based nuggets? The ever-growing world of veg is an exciting one to watch out for, and AndNowUKnow will continue to report the latest!
MILL VALLEY, CA - A new organic company has been born again under the presence of TerraFresh Organics (TFO). Greg Holzman and Steve Akagaki are partnering up one more time after selling Purity Organic six years ago. Now, TFO will be focusing on supplying organic citrus, mangos, stonefruit, and grapes in partnership with Harbinger Group and plans a full roll-out of organic fruits under Misionero’s Earth Greens label.
“We are excited to join with the Harbinger Group of companies,” said Greg Holzman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of TerraFresh Organics. “The Harbinger Group’s working knowledge, grower network, distribution model, and commitment to the organic space is unparalleled. The opportunity to work with Green Wave Farms, Vertical Farms, and Misionero is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us, and I’ve never been more excited about our future. As a veteran of the produce business, I believe the time's right to re-engage with organic farmers as the category continues to thrive.”
Before TFO, Holzman and Akagaki have been in the organic fruit biz for over 30 years. According to a press release, Holzman invested in an apple orchard in 1985 and recruited Akagaki two years later after successfully converting it to an organic farm. That then turned into a partnership and presented itself as Purity Organic/Pacific Organic Produce. Their commitment to organics has led them to seek out conventional growers whose farms could be converted into organic farms as well.
“We are thrilled to be reviving past partnerships and developing new, strategic relationships with growers and farmers,” said Steve Akagaki, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of TerraFresh Organics. “The partnership with the Harbinger Group brings us technology and other resources that are crucial to being a top-tiered supplier. It allows us the ability to service our customers and build programs that meet the growing expectations of today’s consumer. The world has gotten smaller, the choices greater, and the competition has become fiercer. I believe TerraFresh Organics is well-positioned to be a leader in the organic category.”
This week, Jason Laffer, the newest VP of Sales for TFO, will be at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey. Be sure to stop by the Misionero booth at #819 to meet the team and learn more about the new family in organics.
IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.
FEELING HOT HOT HOT IN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND…BE CAREFUL WITH QUALITY
Starting this Thursday, get ready for extreme high temperatures to hit the state, possibly affecting quality of many commodities.
In the southern deserts where grapes are still being harvested, look for a high of 115° on Thursday and 118° on Friday. Saturday through next Tuesday will experience a high of 116°. Low temperatures will remain extremely warm during these six days, around 87°. We might see quality issues with these temperatures.
The San Joaquin Valley will also see warmer temperatures starting Thursday, with highs expected to reach 106° by Saturday. These warmer temperatures will last through Tuesday, July 16. Low temperatures during this spell will be in the mid-70°s.
Even the Salinas Valley won’t be able to escape the heat. The city of Salinas, at the northeastern end of the valley near the ocean, will only see highs warm up in the upper 70°s. The city of Soledad, toward the southern end of the valley, will see maximum temperatures well above 90° tomorrow through next Monday. The hottest day will be Saturday, with the maximum temperature possibly reaching 100°. Look for possible quality issues on lettuces and other wet veg coming from this area.
Why does this matter? Well, this kind of extreme heat is tough on plants as well as the fruit. We might see an increase of production over the next week or so but be careful of quality issues. It not only affects the fruit ready for harvest but can also be detrimental to the plant and future fruit growth. In addition, the heat could also affect markets in the longer term, so companies might want to plan ahead this week when buying.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION LIKELY TO FORM BRINGING HEAVY RAIN TO GULF COAST STATES
There is a high possibility of a hurricane forming over the next five days. Here is the latest from the National Hurricane Service:
“A trough of low pressure located over central Georgia is forecast to move southward toward the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, where a broad area of low pressure is expected to form on Wednesday. Environmental and ocean conditions are forecast to be conducive for development and a tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week while the low moves slowly westward over northern Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of development, this system has the potential to produce heavy rainfall along portions of the northern and eastern U.S. Gulf Coast later this week. For more information about the rainfall threat, please see products issued by your local weather forecast office and the NOAA Weather Prediction Center. Interests along the Gulf Coast from the Upper Texas coast to the western Florida peninsula should monitor the progress of this system.”
*Formation chance through 48 hours...low...30 percent.
*Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.
HIGH TEMPERATURES RETURN TO MICHIGAN EARLY NEXT WEEK
Michigan had a reprieve last week from the extended extreme high temperatures it experienced late last month, but things will soon change. Tomorrow will once again see a high temperature of 90° before cooling off on Wednesday. But, come Sunday, maximum temperatures again will reach into the 90°s, where it will remain until at least next Wednesday, July 17.
There is also little or no chance of rain over the next ten days. Look for possible quality issues on product from these regions.
Thanks again, and we'll be back later this week with another weather report!
YAKIMA, WA - It’s only July and already there are opportunities to look back on the year and reflect. Superfresh Growers® has taken a deep dive into the apple and pear market to uncover the details of the categories. The grower analyzed the last 52 weeks to find out category patterns and growth.
In the apple sector, organic apples experienced a 5 percent national sales growth, with the Gala variety leading the way, representing 34 percent of all organic apple sales, according to a press release, based on IRI Freshlook® data. Following Gala were Honeycrisp, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady® varieties. Though winter promotions proved successful in growing the organic movement, spring and summer saw missed opportunities for promotion.
Organic pears charged past the apple category, with a national sales growth of 7 percent. 47.4 percent of organic pear sales—a whopping $14.8 million—came from the Bartlett variety, with Anjou and Bosc rounding out the core three organic pear varieties. The three combined represent 89.5 percent of all organic pear sales.
August will mark the start of apple and pear season, starting with Organic Gala apples and Organic Bartlett and Starkrimson pears.
For more updates on the organic market, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
INDEPENDENCE, KY - How do you know when an event will go from good to great? When you invite fresh produce leaders to speak, of course! At the Crosset 2019 Produce & Floral Conference, the retailer panel will include Greg Corrigan, Senior Director of Produce and Floral for Raley’s; Caitlin Tierney, Senior Director of Produce for 99 Cents Only Stores; Drew Sullivan, Senior Category Manager-Produce for Sprouts Farmers Market; and Mimmo Franzone, Director of Produce and Floral at Longo Brothers Fruit Markets.
“We are thrilled to bring together such a distinguished group of produce industry professionals for our 2019 Produce & Floral Conference,” said Greg Kurkjian, Crosset Company’s Vice President and General Manager. “Each of the retailers represented on this panel have successfully crafted a unique positioning in their marketplace, delivered in large part through their fresh produce offerings. We look forward to a lively discussion that will both challenge and inspire our conference attendees in their ‘Dare to be Different’ journey.”
The roundtable discussion, which will focus on the use of organic, local, and clean foods to support each retailers' differentiation strategies, will be moderated by Steve Lutz, Vice President of Member Engagement for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA).
According to a press release, each panelist brings their own distinctive take on fresh produce in retail, as well as their own brand of passion for fruit and veg.
Greg Corrigan, for example, oversees all produce procurement and merchandising for Raley’s Bel Air, Nob Hill, and Food Source stores in California and Nevada. He is also the current Chairman of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Board of Directors.
Mimmo Franzone, on the other hand, developed a passion for fresh food and produce while working in the family business. Throughout his 16-year career with Longo’s, Franzone has worked as Produce Manager and Produce Category Manager. He is now the Director of Produce and Floral. His personal mission remains bringing Longo’s shoppers the flavors and experiences that fresh veg and fruit have to offer. Franzone focuses on both quality and unique offerings and works to be a leader in building sustainable relationships.
Over her 14-year career in the produce industry, Caitlin Tierney has gathered a unique perspective on up-and-coming trends, such as e-commerce, grocery delivery, prepared foods, discount retail, and more. Her retail career started as a Produce Category Assistant for Michigan-based Spartan Stores, where she spent several years as a buyer. She then moved on to work for New York-based Fresh Direct as a Senior Produce Buyer. Prior to joining 99 Cents Only Stores, she was the Produce and Floral Purchasing Manager for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and NAFTA Produce Chain Marketing Manager for Bayer CropScience.
Drew Sullivan has nearly 20 years of retail grocery produce experience. He first worked for Safeway, and for the past three years has been with Sprouts Farmers Market. His experience spans produce department management, field merchandising, and regional and national produce category management responsibilities. He brings an innovative, analytical, and creative approach to driving produce growth.
Steve Lutz’s career spans nearly 40 years. Throughout it, he has worked in fresh food marketing and research. His career includes two stints with the Washington Apple Commission, first managing industry-wide marketing programs for the apple growers of Washington State and later serving as President/CEO. He also managed marketing programs for several wineries while at Ogilvy & Mather. He is the Co-Founder of Perishables Group and Vice President of Marketing for CMI Orchards.
Registration is now open for the Crosset Company Produce & Floral Conference, which will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 28, 2019. Retailers, foodservice operators, growers, suppliers, and other industry partners can now register on-line at crosset.com. The day-long event will feature guest speakers and panelists, networking and sales opportunities, and cooking demonstrations and sampling throughout the day.
Stick with us at AndNowUKnow for the latest in fresh veg and fruit!
FALLBROOK, CA - Trade shows are always a celebration, whether it be in honor of new products, hard work, or even the fact that we’re all together again! At this year’s Organic Produce Summit, however, Del Rey Avocado is celebrating the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art packing and distribution facility in Vista, California, as well as new packaging for its ever-so-popular Organic California Reed Avocado. I caught up with Patrick Lucy, Vice President, to learn more ahead of the show.
“We always look forward to getting meaningful facetime with our existing customer base and the opportunity to meet new customers at a nice venue and intimate environment,” Patrick said to me. “This is one of our favorite shows of the year because the venue is unbelievable—how can you not love Monterey in July? OPS provides the best opportunity to meet with decision-makers at all levels of a buying organization in retail, foodservice, and wholesale, and from all over the country.”
Patrick noted that Del Rey Avocado is particularly excited about the opportunity to show these buyers the Organic California Reed Avocado’s new packaging. Specifically, the new packaging will accommodate the larger fruit size, provide for better arrivals, and increase quality—all of which fits into Del Rey Avocado’s commitment to bolster organics.
“Del Rey Avocado was one of the earliest adaptors in California Organic Avocados. We are proud to feature organics as a mainstay to our product line and are committed to more organic acreage in California, Peru, and Chile,” Patrick shared. “In addition, we are proud supporters and active participators in the Fair Trade movement. Fair Trade and organics go hand-in-hand with our overall marketing strategy.”
And if that wasn’t enough for us to celebrate in Monterey in a few weeks, Patrick also revealed that Del Rey Avocado has experienced tremendous growth in organic exports in South Korea and Japan, proving that organic avocados are now a worldwide market for the fruit provider.
To learn more reasons to celebrate with Del Rey Avocado on the OPS show floor, stop by booth #302! For more pre-OPS coverage, keep following AndNowUKnow.
BOISE, ID - Albertsons is tackling online accessibility to fresh produce and beyond, announcing an initiative to make both desktop and mobile grocery shopping easier for customers with disabilities.
“Ensuring a great shopping experience for all customers is one of our highest priorities, which includes ongoing web and mobile app accessibility enhancements to provide access to customers of all abilities,” said Ramiya Iyer, Group Vice President, Information Technology.
The retailer collaborated with several visually impaired customers of the company's family of grocery stores, including Safeway, in a process known as ‘Structured Negotiation,’ according to a press release.
Albertsons noted positive feedback from customers on both sides of the country.
“I congratulate Albertsons Cos. for recognizing the needs of all of its customers including customers like me who have visual impairments,” Judy Dixon, a Safeway shopper in Virginia, said in the release. “The changes announced today will make it easier for us to shop with convenience and efficiency.”
The enhancements include significant enhancements to its online shopping websites and mobile applications to improve accessibility, striving to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 Level AA. The investment comes as news sources report major competitors like Amazon are struggling in the e-commerce online grocery realm. Will this move cultivate a loyal following that could give Albertsons an e-commerce edge? AndNowUKnow will report the latest.