DENVER, CO - Potatoes sales are on the up and up! Potatoes USA reported that United States retail sales volume of potatoes increased 5.6 percent in the months of January through March of this year. Dollar sales increased 4.4 percent, reaching nearly $4.6 billion, and all categories of potatoes increased in both volume and dollar sales.

As the company noted, this indicates strong growth across the board for the potato market.

According to a press release, all categories of potatoes increased in volume and dollar sales for the quarter, including:

• Fresh: Dollar sales increased 0.6 percent; volume sales increased 7.6 percent
• Frozen: Dollar sales increased 10.5 percent; volume sales increased 3.3 percent
• Chips: Dollar sales increased 3.3 percent; volume sales increased 1.7 percent

The most significant sales volume increases in January-March were for deli-prepared sides at 7.8 percent and fresh potatoes at 7.6 percent.

We’ll keep an eye on shifting markets, so stay tuned!

MONTEREY, CA - Organic Produce Summit (OPS) always brings the heat when it comes to educational segments, and this announcement is no different. The final keynote session, “Retail Fireside Chat”, set to take place on Thursday, July 11, will tackle critical industry challenges in boosting retail sales.

This keynote session is moderated by Kevin Coupe, Author at Morning News Beat, and features panelists Robby Cruz, Vice President of Produce at Target; and Patrick Haines, Vice President of Produce at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI).

It will dive into industry topics such as organic program evolution, consumer preferences, and the impact of technology on operations. The panel will also explore changing consumer behaviors and the role of AI in growing both organic and overall produce sales.

In addition to the final keynote, Organic Produce Summit announced a new educational panel discussion "Cracking the Code: Label Messaging at Retail."

According to a press release, this session will delve into the many keywords consumers face when shopping for fresh produce, including 'organic,' 'pesticide-free,' 'locally grown,' and 'sustainable,' and explore whether this type of messaging resonates or confuses customers.

On the panel itself is Mary Heslep, Senior Vice President, Ten Acre Marketing; Kim Chackal, Co-Owner and Director of Sales and Marketing, Equifruit; Joe Merenda, Chief Executive Officer, Misionero; and Michael La Kier, Vice President of Brand Development, IGA Brands. They will discuss whether the industry is successfully navigating buzzwords and marketing strategies, and examine how to better articulate the advantages of organic produce to shoppers.

We’ll continue to report on the show in the lead-up to the event!

SANTA BARBARA, CA - The launch of Apeel’s “The Apeel Leverage” came earlier in May, and since then, the company has rolled out steps of the program. The concluding pillars are aimed at showcasing how Apeel’s technology enhances long-haul capabilities in the fresh produce supply chain. The focus areas, “Here for the Long-Haul” and “Satisfy You and Your Customers” are developed to ensure that produce not only travels farther but also exceeds customer expectations upon arrival.

"Our goal with 'The Apeel Leverage' campaign, through the pillars of Expanding Offerings with Confidence, Helping You Sell More, Here for the Long-Haul, and Satisfy You and Your Customers, is to demonstrate how our technologies can significantly enhance our partners' supply chain capabilities,” described Ryan Fink, Senior Vice President, Commercial. “This not only addresses food waste but also drives substantial improvements to both their top and bottom lines. Apeel is about much more than reducing food waste—it's about unlocking the full potential of the produce supply chain in a more sustainable way."

The third pillar, “Here for the Long-Haul,” enables produce to endure longer shipping distances, effectively opening up new markets previously considered out of reach due to spoilage concerns.

According to a press release, this technology allows suppliers to ship their produce further with confidence, reducing rejections or quality markdowns and enhancing profitability.

The fourth pillar, “Satisfy You and Your Customers”, helps retailers offer superior products that meet consumers' increasing demands for quality and sustainability. As the company explained, this leads to more dynamic produce displays and marketing strategies, ultimately enhancing the shopping experience and customer satisfaction.

"Together, these pillars support our partners' operational requirements while addressing the growing consumer demand for sustainable and high-quality produce," added Fink. "By aligning our technology with our partners' and consumers' needs, we create a powerful impact across the supply chain."

ANUK will continue to report on the latest in fresh.

BENTONVILLE, AR - An additional 10 million households are gaining access to Walmart’s innovative, in-demand InHome delivery service. Shoppers in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Philadelphia can now order fresh groceries and everyday essentials to be delivered directly to their kitchen or garage refrigerators.

“The expansion of InHome comes at the perfect time for families who are embarking on the busy summer season and are looking for faster, more convenient ways to complete those everyday chores,” said Haley McShane, General Manager of InHome, Walmart U.S. “We understand that customers are busy and want to make sure that they can have a seamless shopping experience that fits their needs.”

Walmart launched its cutting-edge InHome delivery offering in 2019 to make shopping easier for its customers. Since then, the retailer has made millions of InHome deliveries to customers’ homes with the help of associates who are tenured, vetted, and specially trained by Walmart for the service, a press release explained.

With the addition of these markets to its InHome delivery footprint, Walmart brings the total scale of the service to more than 50 markets, covering more than 45 million homes.

InHome is available as an add-on to Walmart+ membership for $12.95 per month or $98 per year program, making it easier and more convenient for consumers to get their fresh groceries.

Interested in learning more? Click here.

Where will we see this convenient service expand to next? ANUK will be here to report.

WASHINGTON, DC - Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it had filed an administrative complaint against Red Wagon Groves for alleged Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) violations.

The Texas-based company allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 12 produce sellers in the amount of $402,982 from August 2022 through April 2023.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

Red Wagon Groves will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

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