MILLEN, GA – The Southeast Produce Council announced that it will be teaming up with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) to present its signature research, The Power of Produce, at Southern Exposure 2018. After a successful workshop collaboration at the SEPC’s Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo, this innovative union aims to take its research to new heights with plans to unveil the future of Power of Produce at SEPC’s Southern Exposure beginning in 2019.
“The Southeast Produce Council is excited to announce this partnership with FMI,” said David Sherrod, President and CEO of the Southeast Produce Council, in a press release. “Their reputation of proven research results is widely used and regarded as one of the best tools for retail and wholesale professionals today. The Power of Produce report will debut each year at our Southern Exposure conference and will be a huge draw for our attendees. We will work hand-in-hand with FMI to deliver this timely report each year.”
The Power of Produce analysis reveals shopper habits regarding fruits and vegetables pre-trip, in-store, and at home, as well as hundreds of shopper suggestions on how to improve the produce department. For food retailers looking to use the produce department to set themselves apart, this report gives insights into the shopper’s produce purchasing process and the real power produce can bring to their store’s business. The analysis, conducted by 210 Analytics and supported by data from IRI and Nielsen, also reveals strategies for food retailers to consider as they bolster their produce merchandising and marketing programs. The research previously made possible by the generous support of Hillphoenix and Yerecic Label will now receive additional funding from the Southeast Produce Council, as well, creating a dynamic unification within the produce industry.
“Food retail continues to be the produce stronghold, so the opportunity to debut research that offers an in-depth look at produce through the eyes of the shopper at the premier platform for the produce industry complemented our goals for reaching an insights-hungry audience,” said FMI Vice President of Fresh Foods Rick Stein, who noted FMI proudly advocates on behalf of the food retail industry. “I look forward to annually presenting the findings at SEPC’s Southern Exposure featuring some of the produce industry’s most influential professionals.”
To hear the first stage of SEPC’s and FMI’s collaborated research, mark your calendars for March 1-3 and head down to Tampa, Florida, for Southern Exposure 2018. Every year, Southern Exposure holds an impressive attendance record of over 500 buyers and 2,000 suppliers servicing the southeastern markets with fresh produce that you won't want to miss.
For more news like this, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
YAKIMA, WA – Word on the street—or web—is that Domex Superfresh Growers® has a new game-plan to get more consumers to enjoy the delicious crunch of its Autumn Glory® apples this season. The company is using social media to spread news of the infinite possibilities that this apple can offer those who take it home with them. Eight blogger influencers set up camp in the Yakima Valley orchards to celebrate the Autumn Glory’s harvest finale and its arrival for consumers to relish at the Harvest Immersion event.
“Working with influencers is a large part of our growth strategy for driving consumer awareness of Autumn Glory apples. Consumers desire a brand they can trust, and by working with influencers that have a high engagement rate on social media, we are able to build more brand awareness, loyalty, and trust. Autumn Glory apples are about the cinnamon and caramel flavor notes, ad the red and yellow coloring. Both are reminiscent of autumn ad are part of the story telling with Autumn Glory. This is an apple people love to eat and enjoy creating content and recipes about,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Communications Manager, in a recent press release.
After the social media influencers arrived at the orchards, they picked apples that were then packed in the warehouse, all while eating to their heart’s content and capturing images to share the company’s message, products, and work with broader audiences.
“The amount of work that goes on between harvesting and putting it on the shelves of a supermarket is mind-blowing,” said Aysegul Sanford of Foolproof Living.
To ensure that the company’s processes are communicated effectively to consumers, blogger influencers capture images showcasing the beauty surrounding the harvest season. While touring the grounds and seeing the processes, both the influencers and those who harvest the fruits found common ground with a loving respect for the hard work put forth in the orchards.
“In every bite of an Autumn Glory apple, there is a spark of magic,” said Alejandra Graf of Piloncillo y Vainilla. “When I visited the orchards, I found out why; there is so much love, care, and respect in growing the perfect apple, that you can taste it.”
The influencers left inspired by the magic experienced in those orchards, after finding beauty in the familiar, favorite dishes improved by Autumn Glory’s specified notes, while also finding new ways to introduce the variety. Not only did the influencers take pictures of the event to share with their followers, but they also took away a better sense of the apple itself and how to showcase it moving forward.
“With hints of caramel and cinnamon, this sweet and crisp new apple variety is perfect for pies, snacking on, caramel apple decorating, dipping in nut butter, juicing, and making into sangria,” remarked Kelly Pfieffer of Nosh and Nourish.
These bloggers shed creative and effective light on Autumn Glory apples and their capability to shape the culinary experience. Social media efforts make the company’s work transparent for consumers, so they feel like they can trust where their goods are made and to whom they can thank for their delicious taste.
“Showing off how versatile the Autumn Glory apple is in the culinary world was a great way to start off our Harvest Immersion event. We have found that being transparent with our consumer market about how much labor, time, and energy goes into harvest helps to further the trust of our brand,” said Gipe-Stewart.
The company is reaping the rewards of its decision to take on this event. It has since seen an astronomically increased consumer engagement online. The news is expanding beyond the reach of the influencers’ readership, as they extend the same informative, helping-hand for finding their right apple to others looking for the same. That is to say, word-of-mouth has been a great asset for Autumn Glory.
According to Gipe-Stewart, “Since the Autumn Glory Harvest Immersion in late Octoer, we have seen followers and engagement on social media increase by 600 percent. We immediately started seeing results of working with more influencers. We receive comments daily from consumers praising the Autumn Glory for its flavor and texture. For example, Mark S. of New Hampshire wrote in, ‘OMG I cannot eat enough of the Autumn Glory apples. The taste is unlike any apple. I have my family and friends buying them for other people. I’m an Autumn Glory addict now!”
Messages like Sanford’s, Graf’s, and Pfieffer's are first-hand accounts illustrate the labors of love that bring the variety’s cinnamon and caramel notes to eager customers this season.
A complete list of blogger influencers who attended Harvest Immersion is the following:
- Alejandra Graf of Piloncillo y Vainilla in Houston, TX
- Alyssa Brantley of Everyday Maven in Seattle, WA
- Ayseful Sanford of Foolproof Living in Vermont
- Coco Bassey of Millennielle in Atlanta, GA
- Kelly Pfieffer of Nosh and Nourish in Denver, CO
- Lindsey Johnson of Café Johnsonia in Boise, ID
- Megan McMorrow of Fox and Briar in Seattle, WA
- Rebekah Hubbard of PDX Food Love in Portland, OR
With such a far-reaching influence, bloggers have highlighted the fan-favorite Autumn Glory so that this harvest can continue to be the gift that keeps on giving.
MONTEREY, CA - Industry sustainability advocate and Measure to Improve CEO Nikki Rodoni has joined the Advisory Board of an influential global leader in advancing solutions to plastic pollution this week. Rodoni will now be part of the newly established Board for Think Beyond Plastic™, joining the likes of Mann Packing’s Gina Nucci, Driscoll’s Scott Komar, and other top sustainability influencers in the produce industry and beyond.
“It is such an incredible honor to be asked to join the Advisory Board of Think Beyond Plastics,” Rodoni shared with me. “This opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic group of leaders searching for new alternatives to plastics couldn’t have come at a better time, as we help our clients reduce their use of plastics on their journey to achieving Zero Waste.”
Comprised of thought leaders, elected officials, scientists, executives, community leaders, and representatives of academic institutions, the Advisory Board is committed to research and innovation with focus on plastic pollution. In collaboration with Sam Farr, Former Congressman of CA-20, and California State University at Monterey Bay, Think Beyond Plastic has also begun work on the Sam Farr Innovation Center for the New Plastics Economy, according to a press release.
“The Sam Farr Innovation Center for the New Plastics Economy is a bold undertaking,” said Daniella Russo, CEO of Think Beyond Plastic. “Industry advice and guidance is essential in accelerating solutions, and so is the need for global attention to the needs of the innovation ecosystem, including transformative public policies, investment, public-private partnerships, and incubating early stage innovation.”
The new Advisory Board’s member’s now will include the following, according to a press release:
- Hon. Sam Farr, Congressman (ret.), CA-20
- Hon. John Laird, State of California, Secretary for Natural Resources
- Charles Baxter, Distinguished Professor, Stanford University (ret.)
- Susie Brusa, CEO, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus
- James Copeland, Founder, CJ Lake LLC
- David Epel, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Stanford University (ret.)
- Hon. Zach Friend, Supervisor, Santa Cruz (CA) County, District 2
- Kent Glenzer, Ph.D., Dean, School of International Policy and Management, Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey
- Paul Kephart, CEO, Principal Ecologist and Designer, Rana Creek
- Scott Komar, Senior Vice President, Global R&D, Driscoll's
- Andrew Morlet, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
- Ramani Narayan, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University
- Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing, Mann Packing Company
- David Rapaport, Vice President, Earth and Community Care, Aveda
- Nikki Rodoni, Founder and CEO, Measure to Improve, LLC
- Lawrence Samuels, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the President, California State University at Monterey Bay
- Scott Schienvar, Vice President Operations, Americas L’Oréal
- Les Strnad, Coastal Zone Management Advisor, California Land Planning
- Peter Thurlow, Partner, Polsinelli Law Firm
- Nancy Zweng, Managing Director, Golden Seeds, Inc.
For more on moves towards sustainability affecting the produce industry and beyond, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
ISSAQUAH, WA – Loyal Costco customers who have grown tired of making trips to the wholesaler for their bulk items can now celebrate, because the retailer has discovered a way to make consumers’ lives—and backs—much better: a home delivery service called CostcoGrocery. But along with with the newly-added convenient buying option, the service has also implemented a new paid-search online advertising campaign, which broadcasts the two-day nationwide delivery and a same-day delivery services in specific metro areas.
With the addition of the retailer’s delivery service, Costco is joining the ranks of Amazon’s Whole Foods. Costco’s version of the burgeoning and convenient delivery experience has taken second place, following Instacart, in the U.S. Google desktop text ad impressions, according to AdGooroo’s analysis. The analysis looking at clicks on 38 grocery delivery-related keywords, including “grocery delivery,” “online grocery shopping,” and “grocery delivery services.” Data was collected and analyzed between October 27th through November 9th. It should be noted that this was the first time that AdGooroo identified Costco’s data, so in this first go of it, the retailer is off to the races!
So, how did Costco rank amongst its competitors? According to a recent article by MediaPost, the two-weeks collected data showing that Instacart took 23.5 percent click share. Costco’s second place showcased a 11.4 percent click share. Competitors HelloFresh came in at 8.2 percent, Walmart’s Jet.com showed up at 7.8 percent, and Walmart sauntered in at 7.7 percent. Amazon, who has been the talk of the town because of its recent acquisition of Whole Foods, reportedly got 3.5 percent click share for the keyword group about grocery delivery.
While the difference between Instacart’s and Costco’s click share held a 12.1 percent gap, its share of voice in delivery captured 14.6 percent of impressions, which was right behind Instacart’s 17.1 percent of impressions—a mere 2.5 percent variance.
How will Costco’s new delivery service fare in the broadened scheme of convenient shopping experiences when faced with competitors’ continually evolving services? AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date!
NORTH CAROLINA - A few market-savvy industry vets have gathered to form a new company that offers a fresh spin on produce consumption. Laura Hearn, one of the Co-Founders for newly-launched Glean, took the time to share with me this latest twist on boosting purchase and consumer love for sweet potatoes, pumpkins, beets, and beyond.
“Glean began with all of us working in produce and seeing trends throughout the industry as a whole for plant-based and healthy alternative products,” Laura explains. Heading up Nash Produce’s marketing for over seven years, she got a firsthand look at what consumers were craving. “Our team all worked in sweet potatoes over the years, seeing evolving uses and demands specific to them.”
The rising demand for versatile products opened the door for Laura, her brother Will, Stacy Ham-Thomas, and Kris Radford to start this new venture to answer that call with products like sweet potato flour, pumpkin flour, and–coming soon–beet powder.
“A lot of people use these items alternatively, either for flavoring, sauces, smoothies, or the usual flour applications. People are really excited about this, and it gives a lot of outlets to boost consumption as all the products are 100 percent made from their commodity base.”
And, Laura adds, provided by growers to help mitigate food waste.
Having all been in the business for a combined 20+ years, the Glean team has built connections in the produce industry. Tapping into those relationships, they have created a network, both local and national, of suppliers looking to avoid leaving unwanted product in the fields.
“Our mission statement is ‘Gathering goodness, reviving produce and people for meaningful lives.’ The majority of our fruit and vegetable products use discarded or unwanted produce that wouldn’t make it at retail,” Laura explains, adding the cause goes even further with the register ring. “For every pound purchased we donate a pound to make sure even those who couldn’t otherwise afford a healthy lifestyle can have access to one as well. One of the biggest draws for me in choosing Glean was knowing how big a difference it makes.”
The team has just started discussions with retailers following the recent soft launch of its website, ultimately hoping to see these products enhancing shelves and menu offerings for both retail and foodservice operators.
Find out how pairing this new spin on produce with your fresh displays by connecting with the team at [email protected]. Visit their website at www.liveglean.com to check out their products and use code ANUK15 for 15% off.
LAKELAND, FL - Growth, expanded initiatives, and increased efforts surrounding innovation are all accomplishments major retailer Publix is touting after a strong third quarter. As a result, and with continued expansion on its mind, Publix CEO & President Todd Jones announced today new officer positions, effective January 1, 2018.
“Investing in our business is critical to our growth and success,” said Jones, in a press release. “I’m excited we have associates ready to take the next step in their careers, helping us execute our company strategy.”
Currently the Director of Industrial Maintenance, Randy Barber will be promoted to Vice President of Industrial Maintenance and Purchasing, in which he will be responsible for industrial maintenance, facilities purchasing, and manufacturing supply purchasing. Barber joined Publix in 1978 as a Front Service Clerk, and has been promoted regularly since.
Because Publix’s fresh retail business units (RBUs)—which buy product, develop business plans, and provide support to the company’s retail stores—are among those with rapidly expanding initiatives and innovation efforts, the retailer is dividing those responsibilities between two current officers.
Moving from Publix’s grocery team as Vice President of Product Business Development for Grocery and Non-Foods, Pete Mowitt will take on the bakery and meat RBUs as Vice President of Product Business Development for Bakery and Meat, as well as continue to oversee Publix’s store dairy and frozen business and space management areas. Chris Litz will continue to lead Publix’s efforts in the deli, produce, and meals RBUs as Vice President of Product Business Development for Deli and Produce.
With Mowitt’s new responsibilities, Brad Oliver, current Business Development Director of Direct Store Delivery Products, will be promoted to Vice President of Product Business Development for Dry Grocery and Non-Foods in which he will be responsible for overseeing and supporting the dry grocery and non-foods corporate purchasing category management teams. Oliver joined Publix in 1991, and was promoted over the years as well.
Will Publix’s new officer positions continue to bolster Publix’s success and growth? AndNowUKNow will continue to report on the happenings in produce retail.
STOCKTON, CA - As 2017 winds down and we ramp up for the New Year, many companies are building their goals and initiatives for 2018. One of those companies looking to the bright future ahead for fresh produce is Farmington Fresh, a provider of fresh sliced apples, oranges, pears, and other fruits and vegetables to the foodservice industry and retailers.
With health and flavorful experiences at the forefront of food movements, the company has recently announced an agreement with FirstFruits Marketing of Washington to be the exclusive U.S. provider of sliced Opal® brand apples. To speak about the exciting program and the partnership, is Farmington Fresh’s Marketing Manager, Garrison Rajkovich.
“The distinctive yellow-gold color and truly unique flavor profile that combines a floral aroma, exceptionally sweet, yet tangy flavor, and mouth-pleasing crunch, sets Opal brand sliced apples apart in the produce department,” Garrison shares with me, adding that as the exclusive U.S. provider of Opal brand sliced apples, Farmington Fresh offers consumers this unique flavor experience in an array of value-added packages, providing the convenience and variety that consumers demand. “Opal brand sliced apples are available in pre-portioned, individually packaged bags, that are perfect for on-the-go consumers and meeting consumers’ demands for convenient and healthy snack options.”
Showcased in high-end, resealable 14 oz. bags with six bags to a case, this packaging keeps apples crisp and fresh. Farmington Fresh will also be presenting the Opal apples in convenient 4 oz. bags with twelve bags to a case, for those consumers to grab-and-go during, or in preparation for, their busy day. And for those little hands, Farmington Fresh will be offering six individually packaged 2 oz. bags inside a clamshell for easy storage—perfect for consumers to use in children’s lunches. This option will come in six clamshells to a case.
“The convenience provided by the individually packaged bags of pre-sliced apples make Opal® brand sliced apples perfect for merchandising with other snack and lunch foods, especially during the school year and in the warmer summer months when consumers seek quick, easy and refreshing snacks,” Garrison says. “This variety has been described by some as a ‘dessert apple,’ allowing it to be cross-merchandised with cheeses, nuts, chocolates, and other appetizers.”
The packaging design features the eye-catching, distinctive golden-yellow color that Opal brand apples are known for. And another benefit of this variety—Opal brand apples are also the United States’ first apple variety to be verified by the Non-GMO Project, an important consideration for some consumers.
Opal brand apples were discovered in Europe in 1999 and are now grown exclusively in the U.S. by Broetje Orchards in Washington State. This variety is a cross between the Golden Delicious and Topaz varieties.
“Farmington Fresh was inspired by the innovation that my grandfather, Nick Rajkovich, brought to the fruit market in his day, and this one-of-a-kind variety is a perfect match to the legacy of excellence that he was known for,” said Garrison. “The Opal® brand apple is truly unique, with the mouth-pleasing crunch of a Granny Smith and an exceptionally sweet flavor profile. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Broetje Orchards® team to provide a product that fits perfectly with our focus on high quality and customer satisfaction.”
In addition to the Opal, the Farmington Fresh provides sliced green and red apples to Northern California retailers including Safeway Inc. and Nugget Markets, with plans to expand its distribution area.
SACRAMENTO, CA - The season of giving is upon us, and to remind industry members of key points for the annual Navidad en el Barrio, Allen Lund Company teamed up with ANUK to create a short Quiz Quix about what the industry does or can do for this generous, produce-pushing event.
And who wore the crowns, as well as $100 cash for the fun Monday start?
For the buy-side victory, Jewel-Osco Senior Buyer Michael Vesely claimed overall victory with the fastest time and the most points!
For the supply-side title, Alexxis Rudich, Sales Coordinator at J. Marchini Farms, claimed the cash win.
“These quizzes are a fun way to learn about other businesses in the industry,” Alexxis said about the victory.
Who else claimed topped spots in the competitive scheme? Check out the leaderboard below to see if you, or someone you know, made it with the best contenders on Navidad en el Barrio know-how.
As for what stumped all those taking this round’s Quiz Quix, and those looking for a hint if they haven’t had a try yet, see what caught the majority of quizzers.
Most missed question:
When will Navidad en el Barrio be accepting donations?
Correct answer:
December 11-15
On that topic, those donations will be accepted here.
And keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for your next chance to win a $100 cash prize, as well as those fun bragging rights around the office.
If you want to try again, or give it a shot for the first time, follow the link below.
Allen Lund Navidad en el Barrio
Quiz Quix is our way of encouraging some healthy, fun, informative competition within the industry. Signing in will give us a token to verify you and allows us to put your name in the ranking. It doesn't give us access to more than your name and email address. Terms to play limit one entry per person, per subscriber email address, per Quiz. More than one entry from any person or e-mail address will void all entries from that person or email address. Participants must have a valid email address registered in their individual name in order to play.
Congratulations to both Michael and Alexxis, be sure to keep giving the industry a run for its money!
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Can a new pricing strategy help Walmart differentiate itself from one of its biggest competitors? According to The Wall Street Journal, the retailer’s new move to raise online prices is effectively showing key differences between Walmart and e-commerce mega company Amazon.
Walmart’s new strategy entails a notable increase in price for items purchased online, hoping the result will be to drive more in-store traffic, the source reports, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Avery Sheffield, Brandywine Global Portfolio Manager, told CNBC that the strategy could help the retailer stop losing money on sales that weren't profitable in the first place.
“We always work to offer the best price online relative to other sites,” a Walmart spokeswoman commented to WSJ. “It simply costs less to sell some items in stores. Customers can access those store prices online when they choose to pick up the item in store.”
When shopping online, Walmart displays both in-store and online prices for some of its items, giving customers the option to shop online and pick up in-store with the less expensive price instead of getting the item delivered. Sheffield noted that this “online sticker shock” could work to actually help incentivize visiting Walmart's physical locations when customers do go into stores and see how much cheaper prices are.
"I think Amazon will continue to take market share because they are kind of playing by their own rules and I think that digital will continue to take market share from stores,” Pro4ma Founder and CEO Liz Dunn told CNBC on Closing Bell noting that Amazon is now focused on topline growth, whole Walmart still needs to make a profit. “Amazon will get an outsize portion of that share.”
Will this translate into a new avenue for profit for Walmart in the face of steeper-than-ever retail competition? AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop.
ORANGE, CA - FreshSource, LLC Sales & Merchandising is welcoming a new face to the team. The company has hired Mat Macdonald, as the new Retail Sales and Merchandising Manager for the Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana regions.
“We are pleased to announce Mathew MacDonald joining the FreshSource PNW team servicing the Eastern WA, ID, MT markets. Mathew brings a wealth of foodservice/retail experience over the past 15 years in his career and will be a huge asset to our team on how to manage a growing region for all of our clients and portfolio of brands,” Vice President of Pacific Northwest, Leith Anderson, stated.
Mat brings more than a decade of experience in the service industry to his new role, with time spent in various positions from lead bartender to upper management, where he dedicated his time to delivering excellent customer care and management. Mat’s passion for client satisfaction, attention to detail, and work ethic made him a perfect fit for FreshSource, according to a press release.
When Mat isn’t engaged in his new position, he spends time with his wife, Tawny, and their two young boys, Rowin and Manny, in Sandpoint, Idaho. The new Retail Sales and Merchandising Manager also enjoys playing golf and beach volleyball and also coaches the local high school football team–Go Bulldogs. Mat also devotes time mentoring, and time with local outreach to those suffering from addiction in the community.
Congratulations, Mat, on joining the FreshSource team! And to FreshSource on the exciting road ahead!