HOUSTON, TX - A big announcement recently came from Sysco Corporation. The company revealed the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art distribution and culinary center: Sysco Allentown. The 454,000-square-foot facility in Northampton, Pennsylvania, will bring nearly 250 career opportunities to the community and bring Sysco’s service and solutions to the Lehigh Valley, Northeast PA, Poconos, and Northern New Jersey.

“​Our team at Sysco Allentown is excited to bring customers in these important regions more ​of the best in foodservice with ​our team of industry experts, culinary professionals, on-trend products, and tailored delivery solutions,” said Global Chief Operating Officer Greg Bertrand. “In addition, Sysco’s Recipe for Growth strategy, including investments in Shop, our e-commerce platform, and other customer-focused programs like Sysco Your Way and our Perks are also helping drive our growth. Our strategy also includes investing in our specialty meat, produce, and Italian companies, as well as ensuring we provide the right assortment for Asian cuisine.”

Sysco Allentown features a top-of-the-line culinary center for collaborating with local customers to test and develop menus. Customers will also have access to Sysco Perks!, the company’s free loyalty program, a press release stated. Qualifying members receive deliveries up to six days per week, exclusive offers and rewards, and up to $6,000 worth of industry-leading restaurant solutions.

The new facility will also expand the reach of the company’s industry-leading Sysco Your Way (SYW) program, providing more local restaurants in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Princeton University the flexibility they need to grow. SYW provides late-in-the-evening order cut-offs, daily deliveries, no order minimums, and a dedicated sales and delivery team—all at no additional cost.

“Sysco Allentown not only provides new growth opportunities in the local market, it also frees up capacity for additional growth at Sysco Central Pennsylvania, Sysco Philadelphia, and Sysco Metro New York,” Bertrand continued.

More expansions like this are coming your way, so don’t go anywhere.

TUCSON, AZ - The Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE) is coming back for its second year. The event, hosted by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is growing, with more retail engagement and grower/shipper participation on deck. The event will be made even more special by the addition of a golf tournament, as FPAA hosts the SWIPE Desert Golf Classic in conjunction with the Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC).

For those West Coast suppliers thinking of attending, let’s see what industry members are saying.

“The Nogales produce industry goes back over 100 years,” said Javier Badillo, Managing Member of Fresh International. “The knowledge among our peers runs deep.”

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and knowledge on the latest trends, innovations, and technologies shaping the future of fresh produce, a press release explained.

This event is also a great place to network and connect with various industry leaders, experts, and peers.

"I feel like it is our opportunity to spotlight the contributions U.S importers of fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico make to the health of North America. Also, the consistency of availability of fruits and vegetables has enabled chefs and consumers to expand their offerings to customers and families with a variety of recipes with product that is now available year-round," commented Rod Sbragia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Crown Jewels Produce.

Will we see you? The expo this year takes place from November 7-9, 2024, at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Stay tuned to ANUK as we cover the latest in fresh produce.

OXNARD, CA - Reaching 75 years in business is certainly cause for celebration. As Westfalia Fruit rings in this milestone, the supplier has also launched a brand-new website to showcase its heritage, dedication to quality, and commitment to sustainability.

“As we mark 75 years in business, it is a fitting day to also signal the start of a new chapter for Westfalia Fruit by launching our new website,” Rian du Toit, acting Chief Executive Officer, stated. “This cutting-edge platform gives customers, employees, and other visitors to our site a vastly superior experience, which better tells our story.”

According to a press release, the new website, which can be accessed here, offers a seamless, intuitive user experience, granting easy access to comprehensive details on Westfalia Fruit's sustainable practices and diverse product offerings. Designed with the user in mind, the home page facilitates smooth navigation to essential sections including the company’s history, products, sustainability efforts, latest news, services, and recipes.

The website showcases Westfalia Fruit's vast global reach across five continents and 17 countries, and the layout allows visitors to understand the journey from pit to plate.

The sustainability page is a standout feature and provides a dynamic overview of the organization’s efforts to reach net-zero by 2049. With vivid imagery and key facts, it educates and inspires users about the benefits of sustainable practices.

The new site also highlights how Westfalia Fruit’s sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly products positively impact community well-being. Users can explore innovative practices such as transforming leftover fruit into valuable products and implementing green cleaning technologies. Additionally, the website details the company’s involvement in community development, from educational programs like the Graduate Development and Internship Program to essential services such as healthcare.

Overall, the website is a valuable resource for users to learn about and participate in Westfalia Fruit’s sustainable and community-focused initiatives, enhancing their own contributions to environmental and social improvement.

For more news in the fresh produce realm, keep an eye out for ANUK.

MIAMI, FL - Finding that perfect pineapple is not just a great meal in its own right, but a full-body experience. From aesthetic and flavor to innovative growing and harvesting, the pineapple continues to inspire and engage consumers from all walks of life, regions, and countries. With such an iconic fruit bringing a host of opportunities this spring and summer, I caught up with Fresh Del Monte Produce to see what’s in store for the company’s fresh produce program and where the pineapple still stands supreme.

“During the spring and summer seasons, Fresh Del Monte offers a variety of fruits at their peak freshness. Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon are just a handful of examples of what you will find from us,” Melissa Mackay, Vice President of Marketing, North America, shares with me. “For more than 135 years, Fresh Del Monte’s legacy has been rooted in growing, innovating, and distributing high-quality and nutritious products, with a specific focus on pineapples—one of the brand’s specialties. Known as a global leader in pineapple innovation, Fresh Del Monte will continue leading the charge and heavily promoting its key pineapple products this season.”

As Melissa also tells me, pineapples offer healthy and fruitful benefits. Along with their well-known versatility, they’re a fantastic way to improve overall health and well-being.

“Fresh Del Monte offers a wide range of pineapple varieties and sizes, including Del Monte Gold®, Del Monte Zero™ Carbon Neutral Pineapple, Honeyglow®, Pinkglow®, and now Rubyglow™, all of which are tailored to suit different consumer needs,” Melissa explains. “Today's consumers are increasingly conscious of their health and wellness, sustainability, and convenience when it comes to food choices. The fruits offered by Fresh Del Monte align with these consumer preferences in several ways.”

That statement further piqued my interest, allowing Melissa to walk me through the many ways Fresh Del Monte responds to the consumer—and for more than just pineapples.

• Health and Wellness: Fruits like pineapple, watermelon, berries, and grapes are considered healthy choices due to their natural sweetness, high-fiber content, and abundance of vitamins and antioxidants. With more consumers prioritizing nutritious options in their diets, these fruits are in high demand
• Sustainability: Fresh Del Monte prioritizes responsible agriculture, reducing waste and practicing sustainable farming practices and sourcing methods, which appeal to environmentally conscious consumers
• Convenience: Many consumers value convenience and are looking for ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare options. Fresh Del Monte offers several fresh-cut options tailored to busy lifestyles and on-the-go snacking habits
• Flavor and Quality: Flavor is the primary reason for buying produce. Fresh Del Monte delivers high-quality fruit that is fresh, ripe, and flavorful to meet these consumer expectations
• Innovation: Fresh Del Monte has been a pioneer in product innovation, with products including Del Monte Gold, Honeyglow, and Pinkglow Pineapple. These are just a few examples of how Fresh Del Monte works to develop unique flavors and offer value-added products

“Overall, by understanding and responding to the buying behaviors and demands of today’s consumers, Fresh Del Monte maintains its position as a leading provider of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Melissa concludes.

It sounds like a fruitful season for Fresh Del Monte customers.

SACRAMENTO, CA - Not only is The Snack Magazine a treasure trove of information, but it’s a potential treasure chest for one lucky industry member. If you’re able to spot our elusive apple logo on the cover of our April issue, you might be in line for a cool $100 prize.

The contest only kicks off once we have officially made this announcement through our ANUK newsletter, and you have until the end of the week to send in your selfies—after which your name will be added to the pot of potential winners for this round.

If you need a refresher, check out the rules below:

• Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
• Your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
• Send your pic to [email protected] with the subject line “FOUND the Apple Logo” to be considered for the $100 cash prize
• You MUST write “FOUND the Apple Logo” in the subject line of your email

This month’s lucky winner will take their place on an already impressive leaderboard, which includes:

• Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies
• Paul Huckaby of Keenan Farms
• Danny Ortiz of Sysco
• Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards
• Beth Keeton of Elephant House PR

Set forth and on your quest!

GREENCASTLE, PA - Walmart’s operating footprint has grown by 1.5 million square feet, as the retailer is bringing its newest next generation fulfillment center to Greencastle, Pennsylvania. The fourth of its kind, the high-tech facility will allow Walmart to fulfill more orders in less time.

“Walmart is paving the way for good jobs and great careers in the south-central Pennsylvania region with the Greencastle fulfillment center. These tech-powered jobs will drive the future of Walmart’s continued promise of speedy shipping and delivery for customers on the East Coast,” said Karisa Sprague, Senior Vice President, Fulfillment Network Operations for Walmart U.S. “Our next generation fulfillment centers are the perfect example of how we are a people-led, tech-powered retailer.”

The new facility contributes to expanding access to the retailer’s next- or two-day shipping service, enabling the chain’s entire fulfillment network to reach 95 percent of the United States population. Walmart Fulfillment Services, Walmart’s end-to-end third-party fulfillment service, will also leverage the space to fulfill Marketplace items. More information on the expansion can be found here.

As a press release explained, Walmart’s next generation facilities bring a combination of people, technology, and machine learning together to achieve faster shipping and delivery while increasing Walmart.com order fulfillment capacity.

The Greencastle fulfillment center is Walmart’s fourth next generation facility, and a fifth is set to open in 2026. As these expansion plans take root, we can only speculate how similar strategies could be implemented to enhance the chain's grocery delivery service.

As the retailer continues to bolster its tech-driven fulfillment network, ANUK will continue to report.