ORLANDO, FL - What happens when you join the forces of Disney and Pixar with one of consumers’ favorite fruits? A sales-driving sweepstakes, if you ask the National Mango Board (NMB)! The organization has teamed up with Disney for an epic sweepstakes, giving shoppers a chance to score tickets to the premiere of Pixar's Inside Out 2.

"We are thrilled with our collaboration celebrating Disney and Pixar's new movie, Inside Out 2," said Dan Spellman, Director of Marketing for the National Mango Board. "We're excited to bring the JOY of mangos to shoppers this summer."

Launching as mangos enter peak season in-store, the sweepstakes will run from May 20 through May 31. It offers up a Grand Prize of two tickets to the World Premiere, which will take place in Hollywood, California. According to a press release, the winner will be granted a two-night stay and coach air travel for two. The Grand Prize winner will be selected by a random drawing in early June.

The collaboration also includes point-of-sale displays in participating retail locations, social media content, and an interactive landing page where site visitors can enjoy the movie trailer and explore innovative mango recipes.

Further elevating the mango category through this collab, NMB is a proud World Premiere Sponsor.

Consumers can enter the sweepstakes by visiting Mango.org/inside-out and registering before 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 31.

How will this creative collab drive increased mango sales? ANUK will continue to share updates.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Innovation is a complex system of components—a purposefully built web of connective tissue that encompasses thought, vision, execution, product, and commitment. At innovation’s heart, lies leadership. Without it, such ingenuity is infrequent, singular, a short lifespan in the development of legacy. In the heart of Bakersfield, California, Bako Sweet® stands as a beacon of such innovation in the sweet potato industry. The vertically integrated enterprise excels as a grower, packer, shipper, and marketer, setting trends that captivate consumers, retailers, and growers nationwide, all underscored by an unwavering dedication to excellence.

“One of the hallmarks of Bako Sweet's leadership is our openness to learning and collaboration, even from unexpected sources,” Matt McCort, Chief Operating Officer, shares. “Recognizing the value of cross-country dialogue is essential as different parts of the nation manage specific expectations, have a diverse set of challenges with limited solutions.”

In other words, Bako Sweet's leadership team eagerly welcomes insights, many of which recently stemmed from their first attendance at this year’s Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure event.

“Understanding that diversity of perspective breeds innovation. When major East Coast retailers stopped by our booth, they recognized us as a source of vision, example, and discussion on where we can take sweet potato innovation next,” Susan Noritake, Director of Sales and Marketing, reveals.

The team, instead of resting on their laurels, saw this as an opportunity to learn and grow.

It's evident that Bako Sweet isn't just another player in the category; they are trendsetters, a group helping to raise the bar in the pursuit of a more progressive future for sweet potatoes. With a finger firmly on the pulse of modern culinary preferences, Bako Sweet consistently delivers products that are not only high-quality but also desirable to shoppers.

"The reception of our value-added products and future innovations fuels Bako Sweet's motivation to keep pushing boundaries,” Susan expresses. "Whether developing new products for retail or foodservice partners, we continue to demonstrate our expertise in anticipating consumer needs and preferences.”

But what truly sets Bako Sweet apart is its dedication to uplifting others within the category. When East Coast growers sought advice on how to navigate the complexities of organics, Bako Sweet didn't hesitate to share its knowledge and expertise. Instead of viewing others as competitors, it sees them as allies in a collective journey toward sustainability and success.

“Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for Bako Sweet; it's a guiding principle woven into the fabric of our operations. As conversations surrounding sustainable packaging options take center stage, we continue to drive the discussion forward,” Matt states.

Bako Sweet’s ability to collaborate at the forefront of such complexities drives meaningful change within the industry. From reducing waste to exploring eco-friendly alternatives, the company is committed to leaving a positive impact on the planet.

As Bako Sweet continues to chart new territories and push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of sweet potatoes, one thing remains abundantly clear: Its leadership is pioneering, setting a shining example for others to emulate.

The Bako Sweet brand will be at this month's West Coast Produce Expo, booth #114. So, stop by and say hello, and learn about innovation and leadership straight from this amazing team!

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - A dynamic duo will be popping up in activations around the country this season. Zespri™ animated brand characters, better known as the famous KiwiBrothers™ around the globe, have arrived in the United States (U.S.) to spread a Zespri kiwi obsession. As Zespri’s successful Taste the Obsession consumer campaign heads into its second season, the KiwiBrothers are in the mix and singing to life Zespri’s brand story to consumers and furthering brand recognition.

“We are keeping the momentum of our consumer campaign with creative activations that incorporate our KiwiBrother characters. Our KiwiBrothers have been a strong brand asset in 15 markets across the world and we are thrilled to introduce them to the U.S. market,” explained Jeanne Wilson, Head of Marketing for North America, who advised offering sampling as a great way for consumers to experience and get hooked on the superior flavor profile.

Green and SunGold will showcase fun personalities as the pair spread the kiwi obsession across America. With strong appeal among Zespri’s target audience, the show is already highly anticipated.

“Our ad testing for our KiwiBrothers’ campaign videos showed very high engagement and persuasion which is encouraging,” said Wilson. “Our consumers want to know more about how we grow for taste, that we just do kiwifruit, and that we’re 100 percent grower-owned by past and current growers. The KiwiBrothers are here to tell this story. They’re quite proud of who they are and believe the whole world can benefit from the lessons they’ve learned on the orchards.”

The KiwiBrothers begin their U.S. journey through social media, connected TV, audio streaming, and events, according to a press release. The brand characters will share their quality story through their rendition of the 80s pop hit song, “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde across TikTok, Spotify commercial breaks, Hulu, Disney, and more to capture attention and drive shoppers to stores.

It looks like this brand is about to become even more recognizable as it seeks to further propel consumers toward fresh produce purchases.

WASHINGTON, DC - Are you rubbing shoulders with the next change-maker in our industry? The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is seeking nominations of those executing innovative strategies to drive fresh produce consumption to be sure they are recognized and followed through its Retail Merchant Innovation Awards.

“There are a variety of ways to nominate retailers who inspire others to think creatively about their approach to produce marketing and demonstrate their own forward-thinking perspective,” Joe Watson, Vice President of Retail, Foodservice, and Wholesale Membership, reflected. “We encourage produce suppliers to nominate a retailer who is getting the job done for their products and brand, someone who is a notch or two above their other customers. Additionally, solutions providers should consider nominating retailers using their products or services to boost their produce strategy to attract more shoppers and sales. While retailers should look to nominate someone at the top of their produce division, someone who applies innovation and creativity to inspire both staff and shoppers.”

As part of the nominations, IFPA is looking for engaging stories of positive impacts on consumers that utilize an inspiring and creative approach to produce marketing, according to a press release. Nominations must be submitted by June 28, 2024, and are open to retail vice presidents, directors, or sales managers of produce, or equivalent titles.

IFPA’s Retail Merchant Innovation Awards recognize the “best of the best” retailers and wholesale grocers in five store-count categories, with one winner to be named in each of the following groups:

• 1–50 stores
• 51–150 stores
• 151–250 stores
• 251–399 stores
• 400+ stores

Winners will be recognized on stage during the Retail Awards Reception at The Global Produce & Floral Show, October 17–19 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“We are very appreciative of award sponsor, Sage Fruit, for helping us recognize the pinnacle of produce marketing performance,” Watson concluded.

More on previous winners and nominations can be found here. We wish you and your team the best of luck in this exciting opportunity!

MCALLEN, TX - An investment in the team often heralds exciting things to come as those internal changes result in external results. So, Fox Solutions is one to keep in mind for dynamic action in 2024 with the addition of multi-faceted expert Noah Fox to the roster.

With the newswire still hot off the announcement of new Director of Sales Jen Doxey, Noah is stepping into the role of Project Manager for Fox Solutions with eyes trained on the potential the company sees on the horizon. Noah brings a tenured and technical background to the role from a range of companies, most recently Bluestem Cattle Ranch where he worked as the Ranch Manager.

"I've always been a straightforward person, to the point in my communication and actions," Noah said. "It's a sharp directness that I bring to my role, and yes, my personality will come out and you'll get a joke or the latest news, but ultimately, it's always back to business. I believe that clear, concise communication is the truest form of honesty that I can provide for our customers, and this personal quality has served me well, also caused some trouble, but we won’t talk about that. I’m one year into the fresh produce industry, we’re here to support your operations and keep them running, especially in an industry as dynamic as fresh produce packing. You can expect me to be upfront about what's working, what's not, and how we can collectively move towards our goals with efficiency and precision. I'm here not just to oversee, but to actively lead and ensure that every piece of equipment, from weighers to baggers to palletizers, functions like we promised."

As Project Manager, Noah is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping the company's reputation and driving its growth trajectory, the team shared. Focusing on efficient communication post-sales order, his responsibilities encompass a broad range of activities aimed at optimizing the flow of information and ensuring alignment with project objectives, reporting directly to General Manager of Fox Solutions Jim Savigny.

"In the dynamic sector of fresh produce packing equipment sales, the Project Manager is crucial in bridging the gap between the sales process and the successful execution and delivery of the project," Savigny observed. "The role demands a strategic communicator, skilled in orchestrating coordination among diverse stakeholders, including clients, team members, and suppliers. It is imperative for them to uphold a clear and consistent communication channel, ensuring that every party is well-informed and in sync with the project's objectives and schedules."

Overseeing the integration and operation of sophisticated equipment such as weighers, pouch baggers, wicketed baggers, and palletizers, working with state-of-the-art brands like Newtec, Intec, Kwik Lok, Syntegon, and others, Noah’s expertise and role are critical in the specialized realm of managing packing automation systems for fresh produce.

"Noah's straightforward approach to project management is not just refreshing, but it's also crucial for the complex and fast-paced work we do," Aaron Fox, President at Fox Solutions, commented. "His ability to convey information succinctly and make decisive choices will greatly enhance our operational efficiency, and we're glad to learn alongside him as we continue to work on projects. Noah is easy to speak with and has his own professional style, and it aligns with our values of transparency and accountability. We are confident that Noah's direct communication style will foster a more dynamic and responsive project management environment, leading to successful project outcomes and satisfied customers. We want to do right by our customers."

Filling a niche in which he can perfectly apply technical know-how, strategic planning, and effective communication in the hectic fresh produce industry, Noah’s will be an exciting journey to follow.

Congratulations to Noah and the entire Fox Solutions team on much change and growth!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Growth in the fresh produce space has been dynamic, with some companies experiencing standout trajectories as they evolve their value propositions. GrubMarket is one such operation, which recently announced the completed acquisition of Butter. With this acquisition, GrubMarket will harness Butter's AI-powered e-commerce and payments technologies, which will expand its food supply chain suite of tools and AI-powered solutions.

"We are thrilled to welcome Butter and its formidable engineering team to the GrubMarket family," Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of GrubMarket, stated. "We have known about Butter for a little while now and are impressed with their ability to leverage advanced AI to build unique software applications that are highly complementary to our WholesaleWare and GrubAssist AI products. In addition, while GrubMarket has worked predominantly with customers in the fresh produce and meat categories, Winston, Shangyan, and team have built a strong customer base in other specialty food industries, including seafood. We care deeply about the food supply chain industry as a whole and want to do everything we can to empower all players in this space to leverage technology to run their businesses better."

Butter was founded by machine learning experts Winston Chi and Shangyan Li in 2020 and offers a modular software product suite with several solutions. These offerings include AI-powered, omnichannel sales empowerment tools for automating repetitive, manual order entry; and a cloud-based ERP with real-time inventory monitoring, customer relationship management, and order management to name a few of the many advantages.

The acquisition also aims to enhance the functionality of its existing portfolio of cutting-edge software products, including GrubAssist AI and WholesaleWare, according to a press release.

"The Butter team is incredibly passionate about helping food wholesale distributors better run their businesses by building software and AI that help them grow sales, streamline operations, and deliver excellent products and services, without drowning in manual tasks like repetitive phone calls and messy spreadsheet data entry," said Winston Chi, Co-Founder of Butter. "We were keen to join forces with GrubMarket, who shares our passion for being an AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer to drive meaningful change for the food supply chain industry. GrubMarket's sterling reputation in the industry precedes them, and we are excited to work together to further GrubMarket's efforts, particularly around enterprise AI, to revolutionize the food supply chain industry through transformative technologies."

Butter's AI-powered e-commerce and payments technologies will also be integrated into WholesaleWare—GrubMarket's proprietary, AI-powered ERP software. To learn more about the acquisition and its benefits, please check out the full press release here.

"The Butter team shares our passion, and we are excited to collaborate with them to bolster our AI-powered software offerings as we continue to simplify, digitalize, and supercharge the food supply chain," Xu added.

Keep your eye on AndNowUKnow as we bring you content on the technology driving the industry forward, creating solutions for all.