SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira’s Catch the Citrus Wave™ campaign pulls your shoppers into the best parts of summer! Its vivacious lineup embodies the exhilaration of a day at the ballpark, featuring vibrant citrus characters that will have your customers ready to swing for the fences in citrus purchases.

"This season, organic and Meyer lemons join the roster, adding an extra zing to the sun-soaked vibe alongside our zesty classic lemon, lime, orange, and Mandarin selections," said Susan Jones-Ng, Director of Global Sales.

According to Limoneira, consumers will be able to teleport to a tropical paradise with its dynamic packaging, showcasing its funky citrus characters. Each pack boasts a playful design celebrating the diversity of its lineup and capturing the vibrant energy of all things summer. Infusing fun and vitality into your store’s produce section, the innovative approach serves as a beacon of freshness and excitement. Plus, with a convenient QR code, your shoppers can connect to Catch the Citrus Wave landing pages for recipes, games, coloring activities, and sustainability initiatives.

This summer, your shoppers can find Limoneira in the dugout through a sponsorship the Santa Paula Girls Softball because, Limoneira shared in a press release, citrus and women empowerment make for as winning a combination as a well-executed double play.

Running May through August, Catch the Citrus Wave makes citrus shopping a breeze, ensuring a blast of fun while your customers shop.

Be sure to stock Limoneira this summer as your customers will be attracted by the fun, bold packaging.

THE PRODUCE INDUSTRY - Raspberries. Right now, this berry staple is at the top of my fresh produce shopping list. My daughter eats half a pack at a time, and I usually swipe a handful every time I walk by the fridge. While buying and selling fresh produce is the lifeblood of this business, it's fun to find out what produce items top some of our friends' grocery lists.

So, please join me as some of them share this month's favorites and even how they like them prepared.

Gene Harris, Senior Purchasing Manager, Denny's

"Since it is spring, I would have to say strawberries are at the top of my produce grocery list! Currently, strawberries are looking and tasting so good, and they are good for you. My year-round favorite is avocados for the flavor, versatility, and healthy qualities as well."

Jami Espinosa, Category Manager, Produce, Wakefern Food Corp.

"Sweet corn is at the top of my grocery list this month because it's delicious, convenient, and something that everyone in my household will eat without fail! My favorite way to prepare it is, oven-roasted! No need to wait for a sunny day to BBQ."

Noelle Neary, Category Manager, Produce, Wakefern Food Corp.

“At the top of my grocery store list is always avocados. I love how versatile it is; we eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner...and everything in between! It's as easy as slicing it in half and giving it to my kids with a spoon for snack time. My household is still on the avocado toast bandwagon. I would say it's on the menu a few times a week, we can't get enough!”

Chris Miller, Produce Director, MOM's Organic Market

“Right now, my go-to veggie is Josie's Regenerative Organic Sweet Baby Broccoli. I prepare it with olive oil, salt, and pepper for about 10 minutes in a high-heat oven until it gets a little bit charred. It makes for the perfect weekday side that is super simple, flavorful, and goes with almost any meal!”

Mike Roberts, Director of Produce Operations, Harps Food Stores

“I’m a huge strawberry, blueberry, and lately, blackberry fan, so they are up there. Arkansas tomatoes are going to be here in June, and I can literally sit over this sink with a salt shaker and eat myself damn near sick! But if you are talking about May, as many of my family and people that I work with know, I am a huge fan of CORN! Specifically, Amaize Corn!! I can eat it raw, although I do like cooking it on the grill a lot better, and yes, I smother it in butter and salt, but it isn’t a side dish for me it’s the center of the plate item!!! I love it! I love to sell it but I love to eat it more!!! I guess you could say I am corny!"

I'd love to know what tops your lists, friends! So please, send your faves our way as well!

SPRINGFIELD, MA - Big Y is once again fortifying its fresh operations as it announces changes among its Fresh & Local Distribution Center team. As Vice President of Distribution and Logistics Stephen M. Creed readies to retire, Eric A. Swensen has been appointed to the executive role.

Swensen’s career with Big Y began in 1985, when he joined the retailer as a part-time service clerk. After gaining experience in several departments, he was later promoted to full-time and has since held a variety of positions managing various departments. In 1997, he was promoted to Store Director, and in 2006, Swensen joined the company’s operations team as District Sales and Merchandising Assistant.

He made his move to the sales and marketing department in 2009, occupying several roles including Manager of Space Management and Director of Frozen Food and Dairy.

Swensen took the helm as VP of Center Store in 2014, and transitioned to VP of Fresh Foods in 2019.

Swensen takes over for Creed, who will be retiring at the end of this month. With five years at Big Y and 45 years of distribution industry experience under his belt, Creed has helped transform Big Y’s distribution division, according to a press release. These efforts include the implementation of a new warehouse management system, improved communications, and establishing strategic partnerships to ensure the most efficient and timely fresh foods reach their customers every day.

“Steve has been a driving force in building our Fresh & Local Distribution Center through supporting and developing our teams, setting new standards and processes, upgrading equipment and tools in order to supply our stores with fresh and local products in the most efficient and effective way possible. We are all grateful for his strong leadership and vision that have helped both our store teams and customers throughout our chain,” said Richard D. Bossie, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. “We are confident that Eric’s 39 years of industry experience will continue to bolster this entire division to ensure our mission of innovation and future growth of Big Y’s self-distribution while maintaining a strong focus on fresh and local products.”

You can read more about this strategic appointment here. For more retail news, stick around.

EXETER, CA - CMSA took home an award at this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show for its Sustainable Biodegradable Paper Bag. Also known as Earthpack, this packaging received the Packaging Innovation Award. It was presented by Mucci Farms as a Paper Mesh bag.

“We are proud to be working with Mucci Farms, a company committed to the continuous research and adoption of sustainable solutions,” remarked Marco Bini, Chief Executive Officer, CMSA/Nexxt Solutions.

The presentation of the CMSA Sustainable Biodegradable Paper Bag, emerged as the winner due to its revolutionary approach to sustainable packaging, a press release explained. Designed by CMSA, Earthpack represents a paradigm shift in environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

“As an organization, sustainability remains a top priority, and we are proud of the partnership with CMSA that resulted in this special recognition,” added Fernanda Albuquerque, Packaging Development Manager, Mucci Farms. “The response has been great, and we hope to further conversations with our retail partners to bring this package to more communities across the continent.”

Earthpack sets a new standard in eco-conscious packaging. Its biodegradable material and innovative design minimizes environmental impact without compromising product freshness or quality.

Plus, the bamboo and paper-crafted material features a large window perfect for product protection, visibility, and transport.

For more news on supply-side partners like this, keep reading ANUK.

ORLANDO, FL - Colombian avocados are currently in their peak as the Colombian Avocado Board announced that Colombia is currently at the peak of its traviesa season. The traviesa season typically runs April through August and can peak anytime between May and June.

“Colombia is at a crossroads of opportunity that is generating economic development, and the Hass avocado sector is spearheading efforts in sustainability thanks to their rich agricultural heritage and commitment to maintaining biodiversity through environmental stewardship,” stated Manuel Michel, Executive Director.

According to a press release, the U.S. market can expect arrivals of more than 50 containers a week of avocados from Colombia. This volume will decrease gradually over the course of the season.

“CAB is excited to be part of the ongoing development and to support the avocado growers, exporters, and importers as they invest in Colombia and leverage their logistical advantage to the East Coast," added Michel.

The 2023 season concluded with some of the highest shipment totals ever for Colombia avocados, exceeding 32 million pounds. For 2024, shipments are projected to increase by over 50 percent, reaching a total volume of 50 million pounds for the entire year.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover the latest in fresh produce.

CHICAGO, IL - Call the Jetsons, because we’re officially living in the future! Hazel Technologies was recently named to Fast Company magazine’s prestigious “Most Innovative Companies” list.

“Like everywhere else in the world, food waste is a big problem in Canada,” explained Mike Russell, Territory Manager. “According to estimates, roughly 60 percent of all food produced in Canada ends up in a landfill. Most people think of that waste as food we throw away at home or in restaurants, and that’s certainly part of it, but the reality is that most of that waste occurs much sooner in the food’s lifecycle. In fact, over 70 percent of food waste happens before it ever reaches a consumer. This waste comes at a huge cost to food growers, exporters/importers, and retailers—that’s the business problem we help solve. It just so happens that solving that business problem also delivers a massive environmental benefit.”

In the year ahead, Hazel aims to take that impact to even greater heights as it prepares to extend into the fast-growing Canadian market. The crops in focus for the Canadian market include apples, pears, cherries, and other stonefruit for its Hazel 100 product, and cucumbers, peppers and cherries for its Breatheway offering. Helping lead Hazel’s northward expansion is Ben Axell, Hazel’s Key Accounts Director; Mike Russell, Territory Manager for the Pacific Northwest Region and British Columbia; and Joe Parker, U.S. Account Executive, who will oversee Canada’s Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia provinces.

According to a press release, Fast Company described Hazel Technologies as part of “a burgeoning category of AgTech products that promise to keep fruit and veggies fresh along the supply chain.” However, according to Fast Company, what differentiated Hazel from its competitors was its ease of use.

“While most solutions more closely resemble wax coatings or an eco-friendly plastic wrap and require producers and distributors to buy equipment, train workers, then burn time applying them, Hazel’s inconspicuous Hazel 100 sachets are designed for the supply chain as it is,” the source stated.

To date, Hazel’s solutions have treated over 5 billion pounds of produce, helping to eliminate an estimated 400 million pounds of waste.

Pending final regulatory approval, Hazel will bring its flagship Hazel 100 solution to the Canadian market, where it will join its portfolio innovation, Hazel Breatheway.

As the provider's cutting-edge solutions portfolio expands into new markets, retailers can secure another opportunity to reduce shrink and overall costs. ANUK will continue to report on this evolving portfolio, so stick around!