MISSISSAUGA, ON, CANADA - I have very fond memories of living in Ontario as a kid—yes, even when the front door got blocked with five feet of snow. Specifically, I was living in a city called Mississauga, which just so happens to be the same neighborhood Food Freshly is expanding its North American headquarters. The company, which extends shelf-life for fresh-cut produce using new concepts and products, will be officially moving to the new location July 1, 2024.

“Customers want great-tasting products that are as fresh as possible and FFNA helps deliver those fruits, vegetables, and salads through tailor-made solutions and applications,” said Gordon Nobuto, Sales and Marketing Director. “In addition, we provide comprehensive sales and technical support along with very competitive costs to help reduce waste and increase customers’ profits.”

With 30 years in the business, Food Freshly North America uses the latest in research and development and sees the process through to manufacturing and final distribution. It supplies freshness retention products in a concentrated form that reduces browning for over 21 days, according to a release.

“All products are free of sulphites, GMO, and do not contain any glutamate, lactose, gluten, or allergens. All operated production facilities are GFSI and Kosher certified and our products are only manufactured according to existing HACCP concepts,” continued Nobuto.

The North American industry can look forward to FFNA continually providing solutions for any fresh-cut needs, while I look forward to checking out the new building next time I’m in town!

WATSONVILLE, CA - Exiting new veggies are on the horizon for Lakeside Organic Gardens. The company is set to debut a new collection of Asian vegetables, adding to its already existing 50-plus varieties of organic vegetables, at the annual Organic Produce Summit event this year in Monterey, California.

“We are proud of these new Asian commodities, and we look forward to sharing them,” commented Dick Peixoto, Owner and Farmer of the operation.

The 100 percent, solely organic vegetable grower offers an array of produce at retail stores nationwide, with tagged UPCs, individually packed, and shelf-ready packaging. The company looks forward to sharing the new line with food enthusiasts, a release explained.

Retailers can look forward to seven unique offerings, perfect for the culinary adventurous shopper. A list of the specific veggies is provided below:

• Red Napa Cabbage
• Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
• Korean Radish
• Baby Pac Choi
• Choi Sum
• Mizuna
• Komatsuna

As someone who is always on the lookout for new and exciting produce, this is one launch I won’t miss!

To check out the full press release with recipe ideas and detailed produce descriptions for Lakeside’s new Asian produce items, click here.

Retailers, can you imagine the added colors and texture this will add to produce shelves?

SEATTLE , WA - It’s Yumi watermelon and cherry season over at Charlie’s Produce! The supplier is ready to meet summertime demand for these fresh fruits, and I recently got in touch with P.J. Cawley, Global Purchasing Manager of Organics and Farmer’s Own, and Laura Severance, Marketing Director, to discuss what’s in store for this season.

“Charlie’s Produce has plenty of availability this season on Yumi watermelons, with more traditional yields. We continue to expand the program as the demand and following for the Yumi brand increases,” P.J. told me. “During peak season, we ship over a million pounds a week.”

In California, Charlie’s Produce’s Yumi watermelons are grown from mid-May through the majority of July. Washington-grown fruit starts in the last week of July and runs through Labor Day, including conventional watermelon.

The supplier provides dynamic branding to entice retail shoppers to add Yumi watermelons to their carts. Plus, it touts a fresh-cut program, available in organic and conventional, and will have availability of the new Yumi Organic watermelon x Healeo Juice in August.

In addition to watermelon, Charlie’s Produce reports a strong crop for Yumi cherries this year.

“We launched Yumi red and Rainier cherries in the summer of 2023, with availability from early June to late July,” Laura added. “Eastern Washington is known for growing the best cherries. Long, warm days and cool nights provide the perfect growing climate for lots of orchards on hills and slopes in the Yakima and Wenatchee areas.”

The Yumi brand has had an impressive track record in recent years. Yumi strawberries launched in 2022, blueberries and cherries launched in 2023, raspberries and blackberries launched in 2024, and northwest-grown cranberries will be coming this fall.

Stop by booth #314 at the Organic Produce Summit to try the organic Yumi watermelon and learn more about Charlie’s Produce’s organic programs. And keep reading ANUK to stay up to date on the industry’s latest.