WATSONVILLE, CA - For those of us hoping to recreate the feeling of prancing through a berry meadow—yes, buyers, let’s get whimsical—California Giant Berry Farms has plenty of strawberries at the ready to support. The grower reports high yields and volumes of its cornerstone product, ensuring peak, promotable volumes for the coming months.

“Our season started off strong, with healthy plants from the beginning,” said Nick Chappell, Director of Sales. “Despite some fruit culling due to rain early in our season, our plants have otherwise seen optimal growing conditions—which translates into the high-quality, sizable, and flavorful fruit California Giant is known for.”

California Giant operates out of the Santa Maria growing region, which is currently peaking and will continue to produce abundant harvests throughout the month.

A press release noted that the Watsonville and Salinas growing region is seeing week-over-week increases in volumes, with estimates projecting substantial harvested volumes now and spanning to late June. This region’s ranches are reporting excellent quality and flavor, alongside sizable fruit.

California Giant noted that, with this influx of strawberries, retailers should create visually appealing displays highlighting the vibrant colors and freshness of California strawberries. Merchandising a variety of pack sizes front-and-center of the produce department also draws attention to the peaking availability.

With its commitment to sustainability and year-round supply, California Giant continues to be one of those companies driving strawberry consumption.

We’ll be on the lookout for the latest in the berry biz!

SANTA PAULA, CA - For 17 years, Calavo Growers and Agrícola Belher have been skillfully leveraging their partnership. Most recently, the two companies announced they will co-brand high-quality tomatoes, such as vine-ripened rounds, Romas, and mature greens.

“Tomatoes are a strong complementary product to Calavo’s avocado business both in the produce department, where they are most often merchandised side by side, and in forever growing foodservice menu offerings,” commented Mike Browne, Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations, Calavo Growers. “Nutritionally, the duo of products create what is often referred to as ‘food synergy,’ a term that identifies combining specific foods together to maximize their nutritional and health benefits.”

As a press release explained, this collaboration between the two companies goes back to 2007 when Calavo and Agrícola Belher first joined forces to add tomatoes to the Calavo product lineup on a seasonal basis. As part of a joint partnership venture in 2015, the two companies developed a state-of-the-art campus of greenhouses in Jalisco, Agrícola Don Memo, for year-round production.

“We are committed to quality, the latest technology, and highest food safety standards,” added Rosario Beltrán, Founder, Agrícola Belher. “Calavo shares that commitment, allowing us to offer the finest tomatoes to our customers to North America.”

The companies noted that the alliance has been successful for both Calavo and Agrícola Belher, since co-branding allows a trusted brand association synonymous with quality and leadership in the tomato category.

Calavo also restructured its Tomato Sales team with this move.

Kurt Kistler, now Vice President of Tomato Sales, joined the company in November of last year. He brings over 25 years of fresh produce expertise to the role, where he will manage the team of sales professionals underneath him.

For additional information, click here.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest happenings across fresh produce, so stay tuned.

HOOD RIVER, OR - Hood River Cherry Company is looking ahead as it shares details regarding its Northwest cherry crop. I spoke with Jared Gidley, Chief Executive Officer, to learn more about what the company expects from its cherry program.

“We grow tree-ripened, high-elevation cherries. They are the firmest, sweetest, and biggest cherries on the market,” Jared begins. “We don't begin harvest until our cherries reach 21 brix, whereas the industry standard is 17."

At the high-elevation, the cherries are exposed to ideal weather. The warm days and cool nights result in better sugar development for incredible flavor, firmness, and crunch.

“At this point in the season, we are excited for our crop. We can see at this point that we had good pollination weather and the weather allowed for a drawn-out bloom window allowing for separation with early district fruit and later higher elevation fruit,” Jared adds. “The trees are growing well, and we should begin our harvest around the middle of July.”

Jared notes that the season should be in full swing by July 20 with volume through the end of August.

“Cherries are commonly an impulse purchase by the consumers. Placing them in highly visible locations can move a lot of volume and generate repeat purchases,” Jared details, before issuing one final bit of advice to retailers. “Cherries are highly perishable and should be kept cool whenever possible when on display to maintain freshness and shelf life.”

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep track of the upcoming cherry season so stay tuned!

SALISBURY, NC - Home delivery is growing in popularity as convenience continues to reign supreme. Food Lion is making this service available to even more shoppers as it launches home delivery in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Customers in the additional delivery zip codes can use the Food Lion To Go website or the Food Lion To Go app to confirm availability and place orders.

“With the summer months approaching, we are excited to expand our Food Lion To Go Home Delivery services,” said Evan Harding, Director of Digital and E-Commerce. “By delivering on our commitment to making grocery shopping easy and convenient, home delivery allows our customers to spend more time on what matters most to them.”

With the click of a button, Food Lion Home Delivery, powered by Instacart, allows customers to experience the same low prices and fresh food items without having to leave their homes. According to a press release, the online service allows customers to place an order and have their groceries delivered right to their front door.

Food Lion continues to expand this service across the towns and cities it serves, highlighting its commitment to making grocery shopping easy, fresh, and affordable. With the additional availability of this service, the omnichannel retailer now offers Food Lion to Go Pickup or Home Delivery in more than 90 percent of its 10-state operating area.

Additionally, by linking their personal Food Lion MVP savings loyalty card to their account, Food Lion customers can use digital coupons and redeem their “Shop & Earn” MVP rewards program savings.

Sounds like a win-win for shoppers—and by extension, retailers! Keep reading ANUK for more updates.

WASHINGTON, DC - Twelve companies head to the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator for the 2024 cohort. One of the most important features of the program is to connect technology companies with ready-to-market solutions to our industry.

"As we embark on the third year of our program, our first goal is to bring new, innovative solutions into the industry. We are advancing the trial, adoption, and utilization of climate-smart technologies to tackle our most pressing challenges head-on. At the same time, we are cultivating an extraordinary ecosystem of producers, mentors, and innovators committed to sustainability and progress,” remarks Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation.

According to a press release, the cohort will meet in June for Immersion Week. Here, they will visit more than a dozen businesses from San Francisco, California, to Los Angeles. On this bus tour, the cohort will explore aspects of the produce supply chain to learn about practical challenges.

“I’m excited to introduce our new cohort to the industry and to each other at the upcoming Immersion Week,” adds Estes. “It’s amazing to witness the synergy of ideas, tech, and problem-solving that come from a group of innovators while they visit different businesses along the produce supply chain.”

Following the Immersion Week, the group will come together in August for a Demo Day in Salinas, California. The program culminates at the Global Produce and Floral Show where each accelerator company will showcase its solution on the Expo floor.

To learn more about the cohort, click here.

AndNowUKnow will keep you looped into the latest, so stay tuned with us here.