SACRAMENTO, CA - Brunch reservations? Check. Wine tasting appointment? Check. Elaborate plan to spoil mom on her special day? Check! No matter what you’re doing to make her feel loved this Sunday, we want to rejoice with you in the splendor that is Mother’s Day. That’s why we’re asking you, our industry friends, to submit photos of your Mother’s Day celebrations for our annual yearbook!

Maybe you are a mother yourself, or paying respect to your own mom, or maybe both! Either way, we want to share a window into your own Mother’s Day celebrations this coming weekend. So, grab a camera (or phone), snap a pic, and send it on over to your friends at ANUK.

Show off those beautiful Mother’s Day bouquets, your favorite produce items from the celebration, or simply cuddle up with mom and snap a selfie. All we ask is that photo submissions are sent to [email protected] with a brief description of the photo and the names of everyone featured.

Please share your submissions by Tuesday, May 14, to be sure you have a spot in our Mother’s Day yearbook.

And with that, we wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day!

SALINAS, CA - You can put all the care, time, and data in the world toward your latest launch, but nothing is a sure thing once it's outside the confines of your company. It is especially gratifying, then, when that launch stands out among hundreds.

Such is the grand beginning for Taylor Farms’ new Snack Packs line, which walked away with the Best Snackable Product Award for CPMA 2024 before the ribbon was even cut.

“We are thrilled for Snack Packs to have won this award,” said Amanda Knauff, Vice President of Sales–Canada/Northeast U.S. “Consumers are more often eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of the traditional meal occasions, so we wanted to offer a healthy solution to support their on-the-go lifestyles.”

Launched in six flavors to start with a soft rollout in February 2024, Amanda explained that there is already a lot of interest on top of the warm reception at the show.

“Dill Pickle flavor profile in particular is really sought after in Canada,” Amanda said when trying to pick a favorite. “But all are really great options to reach any consumer to hit their health goals.”

In addition to the Dill Pickle Snack Pack, other flavors include: Almonds and Cheese; Apples and Cheese; Snap Peas and Dip; Veggies and Dip; and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.

Brian Modena, Director of Product Management, had a strong hand in the line’s development and gave a bit more insight while teasing more on the horizon.

“By working closely with our suppliers and retail partners, we’re bringing new flavors to the healthy snacking category,” Brian said. “We look forward to continuing innovating with new fresh snacking concepts for the Canadian marketplace.”

Additionally, the product line seeks to offer retailers a solution for any strain felt on in-store programs.

“Shifts in labor at retail have created demand for fresh-cut, value-add, and salad bar support that Taylor Farms is answering,” Amanda said. “We are happy to help assist in all areas of retail with the new Snack Packs line.”

Congratulations to the Taylor Farms team on this latest accolade!

CALIFORNIA - Amazon is implementing strategic changes to support its California store footprint, announcing that it is ceasing operations at one of its San Francisco fulfillment centers as it eyes other expansion opportunities in the market.

“We’re always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees, customers, partners, and drivers. As part of that effort, we may close older sites, enhance existing facilities, or open new sites, and we weigh a variety of factors when deciding where to develop future sites or maintain a presence,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle. “In this case, employees at our San Francisco fulfillment center are being offered transfers to other facilities nearby, or support if they choose not to stay with Amazon.”

As the source reported, Amazon plans to shutter a small fulfillment center that it established as an UltraFastFresh site to deliver groceries at 888 Tennessee St. This follows another recent closing as the retailer shut down its 75,000-square-foot facility at 435 23rd St. just last year, with another one of its facilities in the Bayview district also slated for redevelopment.

However, Amazon is still accelerating the growth of its California footprint through several purchases in the past several years. This includes the chain’s $200 million acquisition of a six-acre site in San Francisco in 2020. Amazon plans to redevelop the space into a 650,000-square-foot logistics center and is currently seeking city approval for its redevelopment plan.

In addition, the grocery behemoth also picked up a shuttered 215,600-square-foot SkyPark warehouse at 1000 San Mateo Ave. in 2020 for a total of $96 million. This location is also earmarked for redevelopment into a parcel delivery station, according to the source. While Amazon has yet to break ground on the project, its spokesperson confirmed the plan still stands.

We're sure more growth is in the works for Amazon’s expanding grocery network, so stick around for the latest updates.

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA - To secure impulse buys, one must present a product that can be devoured with the eyes first. Oppy and G&M Farms have done just that with their most recent products. The two announced the release of two exclusive proprietary blueberry varieties: Pink Cosmo and Hunkaberry.

“It’s been a collaborative effort to develop these exceptionally unique products that will differentiate the category,” shared Tim Crane, Oppy’s Category Manager for Blueberries. “Our marketing crew had a blast developing these brands, creating unique packs that deliver a sense of fun and intrigue to ignite trial—making them a stand-out in the berry aisle.”

Both developed by horticulture professor Dr. Scott NeSmith of the University of Georgia and grown by G&M Farms in Fresno County, California, the brands redefine the traditional blueberry experience with their distinctive flavors, sizes, and visual appeal, a press release stated.

Pink Cosmo offers a delightful blend of classic blueberry taste with bright floral notes, peachy sweetness, and a hint of fizz, all wrapped in a visually stunning spectrum of pink hues. They will make their seasonal debut at the end of May. Hunkaberry features an exceptionally large and poppable size of over 18 mm, which is harvesting early May through June.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about the opportunity to showcase two incredible items to our retail partners alongside Oppy,” Greg Willems, Owner of G&M Farms, said. “This collaboration represents years of experimentation and a long-standing relationship between our teams.”

Both boasting an impressive 18+ brix level, Pink Cosmo is available in 4.4 oz clamshells with Hunkaberry in 9.8 oz packs.

This announcement represents a significant advancement in Oppy's berry program, further enhancing its diverse portfolio with offerings that cater to the evolving preferences of consumers worldwide. Limited quantities are available, so retailers and foodservice customers are encouraged to reach out to Oppy promptly to secure their supply.

For more exciting launches like this, keep coming back to ANUK.