CANADA - Produce organizations from across the globe will be gathering in Niagara Falls, Canada, on October 1 with the goal of establishing a global compostable standard for Price Look Up (PLU) stickers. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is one organization that will be in attendance alongside compost organizations and many more.

“CPMA is pleased to see the Government of Canada committed to supporting the industry’s efforts to develop a global standard for compostable PLU stickers. The PLU is an integral part of the fresh produce supply chain, helping ensure accurate product identification thereby ensuring accurate pricing for consumers,” said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. “This must be a global effort. The adoption of compostable PLUs—a priority identified in the CPMA’s compostable PLU guidance published in 2023—is an international priority given the risk of compostable PLU requirements varying from country to country. Individualized or unique national efforts will only add burden to a complex supply chain and potentially disrupt food security efforts.”

PLUs are predominantly noncompostable, according to a press release. Currently, a significant portion of discarded PLU stickers accompany fresh produce waste that is being sent for organics recycling, including consumer-sourced organic waste as well as waste from commercial and business sources. These stickers end up being difficult to remove, physically contaminating the organic recycling process and adversely impacting the finished compost quality and value.

The fresh produce industry has identified the need to develop and adopt certified compostable PLUs as a result. However, because of the nature of global sourcing of produce year-round and the potential regional variability of composting processing requirements, there is a benefit for both the composting and fresh produce industries to develop and work toward the adoption of a single global standard for compostability.

Attendance at the meeting includes representatives from the fresh produce industry, including members of the International Federation of Produce Standards (IFPS), the International Compost Alliance (ICA), and the PLU label industry. The meeting is being jointly organized by CPMA and the Compost Council of Canada, with the support of the Government of Canada.

The outcome of this global meeting will be published in October 2024, with further engagement with the fresh produce industry and organics recycling industry planned for fall 2024 into early 2025.

For more from the press release, click here.

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SUNBURY, PA - Strengthening both its geographical footprint and its focus on local offerings, Weis Markets is targeting a Pennsylvania expansion with its latest deal. The retailer recently entered into an asset purchase agreement with Sunnyway Foods, unveiling plans to purchase certain assets of two of the company’s supermarkets in Chambersburg and Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

"Sunnyway Foods, the Martin family, and its associates are known for their service and dedication to their communities," said Jonathan Weis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Weis Markets. "As a company with a strong local focus, our goal is to build upon this strong foundation. We look forward to interviewing the associates of these stores for employment with our company."

The transaction is currently expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2024. As a press release noted, both Sunnyway locations will briefly close for conversion and reopen as Weis Markets.

Following the transaction, Weis Markets plans to interview the current associates of both stores who are interested in employment. In addition, the stores will now open on Sundays for customer convenience as part of the transition.

"It's been my family's pleasure to serve the wonderful people of Franklin County for over 69 years," stated Dean Martin, Sunnyway's President and Chief Executive Officer. "While this move is bittersweet for us, we are comforted knowing that we leave our customers in the capable hands of Weis Markets.”

ANUK will continue to monitor the impacts of this strategic deal, so stay tuned.

MEXICO & FLORIDA - AndNowUKnow is keeping an eye out for the potential impacts of an oncoming storm as reports show that Hurricane Helene is forecast to make landfall along the Florida Panhandle this Thursday. While expected to evolve into Tropical Storm Helene by early Tuesday morning, weather experts note the storm’s potential to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday.

The storm is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico, with hurricane watches issued across Tulum and Cancun, Mexico, as well as Cuba.

Forecasters currently expect the storm to continue to strengthen, potentially making landfall along the Florida Panhandle on Thursday night as a Category 2 or Category 3 hurricane. The Tampa Bay, Florida, area and the Florida Panhandle are expected to get the worst of the storm, ABC News reported, explaining that flash flooding, strong winds, and storm surge are the biggest threats.

After making landfall in Florida, Helene's heavy rain and flash flooding may move inland to Tallahassee, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Nashville, Tennessee.

ANUK will continue to report on this storm and the potential impacts it may have on the fresh produce industry.

For more updates, leave a tab open to AndNowUKnow.

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - The increasing momentum fresh produce is currently seeing in the snacking category is certainly an opportunity worth seizing. DelFrescoPure® is a strong player in this fresh arena, wielding a robust portfolio of greenhouse-grown vegetables to cater to a wide range of rising consumer demands.

“The snacking category is experiencing significant growth as consumers seek convenient, healthy options to fit their busy lifestyles,” Ray Mastronardi, Vice President of Sales, explained. “This trend is driven by an increasing awareness of health and wellness along with the need for quick, satisfying food choices that can be easily incorporated into a hectic schedule. Healthy snacks are no longer just a niche market; they have become mainstream as more people look for alternatives to traditional, often unhealthy, snack options. This demand has spurred innovation within the food industry.”

DelFrescoPure offers a variety of commodities to fit this demand, like snacking tomatoes such as the brand’s G.R.EAT! Grab. Rinse. Eat!® grape tomatoes, Mini Mixers®, and The Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine® (TOV). In addition, the greenhouse grower’s portfolio includes Sweetreats® Mini Sweet Peppers, Mini Crunchers® Mini Cucumbers, and organic mini cucumbers. All are perfect to grab and go, with variety to suit every shopper’s preference.

DelFrescoPure’s The Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine launched last year and has since received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. In line with the company’s dedication to organic farming, the provider is expanding its organic product range and increasing its organic TOV production.

This high-quality tomato lineup will complement DelFrescoPure’s 12-month organic mini cucumber line, which offers a crisp and refreshing option for consumers’ healthy snacks and meals.

“Our goals for 2024–2025 are all about sustainability and innovation. We are dedicated to not only providing a wide variety of high-quality commodities to our consumers but also continuously striving to innovate in terms of sustainability,” Mastronardi emphasized. “Our commitment extends to both the methods we use for growing our products and the packaging solutions we employ. We have always explored and implemented cutting-edge techniques that minimize environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.”

Additionally, the company is exploring innovative packaging designs that extend the shelf-life of its products, thereby reducing food waste.

“When it comes to packaging, we are equally committed to sustainability,” Mastronardi continued. “We are investing in research and development to create packaging materials that are not only eco-friendly but also functional and cost-effective. Our initiatives include using biodegradable materials, increasing the recyclability of our packaging, and reducing overall material usage.”

Eager to learn more about this powerful greenhouse grower? Be sure to stop by booth B763 during the Global Produce & Floral Show this October!

“We pride ourselves in being able to deliver customizable options for each of our retailers to meet the needs of their consumers. This is something we have initiated in the early stages of building our business, and we will continue to do so,” Mastronardi concludes. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to retail environments, so we do our best to meet the requests of our retail partners.”

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