BENTONVILLE, AR - Sam’s Club took a customer pain point and immediately got to work. When shoppers tired of waiting in line for receipt verification to exit the club, the retailer deployed a first-of-its-kind application of artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. Since its launch in January, this program is now successfully running in 120 clubs.

"I’m incredibly proud of the innovation and dedication of our team to deploy this member experience technology at scale," said Todd Garner, Chief Product Officer. "Both exit technology and Scan & Go are driving new levels of convenience and raising member satisfaction among members. What distinguishes Sam’s Club from our competitors is our ability to seamlessly deploy this technology at scale across our nearly 600 clubs nationwide. Whether it's a single item or a cartful, we're revolutionizing the checkout experience."

As we reported last time, Sam’s Club was eager to solve this issue for shoppers and maintain its commitment to convenience. And it did so rather quickly, as the retailer claims in a release that this rapid deployment of the exit technology is the largest-scale implementation of member-facing AI-powered technology in the retail industry.

The response from shoppers thus far has been positive. In clubs where the technology has been deployed, more than half of the members report a friction-free experience. This translates to all members leaving the club 23 percent faster.

Sam’s Club plans to deploy the exit technology to all of its clubs by the end of 2024.

It’s the little things that add up to a better customer experience. Time saved getting out the door faster could translate into shoppers feeling less rushed—which opens the door to other possibilities. Where could their eyes turn to if their minds were a little more free to spend time thinking over products and not getting home? We can only hope they will turn to produce.

What pain points could we be solving? It’s something to ponder this morning!

EAGLE, ID - In this industry, the best thing you can do is be a sponge. To thrive in fresh produce takes the will to be continuously learning—forever a student of the game. Such is the case for Matt Zapczynski, who was recently appointed as the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) new Retail Promotion Director, Northeast/Midwest.

“I’ve always felt that Idaho Potato Commission is a great support system for retailers,” says Zapczynski. “Whether you needed a promotion put together, or one of the stores had a grand opening or a renovation to celebrate, IPC was always there to step up and do something special.”

Based in North Carolina, Zapczynski joined Merchants Distributors in 2017, soon finding himself drawn to the produce side of the business. According to a press release, he then advanced from Produce Buyer to Director of Produce Operations during his seven years at the wholesale grocery distributor. He expanded his knowledge through the Southeast Produce Council’s STEP-UPP training program and participated in the inaugural class of SEPC’s Next Generation Leadership Academy last year.

“I’ve always been involved in learning programs—I just try to be the best sponge I can,” adds Zapczynski. “Produce is something new every day. It’s dominated by the weather, so you could have a great day tomorrow—or a storm could keep you on your toes.”

Before his time with Merchants Distributors, Zapczynski served in a series of full-time, in-store positions at The Giant Company for 14 years, where he managed deli, customer operations, and nonperishable operations.

“Matt is a natural leader who is always looking ahead to prepare for the produce industry’s future,” says Ross Johnson, Vice President of Retail and International. “His background in both retail and wholesale makes him a perfect fit to help Northeast/Midwest retailers reap the many benefits of selling the Idaho brand. I know everyone is really going to enjoy working with him!”

Congrats to this talented produce pro for joining the IPC’s dynamic team!

SANTA MARIA, CA - Tozer is not letting up on its commitment to industry excellence, continuously accelerating fresh produce innovation through its unwavering focus on providing quality vegetable seeds. As the company pushes this mission forward, Tozer has a few exciting industry events on its calendar for 2024.

"At Tozer, we're dedicated to driving progress in vegetable seed breeding," says Anthony Stevenson, Area Sales Representative for Tozer. "Our focus on innovation and quality ensures that we deliver superior seed varieties that meet the evolving needs of growers and consumers."

Backed by a decades-long legacy, Tozer maintains a strong focus on the production and distribution of quality vegetable seeds. From groundbreaking hybrids like Kalettes® to a diverse range of other varieties, Tozer continues to push the boundaries of seed innovation, a press release detailed.

The seed provider will be taking to the 2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 6–8. Featuring cutting-edge technologies and machinery—including combines, tractors, sprayers, and robotic milking machines—the event gives industry members a unique platform for exploring the latest advancements across precision agriculture, conservation practices, and sustainable supply chain solutions.

Showcasing its industry prowess, Tozer will also be taking to the International Seed Federation (ISF) World Seed Congress 2024 this spring, seeking to engage in discussions on the transformative power of seeds in creating a food-secure future. Celebrating the association's centennial anniversary, the ISF Congress commemorates a century-long journey of international seed cooperation, the release continued.

Be sure to catch the company at these upcoming events or contact Stevenson for more details!

As always, leave a tab open for the latest industry news from ANUK.

CORONA, CA - Index Fresh has a new marketer on its team, one whose multidisciplinary expertise in sales and marketing will soon prove to be a boon for the company. Kellen Stailey Martin recently stepped into this role, taking on the title of Vice President of Marketing.

“I was immediately drawn to Index Fresh’s reputation as a pioneer in avocado marketing. Index’s deep agricultural commitment, exceptional service, and consistent global supply create a collaborative culture positioned for growth,” Martin noted in a press release. “I look forward to developing Index Fresh’s brands, providing insights and accountability to their customers, and ensuring Index Fresh is top of mind as operators select key partners to supply this critical category.”

Stailey Martin knows how to drive success at the individual and the team level, as well as with domestic and international accounts. Her experience in the produce industry has seen her serve companies such as Hazel Technologies, Grimmway Farms, and Sunshine Bouquet.

As the release went on to note, her experience in managing cross-functional teams, spearheading creative campaigns, and delivering exceptional results further strengthens her ability to lead and drive success in Index Fresh’s expanding global footprint. As Index Fresh’s VP of Marketing, Martin will lead the company’s marketing strategy and implementation, as well as oversee the marketing team. She will also oversee all media, digital, insights, public relations, content creation, grower engagement, and brand management.

She will report directly to Steve Roodzant, Chief Executive Officer.

“We are thrilled to have a cross-functional leader with Kellen’s passion and drive joining the Index Fresh team,” stated Roodzant. “Kellen has a strong background in executive leadership, an agile skillset, and a sophisticated understanding of the industry that will be an asset to our company. We are excited to welcome Kellen into our team.”

Congratulations to Kellen Stailey Martin on this new role!

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Last week’s CPMA Convention and Trade Show was one for the books, as many produce members convened in Vancouver, Canada, to talk about the latest innovations hitting the market. With every company putting their best foot forward, you know the booth game around the convention center was a competitive arena. For Mastronardi Produce®, this competitive arena ushered in a win, with the greenhouse grower taking home the Best Island Booth Award.

"This is a long-awaited award for our marketing team," said Mark Figueiredo, Creative Director. "Innovation drives everything at Mastronardi Produce, and we work hard to bring a fresh, immersive experience to every trade show we attend. We want visitors to our booth to feel energized by the atmosphere and inspired by the new flavors they try."

The size of the booth was impressive enough, standing at 40' x 30’, and featuring many flagship products under the SUNSET® umbrella, including Campari®, Flavor Bombs®, and WOW® Berries, as well as new innovations like Bahama Bombs™, Peppy’s Peppers, and Backyard Farms® lettuce.

The booth also featured audiovisuals showcasing its latest products, brands, and creative campaigns. A professional chef team curated a menu to further spotlight the products on display and show visitors just how delicious SUNSET’s products can be.

We’ll be eager to see how Mastronardi Produce ups its event game for next time!

AndNowUKnow will continue to relay the latest in fresh produce.

OXNARD, CA - The sun is shining here in the Northern Hemisphere, and April is winding down, meaning it’s almost summertime. Ushered in by Cinco de Mayo, the season is perfect for promoting avocados, of which Westfalia Fruit has a year-round supply thanks to its global reach. To get retailers ready, the provider has a few tidbits to share.

“Avocados are essential to every celebration, especially Cinco de Mayo. According to a recent avocado recap by the Hass Avocado Board, the holidays signaled year-over-year growth in dollar sales,” explains Christina Ward, Director of Marketing and Product Brands. “Avocado volume during Cinco de Mayo grew +37 percent versus the prior year, adding +10.3 million units to the category during the holiday week.”

As Cinco de Mayo approaches, Westfalia is gearing up for promotions with various sizes and bagged fruit throughout May. The supplier offers customizable marketing programs for its retail partners year-round and, for the holiday, is supporting customers with bag promotions tied to cash rebates for shoppers.

Additionally, westfaliafruit.com features delicious new recipes that are perfect for the festivities ahead and will inspire shoppers to add avocados to their baskets.

Bountiful displays of avocados will draw in shoppers, and retailers can be assured of plentiful avocado supplies. “Mexico and California will have fantastic eating quality, and we are selecting fruit with high oil content that will deliver optimal flavor profiles for all your festive avocado needs,” says Christina.

“We celebrate multiple countries of origin in our growing portfolio, and we’re looking forward to a delicious summer that will kick off in May," Christina continues. "California-grown avocados will reach peak maturity in time for Cinco de Mayo promotions. While California is experiencing a condensed season, we are forecasting promotable volumes through June. Mexico will have ample supply throughout the year, and we are anticipating a strong Peruvian season as well as opportunities for Colombian fruit too.”

Westfalia Fruit operates state-of-the-art packinghouses and storage facilities in Chile, Colombia, and Peru, alongside its avocado-growing footprint. It focuses on supplying premier avocados in North America and around the world. The company is currently one of the largest exporters of Peruvian avocados. Strong domestic Peruvian programs will begin as early as May, with product arrivals through August.

Colombia, renowned for its rich soils and optimal growing conditions, will offer a consistent supply of avocados through August. The current Colombian avocado crop is skewing toward the smaller end of the size curve, promising promotable volumes of small fruit.

On top of its fresh avocado offerings, the #avoexperts at Westfalia have a new product launching in the United States soon.

“Westfalia Fruit avocado oil products are debuting in the U.S. this spring in stores and online. Our oil is superior quality and pressed from 100 percent ripe avocados,” Christina adds. “Available in plain and delicious flavors, like lemon and garlic, our oils are ideal for any cooking method, and perfect for grilling, frying, and roasting due to the oil’s high smoke point.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to hear about Westfalia’s upcoming rollout and more.