ELGIN, MN - A fresh proprietary fruit hits the apple market to give retailers a golden opportunity—quite literally. Honeymoon™ Apples have made their way to the produce department as the latest yellow apple.

“We are really excited about this variety as we have heard from our retail partners about the proliferation of so many bi-colored red/green apples on their deck and the need for something different. We have been working for over a decade to develop the right apple cross that could meet both retailer desires and consumer’s high expectations of exceptional apple eating experience,” Don Roper, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Honeybear Brands®, commented. “Unlike other yellow varieties that may lack crispness, Honeymoon has the perfect firm texture combined with a sweet, mellow, tropical flavor profile. It’s a late-season variety from Washington with excellent pressures which stores and travels really well. We know shoppers will fall in love with this sunny apple and add it to their favorite fruit rotation.”

Described as an unsuspecting sensation of appearance, flavor, and crispness making its debut on the retail apple deck, the company said in a press release that Honeymoon offers retailers a refreshing color punch in terms of visual breaks in the department while being exceptionally clean and firm in appearance.

The Honeymoon apple is an open-pollinated Honeycrisp cross and is the fourth commercial release from Honeybear’s Apple Varietal Development™ program. The grower, marketer, and developer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears, and cherries is shipping a limited amount of its newest proprietary variety and advises retailers will be able to “put a ring on it” as supply becomes more widely available.

With innovations continuing to be realized in our industry, AndNowUKnow will be sure to report on all the latest.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - We were saddened to hear of the passing of Redner’s Markets Chair Richard Earl "Dick" Redner, who went peacefully on April 25, 2024, at the age of 73.

Born in Peekskill, New York, Redner was a son of the late Earl and Mary (Germond) Redner according to a Kuhn Funeral Home obituary. Dedicated to Redner's Markets throughout his professional career, Redner led the charge to growth as he steered the company as a second-generation business owner. A crowning achievement of his tenure came in 2022 when the company eclipsed $1 billion in annual sales, due in part to his focused strategy on both market expansion and sales growth, according to the listing.

Always one to shift attention, awards, and admiration to his employees instead of himself, this was one of his most admired traits. Redner remained active in the company, most recently serving as Chairman of the Board. His love and passion for his business was second only to his beloved family.

He was a loving husband to Elaine M. (Upperman) Redner. They were married on September 9, 1972. In addition to Elaine, he is survived by his children, Stacy M. (Jason) Hopp and Ryan S. Redner; six grandchildren: Taylor, Amber, and Brendan Hopp; and Sidney, Brooke, and Beckett Redner. One sister, Chere (Richard-deceased) Kelley. Dick was predeceased by his brother, Gary Redner.

Viewings will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 5—9 p.m. EST and on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 8—11 a.m. EST at First Energy Stadium, 1900 Centre Avenue, Reading, Pennsylvania. Formal services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crime Alert of Berks County, 600 North Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to assist the Redner family. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

Our thoughts are with all who knew Mr. Redner and are grieving this loss.

UNITED STATES - Looking for updates on Costco’s continuously successful growth strategies? Look no further. With the club chain's footprint across the United States coming to a total of 600 warehouses, industry eyes are on three U.S. markets yet to welcome a Costco location.

According to Fox Business, the states still awaiting a Costco warehouse include Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Despite lacking locations in these states, the warehouse chain reported an increase in its membership during its second-quarter earnings call last month, the source noted.

While Costco currently has plans to open a location in Rhode Island, some have speculated that one key factor determining the retailer’s expansion plans is population size, as well as employment, median household income, and projected population growth near potential warehouse locations.

We may also beg the question of whether or not Costco is waiting on those states to determine how it can be of value to these particular markets and maintain its competitive edge in the retail space.

At the end of 2023, Costco revealed plans to open a total of 31 locations throughout the duration of 2024. Will we soon see one of these markets pop up in those plans? ANUK will certainly be here to report.

ELMHURST, IL - With over 35 years of experience in marketing and business development, FoodMix Marketing Communications’ Nadine Baarstad is stepping into a crucial executive role. The industry vet has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, aiming to further solidify the agency’s position in food marketing and communications.

“I’m inspired to take on this new ambassador role at FoodMix, as the agency seeks to expand its presence in the food and beverage industry,” says Baarstad. “We see great opportunity in identifying strategic partnerships and collaboration with industry organizations that challenge our agency team to be stronger and smarter, which ultimately brings clients to us and keeps them asking for more.”

Baarstad will now spearhead strategic partnerships and cultivate relationships within the industry, further solidifying FoodMix’s position as a trailblazer in food marketing and communications, a press release detailed. She has extensive experience collaborating with premier brands in fresh produce, foodservice, packaged goods, healthcare, international travel, and not-for-profit industries.

As the release stated, Baarstad understands what clients need due to her experience on all sides of the business and with well-known brands such as Conagra, Maybelline, Dial Soap (with whom she won an ADDY award), Humana, and more.

“Nadine is passionate about finding solutions for our clients. We believe her skills will also be an asset for the industry at large. By weaving FoodMix more seamlessly into the fabric of the food industry, we believe we can continue to drive thought leadership,” says Dan O’Connell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FoodMix. “Nadine’s ability to make connections results in business success for all stakeholders. Her new role will amplify this opportunity for FoodMix food industry partners.”

For more details regarding this promotion, click here.

Congrats to Nadine Baarstad on this well-deserved promotion! Keep reading ANUK as we relay the latest industry news.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - GrubMarket’s acquisition streak has yet to let up as the company recently announced its acquisition of Global Produce, a South African produce player.

"The acquisition of Global Produce marks a pivotal moment in GrubMarket's journey, as we continue expanding our physical presence internationally and ramping up our operations in South Africa,” stated Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of GrubMarket. “[…] We are looking forward to working with the Global Produce team to strengthen our global position in the food supply chain and work more closely with farmers and growers throughout South Africa. [...]”

Known primarily for its year-round supply of grapes and citrus fruits, Global Produce sells dozens of other products including apples, berries, stonefruit, and tropical fruit. It also carries exotic items like Malaysian dragon fruit, Namibian Barhi dates, and Belgian PiqaBoo pears.

According to a press release, after the acquisition, the business will continue to be managed by its current experienced, mission-driven, and geographically diverse leadership team.

"Food is a relationship business—our foundation is built on trust, loyalty, and service. […] Our vertically integrated approach to food distribution, which includes putting boots on the ground in key local markets as well as staying in close proximity to the origins of our supply, allows us to maximize profits for our farmers while delivering lower prices and higher volumes of fresh fruit to our end customers. Our growing GEO brand also allows us to work directly with local farmers under the Global Farmers Brand to bring farm-fresh produce as close to our end customers as possible...” said Rutger Van Wulfen, Owner of Global Produce.

As part of the GrubMarket network, Global Produce will utilize GrubMarket's WholesaleWare software suite, the company's software-as-a-service platform.

For more information on the acquisition, click here.

AndNowUKnow will continue to cover the latest in all things fresh produce, so keep your eyes peeled for our logo in your inbox.