ILLINOIS - Ugly produce continues to seek a niche in the produce industry but one time of year, when demand for aesthetics goes topsy-turvy and the more hideous the better.
When it comes to Halloween, Bloomberg reports that pumpkin growers are all about ugly.
"People would walk up and see that pumpkin and they’d say, ‘This is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen,’” John Ackerman, Morton, Illinois-based pumpkin grower of over 15 years, told Bloomberg by telephone. Now Ackerman farms 300-acres, 75 of which are pumpkins, and added blue pumpkins to the crop to see how they would fair. “And the next words they said were, ‘Please give me three of those!”’
Ackerman now sells upwards of 160 different pumpkin varieties, and they aren’t the only ones.
Nielsen Perishables’ data shows that growers throughout the U.S. sold 39.5 million pounds of pumpkins last year at an average of $2.44 a pound, a price that was up 50 percent from 2011. Bloomberg also reported that Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest, based in Homer Glen, Illinois, sells non-traditional pumpkins for 59 cents a pound, 20 cents more than traditional orange, though the USDA doesn't officially track the disfigured pumpkins separately from the rest.
“The entertainment-pumpkin deal started 25 or 30 years ago, and it just keeps growing,” Ross Rispens, third-generation Owner of Rispens Seeds Inc. in Beecher, Illinois, said, according to the report. “People realized they will pay."
Rispens markets more than 75 different kinds of pumpkins, a significant jump from just six varieties nearly 40 years ago, and continues to try out newer, stranger varieties every year.
So could the holiday of ghouls, goblins, and all things weird be an opening for other produce misfits outside of the pumpkin category? The door definitely appears to be open.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow all the hot and weird trends influencing the produce industry.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Southeastern Grocers is permanently cutting prices on over 1,500 popular grocery items at every Winn-Dixie store nationwide, including fresh produce.
“Research consistently tells us that customers are seeking lower prices, wherever they shop, particularly hardworking families shopping on a budget,” said Ian McLeod, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. “We are listening to our customers and helping them reduce the cost of their weekly shop by lowering the prices on over 1,500 of our customers’ favorites.”
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo, and Harveys, has invested $40 million into the “New Regular Pricing Program.” The program will slash prices on various store items by almost 20 percent, on average, with savings as high as 53 percent, the company said in a press release. Prices will drop even further if these items are placed on sale.
These discounted items, designated by special price tags in-store, include produce, dairy, bakery, meat, dry, frozen, and home goods.
Winn-Dixie operates approximately 518 grocery stores, 145 liquor stores, and 393 in-store pharmacies throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - If you thought you saw a lot of mangos at PMA this past weekend, you may have just got trumped by travelers on Indianapolis’ I-70 to I-65 interstate. When a semi truck carrying mangos overturned last night, over 35,000 pounds of the fruit spilled in a giant, sticky mess.
Fortunately, officials at the scene of the accident confirmed that the driver of the truck was not injured in the crash, but the same couldn't be said of the mangos. Closing the I-70 to I-65 ramp from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, the cleanup took nearly 7 hours and entire crews of backhoes, tow trucks, and brooms.
While no injuries were reported, rain and wet roads are believed to be contributing factors. No word yet on how many passers-by grabbed a few of these tasty mangos for breakfast along the way.
ATLANTA, GA – More than three-quarters of a million people across the metro Atlanta and north Georgia areas will benefit from the generous donation of fresh produce received from last weekend’s PMA Fresh Summit expo.
Exhibitors donated a whopping 341,061 pounds of produce at the Georgia World Congress Center expo hall with the help of approximately 250 volunteers from the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). The donation will help to feed more than 164,000 children and more than 64,000 seniors, according to a press release.
Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the ACFB, said that fresh produce is the number one category of food that the organization provides for those in need.
“The PMA Fresh Summit Expo brings the best of the best in fresh fruits and vegetables,” he said. “It’s incredible that we’ll be able to make thousands of pounds of this product available for those in need.”
The ACFB procures more than 60 million pounds of food and groceries each year and distributes it to more than 600 non-profit partner agencies serving families and individuals in 29 metro Atlanta and north Georgia counties.
According to Feeding America’s Hunger in America 2014 report, 80,600 people are served each week by programs supported by ACFB, and those clients turn to ACFB partner programs and pantries for help more than 6.1 million times over the course of the year.
Over the past decade, PMA exhibitors have donated more than 3.2 million pounds of fresh produce to communities in need in the United States.
NOGALES, AZ – Del Campo is making a big upgrade to its Nogales, AZ facility in an effort to invest further in its sustainability initiatives.
The company has added new solar roof panels and a solar covered parking structure to its 120,000 square foot warehouse facility. The new solar panels will provide over 50 percent of the energy the warehouse uses for cooling and daily operations.
Diego Ley, General Manager, said that it was important to not only invest in the company’s facilities, but also contribute to the environment.
“Converting some of our energy to solar power will help us stay competitive and continue servicing our customers’ needs,” he said.
According to a press release, some of the benefits this investment brings include:
- The estimated coal saved will be 559,232 pounds
- The estimated CO2 reduction will be 1,118,464 pounds
- The estimated water saved will be 419,424 gallons
Del Campo y Asociados is also exploring more solar energy possibilities for their ranches in Sinaloa and in Jalisco.
“We have analyzed the benefits and investment to adding solar energy at our ranches and currently working on a plan to build solar farms that will provide the majority of our power,” said Juan Jose Ley, General Manager of Del Campo y Asociados.
This is just one more way the company continues to be on the forefront of technology, operational excellence, and customer service.
ATLANTA, GA - I think it’s pretty much a given that PMA Fresh Summit exhibitors truly bring their A-game to this annual event, and this year’s convention in Atlanta, Georgia, was no different.
While this industry is definitely the unique beast that it is because of the people, equally as important are the product innovations. From pioneering varietals to packaging and product debuts, here are some of the companies that stood out from the crowd, and while there were many more I’d love to list, here are some of my favorites.
Stemilt - Fresh Blenders™
As always, visiting with Stemilt Growers brings with it a wealth of education and, for this show, apples. This year, the company showcased its Fresh Blenders™ pouch bags which offers a unique product to help retailers appeal directly to this consumer. Fresh Blenders™ come in a 5-pound bag of value grade apples that present sweet or tart flavor profiles and multiple varieties for each. I love the ease of the resealable pouch bag which is designed to stand up vertically for easy display at retail and in the refrigerator at home.
Red Sun Farms - Biodegradable Fiber Packaging
Red Sun Farms' Biodegradable Fiber Packaging was another great highlight from the show, as companies throughout the industry continue to align their programs with sustainability initiatives. Red Sun's organic grape tomatoes will now be packed in an Earthcycle fiber base which is top sealed and offers a 90% reduction on plastic. The item is also fully compostable and recyclable. Red Sun is responding to the consumer demand for an eco-friendly - environmentally conscious packaging option.
Village Farms - Cherry no. 9: Fall in Love Again & Cabernet Estate Reserve
Village Farms was one of my first introductions to innovation in the greenhouse category. This year, the company debuted two new cherry varieties, Cabernet Estate Reserve, a wine colored tomato with a deep red color, and the Cherry no. 9: Fall in Love Again, which is a sweet and juicy tomato, both bred for flavor. The company looks the world over for unique varieties with quality attributes and these are examples of those efforts.
Ocean Mist Farms - Season & Steam
Kalettes™ are truly taking off at retail and foodservice and consumers look to diversify their diets and bring more flavor and innovation to their meals. Ocean Mist Farms’ value-added Season and Steam product line has expanded to include Kalettes™ along with four Brussels sprouts items: SuperShreds SuperFood™, Quick Cook Sprouts, whole Brussels sprouts and Baby Sprouts. This Steamfast pack gives users the opportunity to pre-season the contents, reseal with the zip lock and steam by microwave. The new redesigned packaging for the line offers fresh graphics on each of the Season & Steam packages to make the instructions clearer on the shelf and more user friendly.
Naturipe - "Ready to Eat" Fresh Berry Snacks
Berry growing is this company’s business. That is a given. And when it comes to convenience, Naturipe is always a go-to. This year, the company showcased its “Ready to Eat” fresh berry snacks in single serve and trio portions. These berries, combined with an exceptional wash system and state-of-the-art sealed packaging, ensure a great snack and premium quality fruit that is available year-round. I hope you got the chance to try the Blueberry, Blueberry Mango, and Blueberry Grape options. The fun and vibrant packaging only adds to the appeal.
Grimmway - TRUE ORGANIC
The organic juice category is growing in leaps and bounds, thanks to companies like Grimmway who are offering a premium juice option driven by flavor and quality. The company is rebranding its organic juices to simply read “TRUE ORGANIC” as it celebrates the first anniversary of the line, placing a greater emphasis on the organic nature of its super-premium juice offerings. Additionally four new flavors have been added to mark the occasion - Kaleifornia, Blissful Beets, Citrus Carrot, and seasonal Apple Cherry Harvest.
Clear Lam - PrimaPak™ Technology
This company’s PrimaPak™ technology is a unique, flexible, stackable, reclosable package produced from a single roll of film on a Vertical FFS machine. PrimaPak™ also features peel and re-seal technology, which eliminates the need for rigid lids/banding and gives consumers an easy-to-open and close lid. This technology can also help processors and retailers achieve measurable cost savings and sustainability improvements throughout the supply chain. Brands have the opportunity to deliver messaging on all six sides of the package… which provides more opportunities to tell the story of the product.
If you missed part one of our series, check out Jessica Donnel's favorites from the show by clicking here. Stay tuned for part three!
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA - German-based retail chain, Lidl, has made the first step in expanding its footprint in the U.S., having broken ground on a new distribution center on Tuesday in Spotsylvania County.
“We chose Spotsylvania not just for its central location, but also for its talented workforce and economic vitality,” Brendan Proctor, President and CEO of Lidl U.S., said in a statement, according to the Virginia Business.
The 82-acre property, once completed, will house a $125 million distribution facility, employing about 200 workers.
The retail chain received about $16.7 million in state incentives, including $1.4 million paid upfront. Among those were:
- $5 million in grants from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund
- $2 million from the Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant Program
- $9.7 million incentive package for Lidl from the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors
"As one of the leading European retailers, we are happy Lidl chose Virginia as its gateway to the United States,” Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, stated, according to the report.
In total, Lidl is investing more than $200 million in its operations in Virginia, the Virginia Business reports, and has pledged to create about 700 new jobs by 2018.
ATLANTA, GA - Maybe you were one of the few who didn’t make it out to PMA’s Fresh Summit this year, or maybe you were just overwhelmed by the what seemed like thousands of aisles—either way, I'm here to give you some insight on some of the products that stood out to me and had me thinking even after the show floor. With this being the convention that company’s bring out their best and brightest new products, here are some I think you definitely shouldn’t miss:
Mastronardi Produce - SUNSET® Minzano™
SUNSET's Minzanos were definitely one of the most beautiful tomato products shown on the floor this weekend. This mini San Marzano-type tomato is greenhouse grown and vine ripened for a powerful burst of Tuscan flavor. The product was a petite item that would work perfectly for bringing a splash of red to the salad plate, for consumers to munch on out of the convenient resealable pouch bag, or hopefully, you got a chance to try some of Chef Roger Mooking’s delicious recipes that featured the product on the floor.
Shanley Farms - Citron Caviar
The interior of these Citriburst Finger Limes can best be described as citrus pearls, or citrus caviar. Shanley Farms debuted the item in a new presentation at Fresh Summit this year, showing off the limes’ caviar-like qualities in a jar not unlike its upscale counterpart. The flavor is similar to that of a lemon-lime-grapefruit combo, the juice bursts from the citrus pearls when bitten into. If you didn’t get a chance to try these, they are worth seeking out for sure.
Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company - Natalie's Fresh Tomato Juice
Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company debuted a new addition to the company’s juice line at this years’ convention— Natalie's Fresh Tomato Juice. Locally sourced from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, these unique juices only use two ingredients—fresh tomatoes and lemon juice. These juices are capitalizing on the trends millennials are seeking, including having no preservatives, no “hidden” ingredients, being Non-GMO, and gluten free. This was definitely one of the pasteurized juices we sought out during the show, and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint.
Mann Packing - Culinary Cuts®
Winner of a 2015 PMA Impact Award for Excellence in Packaging, Mann’s Culinary Cuts® feature fresh cut vegetables cut into distinctive shapes including Sweet Potato Ribbons and Butternut Squash Zig Zags. Before I even came to the show, my grandmother formally requested I made sure to check them out in person, as she read about them on AndNowUKnow and wanted me to get even more details. Each package contains four to five, 1-cup servings, detailed cooking instructions, and three unique recipes and usage ideas. Congrats on the award to the whole Mann Packing team!
Evolution Fresh - Evolution Fresh Cold-Pressed Juices
As a person who is always looking to get my veggie intake on-the-go, Evolution Fresh’s Cold Pressed Juices are a frequent staple of my diet. Introduced by Starbucks, the company is now expanding its line of popular juices to include new protein smoothie blends and a new Organic Green Lemonade flavor. You better believe that with the added protein and delicious flavors, these new additions will be making it into my weekly pressed juice rotation.
North Shore Living Herbs - N.S. Living Herbs®
One stand out in the herb category was North Shore Living Herbs® rolling out new varieties a its booth, with the eye-catching promise that retailers love their longer shelf-life, as well as using less waste and offering high quality. The clamshell presentation gives a window to the "living herbs," which look freshly picked. This not only gave me the feeling of using fresh ingredients, but also the idea of adding a gourmet touch while cooking in the kitchen. This was definitely a lively addition to the herb category while browsing the rows of PMA Fresh Summit.
Ippolito Produce - Value Added Brussels Sprout Pouches
Anyone who knows me knows I am a Brussels Sprouts fiend, and one of my favorite new products featuring one of my favorite veggies was Ippolito’s new value-added line. Under the company’s Queen Victoria label, the company introduced a 1 lb. Microwaveable Pouch that you can cook in the bag, a 1 lb. Gourmet Microwaveable Pouch that comes trimmed and cut, 1 lb. Petite Microwaveable Pouch that features smaller sizes, and a 12 oz. Shredded Microwaveable Pouch that is perfect for warm salads. I’m always on the lookout for something I can cook quickly in the microwave, so this is a product I had to check out first hand.
This show was actually the first PMA Fresh Summit I had the honor to attend, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Thank you to all the companies I had the chance to visit for the hospitality and all the great innovations to the industry!
Stay tuned for our other writers' favorite picks coming soon!
ORLANDO, FL - Darden has sold its headquarters in Orlando, FL for $133 million to an affiliate of U.S. Realty Advisors.
"It's all part of the strategy to strengthen the business," said Rich Jeffers, Director at Darden, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "Selling the building and leasing it back from the new owner provides us with a better way to utilize our capital to further strengthen the business and drive shareholder value."
The company moved into the headquarters six-year-old, 9.5 acre, 1.5-million-square-foot property and building for $152 million and does not plan to move out despite the sale, according to the report.
Jeffers stated that the company and its 1,000 employees will not be leaving the area, and that Darden has signed a 20-year lease with an option to extend an additional 30 years.
The company does seem to be in the midst of a turnaround plan. In addition to this change up, the company’s Olive Garden banner just recently selected Mcgarrybowen as its lead creative, and that it is currently selling upwards of 500 properties, including 424 spin-off sites into a real estate investment trust, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Darden has also put 64 additional restaurant properties on the market.
BALA CYNWYD, PA - Chris Horrell has joined the Love Beets team as its new Western Regional Manager.
“I am truly honored to be working with the Love Beets team,” Horrell said in a press release. “They have a great product line with a significant following and are a brand with continual innovation and new concepts.”
Horrell, who brings six years of experience in commodity produce sales from working with Ayco Farms, is part of Love Beets re-emphasis on its focus of the West Coast. As we previously reported, the company is also launching a large U.S.-grown operation in Rochester, N.Y. in the first part of 2016.
"We are excited to have Chris on board with Love Beets,” Joe McGuire, General Manager, commented in the release. “He brings to our organization great experience and a passion to carry our brand's values. We look forward to exciting success in the West for Love Beets.”
Horrell will be responsible for actively managing the Love Beets brand in retail, foodservice, and any other channels of distribution. The company stated that he was greatly successful in building both new and existing accounts previously and expressed confidence he will do the same in this new role.