WENATCHEE, WA - How do you make the most of the U.S. Pacific Northwest cherry season? Work closely with supplier partners on timing, variety promotions, merchandising solutions, and consumer insights. With the season quickly approaching in late spring, CMI Orchards is ramping up its PNW cherry program with highly anticipated category solutions and advice for retail partners. And it sounds as fruitful as we’ve hoped.

“Cherries inspire excitement year after year, coveted for their limited availability and summer seasonality. Savvy retailers know the importance of capturing impulse cherry sales—providing multiple in-store destinations in the produce department and at check-out for customers to snatch them up while supplies last,” Rochelle Bohm, Vice President of Marketing, shares with me. “We always suggest planning Fourth of July promotions early to earmark volume and POS. Look for cross-merchandising opportunities to reach more shoppers; cherries are excellent paired with cold treats like ice cream or celebrated on charcuterie boards.”

According to CMI Orchards' season projections, cherries will most likely kick off in late May or early June—though in some years, the cherries come early, and the PNW season starts as soon as Memorial Day. While it's still too early to tell whether May or June cherries will make their mark on the calendar, Rochelle notes that the region has had a fairly mild winter and seen above-average temperatures.

“We’ll start with Red cherries, and then Skylar Rae, Strawberry cherries, and Rainier cherries will start about a week later. Our Red cherries could carry us through early August, but our specialty cherries will wrap up within a couple of weeks,” she details. “Mother Nature is a wild card, so it may be too soon to tell, but we expect a healthy-sized crop starting a few days earlier than normal due to warm Spring weather pushing up the timing slightly compared to last season. With strong volume projected out of California and Washington, it’s looking like there will be healthy tonnage to keep consistent supplies during June and July, and timing looks like we could end slightly earlier in August.”

In other words, CMI Orchards will have strong volumes to ensure adequate supply for those Fourth of July promotions and other summer spotlights.

When I ask Rochelle about the crop's hallmarks in the lead-up to harvest, she tells me that it has been dynamic, as always.

“We had a cold snap in January that impacted our highest elevation crops a bit, but the very mild winter we had coupled with the consistently warm temperatures after that cold snap delivered a great bloom,” she adds. “Those warm temperatures did bring bloom a bit earlier than last season; if all stays on track, we’re about a week earlier than last year. Every year is different, and it’s amazing what a difference a few days can make to the overall cherry market!”

One thing’s for sure, she expresses, there will be plenty of cherries to enjoy this summer, and consumers should be pleased with the quality and flavor.

“The timing of California cherries is something we closely monitor so that we can provide advice and recommendations to our retail partners on promotional timing out of Washington,” Rochelle concludes.

With retailers set to flourish this season, CMI Orchards continues its mission of excellence at retail and fantastic flavor for all.

DELANO, CA - Boasting a fresh new look and enhanced shopping experience, Vallarta Supermarkets is reopening its Delano, California, store on May 1, 2024, after months of restoration.

"Vallarta Supermarkets is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of our renovated Delano store, showcasing our dedication to enhancing the shopping experience," stated Lizette Gomez, Director of Marketing at Vallarta Supermarkets. "This renovation underscores our continuous commitment to delivering unparalleled service to our loyal customers and the community. By revamping our stores, we aim to elevate the customer experience and create an inviting environment that fosters connection and satisfaction."

The store is located at 820 Main Street in Delano, and Vallarta Supermarkets invites the community to attend the Grand Reopening event on May 1 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., a release stated. Shoppers can sample the retailer’s signature items, listen to live music, and participate in a giveaway.

To commemorate the event, Vallarta Supermarkets will be donating to local charity organizations around the Delano area to continue its promise and commitment to the communities it serves.

Stick with AndNowUKnow for more retail expansions and openings.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Three Olympic athletes are at the center of Wonderful Pistachios’ latest campaign. The supplier has announced its partnership with three French sports players as part of a new campaign: "And you, how do you crack?" This initiative aims to inspire French consumers to make healthy food choices as part of regular physical activity, and will be promoted by fencer Sara Balzer, basketball player Evan Fournier, and boxing champion Estelle Mossely.

"At Wonderful Pistachios, we firmly believe that nutrition and wellness are essential elements that help fuel fitness, and we're proud to have Evan, Sara, and Estelle play a role in promoting these values," Tom Hazelof, Vice President of Retail Sales EMEA at Wonderful Pistachios.

Rolling out in France digitally, in print publications, and in gyms and stores with eye-catching displays, the campaign features these star athletes:

• Sara Balzer, an accomplished fencer who has captured hearts with her dazzling performances. Silver medalist at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, her remarkable record speaks to her talent and determination to excel in her sport, making her the world number 1 in women's sabre according to the International Fencing Federation
• Evan Fournier, an iconic figure in French basketball, has had an impressive career in the NBA and as a member of the French national team. Silver medalist at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 European Championship, Fournier embodies determination and excellence on the court

• Estelle Mossely, boxing champion, has made history in French sports with her exceptional achievements in the ring. The first French female boxer to win the title at the Olympic Games, she is also the first Frenchwoman to be crowned world champion after her Olympic title. Her journey illustrates the strength and perseverance required to reach the top

  

With France as one of Wonderful Pistachios’ key markets in Europe, these athletes will increase affinity of consumers for eating pistachios, a press release stated. In the campaign’s creative, we see the athletes in familiar settings of a kitchen and living room, showcasing different usage occasions for Wonderful Pistachios in a fun and engaging manner.

For more industry partnerships, keep coming back to ANUK.

VANCOUVER, BC - “Star is in growth mode,” stated Greg Kennedy, President of Star Produce

Truer words could not be spoken as The Star Group has announced the addition of four Vice Presidents of Sales & Procurement, bolstering its leadership team, effective immediately.

The four newly appointed VPs include Brian (Gino) Boensch, Justin Hoffman, John Lambiris, and Kevin Quirk, according to a release. All four previously held Director roles at The Star Group. They will support the company’s executive team, provide leadership across the group’s five business units, and help steer Star's future.

“These guys have all been with Star for a long time,” said Deric Karolat, Chief Executive Officer. “They have proven themselves time and again, helping to guide our company to the success it has enjoyed over the past thirty-five years, and I know we are in very capable hands as they will help to drive sales growth, inspire the team, and set course for the future.”

Kennedy also commented on the appointments and their impact.

“We continue to see sustained growth across a number of key categories. Citrus, tropicals, Okanagan fruit, greenhouse vegetables, and grapes are just a few of the overall drivers, and managing this growth requires capable leadership. We are fortunate to have experienced, dedicated leaders at Star, and I am thrilled to see them being promoted into these key positions,” he added.

Congratulations to these four leaders on their new positions!

SAN ANTONIO, TX - From growers to suppliers to retailers, the safety of fresh produce is of the utmost importance. In ensuring only the highest quality standards are met and the safest produce makes it to the aisles of H-E-B, the company’s Danielle Mesa, Product Quality Manager for H-E-B Brand Quality Assurance, and her colleagues pay close attention to related research.

“We are the last step in the process before the customer. Everything that happens upstream affects the products we receive,” says Danielle, before adding that food safety “is part of our culture; it’s top of mind regardless of which company leader you speak with. Each partner understands they have a role in bringing produce safety to life.”

H-E-B’s quality assurance experts engage with leading food safety organizations to learn, guide, and influence. Danielle sits on the Center for Produce Safety’s (CPS) Technical Committee, which oversees CPS’s produce-specific research program. She notes volunteering helps her make connections with the industry and other retailers.

“CPS makes information sharing even between retailers a lot more comfortable,” relays Danielle. “CPS enhances produce safety … by targeting the needs of industry. Their process allows for research that is realistic and feasible for suppliers of all sizes.”

The retailer utilizes CPS research and research data in its own programs, and shares projects with and makes introductions for H-E-B suppliers.

“H-E-B is grateful to have a seat at the table with CPS,” Danielle adds. “Their research drives change to impact how safe the product is when it arrives to us, the retailer, throughout the supply chain, and in the last mile.”

So, what recent CPS research is notable to Danielle? She points to a 2023 symposium report about biobased, food-grade antimicrobial coatings for harvest equipment surfaces written by Nitin Nitin, Ph.D.

“These coatings stand up to harsh conditions,” explains Danielle. “And like many CPS projects, [findings] can also be used in other areas.”

In addition to this report, Danielle also refers to recent findings from Kristen Gibson, Ph.D., regarding CEA.

“We’re very interested in all things CEA,” Danielle notes. “Controlled environment agriculture does not mean risk-free,” she adds, referring to the report.

Danielle will be listening attentively to researchers’ reports when the Center for Produce Safety’s Annual Research Symposium convenes June 18–19, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.

Click here for details and to register. Past events’ Key Learnings are available for free here.