SAN FRANCISCO, CA – An increase in meals from home is one of the single biggest changes in eating patterns in Americans in the last five years, according to the NPD Group’s newly released 29th annual Eating Patterns in America report.
“We are eating more meals in our homes, but not cooking more dishes,” says Harry Balzar, VP of The NPD Group and author of the report. This is apparent in the fresh potato category. Data from Nielsen FreshFacts® reveals that the white-hot microwaveable/steamable segment has seen dollar sales increasing 31% for the latest 52 week period ending on September 27 of this year.
Fresh Solutions Network is positioned to take advantage of these trends with Side Delight® Steamables™, which are triple washed, fresh, whole, small potatoes in a microwave safe package that is ready to serve in 8 minutes. According to a press release, these are the only microwave-ready potato brand that uses light-blocker packaging technology to keep potatoes fresher and protect from greening due to harsh lighting.
“Retailers have a tremendous opportunity with offering their shoppers more quick and convenient ways to enjoy fresh potatoes” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Side Delights Steamables gives them a complete lineup of gourmet potatoes that appeal to time-starved families as well as Millennial shoppers, all packaged using the latest technology to protect their premium quality.”
The Side Delights Steamables come in 7 potato varieties: Russet, Red, Golden, White, Sweet Potatoes, Purples and Fingerlings. The Fingerlings and Sweet Potatoes bring together these rapidly growing specialty potato types with the convenience of microwave cooking. The company believes that these offerings are positioned for the busy customer of today.
It is definitely great to see this increase of Americans who are cooking at home and eating more fresh produce. This is an encouraging trend for the industry.
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger published its Q3 2014 financial report on December 4th, 2014, blowing investors away with a 21% profit increase. Wall Street reacted warmly to this news, driving Kroger's stock up nearly 3% to $60.18/share within the first five minutes of the morning's trading, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier.
"Our associates continue to execute our Customer 1st strategy, which is building loyalty beyond the weekly ad and showing yet again that focusing on our customers creates value for our shareholders," said Rodney McMullen, CEO. "Our financial results were driven by strong sales and core business performance, and helped by higher fuel margins in the third quarter."
Some key highlights from Kroger's financial report include:
- Q3 2014 marks the 44th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel.
- A 5.6% increase in identical supermarket sales growth.
- A 11.2% increase in total sales to $25.0 billion, compared to $22.5 billion from the same period from last year. This beat the expectations of analysts who had only anticipated sales of $24.8 billion, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier.
- A 13.7% increase in total sales, excluding fuel.
- Net earnings of $326 million ($345 million excluding related tax items), compared to $299 million from the same period from last year.
- Net earnings per diluted share of $0.73 (excluding benefits from related tax items this figure was $0.69). Analysts had only expected earnings per share performance of $0.61/share.
- FIFO gross margin of 21.24% of sales for Q3, a 2 basis point decrease from the same period from last year after excluding retail fuel operations.
Looking forward, Kroger has updated its adjusted net earnings per diluted share guidance for fiscal 2014 to $3.32 to $3.36. According to a press release, this was previously $3.22 to $3.28 per diluted share. During this same period, Kroger expects identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel, to be 4.0% to 5.0%.
"Kroger continues to deliver consistently remarkable results. We expect to exceed our long-term earnings per share growth rate for fiscal 2014," McMullen shared. "Our associates shine brightest during the holiday season and we intend to continue our positive momentum through the fourth quarter."
Moving into fiscal 2015, Kroger posted long-term net earnings per diluted share growth rate guidance of 8-11%, including a growing dividend.
Congratulations on this very impressive financial report, Kroger!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – United Fresh Produce Association has released the Q3 2014 edition of the FreshFacts® on Retail report, which examines overall retail trends in produce.
According to a press release, the report shows that fruit and vegetable volume remained steady compared to the pervious year during this quarter. It also shows that dollar sales increased slightly due to a small increase in average retail price.
Highlights from the Q3 report include:
- Cherries posted the highest growth in the fruit category, with dollar sales increasing 16.9% and volume increasing 36.7%
- Packaged salad posted the highest growth in the vegetable category, with increased dollar sales 9.1% and volume increasing 6.8%
- Value-added fruits posted average weekly dollar and volume sales growth of 10.5% and 3.1% respectively
- Average weekly dollar and volume sales for snacking vegetables both increased by double digits compared to Q3 2013
- Shoppers continued to seek out organic produce, resulting in significant dollar and volume sales increases for organic fruits and vegetables
The FreshFacts® on Retail report was produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and is sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce. It measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruits and vegetable commodities, along with value-added, organic and other produce category.
The report also features a spotlight on consumer demand of value-added convenience produce items. For more information on how to download the full report, click here.
SANTA PAULA, CA – The results are in, and Patrick Reynolds, bartender at Wildcat Lounge and “Farm to Bar” columnist at the Santa Barbara Independent, has won Limoneira's best lemon cocktail award for his Manāw a trois creation. This event at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in November, which pitted Reynolds against some of the best bartenders around, officially kicked off a series of international mixology contests to be sponsored by Limoneira throughout 2015.
The Manāwa (lemon in Thai) uses lemons in three unique ways, thus inspiring the cocktail's name: Manāw a trois. The flavors borrow heavily from their Thai influences, filling the senses with spicy, aromatic and exotic tastes.
The judges for this contest included:
- Hadley Tomicki, Editor at Urban Daddy
- Lanee Lee, contributor to Voyage Vixens and FoodableTV
- Elana Lepkowski of Stir and Strain
- 12 Bottle Bar’s David Solmonson
- Beth Fisher of Busy Beth’s Blog
Other contest participants included:
- Vincent Anter of FIG Santa Monica
- Christopher Hewes of Argyle Hollywood
- Michael Nemcik of Red Clay
- Melodie Murphy of James Republic
- Nic Hirsch of Montage Laguna Beach
- Brian Leon of Nobu
- Ferrari Watts of Riviera 31
Non-contestant guests were able to watch the bartenders preform while enjoying refreshments, such as hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by Chef Marius Blin of Sofitel Los Angeles, Diabolo sparkling French soda, internationally-inspired wine blends from Four Brix Winery, handcrafted Italian liqueurs from Ventura Limoncello Company, and lemon-centric libations from Greenbar Craft Distillery. Samples of the competing cocktails were also avaliable for guests to enjoy.
Following this event, Limoneira will be holding additional contests in other major international cities, including Chicago, New York, Lima and Hong Kong. According to a press release, Reynolds will eventually have the opportunity to compete with the winners of these contests for a chance to win a grand prize.
Congratulations on the victory, Patrick!
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Freshline Foods has announced plans to expand its fresh cut apple product offerings with the launch of new HONEYCRISP Apple Slices.
“Working together with Bamford Family Farms, a sister company to Freshline Foods located in Thornbury Ontario, we have devoted new acreage to growing Honeycrisp apples. During the season, Freshline Foods will utilize the supply of locally grown Honeycrisp, before moving to other regions during the year,” said Noel Brigido, Vice President of Freshline Foods.
According to a press release, the growing popularity of Honeycrisp apples has led Freshline Foods to include it in its line of sliced apples.
“We anticipate that this new and exciting product will allow retailers to attract new consumers to the ‘Value Added’ category, as well as allow them to provide an expanded offering to regular customers,” Brigido added.
The HONEYCRISP Apple Slices will be available in user-friendly 400g packages, and the product is slated for North American distribution starting in January 2015.
IMMOKALEE, FL - Food Chains, a newly released documentary produced by actress Eva Longoria and “Fast Food Nation” author Eric Schlosser, seeks to expose what it calls the “human cost in our food supply and the complicity of large buyers of produce.”
Food Chains targets Florida’s tomato-growing industry and calls attention to situations that misrepresent labor conditions throughout the state. As Lipman CEO Kent Shoemaker puts it, the claims made by the documentary are “inaccurate” and threatens to “reverse positive momentum” during a time when the industry continues to make a concentrated effort to better the lives of workers on the field.
He writes:
“As CEO of the nation’s largest open-field tomato grower – Immokalee, Fla.-based Lipman – allow me to state the facts:
- There has not been a single reported case of a Florida tomato farmer beating or raping a farm worker.
- Stating that people earn “$40 a day for 4,000 pounds” of harvest is incorrect. Our workers are paid at least minimum wage, with a vast majority making far more than that. Last year alone, we awarded over $1,000,000 in season-end bonuses to those who harvest our crop. We pay $.55/bucket, plus a $.10/bucket bonus. That is more than $.02/pound which is more than double of what Ms. Longoria continues to state. Our average farmworker made $12.83/hour last year and that is before factoring free housing and transportation.
- When it comes to farmworkers’ rights, Publix Super Markets is not the problem. Publix is a values-based company that I believe has been forced into a defensive stance because of the offensive statements and actions being directed at them.
Working together will get so much more done.”
The documentary argues that the Fair Food Program, developed by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), is key in solving the alleged workplace abuse and exploitation within the industry.
“I do agree with Ms. Longoria that great-tasting Florida tomatoes should be grown in the most sustainable and socially responsible way,” states Shoemaker. “Our company has been farming in Florida for more than 70 years. We have always considered the people who harvest our crop part of our family.
“Since partnering in 2010 with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the organization that is the focus of ‘Food Chains,’ we have stepped up our game even more,” continued Shoemaker. “The CIW has engaged our farmworkers in a meaningful way. In fact, Lipman was one of the earliest supporters of the Fair Food Program that works to guarantee fair treatment.”
Shoemaker concluded, “…in the Sunshine State’s tomato fields – recently called ‘probably the best working environment in American agriculture’ by public policy expert Susan L. Marquis – we continue to implement changes that are revolutionizing the industry and bettering workers’ lives.”
It’s upsetting to see our industry portrayed in such a manner. I believe that more Florida tomato growers should engage in this important discussion, because although we cannot, and should not, hide the fact that farmworkers in the United States have worked in dire conditions for generations, I believe we must all work together to build a better future.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY & SALINAS VALLEY, CA - Longo Brothers Fruit Markets is reaffirming its commitment to its California growing partners with the release of a series of new promotional videos. Longo's sent 42 of the top members of its skilled produce team, including all of its produce managers, on a whirlwind tour through the San Joaquin Valley and Salinas Valleys of California. During the tour, the Longo's team was treated to a first-hand look at the farming operations of some of California's leading growers, including Fresh Express, Sun World, D’Arrigo of CA, Ocean Mist, Growers Express, Calavo, Nunes Co., Paramount Farms and Brandt Farms.
"It was a trip of a lifetime for our team,” said Mimmo Franzone, Director of Produce and Floral. "We had 18 newly promoted produce managers that were on the trip and for them it was the start of their journey to being life-long learners at Longo's. It will bring education and ideas to their teams and our customers. It's an honor to work with the great partners we have in California and all their hard work and dedication does not go unseen."
“The purpose of our trip is to elevate our produce experts' knowledge, to bring that information back to their team and relay that back to the consumers,” elaborated Rosanne Longo, Brand Ambassador. “It's also about building relationships and nurturing those strong partnerships that we have with our growers.”
You can check out an overview of Longo's trip and the rest of Rosanne's insights in the video below:
During the course of the trip Longo's visited a variety of growers, some of which they showcased in special YouTube highlight videos, which you can watch below:
The Nunes Company:
D'Arrigo Brothers:
In addition to reflecting on the successes of its California tour, Longo's has just recently released the holiday edition of its Longo's Experience Magazine on iTunes. With a variety of features highlighting the fresh produce and high quality goods sold at Longo's, the retailer hopes the magazine will give its customers and extra push with trying new dishes this holiday season.
Congratulations on a strong end of the year run, Longo's!
PELION, SC – WP Rawl will be celebrating its 90th anniversary as a family-operated business in early 2015. The company plans to commemorate the anniversary by hosting a reception for the industry at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure in February.
According to a press release, the company’s booth will feature High School Musical alum Monique Coleman, who has partnered with Nature’s Greens to help promote simple ways of incorporating green into everyday life.
The company is also launching a celebration campaign including video content, a commemorative e-book and a trade advertising campaign. WP Rawl is also going to host an event for employees next year.
“We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with everyone who has helped us along the way. When my grandfather, Walter Rawl, first started the business he was told that he would never make enough profit to pay off the land,” remarked Ashley Rawl, Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Product Development for WP Rawl. “Today not only is business thriving, we have established WP Rawl as the category leader in leafy greens and built great relationships with our employees and customers.”
The company began in the early 1920’s when Walter and Ernestine Rawl started a business known as the Walter P. Rawl Farm selling peaches. The business then evolved into Walter P. Rawl and Sons, a larger farm selling greens and specialty vegetables. In 2010, the company then rebranded into what is now WP Rawl.
The company continues to operate as a “family farm” with nine family members working in the business along with an additional 500 employees.
Congratulations on the major milestone, WP Rawl!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Under PACA regulations, Michael Cutler of California Inc., operating in Los Angeles, California, has posted a $90,000 surety bond.
The bond has been required to employ Julisa Nievas-Barajas, who was previously named in a PACA action.
According to a press release, Julisa Nievas-Barajas was an Officer of Delta Fresh Fruit Inc., from Vernon, California. That company was found to have committed repeated and flagrant violations of Section 2 of the PACA.
As part of the regulations, any PACA licensee that wishes to employ individuals who have failed to pay a reparations award or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
The $90,000 bond will be held by the USDA for four years to provide assurance to the industry that the company will pay for produce that it purchases.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
IRWINDALE, CA – Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has launched a new line of complete salad kits in time to bring friends and families together for the holidays: Cranberry Pomegranate Complete Salad Kit, Autumn Harvest Complete Salad Kit and Thai Complete Salad Kit.
“It’s amazing what a shared meal can do to bring us closer together,” says Tristan Simpson, Chief Communications Officer, Ready Pac Foods. “A good meal can open up our hearts, stimulate conversation and remind us how important it is to reconnect with our family and friends. I love the idea that our Ready Pac Complete Salad solutions are helping to do that for families across the country.”
According to a press release, Ready Pac’s new Autumn Harvest Complete Salad Kit features baby kale and spring mix with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and radicchio. To achieve a fall flavor, it also has crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds, sweet figs and raisons, spiced cornbread croutons and creamy citrus and brown sugar dressing.
The new Cranberry Pomegranate Complete Salad Kit features a fresh blend of arugula, baby greens and radicchio, feta cheese, sweet cranberries, honey roasted almonds and a tangy sweet pomegranate cranberry vinaigrette. The company designed this balanced holiday flavor to cater to all tastes.
Taking a step away from traditional holiday flavors, Ready Pac’s new Thai Complete Salad Kit features a blend of green leaf lettuce and spicy peanut lime cilantro dressing that pairs with crispy wonton strips and peanuts.
The company adds that these kits are easy enough for kids to prepare to help encourage everyone to be involved in preparing meals together.