BANCROFT, WI - Here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer means the weather is hot, but the grill is even hotter! From backyard barbecues to cookouts, RPE has retailers and their shoppers covered with the reintroduction of its beloved American Blend from Tasteful Selections®.

"We're thrilled to collaborate with our valued customers to bring the best of summer potatoes to their shelves," says Rachel Atkinson-Leach, Vice President of Brand and Category Excellence at RPE. “Our diverse selection ensures there's something for every summer meal, from crispy fries to easy-prep micro trays and everything in between. Together, we can make this summer a spudtacular one!"

Considered an MVP of summertime cooking, potatoes are essential during the season due to their versatility, flavor, and easy prep. According to a release, on top of its already extensive selection of potato varieties, RPE has brought back the American Blend just in time for Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations—and merchandising opportunities.

Proven to drive sales with its star-spangled medley, American Blend potatoes tap into consumers’ patriotic spirit. By adding red, white, and blue balloons to displays, retailers can help grab shoppers’ attention while driving home the theme of the products.

According to RPE, other suggested items to promote throughout the summer include Russet and Tasteful Selections bite-size potatoes. For Memorial Day, consider featuring the Tasteful Selections Griller Shipper Micro Tray Combo, which is comprised of unique and popular American Chophouse and Garlic Parmesan flavors. This combo is perfect for cross-merchandising near burgers or proteins for the grill.

With only a few months left until the summer kicks off, now is the time to start planning holiday displays, starting with RPE’s American Blend potatoes!

CORONA, CA - This year’s California avocado crops are providing a GEM of a season. Index Fresh is now kicking off its 2024 GEM avocado season, touting an abundant crop poised to deliver quality and value to retailers and foodservice providers. These avocados will be available for a limited time from April to mid-July, presenting retailers the unique opportunity to merchandise both size and variety on the shelf.

“Index Fresh is about giving our customers choices, so we always get excited when California GEMs are offered alongside Hass,” said Bobby Fingerlin, Sales and Business Development team member. “We recently showcased 2-count and 3-count value-added GEM bags at the Viva Fresh Expo and received very positive feedback on the value and packaging that differentiates our GEMs at retail; our new label includes call outs on flavor, texture, and their California origin.”

According to a press release, Index Fresh has partnered with several California banners to bolster its locally grown programs and educate consumers on the buttery, nutty flavor profile and sustainable growing practices of the Californian GEM.

California is expected to produce over 5 million pounds of GEM in the 2024 season, likely peaking in May. The dark-skinned GEMs are harvested with a clean uniformity that stands out at retail, with a characteristic creamy texture, outstanding eating quality, and slightly nutty notes. The fruit’s thicker skin also has the advantage of being easier to peel.

“GEM was selected as a standout fruit by researchers at University of California and has a very localized sustainability story. The fruit grows on smaller trees, allowing for a higher yield within a smaller footprint, which makes it a good choice for eco-conscious California growers and consumers. You know where the fruit came from, and that’s never too far away from home for shoppers in the Golden State,” said Keith Blanchard, Field Manager.

Index Fresh pioneered the promotion of GEM avocados, advising growers on how to care for the trees, harvest their fruit, and market it in a way that emphasizes the unique appeal.

Cheers to a successful season ahead!

COLLINSVILLE, IL - With a solid expansion strategy in play, Sev-Rend® has announced its acquisition of Wolarmann Enterprises. This move will strengthen the packaging provider's market position in North America as it continues to widen its reach.

“Thor Wolf and his wife Benita have done an exceptional job growing the family business that his late father, Uwe Wolf, founded in 1986. We look forward to continuing to service their existing customer relationships,” said Rob Williams, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Sev-Rend. “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of excellence, driving growth and success in our industry. We are excited to retain Thor as he will continue to service the Canadian market. This integration allows Wolarmann Enterprises Ltd to expand their product portfolio, which benefits their customer base.”

Wolarmann Enterprises is located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, giving Sev-Rend a foothold in the region, a release detailed. The acquisition underscores the company’s dedication to providing the most enhanced product offerings possible.

The acquisition is not just a testament to Sev-Rend's growth strategy but also a promising development for Wolarmann Enterprises, which will benefit from the company’s robust product portfolio and resources.

“This merger is more than just a business decision; it's a strategic alignment of visions, values, and capabilities that will enable us to provide unparalleled value to our customers,” commented Thor Wolf, Owner and CEO of Wolarmann Enterprises. “We are committed to a seamless integration process, ensuring that our customers are fully supported throughout this exciting new chapter.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to see how this acquisition impacts Sev-Rend’s ongoing advancement in the packaging space.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - More than 16 years of produce industry sales and marketing expertise is being funneled into Gambles Group of Companies’ (GGC) leadership ring. The operation recently welcomed Rindi Bristol to its team, who will be stepping in as the Director of Sales for Gambles West. 

“I’m looking forward to expanding my produce knowledge in both breadth and depth to help grow Gambles’ presence in the West. I am dedicated to developing a deep understanding of how we can support our customers by offering unique products and services which resonate and are distinctively tailored to the Western Canadian consumer,” Bristol commented.

Bristol will now lead all sales and operations initiatives for Gambles in Western Canada. Over the past couple of years, Gambles has evolved from a regional wholesaler to a full-service distributor for all markets across Canada. Gambles’ unparalleled and comprehensive delivery-based system in Ontario provides independent retail, wholesale, and foodservice operators throughout the province with daily produce solutions, a press release noted.

As it encounters growing demand from its customers in the West, the necessity to grow across Canada has become more evident, leading the company to focus on growing its operational footprint. This has also led to the expansion of the company’s product assortment to meet growing demand from new customers and ethnicities.

“Our goal is to translate this same experience and expertise to our operations in western Canada,” explained Tom Kioussis, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Category Management at GGC. “We are proud to now have the ability to service customers coast to coast, supplying them with fresh produce from two centralized distribution centers in Toronto and Calgary, and are excited to have a seasoned and respected professional like Rindi play an integral part in our growth plans in western Canada.”

As Director of Sales in the West, Bristol will assist in expanding the company’s offerings and further developing programs, logistics, and packaging solutions to meet various specific customer needs.

Congratulations to Rindi Bristol on this new Director role! For more produce updates, you know where to click.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - “Top 100 Logistics IT Provider” is a title Allen Lund Company (ALC) wears proudly, as the company’s ALC Logistics division was honored by Inbound Logistics for 2024.

"ALC Logistics is built on creating and strengthening relationships with shippers and carriers to move products all over this great land,” Kenny Lund, Executive Vice President, stated. “Our technology solutions help those relationships get to the next level. AlchemyTMS allows a shipper to leverage our knowledge in 3PL solutions to benefit those involved in efficient transportation. We are proud to be recognized for our work assisting our customers' movement of millions of shipments and we thank the team who selected us as a top Logistics IT Provider."

Supporting its status as a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider, ALC Logistics develops state-of-the-art transportation, supply chain, and logistics-related software that helps customers gain control, increase visibility, improve security, and streamline their operations, a press release explained.

To determine its top 100 honorees, Inbound Logistics’ editorial committee surveyed the market and chose from a pool of over 400 submissions, singling out proven technology leaders who are capable of providing increased value and innovative solutions.

ANUK extends a big congratulations to ALC and its ALC Logistics division for this well-deserved achievement!