ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board has some great tips for its retail partners this August, with back-to-school recipes, a mango ripening webinar, and some great promotional tips among other resources.
Mango and Onion Cross Marketing
The National Mango Board has a whole host of recipes to help creative cooks get more comfortable cooking with mangos in the kitchen. My personal favorite was the Island Style Skewers, which pair two unlikely partners together in a dish that the NMB says is “a great way to squeeze the last bit of YUM out of the summer season. The delicious sweetness of mango pairs perfectly with the onions, peppers, chicken and shrimp in this easy grilling recipe. Your display with onions and mangos will be sure to get the creative juices flowing! ”
Promoting this recipe in store is a great opportunity for some innovative cross marketing promotions. I know I'd be sure to check this display out.
If you'd like to check out the full recipe, click here.
Back-To-School
Mangos aren't commonly thought of as a big back-to-school produce category, but the NMB is looking to change that this season with another innovative recipe. I might be a bit past my high school years, but I think I'm going to have to give this Mango and Maple Oatmeal To Go recipe a shot sometime soon.
According to a press release, the NMB also has a series of header cards and tearpad's available for its retail partners.
It says these POS materials are a great way to make customers look at mangos in new ways at the retail aisle.
Mango University & the Mango Ripening Webinar
The National Mango Board is offering retailers these two great resources to help teach employees and retail managers the best practice tools for handling mangos.
In Mango University, the NMB says that “the zany Professor Mango will quickly teach them everything they need to know to ramp up mango sales.” Click here to check it out.
Held on August 20th at 4pm EDT, the Mango Webinar is a free resource for produce professionals looking to get up-to-date information on the best handling & ripening protocols in the industry. Interested parties can register here.
Also for more on the Webinar check out ANUK's previous story on the topic here.
Fresh Summit & New England Produce Council Expo
The National Mango Board will have a booth (booth 316) at the New England Produce Council Expo on September 11th, at the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel and Spa in Newport, RI.
In addition they will be taking part in the The Mango Industry Reception at Fresh Summit on Saturday, October 18th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They will be on the second floor of the Hilton Anaheim, adjacent to the convention center.
WASHINGTON, DC - With The Washington Conference quickly approaching next month, AndNowUKnow spoke with several industry leaders for an inside perspective on what the conference might hold.
Speaking about the conference, Tony Freytag, Crunch Pak’s Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, tells AndNowUKnow, “This is a great event. It gives you access to people that you wouldn’t normally get access to. It’s a very powerful tool, and with all of us there, it is a statement to the legislators about the strength of produce industry and our need to get things done.”
For Barry Bedwell, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, The Washington Conference looks to be a very productive event. “I’m looking forward to interacting with reps from around the country to discuss the priorities for the different geographical areas of the country and compare notes to find the best strategy to move forward,” he tells us.
Kenny Lund, VP of Support Operations for Allen Lund Company, adds, “As Chair of the Supply Chain and Logistics Council, I look forward to the conference. It offers a unique gathering of leadership in the supply chain arena and leads to positive discussion and strong participation in looking to the future of the industry.”
The Washington Conference takes place from September 8-10 and features many educational and networking events as well as offering face-to-face dialogue with lawmakers and staff at key congressional offices.
Two key items on the agenda for the conference are immigration reform and FISMA. “Every year immigration reform has to be discussed. It is a focal point in determining what steps must be taken for reform,” Barry tells us. “It’s good to compare notes on the realities people are seeing around the country.”
When speaking on food safety and FISMA rules, Barry added, “We know that stonefruit is extremely low risk, but with our first incident this year, it in not immune to issues. I’m very interested in the food safety discussions.”
Kenny tells us that FISMA rules and immigration reform are just as important for the food transportation sector as well. “We have a different perspective, but it is the same set of issues through the produce industry. The proposed FISMA rules and immigration are difficult political issues, and we have to work to create a fair and workable solution. Luckily for us, people in the produce world love a big challenge, and we are ready to get to work.”
The conference will also feature sessions and activities like business education sessions, congressional meetings and forums with regulatory officials. To register, click here.
INDIAN TRAIL, NC - Harris Teeter has announced that it will be launching a major expansion of its Indian Trail Distribution Center in North Carolina. The $5.5 million expansion plan will allow the facility to service 125 stores across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, a roughly 20% increase from its previous servicing capacity.
North Carolina Governor, Pat McCrory spoke with optimism about the good he expects the expanded Indian Trail Distribution Center to do for his constituents.
“We’re committed to promoting economic growth in North Carolina, and we know that many of those jobs will come from existing companies like Harris Teeter,” said Governor McCrory. “Harris Teeter’s decision to expand in Union County shows the company’s support of the local community.”
According to the Jacksonville Daily News, Harris Teeter plans on beginning the 50,000 square foot expansion effort by late October 2014. If all goes according to plan the entire process should be completed within 10 months of the launch date. Harris Teeter hopes that the new facility will allow it to streamline its distribution network, improving the efficiency of its supply chain operations.
CHERRY HILL, NJ – Sbrocco International has sponsored the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games® in the Cherry Hill, NJ community.
“It’s always been important to Sbrocco to give back to our local community, and The Maccabi Games are especially rewarding since we share a common mission to encourage the health and well-being of our youth,” says Christina Regan, Marketing Manager of Sbrocco International, Inc.
The JCC Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in multiple sites around North America, according to a press release. It is the world’s largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers.
For the event this year, Sbrocco donated apples that were served with lunch and as a snack to Maccabi athletes and coaches
Brian Adler, Development Director of the Jewish Community Center says, “On behalf of the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games and over 5,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and staff, we are truly grateful for all of the support from Sbrocco International, and for assisting us in maintaining healthy and balanced lunch and snack options for our participants and supporters.”
The 2014 JCC Maccabi Games were held on August 10-15 in the host communities of Cherry Hill, NJ, Boca Raton, FL and Detroit, MI.
MCLEAN, VA – Gladstone Land Corporation has entered into three purchase and sale agreements to purchase five farms in California and Florida totaling 3,522 acres for $45 million.
The Company is also working to purchase three additional properties totaling approximately 2,300 acres under signed non-binding letters of intent for about $39 million, according to a press release.
Gladstone will be working towards completing these purchases within the next few months pending the customary conditions and termination rights for transactions of this type, including a due diligence inspection period.
"Our marketing efforts are generating results, as evidenced by the strong growth in our near-term agreements to purchase farmland and additional letters of intent. If we are able to complete these mentioned transactions, it would increase our total acreage owned by over 50% and provide a strong boost to our operating revenues. Although there is no guarantee that any of the agreements will be completed, we are encouraged by the current results of our marketing efforts," said David Gladstone, President and CEO of the Company.
This is the latest in a string of recent Gladstone acquisitions. As we previously reported, Gladstone also acquired 390 acres of California farmland in the San Joaquin Valley and Oxnard for $12.7 million last month. To read the full article, click here.
According to the company’s website, Gladstone currently owns 6,833 acres on 28 farms in 5 different states across the U.S., valued at approximately $144 million.
BANNOCKBURN, IL - Last Wednesday, August 13th, Heinen's Fine Foods had the grand opening for its 20th store. The new location, opening in Bannockburn, IL, about 30 miles north of the Chicago, is now the second new store Heinen's has opened this year, and is also the largest of its 3 locations in the Chicago region.
Early word from the local community in Bannockburn has so far greeted the grand opening with excitement.
"We're very excited to have Heinen's become part of Bannockburn," Bannockburn Village Manager Maria Lasday said. "It's been a pleasure working with Jeff and Tom Heinen and their excellent, professional staff. Heinen's has brought excitement to the Bannockburn Green retail center as well as the rest of the community. We wish Tom and Jeff Heinen, as well as the rest of the Heinen's family, much success."
Jeff and Tom, brothers and co-owners of the Heinen's retail chain, have more growth plans for the future. Two more stores are slated to open in downtown Cleveland and Lake Bluff, IL between this fall and early 2015. According to Cleveland.com, the retailer has also released a letter of intent to open up a 23rd store in Chargrin Falls, OH inside a former Giant Eagle.
Congratulations on the new store Jeff and Tom! I'll be looking forward to writing more about Heinen's growth in the future.
WATSONVILLE, CA – California Giant Berry Farms has deepened its commitment to being a leader in the fresh blueberry industry, with the promotion of 4 year company veteran Nader Musleh to Executive Director of the Blueberry Division. According to a press release, he will be taking on full responsibility for all of California Giant's non-strawberry operations, working closely with senior executives to develop company policies and growth strategies for the domestic and international berry markets.
“Nader has proven to be a leader in the development of the company’s blueberry program. We understand this is a big move for him and his family and are very pleased he will take a larger leadership role within the company as we take this program to the next level”, said Bill Moncovich, President and CEO.
For his part, Nader said he was excited to assume his new position and get to work for the company.
“I will be moving my family here in January and even though it is a big change for all of us we are excited about the new opportunity ahead and I look forward to expanding our berry program,” he said.
Nader will assume his new role effective August 12th, 2014. According to a press release, his first task will be working on plans to expand the grower's geographical reach in order to increase California Giant's market share and ensure volume continues to meet growing sales needs. To do this he will be working with the existing Bush Berry sales team composed of Jerry Connery, Bush Berry Category Manager and Evan Pence, Blueberry Operations Manager for North America.
Congratulations on the promotion Nader!
CINCINNATI, OH & BOCA RATON, FL – The Kroger Co. has successfully closed its acquisition of Vitacost.com Inc with Kroger’s tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Vitacost.com for $8.00 per share in cash.
Street Insider quotes Analyst Stephen Grambling as saying, “We continue to believe the deal provides KR with a testing bed in direct distribution, adds talent to its digital staff, and complements its expanded natural and organic offering, all critical in positioning the company to benefit from secular shifts in the industry."
As we reported earlier, the $280 million purchase is expected to complement Kroger’s strategy to enter new markets, as well as Harris Teeter’s online order and pick up service.
Kroger expects to complete the acquisition of the remaining eligible shares as well. When the merger is complete, Vitacost.com shares will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ, according to a press release.
RTT News reports that as of the expiration of the tender offer, approximately 29.84 million shares were validly tendered and not withdrawn. This figure represents 86.68% of Vitacost.com’s outstanding shares.
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen expressed his support of the deal noting that Vitacost.com’s “core focus on healthy living products is complementary to our fast-growing natural foods business, and we intend to grow Vitacost.com’s strong position in the online nutrition market. At the same time, we will build on Vitacost.com’s e-commerce platform by integrating it with our existing digital offerings to create exciting new levels of personalization and convenience for our customers.
For the full story on this merger proposal, check out our previous article by clicking here.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the potential effects this merger will have.
OAK BROOK, IL - McDonald's is throwing open the doors to fresh produce with the introduction of Cuties into Happy Meals this fall, as well as some newly announced market tests for blueberries and Chiquita's junior bananas, and even grapes.
According to Greg Watson, Senior Vice President of Menu Innovation with McDonalds, if all goes well these new fruit options could soon be joining Cuties as seasonal menu items for parents and families looking to make healthier choices when going out to eat.
"It's potentially a big deal, as long as parents order — and kids eat — the fruit," Hope Warshaw, a dietitian and author of The Guide to Healthy Restaurant Eating, told USA Today. "Due to the sheer volume of Happy Meals that McDonald's serves, little changes can make big impacts on the health of American children."
This menu shakeup is as big a deal for growers as it is for parents. As AndNowUKnow previously covered, the introduction of apple slices at McDonald's restaurants, led to over 850 million packages being sold since 2012. The sheer size of McDonalds' market power in the food industry means huge order numbers for any fresh produce featured on its menu, happy news for the produce community.
So far the feedback on these new fruit choices has been strong. "The feedback was overwhelmingly positive" in our Cuties market tests, Watson told USA Today.
Watson explained that the long term goal is a whole lineup of fruits that would rotate through the menu according to what is in season.
I applaud the steps McDonalds is taking in this regard. Everyone agrees that Americans should be eating more fruits and vegetables. In fact ANUK just reported on a study by the WHO that says we should as much as double our produce consumption in order to meet nutrition recommendations. If McDonalds is able to use its menu to drive more produce purchases, then that is something I am 100% behind.
PERU - Camposol Holding has released its Q2 financial report and with volume up 68.3% and sales up 55.6% compared to its numbers from Q2 of 2013, financial experts certainly like what they're seeing.
Some highlights from Camposol's financial report include:
Volume of 31.786 net metric tons, a 68.3% increase from 2013 Q2, the majority of which comes from increased volumes of fresh avocados
Average price of $2.29 per net kilogram, down 7.7% from 2013 Q2
Total sales of $72.8M, up 55.6% from 2013 Q2
A $18M increase in avocado gross margin numbers, due to increased price and volume sold
165.5% increase in EBITDA to $16.3M
The company's forward looking guidance statements reveal that Composol Holding's expectations for the long term growth prospects for exotic fruits and vegetables are especially strong, especially for fresh avocados, blueberries, asparagus and grapes. According to its financial release, due to the expected effects of El Nino, Camposol does reveal it expects asparagus volumes to decline by about 25% going forward, however it says that almost all of this decline will be offset by increasing asparagus prices. Similarly avocado prices are expected to fall in the future, but with increasing volume for avocado production Camposol does not expect to be strongly effected.
Congratulations on an excellent Q2 Camposol Holding. I'll be looking forward to more good news from Camposol in the future.