TEXAS - The enduring hold H-E-B has on the Texas market is remarkable, and one worthy of study. A fascinating article in KERA News crossed our desks, detailing some of the reasoning behind H-E-B’s sway over Texan shoppers and offering insights into what drives consumers into the store.

Let’s dive in.

With over 420 stores in Texas and Mexico, H-E-B has quite the operational footprint, and its expansion into North Texas was commented upon by the shoppers in that area with excitement. KERA News spoke with one woman who camped out in front of a new H-E-B to be the first customer in line.

So, what drives this level of loyalty? According to Sriram Villupuram, a finance and real estate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, part of the appeal is H-E-B’s Texan roots, which he remarks appeals to the Texas palate.

With such a devoted fanbase, why then has the grocer been relatively slow in expanding? Villupuram suggests that this means the retailer is playing the waiting game and determining the state of the market before making any moves.

Currently, H-E-B does not have storefronts in central Texas in the major cities of Fort Worth and Dallas. I don’t think that means we’ll never see them there—only that the grocer is biding its time.

Keep reading ANUK for the latest retail insights.

WATSONVILLE, CA - Good Housekeeping has recognized another powerful produce brand! Driscoll's Sweetest Batch Blueberries were honored in the Powerhouse Produce category as the Best Blueberries.

Available from mid-fall through early spring, Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch Blueberries are extra sweet, crispy, and juicy and are specially grown without GMOs.

Good Housekeeping’s lab results stated that “This fruit is loaded with antioxidants, and taste testers loved the burst of sweetness in every bite.”

As Good Housekeeping shared in its release, the 2024 GH Snack Award winners provide an innovative, tasty, and nutritious snacking solution that meets the following criteria:

• Made with real and recognizable ingredients you can pronounce
• Prioritize fiber-filled and protein-rich sources
• Free from trans fat and partially hydrogenated oils
• No artificial flavors and food dyes
• 300 calories or less per serving
• 10 g of added sugar or less per serving
• 350 mg sodium or less per serving

To determine the winners, the organization enlisted the help of thousands of at-home consumer testers to evaluate ingredients and nutrition facts as well as flavor, texture, convenience, and more.

To see the full list of winners, click here.

Congrats to Driscoll’s on this win!

BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE - With an anticipated grand opening slated for May 2024, North Country Growers is elevating its portfolio of premium, greenhouse-grown produce with an innovative new packaging design.

"The introduction of our new packaging design marks a significant milestone for North Country Growers," says Jake Rupert, Director of Sales and Marketing. "The design of the packaging was crafted to keep our core values at the forefront, serving as a constant reminder to consumers of our unwavering commitment to sustainability and the delivery of consistently fresh, crisp products."

The captivating new packaging design draws inspiration from the crisp textures and vibrant colors of the supplier’s produce while also capturing the essence of freshness and flavor. As a press release explained, the fresh new look was crafted to embody the brand’s commitment to excellence and enhance both the aesthetic appeal and quality of its produce.

This recent portfolio development also fuels the supplier’s sustainability strategies, as it includes zero pesticides and utilizes other eco-conscious practices. From controlled indoor environments that optimize water usage to regional sourcing that minimizes food miles, sustainability is woven into the fabric of North Country Growers, the release noted.

The new packaging graces a wide range of products, including the company’s selection of Romaine, Red Leaf, and Green Leaf varieties, as well as its foodservice packs and other fresh offerings.

To read more about this exciting packaging refresh, click here.

And stay tuned as ANUK brings you more portfolio updates!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - There are a million ways to celebrate National Banana Day on April 17! Chiquita is helping banana fans celebrate, spreading happy and healthy energy with a new tradition: National Chiquita Day.

“As the leading brand in the banana industry, it’s fitting for Chiquita to claim this day! Our mission is to infuse every day with happy and healthy energy, mirroring the essence of our brand and our iconic Chiquita Yellow,” said Juliana Furlan, Chief Marketing Officer for Chiquita North America. “We're inviting everyone to join in, wear yellow, and share in the joy that comes from a simple, yet powerful symbol of our brand!”

So how do you celebrate National Chiquita Day, you ask? Chiquita is encouraging its fans to share images infused with yellow joy across social media using the campaign hashtag #HappyChiquitaDay in the days leading up to April 17. As a press release shares, those who embrace this call with enthusiasm and creativity may be in for a special surprise directly from Chiquita.

I can already see the brand gaining some boosted visibility as social media feeds fill up with everything from yellow smoothies to yellow sunsets!

In addition to this exciting media blitz, banana fans local to the Miami area are in for a sweet surprise, as the brand will be hosting a free event at The House of Arts in Wynwood on National Banana Day, featuring live DJ performances, a banana-themed food truck, interactive fitness sessions, swag giveaways, dance classes, and more. Registration is now available via the brand’s social media pages.

How will you celebrate National Banana Day?

For more category updates and opportunities, leave a tab open to ANUK.

SACRAMENTO, CA - It was a fierce competition during this edition of our “Find the Apple Logo” contest, but one industry member was lucky enough to land the prize.

The winner of our February Snack logo contest was Kate Surmacz, Senior Graphics Designer with Pure Flavor®.

"I was so excited when hearing back about winning the prize,” Kate shared with us. “I plan on using the winnings to surprise my daughters with a trip to the Detroit Zoo, now that the weather is warming up!"

If you missed out on this issue, you’re in luck! We’re going to have another contest come through for our April issue.

As a reminder, contest rules require submissions showing your smiling face while pointing at the ANUK logo on the cover of The Snack Magazine.

Be sure to keep a keen eye on all ANUK emails, as the countdown does not begin until we announce the contest in our daily newsletter. Once it's found, snap a selfie and send it on over with the subject line of your email stating “FOUND the Apple Logo.”

Keep reading ANUK for your next chance.