SANTA MARIA, CA - Beautiful spring weather has graced California this week, bringing plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures to most of the state. However, as rain looms in the distance, Bobalu is sharing its weekly crop update to give us all a look at how the forecast could impact its strawberries and how the rest of its supply is faring.

“As we write this update, we are looking at potential rain in the forecast this weekend, but spring is definitely here, so it will not have any long-term effect on the progression of our season,” the grower wrote in a release.

Out of its Oxnard, California, operations, Bobalu is reporting excellent fruit that is strong, healthy, and abundant. Size is holding steady in the region, and the flavor is great—all wonderful things for buyers to hear as they merchandise in the berry patch.

“We are really excited about what is ahead for us and what is yet to come with our peak season here in Oxnard. Currently, we are expecting this region to carry us into the end of May as the weather remains mild,” the release continued.

Right now, Bobalu’s Santa Maria operations are still a little behind, but the region is expected to progress with increasing volume as spring and summer weather gets underway.

“We have a long season ahead here in Santa Maria, and we are excited about the fields here as they steadily increase in weekly and daily numbers to support the overall volume coming from our ranches here in California,” Bobalu stated.

For Bobalu, the strawberry season looks bright, so retailers can look forward to promotional opportunities galore!

Stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest category updates.

OXNARD, CA - Due to above-average rainfall, the start of this year's California avocado season is slightly later than previous years, according to Brooke Becker, Vice President of Sales at Mission Produce™. She says that California began to harvest limited volumes at the end of February, but growers are still waiting to fully ramp up until the fruit sizes up.

“The California Avocado Commission projects the 2024 California season to total 208 million pounds, a slight decline from the 2023 season. However, a higher percentage of Grade 2 fruit is expected, which Mission Produce brands as Emeralds in the Rough,” Brooke tells me. “This mixed-size, value-pack bag of beautifully blemished avocados aims to combat food waste by finding a home for less-than-perfect fruit, appealing to the 95 percent of consumers that feel it's important to do their part to reduce food waste, according to Upcycledfood.org.”

Brooke goes on to note that Mission’s consumer-driven merchandising options are designed to optimize available supply for customer programs by appealing to a wide range of consumers.

“This year, Mission Produce launched new packaging for its limited-edition California GEM avocados,” she continues. “GEMs are a high-value, limited-edition variety available while supplies last in the summer months. Gems are typically larger in size, easy to peel, and feature a nutty and buttery flavor. Mission Produce is offering GEM avocados in bags of 40s or 48s and mixed bags of 36s–60s. When surveyed, shoppers found ‘California-grown’ and ‘creamy and buttery’ to be the most appealing selling points of the GEM avocado, an AvoIntel Survey from December 2023 found.”

During the season, California fruit is expected to be the highest shelf-life option, due to its lower dry matter content compared to other origins. Brooke explains that as a domestic product, customers benefit from prompt transit times and enhanced delivery flexibility with California avocados throughout the United States, especially on the West Coast.

“We plan to use California fruit to fill customer programs across the U.S., Canada, China, Korea, and Japan this year. We are connected to more than a thousand avocado growers throughout the state to supply our customers with California fruit all season long. Consumers and customers alike cherish California avocados as the only locally grown Hass avocados available in the U.S.,” Brooke elaborates.

As a company, Mission Produce has been connected to California avocados for 40 years—it’s where the company started. So, California is always a special addition to its diverse portfolio of avocado origins, as Brooke notes.

“Our grower relations and field teams have been hands-on to support our growers throughout the rainy season, offering agronomy support on farming practices, tree health and nutrition, and harvest coordination,” Brooke concludes. “We are looking forward to a healthy, high-quality crop!”

Looking to fill your shelves with California avocados? Mission Produce just might be the partner for you.

LEAMINGTON, ON - When speaking to Amanda Armstrong about her winding career path, it’s as if every role has led her to her current post as Director of Marketing for Nature Fresh Farms®. It seems that produce acumen, category management, and product development experience combined with a healthy helping of creative innovation has proven to be a winning recipe since taking up the post last fall.

“Pursuing innovation, driving positive change, and looking for new ways of thinking sparks joy for me,” explains Amanda.

It is the ideal mindset for the rising brand, which has seen a complete overhaul of its appearance, as well as explosive growth of its portfolio in recent years, and is now poised for a new chapter in its burgeoning legacy.

“There are a lot of exciting things happening at Nature Fresh as we continue driving excellence by bringing thought leadership, creativity, and novel approaches to our partners while providing the best-tasting, quality produce I’ve personally ever had,” she shares.

It is a glowing compliment from Amanda, who, as a self-proclaimed foodie, has sampled food around the world. Prior to joining Nature Fresh, she held leadership, decision-making, and direction-driving roles at Loblaw Companies and Sobeys, as well as innovative companies like Rogers Communications and Insync.

“All of this experience has brought me here to head up marketing for Nature Fresh and help to drive growth alongside an outstanding leadership team,” Amanda shares. “I’ve been exposed to some of the best in the industry, yet I’m still learning so much from the team at Nature Fresh Farms and feel inspired every day by the passion, depth of knowledge, and humility of our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Matt Quiring.”

That deep understanding of where Nature Fresh came from, as well as where it is now, and—importantly for its customers—where it is headed, is a guiding light as Amanda helps continue to carve out what’s next for the greenhouse grower.

“At our core, we value our customers and partnerships as integral to our success. Trust in us fuels our commitment to continuously strive for excellence and innovation, grounded in growing for a kinder future. We stand firm in our dedication of delivering consistently high-quality, great-tasting, and sustainably grown greenhouse produce every single day," Amanda concludes.

You can meet Amanda and the Nature Fresh team in person for some of that exciting and innovative energy later this month in Vancouver. The team will be at CPMA 2024 at booth #823—be sure to swing by and meet this notable produce aficionado!

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ - A new Director was recently named by Capespan North America. Kyle Dempsey has been appointed as the new Director of Food Safety. He succeeds Danielle Hand, who has retired to pursue other personal interests.

Dempsey will work out of Capespan North America’s offices in New Jersey and will assume responsibility for all aspects of the company’s food safety compliance in the United States and Canada. This includes the management of its Foreign Supplier Verification Program, liaison with customers to ensure compliance with retailers’ food safety demands, maintenance of Capespan North America’s food safety database, and testing of recall procedures and traceability initiatives.

In addition, Dempsey will spearhead Capespan North America’s corporate and social responsibility compliance initiative as well as its organic certification program, according to a press release.

The new Director is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder where he received his Bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biochemistry. He has worked in the food industry since 2013, managing a wide range of food quality and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) portfolios.

Congratulations to Kyle Dempsey!

FOLSOM, CA - Brian Bocock, Vice President of Product Management at Naturipe Farms, has taken on a crucial new role within the blueberry industry. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has appointed the berry leader as Chair of the Promotion Committee.

“The value of the USHBC to growers, handlers, marketers, importers, and processors is vital to the success of the blueberry industry," shared Bocock. “The council’s work in marketing is only going to become more important over the next few years as we see a significant increase in production that will need to be moved. I’m excited to be driving the future success of blueberries with my fellow committee members and believe there is strong potential with the market opportunities ahead.”

As a press release noted, Bocock brings tremendous experience to the Chair position for USHBC's Promotion Committee, having served as the Vice Chair of the Promotion Committee.

"Brian’s background, passion, and foresight for what is possible for blueberries are invaluable to this role," said USHBC Board Chair Shelly Hartmann. “The opportunity is now for blueberries to become a must-have for all consumers, and I am looking forward to working with Brian on our vision to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit.”

Bocock takes over this leadership position from Jeff Malensky, President of Oregon Berry Packing, who has served as the committee’s Chair for the past three years.

He takes on the role at a critical time for the category, as the blueberry industry has seen a boom in recent years. According to the USHBC, retail sales have surged by 11.1 percent from 2021 to 2023, reflecting a growing consumer appetite. Increased production in regions like Peru and Mexico has helped meet this rising demand, but it has also led to pressure on producers facing higher input costs. As the organization reported, the industry is adapting to this new landscape, with a focus on efficiency, quality improvements, and new varieties boasting better flavor and shelf-life.

Congrats to Brian Bocock on his new role!

For more updates like this, keep clicking on our little apple logo.

GLENNVILLE, GA - Last month, the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and Vidalia Onion Committee announced April 17 as the start of the 2024 Vidalia® onion season. With the official pack date nearly upon us, Bland Farms® is launching its new Gold Rush promotional campaign.

"We are thrilled to introduce our Gold Rush campaign for the 2024 Vidalia season," said Sloan Lott, Director of Sales at Bland Farms. "This campaign not only celebrates the start of the Vidalia season but also highlights the exceptional quality and flavor of Bland Farms Vidalia sweet onions."

Bland Farms strategically kicked off the new campaign on its social platforms over St. Patrick's Day with Vidalia sweet onions as the gold at the end of the rainbow. According to a press release, the grower runs promotional campaigns such as this one a couple of times a year to help retailers boost sales and delight consumers with exciting giveaways, engaging content, and creative recipes.

Retailers can anticipate a variety of attention-grabbing promotional materials to craft an immersive in-store experience for customers.

“We create these promotional campaigns with our retailers in mind. We are always looking for ways to support their efforts and highlight the delicious taste and nutritional value of Vidalia Sweet Onions,” says Lott. The campaign will also feature Goldie, the star of the Gold Rush promotion.

Bland Farms invites retailers and consumers alike to Strike It Rich with Vidalia sweet onions in their produce department this season.

As the season gets underway, keep clicking back to ANUK.