CINCINNATI, OH - Sometimes the passion for produce can be sparked in the strangest of places. But the common denominator for getting the next generation of young people interested in the industry is through education, and we’re happy to report that Kroger takes an interest in education as well.

Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation announced its sponsorship of the 2024 National STEM Festival, which fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects among middle and high school students.

"We are excited to meet the talented young minds behind the innovations changing the future of food," said Tim Massa, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Kroger. "For 140 years, Kroger has been at the forefront of food innovation driven by the passion of our people like these STEM Champions. Cultivating this talent is an investment in our future and critical to our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste vision."

According to a press release, Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is sponsoring the Festival's Future Foods pillar.

Students were challenged to research, design, and propose practical ideas for more sustainable and equitable food production, distribution, and consumption, considering factors such as food security, resource conservation, and a changing climate.

"The students participating in the STEM Festival have world-changing ideas, from innovative solutions to reduce food waste to advancing climate research," said Keith Dailey, Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer for Kroger. "We are so inspired and energized by these outstanding students and look forward to celebrating their work in Washington, DC."

It’s important for us to remember that students won’t know they’re interested in this industry until opportunities to spark their passion arise.

AndNowUKnow hopes to see more investments like this in the future.

ROSEMONT, IL - How can we ensure the next generation of leaders is supported in their endeavors? US Foods continues to achieve this through its US Foods Scholars program, which is now accepting applications for 2024 through May 13.

“At US Foods, we believe we can empower the next generation of culinary talent by providing financial support to deserving students who want to pursue a career in the foodservice industry,” said Lisa Gibbons, Vice President of Corporate Communications. “With the need for trained culinary talent continuing to rise, we look forward to the nationwide expansion, which will provide much-needed support to students across the country who need it the most.”

In a first for the program, the company will offer 18 scholarships to students nationwide, providing outstanding students with the opportunity to apply for scholarships of $20,000 each to attend the culinary or hospitality program of their choosing, a release explained.

The impactful program aims to provide culinary and hospitality students with the additional financial resources needed to pursue degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training, or hospitality management.

Since its inception, the initiative has awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships to nearly 90 students. Program alumni have gone on to start their own businesses, work for prestigious restaurant groups, launch baking and pastry careers, and be mentored by top chefs across the industry.

Beginning today, US Foods Scholars, in partnership with Scholarship America, is accepting applications for 12 of the 18 scholarships through an online application portal, available on the company’s website. The remaining six scholarships will be facilitated separately through the company’s partnership with Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).

The deadline to apply is May 13 at 3 p.m. CT.

With the program now open to all U.S. culinary or hospitality students pursuing a 2- or 4-year postsecondary degree, US Foods Scholars aims to continue its mission of empowering the next generation of culinary talent and promoting diversity and inclusion in the foodservice industry. To read more about the program, click here.

Best of luck to all who apply!

UNITED STATES - The latest episode of The Business of Blueberries is here! Host Kasey Cronquist, President of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), recently sat down with AgroVision’s Co-Founder and Executive Chair Steve Magami to dive further into the blueberry category.

“We've been on a mission to transform lives while we evolve in our journey to inspire consumers to live a more nutritious and healthy lifestyle,” said Magami in the episode. “As I look back, I’m proud of our commitment to sustainability and the impact we've made, proud of our commitment to quality and the impact we've made on consumers, and I think we've just scratched the surface. It's already showing me the impact we can make together as an industry if we put the right quality on the shelf consistently through the year.”

AgroVision is a vertically integrated grower, packer, shipper, and marketer of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and table grapes. The company recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, further elevating its standing as a year-round supplier of superfruits with nearly $300 million in sales.

Magami first appeared on The Business of Blueberries in episode 115. During his return, the industry expert shared insights regarding his work; the reach, growth, and success of AgroVision in securing global markets in the berry and table grape industries; and an exploration of the obstacles to different berry varieties and AgroVision’s response.

The latest installment of the podcast also includes a crop report featuring Brittany Lee in Florida, Jody McPherson in North Carolina, Brody Schropp in Michigan, Derrin Wheeler in Georgia, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramirez in Mexico.

To listen to the episode, click here.

Stay tuned as ANUK provides more updates on the latest launches in our industry.

SUMMERLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF) is progressing toward the commercialization of its latest apple variety, Arctic® Gala, as the company recently received the green light from Canadian regulatory agencies to proceed.

"We applaud our Canadian agencies for their efficient review of the Arctic Gala. This is an important step in our efforts to add a fourth apple variety to the Arctic® family of apples and continues our sustainability efforts to reduce unnecessary apple waste," said Neal Carter, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Our ongoing commitment to innovation and expanding the Arctic apple lineup reflects OSF's dedication to meeting the evolving needs and preferences of consumers, culinary professionals, and foodservice partners. With its vibrant red skin and crisp, juicy flesh, Arctic Gala is sure to be a hit among apple enthusiasts."

As a press release explained, Health Canada (HC) notified OSF that it has no objection to the food use of the Arctic apple event in the Gala apple variety, noting that the event was no different than the three varieties previously approved by the agency and now commercially grown by the company: Arctic® Granny, Arctic® Golden, and Arctic® Fuji.

The Arctic Gala was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2021 and is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Arctic apples became commercially available in 2019, after Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny received regulatory approval from the USDA, FDA, CFIA, and HC in 2015, followed by Arctic Fuji in January 2018.

OSF also received authorization from the Plant Biotechnology Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which noted that the Arctic Gala does not display any novel traits and is substantially equivalent in use and safety to other commercially available apples.

The flavorful apple variety was developed by turning off the enzyme responsible for enzymatic browning, polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This resists browning caused by bruising and slicing and reduces the number of apples damaged throughout the supply chain. The removal of the apple’s PPO also extends the shelf-life for OSF’s fresh-sliced products to 28 days, benefitting retailers, consumers, and the foodservice industry.

As it pushes toward commercialization for this variety, OSF also looks forward to future releases of Arctic Honey and Arctic Pink.

For more apple category insights, stick with ANUK!

SANTA BARBARA, CA - Incredible achievements are being celebrated at Apeel’s headquarters today as the company announces its environmental achievements for 2023. Not only did it dramatically reduce food waste through its plant-based technology, it significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and conserved water resources.

“Food waste and its negative effects on our climate are very real, global problems that demand immediate action from us all,” said Luiz Beling, Chief Executive Officer. “Our achievements last year demonstrate that innovative technologies like our plant-based coating that keeps produce fresh longer has a tangible benefit to the planet. We’re contributing to a healthier world by ensuring more food nourishes communities while less ends up in landfills.”

As the company noted in a release, the numbers behind some of these accomplishments are quite impressive. Let’s dig into them.

2023 Milestone Achievements

• Prevented over 60 million pieces of fruit from going to waste: Apeel helps keep fruit fresh longer so that it has more time to be enjoyed by more people
• Significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions: By curbing food waste, Apeel blocked the release of over 9,000,000 kg of CO₂-equivalents into the atmosphere–akin to the carbon sequestration of planting 151,600 trees
• Conserved water resources: The use of Apeel’s technology saved 2.7 billion liters of water, equivalent to 1,100 Olympic-sized swimming pools

Another benefit to the company’s technology is that companies minimize their environmental impact, enhance food security, and support improved agricultural practices by selling fresher produce.

“We’re targeting a major source of greenhouse gas emissions when we reduce food waste,” Beling added. “Apeel’s technology is a powerful weapon in suppliers’ and retailers’ arsenals, offering them a way to significantly cut emissions and drive progress towards their own conservation goals.”

ANUK will be here to cover the latest in all things fresh produce.