BUCKS COUNTY, PA - We reported last month that Amazon Fresh was opening its first store in Northern California. Now, the retailer is expanding even further in the Pennsylvania market. Amazon Fresh will be opening a new location in the state on September 26.

"We will selectively open new Amazon Fresh stores as we see positive customer feedback on the new format," Amazon Fresh officials said in a press release, according to Patch.

The new 44,500-square-foot store will be located in Oxford Valley. This is the retailer’s fourth location in the state, with other stores in Warrington, Bensalem, and Broomal. Stores are also reportedly planned for Willow Grove, Montgomery County.

"This new, affordable grocery store in the community will offer a wide selection of quality groceries and a convenient shopping experience. We’re also proud to support the community by creating dozens of jobs in the Oxford Valley area and by donating surplus food from the Amazon Fresh store to the Philabundance Food Bank," officials said.

National brands, high-quality produce, and more will all be available within the new store, in addition to more than 75 regional brands. Shoppers will also have access to an extensive prepared food selection at the new store.

As we continue to keep an eye on this store format, keep coming back to ANUK.

PHOENIX, AZ - Diverting food waste from landfills is priority No. 1 for the partnership between HelloFresh and Denali. The two recently announced a significant milestone as they successfully repurposed nearly 4 million pounds of food waste in Phoenix, Arizona. The collaboration transforms food waste into valuable products such as compost and animal feed, fostering a circular economy and reducing greenhouse gases released in landfills.

“At HelloFresh, we are on a mission to create a more sustainable food system,” said Jeff Yorzyk, Senior Director of Sustainability, HelloFresh North America. “Denali enables us to repurpose inedible food and instead use it to feed animals and produce compost for gardens and other agricultural needs throughout Arizona. We are committed to further reducing food waste at all our [United States] processing centers and are grateful for partners like IWR and Denali who help us achieve these sustainable practices.”

This unique food waste diversion program began in 2023, focusing on recycling pre-consumer food waste from HelloFresh’s facilities in Goodyear and Phoenix, Arizona. With logistics provided by Innovative Waste Recycling (IWR), Denali’s depackaging machines cleanly separate the food waste from the trash. Denali then transforms the food waste into compost that nourishes farms and gardens in the region, and animal feed that offers local farmers a more sustainable feed option.

By the end of the year, Denali, HelloFresh, and Innovative Waste Recycling will have diverted 4 million pounds of food waste from Phoenix landfills, as we noted earlier. This equates to preventing an estimated 1,307 tons of CO₂ greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, a release explained, which is comparable to the emissions from driving more than 1.5 million miles in an average gasoline-powered vehicle.

Denali’s operational scale enables the company to recycle organic waste from HelloFresh’s production centers in the Phoenix area. Consumers and shoppers can purchase compost created from food scraps recycled by Denali and HelloFresh in stores around the area.

For more from the press release, click here. And keep reading ANUK to stay up to date on the industry's latest.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA - Approaching its 10^th anniversary, Sollum Technologies proudly launched new products and services, building on its fully dynamic LED lighting technology managed by a cloud-based platform, SUN as a Service® (SUNaaS®).

“Inspired by nature, Sollum's technology has been successfully implemented in the production of over 85 varieties of produce and 100 acres of greenhouses in North America and Europe,” said Louis Brun, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “For nearly 10 years now, we've developed cutting-edge expertise by experimenting with how modulating light benefits crop productivity, plant characteristics and energy consumption, and facilitates pest management. In doing so, we've listened carefully to our customers to understand their needs and supported them in adopting our technology. The evolution of our products and services reflects our findings in the field and discussions, injecting even more flexibility into growers' choices and control over lighting.”

Here is a breakdown:

• SF-E2 TM is a new energy-efficient fixture. The targeted LED spectrum of the new SF-E2 fixture provides maximum energy efficiency and plant growth to energy-conscious growers
• SF-E2 is also suitable for businesses aiming to cohabit HPS technology with easy-to-use LED technology as part of a gradual transition
• To adapt to any greenhouse size and configuration, all Sollum fixtures are now available in three wattages: 400, 800, and 1040 watts

Sollum's lineup of fixtures also includes the SF-ONETM and SF-PROTM. The SF-ONE's simple, flexible technology offers a spectrum that boosts crop productivity, and enables the production of a majority of crops, explained a press release, while the SF-PRO's very broad spectrum provides maximum light modulation to control and maintain a balance between all production parameters such as costs, growth, quality, and sustainability.

“In the spirit of the flexibility inherent in dynamic lighting, we have designed the SUNaaS platform offering to suit the preferences of growers who want to benefit from certain functionalities rather than others,” shared François-Roy Moisan, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. “As a result, we are proposing a core package included with the purchase of any fixture and an optional advanced package, to which a customer can add additional features that match their priorities. Like our technology, our services now support a highly personalized experience.”

All SF fixtures are powered by the SUNaaS platform, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate exceptional results thanks to unrivaled precision in the lights' output. Features include automatic real-time dimming based on ambient light variations and the ability to easily create and modify distinct zones to grow multiple products with the same technology.

To read the full press release, click here.

ANUK will continue to report on developments in the tech sector, so click back for the latest.

MAITLAND, FL - Three leadership appointments recently took place at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA). Steven Callaham, Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, has been named as the new Board Chair for 2024–2026. Adam Lytch, Regional Manager at L&M Farms, was named to the position of Vice Chair.

Additionally, FFVA members also voted to appoint Mike Sullivan, President of Gargiulo, to the Board. The appointments were made at the association’s Board of Directors and annual membership meetings on September 17, a press release stated.

The FFVA is an agricultural organization whose membership represents the majority of fruit and vegetable production in the state of Florida.

“Steven Callaham has long been a driving force in Florida’s citrus industry. His leadership, vision, and dedication have strengthened the resilience and future success of the agricultural community,” said FFVA President Mike Joyner. “With his commitment to innovation and collaboration, Steven is well positioned to lead our organization forward.”

Congratulations to the newly named leaders!

IRVINGTON, NY - One of the national leaders in indoor farming has announced a new greenhouse in Yorkville, Illinois. This is the first of three new regional greenhouse hubs opening for BrightFarms this year, tripling the company’s capacity to provide fresh, locally grown leafy greens to consumers across the Eastern and Central United States.

“Our expansion marks a pivotal moment for us after more than a decade of growth, and is the first step toward creating a coast-to-coast indoor supply chain that transforms how consumers access fresh salad greens,” said Steve Platt, Chief Executive Officer of BrightFarms. “With the addition of our three new 8-acre hubs in Illinois, Texas, and Georgia, we’re increasing our growing capability to 150 million pounds of leafy greens annually, and we’re excited to shape a healthier, greener future for generations to come.”

A key component to BrightFarms' success is its state-of-the-art production facilities that include some of the most advanced greenhouse technology in the world, such as KUBO’s Ultra-Clima greenhouse technology, explained a press release.

This innovation allows BrightFarms to maintain and generate the optimal climate 365 days a year, regardless of the geography or external climate.

“Cox Farms is building the leading indoor farming company in North America, and BrightFarms is a cornerstone of that effort,” said Steve Bradley, President, Cox Farms. “With the growing consumer preference for fresher, more responsibly-grown produce, especially in the salad category, we are continuing to invest to meet the ever-increasing demand.”

Cox has invested over $2 billion in eco-friendly businesses and technologies, and became the majority investor in BrightFarms in October 2020, fully acquiring the company in August 2021. With an ambitious expansion plan for 2024, BrightFarms is set to serve more than two-thirds of the U.S. population, aiming to generate over $300 million in revenue by 2026.

As for the additional greenhouse hubs in Macon, Georgia, and Lorena, Texas, construction is underway and will be completed by the end of 2024. Once fully built, the three new greenhouses will increase BrightFarms’ growing capacity by seven times, adding nearly 100 acres and reinforcing its position as a top grower of indoor-grown salad kits.

To read the full press release, click here.

And keep reading AndNowUKNow to stay ahead of what’s new in the greenhouse sector.

CHELAN, WA - The continuation of a unique partnership positions Rockit™ Apples for a boost in consumption. The brand, which is exclusively grown and marketed in North America by Chelan Fresh, is moving into its third year of partnership with the Special Olympics for fall 2024 and into 2025. By advocating for health and wellness for all, this collaboration helps make an impact on the lives of athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities who face daily discrimination.

“We are honored to partner with Special Olympics in 2024 and 2025 to support their mission of inclusivity and empowerment,” said Julie DeJarnatt, Director of Brand Strategy at Chelan Fresh. “Our shared values of bravery, resilience, and wellness make this collaboration a perfect fit, and we are eager to work together to raise awareness about the incredible achievements of athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

The Special Olympics’ mission of connecting the world around inclusion aligns perfectly with Rockit Apple’s commitment to nutrition, wellness, and the spirit of bravery. As an organization that prioritizes providing healthy, convenient, and delicious snacking options, Rockit Apple is excited to join forces with the Special Olympics to create positive change on a global scale.

As the third year of partnership begins to unfold, consumers can now find the Special Olympics’ “On Pack” Scan for Inclusion on the Rockit Apple tubs in stores across the United States, a press release noted.

Rockit Apple team members have shared Rockit at regional games across the country over the past year in seven states: California, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Illinois. They look forward to bringing Rockit to seven upcoming events as well.

The Rockit-Special Olympics partnership will help inspire and motivate individuals and communities around the globe to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about athletes and individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics support nearly 4 million athletes and Unified Partners in more than 200 countries and jurisdictions around the world through community programs every day.

Cheers to this impactful partnership!