LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - If you find yourself hungry for a snack at the upcoming Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, one booth worth checking out will be that of Westmoreland Sales - Topline Farms. With the show quickly approaching, I got in touch with the company’s Dino DiLaudo, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“We are excited to showcase our snacking collection; our Grab N’ Go snacking tomatoes have been well received so far and samples will be available for tasting at booth #1531 and the Healthy Break Area,” Dino told me. “This is still a fast-growing category and new packs that can be displayed in unconventional ways in-store can create a buzz and hopefully generate more sales.”

There are many advantages to attending CPMA, and one of them, as Dino explained, is seeing firsthand what the latest trends are and the general trajectory of the industry. He added that there are a lot of similar patterns in produce, but knowing what is at the forefront helps you better position yourself in the market.

“Getting face-to-face time with industry peers will be a top priority. We do a lot of business in Canada with many different partners, and it is not often that everyone is under the same roof at the same time. We place great value on these in-person meetings, as they often lead to deeper and more meaningful conversations,” Dino continued.

Topline has become known for creating a fun atmosphere at its booth. This year will be no different, as the company aims to create an engaging environment complete with food, drinks, and lively conversations. Dino noted that Topline’s hope is for guests to leave with a clear understanding of its recent expansions and the value it offers to retailers.

“Our primary goal for the show is to demonstrate to retailers and partners our latest advancements. Over the past year, we've significantly increased our output capacity through expanded greenhouse acreage. With most of our greenhouses now equipped with lights, we've reduced the seasonality aspect of our business even further,” Dino stated. “It's crucial for us to showcase our ability to supply higher volumes of greenhouse produce and highlight improvements in our distribution capacity, including the expansion of our truck fleet.”

On a final note, Dino teased that there are exciting plans for the future of Topline Farms, and the company is on track to making some big changes. Though he couldn’t share much now, those who visit Topline’s booth at CPMA can get a glimpse of what is to come.

Stay tuned for more event coverage as CPMA draws near.

THE NETHERLANDS - An established executive in the retail space will soon be stepping down from their role. It was recently announced that Wouter Kolk, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, has decided to step down from the Management Board by the end of 2024.

“After careful consideration I have decided to leave Ahold Delhaize,” Kolk stated. “I have always loved this company, its people, and the business, and have spent the majority of my career at Ahold Delhaize and its brands, but I am at a point in my career where I feel I can also bring my leadership, passion, and experience to life at a different company. Having recently been nominated to join the Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel, I am looking forward to further broadening my horizon in the executive and non-executive space.”

Kolk joined Ahold in 1991 as a management trainee, a press release noted. Over the next 16 years, he served in several international commercial and general management roles, including Commercial Director Asia-Pacific based in Singapore, Regional Director Albert Heijn, General Manager Gall & Gall, and General Manager Etos.

After growing within the company and ultimately becoming CEO of Albert Heijn, he joined the Ahold Delhaize Management Board in October 2018 as CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia.

“We will miss Wouter as our colleague in the Management Board,” Frans Muller, President and CEO, stated. “His enthusiasm for, and detailed knowledge of, the business have been of outstanding value to our company. We are glad we have more time together in 2024 to plan for and ensure an effective transition.”

Peter Agnefjäll, Chair of the Supervisory Board, also commented.

“We thank Wouter for his passion and long-standing experience in our industry, which have contributed to our company's success. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors, which we know he will shape with the energy and curiosity he brings to everything he does,” said Agnefjäll.

Kolk will stay on as a Management Board Member through 2024. Information about succession will reportedly be shared in due course.

We wish the best of luck to Kolk on his next steps.

NEW YORK - Recent reports revealed that Trader Joe’s upped the pricing on its famous 19-cent bananas, elevating the cost by over 20 percent to 23 cents.

“We only change our prices when our costs change, and after holding our price for bananas at 19¢ each for more than two decades, we’ve now reached a point where this change is necessary,” a Trader Joe’s spokesperson said to CNN.

This is the first time the banana has seen a price increase at Trader Joe’s in over 20 years.

The 19-cent banana is a well-known deal at Trader Joe’s, ranked among the top produce items by the company’s customers. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that United States demand for bananas in recent years has been driven primarily by the fruit’s affordability. The report also stated that prices at the retail level remained mostly unchanged in 2023.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of bananas in the U.S. has remained steady from February 2023 to February 2024, at 62 to 64 cents a pound throughout the year.

Trader Joe’s also reported that it has been able to lower prices for some of its other produce, including raw almonds, Romaine hearts, organic tri-color bell peppers, and green onions.

As the industry continues to feel the pressure of higher input costs, as highlighted by Trader Joe's reasoning, how will this impact the pricing at the negotiating table for vendors?

ANUK will continue to report on this pricing strategy and more.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - Physical fitness and healthy eating go hand in hand, which is why Oppy is shining a spotlight on one competitive athlete. The produce marketer recently announced that it has renewed its sponsorship with competitive skier Emeline Bennett, recognizing her dedication to her sport and commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

"Emeline embodies dedication and excellence in her sport, matching Oppy’s values while pursuing her dream of representing Canada in the Olympics in ski-cross. We’re proud to continue supporting her journey and wish her all the best as she approaches the end of the season,” said Executive Director of Marketing Karin Gardner, an accomplished athlete herself, having led the fastest four-woman cycling team in the 2022 Race Across America.

According to a press release, Bennett has traveled throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States for technical skiing competitions, pre-season camps, and competed in the Nakiska NorAm, subsequently qualifying for the Europa Cup and World Cup.

Not only a competitive skier, Bennett is a nutrition advocate with a passion for quality ingredients, cooking, and meal prep. As Bennett gears up for the World Juniors competition in May, discover her exclusive highlights, including food tips, day-in-the-life moments, and more on Oppy’s social media.

“There is a lot of travel in this career which can prove challenging to your diet,” shared Bennett. “That’s why I’m honored to be sponsored by Oppy who makes fruits and vegetables more easily accessible worldwide. As an athlete, it’s of utmost importance that I fuel my body with nutritious foods that will have a direct impact on my performance.”

For more produce alliances, keep clicking back to ANUK.