MCALLEN, TX - A big win in the packaging segment was recently announced by Fox Packaging. The provider revealed that it has eliminated Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from all its flexible packaging options.

"Grocery chains are removing PFAS from food packaging due to concerns about drinking water contamination, health risks, government regulations, and pressure from NGOs and consumers,” Aaron Fox, Vice President, said. “Retailers are committed to safer products and a healthier environment. Packaging manufacturers are actively supporting these efforts, and it's crucial to monitor progress and ensure these commitments are fully carried out."

As of this year, several U.S. states have enacted regulations addressing the intentional use of PFAS in flexible food packaging. These regulations aim to restrict the sale, distribution, or manufacture of food packaging containing PFAS. They have gone into effect as of 2022 and are now being rolled out into 2024, a press release stated.

Iliana Csanyi, Materials Engineer Specialist, also commented.

"PFAS are harmful chemicals that can contaminate the environment and affect human health,” Csanyi stated. “By eliminating them from our products and processes, we have shown our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility."

Supply chain relationships played a crucial role in this transformative process.

"Supply chain relationships were vital to the success of our PFAS-free process,” Lucas Fox, Director of Operations, added. “We could not have achieved this without the collaboration and support of our materials suppliers, who were very responsive and proactive in meeting our requirements."

These regulations do not signify a complete ban on the use of PFAS. Instead, they aim to address the intentional addition of PFAS in food packaging materials.

“Material selection requires a careful balance between compliance with state laws and maintaining the functionality and performance of our flexible packaging,” Aaron Fox continued. “Evaluating alternatives for specific properties, such as barrier properties or heat resistance, becomes a meticulous task. Exploring alternative processing aids and adjusting existing processes to align with regulations are integral aspects of this collaborative effort.”

Sustainability considerations add another layer of complexity, where the challenge is to minimize PFAS usage while upholding product quality. Balancing regulatory compliance with environmental responsibilities remains at the forefront of Fox Packaging’s decisions.

For more on the announcement, click here.

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EMERYVILLE, CA - Grocery Outlet officially closed out its fiscal year 2023 on December 30, 2023, and the retailer is now sharing its financial results. Among its highlights is a 10.9 percent increase in net sales, enabling the grocer to hit $3.9 billion for the full year.

"Our value proposition continues to resonate with consumers, resulting in strong traffic and transaction count growth. During 2023, we increased our market share, achieved record sales of $4 billion, and grew Adjusted EBITDA by 18 percent," said RJ Sheedy, Chief Executive Officer of Grocery Outlet. "Looking ahead, we are excited to be acquiring United Grocery Outlet and the platform that it will provide to support future store growth in the Southeast."

On top of the rise in net sales, other highlights from full year fiscal 2023 include:

• Comparable store sales increased by 7.5 percent, driven by an 8.3 percent increase in the number of transactions
• The company opened 28 new stores and closed one store during the year
• Net income increased 22.1 percent to $79.4 million, or $0.79 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.7 percent to $252.6 million
• Adjusted net income increased 15.2 percent to $108.1 million, or $1.07 per adjusted diluted share

In the fourth quarter alone, Grocery Outlet saw a net sales increase of 6.3 percent to $989.8 million in addition to a 2.7 percent rise in comparable store sales, a release stated.

This report was released after the retailer’s acquisition of United Grocery Outlet, a discount grocer with 40 stores in the Southeastern U.S. and a distribution center in Tennessee. The acquisition will expand Grocery Outlet’s store reach into the new states of Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia.

To read the financial report in full, click here.

With the acquisition expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, how will it impact Grocery Outlet’s financial results? Stick with AndNowUKnow for answers.

REIDSVILLE, GA - An all-hands-on-deck mentality grips the Shuman Farms team as they prepare for a jam-packed Southern Exposure. There’s quite a bit of news to share before the show, so let’s dive right in!

"We are excited to share that Shuman Farms, in partnership with a leading investor in the agriculture sector, has successfully completed the acquisition of Generation Farms," stated John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This has allowed Shuman Farms to assume full operational control over Generation’s land and facilities."

Thanks to the success of Shuman’s Vidalia and Peruvian sweet onion programs, it has been able to take on this project—the largest to date for the organization.

“The additional assets have allowed us to add 30 percent more acreage to our Vidalia® onion program. With more packing capability in the new site, plus capital improvements to our existing facilities, we have increased our storage capacity by nearly 25 percent, allowing us to continue distributing Vidalia onions through Labor Day,” John remarked.

On top of expanding its operations, Shuman Farms wants to pinpoint the importance of education at the show. With all eyes on the impact of ‘edutainment’ on consumers, Shuman Farms is hoping it can inspire its partners to tackle this challenge together.

“Based on our own research and industry trends, there is a lot of opportunity to educate the next generation of shoppers on fresh produce. Reaching this age group is different than previous generations and edutainment is an important tactic to do so,” John explained.

Through the company’s programs and content, it aims to educate consumers and help them succeed at their health and wellness goals. That means increasing their knowledge about items in the produce department and educating them on culinary skills to empower fresh cooking.

“In addition, our Healthy Family Project team will be showcasing our Mission for Nutrition program in the Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase,” John said. “This year, we have expanded to a seven-month program and increased our audience to not only retail dietitians and school nutrition directors but also nutrition experts and registered dietitians in the private sector.”

Shuman Farms and Healthy Family Project will be hosting its Healthy Family Project Reception on Friday, March 8, at 5 p.m. EST.

“Of course, we will also be talking about the upcoming Vidalia crop, which will start shipping mid- to late-April. Currently, the Vidalia crop looks good, and the forecast is favorable with seasonal temperatures and average rainfall,” John added. “We plan to distribute through Labor Day, and we’ve got several robust marketing programs planned at the retail level and the consumer space.”

Be sure to stop by booth #418 to see Shuman Farms and booth #102 to see Healthy Family Project. We’ll see you out on the floor!

KENNESAW, GA - Proteins vs. Produce. This is the topic of conversation as Copeland explores ways for retailers to further optimize their cold chain processes and operations. The company recently shared some insight into the key differences between shipping these two categories.

“Keeping food fresh and safe to eat are the primary functions of the perishable cold chain,” Michelle Rodriguez, Director – Cold Chain Monitoring Solutions at Copeland, wrote in a recent press release. “Whether you’re shipping prime rib, blueberries, or eggs, all stakeholders must follow proper processing, handling, and cold chain requirements for each product type. This starts by understanding the differences between two main food categories: proteins and produce."

Both proteins and produce are at risk of degradation from the moment they are processed or harvested in the field. As Copeland emphasizes, regardless of product type, practicing proper temperature management is the foundation of preserving freshness, quality, and safety. Failing to adhere to proper temperatures can lead to a variety of issues impacting food quality and safety, including accelerated product ripening and spoilage, shorter shelf-life, visual impacts, and the potential formation of foodborne pathogens.

“For producers, carriers, and retailers, any of these issues can impact their financial profitability and brand reputations,” Rodriguez wrote. “Although there are many similarities between shipping proteins and produce, stakeholders should be aware of the specific challenges, strategies, and best practices for maximizing the perishable safety and quality of each food group.”

Some of the key differences pointed out in the release include shipping methods and temperature abuse. To read more about the similarities and differences between shipping proteins and produce, click here.

As the company explained in the release, Copeland trackers are ideal for retailers seeking to validate perishable temperatures in real-time and gain insights into product quality before its arrival. Both loggers and trackers provide historic, objective third-party records of trailer temperatures throughout the cold chain journey.

For the latest industry solutions and insights, you know where to click.

TAMPA, FL - Competing in today's dynamic retail environment requires supplier partners who understand the pace of change, have the drive to innovate, and who interact with today’s evolving consumer. Mucci Farms is one such company. As we approach Southeast Produce Council's (SEPC) Southern Exposure event, the company is fine-tuning its program for the region’s best of the best.

“Our goal at Southern Exposure is to emphasize our ability to support retail partners from seed to retail. We want to stress that we offer a full category assortment with a wide variety of award-winning snacking options,” Steve Zaccardi, Senior Director of Sales, shares with me. “The industry is moving at such a rapid pace; if you aren’t focused on innovation, you won’t be able to keep up with the growing demands of our industry. With innovation at the forefront of our priorities, our R&D team is leading the way in identifying rugose-resistant varieties that maintain our premium flavor and production standards.”

For Mucci Farms, innovation isn’t just a pillar, a buzzword, or a box to check, it’s the lifeblood of the organization.

“We love to partner with retailers that share our commitment to innovating the world of fresh produce,” Steve adds, before diving into some of the highlights such retailers will encounter in Tampa, Florida. “Our featured item is our new Savorries Sweet Strawberry Tomatoes. They are a unique variety in the sense that it’s a tomato, shaped like a strawberry, with a sweet and savory flavor profile. We are also showcasing our Sapori sweet cocktail tomatoes with a new and improved seed variety that we are excited to share with attendees.”

Savorries, while one of a group of innovative greenhouse-grown products, is the perfect example of how Mucci Farms goes to market. Not only is it beautiful aesthetically, but it also has versatility that consumers will enjoy. Savorries can be served as an appetizer or added to a variety of different dishes that need that extra burst of flavor and color.

As we look to the March 7-9 event, Stephen Cowan, Director of Retail Sales, also shares with me the continued value of such a well-attended regional event.

“What we love about this show is that it’s set up in a way that allows us to squarely focus on building relationships with current and prospective clients,” Stephen says. “In our experience, the intimate nature of the show makes for much easier dialogue and a sense of community within the industry. The Florida weather in March certainly helps!”

Mark your calendars for SEPC Southern Exposure and a trip to Mucci Farms booth #438. See you all in Tampa!