GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Establishing new standards in sustainability, Meijer earned accolades from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Program, celebrating its achievement of the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate among all GreenChill Partners for the fourth consecutive year.

"At Meijer, we remain committed to adopting effective refrigeration technologies and environmental best practices into our everyday operations, which significantly helps us reduce our carbon footprint," said Vik Srinivasan, Chief Administrative Officer for Meijer. "We remain incredibly proud of achieving our industry-leading 2025 carbon emissions reduction goal a year early. Continually reducing our refrigerant emissions was a key part of that achievement."

According to a press release, by focusing on reducing refrigerant leak rates—significantly lower than the industry average of 25 percent—Meijer not only advanced its sustainability efforts but also reached its broader emissions reduction goal a year ahead of schedule.

The EPA’s GreenChill Program partners with food retailers and manufacturers to lower refrigerant emissions, minimize environmental impact, and promote the use of eco-friendly refrigerants. GreenChill offers valuable resources to help supermarkets transition to greener technologies and implement best practices.

"Meijer should be extremely proud of achieving GreenChill's Best Emissions Rate among large food retail Partners for the fourth year in a row," said Bella Maranion, Senior Advisor in EPA's Stratospheric Protection Division and member of the GreenChill Team. "This accomplishment proves that dedication pays off."

Meijer's continued recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By consistently achieving the lowest refrigerant emissions rate, the retailer not only leads the industry in responsible practices but also demonstrates that proactive measures can drive meaningful change.

Meijer’s dedication to adopting innovative refrigeration technologies and reducing its carbon footprint serves as a testament to its vision for a greener future.

Keep reading ANUK for the latest and greatest industry news.

WEST DES MOINES, IA - In the wake of multiple recent hurricanes impacting the southern regions of the United States, Hy-Vee has harnessed its operational power to provide support for communities in need. In a partnership with the American Red Cross, the retailer has initiated an in-store register round-up campaign at all Hy-Vee, Dollar Fresh Markets, and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations. All of the donations raised now through October 25 will go to the American Red Cross to aid individuals affected by the recent storms.

"Hy-Vee has a long tradition of helping communities in need," said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We know our customers are just as concerned as we are about the welfare of those impacted by these devastating storms, and this is one way we can help those who need assistance as quickly as possible."

As part of the campaign, customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar during checkout to increase funding for those in need. In addition to this initiative, the retailer has also donated disaster relief supplies to its partners providing assistance in the South, including the supply of a large generator/semi; two semis filled with supplies for nonprofit Operation BBQ Relief; and the donation of a truckload of water to Feeding America-affiliated food banks in the impacted areas, a release stated.

Hy-Vee encourages those who can assist the American Red Cross in its efforts in multiple ways, including volunteering, blood donations, and financial donations.

We applaud the retailer for its efforts to support communities in need during this time.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Another day, another exciting and well-deserved industry distinction! Food Shippers of America recently recognized Allen Lund Company (ALC) as a 2024 Top Food Chain Provider.

"It is exciting to once again be named a 'Top Food Chain Provider' by Food Shippers of America,” said Eddie Lund, ALC President and Chief Executive Officer. “For nearly 50 years, the Allen Lund Company has hauled food products across America. We take pride in providing top-notch customer service to ensure that people can eat fresh food daily. We are grateful to Food Shippers of America for this recognition."

This food chain award aims to spotlight transportation companies that excel in their ability to service food shippers, limited to a total of 25 providers. According to a press release, companies selected to the list underwent a rigorous process, including evaluation by the staff of Food Chain Digest, a voting process involving members of the food industry, and a final audit by FSA leaders.

2024 has been decorated with industry awards for ALC. Earlier this year, the transportation and logistics expert was recognized as Coca-Cola's Best Customer Service Carrier and honored as a Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics.

Congratulations to ALC on its string of company recognitions! For more industry news, be on the lookout for that little apple logo.

SYRACUSE, UT - Tell your shoppers they will cry no longer! Returning to stores late October is Onions 52’s Smileys™, a tearless and sweet onion. These premium onions are domestically grown and available to ship from all Onions 52 locations, including the company’s new East shed in Ohio, ensuring ease of delivery and nationwide supply for the upcoming season.

“We’ve grown our tearless, sweet onions for several seasons now, and every year we have exponentially expanded our acreage, a testament to the premium quality and taste consumers love about these onions,” shared Shawn Hartley, President. “Smileys are not an easy onion to grow, and we have perfected the process by investing in proprietary growing and harvesting methods to ensure consumers are getting the top quality that only our variety of tearless and sweet onions can offer. While there may be other tearless onions on the market, none are comparable to the Smileys brand promise.”

Harvested in August, Smileys are unique sweet onions that remain in storage for several months until reaching the brand’s promise of sweetness and tearless-ness. Smileys are shipped in high-graphic, 40 lb fuchsia cartons that are an-eye catcher throughout produce departments, and offered in both 3 lb and 5 lb pack sizes.

Onions 52 provides comprehensive merchandising support, including custom point-of-sale (POS) materials, social media backing, educational one-sheets for produce managers, and engaging display contests to help retailers maximize visibility and incremental sales during the Smileys season, a release explained.

Smileys are available through mid-April or while supplies last and make the perfect kitchen companion for seasonal celebrations your shoppers are already getting prepared for.

For all of this and more, be sure to visit the Onions 52 booth, C2357, at the Global Produce & Floral Show.

Keep clicking back to ANUK for more produce stocking inspo ahead of the holiday season.

SALINAS, CA - Say goodbye to boring salads! Taylor Farms is shaking up the salad game when it takes center stage at the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 17 to 19. With an impressive lineup of innovative packaged salads, the company aims to transform the way consumers enjoy fresh produce, seamlessly blending convenience and flavor.

“At Taylor Farms, we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in fresh produce to help grow the category,” said Bryan Jaynes, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing. “Our new product lineup at the IFPA show reflects our ongoing commitment to convenience, taste, and nutrition.”

The company will unveil three new flavors in its Mini Chopped Kit line: the Maple Bourbon Mini Chopped Kit, featuring a delectable maple bourbon vinaigrette; the Sweet Kale Mini Chopped Kit, a snack-friendly version of their top-selling offering; and the Taco Ranch Mini Chopped Kit, which combines a creamy Taco Ranch dressing with crunchy corn chip dippers. These additions cater to the evolving preferences of health-conscious consumers seeking flavorful and convenient meal solutions.

Additionally, Taylor Farms will offer samples of two exciting new items: the Pizza Ranch Chopped Kit, a lively blend of vegetables and pizza crusts dressed in ranch, and the Smoky Ranch Chopped Kit, which pairs fresh greens with cheddar cheese-dusted pretzel bits and smoky ranch dressing. According to a press release, these new products reflect Taylor Farms’ commitment to quality and innovation in the fresh food market.

For attendees interested in exploring Taylor Farms’ latest offerings, the company is welcoming them to booth B2861. The company will also host a happy hour featuring wine and beer on October 18 and 19, creating an inviting atmosphere for industry professionals to connect and discover fresh ideas.

Taylor Farms’ presence at the IFPA show will highlight its dedication to redefining salad experiences and meeting the needs of both B2B and B2C audiences with innovative and flavorful products.

You won't miss any updates on this year's IFPA show when you keep reading ANUKI!