NEW YORK - Operational strength. Reliability. Transparency and consistent communication. These are just a few of the elements that lay the groundwork for a flourishing produce operation. With generations of expertise behind it, D’Arrigo New York continues to keep pace with industry evolution and remains a reliable supplier for its retail partners.

“We are continuing with our generations-long approach of consistent and gradual growth,” shares Gabriela D’Arrigo, Vice President of Communications and Marketing. “This is how we can assure our suppliers and customers that the service will remain consistent as we make innovative changes at the same time.”

Upholding a produce business that spans multiple generations also means staying in line with—or ahead of—the latest points of industry evolution.

“The industry has always been evolving; however, the aspect of technology across the board seems to have really caught fire,” Gabriela notes. “We identify the aspects of tech that best suit our needs, which in turn better assist our customers.”

In addition to advancements on the tech side, D’Arrigo New York arms itself with information from both suppliers and customers, ensuring a constant flow of information and communication. Having its sister company, D’Arrigo California/Andy Boy Produce, as growers also provides the company a major leg up.

The next couple of months are creating a series of retail opportunities across multiple categories as the back-to-school season gets into full swing and the holiday season nears.

“Popular items such as berries, apples, bananas, squash, potatoes, pumpkins, etc. are all categories that will have good movement during this time frame,” Gabriela explains. “Our retail partners do a wonderful job promoting items and know what their customers are looking for.”

Year after year, D’Arrigo New York remains dedicated to its company values of consistent service, gradual growth, and keeping its word.

For more industry insights, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Grimmway Produce Group™ is ready for this year’s Southern Innovations, bringing some of its most exciting innovations yet to the show floor. New offerings across carrots, organic vegetables, and potatoes will be on display at booths #417 and #419, demonstrating how the company is shaping the next generation of category growth.

“Southern Innovations is exactly where we want to bring this story to life,” shares Karen White, Vice President of Marketing Operations. “It's an opportunity to share not only what's new today, but how we're building consumer-led innovation platforms designed to create excitement, unlock new occasions, and drive category growth.”

One of the ways the grower is achieving this is through the introduction of Made for Mealtime™, a new consumer-led innovation platform that starts with usage occasions for carrots.

“We're looking at how consumers prepare and serve carrots and building solutions specifically around those behaviors,” Karen explains. “Made for Mealtime™ Soupers and Made for Mealtime™ Roasters are the first offerings under the platform and just the beginning. Available across Grimmway Farms® and Cal-Organic Farms®, the platform is designed to make carrots easier to shop for, prepare, and serve while unlocking more mealtime occasions and new opportunities for category growth.”

Tasteful Selections® will showcase Cheesy Bliss Potatoes™, a first-of-its-kind innovation in the fresh potato category that pairs bite-size potatoes with a real cheese sauce component. Rooted in the comfort food need state and designed for today’s mealtime occasions, Cheesy Bliss delivers warm, indulgent flavor in minutes.

Offering something for a range of tastes, the lineup touts three distinct varieties:

• Creamy Gouda
• Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño
• Mild Cheddar

Rounding out the company’s SEPC showcase, Cal-Organic Farms® will spotlight Coleslaw and Veggie Crunch, expanding its organic portfolio with convenient, versatile solutions designed for today's mealtime needs.

“Both offerings make it easier for consumers to bring organic vegetables to the table, whether as a quick side, meal starter, or ingredient,” Karen adds. “It's part of our broader focus on growing organic by delivering greater convenience and creating more ways for consumers to incorporate organic vegetables into meals throughout the week.”

Grimmway Produce Group™ operates across 19 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, supported by a network of 20 facilities and hundreds of field operations. This expansive reach allows the company to strategically select growing regions and deliver fresh, high-quality produce to its customers year-round.

Continuing to strengthen this network, Grimmway is investing in new growing regions and processing capabilities closer to the customers it serves. The grower’s expansion into Minnesota is one prime example of how Grimmway is diversifying its growing and processing footprint and strengthening an already robust supply network.

“But leadership in produce is about more than supply,” Karen tells me. “We are connecting our agricultural expertise and scale with category knowledge, consumer insights, and customer needs to identify what is next. That combination allows us to lead from the field through the consumer and continue creating opportunities for growth across carrots, potatoes, and organic vegetables.”

Southern Innovations attendees can learn more about Grimmway Produce Group by exploring the RPE® and Tasteful Selections® brands at booth #419 and Grimmway Farms® and Cal Organic Farms® at booth #417.

“Southern Innovations has always been an important show for us because of the quality of conversations we have with our customers. It gives us an opportunity to showcase what is new across our portfolio while sharing the consumer insights behind our innovation,” Karen concludes. “This year, we can move the conversation beyond the product itself and talk about how these offerings can create new consumer occasions, support our customers’ priorities and ultimately grow the categories together.”

Stick around as ANUK brings you more insights in the lead-up to Southern Innovations!