PALM DESERT, CA - With a steadfast mission of ensuring the highest quality California dates, the California Date Commission proudly announced its sponsorship of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Diabetes Food Hub® as part of the inaugural National California Date Month. This initiative highlighted the nutritional benefits of California Dates in diabetes management and overall health.

"We are thrilled to begin this collaboration with the American Diabetes Association," said Gordon Chuchian, Chairman of the California Date Commission. "Our sponsorship aims to promote the health benefits of California Dates, offering a natural, nutritious option for individuals managing diabetes. Through this program, we are adding yet another initiative to showcase the versatility and importance of California Dates as part of a balanced meal plan."

The Diabetes Food Hub, a key online platform by the ADA, empowers individuals with diabetes to make informed dietary choices through healthy recipes and expert resources. By sponsoring this hub, the California Date Commission reinforced its commitment to promoting healthy eating habits and raising awareness about how California Dates can help manage blood glucose levels, according to a press release.

Rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, California Dates stand out as a smart alternative to refined sugars. Their unique nutritional profile provides immediate and sustained energy, making them ideal for those looking to manage their blood sugar levels effectively.

"We are grateful for the California Date Commission's support of the ADA's Diabetes Food Hub," said Anita Dominguez, ADA Executive Director, Los Angeles. "Their commitment to promoting healthy food choices aligns perfectly with our work to empower people with diabetes to live healthier lives. Together, we will provide valuable resources that educate the public on the benefits of California Dates and how to incorporate them when meal planning with diabetes."

This collaboration will extend beyond National California Date Month, offering year-round educational content that includes recipes and practical tips for incorporating dates into daily meal plans. The California Date Commission aims to showcase how these nutrient-rich fruits can support long-term health goals, making them a valuable part of a balanced diet for those managing diabetes or striving for overall well-being.

Keep tabs on ANUK for more creative ways to incorporate fresh fruits into your meals and merchandising plans.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - With the Global Produce & Floral Show less than two weeks away, it’s time to start filling out the lists of must-see companies. Be sure to include Bolthouse Fresh Foods™ on that list, as the company recently announced the launch of three new fresh carrot products in brand-new Bolthouse Fresh™ packaging.

“This is a big year for Bolthouse Fresh Foods, underscoring our commitment to a more consumer-focused approach,” said Karen White, Vice President of Marketing at Bolthouse Fresh Foods. “While positioning our company for the next generation of consumers, we’re simultaneously innovating with products that make it easier to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into our consumers’ busy lifestyles.”

As outlined in the release, these new products are Carrot Shakers, Side Dish Sizzlers, and Soup n' Stewin' Carrots. Beyond offering healthy school lunch options, Bolthouse Fresh products create new possibilities for holiday season entertaining.

As Bolthouse Fresh Foods went on to explain, these retail offerings will be supported by additional foodservice offerings as well. From casual dining to upscale establishments, these foodservice solutions provide both quality and ease of preparation, helping chefs and restaurateurs deliver nutritious, flavorful dishes with minimal effort.

“In addition to these innovative product offerings for retail and foodservice, Bolthouse Fresh Foods is embracing new ways to engage with consumers and enhance the overall brand experience,” added White. “We’re not just innovating in the produce aisle, but also digitally and operationally, ensuring that every touchpoint—whether in-store or online—delivers the same commitment to quality and convenience. Our consumer-focused initiatives now extend to building a stronger digital presence, launching an all-new website featuring recipes and product information, and integrating QR codes into our packaging for easy access to these resources.”

For more information, click here. And be sure to visit booth 1757 to learn more about these products in person!

KEENE, NH - Following a successful 27-year tenure with C&S Wholesale Grocers, experienced industry veteran Michael Papaleo is gearing up for retirement. The retail expert will be stepping down from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer, taking on a Strategic Advisor role through the coming year.

Papaleo joined C&S Wholesale Grocers in 1997 and has since held a variety of crucial leadership positions. According to a press release, he has been responsible for providing quality service to C&S’s retail customers, inventory management, trade relations, margin performance, merchandising and marketing, and the ISQL operation. During his 27 years with the company, he has served as a critical strategic leader, ensuring the company’s legacy continues to thrive.

Before joining C&S, he spent more than 14 years in merchandising and procurement with Twin County Grocers. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Rutgers University.

“What distinguishes C&S as an industry leader is our people. We have always had hardworking people that lead with a customer-first focus. No one embodies that dedication more than Michael Papaleo,” said Eric Winn, Chief Executive Officer. “Michael has helped lead C&S through many market changes and has been a very respected leader both within the Company, as well as in the overall grocery industry. We have been truly fortunate for his leadership and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

As Papaleo begins his retirement, two experienced leaders will oversee the merchandising and procurement operations.

Mark McGowan, Executive Vice President, Retail and Chief Merchandising Officer, will lead C&S’s Merchandising organization while Andrew Connell, Senior Vice President, Procurement, will now lead all procurement, demand planning, and inbound planning.

Congratulations to Michael Papaleo on his decorated career and upcoming retirement!

For more retail updates like this, keep clicking on our little apple logo.

OXNARD, CA - As the fall berry season reached its peak, Bobalu achieved a significant sustainability milestone by securing a clean, 100 percent score on the Module 9: IPM Identifier Audit & Certificate. This accomplishment underscored the company's commitment to sustainable farming practices.

“I really wanted to be able to visualize the approaches taken on farm at Bobalu to develop a proper guide to maintain high quality and sustainability on every ranch long into the future,” stated Eric Valenzuela, Director of Food Safety and Quality. “Once I did that, I created a company ‘Strawberry Farming Growing Cycle’ guide.”

This comprehensive guide facilitated the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a science-based strategy combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to minimize pest damage while safeguarding human health and the environment.

The Food Safety team at Bobalu assessed its entire program to create a systematic approach that led to this milestone. Grower/Managers, Applicators, and Certified PCA’s collaborated using the guide to achieve proven results.

“To achieve this certification, there are strict requirements to achieve. If one question is missed, we would essentially fail and not be certified. However, we had all the pieces put together like a jigsaw puzzle,” Valenzuela added.

According to a press release, the certification was issued to Bobalu by the Primus GFS Audit team, further reinforcing its dedication to quality and sustainability in berry production.

Valenzuela also expressed pride in his team.

“As the Director of Food Safety & Quality for Bobalu, what I am most proud of is Mireya Cancino (FSQA Supervisor for Bobalu) working with Jorge Ambriz and Salvador Hernandez (WCBF-Oxnard) and Tim Driscoll and Adrian Orozco (WCBF-SM). Mireya had to work with each of those individuals in gathering information, looking at the farm tools and practices to essentially break down the current program and rebuild it. But most importantly, simplify the process, so that it can be understood at all levels on all ranches,” concluded Valenzuela.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Pure Flavor® reinforced its innovation leadership in the tomato category by launching new premium offerings designed to elevate consumer cooking and snacking experiences: mini Roma tomatoes on-the-vine, OMG Tomatoes™, Tiki Tomatoes™, and Rocco Reds™: The Chef’s Tomato. The company will have these new items on display at the upcoming International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show.

“Romas are a huge category, representing nearly a quarter of tomato sales in the U.S., and is dominated by field-grown offerings,” said Matt Mastronardi, Executive Vice President. “We believe the category is due for a shake-up with a greenhouse offering that will deliver exceptional quality and year-round availability.”

Also among the new products was the award-winning Tiki Tomatoes, which had gained popularity for its sweet, juicy flavor and unique cosmic appearance. Following its success, Pure Flavor introduced a new 1.5 lb format of Tiki Tomatoes, now available to both club and retail partners.

“We know that nothing drives incremental category growth in tomatoes faster than innovation,” said Tiffany Sabelli, Senior Director of Sales. “Breathing new life into the category with interesting and relevant new offerings is critical to keeping consumers engaged and excited about eating healthy.”

Earlier this year, Pure Flavor also launched the OMG Tomatoes, a vibrant golden cherry tomato with a citrusy sweet flavor.

“As soon as we tried it, we knew this variety was special,” noted Sabelli. “It delivers on its bright color with equally bright flavor.” The brand leveraged modern, eye-catching packaging to stand out on shelves.

Lastly, the new Rocco Reds: The Chef’s Tomato promises robust flavor and vibrant color, making it ideal for sandwiches and salads. Launching in a recyclable paper tray with modern vintage-inspired graphics, this premium culinary tomato aims to provide consumers with a classic taste experience.

These innovative products will be showcased at the Global Show in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 18-19 at booth B3879, a press release outlined.

As Pure Flavor unveils its latest innovations, retailers are invited to elevate their offerings and delight consumers with premium flavor.

HEGINS, PA - Keystone Potato Products—a key player within Fresh Solutions Network—is earning recognition for its eco-friendly food production practices and environmental sustainability. Spotlighted for having one of the most sustainable food processing plants in the eastern United States, the potato provider was recently honored with the 2024 Green Plant of the Year award from Food Processing Magazine.

“We are honored to receive the Green Plant of the Year award for 2024,” said Dave Masser, Chief Executive Officer of Masser Family Companies and a member of Keystone Potato Products Board of Directors. “Our team is committed to finding innovative ways to protect the environment while producing high-quality potato products. This award motivates us to keep striving for additional sustainability solutions.”

Established in 2003 by the Masser Family of Companies, Keystone represents a collective union of over 40 well-respected, knowledgeable, and successful potato growers from the Mid-Atlantic region, a press release explained. The company focuses heavily on implementing sustainability at each phase of its operations to help yield healthy crops year after year.

The potato producer’s sustainability initiatives are rooted in turning waste into valuable resources through energy conservation, water resourcing, and waste reduction.

Keystone’s innovative facility utilizes cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly practices across its three main operations, the release noted. These include:

• A potato dehydration line that transforms off-grade and poor-quality potatoes destined for landfills into potato flakes and flour
• A fresh-cut plant that produces a wide variety of fresh-cut potato products, including fries, diced potatoes, slices, wedges, and whole peeled potatoes
• Two state-of-the-art automated potato packaging lines for large retail partners

Minimizing the plant’s energy usage, the facility is powered by methane gas from the nearby Commonwealth Environmental Systems landfill. The facility also optimizes a sophisticated water resourcing system, drawing water from an abandoned underground coal mine before purifying it for food production, then treating the used water through an anaerobic digestion process and releasing it into a nearby stream.

The company has also achieved a zero-waste milestone, as all peel, bin, and mash waste generated by its potato processing lines are repurposed as feed for local Pennsylvania cattle farmers, ensuring no potato by-products are sent to landfills.

For more updates on companies setting the standard for industry sustainability, be sure to keep reading ANUK.

ATLANTA, GA - Fall has officially…fallen! And the packing innovators at Rice Fruit Company are recognizing this as their moment to make an impact at the 2024 Global Produce & Floral Show. The company has brought an apple lineup that hits all the right notes, with flavors, varieties, and vibrant colors ready to dazzle show attendees.

“This is the first big show of our season, and we’re ready for it! This show is always well attended by customers, colleagues, and industry partners. It’s fantastic to connect with people in person,” said Brenda Briggs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

At the show, attendees will see firsthand how Rice Fruit’s entire selection of apples from Gala and Honeycrisp, to SnapDragon and Lemonade^TM, offer retailers the versatility and innovation they need to meet consumer demand. Rice Fruit’s dedication to providing a wide range of apples ensures that there’s a perfect option for every palate and preference, a press release explained.

“Fall is our time to shine. Our apples are picked, packed, and shipped for peak flavor and texture,” added Briggs. “As the season progresses, our varietal mix delivers diverse and bold flavors ready to take the spotlight.”

Visit Rice Fruit Company at booth B331 during the show and get ready to find your shoppers’ new favorite variety.

Keep scrolling the pages of ANUK to stay informed ahead of the big event.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Innovations are due to land at the Bako Sweet® booth at this month’s Global Produce & Floral Show. Bako Sweet will introduce its new White and Purple Single Sweets and discuss the brand's vision for the future of sweet potato shopping and consumption.

“We are thrilled to showcase our latest Single Sweets and heart-health initiatives at the Global Produce & Floral Show,” said Susan Noritake, Director of Sales at Bako Sweet. “We believe the future shopper of sweet potatoes is looking for more than just great taste—they want products that align with their values—whether that's heart health, convenience, or innovation. We're proud to be at the forefront of meeting those needs.”

As a press release explained, the brand is also diving deep into the future of sweet potatoes by researching emerging consumer preferences and developing new product offerings.

One of the initiatives that Bako Sweet spotlights is its heart-health promotion, designed to engage shoppers early and make a lasting impact. The brand has long offered heart-healthy products that carry the Heart-Check Certification from the American Red Cross, which highlights the natural health benefits of sweet potatoes and helps shoppers easily identify nutritious choices.

Bako Sweet is also rolling out new merchandising display bins by January 2025, ensuring stores are well-prepared for the influx of health-conscious shoppers.

In February, Bako Sweet will release hot pink and light pink packaging for its sweet potatoes in alignment with Heart Health Month, offering a bold visual cue for shoppers looking for nutritious and heart-healthy options.

For those looking to learn more about these exciting developments, swing by booth B1553!