NEWARK, NY - Building a healthier and more diverse shopping basket is no small feat. Today’s consumers are a new type of shopper—more discerning, committed, and value-driven. With fall underway, I spoke with Crunch Time Apple Growers to garner the advice needed for retailers to make an impact in the fresh produce space and beyond.

“Let’s be honest—many shoppers know what varieties of apples they love, but they likely aren’t able to distinguish between two similar-looking varieties in a bulk display at a glance, like a grower or retailer might!” Jessica Wells, Executive Director, begins. “Separating apples by color or cross-merchandising with caramel apple wrap, apple slicers, apple corers, or complementary food products in between varieties is a great way to alleviate confusion. Particularly with managed varieties, signage is a great way to inspire shoppers to try new varieties. A sign for SnapDragon, for instance, could amplify its Monster Crunch, spicy-sweet flavor, and hint of vanilla.”

Differentiating on the shelf is key to driving repeat purchases, but also curiosity. In an effort to keep the shopper informed, Crunch Time provides educational display tools for retail partners to alleviate this pressure to deliver.

“Inspiring shoppers to use apples in all their meals and recipes helps to build diverse grocery baskets as well,” Jessica continues. “While our absolute favorite way to enjoy a SnapDragon apple is as a snack, they’re also delicious paired with nut butters, cheeses, crackers, chocolate, or caramel, or they can be used fresh in recipes. We have posters and recipe cards that can be used in displays, and we have even more great recipes on our website for inspiration. We can provide signage with a QR code that links to our website for inspiration.”

In addition to the SnapDragon, RubyFrost apples are also unique and delicious. While the Monster Crunch of a SnapDragon apple is unique in the market, so is the high vitamin C content of a RubyFrost apple, which keeps it looking fresh long after it’s been sliced.

“Using signage that celebrates these individual attributes is a great way to showcase both varieties,” Jessica details. “Retailers can also share a little more context about what certain health benefits of SnapDragon and RubyFrost actually mean. Instead of just talking about how apples are high in fiber, share how they help keep you full, aid digestion, and support heart health.”

Sounds like a lot to take on? No worries, Jessica says.

“We’re here to work with retailers on every step of the merchandising and sales process, from timing shipments to designing new displays based on their feedback. Retailers should always feel comfortable coming to us with any new ideas or suggestions—don’t be a stranger!” she shares. “We might be the experts on apples, but you’re the experts on your shoppers, so working together to get apples off the shelves and into grocery carts is a win for everyone!”

Think collaboration: new-and-improved display boxes, finding eye-catching ways to utilize the entire vertical space of the produce department, distributing regional signage and packaging (shoppers in Western New York can find our special Buffalo Bills packaging in store), and providing guidance on how to best give away free samples to shoppers.

Apples are just the beginning. Crunch Time brings opportunities and more.

ANAHEIM, CA - There is a fresh appreciation for my home when tens of thousands from our industry come to town, exploring restaurants and districts in my backyard as they renew relationships and form new ones. And of course, there is the excited buzz as everyone prepares for the week that over 1,000 exhibiting companies have waited for. 

The International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show (GPFS) not only remains a steadfast point of connection in the produce calendar, it also showcased a culmination of rebrands, launches, and partnerships that maintain it as a finale of the annual trade calendar.

“GPFS 2025 is in the books, and oh, what a show in sunny Anaheim! Navigating through a packed house all day Friday was educational, coupled with productive meetings and conversations,” Chris Keetch, Director of Produce and Floral for The GIANT Company, shared with our team. “Saturday was just a little quieter, which allowed me to check almost every box I wanted to accomplish. The layout was great and easy to navigate, especially with the app in hand (read between the lines—always download the app!). Thank you, IFPA and Anaheim—see you next year in Orlando!”

Wednesday, October 15, already saw many meetings and making the most of the industry’s gathering, heralding the dynamic and energetic show we had ahead of us even before IFPA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns took the stage Thursday morning.

When she did, the association leader talked trends, challenges, and opportunities, addressing government challenges, actions, and how IFPA has been fighting for fresh. 

“Last October, I said we would increase our advocacy investment here and around the world by ‘fighting for fresh’ when our future was threatened,” Cathy commented in IFPA’s release of her address. “I believe it has never been more important to be clear on what you stand for, who you stand for, and what you believe in. It's in those beliefs, and our work together in acting on them, that we can navigate the storms around us.”

The CEO also unveiled a tool IFPA has had in the works for the better part of a year, launched as of the session we sat in—an AI tool providing proprietary data for the industry in ways Cathy herself assured would make a financial impact on businesses that utilize it. 

Educational festivals spotlighting regenerative ag, the modern supply chain, leadership, and much more revisited the traditional format and launched a new approach. In between general sessions, IFPA hosted a few hours of fast-paced live speakers, self-guided information, and casual conversations to inspire and help industry members propel priorities.

One standout that complemented the State of the Industry was Leading Through Turbulence, moderated by Alexis Taylor, Chief Global Policy Officer for IFPA, Adrielle Dankier of Nature’s Pride, John Anderson of Oppy, and John Simko of Sunshine Bouquet Company.

Outside our industry and bringing in their wisdom with incredible stories and real-world applications were Sarah Robb O’Hagan, renowned executive, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Extreme Living; blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, who has summited Mt. Everest and kayaked the Grand Canyon; and, specially for the Womens Fresh Perspectives breakfast, Amy Trask, former CEO of the Raiders and current CBS Sports analyst, as well as the NFL’s first female front office executive.

Off the stage, a record number of registrants rose before the sun to complete the annual Race for a Healthier World 5K, running under the halo of the Anaheim Angels, out and back. Some brought their running gear, while others sported fun costumes to support the companies they represented, and all walked—or ran—the walk of healthy living through action. 

No small feat before taking to the trade show floor of over 1,000 exhibitors, a tenth of which were first-time exhibitors of the show, according to the association’s website.

“Reflecting on this week, it’s clear that our industry is ready for more when it comes to tradeshows. Buyers are ready to see something that inspires them, and suppliers are ready to feel that their energy spent on tradeshow strategy is changing the way the industry sees their business. Both are what we at Frieda’s, Legacy Farms, and Cal Fresco leaned in on, and it worked. Every client, grower, and industry colleague came by our booth and felt inspired and welcomed while experiencing something new and different than anything else on the show floor. It validated that our go-to-market and innovation strategies for 2026 are on the right track, and we are so excited for what’s to come,” said Alex Jackson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Frieda’s Branded Produce.

Ryan Sanchez, Produce Sales Manager for Albertsons and Vons, expressed how great the experience of the show was when we connected Saturday as the final expo hours wound down.

“I enjoy so many things about the show, seeing people that I haven’t seen in a while, negotiating deals to help everyone sell more produce, what’s coming in the future (innovation), and collaborating with brokers, suppliers, and growers! Oh, one more thing, the samples throughout the show were great,” he shared.

While there was much ground to cover, mentally and physically, over the days of the 2025 GPFS, attendees certainly used every hour until the final announcement of the end of the show echoed across the Anaheim Convention Center. 

Even then, many celebrated locally Saturday evening, reflecting on new and revived connections—I often heard how the October show is the only time they get to see some industry friends in person.

As the experiences of the last week continue to sink in and strengthen back at home offices across the industry, AndNowUKnow will continue to report findings from this dynamic time. Until next year in Orlando, Florida!

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - Sunrise ShopRite is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the brand-new ShopRite of West Caldwell, a state-of-the-art, nearly 90,000-square-foot supermarket designed to deliver a top-notch, modern shopping experience while also honoring decades of family tradition and commitment to the community. The new store, located at 900 Bloomfield Ave., will officially open its doors on Tuesday, October 21, replacing the store’s former, long-time home at 540 Passaic Ave.

To celebrate, Sunrise ShopRite, the family business that has been part of the West Caldwell community for nearly 85 years, is hosting festivities for local residents and kicking off the celebration with a community concert and "Parking Lot Party" on Sunday, October 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. The party will take place in the parking lot of the new store at 900 Bloomfield Ave. and the event will feature live music from New Power Soul band, food trucks, games, giveaways and family-friendly activities such as a balloon artist, inflatable corn maze, airbrush tattoos, face painting and a Touch-a-Truck experience.

The celebration continues on opening day, Tuesday, October 21, with a community parade and special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. from the former ShopRite location at 540 Passaic Ave. and end at the new store in time for a 9:15 a.m. ribbon cutting, which will include local leaders and dignitaries. All are invited to join the festivities and help welcome the store to its new home.

“It was important to us to include everyone in this grand opening, and we are so excited to celebrate with our friends, neighbors and the entire community as we prepare to open the new ShopRite of West Caldwell,” said Dara Sblendorio, a fourth-generation grocer and President of Sunrise ShopRite, in the recent release. “The new store reflects and recognizes the commitment of our family, our retail teams and the loyal customers who continue to shop with us — many across multiple generations. With this beautiful new store and our same strong pledge to service and quality, we will continue to grow with West Caldwell for years to come.”

The new store is twice the size of the previous location and offers:

• Enhanced Sunrise Kitchens – Freshly prepared meals and favorite recipes, a made-from-scratch Pizza Shop, sushi, Asian cuisine and a hot buffet.
• Sunrise Cellars Wine, Beer & Spirits – Three aisles of curated selections with expert staff to help find the perfect pairing.
• Community Room – A dedicated space for cooking classes, wellness programs and private events.
• Wider aisles and an expanded parking lot for easier, more convenient shopping.
• Fresh Bake Shop with custom cakes and made-from-scratch breads and pastries.
• Full-Service Meat & Seafood Departments with expert butchers and daily-catch deliveries.
• Produce Department featuring a large variety of organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
• ShopRite’s Online Shopping Service – Order.Pickup.Deliver. for ultimate convenience.
• Premium store brands including Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry, and Paperbird.

The ShopRite of West Caldwell has been a beloved family-centered store for generations of shoppers and employees. The former store was also known for its distinctive red pagoda roofline, which was inspired by founder Irving Gladstein’s interest in Japanese architecture and culture. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific theater and made several trips to Japan during his lifetime. Archival photos showcasing the family history in West Caldwell will be on display in the new location to honor the dedication of multiple generations of family members who built and continue to nurture the business. The new store will also include favorite elements and items like the phone booths that are posted outside the current location on Passaic Avenue.

Sunrise ShopRite’s local roots date back to 1940, when Nathan Gladstein opened his first small food store, Sunrise Market, in Caldwell, NJ. Irving, Nathan's son, took over the business after his father’s passing in 1948. He joined the supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. in 1951 and transitioned his Sunrise Market to ShopRite. The West Caldwell ShopRite store on Passaic Avenue opened in 1967, and in 1980, Irving's son Ned expanded the business with the first Parsippany ShopRite location. Today, Dara Sblendorio, Ned’s daughter, serves as president of Sunrise ShopRite, representing the fourth generation of the grocery family.

The new store will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information and updates on the new store, please visit the store’s Facebook page. The existing ShopRite of West Caldwell on Passaic Avenue will close Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms, a leader in berry innovation, is turning up the flavor this Halloween with Berry Scary, a limited-edition 12 oz. package of fresh blueberries and blackberries in spook-tacular, seasonal packaging. Shipping now and creeping into Kroger and select Wakefern stores by mid-October, this scarily-delicious offering is the perfect combination of convenience, taste, and festive fun.

October is the ideal time to showcase berries as a sweet, healthy snacking option, and combining blueberries and blackberries in one package makes it easier than ever for snack monsters of all ages to enjoy both.

“Berry Scary is fun, convenient, and appealing to families looking for healthier treats this season,” said John Johnston, Director of Premium Products at Naturipe Farms, in the recent release. “Retailers who embrace seasonal packaging see a measurable boost in sales, and this launch is designed to do just that. We’re really excited about this project – it’s a great way to lean into the season while continuously putting excellent quality products on the shelves.”

The limited-edition packaging is decorated with a monster mascot and a vertical design; Berry Scary won’t be found hiding in the shadows. The split clamshell keeps the berries separate from shipping to shopping – staying perfectly fresh for all your spooky snacking needs.

While the packaging is limited-time, Naturipe’s delicious and dependable berries aren’t. Thanks to our growing partners throughout North and South America, our berries keep their spellbinding flavor and frightful freshness year-round. As a leader in berry innovation, Naturipe Farms continues to focus on products that delight consumers while supporting retailers’ seasonal promotions. Berry Scary is available for a limited time, so don’t miss the chance to bring these spooky, delicious berries to your store shelves.