GLENNVILLE, GA - Believe me when I say G&R Farms is no stranger to category innovation. As the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) anticipated Southern Innovations show nears, the Georgia-based onion grower is gearing up to share the opportunities sparked by a successful Vidalia® harvest complemented by a strong start to the Peruvian sweet onion season.

“This year, we’ll be showcasing premium products and initiatives, such as our reliable supply of quality sweet onions year-round, including our famously sweet Vidalia onions and our winter Peruvian sweet onions,” explains Steven Shuman, General Manager and Vice President of Sales. “We will also be highlighting our upgraded capabilities and equipment, supplying more consistent, higher-quality onions in a fraction of the time with our new, state-of-the-art processing equipment.”

As Steven shares with me, 2024 has been an exceptional year for Vidalia onions, with one of the best seasons in recent history. The high quality and ample volume, combined with more favorable weather this growing season, have made it possible to extend the Vidalia harvest well into September, ensuring a smooth transition to the supplier’s Peruvian sweet onion season.

This successful growing season has also allowed the onion producer to focus on the outcomes of its ambitious sustainability trials, which are delivering impressive water and input savings without compromising its yields.

With these operational strengths in play, G&R is entering its 2024 Peruvian sweet onion season on a high note, with this year’s crop currently looking fantastic.

“Our Peruvian sweet onion program has been a cornerstone of our operations for nearly 15 years, allowing us to deliver consistent, high-quality sweet onions that meet demand during the Vidalia off-season,” Steven adds. “Our Peruvian sweet onions are known for their mild, sweet flavor and are grown with the same commitment to quality and sustainability that has defined G&R Farms' long-standing reputation.”

This comprehensive program not only ensures year-round availability of sweet onions but also reflects G&R Farms’ dedication to providing consistent, premium produce.

“G&R Farms is a third-generation family farm. This is our passion, and we’ve been serving many of our customers since 1945. We take great pride in our work and our product, as evidenced by our many long-term partnerships,” Steven concludes. “We are constantly working to improve product consistency, quality and taste, soil health, working conditions, sustainability efforts, and processes. At G&R Farms, we’re always working toward our commitment to sustainability to pave the way for a successful next generation.”

Be sure to check out G&R Farms’ top-quality sweet onion offerings at booth #224 during the Southern Innovations show!

ISSAQUAH, WA - As we reported in July, Costco announced an increase in its annual membership fees. This increase went into effect September 1, 2024.

As CNN reported, this is the first cost increase for membership since 2017. When it announced the new policy update, the retailer explained that membership fees would increase by $5 to $65 a year in the United States and Canada.

This update goes into effect across three plans: Gold Star, Business, and Business Add-On. The changes started for new members signing up on or after September 1 and renewals occurring after that date, CNN added.

Additionally, the price of Costco’s premium Executive Membership also went up by $10 to $130 a year. For these members, though, they will soon be able to earn a maximum of $1,250 in rewards annually versus the current $1,000.

Costco stated that approximately 52 million memberships will be impacted, a little over half of which are Executive Memberships.

Will this update have any effect on Costco’s next earnings? AndNowUKnow will find out.

TEXAS - Texas might be a large state, but H-E-B is rapidly expanding throughout it. This week, the grocer announced the acquisition of property in Irving with plans to open its inaugural H-E-B store in the Las Colinas area as it expands through North Texas. Plans are also in place for stores in Melissa, Prosper, and Rockwall.

“H-E-B has been a Texas institution for almost 120 years, and it’s a pleasure to welcome them home to Irving along with 700 new jobs for our workforce. Our community offers an excellent quality of life that includes best-in-class amenities, and the addition of H-E-B reinforces this with its broad array of grocery options at affordable prices,” said Rick Stopfer, Irving Mayor. “Irving’s central location in the metroplex will also give area residents easy access to H-E-B. We are grateful to the H-E-B team for their partnership and for our collaborative efforts with the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, the Irving Economic Development Partnership, and all our community stakeholders who made this announcement possible.”

This development marks the first H-E-B location in Dallas County, although the chain already boasts Central Market and Joe V stores in Dallas. Furthermore, H-E-B has over a dozen properties in the region, all awaiting further development, according to NBC Dallas.

The expansion into Irving is part of H-E-B's ambitious plan to introduce its affordable grocery store concept to the area by the end of 2025, with the launch of a new Joe V’s Smart Shop. The 57,920-square-foot Joe V’s Smart Shop project is anticipated to cost over $10 million, as detailed in a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

H-E-B opened a store in Frisco just over two years ago, and since then, the chain has opened additional locations in the region, including in Plano, McKinney, Allen, and Mansfield, with a second Frisco store set to open.

As the retailer continues to grow, ANUK will be here to report on all the latest.

WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms takes a unique approach to cultivating culinary creativity with its annual Chef Invitational and innovation-fueling Chef Invitational Academy. Among the previous Invitational winners in attendance at the Academy was Sodexo’s Chef Sam Blackburn, who shared that the event deepened his connection to the culinary community and inspired him to embrace the berry category even further.

"We designed the Chef Invitational Academy to be more than just a culinary skills workshop," says Tom Smith, Director of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms. "We wanted to empower our chefs to become true champions of their work, to blueberries, specifically, and to inspire their audiences to explore the endless possibilities our fruit offers."

As the winner of the 2020 California Giant Chef Invitational, Blackburn was invited to participate in the inaugural California Giant Chef Invitational Academy this summer, a press release shared. The four-day event placed a focus on personal branding, food photography, food styling, and the journey of blueberries from field to table.

“The tours of California Giant's blueberry operations transformed my perspective of the process. Witnessing the dedication and innovation across all farm sizes, from small family-run operations to large-scale producers, provided an invaluable understanding of the tremendous effort that goes into every berry,” said Blackburn, Senior Technical Culinary Support Manager on Sodexo's Operational Excellence Team. “This appreciation will influence my approach to incorporating California Giant berries into my dishes, allowing me to showcase their high-quality products and the effort that goes into bringing them from field to table.”

Under the guidance of Chef Rosalyn Darling, Blackburn and four other California Giant Top Chef counterparts gained invaluable insights into the culinary world and the potential of berries as a versatile ingredient.

"The styling workshop has influenced my photography and editing," Blackburn said. "Winning the Chef Invitational in 2020 sparked motivation to enter (and win) other competitions, and I've since gained a lot more confidence in my abilities."

As a result of his experience at the California Giant Chef Invitational Academy, Blackburn is more inspired than ever to continue exploring the culinary world and the endless possibilities of berries, the release noted.

Read more about Blackburn’s experience here. And keep reading ANUK for updates on this event and more.

CHARLOTTE, NC - In an update on this story, featured here, the produce leader has officially recruited 125 runners to participate in one of three events at the 2024 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on November 16.

“Dole’s partnership with the Charlotte Marathon simply reinforces what marathoners and other runners everywhere have known for years: Bananas are nature’s perfect pre-, during- and post-race recovery food,” William Goldfield, Dole’s Director of Corporate Communications, said in a previous press release. “In addition to fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and a range of antioxidants, bananas are rich in carbohydrates and a high-energy source that aids in both athletic performance and muscle recovery.”

Dole partnered with Run Charlotte in July to become the Official Banana of the Charlotte Marathon as a way to salute its historic Banana-versary.

As Dole shared in a recent update, the company received an overwhelming number of interested runners within 24 hours and has now shifted its focus to supporting the 125 qualifying participants—as well as runners and fitness enthusiasts everywhere—with pre-race recipes, nutritional advice and reminders of the amazing post-exercise recovery benefits of bananas.

As the official banana provider, Dole will hand out DOLE® Bananas to all runners on Race Day, led by its iconic 7-foot ambassador Bobby Banana. The company is also assembling a Dole Banana Bunch cheering section that will encourage runners on Race Day from a dedicated viewing area.

The produce leader is hosting the Dole Going All Bananas Recovery Tent on Race Day and offering Dole recipes, training tips, and other pre-race resources compiled by Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, Dole’s nutrition, wellness and communications manager, on the DoleRuns webpage. In addition to covering race fees for the Charlotte Marathon, Half-Marathon, or Chick-fil-A 5K, Dole will ask the 125 runners to don an official DoleRuns Charlotte Marathon run shirt.

On your mark, ready, set—click back to ANUK as we continue to dole out more Banana-versary updates.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - Apeel Sciences bolsters its presence in Brazil, Peru, and Chile by appointing two produce vets. Vinicius Biasibetti joins the team as Country Sales Manager for Brazil, and Renzo Ostolaza steps in as Country Sales Manager for Peru and Chile.

"Joining Apeel feels like the perfect culmination of my career journey," said Biasibetti. "I’m excited to contribute to Apeel's mission in Brazil, where there’s immense potential for growth. I plan to harness my experience to build strong partnerships and deliver unparalleled service to our customers."

Biasibetti has a wealth of experience in the global produce industry after beginning his career with a prominent lemon grower and exporter in Argentina. In this space, he managed sales across North European markets. As a release explained, he has expertise in cultivating relationships with importers, retailers, and key stakeholders along the produce supply chain.

As Renzo Ostolaza stepped into his new role of Country Sales Manager for Peru and Chile, he had this to say:

"Apeel represents a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the agribusiness industry," he commented. "I’m thrilled to join a team that’s dedicated to helping customers while committed to sustainability and making a positive difference in the world."

Ostolaza brings a background in mechanical engineering and business administration to this new role. He began his career in the mining industry before transitioning to the agribusiness sector with Chiquita Brands International. His work in logistics, sourcing, and operations across multiple countries, including Chile and Mexico, laid the foundation for his leadership roles in the produce industry.

Congratulations to Vinicius Biasibetti and Renzo Ostolaza on their new roles!