LOS ANGELES, CA - A well-known name in the produce industry, Howard Nager has nearly 40 years of experience at his back. The produce vet announced earlier this year that he was exploring new business opportunities, and it looks as though he’s found his next venture. Recently appointed Pacific Trellis Fruit’s new Director of Marketing and Business Development, Nager will be a key part of the company’s future strategy.
"I am extremely excited to join the team at Pacific Trellis Fruit and feel that it is a great fit with my qualifications and personality," Nager remarked of his appointment. "They are well known for their innovative quality products marketed under the Dulcinea® brand, top-tier customer service, and a dedicated workforce focused on pursuing excellence. I look forward to working with our team to extend the widely recognized Dulcinea brand beyond melons and, more recently, grapes and cherries to additional items that will bring value to the supply chain."
A press release explained that in his new role, Nager will build robust marketing campaigns and promotions to further educate consumers on Pacific Trellis Fruit's exclusive high-flavor varieties.
"We are excited to have someone of Howard's caliber and experience joining the company. He is an excellent collaborator and has remained customer-focused throughout his career in fresh produce," said Josh Leichter, Chief Executive Officer. "His leadership will play a significant role in executing our strategy and achieving our vision."
In this role, Nager will also work with the team to build industry relationships to develop new business opportunities. In turn, this will strengthen Pacific Trellis's existing relationships with customers across the United States and Canada.
His marketing and business development experience goes back over 38 years. He most recently served as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Progressive Produce. Pacific Trellis noted that his talent and know-how will be most welcome in this position.
To say hello to Howard and the team, stop by the Pacific Trellis Fruit booth #219 at the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure in Orlando, Florida.
Congratulations to Howard on this new role!
DONNA, TX - While the industry prepares to meet once more down in Orlando, Florida, at Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure, I got in touch with Tommy Wilkins at Grow Farms Texas to get a sneak peek into what this Texan grower has in store. One showcase that I’m personally excited about: mangos.
“We are kicking off our mango season and looking to plan the next few months,” Tommy, the grower’s Director of Sales and Business Development, shares with me. “Both the round and yellow mangos are starting new crops, and we see a lot of opportunities in front of us.”
I can already smell the sweet scent of mangos in the produce aisle. And while I might be fantasizing, Grow Farms is ensuring that dream—one I feel most other consumers have—is coming to fruition for the retailer looking to fulfill it. Some of those opportunities include new and expanded growing regions—which I’m sure you’ll find more about at the show. These regions present new ways for Grow Farms to meet demands both for consumers and the buy-side.
“Grow Farms is always looking for ways to better provide solutions for our retail and foodservice partners,” explains Tommy. “This year, we’re looking forward to reconnecting face to face with an industry that has been grounded in many ways the past two years. SEPC’s Southern Exposure gives us the opportunity to get back into conversations and to take into account all the changes that have transpired over the past two years, both on our side and on our partners' side.”
At Southern Exposure, attendees will be met with educational panels, booths, and a host of much-needed networking galore. The show provides opportunities for industry members to learn new innovations and to discuss current changes. For Tommy and the Grow Farms gang, they can’t wait to soak up both the knowledge and excitement.
“As we come out of all the COVID-related implications, I’m interested in learning how we can re-engage with consumers and how to drive higher consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables,” Tommy says. “SEPC has a wonderful day of education on Friday, and the show always provides valuable insight into our ever-changing industry. I’m very excited to get back on the ground and to see everyone again face to face.”
A sentiment, I’m sure, that’s felt throughout the entire industry. As the excitement continues to build, ANUK will report on what’s to come.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Amplifying its mission of bringing fresh produce access and nutrition education to communities across the nation, Brighter Bites has announced the expansion of its network. The organization has entered a new partnership with produce purveyor Food Forward, adding Los Angeles, California, as the eighth location where the organization will serve students and families.
“We are thrilled to be able to further our reach in California,” said Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Bites. “We are extremely thankful for the backing from Food Forward and our other local partners in the greater Los Angeles area along with the produce industry as a whole and look forward to continuing to grow our reach across the country.”
Through this expansion, Brighter Bites aims to improve the health of students and families in the Los Angeles area by providing nutrition education and access to free and fresh produce weekly, marking the second California city that Brighter Bites serves, following Salinas, with additional programs expected to launch later this year.
According to a press release, this partnership is made possible through funding from CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California a SNAP-Ed program, as well as Food Forward, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, and New Heights Charter School.
Through the alliance, Food Forward will support these Los Angeles schools with the procurement of 6,000 to 12,000 pounds of fresh produce per week, in addition to logistical support.
“The launch of this new partnership with Brighter Bites allows Food Forward to leverage our food and environmental expertise by meeting communities where they are to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to families in underserved areas,” said Rick Nahmias, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Food Forward. “Through our plant-based model, we hope to build awareness on health equity by educating communities about their own health, along with the environment and economic impact of their food choices.”
Food Forward uses a mix of staff and volunteer-led programs to recover and distribute upwards of 60 million pounds of fresh produce to community partners that serve people experiencing food insecurity.
To bring these benefits to Los Angeles, Brighter Bites has partnered with six Los Angeles-based schools which will serve around 900 families with over 144,000 pounds of fresh produce, as well as scheduled 120 nutrition education lessons to support the community in its quest for better health decisions. The organization expects these numbers to grow throughout the year.
“What I like about the nutrition education is that it's super easy and accessible. Getting produce into the classroom was really exciting for the kids as well as the teachers!” commented Yessenia Rivas-Hernandez, Family Services Coordinator, Camino Nuevo Castellanos Charter Academy. “We’re already seeing Brighter Bites making a positive impact on our community as families are talking about what they are going to make with the produce provided.”
As Brighter Bites continues to evolve and expand, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.
IRVINE, CA - The Voices of the Valley podcast is continuously shining a light on various aspects of the industry, discussing key topics in an effort to keep the fresh produce industry evolving and moving forward.
On this past month’s episodes, Dennis Donohue, Director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, and Candace Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of GreenVenus, spoke with three agricultural leaders to explore how they are working to ensure the nation maintains a safe food supply amidst heightening challenges.
President of California Citrus Mutual Casey Creamer joined the podcast to speak about bridging the gap between government, consumers, and farmers and utilizing science and automation to create a path that is beneficial to all.
In an episode titled “How to Establish Trust When it Comes to Food Safety,” Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director of the Center for Produce Safety, also provided insights, talking about the necessary steps to establish science-backed trust between growers, regulators, and consumers.
During a two-part interview, Orange County Produce Owner and Former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura discussed the future of agriculture and hard-learned lessons of the past, as noted in a press release.
“It’s going to be easier to end hunger than ever before,” Kawamura said. “Since World War II, we’ve had the capacity to feed the whole planet but, country by country, we just haven’t had the will to do it.”
As more key topics are highlighted and discussed on the Voices of the Valley podcast, ANUK will be here to update.
ONTARIO, CANADA - For buyers looking to optimize tomato category success, you’re in luck! Red Sun Farms has a diverse lineup of tomatoes that is driving demand amongst consumers, and the supplier is gearing up to showcase its highly successful Sweetpops snacking tomatoes at Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure.
“This variety is all about delivering an explosion of flavor in a snack-size tomato,” Harold Paivarinta, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development, tells me about the unique offering. “This sweeter-than-sweet snacking tomato has already established a dedicated consumer following that has connected with the brand and redefined the expectation of sweetness in tomatoes. The packaging on this new variety has created a connection with shoppers and makes the exploration of this tomato a unique experience.”
In addition, Red Sun Farms will be showcasing its Sweets Family, Artisan Series, Organic Series, and some of its club store offerings during the event.
“The master growers at Red Sun Farms have selected varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers that will delight and exceed customers’ flavor expectations,” Harold says. “At Red Sun Farms, we pride ourselves in owning every step of the process, from hand-selecting our seeds, propagation at our farms, greenhouse operations, harvesting, packing, and distribution. This vertically integrated business model ensures that we meet the demand for quality, food safety, flavor, and supply throughout the year.”
Complementing its robust portfolio, the supplier will also be highlighting its sustainability initiatives as it has set a focus on developing sustainable solutions to align its business with retailers’ environmental goals.
To find out all the purveyor has to offer, you’ll have to stop by booth #932 on the trade show floor.
“The Red Sun Farms team is incredibly excited to be onsite and reconnecting with our colleagues and retail partners in Orlando,” Harold concludes. “SEPC has always delivered a show filled with connections, innovation, a renewed energy to build and grow customer programs, and an opportunity for new educational tools.”
For more insights in the lead-up to Southern Exposure, keep following along with AndNowUKnow.
WATSONVILLE, CA - There’s a feeling of accomplishment when you see yourself on a big screen. I’m assuming that is how the Driscoll’s team is feeling as they anticipate its Watch Party for food-focused documentaries at the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival. The grower’s award-winning documentary, “The Last Harvest,” will give viewers a rare glimpse into the critical labor shortage problem in the agricultural industry—and the challenges facing those who grow and harvest our food.
“Driscoll’s is a proud sponsor of the Food Film Viewing Parties at SXSW, and we’re grateful the festival is a powerful platform for us to share our documentary, ‘The Last Harvest,’” Driscoll’s President of the Americas Soren Bjorn commented. “Driscoll’s will always be an advocate for immigrants and farmworkers. We need to shed light on the need for meaningful immigration reform.”
The documentary will be screened Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. CDT as part of the Food Film Viewing Parties at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with Bjorn as well as Food Tank’s Danielle Nierenberg.
According to the company’s release, "The Last Harvest" was produced in 2019 and released at regional film festivals. It was then brought to streaming site Vimeo in November 2021.
The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the hopes, hardships, and uncertain futures of three family growers and the lives of those harvesting food in the 21st century. Additionally, the film explores how immigration reform, an improved guest worker program, and innovation and collaboration can provide solutions to current labor issues.
Presented and sponsored by Driscoll’s, Food Tank, SXSW, and Huston-Tillotson University, the screening of “The Last Harvest” will be available by registering here. It will not be available for screening outside of the dedicated sponsorship at Huston-Tillotson University.
Viewers interested in supporting immigration reform can take action via the National Immigration Forum, which urges Congress to provide a pathway to legalization for undocumented farmworkers and enhance the H-2A guestworker program.
Keep reading ANUK for more advocacy and initiatives supporting our industry.
DALLAS, TX - Approaching two decades in the produce industry providing vital marketing services, DMA Solutions is evolving its organization with new succession and expansion plans. With these blueprints in place, the company revealed that Megan Zweig has been promoted to President, Mackenzie McLeod has been made Executive Director of Brand Management, and Dan’l Mackey Almy will serve as Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
“I’m so proud of this company and what we’ve accomplished in the fresh produce industry over the past 18 years,” said Mackey Almy. “I’ve never been more confident in the team we have in place at DMA and am certain the roles and structure we’ve established through our five-year strategic plan have prepared us well for the company’s expansion.”
As the Founder and CEO, Mackey Almy will be responsible for guiding the company’s culture, vision, and values, a press release noted. Also part of the succession plan, other key positions have been created to help guide company growth. These leadership developments include promoting Lauren Miller to the Director of Public Relations and Hannah Wadley to the Director of People and Operations.
Released alongside the company’s succession plans, DMA’s expansion strategy involves widening the company’s reach into fresh produce-adjacent industries. This includes restaurants, better-for-you food products, floral, nonprofits, and associations.
“Our mission to increase demand for fresh fruit and vegetables will remain steadfast,” added Zweig. “We are eager to continue serving companies within and adjacent to the fresh produce industry to increase people’s access to fresh food through strategic, deliberate marketing activity.”
As DMA puts these plans into action, how will the marketer grow its presence across the industry? Look for AndNowUKnow in your inbox for updates.
BLANDON, PA - Vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets continue to gain momentum amongst consumers, and for buyers looking to up their fresh-forward, plant-based offerings, Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure is the place to be. As the show kicks off, Giorgio Fresh will be showcasing its newest product, Giorgio’s Kitchen™ Shredded Portabella, in two enticing flavors.
“We are looking forward to engaging with the industry in person once again, and showcasing our new products at the SEPC show,” said Greg Sagan, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We will be featuring our Giorgio’s Kitchen Shredded Portabella product, with two innovative flavors: BBQ and Sriracha. Come check us out at the show and take a look at our new product and packaging!”
The plant-based meat alternative features a delicious blend of meaty-textured Portabella Mushrooms in a savory barbecue sauce or spicy sriracha-flavored sauce. With a naturally satisfying and hearty meat-like texture, the products meet consumer demands for cleaner, meat-free solutions that are healthy and delicious.
Clean and simple and made with hand-picked Portabella mushrooms from Giorgio Fresh’s farms, these unique offerings provide a nutritious diet swap for today’s health-conscious consumer, elevating the produce section with a clean and natural plant-based meat alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor. The Shredded Portabella comes in 12 oz cartons and pairs perfectly with sandwiches, tacos, nachos, wraps, noodle and rice bowls, potatoes, and more.
To find out how you can strengthen the mushroom category with the help of Giorgio Fresh’s portfolio, don’t forget to check out booth #1043 at Southern Exposure.
Stay tuned for more industry updates from AndNowUKnow!
DELANO, CA - Premium and packed full of flavor and opportunities, the table grape category is always a priority conversation—especially if a supplier has its roots in the diverse growing regions of California. Enter Castle Rock Vineyards, a company that continues to raise the bar on its product, portfolio, and customer relationships. With the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure just days away, Sales Manager Laura Berryessa joined me to talk shop and about her excitement around the upcoming show.
“Southern Exposure provides an ideal environment for engaging face-to-face with our customers and partners to exchange views and thoughts on the upcoming year,” Laura shared with me. “We're looking forward to a great California season and a good crop with increased supplies. The Castle Rock team is also working closely with our customers to address the industry challenges of today and find a balance in the conversation around operating and growing costs as well as labor and transportation.”
Today’s growers, packers, and shippers are facing a multitude of headwinds, but planning ahead can help to ease some of these concerns. As Laura told me, it’s never too early to start talking about the upcoming Castle Rock California table grape season, which kicks off in Coachella during the end of May.
Planning early allows buy-side customers to utilize the full resources and program of Castle Rock Vineyards. With such dynamic changes in recent years, it is important to lay a groundwork strategy so retailers can respond to the high consumer demand indicative of the table grape category.
“As we continue to evolve and respond to the needs of today, we are also implementing new elements to the program, including trialing a new variety in Coachella,” Laura said. “We plan to share the latest details on the progress as well as the overall advantages and benefits of Castle Rock’s premium, high-quality portfolio at Southern Exposure.”
With the goal of growing and shipping the best grapes for its partners, Castle Rock remains incredibly invested in staying on the leading edge of growing practices and market solutions.
To learn more about Castle Rock Vineyards and the company’s features, advantages, and benefits, please stop by booth #702 at Southern Exposure March 3–5, 2022! Our AndNowUKnow team will see you there!
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Only a few days away from Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure trade show, and exhibitors like Zespri™ are barely able to cloak their enthusiasm as they provide sneak peeks of what's in store for attendees. This year, the kiwifruit purveyor will be on deck to discuss promotional planning before its fruit starts shipping mid-May, with development managers at the ready to talk about customized retail programs, new shipper displays, and a new digital marketing campaign.
“We are excited for retailers to visit our booth so we can thank them for a great season last year and start planning for 2022,” said Susan Noritake, Head of Sales for the North American market. “Zespri is the #1 selling kiwi brand and is the third fastest growing category in the fruit bowl; and Zespri SunGold™ Kiwi accounts for 61 percent of the category’s growth. Our goal is to help retailers grow their sales by utilizing our marketing resources, building bigger and more prominent displays, and to share our consumer campaign designed to drive shoppers to their stores.”
When attendees swing by Zespri’s booth, they will get an up-close look at the company’s merchandising displays that feature customized, proprietary clamshells that not only stand out on the shelf but are stackable for easy merchandising.
According to a release, Zespri’s new shipper displays feature updated graphics as well, making them even more eye catching in the produce department and easier to find for consumers searching for the popular Zespri SunGold Kiwis.
“Retailers can increase their sales up to 200 percent by placing these merchandisers in their produce section,” added Noritake.
These new graphics will highlight elements of the company’s Go Sweet. Be Bold integrated consumer marketing campaign, which encourages shoppers to break free from the mundane and shake up their fruit bowls with SunGold kiwifruit. The campaign includes a digital component featuring social media, email, online video, and display advertising in addition to driving trial with Ibotta.
“We are looking forward to the SEPC live event to start planning with retailers ahead of the season start,” continued Noritake. “Building on the success of last season is even more promising with our exciting new programs and displays.”
To get the chance to see everything Zespri has up its sleeve yourself, stop by booth #320.