ANAHEIM, CA - To hear Alex Jackson of Frieda’s Branded Produce discuss the company’s latest program, Retail-Ready Tropicals, is to hear a clear, well-rounded vision brought to life. A thorough understanding of consumer marketing and successful branding has helped the Vice President of Sales and Marketing ready an action plan sure to win over buyers and consumers alike.

“Shoppers are hungry for flavor-forward, globally inspired produce that brings energy and color to their carts,” Alex shared before diving into the numbers. “According to C+R research, 54 percent of shoppers are more likely to try a new fruit or vegetable if the branding feels friendly and approachable, and they are encouraged to try something new when the packaging includes recipes or instructions. These findings are key to why our retail-ready packaging works: it meets consumers where they are, creates awareness of items available to them, invites them to consider purchasing the items, and invites discovery and therefore purchases.”

The retail-ready program was built around the idea that packaging should educate and inspire, Alex added, in addition to selling more produce.

“When retailers create a cohesive tropical destination, anchored by branded, easy-to-shop SKUs, they are not just adding items; they are crafting an experience that drives trial and repeat purchase, as well as creates inspiration for shoppers,” she said.

Frieda’s Summer Tropicals currently include the following:

• Alohas™ Ready-to-Break Coconuts
• Tikis® Drinking Coconuts
• Hula’s™ Ready-to-Drink Coconuts
• Honey Dragons® Fruit
• Passion Fruit
• Star Fruit
• Lychee
• Rambutan
• Fire Dragons® Fruit

In addition to this already impressive lineup, I asked Alex if there are plans to expand.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Our approach is rooted in listening to what shoppers want and finding ways to help retailers meet their needs to drive units with healthy, fresh, tasty produce items. While lychee, rambutan, and passion fruit have been strong additions that create buzz with consumers, we’re exploring varieties of new and existing tropical fruits that fit the same model: sweet, enjoyable flavors, shoppable appeal on shelf, and delicious and simple enough to use every day. This is just the beginning of a larger retail-ready destination for tropical discovery.”

Creating buzz in the produce department is par for the course for Frieda’s Branded Produce, but I have to ask Alex about the benefits of adding this destination.

“This program is plug-and-play. It is designed to streamline execution and drive units,” Alex emphasized. “Each item arrives pre-labeled, pre-packaged, and display-ready, saving time for merchandising and making it easier to rotate inventory quickly. These products work well in dedicated tropical sets, refrigerated wet racks, or as eye-catching displays near high-traffic, cross-merchandising areas like front tables or end caps for grab-and-go.”

Due to the functional and educational packaging, shoppers who may not be familiar with items like passion fruit or rambutan can learn to implement these products into their daily lives.

“This reduces shopper hesitation, creates consideration, and increases trial, especially when placed near other tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya,” Alex added. “Ultimately, the program helps retailers turn specialty tropical fruits into a high-performing category that not only adds units, but drives market share and consumer experience in store.”

No matter how you drive it, Frieda’s Branded Produce has created a winning program in its Retail-Ready Tropicals. I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.

KINGSBURG, CA - The summer season calls for a delicious Plumsicle™. Consumers and retailers alike look forward to HMC Farms’ Plumsicle season all year long, as it presents the opportunity to bring a uniquely enticing flavor to shoppers experiencing that summer sweet tooth.

“The flavor profile of a Plumsicle is unlike anything else,” says Chelsea Ketelsen, Director of Marketing, diving into the coveted eating experience provided by this beloved fruit. “It is one of those varieties with a higher than normal brix, but it doesn’t taste sugary sweet. It is full of flavor and intensely fruity, making it something that people remember and are excited to enjoy every year.”

The Plumsicle can technically be considered both a plum and a plumcot, leading HMC Farms to simplify the consumer connection with a sweet-sounding moniker. Both the branding and flavor elevate this offering, contributing to surging category demand.

“Our Plumsicles come in a variety of branded consumer packs, so customers can easily come back for more,” Chelsea explains. “We jokingly tell people to try one today and come back for more tomorrow—but more often than not, that's what happens with a piece of fruit that is this good.”

At a time when shoppers are searching for sweet indulgences to complement the warm weather here in the Northern Hemisphere, now is the perfect time to redirect consumers to the produce department by inspiring them to swap out those popsicles for a mouthwatering plumsicle.

For more seasonal opportunities and insights, keep clicking back to AndNowUKnow.

CORAL GABLES, FL - In a category where origin stories matter, Fresh Del Monte Produce is offering something new: the Del Monte Zero® pineapple, a certified carbon-neutral fruit. Grown with an eye toward reducing environmental impact, it gives retailers a thoughtful way to respond to shifting consumer values—without sacrificing visual appeal or flavor. As sustainability conversations evolve from buzzwords to measurable practices, Del Monte Zero represents a small but meaningful step toward more responsible tropical agriculture.

“Del Monte Zero® pineapples represent Fresh Del Monte's commitment to sustainability,” explains Nuno Baptista Miranda, Senior Brand Manager. “As a global fruit company, we were the first to join the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which is aligned with the 1.5°C climate trajectory.”

This achievement is supported by Fresh Del Monte’s broader sustainability program, which includes biodiversity protection, regenerative agriculture, and efforts to reduce waste and water use throughout the company’s operations.

With its successful sustainability strategies in play, the company reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smarter fertilizer use. This reflects the company’s approach, which includes:

• Regenerative agriculture (already implemented on 40.6 percent of its farms and 29.3 percent of its associated producers, as of 2023)
• Reforestation efforts (approximately 2,487,847 cumulative trees planted from 2016 to 2023, representing 99.5 percent of its goal met)
• Renewable energy (32 percent of global electricity consumption by the end of 2023)

As it looks toward the future, Fresh Del Monte has set several sustainability targets for 2030. These goals include:

• Pushing further emission reductions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, following the early achievement of its maritime fleet goal (–19 percent CO₂ emissions vs. a 10 percent target)
• Renewable energy and circularity:
  • Increasing renewable energy share beyond the 32 percent reported at the end of 2023
  • Looking for viable investment options in solar and biomass
  • Explore alternative materials and designs to reduce the environmental impact of its packaging
• Regenerative agriculture and biodiversity:
  • Scaling ecosystem mapping across all farms
  • By 2030, implement regenerative and soil health management practices in 100 percent of owned and associated growers’ farms

“In short, Del Monte Zero pineapples are both proof of concept for Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability strategy and a growth engine for accelerating transformation across the business,” Nuno adds. “By combining third-party certification, a powerful climate narrative, and clear retail benefits, Del Monte Zero creates a long-term competitive advantage. Optimizing the impact of influencer-powered storytelling, Fresh Del Monte is actively partnering with sustainability-friendly and food influencers, boosting consumer trust and conversion.”

Keep reading ANUK as we cover the latest sustainable innovations to shake up the industry.

SOLEDAD, CA - Braga Fresh, home of Josie’s Organics, recognized partners Whole Foods Market and Four Seasons Produce for their support of the company’s regenerative organic farming trials.

Whole Foods Market, the first retailer to commit to Braga Fresh’s regenerative trial crop of organic sweet baby broccoli in fall 2023, received a commemorative plaque at Organic Produce Summit, presented to Travis Nordgren on behalf of the retailer. Braga Fresh thanked Whole Foods for its early and ongoing commitment to a farming approach that is organic and designed to rebuild soil health and biodiversity.

Four Seasons Produce wholesaler was also recognized with a plaque of appreciation at the Braga Home Ranch in Soledad, Calif., presented to Brian Dey, James Camera, and Jason Ortiz for their support throughout 2024.

The Braga regenerative trial program, now in its fifth year and farming 100 acres, is central to Braga Fresh’s commitment to continuous innovation and environmental stewardship in organic agriculture.

“These partnerships represent what’s possible when mission-aligned companies work together to move new ideas forward,” said Kori Tuggle, vice president of marketing and product development, Braga Fresh, in the recent release. “Their support goes far beyond placing orders; it helps scale our regen trials, deepen our learnings, and shape a future of farming that’s better for both people and the planet. We’re proud to have Whole Foods Market and Four Seasons Produce as partners in this journey.”

For more information about the company and carbon capture farming, visit here.

ONTARIO, CA - Heritage Grocers Group announced a leadership transition, naming industry veteran David Hirz as Chairman of the Board and instituting an Office of the CEO composed of senior leaders. These changes will support the Company’s core mission of serving its communities, long-term growth, and continued operational excellence. Suzy Monford has stepped down from her role as Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer to pursue other opportunities.

David Hirz brings over four decades of grocery retail leadership experience, having served as President at Food 4 Less and Ralphs, and most recently as President and CEO of Smart & Final. He has been a key member of the Heritage Board for the past year, during which time he has developed a keen understanding of Heritage’s differentiated positioning and market dynamics. As Chairman, Hirz will provide strategic oversight and support to the Office of the CEO.

The Office of the CEO will be comprised of the following members of the Company’s senior executive team:

• Prabash Coswatte, Chief Operating Officer
• Leticia Espinoza, Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel
• Matthew Holt, Chief Financial Office
• Frank Ingraffia, Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Tony’s Fresh Market.

“Throughout my time on Heritage’s Board, I have seen firsthand the strength of Heritage’s value proposition and customer loyalty across our banners,” said Hirz in the recent release. “We have a unique ability to serve communities with authenticity – and we’re committed to carrying that forward. The Heritage Board thanks Suzy for her contributions during her time with the Company. I look forward to supporting our team members and the outstanding leaders in the Office of the CEO who will help guide Heritage forward while we search for the right leader who shares our passion for customer service and community for the long term.”

The Board has launched a comprehensive search process for Heritage’s Chief Executive Officer with the assistance of a leading executive search firm to identify the right leader to bring Heritage into its next phase of growth. As the nation’s largest Hispanic-oriented specialty grocer, Heritage is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable food to the customers and communities it serves.

SAN DIEGO, CA - BrightFresh® Microgreens, the nation’s leader in premium retail microgreens, is excited to announce the launch of its refreshed brand identity and newly designed packaging. The company’s updated look and feel reflects a continued commitment to innovation, transparency, and making healthy eating enjoyable and accessible for all.

The redesigned packaging, which will begin rolling out next week at select retail locations, features bright and bold updates aimed at enhancing the customer experience. Key improvements include:

• Color-coded packaging to help consumers easily identify different microgreen varieties on the shelf.
• Clearly listed wash ingredients are displayed on the front label.
• Streamlined back label providing food pairing suggestions.
• Updated labelling for the best-selling Micro Rainbow Mix, now with ingredients listed on the front for greater transparency.

“This new look and feel is the perfect encapsulation of BrightFresh’s mission of bringing the joy of fresh, healthy eating to all,” said Shelby Rodich, Senior Marketing Manager at BrightFresh®, in the recent release. “We’re proud to present a new design that not only stands out on shelves but is representative of our passion for quality and innovation.”

In addition to the updated packaging, BrightFresh® is also debuting a newly designed website to offer customers a cleaner, more user-friendly experience. The website will feature a wide variety of recipes and educational blog posts, providing resources for both retailers and consumers.

The refresh not only reflects a response to consumer expectations but also captures the vibrant spirit of being California-grown. The updated branding uses eye-catching colors and sunny iconography to showcase its sustainable practices, with a focus on the use of natural sunlight year-round.

INDIA - According to Reuters, Costco will open its first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, India. The tech and research-focused hub is expected to launch with 1,000 employees and expand operations over time.

This move aligns Costco with other major players—including Walmart and Target—who have built out significant GCC operations across India. These centers serve core functions such as finance, R&D, and global operations support.

India continues to attract global investment for tech-driven infrastructure. Hyderabad, in particular, has emerged as a preferred location for global retailers seeking scalable, back-end support.

While Costco has not commented on the development, ANUK will stay on top of the story as it unfolds.