- Read more about Tuesday Morning, December 28th, 2021
- Log in to post comments
MONTEREY, CA - July 13 won’t just be marking my birthday this year, as the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2022 is also set to kick off. There will be celebrations aplenty, and now retailers can rejoice as buyer registration prepares to open. On January 10, qualified individuals from retail and direct-to-consumer buying organizations can complete their complimentary registration.
“We are thrilled with the tremendous feedback and response from the organic community since the inception of OPS, and we’re looking to make OPS 2022 the best yet,” said Susan Canales, President. “We’re putting together a dynamic program that features impactful and relevant educational sessions touching on important industry issues and objectives, and a series of keynote presentations from leaders in the organic retail community. Our sold-out trade show floor has been slightly enlarged to accommodate more booths, but we will retain the intimacy and energy our attendees are seeking. We continue to listen to our sponsors and the retail community in putting on the only event that connects producers and buyers of organic fresh produce.”
OPS 2022 will retain a similar format as in the previous five years. This includes an informative series of educational sessions, engaging keynote presentations, and a sold-out trade show floor featuring over 150 organic growers, shippers, and processors from across North America. According to a press release, retailers and buyers will also have the opportunity to tour three distinguished organic fresh produce companies.
Complete details of OPS 2022 will be announced in the coming weeks. General attendee registration for OPS 2022 also opens on February 7.
Be there or be square, as they say! We at ANUK will continue to report on the latest news as this event draws nearer.
LATVIA - Latvian authorities were in for a surprise recently as a retail chain’s security service informed them of suspected drugs concealed within banana boxes. Jumping into action, the State Police seized the packages of white powder to determine what the substance was.
Overall, according to reporting from ENG.LSM.lv, the authorities confiscated 168 packages and began inspecting all other retail outlets of the chain stores. In total, five searches were carried out during the investigation.
After inspecting the packages, State Police believe that the powder within the shipment of bananas is most likely cocaine weighing in at 168 kilograms (approximately 370 lb). The police have also determined that the bananas arrived in Latvia from South America, and all the companies that received bananas from this batch have been identified and inspected.
Thank you to the Latvian authorities who have done their part to keep fresh produce safe from the reprehensible actions of criminals.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Building the perfect lunch or dinner will be a breeze for Albertsons shoppers, as the retailer has implemented a new salad bar concept in-store. Teaming up with Picadeli, Albertsons will leverage a modular store-in-store salad bar concept to deliver convenience and health to the masses. This will be the first time Picadeli is launching in the U.S. market.
“Picadeli has created an innovative, technology-forward solution to address the strong demand for healthy, affordable foods that can be customized quickly,” said Jewel Hunt, Group Vice President of Deli Food Service at Albertsons. “Fresh meal solutions is a category where we are continuing to differentiate our offerings, and by introducing Picadeli, we are giving our customers a great option for healthy meals at an affordable price.”
Picadeli's mission is to make healthy, delicious food accessible to all consumers at a reasonable price point. Covering Albertsons’ banner stores, the concept launched in six Safeway, ACME, and Kings locations across Washington, DC; Maryland; and New Jersey. These award-winning salad bars are in over 2,200 stores across seven countries throughout Europe, a press release noted. The initial sales and feedback from customers in the U.S. has reportedly been incredibly positive.
With sustainability in mind, this salad bar concept is customized per location, with ingredients specifically selected for each market. Its technology helps minimize food waste, reduce labor, lower break-even, and increase profitability. The system’s design consists of hygiene-first materials, technology-enabled shielding hoods, automatic hand sanitizer, and bowl dispensers. The digital management system allows for full traceability, as well as QR-code scanning to ensure products do not stay out longer than allowed.
Picadeli’s retail partners see at least markedly higher sales than traditional salad bars, with improved profitability, the press release noted.
“The lack of convenient, healthy fresh food at an affordable price has created a unique opportunity for grocers to win over consumers who have been left behind by the growth in cheap, less healthy fast food, and expensive fast-casual concepts,” commented Patrik Hellstrand, Chief Executive Officer of Picadeli U.S. “Albertsons is a leader in recognizing the demand for healthy and affordable food by its customers, and we are thrilled to work together to introduce our offering to the U.S. The fast fresh food market is ripe for disruption and innovation, and Picadeli’s proven offering has demonstrated it solves this need for consumers and leading retailers across Europe. We look forward to continuing to deliver on our mission here in the U.S.”
For more on Picadeli and its capabilities, read the press release here. ANUK will keep you in the loop on all things fresh, so don’t go anywhere.
SACRAMENTO, CA - It was a very Merry Christmas for two fast-fingered industry members, as our December issue winners for The Snack Magazine cover contest have been named! We were overjoyed to see the competitive submissions from this round, and had the chance to hear straight from our winners.
Making the supply-side proud, Manny Bracamonte, Sales at Green Life Farms, was one of the first to land in our inboxes with a FOUND the Apple Logo email. Based on his excited grin, we just had to find out what his plans are for the prize money.
“We are in the process of having our home built here in the desert, so that $100 will go toward something my house will need—ceiling fan or window treatment of some sort!” said Manny to ANUK. “It is great to read what’s going on in the industry. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years and enjoy seeing new changes in our industry. We get so caught up in what we do and we think that’s the entire industry, but we are just a piece of the puzzle in this giant industry that feeds the world! Love being a part of it!”
I can only imagine how much goes into such a project, so best of luck to you on this endeavor, Manny!
Danny Ortiz, Quality Assurance Inspector at Sysco, once again nabbed the title of “Snack contest winner,” being named the buy-side champion for our December round of the competition.
“Thank you to ANUK once again for all the good information the whole team provides us with and the hard work they do,” Danny told us. “I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and God bless us all.”
If you didn’t snag our cash prize this round, there’s always the next issue! You can request a subscription to The Snack Magazine here (valued at $129 per year) to get in on the fun for February.
To come in first or second, contest rules require submissions showing your face while pointing at the ANUK logo on the cover of The Snack Magazine. The countdown does not begin until we announce the contest in our newsletter, and the subject line of your email must state “FOUND the Apple Logo.”
Congratulations to our winners! We’ll see you next round.
HOUSTON, TX - It’s amazing how cross merchandising ideas can come to light. Take, for example, the collaboration between Sunkist Growers and Tajín Seasonings, both of which have created an innovative display for the Rose Parade® Floatfest in Pasadena, California, slated for January 1 and 2. Highlighting how complementary Sunkist® citrus and Tajín are when paired together, the two companies have made it clear that these two products are a match made in retail heaven.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the annual celebration and tradition of the Rose Parade’s Floatfest. Sunkist will be there, alongside Tajín, to sample our delicious California-grown citrus with the great taste of Tajín’s chile and lime seasonings,” stated Sunkist’s Senior Director of Marketing, Christina Ward.
According to a press release, the highlight of the Sunkist and Tajín display is the ability for participants to sample fresh Sunkist Navel orange segments with an option to sprinkle Tajín on top. That sounds like a win to me!
“Tajín is the leading seasoning for fresh fruits and vegetables in North America, and we are always looking for new and exciting ways to create experiences for Tajín consumers to enjoy our products,” added Juan Carlos Limon, Marketing Manager, Tajín USA. “We know Sunkist is the leader in the citrus category, and we have launched a terrific opportunity for fans of oranges and Tajín to combine the two for a fun eating and snacking experience during Floatfest.”
Each year, nearly 70,000 visitors head to Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena to see the floats.
That’s a huge chance to make memorable impressions on shoppers! Plus, the Sunkist and Tajín collaboration will extend to in-store promotions at select retail locations.
If that doesn’t make for some holiday magic, I don’t know what does.
SALINAS, CA - After a few days off, it’s always a treat to start the week with new hire stories, especially when they spotlight sales leaders. For Ippolito International, the grower is once again expanding its sales team by adding Jeff Feldeisen as a Sales and Commodity Manager.
This Salinas Valley, California, native brings over two decades of produce experience to the role. He began his career working in operations in the fields. He started as an Inspector for Foodsource, which is now known as Robinson Fresh, and America West Distributing. After several years, he was promoted into a sales role.
From Foodsource, he went to Dole Fresh Vegetables, where he has spent the last eighteen years. At that company, he ultimately progressed to District Sales Manager and Commodity Manager.
Dan Canales, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Processing, commented on the recent appointment.
"We are excited to bring Jeff into our fold,” remarked Canales in a recent press release. "The day-to-day management of commodities, which requires focus and responsiveness, is so important here at Ippolito. Jeff brings an abundance of experience in this regard. At the same time, Jeff has high marks as far as professionalism and customer management—so Jeff checks off these two boxes very nicely! We consider him a perfect fit."
Ippolito International also promoted Greg Heinz to Director of Sales and Commodity Management at this time.
In his new Director role, Heinz will oversee the sales department in terms of daily customer and commodity management, working with the team on pricing and supply. He will also support Canales in overall customer strategy and contract management.
Congratulations from all of us here at AndNowUKnow to both Jeff Feldeisen and Greg Heinz on their new roles!
MEXICO - Even as we approach the crux of one holiday season, another will be on us before we know it. The New Year is hardly ringing before our industry is abuzz about the coming Big Game, and few produce items hold a permanent place on the game-day table like avocados.
Gary Caloroso, Regional Business Development Director for Giumarra Companies, took some time to share insights on green fruit coming in from our neighbors to the South.
“Mexico should have a steady supply of avocados throughout the winter season. We expect ample retail and foodservice promotions throughout the holidays, football playoffs, and the Big Game,” Gary assures me, though the road from here to there is not perfectly paved.
The avocado savant adds that some groves will have less volume and smaller sizing compared to last year due to hail and other weather-related challenges, yet concerns are not raised for retail promotions.
“Avocados From Mexico has a multi-faceted marketing support program that also includes advertising, digital marketing, and public relations. In 2022, we expect the first shipments of avocados from Jalisco to start arriving in the United States in June,” he says confidently.
So, prepare for the cross-merchandising blitz even as we begin to wrap up the holiday season and the year!
BENSON, NC - Foodies and sweetpotatoes are a match made in heaven. Foodservice operators have long seen the appeal of the sweetpotato, which is why the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission’s (NCSPC) news celebrated its long-awaited Eat Sweet Restaurant Week. Inviting chefs across the state to whip up creative ways to elevate the state’s vegetable, the NCSPC is making sure sweetpotatoes stay on menus.
“We were hoping to not only help support our state’s independent restaurants but to also raise awareness for our favorite vegetable with the aid of our incredibly talented and creative North Carolina chefs, and they delivered,” remarked Michelle Grainger, Executive Director. “We know that the sweetpotato is one of the most versatile vegetables out there, and our wonderful culinary partners were able to show that in spades to restaurant patrons everywhere!”
According to a press release, the event was made possible in part through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA & CS). Besides raising awareness of the multiple applications of the sweetpotato, the event sought to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses.
In the end, the promotion captured participation from 29 different restaurants.
“We saw everything from sweetpotato pie lattes to smoothies, beers, and cocktails, not to mention soups, salads, tacos, hummus, risottos, BBQ Sauce, curries, and so much more,” continued Grainger. “No matter the time of day a diner was looking for something to eat, they were provided choices at all price points and numerous cuisine styles. It was absolutely exciting and hopefully inspiring to consumers to try some of these dishes at home.”
Besides showcasing chef artistry and creativity, the promotion also encouraged a friendly competition among the restaurants participating. The NCSPC offered its own prize worth $2500 to those who won.
With the promotion’s success, the NCSPC hopes to bring it back in the future with an even larger number of participating restaurants.
May the sweetpotato’s reign live on!
NEW YORK, NY - Square Roots, an indoor farming company, recently unveiled a new brand identity, featuring new product packaging, logo, and visual tone to amplify its mission.
“Consumers everywhere are increasingly demanding fresh, locally grown food at their grocery store,” said Tobias Peggs, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Our new brand identity clearly emphasizes that Square Roots meets those needs. We are all about increasing the availability of local, fresh greens that our farmers grow with love.”
Square Roots’ new logo, a press release explained, aims to balance technical precision of the company’s smart-farm platform with organic forms of the food it grows. The company also wanted to emphasize through imagery its core values of authenticity and transparency.
The new brand system was collaborated on with independent strategy and design company COLLINS.
“To tell the full Square Roots story, we needed an ownable design with high appetite appeal,” said Mariana Gorn, Design Director at Square Roots. “Every visual aspect—from our logo, packaging, color palette, photography, and more—needed to reflect the vitality of our produce and the care with which we grow. The result is a refreshed brand system that celebrates how Square Roots bridges technology and nature to grow and deliver delicious, local food, responsibly, all year round.”
The new packaging features a vertical label orientation and serves as a nod to Square Roots’ beginnings in vertical farming. The thinner label format showcases more of the company’s product with a clear, bold type designed to stand out on the shelf. The company’s produce is 100 percent traceable with a scannable QR code on every package, allowing consumers to see how, where, and who grew their greens.
In addition to its new branding, Square Roots debuted new salad mixes and expanded herb offerings to meet growing demand. This includes its new Spring Mix and Super Mix, and herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley.
Big things ahead for this indoor farming operation!