FRESNO, CA - In many ways, squash is a chameleon. It can be salty, sweet, savory, or almost anything in between depending on how you season it. That is what makes squash a fantastic category to merchandise during the holidays, as consumers can use the vegetable in just about any recipe they can imagine. Luckily, Baloian Farms offers a plethora of squash varieties to display across your produce aisles this season.
“We are currently forecasting squash supplies to be stable through the holidays,” Jeremy Lane, Sales Manager, says. “The market is aggressively priced, and quality is at a premium. Squash promotions are definitely advisable for retailers.”
With four western distribution facilities that are strategically located throughout California and Arizona, as well as growing regions spanning the Golden State and Baja and Mainland Mexico, Baloian is uniquely positioned to provide its buy-side partners with year-round squash and other core fresh vegetables. The grower also prides itself on experiences tailored to each of its customers in order to help them achieve their sales goals.
So far, Baloian’s squash season is off to a strong start, touting quality across the board—good news for retailers looking to display the company’s squash throughout the holidays.
“Since the beginning of the season, we have enjoyed excellent quality. Model growing conditions existed throughout planting, cultivation, and now through harvest,” continues Jeremy. “Yields will likely come close to projected goals, and post-harvest handling by operations has been fantastic as usual. Our first-rate finished packs are very tough to compete with as they offer very consistent size, shape, and color.”
Ensuring that its squash yields remain competitive, the supplier has diversified its growing districts this season. As Jeremy explains, if one district experiences less-than-optimal conditions for production, Baloian has other districts in production to compensate and keep supplies strong for its partners.
“We are happy that our strategy to bridge one district with another has been successful and agreeable with Mother Nature,” remarks Jeremy. “That way we can continue to keep our customers supplied with product and without any interruptions in service as the season marches on.”
Now, Baloian is wrapping up harvest on its fall plantings of soft squash including zucchini, yellow, and grey varieties, in central Sonora, Mexico, and just started harvesting its winter plantings in Southern Sonora. The grower’s hard squash program featuring Acorn, Butternut, and Spaghetti squash is also well underway in central Sonora and will transition to Sinaloa later in the season.
Ready to squash your winter produce sales goals (pun absolutely intended)? Look no further than Baloian Farms and its high-quality portfolio of year-round categories.
ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco recently reported its operating results for the first quarter of its fiscal 2022, which ended November 21, 2021. The most notable gain was its net sales, which increased 16.7 percent to $49.2 billion from $42.35 billion last year—a total $6.8 billion gain.
According to a release, the net income for the quarter was $1.3 billion, compared to $1.1 billion to the comparable quarter last year. This year did include a tax benefit of $91 million, as well as a write-off of certain technology assets of $118 million pre-tax.
Last year included tax benefits of $145 million, and incremental expenses for COVID-19 premium wages of $212 million pre-tax.
The retailer’s network continues to grow, with operations totaling 828 globally. With its home base standing at 572 warehouses in the United States, we’ll continue to see where the retailer grows—and how fast.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest retail news.
VERO BEACH, FL - Keeping an eye downfield while simultaneously strategizing growth in the present is a major feat of successful companies around the industry. We are happy to reveal that Greenyard is one of them. The international trailblazer has announced its Strategy 2030, including a first outlook on the value this vision will bring to Greenyard and its stakeholders. The company identified the strategic goal of becoming a plant-based powerhouse and delivering on ambitions for 2025, based on the natural progression and its Vision on the Future of Food.
“More and more, people recognize the power and the importance of a healthy, plant-based diet, for our health and for the planet. Close-to-crop food offerings are the cornerstone of our collective future,” Hein Deprez, Co-Chief Executive Officer stated. “And, with Greenyard, we have delivered this from the start; it is in our DNA. Today, we are a global leader in this field. We have a unique capability, through our scale and through our integrated relations with customers and growers, to capture a vital part of this fast-growing market.”
Deprez continued by adding that the company is plant-based, by nature.
“It gives us a head-start and a competitive advantage. Now, as a next step, we will push through in what is clearly the right direction. We will step up our investments in innovation and technology, leveraging the data in the value chain to provide even better products and services to our customers and consumers,” he added.
Here are some of the components of the strategy that are driving the evolution of Greenyard, according to the company:
- Greenyard is at the heart of the transition and trends towards healthy, low processed, plant-based food—a fast-growing market with huge potential
- Over the coming years, Greenyard is targeting further growth through a wider product portfolio of convenient, plant-based products, in combination with digital services
- Greenyard will create headroom for additional investments in plant-based and potential M&A in the coming years, while safeguarding a leverage ratio of 2.0x-2.5x
To read more about the overall goals and updates and to check out the in-depth, three-staged approach of “improve, increase, imagine,” visit the full press release here.
“Ahead of schedule, we delivered what we promised. Today, performance has improved significantly. We demonstrate stability and strength. The Strategy 2030 we announce today, is the next big step. We look ahead and will reconnect with growth,” Marc Zwaaneveld, Co-Chief Executive Officer, expressed. “Greenyard is plant-based at its core and has already more than 1,000 plant-based convenience products in its portfolio. Plant-based is what we do. We are at the heart of change and will accelerate our activities in these products, supported by ongoing digitalization and strong sustainability ambitions. We strongly believe these will be the drivers for a higher growth rate in sales and profitability, complemented by targeted M&A or cooperation—creating additional upsides to our plans.”
What a way to wrap up 2021 and lean into the possibilities of the new year and beyond! Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest on industry growth and opportunities.
FRESNO, CA - First Quality Produce is getting ready for a shindig—or a luau in this case—as it celebrates the debut of its new design for its popular Fruit Luau buckets. Known for its fresh-cut fruits and veggies that are commonly found at hotels, healthcare facilities, schools, casinos, and more, the wholesaler is getting down with a new label that will knock its customers’ socks off.
“Fruit Luau has been a staple in First Quality’s operation since the acquisition in 2014. The buckets’ continued success is the result of our food safety team that works hard to consistently produce a high-quality product that our customers enjoy,” Chief Executive Officer Mike Kahaian stated. “The new design and where First Quality is at today represents not only growth but also the legacy of Amber Foods that we plan to continue for many more years to come.”
The Fruit Luau fruit salad buckets were originally created by Amber Foods, a small family-owned business dating back to 1961, according to a release. First Quality Produce acquired the company, and therefore the fun fruit salad product back in 2014, and is now giving it a modern facelift.
Continuing the tropical theme of the previous packaging, the new labels will feature brighter, more festive colors that represent the bold, delicious flavors waiting for consumers inside. The mix of cubed pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, and grapes comes in 1, 2, or 3-gallon buckets and has a shelf-life of 21 days.
Are you ready to get down with Fruit Luau’s new packaging? Well, you won’t have to wait much longer, as the new design will make its official arrival in January 2022.
For more updates from across the fresh produce industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
THE UNITED STATES - A breakthrough in the supply chain challenge has arrived. Recently, the United States House of Representatives voted to approve the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). This bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), will hopefully provide critical updates to the international maritime transportation system.
In response, several associations issued statements.
“Passage of this legislation in the House of Representatives with such resounding bipartisan support is a testament to the efforts of leaders throughout the fresh produce industry to speak with one voice on the need for reform to our current system,” said United Fresh President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Stenzel. “We look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to get this important piece of legislation passed quickly.”
United Fresh outlined the ways in which OSRA will help alleviate supply chain pain points. According to a release, the Act is designed to:
- Enforce the FMC’s Interpretive Rule on Detention and Demurrage, from March 2020. This is necessary because ocean carriers continue to ignore the FMC’s Rule, at great cost to the U.S. economy
- Stop ocean carriers from continuing to decline export bookings—U.S. port data confirms that while these carriers are carrying more containers to and from U.S. ports than ever before, fewer containers are loaded with U.S. exports, than at any time since 2015—stranding U.S. exports
- Limit carrier activities that exacerbate the supply chain crisis—in fact, creating more unnecessary problems in the system
- Limit the number of chassis available to carry the containers
- Encourage more participation in port authority initiatives to establish data portals necessary to reduce truck traffic, container stacks, and congestion
- Address issues relating to failing to provide exporters and importers with accurate arrival, departure, and cargo loading timetables
Western Growers President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Puglia issued the following statement in regards to the news.
“Western Growers is very pleased to see the House overwhelmingly pass H.R. 4996, which will help ensure fairer shipping practices and standards for our agricultural exports,” he remarked. “The ongoing supply chain and marine port challenges are restricting our farmers’ ability to reach overseas opportunities. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 provides much-needed improvements to the maritime shipping environment, which has increasingly become too unpredictable and costly for our exporters to remain competitive.”
He continued, expressing his gratitude for the bipartisan approach to this issue.
“I thank Reps. Garamendi and Johnson for their bipartisan leadership on this issue. We look forward to similar swift action from the Senate, and we will continue to engage federal and state officials on additional relief measures to help alleviate this supply chain mess,” Puglia expressed.
Western Growers also commented that the OSRA will ensure that carriers (e.g. container shipping lines) may not unreasonably decline to export cargo if it can be loaded safely and arrive timely. It will require carriers to provide notice of cargo availability, container return locations, and adequate notice of dates when the export container must arrive at the terminal, and will also require said carriers to provide the exporter with specific information to justify any imposed demurrage-detention charges, provide a reasonable dispute resolution process, and certify compliance with existing federal regulation.
OSRA will also prohibit retaliation by carriers against shippers that file complaints with the Federal Maritime Commission.
The National Retail Federation also issued a statement in response to OSRA’s passage.
“The Shipping Act has remained unchanged for nearly 20 years, as the global supply chain has continued to grow and evolve to meet increased consumer demand. This bipartisan legislation provides much-needed updates and reform to an archaic system that retailers and thousands of other businesses depend on each day to transport goods,” the association remarked. “These improvements could not come at a more critical time, as the amplification from the pandemic has been severe. We thank Reps. Garamendi and Johnson for their leadership and the House for their swift vote to approve this measure. We encourage the Senate to follow suit.”
We will continue to follow the latest, so please stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
United Fresh Produce Association Western GrowersNational Retail Federation
LOS ANGELES, CA - Each of the sparkling red and gold ornaments that currently decorate my Christmas tree tend to make my mouth water. Not because I am part Grinch and have an affinity for glass, but because they emulate the eye-catching appearance of Envy™ apples. Thanks to significant investments in campaigns and other efforts to boost brand awareness, the premium variety remains the best-selling apple brand this holiday season.
“Envy apples are a consumer favorite all year round, and with their exceptional quality, balanced sweetness, crisp crunch, and beautiful red color, the holidays are a natural time for them to stand in the spotlight,” Cecilia Flores Paez, T&G Global Head of Marketing for North America commented. “Our highly visible, strategic campaigns reach shoppers where they are and when they are making their purchase decisions. We are pleased to support holiday sales and drive shoppers to stores with Envy at the top of their shopping lists.”
The iconic apple variety is marketed by Oppy, CMI Orchards, and Rainier Fruit Company. In Q4 2021, the apple got a head start as a fan-favorite holiday offering due to its high-impact promotions, according to a press release. Further boosting the beloved brand, T&G Global has also engaged consumers in a nationwide omnichannel holiday campaign spotlighting the variety as “The Ultimate Holiday Apple.”
The multifaceted campaign highlights the premium apple in a variety of ways:
- From October 22 through December 26, Envy apples are being featured in conjunction with Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas,” the network’s annual series of all-new original holiday films
- Envy is a leading sponsor of Hallmark Channel’s Very Merry Giveaway, which has to date reached over 60 million page views and received more than 31 million entries
- Envy is also being promoted in key market areas via geo-targeted YouTube pre-roll advertising, radio, and billboards that drive shoppers to stores
- PR activities promoting a series of Envy holiday recipes have earned over 325 million impressions to date
- In-person retail sampling and Envy experiential marketing add product trial to the mix this year with high-profile community events and holiday activities
- Influencer engagement and television appearances include new seasonal recipes by The Produce Moms and holiday entertaining tips by renowned dietitian Annessa Chumbley
The Envy apple 2 lb holiday pouch bags and digital and physical POP materials promote the Very Merry Giveaway sponsorship with striking graphics, and a custom QR code takes shoppers to an online hub where they can enter for a chance to win daily prizes, access tasty snack recipes, or locate Envy apples in stores nearby.
If the holiday spirit is alive and well in your produce department, keep it flourishing with this coveted variety all season long.
ST. PAUL, MN - Amid ongoing supply chain disruptions, Verdant™ Technologies is looking to release the pressure valve across the industry with its innovative solutions. To help in its mission, the company announced the appointment of Matthew Aronson to Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately.
“The demands of today’s consumer—freshness, value, convenience—together with growing supply chain pressures and a looming climate crisis, give rise to the need for a more sustainable food system. We all have a role to play, and it starts with thinking differently and finding new ways to collaborate and leverage technology that benefits all stakeholders,” said Aronson. “I’m honored to join the team at Verdant, where I look forward to working with our partners to bring innovative solutions to the market.”
In his new position, Aronson will lead all sales activity for Verdant to help drive global growth, as noted in a release. He will report directly to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Robertson, as he carries out these functions.
Prior to joining Verdant, Aronson spent seven years at Apeel, where he was most recently Senior Director of Major Accounts. During his tenure with the company, he also held Director-level positions in Engineering and Customer Integration, leading various customer-facing teams in manufacturing strategy, solution implementation design, and sales and business development.
Robertson shared a statement regarding Aronson’s appointment and his impact on Verdant’s growth.
“Matthew has a unique experience in shelf-life extension technology, having helped develop solutions to integrate the technology into customer operations—and managing those customers after implementation to ensure successful execution and satisfaction,” he commented. “His end-to-end perspective and deep knowledge of bringing customers on board makes him a tremendous addition to our team.”
Congratulations to Matthew Aronson on this new step in his career!
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Like push pins on a map, Southeastern Grocers (SEG) touched down in new markets with two recent store openings. Its Fresco y Más banner has expanded with a new store in Tampa, Florida, opened on November 3, and a new store in Deltona, Florida, opened on November 17.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we are dedicated to providing the best products and services for our local communities,” Anthony Hucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southeastern Grocers, said. “With 37 years of experience serving the Deltona community, we believe now is the right time to expand our offerings in Volusia County to provide a supermarket fit for the growing Hispanic community. We listened to customer feedback and evaluated key consumer insights when developing our new Fresco y Más to reflect the unique needs of our Deltona customers.”
The new Hispanic grocery stores will provide the community with a specialized shopping experience that celebrates the growing Hispanic culture in Deltona and Volusia County. Fresco y Más hosted a grand opening ceremony to officially introduce the new stores to the local community, according to a press release, which included a ribbon cutting, live music, free giveaways, and the chance to receive a free mystery gift card. The Deltona store also presented a $1,000 donation to Forest Lake Elementary School.
Customers will immediately notice new enhancements and offerings throughout the Fresco y Más stores, including:
- A new custom facade featuring a vibrant yellow color palette and bilingual signage throughout the store
- Refreshed “Frutas y Verduras” (produce department) featuring a farmer’s market setting with a wider selection of tropical fruits and vegetables
- A new “Cocina” (kitchen) offering daily specials of freshly prepared family favorites made from scratch and daily specials, like arroz congri, pallet, and more
- A refreshed Wall of Value section now featuring enhanced weekly specials on popular items customers purchase most
- An all-new café with expanded seating area serving authentic Hispanic breakfast, pastries, drinks, and hot and cold sandwiches
Fresco y Más also hosted a weekend-long socially distanced community celebration with live entertainment and giveaways.
Sounds like a party to me! As more industry operators celebrate their expansions, keep clicking back to ANUK.
SALINAS, CA - Moxxy Marketing is taking another step in fortifying its team. Following the addition of Cameron Dolan as Business and Accounting Director just a few short months ago, the marketer now announced the hiring of Leanne Salandro as its new California-based Project Manager.
"I've been looking for just the right fit," said Salandro. "I've functioned on a variety of teams and been involved with many different projects and industries, but, at this point in my career, I've been hungry to find a team where I can focus my experience and still learn and grow. Agriculture is part of my personal history, dear to my heart, so Moxxy is an ideal career scenario for me. I'm excited to be part of creating success for our clients."
In her new role, Salandro will lead marketing initiatives for clients around the globe, as noted in a release.
Salandro began her career in graphic design, working on consumer magazines and retail trade publications where she artfully honed her skills in illustration and design in a high-traffic, deadline-driven atmosphere. She also served as an Art Director for an agency specializing in direct marketing, managing campaigns in the United States and Japan.
When Silicon Valley started heating up in the 90s, Salandro was drawn to digital marketing where she led projects ranging from websites and product launches to packaging design and global product development projects. Before joining Moxxy, she was a business owner and marketing consultant.
Choosing to join Moxxy because of a personal connection to Karen Nardozza, President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a niche expertise in fresh produce and agriculture, Salandro is well-suited for the position. She grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado on 68 acres of alfalfa fields and went to college at Concordia University in Nebraska where she earned a bachelor's degree in Commercial Art.
"I can buck hay and herd cattle, but I've also launched direct mail campaigns and managed press checks in Tokyo,” Salandro added. “It's a delight to find a role at Moxxy where it all makes perfect sense cohesively."
Nardozza commented on the recent appointment, explaining what makes Salandro the perfect fit for Moxxy.
"Moxxy's brand promise has always included providing attentive, expert support to our clients on every project, every step of the way," she said. "Leanne's decades of marketing and design expertise across a range of industries both domestically and internationally, along with her outgoing personality and connection to agribusiness and fresh produce, make her a smart, strategic addition to the team."
Congratulations to Leanne Salandro on this exciting new role!
YAKIMA, WA - Seasonal launches go hand in hand with new campaigns, and Opal apples are one of the latest items to take on both. As Opal apple season gets underway, FirstFruits Marketing is launching a targeted campaign to back retailers with new e-commerce tactics and more. A PBS special highlighting the FirstFruits Farm where Opal apples are grown will also air in winter 2022.
“We’re looking forward to this Opal season,” said Joe Vargas, Director of Marketing and Analytics. “This year, our focus is on innovative marketing tactics and integrating with retailers to support awareness and sales conversions for Opal.”
In tandem with this new campaign, FirstFruits Marketing is supporting another year of Youth Make a Difference, a scholarship program for national youth-led nonprofit organizations. Last year, six organizations received grants from the Youth Make a Difference that went toward youth programs, a press release noted.
Opal apples are back in stores now and will reportedly be available through late spring.
Cheers to seasonal launches and new campaigns that drive shopper dollars to the produce department!