CHICAGO, IL - Putting a new blueprint in place to continue its mission of fortifying the produce industry, Hazel Technologies has announced a strategic expansion beyond its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Recently, the solutions innovator revealed a new research center and West Coast customer support office in Fresno, California.
“Planting Hazel’s flag in California’s produce-rich Central Valley is a milestone moment for our company,” explained Adam Preslar, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. “But even as we grow, our focus remains the same: customer-centric innovation which results in lower waste and higher profits for our customers.”
The new facility is conveniently located adjacent to Fresno’s Yosemite International Airport, and will help service increasing customer demand and further advance the research and development (R&D) of new technological solutions. According to a press release, Hazel Technologies has already begun an aggressive recruitment process to staff the new facility, as the new office will house a wide range of experts including scientists, R&D, and commercial team members.
California's Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions and is home to many of Hazel Technologies’ customers. Currently on track to treat 6.3 billion pounds of fresh produce in 2021, the solutions provider works with over 250 of the world’s largest food producers across 12 countries. With the new cutting-edge facility, the company will continue to focus its research on crops such as avocados, table grapes, cherries, and over fifteen other produce items.
The announcement of this expansion follows Hazel Technologies’ recent $70 million Series C funding round. With a rapidly expanding customer base, Hazel Technologies was recently recognized as a 2021 “Tech Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum and was one of Fast Company magazine’s “World Changing Ideas” in 2020.
With a pivotal expansion underway, what growth will we see from Hazel Technologies next? Keep an eye on ANUK to find out.
BOSTON, MA - Shoppers love seeing the health benefits of fresh produce. To help them connect the dots even further, Ocean Spray Cranberries and Brightseed announced an agreement to leverage Brightseed’s A.I., Forager®. By doing so, Ocean Spray and Brightseed will profile the compounds in cranberries and surface new connections between cranberries and human health.
“Similar to how different grapes produce different wine varietals, each cranberry strain can be extraordinarily diverse in their phytochemical composition, resulting in different colors, flavor nuances, size, and a trove of health-promoting bioactive compounds,” said Katy Galle, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Ocean Spray Cranberries. “Our agreement with Brightseed puts us on a path to profiling our cranberry varieties and understanding their health potential like never before. The insights from this agreement will support us as we continue to innovate healthy products for our consumers, in addition to informing how we grow, separate, and treat our cranberries to optimize for target health benefits and sustainability.”
According to a press release, this collaboration puts Ocean Spray on the path to having the world’s most comprehensive nutritional profile of the cranberry—including the cranberries’ previously unknown bioactive compounds and potential health benefits.
“Some of the cranberry’s potent health benefits are well-known, including their impact on bladder and kidney function. With over 100 cranberry varieties, the vast majority of compounds in cranberries have never been explored for their impact in the human body, however, they carry enormous potential to open up new dimensions for health and wellness,” continued Galle.
According to Christina Khoo, Director of Emerging Science, Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs at Ocean Spray Cranberries, leveraging the A.I Forager to deep dive into the bioactive components in cranberry varietals helped accelerate Ocean Spray’s innovation activities to evaluate exciting health benefits of cranberries including immunity and cognitive health and build the scientific evidence.
“We are thrilled at the early findings of this discovery work, which is showcasing how important crop diversity and growing practices are for bioactive content and expression,” added Sofia Elizondo, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Brightseed. “The question Forager is able to answer is not just ‘what is in a cranberry?’ but also ‘what is different about all these cranberry varieties?’ With Forager’s insights, Ocean Spray’s stewardship will be taken to the next level and so will consumer comprehension of what a cranberry can do for health.”
To learn more about the partnership and how Forager, Brightseed’s proprietary A.I., works, click here.
For the latest innovations in fresh produce, keep clicking back to AndNowUKnow.
MILWAUKEE, WI - A significant addition to Sysco’s operations is undergoing review. The distributor hopes to nearly double the size of its Jackson, Wisconsin, warehouse to 660,000 square feet.
According to plans filed, Sysco hopes to do the following: “improve staging for inbound trucks with on-site dual lane entry driveway; proposed building expansion for ambient, cool, and freezer warehouse and docks of approximately 300,000 square feet; supporting sitework development for truck staging and maneuvering.”
A report from BizTimes initially noted that Sysco hopes to double the size of the space. GMToday reported that the application included that the expansion would increase the truck operations and traffic for the site, though the building itself screens the on-site dock and truck operations from the roadway.
At this time, specific information on the Sysco expansion, such as building specifications, details on sitework, and timelines, are not included at the concept plan level.
We all know how important warehouse and facility space are in today’s supply chain landscape. Additional space for trucking operations also positions the foodservice distributor to better serve its customers.
Stick to AndNowUKnow for the latest in all things affecting the fresh produce biz.
ONTARIO, CANADA - From our seeds to consumers’ plates, Red Sun Farms ensures that the best possible product makes its way to shopping carts every single time. As one of the largest vertically integrated greenhouse growers in North America to own and operate high-tech greenhouses in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, we are optimizing the between grower and customer with our Seed to Plate commitment.
Here’s What’s in Store.
Red Sun Farms carefully coordinates all aspects of the growing process, paying particularly close attention to seed selection and propagation, high-tech greenhouse growing, distribution, sales and marketing, and, finally, delivery to retail shelves and foodservice kitchens.
We select special varieties to maximize quality, flavor, and consistency. Using centuries-old grafting practices, our seeds are carefully propagated with special attention. From there, our expertly skilled growers and high-tech greenhouse innovations take the wheel, all while contributing to a more sustainable planet with water and nutrient recycling as well as natural pest deterrents.
Strategically located greenhouse and distribution centers allow us to provide shorter delivery times, less shrink, and overall fresh produce for our customers. Experienced sales and marketing professionals assist with implementing 12-month greenhouse programs, offering personalization and unmatched service year-round.
Through these one-of-a-kind business practices, our customers are consistently satisfied, with our premium greenhouse-grown produce serving as sure-fire sales drivers across the grocery store and beyond. Consider adding our Sweets Family, Organic Series, and Artisan Series to your shelves; we guarantee that shoppers will see the difference, from seed to plate.
Thank you for watching What’s in Store.
WASHINGTON, DC - The foodservice industry continues to recover after the effects of last year’s lockdowns and this year’s directory shifts. As operators look toward the future, they have a friend in their corner in United Fresh Produce Association’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice. The report, which is now available, highlights on-trend foodservice applications for fresh produce in restaurants, at retail, schools, in meal kits, and more.
“It’s been a challenging two years for everyone, but our nation’s school nutrition professionals are dedicated to their mission and are doing their best to provide children with meals that include a daily variety of fresh fruit and vegetable choices,” said Andrew Marshall, Director of Foodservice and Foundation Partnerships, United Fresh. “Through our interviews with the school menu planners spotlighted in the report and others, it’s been encouraging to hear that schools are experiencing minimal disruptions with produce orders, working collaboratively with local growers and distributors.”
Sponsored by Produce Alliance, this quarterly report showcases In Season fall trends, including menu applications for dates and garlic, while also showcasing how nachos, a mainstay on many menus, can be leveraged as a vehicle for a variety of fresh produce.
“From pies and nachos, to seafood and cocktails, the fall issue of Fresh Insights for Foodservice features many creative ways that restaurants and others are incorporating a variety of fresh produce on their menus,” said Katie O’Connor, Marketing Manager, Produce Alliance. “As more patrons continue to dine out, foodservice operators are looking to bolster their menus with new ways to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, a key hallmark of the restaurant experience.”
The “On the Horizon” section reveals trends and data that will impact foodservice this spring, as explained in a recent release. The report details how leeks can be cross-utilized on menus and across dayparts, as well as how kumquats can add a pop of color and a citrusy tang, to everything from seafood dishes to cocktails. Additionally, the report shines a spotlight on pies and galettes, which can serve as platforms for fresh fruit and vegetables in both savory and sweet applications.
This quarter’s “Chain Report” explores the latest national account introductions along with examples of how apple, basil, and sweet potato are making their mark on menus, while the “Kids’ Table” section spotlights fresh green beans and how produce is being featured in side dishes on kids’ menus.
Last but not least, the “View from Above” section continues the publication’s annual fall focus on K–12 school foodservice. The report uncovers the challenges impacting K–12 operators and includes quotes from school menu planners in different parts of the country who share how they are continuing to source, serve and promote fresh produce to students each day, despite labor and supply disruptions.
The fall issue of Fresh Insights for Foodservice is available for free for United Fresh and PMA members. It can be downloaded here.
To further explore the fall report, the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board will host an interactive webinar on December 7 at 3 p.m. EST. Visit the United Fresh website here to register.
SALINAS, CA - The work behind produce industry brand building is turning heads. Working behind the scenes to uplift industry names, TMD Creative is celebrating being named the recipient of several awards by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts’ 16th Annual w3 Awards.
“Winning awards like this is a real boost for our team and our clients. It is also a testament to the passion our team has for excellence and helping our clients achieve their strategic goals,” commented Nick Pasculli, President and Chief Executive Officer of the international marketing and design firm. “At the end of the day, we are here to serve our clients, and if we do a great job, that helps us as well."
Receiving over 3,000 entries from around the globe, the w3 Awards honors outstanding websites created by some of the best digital content creators across the industry, according to a press release.
TMD’s web design for several produce clients, including D’Arrigo California Andy Boy and Latitude 36 Foods, earned it a place on this global stage.
Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos, Corporate Communications Manager for D’Arrigo California, congratulated TMD on being recognized for exceptional work on the Andy Boy website.
“TMD’s creative layout on the Andy Boy website amplifies D’Arrigo California’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of the business from our Andy Boy products, services, ag tech advances (in and out of the field), and our corporate and social responsibility initiatives. We applaud their stellar work to optimize our rich family history and business portfolio, allowing us to inform and educate our valued customers and consumers,” she said of the long-term partner.
Latitude 36 Foods, TMD noted in its announcement, approached the company in 2020 seeking to elevate its website to reflect an innovative spirit and leadership in the portion-packed condiment industry.
“TMD is a pleasure to work with in all aspects. From graphic design to web development, TMD has fulfilled our needs and more with unparalleled service and a commitment to our success. They’ve played a direct role in elevating our marketing content strategy game, and we’re happy to call them a trusted partner,” Tobias Wisner, Marketing Specialist for Latitude 36 Foods, said of the experience.
Additional clients TMD Creative received accolades for included:
- GreenGate Fresh
- Sunny with a Chance of Flowers
- Taylor Farms
TMD reciprocated the kind words of its clients, sharing how it values its longstanding partnerships with those in the agriculture sector, for whom it has specialized in brand strategy and design for over 20 years.
Congratulations to TMD on this key achievement!
WENATCHEE, WA - An apple fact a day is precisely what the doctor ordered, and Stemilt is bringing the goods! For produce departments across the States, apple season is in full swing, so the more category facts they can glean, the better. Marketing Director Brianna Shales sat down with Katie Harmon, Communications Manager, for a Fast Facts: The Cast episode that discussed the latest 12 weeks of Nielsen United States apple category data ending on October 30, 2021.
“The last twelve weeks of data had some very telling nuggets of data,” stated Shales. “The top five apple varieties—Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious—saw the most movement by volume and made up 77 percent of apple pounds sold from August through October. As we all could have guessed, Honeycrisp continues to be a dollar driver for the category, making up nearly 30.5 percent of apple sales in the U.S.”
Both Shales and Harmon covered how new crop apples performed and analyzed regional data to offer merchandising tips for the upcoming holiday season.
Apple dollars increased eight percent year-over-year while volumes were down four percent, a release from the company explained. Shales noted that October is always a key month for apple sales, and followed last year’s trend of making up more than six percent of produce sales. This shows that consumers responded well to National Apple Month promotions and apples being positioned prominently in the produce department.
“Retailers did a great job during the month of October displaying apples and encouraging purchases,” explained Shales. “They also did a great job with branded varieties, including Rave® and SweeTango® apples. We saw great activity on both varieties, which makes us super excited for their potential next year.”
Due to greater volumes of Rave this year versus last, sales and volume were up significantly. The unique timing of Rave also provided retailers a nice velocity spike in mid to late August and early September when other apple varieties are still coming off the trees. SweeTango also performed well, making up 24 percent of club apple volumes between September and October. It was the number two club apple by sales and 11th apple nationally.
“Both Rave and SweeTango offer early opportunities to the retailer to boost the category with premium varieties,” Shales noted. “They set the bar high while still driving the category forward which helps create more brand awareness, but also helps the category as a whole succeed.”
In the episode, Shales also analyzed regional data and highlighted some notable points, including how Honeycrisp made up 41 percent of apple sales in the Midwest, which was 10 percent more than the national average. Currently, bags are down compared to last year due to the crop, but did see more demand in the West, which is traditionally not a bag market.
“Analyzing and looking at each region is interesting as it gives us a lot of insight into purchasing habits and can help retailers figure out what’s working and what improvements can be made the following year,” stated Shales. “One nugget I found interesting was organic apple volumes were up 10 percent from last year in the south region and nearly 18 percent of apple category dollars. This is an exciting insight that will hopefully continue to grow in the years to come.”
To continue the exciting category patterns into the holiday season, Shales suggested that retailers should focus on opportunities within the crop for promotion by building plans around Cosmic Crisp® to match its increased volume, taking advantage of the phenomenal Pink Lady® crop, and focusing on new vehicles to sell premium items like organic Honeycrisp, which can help retailers earn extra dollars with the category.
“While this isn’t the biggest Washington apple crop we’ve ever seen, fruit quality and flavor is excellent, and retailers have plenty of opportunities to make the most of it with the right plans, promotions, prices, and our World Famous apples,” Shales concluded.
Apples will continue to feature prominently in produce departments, so keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow for the latest category facts.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - I don’t know about you, but I’m already drafting out my resolutions for 2022. With the start of every new year, many shoppers set their focus on creating healthier habits and lifestyles, which includes incorporating immunity-boosting options into their daily diets. Bolthouse Farms is making this easy for consumers, as the company has several lucrative products to meet the demand sparked by the impending health kick.
“We consistently work to innovate new products within all of our lines, including beverages, refrigerated dressings, and fresh carrots and carrot products as we continue to be one of the leaders in growing and distributing fresh carrots and producing premium branded products,” Amy Shoemaker, Director of Marketing, notes as she clues me in on the process of bringing these unique items to market. “We listen carefully to the needs of our consumers and customers to make improvements and introduce new products on a regular basis.”
To keep register rings rolling in long after the holiday rush, the value-added purveyor has announced several offerings to help shoppers kick off their New Year’s resolutions the right way—with a delicious drink packed with vitamins and nutrients. Launched in August, buyers can capitalize on rising demand for healthy options with Bolthouse Farms Green Immunity Boost, Bolthouse Farms Bolts® Immunity Elderberry, and Red Goodness.
“Consumers today are looking for functional products to help boost their immune systems. Bolthouse Farms has specifically crafted these delicious beverages to do just that, with blends of fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins and minerals,” Amy says.
The Green Immunity Boost offers a tasty combination of pineapple, cucumber, apple, ginger, and kale combined with other beneficial ingredients, providing an excellent source of vitamin C, E, and D. Bolthouse Farms Bolts Immunity Elderberry is a potent antioxidant blend that includes elderberry juice, ginger, and 100 percent of the recommended daily value of zinc. For consumers looking to up their C and B12 vitamins, the company has also released Red Goodness, a unique blend of apples, strawberries, cranberries, and grapes.
“With more and more consumers hoping to increase their vegetable and fruit consumption and wanting to consume products with real ingredients, we are committed to helping retailers satisfy these needs for their shoppers,” Amy adds. “The Goodness line of smoothies, including the new Red Goodness, gives retailers a wider variety of products for every consumer need.”
To read more about the innovative products stealing shopper’s hearts (and dollars) this season, click here.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report as the value-added maven brings more enticing products to retail shelves, so keep an eye out for our latest updates.
NEWARK, DE - A recent announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) came down the newswire. The news came in the form of membership changes to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) that would focus on strengthening the nation’s food systems through improved production and processing.
Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer at Produce Marketing Association (PMA), will be one of 13 new members appointed to the group. During the public meeting on November 17, 2021, it was announced that Teplitski will Chair the group’s sub-committee on Cyclospora, along with the Co-Chair, Peggy Cook of Neogen Corporation.
“I’m honored to be chosen not only to serve on NACMCF but provide leadership to the sub-committee specifically focused on developing a road map for understanding and dealing with Cyclospora which is a pathogen of growing concern to our industry and consumers,” said Teplitski. “This federal-private collaboration is essential to not only developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of pathogens like Cyclospora but also to establish realistic and effective practices for produce safety.”
According to a press release, the sub-committee will bring together industry representatives including De Ann Davis of Western Growers, academics and members from regulatory partners including the Food and Drug Association (FDA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).
Cyclospora has been identified as a pathogen of growing concern, and little is understood about the persistence of the pathogen in the crop production environment.
“Max’s extensive background in both microbiology and crop production prepares him to lead the committee as they develop a better understanding of Cyclospora and how it contaminates crops,” said PMA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns. “But his experience and knowledge of federal programs, policies, and procedures positions him to be an exceptional leader of this sub-committee. He will be a great advocate for the industry and a strong leader in the development of recommendations that follow the science.”
Those on the Cyclospora sub-committee are charged with furthering the understanding of the lifecycle of the pathogen, mine all available data, and come up with recommendations that food safety agencies can use to develop policies that are built on solid science. At the end of the year, the committee will submit a comprehensive report to the FDA that will be available to the general public. The report will be shared during a briefing held at the end of the year, but there will be periodic public meetings providing updates throughout 2022.
Throughout his career, Teplitski has built private-public partnerships to address issues around microbiology and safety in agricultural production.
Prior to joining PMA, he served as the Acting Director for the divisions of food safety microbiology and nutrition at the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and oversaw a program on plant breeding for food safety. Before that, he was a Professor at the University of Florida and studied the survival of human pathogens in the environment and the interactions of human pathogens and vegetable crops. He also served as the Fulbright specialist in agriculture in Ecuador and as a Burch Fellow in theoretical medicine at the Smithsonian Institution.
Max Teplitski will continue his role as Chief Science Officer in the International Fresh Produce Association when it launches in January 2022.
We’ll continue to track the committee’s efforts, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
DALLAS, TX - “The presence of a brand gives a shopper a reason to purchase.”
Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and Chief Executive Officer of DMA Solutions, is no stranger to the conversation surrounding private label. In our November issue of The Snack, Dan’l touched on the above sentiment, and why the issue of private label can be a prickly topic. A summary of who private label impacts can be found here for those looking for a deep dive.
What we’ll be talking about in this article are next steps for suppliers looking at how to build a brand even when private label accounts for a significant portion of their business. During the webinar series, Marketing Matters, Dan’l and several members of the DMA Solutions team discussed this during the presentation, “Private Label: Who Does It Benefit?”
A poll to those in attendance noted that a combination of both branded product and private label product accounts for their business. Attendees expressed frustrations and concerns regarding how to invest in marketing for a brand, especially if retailers want private label from them. Luckily, the DMA team had feedback aplenty.
One piece of the puzzle that Dan’l noted is how the history of produce marketing initially made it difficult for growers to communicate with the consumer in an impactful and scalable way.
“We haven’t always been in a position to connect directly with the consumer and as retail consolidation accelerated the need for private label became more of a reality in order to secure consistent supply. Private label has served this industry well, in some instances. However, the consumer now is a lot more educated, and we have the ability to engage shoppers more than we ever had before. In wanting to establish trust with consumers, private label doesn’t benefit us as it historically has,” Dan’l shared.
A consistent question the DMA team has seen speaks to this question: Why would we do our own marketing if a large percent of our volume is private label?
“Our answer is always the same. If I’m thinking about it from a strategic standpoint, I want to seek out the customers who care about the total offering that we have: high-quality products, food safety, sustainability, and marketing. There are plenty of retailers out there who believe in the power of brands. So, my advice is to seek retailers who value and understand today’s consumer and their desire to connect with brands,” Dan’l explained.
She also suggested that when big retailers want your product in private label, to be careful when it comes to how much effort and volume you put in.
“At the end of the day, you could be switched out tomorrow, so I’m always going to side with investing in your story and your name and your connection with the customer,” she said.
During the Q&A portion of the webinar, the team went further to address how suppliers can make the case for their brand and how it might improve sales for retailers—especially if that retailer comes to them insisting on private label.
Dan’l noted that one way to make it easier for shoppers to care for your brand and your product is to have the store locator on your website so they can easily find you—branded or not.
“There are so many ways to address this, because private label is not something that will go away,” Dan’l expressed. “I think staying true to a committed brand is not something we should relinquish just because we’re being forced in some cases to do private label. If I had a produce company, I am sure a portion of my business would be in private label, but I wouldn’t want that to be the majority of the volume. Because at the end of the day, you don’t have control, and you’re not building connections with the ultimate customer.”
Finding retailers that care about the products the way growers do is half the battle as you build out a strategy.
“When you’re making the case to retailers about carrying your brand versus private label is investing in unique varietals or convenience products or a UPC unique to you. If you haven’t quite gotten into marketing yet but you have a product that is unique to you, you can position that in your case to the retailer,” Mackenzie Wortham McLeod, Account Director, added.
Brands also drive foot traffic because they give shoppers a reason to go to the store that carries the brand they prefer.
But, driving foot traffic is only another part of the battle, as the team noted the supplier concerns of costs for separate packing lines for both branded and private label packaging. The takeaway, however, is that shoppers have become savvy enough to want that connection to their food—and that is heavily dependent on marketing and branding.
Building out a strategy for your brand is a time investment, the team conceded, and not one to be taken lightly. Perhaps the immediacy on ROI won’t be obvious, but building up trust with consumers will ultimately win the day.