LEE’S SUMMIT, MO - Mushrooms, the most popular vegetable topping ordered by Domino’s customers, have an exciting new opportunity to showcase their popularity on pizzas this summer. The Mushroom Council has partnered with Domino’s in celebrating mushrooms during their Best Deal Ever promotion, offering any pizza with any toppings for the value price of $9.99.

Starting July 7 and continuing through August 3, Domino’s Best Deal Ever promotion is being collaboratively promoted by both organizations with mushroom-centric influencer activities and paid and earned social media amplification. The collaboration is expected to reach more than 100 million impressions across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat in July.

As part of the promotion, the innovative chefs at Domino’s have developed a special “secret menu” pizza, an on-trend order hack that takes advantage of the value offered with the Best Deal Ever promotion. This new pizza build features Domino’s Crunchy Thin Crust with alfredo sauce, spinach, feta, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and Parmesan/Asiago cheese.

To promote this custom pie, Domino’s – with support from the Mushroom Council – is encouraging customers to order this secret menu pizza on Mushroom Monday or any day of the week during the Best Deal Ever promotional period.

“The Best Deal Ever promotion offers Domino’s customers the opportunity to explore new craveable ways mushrooms can star on a pizza,” said Amy Wood, president and CEO of the Mushroom Council, in the recent press release. “We are grateful for Domino’s longstanding partnership with North American mushroom growers and are excited to help add even more mushrooms to Domino’s pizzas this summer.”

“With mushrooms being our most popular veggie topping, we are proud to inspire Domino’s customers with new ways to enjoy them this summer,” said Carrie Ballew, Domino’s vice president – chief procurement officer. “The Best Deal Ever promotion allows us to do what we do best, which is offer customers delicious pizza at an unbeatable value. For everyday family meals or for large summer gatherings, now is a great time to take advantage of this deal and get creative in satisfying those mushroom pizza cravings.”

HOUSTON, TX - Born Farms was built on a simple belief: take care of where everything is born. Guided by this principle, we’re not just adapting to agriculture’s challenges—we’re solving them. From climate instability to soil degradation, Born is creating real, regenerative solutions that reshape how food is grown.

Our latest innovation is a tunnel-growing system that turns unpredictability into precision. Designed to revolutionize the bean category, it protects crops, enhances soil health, and ensures a consistent supply, rain or shine.

The Challenge: Climate Instability

Traditional farming is at the mercy of the weather. In response, we piloted a protected method for French and Green beans using macrotunnels—structures that create controlled microclimates, shield crops from pests and extremes, and drastically reduce water usage and chemical inputs.

The Impact: Reliable, Regenerative Production

These tunnels extend growing seasons, boost resilience, and produce vibrant, premium-quality beans—all while restoring the land. It's not just about higher yields—it’s about cultivating food with purpose.

Why It Matters

For chefs, retailers, and distributors, this means access to consistent, sustainable produce. For the planet, it’s a step toward healing ecosystems. And for Born, it’s proof that a transparent, regenerative food system is possible.

“Our vision is to redefine the future of food by building a regenerative, predictable, and transparent agricultural system that nourishes both people and planet, " says Christopher Safieh, Founder of Born, in the recent press release.

More Than a Method — A Movement

This isn’t just a technique. It’s a shift in mindset. It proves that sustainability and innovation can work hand in hand. Born is committed to a system that feeds people without compromising the earth that feeds us.

Interested in joining the movement?

We specialize in customized solutions designed to bring more consistency, availability, and predictability to your sourcing process. With strategically located loading facilities in Miami, FL, and McAllen, TX, we streamline logistics and ensure timely, efficient service to meet your needs.

WASHINGTON - Food Lion, one of the largest omnichannel grocery retailers in the Southeast with over 1,100 locations, has deployed Flybuy, the leading AI-powered location engine, to power its growing curbside pickup program, Food Lion To Go. This milestone completes the full-scale integration of Flybuy across all 1,650 Ahold Delhaize stores. As part of the Ahold Delhaize family, Food Lion joins sister banners—including Stop & Shop, The GIANT Company, Giant Food, and Hannaford—where Flybuy already powers curbside operations. This collaboration brings real-time location tracking and operational efficiency to stores, creating a faster, more seamless pickup experience for customers.

With Food Lion To Go, shoppers can conveniently place their grocery orders online or through the Food Lion app. Once an order is placed, Flybuy is aware of the customer journey as they make their way to the store for pickup, enabling store associates to prepare the order for a perfectly timed handoff upon arrival. By leveraging AI-powered insights, store teams receive accurate ETAs and arrival alerts, significantly improving the speed of service, which reduces wait times and ensures groceries are handed off fresh and fast.

Flybuy is fully integrated into Food Lion's tech stack, delivering key operational benefits:

• Real-time visibility into customer arrivals
• Reduced wait times at pickup spots
• Fresh, well-timed order handoffs
• Improved operational efficiency for store associates
• Optimized parking and staging area use
• Expanded availability of pickup timeslots

"Flybuy has been a game-changer for our curbside program," said Steven Harwood, Food Lion To Go Manager at Food Lion, in the recent press release. "By giving our teams real-time visibility into each customer's journey, we're able to prepare orders more accurately, reduce wait times, and deliver a faster, fresher, and more seamless pickup experience than ever before."

Flybuy has driven measurable improvements in Food Lion's curbside operations, reducing customer wait times by over 40% and increasing overall efficiency for store teams. This boost in speed and reliability has led to a notable rise in customer satisfaction, with guests rating their curbside pickup experience an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars.

"We're excited to support Food Lion's continued commitment to convenience and customer satisfaction," said Marc Wallace, Co-Founder & CEO of Flybuy. "With the full rollout Flybuy across all Ahold Delhaize USA banners, we're proud to help streamline the pickup process for thousands of stores across the country. By leveraging our location engine, we're empowering these leading grocery brands to deliver a best-in-class customer experience — one that's faster, more convenient, and remarkably consistent, driving more digital orders and building long-term customer loyalty."

This rollout underscores Ahold Delhaize's ongoing investment in digital innovation and its mission to make grocery shopping as easy and convenient as possible, whether in-store or on the go.

FLORIDA & GULF COAST - According to USA TODAY, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a trough of low pressure off the Atlantic coast of northern Florida that could bring heavy rain to the region and parts of the Gulf Coast this week. The system is producing disorganized showers and storms across Florida, the northwestern Bahamas, and nearby Atlantic waters as it heads west toward the northeastern Gulf by late Tuesday.

Forecasters noted that environmental conditions appear “favorable enough to support some gradual development,” but even if the system doesn’t strengthen, it could still deliver localized flash flooding across Florida and the north-central Gulf Coast from mid- to late week.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November, with peak activity typically occurring from mid-August through mid-October.

Check ANUK for further coverage as this weather system continues to develop.

SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms is proud to announce a banner year for domestically grown blueberries, driven by exceptional volume, premium quality, and record-setting demand—especially for its proprietary varieties, Envoy™ and Keepsake™. These mature, flavor-forward varieties are now being harvested at scale, marking the first year of substantial domestic volume and offering retailers and consumers some of the best blueberries to ever hit the market.

“Thanks to years of investment in breeding, we’re seeing a bumper crop of our jumbo blueberries, Mighty Blues™, and premium Sweet Selections™—and they’re selling out fast,” said Jim Roberts, President at Naturipe Farms, in the recent release. “Retailers and consumers alike are showing unprecedented enthusiasm for these flavor-packed berries.”

Naturipe’s organic blueberries are also experiencing record-breaking performance, with volume and demand both on fire this summer. Winter and spring brought near-perfect growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest, setting the stage for a strong, sustained domestic organic season.

This summer also presents a great opportunity for retailers and consumers to upsize pack offerings. With such high-quality fruit and strong supply, larger packs are moving quickly at retail, driven by demand for better taste, better value, and healthy summer snacking.

A strategic advantage for Naturipe is its position as the largest company breeding and growing blueberries in the United States. This gives Naturipe the ability to not only deliver superior-tasting fruit today but also to ensure the future of flavorful, sustainable blueberry production nationwide.

“Consumers now expect better-tasting fruit, longer shelf life, and strong sustainability stories as the standard, not the exception,” added Roberts. “Naturipe is proud to meet and exceed those expectations with our proprietary varieties, grower partnerships, and commitment to innovation.”

With summer in full swing, blueberries remain a health hero. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, they’re the ultimate snack for brain health, heart health, and immunity support. Whether enjoyed fresh, in smoothies, or on summer picnic spreads, Naturipe’s blueberries are a delicious and nutritious choice.

Retailers interested in premium pack options, including Envoy™, Keepsake™, Mighties™, Sweet Selections™, and organic blueberries, are encouraged to contact the Naturipe sales team at [email protected].

CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA - The Organic Produce Summit (OPS) took place last week, and our industry friends shared their excitement to exhibit and attend. I spoke with Anthony Innocenti, Managing Partner at LIV Produce, to hear about the supplier’s showcase.

“We showcased new value-added sweet potatoes in both conventional and organic. In addition, showcased all of our value-added conventional and organic potatoes, onions, and citrus,” Anthony began telling me.

He pointed out that OPS is a great time to interact with existing customers and potential new customers, stating, “The show is always a great time to meet other industry members and discuss who we are and where we are heading into the future.”

Anthony added that the LIV Produce team was listening to attendees about what they might be looking for from the grower to meet and exceed their expectations.

“It is always good to hear and see what the whole industry is up to. You can never have enough knowledge, and we always learn something new!” Anthony added.

Stick with ANUK as we bring you more show coverage.

WASHINGTON - Apples are one of North America’s most beloved fruits and there is significant opportunity to further grow the category. At the same time, like many other categories, it faces some challenges. 

I had a chance to discuss both of these aspects with T&G Global’s Jen Lessner, Senior Manager, Shopper Marketing & Insights. T&G is a global fresh produce business, with its premium portfolio of ENVY™, JAZZ™, and JOLI™ branded apples grown in over 13 countries, across both hemispheres and sold in over 55 countries.

To start with, Jen and I discussed some of the opportunities in the apple segment:

• Branding and Storytelling – This is one of the growth levers, said Jen. “Branded apples with rich, engaging stories—highlighting origin, taste, and growing methods—help drive shopper interest, build trust, and support premium pricing at shelf.”
  • SOLUTION – “One of the ways to maximize this is by leveraging seasonal signage, strategic in-store placement, and cross-merchandising with relevant recipes and co-branded partners to keep apples top-of-mind year-round,” Jen continued. “Pair that with a seamless path to purchase to ensure apples remain a consistent basket staple.”
• Curated Assortments – “Retailers can enhance the shopping experience by offering a curated selection of apple varieties that balance popular choices with unique options. This strategy can attract diverse consumer preferences and drive sales,” Jen said.
  • SOLUTION – Anchor premium sets with a trusted favorite that performs. “ENVY™ apples rank high in frequency, spend per trip, and units per trip, outpacing other varietals and the fresh apple category *,” Jen added.
• Leveraging E-Commerce – “Online produce sales are growing +20 percent YOY*,” Jen noted. “Online platforms give retailers the opportunity to spotlight a broader assortment of apple varieties, complete with rich visuals, tasting notes, and grower stories that educate and engage shoppers.”
  • SOLUTION – “This digital shelf extends reach beyond the physical store, driving incremental sales by turning discovery into conversion—with just a click. Strong visuals and compelling brand content power digital performance,” said Jen.

At the same time, Jen shared some innovative solutions to help retailers address potential challenges:

• Shelf Space – “Retailers might feel that apple sets are overcrowded—with numerous apple varieties available, retailers often lack the space to display all options,” Jen told me. “This constraint can lead to difficult decisions about which varieties to stock, potentially limiting consumer choice and sales opportunities.”
  • SOLUTION – Jen said that the solution is “a high-turn, high-margin variety or brand that earns its shelf space through strong premium velocity.”
• Consumer Confusion – “The abundance of apple varieties, often with more than 10+ varieties in-store, can overwhelm shoppers, especially those unfamiliar with less common types. This confusion may deter purchases and impact overall apple sales,” Jen continued.
  • SOLUTION – “This can be addressed by reducing shopper friction and helping drive confident purchases.”

• Seasonal Gaps and Aging Fruit – “Around 85 percent of apples are harvested in the fall, leading to aging fruit by the summer months. Add in the excitement of summer produce—juicy melons, sweet berries, and vibrant stonefruit—and apples have some serious competition,” Jen stated. “The challenge? Helping consumers see apples not just as a fall favorite, but as a fresh, everyday staple—no matter the season.”
  • SOLUTION – “To address this, range fresh, crisp, summer-ready apples, such as ENVY™, which pairs beautifully with seasonal favorites like melons, berries, and stonefruit. Thanks to dual-hemisphere sourcing, premium ENVY™ branded apples are available year-round.”
• Economic Shifts and Tariff Impact – Many brands are currently navigating an uncertain economic climate, with grocery prices continuing to increase +5.6% YOY, and tariff concerns adding another cost variability*.
  • SOLUTION – “A high-value offering that drives consistent demand across markets,” said Jen.

In our next article, Jen and I will focus on how retailers can support suppliers in responding to challenges and opportunities in the apple category. Stay tuned.

_{*Source: Numerator platform, fresh apple category, L12 months ending 4/30/25; Economic Uncertainty in Grocery Spending white paper, 04/25}