LOS ALAMITOS, CA - In just a few days, we will officially hit October, and with fall in full swing, that means the holiday season is underway, providing retailers with new opportunities to merchandise and boost sales. As consumers everywhere start prepping for Thanksgiving here in the States, Frieda’s is looking to add some extra color to the produce aisle with its Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, which are back in season.
“Shopper interest in Stokes just keeps going up. Previously thought to be a specialty potato, our research shows that all demographics are buying Stokes year-round, and Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to gain trial in all stores,” said Alex Jackson Berkley, Director of Sales. “Our tastebud-tantalizing signage will leave your shoppers craving our signature Stokes Purple sweet potato pie.”
With the past year and a half challenging traditions and encouraging shoppers to try new things, why not give them a unique opportunity to put new spins on classic dishes with the eye-catching color that Stokes Purple sweet potatoes provide?
In a release from the company, Frieda’s details research that shows rich-hued purple vegetables are in demand, and pies are more popular than ever. A recent survey suggests that half of consumers plan to serve sweet potato pie this Thanksgiving, and more than one-third of shoppers said they plan to make Stokes Purple sweet potato pie with maple whipped cream, making now the perfect time to stock your shelves with the purple tubers and start cross merchandising with the other ingredients needed for the fun recipe.
The reason for this shift toward pies and colorful produce may be because consumers want to celebrate this holiday season, but are still cautious. So, they’re looking for small ways to add extra excitement to their Thanksgiving tables, with 20 percent of consumers agreeing that the holiday would feel more festive if the food was more colorful. Additionally, 64 percent of shoppers agreed that they wanted to make a beautiful dessert that adds color to the setting.
Organic and conventional Stokes Purple sweet potatoes are available now through May in 15 lb and 40 lb cartons, and an organic 12/3 lb bag option is also available. Every potato is labeled to reduce front-end checker error.
The days are winding down to Thanksgiving, so make sure to get your displays ready with Stokes Purple sweet potatoes just in time for the consumer shopping rush.
MONTEREY, CA - With coffee in hand and the weekend behind me, it is a Monday of reflection on last week’s Organic Produce Summit (OPS), and I am not the only one. See some of those reflecting with me in the comments below.
Chris Miller, Produce Director, Meat and Seafood Coordinator, MOM's Organic Market
“What a GREAT show! It was wonderful getting back in front of people and getting to absorb the great insights from the speakers, especially Jim Donald. It was awesome to be surrounded by so many passionate produce people again, and flexing those show floor and networking muscles! I was surprised that I could barely make it through the show in those four hours, but I guess that's what happens when there are so many people to catch up with!”
Vic Savanello, Vice President of Produce and Floral, SpartanNash
“As always, Matt Seeley and his organization, Organic Produce Network, put together a show that hit the mark dead center! My team and I loved being back together with the industry and loved all the information and new contacts made.”
Tonya Antle, Co-Founder, Organic Produce Network
“OPS 2021 was filled with energy, excitement, and meaningful conversations about our industry. The organic community is unique and like being a part of a special club with strong, deep relationships well beyond the transaction. OPS is the show that brings buyers and sellers together to grow the organic category and bring the best of organic specialty crop production to consumers.”
Chris Ford, Business Development and Marketing Manager, Viva Tierra Organic
“I thought OPS did a good job hosting this event, providing great educational opportunities and an open-air environment that felt safe for the trade show. It was wonderful to see so many friends, colleagues, and customers together in person and to all be in one place for the same reason—organic produce! Now the work begins: There were a lot of discussions around increasing costs across the supply chain, but we as an industry need to continue to amplify the message regarding the real cost to produce food. I started my organic career 25 years ago, and organic is as much of a revolution now as it was then. Build the soil, empower agricultural workers, eat good food, save the planet.”
Steve Junqueiro, Chief Executive Officer, Steve Junqueiro Associates
“If OPN’s goal was to create a breakthrough conference that provided a forum for buyers and sellers to come together, to answer a pent-up desire to network face to face, to offer the organic industry education in tours and sessions, and to do so in an exciting and jubilant atmosphere, then the OPS was a resounding success!”
With the herculean effort that was this show successfully wrapped, and the unfortunate cancellation of PMA Fresh Summit announced Friday, the connections made in Monterey, California, carry that much more weight. Like those we reached out to, I too am not only grateful for the recent return to a trade show, but also re-energized for this industry we love so well. Here’s hoping to see you all again soon!
ONTARIO, CANADA - Each category in the produce department is unique and treasured, and one produce item gaining significantly more recognition lately is the fig. As shoppers brainstorm inventive ways to incorporate figs into their daily meals and snacks, a new channel of demand has opened up for retailers. Prepared to help them meet it is Catania Worldwide, and President Paul Catania recently gave me some clues on how to turn demand into dollars.
“Figs are starting to become more and more popular,” he tells me. “I strongly believe that educating consumers about different produce products available to them is important. Social media has become a huge driving force, and food bloggers are a major factor in creating awareness about items such as figs, including how to eat them and how to use them in recipes. These outlets have a reach that has really brought figs into the spotlight.”
Catania Worldwide is nearing the end of its California fig season and heading into its Mexico season, as it is wrapping up harvest for its Sierra and Tiger varieties, but still currently harvesting Black and Brown Turkey varieties. As Paul tells me, the fig market is currently fairly steady. Though volume has been down across the industry due to challenges with water supply, Catania is currently reporting a good supply of great quality figs, with some varieties up by nearly 35 percent. With this steady volume, Catania has the resources to help its retail partners collect more shopper dollars in the category.
“Education through the various marketing channels at our fingertips is very important to increasing sales in all categories,” Paul says, diving into some useful sales-driving tactics. “Whenever there is a new item, its placement in the store is also very important. If a product is hidden, the only consumer that will purchase it is the one that came in looking for it. Staple grocery list items are always very visible in stores, but the categories that aren’t on everyone’s grocery list need more visibility to grow a fanbase.”
In addition to prominent displays, packaging also draws the consumer in, and Catania aligns with its retail partners to develop packaging that will stop shoppers in their tracks.
“Packaging has become more and more important to Catania,” Paul adds. “If the retailer is willing to provide the real estate, we as a grower need to ensure it’s going to catch the consumer’s attention. Seeing how packaging has driven sales in a lot of different categories has really motivated us to work with our retailers to develop packaging that will do exactly that.”
Steady supply, innovative packaging, and this powerful partner. What more could you need to boost register rings in the fig category?
MERRIMACK, NH - As it continues its mission of bringing timely solutions to the supply chain, Laws Logistics, formerly known as Lawgistics, recently announced a company rebranding and launched a new website. The new website includes an overview of the company’s approach, case studies of past projects, and answers to some of the industry’s most pressing supply chain questions.
“Supply chain challenges are ongoing in the produce and perishables industry, and they’re not going away anytime soon,” says Mike Laws, Founder and Owner. “As a result, people are taking a strong, hard look at their supply chain needs. That’s where we can help.”
Laws Logistics exists to provide produce and perishable companies with expertise on supply chain solutions, as noted in a press release, and has a proven track record of consulting on large and small projects for numerous perishables businesses including fresh produce, seafood, floral, and more.
“What we offer our clients are practical strategies to make operations run more efficiently and save both time and money,” added Laws. “This is what businesses are looking for today.”
Laws Logistics is headquartered in Naples, Florida, and serves businesses throughout the United States and internationally. The Laws Logistics team has helped companies alleviate specific logistical issues, redesign their product flow systems, and implement major expansions of existing operations, in addition to helping prevent and manage freight claims.
“As consultants, we can take a fresh look at your operations to help you move beyond tactical issues and toward strategies that will drive real improvement,” said Laws. “We’ve helped many of our clients solve problems and become more cost-efficient. This is something more important today than ever before.”
Mike Laws, who has spent the past four decades working with both domestic and international transportation businesses, is a charter member of the Supply Chain Logistics Council, which will meet this week as part of the United Fresh Public Policy Conference in Washington, DC.
“People in our industry are struggling with so many issues that have escalated as a result of the pandemic. United’s Supply Chain Council meeting agenda includes topics ranging from the impact of pallet shortages and labor shortages to the new Congressional Act on infrastructure—and this doesn’t even begin to address transportation issues and costs both in terms of trucks and shipping,” explained Laws. “I’m really looking forward to attending United’s Public Policy meeting in person this year. Working together to solve these massive supply chain issues is the only way we are going to get past them.”
To read more about the distinguished innovators who continue to push the fresh produce industry forward, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow.
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - Outside of the convenience factor, having all your groceries delivered to your front door brings a sense of satisfaction all its own. Perhaps this is the driving force behind the explosive growth of subscription services. Either way, Flavor Wave is no stranger to the movement. Teaming up with Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF), the two are upping visibility for OSF’s sliced Arctic apple varieties by distributing them within Los Angeles, California-delivered Flavor Wave boxes.
“One of the main reasons I developed Arctic apples was to help boost apple consumption,” states Neal Carter, President and Founder of OSF. “It’s easy to get on board with a program that promotes fruit and vegetable consumption and makes eating healthy as easy as possible. As an orchardist myself, I love the idea and convenience of having a mini farmers market delivered to your doorstep.”
Flavor Wave’s fresh produce box delivery is available in three options: a fruit box, a veggie box, or a mixed box, with servings for up to five people for a week, a press release explained. Variety in the boxes will fluctuate, offering the freshest in-season produce such as OSF’s Arctic® Golden and Arctic® Granny varieties, which will be included in both the fruit and mixed boxes.
Arctic apples will also be promoting a contest to celebrate their launch into Flavor Wave produce boxes. Flavor Wave subscribers will be able to scan a QR code on their box and be entered to win an Arctic apple charcuterie-themed prize pack. Sign me up!
“Arctic apple slices are all about convenience, freshness, and flavor, so joining Flavor Wave is a natural fit,” explains Don Westcott, Vice President of Operations, Sales, and Marketing for OSF. “We’re excited for LA families to experience the convenience that comes with having pre-sliced apples ready to snack on or as an easy addition to your dinner salad. When Flavor Wave customers crunch into an Arctic apple slice for the first time, they are going to experience a wave of freshly-picked flavor.”
With subscriptions and deliveries continuing to fill a niche consumer desire, who else might be eyeing a fresh produce partnership in this channel? Stay tuned as we report.
REIDSVILLE, GA - What could be better than a product that offers a unique buy-side advantage? With Shuman Farms’ RealSweet® Premium sweet onions from Peru, these advantages are abundant. Not only does this variety drive sales in the category and the overall produce department, but it supports the U.S. economy. And, as buyers look to ramp up register rings, our premium sweet onions are ready to take the spotlight on their shelves.
Here’s What’s in Store.
As an expert and leader in the category, we began growing sweet onions in Peru more than two decades ago to meet year-round consumer demand. The ideal climate and growing conditions in the region allow retailers to maintain consistency in the category and keep consumer-trusted RealSweet onions on the shelf from September through March.
Our premium-quality Peruvian sweet onions are imported through the Port of Savannah, the fourth busiest and fastest-growing container port in the U.S. This allows us to maintain a full-time, local workforce in Tattnall County, Georgia, 12 months of the year. In addition to this positive impact in our own backyard, importing sweet onions through the Port of Savannah also helps to support over 497,000 jobs in the Southeast United States.
This unique sweet onion offers an exclusive advantage for retailers due to its similarity to the Vidalia® variety—which allows consumers to recognize it as a premium sweet onion—while providing a boost to the economy.
As the leading grower, shipper, and importer of sweet onions, we are able to meet the heightening demand with a consistent, premium quality product.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - As we have reported many times before here on AndNowUKnow, innovation is a key differentiator in the produce aisle, leading to increased attention from shoppers and higher register rings. NatureSweet® has taken that cue, announcing the launch of its new “To Go” line nationwide, bringing together ready-to-eat snacking tomatoes, a single-use format, and crush-resistant packaging all in one line of products.
“We are very excited about our new To Go innovation, since it’s one that will make the whole category grow, and want to give special thanks to Kroger for their terrific support in releasing this, ready-to-eat, very tasty, and healthy snack to the market,” said Rodolfo Spielmann, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The product line is already available at all NatureSweet retailers, according to a press release, with Kroger being the first to feature the offerings for a chance at category growth. Through this pivotal partnership, the retailer has included promotions and displays across all of its divisions.
NatureSweet’s “To Go” line offers a healthy snacking option as it includes the company’s best-selling CHERUBS and CONSTELLATION tomato brands.
“We are expecting to be highly incremental to the category as consumers look for healthier snacks at home and on the go,” added Lori Castillo, Vice President of Marketing. “We are excited to bring a no-excuses choice to all consumers that want to eat very tasty and healthier snacks but have very little time to food prep ahead of their demanding days.”
Great for all occasions, the “To Go” products are washed and ready-to-eat; perfectly portioned; and packed in the company’s new crushproof, breathable lid package that gives tomatoes long shelf-life. They come in single portion packages or in a set of three to share with family and friends.
As convenience remains key for consumers, the new line is great for shoppers that are planning their family’s week, going back to school, and needing something on-the-go on their lunch breaks. Not only are they convenient, but they also meet the rising shopper need for better-for-you offerings that put a healthy spin on snacking.
Want to get your hands on NatureSweet’s “To Go” line for your retail shelves? Reach out a sales rep to make it happen.
For more new launches from across the fresh produce industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
EL DORADO HILLS, CA - It is no secret that berries continue to remain a top-dollar category, drawing shoppers into the produce department with their vibrant colors and sweet taste. Offering an inside look at the coveted blueberry category, the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) recently announced the release of its 2021 Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report. The report provides the industry with a critical resource that details important information about the category.
“The Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report is a fantastic resource that is developed by the IBO in order to facilitate access to valuable information and help drive this industry forward,” said Peter McPherson, Chairman of the IBO. “All blueberry industry members around the world should have the report at their disposal in order to stay on top of the latest trends and new developments. It offers a unique opportunity for industry players to keep themselves updated and make the best decisions for their organizations.”
The report highlights significant developments and advancements in the blueberry industry, as well as an in-depth report on resourceful market information and more. According to a press release, for the first time, this year’s report is available for free for industry members, who can access it online via the IBO’s website.
“A more informed industry is a healthier industry. As people in all parts of the value chain in the global blueberry business seek to make better-informed decisions, this report will be an invaluable resource,” Cort Brazelton, Co-Author of the report, stated. “This new Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report represents an exciting progression in the ongoing project. I’m particularly excited that it is free to the industry thanks to our advertising sponsors. Also exciting is the new data-crunching portal for those who would like to draw out more trends and quickly seek important reference information.”
Colin Fain, another Co-Author of the 2021 report, also touched on the value of this key resource.
“This report represents a massive leap in the communication of market statistics to the industry. It contains over 160 pages of important insights and information, including data on plantings, production, and trade for the category worldwide,” he explained. “Adding to that, we include a global estimation of hectares in production and those still waiting to come online, allowing us to calculate more realistic yields as well as vastly improving upon our forecasting methodology.”
To view the 2021 Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report, click here.
Keep reading ANUK as we bring you the latest news in the world of fresh produce.
NEWARK, DE - Earlier this morning, Produce Marketing Association’s Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns released a video statement regarding the update of this year’s Fresh Summit 2021. The association has decided that it will be unable to put on Fresh Summit, which was scheduled for October 28–30 in New Orleans, Louisiana, due to the impacts of Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Nicholas.
“I believe our industry always has a role to play addressing our community’s largest challenges, and right now, the highest priority is the safety of those impacted by the storm,” remarked Cathy in a press release. “While I’m incredibly disappointed that we will be unable to come together this year, we must allow the city, and its citizens, time to regroup and rebuild.”
In addition to the announcement, PMA has invited the industry to join them in making contributions to organizations involved in the long recovery efforts in the New Orleans region including the American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen.
“Fresh Summit is more than three days in October,” Cathy continued. “The onsite coordination begins several months before the industry arrives for the event each year. Right now, the priority is clear, and our hearts are with the individual and agencies addressing the aftermath of the storm.”
The press release went on to note that the infrastructure in New Orleans has been reported as significantly disrupted. The city itself has been declared a federal disaster area. Even with power being restored to the area, it will take time to address other aspects of the city’s resources, including labor.
“It is hard to accept we're foregoing an in-person Fresh Summit for two consecutive years, but when considering the logistical requirements of organizing a show our size, the experience we strive to deliver, and then overlay those with estimated timelines for recovery of critical infrastructure, the decision—as difficult as it is—becomes clear,” added PMA Chair of the Board, Dwight Ferguson, who is also President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.
As of right now, PMA is working with all exhibitors, vendors, and registered guests to discuss options and next steps. All those looking to speak with a member of the PMA team should refer to their email, which will have relevant details.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest industry news.
LOS ANGELES, CA - At ANUK, we often hear of shoppers searching high and low for Dulcinea® Farms' melons. Eager to hear more about what makes the company’s program so successful, we recently had the chance to conduct an exclusive video with Greg Irby, Area Manager.
"We grow melons on about 2,000 acres in Yuma and melons are row crop style, which means the Tuscans are direct seed planted and the watermelons are transplants," he says in the video. "Melon categories evolved into melons that are better flavor, higher sugar, better shelf-life, and we try to grow melons that meet those requirements. We grow proprietary varieties from our seed suppliers that are unique to Dulcinea. No one else can grow the varieties that we do."
According to Greg, Dulcinea prefers dry and warm spring seasons and hot conditions from the middle of May until early July. Driven by the belief that flavor is the most important eating quality, Dulcinea truly stands out from the rest and incentivizes repeat melon purchases from its shoppers.
Before the product even reaches the shelf, though, Dulcinea is working behind the scenes to ensure the highest quality possible meets consumers in the aisle.
"When the fruit reaches the cold storage, we unload the trucks, we bring it inside, and it waits inside the cold room until we have room on the line to pack them on the line," Greg continues. “The process is: we put the bins and the totes on the pack line. We run them through a washer sanitizer system, which cleans the melons and sanitizes them, and then they go through a grading process on the other side of the washer sanitizer where any problems with the fruit are sorted out. So, before they go into the sizer, we're dealing with perfect melons. And once they enter the sizer, they're graded by the sizer computer and they're sent down the pack line and sent out various lanes for the different pack styles that we're packing that day for our customers.”
Dulcinea's melon varieties are available in multiple bags, including single-net bags, double-net bags for club stores, and any combination of those options.
"So, on a daily basis, our operations team coordinates with the sales group," Greg adds, explaining how Dulcinea optimizes sales through its various pack styles. "We get instructions from our sales team on what our needs are everyday, and those needs are detailed, and our packing plan for the field and for the packing shed and those instructions go out to our field teams and our production staff here at the production line. So there's a very tight, coordinated effort on a daily basis to pack exactly what we need for our customers."
And that’s a wrap! For more exclusive video interviews, don’t forget to check in on ANUK once you open your inbox.