SAN FRANCISCO, CA - If reading this headline gave you a bit of déjà vu, you’re not alone. GrubMarket has been on a winning streak lately, revealing several key acquisitions in the fresh produce sector. Recently, the wholesaler announced its acquisition of Pacific Farm Management, and now it has pulled back the curtain on the acquisition of Terminal Produce as it looks to expand in the state of New York.
"Terminal Produce's commitment to quality and exceptional service is a promise that gives every customer confidence in their purchase,” said Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of GrubMarket. “For over two generations, Terminal Produce has illustrated a life-long dedication to serving its customers with the best food safety and quality. Its passionate team brings an incredible variety of year-round product offerings from all over the world. I am excited to welcome the Terminal Produce team to the GrubMarket family as we further strengthen our position in New York. Together, we will build a greater customer base and a stronger supplier network in the food ecosystem nationwide."
As a result of the deal, Terminal Produce will now be able to optimize GrubMarket's innovative proprietary WholesaleWare software suite, which provides food industry suppliers and vendors with seamless financial management, easy-to-use online ordering and sales, precise inventory management, and engaging CRM tools, according to a company release.
Terminal Produce, which was founded over three decades ago by Jung Kim, is a Brooklyn, New York-based supplier of high-quality tropical fruits and vegetables year-round, serving a wide variety of businesses within the Greater New York Area. Following the acquisition, Terminal Produce will continue to be managed by its existing leadership team.
"We are excited to join the GrubMarket family and embrace the new growth opportunities that GrubMarket's technology and network offer,” said Sun Jae Kim, General Manager of Terminal Produce. “Customer happiness is the foundation that our business is built on. We are thrilled to learn that GrubMarket shares the same values, and we look forward to joining the technology-enabled platform. Together, we aim to take Terminal Produce to the next level of success."
GrubMarket has its sights set on growth within the fresh produce industry, and we at ANUK can only guess that there are even more pivotal strategies on the horizon.
FOWLER, CA - Summer and citrus go hand in hand. The warm weather outside sends a flood of shoppers into the produce department in search of something juicy and refreshing, and it leads them directly to citrus displays. As grocers look to capitalize on this heightened demand, Bee Sweet is the ally they need, as it is well-prepared to arm its retail partners with an abundance of fresh citrus varieties.
“Citrus fruits remain a household staple for many families, so year-round availability is imperative to meeting the industry’s demand for product,” Sales Representative Jason Sadoian explained. “As our summer import program continues to gain momentum, our customers can rely on our team to provide them with Chilean Oranges, Mandarins, and Lemons, as well as several domestic varieties to meet their consumer’s needs.”
All of Bee Sweet’s off-shore product is encased in new, high-graphic packaging, and is checked for quality once it arrives at the grower’s main location in Fowler, California, according to a press release. The company’s dedicated and skilled production team is trained to facilitate the summer program, while the sales team is focused on clearance, logistics, and inventory—the perfect dynamic for customers looking for a successful and reliable year-round citrus program.
“During the summer months, consumers can look to our brand for year-round staples such as Navel Oranges, Lemons, and Mandarins, in addition to domestic Valencias, Blood Oranges, and Grapefruit,” Sadoian continued. “All of these varieties are flavorful, nutritious, and are incredibly versatile.”
With an assortment of unique offerings available, Bee Sweet Citrus has everything you need to appeal to virtually every consumer. Ramp up citrus displays with these enticing summer varieties and watch the sales follow.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Striped, solid, and everything in between—the colors and patterns found in the melon category are true show-stoppers on the shelf. Dulcinea Farms is one supplier with significant expertise in the sector, and I recently got an update on the company’s programs from Jeff Nichol of Sales.
“We just wrapped up our Yuma, Arizona, season and are now growing in Heron, California,” said Jeff. “We are expecting steady volumes and pricing for the remainder of the summer.”
Jeff told me that this Yuma season, Dulcinea had some very hot periods of weather, but abnormally cooler weather between 103 and 105, toward the end of the season. That cooler weather extended the region’s growing season about a week further than in years past. With strong supplies available, now is the time to push these gorgeous varieties at retail.
“July is known for watermelon! This is the best time of the year to promote our PureHearts,” Jeff explained. “Also, the Kiss melon line is in season for a short time frame. Do not miss the opportunity to build big displays around those seasonal items.”
Dulcinea is always working in advance with retailers to support the promotion of its products, offering collaborative promotional tools to maximize ROI at every point in the supply chain. For example, the company is working with Gelson’s on a National Watermelon Merchandising competition, which ANUK will be discussing in a future article.
“We are dedicated to only shipping what will be ready and ripe to eat by the time it is in the consumer's hands,” Jeff added on a final note. “With a unique lineup of proprietary varieties, no one else can provide the melons that we grow.”
It sounds to me like there will be some successful melon merchandising in our future, and Dulcinea is poised to be at the center of the action.
SALINAS, CA - Ready or not, here it comes! I can hardly believe PMA Foodservice takes place this week in Monterey, California. But, with Thursday nearly upon us, Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing and Packaging Procurement for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, is as ready-to-go as the products she and her team will be showcasing.
“Our fresh-cut celery and radishes, along with pre-shucked fresh corn, can help make your kitchen more efficient by reducing labor, food waste, and storage cost. As the world gets back to normal, more people are going out to restaurants expecting the same service they had before the pandemic,” Nichole points out. “With staffing shortages and higher foot traffic, restaurants rely on these fresh produce innovations to ensure quality service for their customers.“
Dandy® celery fresh-cut celery sticks are pre-washed and ready-to-use for that convenience. This category is one Duda has truly rooted into with offerings across the board for any celery-related idea. With customizable cuts and programs available from whole stalks to stocks and diced pack size ranges from 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb for sticks and buffalo cuts, with 50 ct, 75 ct, and 150 ct for school packs.
“Dandy is sweeter and crispier than other celery brands, making it the ideal choice for juicing, flavor, and an extra crunch that consumers have come to expect in their dishes. We’ve invested in research and development of our celery to ensure a crunchier, less stringy product than any other in the market,” Nichole shares. To explore a veritable menu of celery options, click here.
Dandy radishes, not to be outshined, come in pack sizes 1 x 5 lb, 2 x 5 lb, 4 x 5 lb, and 1 x 25 lb cut and trimmed; 2 x 5 lb or 4 x 5lb for coins; and 4 x 5 lb, 4 x 1 lb, and 5 x 1lb for Ministicks®.
“Our ready-to-use Dandy Cut and Trim Radishes, Radish Coins, and Radish Ministicks are an exciting addition to the fresh-cut category. Our radishes provide the perfect combination of color, crunch, and convenience for all of your dishes year-round,” Nichole shares before quickly following up with yet another strong addition to any foodservice offering. “For our Super Sweet Corn, we take the labor out of prepping fresh corn! With our 40-count shucked, cleaned, trimmed, and ready-to-consume corn, operators can reduce waste, labor, and storage costs with this convenient storage pack.”
That 40-count comes in yellow, white, or bi-colored corn options, accounting for just about any taste or dish.
In short, Nichole explains, partnering with Duda Farm Fresh Foods helps to capture the most elusive treasure in foodservice: consistency.
“We finalized the expansion of our fresh-cut facility in Oxnard, California, last year to help maximize production to meet the needs of our customers and further ensure that, by partnering with Duda Farm Fresh Foods, you’ll receive high quality fresh-cut food with consistent flavor year-round,” Nichole concludes. “Leave the cutting and prep work to us and let your kitchen staff do the creative work of menu innovation!”
So, as you are getting your show legs back on the foodservice side this week, don’t forget to swing by booth #900.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Help us continue to make history across the fresh produce industry by diving into our July issue of The Snack Magazine, and you could be rewarded with $100 cash. All you have to do is track down the famous ANUK apple logo expertly concealed on the cover for your chance to be one of the buy- or supply-side winners.
Within the pages of our July issue, you’ll find exclusive insights from some of our industry’s leaders, and their words will guide you through the history and legacies that live on in fresh produce. So, kick up your feet, grab your copy—digital or print—and get to flipping, but not until you’ve tracked down the notorious apple logo.
Haven’t received your hard copy yet? No worries! You can find the hidden apple logo by viewing our digital cover here. Once you find it, be sure to take a smiling photo of yourself with your finger pointing at the logo.
The criteria for winning is as follows:
- Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
- And your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
Once you’ve discovered it, send your selfie over to us at [email protected] to join the running for the $100 cash prize! If your photo lands in our inbox ahead of everyone else’s, you could join the winners’ circle, along with some other quick produce pros, including:
- Wylie Bird (reigning supply-side champion)
- Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies (reigning buy-side champion)
- Dustin Meloche of Nature Fresh Farms
- Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- Doug Groendyke Harvest Hope Food Bank’s
- Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos of D’Arrigo California
- Osmerlin Garcia of Nature Fresh Farms
- Monina Knox of Sprouts Farmers Market
Be sure to get ready for the competition next round, and click here to subscribe to The Snack (valued at $129 per year).
Dreaming of fun ways to spend your $100 already? Get searching, and your dreams could become a reality.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Can you hear the sound of a chef’s knife moving across a cutting board? I can nearly smell the produce being prepared before me, and the fresh, earthy aroma of potatoes is calling my name. I am, of course, imagining my PMA Foodservice Expo experience, and Fresh Solutions Network’s booth will be one of my first stops. Showcasing its Side Delights® A Cut Above® whole and fresh-cut potato line, buyers can get a taste of several popular choices for house-made potato chips and French fries.
“Since 2014, we’ve been bringing the foodservice sector premium-quality potatoes that make superior house-made chips and fries, a very profitable and still-growing segment for on-premise accounts,” said Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Solutions Network. “The superior taste and appearance of these products give operators the best foundation to create signature potato items that keep their patrons coming back for more.”
According to a press release, A Cut Above potatoes are premium-quality, whole white and Russet potatoes packed in 50 lb bags and cartons as well as 30 lb fresh-cut cartons.
The different foodservice offerings include Russet steak-cut fries, white shoestring fries, white 3/8” fries with skin on, and white 3/8” fries without skin. New to the A Cut Above line is a diced red potato with skin on. All of these potatoes enable operators to capitalize on consumer demands. A 2021 Consumer Attitude and Usage Study conducted by Potatoes USA revealed that “any potato option” and “Fries” are America’s #1 and #2 favorite side dishes and takeout side dish choices.
A Cut Above potatoes are available exclusively from the partners of Fresh Solutions Network. Basin Gold Cooperative from Washington, Sun-Glo of Idaho, and Sterman Masser Farms of Pennsylvania will all be attending PMA Foodservice Expo on behalf of the Network, and can be found at booth #218.
We’ll see you on the show floor!
OXNARD, CA - As many of us get ready to hit the trade show floor and rub—or in our case, bump, due to the pandemic—elbows with our fellow industry members at this year’s PMA Foodservice, Mission Produce has released consumer insights on the foodservice sector. Based on data collected, the supplier found that 77 percent of people who like avocados wish more of the category was available on menus, and to give foodservice buyers the chance to stock up, the company will showcase custom programs to provide fresh, ripe Hass avocados and mangos for every business.
“We can infer from our Avocado Intel findings that incorporating additional avocado dishes may be a way to boost profits and increase customer satisfaction, especially as many restaurants are facing pressure to make up for lost time during the pandemic,” said Bryan Garibay, Food Service Sales Manager. “We look forward to discussing our insights and educating our foodservice clients on how to increase their business with avocados at the upcoming PMA Foodservice tradeshow.”
Mission’s in-house intelligence capabilities, Avocado Intel, shows that 76 percent of people who enjoy avocados are more likely to order a dish with the fruit in it than without. Additionally, 91 percent of them are likely to pay more, willing to spend $2 extra to add avocado to their plates, according to a press release. This creates a space that foodservice operators can fill with Mission Foodservice and its supply of avocados for eateries of all kinds.
The supplier offers a year-round program, 24-hour flexibility, anytime delivery options, and hands-on training and education, creating a successful formula for buyers and operators alike.
As eating out begins to pick up again, with 57 percent of Americans reporting being completely comfortable dining indoors, according to Mission’s data, now is the perfect time to start prepping for an upswing in consumers looking for green gold on their menus.
“The industry is beginning to see an uptick in foodservice, which signifies a substantial growth opportunity, and we're here to guide our clients to manage the anticipated increase in demand," continued Garibay. “We’ve demonstrated great success in adapting our processes to better support the evolving needs of our clients, including last-minute add-ons, daily shipments, ripe specification suggestions, training and education, among other practices.”
To find out more about Mission’s Foodservice offerings, buyers and operators can find the company at this year’s PMA Foodservice, where they can discuss Mission’s latest expansion projects and gather information to serve their customers.
“We’ve been eager to reconnect with customers face-to-face. The promising results from our Avocado Intel findings, coupled with our expertise in avocado category management, have properly positioned us to bring more avocados to the dining experience for consumers,” said Garibay.
I, for one, can’t wait to head to Mission’s booth, #312, to see what the avocado maven has to offer. See you there!
NASHVILLE, NC - Exhibitors are coming from far and wide to strut their stuff at PMA Foodservice 2021. Nash Produce, for one, is joining us from the East Coast, and I had the chance to talk shop with Rebecca Scott, Grower Accounting and Marketing Director.
“We will be bringing sweet potatoes straight off of the packing line for attendees to see and feel the quality we are able to provide,” she told me. “We appreciate that this show is specifically for the foodservice industry, and it gives members of our team an opportunity to connect with this sector through one-on-one conversations. Nash Produce has attended this show for many years, and it is always a treat for us to visit with customers located in the western region.”
Rebecca relayed that fresh produce is a key part of the foodservice industry, with consumers looking for a fresh-and-ready meal that fills their appetite and provides their body with nutrients. And, not only does produce look visually appealing on a plate, but it also provides consumers with an essential health halo. As such, this show is integral for produce suppliers to attend.
“This show will be the first show Nash Produce will be attending in person in over a year, so that alone is something to celebrate! Given the impact COVID-19 has had on the foodservice sector, we are very much looking forward to speaking with industry leaders to see how, moving forward, we can assist with any of their sweet potato needs,” Rebecca said. “It will be so good to see returning customers in person again, and we hope to meet with as many familiar, and new, faces as possible!”
By the time of the show, Nash Produce will be close to the conclusion of its pickling cucumber season and ramping up for the beginning of sweet potato harvest. Typically, growers begin harvesting the new sweet potato crop by the end of August or early September, which will continue through late November or early-December, and all sweet potatoes will be cured and stored for the upcoming year.
“Dale Bone Farms, which became Nash Produce in 2006, grew into one of the largest cucumber operators on the East Coast. When the need to provide product year-round arose, the farmers made their venture into sweet potatoes. Almost entirely owned by sweet potato growers today, there is a sense of true community amongst Nash Produce’s multi-generation team,” Rebecca shared. “From the early seed stages all the way to consumer’s dinner plates, we work closely with our farmers at each stage of production.”
President Thomas Joyner and his wife, Melissa, will be representing Nash Produce at booth #202, and those who visit will learn about the company’s array of impressive facility capabilities such as electronic sizing, packaging opportunities, sweet potato variety options, and logistics resources.
Cheers to good times ahead!
CINCINNATI, OH - Ensuring shareholder returns is a crucial aspect of gaining market momentum, and Kroger is strategizing to increase this metric. The retailer recently announced that it has promoted Rob Quast as its new Head of Investor Relations.
Quast joined Kroger in 2013 as a Financial Manager in the corporate accounting department, a press release stated. In 2017, he was promoted to Director of Insurance and Claims, where he was responsible for Kroger's global insurance strategy.
Prior to Kroger, he spent time in Ernst & Young's assurance practice, providing consultative services for companies in various industries, including healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing.
Furthermore, Quast is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, earning a bachelor's degree as well as master's degree in Accounting. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 2010 and graduated from Kroger's Executive Development Leadership Program in 2018.
"Rob is a seasoned financial professional and respected leader within Kroger," said Gary Millerchip, Kroger's Chief Financial Officer. "Rob's experience will be invaluable as we continue to share our strategy for delivering strong and sustainable total shareholder returns with our investment community."
In his new role as Head of Investor Relations, Quast succeeds Rebekah Manis.
Manis also recently recieved a promotion and will now lead New Geographies, which includes Kroger's recent entry into the Florida market.
Millerchip continued, noting the irreplaceable impact that Manis had in her former role.
"We thank Rebekah for her relentless commitment and significant contributions to our investor community and look forward to her continued leadership within our new geographies," said Millerchip.
Congratulations to Rob Quast and Rebekah Manis as they enter their new roles!
LE GRAND, CA - This week is the week! Hundreds of produce folks will be making their way to Monterey, California, for this year’s PMA Foodservice, and I’m excited to see what innovations are in store for us. I caught up with Live Oak Farms’ Briana Giampaoli, Marketing and Product Innovation, to learn about what the company is highlighting.
“We’ll be at booth #1005 to showcase our fresh market; round tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, green and red bells, along with our jalapeños,” shared Briana. “We also offer conventional yellow bells and organic green bells, but those will not be on the floor. Our 10 lb foodservice Jalapeño pack and our prized Romas will be the highlight, along with our sought after premium bells.”
Bringing excellence from the field to the restaurant, Live Oak Farms prides itself on quality.
“We’re farmers you can trust,” Briana asserted. “As a fourth generation, family-owned and operated company, we take pride in our work as we have done for generations. Our commitment to our customers is what keeps us thriving. When you do business with Live Oak, you get consistently fresh, tasteful produce with simple, friendly service every time.”
Live Oak announced an expansion last year, which moved the company from a four-month seasonal shipper to one that covered California.
“This is but the start of our planned growth. Expect good things to come from Live Oak as California winds down. For now, we’ll just say, come by the booth to learn more about our plans for 2022!” Briana concluded.
You won’t want to miss out on this!