REEDLEY, CA - For citrus lovers far and wide, exciting things can be heard on the newswire today, as Fruit World has announced not only an extraordinary citrus growing season, but an increase in its organic acreage.
“We’re in mandarin season now through May, with our highest volumes in early spring. Our Stem & Leaf Mandarins are now available in a new 4-pack clamshell under our Lucky Dragon label. We’ve found this new pack style to be exceptionally popular right now, with consumer demand for packaging options that limit additional direct handling of their produce at retail. Plus, the label adds a fun and bold element to the package,” said Co-Founder and CEO Bianca Kaprielian. “Our juicy Page mandarins, with their deep orange color and high flavor, are also available now through the end of January. Not many shippers offer Page mandarins, as they’re not typically considered easy-peel. But that changes as they ripen, and the reward is definitely worth the wait.”
This season’s varieties include both organic and conventional mandarins, organic Cara Cara, Blood, and Navel oranges, organic Minneolas, and organic lemons, according to the press release—all the product of patience and perfect timing at Fruit World.
“We’re unique in how we time the availability of some of our citrus, like Cara Caras and Blood Oranges,” said CJ Buxman, Co-Founder and Organic Citrus Grower. “We start our season a little later so their flavor is at its strongest and sweetest when we ship. That palate-pleasing intensity is why our customers come back to Fruit World again and again.”
The grower will begin shipping Cara Caras this month, followed by Blood Oranges in late January through April. Though the company’s organic lemons are a year-round mainstay, the lemon program will also see promotable volumes during the months of January–April.
Sky Ranch, one of Kaprelian’s family ranches, is also contributing to the grower’s citrus production this season with its Heirloom Navel Oranges. While the acreage is still in the process of transitioning to organic and this year’s Heirloom Navels will be sold as conventional this year, it will still follow all organic standards.
“Soil at the ranch has high mineral content, leading to extraordinarily flavorful citrus,” Kaprielian explained. “The Heirloom Navels are a phenomenal variety to begin with, and the rich mineral concentrations really highlight the sweet flavor of the fruit. We are in our first year of our organic transition and look forward to being fully transitioned in three years.”
After an already amazing growing season, the new organic acreage is sure to catapult the grower into another year filled with incredibly satisfying citrus.
Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow, as we keep our eye on the newswire for all things fresh produce.
PLANT CITY, FL - It’s hard not to get excited for the things to come in the produce industry, especially as new leaders step up to the plate. For Wish Farms, it recently added Brian Deese to its leadership team, naming him as Director of Blueberry Grower Relations.
“Berries have always been my passion, so I’m excited to bring that passion and drive to an already successful blueberry program,” commented Deese on his appointment. “By continuing to develop and maintain our grower relationships in several key growing regions, we can ensure future development and success of the Wish Farms program. As Wish Farms continues to expand operationally to meet customer needs, it will be my sole focus to continue nurturing our great existing relationships with growers, while making sure we are holding true to our mission of providing the best tasting berries, year-round.”
Deese brings over twelve years of experience in the berry industry after his time spent with California Giant Berry Farms.
Joe Powell, Vice President of Bushberry Supply, commented on how Deese will help Wish Farms’ next phase of growth.
“Brian brings a lot of experience to the table,” he remarked. “We are just going to keep building on the success that we have already accomplished.”
Strawberries continue to be Wish Farms’ largest commodity, a press release noted, and blueberries represent a substantial and growing portion of the grower and marketer’s business. Both Deese and Powell are confident that through strategic regional diversification and a strict adherence to trusted processes, Wish Farms can continue its long-term growth trend in the blueberry category.
Congratulations to Brian Deese on this new role!
MCALLEN, TX - Fox Packaging has long illuminated the many recyclable options within the industry. The company works tirelessly to ensure its solutions remain top of mind for both consumers and buyers alike. Its latest innovation, the Fox Fresh VertiMesh, delivers on increased demand for packaging solutions. To learn more, I spoke with Fox Packaging’s Keith Fox, Lucas Fox, and Victoria Lopez.
“In announcing our Fox Fresh VertiMesh, we look to serve our customers by supplying them with recyclable material that they can run on their equipment. This material format was specifically designed for Vertical Form, Fill, Seal equipment and will be available in Fox Fresh Mesh and Polyethylene materials,” commented Keith, President. “There is immense pressure within the packaging industry as a result of COVID-19, and our operations have been trusted with increased order volumes which we are diligently managing production to deliver orders on-time. While the impacts have been ongoing, our team has continued their innovative endeavors in filling our customer’s packaging needs, and for that, we are proud and continue looking into tomorrow for gaps in which flexible packaging can offer a solution.”
Part of Fox Packaging’s success lends itself to working alongside its customers and seeing where their specific packaging needs lie.
As Lucas, Director of Operations, remarked, this is all part of the company culture.
“Innovation is truly inspired by an attentive ear. Packaging must be functional; communication and marketing cannot be done without modern design, attractive colors, informative messaging, or responsible materials, but ultimately, we ask: Does this application compliment the distribution chain in a value-added way that is appropriate for automation, streamlines packing operations, and is it ideal for fresh produce? This is how our team approaches innovative development and design,” Lucas explained.
He also noted that the design of the Fox Fresh VertiMesh bag was made possible by a collaboration within the company, as the teams of product development and engineering worked closely with Fox Solutions and the executive team to ensure that the mechanical performance of the materials would translate to the automation requirements of this packaging style.
“Addressing the sustainable features of our products is important to us. Our Fox Fresh VertiMesh bag offers a recyclable alternative to comparable single-use bags,” Victoria, in charge of the company’s Marketing team, concluded.
As we settle in for the new year, it’s important to have innovative supply-side partners like Fox Packaging on your side.
ORLANDO, FL - To see our industry’s leaders working in harmony for the greater good is a thing of beauty. Healthy Family Project is always working toward a charitable cause, closing out 2020 by raising $210,780 through cause marketing programs. This catapulted the organization past a milestone of $7 million raised. In addition to this exciting news, Healthy Family Project added two new grocery partners, Gelson’s Markets and Coborn’s, to the 2021 cause marketing campaign efforts, joining long-standing partners Publix Super Markets and Associated Wholesale Grocers Springfield Division among others.
“2020 was a year of growth at Healthy Family Project, as we transitioned our brand and made changes in our overall strategy to pivot with consumer behavior. We were faced with adversity, like many businesses, and were compelled to look at new ways of reaching families and promoting our partners,” said Trish James, Vice President of Healthy Family Project. “I’m eager to watch this growth continue on into 2021 as we strengthen and focus these tactics to reach today’s family.”
Organizations benefiting from funds raised include Feeding America®, United Fresh Start Foundation, and Our Military Kids. In addition to total funds raised, other 2020 successes include reaching more than 20 million families with healthy lifestyle resources through website, social media, and alternate communications; executing 20 live online cooking classes; in-store signage in 3,160 grocery stores across the U.S.; and the Healthy Family Project podcast.
Produce for Kids’ in-store cause marketing program met the challenges of 2020 by including a plethora of digital marketing support to reach those at home and innovative signage that offered a quick and easy way to access campaign information in store. Live cooking classes associated with Produce for Kids retail campaigns were successful with more than 140,000 views and will continue in 2021, according to a press release.
In addition to welcoming Gelson’s Markets and Coborn’s, the organization is welcoming back second-year grocers Lowes Food Stores, Merchants Distributors, and Rouses Markets. Building on these partnerships, Healthy Family Project’s Mission for Nutrition will take place in March during National Nutrition Month with more than 450 retail dietitians and a consumer promotion featuring several produce brands.
“While 2020 presented its share of challenges for all, pausing and listening to what families needed in real time and delivering on those needs has built a substantial foundation moving Healthy Family Project into 2021,” continued James.
Food Rx’s popularity also continues to grow as consumers look to foods that combat and fight disease with new episodes slated to cover gut health, seasonal allergies, inflammation, and more. Sponsored episodes including February's Heart-Healthy Foods featuring National Watermelon Promotion Board will also be added to the mix.
In 2021, Healthy Family Project will continue to execute and expand upon digital partnerships to highlight partner brands and products through social media promotions; e-newsletter marketing; recipe development; and photography, videos, blog content, and more to its network of more than 400,000 families and parents. The Power Your Lunchbox program will evolve in its 8th year, and funds raised in 2021 will go to United Fresh Start Foundation to support the access of fruits and vegetables in schools.
For more ways that our industry is advocating for fresh food in 2021, keep clicking back to AndNowUKnow.
ST. CLOUD, MN - 2021 has brought many new executives to grocery, and the latest is Coborn’s string of new leaders, which includes its new Chief Operating Officer. Dave Meyer, who brings over 35 years of experience to the role, has worked for the retailer since 1985.
“I am humbled by this opportunity to continue to serve in the leadership of our growing company," Meyer remarked, according to a report from Star Tribune. “I look forward to executing our next phase of growth.”
Meyer will continue to oversee company operations, human resources, workforce planning, marketing, and in-store merchandising across the 59-store network of the employee-owned grocery chain.
“Dave has proven to be a valuable asset to Coborn’s through his strong leadership, vision, and commitment to the company’s operational standards and growth,” Chris Coborn, Chairman, President, and CEO, commented. “He has developed his leadership skills over his 35-year tenure with the company and has been a key part of our growth and success.”
Vice President of Marketing Dennis Host added that the promotion is “to recognize the role [Meyer] was largely in already as Executive Vice President.”
In addition to this new Chief, Coborn’s also announced that Troy Vosburgh joined the retailer as its Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. He will oversee strategy across its produce, floral, meat, deli, and bakery departments. Vosburgh comes from Skogan’s Festival Foods, where he served as Vice President of Fresh Foods for the last 14 years.
Other leaders promoted within the retail chain included Dusty Kerssen to Senior Director of Human Resources, Chris Schlichting to Director of Continuous Improvement, and Peter Coborn to Director of Strategic Pricing.
Congratulations to all on these new appointments!
SALINAS, CA - Consumers see the benefit of a diet rich with veggies, and suppliers are all too happy to comply with these wishes. One such vegetable that continues to headline shopper baskets is none other than broccoli—indeed a favorite of this trade news writer. To learn more about the state of this exemplary vegetable’s market, I turned to Ty Schurman, Ippolito International’s Broccoli Commodity Manager.
“The broccoli market has been on the tighter side from Thanksgiving until now,” he explained to me. “The volumes have been even tighter from cold weather in the desert and Mexico growing regions, and is projected to continue this way for the next week with better volumes for the next two to three weeks from warmer weather. As far as promotional volumes, they are available in the mid-teens on crowns.”
This pricing, as Ty continued to illuminate, shows a larger price spread than normal between broccoli bunches and broccoli crowns.
“The crown packs are short in supply, and therefore, priced higher. Their dome size is smaller, which means that less is available for harvesting. As far as the comparison to last year, my expectations are being kept in check. We are in uncharted territories with COVID-related problems and shutdowns. Unpredictable markets between the foodservice and retail sectors will mean packers and customers have to be ready to pivot—and on short notice,” Ty remarked. “On the positive side, the holidays are behind us, and that could add some stability. And in different parts of the country, foodservice might get the greenlight—which could mean a huge rebound. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this happens sooner than later!”
In the midst of its winter season in Yuma, the cold weather has slowed the growth of some buds, resulting in the smaller domes, Ty mentioned. Good quality is still being maintained.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep communications between buy and supply thriving, so stick around to read more on our coverage of category markets.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that is has imposed sanctions against Chadbourn, North Carolina-based Wayne Bailey, Inc. (WBI) for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions imposed include barring the business as well as its principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without the approval of the USDA.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
WBI failed to pay $8,182,415 to 46 sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from June 2015 to April 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. WBI cannot operate in the produce industry until December 31, 2022, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principal, George Wooten, Jr., may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until December 31, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For more information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.
BOULDER, CO - As people everywhere begin speaking their New Year’s resolutions into existence, one common goal that seems to be popping up is the desire to add more produce into their lives in any way possible. RollinGreens is capitalizing on this resolution with the launch of its new chef-designed, shelf-stable Taco Pack, a new plant-based meat alternative.
"RollinGreens has made a big impact this year in the ever-evolving food industry, and we've seen a rapid sales acceleration during the pandemic in healthy at-home alternatives," said Lindsey Cunningham, CEO and Co-Founder. "In 2021, we are looking forward to maximizing our growth with new products like the Taco Pack, accelerated direct-to-consumer business, scaling our partnership with QVC and supporting our retailers nationwide."
The RollinGreens Taco Pack is made with 10 simple ingredients and each pack replaces one pound of beef, saving the roughly four million gallons of water it would take to produce conventional meat, according to a press release.
Each Taco Pack offers consumers 60 grams of protein and mimics the taste and texture of traditional beef.
"Up until today, our focus has primarily been on tasty frozen appetizers, but with food trends rapidly changing, convenience more important than ever, the need for more plant-based alternatives, and conscious consumption at an all-time high, our taco pack is a great solution," said Chef Ko, Chef and Co-Founder. "Inspired by authentic Mexican flavors, we have created a delicious, meat-free meal that the whole family can enjoy together regardless of their dietary requirements. It's tasty, easy to prepare, and something everyone will crave."
Made with 100 percent U.S.-grown peas and containing no soy, the Taco Packs offer shoppers a healthy new way to increase protein consumption while also loading up on nutrient-rich vegetables.
The new product is now available for presale on the RollinGreens website and retails for $9.99 per pack, shipping out the second week of February. The plant-based meat will also be available in Thrive Market starting in February. Other RollinGreens products are sold in Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Wegmans, and more across the nation.
What role will plant-based products play in the fresh produce market? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we go in search of the answers.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Between an influx of Zoom calls, the migration to sweatpants-only fashion, and adding masks to your essential checklist every time you leave the house, 2020 contained no shortage of bloopers. Bolthouse Farms is making its consumers feel seen and heard by launching its “Don’t Get Caught Naked” sweepstakes, committed to helping fans across the country mitigate those “oh, no” moments in 2021.
“After a long year of uncertainty and many of us staying close to home, the 'Don’t Get Caught Naked' campaign allows Bolthouse Farms to boldly show our brand personality and sense of humor and aims to bring this spirit to the new year,” said VP of Marketing AJ Bernstein. “We’re living out our goal of creating a new way for people to eat and live healthier lifestyles by offering beverages and products like Bolthouse Farms Protein Keto™ beverages, Carrot Ginger Turmeric juice, and Bolthouse Farms® Dutch Chocolate Banana Protein PLUS® shake, to help promote wellness, that taste great, and are available at a good value. We hope fans engage and grow alongside us in 2021.”
Starting Monday, January 11 through Friday, January 15, eligible fans who share their wildest “caught naked” 2020 story via direct message on Instagram will receive a free on-demand, same-day delivery of a one-week’s supply of Bolthouse Farms® beverages; a coupon for up to $10 of Bolthouse Farms products from their favorite grocery store; and fun, exclusive Don’t Get Caught Naked-branded gear.
To learn more about this cheeky promotion, click here. For all of the unique ways brands are supporting their consumers, keep checking in with us at AndNowUKnow.
NOGALES, AZ - With the new year off to a bang, organizations across the industry are making moves as they strengthen for the year ahead. The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has announced that it will be adding a new force to its team with the addition of Andrea Ortega as its new Communications Coordinator. With a strong background in marketing, communications, and project management, Ortega will serve as a valuable asset to FPAA’s lineup as the association seeks to achieve its 2021 goals.
In her new role, Ortega will assist FPAA in creating more efficient communication throughout the organization, assist in coordinating events, develop new marketing strategies, and manage virtual engagement, according to a release from FPAA.
“We are excited to have an enthusiastic believer in economic development on board,” said President Lance Jungmeyer. “As an organization driven to help companies succeed in their businesses, we have a story to tell, with $100 million in infrastructure improvements coming to Nogales, and a cold inspection room that will expand the breadth of items handled in Nogales, of course which means jobs.”
A native to Arizona, Ortega previously held roles at various organizations including Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Peace of Mind Events, Grupo GOCM, Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, and the Tubac Chamber of Commerce, where she most recently held the position of Executive Director.
Ortega currently serves as the Economic Development Advisor for the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation, as well as being involved with the Arizona Industry Fellows.
Congratulations to Andrea Ortega on her new position!