DELTA, CANADA - A testament to the greenhouse provider’s commitment to sustainable year-round produce cultivation, WINDSET FARMS® is bolstering its network with a 24-acre new sustainably lit greenhouse in Delta, British Columbia. Completed by early summer, the supplier’s newest facility grants the company increased capacity to better serve the Western Canada and Pacific Northwest markets year-round.

The new lit expansion will house various crops throughout the year, contributing to the over 2,500 acres of greenhouse vegetable production within Windset Farms’ network. In conjunction with the addition of LED lighting in the company’s existing greenhouse facility—totaling 48 acres of Windset’s 92 acres in Delta, BC—the new greenhouse will be among the largest lit facilities in Western North America.

Windset is also proud to be able to help reduce food waste by producing more locally grown product utilizing sustainable operations with thoughtful planning 365 days of the year, the release noted. The greenhouse provider’s customers can rely on consistent, high-quality supply with top flavor and freshness from three regions across North America: British Columbia, California, and Mexico.

More expansions are planned for the evolving greenhouse operation, so be on the lookout as AndNowUKnow relays the latest updates.

CHICAGO, IL - As Fresh Farms continues to think out of the box of traditional buy-sell models, it's clear that its category management approach and retail strategies are impacting sales and exciting consumers. As the grower launches another Taste To Believe grape campaign, it is expanding its outreach to include more retailers across the country as well.

“We aim for business growth by maintaining ties with consumers, said Charly Molina, Creative Director, Fresh Farms. “We have revived people’s perception and enjoyment of fresh produce by allowing them into the fascinating world of candy grapes.”

Designed last year, the campaign's core objective was to drive increased grape sales industry-wide, engaging and educating consumers at the retail level. 

The strategy involved not only leverages weekly and digital ads, but also incorporates vibrant point-of-sale materials that highlight the distinctiveness of different grape varieties. This season, Fresh Farms expanded its outreach with Jewel-Osco.

“We were all geared up when we sat down to discuss how we might have an impact on overall grape category sales and introduce candy grapes in a way that would be impossible for shoppers to ignore,” said Scott Bennett, Sales Manager, Jewel-Osco. “Our goal was simple: increase sales of grapes and ensure that every shopper could take a look, taste, and learn about these exceptional products with their unique flavors.”

In its second season with Jewel-Osco, the grower implemented a nuanced approach.

The campaign for awareness and trial, including the Taste to
Believe point-of-sale materials and promotional activities, is timed perfectly with the availability of each grape variety—red, green, black, Cotton Candy, Hearts, Snaps, and Organic Cotton Candy—creating what David Watson, Sales and Marketing Representative at Fresh Farms, refers to as the “X factor.”

The sales impact has been great, the release added.

As the company acknowledges that more work is needed to raise awareness of the expanding table grape category across the industry, it remains committed to working with retailers who share this same vision: taste and education can drive sales growth through the implementation of category management.

At ANUK, we are certainly believers! Keep clicking back for more juicy updates on table grapes.

MARLBOROUGH, MA - BJ’s Wholesale Club reported its second quarter financial results earlier this year, noting strong momentum across its operations.

“Our second quarter was marked by robust membership, accelerating traffic and unit growth, and a fast-tracking digital business, which led to strong performance in the quarter. This was our 10^th consecutive quarter of traffic growth. We are driving healthy membership expansion across both existing and new clubs. Our compelling value proposition is resonating with our members and we believe our results demonstrate the meaningful progress we are making on our long term strategic initiatives,” said Bob Eddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Additional highlights include:

• Comparable club sales increased by 3.1 percent year-over-year
• Comparable club sales, excluding gasoline sales, increased by 2.4 percent year-over-year
• Digitally enabled comparable sales growth was 22 percent year-over-year
• Membership fee income increased by 9.1 percent year-over-year to $113.1 million

Just this morning, J.P. Morgan upgraded BJ’s Wholesale Club to a Neutral rating after having previously set the retailer at Underweight. According to Seeking Alpha, the firm expects modest relation in grocery while the company is also seen benefiting from its efforts to reinvest in the business.

“I am proud of our team members for their continued dedication to our purpose of 'taking care of the families who depend on us,'” continued Eddy. “We will continue to invest in the long-term success of our company and we remain excited about our future.”

AndNowUKnow will be here with updates across grocery, so stay tuned.

ORLANDO, FL - Considering the opportunities avocado presents at foodservice or retail, the striking demand for the fruit is clear no matter how you slice it. During the first semester of 2024, the Colombia Avocado Board (CAB) announced shipment increases of more than three times the total avocado volume shipped to the United States.

“This remarkable growth in demand for Colombian avocados in the U.S. highlights the improved quality and reliability of our produce and confidence in production,” remarked Manuel Michel, Managing Director. “It also reflects the increasing consumer preference for avocados year-round, creating opportunities for more suppliers and we are proud that Colombia is starting to play a key role in meeting this demand.”

The United States now is the world’s largest importer of avocados, a press release shared, as consumption has been steadily rising over the past 10 years. With this growing appetite, and the expansion of the Colombia acreage and maturity of Colombia trees since its market entry in 2020, producers, exporters, and importers continue to yield dividends.

“The unprecedented growth of Colombian avocados to the U.S. during the first semester of 2024 contributed to this increase and highlights the growing recognition of Colombian avocados as an important partner in avocado supply,” shared Ricardo Uribe, Chairman. “We are thrilled to see strong demand as more American consumers discover the exceptional quality and taste of our avocados. This is just the beginning of Colombia's role as a major player in the U.S. avocado market.”

An evaluation of the Hass Avocado Board market category data shows avocado unit sales growth in major cities, and exceptional growth in markets east of the Mississippi, such as Miami rising 15.98 percent, and Boston up 14.12 percent.

Colombia is a global avocado producer and exporter with expanded export opportunities due to the development of more than 400 certified orchards and 27 certified packing houses, the release added. Along with consistent annual rainfall, multiple ports providing access to global markets, a rich agricultural history, and priority on maintaining a sustainable ecosystem that benefits the environment and economic prosperity, the Colombia Avocado Board has proven to be an essential part of the growth and development of importer partners.

As this category experiences continued gains, ANUK will be here to report.

MIDDLEBURY, CT - We reported on Dollar General’s new produce-forward banner, DG Market, earlier this year. Now, the format continues to grow with another location in Middlebury, Connecticut.

In a quote given to newstimes, Matthew Simonsen, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Store Development, stated that the store "will provide the Middlebury community with closer access to fresh and healthier foods and a convenient location to purchase the items they want and need at everyday low prices."

The new store opened on August 2 of this year.

DG Market will continue to expand in the region, with additional plans for sites in Manchester and Litchfield.

AndNowUKnow will continue to cover the latest retail news, so stay tuned.