SALINAS, CA - Measure to Improve’s Nikki Cossio recently shared a blog post highlighting the importance of sharing our industry’s sustainability stories, and how that can be achieved in a way that resonates with today’s consumer.

Growers, shippers, processors — you all have a good story to tell. But where do you begin? What do you include? How do you tell it authentically, credibly, and in a way that resonates?

For years, the produce industry has been accused of not telling its story. At nearly every conference, every panel discussion, it’s the same message: “We’re not doing a good job of telling our story.” And let’s be honest — that’s been true.

Historically, we’ve been heads down, focused on the work: planting, growing, harvesting, shipping, processing. We did it all with pride, but quietly. People back in the day didn’t care about how their food got to the table just that it got there.

But today, the world does care.

People want to know where their food comes from. They want to understand how it was grown, who grew it, and what values are behind the label. Now is the time to tell the stories we never told — because today, consumers are not only asking, but they’re also actively looking and listening.

Read the rest of the piece here.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Marking the first anniversary of their historic partnership, Oppy, a leader in fresh produce marketing and distribution, and DEEP Earth Energy Production (DEEP), the first company in Canada to utilize geothermal energy for commercial-scale power production, report progress on their groundbreaking greenhouse project.

The partnership, which promises to redefine sustainability in greenhouse agriculture, is on track to deliver one of Canada's greenest and most innovative greenhouses. The project combines DEEP's geothermal energy expertise with Oppy's leadership in the fresh produce sector, setting the stage for a new era in energy-efficient greenhouse farming.

The facility will integrate geothermal energy into its design and operations, using the Earth’s heat to power and warm the greenhouse, reducing the need for fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"This project represents a major step toward expanding geothermal and greenhouse industries into regions of Canada that have never seen such a model before," said Kirsten Marcia, founder of DEEP, in a recent press release. "It’s an exciting time for DEEP as we continue our mission to lead the way in sustainable energy and agriculture. We're making a significant investment to start and grow an industry in Canada, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead as we bring this vision to life with Oppy."

DEEP is also in talks with the Saskatchewan Natural Resource Centre of Excellence and First Nations communities to explore equity ownership opportunities, ensuring the greenhouse project provides a meaningful chance for First Nations to participate in and benefit from the geothermal sector.

This update follows the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DEEP and the Saskatchewan Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, which establishes a framework for First Nations investment in DEEP's geothermal power project and potential greenhouse development.

"The prospect of this project’s ability to transform agriculture and serve as a model for sustainability is truly remarkable," said Oppy’s Category Director of Greenhouse, Kevin Batt. "We are proud to partner with DEEP and look forward to continuing our work together to build Canada’s greenest greenhouse. This project reflects Oppy’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in the produce industry."

Discussions continue regarding the greenhouse's design and operations, and both teams remain optimistic about the future of this landmark initiative, according to Batt.

GRASS VALLEY, CA - For the seventh straight year, Viva Tierra Organics is proud to sponsor the TDS Mountain Bike Enduro Race in Grass Valley, California.

Now in its thirteenth year, the TDS is a demanding enduro held this year April 26th & 27th on nearly 250 acres of private property in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, open to spectators free of charge. Made possible by the father-son teamwork of Ron and Casey Sanchez, the property consists of a web of trails, from park-style wooden wall rides, berms, and tabletops, to all-natural single-track, rock chutes, and open terrain.

The TDS is an invite-only multi-day, multi-stage race, and over the years has turned into a bucket list event for an elite group of professional riders. Amongst the many past professional racers is Tyler McCaul, who placed third at the 2024 Red Bull Rampage ultra downhill race in Utah.

Because of TDS and the generosity of its sponsors, the family can give back to various groups and organizations. Several local clubs and teams use the property for their training rides and host local races and youth cycling events as well. One of the biggest contributions is giving back to the military community by partnering up with the Semper Fi & America’s Fund on TDS weekend.

The non-profit organization helps to provide resources and financial support for combat-wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. After years of advanced mountain bike clinics during TDS week, there are several Team Semper Fi members who are ready to race TDS, and the Sanchez Family, Ron and his wife Debbie & son and daughter Casey and Carly work hard to make the weekend a success and are excited to have them back for TDS 2025.

Ron’s passion for biking and trail-building is the driving force behind the network of trails and the charitable activity, and he says in a recent press release “Each year, when riders and sponsors return, we feel like we are throwing a family reunion with friends who feel like family.”

Viva Tierra is the premier year-round marketer of organic apples and pears from North and South America, New Zealand, with seasonal availability on other organic produce from some of the finest organic farmers worldwide and is honored to be a sponsor and, of course, provide fresh organic apples for the riders.

FRESNO, CA - From Cinco de Mayo guacamole recipes to the long-awaited summer grilling season, red onions are finding their place in a host of seasonal recipes, making the category a consistent stop during shoppers’ grocery trips. With demand on the rise, we recently gained exclusive insights from the team at Baloian Farms as the grower prepares for the kick-off of its red onion season.

“Quality is looking excellent,” shared Reiley Johnstone, Account Manager, after a recent visit to the fields. “Growing conditions have been ideal for this season's onion crop to produce a nice sweet red onion. With the temperature rising at a nice rate in California, it has given the onions ideal conditions to grow at the pace they desire for the ultimate shape and flavor. This season, we are going to have a majority of the premium jumbo-sized onion, which seems to be the size most desired by consumers.”

Baloian Farms will have a steady volume from the beginning of May through September and potentially October. The grower does not anticipate any gaps in supply, ensuring consistent quality and volumes to back the onion category for the next five to six months.

“The thing that sets Baloian Farms apart is the variety of onion that we grow,” Reiley continues. “With the proven Brix test, these onions will compete with any other sweet red varieties out there. With the flat shape and the taste of these onions, we are sure people will come back to the stores for more. We also have a great team here that knows what is needed to put up an excellent pack, followed by great service to make things very easy on the purchasing end. We have the capability to pack most pack styles needed by the customer. If there are any opportunities, we will do our best to make that a reality.”

With variety as a key distinguishing factor, Baloian Farms is proud to supply its retail partners with the beloved Italian Flat Sweet Red Onion.

“These red onions are filled with a wonderful sweet flavor that has been tested and proven on a Brix test to show the sweetness level of these. They also have a unique flat look to them, which can really capture the eye of the shoppers walking by the displays in the stores,” Reiley explains. “These are great for summer BBQs, either on the grill or cut fresh for your summertime salads. Fourth of July promotions have always been a big hit and successful for this commodity. They pair well with other big Fourth of July promos such as hamburgers and hot dogs.”

To continue elevating its onion offering and increasing surety of supply for retailers, Baloian Farms is looking to extend its season with the planting of a new variety.

“In years past, we typically concluded the season at the end of September, but this year, if things go as planned, we anticipate the season going further into October,” notes Reiley. “We are continuously trying to expand our season to keep our customers supplied with our label for as long as we can.”

With more opportunities opening up in the red onion category with the help of Baloian Farms, ANUK will continue to relay the latest insights.

ONTARIO, CA - Heritage Grocers Group, the largest Hispanic and ethnic food retailer in the country, is pleased to announce that Frank Ingraffia has been appointed to the role of Chief Transformation Officer (CTO).

Ingraffia, CEO of Tony's Fresh Market chain, takes on the Heritage CTO role in addition to his current duties and will work amongst the company's offices in Chicago, Ontario and Dallas. He will report directly to Heritage Grocers Group Chairman and CEO, Suzy Monford.

As Chief Transformation Officer, Ingraffia will lead Heritage's Transformation Office which was created last December as the Company embarked on innovation initiatives including e-commerce, retail media, price and promotion optimization, and inventory/supply chain improvement, a press release explained.

“Frank is a focused and results-driven leader who will bring strategic management to this key role,” Monford said. “His leadership will be instrumental in achieving both short and long-term goals, and I am confident that he will bring the speed, agility, and strategic vision to further Heritage’s competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

Frank, the son of Tony Ingraffia, the original founder of Tony’s Fresh Market, grew up immersed in the grocery business, learning every aspect of it from the ground up. His extensive career in the food industry began as a bagger in 2003, and he eventually worked in every department at the store level. He subsequently progressed through various corporate roles within the company, including Category Manager, Real Estate Director, Legal Counsel, and Vice President of Corporate Operations. Ultimately, he ascended to the position of Chief Executive Officer for Tony’s Fresh Markets as its founders transitioned away from active management.

Frank earned both a business degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Loyola University Chicago. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for Tony’s Charitable Foundation.

ORLANDO, FL - Southeastern Grocers, the parent company behind your neighborhood Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores, has just picked Net Conversion as its media agency of record, according to recent news from Marketing Communication News.

The partnership comes after what was described as a competitive review process. What stood out? According to SEG, it was Net Conversion’s ability to “do more with less," a strategy many in retail are targeting these days.

“We are committed to finding innovative ways to connect with our customers and ultimately, enhance their shopping experience,” said Adam Kirk, Chief Customer and Digital Officer at SEG. He added, “Partnering with Net Conversion allows us to utilize their expertise in strategic storytelling and digital engagement… Together, we are building meaningful relationships with our neighbors, delivering exceptional value while driving authentic loyalty and growth.”

The independent agency will now handle media planning and buying, plus media and advanced analytics. Expect this to get very data-driven, very fast.

The agency plans to use what it calls the “MORE” methodology: Model-centric, Omnichannel, Results-based, and Experiment-driven. That basically means: dial in the data, spread the message everywhere, and track exactly what’s working.

“SEG is a cornerstone of the communities it serves,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Net Conversion. “We understand the importance of delivering personalized and relevant experiences to SEG’s diverse customer base.” His team is zeroing in on loyalty growth, first-party data usage, and hitting the right shoppers at the right time.

Kristina Canada, CMO of Net Conversion, put it this way: “In a rapidly evolving market, SEG’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and experiences to its loyal shoppers and attracting new audiences is clear.”

From growing loyalty and acquiring new customers to boosting demand and refining measurement, this partnership is looking to tackle it all.

For more insights on how retailers are reshaping their media strategies, check out ANUK. You won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

SALINAS, CA - This Earth Day, Naturipe Farms is celebrating the people behind its leadership in sustainability – the growers and employees whose innovative thinking and creative problem-solving drive real, lasting solutions. From repurposing materials to optimizing resources, Naturipe’s culture of collaboration ensures that sustainability efforts are practical and can be implemented and sustained in the real world.

“Naturipe Farms succeeds in sustainability because of the culture we’ve built,” said Janis McIntosh, Director of Marketing Innovation and Sustainability. “Our growers are empowered to identify and close sustainability gaps. We can always be more effective – and Naturipe’s culture lets us keep working towards that goal.”

Naturipe’s approach gives individuals working most closely with its farms the ability to implement eco-friendly initiatives.

Recent projects have focused on waste diversion or reduction, including:

• Turning Waste Into Roads: When a newly installed solar field needed road access, instead of sourcing brand-new gravel and cement, a costly and carbon-intensive process, Naturipe’s California team found a better way. They repurposed onsite defunct cement, grinding it into gravel to create a durable roadbed.
• Streamlining Recycling: Our growers noticed trucks transporting fresh blueberries to their Distribution Center were not always full. They proposed filling out the trucks with recyclable cardboard, offering the service of baling and recycling. This simple – but effective program – significantly improved recycling efficiency for their growers.
• Improving Soil Health: Our grower in Central California recently set aside 350 acres to test a variety of cover crops. Cover crops are essential to the health and fertility of the soil, increasing organic matter, enhancing biodiversity and sequestering CO2.
• Expanding Renewable Energy: In 2024, our growers installed additional solar in California and Chile further reducing our reliance on conventional Energy. Today we are proud that our operations are powered by over 35% renewable energy.

“We know real change doesn’t always come from a boardroom,” said Jim Roberts, President of Naturipe Farms. “When it comes to sustainability, the best solutions come from those most directly involved with our farms – our growers.”

These practices, along with Naturipe’s focus on reduced plastic, minimal water use, composting materials, and providing pollinator habitats, have earned the company top recognition from sustainability certifications and assessments globally. As the produce industry celebrates Earth Day, Naturipe continues to implement new ways to enhance sustainability. For more information on Naturipe’s practices, click here.

SALINAS, CA - Earthbound Farm, the leader in organic and greenhouse-grown salads, has partnered with Instacart to launch a high-impact Earth Month campaign aimed at inspiring healthier, more sustainable choices.

The multi-channel initiative spans digital, social, and mobile platforms, featuring eco-conscious influencers, targeted outreach via Instacart’s email, mobile channels and a promo code offer for fresh greens (Enter code: FromEarth2You at checkout while supplies last*). The campaign spotlights Earthbound Farm’s fresh greens while reinforcing the connection between personal health and planetary well-being.

On Earth Day, Instacart users nationwide will experience an Earthbound Farm storefront takeover, showcasing the brand’s premier freshness and breadth of organic and greenhouse-grown offerings. This includes Earthbound Farm’s new plant-based tray, which cuts plastic by 95% and is already winning fans in over 1,000 stores in US and Canada.

“Prioritizing the planet should be easy—and with Earthbound Farm, it is,” said Christina Barnard, Vice President of Brand Marketing, in a recent press release. “This partnership brings our mission to life right where it matters—at the moment of choice.”

Together, Earthbound Farm and Instacart are helping consumers make small, everyday decisions that add up to meaningful change—starting with what’s on their plate.

"This new co-marketing solution enables brands like Earthbound Farm to connect with customers in highly targeted ways during key shopping moments,” said Stephanie Paturzo Swingle, Senior Director of B2B Marketing at Instacart. “By unlocking custom promo code capabilities, we’re helping brands drive engagement and create seamless, measurable paths to purchase that inspire customers to shop instantly and form new habits."