PLANT CITY, FL – Plant City-based, international grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pineberries, Wish Farms, is pleased to share a recent mobile campaign rewarding its loyal berry shoppers: Berry Bonanza.

Kicking off January 22nd and running through April 28th, the three-month campaign captures the peak of Florida’s season for strawberries and blueberries.

Shoppers sign up by submitting their email and phone number. After purchasing any Wish Farms berry package, they text a picture of their receipt and promptly receive a $1 cash rebate via Venmo (up to two per person).

The intention was to engage fans while delivering value to Wish Farms’ follower base across all platforms. Following a social media blitz using geotargeting, the company reported a marked increase in email signups, social media followers, and website traffic.

Director of Marketing Amber Maloney: “It is especially challenging in our business to track marketing efforts from an ROI perspective. We decided to look outside the produce industry to see which ideas are successful in the consumer package goods world. This program allows us to gain valuable data and consumer habits, all while rewarding berry lovers for being supportive of our brand,” she said in a recent press release.

Maloney said the experience with Blue Chip’s turn-key, automated platform was a resounding success. She expects future campaigns that explore creative ways to connect with consumers and share insights with select retail partners.

BOISE, ID - Albertsons Companies, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and full year fiscal 2024, which ended February 22, 2025.

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 2.3%
• Digital sales increased 24%
• Loyalty members increased 15% to 45.6 million
• Net income of $172 million, or $0.29 per share
• Adjusted net income of $270 million, or $0.46 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $855 million

Fiscal 2024 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 2.0%
• Digital sales increased 24%
• Net income of $959 million, or $1.64 per share
• Adjusted net income of $1,382 million, or $2.34 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $4,005 million

"We delivered solid results in the fourth quarter and closed fiscal 2024 with positive momentum as we continued to invest in our Customers for Life strategy," said Vivek Sankaran, CEO, in a recent press release. "This strategy has firmly positioned the Company for its next chapter of growth and value creation for shareholders. As previously announced, I am retiring as of May 1, 2025, and am delighted that the Board of Directors has selected Susan Morris to succeed me as CEO. Under Susan's leadership, I have the utmost confidence that she and the entire team will continue to drive future growth and continue to elevate our role with our customers and our communities."

Susan Morris, COO and incoming CEO, said, "I am thrilled to be taking the helm of our Company during this transformational time in our Customers for Life strategy. None of this would be possible without the support of our 285,000 associates who work tirelessly to make it all happen." Morris added, “As we look forward to fiscal 2025 and beyond, we are excited about the investments we have made in our core business, including the growth opportunity inherent in our digital platforms working together to generate deeper engagement, increased digital inventory and acceleration of growth in the Albertsons Media Collective. While fiscal 2025 will be an investment year, beginning in fiscal 2026 we expect to drive growth consistent with our long-term algorithm of 2+% identical sales and Adjusted EBITDA growth higher than identical sales growth."

See the full report here.

KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce, pioneers in the greenhouse industry, continue pushing the boundaries of packaging innovation and design, taking home the coveted Packaging Innovation Award for their new paper lettuce bag at this year's Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Tradeshow.

The new resealable lettuce bag helps keep leafy greens crisp, fresh, and delicious with a 65% reduction in plastic compared to a traditional PET tray. "Consumers are looking for alternatives to conventional plastic packaging," said Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO, in a recent press release. "This award speaks to Mastronardi’s continued leadership in the industry to meet consumer demands."

The new packaging will be launching soon on Mastronardi's Backyard Farms® brand. Backyard Farms® fresh leafy greens are greenhouse-grown and perfect in sandwiches, wraps, burgers, or salads.

CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger appointed Joe Kelley, president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, to be senior vice president of Retail Divisions. Kelley is an industry veteran of nearly 40 years. He has held a number of executive leadership roles across a variety of retailers, including Price Chopper, Stop and Shop, Star Market, and Shaws Supermarkets. Kelley joined the Kroger enterprise in 2019.

"Joe is a customer-centric leader who brings broad industry experience, with a strong track record of making stores great places to shop," said Ron Sargent, Chairman and CEO of Kroger, in a recent press release.

Kelley succeeds Kenny Kimball, who returns to the Utah-based Smith's division as president after three years also leading as SVP of Retail Divisions. Kimball joined the Kroger enterprise in 1984.

"We are grateful for Kenny's leadership as he stepped up to oversee multiple retail divisions in addition to Smith's," continued Sargent. "His commitment to our associates and customers is inspirational, and he will continue to play a key role in our enterprise, supporting strategic priorities and mentoring young leaders."

Chris Albi, group vice president of Operations at King Soopers & City Markets, will succeed Kelley as president of the division. As a trusted leader, Albi is deeply connected to the division's identity, strategy and associates. She joined the Kroger enterprise in 1981 as a courtesy clerk and has held numerous leadership roles in her tenure, including Grocery category manager, vice president of Merchandising for the Michigan division and president of QFC.

Kendra Doyel will lead the California- and Illinois-based Food 4 Less as president, succeeding Bryan Kaltenbach. Doyel joined the Kroger enterprise in 1998 as a pharmacist in the Fry's division. Since then, she has held several leadership roles across multiple departments for Fry's, Ralph's and Food 4 Less.

Kaltenbach will retire after more than 50 years in the grocery industry. He joined the Food 4 Less team in 1994 and held several leadership positions, including store manager, Director of Store Operations and Director of Sales & Marketing. Kaltenbach was named division president in 2010.