CHARLOTTE, NC - Packaged salads continue to dominate the value-added sector. With innovative creators like Dole Food Company at the helm, it’s not hard to see why! The global packaged salad kits leader has unveiled its new DOLE® Hawaiian Slawesome!® Kit, the latest entry in Dole’s popular Slawesome! line of seasoned coleslaw kits.
“Dole introduced Slawesome! in 2018 as the industry’s first line of seasoned coleslaw kits in response to simultaneous consumer demand for cabbage, coleslaw, and Dole’s salad kits,” said Bil Goldfield, Dole’s Director of Corporate Communications. “The line continues to show strength among the widest spectrum of shoppers—from vegetarians and plant-based-diet converts to flexitarians and meat-eaters wanting a topping for beef, pork, poultry, and fish.”
The kit features a mix of shredded green and red cabbage and carrots, Dole’s Grilled Pineapple Dressing made with real DOLE Tropical Gold® Pineapples, and tropical seasoning for an added punch of flavor. The SKU serves 3-4 people for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2.99.
According to the press release, James Drummond Dole began growing pineapples on the island of Oahu in 1901 and founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, a precursor to Dole Food Company and Hawaii’s long association with the beloved fruit. More than a century later, the company’s famous link to the Islands also continues in the form of the new Slawesome! product.
“With the DOLE Hawaiian Slawesome! Kit, we’re directly leveraging our unique and historic pineapple experience to grow the coleslaw kit category with an only-from-Dole taste sensation that pairs well with pulled chicken sandwiches, fish tacos, and turkey burgers, and is the perfect topping for a variety of soups and stews,” added Goldfield.
Dole offers 66 different packaged salad varieties including its popular Chopped!, Slawesome!, and Premium salad kit lines, salad mixes, and slaws. The open-design bag offers flavor-specific pairing and topping suggestions and a link to Dole’s library of recipes, some of which feature DOLE Slawesome! Kits as ingredients. It joins the DOLE Sweet Apple Slawesome!® Kit, DOLE Mango Sriracha Slawesome!® Kit, and DOLE Fiesta Lime Slawesome!® Kit.
Light up the salad section with a host of delicious packaged salad lines to choose from. ANUK will continue to report on the latest in the fresh produce industry, so keep clicking back for more.
FRESNO, CA - The consumer consensus: Grapes of all colors—red, green, and black—are great to enjoy no matter the occasion. Not only are they delicious to eat, but they’re also a natural source of beneficial compounds. The California Table Grape Commission is spreading the word so everybody knows that grapes are a natural source of flavonols, which is associated with decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer's—a key point that retailers can communicate to the consumer when driving the category in the produce department.
“The new findings linking higher intake of flavonols to a reduced risk of Alzheimer dementia is very exciting and supports the previous positive findings of the beneficial impact grape consumption can have on brain health,” said Kathleen Nave, President. “Importantly, research indicates that just 2 1/4 cups of grapes a day is all it takes to make a positive difference. With more clinical research in this critically important area of human health underway, we look forward to having more positive news to share.”
According to a press release, a new study published in the scientific journal Neurology found that a higher intake of plant compounds known as flavonols is associated with a 48 percent decreased risk of developing Alzheimer dementia. As plenty of consumers make many of their decisions based on flavor, quality, and health, retailers can truly draw on these factors to generate continued consumption.
Flavonols are a type of bioactive compound found in grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables, and are known for promoting beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Grapes are a natural source of flavonols, including kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. In this study, the benefit observed was most strongly associated with kaempferol, myricetin, and isorhamnetin; quercetin was not associated with Alzheimer dementia, although it has been linked to numerous other health benefits.
Other research has linked the consumption of grapes to brain health. In a clinical study conducted at UCLA, researchers found that eating grapes helped protect against metabolic decline in Alzheimer-related areas of the brain.
Fresh produce—and ANUK—will continue to nourish the body and brain, so keep checking back for more.
SEATTLE, WA - Starbucks is no stranger to the plant-based world. However, a new item on the menu will make it almost impossible for consumers to resist. Recently, the coffee giant announced a new partnership with Impossible Foods, making the Impossible™ Breakfast Sandwich available in most Starbucks stores throughout the U.S.
“We’re pleased to add the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich, made with Impossible plant-based sausage, to Starbucks menu in the U.S. to meet the growing customer-interest in plant-based options,” said Michael Kobori, Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks. “Over the years, in response to customer interest, we have added plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk. We are thrilled to expand our plant-based menu into food with this new breakfast sandwich.”
According to a press release, the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is available as part of Starbucks’ new summer menu alongside new cold coffee beverages. The sandwich features Impossible™ Sausage Made from Plants, which is combined with a cage-free fried egg and aged cheddar cheese and served on artisanal ciabatta bread.
The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich joins a growing number of plant-based menu items offered to Starbucks customers in the U.S. As part of its sustainability initiatives, and to meet increasing customer demand, the coffee chain states it will continue to expand plant-based choices, increasing its environmentally-friendly menu to be a resource-positive company.
“Starbucks’ commitment to add more plant-based ingredients to its menu is a new benchmark for large corporations,” said Dr. Patrick O. Brown, Founder and CEO of Impossible Foods. “Impossible Foods is making plant-based foods that deliver unrivaled taste, nutrition, and convenience. We’re excited to work with Starbucks, which shares our mission to make the global food system sustainable.”
Which partnership will Starbucks form next as it continues its sustainable and plant-based mission? Keep reading ANUK to find out.
ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize is holding nothing back as it bolsters both its leadership and partnership roster. This week, the grocer’s Supervisory Board Chairman, Jan Hommen, announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2020. In his place, Peter Agnefjäll will step up as the new Chairman, effective January 1, 2021, and in the meantime will serve as Vice Chairman in order to ensure a smooth transition. On top of this new leadership appointment, Ahold Delhaize has entered a strategic collaboration with Oliver Wyman.
“Although it is hard to leave Ahold Delhaize, the timely preparation and clarity on transition is particularly important in view of the macro-economic uncertainty in the coming years,” Hommen said in his retirement announcement. “Peter has been an outstanding member of the Board since he joined. He has extensive retail experience, leadership, and knowledge of omnichannel and e-commerce, and is well positioned to lead the Board in supporting the company to deliver its Leading Together strategy.”
Hommen served as Ahold Delhaize’s Chairman between the years of 2018 and 2020 and as Vice Chairman between the years 2016 and 2018. At Ahold, Hommen served as Chairman between 2013 and 2016 and as Vice Chairman between 2003 and 2007.
Agnefjӓll has been a member of the Supervisory Board since April 2019. His experience also includes serving as President and CEO of the IKEA Group from 2013 to 2017.
“I am honored and excited to be appointed by the Supervisory Board as its new Chairman. I look forward to working with Jan in preparation for the transition by the end of the year,” shared Agnefjӓll.
In speaking of transitions, the retailer announced that its most recent move with Oliver Wyman, which builds on a long relationship between the two companies, will help strengthen the merchandising capabilities of the grocer’s European brands, including assortment optimization, pricing, and promotions.
As part of this new strategic collaboration, Ahold Delhaize will deploy Oliver Wyman’s Retail Elements tool suite, which is a suite of digital solutions that embed actionable analytics in workflows, allowing the Ahold Delhaize brands in Europe to make better and faster decisions and free up time to serve customers and promote innovation, according to a press release.
“This is an important step as we leverage our scale to develop and share capabilities across Europe, enabling each brand to serve their customers in the best possible way,” said Wouter Kolk, CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia. “Oliver Wyman brings deep retail expertise and its digital solutions enable us to make the best merchandising decisions. With this collaboration, the brands will enhance choice and value for customers across Europe while also enabling us to attract new talent.”
Coen de Vuijst, Partner with Oliver Wyman’s Amsterdam office, added, “We are excited about further strengthening our relationship with Ahold Delhaize and supporting them with their ambitious capability agenda. It is a pleasure to be collaborating with the talented European and brand teams of Ahold Delhaize and we are looking forward to the journey ahead of us.”
Congratulations to Jan Hommen, Peter Agnefjäll, and Ahold Delhaize on these exciting next steps!
BURLINGTON, ON - These days, consumers want more from the products they’re purchasing—including the warm and fuzzies. One easy way for companies to help consumers feel warm and fuzzy about the products they’re buying is by committing to sustainability and environmental responsibility. EarthFresh is one company making this pledge and debuting new packaging made out of biobased material.
“Our strong commitment to corporate responsibility defines the way we do business and the role we play in our community,” said Jessica Hughes, Director of Innovation. “The mesh in these new bags is derived from a highly renewable resource and is 100 percent recyclable. We are excited to bring sustainable products to the market.”
The new biobased mesh packaging is a USDA Certified Biobased Product made with CLAF® Biobased Fabric™, is the sustainable alternative to petroleum-based mesh, and will house EarthFresh 1.5 lb Organic Mixed Baby Potatoes, 1 lb Organic Baby Sweet Potatoes, and 1.5 lb Baby Sweet Potatoes. And, only adding more sustain to the sustainability train, the new packaging is also made with renewable raw materials derived from sugarcane.
EarthFresh’s latest green commitment coincides with its freshly designated team focused on driving sustainable, creative, and innovative projects for the produce industry. This team is working to make impactful changes that are beneficial to both the environment and fresh produce consumers.
As more companies join EarthFresh in making impactful changes to the fresh produce industry, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.
MILL VALLEY, CA - Fresh produce is a cornerstone of our health, supermarkets, e-commerce aisles, and, as the consumer tells us, their shopping lists. Recent years have also shown us that organic fruit and vegetable sales, specifically, have consistently boomed across retail and foodservice. While today’s challenges have caused a wave of uncertainty to ripple across the market in some sectors, organics remain strong with companies like TerraFresh Organics driving the innovative charge forward.
“Our vision for 2020 is to continue to grow our operations through our trusted relationships and partnerships. We’re looking to diversify the market as it presents itself through our organic grower network,” Greg Holzman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, shares as he details a progressive mindset that differentiates TerraFresh in the organic sector. “Market focus is what we, at TerraFresh Organics, bring to the table. We don’t solely rely on programs because we aim to serve our growers and customers in real-time.”
TerraFresh infuses excellence across all of its organic categories, from citrus and mangos to stonefruit and grapes. The company’s main market spans across North America’s retail stomping grounds and TerraFresh is looking to bring more value to customers as we breach the second half of 2020.
“Relationships and partnerships are the key to growing organically,” Steve Akagaki, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, expresses. “There are always newcomers to the organic marketplace and we want to be there as a resource to serve our network.”
As we make our way through the summer months and look even further down the road into fall, promotional opportunities are ripe for the taking. There are several windows this summer that TerraFresh is anticipating will bring strong volumes of fruit, opportunities, and a promising impact on produce department sales.
“To ensure our customers are made aware of this, and able to provide consumers with our fruit, we’re planning to work closely with our customers to identify those windows and match supply to the market,” Steve tells me.
With organics in such high demand, the time is now for the buy-side to plan out their summer and fall 2020 programs and meet the growing passion for the essential category.
UNITED STATES - Organics continue to trend upwards—a surprise to no one in the evolving world of fresh. At this year’s United Fresh LIVE!, the first-ever virtual trade show of 2020, leaders in the organic space sat down with Tonya Antle, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Organic Produce Network, to discuss a variety of organics topics.
Among those in the Organic General Session included Jerry Callahan, Group Vice President of Produce and Floral, Albertsons; Rich Mendonsa, Vice President of Produce and Floral Procurement, Albertsons; Rodney Braga, President, Braga Fresh Family Farms and Josies Organics; and Brian Kocher, President and CEO, Castellini Group of Companies.
As the session kicked off, the elephant in the room needed to be addressed: COVID-19. Particularly, what exactly had the pandemic done to change consumer buying trends for better or for worse.
“The organic consumer is changing over time, and organic continues to grow at a pace that is faster than what we were seeing pre-COVID,” Brian Kocher explained. “Leafy greens went crazy. Online and e-commerce delivery for organics outpaced conventional. This shows us that this event opened up consumers’ eyes to a wide range of possibilities when it comes to organic, and for the buy-side, it meant that SKU assortments were getting consolidated in favor of organic.”
Jerry Callahan added that this time period at retail reflected a back-to-basics approach.
“As consumers took less trips to the store, they were stocking up on produce basics. Some organic items like celery, collards, and kale performed better during the beginning of COVID-19. We have to ask ourselves, is that a trend that will continue? And if it is, our approach to introducing a new organic item will change during this time,” he shared.
With this in mind, Rich Mendonsa remarked on how organic suppliers can be best prepared to launch new products.
“Essentially, it’s about what you’re doing differently. What makes your product unique?” Mendonsa commented during the session as he also challenged the industry to think outside the box. “Some things that help your product stand out is a flag tie with a Universal Product Code (UPC) on it because traceability in this market is key.”
Rodney Braga, whose company won national recognition from retail giants like Walmart and Whole Foods, also shared that a key to standing out also takes heart.
“We are constantly trying to do the best that we can, from all 1400 members within our operation. Everyone within Braga Fresh is committed to communication with our retail partners, because this ultimately makes it easier to find out exactly what your customer is looking for,” he explained.
Toward the latter part of the discussion, we turned toward how retailers like Albertsons are approaching merchandising organics and whether or not we’re going to see a future where fresh gets the most square-footage in the store.
“We are expanding footage, adding more refrigeration, updating dry tables, which gives us more space for fresh than non-fresh,” stated Callahan. “Every time we remodel, we reset our tables. Being good at fresh—it’s not easy. Fulfilling our customers’ needs is a challenge, and the online retailers have experienced that challenge. That being said, we’re excited about the future and driving more organic sales.”
As we wrapped the session, I was struck by Tonya Antle’s parting words: “Organic continues to mean good business.”
Now, ain’t that the truth?
United Fresh Produce Association Albertsons Braga Fresh Family Farms Castellini Group of Companies
MIAMI, FL - Mangos always remind me of a summer sunset, a state of mind quite apropos as we break into the warm weather season here in the Northern Hemisphere. As we look to June and the summer months, Continental Fresh is building more value into its Mexican mango season with custom programs for retail and foodservice partners and high-quality supplies to drive consumer demand.
“We are especially thankful for our Mexican mango program. Even with all of the issues we have faced on both the supply and demand ends of the business, we have managed to make the list of the top ten mango importers. We have been able to keep the supply chain flowing to meet all of our commitments to growers and customers alike,” Albert Perez, CEO and Grower Relations leader, shares with me.
Whether it’s specific sizing for processors or special packs for retailers—including the company’s new 5-lb box—Continental Fresh will continue to deliver great value and the personalized, friendly service that the team strives to provide.
“As we transition into the areas of Nayarit and Southern Sinaloa, promotional opportunities will be available for all of June and July. These summer months give us mangos of peak maturity and flavor to battle the heat and to eat by the pool,” Albert expresses. “This span of the season will give us diverse options with varieties like Tommy, Kent, Keitt, and Ataulfo, aka Honey Mangos.”
As us mango-lovers know—and a great selling point at retail—mangos are loaded with vitamin C and eating one right now is the closest thing we can do to being on a tropical vacation in the Caribbean.
“We are currently working to secure retail promotional ads on all sizes. Call us to lock up your ad weeks and volumes. All of our mangos are GFS and/or GlobalGap as well as SMETA certified,” Albert says, concluding that the long days of quarantine have given them an opportunity to reflect on the truly important aspects of the team's lives, and doing it around food hits all the high points. “Our families, our health, our livelihoods, and our legacies tend to occupy the highest places on that list.”
It is mango time, all the time, my friends! Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest and greatest on the highly sought after category.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently imposed sanctions on Versa Marketing Inc. (d.b.a. Versa), in Fresno, California, for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA. By issuing these penalties, the USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Versa failed to pay $792,939 to three sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from February 2018 to August 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. Versa cannot operate in the produce industry until April 23, 2022, and then only after it applies for and is issued a new PACA license by the USDA.
The company’s principal, Alfred Goularte, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until April 23, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
The 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.
The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For more information and to read the press release in its entirety, please visit the link here.
MONTEREY, CA - Can you smell the green in the air? No, not just the scent of summertime freshness, but the scent of cash flowing in. Organic fresh produce sales and volume continue their double-digit growth trend year over year, with this year's May sales and volume increasing by a whopping 16 percent. This insight was brought to the industry exclusively from the May 2020 Organic Produce Performance Report, released by Organic Produce Network and Category Partners.
“We continue to see the strength of organic fresh produce at retail and how consumers show no indications of shifting purchases away from organic fruit and vegetables,” said Matt Seeley, CEO of the Organic Produce Network.
March and April similarly saw trends of elevated sales of organic fresh produce, especially since consumers were continuing at-home eating. According to a press release, this trend resulted in May 2020 organic fresh produce sales that topped $662 million.
“Of the top 15 organic volume growth categories, nine were vegetables," added Steve Lutz, Senior Vice President, Insights and Innovation at Category Partners. “Large volume increases in products like organic cauliflower, celery, herbs, mushrooms, and broccoli continue to reflect a shift in consumer home food preparation habits since the beginning of the pandemic in March.”
Overall, organic sales in May increased by 16.3 percent in dollars, and 16.2 percent in volume from May of 2019, while conventional produce dollars increased by 18 percent and volume was up 15.5 percent, the press release went on to explain.
Bananas continue to be the dominant category for volume growth, larger than the combined power of the next two categories, apples and carrots. Per the report, the top three categories—bananas, carrots, and apples, respectively—share a common trait: retail prices for organic options are priced relatively close to the conventional counterpart.
A broader trend also reflected in the report is consumer purchases of organic ingredient products.
How will the industry continue to see organics rise? AndNowUKnow will be on the scent.