KEASBEY, NJ – ShopRite is excited to mark Earth Month by introducing an “Earth Month Challenge” for stores – encouraging ShopRite associates to explore new ways to reduce their store’s environmental impact and help communities served by ShopRite stores.

The friendly competition – taking place throughout April – challenges ShopRite stores to explore new ways to help the environment. From cleaning up local parks, planting trees and flowers or educating shoppers about sustainability best practices – ShopRite associates are doing their part during Earth Month to protect the planet through local action. The top three ShopRite stores that take the most actionable steps this April to reduce their environmental impact will be recognized with special store celebrations.

ShopRite stores have long been committed to reducing food waste, bolstering recycling efforts and increasing energy efficiency, and many stores have launched successful initiatives, including composting programs, solar technology, natural refrigerants and electric vehicle charging stations. ShopRite also partners with many different local organizations and environmental non-profit groups to help support the communities where ShopRite stores operate. Those volunteer efforts have included beach cleanups, community garden harvesting and tree plantings, to name a few.

“At ShopRite, we believe it’s important to treat every day like Earth Day. Our family-owned stores remain committed to championing new ways to protect the environment and make our communities more sustainable,” said Alexandra Emery, manager of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for ShopRite, in a recent press release. “We hope the Earth Month Challenge inspires team members to consider new and innovative ways to do that.”

Just in time for spring cleaning season, shoppers can also look this month for special promotions on ShopRite’s popular private label line of Paperbird Blue products including Paperbird Blue Dishwasher Detergent Pacs, Paperbird Blue Free & Clear Liquid Dish Soap and Liquid Hand Soaps. Paperbird Blue Dishwasher Detergent Pacs use safer choice EPA bio-based ingredients and Paperbird Blue Free & Clear soaps are plant-based, allergen-free and free of dyes, fragrances, parabens and phthalates, and packaging is made from 100% recycled content.

For over 50 years, ShopRite has supported and advanced a wide range of initiatives to reduce food waste, boost recycling and increase energy efficiency.

• Reducing Waste – Since opening our material recovery facility in the 1980s, ShopRite has diverted over 3.1 million tons of material from landfill. ShopRite’s family-owned stores also composted more than 22 million pounds of food waste in 2024, and donated six million pounds of fresh food to food banks and pantries that help people in need.
• Supporting Conservation Groups – ShopRite supports Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (E-NGOs) at the state and local level that are committed to creating cleaner, more sustainable environments including The Audubon Society, Clean Ocean Action, The Greater Newark Conservancy and America’s Grow-A-Row.
• Reducing Energy Consumption – A growing number of ShopRite stores are using natural refrigerants that decrease energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from refrigeration. Some family-owned ShopRite stores are also flipping the switch to solar-powered energy.
• Rolling Out EV Charging Stations – To help customers live sustainably, participating ShopRite locations provide EV charging stations for customers while they make their weekly grocery store run. Drivers can find public EVgo fast charging stations at the ShopRite of 1st State Plaza in Delaware and New Jersey’s Brookdale ShopRite, ShopRite of Flemington, ShopRite of Carteret, ShopRite of Glassboro, ShopRite of Williamstown and other locations.
• Associate Green Teams – ShopRite associates make up store Green Teams that work together to explore new ways to make stores and facilities more sustainable. They also partner with community organizations to volunteer and help support local environmental efforts. We have Green Teams covering more than 150 stores, and the number keeps growing!

HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, is proud to announce the release of its 2024 Annual Impact Report. The report highlights the nonprofit’s achievements, milestones, and the transformative work it has done over the past year in changing health outcomes of communities across the country.

The 2024 Annual Impact Report shares the impact of Brighter Bites’ programming, showcases the positive effect made in the 12 programming cities, and highlights the value of the work on the families participating. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and innovative health initiatives, Brighter Bites has helped improve the lives of over 220,900 individuals in the last year alone.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in improving the health and well-being of our communities,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites, in a recent press release. “This report not only reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference but also highlights the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our staff, and the passion of our volunteers who make all of this possible.”

Key highlights from the 2024 Annual Impact Report include:

• A retail value totaling $21,708,305 of fresh produce distributed
• 222,923 students, teachers, & families impacted
• 48,872 volunteer hours
• 20,914 nutrition education lessons taught

The report also provides an overview of the nonprofit’s financial health and the efficient allocation of resources to maximize its impact. With continued support from donors, partners, and volunteers, Brighter Bites is poised to make an even greater difference in the coming year.

The full report is available for download on Brighter Bites’ website at https://www.brighterbites.org/our-impact/, or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Zespri anticipates an early start again this year with the first shipment of SunGold™ Kiwifruit arriving in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Philadelphia by mid-April. Green Kiwifruit will arrive by early May. Following favorable growing conditions, the 2025- 26 harvest is projected to see an increase to over 200 million trays across varieties to be sold worldwide. As North America retailers eagerly plan for another successful Zespri Kiwifruit season, they can track shipments here to watch in real-time the shipping vessels arriving at their East and West Coast destinations.

With the season set to get underway, kiwi is the #1 fastest growing fruit in the fruit bowl and Zespri is the #1 selling kiwi brand in the category, more than five times the next best-selling brand. Demand is strong due to Zespri’s ongoing retail partnerships, successful in-store displays, and the introduction of their brand characters, the Zespri KiwiBrothers.

“Last season, we took our consumer campaign ‘Taste the Obsession’ to new heights through the introduction our KiwiBrothers brand characters in paid media and sampling activations,” explains Darren LaMothe, Zespri’s General Manager, North America, in a recent press release. “The campaign surpassed key metric targets and engagement benchmarks, reinforcing the strength and impact of our characters driving the consumer connection. This season we are adding a strong retail component to the marketing mix to drive sales.”

The KiwiBrothers have been helping lift sales and driving category growth across 19 markets globally for the past nine years. As the KiwiBrothers take on America for the second season, they will continue their mission to spread the Zespri Kiwifruit obsession by playfully attempting to be movie stars. Through a suite of Hollywood-style trailers and cinematic campaign assets, consumers can join the KiwiBrothers and taste the obsession for themselves. Additionally, the KiwiBrothers will be front and center at retail with a full suite of eye-catching touchpoints, including new packaging, shippers, pole toppers, shelf talkers, and digital assets.

“Our robust marketing initiatives expand the reach of our KiwiBrothers by bringing them in-store and through shopper programs to drive conversion,” states LaMothe. “Consumers view the KiwiBrothers’ characters on packaging as unique, creative and fun, and it helps the brand stand out on shelf, which drives purchase.”

Zespri shipped over 50K display units nationwide last season as retailers recognize their power in driving incremental sales. Key retailers are seeing an average sales lift of 110% during promotions featuring displays. Moreover, Zespri-branded kiwifruit is preferred by shoppers and including SunGold and Green Kiwifruit varieties in the set drives incremental growth. When both varieties are merchandised together, sales increased by 32% compared to another green kiwi brand. When SunGold and Green Kiwi organic varieties are included in a display, there is an automatic halo effect of favorable consumer perception.

SunGold Kiwifruit continues to be the main driver of growth for the brand, with dollar sales in the U.S. increasing +42% and volume sales +36% versus a year ago. To build on their success, Zespri is expanding its portfolio with a soft introduction of the RubyRed Kiwifruit in the U.S. The new variety will bring a unique flavor experience with a naturally sweet berry flavor, which is a differentiator from the SunGold Kiwifruit. RubyRed Kiwi is high in antioxidant vitamin C and includes anthocyanins which are natural plant nutrients that give it its vibrant red color.

“There’s a lot of excitement from consumers for our new variety,” explains LaMothe. “We have a pilot program for three weeks for West Coast retailers at the start of the season. This trial period will help Zespri gather key insights, refine logistics, and optimize support before a nationwide expansion.”

Consumers are eagerly anticipating the season to start enjoying Zespri’s sweet and tasty SunGold, Green and for a limited time, RubyRed Kiwifruit—each with a unique flavor profile. Retailers can tap into the largest dollar growth and share of the kiwi category with customized programs by reaching out to their account representative. With disruptive marketing communications, displays and packaging, the KiwiBrothers will continue to spread the Zespri obsession and drive demand to the fruit aisle this season.

YAKIMA, WA - Some stories just tell themselves. I always feel this way when working with Cat Gipe-Stewart. Her passion, playful but direct language, and investment in her evolution and the development of others are remarkable things to witness. In the lead-up to the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference, April 13–15, in Carlsbad, California, the Director of Marketing for Superfresh Growers® joins me to share how deep her dedication lies in elevating and supporting the industry.

“I owe past Women’s Fresh Perspective conferences credit for giving me a safe space to speak my truth, feel supported, and know that I am not alone,” Cat begins. “Though the percentage of women in produce and agriculture continues to grow, the number sitting in the ‘room where it happens’ is not keeping up with this growth. Women continue to be in the minority in decision-making power in companies. These conferences give women a chance to breathe, share perspectives, and learn they are not alone.”

Cat explains Women’s Fresh Perspectives is one of the few, if not the only, events in this industry where she can be her authentic self, speak openly, thrive, and share her stories.

“Women have always been in the produce industry, but often in behind-the-scenes roles. My grandmother, ‘the wife of a farmer,’ kept the books, ordered the fertilizer, and labored alongside my grandfather,” Cat explains. “When I was a young teen, I got the four-wheeler stuck in a ditch after spraying noxious weeds. My 70-plus-year-old grandmother was the one who pushed me out.”

Turn the mirror to today, and Cat tells me that when she first came into this industry, she was struck by how many stories women shared of how they had to fight to get where they were.

“It was so daunting hearing the blatant sexual harassment, slurs, or even just being ignored that they had to go through. But, these were the women who paved the way before the ‘me too’ era. These are the women that inspired and empowered those who spoke up and created the ‘me too’ era,” Cat expresses. “I am so pleased to hear how the tables are turning. Old school behavior is now seen just as that. The industry is breathing equity into the industry, and more space is being made for women to continue to rise and break glass ceilings.”

Cat reflects on a panel held at the WFPC she led in 2022, where a Hewlett Packard report and a Cornell University study were addressed. The information revealed that men will apply for a job or promotion when they are 60 percent confident they are qualified.

“Women, however, wait until they feel they are 100 percent qualified. I think about glass ceilings that have yet to be broken for women, and I think about how many women are not supporting that woman due to their own lack of confidence. We sabotage ourselves and our friends and colleagues by not believing in ourselves,” she says. “I was recently at a youth girls retreat, and one of the leaders shared with our middle and high school youth that if they plan on having romantic relationships with men, make sure these men give them space to grow and be themselves, and make space for them. This idea of actively creating and supporting women as they grow can often feel like a rarity.”

This is where calling upon ourselves to use our unique lenses to empower each other is important, Cat adds.

“As industry colleagues, we are called to make space for the next generation. Mentor, teach, step back, encourage, sponsor, engage. There are so many mentors and sponsors who have made the space for me to be where I am now. By creating space, they made the fight to continue breaking glass ceilings just a bit more possible.”

See what I mean? Cat is a force. And this force is helping elevate us all.