SUWANEE, GA - Although Lidl has been operating in the U.S. market for a relatively short period of time, its growth has been astronomical. In just a few years, the retailer has already reached a triple-digit store count in the United States, as it plans to open its 100th location in Suwanee, Georgia.
“We are immensely proud of the Lidl US team, who has accomplished a tremendous amount in a few short years to bring us to this point,” said Johannes Fieber, President and CEO, Lidl US. “The entire team is working hard to provide high-quality, fresh products to our shoppers, and we see how important this is every day during this time of unprecedented need. Our team cannot wait to serve the community in Suwanee and continue to open new stores in the U.S.”
Lidl’s expansion strategy has included acquisitions and rapid-fire store openings along the East Coast. In May of 2018, the discount grocer acquired 27 Best Market stores as it sought to nab more market share in New York’s Long Island.
A year later, Lidl developed a growth plan that included the opening of 25 stores in the states of Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
“Next week’s opening represents an important milestone in our mission to deliver outstanding quality products at the lowest possible prices to our customers in the United States,” Roman Heini, Chairman of Lidl US, remarked in a press release. “We plan to continue to build new stores, ramp up our hiring efforts, and expand our network of distribution centers to reach even more customers in the years ahead. We look forward to forging new and strong relationships with everyone who helps make our journey possible.”
In March of this year, Lidl added another distribution center to its portfolio, further expanding its retail capabilities.
With such a fast-acting grocer on the loose, AndNowUKnow waits with bated breath to hear what’s next—and we’ll keep you in the loop.
ARVIN, CA - Here in the fresh produce industry, we know that nothing beats a handshake and the passionate work that gets done in a face-to-face conversation. With the current challenges of today preventing our traditional means of connecting, Country Sweet Produce (CSP) is rising to the occasion and bringing the farm to you with the debut of its virtual field tours. The company has already begun booking tours that will kick-off on May 26 as CSP unveils the strategic program that will allow customers to connect with the team, operations, and produce out in the fields themselves.
“Even in times of crisis, there is a space for opportunities to take root. With our virtual field tours, we are able to offer a polished itinerary and customize an experience for our customers and potential customers, that are looking for more value and a deeper look insider our operations,” Alexandra Danell, Marketing Manager, shares with me. “This week we begin harvesting onions and will move into watermelons for July, and we can even reveal our upcoming push across our new steam bags that are already gaining momentum in customer conversations.”
For those customers and potential customers looking to get the latest on CSP and its onion, watermelon, and sweet potato operations, they will have a chance to schedule a time with the team—and can also bring along associates and co-workers as well.
Please use this link to schedule a visit with members of the CSP team! If you would like a longer block of time or want to go to a specific field, please reach out to alexandra@countrysweetproduce.
Virtual visits are available starting May 26 and will go through June 19 to kick off the summer promotions.
Country Sweet Produce is pivoting its model to address the new normal in more ways than one. In addition to the virtual field tours, exciting harvest updates, and operational excellence rising to the forefront of CSP’s vision, the company is also pulling back the curtain on a new program to “Make it Sweet!” all year long, which will strengthen the company's values, go-to-market strategy, and impact at retail. More to come on that innovative front!
So, as President Michael Valpredo would say, “Make it Sweet!” Now, time to get that virtual handshake going!
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - After the success of last year’s Grown Where it Matters campaign, Side Delights® evolved it into Time for What Matters to reflect the changes of 2020. This new brand campaign reminds consumers that potatoes are a quick and easy meal so that all of their extra time can be spent with friends and family.
"With the Grown Where it Matters messaging of 2019, we brought to life the brand promise of quality and the importance of locally grown produce. With Time for What Matters, we continue that promise while extending the promise of convenience for consumers," noted Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. "Now more than ever, people are focusing on what matters most when it comes to food and cooking at home: simplicity, back to the basics, versatility, and, of course, convenience. There are only so many hours in the day, and balancing nutrition with available time can mean less than ideal compromises."
Each Side Delights potato product line is supported through this campaign, as each offers a blend of nutrition, convenience, and a budget-friendly option for consumers. The convenience of Side Delights, a press release noted, is multi-dimensional, meaning that versatility, ease of preparation, and speed all come together to form a delicious meal that entire families will love.
In addition to highlighting the convenience and versatility of the company's potatoes, the new Grown Where it Matters campaign will give consumers a behind-the-scenes look at the individual farms growing the products—all of which fall under the Fresh Solutions Network umbrella. Using immersive videos, viewers can follow growers on their day-to-day rounds from harvest to packaging and shipment, all with a 360-degree view.
Consumers will connect to the passion each farmer brings to their crop—with the human connection enabling shoppers to feel as though they too are a part of the supply chain, if only for a moment! Side Delights noted that the connection to its farmers help its products stand out on the shelf.
The new campaign will be supported through a variety of social media initiatives, an interactive campaign landing page, and video commercials, all with new immersive, creative, and an ownable brand voice. Social ads and posts will focus on three leading social media platforms to drive clicks to the new landing page to build brand value for Side Delights and so that direct consumers can visually explore the products and benefits.
Stick with AndNowUKnow for more on how companies are building value for both their brand and retailers.
SACRAMENTO, CA - May flowers are blooming, allergies are running, and The Snack Magazine's Find the Apple Contest keeps on going! Don’t let the cover deceive you, for the apple is getting trickier and trickier with its hiding spots, and we at AndNowUKnow need your help now more than ever!
On the cover of our May issue, you’ll have to train your eyes to find the sneaky fruit. Not only that, but you’ll have to race against the industry’s top defenders! The gauntlet has been thrown, will you be the one to come out victorious?
If you haven’t received a hard copy of our May issue, click here for the digital cover. Then, to truly prove to us that you’ve found our logo, we need you to take a victory picture of yourself with your finger pointing right at the logo. I repeat:
- Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
- And your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
After you’ve taken a glorious selfie, send your triumphant proof to [email protected] to join the running for the $100 cash prize! If your photo lands in our inbox ahead of everyone else’s, you could join the winners' circle with some of the quickest produce people, like:
- Douglas Groendyke of Harvest Hope Food Bank, (reigning supply-side champ)
- Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies (reigning buy-side champ)
- Monina Knox of Sobeys
- Chris Olsen of Gold Coast Packing
- Kimberly Chan of 99 Cents Only
- Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- Brandi McGuire-Sisco of Topco Associates
- Mike Mendez of NatureFresh™ Farms
If you want a leg up for future challenges, click here to subscribe to The Snack, valued at $129 per year.
The bell has rung! Go forth and pursue your prize.
GERMANY - Aldi Süd recently announced a partnership with indoor vertical farming company Infarm as it seeks to offer consumers high-quality greens they can see growing in-store.
According to a report from Supply Chain Analysis, by the end of this month, five Aldi stores throughout Germany will be growing fresh herbs and leafy greens in Infarm’s vertical units. By the end of the year, this store count number will jump up by seven.
This is an interesting move from the retailer, whose name is often associated with discount prices—not leading-edge tech. However, this move firmly puts Aldi in line with other retailers chasing after innovation in fresh produce and it’s one that we here at AndNowUKnow are intrigued to see.
Infarm made headlines last November when it partnered with Kroger for similar reasons, bringing its living produce farms right to the retailer’s floor.
Although this Infarm expansion is overseas, we know opportunity when we smell it. How soon will we see more vertical farms in the United States? Perhaps much sooner than we expect. Keep reading ANUK as we cover the latest in retail, innovation, and more.
PHARR, TX - Recently, one of fresh produce’s star categories has befallen to the dastardly ways of drug smugglers. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted 3,159 pounds of alleged marijuana, valued at $632,000, hidden amongst a commercial shipment of fresh broccoli this past weekend.
“This is a substantial amount of narcotics that will not make it into our communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
According to the CBP press release, officers assigned to the cargo facility at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on May 16 referred a commercial shipment of fresh broccoli arriving from Mexico for further examination. Upon inspection, officers discovered 378 packages of alleged marijuana.
CBP OFO seized the shipment, the tractor/trailer, and the marijuana. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) continues with the investigation.
We thank those serving at the U.S. CBP OFO for their continued diligence in keeping our fresh produce and those who consume it safe. ANUK will continue to bring the latest from the industry.
GREENSBORO, NC - In this industry, we often hear that fresh produce is not for the faint of heart. When you have been around for as long as I have, words like resilience, passion, and strength are not just terms you throw around. They are necessary for survival. While nothing compares to what the current state of the industry is facing, I cannot tell you how often I have walked through an unknown and been thankful for what I learned on the other side.
I’m entirely used to the impact that Mother Nature, recalls, and financial crises have on our industry. Even the seasonal challenges brought on by the transition of growing areas keep us on our toes. Now, I will not group COVID-19 into the traditional ups and downs that we face, but we still can find the best versions of ourselves and our companies despite it all.
Product demand is high, and produce grows at its own pace. It’s funny—we all know this while some of the most intelligent people don’t grasp that simple rule. Meanwhile, exposure, social distancing, and self-quarantine have impacted the availability of the labor force. Growers and shippers are doing their best to find ways to protect their people, their assets, and their legacies without risking the business. So, the supply chain needs to modify their expectations of how to work with one another.
What the norm was 10 weeks ago may not be viable now. I encourage all of us to pause and take the time to understand these changes and work together for a solution that best suits the customer—the people who need food. And it’s the responsibility of this industry to continue to support the public in a fashion that supports “doing the right thing.”
There will be impossible moments when the right thing is subjective or buried in fear or chaos. But, our intentions do count, and they will hopefully fuel our actions.
While grocery retailers are reaping the benefits of this situation, it is short-lived. This happened overnight, so we should not bank on the continued revenue growth. What we should be is proud that we can meet the needs of our customers and treat them with respect and appreciation. Because, regardless, customers choose who they want to shop with and be loyal to. So, let’s be the retailer our customers want.
I’m very fortunate to be in a business that is not losing sales nor furloughing associates. I’m sure you have seen the announcement of these businesses hiring. For me, it’s a small blessing during this time that there are opportunities of income for those who need it. At the same time, these jobs can provide an understanding and an appreciation of what this industry deals with every day.
For me personally, I have peace in my heart and mind that this is a situation that is out of our hands. I trust that it will run its course, and we will come out of this strengthened. For those that are sick or have passed needlessly, I grieve and pray for the comfort of their families. I trust that people are doing all they can to control this situation.
I am thankful that my family and friends are relatively healthy and safe. I am especially grateful to be in this industry. I’ve worked in government, manufacturing, and non-grocery retail—for me, there is nothing that compares to the produce industry!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry. Recently, the USDA filed an administrative complaint against JLD Inc., doing business as North Country Wholesale. The New Hampshire-based company allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 18 produce sellers in the amount of $260,260 from April 2018 through January 2019.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
JLD Inc., doing business as North Country Wholesale, will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
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.
CHICAGO, IL - It is always tragic when a melon—or any fruit or vegetable—is forgotten until it is time to sadly toss that product into the trash. But it is not a sad story that a new partnership is seeking to make this a thing of the past. Grower Alliance, one of largest importers of melons from Mexico into the United States, has forged a partnership with Hazel Technologies Inc. to focus on using Hazel™ for melon packaging technology to rescue melons from waste.
“Melons were one of the first crops that we saw a huge potential in for Hazel’s technologies and they are still a major focus area for us,” said Aidan Mouat, CEO at Hazel Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled to continue this partnership with Jorge Jr., Jorge Sr., Luis, and the Grower Alliance team and help them continue to provide the highest-quality melons to retailers and consumers alike.”
Luis Caballero, one of the Managing Members at Grower Alliance, started Grower Alliance in 2007 along with Jorge Quintero, Sr., and Jorge Quintero, Jr. The business has grown to supply over 100 retailers and distributors and is one of the largest Mexican honeydew melon importers in the U.S.
"In our extensive testing, we found that the Hazel for Melon technology resulted in a 45 percent longer shelf-life with our honeydew melons and a vastly improved eating experience 21 days after harvest," said Caballero.
A USDA-funded technology company, Hazel Tech delivers new technology solutions for fresh produce to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and fight food waste. According to a press release, its partnership with Grower Alliance will focus on use of a USDA-funded technology that works by reducing the respiration rate of melons following harvest, resulting in a longer shelf-life.
To work, a single Hazel sachet is placed in each box during the packing process, and the technology, which is designed for the fresh melon supply chain specifically, protects melon quality during transit from the farm to retail shelves and, eventually, to the end consumer.
Hazel® patent-pending technologies have been tested by many of the country's top academic research programs including UC Davis, Cornell University, and Oregon State University. As the company continues to innovate, what new partnerships will be forged? As we watch to see which category can next plan for food waste to be a thing of the past, AndNowUKnow will bring you the latest.
SALINAS, CA - As consumers energize their efforts toward healthful eating, growers are helping restaurants expand their menu offerings by debuting innovative salad blends. Ippolito International is one such grower who recently introduced a couple of new leafy green blends to inspire more high-quality eating experiences for consumers.
I chatted with Dan Canales, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Processing, to find out more about the Legacy and Sweet Legacy blends and how both can help foodservice operators diversify their leafy green selections.
“At Ippolito International, we are on the farm daily, and we continually trial new seed innovations. As we evaluated different varieties and considered what products to develop, it seemed clear to us that there are incredible leafy lettuce varieties available that are under-used in today’s processed salad offerings,” Dan shared with me when I asked him what led Ippolito to introduce new blends. “At first glance, these blends may appear like a traditional spring mix, but the varieties of leaves we’ve blended together have more vigor, loft, and strong texture.”
The Ippolito team particularly saw an opportunity to capitalize on these varieties with foodservice establishments. The Legacy Blend, which is more of a traditional blend with chards mixed in, is currently only offered to the foodservice sector in 1/3-, 2/3-, and 4/3-pound cartons.
“With the lettuces that make up the Legacy Blend, we saw that the varieties’ unique leaf structure held its shape throughout processing. Notably, these blends didn’t lose their tender texture, and they retain that mildly bitter yet traditional leafy salad flavor,” Dan noted. “Because the flavors blend very well together and are unique in the market, we thought this was an innovation worth commercializing.”
The Sweet Legacy Blend, on the other hand, is as mild of a salad as one can ask for because the blend only contains sweet leafy green varieties.
“Both the Legacy and Sweet Legacy Blend showcase just how Ippolito International is staying ahead of the best varieties,” Dan concluded.
For more of the latest product innovations coming down the fresh produce pipeline, keep reading AndNowUKnow.