Thu. December 3rd, 2020 - by Melissa De Leon Chavez

FRESNO, CA - What is the happy medium between online shopping and being in the store to shop? This has been the space farmers markets have filled, a space that consumers miss for the spontaneous inspiration from sellers to the close-to-the-farm feel. Coming soon from Trinity Farms, a Season’s Harvest Box brings these to the West Coast as the company looks to inspire consumers.

Angela Hernandez, Director of Marketing, Trinity Fruit Company“Our hope is to share the fruits of our labor with others and encourage healthy snacking! The Central Valley has so many fruit options and we are happy to deliver them safely to the doorsteps of consumers,” Angela Hernandez, Director of Marketing, shared.

Angela tells me how, with seasonal fruits consumers might not have thought to try and recipes to help familiarize them, she and the team hope to deepen its partnership with retailers by inspiring consumers to go into the store looking for new items they now know how to utilize.

Coming soon from Trinity Farms is a Season’s Harvest Box to inspire healthy snacking for consumers

Having launched this month, the pilot will initially serve California metropolitans, such as Los Angeles County and Silicon Valley, but with skyward potential once the rollout has found and smoothed any potential bumps.

Utilizing its established influencer network, Trinity Fruit is looking to inspire and diversify fruit consumption. Will this bloom into even more potential partnerships? The team assures me there is much to look out for as we bid 2020 farewell.

Trinity Fruit Company

Thu. December 3rd, 2020 - by Anne Allen

READING, PA - With operations across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, Penske Logistics is already a well-known name in transportation and across industries. To expand its reach even further, the company has revealed that it will be acquiring Chicago-based trucking company Black Horse Carriers. The anticipated closing of the deal is on December 31, 2020, however financial terms were not disclosed.

Marc Althen, President, Penske Logistics"The Penske organization has had a longstanding and valued relationship with Black Horse Carriers for many years," said Marc Althen, President, Penske Logistics. "This acquisition will be complementary to our existing portfolio of customers and industries within our dedicated contract carriage business. We look forward to working with the Black Horse Carriers team on this acquisition and the integration of our operations."

Black Horse Carriers is a privately held trucking company which focuses on serving the food and grocery, retail, bakery, dairy, CPG, manufacturing, and automotive industries, according to a press release.

Penske Logistics has revealed that it will be acquiring Chicago-based trucking company Black Horse Carriers

With over 4,000 employees and a fleet of more than 2,000 transportation vehicles serving 90 terminals nationwide, Black Horse will help elevate Penske to new heights. And with grocery and fresh food as key categories for the company, ANUK suspects that this acquisition will expand Penske's prowess in those areas.

Ken Landego, Chief Executive Officer, Black Horse Carriers (Photo credit: Transport Topics)"We're very excited about joining the Penske organization," said Ken Landego, CEO of Black Horse Carriers. "The synergies created by the combination of both companies will benefit our customers from a service-level standpoint and elevate our technology capabilities. We look forward to this new journey together."

The transaction to acquire Black Horse is subject to customary closing conditions, which includes certain regulatory approvals. With the closing slated for the end of the year, how will this new acquisition impact the produce industry? Keep a tab open for ANUK to find out.

Penske Logistics Black Horse Carriers, Inc

Thu. December 3rd, 2020 - by Jenna Plasterer

TEFEN, ISRAEL - When two innovative forces join together, the sky is the limit. This is the case as StePac L.A. has announced that it has been acquired by Nili Capital Partners. StePac, a fresh produce sustainable packaging specialist, will now form the central piece of Nili’s Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) platform, MAPfresh Holdings.

Asaf Shachnai, Chief Executive Officer, StePac and MAPfresh Holdings“This acquisition marks a major step toward StePac’s goal of becoming the leading global force in MAP packaging solutions for fresh produce,” said Asaf Shachnai, CEO of StePac and MAPfresh Holdings. “Our unwavering focus on product quality, innovation, and customer service drives our strong organic growth, and Nili will enable us to accelerate our inorganic growth as we seek additional acquisition opportunities in the industry.”

StePac is well known for its Xtend® brand of product packaging, which entails a broad portfolio of precisely engineered, functional packaging formats and solutions that help extend produce seasonality, enhance quality, reduce waste, and support long-haul shipments, according to a press release.

StePac L.A. has announced that it has been acquired by Nili Capital Partners to form the central piece of Nili’s Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) platform

With such extensive insights into sustainable packaging solutions, StePac is the perfect choice to lead Nili’s new platform.

Josef Mandelbaum, General Partner, Nili Capital“Secular trends in the fresh produce industry, new post-COVID norms, and the push toward greater sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions attracted us to this category,” stated Josef Mandelbaum, General Partner with Nili. “StePac’s strong management team, with more than 25 years of experience in post-harvest science in the fresh produce industry and a history of strong innovation, secured our belief that it was the right company to anchor our MAP platform.”

As more companies across the fresh produce industry push forward sustainability and new packaging solutions, AndNowUKnow will be here to deliver important updates.

StePac

Wed. December 2nd, 2020 - by Chandler James

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Innovation has been reimagined by Price Chopper Supermarkets and Market 32 this week. The retail powers have partnered with Manthan-RichRelevance to drive highly personalized customer engagement across the supply chain. Price Chopper will integrate the company's SaaS suite, which includes its Customer Data Platform, Advanced Customer Analytics, and Omnichannel Lifecycle Marketing for leveraging insights and improving personalization.

Glen Bradley, Group Vice President of Marketing, Price Chopper Supermarkets/Market 32"We're proud of the product mix and shopping experience we provide in our stores and online. Personalization is an important strategic initiative in our continued endeavor to enhance customer experience across Digital and In-Store. We did a comprehensive evaluation of the market before selecting Manthan-RichRelevance. We're excited to announce the partnership and the comprehensive capabilities of the platform to help us execute our strategic vision with speed," said Glen Bradley, Price Chopper Supermarkets/Market 32's Group Vice President of Marketing.

The Golub Corporation, which owns Price Chopper and Market 32, serves customers across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. The company is passionate about providing its customers with an overall experience that earns their long-term loyalty, as stated in a press release.

Price Chopper Supermarkets and Market 32 have partnered with Manthan-RichRelevance to drive highly personalized customer engagement across the supply chain

Manthan-RichRelevance will apply its CDP service, which is purpose-built for customer-centric retail businesses, and its specialized recommendation engine to help Price Chopper develop a single view of its customer and personalize every single customer interaction across direct mail program, weekly flyer, and digital/email programs. The solution also provides the marketing team with key capabilities to run automated, on-demand, and journey-based campaigns; offer recommendations, test, and optimize campaigns; and improve engagement, conversion rate, and overall marketing ROI.

Sivakumar Hariharaiyer, Senior Vice President of the Americas, Manthan-RichRelevance"The grocery industry has taken a decisive digital shift, and hyper-personalization is both critical and essential to provide shoppers with a frictionless, easy shopping experience no matter the channel of engagement. At Manthan-RichRelevance, we're incredibly proud to partner with a customer-obsessed brand such as Price Chopper Supermarkets and add to our marquee portfolio of grocery customers across the globe," said Sivakumar Hariharaiyer, Senior Vice President of the Americas at Manthan-RichRelevance.

A new era of innovation has begun at Price Chopper Supermarkets and Market 32, so keep an eye out for ANUK's latest reports as we wait to see what happens next.

Price Chopper Supermarkets

Wed. December 2nd, 2020 - by Lilian Diep

THIBODAUX, LA - Rouses Markets is expanding its reach with the unveiling of a new store. To celebrate the opening of its new 44,000-square-foot store in South Lake Charles, Louisiana, Rouses is presenting $10,000 to local Feeding America® Food Banks, made possible through the recent Produce For Kids® produce-centric cause marketing campaign.

Donald Rouse, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Rouses Markets“We strive to make a difference in every community we serve,” said Donny Rouse, Rouses Markets CEO. “The Produce For Kids campaign is a great program, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We know this donation will help to improve the lives of our customers and employees, which is what we seek to do in every way we can.”

Now more than ever, local South Lake Charles Feeding America member food banks are in need of support as COVID-19 has affected unemployment rates and 2020 hurricane patterns put several storms directly over the Lake Charles region. Food banks that will benefit from this donation include Feeding the Gulf Coast, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, the press release states.

John Shuman, President, Shuman Farms and Founder, Produce For Kids®“Supporting grocer’s communities has always been at the core of the Produce For Kids’ cause marketing efforts, and this year more than ever, the local food banks need the extra funding,” said John Shuman, Founder of Produce For Kids and President at Shuman Farms. “We look forward to our continued partnership, knowing Rouses Markets is dedicated to giving back to their communities and educating shoppers on the benefits of eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.”

In addition to in-store signage, campaign details were highlighted in the weekly circular and featured in My Rouses Everyday, a magazine distributed to more than 65 Rouses Markets stores. Rouses Markets’ registered dietitian, April Sins, hosted a series of Facebook Live streams highlighting partner products in recipe ideas for families throughout the campaign.

From left to right: April Sins, Rouses Markets’ Dietitian; Rob Ybarra, Rouses Markets Produce Director; John Shuman, Founder of Produce For Kids and President of Shuman Farms; Donny Rouse, Rouses Markets CEO; and James Breuhl, Vice President of Fresh at Rouses Markets

Produce brands who participated in the initiative include: Curation Foods, Dole®, Earth Greens, Mountain King, Pure Flavor®, Schraad Sales & Marketing, Shuman Farms, Sage Fruit®, Sunkist®, and Marzetti®. The campaign kicked off on September 9 when shoppers noticed signage near each of the produce partners as well as family-friendly recipes showcased in-store with scannable QR codes to obtain the recipes.

For the latest partnerships, updates, and fresh produce releases, keep checking back to ANUK.

Rouses Markets Produce For Kids®

Wed. December 2nd, 2020 - by Jenna Plasterer

LAREDO, TX - Criminals have once again attempted to use produce as a disguise for their illegal activities, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers have stepped in to protect the fruits and vegetables we hold dear.

Andrew Douglas, Acting Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry (Photo credit: Customs and Border Protection)“The trafficking and production of methamphetamine has increased substantially over the past year, causing drug traffickers to become more creative in their methods of smuggling their product into America,” said Acting Port Director Andrew Douglas, Laredo Port of Entry.

On October 28, officers uncovered a shipment containing 1049.84 pounds of alleged methamphetamine masquerading as a load of frozen vegetables. According to a press release, the seizure occurred at the World Trade Bridge when a tractor hauling the shipment was detained and referred for canine and non-intrusive imaging inspection.

Inspection of the vehicle discovered 352 packages of the alleged drug, which is estimated to have a street value of $20,996,610.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers have uncovered 1049.84 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of frozen vegetables (Photo credit: CBP)

CBP officers seized the narcotics from the tractor-trailer and have turned them over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents who will continue to further investigate the incident.

With nefarious criminals once again apprehended and kept from exploiting fresh produce, we would like to thank all of the officers who continue to stop the illegal activities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Wed. December 2nd, 2020 - by Anne Allen

TERRYTOWN, NY - What could be a better gift this holiday season than the announcement that a new brand of table grapes will be hitting the market? Jac. Vandenberg is giving the ultimate gift as it has announced its newest addition to the grape category with the introduction of its SUNRAYS® branded grapes. The first containers of the grapes arrived this past weekend, making the international trip from Peru to Philadelphia.

John Paap, Brand Manager, Jac. Vandernberg“When we began planning for this expansion in January, we had no idea that a pandemic was going to hit. But here we are and to our team’s great credit, in spite of all the challenges of 2020, we have been able to develop a really amazing addition for the American and Canadian grape category,” said John Paap, Brand Manager. “It’s really quite fitting that out of the challenges and dark times of 2020 that SUNRAYS is making its entry into the grape category.”

Development and preparation for the introduction of SUNRAYS branded grapes started at the beginning of 2020, according to a press release. The original SUNRAYS launched in 2017 with the introduction of mandarin oranges, and has been on a mission to deliver not only premium quality, but focus on social and environmental issues as well.

The first containers of Jac. Vandenberg’s SUNRAYS® branded grapes arrived this past weekend, making the international trip from Peru to Philadelphia

To ensure premium quality grapes, Jac. Vandenberg partnered with grape growers in Peru, Chile, and Mexico to source its new SUNRAYS grapes and to give retailers and consumers a consistent supply from November through July.

SUNRAYS branded grapes will include proprietary varieties like Sweet Globes, Sweet Celebration, Jacks Salute, Timco, Allison, and Sweet Favors.

“Over the last 75 years, we have been fortunate as a company to have established amazing relationships with many top, quality grape growers around the world. In that time, we have learned a lot from those relationships and how to provide our retail partners with the very highest quality grapes. The introduction of SUNRAYS grapes is a testament to those quality relationships. SUNRAYS grapes represent the very best of what we have to offer,” explained Paap.

In addition to grower partnerships, through partnerships with foundations like Save the Children®, SUNRAYS has been successful in creating a “feel good” brand that truly does deliver new light into the world. The brand lives up to its tagline of Snack With Impact®, having donated over $225,000 to Save the Children since its inception in 2017.

Jac. Vandenberg partnered with grape growers in Peru, Chile, and Mexico to source its new SUNRAYS® grapes and to give retailers and consumers a consistent supply from November through July

Simultaneously, the brand has also delivered eco-friendly solutions to improve on the company’s environmental impact. In 2019, the brand introduced its eco-box and this past summer unveiled its bio-bag, both of which reduce plastic consumption and greenhouse emissions.

To support the brand’s retail partners, the company has created tools for success, which retailers can register online to gain access to. This includes exclusive crop updates providing details on grower feedback and pictures from the farm, volume outlook, market trends, best weeks to promote, and more.

“By providing this detailed, intimate level of information, we are giving all the tools possible to our retail partners so they can be as successful as they possibly can when it comes to planning, marketing, and understanding the product,” continued Paap. “It all comes down to making sure everyone is successful and happy from the retailer all the way back to the grower.”

With the SUNRAYS brand moving full steam ahead, what will be the next category that it will shine its light on? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you the answers.

Jac. Vandenberg

Tue. December 1st, 2020 - by Jordan Okumura-Wright

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Paying it forward is a year-round philosophy in our industry, and with the fall and winter holiday season upon us, the action is more essential than ever. This is what Nick Martinez from Country Sweet Produce (CSP) tells me as we look back on a recent gesture made by the Bako Sweet® squad in the spirit of giving. The company donated approximately 16,800 lbs of sweet potatoes over Thanksgiving to those less fortunate—one donation was to The LA Reinvestment Foundation in Los Angeles and the other to Love for Thanksgiving 2020 in Bakersfield.

Nick Martinez, Director of Operations, Country Sweet Produce“Now is always our busiest time of year and it’s because sweet potatoes are essential at the dinner table during the holidays. We saw a huge increase in sweet potato demand this year and knew how important it would be for friends and family to gather at the dinner table with some of their favorite fresh produce dishes,” Nick, Director of Operations, shares with me. “Our hope was to spread the joy and comfort that sweet potatoes can bring to any table, large or small.”

Both organizations have become close to the hearts of those at CSP. The LA Reinvestment Foundation feeds the homeless every month and puts on its Turkey Grocery Giveaway each November, Nick expresses, and with Country Sweet Produce being only 90 miles from Los Angeles, California, the team wanted to donate sweet potatoes to complete its grocery giveaway item list.

Country Sweet Produce's Bako Sweet® donated approximately 16,800 lbs of sweet potatoes over Thanksgiving to those less fortunate

In order to give back to its community in Bakersfield, CSP searched the local landscape and found Love for Thanksgiving 2020, where it was also able to extend its abundant sweet potato crop to those in need this past Thanksgiving.

“We are proud to grow such healthy food that people can incorporate into their daily meals. This was just another opportunity for us to share that with the community!” Nick reflects. “Everyone has a memory with food, and that memory often feels nostalgic, especially for holiday meals. As people seek familiar meals, we have an opportunity as the fresh produce industry to give back to those who are struggling this year.”

We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Country Sweet Produce team for their amazing donation, continued contributions to elevating the industry, and as always, for paying it forward!

Country Sweet Produce

Tue. December 1st, 2020 - by Lilian Diep

SACRAMENTO, CA - We hope you aren’t feeling too sluggish from your post-turkey feast, because it’s time to bust out those quick moves and find the AndNowUKnow logo on The Snack cover!

Our highly anticipated November issue features tips and tricks to drive sales this holiday season—and it could make two industry members 100 dollars richer! There are few in the biz who have the fastest eyes and the quickest shutter fingers, and now it’s time to ask yourself: Could you be one of them?

The apple logo is hidden on our latest issue of The Snack! Can you find it on our November cover?

Don’t worry if you haven’t received a hard copy of the November issue. Simply click here to see the digital cover. Whether you’re viewing the hard or the digital cover, be sure to take a victory picture of yourself with your finger pointing at the logo.

The criteria for winning is below:

  • Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
  • And your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo

The ANUK logo you’re searching for!Once your proof of victory is complete, send that selfie over to us at [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:

  • Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos of D’Arrigo California (reigning supply-side champ)
  • Danny Ortiz of Sysco (reigning buy-side champ)
  • Osmerlin Garcia of Nature Fresh Farms
  • Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies
  • Monina Knox of Sobeys
  • Chris Olsen of Gold Coast Packing
  • Kimberly Chan of 99 Cents Only
  • Brandi McGuire-Sisco of Topco Associates
  • Mike Mendez of Nature Fresh Farms

If you want a leg up for future challenges, click here to subscribe to The Snack (valued at $129 per year).

Which winners are going to come down the produce pipeline? Stick around to find out—and to potentially see your face as a winner!

The Snack Magazine

Tue. December 1st, 2020 - by Jordan Okumura-Wright

DONNA, TX - Come December here in the Northern Hemisphere, our editorial calendars begin to light up with frequent reminders that South Texas and Mexico produce is gearing up to fill retail spreads with premium quality vegetables from some of the richest growing regions in the world. One company looking to the amazing opportunities on the horizon is Grow Farms Texas, which notes that the time is now to begin planning for the remaining 2020 holidays and the spike in demand that accompanies a new year.

Tommy Wilkins, Director of Sales and Business Development, Grow Farms Texas“We partner closely with retailers to ensure their departments are stocked with only the best and freshest vegetables,” Tommy Wilkins, Director of Sales and Business Development, shares with me. “This vision allows our partners to remain true to their own quality commitment to the consumer to bring only the best-of-the-best in product to their baskets. Right now, demand across the board is up for holiday staples from squash to bell peppers and green beans, and we believe it will stay that way as we move through the beginning of 2021.”

Tommy adds that quality has been very good across Grow Farms’ growing operations in Mexico, as Mother Nature has played a calmer role in recent weeks.

Companies across South Texas and Mexico, like Grow Farms Texas, are gearing up for the holiday retail demand and are using the opportunity to plan for the rest of the 2020 season

Currently, the team is growing cabbage, green bell peppers, green beans, cucumber, eggplant, and yellow squash as well as zucchini, acorn squash, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash. Grow Farms will be shipping through the Nogales, Arizona, and McAllen, Texas, ports of entry to lessen transport and travel time for customers. The company is kicking off its program in Mexico as we speak with Texas Green and Red cabbage beginning the first week of December.

Grow Farms Texas offers basic carton packaging across its portfolio and RPC options as well, Tommy details, then gives me a further breakdown of the crops.

“Large green bell pepper sizing has been short in the first two to three weeks, but has improved to larger sizing this week. Green beans were tight for Thanksgiving but are looking good for Christmas and Yellow squash has been short but looking to catch up. Additionally, eggplant has been promotable since we began the program this season and we don’t see that changing.”

Currently, Grow Farms is offering cabbage, green bell peppers, green beans, cucumber, eggplant, and yellow squash as well as zucchini, acorn squash, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash before it transitions into the next phase of the season

Tommy notes that cucumber and bell pepper supplies will be steady as long as the weather stays good.

“The hot pepper menu is very promotable and supplies have been very nice and steady,” he reveals. “We are looking forward to mangos from Mexico starting in January with February volumes becoming promotable.”

There is much to be thankful for this holiday season, and the Texas, Arizona, and Mexico corridors are helping to make that statement ring true. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we look to those companies trailblazing and elevating their fresh produce game and by extension, the retail space.

Grow Farms Texas