SANTA MARIA, CA - Order up! Who had the burger and fries? Well, we will do you one better. Gold Coast Packing recently launched a flavor-forward salad kit that makes this meal healthier and more accessible. The new product is aptly named the Better Than a Burger Salad.

“Our Product Development and Innovation Team works with our partner companies to develop unique items that fit the marketplace,” said Robb Bertels, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We are excited about the Better Than a Burger introduction and the positive feedback we have received on it.”

The kit includes the company’s Signature Cruciferous Blend—a mix of Napa cabbage, green cabbage, kale, broccoli stems, and carrots. Shredded Cheddar cheese, crispy onions, dill and mustard crouton crumbles, and crispy fries are all brought together with a creamy burger sauce dressing. Plus, with the simple addition of ground beef, turkey, or chicken, this offering becomes a complete meal with little prep time.

The Better Than a Burger Salad Kit is available in a 24 oz pack perfect for sharing at a summertime cookout or for a quick family meal during the busy back to school rush, a press release explained. The salad is currently available for purchase at Costco Warehouse stores in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, and Montana, with further expansion in the coming weeks.

“As consumers continue to look for delicious and innovative food products, we’re excited to offer them a fun and unique salad kit based around one of America’s favorite meals, the Burger and Fries,” said Karl Lipscomb, Product Development Manager.

As a plant-based eater myself, this new offering brings added convenience to my kitchen while still giving me that craveable burger and fries experience. From where I sit, this is one salad kit everyone should have on their shelves.

Gold Coast Packing

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Well, would you look at that. GrubMarket has acquired a wholesale produce distributor once again. This time, the company announced its purchase of London Fruit, which is located in Pharr, Texas—a city known for being a critical bridge between the United States and Mexico.

“I admire Barry [London] and Jerry [Garcia] for the exceptional work they have done over the last 40+ years building London Fruit into a highly-regarded, cutting-edge fresh produce business with a sterling reputation amongst its many long-time customers,” said Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of GrubMarket. “They have put considerable effort into maintaining top food safety ratings and utilizing modern technologies to provide the highest-quality limes, avocados, and other specialty fresh produce. This acquisition enables GrubMarket to further strengthen our presence in Texas, while fortifying our global sourcing capabilities in Mexico and South America. We are excited to welcome the London Fruit team to the GrubMarket family.”

London Fruit has cultivated long-standing relationships with retailers, supermarkets, and wholesalers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company is committed to maintaining the highest food safety standards, with a near-perfect 99 percent Good Manufacturing Practices rating from PrimusGFS. To further enhance the safety and shelf-life of its products, in 2020, London Fruit began offering Hazel 100™ technology as a value-added service. After the acquisition, the business will continue to be managed by its current mission-driven leadership team.

The fruit distributor will now utilize GrubMarket's innovative and proprietary WholesaleWare software suite, according to a press release.

“When I started London Fruit over four decades ago, we were a small operation focused on just mangos and limes. Now, we can truly offer a taste of the tropics with a global operation focused on high-quality produce, superior packaging, and exceptional service. We are thrilled to join the GrubMarket team that shares our passion for utilizing technology and operational expertise to offer the freshest food to customers everywhere. We are also excited to access GrubMarket's impressive grower network, and leverage its e-commerce and software ecosystem,” said Barry London, Founder of London Fruit.

For more on London Fruit, click here. And continue reading ANUK to keep pace with the industry’s latest.

GrubMarket

PARSIPPANY, NJ - The Green Giant Fresh® brand is known for its iconic, well, Green Giant standing proudly on the front of fresh produce packages, providing an easy grab for time-strapped shoppers looking to incorporate convenient vegetables into their diets. Following the lead of Green Giant®, a beloved vegetable brand in the frozen and canned aisles, Green Giant Fresh is the fresh produce branch of this well-known brand and is sold by B&G Foods’ licensed partners. B&G Foods, the company behind the Green Giant brand, is always at the forefront of trends—even setting them itself—and I couldn’t wait to get the scoop on the new and innovative options hitting shelves.

“From carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, and corn to Brussels sprouts and broccoli, the Green Giant Fresh brand commands a presence in fresh produce through our network of licensed partners,” Steve DeFrino, Marketing Director, Frozen and Vegetables, B&G Foods. “The brand continues to grow in popularity by adding fresh and innovative options that make veggies exciting and convenient for the consumer. Our licensed Green Giant Fresh partners are always developing new mixes, blends, and meal-ready fresh vegetable products. Most recently, the new Green Giant Fresh Stir Fry Kits were introduced to provide consumers with a quick, nutritious, and satisfying meal without any of the prep work.”

Each Stir-Fry fresh vegetable blend is pre-cut and washed for ease of use and includes one of five delicious, flavorful sauces to toss with and enjoy. Sauce varieties come in Korean Kimchi, Chinese Black Pepper, Coconut Lime, Teriyaki, and Scallion Ginger for a wide range of delectable sides or main dishes.

The Green Giant Fresh brand remains authentic to the core values it began with. B&G Foods manages the Green Giant Fresh program through the support of and collaboration with its licensed partners, who cover a wide array of vegetable categories and maintain the strength of the brand as it evolves with the times. The Green Giant Fresh product line strives to challenge the convention of the vegetable category with innovative products, through a relatable, energetic, and fun tone and veggie-forward appetite appeal by responding to consumer trends.

“Shoppers are looking for reassurances on quality, consistency of supply, and credibility,” notes Steve. “Being a legacy brand through the years, the Green Giant umbrella delivers on these attributes with strong name recognition throughout the grocery store.”

As consumer trends shift, one common theme shoppers continue to gravitate toward has been the emphasis on utilizing fruits and vegetables in different and convenient forms.

“The continually expanding Green Giant Fresh product line spans over 200 goods across the majority of fresh vegetable categories,” explains Steve. “It is a brand that shoppers trust. We are confident our Green Giant Fresh licensed partners will continue to innovate and bring nutritious and convenient fresh vegetable products to the table to spark healthier lifestyles for consumers.”

Keep your shelves stocked with the latest products hitting shopper trends, and make sure your tab is always open for more ANUK news.

Green Giant Fresh® B&G Foods

OXNARD, CA - As a market leader in the mango category, Freska Produce International wields a portfolio brimming with retail opportunities, merchandising prowess, and an expertise coveted by many occupying the space. With August underway and the demand for mangos continuing its upward trajectory, retail partners can expect big mangos (quite literally) on the horizon with sizing up on the Keitt variety from Mexico.

“Keitts are a very large fruit—a variety the consumer loves—and the flavor profile is excellent with a creamy texture and dynamic taste profile,” Managing Member Gary Clevenger states. “With the close of the Mexican Mango season nearly upon us, we will be transitioning to Southern Sinaloa with Keitts before shifting to our last region in Los Mochis, Mexico, with Keitts along with Kents as well.”

For Freska, sizing will be in the 4s, 5s, 6s, and 7s; smaller fruit will be very hard to find in this region due to the varieties harvested by the company.

After Freska wraps up its season in Los Mochis, the operation will be moving into offshore mangos from South America. Tommys, Kents, and Ataulfo “Honey” mangos will be coming down the pipeline and will create a seamless transition for customers' mango destinations.

“We provide year-round procurement, consistent supplies, food safety excellence, as well as Fair Trade and specialty packaging for any retailer,” Gary details. “Freska Produce protects our customers from the market’s ups and downs with a consistent supply and good market intelligence that hedges against the unknown.”

And, in an industry where the unknown is a mark of our trade, having a little (or a lot) of help in this area can make for a winning retail category.

Freska Produce International

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Instacart is once again bringing retailers unique solutions to improve their consumers' shopping experience. In its latest development, the grocery ally announced new capabilities for its enterprise e-commerce solutions that make it easier for retailers to customize their storefronts and launch shoppable campaigns for holidays or special occasions.

"In today's competitive landscape, our retail partners want to provide an authentic and differentiated online shopping experience," said Chris Rogers, Chief Business Officer at Instacart. "Our Storefront and Storefront Pro solutions give retailers the power to take control over their online presence, so it reflects their brand identity and showcases their unique value. They can now seamlessly launch shoppable campaigns that capture seasonal moments, handpick products that resonate with their audience, and foster stronger customer connections."

According to a press release, the company's retail partners can now modify their homepages, create custom landing pages, and build shoppable campaigns from a user-friendly dashboard in Instacart Storefront and Storefront Pro.

Enhanced features of Storefront and Storefront Pro will enable retailers to:

• Add dynamic content to homepages using Instacart's self-serve tools, including adding banners and other visually enticing elements
• Create custom landing pages with images, text, and shoppable elements that allow for compelling storytelling and merchandising
• Build shoppable campaigns that appear across their storefronts using Instacart's pre-built templates or their own custom layouts

Gelson's Markets is one of the retailers that will soon be implementing this grocery advantage.

"At Gelson's, we work hard to provide our customers with the highest quality products and a unique shopping experiences—and it's important for our online presence to reflect the helpful, inviting environment of our stores," said Ron Johnson, Chief Information and Supply Chain Officer at Gelson's. "With Instacart Storefront Pro, we'll be able to easily customize and manage our website and app, and offer timely campaigns for our customers—giving them the experience they expect and driving revenue for our business."

Click here to learn more about Instacart's latest development.

How will the company continue revolutionizing the retail sector? Keep clicking on ANUK to find out.

Instacart

SOLEDAD, CA - We are living through an era of agriculture in which regenerative practices have taken a front seat. That has been proven tenfold by a partnership between Whole Foods Market and Braga Fresh. Braga recently announced that Whole Foods has committed to purchasing and selling the scheduled trial regenerative crop of organic sweet baby broccoli this summer.

“This early support from an important customer is helping our team continue the farming trials we do not yet have all the answers or know the ending to yet,” said Eric Morgan, Vice President, Environmental Science and Resources at Braga Fresh. This is Braga’s first retail pre-order to support its commitment to crops grown using regenerative practices—a major step in trialing a low-soil tillage concept.

According to a press release, the objectives of the trials are to conserve soil carbon by reducing tillage passes. This allows for an increase in soil biology diversity and decreases consumption of diesel fuel that powers the tractors conducting the tillage operation. With these goals, the company hopes to lessen water and fertilizer usage.

Regenerative agriculture encompasses a variety of farming principles and techniques that seek to help reverse climate change by rehabilitating soil organic matter and biodiversity. This is the third year Braga Fresh is trialing regenerative agriculture practices; 2022 was a learning year and an opportunity to build awareness with the company’s farming peers and retail partners.

Multiple practices are used to implement the regenerative trials, including plant sap analysis, data management, companion plantings, crop rotation, intercropping, cover cropping, soil testing, and water management technology. All regenerative trials are conducted to meet GMP and LGMA standards, the release noted.

The organic sweet baby broccoli trial crop will be harvested on the Braga home ranch in Soledad, California, and field packed under the Josie’s Organics brand.

Cheers to this forward-thinking partnership!

Braga Fresh Whole Foods Market

LOS ANGELES, CA - Avocados continue to drive shoppers into the store. Not only are they versatile and delicious, their health factors keep them in shoppers’ baskets. To keep up with demand, Giumarra Companies has many solutions in place.

“We have organic avocados all year-long—12 months, bags and bulk,” remarked Kellee Harris, Regional Business Development Director. “And one of the things that makes it unique and different is that we pack in two different facilities in California as well as import from several different countries, which gives us year-round availability.”

This year-round availability is especially crucial for retailers looking to keep pace with consumers. Organic and year-round is quite a differentiating factor in the eyes of people wanting options in their stores.

“We’re seeing our organic bagged business grow dramatically, and what’s really important about that is that retailers can now showcase both bulk and bagged avocados at the same time and double or triple their sales just by offering these different pack styles,” added Kellee, hinting at an important merchandising strategy.

To learn more about this program, please watch our full video interview above.

AndNowUKnow will keep our ears to the ground for the next big thing in produce, so stay tuned.

Giumarra Companies

GONZALES, CA - When restaurants get slammed, convenience is of the essence. Misionero recognizes that, which is why the supplier has created its lineup of Washed and Trimmed foodservice offerings, and Pete Hernandez, Director of Business Development, is giving us the rundown.

“Misionero’s Washed & Trimmed Lettuces includes a range of retail and foodservice ready-to-use lettuces that cater to various recipe applications,” says Pete. “This ensures that our customers and their consumers can enjoy fresh goodness without the hassle of cleaning and prepping.”

The supplier’s versatile line features Romaine, Green Leaf, Deli Leaf, and Lettuce Boat varieties. Misionero’s Washed & Trimmed Romaine has a crisp texture and fresh flavor, while its Green Leaf lettuce provides a more delicate taste and texture, making it an excellent option for salads and wraps.

Deli Leaf lettuce was specifically designed for burgers and sandwiches, as it is tender yet sturdy enough to ensure flavor without becoming soggy. Rounding out the list, Lettuce Boats are a creative way to present fillings. They are perfect for healthy and low-carb wraps, tacos, and rolls.

In the future, Misionero strives to continue innovating in the sector and plans to add new additions to its lineup.

“We stand as a pioneer in the space of washed and trimmed lettuces, continually evolving to meet the changing demands of consumers and the food industry,” Pete states. “Misionero is committed to providing freshness, convenience, and quality, setting our products apart from traditional lettuce offerings.”

For its foodservice and retail partners, some of the grower’s benefits include:

• Convenience and Time-Saving Solutions: Misionero's ready-to-use lettuces eliminate the need for consumers to wash and trim their greens, saving them precious time in the kitchen
• Versatile Recipe Applications: The supplier’s diverse lineup of lettuces, including Deli Leaf and Lettuce Boats, opens up a world of creative recipe possibilities. Their commitment to providing greens that hold up well to heat enables consumers to incorporate them into various cooked dishes, expanding their usage beyond traditional salads
• Foodservice and Restaurant Solutions: Misionero's Foodservice Lineup has helped transform how restaurants and food establishments approach fresh produce. By providing prepped and premium lettuces, the company empowers restaurants to serve quality meals efficiently, catering to health-conscious customers without compromising on taste and appearance

Interested in joining forces with Misionero? Reach out to its team today.

Misionero

PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) announced the launch of UNFI Insights, an exclusive product developed with Crisp. UNFI Insights, Powered by Crisp, is designed to provide UNFI suppliers with comprehensive data. Although currently aimed toward consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, we have to wonder if UNFI might also make the jump toward providing fresh produce insights.

“Expanding our relationship with Crisp to deliver to CPGs access to both their natural and conventional sales and inventory data, all housed in one location, provides CPG brands with an unrivaled opportunity to boost their relationships and growth prospects with retailers,” said John Raiche, Executive Vice President of Supplier Services at UNFI. “Leveraging our scale, focusing on investments in technology, and enhancing connectivity with and market visibility for our suppliers is expected to lead to better overall service levels for our retail customers and differentiate UNFI in a competitive marketplace.”

As noted in the release, the new platform builds on the relationship formed in the summer of 2021 between the two companies, and now provides value-added insights directly through the MyUNFI.com supplier portal.

The new platform also works with cloud-based analytics tools from Google and Microsoft, as well as Databricks and Snowflake.

“With hundreds of joint customers, the UNFI and Crisp strategic partnership enables both natural and conventional brands to collaborate more effectively with UNFI and their retail partners,” said Are Traasdahl, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Crisp. “By removing data silos, data becomes more actionable, which should lead to brands increasing profitability while reducing food waste. We applaud UNFI’s leadership in facilitating data access and their commitment to supplier success.”

UNFI Insights is expected to enable suppliers to better manage their supply chain, provide an actionable spoilage dashboard to monitor short-dated inventory, and help brands identify which products are nearing their expiration date.

As UNFI develops this program, we'll check back in to see if fresh is next on the list—produce companies want this kind of data too!

Partnerships and advancements are always on the horizon, so check back for the latest.

United Natural Foods, Inc.

MILWAUKEE, WI - Watermelon is a staple for most households, especially during the summertime in North America. For those looking to capitalize on this demand, Maglio Companies has a solution at the ready just in time for Watermelon Day (August 3rd). The company’s proprietary ReadyRipe™ offering is a reusable and resealable watermelon pouch that naturally keeps watermelon fresh and sweeter for an extended period of time.

"The development of the patented pouch took several years and significant field-testing to perfect it,” commented Sam Maglio, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We wanted to get the technology just right."

Richard Butera, Director of Business Development, and National Watermelon Board Executive Director George Szczepanski recently connected on the importance of this success.

“Maglio’s ReadyRipe watermelon pouch is a great example of the type of innovation that can help lift consumption and drive demand for the category,” George commented. “Providing retail-ready solutions that rise to the consumer need for convenience is an approach that is a clear win-win for retailers and consumers, as well as for producers. We know from research that our friends at the National Watermelon Promotion Board have done that merchandising cut watermelon alongside whole watermelon is proven to lift sales for the whole category. Maglio’s ReadyRipe watermelon pouch is a way to help activate on this and lift watermelon sales.”

Maglio was one of the key persons involved in launching this innovation back in 2015. A press release noted that the solution helps give sliced watermelons a longer shelf-life, naturally enhanced quality, and convenience for today's busy customers.

Available in both a clear and graphic pouch options, learn more about the solution here.

“Maglio’s ReadyRipe watermelon pouch provides the consumer with a high-quality sliced watermelon in an attractive, safe, and convenient package. This gusset bag presents the watermelon extremely well, and the resealable feature is an option that our industry will benefit from,” Richard added.

As always, keep checking back in with AndNowUKnow for the latest news in fresh produce. Until then, happy Watermelon Day!

Maglio Companies