OXNARD, CA - Whether you’re honoring it at home or in the restaurant, Cinco de Mayo is a festive holiday worth celebrating. One aspect consumers love about the day is the food, and Gary Clevenger wholeheartedly agrees. I tapped the Managing Member of Freska Produce International to see how the mango provider is preparing for the holiday.

“At the moment, mangos are very tight. As one of the largest shippers in Mexico, we are continuing to support our customers with mangos when others find it hard to source due to our long-standing relationships with packers,” Gary begins. “Cinco will be a tough promotion period, but we will have fruit and will be supporting our retail partners. Get your orders in early to set yourself up for success!”

Due to a shortage of red mango varieties, Gary predicts imports from Mexico will be on a bit of the lower end around the holiday weekend. However, full retail support will be in the cards, and Freska has another ace up its sleeves: avocados.

“We recommend cross-merchandising reds with yellow mangos to really liven up the produce floor,” Gary continues. “This year, there will be plenty of yellow or Honey mangos to display for Cinco de Mayo. Displaying mangos with avocados at the front will do a great job at pushing sales as shoppers enter the store.”

Colorful and attractive displays will surely be a crowd-pleaser as spirit-forward drinks and fresh salsa and dessert abound for the festive weekend. Having a mix of ripe and unripe mangos will also be a successful promotional plan for shoppers to enjoy their fresh fruit either that night or as a sweet treat later on.

“Spring is a great time for mango and avocado sales because shoppers are looking for fresh product now that it’s getting warmer,” Gary concludes. “Freska provides promotional materials and retail support to catch those impulse sales. Cinco de Mango!”

Whether it’s the holidays, seasonal shifts, or splurging on fresh fruits and veg, count on ANUK to bring you the latest.

Freska Produce International

THE NETHERLANDS - In just over a month, a new leader will be stepping into their latest position with Ahold Delhaize. It was recently announced that the retailer has named Boudewijn van Nieuwenhuijzen as its new Brand President of Super Indo, effective June 1, 2023.

Van Nieuwenhuijzen joined Ahold in 2001. Since then, he has held several roles before moving to Indonesia to work at Super Indo. His last role before Super Indo was as Vice President of Commerce and VP of Operations at another Ahold Delhaize banner, Dutch drugstore brand Etos. Van Nieuwenhuijzen also has extensive experience in marketing, retail, and e-commerce, having held positions at Unilever, Hema, and Boost.

According to a press release, he will succeed Johan Boeijenga, who stepped down on March 31. Boeijenga will now serve as an advisor to Van Nieuwenhuijzen and Super Indo to ensure a smooth transition.

Wouter Kolk, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, commented on the appointment.

"I am pleased to announce this appointment, as I see Boudewijn as a solid successor to Johan. Boudewijn has been working at Super Indo since last year as VP Operations,” Kolk said. “Boudewijn is a focused and knowledgeable leader who has proven to be able to make the connection between online and offline go-to-market strategies, seize opportunities, and always focus on the customer. He has a good connection with the team and adds value to the brand with his all-around experience. Under the inspiring advice of Johan, Boudewijn will make a strong start as Brand President."

Congratulations to Ahold’s newly named leader!

Ahold Delhaize

THE DALLES, OR - One hundred years is quite the legacy, and for Orchard View Cherries, it’s a legacy that encourages steps toward an even brighter future. I spoke with Brenda Thomas, President, to learn more about what this milestone means.

“We are so proud to be celebrating 100 years dedicated to producing the best-tasting, most beautiful cherries in the world,” Brenda shared with me. “But it doesn’t stop there. This anniversary only gives us an opportunity to reflect and look toward the next 100 years. To us, it will be a year like any other—marked by long days dedicated to picking, packing, and shipping fruit grown on our beautiful cherry orchards with commitment and care.”

Over the last 100 years, Orchard View Cherries has taken that considerable care and used it to strengthen its operations while staying true to its roots.

“Our company ethos hasn’t changed after all these years, and it’s always been most important to my family to conserve resources,” Brenda noted, an ethos that has been in place since the company’s founding in 1923. “As sustainable farmers, we don’t just harvest the land, we make choices that preserve the natural elements of the farm for the long term. Our key priorities remain our family, neighbors, land, and water. We think of ourselves as stewards of this land and remain grateful that we’re the lucky ones who get to take care of it.”

But innovation is never far behind for Orchard View, as the company continues to set its sights on exciting new opportunities.

“Our mindset remains steadfast on continuous innovation. It’s a privilege to have 100 years of experience, experience that helps us grow and find new ways of doing things to continue being a leader in the cherry industry,” Brenda shared. “That cherry savvy is the result of both nature and nurture. We’ve planted our trees with intention, matching each variety to its ideal microclimate and elevation along the rolling hills and rain shadow of The Dalles. This unique combination of terroir and experience allows us to deliver the right cherry at the right time, every time.”

Orchard View will be planting new trees with an eye to the future, featuring such varieties as the Pearl and Royal series, both new to the grower’s portfolio.

“We see growth as the continuous renovation of our orchards, facilities, and equipment,” Brenda continued. “We’re always looking for areas we can improve. Our journey is grounded in a belief that doing right for the land and our people leads to a better world for all, and better cherries from Orchard View.”

The cherry grower recently modified its worker housing facilities on its 3,500 acres, adding playgrounds for workers’ children as well as a soccer field for all to enjoy.

“While many on our team live in the community, we also celebrate the return of well-trained seasonal workers every spring. We value the biodiversity of our unique corner of the world, and the dignity of those who work with us,” Brenda added.

Although the celebration won’t start until the very last truck pulls out of the yard in August, Orchard View’s gratitude for this moment is palpable.

“We’ll take a moment to appreciate the accomplishment and start preparing for our next season of ripe and delicious cherries sought the world over,” Brenda expressed.

Cheers to 100 more, Orchard View!

Orchard View Cherries

MISSION, TX - Viva Fresh has been a hot topic of conversation here at ANUK in recent weeks. The excitement continues today, as the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) made an announcement following the show. At the conclusion of the Viva Fresh Expo, a total of 21,806 lbs of fresh produce was donated to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB).

“Our organization and industry members work tirelessly to grow and ship the healthy fruits and vegetables that end up in stores and on our tables,” Dante Galeazzi, Chief Executive Officer of TIPA, remarked. “By making this donation, not only are we able to evoke positive change, we’re also able to meet the needs of a community experiencing an unprecedented level of food insecurity.”

A press release explained that this donation would not be possible without the approximately 200 fresh fruit and vegetable growers, shippers, and importers that exhibit at the Viva Fresh Expo. Viva Fresh’s donation will help fight food insecurity in the region and be distributed through North Texas Food Bank’s network of more than 400 partner agencies.

Ranking as the fifth most food insecure region in the nation, approximately 700,000 North Texans face food insecurity. The North Texas Food Bank is dedicated to creating a hunger-free, healthy community. Thanks to donations and fundraisers, it provides access to nutritious meals to families, children, and seniors in its 13-county service area.

“The North Texas Food Bank is proud to be a dedicated provider of food for those in need and this fresh produce donation is a welcome gift that allows us to offer many fresh produce offerings our families may not have typical access to,” said Mike Robinson, Director of Food Sourcing for NTFB. “Our mission to close the hunger gap in North Texas by providing access to nutritious food continues to be an exciting possibility thanks to the generosity of organizations like the Texas International Produce Association and their grower members.”

We applaud Viva Fresh for its generous donation!

Texas International Produce Association

NOGALES, AZ - With growth in its viewfinder, Divine Flavor has tapped a new leader to join its ranks, playing a key role in its development. Recently, the grower and distributor announced that Patrick Cortes has been appointed as its Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning.

“I’m thrilled to join the Divine Flavor team and contribute my experience to an already innovative brand that’s poised for growth,” said Cortes. “Divine Flavor is such a family-oriented company that values not only its workforce, but each of its stakeholders, whether it's their clients, growers, or anyone affiliated with the institution. Applying my knowledge from retail, foodservice, and wholesale, I plan to use this expertise and take Divine Flavor to the next level.”

Prior to joining Divine Flavor, Cortes spent the last eight years at Mission Produce as Vice President of Business Development, according to a release. Before that, he served as an Export Manager for the Gourmet Trading Company, where he oversaw markets outside of the United States, focusing on categories including berries and asparagus.

Now, he will use that expertise to bolster Divine Flavor’s growth and ongoing company development.

“The thoroughness with which Divine Flavor made sure I was the right candidate shows their commitment to cultivating the best talent,” said Cortes. “It demonstrated to me this is an organization which invests in the people they bring into the company, and their core family values greatly align with mine.”

President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Aguirre believes that Cortes will be a core piece of the company moving forward as they look to upcoming projects.

“We see Mr. Cortes in a pivotal role in our plans for the future,” he stated. “His knowledge and professionalism will bring balance and great things to our organization, and we are very excited he has joined the Divine Flavor family.”

Carlos Bon, Vice President of Sales, sees Cortes as a professional that not only has vast experience but also is passionate about produce.

“During the whole process, I became more and more excited about hiring Patrick,” said Bon. “Interview calls quickly became deep conversations about our industry, and you could really get a sense of his passion for the work he does. What did it for me was speaking with our customers to get their point of view, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive about him.”

Cheers to Patrick Cortes on his new role!

Divine Flavor

GERMANY - Reusable Packaging Containers (RPCs) expert IFCO is doubling down on its sustainability commitments and expanding its pooling capacities. The provider recently announced that it has opened a new state-of-the-art service center in Dannstadt, Germany.

“This flagship service center underscores IFCO’s commitment to provide the most comprehensive, sustainable, and efficient reusable packaging which enables our customers to actively participate in the circular economy,” said Mike Pooley, Chief Executive Officer. “This is how we make the fresh grocery supply chain sustainable.”

Located in a central European transportation hub, the new service center sets impressive standards in terms of energy-efficiency, conservation, and sustainability measures. These are in line with IFCO’s goals to be carbon-neutral in operations by 2025 and to reach net-zero emissions across the whole business by 2040. The facility was also awarded the gold certification for green buildings from the German Sustainable Building Council.

The Dannstadt service center is one of the most modern and technologically sophisticated facilities of its kind in Europe, a press release stated. Equipped with an automated sorting and crate recognition system, the entire high-pressure wash and sanitization process is fully automated and designed to handle and sort all sizes and types of IFCO RPCs.

“The new facility will benefit customers on multiple levels,” Dirk Schaich, Director Supply Chain and Operations, said. “The Dannstadt area is one of the largest agricultural regions in Germany and is ideally positioned to optimize transport routes to serve our retail partners in the southwest of Germany. Additionally, by inspecting, repairing and sanitizing our RPCs in this state-of-the-art service center, we will serve our customers with reusable packaging in the most sustainable way.”

The site was designed and developed with the local community and natural ecosystem in mind. While fostering employee wellbeing, the park-like design, wildflower meadow, and natural pond offer a haven for native birds and local wildlife. In addition, the roof features greened areas and is fitted with a photovoltaic system that supplies power to the building, which is also equipped with modern underfloor heating and LED lighting.

For more on the new center, check out the press release here.

Stay plugged in to all things fresh with ANUK.

IFCO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - In an effort to support wholesalers and distributors, GrubMarket has unveiled its latest launch, GrubPay. The easy-to-use payment platform enables safe and secure payments, making the company one of the first e-commerce platforms to offer a fully integrated payment solution designed for the fresh industry.

“Right now, most fresh industry players still use traditional offline methods like checks and cash to complete payment transactions. Others rely on third-party providers that charge exorbitant fees and are not tailored to facilitate payments in the food supply chain industry,” said Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to take the next step of every great eCommerce company—offering seamless payment solutions to our customers. GrubPay is a truly transformative solution that will create significant value for the food industry and help customers streamline their payment processes, reduce costs, and save time. By facilitating payments for the food supply chain through a one-stop solution integrated with our best-in-class WholesaleWare, OrdersIO, and Farmigo software products, GrubPay will make payments easy, accessible, and affordable to all our customers.”

GrubPay not only operates as a standalone product, but also integrates seamlessly with GrubMarket’s existing software offerings. As stated in a release, the company’s customers can now directly accept and manage payments quickly, easily, and securely via ACH, credit card, and other online methods.

In addition to seamless integration with WholesaleWare, OrdersIO, and Farmigo, GrubPay offers a number of unique features and benefits, including online payments, pay by link, real-time payment tracking, full accounting integration, competitive pricing, and flexibility and customization.

“Traditional payment acceptance methods for the fresh industry are cumbersome, expensive, and unreliable. Third-party payment providers lack an understanding of the nuanced needs of food distributors and wholesalers, and their fee structures squeeze the already thin margins of these businesses. This is why GrubPay is such a big step forward for the fresh industry,” stated said Genevieve Wang, Chief Product Officer. “Our integrated payment solutions make it possible for food suppliers to get paid quickly with ACH and credit card payments, while easily managing all invoicing, communications, and reporting directly through our innovative and proprietary software products—WholesaleWare, Orders IO, and Farmigo. With the addition of GrubPay, customers reduce errors, eliminate check fraud, and get paid faster. This is a game changer.”

To learn more about this launch, click here.

For the latest innovations from GrubMarket, stick with ANUK.

GrubMarket

CHICAGO, IL - Two words that are always bound to catch our attention: grocery investment. Yellow Banana, which owns and operates eight Save A Lot stores in the Chicago, Illinois, region, has unveiled the closing on a $26.5 million investment into grocery stores on the South and West sides of Chicago.

“We are excited about Yellow Banana’s commitment to reshape the in-store experience for Save A Lot customers throughout the city’s South and West sides,” said Save A Lot Chief Executive Officer Leon Bergmann. “The enhancements underway will ensure Chicagoans can continue to access fresh foods and quality brands at affordable prices for many years to come.”

Combining a $13.5 million Community Development Grant presented to Yellow Banana in July 2022 with New Markets Tax Credits, third-party financing, and additional funding from Yellow Banana, this transaction marks the next step in Yellow Banana’s ongoing commitment to underserved communities throughout the City of Chicago and the United States.

Through this project, Yellow Banana will make comprehensive upgrades to its existing Chicago stores as well as reopen a former Save A Lot that closed in 2020, a press release explained. The capital investments will be used to acquire the underlying real estate at five of Yellow Banana’s existing Chicago stores and at the Auburn Gresham site, in addition to completing a comprehensive internal and external redevelopment at each location.

“Yellow Banana has been brainstorming ways in which to breathe new life into the Save A Lot brand in Chicago ever since we first purchased the stores in 2021,” said Joseph Canfield, Co-Founder of 127 Wall Holdings, which owns Yellow Banana. “Countless professionals from dozens of organizations worked tirelessly to secure this investment and help deliver the shopping experience that hard-working Chicagoans deserve. This collaboration demonstrates our company’s commitment to providing quality, affordable, healthy groceries to the communities in which we operate.”

To read more about this ambitious growth strategy, click here.

For more grocery news, stay on the pages of ANUK.

Yellow Banana

WASHINGTON, DC - Sustainability ranks high on the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) list of industry goals, and one way the organization is looking to achieve this is through more sustainable packaging. Recently, IFPA submitted public comments on the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and packaging waste.

“We are fully committed to reducing, (with the long-term goal of eliminating) single-use packaging waste. Environmental footprint of single-use packaging is self-evident. At the same time, as an industry, we owe it to consumers of fresh produce to deliver a safe and nutritious product of top quality,” said IFPA Chief Science Officer, Dr. Max Teplitski. “Our industry needs to be clear-eyed: these proposed revisions will have a major impact on the bilateral trade with the EU, as well as on the availability, use and reuse, refill, and recycling of single-use packaging. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes on the single-use plastic packaging regulations.”

Some of the comments issued by IFPA include:

• IFPA applauds EU’s recognition that plastic packaging is the most effective way for minimizing microbiological hazards and supports exemptions in Annex V aimed at avoiding microbiological hazards
• As a fresh commodity with a significant water content, plastic packaging is critical for reducing water loss and thus maintaining quality and consumer appeal of the product
• To maintain the environmental commitment and to provide safe product to the consumers, IFPA stressed the importance of ensuring access to compostable plastic or compostable composite packaging that is appropriately labeled as to prevent the contamination of the recycling stream
• IFPA also urged regulators to exempt functional produce stickers that are less than a square inch in size from this pending regulation

As a press release outlined, these public comments demonstrate IFPA’s strategy for promoting sustainable packaging for the fresh produce industry while ensuring food safety and quality of the product and reducing food loss and waste along the supply chain.

In addition to advocating for sustainable packaging on behalf of the industry, IFPA leads public-private partnerships aimed at developing technological solutions. Working with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA Foreign Ag Service, Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Sinclair and Wintermute Biomedical, IFPA supports developments of home-compostable PLU stickers and cost-effective tools for sanitizing reusable packaging.

IFPA’s full comments can be viewed on the European Commission website.

As more produce packaging developments come to light, keep clicking on ANUK.

International Fresh Produce Association

LEGRAND, CA - With harvest season kicking off in the Coachella, California, region, Live Oak Farms has announced two-fold growth as it is bolstering its pepper team and the category’s program. Recently, the supplier hired Pete Aiello as Vice President of Pepper Programs and Prescott Leyba as Vice President of Pepper Sales, both of whom will support the sales and marketing of the pepper program that now has longer availability and additional organic production.

“I’m excited to work for a company that takes such pride in its history but has thrived and succeeded for generations because the family recognizes the importance of evolving and changing to meet the challenges of farming and take advantage of new opportunities,” Aiello said.

Aiello has decades of experience, having served as General Manager and Owner of Uesgui Farms, a release explained. With his expertise, he will lead the strategic growth of the organic and conventional pepper programs of the company.

Joining Aiello on the team is Leyba, who most recently was Director of Sales at Country Sweet Produce. There, he marketed both organic bell peppers and sweet potatoes to customers across the United States.

Leyba commented that he is impressed that an important success component has stayed the same over the decades at Live Oak Farms, saying, “They remain a family-owned company with many of the original founding values still in place, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

These hires come as Live Oak Farms is expanding its organic pepper production from LeGrand and Coachella into the Central Coast region in order to extend the California growing season.

“Aiello and Leyba will be integral to executing this expanded program and providing the type of customer service we can be proud of,” Ed Beckman, Chief Operations Officer, commented.

To read more about the expansion, click here.

Congratulations to both leaders on their new roles!

Live Oak Farms