PROVIDENCE, RI - It’s lit at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI)—literally. The distributor is wielding advanced lighting technology to make several improvements to its operations. First, UNFI completed its largest solar array investment to date at its Howell, New Jersey, distribution center. The company will also complete LED energy lighting upgrades at 33 distribution centers that are estimated to save approximately $15 million over a 10-year period.

“Energy efficiency is an important focus area for our Better for All Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and we are excited to see the Howell solar array come online,” said UNFI Chief Executive Officer Sandy Douglas. “This newest solar array, coupled with our current LED lighting projects at a majority of our distribution centers are expected to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions year-over-year and represent a milestone on our path to building a food system that is better for our people, communities, and the planet. These efforts are also expected to reduce our operational costs and help us become more efficient, and that’s a positive for our business.”

The 3.2-megawatt roof-mounted solar array is the company’s eighth solar installation and is nearly three times larger than any previous UNFI installation, according to a press release. The array contains 7,171 solar panels and was developed to generate an amount of renewable electricity approximately equivalent to the annualized energy demand at the Howell distribution center.

The system is projected to generate an estimated 3.8-million-kilowatt hours of electricity per year, preventing approximately 2,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from being released into the atmosphere annually. UNFI worked with PowerFlex to complete the installation of the Howell solar array.

UNFI is also on track to finish retrofitting 33 of its distribution centers built before 2002 with the latest LED lighting by the end of UNFI’s current fiscal year. They provide a longer lifespan and operate at lower temperatures versus conventional lighting. Upon project completion, all 56 of UNFI’s distribution centers will have LED lighting, which is anticipated to save the company nearly 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity usage per year, the release noted.

For more from UNFI, check out the press release here.

We can’t wait to see what else is in store for this foodservice distributor.

United Natural Foods, Inc.

NOGALES, AZ - There’s a lot happening in the world of Delta Fresh, and I wanted to connect with the grower on its current programs, upcoming facilities, and more. Let’s dive in with Pedro Balderrama, Sales, now.

“We have started a new set on our Arista vine tomatoes that are 100 percent in greenhouses. These vines will help us get through mid-June,” Pedro shared with me. “Romas are still coming in from Culiacán, Sinaloa, but we now have new crop Romas out of Sonora, Mexico, that will get us to the end of May. We do start Roma and cucumber out of Baja in mid-May. We will also be starting a spring melon program as well as a Sonoran table grape program that will run mid-May through mid-July.”

The grower’s impressive portfolio is an asset to any partner, especially as Delta Fresh gears up for its table grape season.

“We are currently putting a lot of our focus on this program to ensure we have a very successful grape season. We are also heavily focusing on our summer crops in order to have a successful summer,” he noted.

Although there have been challenges to face this season, Delta Fresh is only looking toward the horizon. One thing to look forward to is the upcoming completion of a new facility.

“We have broken ground here in Nogales, Arizona, where we are building Delta’s new home,” Pedro explained. “We are hoping to have this state-of-the-art facility completed by October of this year. Delta is also building a new facility in McAllen, Texas, which will be a 1-million-square-foot facility when it’s completed in 2024. We are also excited to announce that we have opened our doors in Yuma, Arizona, due to a new opportunity with asparagus, and we are now shipping out of San Diego, California; Yuma and Nogales, Arizona; and Pharr, Texas.”

Lots of exciting developments in the works for Delta Fresh! Be sure to keep swinging back to AndNowUKnow for the latest in all things produce.

Delta Fresh

THE BRONX, NY - We are saddened to report the loss of Sal Vacca, Founder of Trucco and a beloved member of the produce industry. He passed away on March 22, 2023, at the age of 93.

Sal Vacca immigrated to the United States from Anacapri, Italy, in 1949, to join his cousin Domenico D’Angiola's import business. Starting with grocery items, Vacca eventually began selling chestnuts and canned tomatoes from Italy under his own business. Alfred Trucco, a prominent figure in dried fruits and nuts at the Washington Street Terminal Market in Manhattan, was one of Sal's customers.

Alfred Trucco suggested that he and Sal join companies in 1961, and A.J. Trucco, Inc. was formed. They were among the first to relocate to Hunts Point Market in 1967, where the company continued to grow and evolve over the years.

In 2000, they joined forces with another firm and reorganized, and in 2015, the shares were sold to current Chief Executive Officer and President Nick Pacia.

In a release sent in from the company, Trucco expressed how exceptional of a man Sal was. He remained dedicated to his work and passions well into his mid-80s. He was known for his larger-than-life personality, infectious charm, and unwavering kindness to everyone he met.

He was a beloved Hunts Point Produce Market community member and took great pride in his Italian heritage. Sal was an avid tennis player, a diehard fan of the Napoli professional soccer team, and a gifted cook who regularly prepared meals for his employees even after he retired.

We send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Diane Vacca; his children, Eric Vacca, his wife and children; Lisa Vacca-Brown, her husband Michael Brown, and their two children, Chloe and Brittny; his grandchild, Alexander Vacca Familant; his nephew, Giovanni Vacca, and niece, Olimpia Giardiello. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time.

Sal’s impact on the produce industry and the countless lives he touched will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue to live on through the company he founded and the values he instilled in it.

NEWARK, DE & WASHINGTON, DC -The Floral Conference put on by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is coming up on our radar, and Miami, Florida, is the destination for fresh discourse. At the conference, new research on consumer attitudes toward floral will be on the agenda, and IFPA will be presenting research from Kantar to provide insights and actionable recommendations.

“Floral sales have slowed from the rocketing pandemic trajectory,” said IFPA Floral Director Deb Zoellick. “We encourage members to step away from the day-to-day and find inspiration from these speakers, their peers, and this new IFPA research, which offers the insights they need to jump-start sales in this post-pandemic reality.”

In early March, The Floral Conference – Anaheim focused on Kantar’s research on the macro drivers for floral sales. Attendees at the Miami conference will dig a little deeper into consumer attitudes and behaviors. The conference appeals to the full supply chain: retailers, growers, importers, and business solution providers.

As Zoellick noted in the release, specific topics include:

• A deep understanding of what shoppers are looking for, their mindsets, and their outlook on floral
• What floral shoppers are looking for before making the final journey of “add to cart”
• The features and services that will set retailers apart, attract shoppers, and win at point of purchase
• Opportunities, gaps, and higher conversions at point of purchase
• Details on the performance of product offerings and innovation to prioritize and optimize resources
• Differences in online shoppers’ behaviors and expectations
• Usage occasions that win the shoppers earlier in the purchase journey

“We’re excited to offer members resources like this that will deepen understanding and accelerate sales,” Zoellick said. “The Floral Conference – Miami is part of IFPA’s commitment to the floral industry and an anchor of our full floral portfolio.”

Find out more information here ahead of the conference.

ANUK will keep an eye out for the latest industry updates, so keep checking back.

International Fresh Produce Association

LOS ANGELES, CA - When I think of Dole Food Company, I think of tropical fruits. I know many other shoppers make this association as well, and even more will be doing so soon enough. The company is teaming up with pocket.watch and the Ryan’s World franchise from Sunlight Entertainment to bring the Island Adventures program to every aisle and screen across North America.​​

“Dole is always seeking fun new ways to reach families and help educate on happiness and wellness through produce,” said William Goldfield, Director of Corporate Communications at Dole. “By connecting with such a recognizable brand for families as Ryan’s World, pocket watch provided Dole a powerful partner to help deliver the joy, flavor, and pure sweetness of our pineapple.”

Starting this week, 26 million co-branded DOLE® Royal Hawaiian® and Tropical Gold® Pineapples hit stores across the United States and Canada, a press release noted. Ryan Kaji himself visited the Dole Pineapple Farm in Oahu, Hawaii, where he learned about pineapple farming to produce educational and entertaining content.

The Ryan’s World Island Adventures program includes new content, new consumer products, gaming, and co-promotion extending the franchise, including:

• On April 1, the channel will premier a video featuring the Dole Pineapple Farm, educating kids and families about the harvesting process

• Ryan’s World will debut a suite of Island Adventure toys available at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon

• The Ryan’s World Island Adventures Special, premiered for free on The Roku Channel on April 1, 2023

• Pineapple character upgrades and a new Island Adventures welcome will appear in the Tag with Ryan mobile video game, which has over 29 million downloads

• Ryan’s World Combo Panda and Dole’s Pinellopy Pineapple characters will collaborate on an exciting social content series, while immersive dotcom pages hosted by pocket.watch and Dole will showcase everything Island Adventures plus feature recipes and free downloadable activities

How will you leverage this collaboration in your own produce department? We cannot wait to find out.

Dole Food Company

GRAND FORKS, ND - Black Gold Farms’ C-suite recently welcomed a new leader to its team. Heath Webber, CPA, joins the potato provider as its newest Chief Financial Officer. He will succeed Bob Hoffert, who will be retiring from the company.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Black Gold Farms,” said Webber. “I have lived in the greater Grand Forks area a long time and have always held the company in high regard. It’s a privilege to be part of the organization’s strategic direction moving forward.”

Webber has more than 30 years of finance experience and a combined 10 years in the CFO role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of North Dakota and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Mary.

As noted in the release, Webber has a history of executive experience with local potato processing plants, making him an excellent fit for Black Gold Farms. Webber most recently served as CFO at PS Industries Incorporated in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he oversaw all financial aspects of the organization.

In Webber’s executive position, he will manage accounting, finance, budgeting, and reporting functions in addition to IT and HR and benefits oversight.

This change follows Bob Hoffert stepping down from his CFO position, as he will enjoy retirement after 30 years of service with Black Gold Farms.

“Heath brings a wealth of knowledge, and we’re so glad to have him on the team,” said Eric Halverson, Chief Executive Officer. “Stepping into a role such as this can bring certain pressures, and Heath has continued to impress us all.”

Congratulations to Heath Webber on his new position, and to Bob Hoffert as he begins his well-earned retirement!

Black Gold Farms

CALIFORNIA - Walk with me through the strawberry fields for a moment. On March 31, Bobalu shared its most recent crop update, giving us an in-depth look at each of its California growing regions.

“We are very hopeful that April will be more kind to us and bring on some real spring weather,” the company said in the release. “We continue to see the entire state tracking a month behind our normal production curve. Weather looks to be improving over the next 10 days with sunny skies, but we still anticipate cooler overall temps in the short term.”

Starting in Oxnard, the grower shared an update revealing that the strawberry market is tight for the rest of the Easter pull; however, volume is currently picking up each week and is expected to for the next four weeks. Quality is looking excellent with great flavor, and the supplier’s quality control teams are following the harvest closely as crews cull damaged fruit from the adverse weather that has impacted California.

“We expect to continue to cull damaged berries for at least the next couple of weeks working through all the issues caused by so much rain, hail, and wind we have gone through," the release continued. “As the weather warms over the next couple of weeks, we hope to get on a daily harvest rotation as these plants finally get a chance to kick into spring.”

The Coachella region has received less rain, but is seeing cooler temperatures, which have also led to tighter volumes. Bobalu noted that it expects to be pulling fruit from this region for several more weeks since the quality and flavor are excellent and the mild weather remains favorable, and the team looks forward to continued increases in volume each week as the weather warms up.

The grower also shared insight into its Santa Maria production.

“Continuing with the ‘month behind normal’ theme, we are still way behind here in Santa Maria. The plants look really good, and we should start scratching some fields here in the next week or so, but don’t expect to see any measurable numbers until closer to the end of April. It has been cold here on the west side of town, but we do see warmer days ahead in the forecast,” the company noted.

For more crop insights and market updates, you know where to click.

Bobalu

NANUET, NY - Expanded program alert! Flashfood has continued to grow its presence through strategic retail alliances, and now the company is expanding its partnership with Ahold Delhaize banner Stop & Shop to roll out the innovative program across a 60-store footprint in New York.

“Providing value and variety to our customers with a focus on reducing our carbon footprint is at the forefront of what we do,” said Tarik Stewart, Regional Vice President of Operations for Stop & Shop. “We’re proud to now offer the Flashfood marketplace to our New York customers to help offer sustainable shopping options with ways to also save significantly on groceries.”

Stop & Shop’s expansion throughout New York is part of the grocer’s 2023 rollout plans to make Flashfood available at more than 300 Stop & Shop locations across the Northeast, a press release stated. With over 60 of Stop & Shop’s New York stores across Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley now offering Flashfood, sales through the app will further decrease food waste throughout the Northeast.

Since the duo formed their alliance in 2021, over 30,000 shoppers across the Northeast have used Flashfood, resulting in nearly $500,000 in grocery savings and over 233,280 pounds of food being saved from ending up in landfills.

“Our mission has always been to reduce food waste, while helping families eat healthy food at an affordable price,” said Josh Domingues, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flashfood. “With one in 10 New York residents facing food insecurity, our expansion across over 60 Stop & Shop locations will be an incredible resource to New Yorkers, bringing more fresh options to dinner tables across the region.”

With Flashfood, shoppers are able to save up to 50 percent off items nearing their best-by dates, such as meats, dairy, seafood, fresh produce, baked goods, and more. To learn more about the program, click here.

Keep clicking on ANUK as we bring you the latest industry insights.

Ahold Delhaize

OXNARD, CA - Sustainability remains top of mind for companies like Mission Produce. In continuing to reach its goals, the company published its third annual sustainability report, “Finest for the Future,” which communicates the company’s global sustainability story during fiscal year (FY) 2022.

“For 40 years, we have invested in sustainable practices to protect our land, preserve our resources, and support the health and safety of our people,” said Steve Barnard, Chief Executive Officer. “We strive to create a positive impact not only for our company, but for the communities and environments in which we operate.”

In its report, the company details its operating procedures, projects, and achievements, as well as reports on the company’s global use of resources.

Mission’s sustainability highlights for FY 2022 include:

• People: From FY 2020 to FY 2022, Mission’s global charitable giving has increased by 450 percent, contributing to causes supporting children, families, and agriculture education. One of its largest investments in 2022 involved significant infrastructure developments in La Libertad, Peru
• Product: As part of the company’s commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its products, Mission has a goal to reduce the plastic in 50 percent of the bags packed and shipped globally by FY 2025
• Planet: In FY 2022, Mission planted nearly 200,000 new trees in harmony with the existing ecosystems of its managed farms in Peru, Guatemala, and Colombia

“Mission's approach to sustainability is strategically designed to focus on the areas and risks most relevant to our business,” said Delanie Beeson, Global Science and Sustainability Manager. “We seek to minimize the impact of our global footprint and consistently evaluate opportunities to implement sustainable practices throughout our operations. Each of our initiatives is developed and executed to mitigate important sustainability risks affecting our people, product, and planet.”

Click here to read the full release, and click here to download the full FY 2022 sustainability report.

ANUK will keep an eye out for the industry’s latest, so stay tuned.

Mission Produce

WENATCHEE, WA - Cherries are coming in hot! CMI Orchards revealed it is amping up to dive into the fruitful cherry window, and it’s helping retailers by providing the sweetest sales guide yet.

“From coveted fan favorites like Red and Rainier to deluxe specialty varieties like Skylar Rae® and Strawberry Cherries, we’ve got it all,” Domestic Sales and Organics Manager Joel Hewitt said. “Cherry season offers the most attractive window of the year for sales. Savvy retailers who get ahead of the game see their sales skyrocket, impacting total produce sales for the year.”

As noted in the release, Northwest cherries deliver an intense, extremely profitable season—and there’s only a three-month window left to plan promotions and reserve volume. Bolster sales from every direction with the freshest selections of premium cherries, high-graphic displays, and exciting promotional programs. For even more help and visualization, CMI Orchards provided its sweetest sales guide yet for retailers.

Danelle Huber, Senior Marketing Manager, explained that the trick to making sure cherry season isn’t just a flash in the pan is capitalizing on consumers’ anticipation with a multi-pronged approach.

“Our programs take sales to the next level by curating a shopping experience that has customers coming back for more,” said Huber. “Displays typically drive up to 30 percent more sales in-store. When you pair that with cherries—the magical fruit that inspires seasonal excitement year over year—it’s really the dreamiest match-up you could ask for.”

Capitalize on the impulse allure of cherries with CMI’s large selection of specialty cherries, as they’re the sort of item that gets picked up on a shopper’s way through the store or during their online shopping experience.

“A study conducted by Harvard Business Review and a major U.S. retail company found 73 percent of customers use multiple channels throughout their shopping journey, while only 7 percent were exclusive online shoppers and 20 percent were store-only shoppers,” Huber continued, explaining the benefits of utilizing a range of channels, such as digital ads, in-store displays, and mobile app information. “The window for success is so tight during this season that we highly recommend retailers stay proactive and make sure they have secondary displays on hand.”

Hewitt further noted there are solid expectations of a good, healthy crop, which retailers can advertise through the majority of the summer.

“Due to challenging weather conditions, last year’s cherry crop was down,” said Hewitt, “but this year, we’re optimistic that retailers are going to get more bang for their buck on advertising throughout the season.”

The season is only going to keep heating up, so keep a tab open for more marketing and promotional ideas.

CMI Orchards