SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Earlier this year, Imperfect Foods upped the expansion ante by announcing it received a commitment for an investment of $95 million. That number has since been increased to $110 million due to two new investors, private markets investment management firm Hamilton Lane and Blisce, both of which bring a track record of building long-term value to mission-driven companies.

“Finding a scalable solution for online grocery shopping that is also sustainable is a giant problem to tackle. We’re in it for the long haul and that’s why it’s important to have investors that align with our mission and values,” said Imperfect Foods CEO Philip Behn. “We’re excited to continue to do our part in not only making fresh food more accessible to all communities across the country, but also striving to take care of farmers and the planet while we do so.”

With this investment, Imperfect noted in a press release, it will accelerate its goal of becoming the global leader in sustainable online grocery. This will be done by increasing production capacity, accelerating its private label program, improving the shopping experience, and supporting farmers, suppliers, and communities.

“For nearly 20 years, we’ve been creating targeted impact strategies with an eye towards generating both attractive returns and a positive impact for our clients. This recent investment underscores our longstanding commitment to this space, and demonstrates our shared mission along with Imperfect Foods to promote and support sustainable practices,” Jackie Rantanen, Managing Director and Head of Product Management at Hamilton Lane, commented.

In 2020 alone, Imperfect Foods’ sourcing strategy saved over 50 million pounds of food and avoided over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide. The company’s last mile delivery model avoided another 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

In addition to this, the company diverted more than 70 percent of its material waste from landfill. With these new investments, Imperfect hopes to further strengthen its commitment to building what it deems the most sustainable online grocery service.

“Imperfect Foods’ ability to reduce food waste while delighting customers is unique, and embodies the idea of doing well by doing good. Their direct sourcing from farmers combined with national direct-to-consumer delivery stands out and makes them the clear sustainable choice for online grocery shopping,” stated Alexandre Mars, Founder and CEO of Blisce. “We are proud to back the team at Imperfect Foods as they pursue this important mission to provide high quality service to their customers while simultaneously building a better food system and reducing food waste across the United States.”

We’ll continue to keep an eye on companies disrupting the traditional retail space, so stick around.

Imperfect Foods

BAKERSFIELD, CA - With February, Valentine’s Day, National Sweet Potato Month, and American Heart Health Month upon us, now is the time to look to premium fresh produce categories to drive traffic this winter. Responding to such ideal timing is Country Sweet Produce (CSP), as the company looks to boost the value of the sweet potato category with its new retail campaign I Heart Sweet Potatoes.

“Retailers and consumers love sweet potatoes for their flavor, versatility, and high nutritional content. They are loaded with potassium, which helps promote heart health and can reduce the risk for heart disease, as the American Heart Association shares with us. To further promote this superstar in the fresh produce department, we have launched our I Heart Sweet Potatoes campaign,” Chris Carroll, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shares with me.

Demand continues to be robust as the pandemic persists with consumers spending more time cooking at home, which makes the timing perfect for retailers to connect with consumers through the sweet potato category.

“During the I Heart Sweet Potatoes campaign, our goal is to increase consumption of sweet potatoes by communicating the health benefits of sweet potatoes this month, tying into American Heart Health Month. We are raising awareness about sweet potatoes as an ideal choice by talking about their health benefits on social media. We are also giving consumers a chance to win prizes every week during the entire month of February,” Alexandra “Rae” Danell, Marketing Manager, expresses.

A lucky many will get the gifts that keep on giving: prizes include free sweet potatoes, cooking accessories for sweet potatoes, and newly designed swag.

“We are giving consumers another reason to purchase sweet potatoes during a period of time where they are focused on eating healthy,” Rae says.

Additionally, a grand prize winner will get a year’s supply of free Bako Sweet sweet potatoes along with a free Le Creuset dish and newly designed swag. Retailers can also share the posts or participate in the giveaway themselves for a chance to win. Details to enter can be found here.

“Country Sweet Produce had a fantastic harvest in 2020 with great quality, and the company’s Bako Sweet storage stocks are looking solid throughout 2021,” Chris adds. “To bolster sales in February, we are offering new Bako Sweet retail display bins which retailers can request directly from us to add more space for sweet potatoes in the produce department.”

And, along with CSP’s exciting merchandising displays and campaign, the company is showcasing its new organic sweet potato steam bags which make it convenient for consumers to cook healthy meals in minutes.

As we look to the spring months and beyond, retailers should keep the sweet potato category stocked and consumers engaged, as sweet potatoes have become a year-round item with clear spikes during Easter and Thanksgiving.

With abundant opportunities aligning increased sales with the Country Sweet Produce sweet potato program, retailers have much to look forward to in 2021.

Bako Sweet^®

SALINAS, CA - With February 14 quickly approaching, love is in the air, and one company has brought that love to the foodservice sector, as Church Brothers Farms recently rolled out its premium Little Gem lettuce pack under the SweetHearts brand.

“Our customers will love SweetHearts Little Gem lettuce,” said Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rick Russo. “This is the latest item from our innovation team as we work to provide the market with products that will enhance the dining experience, look beautiful on the plate, and deliver the best-tasting, highest quality product available.”

Little Gem is a cross between Romaine and butter lettuce that offers a sweet and mild flavor with a crisp texture, according to a press release. Featured in small sizes and beautiful bright colors, the Little Gem lettuce creates an enticing upscale appearance on the plate, and its traditionally sweeter flavor makes it a perfect base for ingredients with bold flavors.

The Little Gem packs provide foodservice operators with a versatile, high-yield product that requires minimal preparation, as Church Brothers Farms hand trims each head of the special variety's sweet and tender leaves, and the small sizes leave operators with tons of options on how they choose to utilize the delicious variety.

Church Brothers Farms’ Sweethearts Little Gems are now shipping to foodservice customers nationwide in 60 count cartons, ready to wiggle their way into the hearts of consumers everywhere.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report as more growers work to ensure that delicious fresh produce makes its way onto hungry consumers’ plates.

Church Brothers Farms

TAMPA, FL - A long-standing industry partnership has just doubled down on its efforts as Walmart has announced a new seven-year agreement with IFCO, making it the retailer’s exclusive RPC packaging provider for select fruits and vegetables.

“IFCO and Walmart share the goal of an efficient, sustainable fresh food supply chain that helps nourish millions of Americans and billions of consumers worldwide,” said the outgoing President of IFCO North America, Dan Martin. “This agreement is a win for IFCO, a win for Walmart, a win for the environment, and a win for millions of grocery shoppers across America.”

This comes as a continuation of the companies’ long-term collaboration, which first launched when the two partnered to introduce reusable packaging in the U.S. in 1998. Under this new agreement, Walmart suppliers will deliver produce to Walmart stores using IFCO reusable plastic containers (RPCs), according to a company release, and each RPC will be collected, washed, sanitized, and wrapped before being used again up to 100 times.

“Walmart is committed to providing its shoppers with high quality, safe, nutritious, and affordable fresh food produced sustainably,” said Martin Mundo, Walmart Senior Vice President, Produce and GPS. “Our new agreement with IFCO helps us deliver on that promise by creating a fresh food supply chain that is more efficient and more sustainable from beginning to end.”

The use of IFCO RPCs will aid Walmart in its Project Gigaton goal to avoid 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, saving an estimated 70 thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 million kilograms of solid waste, one billion kilowatt-hours of energy use, one million cubic meters of water consumption, and seven million kilograms of product damage, the press release noted.

The collaboration will also lead IFCO to create more manufacturing jobs to produce new RPCs, and to process millions of new RPCs at IFCO Service Centers, as well as improve the supply chain by creating more efficiencies in food waste reduction and product shelf life.

As this partnership continues to grow and develop, how else will the retail sector be altered? Keep an eye on ANUK as we report.

Walmart IFCO

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - While it goes without saying now that COVID-19 has altered consumer patterns, it has become clear that the pandemic has driven shoppers to seek out fresh produce for its health benefits and immunity-boosting properties. With the citrus season in full swing, there is no better time than the present to give your customers exactly what they are searching for. At LGS Specialty Sales, the citrus season is moving along nicely, and the company is offering its retail partners the opportunity to boost their citrus sales with exciting promotions. Luke Sears, President and Founder, gave us the lowdown on what to expect in the upcoming months.

“We’re currently offering our pink Darling Clementine® packaging for Valentine’s Day,” explains Luke. “Over the next couple of months, we will start to plan out the summer citrus season where we will have the complete Darling line of clementines, navels, Minneolas, lemons, and Cara Cara oranges.”

In addition to its pink Darling Clementine^® packaging, LGS has launched its “Be My Clementine” promotion to help further boost Valentine’s Day sales in-store. The marketing opportunity will provide retailers with an advantage that will drive traffic and in turn increase shopper dollars.

As Luke tells me, the company is currently in the middle of its W. Murcott season and is expecting it to shape up nicely. LGS is reporting strong quality for the crop and is predicting promotable volumes over the next couple of months.

With citrus already a consumer favorite and with the increased focus on the health benefits of fresh produce, now is a perfect time to prepare to get LGS’s lineup of citrus on your shelves. After all, who wouldn’t love the gift of a delicious bag of Darling citrus of any kind? I know I would, and I’m sure your customers will as well.

For more insights from across the fresh produce industry, keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow.

LGS Specialty Sales

BOSTON, MA - Grocery pickup and delivery are inarguably one of the most popular ways to shop, but what is the best strategy for retailers to implement? Our industry’s leaders have taken many different approaches, and Ahold Delhaize banner Stop & Shop recently rolled out a trial of its own. Launching at its Brigham Circle location in Boston, Massachusetts, Stop & Shop has unveiled its new walk-up grocery locker program to make shopping even easier for its customers.

“Stop & Shop is dedicated to providing innovative grocery solutions for our customers, especially as we continue to navigate the pandemic,” Stacy Wiggins, Vice President of E-commerce Operations for Stop & Shop, said in a press release. “The Locker Pick-up program is another way we’re working to accelerate our e-commerce offerings so that our customers can shop for and pick up their groceries at a time that’s most convenient for their schedule. We hope that by eliminating the need to wait in line or go in-store, they’ll get even more time back into their day.”

According to local news source boston.com, shoppers are able to place orders online and select a pickup window before receiving their personal code for the grocery locker kiosk. The lockers are located near the store’s main entrance, making it easier than ever before to get in and out quickly.

The lockers include refrigerated, frozen, and room temperature storage space, which shoppers’ items are stored in by Stop & Shop team members. Additionally, they are sanitized after each use and monitored 24/7.

Will this innovative solution soon be rolling out across Stop & Shop’s entire store network? Stay tuned as ANUK reports.

Ahold Delhaize Stop & Shop

NORTH AMERICA - As we continue to anticipate changes to holiday constructs in the wake of new social norms, one thing that looks to remain steadfast is the strawberry’s place in the holiday of hearts.

Taking the consumer pulse in this second take of supply expertise, these voices share with the buy-side why the category can continue to be bet on for Valentine’s Day 2021.

If you missed Part 1, please click here.

Peppe Bonfiglio, Vice President of Sales, Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET^®

“Strawberries and Valentine’s Day make the perfect pairing, and this year we anticipate higher demand than ever as consumers look to find ways to make the holiday special while at home. Consumers will be looking for gift-worthy quality and appearance, and our greenhouse-grown and fan-favorite WOW berries™ deliver that premium, special experience consistently. With perfect flavor and appearance every time, our berries have quickly developed a large consumer following and have become a destination-driver within the berry category even outside the holiday season. Showcasing berries on eye-catching displays along with complementary items for the holiday will help consumers find what they’re looking for quickly and easily and encourage incremental impulse purchases.”

Frances Dillard, Vice President, Brand and Product Marketing, Driscoll’s

“Move over candy, nothing is sweeter than strawberries for Valentine’s Day. This year, consumers are looking for extra creative ways to make at-home celebrations more special. Customers are ready to support the market demand both in-store and online. Several of our customers are offering their own chocolate dipped Driscoll’s strawberries, while others are creating their own social media content focused on recipes and tips. Driscoll’s brand advocates are also very loyal to our digital community and we continue to provide exclusive content geared for this special holiday. Flavor is our brand differentiation and has allowed us to grow the category at a rapid pace.”

Alan Ediger, Vice President of Sales, California Giant Berry Farms

“Valentine’s Day is a natural promotional opportunity for fresh strawberries. Historically, it’s been one of the most promoted holidays during the year for strawberries. This year supplies are tight with the cooler weather and recent rain we’ve had in California. That said, California Giant’s strawberry quality is excellent. Supplies should start to increase and we expect to have excellent post-holiday opportunities for promotions.”

CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing, Naturipe Farms LLC

“While Mother Nature has not been cooperating and as such retailers can expect a limited supply and higher prices, Valentine’s Day is still a key holiday to put berries front and center to meet consumer demand. Chocolate-dipped strawberries remain a quintessential item for this holiday to give as a gift or treat yourself!”

Retailers, have you taken extra strides to bring love to your produce displays for the holiday? We’d love to see them at [email protected].

ELGIN, MN - An exciting new partnership is underway that will continue to bridge the fresh produce industry and the world of grocery retail, all for a good cause. Honeybear® Brands has announced that it will be partnering with Hy-Vee in order to help families boost their health and wellness.

Hy-Vee’s current KidsFit virtual program educates children and their parents through free online challenges, an e-newsletter, and an app. The program will be featured across over 200 of its stores until February 28, and Honeybear’s Pazazz™ premium apple variety will support the program through a special promotion as the first fresh produce item to promote healthy foods to shoppers under the KidsFit brand.

“The combination of online learning, decreased activity that comes with cold weather, and shelter in place restrictions due to COVID-19 are taking their toll on families, especially kids. We know physical activity is not only good for the body, but also the mind and mood. Add healthy food choices, like Pazazz apples that help protect your brain, aid weight loss, stimulate good gut bacteria and promote bone health, and you have a winning equation,” said Don Roper, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Honeybear Brands. “Plus, Pazazz is such a great-tasting apple, parents may find kids becoming apple fans for life.”

The Pazazz apples are a descendant of the popular Honeycrisp variety, and offer a perfectly balanced flavor profile of sweet and tart, according to a press release. The apple has a strong crunch, and its flavor remains strong, making it a great year-round treat for families to enjoy and a perfect option for the KidsFit program.

Hy-Vee’s KidsFit program currently includes the KidsFit Club, a monthly online newsletter with monthly challenges; the School Wellness Club, featuring rewards to local schools within a 50-mile radius of a Hy-Vee store; the 5-Week challenge, which offers 35 daily activities for all age levels; and the KidsFit app that teaches health and wellness habits through games and challenges. All aspects of the program were designed to help families not only lead healthier lives, but have fun while doing so.

“Our KidsFit program has become an even more important and a helpful resource for families and schools, given that we now do so much online. We make fitness and creating healthy habits fun with our virtual activities and interactive games,” said Daira Driftmier, Director of Hy-Vee KidsFit. “We’re excited to partner with Honeybear Brands to feature Pazazz apples in our produce section where KidsFit comes to life offline, in store with signage that helps shoppers take advantage of our program and healthy eating tips.”

KidsFit features recipes and food education showcasing healthy ingredients, like the Pazazz apple, to its viewers. Additionally, Hy-Vee dietitians are featured in the online videos providing messages to kids and their parents, and teaching them about important aspects of nutrition.

As dynamic partnerships like this continue to flourish across the industry, AndNowUKnow will be here to bring you the latest information.

Hy-Vee Honeybear® Brands

DENVER, CO - With the influx of new and renewed leaders hitting our industry, it came as exciting news when word hit our desks that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment and reappointment of 31 leaders to serve on the National Potato Promotion Board. Those appointed, or reappointed, will serve three-year terms, which started January 1, 2021 and will end December 31, 2023.

The board is comprised of 98 members, 92 of which are producers, five are importers, and there is one public member, according to a release from the USDA. After serving their first term, Board Members are given the ability to serve a second consecutive three-year term. Roughly one-third of the Board Members are newly appointed each year.

Every year, growers from every state that produces potatoes select fellow growers to represent them on the Board. The selections are then confirmed by the Secretary of Agriculture.

This year’s appointees and reappointees include:

• Jason Davenport, California
• Jared B. Smith, Colorado
• Kasey Poulson, Idaho
• Mitch Bitter, Idaho
• Mike Larsen, Idaho
• Steve Elfering, Idaho
• Jeff Blanksma, Idaho
• Wesley Jacob Pahl, Idaho
• Eric Searle, Idaho
• Ryan Christensen, Idaho
• Jace Jensen, Idaho
• Tyson Ruff, Idaho
• Ryan Lee Tucker, Michigan
• John Coombs Jr., New Jersey
• Brian Mahany, New York
• Jeff Jennings, North Carolina
• Camburn Shephard, North Dakota
• Kyle Michael, Ohio
• Michael B. Kirsch, Oregon
• Bill Walker, Oregon
• Wayne Montgomery, Rhode Island
• H. Bruce Richardson Jr., Virginia
• Adam W. Weber, Washington
• Shelley Olsen, Washington
• Austin Ochoa, Washington
• James Baker, Washington
• Mike Pink, Washington
• Wendy Dykstra, Wisconsin
• Kevin Hachey, Canada
• Clifton Smith, Canada
• Kim M. Cupelli, Idaho

Congratulations to those who have been appointed!

Potatoes USA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Nothing displays an upward trajectory like a new investment or a new leader—or both. Good Eggs has secured $100 million in new funding, and is already initiating its growth strategy with the appointment of a new Chief Growth and Customer Experience Officer, Vineet Mehra.

“I am very excited to be heading back to the Bay Area with my family to join Bentley and his world-class executive team at Good Eggs to further accelerate the growth and expansion of Good Eggs to serve more customers than ever,” said Mehra. “Good Eggs’ purpose and belief that ‘good food is the most powerful force for change’ resonates deeply with me as a person, and I am humbled to join the team at a moment when families and households need us more than ever.”

Prior to joining the team at Good Eggs, Mehra served as Global Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Customer Officer for the Walgreens Boots Alliance, according to a company release. Mehra also modernized brand marketing efforts and turned consumer genetics mainstream during his time as the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer for Ancestry. In his new position, Mehra will build out a world-class growth team to drive the grocer’s expansion plans as it ramps up its presence beyond the Bay Area with the newly secured funding.

The deal was led by Glade Brook Capital Partners, the release noted, with support from existing investors including Benchmark Partners, Index Ventures, S2G, DNS Capital, and Obvious Ventures, as well as additional investments from Finistere Ventures, Tao Invest, GV, and Rich’s.

Good Eggs will use these funds to improve the overall customer experience for existing and new customers, as well as to launch into Southern California, thus tripling the size of the market it already serves and generating from anywhere from 500 to 1,000 new jobs.

“2020 was a transformational year for Good Eggs,” said CEO Bentley Hall. “We have spent more than a decade building an enduring foundation while also keeping our community of customers and producers gratified. The support from our investors in this round, and the addition of exceptional executive talent like Vineet Mehra, validates the enormous potential of this opportunity and our increasing momentum. We are excited to establish our roots in Southern California, further expand our assortment and launch a number of improvements to our service soon.”

With new funding and an established new leader under its belt, growth is surely on the horizon for the online marketplace. AndNowUKnow will keep our eyes on the newswire as more retailers begin to fulfill their ambitious growth strategies.

Good Eggs