GERMANY - Today’s consumers expect their fresh produce to be as close to the farm-to-fork experience as possible. Aiming to meet this ever-growing demand, international fruit exporter and importer Don Limón has launched a new retail partnership program that places an emphasis on sourcing flexibility. This exclusive opportunity will expand Don Limón’s industry presence and bring retailers a new strategy for fresh produce sourcing.

“I want to intensify our dialogue with grape and citrus retail buyers to create long-term purchasing partnerships with Don Limón’s global sourcing and distribution offices in India, South Africa, Egypt, and Mexico,” Andreas Schindler, Co-Founder and CEO, revealed.

A press release explained that the company is calling on global retail buyers of table grapes and citrus to build long-term, tailored partnerships with Don Limón’s sourcing and distribution offices worldwide. Such partnerships are expected to create seamless and truly direct procurement from the country of origin straight to retail warehouses.

In addition to its direct supply of grapes from India, South Africa, and Egypt, Don Limón is offering citrus from South Africa and Egypt, as well as limes from Mexico and Brazil, via a range of value-added services and holistic solutions.

“We want to enable more retailers to buy directly from our network of global production, and to communicate directly with our growers, all with the support of our risk management service to overcome the many supply chain eventualities that occur with perishables,” Schindler continued. “Don Limón is offering a holistic partnership whereby the purchasing departments of corporate retailers can become truly involved in the production process with transparency, and develop a long-term understanding of the supply chain. Don Limón creates a seamless connection between the retailer and the grower to turn the retailer into the importer. Our consulting division wishes to deepen our dialogue with retail purchasing decision makers to become the flexible unit within their mostly rigid buying departments.”

Don Limón has long partnered with growers throughout the Southern Hemisphere, establishing offices and excelling in managing both people and product. Moreover, the company’s corporate retail partnerships across Europe add another layer of significant value to its supply chain.

“Don Limón offers retail buyers of grapes and citrus a variety of exceptional services to further strengthen their sourcing from overseas; from direct procurement and grower introductions to personnel recruitment, office space, and establishing local sourcing hubs,” Schindler explained. “We also offer our retail customers the opportunity to make decisions about quality control at the source, pesticide residue management, logistics, and repacking for citrus or heat-sealing for grapes.”

Direct sourcing requires a unique set of skills to establish a consistent supply of competitively-priced fresh fruits. Globally, Don Limón continues to develop a network of employees that is adept at managing the complexities of produce sourcing and commercialization.

“We have the people skills, the product knowledge, and the brand reputation to bridge the gap between growers and retailers,” Schindler said. “We are production focused, we know the growers, we understand the supply chain, and we are experts in communication and problem solving. Each of our traders is specialised in a specific product, and assigned to individual customer accounts. Our traders take the job seriously.”

Schindler concluded, “You need to find the right people and create the right atmosphere in your purchasing department. This is what we mean by Employee-First. You also need a flexible unit that can connect seamlessly with both ends of the supply chain to balance the chaos of the unpredictability of growing produce with the calm of the sophisticated logistics chain and the structured corporate retail market. Don Limón has that framework to ensure the supply chain flows seamlessly!”

Don Limón currently operates direct sourcing and distribution offices in Mexico, South Africa, and India. Egypt is next, and further hubs are expected to open in the future.

Retailers looking to diversify their produce aisles should not hesitate to jump on this exciting opportunity. Keep an eye out for more fresh produce news as AndNowUKnow reports.

Don Limón

DAVIS, CA - Engage3 is bolstering its C-suite rank with a formidable leader. Recently, the solutions provider announced Morgan Seybert has joined the company as its new Chief Customer Officer. Seybert will lead Engage3’s customer success organization, which enables clients to drive quantifiable value from its industry-leading Competitive Intelligence Management and Price Image Management solutions.

“I look forward to working with the team at Engage3 and leading their Customer Success organization,” said Seybert. “Now more than ever, retailers and brands need comprehensive and cost-effective tracking of competitors’ prices and actionable capabilities so they can optimize price, protect loyalty, and drive margin growth. Traditional solutions have proven to be incomplete and ineffective. Engage3 is changing the game with its next-generation Price Image Management solution that provides the most complete view of competitive pricing combined with award-winning models to optimize Price Image.”

According to the release, Seybert is a versatile analytics and product leader and has served as a trusted advisor to over 65 percent of the Fortune 500 fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) retailers and manufacturers. Seybert joins Engage3 from Nielsen, where he served as Managing Director of its U.S. Analytics Business Unit. He led Nielsen’s analytics portfolio, which included revenue management, assortment optimization, and shopper analytics.

Prior to his six years at Nielsen, Seybert led Trade Strategy and Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, served as a pricing practice area lead with Kantar Retail, and led shopper insights programs with Cannondale Associates.

“Morgan is a proven trailblazer in the pricing and analytics space, having helped many of the world’s leading retailers and brands unlock value through a combination of big data, analytics, and SaaS solutions that impact their bottom lines,” said Edris Bemanian, CEO of Engage3. “We are very excited to welcome Morgan to our leadership team at such a critical time. Organizations today are focusing on pricing and assortment solutions that help them navigate the COVID-19-induced ‘new-normal.’ Morgan’s significant analytic experience will enable Engage3’s clients to scientifically track their Price Image and optimize prices to drive store traffic, grow margin, and increase shopper loyalty.”

Seybert received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Williams College.

Congratulations to Morgan Seybert on this next step of his journey!

Engage3

BERLIN & NEW YORK - HelloFresh U.S. is gaining traction in the meal kit delivery sector, as it recently announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Factor 75, including its subsidiary Factor, for $277 million. The acquisition marks the next step in HelloFresh’s growth plan in the U.S. to strengthen its leading position and to expand its total addressable market.

“Direct-to-consumer ready-to-eat meals are a nascent food vertical that we believe has the potential to grow into a multi-billion dollar category over time. With Factor, HelloFresh, EveryPlate, and Green Chef, we have four high-growth food brands in our group, all benefiting from our strong growth engine, technology, and supply chain infrastructure,” said Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh U.S.

The total purchase price for the acquisition is up to $277 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

This acquisition brings together HelloFresh’s global market expertise in delivering fresh ingredients to customers’ doorsteps across 14 countries with Factor 75’s proven success in ready-to-eat meals. Both companies share a strong vision for operational excellence and a data-driven approach to delight customers with great meals consumed at home.

“Since our founding, Factor has been at the intersection of taste, health, and convenience, providing simple, clean eating that not only tastes great but fuels consumers’ active and busy lifestyles,” said Mike Apostal, CEO of Factor. “By joining HelloFresh, the market leader in meal kits in the U.S., Factor will leverage new resources and category expertise to accelerate our growth, enhance our brand positioning and further amplify our mission.”

With this acquisition, HelloFresh will gain its first office in the Chicago metropolitan area, along with four production and fulfillment facilities. A new facility, which will be launched in the near future, will provide the capacity to deliver more than $500 million worth of prepared meals annually. Factor’s full-year revenue for 2020 is expected to reach around $100 million. Due to the complementary nature in product offerings, the acquisition of Factor will drive supply chain and operational synergies for both companies.

With the addition of Factor to its existing U.S. brand portfolio, HelloFresh customers will benefit from a diverse and distinct meal-offering for every need, occasion, and price point.

How will HelloFresh, and the meal kit delivery sector as a whole, continue to expand as freshness and convenience remain driving forces? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

HelloFresh Factor 75

FRESNO, CA - Any great festive feast should include fresh produce, and Baloian Farms is working to ensure a cornucopia of the healthy veg retailers and consumers are looking for. With the grower’s Coachella, California, harvest currently underway, I tapped Richard Cowden, Sales/Business Development, to gauge how Baloian’s crops are shaping up and what the grower has in store for retailers amidst holiday demand.

“Right now, we are harvesting our bunched spinach and beautiful cauliflower in Coachella. We expect dark green leaves and fully packed spinach cartons, and our cauliflower has a beautiful white color. Also, we will continue to carry romaine hearts, celery, and green onions, which will be shipped out of Coachella too,” Richard shares.

With Thanksgiving just days away, Baloian Farms is keeping its production and harvesting in check to meet consumer demands. As the grower continues its annual holiday pull, Richard notes that leafy greens will have a tighter market, and the cauliflower category is currently in flux.

“We have been experiencing some elevated pricing in the leaf category as California’s Coastal and Central Valley areas come to their corresponding harvest conclusions. The cauliflower market continues to dance and will reach a plateau as new production areas start within the next two weeks,” Richard explains. “We forecast some gradual market easing as the Thanksgiving holiday pull finishes, and the desert regions in Yuma, Arizona, and Coachella begin to expand their harvest capacities.”

Celery production has been heavy leading into the holiday. Retail opportunities for celery should continue well after Thanksgiving and with widespread availability. Promotions in the wet veg category look favorable as December—and the next set of holidays—approaches. To bolster its wet veg promotions, Baloian Farms will roll out its newly redesigned graphics for its romaine heart bags at the beginning of December.

“These bags are designed with dual language in both French and English to accommodate Canadian requirements,” Richard tells me. “It’s a stunning and bold new look for our romaine hearts!”

Baloian’s romaine lettuce, green leaf, red leaf, and butter lettuce are in the final stages of growth and should be ready in early December. Bok choy, Napa, and daikon will also be available to compliment leaf orders, making the grower a one-stop holiday shop. In addition, Baloian’s facility in Coachella will continue to harvest green and red peppers.

Many growers in California faced extreme weather conditions this year from fires to fluctuating temperatures. However, Richard assures me that the grower is well on track to meet both customer and consumer demands.

“Weather presents its own challenges, as always, from heat to rapid cooling, but our field teams keep us on schedule to give our customers a premium pack,” Richard explains. “Our stellar food safety reputation in Fresno and Coachella is important to us, and our teams put in great effort to uphold that.”

With suppliers like Baloian Farms as a fresh partner this season, retailers are in good hands for the holidays coming up, so get in touch while there’s still time left!

Baloian Farms

WENATCHEE, WA - Driving consumer interest is half the battle, and CMI Orchards has been employing a digital marketing strategy since 2019 to do exactly that. In its most recent campaign, also aimed at directly targeting apple consumers and driving retail sales, participating retailers saw a significant bump in their apple category sales.

“CMI Orchards is the first Washington shipper to leverage digital advertising campaigns of this magnitude,” explained Marketing Specialist Danelle Huber. “We’ve worked hard to develop and use this cutting-edge technology to promote our brands and increase foot traffic to stores, and we’re able to offer it to retail partners in an easy and accessible manner. They do not need to invest any time or effort to take advantage of this tool.”

Category sales dollars grew 14.8 percent over the previous year, a press release explained, with KIKU^® and Kanzi^® apples sales showing a 28 percent growth during the promotion period.

CMI Orchards worked alongside MNI Targeted Media to analyze data to clearly identify target consumers and associated buying behavior. Through the use of geotargeting, analytics, and research, CMI then executes digital campaigns that drive consumers to retail locations, whether in person or online, for apples, pears, and cherries. One recent campaign, CMI noted, resulted in 4,267 direct impressions to a grocery store’s website.

“CMI is really stepping out of the box and providing incredibly strong support to its growers and retailers with these digital tools. Once we were able to really identify key target audiences, we then narrowed in on their consumer behavior patterns. We use this data to build campaigns that deliver results,” explained Sabrina Baklenko, Account Executive, MNI Targeted Media.

In addition, CMI Orchards remarked that it is the only Washington apple shipper to work directly with Instacart to sell bagged product.

“We began partnering directly with Instacart just over a year ago. It has been interesting working with them and learning the ins and outs of their business. They’ve been extremely supportive of working through UPC barriers and have given us fantastic tools on how to grow in the digital and online sales sector. It’s a partnership we hope to continue to grow as we see online shopping continue to increase,” continued Huber.

Retailers who are interested in learning more are invited to a free 30-minute webinar hosted by CMI Orchards and MNI Targeted Media on December 2 at 11:30 a.m. PST.

Capturing holiday dollars sound like a plan? Stick around with AndNowUKnow to find out more ways in which buyers can succeed this holiday season.

CMI Orchards

CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger and Ocado continue to carve out a path for further expansion, as plans for an additional Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) have been announced for the South region. The two partners are also collaborating on in-store fulfilment (ISF) capabilities with a planned rollout across Kroger stores beginning in 2021.

"Kroger continues to accelerate the expansion of our national network to redefine the customer experience," said Gabriel Arreaga, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Kroger. "Our partnership with Ocado is and will continue to be rooted in our ability to deliver a value-added customer-centric solution that brings fresh food to customers through our seamless ecosystem."

According to a press release, the new facility will measure 200,000 square feet. Currently, the exact location and construction dates of the new facility have yet to be announced, although they are scheduled to be revealed soon.

"In the long term, we know that winning online in grocery means having the best customer service, underpinned by the best operational economics," said Luke Jensen, CEO of Ocado Solutions. "In leveraging the wide range of Ocado fulfillment technologies, Kroger is accessing the best customer offering for online grocery in the world, proven in the U.K., one of most developed and competitive markets for grocery online."

The CFC model, which incorporates state-of-the-art automation and artificial intelligence (AI), will be used to expand Kroger’s products to a larger footprint.

Part of this growth plan includes investing and optimizing in-store fulfillment technology and processes. Kroger and Ocado are collaborating to leverage in-store fulfillment (ISF) capabilities in combination with the retailer’s technology and digital solutions.

"Kroger continues to accelerate the development and rollout of customer-centric technology and digital capabilities to build a seamless ecosystem that combines the best of the physical store experience with the digital experience," said Yael Cosset, Kroger's Chief Technology and Digital Officer. "Ocado's in-store fulfillment capabilities, leveraging AI, will further contribute to continuous improvement of the customer pickup experience."

As more word funnels down regarding Kroger's expansion in this sector, AndNowUKnow will continue to cover.

Kroger

BOSTON, MA - Helping our foodservice partners has been of paramount importance within the industry ever since the onset of COVID-19, and Ocean Spray is no exception. The cooperative recently launched its Ocean Spray Farmers for Chefs Alliance alongside new partners, Massachusetts Restaurant United and the COREcares Foundation. This hospitality stimulus will help qualifying independent restaurants cover rent, utilities, and payroll costs, as well as offering discounts on the brand’s cranberry products.

“As a cooperative, Ocean Spray farmers know the importance of building and feeding communities, and share these values with local independent restaurants,” said Chris O’Connor, Vice President of Marketing at Ocean Spray. “Restaurants are of paramount cultural importance in neighborhoods across our commonwealth, and right now they need us. We know that by coming together, we can create real and lasting impact in our community.”

The grant will kickstart with $75,000, and Ocean Spray will match up to an additional $25,000 of donations as part of the cooperative’s mission to connect its farms to families for a better life. As part of the partnership, a press release explained, Ocean Spray will also offer discounts on key products such as Craisin^® dried cranberries and Cranberry Juice Cocktail.

Currently, the Ocean Spray Farmers for Chefs Alliance is open to public donations and 100 percent of proceeds will go directly to restaurant operators in need.

“We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Ocean Spray on this important initiative to provide relief to independent restaurants that are in serious distress due to the global pandemic,” explained Chef Jody Adams, Founding Member of Massachusetts Restaurants United and Chef/Owner of Porto, Saloniki, and Trade in Greater Boston. “Over the last six months, restaurants across Massachusetts have been forced to reinvent themselves many times just to keep the doors open. Ocean Spray’s generous commitment to establishing long-term assistance funds will alleviate some of the overwhelming stress that so many local restaurants are currently faced with and will help strengthen restaurants in need now and beyond COVID-19. Massachusetts restaurants won’t survive unless they have relief, and we are grateful to Ocean Spray for being a champion of our industry.”

Throughout its history, Ocean Spray and its farmers have always understood the importance of relationships with the chefs who operate small restaurants.

We here at AndNowUKnow love seeing business operators helping others, and so we thank Ocean Spray for its commitment to the industry.

Ocean Spray

SANTA CRUZ, CA - Pledging to support those in need is one of the most honorable things we can do as fresh produce advocates. Awe Sum Organics is one leader that continues to make a difference through its operations, recently pledging to support the Homeless Garden Project’s new expanded farm just above Santa Cruz, California, which provides education and transitional jobs in organic agriculture. Additionally, Awe Sum’s Sociedad Agrícola Saturno farms has been purchasing land from families in Peru and now touts 150 hectares (370 acres) of organic grape production at Sol Sol Farm.

“Awe Sum Organics is proud to offer organic and Fair Trade USA Certified fruit because we feel it’s important to give back to the local communities that are involved in growing, harvesting, packing, and shipping our Awe Sum Organic fruit. So far this year, through the sale of our Awe Sum Organic and Fair Trade Certified fruit over $250,000 has been collected by Awe Sum Organics to be distributed back to the local communities where our organic fruit is produced,” said David Posner, President, CEO, and Founder.

The trainees in the Homeless Garden Project program learn hands-on job skills needed to grow organic crops and create value-added products, receive other life and job skill training in subjects such as digital and financial literacy, are offered counseling support, and much more. Crops harvested at Homeless Garden Project will be sold at the Awe Sum Organics-sponsored Farm Stand, as well as donated to community members in need via local nonprofits through the Feed Two Birds program.

In the 1980s, the Peruvian government distributed plots of land to its citizens in an effort to restructure wealth, according to a press release. Due to a lack of those farms’ profitability, Awe Sum’s Saturno farms began purchasing land from each individual family in the Sol Sol community and now employs community members in the field and the packing house.

The Fair for Life premiums that Awe Sum Organics has collected from the sales of these organic grapes has raised money for building roads, a church, infrastructure such as running water, as well as the designing and building of a preschool, elementary school, and high school.

While in late 2019, Awe Sum Organics transitioned its social compliance program from Fair For Life to Fair Trade USA, it is now well positioned to continue supporting Sol Sol through both the increased sales of organic grapes from Peru and continued collection of Fair Trade premiums.

Hats off to Awe Sum Organics which is giving back to communities both locally and globally.

Awe Sum Organics

COLOMBIA - A shipment of fresh avocados fell victim to another illegal drug operation over the weekend. At the port of Buenaventura in Colombia, officials uncovered more than 3,465 pounds (1,572 kilos) worth of cocaine hidden amongst the fruit. The container was being prepared for shipment, but luckily never left the port.

According to Sunday World, the shipment was intercepted by the Buenaventura Port Control Antinarcotics Company, who had received a tip-off about the shipment. The drugs were concealed within a container set to ship to the port of Antwerp and delivered to a Netherlands-based company.

This seizure follows a similar drug bust which took place last week, in which officials discovered over 593 pounds (296 kilos) of cocaine in Buenaventura.

Once again, we at AndNowUKnow thank all of the hard-working port officials who work to prevent crimes such as these.

GLENNVILLE, GA - It’s out with the old and in with the new as we head into 2021, with G&R Farms announcing an all-new retail partnership in the spirit of giving. The grower has partnered with Costco and Schnucks Supermarkets to launch its new annual promotion, Season of Giving. G&R will donate funds based on the number of boxes shipped to these retailers, with each chain selecting their own local charity.

“We have been blessed with an increased demand of our sweet onions this year while so many Americans have suffered personal and financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we felt compelled to offer support and give back to the communities we serve,” stated Walt Dasher, Vice President of G&R Farms.

The promotion launched with Costco’s Texas Division on November 16 and will run through December 31, a press release stated. These funds will benefit the local United Way subsidiaries in Costco’s Texas markets. United Way provides health, education, and financial stability to the 1,800 communities it serves in the U.S. and worldwide. A sticker will highlight the promotion on all sweet onion bags, and G&R Farms will conduct PR and social media activities to spread the word.

For Schnucks, the Season of Giving campaign will begin December 1 through December 31 and will benefit Operation Food Search (OFS). OFS distributes more than 35 million dollars’ worth of food and necessities to 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties and in the city of St. Louis. The promotion will include a new secondary merchandising display, tear-off pad, stickers on all sweet onion bags, along with PR and social media activities.

“When we started working with the United Way and Operation Food Search, we realized what a huge difference they are making for so many people in need especially during these very difficult times. That’s when we decided to make this an annual event. Our goal is to increase the size and scope of the Season of Giving promotion each year,” continued Dasher.

With these new merchandising materials in play, G&R’s Season of Giving promotion is sure to drive foot traffic to the onion category. To find out how else our industry leaders are giving back this holiday season, keep an eye out for more reports from ANUK.

G&R Farms