OXNARD, CA - Agility is a hallmark trait of the produce industry. From changes in weather to shifts in the market, we often consider decisions minute by minute. Bobalu Berries is well-known as a top-quality producer, meaning the grower is always on its toes. A strategic transition is currently underway as the company works to maintain this reputation, and I had the chance to chat with Cindy Jewell, Founder of SCJewell and marketer for Bobalu, to get the inside scoop.

“We are approaching our 2021 season as our fields have all been planted in Oxnard, California, and are still transitioning Santa Maria plantings for the spring season,” Cindy said. “Our acreage in Oxnard is progressing very well, and we look forward to having fresh Bobalu Berries under the Christmas tree this year!”

Cindy explained that for the coming season, Bobalu is expecting increased volume, its proven quality, and top-notch service provided by the team built by Vice President of Sales Anthony Gallino. All of this has come to a head in order to create new partnerships for Bobalu based on its years of experience and trusted relationships in the industry. This year, the company has doubled down on its transition efforts by fortifying its team, opening new doors for the brand, and letting the quality speak for itself while also telling the family story through a new website and communications services.

“We are extremely pleased with the response from both trading partners and consumers that we’ve already received. For 2021, we are building on partnerships and our continued commitment to addressing food waste, item level traceability, employee welfare, and serving our community,” Cindy explained. “We are also expanding our conversation with the consumer in 2021 so they get to know our farming family and we have some unique ways we will be telling our story, so stay tuned.”

As of now, the biggest challenge Bobalu faces is having volume to supply its customers through the transition. With so much of the crops ending and new crops beginning soon, the grower has limited supplies right now. For Cindy, it’s an exciting time to see a whole new crop develop as the plans Bobalu has in place for berry promotion come to fruition.

“So far, we are crossing our fingers that the weather will not pose any issues. The temperatures are cooperating, and we are clipping off any early fruit to help keep the plants focused on growing without having to spend early energy on producing. This practice of pinching off the early fruit will not make us first to the market in our region for December, but it will provide us with a healthier plant and a more robust crop,” Cindy concluded. “We know that our berries in Oxnard will begin production in the middle of winter, so that is always a concern, but we are used to dealing with weather disruptions.”

With agility in spades, it’s looking like Bobalu Berries will have consumers rushing to retail shelves in no time. Keep an eye out for more field updates as we at AndNowUKnow report on the latest.

Bobalu Berries

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to pay sellers and failing to pay reparation awards that have been issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). Los Angeles, California-based JRP Group; Miami, Florida-based Natura Fresh; and McAllen, Texas-based Talygap Produce, together failed to pay in the amount of $18,662.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• JRP Group, d/b/a Prime Produce, operating out of Los Angeles, Calif., for failing to pay an $11,984 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kay Persaud, Joshua C. Roach, and Rajendra S. Persaud were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business
• Natura Fresh LLC, operating out of Miami, Fla., for failing to pay an $3,168 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Julia Espinal was listed as a member of the business
• Talygap Produce Inc., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $3,510 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gustavo Adolfo Ponce Reyes was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, and to read the press release in full, click here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA - Being recognized as a top employer definitely ups the appeal for prospective employees. However, that recognition runs far deeper as it highlights a top organization with exceptional attributes and achievements. As it so happens, Oppy was recently selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, marking the first time the leading grower, marketer, and distributor of fresh produce from around the world has been recognized with the award in its 162-year history.

“Oppy is honored to have been recognized among the top employers in Canada, joining the ranks of some of the best companies in the nation,” Oppy’s Chairman, CEO, and Managing Partner John Anderson said. “To be selected during this exceptionally challenging year reflects Oppy’s well-placed fundamentals, which help us focus on prioritizing the well-being and development of our team above all else. By placing people first, the business is also able to grow as a result.”

The esteemed national competition, now in its 21^st year, honors industry-leading employers who offer exceptional workplaces for their teams. Companies on the list are evaluated according to eight criteria that assess a variety of metrics including the physical workplace, the work and social atmosphere, health, financial and family benefits, as well as others. During the evaluation, businesses are compared to their industry peers to determine which organizations offer the most progressive programs.

As noted in the press release, Oppy’s inclusion on the coveted list follows other recent recognition, such as being selected by Deloitte as one of Canada’s Best Managed companies for 19 consecutive years in 2019, the 2019 BC Top Employers, and Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures awards. In 2017, Anderson was also selected as one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs for nurturing a culture at Oppy that enhances performance and sustains a competitive advantage.

With another achievement on hand, the future looks bright for Oppy and the industry as a whole. Keep checking back to AndNowUKnow as we report the latest.

Oppy

SANTA MARIA, CA - Both foodservice operators and retailers have had to adapt to new demands and expectations, and fresh-cut has become an increasingly popular category. Over at Fresh Avenue, Scott Bricker, Director of Sales and Partner; Jamie Shipley, Regional Sales Manager; and David Root, Western Regional Sales Manager, penned an update to the industry regarding how the impact of the last nine months has affected foodservice operators and how fresh-cut produce is a critical and relevant solution to sourcing and supply chain.

“Fresh-cut brings customers consistent yields, cost, safety, and product output. We have been a fan of the simplification and ease of mind it brings our customers, and there are many customers big and small that have brought stability to their business by converting to a fresh-cut product,” the team wrote. “The additional benefit our grower/processor GreenGate Fresh delivers is that [all] their supply is dedicated to foodservice. Product is never diverted to commodity, which usually takes priority with other growers/processors.”

In its release, Fresh Avenue highlighted key areas that have been approved as a result of using fresh-cut solutions. The list included:

• Consistency - because it is cut at the source to the customer’s specification, the product received is the very same in location 1 as in location 700. This drives the customer experience with the very same product, simplifies the supply chain, and increases operational efficiency
• Food Safety - cleaned and cut with a grower/processor following rigorous certifications and food safety controls
• Traceability - Fresh Avenue’s fresh-cut items have labeling and QR codes printed on the bag and carton showing location, date, time, and line the product was prepared on
• Sustainability - operators only receive ready-to-use products, significantly reducing kitchen waste. Also, there is about half of the carboard consumed with the packaging of fresh-cut vs. carton or whole product
• Efficiency - efficiency for foodservice operators translates to increasing the kitchen’s output. Less labor is required as the product comes ready to use
• Labor - fresh-cut frees back of house prep as the grower/processor handles the wash and cut process
• Cost - fresh-cut evens out the price and brings more predictability to price

For more information, click here.

ANUK will continue to bring the latest updates pertaining to all things fresh, so stick around.

Fresh Avenue

KERRVILLE, TX - H-E-B is effectively flooding the Texas market. Recently, the retailer opened its first Lubbock location and a new store in San Antonio. Another store is reportedly on the horizon in Kaufman County. H-E-B has now announced that it will be opening its newest store in the city of Kerrville, Texas. The retailer opened its very first store in the same area over 115 years ago and is returning to its roots with over 400 stores under its belt and over 120,000 associates strong. The new store officially opened its doors on November 11 and features an expansive selection of products and services.

“We are excited this new store will provide the Kerrville community with a world-class shopping experience and the best H-E-B has to offer,” said Greg Nichols, General Manager. “Along with all our dedicated Partners, we are honored to continue serving Kerrville, the city where it all started for our company, and a community we proudly call home.”

According to a release from the company, the new store will be located on Main Street in Kerrville and occupies 114,000 square feet. The new location will offer a business center, fuel station and car wash, and True Texas BBQ restaurant, which are all slated to open in spring of 2021.

Some additional highlights from the new opening include:

• H-E-B Curbside service allowing customers to shop online and pick up their order at the store
• Blooms floral department with certified floral designers and local delivery
• A produce section with expanded organic and Texas-grown selections
• One of the company’s largest Meal Simple departments stocked with chef-inspired meals

With a history of giving back to the community, H-E-B will use this new opening as a chance to donate $500,000 to the Friends of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, which the H.E. Butt Foundation will match. The $1 million donation will go toward the creation of The Heart of the Hills Heritage Center, a sustainable history and heritage museum that will display rich history of Kerrville and the surrounding area.

“When we learned that H-E-B was celebrating the new store grand opening with a generous gift to the Hills Heritage Center on the Campus of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, the H. E. Butt Foundation Board of Directors voted to match the company’s generosity to this project,” David Rogers, President of the H.E. Butt Foundation. “A gift of this nature seemed like an appropriate way for us to support the Butt family history and legacy in Kerrville.”

To celebrate the history of the area, H-E-B has incorporated design elements from its original stores such as metal shed roofs and limestone materials to pay homage to the company’s roots.

Proving that sometimes going back to where it all started can be a way to move forward, H-E-B continues to expand its growing network, leaving us to wonder where its next store will take root.

H-E-B

SALINAS, CA - Marketing continues to prove as a powerful tactic in expanding fresh produce brands. Laura Hastie knows this well, having managed internal and external communications, social media, digital marketing, tradeshow events, and media buying efforts for the Foxy® brand. Laura’s consulting business is quickly gaining ground and recently launched an exciting new website to support the industry.

“I am excited to launch my new website and share my services with the fresh produce and wine industries! I want to connect with companies who need marketing and public relations support, but may not have the means or need (especially during a pandemic) to hire a full-time or in-house marketing professional,” Laura tells me.

Laura offers a personalized one-on-one approach with each client. The new website is a great point of reference for current and potential clients, detailing Laura’s education, experience, and services.

“It gives people a true idea of who I am and what I do,” she says. “So far, I’ve received great feedback and support from colleagues and friends in the industry. I am currently accepting new clients for 2021 and look forward to helping more companies reach their marketing goals and potential.”

Be sure to check out Laura’s new website by clicking here.

For the latest opportunities across fresh produce, stick with us here at AndNowUKnow.

LauraHastie.com

RIVERSIDE, CA - As we in this industry know, the efforts that go into growing and selling the fresh produce that we all love makes it all the more important that it doesn’t go to waste. Index Fresh is making sure that its avocados find a happy ending as it has partnered with Apeel to help preserve the freshness of its products and help reduce food waste in the global supply chain.

“Anyone can sell someone an avocado once,” explained John Dmytriw, Vice President of Business Development at Index Fresh. “At Index, we don’t define our success with clients by packages sold. We define success by the amount of time we’ve been working together. Ensuring best-in-class quality and consistency is a recipe for creating lasting relationships.”

Apeel’s cutting-edge technology and its “peel” which helps lock moisture in and keep oxygen out of produce, combined with the over a century of industry knowledge from Index Fresh creates dynamic duo, helping to lead the way to a more sustainable future. According to a press release, not only does Apeel’s technology keep produce fresh, but it allows produce to have a longer shelf-life, preventing it from ending up in the waste stream.

As a well-known avocado distributor, Index Fresh is setting its sights on innovation and has expressed the desire to help its clients embrace the new technologies that it has implemented.

“When our customers talk, we listen,” President and CEO Steve Roodzant said. “Blocking and tackling for customers is our specialty.”

In joining with Apeel, Index Fresh will continue to provide its clients with a plethora of options as part of its Go to Market Business Strategy. The distributor will offer not only Apeel fruit, but its traditional avocados as well.

“Index Fresh is a YES company. We say yes to helping our clients every step of the way,” explained Todd Elder, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

As Apeel continues to make pivotal partnerships across the industry, which produce provider will the innovative company join forces with next? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Index Fresh Apeel

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - One of my favorite elements of winter is the advancement of specialty table grape varieties, and retailers know that luxurious holiday spreads aren’t the same without offering a premium table grape program. LGS Specialty Sales recently announced that it’s primed for a strong and exciting grape season from December 2020 through early May 2021.

“As our summer citrus season slows down, we look forward to launching into an excellent grape season,” said Luke Sears, President and Founder. “We’re expecting a strong supply of fruit as newer varieties continue to come into production.”

For the next six months, a press release explained, LGS will be providing shoppers with access to quality red, green, black, and specialty grapes from Peru, Chile, and Mexico. LGS’ grapes will be available for purchase in both clamshells and bags.

LGS is sourcing proprietary varieties such as Allisons, Jack Salutes, Sweet Globes, Sweet Favors, and Cotton Candy throughout the season. The company teams up with key grower partners to provide high-quality grapes throughout the winter import season.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest in fresh produce.

LGS Specialty Sales

UNITED KINGDOM - What better time to expand than ahead of the holidays? As demand ramps up, the need for diverse retail services continues to grow. Aldi is ensuring its customers in the United Kingdom will have access to safe and convenient groceries this year as the retailer plans to expand its click and collect trial to roughly 200 more stores by Christmas.

“This trial has been hugely popular so far,” said Chief Executive Officer Giles Hurley, according to a report from Reuters.

Aldi began trialing online services back in April in addition to partnering with Deliveroo for a delivery option. As of September, its click and collect trial began with a single store in England before expanding to 18 other stores in October.

The news source stated that online groceries have doubled their share of the U.K. market, with the demand continuing to grow. Through Aldi’s services, consumers have access to multiple contact-free options in order to receive groceries quickly and safely during this unprecedented time.

Will Aldi’s click and collect service soon take over Stateside? Keep an eye out for more reports from AndNowUKnow.

Aldi

BAKERSFIELD, CA - First impressions are not just lasting, in the store they are often all you have, making the display your visual elevator pitch to shoppers. This key ingredient to the recipe of your produce department could take seconds or hours to build, and Atlas Produce is helping retailers make it the former with its new 48-count display.

“Our newest display comes with our most popular customer offering: Pre-packed capabilities where we will build and pack the fruit inside the display for delivery,” Robert Dobrzanski, Founder, explains. “This new offering is now available year-round, and those who have already purchased it have explored and loved its versatility and capabilities to grow the category and sales.”

When I ask Robert how this is accomplished, he explains that Atlas’ design added an area for a secondary display, expanding the showcase possibilities. In fact, customers have already sent back photos of double and triple displays, adding options, and seeing increased sales as an immediate reward for their creativity.

“Finally, we completed the look with a produce tray on top as we have with all our displays. This gives retailers a great opportunity to either showcase more Fresh Energy™ products by Atlas, or to cross-merchandise either with similar products dates can substitute, like bananas, or pair well with,” Robert shares.

Like all Atlas Produce’s offerings, the display and their materials are 100 percent U.S.-born and built, promising timely delivery without concern for import-related delays.

Here’s to a punctual, practiced, and positive first impression that leads to a lasting ring at the register.

Fresh Energy™ by Atlas Produce