BOISE, ID - The race to win over consumers’ hearts continues as retailers vie for long-time loyalty. Albertsons’ latest launch positions it to attract new consumers as it is now piloting PickUp lockers in select Chicago Jewel-Osco and Bay Area Safeway stores as the newest option for e-commerce orders.

“Contactless PickUp through our state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled lockers makes it even easier to shop with us,” said Chris Rupp, EVP and Chief Customer and Digital Officer at Albertsons. “Whether customers choose to shop in our familiar neighborhood stores or through our websites and apps, we are ready to provide them with extraordinary service where and how they want to get their groceries. Our strategy to leverage technology and innovation to continue to grow our digital business is focused on creating products customers love that truly make their lives easier.”

Albertsons reported a 276 percent increase in digital sales in its first fiscal quarter, a press release noted, and continues to add Drive Up & Go stores throughout the country.

The lockers, which are delivered by Bell and Howell, are modular, temperature-controlled, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

“We are excited to partner with Albertsons to help them deliver a convenient and contactless pickup experience for their customers,” said Larry Blue, CEO of Bell and Howell. “With our temperature-controlled grocery lockers, Albertsons customers can quickly and conveniently pick up their entire order, from heated to frozen food items, whenever and wherever they want.”

The lockers will first be available in select Jewel-Osco locations in Chicago and are expected to be installed at select Safeway locations in the Bay Area later in the year.

Will lockers be the next go-to solution for e-commerce as retailers look to secure the sector? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Albertsons

WASHINGTON, DC - We at ANUK are always working to cover the most pressing retail trends as suppliers seek out their own strategies. We recently received word that United Fresh Produce Association’s Q2 2020 issue of FreshFacts^® on Retail, sponsored by Mucci Farms, is now available—and this is one report you won’t want to miss.

“The changes in consumer behavior sparked by COVID-19 have impacted sales across the entire store, providing many produce categories with an opportunity for growth as consumers cook more meals at home and look for products they feel will boost their overall health,” said Miriam Wolk, United Fresh’s Vice President of Member Services. “Although basket size continues to level off and we pass the initial stock up phase of building ‘pandemic pantries,’ sales continue to rise as many consumers opt to remain at home despite easing restrictions.”

The report covers the increasing popularity of e-commerce and the unprecedented rise of in-home consumption triggered by COVID-19, including the continued growth of fresh fruit and vegetable sales. The e-commerce boom in April was likely due to an increase in consumer adoption, according to a press release. Various degrees of “reopening” throughout May onwards led to more trips to stores and thus some leveling off of e-commerce, but the trends appear to be here to stay.

“As a forward-thinking organization, Mucci Farms has long been committed to advancing the greenhouse industry through automation and technology, with a particular focus on valuable data that allows us to increase efficiencies and better serve our customers,” said Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing, Mucci Farms. “Partnering with United Fresh for FreshFacts on Retail was a seamless fit, as the world continues to trend heavily towards data driven metrics to establish clear objectives and goals.”

Q2 2020 data highlights include:

• Growth continues in fruit and vegetables as sales surge across categories driven by consumers increasing average dollars per buyer as consumers seek versatile cooking and salad staples for home meal preparation, as well as healthy home snack options
• Packaged salads are a top-selling organic produce commodity, followed by apples and strawberries
• Seasonal category deep dives explore apples, citrus, and cooking vegetables, with a year-to-year comparison of the last three years’ Q4 results to aid in planning for a successful Q4 2020
  
• Consumer response to value-added fruit remains muted, while value-added vegetables sales grew. Products that are typically consumed in group settings declined, while products that are more challenging for consumers to handle and prepare at home drove consumer interest

FreshFacts on Retail, produced in partnership with Nielsen Fresh and with direction from the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities as well as other value-added produce categories.

To further explore the data from this issue, the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board will host a webinar tomorrow, October 20, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Moderated by Jeff Cady, Director of Produce and Floral at Tops Friendly Markets, and featuring analysis from Mike Galaburda, Client Director of Nielsen Perishables Group, the webinar will highlight the notable statistics from the report, as well as provide an opportunity for produce professionals to gain a broader understanding of what may be driving current trends. To register for the webinar, click here.

The complete FreshFacts on Retail Q2 2020 report is available free of charge for United Fresh members ($50 for non-members) on the United Fresh website.

As retail trends continue to emerge, you can count on ANUK to bring you the latest.

United Fresh Produce Association

SANDPOINT, ID - As we’ve all transitioned to a more homebound lifestyle, many of us have had the chance to spend some extra time with our families. Litehouse has recognized this trend, and recently partnered with video rental company Redbox^® to drive sales to the produce aisle. The two have launched a new “Do Family Night Right” promotion aiming to inspire consumers during the month of October.

“Our insights indicate that over 50 percent of families eat dinner together at least six nights a week, so every night is an opportunity for families to reconnect,” said Camille Balfanz, Senior Brand Manager at Litehouse. “As families continue to spend more time at home and indoors this fall, the promotion will make Litehouse products and family-friendly activities more accessible and help make life a little brighter for families looking to create meaningful memories.”

Litehouse consumer insights recently revealed that while 89 percent of parents agree that the silver lining to stay-at-home restrictions is getting to spend more time with their families, 56 percent of parents said they are running out of new ideas for family night, meaning this campaign couldn’t have come at a better time.

The new Litehouse online and in-store campaign will drive consumers to retail with scratch-to-win game pieces via neck hangers on select products. At participating grocery retailers, consumers will have a one in two chance to win a free Redbox movie night for a one-day movie rental at the box or on demand. The partnership brings together the two of the most popular ingredients for family fun, as eight in 10 consumers report watching movies or eating dinner together during family night, according to a press release.

The promotion is also supported by an online resource center with downloadable recipes and family night ideas with new activities launched every Thursday in October. Consumers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win family-friendly kits containing 25 days of activities, with weekly themes ranging from sports to superheroes, featuring arts and crafts supplies, activity sheets, free Redbox movie nights, Litehouse 20 oz Homestyle Ranch dressing, and other Litehouse family favorites.

Litehouse products recently earned the “Family Tested Family Approved” award seal, so consumers can trust that its line of creamy dressings, including 20 oz family-size dressings in an easy-to-use squeeze bottle and 13 oz dressing jars, have been tested by families, for families, and deliver on consumer expectations and standards.

The in-store campaign will include promotional displays, Redbox scratch-to-win game pieces, and discounted pricing on Litehouse dressings, dips, and caramel will be supported online with digital advertising, social media, and influencers to increase brand awareness and drive retail sales.

Litehouse dressings are available in the refrigerated produce department at grocery retailers nationwide in an assortment of sizes and formats, including convenient family size squeeze bottles, dip tubs, and glass jars, and pair well with family night favorites like pizza, salad, and tacos.

As our industry’s leaders continue bringing new strategies to market, AndNowUKnow will be here to report.

Litehouse

CORAL GABLES, FL - As far as tropical fruits go, bananas rank as one of the higher-selling and popular fruit amongst consumers. The yellow fruit is simple, versatile, and packed with nutrients that shoppers consistently reach out for. One Banana is ensuring that continues to be the case as it seeks to expand its share of the banana market through environmentally sustainable, high-quality, and fresh bananas that resonate with the company’s year-round program.

“We are a third-generation, family-owned, sustainable producer and distributor of bananas. One Banana also sets a high standard for quality, which is absolutely necessary,” explains Rob Adams, President. “We have a deep commitment to the planet and the people in the communities where we do business. People are paramount to everything we do, say, and believe. Generation after generation, we can honestly say that we are different in terms of how we grow our bananas; how we treat our people; and how we maintain, cultivate, and protect our owned farms.”

The family-owned tropical fruit grower-distributor is on a mission to make a positive difference in society and live up to its full name: ‘One Banana, The Better Banana Company.’

“At a production level, we implement water efficiency and waste management programs across our multiple growing regions,” Rob continues. “We have also adopted cutting-edge irrigation technology and environmentally-friendly banana-growing materials into our operation to bring great products to our customers.”

All the fruit is grown on the company’s own farms, located in Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru, providing what Rob describes as “the highest quality and sustainably-sourced bananas” that meet several third-party certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, GlobalGAP, and SCS Sustainably Grown.

“One banana can make a difference to consumers’ health, and we believe that by purchasing from One Banana, you also make a difference to the environment and to the communities where we grow our fruit,” Rob comments. “We truly believe that One Banana makes a difference.”

In addition to the U.S., One Banana currently ships to clients around the world in Canada, U.K., Germany, Poland, Belgium, Latvia, China, and Japan. The company also offers support for digital and in-store marketing and POS materials for its clients to use at retail.

While sustainability remains at the forefront of fresh produce, growers and providers taking initiative like One Banana are leading the charge for a greener industry. AndNowUKnow will continue to report on all things fresh, so keep checking back for more.

One Banana

HOUSTON, TX - It is interesting to see the way in which Mother Nature and human nature often parallel each other. This is the case as we watch the close of one season and the start of another with the arrival of fall, but also in the way that Sysco has announced Judith Sansone as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, in a new season for the company, just as her predecessor, Michael Foster, steps down from the role.

In Sansone’s new position beginning October 26, she will lead Sysco’s overall commercial strategies, according to a release from the company. She will be responsible for Sysco’s merchandising, marketing, pricing, digital sales enablement, customer personalization, and new channel sales development. As a new executive, Sansone will work across a variety of different divisions as she leads company-wide efforts to grow sales.

“I am very pleased to welcome Judy to Sysco. She is an experienced and highly talented leader who consistently delivers results and drives transformative change,” said Kevin Hourican, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Under Judy’s leadership, I am confident that we will accelerate our profitable sales growth by building a best-in-industry merchandising, marketing, and digital customer engagement strategy. We will leverage our robust customer purchasing data to provide personalized assortments, pricing, and promotional marketing to our customers. Increasing personalization of our go-to-market strategy will enable Sysco to profitably grow our sales and better serve our customers.”

Before being appointed as a new leader at Sysco, Sansone spent over 30 years working in the retail industry honing her skills and expertise. In her most recent role she served as the Chief Merchandising Officer at CVS Health where she was responsible for the growth strategy and management of the $20 billion front-of-store business.

Sansone steps into this new role as her predecessor, Michael Foster, has announced that he will be stepping down as Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Technology Officer, effective December 31.

As both Judith and Michael enter into new seasons in their lives, we wish them nothing but luck and success, and look forward to seeing what the changes will bring for Sysco and its growing company.

Sysco

GLENNVILLE, GA - Bland Farms^® and Paramount Pictures Corporation threw the retail world into a mad dash of nautical nonsense recently with the announcement of their national retailer display contest. The grower asked produce managers to build the most fun, creative, and interactive Vidalia® Onion displays inspired by the upcoming SpongeBob SquarePants movie for the chance to win multiple prizes totaling $10,000. After much planning and anticipation, the seacret is out! Bland Farms has chosen the winners of “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run & Bland Farms Retailer Display Contest.”

“This year has brought so many challenges. Bland Farms is especially proud to have offered this wonderful opportunity to our retailers so they could create such a memorable shopper experience in produce,” said Troy Bland, Chief Operations Officer.

According to the press release, contestants were judged according to criteria such as the size of the fresh display, creative use of point-of-sale materials, and, of course, use of the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants characters.

The four first-place winners that each received a $1500 gift card were:

• Shannon Adkins, Food City, Pikeville, Kentucky
• Mike Westfall, Fresh Encounter, Lafayette, Indiana
• Bret Peterson, Hy-Vee, Rochester, Minnesota
• Dan Olmstead, Hy-Vee, Ames, Iowa

Two second-place winners received a $750 gift card and were given to:

• Kelly Coleman, Food Giant, Brownsville, Tennessee
• Shannon Salinas, Hy-Vee, Austin, Minnesota

Lequitte Perry for Food City in Louisa, Kentucky, received a $500 gift card for third place. A further 20 honorable mention prizes were awarded to produce managers from various stores including Winn Dixie, Food Giant, Chris’ Food Center, and Pat’s Foods. These managers each received a $100 gift card.

“We were so inspired by the creativity of our retailers and grateful for their participation. Not only did they help us get our fresh Vidalias to the shopper, they also captured the spirit of SpongeBob, bringing us all some much-needed fun and excitement,” said Meg Robinson, Bland Farms Sales and Marketing Manager.

The contest was a partnership between Bland Farms and Paramount Pictures Corporation to promote Bland Farms Vidalia Onions in conjunction with the release of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. The movie hits video-on-demand marketplaces in early 2021 before landing on CBS All Access.

In addition to the retailer display contest, Bland Farms also ran a consumer scavenger hunt to find themed SpongeBob PLU stickers to tag on social channels and a sweepstakes where shoppers had a chance to win multiple prizes including a grand prize trip to Paramount Pictures for a family of four.

Congratulations to all the winners! For the latest updates and strategies to promote fresh produce in-store, keep checking back to AndNowUKnow.

Bland Farms®

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that is has imposed sanctions against Oak Hall, Virginia-based company Benny F. Hall & Sons LLC for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) after failing to pay $503,744 to eight produce sellers. The sanctions include barring the business and the principal operation from engaging in PACA-licensed business or activities without USDA approval.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

BHS failed to pay $503,744 to eight sellers for produce that was purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from July 2016 to August 2017. This is in violation of the PACA. BHS cannot operate in the produce industry until October 7, 2022, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principal, Benny Hall, Sr., may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until October 7, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.

To learn more, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

MILL VALLEY, CA - Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) long-awaited Fresh Summit event is finally here, and our team over at ANUK has been lucky enough to get the inside scoop on all things fresh produce. One industry friend I had the chance to talk to was Misionero and its sister company TerraFresh Organics. The brands have garnered a loyal shopper following from their Earth Greens Organic label, and are rolling out even more industry innovations at Fresh Summit.

“TerraFresh Organics recently passed the one year mark as a company! We’re pleased to be exhibiting under our sister company, Misionero, and are excited to show our expansive organic fruit offerings,” said Greg Holzman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of TerraFresh Organics. “Fresh Summit participants will have access to our recently launched line of California heirloom Deglet Noor dates. The new brand, Oasis Date Gardens, is bringing snack packs and resealable stand-up pouches of Deglet Noor dates to the marketplace for our retail customers.”

Misionero’s organic, pitted Deglet Noor dates come in multiple ready-to-eat pack sizes. The line includes a new option with eight individual 1.16-oz packs inside a master bag that allows the nutritious snack to be consumed on-the-go. The line also includes 8- oz and 32-oz family-style resealable stand-up pouches. The dates are pitted; feature less than 100 calories per serving; and are grown, harvested, packed, and shipped from the southeastern region of Southern California.

“Fresh Summit is a reunion of sorts for our industry. It’s a great opportunity to maintain industry relationships and cultivate new ones,” Greg continued. “We’re most excited to make connections with buyers and growers at the show.”

Organic fruit sales continue to grow, meaning the category remains Misionero’s number-one focus. The company seeks to build year-round programs of all offerings as it works with growers in California, Mexico, and South America.

Be sure to swing by the Misionero booth before the event wraps up!

MisioneroTerraFresh Organics

BROOKLYN, NY - PMA Fresh Summit is hitting its third and last day today, and the fresh produce buzz just keeps on rolling in. Ark Foods debuted a new line of packaged salads at the virtual trade show recently, and its Clean Label Salad lineup is sure to bring in the consumer crowd hungry for clean and plant-based offerings.

“Launching our Clean Label Salads at this time became even more important to us as we saw how customers adjusted to a new normal,” says Noah Robbins, Founder and CEO. “We’re proud to offer two full product lines to choose from when it comes to eating clean without steep costs or effort in the kitchen. We can’t wait to introduce these salads to customers.”

According to the press release, Clean Label Salads are made entirely from ingredients your great-grandma would recognize and will join Ark Foods’ lineup of best-selling heat-and-eat Veggie Bowls. The new line serves as an easier, healthier, affordable lunch option amidst a 40 percent rise in home cooking seen from the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated by The Food Industry Association, 2020 in the release.

The line will consist of four SKUs featuring updated nods to classic salads, with vegetables rarely seen in ready-to-eat salads, like watermelon radish and golden beets. The bowls range from 330—410 calories and deliver between 13—18 grams of protein for consumers focused on fueling up while achieving their health goals.

• Crunchy Kale Ranch - Plant-based ranch dressing, chickpea croutons, pepitas, brussels sprouts, and sun-dried tomatoes
• Bright Pesto Greens - Vegan pesto dressing, chickpea croutons, cashews, sun-dried tomatoes, and golden beets
• Cashew Kale Caesar - Plant-based Caesar dressing, chickpea croutons, red cabbage, and watermelon radish
• Ginger Sesame Greens - Ginger sesame dressing, pepitas, cashews, red carrots, and red cabbage

Clean Label Salads will be available starting in early 2021 at $4.99 MSRP per salad.

For the latest releases and updates pertaining to all things fresh produce, keep checking back to AndNowUKnow.

Ark Foods

POMPANO BEACH, FL - Hitting the 30-year mark is an incredible achievement in any industry—and one that should be celebrated! Southern Specialties recently announced it has joined the 30-year club, marking a huge milestone on top of an incredible history of growth and innovation.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished over the last 30 years and excited about our future. Our success is the product of an amazing team.” President and CEO Robert Colescott said. “Years ago, we created a tag line for our company, ‘Let’s grow something special;’ it’s as relevant now as it was then. In addition to growing our product line, we have grown enduring relationships with our customers, our farmer community, our suppliers, and our team.”

Recently, the company completed an expansion project for its Pompano Beach, Florida, facility. The facility is now 150,000 square feet and includes new sales and executive offices, additional cold storage, forced air cooling, additional value-added packaging capabilities, and receiving and shipping docks.

The company was founded by Colescott in 1990. According to the press release, Colescott and members of the company were instrumental in pioneering specialty vegetables, working with chefs and foodservice distributors to develop year-round sourcing for products ranging from French beans to baby zucchini.

Today, the company grows and imports quality assured specialty produce grown in 10 countries throughout the Americas and offers more than 300 different SKUs. Southern Specialties is a leading grower and importer of fresh green, white, purple, and organic asparagus marketed in bulk and value added presentations.

Cheers to 30 years and many more!

Southern Specialties