CORAL GABLES, FL - As operational transparency becomes more dire and a company’s brand and actions are held hand in hand, no milestone is too small to ensure all components—especially human ones—are upheld. Fyffes is doubling down on its own commitment to respect human rights with multiple milestones this year. The company completed its first-ever corporate-wide Human Rights Impact Assessment in January 2020, aligning with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, through its partner BSR. Additionally, Fyffes published its first-ever Global Human Rights Policy and Statement.

“We would like to thank BSR for conducting the Assessment and all those employees and stakeholders who contributed to the Assessment through interviews. Fyffes has started work already on implementing our human rights mitigation plan and will provide annual updates of the Human Rights Impact Assessment,” Julie Cournoyer, Fyffes Global Director of Sustainability, commented.

The full scope of Fyffes Human Rights Mitigation Plan outline is as follows:

• Establish and circulate Fyffes Global Child Labour Remediation Protocol
• Continue to engage with existing trade-unions and workers committees in good faith and train all managers on freedom of association
• Implement Fyffes Gender Equality Program, targets and gender-related training; provide training on security and community programs to reduce security threats; conduct community-needs assessments to identify environment and health-related issues and solutions
• Facilitate capacity-building in smallholder and own farm climate resilience
• Continue to engage with and support the Living Wage initiative
• Increase worker training and awareness of the Fyffes Ethics Hotline and extend to suppliers and stakeholders
• Partner with NGOs to reduce Haitian migrant worker vulnerability in Dominican Republic

As a result of the assessment, Fyffes Global Sustainability Steering Committee recently endorsed the Company’s Human Rights Mitigation and Management Plan, according to a press release, which provides a framework to manage, mitigate, and help resolve identified human rights risks.

“Companies are now expected to conduct thorough due diligence on human rights to identify, prevent, and mitigate the human rights-related risks or eliminate human rights risks across their supply chain and remediate any adverse human rights impacts they cause or to which they contribute,” Jenny Vaughan, Human Rights Director at BSR, said.

Vaughan continued, “BSR is pleased to have supported Fyffes in conducting its first company-wide human rights impact assessment and five country-level risk assessments, in accordance with the criteria and requirements of the UN Guiding Principles, which today provide the foundations for Fyffes overall Human Rights policy, strategy and management. Fyffes is leading the way by bringing forward a deep knowledge of its salient human rights risks and has established a detailed action plan to mitigate residual risks and prevent human rights violations related to its activities.”

To read more details on Fyffes commitment and assessment, click here to see the full release.

Congratulations to the Fyffes team on these key steps in its business.

Fyffes

YAKIMA, WA - In order to honor the memory and service of the influential legacy left behind by leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Superfresh Growers has announced that it will be adding MLK Day as a paid holiday for its employees starting in 2021. As the grower takes this pivotal step in remembering the life and achievements of Dr. King, Superfresh encourages other companies across our industry to join in.

“We want to ensure that our teammates and their families have time on this important day to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, whether they do that through community service, personal reflection, or spending time with their families,” said Robert Kershaw, CEO. “To me, one of Dr. King’s most meaningful quotes is, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ This reminds me of another popular saying, ‘Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.’ Justice is such a core tenet of the freedom and equality we enjoy.”

Observed on the third Monday of January each year, the holiday is often referred to as “a day on, not a day off,” alluding to the community service work that is encouraged to celebrate the life of Dr. King and the movement he led. According to a press release, The United States Corporation of National and Community Service describes MLK Day as a national day of service designed to improve the communities in which we live and operate. Superfresh growers agrees with this tenet, and is encouraging its employees to use this day to volunteer with local non-profits.

“Honoring MLK Day is the right thing to do,” added Kershaw. “I hope other companies join us as we honor this day.” Martin Luther King Jr. Day will fall on January 18 this coming year.

As Superfresh Growers takes this momentous step toward celebrating the legacy of Dr. King and continuing on his message of unity and community betterment, what other companies will follow suit? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.

Superfresh Growers

REEDLEY, CA - Fall and winter are the time when domestic citrus reigns and Fruit World is entering its 2020 citrus season with a bang. The company is releasing new recyclable packaging and announcing an increased availability of 100 percent California-grown organic and conventional mandarins, along with organic oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and sweet limes.

"We’re really excited about our new fun and colorful conventional mandarin packaging design, especially because it’s fully-recyclable," said Bianca Kaprielian, Co-Founder and CEO. "We love the extension of the Fruit World brand, and how these bags add to the sustainable values which are core to our company."

All Fruit World cartons and bags, a press release noted, are bright, bold, and distinctive, making them ideal for creative retail displays.

Another way it is a supply-side stand out is that the grower is one of the few companies with uninterrupted season-long programs for both its organic and conventional mandarins.

"While orchard yield per acre across the state is expected to be on par with the past few years, we’re excited to be entering mandarin season with increased availability from our own farms and growers," said CJ Buxman, Co-Founder. ”On the conventional side, our proprietary sweet Early Dulce and Dulce mandarins will be first to market in mid-October, followed by organic and conventional Satsuma mandarins, then Clementines. We’ll go all the way into June with our Gold Nugget and proprietary Klondike varieties."

By mid-November, all Fruit World mandarin varieties will be available as either stem and leaf or bald fruit. The grower has also began shipment of its new crop organic Rio Red grapefruit, available in bright header bags and cartons. Organic navel oranges will follow close behind, shipping in mid- to late-October once the Valencia oranges are finished packing.

"Navel orange yield is expected to be down 5 percent this season," explained Buxman. "However, we have added some acreage to our mix, so our supply will increase by about 15 percent.”

Fruit World also has a year-round organic lemon program with promotable volumes starting with desert-grown lemons in early November, which follows through the end of the Central Valley harvest in March.

"We’re committed to providing the most flavorful fruit, and the best customer service possible," concluded Kaprielian. "We excel at working with our retail and wholesale partners and tailoring programs to their needs, so they can best serve their customers."

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

Fruit World

HOUSTON, TX - The holidays are upon us once again, and I think we could all use a little support as we near the end of 2020. Sysco is one company ensuring it supports its partners this season, recently announcing the addition of a Holiday Toolkit to its Foodie Solutions platform. The Holiday Toolkit is the latest in a series of carefully curated tools to help foodservice operators respond quickly to shifting business requirements and trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 2020 holiday season will certainly look different than in previous years,” said Brian Todd, Sysco’s Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing. “Our Holiday Toolkit offers business solutions our customers need to drive new revenue streams, support their operational profitability, and deliver holiday cheer to their guests.”

This helpful resource offers innovative ideas that are simple to execute, generating additional revenues, and providing guests with restaurant-quality solutions for easy gift-giving and holiday meals.

Some of the easy-to-execute ideas include:

• Unique takeout offerings, such as charcuterie and cheese boards with wine pairings
• Take-and-make meal kits paired with a virtual cooking class
• Cocktail kits
• Pies to-go

As the holiday season approaches, this most recent toolkit helps foodservice operators who are adapting their businesses to accommodate local social distancing guidelines, social gatherings, and an increase in to-go orders without sacrificing the consistent, high-quality products and service that guests have grown accustomed to receiving.

In addition to the Holiday Toolkit, Sysco’s Foodie Solutions resources include:

• Virtual Kitchens – Recommendations for serving guests solely through online and phone orders without a brick and mortar concept or dining room
• Grab & Go Foods - A guide to offering pre-made meals and signature dishes
• Family Style Meal Kits – Solutions to help guests save time and enjoy an at-home experience
• Patio Dining – Strategies to revamp the outdoor dining experience for guests

According to a press release, Sysco customers also receive exclusive value-added services through Sysco’s iCARE partner program and Sysco Marketing Concierge, which provide exclusive services and resources such as menu services, QR codes, and access to helpful webinars. More information about Foodie Solutions can be found on the Sysco Foodie website.

Though the months looming ahead may seem daunting, we at AndNowUKnow will be here to help you through it with the industry’s latest developments.

Sysco

MIAMI, FL - We here at AndNowUKnow love seeing new people entering into the exciting world of fresh produce. That is why we were thrilled when Moxxy Marketing announced that it would be adding Christina Fuentes as Project Coordinator to expand its growing East Coast team. In her new role, Fuentes will use her marketing experience to help manage products for clients across the industry while based at her home office in Miami, Florida.

"All of the Moxxers, wherever we’re based, work together efficiently," said Fuentes. "I love the variety of work we do, and I’m excited to be part of a dedicated team that consistently delivers not only excellent work, but also always thinks of creative solutions for our clients and their marketing goals. I’ve been challenged and learned a lot already. Everyone at Moxxy has been supportive, and working at a really creative and strategic agency has been inspiring."

Coming to Moxxy with marketing agency experience and direct brand experience ranging from wine and cannabis to plantain chips, Fuentes will serve as a driving force behind the various projects, according to a press release.

Working alongside teammates in Florida and Georgia, as well as those on the West Coast Team, she will support clients that include Crystal Valley Foods, Generation Farms, Peterson Farms, and WP Produce.

"Christina blew me away from our first interview with her smart questions and thoughtful approach, and she hasn’t stopped impressing us since," said Karen Nardozza, President and CEO. "Besides being a digital whiz, she has quickly gained the trust and respect of teammates and clients with her good judgment, proactive follow-up, ‘get-it-done’ attitude, and ability to juggle priorities in our fast-paced environment."

In her new role, Fuentes will utilize her experience and developed passion for the produce industry to fulfill Moxxy’s marketing services. She will be assisting in managing projects that include branding and packaging design as well as advertising and email campaigns, in-store displays, public relations, website development, and a plethora of other marketing needs.

"Christina is a rising star at Moxxy," commented Vice President Molly Briseño. "Her energy and enthusiasm have already benefitted our busy team and clients, and we are excited for her career growth here."

ANUK congratulates Christina on her newly held position and we wish her and Moxxy the best of luck as they continue to serve the produce industry.

Moxxy Marketing

WASHINGTON - With both fall and apple season underway, T&G Global has released a forecast for its North American harvest of its Envy™ and JAZZ™ apples, while also announcing a variety of new promotions headlined by an exciting new celebrity endorsement.

“We’re excited about both the quality and quantity of JAZZ and Envy this fall, and so are our customers—for Envy in particular,” said Chris Willett, VP of Growing and Sales Operations, North America. “Envy is an apple with momentum, we have consumers actively seeking the brand out by name at their local grocer. Growers are also actively interested in adding acreage to their farming portfolio which is another true positive for the consumer and the brand.”

The New Zealand-based company’s Washington state specialty crops are expected to meet volume demand for both programs. According to a press release, T&G is anticipating excellent quality, color, texture, and an overall bountiful crop that will impress shoppers and retailers alike.

Recent Nielsen data that was collected at the end of August found that Envy apples were maintaining a strong premium price even amidst recent data that showed a trend of wholesale price deflation amongst other branded apples.

“We think this has much to do with increased brand loyalty for Envy,” explained Cecilia Flores Paez, Head of Marketing, North America. “Consumers who are buying Envy are evolving into devoted fans, coming back regularly to purchase more. They appreciate a consistently good eating experience and year-round availability. We are not only enjoying this momentum but focusing on expansion during the final months of 2020, positioning Envy as the ideal apple for the holidays.”

As T&G gets ready for the coming holiday, the company has introduced several new consumer campaigns that are ramping up to take Envy and JAZZ to the next level. The first announcement comes as a celebrity collaboration with Ellen K, a national radio personality who is helping spread the word about Envy apples. Additionally, T&G will be partnering with a renowned cable channel as part of the promotions as well as rolling out thematic packaging and bin programs across retail.

In August, JAZZ introduced its Bring on the Snack campaign to entice shoppers to add more healthy snack options to their baskets. The brand enlisted the help of Chef Joel Gamoran, cookbook author and TODAY show regular, to kick off its Snackdown competition as part of the campaign. The campaign has now reached over 3.25 million impressions, and the competition had 26,000 live viewers, showing the impressive impact of JAZZ’s promotion.

With Halloween inspiring spooky updates across the industry, JAZZ is getting on board with its Bring on the Boo transformation. The new update on the successful campaign will feature Halloween themed snacks using Jazz apples, social media influencers, and much more.

With crisp air and crunching leaves inspiring the fall spirit in all of us, make sure to get your hands on some JAZZ and Envy apples to keep the autumn vibes going for shoppers everywhere.

T&G Global

WATSONVILLE, CA - As this year has taken us through unexpected twists and turns, we could all use a little bit of sweetness in our lives. That is why Driscoll’s has announced its new Sweetness Worth Sharing™ campaign that encourages consumers to share the tender moments in their everyday lives using its new fully-integrated digital program. Whether its indulging in the taste of Only the Finest Berries™ or sharing small special moments with family and friends, Driscoll’s wants to make sure shoppers are celebrating its brand.

“Our latest campaign continues and builds on our brand journey to promote emotional connections through shared experiences,” said Fran Dillard, Senior Director of Brand and Product Marketing. “Sweetness Worth Sharing takes Driscoll’s beyond the functional promise of a delicious berry and allows us to connect with our consumers on a special and emotional level.”

The new campaign pays homage to Driscoll’s everlasting pursuit to provide the best and sweetest berries, and the company wants to show that everyone is capable of sharing something sweet.

According to a press release, Sweetness Worth Sharing captures real-life moments from real families as they reflect on the things that bring them joy every day.

“What the consumer experiences with this campaign is completely based on the real emotion and connection our team tapped into,” explained Diane Scalisi, Senior Digital Marketing Manager. “Our hope is to inspire others to engage in simple acts of sharing to create a positive change in perspective, which we’re all so in need of these days. We’re calling upon the millions in our digital community to spread positivity by activating in real life and online with the hashtag #SweetnessWorthSharing.”

To capture the loving moments, Driscoll’s has partnered with five photographers and their families, each one with a diverse background of their own, to document real moments that they experience.

The company has also created five video vignettes that feature simple, joy-filled moments centered on sharing Driscoll’s berries.

“Our campaign approach offered a creative solution to the challenges presented when creating content while adhering to social distancing guidelines,” said Jamie Bassmann, Senior Brand Manager. “The resulting photos and videos depict genuine, emotional moments at home capturing how families experience Sweetness Worth Sharing.”

The new campaign will continue to feature exclusive social media content, giveaways, new recipes, and feature new brand partners as well. Driscoll’s plans on expanding the campaign in the coming months, giving consumers the opportunity to engage at home.

It is always important to celebrate the little things in life that often get taken for granted, and Driscoll’s new campaign is making sure that they aren’t forgotten, especially at a time when we could all use a little sweetness to make our lives brighter.

Driscoll's

CORAL GABLES, FL - Del Monte Fresh Produce has once again blown my mind, this time after the news of its new variety debut. The exclusive Pinkglow™ Pineapple, with a unique pink interior, is produced in ultra-limited harvests and specially grown by Del Monte’s expert growers.

“As a leading supplier of fresh pineapples throughout the world, Fresh Del Monte is committed to continuing to invest in our pineapple research and development program to meet the ever-changing needs of our consumers,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President Marketing North America. “The Pinkglow Pineapple is a product we are incredibly proud of—not only for its beautiful color and delicious taste, but also because of the care that went into growing and releasing it, as well as the sustainable method we’ve enacted to produce these new pink pineapples.”

Marketed as the “Jewel of the Jungle™,” this new pineapple is purported to be both juicier and sweeter than a traditional pineapple. According to a press release, Pinkglow boasts notes of candy aromatics and is sure to be a hit with consumers of all ages.

From the moment shoppers cut into it, the pink fruit offers multiple applications—but we can think of at least three cocktails that this pineapple belongs in!

One-of-a-kind and 16 years in the making, the Pinkglow Pineapple takes up to 24 months to produce. They are harvested by hand with their crowns replanted to increase the volume of crops and reduce waste. It is currently only available online and will be sent direct-to-consumers nationwide in the United States for consumption.

When will we see this variety offered to the buy-side? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Del Monte Fresh Produce

BAKERSFIELD, CA - If you feel like trick-or-treating the cyber aisles of PMA Fresh Summit, we have a hint for which house to hit. Grimmway Farms has announced a plethora of treats, all in the form of new products and sustainable packaging initiatives.

The company’s organic division, Cal-Organic Farms, is debuting Rainbow Carrot Chips in 12-ounce retail packs—an exciting snacking option in a convenient resealable bag—and Baby Bok Choy in 3-count clamshell containers. The baby bok clamshell protects quality through transit, especially helpful considering an increase in online grocery shopping and delivery.

“Growth of organic produce continues at a strong pace, and despite economic challenges, consumers show no indication of shifting their purchases away from organic fruits and vegetables,” said Jeff Huckaby, President. “We continue to expand our certified organic acreage, and we’ve established programs in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast to extend our growing seasons. This is helping us widen availability windows for seasonal commodities and recognize efficiencies that will help us meet increasing demand.”

With a virtual plan for Fresh Summit this year, Grimmway is taking the new direction for its booth as a stage to debut a heightened focus on bringing innovative products to market like the new organic items, as well as reducing waste among its packaging materials and helping increase access to fresh produce.

“Innovation has always been the root of our growth,” said Eric Proffitt, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We listen and work closely with our customers to create items their shoppers want, and we’re committed to rigorous testing to develop products that will sell.”

The company has engineered a case made of polypropylene (PP) which is 100 percent recyclable and weighs about half as much as a competing wax and fiber carton.

“When it comes to packaging, our commitment to quality is twofold. We’re seeking solutions that will help us deliver our produce safely, however we’re also looking for materials that can meet this end while creating minimal impact on our environment,” said Jason Higbee, General Manager of Cal-Organic and Corporate Procurement. “When our packaging uses less material, weighs less, and is the right size to protect our product, we can pack more vegetables into each delivery, resulting in less wax consumed and less fuel burned.”

The company has also converted more than 25 products to ship in cases with optimized dimensions, reducing materials used while improving palletization.

In addition to new products and packaging options, Cal-Organic is promoting the upcoming seasonal red carrot program, available December through March, as well as its new crop potato, dry onion, and sweet corn programs, slated to begin shipping in May.

The shift to a virtual venue presents a silver lining everyone in the industry can support, according to a press release, with new event sponsorship opportunities that directly benefit charity. Grimmway noted that its commitment to empowering families through nutrition education and delivering healthy produce to those in need made the opportunity to partner with Houston, Texas-based non-profit Brighter Bites a perfect fit. This year Brighter Bites was selected as the first-ever nonprofit recipient of the annual SUNSET Rocks concert, with Grimmway as a proud sponsor for the virtual benefit.

While it may look a little different, this will still be the 23^rd consecutive year Grimmway has exhibited at PMA Fresh Summit, transforming its in-person booth to a virtual experience that allows visitors to tour a diverse set of growing regions and learn about the company’s expanding carrot and organic farming operations.

If you are registered, click here to locate the Grimmway booth!

Grimmway Farms

UNITED KINGDOM - Grocers have long since understood the power of grocery delivery, so it’s little wonder that retail giant Aldi would double the size of its Deliveroo trial in answer to shopper demand. The trial, which is currently operating out of London, Greater Manchester, Cambridge, and the Midlands, is now being extended to a further 22 stores across the United Kingdom.

“The feedback on our trial with Deliveroo has been very positive so far, with customers really valuing being able to have more ways of getting Aldi’s quality food at unbeatable prices, as recently recognized by Which? who found a basket of items was 23 percent cheaper at Aldi than at Tesco,” Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said in a press release. “This extension takes the partnership into new areas for the first time, including cities like Bristol and Liverpool amongst dozens of others across the country.”

This latest extension will bring the trial to multiple new towns and cities across England, including Bristol, Liverpool, and Brighton.

If the trial continues to be successful, this delivery service could be extended to even more stores—a plan spelled out in Aldi’s pledge to invest roughly $1.6 billion over the next two years.

“We are delighted that Aldi’s trial with Deliveroo will double in size this week. Deliveroo’s on-demand grocery partnerships have proven vital for so many people during this difficult period, allowing families to get the food and household items they need and want quickly. The success of this trial reflects the strong customer desire for groceries on-demand, an area in which Deliveroo is providing increasing choice. We are excited that even more customers across the country can now enjoy Aldi’s great quality food,” stated Ajay Lakhwani, Vice President of New Business, Deliveroo.

As Aldi continues to tackle growth in the United Kingdom market, how will this expansion come to bear on plans in the United States? AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you posted.

Aldi