CHELAN, WA - Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring for 2020, one that we will get a taste of when we head to Tampa, Florida, later this month for the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure.

“I’m definitely looking forward to that warm weather,” Mac Riggan, Director of Marketing for Chelan Fresh, tells me as we talk about what to look forward to for the event. “It’s cold up here in Washington!”

For his part, Mac is bringing some of the best of the state with him to the show as the Chelan team gears up to showcase its on-point packaging, variety of displays and POS materials, merchandisers, and offerings.

“We will be featuring our organic pouch bag packaging, which we love because it’s very clear and concise. In an instant the consumer knows they are buying an organic apple, they know how much they are buying, where it’s from, and what variety,” Mac says. And the consumer isn’t the only one benefiting from the knowledge gleaned from the bags. “There is so much shrink at the store level due to misrings, and this deters those losses for the retailer and brings that value back to the store.”

Another way Chelan is maximizing value for its retail partners is through its new, innovative cherry Top Seal pack.

“Our new cherry packaging featuring our Top Seal uses less plastic than the conventional clamshell, and is tamper-proof. Again, serving both our customers and theirs,” Mac emphasizes.

And of course, the company’s signature Rockit™ apples will be on display in the recently launched 3 lb shuttle pack, as well as 2 lb pouch bags.

“Something I love about the Rockit apple is it’s so consistent, it’s the most dependable fruit I have ever eaten,” he points out, before speaking to the variety of fruit Chelan offers to suit every palate.

Also in attendance will be Chelan’s KORU® apples, both in bulk and 2 lb pouches, and SugarBee® apples in bulk and 2 lb bags. The former will be just in time for the last surge of its season, meaning that those that want in on it before it's gone will likely be grateful for a visit to Chelan while in Tampa.

Speaking of attendance, this is the show to be at on the whole for buyers looking to innovate their department and those that want to meet them, Mac explained.

“Southern Exposure is a valuable show for Chelan Fresh because there are always a lot of retail decision makers. The Southeast Produce Council makes it easy for retailers to attend, and it shows,” he shares.

Chelan Fresh also aligns well with this year’s theme, Making a Difference, being actively involved in both local and international communities throughout several different programs. If you are looking for a brand with stories to share that will make you and your customers feel their support is going to a good cause, definitely swing by booth #317 and talk to the team about all that the cooperative has been a part of.

Catch you in the Florida sunshine this February 27 - 29!

Chelan Fresh

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - It’s no secret that fast food chains have been clamoring to launch their own plant-based initiatives. Many have opted to partner with plant-based behemoths like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. Chipotle, however, is taking the road less travelled, recently announcing that multiple of its own plant-based offerings are in the works.

“We are definitely experimenting with plant-based foods,” said CEO Brian Niccol in an interview, according to One Green Planet. “We’re in the early days of it. What we want to do is make the world’s greatest cauliflower rice, as opposed to process something and make it seem like it’s something else.”

The news source stated that the company already offers sofritas protein as opposed to overly-processed plant-based meat. This follows a recent press release in which Chipotle announced its roll out of a Supergreens salad mix and Whole30®-compliant chicken.

"At Chipotle, we are always looking for ways to innovate the existing menu offering," said Nevielle Panthaky, Vice President of Culinary at Chipotle. "Lifestyle Bowls allow us to preconfigure our real ingredients, including the new Supergreens salad blend, in a way that helps our guests reach or maintain their health and wellness goals."

What’s next on Chipotle’s fresh agenda? Stick with us at AndNowUKnow as we investigate.

Chipotle

ONTARIO, CANADA - Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is once again expanding its library of nutrition resources for health professionals. The newly-developed Half Your Plate resources are now available through the Half Your Plate Health Professionals network. Registered health professionals will have access to dozens of resources designed to educate clients and consumers on easy methods of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

“We are delighted to be sharing so many new resources with our growing Half Your Plate health professional community,” said Dietitian Jennifer Ong Tone. “These materials bolster our existing Half Your Plate toolkit and help address important disparities in consumer education.”

CPMA encourages all member companies working with dietitians or other health professionals to spread the Half Your Plate message, by encouraging those staff members to join the Half Your Plate health professionals network. Participants will receive a monthly e-newsletter that includes the latest news, events, and educational materials offered by Half Your Plate. Resources include the new “Top 10 Fruit and Veggie Myths Busted,” a ready-to-go presentation developed by dietitians for use in the community, according to a press release.

CPMA looks to continue progressing relationships with health professionals to broaden the reach of the Half Your Plate message. Member companies can also access these nutrition resources by becoming a Half Your Plate industry partner and signing CPMA’s memorandum of understanding. Registered dietitians, nutritionists, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals are encouraged to register as a health professional on HalfYourPlate.ca.

Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow as health initiatives continue to blossom.

CPMA

VANCOUVER, CANADA - Launching a first-ever innovation, the fresh produce grower, marketer, and distributor Oppy has partnered with CanePak to create bagasse-based packaging. Compostable, recyclable, and printed with vegetable-based inks, the pack will debut with one-pound units of green kiwifruit bearing Oppy’s popular KeeWee brand.

“Bagasse requires less chemical processing than tree-based pulp, which means its environmental impact is reduced even further,” Oppy’s Director of Marketing Services Cathie MacDonald said. “Oppy is dedicated to innovative packaging solutions that place the environment at the forefront of our work instead of as an afterthought, which is aligned with our ‘expect the world from us’ promise.”

Since bagasse fibers are a byproduct of sugarcane production, the new pack utilizes an existing agricultural waste stream so it requires no new materials, no additional cultivation areas, and has no impact on existing forest areas. According to a press release, it also leverages the growing consumer emphasis on environmental sustainability in packaging and is home compostable in as little as four weeks under the right conditions.

“CanePak Paperboard is proud to support Oppy’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation by advancing the use of 100 percent bagasse fiber packaging,” CanePak Paperboards Co-Founder Minto Roy said. “Tree-Free packaging that aligns with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging that is recyclable, minimizes landfill waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation.”

The KeeWee brand, which features a playful and bright kiwi character, was introduced in 2016 to meet retailers’ demands for a product that energizes the consumer and fuels repeat sales. The groundbreaking pack is therefore a natural fit for the fun, youth-focused KeeWee character, which aims to resonate with consumers and retailers alike.

“Innovation is at the heart of Oppy’s continued success over the years and this is just one of a series of developments that underscore our deep commitment to sustainable business practices across our value chain,” Oppy’s Senior Manager of Insights and Innovation Garland Perkins said. “At Oppy, innovation is more than a product or a package, it is a framework that guides all of our work on a fundamental level and we expect to launch even more developments on this front in the coming years.”

Oppy’s other sustainability initiatives include partnering with the How2Recycle label program to inspire families to recycle produce packaging, in addition to introducing a Top Seal machine in its Vancouver, BC, warehouse for repacking bulk items, reducing necessary plastic by 30 percent in comparison to traditional packs. Oppy also supports the work of the BC Marine Trails Network Association by donating to its plastic clean-up initiatives.

Follow along with us at ANUK as we uncover the latest sustainability initiatives across the industry.

Oppy

BENTONVILLE, AR - New executives get the tongues a-wagging here at AndNowUKnow, especially when these execs are moving and shaking at retail giants like Walmart. Donna Morris was recently tapped as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. In this new role, she will be responsible for retaining and developing talent.

According to a posting on the retailer’s website, Morris brings nearly twenty years of leadership experience to the table. She has an extensive background in delivering people solutions, developing and managing teams, and helping build a high-performance culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.

“Excited to welcome Donna Morris to the team as our new Chief People Officer,” President and CEO Doug McMillon wrote to news source Pulse 2.0. “Her passion for people and two decades of leadership experience will be invaluable as we all work together to deliver for customers and create opportunities for our associates.”

Morris previously worked for Adobe, where she led all of the company’s Human Resources, real estate, and security operations. During her tenure there, she implemented several family-friendly initiatives, including expanding the family leave policy and simplifying standard HR processes.

Congratulations to Donna on this new role! Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in retail news.

Walmart

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Expansion in all its forms is noteworthy on the buy-side as market competition continues to rage, and Dollar General is taking a firm stance in people. The retailer announced it plans to create more than 8,000 new career opportunities in fiscal 2020 through “anticipated store and distribution center growth,” and expects to invest approximately 1.7 million training hours to support employees’ education and development in fiscal year 2020.

“At Dollar General, we are proud to invest in our employees as a competitive advantage, and we believe the ability to grow and develop a career is one of the most attractive currencies we offer,” said Kathy Reardon, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer. “Candidates who join Dollar General can find numerous opportunities to begin or develop their career, demonstrated by the fact that approximately 12,000 current store managers and tens of thousands of additional employees have been promoted from within.”

As balance and joy in the workplace become more and more prevalent in our industry and beyond, Dollar General touts award-winning training and development opportunities, which were recognized in 2019 by Training Magazine as a top worldwide training program.

“We are also proud to provide employees with a culture rooted in our mission of Serving Others, world-class training and development programs that support our employees’ career growth, and a continual commitment to recruit, train, and develop top talent to best serve our customers. We look forward to welcoming additional employees to the Dollar General family this year,” Reardon continued.

In the past five years alone, Dollar General has added approximately 35,000 net new jobs to the American economy, growing its workforce from 105,000 employees in February 2015 to more than 143,000 current employees, according to a press release.

Dollar General was recently named as Retailer of the Year by Mass Market Retailer and was among Fortune Magazine’s 2020 list of World’s Most Admired Companies.

To read the full benefits and offerings of working for this expanding business, check out the complete announcement here. And for more crucial shifts in all aspects of the industry, continue to check in with AndNowUKnow.

Dollar General

GLENNVILLE, GA - As sustainability continues circulating on the newswire, visionaries step up to put it into action. Walt Dasher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for G&R Farms, is one of those visionaries spearheading the company’s latest initiative: shipping Peruvian Sweet Onions that are Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM.

“The sweet onions we import from Peru are grown in ways that benefit farm families, wildlife, and the environment,” Dasher commented. “We support our growers and their efforts to help protect the environment and ensure sustainable livelihoods.”

According to a press release, the Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and promote the rights and welfare of workers, their families, and communities. Farms that meet comprehensive standards for sustainability earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal. These standards help ensure that soils, waterways, and wildlife habitats are protected and that farmworkers are paid just wages, work in safe conditions, and have improved access to decent housing, medical care, and schools for their children.

With consumer awareness of sustainable farming and demand for a healthier planet still strong, retailers can capitalize on the momentum when displaying products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.

Keep reading ANUK as we cover more sustainability efforts and initiatives in the produce community.

G&R Farms

DALLAS, TX - There’s nothing like a new partnership to get the industry’s blood pumping on this fine Monday. This time around it’s Avocados From Mexico (AFM) and Brighter Bites announcing the renewal of their powerhouse partnership. With AFM adding its avocado prowess to Brighter Bites’ star-studded partners list, the two are only furthering their mission of bring avocados and nutrition education materials to thousands of families across Texas, New York, Maryland, and Florida.

“We are excited to partner with Brighter Bites again this year, providing healthy fruits and vegetables to students across the country for the third consecutive year,” said Alvaro Luque, CEO and President of Avocados From Mexico. “We understand the challenges many families face to get proper nutrition, which is why our AFM employees are grateful for the chance to actively participate in making a difference, especially in our local community.”

Starting this month, AFM will sponsor fresh deliveries of avocados and nutrition education materials to schools across the nation, supporting more than 18,000 families who participate in Brighter Bites, according to a press release.

“Brighter Bites is thrilled to partner again with AFM and the incredible opportunities the relationship provides,” said Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman. “Together, we’re able to deliver this delicious, nutrient-dense superfood into the hands of the thousands of families we serve in the U.S.”

The partnership also builds on the AFM Life company platform, which is dedicated to preserving the wellbeing of AFM’s employees, their families, and the greater neighboring community.

“Partnering with Brighter Bites allows AFM to fulfill our commitment to doing good, spreading health and wellness in the community, and educating our neighbors on the great benefits of the delicious, always-in-season avocado,” said Stephanie Bazan, Vice President of Trade and Promotion for Avocados From Mexico. “Education is a key pillar for us so we’re excited about the development of our co-branded nutrition education materials for families, offering tips on ripening and healthy recipes the whole family can enjoy along with the donated avocados.”

Congratulations to Avocados From Mexico and Brighter Bites on exemplifying only the very best qualities of the produce industry!

Avocados From Mexico Brighter Bites

HOUSTON, TX - As one de Saint-Exupéry taught us, a goal without a plan is just a wish. And for its ambitious goals in stewardship, Sysco has designed a Sustainability Bond Framework. The framework details projects as the foodservice distributor works toward its 2025 corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, focusing on three key areas: people, products, and planet.

“Sysco has been engaged in corporate social responsibility initiatives since its inception. Over the years, our strategic approach to environmental, social, and governance matters has evolved as our business has grown. We are committed to creating positive change in our organization, the environment and the communities we serve, a commitment that ultimately enhances the value of our business,” the company says on its website.

In the framework, the company lays out: types of projects that are eligible for financing or refinancing with the use of any potential bond proceeds, how any projects would be evaluated and selected, how any potential proceeds would be managed, and how the company may provide any allocation and impact reporting.

Sysco announced its 2025 CSR goals back in 2018, setting forth a comprehensive set of objectives, including:

• Sourcing 20% of its electricity from renewable sources
• Powering 20% of its truck fleet with alternative fuels
• Expanding its sustainable agriculture program to five fresh crops
• Doubling the availability of Sysco Brand organic produce
• Increasing its spend with women- and minority-owned suppliers by 25%

This latest move, according to a press release, sets a clear path for the future and demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to caring for people, sourcing products responsibly and protecting the planet.

Sysco said that the framework is the strategy under which it may issue green, social and/or sustainability bonds to advance the company’s 2025 CSR goals. You can read about eligibility under the framework in the full announcement here and access the actual plan here.

Who will be next in breaking the mold for how to make the greatest impact on the world with the least impact on the planet? We will continue to bring you the latest in our industry and all that affects it.

Sysco

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL - After announcing its closure last August, the residents of Florida missed the three-store chain. However, it seems like Floridians were eager to bring Native Sun stores back, so Owner and Founder Aaron Gottlieb ran a pop-up restaurant to appease the locals. Apparently the pop-up was a huge success because Gottlieb recently announced that Native Sun Natural Foods Market will reopen its Jacksonville Beach location.

“We are excited about this, we are ready—the team is ready,” Gottlieb said. “It’s a little different than opening up a new store and turning things on for the first time.”

According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, the location will offer many of the same services it previously offered but will be including an in-store restaurant instead of Native Sun’s deli. Gottlieb added that a grab-and-go area and a full-service salad and soup bar are other changes to the past model.

“We really right-sized our foodservice; there are favorites that will stay and there [are] some items that we loved but just didn’t fit into the model anymore,” Gottlieb said. “We’ll have to answer to our customers, but we believe it’s the right thing for our total model.”

Gottlieb attributed the previous closures to an increase in specialty grocers in the market. In November, Gottlieb teased he would be reopening Native Sun, but only in Jacksonville Beach.

“I have no desire to be a chain,” Gottlieb said. “Part of the reason that we’ll be able to have success in this endeavor is that we don’t need a headquarters—the owner is able to work in the store rather than out of an office.”

Gottlieb further commented on how the market has changed, but so did his perception on the competition.

“You know, I used to pass grocery stores and think of them as competitors,” Gottlieb said. “Now I pass grocery stores and I go look at all those people competing against each other. We’re here to put a smile on people’s faces.”

With the new independent store, I’m sure the natives of Jacksonville Beach are more than happy to get their natural grocer again.

“I’m trying not to focus on ‘we’re reopening a grocery in a heated market.’ Instead, we’re opening up a community business that is meant to serve our marketplace and in the community that we’re in,” Gottlieb said.

For more updates in the fresh produce world, keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow.

Native Sun Natural Foods Market