Kelly Prior Appointed as President and CEO of Litehouse



SANDPOINT, ID - Litehouse announced a change-up in its leadership structure as its Board of Directors promoted Kelly Prior to President and CEO, an expansion of his previous role as company President. This new move is effective immediately.

Kelly Prior, President and CEO, Litehouse“The success of Litehouse is in large part due to the hard work and perseverance of our employee owners,” Prior, who joined the company in 2002, said in a press release. “It’s crucial we have a forward-thinking strategy to ensure we continue to build a sustainable business that provides our employee owners with opportunities for years to come. I am honored to work with my fellow employee owners to ensure that we maintain our position as the No. 1 RSD brand while also expanding our footprint into other categories of the store.”

Prior became CFO within just a few years of joining the team. In 2010, he was appointed Executive Vice President of the company and then took on the role of Interim President in 2018. Prior was officially named President in February of this year.

Litehouse's Board of Directors has promoted Kelly Prior to President and CEO, an expansion of his previous role as company President

Now, in his newly expanded role, Prior will be responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and vision.

“The past year has been a dynamic and exciting time for Litehouse,” said Curt Hecker, Litehouse Board Member. “Along with becoming the No. 1 RSD brand in the United States, we also acquired two new brands, Sky Valley and Organicville. This acquisition took us from a manufacturer in the produce and deli departments to a manufacturer across multiple categories throughout the grocery store. With this expanded scope, it’s imperative we put an individual in the CEO role who has vision and a reputation of moving the business forward. Kelly’s track record of strategic thinking, strong business acumen and outstanding relationship skills made him the right choice for the role.”

As the company’s President, Prior noted that he has made it a priority to focus his time and energy on developing a long-term business strategy for Litehouse over the past year. As he and the team enter this new chapter of that goal, AndNowUKnow congratulates both on the next step in that story.

Litehouse, Inc.


California Representatives Push for Inclusive Citrus Trade



U.S. & CHINA - This past summer, we reported how the tariffs from China affected the import and export sales of cherries. Now, we have news that California Republican Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Ken Calvert want to save the citrus program by having U.S. citrus products included in the Trump Administration’s latest trade deal with China as well as in any agricultural product purchases made by China. U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) also joined the congressmen in penning an October 29 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer regarding U.S. citrus access in China, a top export destination for California’s citrus.

Kevin McCarthy, (R) Representative, California“Unfair Chinese tariffs on our country’s fresh citrus, however, have unfortunately caused devastating implications on California fresh citrus producers who anticipate losses of more than 50 percent in exports to China and Hong Kong this upcoming shipping season,” McCarthy noted in a separate statement following the letter.

California Representatives look to protect the citrus trade with China

According to The Ripon Advance, the congressmen noted their support of what the Trump Administration calls the first phase of a trade deal with China, which was announced earlier this month. Under the agreement, Beijing will make concessions on intellectual property, financial services, and agriculture. In return, the United States agreed not to implement the proposed tariffs on Chinese goods on October 15.

Devin Nunes, (R) Representative, California“The initial trade deal with China is a big step toward ending Beijing’s unfair trade practices. I commend the administration for its hard work as Republicans fight to ensure that the citrus industry maintains access to the Chinese market, which is essential for the future of the citrus industry,” commented Nunes in the statement.

The Chinese market is essential for most of California citrus growers. California Citrus Mutual reported that President Trump held a press conference on October 11 to announce a Phase 1 agreement with China. Supposedly, the deal documented that China would be purchasing $40 to $50 billion of agricultural products from the United States and would suspend additional tariffs. However, further details weren’t immediately available.

Ken Calvert, (R) Representative, California“America’s citrus industry continues to be subjected an effective Chinese tariff of approximately 75 percent. As a result, citrus producers, which are predominantly from California, are experiencing tremendous difficulty selling their products in one of their most significant export markets. The Trump Administration has made significant progress in its ongoing attempt to restore fairness in our trade relationship with China. Along with my colleagues, I strongly encourage Trade Representative Lighthizer to advocate for relief from these harmful tariffs on American citrus as these trade talks continue,” said Calvert.

McCarthy said he would continue to work with the administration to curb China’s ongoing trade abuses and fight for access to China for U.S. agricultural products, particularly those from California.

AndNowUKnow will keep you updated on more news with the citrus industry as well as all fresh produce.


Apeel Partners With Sage Fruit to Offer Organic Apeel Apples



SANTA BARBARA, CA - In the crosshairs of organic, category, and varietal expansion, companies are eager to grow their business with a new and competitive edge. As this extends to retailers, techies, and growers alike, the fruits of this labor often bear new partnerships. Yesterday Apeel Sciences announced a strategic partnership with Sage Fruit Company, launching itself into the organic apple category.

Apeel and Sage Fruit have teamed up to make this new offering a reality. Combining the advanced technology of Apeel with the premium quality of Sage Fruit, this new launch will bring a new kind of apple to the market. Several popular varieties will be offered, including Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith.

Gordon Robertson, Chief Revenue Officer at Apeel Sciences“This partnership marks a significant milestone for the organic produce industry. With Apeel, Sage can now offer greater availability of their premium organic apples. And because our technology keeps produce fresher for longer, retailers can sell more fruit at a greater weight while the consumer enjoys a delicious, crisp apple at home,” stated Gordon Robertson, Chief Revenue Officer at Apeel Sciences.

Apeel’s niche offering is an edible, plant-derived solution for the organic fresh produce industry to extend the freshness of fruits and vegetables, providing greater value to already premium fruit categories. Additionally, the company’s technology maintains moisture, which means less money evaporating off of store shelves and higher margins for retailers.

Apeel Sciences has partnered with Sage Fruit Company to break into the organic apple category, offering several popular varieties including Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith

Because 1-MCP cannot be used on organic apples, they have much less availability than those in the conventional category. The apple industry’s adoption of Apeel, which is approved for organics, means organic-conscious consumers can enjoy this iconic fruit during times of the year that were never possible before.

Congrats to Apeel Sciences and Sage Fruit Company on this exciting partnership!

Apeel Sciences Sage Fruit Company


Kroger Officially Unveils Its New Brand Transformation Campaign



CINCINNATI, OH - Whispers in the industry have been spreading over a possible brand refresh from Kroger since last week, but now there is a definitive answer. The retailer announced its ambitious brand transformation campaign and new logo that will celebrate its history and future as one of America’s favorite grocers.

Mike Donnelly, Executive Vice President and COO, Kroger"Kroger's new brand launch is a unifying framework for our seamless shopping experience that is designed to deepen our connection with customers and associates today and into the future, support our business transformation, and provide an elevated creative approach," said Mike Donnelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Kroger chose Fresh for Everyone as our leading brand message because it is inclusive, clear and memorable, and supports our vision of serving America through food inspiration and uplift.”

The retailer tapped DDB New York as its first creative agency of record, according to a press release. DDB brought its creative horsepower and ingenuity to bring Kroger’s passion for customer service, innovation, and fresh-forward attitude new life.

"Kroger believes that everyone deserves to have access to fresh, affordable, and delicious food, no matter who you are, how you shop, or what you like to eat,” Donnelly continued. “Kroger's winning combination of assets puts our team in a unique position to deliver fresh…for everyone."

The full brand refresh is designed to break through the grocery retail industry’s “sea of sameness,” the press release states, and create a stronger brand identity, both internally among associates and externally among customers and other valuable stakeholders.

Lisa Topol, Co-Chief Creative Officer, DDB New York"Kroger already stands apart from its competitors in terms of quality, loyalty to customers, and real-world actions that speak to its purpose to Feed the Human Spirit," said Lisa Topol, Co-Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York. "Advertising in the grocery space was universally a sea of sameness: generic aisles of groceries and close-ups of people cutting carrots. Yet, Kroger is anything but generic. So, we wanted to take their inclusive and uplifting promise to their customers and find an effective and creative way to share it with the world."

While the brand refresh will be enacted throughout Kroger’s operations, the retailer’s 20+ banners across the country will continue to operate under their existing names, while incorporating the new brand attributes.

Kroger announced its ambitious brand transformation campaign and new logo that will celebrate its history and future as one of America’s favorite grocers (Image Credit: Kroger)

Some of Kroger’s new brand attributes include:

  • New Logo - Redesigned with a contemporary feel, the new logo reflects the retailer’s strong, food-rich heritage, retaining the shape and movement of the iconic “K” and “G” that its customers have known and loved for generations
  • New Tagline - The “Fresh for Everyone” tagline communicates the brand’s ethos, designed to drive an instant understanding of the Kroger brand and its belief that everyone should have access to fresh, affordable, and delicious food
  • Primary Brand Color - Blue will continue to be the brand’s signature color, representing Kroger’s heritage of food savvy, safety, dedication to its customers
  • Color Accent Palette - The rest of the colors used in branding will be bright and modern, to signify the fun and inclusive spirit of the new campaign
  • Animation - Kroger is introducing the Kroji (Kroger+emoji), a loveable cast of characters that represent the retailer’s customers, associates, and communities in a relatable, inclusive, optimistic, and fun way
  • Photography and Video Style - Exiting visual narratives that stand out to customers, featuring real, delicious, fresh food with movement placed next to animation

Kroger will be launching a massive media campaign to promote its new brand transformation and will target advertising channels including, retail, television and radio broadcast, digital, print, social, podcast, cinema, outdoor, and TV and music streaming services.

Mandy Rassi, Vice President of Marketing, Kroger"We know that consumers make 221 food-related decisions a day, so Kroger's brand campaign was developed using the deep insights we have about our customers, their needs, and how we can help make it easier for them to achieve their food aspirations," Mandy Rassi, Vice President of Marketing, commented, citing a Cornell Chronicle study on food purchasing decisions.

Kroger’s brand refresh puts a focus on better serving its customers and making their lives easier. The rebranding will also include a promotion for the retailer’s grocery pickup service, offering free pickup through January 1, 2020, in honor of the refresh. As always, the new branding seeks to communicate Kroger’s commitment to delivering fresh food at a fair price.

"Fresh and friendly underpin Kroger's new brand identity because product quality and the total customer experience—across physical and digital—are key to bringing our brand promise to life," Rassi continued. "Kroger's new brand celebrates our love of people and our love of food, cutting through the 'sea of sameness' that has beset grocery retail advertising for far too long. Having a more consistent and recognizable brand enables Kroger to stand out and engage our customers in an even more compelling way."

For more news on the evolution of retail brands, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Kroger


Stemilt Growers Launches Online Courseware Series



WENATCHEE, WA - When we think of farm to fork, we often conjure an image of fruits being plucked from the tree and plopped onto our plate. This is a lofty ideation of what farm to fork means, as said fruit must be passed between many hands before arriving at the table. That being said, it’s integral that team members throughout the supply chain receive the same training as farmers in the field. To encourage this, Stemilt Growers recently launched an online courseware series to help retailers train their produce teams on the farm-to-fork process. Dubbed Stemilt University: Online, the program is a continuation of a long-time, in-person program at Stemilt, and will help participating retailers expand the number of team members that receive training on key produce categories.

Brianna Shales, Senior Marketing Manager Stemilt Growers“Stemilt University: Online is an easy-to-use digital experience that makes learning quick and interesting,” stated Senior Marketing Manager, Brianna Shales. “Our marketing team has put in a lot of time and effort to create a tool that is user-friendly so all different types of learners can get something from our classes.”

While Stemilt University originally started with visits out to the field and classroom sessions held at Stemilt headquarters, the company found it could easily digitize this experience so more people could have the opportunity to learn in the comfort of their own workplaces. Today, Stemilt offers online classes focused on apples and cherries, with other fruits coming in the future. Each class is a digital experience where students can learn what it takes to produce World Famous Fruit through an online platform. It works on computers, tablets, or mobile devices, which gives students the option to learn anytime and even on-the-go.

Stemilt Growers recently launched an online courseware series to help retailers train their produce teams on the farm-to-fork process, dubbed Stemilt University: Online

“In a perfect world, we would love to have every Produce Manager, Buyer, and Category Manager out to our farms to experience everything first-hand,” said Shales. “But since that is not a realistic expectation, yet we have so much good content to share, we felt this was the next best thing.”

The online training is modeled after the farm to fork process and covers the same major lessons that are covered in the field. During the six-part video series, Stemilt goes in-depth to cover FAQs that consumers have about fresh produce, giving those who work in the department a better, broader understanding of where fruits like apples are grown and how they are farmed, harvested, and packed.

“When we designed this courseware, we mapped it out just like we do when a partner comes out to visit,” said Shales. “We encompass every element that is involved in the process and we have organized that information into six videos that are all under four minutes or less. It’s really just that easy.”

Stemilt University will help participating retailers expand the number of team members that receive training on key produce categories

According to a press release, each video covers a different topic: how fruit is grown; where it is grown; the volume of fruit grown; different varieties; packing and shipping; nutrition; and FAQs. After students have completed the videos, they will be prompted to take a 15-question quiz on the materials they learned. If students pass with a 70 percent or better, they will be awarded a Stemilt University: Online courseware certificate that they can print out or share on their LinkedIn profiles. If students do not pass on the first try, they can study and take the quiz again 14 days later.

“The whole purpose of this online education course is to ensure that our retailers have the tools they need to be successful on the floor,” said Shales. “Anyone who is working with our product and the consumer becomes an instant brand ambassador and we want them to feel confident in what they’re selling. We hope that all students who enroll leave feeling like they’ve accomplished something and are inspired to use it.”

The original Stemilt University courseware material used to be captured in a very detailed textbook that would be sent home with retail partners after their trips out west. However, as the world evolved digitally, the company needed to accommodate those needs, which resulted in a video-based classroom.

The online training is modeled after the farm to fork process and covers the same major lessons that are covered in the field

“Video is the way that everyone is getting their information in today’s world,” explained Shales. “Stemilt University: Online makes continuing education easy with short, easy-to-digest videos. After watching these videos, students will feel like they are part of the Stemilt family and can represent our brands with their best foot forward.”

To check out Stemilt University: Online for yourself, click here. For all the latest news in produce, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.

Stemilt Growers


Community Natural Foods Grocery Stores Bought by Calgary Co-op



CALGARY, CANADA - As smaller grocers continue to struggle under the weight of mega retailers, alliances can go far. Canadian grocer Calgary Co-op has made its own move to accelerate growth and sharpen its competitive edge, with the recent acquisition of Community Natural Foods.

Ken Keelor, CEO, Calgary Co-op "For Calgary Co-op's food business to survive and thrive in the long term, we must work locally to increase the relevance of our unique offering of products and services to members' lifestyles," said Calgary Co-op CEO, Ken Keelor, in a press release.

According to Yahoo! News, Calgary Co-op intends to run its newly-acquired banner as an independent subsidiary, allowing Community Natural Foods to retain its current staff and management structure. Calgary Co-op generates annual sales of $1.3 billion, and the retailer has stores throughout the city of Calgary and its neighboring communities.

Canadian grocer Calgary Co-op has acquired Community Natural Foods

Community Natural Foods was founded in 1977 and has since expanded to three stores, while maintaining its commitment to local and organic products.

"It's been an amazing 42-year journey and it was my personal wish to sell to a buyer who would steward the Community Natural Foods business and brand carefully and thoughtfully," Garry Wilkes, Co-Founder of Community Natural Foods, commented.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more news on the changing grocery retail landscape.

Calgary Co-op


Exclusive: The Schuster Family Discusses Rio Fresh's Growth



SAN JUAN, TX - When I sat down to speak with the Schuster Family of Rio Fresh, I was immediately overwhelmed. Not by the vast amount of information they gave me, but by the genuine passion I heard in the family members' voices. As someone who is new to the industry, I’m continuously humbled by the spirit of everyone involved—so full of determination to grow a healthier world alongside others who do the same. Rio Fresh’s operation is a special one. From growing produce to selling it, the family running the company has been farming in South Texas for over 85 years.

Courtney Schuster, Sales Associate, Rio Fresh“We're one of the few, true family farms left in our area that grows, packs, and ships our own produce. My dad is the grower and my brother, cousins, and I sell the produce,” said Courtney Schuster of Sales. “Our sales team is in the field every day looking at the crops and working with the farming team to make sure that we have what our customers want. We have a real focus on farming and growing. It's just kind of in our DNA.”

Rio Fresh's dedication to growing the healthiest produce has been going on for 75 years

Courtney went on to tell me that while Rio Fresh is in a period of growth and change, the family still sits down to eat lunch together every day at the farm headquarters, just as they’ve done for the past 75 years. The cook pulls from the trial garden and their grandfather’s newly-restored, 70-year-old greenhouse. Over the farm table, they discuss what they most enjoyed and what customers might enjoy. Aside from brainstorming new offerings, the company is also invested in its environmental impact.

Fred Schuster, Farming Director, Rio Fresh“This land has been in our family for over 75 years and we want to continue farming for generations to come. We’re transitioning more and more land to drip systems that help conserve water. We’re increasing our usage of cover crops to improve our soil health. We’re even experimenting with composting our packing waste so we can use that and become more sustainable through the whole product life cycle,” Farming Director Fred Schuster shared. “We’ve done a lot of different things to make sure that our farm is productive and healthy for years to come. Our efforts to become Organic certified also align with this long-term commitment to the land. There are practices on the organic side that we can try out and utilize that will also make us stronger on the conventional side.”

Rio Fresh looks to grow as the times change by making improvements on its farm

This tremendous growth and change also extends to the packing side of Rio Fresh’s operation.

Taylor Schuster, Sales Associate, Rio Fresh“We want everything to look as good as it did in the field,” says Salesman, Taylor Schuster. “In our greens shed, we've upped our cooling capacity and invested in new hydro-coolers that double how quickly we can get things cooled from the field, extending shelf life significantly. In our onion shed, we’re transitioning to new drying systems that remove moisture more efficiently and get that onion where we want it to be. We’re also increasing our packing capabilities and storage capacity. Everything is focused on overcoming the challenges we face as growers and ensuring freshness and quality for our customers.”

Chrsitine Morley, General Manager, Rio Fresh“We want people to have the same experience as we do when we enjoy something we brought in from the field that very day,” General Manager Christine Schuster Morley added. Christine also mentioned that the company is certified as a Women-Owned Business, which is something it has worked toward for years.

It is clear that the family’s hearts are firmly rooted in their long history as growers, but they are also focused on evolving and growing to ensure they can do this for generations to come. Because it’s more than a business to the Schuster family—it’s a way of life. Rio Fresh’s greens season is right around the corner, starting at the end of October, and will be kicking off its onion season in February. For more inspiring stories in produce, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.

Rio Fresh


US Foods Chases Growth in Third Quarter Financial Results



ROSEMONT, IL - The foodservice sector is enjoying a bountiful quarter, and US Foods is one distributor reaping the rewards. This week, the company announced the financial results of its third quarter of fiscal year 2019, which ended well thanks to US Foods' acquisition of SGA’s Food Group of Companies in September and its omni-channel selling approach.

Pietro Satriano, Chairman and CEO, US Foods“The integration of the Food Group is off to a good start, and we are excited to welcome our colleagues from the Food Group into US Foods,” said Chairman and CEO Pietro Satriano. “As a result of our year-to-date business performance, we are raising our fiscal 2019 organic Adjusted EBITDA growth guidance to 6.0 percent.”

In an earnings call presentation, US Foods went into detail about more of this quarter’s successes, including highlighting its omni-channel selling approach that the company is expecting to culminate in expanding its Pronto program to 15 markets, doubling its SKU count for its Direct program, and continuing the success of its Scoop offerings, which introduced a few new products this fall, as we reported on our sister site Deli Market News.

US Foods continues its success and looks to more growth in the next quarter

The presentation also noted that as part of the Food Group acquisition, three distribution centers were divested to three buyers. The closure of the acquisition also means products and customers are officially in US Foods’ system, with the foodservice provider already planning how to leverage its bolstered operation.

“Our focus on profitable growth enabled us to deliver strong organic Adjusted EBITDA growth of 6.7 percent for the quarter,” continued Satriano. “We also delivered organic independent restaurant case growth of 4.2 percent as we continue to gain share with this target customer group.

According to a press release, US Foods’ third quarter fiscal 2019 highlights include the following:

  • Total case volume increased 3.0 percent; independent restaurant case volume increased 6.3 percent
  • Total organic case volume increased 0.9 percent; independent restaurant organic case volume increased 4.2 percent
  • Net sales increased 6.1 percent to $6.5 billion; organic Net sales increased 4.0 percent to $6.4 billion
  • Gross profit increased 4.3 percent to $1.2 billion
  • Income from continuing operations before income taxes increased $4 million to $144 million
  • Net income decreased $8 million to $106 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.5 percent to $307 million; organic Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.7 percent to $302 million
  • Diluted EPS decreased 7.7 percent to $0.48; Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 12.1 percent to $0.65

To read the financial report in its entirety, click here. AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you ahead of the latest in foodservice and grocery retail.

US Foods


BrandStorm Media Panel to Host National Food Dialogue



WASHINGTON, DC - When recipes and food ideas are just a tap away, things can get either so overwhelming where we don’t know what to eat anymore, or we become less excited because there’s a possibility that there’s something better out there. And when consumers aren’t sure, companies and retailers scramble to find that one access point to drive that sale home. United Fresh understands that struggle and is back again with the fifth annual BrandStorm™, set to take place in Austin, Texas, on February 10-12 of 2020.

United Fresh will host a food media dialogue, moderated by Chadwick Boyd, Food & Lifestyle Expert, TV Host, and Owner of consumer brand consulting firm L&D Enterprises, at this year’s BrandStorm. The panel will address how produce brands can capture the attention of key media influencers to participate in the media environment. Leading food media outlets will debate what’s truly driving food influence in today’s culture.

Mary Coppola, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, United Fresh Association“As fresh produce continues to elevate its stature in today’s food culture, it’s critical that we stay engaged with those who are driving the conversation and influencing the ways in which consumers adopt and enjoy fresh produce,” said Mary Coppola, United Fresh’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, in a press release. “We’re thrilled to elevate this topic of interest at BrandStorm and keep the dialogue front of mind for fresh produce brand marketers.”

United Fresh is gearing up for the 5th annual BrandStorm™, set to take place in Austin, Texas, on February 10-12 next year

Food Media Panelists Include:

  • Carla Hall, American Chef and TV Personality, notably a Top Chef competitor, and co-host on ABC’s The Chew
  • Melanie Hansche, Deputy Editor, Food & Wine Magazine
  • Kristen Hartke, Food Writer, Washington Post/NPR The Salt
  • Debra Puchalla, Senior Vice President of Digital Programming and Video, Food Network, The Cooking Channel, and Genius Kitchen

BrandStorm will take place at the University of Texas at Austin’s AT&T Hotel and Conference Center. The event boasts the only annual opportunity for produce marketers to gather to dive into marketing education, idea-sharing, and innovative dialogue with peers and colleagues alike. United Fresh members can attend BrandStorm for $695 with discounts offered to marketing teams (from the same company) at the reduced rate of $645 each when you register two or more colleagues. Non-members can attend for $895. United Fresh 2020 Conference and Expo exhibiting companies can send a first-time BrandStorm attendee for free as part of the 2020 Exhibitor Value Package.

Don't miss a single detail as we cover all the innovative and happening events.

United Fresh


Dole Unveils Nine New Recipes Inspired by Anna, Elsa, and Olaf



CHARLOTTE, NC - As the world prepares for Disney’s Frozen 2, arriving in theaters November 22, Dole has been hard at work creating recipes inspired by Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Plus, thanks to a number of fall- and Thanksgiving-friendly dishes created by Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, and Dole’s Nutrition and Health Communications Manager, Disney’s Frozen fans can plan the ultimate Kingdom of Arendelle-themed healthy holiday.

Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, and Nutrition and Health Communications Manager, Dole“Parts of Disney’s Frozen 2 have a distinctively autumn look and feel—which gave us a rich canvas of colors, flavors, and ingredients from which to draw recipe inspiration,” said Marcus. “Dole recipe developers created these dishes to reflect the film’s themes of family, fortitude, responsibility, and the power of nature and to help parents motivate their families to healthier eating—during the holidays and throughout the fall and winter season.”

The new recipes are as follows:

All of these recipes are part of Dole’s “Empowering the Hero Within,” which gives families access to ways to include fresh fruits and vegetables in every meal. According to a press release, this latest Dole initiative celebrating Disney’s Frozen 2 is part of a multiyear nutritional alliance with The Walt Disney Company.

As the world prepares for Disney’s Frozen 2, Dole has been hard at work creating nine new consumer-forward recipes inspired by Anna, Elsa, and Olaf

To make sure as many folks as possible see the new recipes, Dole is using print and digital placements, how-to recipe videos, and social enhancements. Other campaign elements include a dedicated campaign web page, digital banner ads, and a wintry deluge of social media posts. Dole is also partnering with family, health, and fitness bloggers and social influencers to host Disney’s Frozen 2-themed contests, recipe-development initiatives, and other programs.

Now through January 2020, shoppers will find images of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, and Kristoff on millions of DOLE® Bananas and Pineapples at supermarkets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Disney and Dole fans can participate in the DOLE Banana Sticker Peel and Play Game by downloading the official activity sheet on www.dole.com/Disney and collecting the entire blizzard of 20 Disney’s Frozen 2-inspired stickers.

A whole flurry of offers await! Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in all things Frozen—I mean produce.

Dole