VICTOR, NY - Apples are synonymous with holiday dishes. Whether they’re used in a savory stuffing dish or a tried-and-true cobbler, consumers look to the category for recipe inspiration. New York Apple Association (NYAA) is fueling this apple-recipe love with its second annual Holiday Extravaganza Retail Display contest. Cross-merchandising opportunities abound, from showcasing New York apples with baking ingredients to building large fresh cider displays. Retailers can even dip their toes into opportunities surrounding charcuterie plates with cheese and dip pairings.

Last year’s display contest was won by Susan Sarday of Big M Supermarkets in Windsor, New York. After winning, Susan and her husband Martin toured apple orchards and cideries across Western New York, tasting the best apple flavors that New York harvest season has to offer. Other contest winners were Gary Zimmerman of Mike’s Bi-Lo in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania; Jeff Collins of Big M Supermarkets in Sherburne, New York; Saqrah Houck of Abundance Co-Op in Rochester, New York; and Kyle Russell of Honest Weight Co-Op in Albany, New York.

All one needs to do to participate in this year’s contest is snap a few photos of the store display and submit them by email to [email protected]. Grand prizes include three 1^st place $500 gift cards, five 2^nd place $250 gift cards, and ten 3^rd place $100 gift cards. The closing entry date is December 31, 2019.

Furthering the holiday excitement, NYAA is making how-to recipe videos available to retailers to engage consumers on its social media platforms. The recipe videos run from one to three minutes, during which instructions are given on how to make quick and easy apple recipes. NYAA President Cynthia Haskins informed me that these types of videos are extremely popular due to the inspiration they provide and their quick-to-view format on social media.

The how-to recipe videos are being made available to retailers to place on their social media platforms and website and combine the inspiration consumers love with the efficiency they crave.

“We are experiencing a successful click rate on social media when we showcase the recipe videos along with click throughs to our website and blog,” Cynthia told me. “We have been pleased with the results and will continue creating consumer resources.”

NYAA will also promote the Big Apple Salad Contest in early January of next year. This promotion invites New York apple lovers to strive for healthier eating in 2020, asking them to create and share delicious salad recipes that features Apples From New York™.

“Whatever your health goal—eating cleaner, feeling better, losing weight—salads are a deliciously easy way to eat better without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction,” Cynthia stated. “Apples add crunch, texture, and flavor—as well as nutrients and fiber-related fullness—to any salad. Plus, apple cider and cider vinegar make great salad dressings!”

For those who participate in the New York Big Apple Salad Challenge, NYAA will post certain recipes to inspire and awaken the taste buds.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in what’s happening with New York apple growers.

New York Apple Association

WESTBOROUGH, MA - Christopher J. Baldwin is stepping out of his CEO position with BJ's Wholesale Club and into the role of Executive Chairman, effective February 2, 2020. Taking his place will be Lee Delaney, who currently serves as the President of BJ’s.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of BJ’s Wholesale Club, and I’m honored to lead this company and this great team,” said Delaney. “We have a strong growth strategy in place and will continue to focus on providing outstanding value and service to our members. I look forward to continuing to work with Chris as we take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us, producing profitable growth and shareholder value over the long term.”

According to a press release, Delaney joined BJ’s in 2016 as Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer. Before joining the BJ’s team, Delaney was a Partner at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Massachusetts.

“Lee’s strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in the transformation of BJ’s Wholesale Club,” said Baldwin, who will serve as a strategic advisor to Delaney in his new role of Executive Chairman. “We’re on track to deliver our fourth consecutive year of record earnings with strong cash flow and membership at historic levels. Lee’s knowledge of all areas of our business and strong record of driving profitable growth make him the ideal leader for our company. I look forward to working closely with Lee to ensure a smooth transition as we continue our transformation.”

BJ’s Board of Directors will also be welcoming Thomas A. Kingsbury to its ranks. The former CEO of Burlington Stores, where he served from 2008 to 2019, replaces Cameron Breitner, who will be stepping down from the Board. Kingsbury’s resume includes positions like Senior Executive Vice President—Information Services, E-Commerce, Marketing, and Business Development of Kohl’s Corporation; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Filene’s/Kaufmann’s division of The May Department Stores Company; and serving as a member of the board of directors of Tractor Supply Company.

“I’m thrilled to have Tom Kingsbury join our Board. His deep understanding of value retail and track record of building shareholder value will be extremely valuable as we continue to transform BJ’s Wholesale Club,” Baldwin continued. “Cameron has played a crucial role in the transformation of our company. We are all very grateful for his support of our work.”

Congratulations to Christopher J. Baldwin, Lee Delaney, Thomas A. Kingsbury, and Cameron Breitner on these next steps in their careers!

BJ's Wholesale Club

VANCOUVER, CANADA - Oppy is rounding out a successful 2019 with a significant honor. In addition to the produce provider’s ground-breaking year of operations, it has now been named one of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in the enterprise category, in recognition of its positive and performance-oriented corporate culture.

“Oppy’s ‘expect the world from us’ promise extends to our team as well as our customers and has served as a guiding light for our culture for many years,” Chairman, CEO, and Managing Partner, John Anderson, said in a press release. “Uniting to achieve shared and precise goals, we have managed to form a fundamental harmony that drives our business forward by empowering our people to do their absolute best. This is no easy task considering the complex and often turbulent environment we operate in. The exceptional teamwork and communication that is the norm at Oppy are at the core of our competitive advantage and will undoubtedly play an essential role in our success well into the future.”

The honor is bestowed upon Oppy by Waterstone Human Capital, Canada’s leading cultural talent management firm. The firm has run the national program for the past 13 years, and Oppy’s recognition this year is the second time the company has landed on the list, including its first appearance in the same category in 2016. Anderson also received a distinct honor in 2017 through the Canada’s Most Admired™ CEO program, highlighting Oppy’s leading role in Canada’s business community.

“At Waterstone, we believe corporate culture drives performance and that it’s an organization’s greatest asset,” said Marty Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Human Capital and Chair of Canada’s Most Admired CEO Awards. “What’s remarkable about this year’s group of winning organizations is their commitment to corporate culture and their success in leveraging that culture as a competitive advantage. They each set a high bar when it comes to building great, high-performance cultures that ultimately drive organizational growth and power the performance of their teams.”

Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures honors best-in-class Canadian organizations who foster high-performing corporate cultures that help maintain a competitive advantage. The award selects ten companies as national winners, divided into three categories according to revenue from growth, to mid-market and enterprise, as well as a fourth category aimed at non-profits and the public sector. This year, an extra honor was added for an industry leaders category, recognizing organizations within a specific industry for their commitment to corporate culture. The winners of the award will be celebrated in a gala dinner in February 2020, hosted by Waterstone Human Capital.

Oppy is no stranger to this sort of accolade, and in the past year alone has earned recognition as one of British Columbia’s Top 100 Employers and was honored with an Industry Role Model award for the seventh year from the Produce for Better Health Foundation.

Congratulations to Oppy on this well-earned honor!

Oppy

LOS ANGELES, CA - When I think of the pinnacle of holiday spirit, the Allen Lund Company pops up at the forefront of my mind thanks to its 15 years of participation with Navidad en el Barrio. Like years prior, the Allen Lund Company helped secure donations of dry goods and perishables, which were then arranged in bags and baskets that will make for bountiful Christmas dinners for families in the Los Angeles area.

"We were so thrilled to be serving Navidad en el Barrio for the 15^th year," said Nora Trueblood, Marketing and Communications Director. "Each year our customers donate produce and dry commodities and, in the end, we delivered 15,000 Christmas dinner bags to families throughout Southern California."

In addition to securing this year’s donations, the Allen Lund Company also helped sort food and wrap gifts for families—all of which was accomplished thanks to this year’s produce donors, including Rainier Fruit, Sage Fruit, First Fruits, Cacique, Inc., Coca-Cola, Arizona Canning, Mission Produce, Mother's Nutritional Center, Randall Farms, Wada Farms, Wonderful Citrus, Kagome USA, Lundberg Farms, and Tanimura & Antle.

"Allen Lund Company also provides volunteers at the Navidad en el Barrio warehouse and this year were on-site at Catholic Charities to load bags of donations and distribute to 300 families,” continued Nora.

For the second year in a row, the Allen Lund Company also teamed up with Catholic Charities of Los Angeles to make the December 13 and 14 event one in which L.A. communities were given all that they needed to celebrate the December holidays.

For more fresh produce news that will make you feel warm and fuzzy this holiday season, stay right here with AndNowUKnow.

Allen Lund Company

THE NETHERLANDS - No matter how the ANUK team looks at it, we’re just not quite sure why those on the wrong side of the law prefer bananas as their fruit of choice when smuggling cocaine. Is it the shape of bananas? Their bright yellow hue? While we might never know, we do know that those who continue to attempt to bring the nefarious substance through ports by hiding it in the fruit will always be brought to justice.

This December, authorities in The Netherlands discovered 1,200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment at a port in Vlissingen, according to the NL Times.

“The drugs have since been removed and destroyed,” police said to the news source.

While the industry can rest easy knowing no fruit (or veg) is being used to help our world’s worst carry out illicit deeds, this unfortunately was not the first incident this season. Earlier this month, 37 pounds of cocaine was intercepted in a different banana shipment, while 2,000 pounds of drugs were seized after being uncovered in an international fruit shipment.

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep your produce news above the law as we bring you the freshest and latest from around the biz.

CARLISLE, PA - It has been a big week in the way of implementing new strategies for Ahold Delhaize’s GIANT Food Stores banner, which seems to be vying for the best family destination to grocery shop. The company introduced a new partnership with the iconic Berenstain Bears franchise through a grand opening of The Berenstain Bears® Treehouse Wednesday at its flagship store in Camp Hill, PA. Not long after, the retailer announced it is introducing a kid-friendly augmented reality (AR) experience in 15 Harrisburg, PA, area stores this holiday season.

“Simplifying the shopping experience for the busy families we serve, so they have time to focus on what matters most—each other—is a constant priority for our team,” said Nicholas Bertram, President. “Since being introduced in 2005, our Treehouse space has been a safe and fun place for kids to be kids, one that parents can feel good about their kids being in as they shop, and that’s something we’re very proud to be able to offer families. A renowned Pennsylvania brand, The Berenstain Bears were a natural fit for us as we began to reimagine this space because for more than 50 years, they’ve helped create strong families and communities through their books.”

Berenstain will host two readings for local children in celebration of the grand opening and sign autographs. Children had the opportunity to make healthy bear-themed snacks, take photos with costumed Berenstain Bears characters, complete a treehouse activity and receive a free Berenstain Bears book, and receive an autograph from Mike Berenstain, second-generation author and illustrator of The Berenstain Bears series.

Through the new Berenstain Bears Treehouse, GIANT said it is bringing two local brands with shared values together to inspire the curiosity and creativity of children.

And just for the holiday season, shoppers can use their smartphones at select stores to play GIANT’S Snowflake Search, a new interactive game designed to engage and entertain children during their visit to the grocery store.

“At GIANT, we’re always looking for ways to deepen our relationships with our customers as well as ways to create an exciting and unique shopping experience inside our stores. By incorporating GIANT Choice Rewards into our Snowflake Search experience, we’re able to provide our digitally engaged customers with a fun and easy way to earn valuable rewards, which we think will be especially appreciated during the holiday season,” said Kimberly Mack, Manager of Digital Strategy and Media, in a press release. Mack explained that, as a parent, she understands firsthand how challenging a trip to the grocery store can be with young children, especially during the holiday season, promising this offers both innovation and family assistance.

Developed in collaboration with Irvine, CA-based Schiefer Chopshop, the system is believed to be the first web-based application of augmented reality in this capacity by a U.S. grocery retailer, according to a press release. While other companies are using AR to provide information on products, GIANT said it is harnessing the technology to add fun to an everyday task.

The activity offers customers the opportunity to earn up to 300 GIANT Choice Rewards points per game and a total of 1,500 points through January 30.

With much going on in such a short time period, it’s hard not to consider this a glimpse of what the retailer has in store for the New Year. Be sure that AndNowUKnow will be waiting to see what else is in store.

GIANT Food Stores

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - The beauty of being a writer and a member of our industry is that “fresh” has so many meanings and can define anything from the quality of the produce to marketing initiatives and those ever so new and exciting ideas. Red Sun Farms is one company always keeping it fresh on all fronts and especially now as we ramp up for 2020.

"At Red Sun Farms, our collective goal is exceeding the expectations of our retail partners, but also recognizing trends and developing products for the future,” Harold Paivarinta, Senior Director of Sales shares with me. “A perfect example would be our Sweet Family. These products were developed using market research in the attempts to attract new produce buyers and shoppers who are looking for a healthy, delicious snack that delivers every time. We were confident that we could deliver a product that stepped outside the conventional norms of these produce categories and attract a wide variety of different consumers.”

With Christmas right around the corner and New Year’s just a stone’s throw away, Red Sun’s farms in Mexico are in its peak growing season and as such, the team is focusing on promoting its specialties in the market. And that Sweet Family is definitely making waves front and center.

“With people entertaining over the holiday season, they are on the lookout for specialties to make their dinners, appetizers, and snacks have a little bit more pizzazz. Our Sweet Family line of products will provide just that. Sweetpops, Sweetpeps, and Sweetpeaks were designed with the sole goal of separating us from the pack,” Harold says. “We wanted to create the ultimate snacking varieties and cement ourselves as one of the leading innovators in this category. This family of products showcase our innovation as high-tech greenhouse growers and sets the bar in regard to flavor, texture, and color, as well as packaging and marketing.”

For consumers who prefer a milder tasting tomato, Red Sun has its Monarch Pearls which pack a great crunch but aren’t as sweet as Sweetpops. For an array of flavors, the company has its Chef’s Collection which is a variety of different colored tomatoes, each with its own distinctive flavor.

“In controlling all aspects of the supply chain, from seed selection to delivery, we are proud of the fact that as an organization we own over 600 acres of high-tech greenhouses across North America,” Harold adds. “This gives us the ability to constantly test new varieties and develop different flavors and keep them in season all year round.”

The feedback Red Sun has received about its Sweet Family from retailers has been tremendous, Harold reflects.

“It is our role to support them in the promotion of our products,” he notes. “This is why we have developed fun packaging with quirky sayings and a distinctive look that allows them to stand out in the produce department. We have a vibrant, savvy tone that is associated with these products and it is reflected within our advertising messaging that gives a personality to these products, unites them as a family and appeals to a new, younger audience who is entering the grocery realm.”

Doubling down on fresh produce and fresh ideas is never the wrong way to go. Just ask Red Sun Farms.

Red Sun Farms

LEAMINGTON, ON - Here in the trade news, we wait anxiously for the day when kids across the world ask for fresh produce in their stockings. I will add a few fresh items to my list for Santa Claus just for good measure. One company helping to generate fresh produce excitement this Christmas is greenhouse innovator Pure Flavor^®.

“This holiday season, something magical happened, even more magical than usual. At the North Pole, we were getting letters from kids, but something was different. Instead of the remote-control cars, video games, or super doll, it was all about the Mini Munchies™,” Bernard, Head Elf, The North Pole, stated via Pure Flavor (wink wink). “Santa said he wants a couple of packs on the sleigh; he says they are the perfect on-the-go snack.”

Pure Flavor’s Mini Munchies Program brings a snack-sized veggie program that has larger than life flavors to produce departments and combines the best snacking products from Pure Flavor in two convenient formats, according to a press release. This first format is the Juno Bites Red Grape Tomatoes, Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers, and Poco Bites Cocktail Cucumbers—all packed in a convenient 4 oz, themed bag. The second format is the new Mini Munchies Tomato Snack Pack that comes in a 12 oz, four-chamber, breakaway pack that is being launched this winter.

“When the phone rang and my call display said ‘The North Pole,' I thought it was a prank to be honest, but when I picked up and Bernard told me who he was and said he needed our help, we just couldn’t say no,” Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Officer, stated. “The timelines were tight and very specific, so we had to act fast. It’s not every day that you get that last-minute call from Santa’s Workshop, so our team was up for the challenge.”

According to the team at Pure Flavor, they were equally surprised to see Bernard and his team scurrying around the greenhouse and distribution center during their brief stop in Leamington, Ontario.

Don’t believe us? Check out the video here...

“This is a great opportunity to get fresh snacks into the hands of kids all over North America (and the world!), we appreciate the help from Bernard and his team to get this to Santa’s sleigh. We gave the elves both types of Mini Munchie packs to make sure they had the variety they needed," Veillon shared.

Pure Flavor believes that there may be a new Christmas classic in the books for this holiday tale, and only Santa will truly tell.

Pure Flavor

CYBER SPACE - I just want the world to love Kevin the Carrot as much as it adores Baby Yoda.

Disney’s latest media sensation has gripped the memes and hearts of everyone, and while I am guilty of having shared at least one reference to the green infant without having actually watched The Mandalorian, I can’t help but draw similarities and wonder why Aldi’s adorable Christmas mascot has not garnered the same attention.

Each year at this magical time, the expanding retailer releases a joyful short film-style commercial featuring Kevin the Carrot in some sort of holiday dilemma. It always features characters that, in my humble opinion, are just as cute as Baby Yoda (I could be biased, as they are also almost always fresh produce).

Is it because there isn’t a screenshot with a blank gaze primed for shady comments and sassy statements like that of Star Wars’ latest star and its meme predecessor Kermit the Frog?

All due respect to our soup-holding and tea-sipping, but I can think of more than a few things to caption some top hat-tipping.

So, what is the secret recipe that makes something an internet sensation, ranging from a raptor with a pensive claw on its chin to adorable characters from our childhood springing back into modern media? It seems that Disney CEO Bob Iger just has the instinct for it, having told Time Magazine, “As soon as those ears popped up from under the blanket, and the eyes, I knew.”

The newest sensation was one of the key elements the source cited for naming him 2019’s Businessperson of the Year, not to mention has brought Disney once again to the forefront of some of the most sought-after consumer demographics, generations Y and Z.

The produce industry has had a taste of this sensational fame in spurts like that of the kale phenomenon, which can be traced back to powerhouse presence Beyoncé, and a general resounding celebrity approval of celery juices on social platforms. But I cannot recall in immediate memory any famous use sparking the take-off of these internet memes. It was of the people, for the people, and perhaps something that can be recognized but not replicated.

Or maybe we need to make Kevin the Carrot’s eyes a little bit bigger.

WOODRIDGE, IL - At Produce Pro Software, we understand that having control of inventory is critical; especially in the perishables industry. With our core system, Inventory Management can track product from the time it’s ordered to the moment it’s sold.

Here’s What’s in Store with Produce Pro Software.

Providing total traceability, our lot-based tracking system allows for up-to-the-minute inventory counts accessible from anywhere in the system. Easily see how much product is on hand, due to arrive, and already committed.

Automated notifications can inform staff when an issue arises in a product’s lifecycle, supporting immediate communication and streamlined operations.

And with projections that reach several days into the future, staff can make well-informed decisions. These patterns in usage can assist in forecasting and buying.

Real-time data is essential to a functional inventory, so our system tracks product from procurement through to storage, production, shipping, receiving, and sales.

With Produce Pro Software’s Inventory Management system, users can also:

• Accurately track inventory down to the slot location
• Monitor splits, broken items, repacks, and processing while accounting for materials and labor costs
• Access a full recall module to track affected product
• Trace product down to vendor, PO, pallet, or case with printed tags and GTIN GSI compliant labels
• Maintain country of origin, brand, or condition by lot
• Report departure, ETA, and arrival of trucks

Manual paper records are inefficient and leave room for error. Live inventory, on the other hand, provides real time, accurate data to be used in all aspects of your business operation.

With the help of Produce Pro Software’s Inventory Management system, your team has the power of traceability at its fingertips. Real-time inventory means real cost savings. And, accurate inventory means a better bottom line.

Contact us at 630-395-9600 to learn more or visit producepro.com.

Thank you for watching What’s in Store.

Produce Pro Software