RICHMOND, VA - Legacy Foodservice Alliance is expanding both its membership base and the SKUs available to this membership base with an all-new service. Officially debuted this week, the new VirtualWarehouseOnline service is bringing a wider assortment of natural, specialty, and organic products to distributor members.

“In a technology driven world, Legacy is constantly looking for ways to give its members a competitive advantage,” stated Michael Push, Operations Manager. “Access to this extensive catalogue of items, without having to keep them in regular stock, allows distributor members to adapt to a growing and changing climate in the dining scene. The distributor member can better serve customers’ needs and vastly expand their product offerings, without expanding their facilities.”

According to a press release, VirtualWarehouseOnline allows distributor members the ability to order smaller quantities of foodservice and non-foodservice items and have them shipped to their location or directly to customers within two days for free. The service’s catalogue boasts 20,000 on-trend SKU’s and counting.

In addition, distributor members have the ability to customize their VirtualWarehouseOnline portal, which is already available for use!

To stay apprised of exciting innovations like VirtualWarehouseOnline, stay right here with AndNowUKnow.

Legacy Foodservice Alliance

SANTA BARBARA, CA - With a value proposition of tapping into its plant-derived technology to deliver longer-lasting freshness and less waste on retail shelves, Apeel Sciences has revealed its family of supplier partnerships. With these collaborations, Apeel will be able to achieve its goal of bringing a consistent year-round supply of avocados, limes, asparagus, and apples to the produce department spread.

“Apeel’s supplier network allows us to connect with retailers and other companies who look to technology for solutions that deliver superior products, increase profits, and reduce our environmental footprint,” Gordon Robertson, Chief Revenue Officer, shared. “We’re proud and honored to stand with this incredible network of industry leaders who are shaping the future of food.”

Apeel’s supplier network partners include:

• Avocados: Del Monte, Eco Farms, Del Rey, The Horton Fruit Company, RV Aguacates
• Asparagus: Alpine Fresh, Beta, Farm Direct Supply, La Venta
• Limes: SiCar Farms, Organic Apples, Olympic/Sage Fruit

Building on the already stellar success of the company’s program with avocados, Apeel’s expansion into the asparagus, lime, and apple categories brings more value to retailers across the U.S.—just ask retailer’s with Apeel avocado programs like that of Kroger and Harps. You might find a testimonial worth considering.

Apeel’s technology demonstrates a greater than 50 percent reduction in food waste at the retail level. The company provides its strategic suppliers with access to the company’s deep expertise in science and technology, sophisticated data about shelf-life extension, and a host of future supply chain solutions and in-store brand activations, according to a press release.

Looking to become a produce supplier in the Apeel network or are you a retailer interested in a few more deets? Check out this business form for more access.

So, what is the industry saying about the Apeel program? Here are a few words to satiate your curiousity:

“Together, we have taken the idea of eliminating food waste and collectively engineered a comprehensive program that delivers on that mission, every day, while enhancing the consumer experience when it comes to enjoying ripe avocados,” said Mike Wise, President, The Horton Fruit Company. “We look forward to being a part of this evolution and providing shoppers with even more choices of fresh, Apeel treated produce, in the future.”

“The ability to extend shelf life with Apeel is an incredible value-add that we see,” said Walter Yager, CEO, Alpine Fresh. “In addition to bringing dollars and value per box for us and our retail customers, Apeel will allow us to provide a better product for our consumers.”

“The Sage Fruit/Olympic Fruit team is honored to collaborate and work directly with Apeel Sciences,” said Chuck Sinks, President of Sales and Marketing, Sage Fruit Company. “When two companies can work together at this level to provide the consumer with a great product, we feel that everyone wins. This amazing product has the potential to extend the shelf life of produce, ultimately benefiting the consumer, retailer and the grower. The impact that Apeel has on longer lasting fruit quality is outstanding.”

For more of the latest fresh produce news, AndNowUKnow has you covered.

Apeel Sciences

DELANO, CA - These days, it’s easy to get caught up in what the consumer wants—after all, the consumer is who we’re trying to satisfy, impress, and woo. But sometimes it’s about the retailers’ needs and how growers, shippers, and packers can help them meet consumer demand in fresh ways. Jasmine Vineyards has implemented a strategy to do exactly that, introducing free-pack grapes to retailers, brokers, and wholesalers throughout the table grape season.

In order to push free-pack grapes—large and medium-sized bunches that arrive in retailers’ container of choice: styrofoam, plastic, or cardboard bin—across all channels, Jasmine Vineyards has launched its “Let’s Get Naked!” campaign to bolster the presence of free-pack grapes Stateside and to meet the growing demand for sustainable environmental footprints. To find out more about this strategy that has long been popular with retailers worldwide and that is just now breaking into the U.S. market, I chatted with President Jon Zaninovich.

“Jasmine Vineyards decided to offer free-pack grapes for a couple of reasons,” Jon began to tell me. “Outside of the U.S., free-pack grapes are popular with retailers, allowing more choice when it comes to packaging and displaying grapes. Another reason is consumer demand: People want less packaging. Consumers are basing buying decisions on minimal to no packaging when it comes to produce. As a result, free-pack grapes offer a much-needed packaging option for retailers and consumers alike.”

For growers, the free-pack grapes also help to reduce packaging, a company’s environmental footprint, and staff time, while still ensuring the same level of food safety. And, as environmental concerns become a primary purchase driver, the Jasmine Vineyards team believes the popularity of free-pack grapes will only increase.

 

 

 

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We're excited to show off our NEW GRAPE TAGS! Retailers can now offer a zero waste solution, market-fresh displays -- or use your own packaging!

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On the buyside, free-pack grapes offer retailers flexibility when it comes to boosting grape sales. Jon noted contests as a fun and effective way retailers can create attention-grabbing displays around key promotional events, like the 4^th of July, Labor Day, Back to School, and Thanksgiving—all while merchandising free-pack grapes.

“One thing to note, though, for retailers is that since they are handling grape bunches directly, they are advised to follow stringent food handling procedures. Grapes are often an impulse purchase, so we always recommend placing them at eye level at store entrances,” Jon explained. “Loose-pack grapes have the same shelf life as our bagged grapes and follow the same general guidelines: 24 hours in unrefrigerated displays and 48 hours on refrigerated displays.”

For more tips on how to promote free-pack grapes at retail and wholesale, click here.

And to stay in front of where our industry is headed thanks to innovative strategies like that of Jasmine Vineyards, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Jasmine Vineyards

SUMMERLAND, B.C. - As a kid snacking on apples sliced by my mom, nothing irked me more than seeing that vintage-brown tint growing darker by the minute. To my mom’s dismay, I also refused to eat pre-packaged apple slices because they never tasted fresh. I imagine chefs and foodservice providers face the same challenges, catching them in the crosshairs of quality and convenience. Thanks to Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF), foodservice providers can avoid those trivial annoyances with the new non-browning Arctic® apple fresh slices.

“For the first time, this year’s anticipated Arctic apple crop volume will support expanding into foodservice,” explains Neal Carter, President. “We’ve been extremely busy planting in the orchards. We expect to have an estimated 8 million pounds of Arctic apples for the 2019-2020 season and plan to continue to increase availability in coming years.”

OSF revealed its innovative apple creation at the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) recent Foodservice Show. According to a press release, Arctic apples fresh slices were developed through bioengineering to reduce food waste for chefs and foodservice professionals. The 28-day shelf life extends well beyond the industry average of 18-21 days. Gone are the days of biting into a pre-packaged apple slice with a grimace. These non-browning apples provide a crisp, juicy experience akin to eating apples fresh from the grove.

“It was exciting for us to exhibit at the PMA Foodservice show for the first time and to give attendees the opportunity to experience the orchard freshness of Arctic® Golden fresh slices,” said J.F. Gamelin, Director of Sales. “Arctic apples’ non-browning trait offers a key benefit to the foodservice industry—including less prep, less waste, and better taste.”

The OSF sliced Arctic apples will be available in 40 oz bags of both Arctic® Golden and Arctic® Granny varieties, along with a 100-count case of 2 oz packages.

AndNowUKnow is thrilled to see this concept come to life; check back with us for more updates from Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc.

LOUISVILLE, KY - Kroger is taking its brick-and-mortar concept and putting it on wheels as a means of meeting the needs of all of its shoppers. This week, the retailer rolled out its new Zero Hunger Mobile Market format, a single-aisle grocery store literally on wheels. According to Kroger’s partner in this endeavor, Dare to Care, the Mobile Market is designed to serve neighborhoods with limited or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

“It does not have to be a brick-and-mortar store for us to provide access to healthy food for people,” said Erin Grant, Corporate Affairs Manager and Media Spokesperson for Kroger’s Louisville Division, according to the courier journal. “That might not always be the solution. There really are other ways.”

Despite being smaller in scale, the market touts a long list of fresh produce items, including avocados, lettuce, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, bananas, mangos, onions, squash, potatoes, berries, watermelon, citrus, and more.

“You might not find 100 percent of what’s on your grocery list, but you sure are going to be able to make great, nutritious meals for your family,” added Annette Ball, Chief Programs Officer for Dare to Care.

A total of three employees run the market, which features an entire wall display of fresh produce; two refrigerated units housing fresh meat, dairy products, and eggs; and a row of shelves stocked with baking ingredients, pasta, cereal, and other pantry staples.

“We wanted [our shoppers] to still have a similar experience as our customers do when they shop a store,” Grant continued. “We wanted there to still be that warmth and newness and that brightness to it.”

The news source noted that the Mobile Market helps Kroger access more of its shoppers. Specifically, the competitive grocery market has made it incredibly difficult to open new stores, so the new concept is one strategy to not only help shoppers, but Kroger as well.

The market officially launched this month and is slated to make 35 stops at 29 locations in the Louisville market.

To keep biting into the freshest produce industry news, stay right here with AndNowUKnow.

Kroger

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY - King Kullen has announced the upcoming closure of its second store this year. According to Newsday, the Lake Ronkonkoma location is the oldest of the company’s stores, having opened in 1971, and reported as “underperforming.” And the closures won’t stop there; the company also plans to close its North Babylon store in late September.

“These stores were underperforming and the decision was made to close rather than renew leases that were coming due,” said Spokesperson of King Kullen, Lloyd Singer. The North Babylon location also faced the competition of incoming discount grocer Aldi, located a mere half mile away.

In January ANUK reported that the King Kullen chain will be acquired by Ahold Delhaize’s Stop & Shop banner. Although the two entities planned to finalize their deal in the first quarter of 2019, Stop & Shop reported that the recent closures have inhibited this process.

“The dates were estimations. Stop & Shop continues to work through customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals relative to its acquisition of King Kullen Grocery Co., and the transaction has not yet closed,” noted Stefanie Shuman, Manager, External Communications and Community Relations for Stop & Shop.

The majority of King Kullen employees will be transferred to other locations, although many part-timers will opt to resign rather than commute. The commercial workers agency, Local 1500, represents about 2,700 King Kullen and Wild by Nature employees. 52 of these individuals work at the Lake Ronkonkoma location.

We at AndNowUKnow extend a friendly farewell to the recently closed King Kullen locations, all of which have been around for over 30 years. Check back with us to follow Stop & Shop’s acquisition of the chain.

King Kullen Stop & Shop Ahold Delhaize

SALINAS, CA - I’ll admit almost too readily that I like to snack; sometimes my lunch consists of just snacks I throw into a bag. Now that I’m more aware of health requirements and how food is made, I try to find snacks that are both better for you while not tasting too blasé. And I do believe that Naturipe hit that nail right on the head: a new snack pack line was released that features fresh berries and fruit with protein-rich cheese and nuts for the berry lover’s perfect snack pack. You had me at berries.

“Our new Naturipe Snacks say, ‘We are here for you—morning, noon, and night,’” said CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing. “Whether you need energy to power through the busiest times or you want to kick back with a tasty, healthful snack, we curated these Naturipe Snack combinations so that they feel like an indulgence.”

According to the press release, health, convenience, and snacking are three components that continue to grow rapidly in the produce business. Demand grows as consumers focus on healthier, convenient options. Naturipe developed the fruit snacks with health and portability in mind; the ready-to-eat packs contain the protein, fiber, vitamin C, and calcium consumers want in a variety of delicious combos:

• Classic & Sharp with Grapes and Blueberries, Roasted Sea Salt Almonds, and Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Sweet & Zesty with Strawberries, Cracked Black Pepper Cashews, and Aged Swiss Cheese
• Bold & Spicy with Grapes, Chili Mango Cashews, and Pepper Jack Cheese
• Sweet & Crunchy with Strawberries and Blueberries, Cinnamon Almonds, and White Cheddar Cheese

“Providing the freshest berries is and has always been our priority, but we realize that consumers today are looking for more than just fruit. They want a balanced, nutrient-rich snack. That’s why we’ve added protein and dairy sources to this next generation of Naturipe Snacks,” said Steven Ware, Vice President and General Manager of Naturipe Snacks. “We are excited about this innovation at Naturipe, and we can’t wait for you to see what’s coming next.”

These trays expand the Naturipe Snacks line which also includes Naturipe Bites™ and Naturipe Snacks™ Fruit Cups, and are available at Giant-Eagle, H-E-B, and soon at Kroger.

For more innovative creations in the produce world, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Naturipe Snacks

SALINAS, CA - I hope you all aren’t tired of me saying how much I love Brussels sprouts because your girl is back to declare her obsession once more! The green bulbs can be dressed up or down, tout numerous health benefits, and look gorgeous in every recipe. I spoke with Katie Harreld, Sales Manager/Brussels Sprout Commodity Manager, to learn about the state of the veggie’s season.

Currently harvesting in both Mexico and California, Ippolito International can boast of very nice quality from both growing regions. As Mexico’s production is starting to wind down, California’s is kicking off.

“Every year and season is different,” Katie explained, “and this year’s California crop is starting off like we haven’t seen the last few years. We had a record-setting winter market, and supplies have since increased.”

Katie also clued me in to how retailers can take note of the vegetable’s versatility when it comes to marketing Brussels sprouts.

“During the summer months, retailers can target those shopping for weekend BBQs. Brussels sprouts on skewers and grilled with a little olive oil are delicious. And fresh shaved Brussels sprout salads are always a popular favorite!” Katie added. “They have become a year-round staple due to their versatility. They can be shredded and used in salads, used whole on the BBQ, cut in half and roasted, or sautéed—even the leaves can be used as Brussels chips. The possibilities are endless and that makes them popular for any season!”

Stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest in all things veggie.

Ippolito International

LOS GATOS, CA - Developing a start-up must require a ton of courage. Creators judge whether their passion for agriculture outweighs the need for their services or vice versa. That’s why SVG Ventures and Produce Marketing Association (PMA) believe in giving opportunities to these courageous industry purveyors. The two recently announced that they will join forces in a three-year strategic partnership to do just that.

“The innovations that are made possible by this partnership will be critical next steps to addressing the big questions of how we will feed our growing world,” said Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Technology at PMA. “Our industry will be central to implementing these solutions, and I’m thrilled that with this partnership with SVG Ventures, we are key to finding and developing those solutions as well.”

Focusing on AgriFood and AgTech, SVG Ventures will host panels at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo. The two organizations will also launch their THRIVE Fresh Summit Challenge live-pitch competition at the conference, according to a press release.

“Both SVG Ventures and PMA have been working closely with experts from Driscoll’s, Taylor Farms, and Sun World Innovations to deeply understand the specific industry challenges,” added John Hartnett, Founder/CEO SVG Ventures +THRIVE Agrifood. “This pitch competition serves as an opportunity to fast-track entrepreneurs who drive us toward a more efficient, sustainable, and secure agricultural future.”

The competition invites start-ups to present their technological creations in the produce and floral industries for a chance to earn a $100K investment. $50K of this can be attributed to joining the THRIVE VI Accelerator Program, which gives the recipient a chance to present at the Forbes AgTech Summit Salinas with the possibility of an additional $100K investment prize. Moreover, the winner will be featured as part of the PMA Center at the expo, gaining visibility and access to other relevant partners and investors.

Applications are now open to start-ups around the world with concepts focused on sustainability, digital solutions, food waste reduction, or food safety solutions, but will close submissions on the THRIVE website September 10^th. Four applicants will be selected to participate in the live-pitch challenge scheduled October 17-19^th. As if the cornucopia of awards isn’t enticing enough, the competition will be judged by a panel including Shark Tank powerhouse Robert Herjavec, based on the finalists’ ability to present clear business strategies and communicate their respective innovations.

The winner will be announced at the Fresh Summit Convention & Expo. ANUK wishes the best of luck to start-ups selected to participate in this opportunistic competition. Check back with us to find out who triumphs!

SVG Ventures Produce Marketing Association

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - C.H. Robinson treks onward in the transportation logistics field, welcoming Mike Zechmeister as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. Zechmeister brings with him nearly three decades of finance experience and will assume the position starting September 3^rd.

“I am thrilled to join C.H. Robinson at this time of significant opportunity,” Zechmeister said. “Robinson is an industry leader with a strong financial position, great culture, and powerful platform for growth. I look forward to further developing the strong Finance organization and working with Bob and the leadership team to lead the company into its next phase of growth.”

AndNowUKnow reported earlier this week that Zechmeister left his role as Chief Financial Officer at United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), where he led organization and capability enhancements as the company expanded significantly on both organic and acquisition fronts. Before UNFI, Zechmeister spent 25 years at General Mills in the roles of Vice President of Finance for the Pillsbury Division, Vice President of Finance for US Retail Sales, and Treasurer. In addition to his professional experience, Zechmeister serves on the Board of Overseers at his alma mater, the Carlson School of Management, as stated in a press release.

“Mike is a seasoned and strategic public company CFO. He brings tremendous finance acumen and experience strengthening financial planning and analysis capabilities and driving growth through effective business partnership,” said Bob Biesterfeld, Chief Executive Officer. “His strong background and leadership capabilities will be a valuable addition to Robinson as we continue to deliver industry-leading solutions to our customers and carriers and create value for our shareholders.”

Biesterfeld added: “I would also like to thank Scott Hagen for his leadership and continuity as Interim CFO in this important transition."

Afterwards, Hagen will continue with the company as Controller.

ANUK congratulates Mark Zechmeister on his transition from UNFI to C.H. Robinson. Check back with us for more reports on the company’s success.

C.H. Robinson