IRVINE, CA - Taco Bell is out here proving that dreams do come true. The fast food chain recently announced that it plans to open its own hotel and resort this August, aptly titled: The Bell. Located in Palm Springs, California, it’s sure to be a feast for the senses. Although it was relatively quiet on the sneak peek front, Taco Bell recently released a statement that allowed eager consumers to see what might await them at The Bell, including a few fresh produce-forward goodies.

“Let’s be honest, food is the best part of traveling. A lot of effort and homework goes into finding out the best places to eat near where you are staying. But, with The Bell, we’ve thought of everything for you,” said Executive Chef, Rene Pisciotti. “From welcome beverages to room service build-your-own breakfast tacos and surprises throughout, many of which feature local ingredients like our Horchata-Date Smoothie, we’re curating the ultimate Taco Bell food experience.”

Other menu items include the Avocado Toast-ada, served on local multigrain toast with avocado, breakfast radish, chipotle seasoned sorghum, and diablo puffs; and the Cheddar Club, made with hand-breaded crispy chicken, jalapeño bacon, avocado, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and aioli, served with Nacho Fries.

For those of us who can’t make it to Palm Springs this summer, Taco Bell released a recipe to satiate our hunger: Chip Chilaquiles served with charred tomatillo salsa, Mexican crema, queso fresco, pico, and a fried egg.

Those lucky enough to score a spot at The Bell—although I believe all of the spots are already taken, to my utter sadness—will also have access to all manner of Taco Bell-themed memorabilia as they lounge pool-side.

To learn more about The Bell, click here. And for the latest on how fast casual restaurants are shaking up the produce sector, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Taco Bell

CHICAGO, IL - As one of the longer-standing members of AndNowUKnow’s editorial team, I still think of us as the new kid on the produce block. So it was a great surprise to me when Paul Lightfoot, Founder and CEO of BrightFarms, recently shared his company is actually younger than our own.

At eight years in the business, he revealed that the company is at a pivotal moment in its history.

“For consumers, we are essentially bringing products that are about a week fresher. For retailers, we’re bringing a product that attracts their best consumers, and every retailer into which we’ve gone, we’ve lifted category sales as more people enter the category, buy more than one unit when they’re doing their weekly shopping, and trade up from lower-cost items,” Paul says proudly.

He explains the products BrightFarms offers continue to get more traction as consumers continue looking for healthier and healthier eats.

To hear it all straight from the CEO, watch our brief video above, and don’t forget to tune in for his own signature ‘AndNowUKnow.’ It’s worth it!

BrightFarms

SALINAS, CA - This weekend’s PMA Foodservice is already looking to boast quite the turnout of wares and goods, with Church Brothers Farms alone adding to that list with not one, not two, but three new items. Each of Church Brothers Farms’ new foodservice offerings—including Sweet Baby Broccoli, TuscanBaby Romaine, and Sandwich Ready Leaves—will be displayed at the Fresh Ideas Showcase on July 26 and 27.

“Sweet Baby Broccoli is a new vegetable we are now growing for our foodservice customers with the Growers Express commodity farming program we acquired earlier this year,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President Marketing/Product Development. “It is a great addition to our offerings for our foodservice customers who are looking to load as many fresh produce ingredients in one stop as possible.”

With its tender stalks and sweet flavor, Sweet Baby Broccoli, which is available in a 10-pound loose field pack, is a trendy item for menus of all sorts and kinds. And as it makes its debut with Tuscan Baby Romaine and Sandwich Ready Leaves—a hybrid green leaf with Romaine and Iceberg properties that is triple washed and ready-to-use with 100 percent yield and zero waste—Church Brothers Farms is presenting an on-trend front to foodservice operators this season.

“This version of Romaine offers a creative, healthy serving vehicle; think boats and tacos. The shorter leaves create multiple ways to use across menu applications,” Tuggle continued. “Our Sandwich Ready Leaves were developed to frame a burger bun or sandwich with just the right amount of green frill and sweet flavor.”

And that’s not all the grower has going for it at PMA Foodservice. The company is also hosting students from the PMA Center for Growing Talent and a Bocce Ball Tournament on July 24 at 11 am. According to a press release, Church Brother Farms is also co-sponsoring PMA’s main speaker, Ted Allen (host of Chopped), on Friday, July 26, in addition to hosting a Church family annual ranch party at Tom Church’s ranch.

“We plan for the foodservice show all year,” Tuggle concluded. “We love having guests visit our ranches and salad plant to see first-hand the hard work and quality we put into every product year-round.”

For more PMA Foodservice coverage as the show nears, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Church Brothers Farms

PASCO, WA - Without potatoes, what would restaurant menus look like? I’m certain they would be a sad sight, because every foodservice behemoth should count the mighty spud among its offerings. I spoke to Allied Potato’s Matt Hornbuckle, Director of Sales and Marketing, to learn about what the company has to offer those in the foodservice sector.

“Allied Potato is a year-round supplier for a premium Kennebec style frying potato that has consistent frying quality along with consistent supply,” Matt said. “We are new to this space in terms of direct marketing, rolling out our Chipperbec™ brand less than 5 years ago, although we have been a grower of this type of potato for over four generations in the Kern County area.”

CORAL GABLES, FL - July is quite a month for the fresh produce calendar, and what better way to wrap it up than to spotlight our industry with the curve-setting foodservice business? This is what PMA Foodservice allows, and if there is any company that seems to be consistently ahead of the curve it is Del Monte Fresh.

“PMA Foodservice offers Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. the opportunity to interact with key decision makers in foodservice and share how we can support them in meeting evolving consumer needs,” Dionysios Christou, Vice President Marketing, shares with me as we look to the show. “Today’s consumers demand the very best quality produce and the show enables us to not only introduce and showcase new products but also to highlight our national capabilities and extensive reach across North America. Our ability to deliver quality fresh fruits and vegetables just-in-time ensures our foodservice customers can deliver the very best produce to consumers every time.”

This year, Del Monte Fresh’s new CAULILINI® baby cauliflower florets will make their PMA Foodservice debut. CAULILINI® baby cauliflower spears were introduced under the Mann’s brand at last year’s exposition, and florets will now be available in a 3-count 2-pound pack.

"By working closely with foodservice operators, we have found that offering both cuts allows for creative freedom as well as portion and cost control,” Dionysios explains.

In addition to the new product, Del Monte Fresh will also be showing off some of its latest packaging as it continues to keep ahead of what consumers desire.

“We will also be highlighting our new Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups,” he comments. “Consumers continue to seek out healthy grab-and-go items in both retail and foodservice environments. Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups offer ready-to-eat fruit in packaging that is designed to improve the consumer experience.”

As we reported previously, the new Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups were created in an effort to rethink the approach to fresh-cut packaging, offering an array of fruit blends and varieties and Dionysios said the team is excited to debut these new developments. Already, it received the 2019 United Fresh New Product Innovation Award for Best New Packaging, and Del Monte Fresh looks forward to showing more of what it can do.

“Our team will continue to highlight our expansive North American distribution footprint that allows us to service national accounts while providing consistent premium-quality produce from coast to coast. We look forward to welcoming attendees to both our Del Monte Fresh Produce booth to learn more about our new products, technologies and services and our Mann Packing booth, where Tony Baker, a local chef and member of the Mann’s Chef Panel, will prepare sample recipes highlighting CAULILINI® baby cauliflower, as well as Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet pineapple and Del Monte® avocado,” Dionysios concludes.

If these products sound as necessary to you as they do to me, be sure to swing by Del Monte Fresh at booth #1214 and Mann Packing at booth #909 at this year’s PMA Foodservice, Saturday, July 27.

Del Monte Fresh

CINCINNATI, OH - Will Kroger’s iconic blue logo be receiving a facelift of sorts? After announcing its new partnership with DDB New York, it appears the retailer could be in the process of developing a refreshed brand identity that supports its vision of serving food inspiration and uplift through Restock Kroger and beyond.

"Kroger is excited to partner with DDB New York to uplift our brand," said Mike Donnelly, Kroger's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "At Kroger, we believe that no matter who you are, where you're from, how you shop, or what you like to eat, everyone deserves to have affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This partnership will solidify Kroger's position as a food authority, further proving to all of America that Kroger stands for fresh and quality."

After a historic competitive pitch process, Kroger chose DDB New York as its official first-ever Agency of Record (AOR), according to a press release. Together, the two will work to evolve Kroger’s brand as it continues to make strides toward becoming an omnichannel retailer powered by the four modalities of Store, Delivery, Pickup, and Ship.

"DDB New York stood out for its creativity, passion for our business and industry, and collaborative spirit," said Mandy Rassi, Kroger's Head of Brand Building. "Consumers make 221 food-related decisions a day. A standout brand and narrative will drive more customers to choose Kroger more often via any channel. Kroger and DDB will work together to cut through the 'sea of sameness' that has arisen in grocery retail advertising, thereby supporting our transformation as a company."

DDB will also focus on building upon Kroger’s legacy, expanding its Feed the Human Spirit® concept with an elevated, creative, and strategic marketing approach that will holistically strengthen the grocer’s connection with its shoppers.

"All of us at DDB are humbled and excited to be named Kroger's Agency of Record," said Audrey Melofchik, President of DDB New York, which was named the #2 Network of the Year at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativey. "It is evident that the Kroger team is as eager as we are to work in partnership to bring the retail brand to new heights. There is massive creative potential to be explored within the brand, and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Kroger."

While Kroger and DDB are remaining tight lipped on what exactly they’re working on together, the two will be launching their first project later this year.

For more grocery retail news as it affects the fresh produce industry, be on the lookout for more from AndNowUKnow.

Kroger DDB New York

WASHINGTON, DC - As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the PACA against The Fruit Club, according to a press release.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The company, operating from South Dakota, allegedly failed to pay $367,040 promptly to four produce sellers from June 2016 through October 2017.

The Fruit Club will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For further information, contacts, and to read the press release in its entirety, please check out the link here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

WATSONVILLE, CA - Monterey Mushrooms is feeding into the playfulness of summer with fresh packaging targeting seasonal consumer needs. Last week, the mushroom provider unveiled new seasonal label art for a few of its hottest lines, including its packages of whole and sliced baby bellas, whole and sliced whites, and portabella caps.

“Fresh mushroom use peaks in the summer as the number of ways to cook with mushrooms increases,” said Lindsey Roberts, Marketing Manager. “People use their grills more in the summer and they make more salads. Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be easily added to many favorite recipes.”

According to a press release, the new label art features recipes that are perfect for the summer months, like grilling hacks and mushroom snacks.

Retailers can also point produce aisle displays toward Monterey Mushrooms’ website, as the company is also adding the seasonal recipes and photos to all of its social media and digital platforms. To spread the word even further, the mushroom provider is also teaming up with food bloggers and influencers.

The new labels are available now through September, so get your retail-hands on the new packaging to be on-trend this summer!

For more of the freshest produce news, keep clicking AndNowUKnow.

Monterey Mushrooms

BENTONVILLE, AR - Change is in the air, especially at retail. One of those companies looking to continually respond to the needs of the consumer, the market, and its foothold amongst the competition is Walmart. The company is now making organizational changes as a part of its mission to integrate its store and digital operations and leadership, according to CNBC, which obtained a memo sent by CEO Doug McMillon to the retailer’s employees.

“Our customers want one, seamless Walmart experience,” McMillon noted in the memo, according to the publication. “Earning more of our customers’ business in food and consumables is foundational to our strategy, and, at the same time, we will expand our ability to serve them with general merchandise in stores and through our broad e-commerce assortment as we continue to invest and build our e-commerce business.”

Some of those changes come through big name hires including Suresh Kumar, Walmart’s Chief Technology Officer, and Janey Whiteside, who took the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer.

Some of the more exciting news is that Walmart is bringing the U.S. supply chain teams together, which will be led by current Executive Vice President of Walmart U.S. Supply Chain Greg Smith. Smith will jointly report to Greg Foran, who runs Walmart’s U.S. stores, and Marc Lore, who runs Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce business.

Currently leading e-commerce fulfillment for Walmart is Nate Faust who will assist with the integration of the new leadership teams before moving to a new, yet-to-be announced position within Walmart, the publication adds.

As a part of the shakeup, twelve other leaders have also been named to the newly created U.S. supply chain leadership team.

As we look to the shift in roles, reporting to Whiteside will be Walmart’s services and digital acceleration team lead, Daniel Eckert, as well as the returns team lead, Linne Fulcher; and the media group lead, Stef Jay. In addition, there are open roles under Whiteside, which include a Chief Experience and Strategy Officer, a Chief Product Officer, and a leader for the customer care team.

Check out the full memo obtained by CNBC, sent by CEO Doug McMillon to the retailer’s employees here. And for the latest in what's happening in retail, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Walmart

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - I love a good spud. Purple, yellow, sweet, Yukon, Russet, Hasselback, mashed, chip, stuffed...you name it, I’ll eat it. Potatoes just give me life and happiness, and I may have some scientific support to back my potato love. According to a Side Delights® press release, the American Psychiatric Association held the 2019 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, and medical experts presented research showing that the Mediterranean-style diet, associated with a reduced risk of cancer and longevity, may also help protect against depression. What is in the Mediterranean diet? No grains, no dairy, less sugar, more healthy fats, medium amounts of protein, and most importantly, lots of vegetables. Which leads me back to: potatoes.

“Potatoes have been known as America’s favorite vegetable for decades, and as research continues to build on the health advantages of vegetable-heavy eating plans, consumers are embracing filling, flavorful ways to incorporate vegetables into more meals,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Potatoes have a high-satiety factor and are extremely versatile—making them the perfect addition to a vegetable-based diet plan that can not only improve overall health but can help relieve depression.”

At the meeting, Dr. Konstantinos Argyropoulos claimed that people who adhere to a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop symptoms of depression later on in life. U.S. News and World Report calls the Mediterranean diet a "well-balanced eating plan." Healthline has also published a recent article about treating depression and anxiety with a vegetable-based diet, touting significant improvements in two separate studies. Another Healthline article has championed potatoes for health benefits, such as being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; can help with weight-loss by curbing hunger pains and cravings; and are naturally gluten-free.

In summation, potatoes will save your life. For more life movements and improvements, AndNowUKnow has you covered.

Side Delights