CORONA, CA - Looking to expand its offerings, Veg-Fresh Farms has hired Norwin Wong as its Director of Grower Relations, a new role for the company.

Wong is a specialist in conventional and organic Brussels sprouts, green beans, and peas, and the brand is hoping to capitalize on this potentially lucrative expanded category offering.

“Norwin is a true specialist in this commodity and his expertise is exactly what we needed to give our customers that complete category knowledge that they have come to expect from Veg-Fresh Farms,” said Anthony Innocenti, Category Manager, in a press release.

Wong will be in charge of these core categories, as well as crop planning and program development with growers that Veg-Fresh has partnered with over the course of the last three years. His assistant of ten years, Gina Lozano, will also join the Veg-Fresh team.

“We see tremendous opportunity for these commodities and for our grower relations to expand. We anticipate Norwin’s knowledge in this category to bring Veg-Fresh Farms to the next level,” said Dino Cancellieri, Jr., Partner at Veg-Fresh Farms.

Congratulations to Wong and Lozano on this newest step in their careers.

Veg-Fresh Farms

YAKIMA, WA – Domex Superfresh Growers is launching an innovative photo contest that is intended to increase consumer awareness and demand for the company’s proprietary apple variety, the Autumn Glory Apple. The Autumn Glory Apple Sweepstakes begins on Monday, November 7, and will launch across various social media platforms such as the Autumn Glory Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages, and on the Superfresh consumer blog.

“We are seeing great consumer responses on our social channels regarding Autumn Glory,” said Mike Preacher, Director of Marketing & Customer Relations, in a press release. “Its crisp and juicy flesh, and natural cinnamon and caramel notes, are original and unique. We are finding that bloggers, home chefs, parents, and the foodie world are enjoying this new culinary sensation.”

The three-month contest is split into six parts, each with its own theme and unique prize. To begin, contestants are encouraged to submit photos that encapsulate the theme “Fall Family Fun.” Photos should depict fall activities and incorporate Autumn Glory apples, and the company suggests fall hikes, sipping apples cider, and going on an autumn picnic as appropriate subject matter.

Consumers may enter the contest by uploading an original photo to Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #AutumnGloryApple and tagging the company @autumngloryapple. The contest will run from November 7, 2016 to January 31, 2017, with winners being announced at the end of each themed period.

The winner of the first portion of the sweepstakes will earn a Woodsnap wood orchard print featuring a Superfresh Grower orchard picture. Subsequent prizes will include the following:

• Emile Hentry ruffled pie dish
• A Le Creuset cast-iron tools set
• A Fit Bit
• AFresh Kids Perfect Portion Lunch Kit.

Additionally, Superfresh Growers has updated its retail content kits to advertise the contest and feature pre-written tweets, seasonally appropriate orchard photography, and delicious new apple recipes. These kits are designed to easily plug into retailers’ social content calendar and workflow, saving the company’s retail partners’ time and resources. 

For more information of the Autumn Glory Apple sweepstakes and social media content kits, retailers should contact Mike Preacher, Director of Marketing & Customer Relations at [email protected]

Domex Superfresh Growers

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash’s stock has seen a consistent uptick since revealing an expanded interest in produce with the $217 million acquisition of Caito Foods Service last Friday, November 4.

"We are excited about this opportunity to expand our presence in serving some of the fastest-growing categories in grocery, including fresh produce, value-added fruits and vegetables, and protein-based prepared food," said Dennis Edison, SpartanNash's CEO and Chairman of the Board, in a press release. "Caito Foods Service is a premier distributor with best-in-class food processing facilities, including its new Fresh Kitchen. In addition, Caito's service area is complementary to our current distribution footprint, and we look forward to serving customers in new areas in addition to enhancing our offerings to existing customers."

Edison continued, "In short, this acquisition further strengthens our platform and enhances our ability to help our customers serve their consumers, benefiting our associates and the communities we serve, as well as delivering value for shareholders."

The retailer’s stock went up from $27.46 per share to $28.71 when the acquisition was announced Friday, the largest spike it’s seen this quarter.

As of today, Nov. 7, the company’s numbers were still up to $28.60 as of 12:41 p.m. EST, +2.38%.

At the close of the deal, Caito and affiliate Blue Ribbon Transport will become part of SpartanNash’s distribution segment. The company noted that this move will strengthen its product offerings by expanding into the “fast-growing freshly prepared centerplate and side dish categories.”

A leading supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables to grocery retailers and foodservice distributors, Caito brings with it:

• A distribution base spanning 22 states in the Southeast, Midwest, and Eastern United States
• Combined annual revenue with BRT in excess of $600 million
• A central fresh-cut fruit and vegetable facility in Indianapolis
• Near-completed new 118,000-square-foot Fresh Kitchen facility, also in Indianapolis
• Fresh Kitchen ($32 million) that is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2017, set to process, cook, and package fresh protein-based foods and complete meals

Caito President Robert Kirch and Blue Ribbon Transport President David Frizzell, as well as others from the company’s senior leadership team, will be joining SpartanNash as well.

"With our long history and family tradition of processing and distributing fresh, convenient, healthy foods, we are excited and proud to join an organization that shares our passion and commitment to serve customers with the freshest foods,” Kirch commented. “We are looking forward to joining the SpartanNash family to expand and enhance our combined ability to deliver high-quality fresh products efficiently to a greater number of customers across the country."

With the retailer due to announce its third quarter Fiscal Year 2016 and further plans for the fourth quarter later this week, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this and other strategic moves in the industry.

SpartanNash Caito Foods Service

NOGALES, AZ - When I tell my friends and family how much I love visiting Nogales, it's not uncommon for me to get a few wide-eyed looks. People tell you that Nogales is one of the largest entry points for Mexican produce in the country, but you really don’t get a sense of how much this city lives and breathes the produce industry until you are thrown right into the deep end. This past weekend I returned to the city for the annual Fresh Produce Association of the America’s (FPAA) Convention, and again got a taste of what makes this hub of produce powerhouses tick.

With over 1,000 people registered to attend this year’s convention and golf tournament, from importers, suppliers, city officials, to logistics providers and distributors, this was truly an opportunity to meet the “who’s who” of the Mexican produce industry.

"At FPAA we are very pleased with the results of this year’s convention,all sessions and activities were very well attended and many participants clearly stated their satisfaction," FPAA's President, Lance Jungmeyer, told me. "There were over 1000 registered for the various activities that the convention involved, including our newest culinary showcase and  a 5K fun run. These two were also open to the local community and they were both extremely well-received. We believe that the community is an essential part of what we do as an industry, we are neighbors, friends, suppliers and as such, we must strengthen our relationships by celebrating our successes together and supporting one another."

Kicking off on Thursday November 3rd at the striking Tubac Golf Resort and Spa, the convention brought the opportunity to visit educational sessions focused on key industry issues, as well as a keynote address by Dede Murcer Moffett, Speaker/Author of the book: "SNAP Yes!: The Art of Seeing New Achievable Possibilties in Business and Life."

The sessions themselves included, "Focus on Food Safety," a look at what kind of food safety training and certifications your company will need to comply with FSMA, as well as a, "2016-17 Season Kickoff," where attendees discovered trends in the import industry from FPAA's new Import Report, with statistics showing which items are gaining and losing in the market. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage on the latter!

The next two days of fiestas, networking, warehouse tours, and golf that followed made for short trip that I will not soon forget. After the first night of an absolutely packed Opening Fiesta, the real highlight of the convention for me was Friday night’s Gala Event and Pillars of the FPAA Award Ceremony.

This year’s award recipient was James F. Manson, a third generation Owner and President at Pacific Brokerage Company, a major leader in brokerage along the U.S.-Mexican border, and nationwide.

Also at the dinner, Jungmeyer, John Toner, Vice President, Convention & Industry Collaboration for United Fresh, and FPAA Chairman, Gonzalo Avila, presented the donation of salad bars to several area schools.

"We have taken our roles as an opportunity to instill in the children in our communites not only to eat healthy at a young age," Avila said upon the donation of the salad bars, "but also to see opportunities in our industry.

And that wasn't all the action packed 3 days offered. In addition to a golf tournament with winners yet-to-be-announced, the Association introduced two new components this year, a 5K Run/Walk for Salad Bars to Schools and a Culinary Showcase.

The new 5K Run/Walk took participants through the beautiful area surrounding the Tubac Golf Resort. Not only did they get to catch a great view, but this even also helped raise further money to fund salad bar equipment for area schools.

The Culinary Showcase, an event held in conjunction with the Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales, Arizona helped highlight the importance of Nogales, Arizona, as a main gateway of Mexican produce into the U.S. and a shared cultural heritage. Over nine chefs served not only industry attendees, but the open community.

Thank you to the FPAA for another chance to visit one of my favorite events produce has to offer, as well as continuing to teach me about our ever changing industry. Here’s to an always growing Mexican growing sector, and to marking a save the date on my calendar for next year.

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas

DALLAS, TX - Pairing a focus on healthy eating with the fun and spooky vibes of Halloween, Tour de Fresh participated in another successful annual Fort Worth Spooky Bike Ride with Mayor Betsy Price. California Giant Foundation’s initiative presented Mayor Price and the city of Fort Worth with a check for $15,625, to provide salad bars for students at schools throughout the Fort Worth Independent School District. 

“It’s inspiring to see our industry, local businesses, and the community rise up in support of future generations,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing at The California Giant Foundation. “It’s exciting to continue to bring these types of fundraising opportunities and events to local communities after engaging with parents and kids who are thrilled to have healthy options in their schools as a result of the these efforts–it takes a village!” 

Fort Worth ISD, with support from Mayor Price’s FitWorth initiative, applied to receive five salad bars through the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign. The campaign’s mission is to provide every U.S. school food service program with a salad bar so that children will have daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

“We were delighted to be able to highlight the work that Tour de Fresh is undertaking to support our students, the FitWorth initiative, and our schools, by placing salad bars in Fort Worth ISD” said Mayor Price. “It is our goal to make Fort Worth the healthiest city in America, and we’ve made another step forward by partnering with Tour de Fresh to offer more students the opportunity to choose healthy options throughout their school day.” 

The fundraising occurred over a three months span to provide these thousands of students access to fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Contributions from Tour de Fresh’s following sponsors made Forth Worth ISD’s goal a reality: 

• California Giant Berry Farm
• Snappy Salads
• DMA Solutions
• Hort Americas
• Tessemae’s
• Del Monte
• IFCO
• Several Fort Worth community members

“FitWorth is proud to partner with Tour de Fresh, making progress in Fort Worth school nutrition, bringing salad bars to our schools, marketing what matters, and improving the daily fruit and vegetable intake of youth and families,” stated Leslie Casey, Former Chair of FitWorth Healthy City Initiative. 

Snappy Salads, a local restaurant, gave more that 100 samples of fresh salad, and California Giant Berry Farms contributed 200 clamshells of fresh strawberries to Spooky Bike Ride attendees. 

“Snappy Salads is committed to feeding people nutritious, fresh options that taste great and make the body feel good,” said Chris Dahlander, CEO of Snappy Salads. “That commitment extends to children and teens as well, which is why we support Tour de Fresh and helping put salad bars in our local Fort Worth schools.” 

The Tour de Fresh team collected an additional $320 in cash donations from riders, local law enforcement, and fire departments. Additional funds raised from the Mayor’s Spooky Bike Ride are also being held for the next Forth Worth ISD school that applies for a salad bar. 

Schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are interested in acquiring their own salad bar to give students access to healthy produce can access the application for Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools, here.

Tour de Fresh California Giant Foundation

SALINAS, CA - Seasonal graphics have been unveiled for Mann Packing’s vegetable trays. The company’s 18 oz and 40 oz trays now feature a wintery, holiday theme aimed at ramping up sales in the cold winter months.

“Seasonal changes and holiday occasions are a perfect opportunity to update and refresh packaging,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing. “It offers an opportunity to drive incremental sales and velocity during the fall and winter months with secondary displays and it also encourages impulse purchases.”

These seasonal redesigns have been effective in creating incremental sales for three years running, Mann’s noted in a press release. The company alternates each year between summer and winter seasonal themes.

Nucci added, “These fun and classic illustrations of winter will resonate with consumers and really standout on the shelf.”

The newly designed vegetable trays begin to ship on November 14th in Canada, and November 21st in the U.S.

This is the latest in a string of news from the company, which not only added a new flavor to its recently-launched Mann’s Nourish Bowls™ but also unveiled new packaging for both its Nourish Bowls™ and Culinary Cuts® lines at last month's PMA Fresh Summit, where it took home a coveted Impact Award.

Stay up to date on packaging, fresh vegetables, and produce in general at AndNowUKnow.

Mann Packing

CORAL GABLES, FL – As the company shifts around its leadership, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has named a new President and Chief Operating Officer to help lead the company in its strategic global endeavors. The company has announced that Youssef Zakharia has been appointed to the executive positions. 

Youssef has held leadership roles with Fresh Del Monte for over 16 years, most recently serving as the company’s Executive Vice President. Youssef will be replacing Hani El-Naffy in his executive capacities, as it was previously announced that Hani will be transitioning to a position as consultant and a member of the Board of Directors for Fresh Del Monte.

“Youssef has built an impressive track record of strategic and operational accomplishments, particularly in his years as a valued member of our management team,” stated Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. “He has proven to be a successful and trusted leader in our organization. His wealth of experience across our global operations, particularly in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, make him the ideal person for this position. I am very pleased with his appointment to this critical role as we continue to execute our strategies to achieve sustainable growth.” 

In addition to his role as Executive Vice President, Youssef also recently held a position with the company as Vice President of Europe and Africa. In his many years with Fresh Del Monte, Youssef has also served in the following positions for the company:

• Vice President, Middle East and North Africa regions
• Vice President, Human Resources for Europe, Africa, and Middle East regions
• Director of Operations for Europe, Africa, and Middle East regions 

Before joining Fresh Del Monte, Youssef served as Director of Sales, Europe, Africa and Middle East for A.W. Chesterton, as well as Director of Operations for Nevada Power Company. 

Youssef transitioned into his new official capacity on November 3, 2016. The company also stated that Hani will maintain in his new consultation position until February 28, 2017.

As companies throughout the industry shakeup their leadership appointments, count on AndNowUKnow to keep you up with the executive strategies.

Fresh Del Monte Produce

LOS ANGELES, CA - Allegations against Whole Foods for overcharging on produce items in checkout was dismissed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Highberger yesterday, November 3, according to source Law360.

Named plaintiff Michael Rose alleged that the retailer misled and overcharged produce buyers by having scales in the produce department that displayed a "misleadingly low weight" for items, having the scales at checkout stations calibrated to make items "appear heavier," and displaying falsely low per-pound prices in advertisements, Law360 reported.

Judge Highberger expressed skepticism due to lack of Rose’s actually alleging facts to support his original contention: that the grapes he bought at a Whole Foods market had in fact weighed less than what the checkout scale had indicated.

Rose filed suit in April alleging that during his shopping trip to Whole Foods in January, 2015, he weighed out one pound of grapes advertised as $3.99 per pound in the produce department, according to the report. At the register, however, he was charged double that amount, Rose’s attorney told the court Thursday.

While Judge Highberger contended that Whole Foods’ produce scales are not inspected and certified, its checkout scales are by county authorities. To that end he wrote that those scales are presumably accurate.

“Does he have any evidence, reason to know what the weight of the grapes was besides that he held them?” Judge Highberger said. “Is he somebody by holding grapes in his hand knows the weight?”

While the judge wrote that he would grant leave to amend should the consumer return with more verifiable evidence, it seemed unlikely when reading the report.

“If you make it work, Mr. Selik, credit to you, but if you’re hoping to make a lot of money on the produce scale theory, I don’t think I’m going to change my mind,” the judge told Rose’s attorney. “I’d say take your adverse ruling and talk to the court of appeals, but today’s not the day to send you to the court of appeals.”

The proposed class covers all Whole Foods shoppers who weighed their food in the grocery store’s produce department before purchasing during the past three years, which Rose estimated in the complaint to include at least 1,000 people.

Whole Foods

AVONDALE, PA – To-Jo Mushrooms held its second annual Health Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 25th. The premier mushroom grower showcased both its commitment to employees’ health and well-being, and its deep ties to the community.

“This year’s turnout was incredible; if we can keep our team happy and healthy they will come to work and deliver their best everyday,” said To-Jo’s Vice President, Joe D’Amico. “This health fair was the brainchild of our recently established Wellness Team and is a great opportunity to showcase our programs and area partnerships.”

Partners in area businesses were encouraged to participate and grow their ties to the business community, according to a press release, with 13 area vendors and local health professionals featured.

“Partnering with To-Jo has been a great experience for Wells Fargo. This health fair is a great example of a company going above and beyond for its employees; offering an engaging, innovative way to promote health and wellness,” said Samantha Kimmel, Wells Fargo Insurance Services Account Executive.

The daylong event, organized by To-Jo’s team of Wellness Ambassadors, featured several local vendors and healthcare professionals, offering a variety of health related services and demonstrations to over 200 employees. These offerings included:

• On-site biometric and vision screening
• Flu shots
• Chair massage
• Salsa dancing and a kickboxing demo
• Raffles with prizes like Fit Bits, gym membershps, and Nutri Ninja blenders

“The day was really amazing, who would have thought I would be kickboxing and salsa dancing at a mushroom farm," said To-Jo IT Systems Analyst, Jason Coles. “To-Jo continues to surprise us throughout the year, and this was another great event to add to the list.”

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we report on what the next year will yield in To-Jo's continued commitment to its employees and the place it calls home.

To-Jo Mushrooms

LOS ANGELES, CA – Kicking off the new 2016-17 crop with its largest volume to date, Wonderful Halos is pairing this increase with the launch of a new $30 million advertising campaign, “Good Choice, Kid.” The fully-integrated campaign is designed to celebrate kids who make good and healthy snacking choices.

“Wonderful Halos are a good choice both parents and kids can agree on,” said Adam Cooper, Vice President of Marketing at Wonderful Halos. “Parents love Halos because they’re an ideal, healthy snack full of ‘pure goodness,’ and kids love our palm-sized mandarins because they’re easy to peel, seedless and bursting with sweet flavor."

The television campaign, according to a press release, will air on national network and cable stations. The spots feature kids being rewarded for their good decisions and avoiding temptations such as the following:

• Swapping snacks with a scary witch
• Running away to join the circus
• Breaking into a construction site.

Wonderful Halo’s campaign is extending beyond just the colorful TV spots to also feature print, out-of-home, national FSIs, in-store POS, digital and PR to market its sweet, seedless, and easy-to-peel fruit.

"Wonderful Halos has been the No. 1 mandarin brand every year since launching in 2013 and we are more than 70% bigger than the next largest mandarin brand," continued Cooper. "Our breakthrough ‘Good Choice, Kid.’ campaign allows us to maintain that top standing and even expand our market leadership, while celebrating kids who make the smart choice of enjoying a healthy snack like Wonderful Halos.”

Kids will also be encouraged to pick up Wonderful Halos by collecting Halo fruit stickers of all 50 states. Each sticker will feature specific landmarks and state scenery, which happy kids can display on a free “Halos United States of Pure Goodness” printable map, downloadable here. Collecting all the stickers will enter each young eater for a chance to win a prize.

Wonderful Halos are in season from November through April. They are available in two-, three-, and five-pound boxes as well as a festive new seven-pound holiday-themed box available this Thanksgiving through Christmas. Wonderful Halos can be purchased from retailers nationwide.

So did all the kids choose Wonderful Halos over their wacky and tempting situations? Watch the above videos to find out.

Wonderful Citrus Wonderful Halos