WATSONVILLE, CA - Get ready for a wallop of umami from Monterey Mushrooms come PMA Fresh Summit. The company is celebrating one of the industry’s largest shows with the roll out of a mushroom small bites and beer pairing guide, as well as a special tasting of the company’s Portabella Porter.

The baby of Spawn Operations Manager and mushroom grower Chris Thomsen, the portabella mushroom-brewed porter is just one of the brewers’ libations featuring a mushroom muse. An avid member of the homebrew community, Thomsen has already won multiple awards for his spirited fungi-friendly creations, Marketing Specialist Lindsey Roberts told me earlier this year for an article in our Snack Magazine. 

While the beer is not made for mass market consumption, it is brewed in small batches to share with customers and industry friends at trade shows and company events, the company says. Attendees of PMA Fresh Summit can try a taste for themselves at Monterey Mushrooms booth #3042.

“The roasty beer is smooth, but packs a big punch,” Roberts said. “It has the perfect balance of earthy notes and a sweet finish, like most classic porters.”

Also seeking to grab culinary-minded folks at the summit is a new mushroom and beer pairing guide—an extension of the company’s legacy of culinary innovation. The guide tackles reviews on the craft beer revolution, highlighting the similarities between mushroom growing and beer brewing. Monterey Mushrooms will be providing a pairing suggestion guide, along with recipes for small bites to go with a favorite pint.

“Mushrooms and beer are both trending,” Roberts added. “Chris, our resident mushroom grower and craft brewer has mastered the art and science of growing and brewing.”

Both industry members and consumers can download the guide on the company website, here.

Monterey Mushrooms is shifting many of its sales collateral materials online this year, the company says. Instead of using paper printing materials, the company is asking customers to visit its booth to receive a URL to take them to a webpage containing the materials. All customers who download the sales resources will receive a bottle opener by mail.

“We are mindful of waste and encourage our friends and customers to go digital. This is our way of thanking visitors to go green,” Mike O'Brien, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said.

To learn more about Monterey Mushrooms leading up to PMA Fresh Summit, visit  www.montereymushrooms.com and when you’re there, stop by booth #3042 to taste some mushroomy goodness.

Monterey Mushrooms

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Village Farms is all about innovation this PMA Fresh Summit, as the company announced plans to showcase what its exclusive varities are “Better For” with the foodservice skills of Corporate Chef Darren Brown. Chef Brown will showcase the versatility of Village Farms products in its brand-new booth.

"We’re very excited to be exhibiting at PMA 2016 thisyear,” said Helen L. Aquino, Director Brand Marketing & Communications for Village Farms. "This is the premier event for our industry that provides exceptional networking opportunities for us with our customers. We have a number of great things planned this year that we can’t wait to share with everyone. Please stop by to say hello.”

Expanding on its reputation of Good for the Earth®, according to a recent press release, Village Farms will be highlighting the following exclusive varieties and their diverse uses: 

• Heavenly Villagio Marzano®
• True Rebel Mix™
• Cabernet Estate Reserve™
• Cherry No. 9 Fall in Love Again®
• Sinfully Sweet Campari® 

Chef Brown will be dishing out signature selections using these varieties on Saturday at 11 am, and from 1 pm – 3 pm. Chef Brown will also be cultivating dishes for attendees on Sunday from 11 am – 1 pm.

Additionally, attendees can spot Village Farms in the Fresh Ideas On-the-Go showcase where it will have its 5 oz bag of its ready-to-eat Heavenly Villagio Marzano® variety on display. This same offering is also being featured at the Greenhouse Guru marketplace during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, hosted by Village Farms.

Phone battery running low at the show? Never fear, Village Farms will be there for a recharge as the company is sponsoring phone charging stations throughout the show. 

Stop by the Village Farms booth #1160 at PMA Fresh Summit to see Chef Brown’s exclusive variety dishes, and more of what the company has to offer.

Village Farms 

YUMA, AZ – With consumers ramping up their menus for the holiday seasons, Bard Valley Date Growers has announced the return of its “Naughty or Nice” consumer and trade campaign to drive and meet demand for the Natural Delights™ Medjool Date brand.

“We are committed to supporting our retail partners by driving consumer awareness and demand for Natural Delights products. Our combination of trade support programs and consumer demand building activities like “Naughty or Nice” have resulted in the Natural Delights brand owning 80 percent of the date category share and driving 10 times the sales rate of all other date brands combined,” said Erin Hanagan-Muths, Director of Marketing, Bard Valley Date Growers.

The company will utilize national print mediums to connect with consumers who are interested in healthy snacking, fitness, home cooking, and holiday entertaining. According to a press release, the following publications will be feature the campaign: 

• Cooking Light
• Shape
• Bon Appetit 

Bard Valley Date Growers also intends to use targeted digital banner and social media advertising to further highlight the promotional campaign. The “Naughty or Nice” promotion is a highly-anticipated holiday recipe campaign that highlights the varied ways that consumers can use Natural Delights dates to enhance their holiday gatherings.

Retailers can take advantage of consumer demand for dates by utilizing self-display shippers together with tie-in merchandising elements provided by Natural Delights. The company stated that the “Naughty or Nice” promotion has delivered over 150 million impressions to consumers through print, digital, mobile, and social media mediums.

“We have made it easy for our retail partners to connect with the promotion in-store and take advantage of the increased awareness we are driving around Medjool Dates and holiday entertaining. Not only is this program easy to implement, it’s the perfect foundation for a holiday entertaining inspiration center in the produce department,” continued Hanagan-Muths.

Natural Delights have been certified as heart-healthy by the American Heart Association, and are also Non-GMO Project Verified, pesticide-free, and additive-free. These traits have made the brand a premium choice for health-minded consumers and professionals.

The company stated that the Natural Delights brand offers 50 percent more potassium by weight than bananas, while also supplying 12 percent of a recommended dietary allowance of fiber. These qualities have made Natural Delights dates “Nature’s Power Fruit^™.” 

The promotion will run from November 1 – December 31, 2016. Retailers who would like to join the trade campaign can connect with a Bard Valley Date Grower representative by emailing [email protected].

Natural Delights

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize has announced a few shifts in its executive leadership as the company looks ahead to 2017. James McCann, member of the Management Board of Ahold Delhaize and Chief Commercial Officer of Ahold USA, is resigning from his positions, while Kevin Holt, current CEO of Delhaize America and fellow member of the Management Board, steps into the role.

James McCann resignation comes as he seeks to move out of full-time executive work and into a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles, the company says. He will continue to work with the company to assist with the transition through April 30, 2017. 

McCann began his tenure at Ahold as Chief Commercial Officer in September 2011, then taking over responsibilities for Ahold USA in 2013. Following the Ahold Delhaize merger in July 2016, he rose to member of the Ahold Delhaize Management Board, while continuing his leadership role at Ahold USA.

“We thank James for his significant contributions both driving our e-commerce strategy whilst based in Europe and for the last three-and-a-half years driving the transformation at Ahold USA, supporting the Stop & Shop New York, Stop & Shop New England, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Martin's and Peapod brands,” explained Dick Boer, CEO Ahold Delhaize. “We wish James and his wife Tania all the best for the future.”

Delhaize America’s CEO Kevin Holt will succeed McCann at Ahold USA, according to a press release. Holt is also a current member of the Management Board of Ahold Delhaize.

“I am looking forward to getting to know Ahold USA and the great brands it is supporting,” shared Holt upon his appointment. “I am leaving Delhaize America with pride for the transformations we have accomplished and with gratitude for the support and warmth I received from the many associates and customers.”

As Holt departs from Delhaize America, the company’s staff, including those at Food Lion and Hannaford, will be reporting on an ad interim basis to Frans Muller, Deputy CEO of Ahold Delhaize. Both Muller and Holt will assume their new accountabilities effective immediately and will continue to report to Boer, the company says.

“As the new leader of Ahold USA, Kevin brings a wealth of U.S. retail experience and he is recognized for his leadership skills,” Boer added.

AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the workings of Ahold Delhaize as the company delves into this transition, so stay tuned.

Ahold Delhaize

CANADA - Our neighbors to the north's record for heaviest cucumber has been broken just weeks after it was set. Luckily, it was by the same grower.

A couple of weeks ago the country’s record for the gourd was set at 10.58 lbs, but the bar was raised last weekend to 12.23 lbs by Port Carling hobby farmer Nathan Veitch.

So, today Canada, tomorrow the world?

“Now the objective is wanting to beat other countries and to get a bigger personal best,” Veitch told Owen Sound Sun Times, saying the win makes him want to grow even bigger veggies. “We set the Canadian record at the Bracebridge fair with a 10.58-lb cucumber two weeks ago and now we just beat our own record.”

As for where that bar is set, the current weight of the heaviest cucumber in the world, according to Guinness World Records, is 23 lbs, 7 oz. The title was granted to U.K. grower David Thomas in 2015.

The big question everyone often wants to know is how to go about growing record-setting veggies. Veitch, unlike many competitive growers, doesn’t just chalk it up to hard work and rich soil.

Veitch and his wife Jennifer, owners of ABLE Farms (named for the first initial of each of their four children) feed the plant an interesting mix, according to the news source.

“Maple syrup that we make ourselves, as well as liquid fish, liquid seaweed, and Epsom salts for magnesium,” he said.

The family has entered a number of other produce items into sizing competitions, including pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, carrots, cabbage, and watermelons, since starting in competitive growing about six years back.

With the promise that he will be ready for next year, Veitch plans to cut into his prize to trade its seeds to other growers, or to be given to fellow Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario members.

UNITED KINGDOM – It looks as though Tesco may find itself in court in the coming months, as the retail chain across the water is now facing legal action by a group of investors over a lost of funds.

Jeremy Marshall from Bentham Europe, the firm funding the claim, told BBC that the claim currently involves 60 investors and alleges that the retail chain lost £150 million (or approximately $191 million) due to the company’s accounting irregularities scandal from 2014.

"Shareholders were misled by information inaccurately provided to the market with knowledge by management," stated Marshall to news source BBC.

The case involves claimants of pension funds from UK, Europe, and U.S., as well as general asset managers. 

Marshall continued to say that legal action is expected to filed by the end of the month, with more investors expected to join the current number once the case has been filed.

As of this time, Tesco has yet to comment on the case.

This announcement comes prior to Bloomberg’sexpectations that Tesco will release its half-year results on Wednesday, and report its UK operating margin to have nearly doubled with its third consecutive quarter of same-sales growth. CEO Dave Lewis is also expected to announce plans to accelerate Tesco’s profit expansions. 

As updates surrounding the impending case proceed, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Tesco

REIDSVILLE, GA – With the launch of the Peruvian sweet onion season underway, Shuman Produce has released a fun and educational quiz, How Sweet Is Your Sweet Onion Knowledge? This quiz explores the origin, flavor, and other characteristics of RealSweet® Peruvian sweet onions.

“Our goal is to provide premium sweet onions in the off season that are identical in flavor to our signature RealSweet Vidalia onions, and our Peruvian farms enable us to achieve that goal,” said John Shuman, President of Shuman Produce. “We designed this quiz as a fun, educational tool to promote all the characteristics that make our Peruvian sweet onions truly sweet.”

Shuman Produce takes pride in growing a high-quality, safe, traceable, and truly sweet onion to meet the needs of retailers, foodservice, and consumers in the Vidalia® onion off season. Quiz-takers answer eight questions ranging from flavor profile to growing seasons to see where they rank on knowing their sweet onions from other onions.

To test your knowledge on sweet onions, visit the RealSweet website at realsweet.com/peruvian-sweet-onions, then quiz your co-workers, family, and friends to see where you rank. Quiz-takers may also elect to sign up for Shuman Produce’s industry newsletter to stay abreast of RealSweet news and updates.

For more information on RealSweet® Peruvian sweet onions, connect with Shuman Produce at booth #3213 at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando or visit realsweet.com.

Shuman Produce

ATLANTA, GA - Effective supply chain management is paramount for produce industry success. A grower can pluck the perfect apple, but without an efficient path from farm to table, its promise may be squandered and lost.

This is where an efficient enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is critical–but with so many options and complex technical aspects, there is a monstrous barrier-to-entry which needs to be hurdled before a company upgrades or converts. John Lischefska, LINKFRESH’s Director of Business Development, joined AndNowUKnow to discuss how to justify the case and get executive buy-in, along with proper implementation strategies. LINKFRESH ERP provides food supply chain software that gives real-time insight into traceability, food safety and compliance–all from a single point of reference.

“It’s critical to remember that there is varied interest across the different camps of people. Daily users who perform basic business functions, mid-level users who use an ERP tactically, then higher level managers who want a 10,000-foot view for how it fits with strategic initiatives,” Lischefska explained. “To get executive buy-in, you need to demonstrate how it would work at all levels of the company.”

But once there is buy-in, a poorly implemented ERP system can cost a company serious business, which means that a game plan for roll out is critical.

According to Lischefska, there are three common approaches to an ERP roll out:

1. Big bang. The ERP system is implemented across all divisions at once.
2. Staged approach. The ERP system is piloted in one department and the findings are used to make adjustments before rolling out company wide.
3. Parallel operation. The system is run offline parallel to the existing system, with outputs and results compared for accuracy. Once the offline system is accurate, it is then rolled out in one of the previously mentioned methods.

“A high quality ERP will come with professionals who assist in the implementation and offer ongoing support; and who know how to keep the company engaged. Users need to understand what’s in it for them,” added Lischefska.

The company, whose platform is Microsoft Dynamics compatible, encourages companies considering changes to their ERP to work with professionals. Lischefska also adds that finding an ERP which caters to your specific product, such as perishables, is essential for success.

LINKFRESH

PASADENA, CA - With mounting consumer demand for more table grape varieties, premium quality, and organic options, Sun Pacific has announced it will be expanding its offerings this season—now selling 11 conventional and two organic varieties under the Air Chief® brand.  

“Our goal is to offer our retail partners highly customized programs for grapes that deliver what consumers want – a high-quality eating experience of large, beautifully colored, delicious grapes in both conventional and organic varieties,” explained Barney Evans, Owner and Vice President of Sales for Sun Pacific. “We harvest our grapes at the peak-of-flavor and late into the fall, to ensure we can deliver the freshest product possible.”

For the rest of 2016, Sun Pacific says the Air Chief portfolio will now include new conventional varieties of Timpson and Great Green white seedless grapes, as well as Timco and Krissy red seedless grapes in both conventional and organic varieties. 

But as we head into 2017,the company is adding in Crimson and Allison varieties, as well as providing most of its varieties in both conventional and organic. This is in part to meet the accelerating demand for organic table grapes, according to a press release, which Nielsen data says grew 22 percent in 2015. 2017 will also see the launch of Sun Pacific’s new partnership with Sun World, a mainstay of private table grape breeding in the industry. The partnership will allow Sun Pacific to grow and market popular proprietary branded varieties, including SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS®, AUTUMNCRISP®, and ADORA SEEDLESS®. 

Sun Pacific provides its customers a total supply chain solution, the company says, growing grapes on its own ranches, selecting top varieties, packing them with care, as well as selling, shipping, and marketing. Sun Pacific offers several customized programs to fit retailers’ specific needs, including packaging options of pouch bags, clamshells, and universal footprint cases.

For more information on Sun Pacific’s latest moves towards growth, visit the company’s booth #417 at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida, October 14 to 16, 2016. To learn more about Sun Pacific’s fruit, including Air Chief, Cuties, Mighties, and Vintage Sweets and visit www.sunpacific.com.

Sun Pacific