POCANTICO, NY - The Musk name–associated with innovative ideas from urban farming methods to Mars missions–is now being added to the debate of where the future of ag is headed.

Kimbal Musk, younger brother of Tesla leader Elon Musk, Co-Founder of farm-to-table restaurant group the Kitchen, and Board Member for Chipotle, Tesla, and SpaceX, sees technological advancement, namely hydroponic farming, as our industry’s next chapter, it seems.

The entrepreneur in food and tech joined renowned Chef, Restaurant Owner, and author Dan Barber on The Next Kale and Quinoa panel at the New York Times Food For Tomorrow Conference 2016 on September 27, in Pocantico, NY.

Musk, who has led ventures to bring farming to children in the city, calls for hydroponic vertical farming technologies, controlled temperatures, artificial lighting, and soil-less nutrition, according to Bloomberg. 

Barber disagreed about our industry's next big moves, believing the roots should stay in the soil.

“It’s not making me hungry,” Barber told the audience at a panel on new food trends, Bloomberg reported, adding that he is often a supporter of crop rotations’ and the soil’s ability to improve flavor. “When Kimbal says you can dial in the flavor and colors you want, I don’t know that I want that kind of power. I’d rather have a region or environment express color and flavor.”

Musk had previously explained that lights inside the containers can be dialed to yield particular flavors, but that the greatest appeal is bringing young people into farming industry.

Barber contended that he doesn't know much about vertical farming, but wants to see more excitement about what goes on underground instead of above.

While the story does conclude with there not being enough containers yet for Musk’s vision to be a reality–he commented that 99.99 percent of products for his restaurants are from soil-grown foods–strong leaders in both tech and food coming together to discuss our industry’s future looks to be a promising start in strengthening the conversation.

SALINAS, CA - Foxy brand fresh produce’s marketing arm, The Nunes Company, Inc., announced the expansion of the Foxy Organic brand with the addition of several new items.

As organic production continues to grow, the company has unveiled organic dandelion greens, fennel, and leeks.

“Based on the increased consumer demand for our organic products, we now have 40 organic produce items available year-round,” said Laura Hastie, Marketing Assistant for The Nunes Company, in a press release. “Foxy is proud to now offer a complete line of organically grown vegetables to complement our existing line of conventionally grown vegetables. Our motto of “One Company, One Stop.” provides our customers with one-stop shopping for all fresh produce needs.”

The Nunes Company added that these latest additions come at the perfect time, all being used in a number of fall seasonal recipes. To help foster that demand, Foxy plans to launch four new recipes over the next few months, including instructional videos and consumer handling tips on both the Foxy website and its social media channels.

The company concluded that it expects continued growth for all organic products as we head into 2017. As that reach continues to spread, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for all the latest on the climbing category.

Foxy Fresh Produce

VALENCIA, CA - With a new citrus season fast-approaching, Sunkist Growers has announced a new lineup of strategy-focused Sales Directors. Lance McMillan has been promoted to Director of North American Sales, while Brian Slagel is now the company’s Director of Strategic Sales.

Having worked in the produce industry for over 18 years, McMillan brings a deep knowledge of packinghouse operations along with a proven track record in sales results to his new role. McMillan spent time previously working in Sunkist-affiliated packinghouses, as well as running his own agricultural marketing business before joining Sunkist in 2002 as Senior Account Manager for National Accounts.

The new Director of North American Sales is a graduate of San Diego State University and, according to a press release, was honored as a Dupont Fellow of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program’s class of 2000. 

Brian Slagel, the prior former Director of North American Sales, is now taking his 25-year produce career into his new position as Director of Strategic Sales. In this role, Slagel is taked with developing and overseeing sales accounts of strategic importance to the company while fostering further growth opportunities, Sunkist said.

Slagel began his career at Sunkist’s Pittsburgh sales office in 1991, shortly after graduating from Pennsylvania State University. After a stint in sales at Dole Citrus, Slagel returned to Sunkist as Manager of the Cleveland sales office in 1997, solidifying his place as a critical part of Sunkist’s sales network expansion and improvement. 

“Sunkist is looking forward to a strong citrus season ahead, and we are pleased to announce these strategic changes to our sales leadership structure,” commented Sunkist Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, John Striff. “Lance McMillan and Brian Slagel are seasoned executives who have a rich history with Sunkist and they bring tremendous value to our organization. We look forward to the contributions and growth opportunities they will both offer Sunkist in these new roles.”

Congrats to both Lance and Brian from AndNowUKnow as they take on their expanded roles in the company!

Sunkist

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - As part of a new strategy to infuse children with healthy values at a young age, Sacramento-based retailer Raley’s will now be providing free fruit to kids in stores to eat while parents shop. The company is placing baskets of fruit in the entrances of each of its stores to provide a nutritious snacks for any child under the age of 12.

"Raley's wants to connect kids with fresh and healthy food, while enhancing our customers' overall shopping experience," explained Kevin Konkel, Raley’s Senior Vice President of Store Operations. "Offering kids free fruit is an opportunity to provide a nutritious snack option. We know that small changes in food choices can make an impact over time."

This new implement into Raley’s stores comes a little under two months after the reveal of its “Let’s Begin” campaign, a renewed focus on making healthy eating more available to its shoppers, and now help instill better dietary choices and practices later in life. The Let’s Begin campaign includes several levels of strategic moves, including: 

• Help its shoppers with fresh cost-saving tips
• Give assistance in defining food labels
• Provide shopping facts and tips about things like coloring and other fresh produce facts

“Fruit is a delicious and easy way for kids to get more fiber and important nutrition into their day, keeping their immune system strong and their taste buds happy!” added Raley’s Wellness Evangelist, Emmie Satrazemis.

According to a press release from the retailer, eighty-seven percent of Americans don't meet recommendations for daily fruit consumption. Raley’s hope is that introducing positive food choices when children are developing their eating habits can be a unique opportunity to educate the next generation of consumers.

Will this investment into the future pay off for Raley’s in both dollars and in wellness? I look forward to diving deeper into the company’s fresh produce tactics as time goes on.

Raley's Family of Fine Stores

SALINAS, CA - Two original products in the Mann Packing Mann’s Culinary Cuts® line are getting a packaging refresh. The new packaging moves the Sweet Potato Ribbons and Butternut Squash Zig Zags from clamshells to bags, to unify the growing product line, and offer more room on produce aisle shelves.

“Earlier this year, we launched three new Culinary Cuts products that were all in bags,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing at Mann’s. She continued, “The new package design will provide consumers across North America with a consistent look. By transitioning from clamshells to bags, retailers will be able to save space, enhance margin, and increase sales velocity–it’s a win-win for retailers and consumers.”

The Culinary Cuts® product offerings now include:

• Sweet Potato Ribbons
• Butternut Squash Zig Zags
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower Cauliettes®
• Broccoli Clovers

The full line with the new look will be launched into U.S. and Canadian markets starting on October 4, 2016. The products, along with recipes, photos and videos can be seen at culinarycutsclub.com.

The development of the new packaging reflects Mann’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for consumers. Not only will the appearance of the products be noticeably different, customers will also appreciate the consistency of the look. The new bags feature improved physical characteristics which will enhance shelf-life.

Culinary Cuts have helped revolutionize homemade cuisine by offering consumers fresh vegetables cut into distinct shapes that are hard to replicate at home. The convenient vegetables are preservative and gluten-free, and work well for substitutions on anything from pasta to crackers. The washed and ready-to-eat veggies are versatile enough for multiple uses such as side dishes, stir-fry’s, appetizers, desserts, and casseroles.

Culinary Cuts are one of the first veggie pasta swap products available nationwide and are backed with promotions and merchandising support to educate consumers and spur sales. The Butternut Squash Zig Zags and Sweet Potato Ribbons are two of the fastest selling branded squash and sweet potato items where sold, according to AC Nielson 13 W/E­_07/30/16.

Check back with AndNowUKnow for all the latest in innovative fresh produce packaging and product line offerings!

Mann Packing

KINGSBURG, CA - As the company continues pushing through strong grape and pomegranate seasons, King Fresh Produce is now bolstering its sales and marketing teams with a new hire. Drew Clubb is joining the King Fresh team as Sales & Marketing Representative, and will work out of the company’s Kansas City, Missouri office.

In a statement from the company, King Fresh outlined that Clubb’s focus will lie in strengthening supplier and grower affiliations, as well as working on strategic sales development. Clubb’s background and experience comes from working in the field of banking and finance. 

“We are excited to have Drew on board with King Fresh. He brings a fresh sales and marketing vision to our brand. We look forward to continued success with the addition of Drew to our Midwest office,” shared Adam Millburn, Director of Marketing for King Fresh-KC

Clubb is no stranger to Missouri, originally hailing from the state’s city of Columbia and earning his Agricultural Business degree from Northwest MO State University in Maryville. King Fresh said his hobbies range across many outdoor activities, including fishing and hiking.

King Fresh Produce, the marketing arm of Wilson Farms, is now in its third generation of Wilsons spearheading the company. Wilson Farms was founded by current President Keith Wilson’s father, Woodrow Wilson, following in the farming tradition of Keith’s grandfather. Keith himself heads King Fresh, where his children also break into the family business.

King Fresh Produce

MCFARLAND, CA – As the holidays fast approach and consumers begin readying their seasonal menus, Sunlight International is projecting a strong supply in quality and volume of grapes to carry through December.

As Nick Dulcich, President of Sunlight International, recently told me, the company is halfway through its harvesting season in Kern County, California, with a steady ongoing supply of green, red, and black premium grape varieties.

“This season has been exceptional in terms of quality and quantity,” Nick says. “The weather has been very pleasant so far, and beneficial for the crops. This forecast is expected to remain the same for the next several weeks.”

The company’s excellent quality is further bolstered by normal harvesting conditions and on-time schedules. Nick says that this year’s market is currently steady with very good demand, aided in part by the excellent quality of the crop.

“The combined export and domestic demand is very good, and comparable to previous years. The dollar is fairly strong, but the demand for high-quality fruit remains steady,” Nick continues.

Nick states that Sunlight International was the first grape grower to package its products in the Grab-n-Go bag, which further entices consumers and prompts spontaneous purchases with its colorful branding.

To further bolster these grape-focused rings at the register, Sunlight International is offering retailers seasonal POS displays for a variety of programs. These displays complement the company’s full-color graphic Grab-n-Go bags, with the following offerings driving sales in the category:

• Pretty Lady
• Pretty Lady Emerald
• Harvest Hobgoblin
• Incredible Grape Pumpkin Patch
• Pretty Lady for the Holidays

“The Grab-n-Go bags and POS displays, paired with full-color display bins to match, create a unique array of eye-catching graphics and also highlight selling points that help to drive category growth,” Nick finishes.

As the season continues and grapes continue to enrich the offerings of consumer’s holiday culinary feats, AndNowUKnow will have the latest on product offerings and announcements.

Sunlight International

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is changing up its supplier rules as we head into the new year, setting tighter standards in multiple areas of its process. According to a report from commerce-focused publication Pymnts, the retailer will be shrinking its window for goods from four days to just two, while increasing it’s upping delivery compliance requirements in North America from 90 percent to 95 percent. 

Expected to go into effect in February, 2017, the news source states, this increased pressure on suppliers has been something Walmart has been inching towards since it first announced its delivery compliance standards in 2010. The 2010 requirements declared that items “must arrive by date” (MABD) for all merchandise from suppliers, who were then given a six month window to comply. 

Currently, Walmart’s guidelines allow for delivery in a four day time period, either two days early or one day late from the MABD. As reported in Pymnts, if a supplier misses that window 10 percent or more of the time, the company is then charged 3 percent of it’s quarterly invoice by Walmart. Those with very large contracts with the retailer could then potentially be taking a big financial hit. 

Now, with the window shrinking to just two days and only wiggle room to miss the scheduled dates 5 percent of the time, the frequency of these fines will likely start to ramp up. The source says delivery will now only be permitted on the scheduled date or a day early—never late. 

Will sourcing and logistics teams be able to tighten their workings to get suppliers’ shipments to Walmart in on time? AndNowUKnow will continue to cover the retailer’s changes to its supply chain as more is revealed.

Walmart