MINNEAPOLIS, MN – As Target looks to cement its foothold amidst an ever-growing competitive retail market, CEO Brian Cornell said that he believes the answer is in smaller forms for big expansions and future growth.

Cornell told reporters yesterday during Target’s fall national meeting that he believes Target’s explosive growth in the future will come from further investments into the small “flex-format” stores, according to Bloomberg. Target has opened 23 of these stores so far, specifically located in major cities. 

The 50,000-square-feet or less stores have enabled Target to establish locations where securing larger retail space in urban areas is more difficult. Cornell also emphasized that the small store format are also able to more easily shift focus for the particular demographics surrounding each store’s location; an option bigger box and super stores do not have.

Bloomberg reported that Cornell stated that hundreds of these smaller format Target stores could be in the buy-side segment’s midst soon. These specific formats, in addition to opening up further city-focused possibilities, could also work as potential pick up points for the company’s e-commerce business furthering its presence in that growing sector as well.

Target plans to add nine more “flex-format” stores by this year’s end, with 16 already planned for 2017.

Could this small store format be the strategy to secure Target’s national splash for retail success? As Bloomberg stated Target’s rivals have abandoned their similar small store strategies, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on Target’s innovative strategies and their respective results.

Target

MCLEAN, VA - Gladstone Land Corporation has acquired two large California almond orchards, one in Stanislaus County and one in Merced County.

The acquisition was made for about $23.4 million in cash and 343,750 common units of limited partnership interest in the company's operating partnership, with OP Units issued valued at $12.00 per unit. As a result, Gladstone stated the total deal came out to about $27.5 million for 2,485 total acres, or just over $11,000 per acre.

"This completes our second farmland acquisition in the past two weeks, each of which involved a significant amount of OP Units that were issued as partial consideration for the total purchase price," said David Gladstone, President and CEO of Gladstone Land, according to a press release. "Both these almond orchards have strong access to water, including numerous wells and reservoirs on-site.”

As part of the deal, Gladstone Land assumed two long-term, triple-net leases, including annual CPI increases and upward market rent adjustments every five years.

Bill Reiman, Gladstone Land's Western Managing Director, commented that the trees for both farms are approximately nine years old and are just beginning their peak production.

"We view these acquisitions as low-risk in that they come with long-term leases with an outstanding tenant. The lease terms provide for rent escalations that we feel confident will provide for excellent, safe returns for many more years. While this purchase increases our position in the almond industry, it also adds a strong, cash-rent lease with a very large, international tenant," Reiman said.

As for future moves in the industry, Gladstone not only has intentions to continue buying but also is encouraging consumption.

“Our experienced deal team continues to find great farmland investment opportunities focused on high-value, income-producing properties that are currently generating strong crop revenues. Please eat more almonds; they are a healthy food!" Gladstone concluded.

Continue to follow AndNowUKnow as we on all notable acquistions made within the industry.

Gladstone Land

LOS ANGELES, CA - The stars of the 68th Emmy® Awards will not only be on the red carpet, but on the menu as well.

Babé Farms has announced that the Emmy® Awards Governors Ball and Creative Arts Balls’ plates will offer specialty produce from the Santa Maria, California, grower, including thousands of gourmet vegetables.

“It’s not every day that someone who grew up on a farm gets to be part of one of the biggest events in Hollywood,” NBC Los Angeles’ Ted Chen reported upon the unveiling of what the stars would be eating at the big event.

Such featured fresh stars for the menu included: 

• 21,000 individual beets (red, gold, and striped)
• 6,500 bulbs of petite baby fennel
• 8,000 heads of Baby Lollo Rossa lettuce
• 2,700 pounds of Rainbow Carrots

These couture vegetables listed above were used primarily for the salad course, according to a press release, with the exception of the carrots which were a part of the “Turf & Turf” entrée.

Babé Farms said that it worked closely with the Executive Chefs of Patina Catering to ensure all needs were met for both quantity and quality, with meticulous planning needed for the ball.

Also on hand for the Press Preview and exclusive interviews were Babé Farms owners, Jeff Lundberg and Judy Lundberg-Wafer, to discuss serving what is billed one of the largest formal sit-down dinners in the U.S., setting up a great stage for fresh produce.

Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the 68th EMMY® Awards will air Sunday, September 18th, on ABC.

Babé Farms

WENATCHEE, WA - Last week, Stemilt held its second annual food influencer event at its orchards and packing facilities. The experience brought together nine popular food bloggers to learn the Stemilt method of growing, harvesting, and packing apples and pears. Combined, the influencers reach nearly 3 million consumers monthly, have more than 375,000 Instagram followers, and equally impressive followings on other popular social media platforms.

“It’s always fun to share the Stemilt experience and our history of innovation with people, but this group in particular had an incredible energy and passion for food and fruit that made the trip very memorable,” said Brianna Shales, Communications Manager at Stemilt Growers, according to a press release. “This annual trip has become a great way for us to share our brand and passion for growing fruit, including new varieties, with a group of talented and influential bloggers that work every day to reach the consumers who buy our fruits.”

The two-day trip was held last week in Wenatchee, WA, and welcomed popular food bloggers and influencers including: Sheri Wetherell of Foodista, Molly Yeh of My Name is Yeh, and Stemilt’s own Stem blog Kitchen Council members, Sally Kuzemchak of Real Mom Nutrition, and Jennifer Farley of Savory Simple. During the trip, the group posted 46 times on social media using the hashtag #WorldFamousFruitFAM garnering approximately 2,871,426 social impressions.

In addition to experiencing early fall temperatures in the Wenatchee Valley, the group enjoyed local restaurants, attending a fruit-inspired dinner with Stemilt’s founding family, along with learning first-hand how Stemilt grows, packs, and markets its fruit and branded products through tours of apple and pear orchards and packing facilities.

Among the many highlights of the trip was teaching the bloggers how to properly pick a Honeycrisp apple and educating them on new, up-and-coming varieties and the great care that goes into growing, harvesting, and packing fruit.

“Millennials are often called the foodie generation, as they are passionate and excited about food, and particularly fresh produce. We’ve found that connecting and working with the bloggers and influencers that they follow and trust is a great way to inform and engage this important shopper group about our brands,” said Shales.

Stemilt has been working with food influencers for several years as a way to directly promote its brands with consumers. The company has a three-member Kitchen Council that regularly contributes original recipes and tips for its blog about all things fruit, The Stem, and works with additional bloggers throughout the year to increase consumer awareness of product lines like Lil Snappers® kid-sized fruits, Fresh Blenders™ apples for juicing and smoothies, and signature varieties like Piñata® apples and Skylar Rae® brand cherries on both food blogs and a variety of social media channels.

Check back with AndNowUKnow to keep up with all of the latest fresh produce industry marketing innovations.

Stemilt

TEMECULA, CA - Eco Farms is growing its team as both avocado and citrus businesses continue to thrive around the world.

One new addition is the Jeff Davis, who has been named as National Accounts Manager.

“We’ve instituted some significant changes and additions to transform our sales in 2016. Throughout Eco Farms’ past history, our president and founder, Steve Taft, sold the majority of our produce. In April we added a Sales Director in Gahl Crane, to add his experience in selling to new and diverse markets,” CEO Andy Hamilton said, according to a press release. “By adding Jeff, we now have someone with significant foodservice and national account experience.”

Another growth spurt for the team is Mike Nunez, who has joined on as the company’s new Key Accounts Manager.

“Through Mike’s experience and knowledge, we now have a Key Account Manager armed with a deep background in selling to chains across the U.S., and especially the western U.S.,” Hamilton said.

Eco Farms has grown its footprint worldwide since it began in 1974. A fully-integrated avocado and citrus handler with avocado programs in California, Mexico, Peru, and Chile, the company sells avocados throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.

In addition to packing California avocados and importing conventional avocados, Eco Farms also grows, imports, packs, and ships organic avocados, a full-line of organic citrus, and looks to serve retailers, food service, and other key customers throughout North America by ripening avocados across the U.S.

Eco Farms

COLOMBIA – As the U.S. braces itself against heavy rainfall and fluctuating end of summer weather, Colombia has another sort of natural anomaly to respond to. On Tuesday night, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the northern part of the country.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck shortly after 9 p.m. local time, and had a tremor depth of 10 miles. The quake, though scientifically shallow, was felt as far away as the nation’s capital in Bagota.

Express.co.uk reported that the earthquake lasted around 30 seconds, and then was followed by an intense aftershock. 

Though the quake was the biggest experienced in Colombia for over a year, USA Today reported that Colombia’s natural disaster offices stated there were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties from the occurrence.  

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stated that the quake hit 83 miles north-northwest of Medellin, the second largest city in the country, and 24 miles from Mutata which houses around 4,800 people. 

The ordeal caused the evaucation of 400 people in Medellin, according to Express.co.uk, in the immediate reaction to the natural disaster.

As Colombia thankfully emerges from the earthquake relatively unscathed, AndNowUKnow will keep an ear to the ground for any other impactful weather and geographical occurences in the industry.

TORONTO, ON - After nearly a lifetime of working for George Weston Limited, W. Galen Weston has announced he will be stepping down as Executive Chairman of George Weston Limited, retaining the role of Chairman Emeritus. His son, Galen G. Weston, will assume the role as Chairman while still retaining his responsibilities as Executive Chairman and President of the Loblaw Companies Limited branch.

"Following my own father's tradition of stepping down at the age of 75, I see this as a good time to create space for the next generation," shared W. Galen Weston upon the announcement. "I have absolute confidence in my son and the George Weston Limited board and leadership. I look forward to using my time to focus on the exciting opportunities ahead in our luxury business and some truly ground-breaking potential with our charitable foundation."

Following in his family's footsteps, W. Galen Weston assumed executive control of George Weston Limited from his father in 1974. During his over four decades serving as Chairman, Weston was at the helm of the introduction of such innovative brands and concepts as President's Choice, Joe Fresh, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore.

As outlined in a press release, the company was also able to create hundreds of thousands of jobs under Weston’s tenure, all while the Weston Foundation and the Weston Group of Companies together have worked to donate more than half a billion dollars to the benefit of Canadian communities.

Succeeding his father, Galen G. Weston is now the fourth generation of the family to oversee the brands. He has been Executive Chairman of Loblaw since 2006 and Deputy Chairman of George Weston Limited since March, 2016. W. Galen Weston's daughter, Alannah Weston, was appointed a Director on the Board earlier this year.

"Reaching a fourth generation represents unique longevity among family-led firms, and my father's success over four decades sets a high bar for the next generation of our business," explained Galen G. Weston. "We will benefit from the strong legacy traits of Weston companies, and my sister and I look forward to our father's continued guidance and support.”

As Galen G. Weston takes the reigns and leads the company into its next era of its business, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.

George Weston Limited

SALINAS, CA - As the company reaches the 25th anniversary of its Broccoli Cole Slaw®, Mann Packing is both taking a look at the history of the product, and looking forward with the introduction of newly redesigned packaging.

From the brain of Joe Nucci at the beginning of his career with Mann Packing, the idea of creating a healthy and unique value-added product using broccoli stalks was, at first, a way to use the part of the company’s product that would otherwise go to feed livestock. Nucci then joined forces with late industry legend David Stidolph to collaborate with expert chefs who coined the term “Hearts of Broccoli.” 

Thus, Broccoli Cole Slaw was born, paving the way for other “vegetable-based” or more “nutrient-dense” salad blends such as Mann’s Power Blend and Rainbow Salad. Reflecting AC Nielsen sales data for the week ending April 2nd, 2016, Broccoli Cole Slaw is now sold in 92 percent of total U.S. retailers.

“To highlight the celebration of Mann’s Broccoli Cole Slaw, we’ve redesigned our packaging to reflect the 25th anniversary, and included Power Blend and Rainbow Salad in the redesign to create a Veggie Slaw destination in the value-added produce section,” explained Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing at Mann’s. “These complementary products are consumer favorites and allow for creativity and versatility in the kitchen; they go way beyond just a cold salad application. Our new packaging design calls out these multiple uses: TOSS – BOOST – SEASON.”

Through the end of the year, Mann’s is celebrating its anniversary by honoring both the history of the product and the creativity of those who cook with it. Opportunities over the next few months will include:

• A recipe contest
• A Girlfriends Guide
• Trade ads
• Newly designed packaging
• Declaring September Broccoli Cole Slaw month (#BrocSlaw25)

"We have achieved this milestone through customer loyalty, the hard work and dedication of our employees and the innovative culture of the company,” added Chairman & CEO, Lorri Koster. “All of us are driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of our founders. Ironically, at times we find ourselves having to procure just broccoli stalks – the byproduct has literally become the product.” 

In a press release, Mann’s cites data from Nielsen (YTD ending 7/30/2016) that states the company provides the number one brand in the broccoli cole slaw segment, which accounts for 46 percent of the broccoli cole slaw volume sold at retail in the U.S. The company adds that Mann’s Broccoli Cole Slaw ranks as one of the top selling items in the fresh-cut vegetable category with 18 units per store per week, and that velocity is up 4 percent versus a year ago.

Koster continues, “The quarter of a century of success for this one item is a testament to our customers’ confidence in Mann’s, and to our culture of innovation. We can’t wait to show them what’s up next!” 

As Mann Packing continues to celebrate its anniversary over the next few months, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for even more!

Mann Packing

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The Western Growers Transportation Program (WGTP) is celebrating its tenth year in existence. C.H. Robinson and Western Growers Association honored the anniversary by hosting a food drive, culminating in a Giving Day held on August 24.

"It was a team effort, and I was blown away by the generosity of the participants," said Luke Gowdy, General Manager at C.H. Robinson. "Ultimately 250,000 meals were donated to those in need. Never in my career have I participated in something of that magnitude."

The idea, hatched by the Western Growers Transportation leadership team, was to demonstrate the power of their partnership through the massive food drive. In keeping with the produce focus of the program, growers were encouraged to donate to Feeding America—either through product or monetary donations. At the end of the day, participating growers and associations donated more than 240,000 pounds of produce, along with financial contributions. C.H. Robinson donated the transportation needed for the event. The donations went to Feeding America locations across the country.

“Thank you to the generous grower-shippers who donated product and monetary donations,” said Matt McInerney, Senior Executive President of Western Growers. “It is rewarding to see how these donations will impact local communities and bring fresh produce to those who may not have easy access to it.”

Rolling out the campaign, designing it, having dialogue with individual shippers, and the final execution required precise coordination by the WGTP, from concept to execution. And the overall success of the donation exemplifies the strength of the relationship between C.H. Robinson and the grower community at large.

"Not only were we able to deliver huge quantities of food, the quality of the food delivered exceeded expectations. Food banks generally received rejected product, and the food banks are very happy with what they are receiving, making this a very unique donation," Gowdy added in reflection of the event.

Since its inception, WGTP has been dedicated to enabling growers to focus on their core competencies: growing, harvesting, and packaging nutritious, fresh produce.

C.H. Robinson Western Growers

LYONS, GA - In an effort to take the healthy eating trend from fad to longstanding lifestyle, L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms, Inc. is releasing a new line of packaged greens, SuperFit Greens. In an innovative twist for the company, SuperFit Greens offer the healthy traditional greens you’ve always loved, but now in a convenient new package.

Herndon Farms has been a leading force behind produce categories that include Vidalia onions, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and bunch leafy greens for more than 30 years now. But as Owner Bo Herndon has seen the leafy greens category change in recent years, he foresaw a line of packaged greens that would engage consumers in a whole new way. 

“Since we started the farm in the late 70s, we’ve always grown southern, cooking greens,” Bo explained. “With the rise of items like kale and with consumers looking for more convenience with their greens, we knew it was time to create the right brand for today’s consumers.”

The SuperFit Greens name was picked to inspire consumers to make healthy lifestyle choices when deciding on their food, according to a press release.

“Eat your greens’ isn’t a passing fad,” shared John Williams, Sales and Marketing Director for Herndon Farms. “Consumers are more health conscious and we want to support that with our products, to support Americans who are returning to a more nutrient-rich diet.” 

This new greens line comes following the recent construction of a new state-of-the-art, 44,000-square-foot processing plant on the company’s farm in southeast Georgia. Designed to accommodate SuperFit Greens packaging, John said that freshness and shelf-life were deciding factors when choosing to build a facility for packing on-site. He said, “The entire process from harvest to packaging will occur at the farm. We’re very confident the quality of our product will stand out because of this.”

The new facility will keep in the tradition of keeping all of Herndon’s items Primus GFS certified, the company said. “Food safety is an extremely important part of what we do every day and our plans for our company’s future,” Bo continued. “We have a food safety team in place to help handle all the requirements an operation like ours requires.”

With innovative packaging, the SuperFit Greens website, social media channels, and direct marketing efforts, in tow, John said he is confident the new line will appeal to consumers. “We are focused on inspiring consumers through engagement, education, and with the high-quality of greens they will see offered under the SuperFit Greens brand,” he said. 

Look out for the new SuperFit Green line beginning to ship from Lyons, Georgia this October, with the company’s website, SuperFitGreens.com, going live at the end of September.

SuperFit Greens Herdon Farms