LEAMINGTON, ON - The R.E.A.CH. International Greenhouse Competitions wrapped up again this year with a host of winners across the board. Included in that exclusive group is Double Diamond Farms who took the Kids' Choice Tomato Award for the second year in a row, but this year for the company’s Bramato Brown Tomatoes. 

“We are proud to take home this award for our Bramato tomato. These tomatoes are flavor-forward and present a deep, rich color that really helps to diversify our customer’s produce departments,” Chris Mastronardi, President/CEO, tells me. 

The company is introducing new packaging for the Bramato as well, with newly designed 12 oz and 16 oz trays that offer delicious recipes straight from Double Diamond's cookbook. 

“We also took home a 2nd place award for Best Cocktail for our Double Diamond Zebrino, that ripens to a deep reddish brown with unique green zebra stripes,” Caitlyne Johns, Director of Marketing, says. “In addition, we were recognized with a 3rd place award for our Double Diamond Cocktail Cukes.”

Greenhouse industry growers and marketers entered 159 entries into the competitions which celebrate Essex County as being the largest greenhouse industry in North America. A double blind element was introduced to the event this year to ensure that the official and people's choice judging was being done without bias. 

Check out the delicious spread of Double Diamond tomatoes today at United Fresh booth #1650.

Congrats on the awards, Double Diamond! 

Double Diamond

CINCINNATI, OH – As the company announced that current Ralphs President Donna Giordano will be retiring, Kroger has appointed Valerie Jabbar to the position. Jabbar currently serves as Vice President of Merchandising for Ralphs.

"Valerie is an exceptional leader who is passionate about developing associates and serving our customers and communities," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger Chairman and CEO. "She brings to her new role broad retail experience, and a deep commitment to putting our customers first. We look forward to her continued leadership at Ralphs."

Giordano will retire from the company as of July 23, when Jabbar will then take her place.

Jabbar began work with the company in 1987 in the Fry’s division as a clerk. At Fry’s, Jabbar moved through several leadership roles including Assistant Store Director, Category Manager, and Drug and General Merchandise Coordinator. 

Jabbar has also served in a variety of leadership roles in the Drug and General Merchandising sector of Kroger’s general office in Cinncinati, and within the Fry’s division. The company stated in a press release that Jabbar was appointed Fry’s District Manager before being appointed as Vice President of Merchandising for the Mid-Atlantic division in 2012. Jabbar was promoted to her most recent role in 2013.

The retiring Ralphs President joined the King Soopers company as a courtesy clerk in 1972 while attending college. In 1982, Giordano was named Store Manager of King Soopers, and held various director-level positions in advertising, grocery, general merchandise, and other sectors. 

"Donna's distinguished leadership has helped Ralphs continue to grow, serve more customers in the highly-competitiveSouthern California market, and help Kroger across our business," continued McMullen. "She is respected throughout the industry and among our associates for her strategic leadership and engagement in the communities we serve. The entire Kroger family thanks Donna for her many contributions and wishes her and her family all the best in retirement." 

Giordano was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing of King Soopers in 1999, before being appointed to her current executive position in 2011. Giordano still volunteers with the Network of Exectuive Woman, is currently a board member and President of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), and is a past member of the Orange County Girl Scouts.

Giordano intends to travel with her husband, Mario, and spend time with daughters Amber and Aubrey who reside in Seattle for her retirement. 

AndNowUKnow will continue to have the latest in executive appointments and announcements within the industry.

Kroger Ralphs

BOISE, ID - North Texas, get ready for a whole lot of WinCo. Two new stores are on the books, as well as a new 830,000-square-foot distribution center that's large enough to supply between 25 and 35 stores, according to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dave Butler.  

As reported by The Dallas Morning News, the distribution center will be built in Denton, Texas, where the company is also opening one of its two new locations. The other will be in Arlington, with each employing about 115 to 130 people.

And that’s no stopping point for the Boise, Idaho-based retailer. Butler says the company has a real estate staff that is "actively searching the region" for new store sites, building on its portfolio of seven already established sites in Texas.

Current WinCo locations in Texas include:

• McKinney
• Fort Worth (two locations)
• Duncanville
• Lewisville
• North Richland Hills
• Garland

WinCo has four other distribution centers in Boise, ID, Modesto, CA, Woodburn, OR, and Phoenix, AZ. While the distribution center will open with only about 165 employees, it expects to increase to a staff of 250 to 300 as more retail stores open.

WinCo’s high-volume, 95,000-square-foot stores sell $1.5 million worth of inventory per week, The Morning News reported. The retailer currently operates 107 stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Winco

FOWLER, CA – As the company looks to continue engaging consumers in the connection between local produce and its benefits, Bee Sweet Citrus has announced a new partnership with news station KSEE 24 and its Central Valley news segment, Valley Delicious. 

“In addition to providing consumers with fresh citrus year-round, Bee Sweet Citrus is determined to help improve the health of our community by educating them about the health benefits associated with citrus,” stated Monique Bienvenue, Director of Communications, Bee Sweet Citrus. “Partnering with Valley Delicious has given us the opportunity to not only discuss the health attributes of citrus, but to also showcase easy, healthy citrus-inspired recipes to residents of the Central Valley.” 

Valley Delicious was created by KSEE 24 to give Central Valley California consumers a more well-rounded understanding of where their produce is grown. Bee Sweet stated in a press release that the segment provides an educational platform for viewers in line with California’s ongoing farm-to-fork movement. 

“Valley Delicious is the one show that connects consumers with local farmers,” said KSEE 24 Account Executive Serena Garza. “Informative, educational, and a reminder to  support our local economy - we value partnerships with local agribusinesses because it encourages consumers to learn more about their food, and reminds them to keep grocery dollars close to home.” 

In addition to the segment giving local growers a chance to showcase their products, the Valley Delicious partnership is also an extension of Bee Sweet’s ongoing digital health campaign #EatMoreCitrus. The company utilizes various social media outlets to provide consumers with citrus-based health tips, recipes, and other industry information. 

“Citrus is an amazing commodity because all varieties are healthy, delicious and extremely versatile,” continued Bienvenue. “We’re extremely excited to see how consumers enjoy learning about our products, and look forward to continue sharing healthy, wholesome recipes.” 

To watch the latest segment of Bee Sweet Citrus on Valley Delicious via KSEE 24, watch the video above!

Stay with AndNowUKnow for more industry news and features on social media, news segments, and more.

Bee Sweet Citrus 

PORTERVILLE, CA – As the company continues steps to ramp up its blueberry production, Homegrown Organic Farms has announced a newly solidified partnership with a new Pacific NW facility. 

“This growth in our organic blueberry category has been strategically planned for the past several years, and this partnership is just the next step for our growers and customers alike,” said Scott Mabs, Homegrown Organic Farms’ CEO said. “We know this will have a marked impact on our business and our customers. We are excited about what the future holds for Homegrown, our growers, and our valued customers.” 

This new partnership with the facility with allow the company to increase its organic blueberry production, which Homegrown plans to up its capacity for the category in the coming years. Homegrown will consolidate packing and shipping operations for fruit within the Pacific NW to move through this new facility. 

The company stated in a press release that the partnership with the Pacific NW facility will also provide its customers with advantages in logistics and transportation, particularly as the company’s domestic season moves from California up through Oregon and Washington. The facility will provide Homegrown and customers these advantages when loading with other regionally located products. 

“This new location will not only provide excellent customer service, but also provide fantastic opportunities for our growers. We are excited and grateful for the responsibility to continue to create impact and change lives,” stated Chad Hansen, Homegrown Organic Farms’ Blueberry Category Director. “By participating in a more sustainable and regional production model we can support local jobs while maintaining our keen focus and commitment to exceptional quality and program consistency for our retail and wholesale partners. It’s really a win-win-win for everyone involved, and simply stated, it just makes sense.”

Homegrown said that in addition to his new partnership in the Pacific NW, the company will continue to utilize its packing and shipping facilities in Kingsburg, CA, and Riverside, CA, for its central and southern California production.

Keep clicking on AndNowUKnow as we continue to provide you with the latest breaking news on strategic alliances and production announcements within the industry.

Homegrown Organic Farms

LEAMINGTON, ON – In its third year running for taking home multiple awards in several categories, Pure Flavor has announced that the company took home four prestigious awards after the 2016 Greenhouse Competition.

“We are so excited to be accepting these awards so soon after our first pick at our brand new greenhouse here in Leamington. It shines a bright light for the future of our company”, said Jamie Moracci, President of Pure Flavor.

For the annual competition’s first-ever blind taste test, Pure Flavor stated in a press release that the company took home four different awards between the cucumber and tomato categories. The winning results are as follows:

• Best Roma Tomatoes: Pure Flavor® Roma Tomatoes
• Best Hothouse Cluster Tomato: Pure Flavor® Tomatoes on the Vine
• Best Beefsteak Tomatoes: Pure Flavor® Beefsteak Tomatoes
• “Kids Choice Coolest Cucumber”: Pure Flavor® English Seedless Cucumbers

“We’re always looking to improve our produce and awards like these confirm that we are doing something right,” stated Matt Mastronardi, CMO of Pure Flavor.

Pure Flavor recently opened a new greenhouse near its headquarters in Leamington, Ontario, where the company said its first crop of beefsteak tomatoes and tomatoes on the vine were harvested just days ago.

Keep up with AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover leading competitions within the greenhouse category.

Pure Flavor

ISSAQUAH, WA – As the wholesale giant completed its switch yesterday of major credit card providers from American Express to Citi Visa, the company also looks to up enticing rewards for consumers.

This switch signals the end to the company’s 16-year relationship with American Express, as Costco members can now only use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. American Express cards will no longer be accepted as of yesterday.

Analysts at TheStreet speculated that this new partnership between Costco and Visa could save the wholesaler between $110 million to $220 million from lower interchange fees. Analysts continued to outline that the standard interchange fee for American Express is in the 190- to 200-basis-points (bps) range, while Citi Visa is nearer to the 130 to 140 bps range.

The company has provided a number of statues to help for a seamless transition for Costco credit card holders, such as mailing out new cards to all previous holders of the Costco American Express card without a need to reapply, and letting the Costco Visa cards double as a membership card. All points from the old partnership will be transferred to new cards.

As Costco shifts providers, consumers can also expect a shift to their benefits through the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, mostly in a positive fashion. The beneficiary changes, dubbed “4-3-2-1 rewards” by the company, are as follows:

• 4% cash back on eligible cash worldwide, including Costco gas, for first $7,000 in purchases for year (compared to previous 3% through American Express, for first $4,000 per year).
• 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide (compared to American Express’ 2%).
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com (compared to 1% from the American Express partnership).
• 1% cash back on all other purchases (unchanged from previous arrangement).

CNBC said that another change consumers can expect with the shift to Citi Visa is that all cash-back rewards must be redeemed at Costco. 

This shift in providers comes after American Express stated last year that it could not reach its desired negotiated terms with Costco, according to CNBC.

The company said that as of the 20th, the company now accepts in its warehouses all Visa cards, cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT, and Costco Cash Cards. MasterCard and Discover will still be accepted online, in addition to those listed above.

Keep up with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on Costco’s changing consumer strategies, and the subsequent impact on the industry.

Costco

CORAL GABLES, FL – Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has announced that its subsidiary Del Monte International has been awarded $32 million in a lawsuit against Inversiones y Procesadora Tropical, S.A. (INPROTSA). 

In addition to the $32 million awarded, the ruling also states that the following, according to a press release: 

• Del Monte has a right to virtually all of the gold pineapple vegetative material on the INPROTSA’s plantation.
• Injunctive relief prohibiting INPROTSA’s sale of nearly all its gold pineapples to any buyers other than Del Monte.
• INPROTSA ordered to perform its specifically perform its obligations under its pineapple sales agreement with Del Monte.

The company has been awarded the above rulings and $32 million sum in damages, interest, and other monetary relief by the INPROTSA of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Stay with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on this lawsuit and others in the fresh produce industry, as they are released.

Del Monte Fresh Produce

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago and the United Fresh trade show are getting a taste of summer courtesy of Sunkist Growers, who will be showcasing summer citrus varieties and fresh marketing solutions to squeeze the most out of the season. 

“Sunkist is excited to share fresh ideas for seasonal citrus marketing with trade customers at this year’s United Fresh tradeshow in Chicago,” shared Sunkist’s Director of Communications, Joan Wickham. “Beautiful, warm summer weather brings so many opportunities for consumers to zest up their routine, and the bright, refreshing flavors of citrus are the perfect complement for the season.”

The Sunkist booth will be hosting a wide array of eye-catching point-of-sale materials, designed to help educate consumers about citrus seasonality, flavor profiles, nutrition information, and usage ideas that encourage purchase, something Director of Retail Marketing Julie DeWolf says is imperative to boosting citrus dollars. 

“Education is critical when it comes to driving sales in the produce department,” explains DeWolf. “We offer retailers customizable marketing materials and displays that not only educate, but also showcase the beauty and versatility of citrus.” 

That’s not the only reason to check out the booth either. Sunkist Chef Jill Davie will be serving Orange Chipotle Pulled Pork Tacos with Orange Cabbage Slaw and Grapefruit, Avocado, Bacon & Shrimp on Little Gem Leaves. Additionally, Lemon Lavender Soda will be served each morning, and a California Mai Tai, made with freshly squeezed Sunkist® Valencia oranges, lemons and limes, will be available in the afternoon. 

“There are many delicious citrus varieties in the market during the summer months, and we will be highlighting these fresh flavors at our booth,” added Wickham.

Sunkist is also highlighting the following citrus varieties:

• Valencia Oranges: In season now through October
• Grapefruit: Available year-round
• Lemons: Including Meyer, seedless, and Zebra® (pink variegated) lemons

To learn more about Sunkist citrus varieties, promotional campaigns and merchandising, visit booth #1521 at United Fresh 2016 or visit www.sunkist.com. 

Sunkist Growers

BEDFORD, NH - The largest store in the Hannaford Supermarket chain opened its doors last weekend, June 18th, launching what its team calls a new design concept that could serve as blueprints for its future formats.

“This is going to be a learning laboratory to figure out just how effective certain services are when put together and offered in a large store,” Eric Blom, External Communications Manager at Hannaford Bros. Co., said, according to news source Union Leader. “This will really inform the design and remodels of large Hannaford stores in the future.”

The newest location stands at 68,000-square-feet, marrying several concepts under one roof, according to Blom, including the ability for its shoppers to shop online to pick up in-store, purchase made-to-order food to eat on location or take away, and get customized cutting of fruits and vegetables.

Hannaford’s Director of Operations for the Manchester area and lifelong New Hampshire resident, John Fifield told the Bedford Journal, "The decor of this store will be completely new and reflects our commitment to the local community and producers; our roots as a northern New England grocer since 1883; and our focus on high-quality, fresh food. The store layout draws from the latest research about how we make the shopping experience easier for customers."

Additional features include:

• A 700-square-foot community room for nonprofit groups in need of meeting space.
• Associates in produce, bakery, meat, and seafood with individualized, free services such as cutting particular fruits and vegetables at the customer's request; providing free spice rubs of meat and seafood; freshly-squeezed orange juice; slicing fresh-baked loaves of bread to order; and more.
• A specialty cheese shop where mozzarella will be made fresh daily, wheels of cheese cracked, cheese cut to order, and the extensive selection of items will be informed by certified cheese professional Deborah Webster.

The new location kicked off at 7 a.m. with a ribbon cutting, a sampling of local foods and other products, and a giveaway of gift cards and other items to the first 500 customers.

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow how this new format will influence Hannaford’s approach in an ever-evolving industry.

Hannaford Supermarkets