ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods has announced the acquisition of fresh fruit and vegetable processor, repacker, and distributor Freshway Foods.

This strategic move comes just days after US Foods boosted its estimated IPO pricing to more than $1.22 billion and an offer of more than 44 million shares.

Now, the distributor stated that it is happy to welcome Freshway Foods and its employees into the fold, and that it will be keeping the Freshway Foods building open.

“We are very excited about this new partnership with US Foods,” Phil Gilardi and Frank Gilardi, brothers and Owners of Freshway Foods, said in a press release. “Since we started this business, our success has been built upon our commitment to our associates and our customers, and we are looking forward to the next chapter for Freshway Foods as part of a well-established and reputable company like US Foods.”

Based in Sidney, Ohio, Freshway Foods serves customers throughout the eastern half of the U.S. With it, the company said it brings a strong reputation for value-added fresh cut produce and a robust farm-to-fork food safety approach.

With its product, Freshway includes all of the following with its raw produce: 

• Cutting
• Cleaning
• Chopping
• Packaging

These capabilities, Freshway said, mean that the products can be delivered ready for use immediately, as well as be customized to meet any customer’s preferences.

While the terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the deal is expected to close on June 10, 2016.

US Foods Freshway Foods

HIGHLAND, IN – Retailer Strack & Van Til has announced the grandson of its founder, Ernie Strack, as the incoming President and CEO of its company.

“I’m honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by the board,” Jack Strack, newly-named leader, said, according to the NWI Times. “Our company has a heritage going back seven decades and I intend to work with all of our dedicated associates to re-establish the values on which this company was founded.”

Strack will replace the chain’s current leader, Kenneth Diehl, who has lead for just over six months and is reportedly looking to return home to the West.

With 37 stores in Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area, and employing upwards of 6,000 workers, the company is one of the largest grocery chains in the region. And, according to Strack, more growth is intended in the chain’s immediate future.

“We are in a highly competitive, rapidly changing marketplace, but with our stores, associates, and management team, I feel that Strack & Van Til is uniquely positioned to succeed and flourish in the years ahead," Strack said, according to the report. "We intend to re-focus on the heritage and roots of our success immediately.”

Factors named by Strack in the company’s strategic growth are customer service, community involvement, and good treatment of its employees. To meet those customer needs, Strack stated that the retailer will continue to modernize, a multi-million dollar investment in expanded selections and renovations.

As it currently stands, Strack & Van Til has come a long way from the chain Strack’s grandfather founded 66 years ago. Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we follow this newest chapter in the retailer’s story and beyond.

Strack & Van Til

TUCZON, AZ – Spawned from the inspirations of the company founder’s master thesis, to a now emerging stature as a superfood, the pichuberry is promising to make big waves in the U.S..

As Manuel Villacorta, Chief of Public Relations and National Spokesperson for Pichuberry®, recently told me, the berry which matches the company's name can fulfill a diverse selection of roles for the produce consumer - but only if you are identifying the correct berry.

“When our CEO and Founder, Michael Popescu, first approached me on Twitter he asked if I knew about the pichuberry. I said no, because it has a different name in South America,” Manuel laughs.

As many a berry enthusiast could verify, the pichuberry is commonly, and incorrectly, confused with the gooseberry. However, Manuel denotes, the berry the company now hails as “the lost Incan treasure” is not even close to the gooseberry. 

“They look similar, but they belong to a completely different species and family, botanically,” Manuel explains. “In Peru, the pichuberry is known as aguaymanto. But because it’s so hard to pronounce, and known as so many things, we wanted to lighten up where the berry originates. So, Machu Picchu, pichuberry. That’s where the name comes from, we wanted to keep the history about Peru with the berry.” 

Manuel, a nutritional expert and registered dietitian, says that the reason why he lept into his role at Pichuberry® all came down to the expansive health benefits associated with the fruit. “They are phenomenal,” he tells me. “People need to hear more about it.”

The pichuberry has a sweet yet tangy taste, that can compliment a wide variety of savory or sweet dishes. The flesh is firm, but filled with juices, all encapsulated with a waxy skin.

The versatile taste can be enjoyed alone or on a range of dishes, like dressings, waffles, yogurt, and even pizza. And the nutritional benefits? Those are what qualifies the fruit as a superfood, as listed below from a three quarter cup of berries:

• 39 percent of Vitamin D

• 37 percent of Vitamin A

• 18 percent Vitamin C

• 1.7 grams of protein

• Low glycemic index of 25

• Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that have been shown to suppress carcinogens

So just where is the company looking to head now after its four years in business? Straight into a wider retail market. Manuel divulges that Pichuberry® is working its way throughout the nation, and building its market state-by-state. Pichuberries under the Pichuberry® name currently reside in over ten states, with the list constantly growing.

“We don’t want to replace any other berry, we trying not to be an exclusive thing that not everyone can afford. We want to be in every supermarket, right next to the strawberries and blueberries,” finishes Manuel. “There is no silver bullet that will fix everyone’s problems, people need to eat a variety of colors and berries. Our mission is that the pichuberry can be a part of the well-rounded diet.” 

With that kind of mentality, and the passion evident within the company, I forsee both pichuberries and Pichuberry® making a big headway into the fresh fruit market.

Keep clicking back on AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover superfoods and emerging companies within the industry.

Pichuberry®

LOS ANGELES, CA - Giumarra has announced a new agreement with Glenville, Georgia-based G&R Farms that will see the company adding sweet onions to its product line. Under the agreement, Giumarra will help market G&R’s onion crop, and while G&R is known primarily as a premier Vidalia® onion grower, the company also offers a vertically-integrated supply of sweet onions grown in Peru, Mexico, and Texas. 

“I was aware of Giumarra as a family-owned company with values similar to ours,” explains Walt Dasher, Co-Owner of G&R Farms. “Once we met in person and shared our marketing goals and ideas, we found that there was a lot of common ground and it would be beneficial to partner. We hold their size and capabilities in high esteem.”

G&R Farms, a small family farm started in 1945, has expanded to become one of the longest-standing growers, marketers, and shippers of Vidalia onions in its region, according to a press release. G&R currently farms nearly 1,000 acres of onions in Georgia, and works with Latin American growing partners to provide its 52-week supply. 

“We greatly respect the excellent reputation for quality and heritage the Dasher family has established under G&R Farms,” says John Reese Franklin, Sales and Operations Manager of Giumarra Southeast. “We look forward to servicing our retail and foodservice customers with ample supplies of sweet onions.”

G&R’s growing partners in Peru, Mexico, and Texas use the same sweet onion varieties G&R uses for its Georgia crop, thus ensuring quality and mild, sweet flavor, the company explains. Only onions grown in a select 20 South Georgia counties can be marketed as Vidalias, which G&R’s Georgia growing operations qualify for. 

“Given that sweet onions represent the largest share of onion sales and are immensely popular with consumers, we are very excited about this opportunity,” says Kristina Lorusso, Midwest Business Development Manager for Giumarra. “One of the many reasons we were so eager to form a partnership with G&R is their state-of-the-art facilities. Because of their storage capacity and excellent crop quality, it is highly likely we will have Vidalia onions available through October.”

The sweet onions are offered under the G&R label, in the following sizes:

• 10-lb. bulk boxes
• 25-lb. bulk boxes
• 40-lb. bulk boxes
• 2-lb. bags
• 3-lb. bags
• 5-lb. bags
• 10-lb. bags
• 25-lb. bags

Giumarra will launch this new product with a contest-driven collaboration featuring Vidalia sweet onions and California-grown avocados, just in time for the Fourth of July grilling promotions.

Giumarra Companies

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Valley Wide Produce Inc. satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a USDA press release, the Phoenix, AZ, company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Kenneth J. Hurley and Barbara L. Hurley were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, the USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. The USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service

IRWINDALE, CA – Inspired by restaurant-quality fresh Pico de Gallo, crispy chips, and creamy cheddar cheese, Ready Pac Foods just introduced its Ready Snax® Pico Fiesta snack. The single-serve chips & salsa snack pack is just 190 calories, and furthers Ready Pac Food’s commitment to giving people the freedom to eat healthier. The Pico Fiesta snack pack delivers a great tasting, healthy snack that consumers can grab and go anytime. 

Consumer demand within the $124 billion snacking industry, according to the Nielsen 2014 Study, continues to drive innovation and product development at Ready Pac Foods. Today consumers are looking for not only indulgence and convenience with their snacks, but health and value as well. The new flavor combination of the Pico Fiesta Ready Snax® brings a consumer favorite taste profile to Ready Pac’s existing lineup of Ready Snax®. Each of the nine varieties offers a fresh produce approach to snacking with bold flavors and a vitamin boost that help curb hunger - all at 220 calories or less.

“We are already seeing the location of snacks shift from the traditional boxed salty snack aisle to the fresh produce section of stores based on consumer demand for fresh and healthy eating,” said Tristan Simpson, Chief Marketing Officer of Ready Pac Foods, Inc. “We see this trend of healthy snacking continuing to grow, but with added requirements for more on-the-go convenience.” 

With household penetration of tortilla chips and salsa at 79 and 68 percent respectively, according to February 2016 Mintel Report - U.S. Chips and Dip, Ready Snax Pico Fiesta combines three consumer favorites into an irresistible mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Pico Fiesta includes savory tortilla chips, protein-packed cheddar cheese cubes, and fresh Pico de Gallo salsa made with tomatoes, diced onions, and zesty cilantro. Now, consumers on-the-go can enjoy this restaurant favorite in the palm of their hand. 

For more information about Ready Pac Foods Ready Snax® snack line, please visit http://www.readypac.com/product-category/ready-snax/

Ready Pac

THE DALLES, OR - With the first week of June comes Orchard View’s cherry harvest, and the company reports that all indications are pointing to another excellent season for the Oregon grower, and exclusive sales, marketing, and distribution partner, Oppy. Adding more acreage, new tech, and refreshed branding, it looks like Orchard View is poised for another busy year. 

“We’re positioned for growth in 2016,” said David Nelley, Oppy's Executive Category Director for Northwest cherries. “Not only has the crop continued to recover from catastrophic frost in October 2014, more acreage is available and Orchard View has made some important operational upgrades in the packhouse that will set them apart.” 

One such upgrade is Orchard View’s installation of a Unitec optical sorting lines, equipped to separate cherries by color and size, while avoiding any quality issues. 

“The new sorter’s 48-line capacity will enable Orchard View to efficiently heighten the consistency of the packs,” Nelley added. “Orchard View already enjoys a reputation for excellent quality. This new equipment will make their excellent offerings even stronger and eye-catching at retail.”

Orchard View’s cherry varieties include Bing, Rainier, and Sweetheart, which Orchard View President Brenda Thomas says are grown on the best-suited elevations on the company’s orchards. “We’ve chosen them in order to extend the season as long as possible so retailers can make the most out of cherry season and consumers can enjoy our quality into August.”

Each new season, Oppy's staff relocates to Orchard View to offer on-site service to customers, and support the grower’s “Pick, Pack, Ship” goal of shipping every cherry within a day of being picked. The 2016 season is particularly notable for Orchard View, according to a press release, with the company taking up a refreshed branding approach focused on the idea, “Pick Your Moments.” 

“The Pick Your Moments theme encourages our customers and cherry lovers everywhere to enjoy what Orchard View has to offer—the best and sweetest cherries available at any moment of the season,” explained James Milne, Oppy’s Executive Director of Marketing, adding that domestic cherries often signal summer days and fun moments with family and friends. “The high-quality, varietal range and strategic harvest timing at Orchard View make it possible for retailers to ‘seize the moment’ and offer excellent cherries to their customers while enjoying the benefits to their bottom line.” 

Orchard View is introducing new packaging and signage that prominently features the Pick Your Moments message, as well as encourages shoppers to enjoy the company’s cherries while creating memories of good times shared.  

“Orchard View’s first cherry harvest was in 1923. The many moments of hard work, learning, and perseverance since then have enabled this grower family to excel for four generations,” Milne added. “Orchard View is picking its moment to shine this season—and we invite our customers and their shoppers to do the same.”

Orchard View cherries will be packed in high-graphic, attention-grabbing pouch bags, and Oppy has plans to connect Orchard View cherry lovers in the coming months with a comprehensive social media campaign, so stay tuned for more!

Orchard View Oppy

KELOWNA, BC - SunRype’s food products have always been known for their natural approach and clean labels with no added sugar, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. In 2015, we made a commitment to strengthen our offering to consumers by making the entire portfolio Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Vegan, and certified Kosher.

New optimized branding on all packaging started shipping to market in April, 2016, with more prominent product and key benefit callouts to help consumers make healthier choices easier.

In addition to the optimized branding on the existing portfolios, in April we also began featuring the launch of new innovation from SunRype. 

Fruit & Chia: SunRype’s new Fruit & Chia bars are fruit and whole grain bars with gluten free oats, flax and seeds and are available in two delicious flavor combinations – Apple Cinnamon and Mango Twist. Not only are these bars delicious, they are a good source of vital nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids to help you feel your best every day.

Energy:  The second new product line that will be in market in April is SunRype Energy. This simple and natural sustained energy bar with 7g of plant protein is targeted to the growing recreational and lifestyle users – active snackers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend warriors. SunRype’s new Energy bar will be available in delicious Chocolate Coconut and Raspberry Chocolate flavors.

For more information on these products, including stores they can be found in and how to order, go to www.sunrypeusa.com.

SunRype

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target Corporation has released its 2016 Q1 report, and as the company denoted lower first quarter sales, its stocks have followed suit, dropping more than 8 percent in morning trading as reported by USA Today. 

In the company’s initial financial release, CEO Brian Cornell said that the company was pleased with its Q1 finances and other increases within the report. However, according to USA Today, Cornell was quoted in a call with the media as saying, "We continue to see consumers spend cautiously. It's been a very wet and cold start to the year in the Northeast and it's been reflected in our sales." 

Target's sales decreased 5.4 percent, falling to $16.2 billion from the $17.1 billion reported last year. Furthermore, Target expects its comparable sales of flat to go down 2 percent in its second quarter. The company also reported net earnings down 0.4 percent at $632 billion from 2015 Q1’s report of $635 billion.

USA Today said that this announcement of lower sales, and an expected comparable sales decrease for the company’s next quarter, unnerved investors enough for Target to see its stocks plunge to $67.48 at market opening, even reaching as low as $65.50, as reported by Google Finance. Previous to the 2016 Q1 announcement, Target’s stocks were at $73.59 as of the market’s close on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Highlights noted from Target’s 2016 Q1 report, in comparison to 2015’s first quarter, are as follows:

• Adjusted EPS of $1.29, up 16.5 percent from $1.10
• Comparable digital channel sales increased by 23 percent, on top of 38 percent growth
• Comparable sales increased 1.2 percent
• $1.2 billion return to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases

As of 11:20 AM (PST), on May 18, 2016, Target's stocks were reported at $68.03, with the company's price-earnings ratio at 12.85, according to Google Finance.

Keep following AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on Target’s sales and financials in the face of changing retail strategies in the produce industry.

Target

REEDLEY, CA - The California stone fruit harvest is underway and Giumarra Reedley has a host of new developments and promotional programs for retail partners. Jeannine Martin, Director of Sales, took a few minutes out of her day to speak with me about Giumarra’s program and what we can expect as we move through the season.  

“Our first pack date was April 21st with white peaches,” Jeannine tells me. “We have since picked yellow and white peaches; yellow and white nectarines; white donut peaches; black and red plums; apricots; and our proprietary DulceVida™ red apricots.” 

In 2016, Giumarra is expanding its Nature’s Partner DulceVida line of proprietary, high-flavor stone fruit varieties. The company will have more volume of several DulceVida categories this year: red apricots, white nectarines, and yellow nectarines. In addition, the company is offering new clamshell packaging for DulceVida.

She also adds that timing on some varieties is ahead of last year by three to four days. Giumarra’s California stone fruit is grown right in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley near the Kings River and volumes have expanded this year substantially with an additional grower base.  

“This gives us well-balanced diversity among our California stone fruit offering for 2016,” Jeannine adds. “This year, one of the bigger challenges has been availability of field labor and the weather has been unpredictable. But, so far the crop and quality looks great and flavor is excellent.” 

Giumarra will have stone fruit until October 1st. The end of the stone fruit season will overlap slightly with the company’s California fall persimmons, which begin harvest at the end of September.

Giumarra Companies Giumarra Reedley