VALENCIA, CA – Kicking off the 2014/15 California and Arizona citrus growing season, Sunkist is launching new Sesame Street-themed packaging in collaboration with PMA and Sesame Workshop’s ‘eat brighter!’ initiative.

The program will use the influence of Sesame Street brand and characters to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among children aged 2 to 5 and their parents and caregivers.

“Childhood obesity is a critical issue for our country, and we are proud to be working with PMA and Sesame Workshop to encourage families to eat healthier,” said Sunkist Vice President of Sales & Marketing Kevin Fiori. “Like Sunkist, Sesame Street is a trusted family brand and we hope our collaboration will help generate consumer excitement about fresh citrus and the produce category as a whole.”

Sunkist will be offering its customers a Sesame Street-themed 10-pound Navel orange carton and polybag as well as a Giro-bag for easy-peel mandarins, according to a press release.  The eye-catching packaging will assist the goal of helping kids and their families eat more fresh produce.

Sunkist® Navel oranges are some of the most popular citrus varieties and are available from November to June. The Sunkist mandarins are seedless and easy to peel, making them a kid favorite.  They are available mid-October through April.

Sunkist Growers

PMA

TRACY, CA – Twelve months of GloriAnn Sweet Corn, one month of “Corn for the Cause” and three days of PMA Fresh Summit bliss – needless to say, GloriAnn Farms is busy.  

With October here, GloriAnn Farms is kicking off their “Corn for the Cause” breast cancer awareness campaign that will run through the month. In a continued effort to help a cause that affects so many and their families, GloriAnn Farms will once again be making a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., for every specially marked retail case of corn purchased by participating retailers.

“Corn for the Cause” is similar to the August campaign in support of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which serves United States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation, and their families. This past August, GloriAnn Farms contributed nearly $19,000 to this fund.

GloriAnn Farms provides a summer favorite, year-round in a large variety of tray styles to suit each customer’s needs. Not only does GloriAnn Farms make their fresh sweet corn available 12 months of the year, they listen to their customers’ demands and offer everything from mini cobs to family packs and easy microwavable trays. Whether it’s for retail or food service, GloriAnn Farms offers plenty of fresh sweet corn choices.

The full line of GloriAnn and Majesty branded sweet corn will be out for display at the 2014 PMA Fresh Summit, October 17-19, 2014 for attendees to see first-hand, including the specially marked, pink ribbon packs. “We are always excited for the PMA Fresh Summit because, it gives us the chance to network, learn about new industry trends, connect face-to-face with our customers and continue building long-term business relationships,” says owner Mark Bacchetti. “We go home with new connections, strengthened partnerships, and inspiring ideas every time.”

Come visit GloriAnn Farms at PMA booth 843 and help us support one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world with “Corn for the Cause.”

This text was copied verbatim from a press release.

GloriAnn Farms

ANAHEIM, CA - Green Giant Fresh will be launching its “On Trend” marketing campaign at this year's PMA Fresh Summit. According to a press release, the focus of the “On Trend” campaign will include convenience, snacking, cause marketing, national branding and health awareness.

"We listen to what our customers want, research trends and then choose the best new formats and offerings to bring to market," shared Jamie Strachan, CEO of Green Giant Fresh. “We are committed to delivering products that are On Trend and providing consumers with value through convenience, taste, quality and innovation. Our extensive 2014 product rollouts are a reflection of that commitment.”

Green Giant Fresh's position as the most widely recognized vegetable brand allows it to offer complete solutions in all major vegetable categories. The company will be featuring several of its new items at PMA Fresh Summit at Booth 1238 and in the Fresh Summit New Products Showcase. These products include:

• Little Gem Lettuce Hearts
• Green Giant™ Fresh Hummus – available in eight flavors
• Full-line Herbs - .75oz clamshells
• Basil - 2oz pouch
• Trimmed & Peeled Baby Brussels Sprouts – 8oz
• Trimmed & Peeled Brussels Sprouts – 12oz and 2lb
• Asparagus Tips – 8oz
• Sweet Corn – Grab ‘n Go Pouch
• Brussels Sprouts Halves – 9oz
• Sweet Baby Carrots – 4/2.25oz Snack Pack
• Living Lettuce Trio

Congratulations on the new campaign, Green Giant Fresh!

Green Giant Fresh

LOS ANGELES – POM Wonderful® is celebrating fresh pomegranate season, October through January, with a new TV ad campaign and new recipes featuring its POM POMS™ Fresh Arils and 100% Pomegranate Juice.

The “Crazy Healthy” ad campaign is running in October and includes four commercials that feature characters like a dragon, a samurai, a Cyclops and archers, which highlight the healthful antioxidant power of 100% Pomegranate Juice. This marks POM Wonderful’s return to television after a three-year absence.

“Consumers love the sweet burst of flavor and versatility of our products,” said Dahlia Reinkopf, Senior Director of Marketing, POM Wonderful. “Our ‘Crazy Healthy’ TV campaign is timed perfectly with the launch of POM season to remind people about the antioxidant power of pomegranates. The goal of our campaign is to inspire consumers to get crazy healthy with our premium 100% Pomegranate Juice and seasonal Wonderful variety pomegranates.”

Check out the dragon spot here and the other three at the end of the article:

The commercials were directed by Tarsem Singh, Directors Guild of America award-winner. He has also won awards for outstanding directorial achievements in commercials, according to a press release.  Framestore, a VFX COMPANY in London, created the special effects.

POM Wonderful has also continued its partnerships with distinguished chefs like José Andrés, Ludo Lefebvre, Suzanne Goin, Dale Talde, Michael Mina and more this year to create new recipes featuring POM POMS Fresh Arils for a signature Chef Series. POM Wonderful’s 4.3oz containers of POM POMS Fresh Arils are conveniently packaged ready-to-eat arils with just 100 calories. 

The recipes and other POM-inspired ideas can be found on Simply Wonderful, POM Wonderful’s digital magazine.

Check out POM Wonderful at Fresh Summit booth #2184 and the other three commercials below.

Samurai:

Cyclops:

Archers:

POM Wonderful

AVONDALE, PA - To-Jo Mushrooms has recently expanded its facilities to include an additional 200,000 sq. ft. of mushroom growing capacity, as well as an 8,000 sq. ft. expansion of its company headquarters in Avondale, PA.

“By continuously improving our facilities and increasing our production capacity for our customers we will ensure that only the freshest, highest quality products will be delivered out from our facilities on a daily basis,” said President Tony D’Amico. “These improvements will help keep To-Jo at the forefront of an ever expanding mushroom category.”

To-Jo is dedicating its new growing beds to White and Brown mushroom varieties. The increase in production will enable the company to harvest an additional 8 million pounds of product annually, according to a press release.  

The latest additions to the company’s headquarters include a state-of-the-art fresh mushroom receiving area, additional cold storage capacity, and a new pre-cleaned mushroom processing area.

Congrats on the expansion, To-Jo!

To-Jo Mushrooms

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Raley's is looking to increase its sales numbers in the intensely competitive retail industry with a refocused push on natural and organic products. Produce is to lead the charge in this product mix refocusing, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.

"We have focused on providing an increased number of organic items in our produce departments," Raley's Spokeswoman Nicole Townsend explained. "We intend to move toward (offering) an increasing number of products that are made with natural and organic ingredients -- products that are purely made."

Raley's recognizes the importance of the organics category in the modern retail game, a distinction which has only become more prominent with each passing year. Last year for example, sales of organic products in the United States reached $35.1 billion, an 11.5% increase from 2012, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. 

Raley's is also experimenting with minimal ingredient products, something that doubtlessly appeals to fans of clean-eating diets.

"Some are made with all natural ingredients, adhering to a strict ingredients guideline that the Raley's team has defined internally. Others are made with organic ingredients and others still are USDA-certified organic and GMO-free," she elaborated.

The key, however, will always come back to produce. Especially with respect to fresh produce, more consumers than ever are demanding increased selection in produce aisles every day. For example, a study of parents which AndNowUKnow reported on previously revealed that among respondents, 90% purchased organic products for their children at least “sometimes.” 25% of respondents reported that they “always” chose organic products.

Raley's recognizes that a sizable portion of the American population is now being raised on organic produce and food products. Before long, it will be these individuals making up the next generation of buyers to be wooed by retailers. Raley's wants to be ready.

Raley's

BAKERSFIELD, CA - It’s been another successful year for Cotton Candy grapes, as Bakersfield, California-based Grapery wraps up the 2nd commercial season of the unique proprietary variety.

The company welcomed overwhelming consumer response as well as a host of media attention. Cotton Candy grapes were featured as an ingredient in the main dish for the Governor’s Ball at the Emmys, and were also covered by Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Good Morning America Online Edition, an LA Times article, and Epicurious, to name a few outlets.

“Quality was fantastic and continues to improve. It’s a new variety on the market and we’re learning more and more every season on how to enhance the Cotton Candy grape’s eating experience,” Jim Beagle, Grapery CEO, tells me.

Consistency of flavor is the most important factor in growing and harvesting the variety, and the company is becoming much more consistent each season in these early years of commercial production.

“Volume was up substantially from 2013 by more than 50% and we expect a similar percent increase in 2015,” Jim says.

Retailer interest on new and unique varieties like the Cotton Candy grape continues to grow dramatically. “Our growth is limited by how fast we can ramp up production in the field and maintain superior quality,” he tells me.

For the foreseeable future, Grapery plans to continue its commitment to partner and grow with retailers who want to execute and deliver that “WOW” eating experience to their consumers.

Jim suggests high quality store-level interactions with consumers to introduce the variety and answer the many, many questions consumers have. Also, creating great merchandising displays that highlight the uniqueness of the product and drive traffic and sales without sacrificing quality enhances the shopping experience. In-store sampling along with smart retail price points that optimize turnover and margin are great ways to maximum total profit for the retailer and build consumer loyalty, Jim notes.

“We work hard to support our retail partners by helping educate their QC and store level staff so there is smooth execution,” he states.

Grapery

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WA – After a successful trial last season, Viva Tierra Organic, Inc. is bringing organic Italian kiwi to U.S. consumers, with quantities now available.

Viva Tierra’s first shipments of organically grown green Hayward kiwi from Italy made it to the east coast at the end of last month, and availability is expected to continue until February, according to a press release. 

Organic Golden kiwi, which has bright yellow flesh, is expected to arrive in late October and should be available until the end of the year.

Kiwifruit has been consistently growing in popularity with consumers in the past several years, and Viva Tierra is hoping to capitalize on the trend.

The kiwi are packed with PLU stickers in bulk 9kg “Viva Tierra Organic” boxes, according to a press release.  The company also is planning a branded 1 lb. retail zipper bag in November, which will be exclusively available from Viva Tierra Organic.

Viva Tierra Organic

CAMARILLO, CA - With the overwhelming popularity of Huy Fong Foods’ Sriracha Asian hot sauce continuing to grow, Underwood Ranches is experiencing the demand for increased volumes of the company’s California grown jalapeños peppers. Underwood Ranches, based in Camarillo, California, is the exclusive supplier of jalapeños for Huy Fong’s spicy sensation.

About 25 years ago, Owner Craig Underwood, called up Huy Fong’s CEO David Tran and asked him if he needed jalapeños peppers for his line of hot sauce recipes. And the rest is history.

With 58,000 tons of the popular pepper making its way to Huy Fong’s 650,000 sq. ft. Irwindale, California facility, Underwood Ranches is noting incredible growth for the company’s pepper operations.

“This year, in Kern County alone, we grew 17,000 tons of jalapeños peppers. 4 years ago that was our total volume grown at all of our farming operations,” Craig tells me.

How has this popular chili sauce experienced such growth over the past ten years? “Its really hard to say,” Craig tells me. “Foodies have really begun to gravitate toward the product. It’s versatile, flavorful and offers just enough heat to take a meal up a notch.”

He tells me, “Sometimes it takes a while for something to reach a critical mass. David has been using the same recipe since he started producing Sriracha and he has also never marketed it. David's recipe really encapsulates his business philosophy and goals with the product - freshness, quality, and low price.”

According to Quartz.com, as of January 2014, the US hot sauce market has grown by 150% since 2000. This growth is more than that of BBQ sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard—combined.

As ethnic populations continue to grow in North America and the demand for Sriracha's distinct and versatile flavor profile continues to catch fire, there appears to be no end in sight for Huy Fong and Underwood Ranches.

Underwood currently farms 2,000 acres of jalapeños in Ventura and Kern counties. Craig is the fourth generation Owner of the family-run business with COO Jim Roberts at his side, managing and enhancing the company’s technological innovations in sorting and picking the peppers.

“Every year, Jim is finding ways to perfect and streamline our processes and procedures,” Craig tells me. Underwood Ranches’ portfolio also includes produce items such as artichokes, Brussels sprouts, beets, carrots and baby veg.

With the Sriracha phenomenon spurring the rapid growth of Underwood’s jalapeños operations over the past few years, the company is now looking to stabilize its program over the next couple seasons. Underwood will wrap up harvest in the first part of November with replanting slated for mid-March to mid-June with the next harvest kicking off next July.

“I am a Sriracha lover myself,” Craig notes. “So, I am behind our partnership with David and Huy Fong 100%.”

When I ask him if he sees the Sriracha craze slowing, he smiles. I think I have my answer.

Underwood Ranches 

Huy Fong Foods

ORLANDO, FL – The National Mango Board (NMB) is hosting its annual Mango Industry Reception at PMA’s Fresh Summit.

The event will bring members of all levels of the mango supply chain from around the world to connect and network.  This year’s reception will have a strong food safety focus with expert Dr. Sergio Nieto-Montenegro of Food Safety Consulting & Training Solutions, LLC, according to a press release.

Dr. Nieto-Montenegro will also share food safety training materials recommended for mango growing farms and packinghouses in the top six exporting countries, as well as mango warehouses and distribution centers in the U.S., with a Q&A session to follow.

One of the highlights of the event will be the announcement of the Mango Retailer of the Year, which is a retail program that honors retailers who offer strong and consistent support to the mango industry.  The NMB has selected one finalist for each region in the U.S.  They are:

• Chris Keetch, Ahold
• George Hurst, Roundy's
• Mark DeCosta and John Higgins, Costco
• Ricardo DiMarzio, Shoppers Food Warehouse

The reception will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anaheim in Anaheim, CA, and sponsorship opportunities for this event are still available. For more information, contact Jennifer Grullón at [email protected]/407-629-7318 x. 103.

The Mango Industry Reception is free and open to all mango industry members with no reservation required.

National Mango Board