ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL - Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. has been named as a finalist for the 2014 PMA Impact Awards in Excellence in Packaging for its new packaging design.

The increased demand for single-serve, portion-control foods in grab-and-go packaging inspired the development of a new line of snap-apart cut fruit cups. Clear Lam developed the packaging based on the success of multi-pack yogurt cups, extending the concept to the produce aisle. Consumers find the packaging adds convenience and is easy to use for snacking on multiple occasions.

The packaging is available for products offered as 4 packs, 6 packs or other serving sizes to support grocery retail, club store or c-store distribution channels. Country Fresh is pioneering the concept with its Snack Fresh branded products. Seven SKUs are offered today with more to come.

Clear Lam Packaging

OXNARD, CA – San Miguel Produce, Inc.™ sponsored the second annual National Kale Day celebration in a big way by giving away thousands of bunches of kale on major street corners in Southern California.

Check out a video of the crew in action below:

San Miguel Produce and over 30 company employees took to the streets of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties in pairs to give away free kale to raise awareness of kale and healthy eating in general, according to a press release. 

Stationed at major intersections during morning commute times of 6:30-9:00, the teams gave away over 3,000 free bunches of kale. The San Miguel team covered 11 locations in 8 cities:

• Ventura
• Oxnard
• Camarillo
• Thousand Oaks
• Malibu Canyon
• Pacific Coast Hwy
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Santa Monica

National Kale Day is the first Wednesday in October and celebrates kale’s health benefits, highlights its culinary versatility and promotes eating, growing and sharing kale throughout America.

Maybe next October, you’ll see kale on the streets of a town near you.

San Miguel Produce

MORGAN HILL, CA – Sakata Seed America is sponsoring cyclist Ron Cramer in the Tour de Fresh.  The 4-day, 275 mile, cycling ride along the California coast benefits United Fresh Foundation’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign.

The goal of Tour de Fresh, as well as its participants, is to raise $120,000 to privately finance 40 new salad bars in school districts, according to a press release.  Cramer will be riding for Rosemead School District in Los Angeles County.

"The chance to cycle the beautiful California coast, while at the same time helping to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to school children, was simply impossible to pass up,” said Ron Cramer, former Sakata employee and consultant.  “I am inspired to take this step forward and hope to also be able to have direct participation in Rosemead’s implementation of their salad bar.”

Dave Armstrong, President and CEO of Sakata Seed America, said, “Our commitment to building healthier communities through events like this is extremely important to Sakata, allowing us to help provide an empowering nutritional experience for those with limited access to fresh produce.”

Striving to have a positive, healthy and sustainable impact on people, communities and food, Sakata is also sponsoring and participating in the American Heart Association’s National Eating Healthy Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014.

Sakata Seed America

PELION, SC - WP Rawl and High School Musical actress Monique Coleman are joining forces this Fall to promote the company’s Nature’s Greens line of processed leafy greens.

The partnership includes promotional videos, healthy eating tips, and recipe content, along with an increased social media presence with contests and Twitter parties, according to a press release. Monique, who actually grew up near the WP Rawl headquarters, will be featured on specially-marked Nature’s Greens Collard Green bags along with recipes she created as well.

“When we made the connection with Monique and discovered her passion for eating greens in a healthy way, and then learned that she had grown up nearby and still has family ties in the area, we knew we had to find a way to partner with her,” said Ashley Rawl, Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Product Development at WP Rawl. “We believe that our goals are perfectly aligned and can’t wait to spread this excitement to our customers.”

The partnership will run until October 2015. Those who wish to follow WP Rawl’s journey with Monique can visit www.rawl.net/eatmogreens or use #eatmogreens on social media.

WP Rawl

WENATCHEE, WA - Oneonta’s organic program is hitting its stride this season with strong demand domestically and increasing demand in foreign markets.

With industry estimates suggesting approximately 10 million boxes of organic apples out of Washington this season, Scott Marboe, Oneonta’s Director of Marketing, noted that the company now has over 1.2 million cartons of apples. “We had a great growing season, and apples are moving very well now,” Marboe continued. “Aggressive retail pricing really jump-started the apple movement. We will have cherries next season and are also adding to our organic pear supply.”

Check out the video below for an inside look into Oneonta's organic program...

Oneonta offers a range of consumer favorites, including certified organic Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and much more. Marketing Representative Bruce Turner says that organic supplies should “last well into May next year, and Oneonta expects to pack about 14 percent of the Washington organic apple crop,” according to a press release.

At Columbia Valley Fruit LLC, Orlin Knutson, one of the grower owners who provides Oneonta with certified fruit, said that the 2014 organic crop is dramatically increasing statewide. “The market itself continues to grow, and demand is very strong. Our biggest increases have come in Galas and Fujis, and we’re also seeing more Honeycrisp, Reds, and Goldens this year. Our size profiles are very good, with the Honeycrisp on the large side. Fujis are also great, with a good range of sizes.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest market updates.

Oneonta

Delta Packing is proud to announce that they have signed a deal making them the sole marketing and sales agents for Discovery Garden’s potatoes effective October 1, 2014.  According to Delta Packing, this partnership allows them to grow in providing a broader range of commodities offered to their customers, as well as diversification for Delta Packing. 

“We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to be joining with Discovery Garden’s, who have established an outstanding reputation for quality and service,” Paul Poutre, General Manager of Delta Packing said.  “They approached us with this opportunity, and after looking into it, it just seemed to fit well with the timing of our other commodities and our growth plan as a company.”

“With Delta Packing we will continue to grow our sales and also make plans for new pack types of smaller sizes and organics,” said Rob Campbell, President of Discovery Garden’s. “Our branded potatoes have been embraced by consumers for many years; now Delta Packing will provide a fresh and experienced sales force to gain more retailers and more shelf space.”

Delta Packing is a grower, packer, shipper of fresh cherries and wine grapes based out of Lodi, California and will now be charged with the task of marketing and selling the proprietary potatoes of Discovery Garden’s based in Oakdale, California. Discovery Garden’s, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cal-Ore Seed, Inc., and was established in 2003 for exclusive marketing of the proprietary branded potatoes. The registered trademarked potatoes include Sierra Gold®, Autumn Gold®, Sierra Rose® and Sierra Gems®, all offering great taste and quality.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to speak with Nick Lucich, please call 209-334-1023 or email [email protected]. 

Delta Packing

Discovery Garden's

CORAL GABLES, FL – After the great success of last year's run, Del Monte Fresh is bringing back its annual “Gold for Gold” Pineapple promotion for a second year. With this fun, pirate-themed contest, Del Monte Fresh is encouraging consumers and retailers alike to engage with and enjoy its line of Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet Pineapples.

“Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet Pineapples are incredibly versatile. They are an ideal and refreshing healthy snack, make delicious desserts, and can be used as an ingredient for cooking,” said Dennis Christou, VP of Marketing, North America for Del Monte. “Pineapples can be enjoyed year-round, especially in the fall when cooking and baking is in full swing as we approach the holidays.”

According to a press release, the winner of the Del Monte Gold promotion will be rewarded with a pound of 24 karat gold. If that sounds like a lot to you, it is. I looked it up, and found out that given the current exchange market, that much gold is worth over $19,000! With that kind of a prize up for grabs, I know that I'll certainly be on the hunt for some pineapples on my next shopping trip.

Not wanting to leave retailers out of the game, Del Monte will also be holding a pirate-themed Gold for Gold Retail Display Contest. Enterprising retailers can construct their own displays and send in pictures or videos to [email protected] in order to enter. The winning entry will either receive an ounce of 24k gold or a donation of the equivalent monetary value to a charity of the winner's choice.

The company says that these displays will be judged on creativity and originality. In addition, retailers can also earn points by running a Gold for Gold circular ad and using the Gold for Gold point-of-sale signage. Participants put themselves in the running for a chance to win a trip to Costa Rica!

For more information on how to enter the contest, check out Del Monte Fresh's official rules on its website here.

Del Monte Fresh says it will launch the promotion on October 13^th. It will run through November 16^th, 2014.

Del Monte Fresh

OXNARD, CA – Deardorff Family Farms has announced that it will be hosting the riders and donors of the inaugural Tour de Fresh for a pit-stop breakfast event and ceremony on October 15th, 2014. A strong supporter of the Salad Bars to Schools campaign, Deardorff will also be presenting a salad bar to the Conejo Valley School District at the ceremony. According to a press release, representatives from both organizations will be at the event to witness the presentation, an important first step in fostering a healthier generation of young people. The breakfast will be prepared by Scratch's Chef Tim Kilcoyne.

The Tour de Fresh is a 275-mile cycling event down the coast of California, bringing together farmers and produce companies for a great common cause. The proceeds from this race will go towards funding the Salad Bars to Schools campaign, a major focus of First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let's Move program.

Childhood obesity rates in America have tripled over the past three decades, contributing to a saddening range of health concerns. Schools are held back from tackling this issue head-on however by a lack of funding. The goal of the Tour de Fresh is to remedy this problem, raising $120,000 to privately finance 40 new salad bars in school districts across the country. Deardorff's contribution will be one of these.

At the end of the breakfast, Deardorff says that riders will continue on their way to the next stop in the Tour de Fresh: Santa Monica. Deardorff owners, Tom and Scott Deardorff, fellow riders in the Tour de Fresh, will be joining them.

It's great to see a company like Deardorff Family Farms get behind a cause like the Salad Bars to Schools campaign so strongly. Thank you, Deardorff!

Deardorff Family Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has lifted PACA reparation sanctions on JD Rodriguez Produce Inc.

The Dallas, Texas-based company can now continue operating in the produce industry after applying for and receiving a PACA license. Johnny D. Rodriguez, Valerie J. Rodriguez, and Esmeralda G. Rodriguez 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, according to a press release.

JD Rodriguez Produce Inc. was formerly restricted from operating in the produce industry in April 2014 after failing to pay a $29,069 award in favor of a Texas seller. Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly named individuals.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.

Agricultural Marketing Service

BOULDER, CO - Lucky’s Market, the retro organic grocer, is bringing ‘Good Food For All’ to five new states: Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wyoming. 

• Gainesville, FL:  This store will anchor the Verde Plaza and is located just 1.5 miles north of the University of Florida.  The Gainesville Sun reports that Lucky’s Market leased the vacant property and hopes to move in by the end of the year.
• Bloomington, IN:  This store will be located in the Walnut Park Shopping Center.  Bloomington is also home to Indiana University and its 43,000 students.
• Iowa City, IA:  This store is expected to open next spring in a space formerly occupied by Von Maur.  The 34,000 square foot store will bring about 200 jobs to the Iowa City area, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• Ann Arbor, MI:  This store will be taking the place of a Kroger store that has occupied the space.  The Ann Arbor News reports that Lucky’s Market plans to renovate the 30,000 square foot building when the Kroger store closes.
• Jackson Hole, WY: Lucky’s Market plans to open this store in early 2015 at 974 West Broadway, Jackson Hole, WY.  

Aside from these five stores that Lucky’s Market is opening in new states, the retailer is also opening a new store in Rock Hill, MO, its third in that state.  St. Louis Today reports that the Rock Hill store will occupy a 26,000 square foot space at the Market at Mcknight.

Lucky’s Market was recently featured in AndNowUKnow’s print magazine, The Snack.  In that article, Peter Gialantzis, Lucky’s Vice President of Purchasing and former twelve-year Whole Foods Supply Chain and Product Management Executive, spoke to us about what makes the company so different.

“We’re looking to compete with the premium markets in terms of quality and merchandising, and to compete with conventional markets on price. We’re the best of both worlds,” he said, making a note of the fact that Lucky’s doesn’t have centralized purchasing and packaging. “Lucky’s is a young, local company. We aspire to grow decade-long partnerships and foster partnerships that are sustainable. We’ve grown quickly, and we will continue to grow quickly.”

Check our full article in The Snack by clicking here.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates on Lucky's Market.

Lucky’s Market