Retail

UPDATED: Gills Onions recalls diced red onions

Oxnard, Calif.-based Gills Onions, LLC is voluntarily recalling 2,360 pounds of diced red onions in Canada and the U.S. after a random sample taken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested positive for listeria.

The sample was taken from a retail store in Ontario, Canada.

River Ranch recalls salads

Salinas, Calif.-based River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC is voluntarily recalling a variety of retail and foodservice bagged salads after a random retail sample tested positive for listeria.

The Food and Drug Administration tested the salad, according to a news release. River Ranch is also working with the California Department of Public Health; no illnesses have been reported.

Minnesota market likes living local with its produce

The supermarket scene remains competitive, foodservice business is bouncing back and the buy-local movement appears stronger than ever in Minnesota’s Twin Cities market this spring.

Twin Cities retail scene competitive, vibrant

The Twin Cities area remains a highly competitive market for grocery retailers. But for the most part, the changes and expansion the region has seen over the past decade or so seem to have leveled off, says John Dean, a Minneapolis-based supermarket consultant. Cub Foods, a division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc., continues to hold onto the largest market share, he said. Other players include Rainbow Foods, a division of Milwaukie-based Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc.; Target, Minneapolis; Lunds and Byerly’s, Minneapolis; Jerry’s Foods, Edina, Minn.; Wal-Mart Inc., Bentonville, Ark.; Trader Joe’s, Monrovia, Calif.; Kowalski Markets, Woodbury, Minn.; and Costco Wholesale, Issaquah, Wash. Expansions and sales growth Target has expanded its grocery offerings in recent years with its PFresh stores and Super Target locations, but Dean said that expansion has been completed in the Twin Cities area. Neither Cub nor Rainbow is in expansion mode, he said. But Wal-Mart continues to add stores “aggressively,” and Trader Joe’s is growing too. In addition, food co-ops have gained a foothold in urban areas and “seem to be doing fairly well,” Dean said. “The more aggressive co-ops are continuing to look for opportunities to expand.” Although business at retail stores has been strong, intense price pressure is impacting margins, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Wescott Agri Products Inc., Elgin, Minn. “It seems like sales are there, but margins are compressed,” he said. Even high-end stores such as Lunds, Byerly’s and Kowalski’s seem to be feeling the pinch. However, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — better known as the WIC Program — has boosted produce sales, said Phillip Brooks, chief executive officer for H. Brooks & Co. LLC, New Brighton, Minn. Some retailers have experienced sales increases of up to 18% over last year, said Kevin Hannigan, executive vice president at J&J Distributing Co., St. Paul. Some of the retail accounts at Wadena, Minn.-based Russ Davis Wholesale Inc. are experiencing an increase in business, others remain stable and still others are in “challenged positions,” said Jeff Nagel, sales manager, East. Overall, business in the Twin Cities has improved over the past six months, he said, but he’s not sure why. The company has an experienced retail merchandiser support staff that has proved effective at relationship building and has the tools to address retailers’ priorities in areas ranging from developing policies and procedures to training employees and implementing resets, Nagel said. Seeking to differentiate Twin Cities’ retailers have long been trying to find their way, discover their capabilities and differentiate themselves to grow their business, Brooks said. A more recent change has been the addition of new players, which has made produce widely available from a variety of outlets, he said. Some of the larger chains try to differentiate themselves from competitors by selling private-label products, like the nuts, dried fruit and candy that St. Paul, Minn.-based Bergin Fruit & Nut Co. offers, said Corey O’Connell, marketing and product development manager. “Private label is a big thing right now,” he said.

Deardorff Family Farms banks on 'old-fashioned' tomato

The newest retail push at Deardorff Family Farms in Oxnard, Calif., is a push backward, according to Tom Deardorff, owner of the vegetable grower-shipper.

Mission Produce introduces SteakHouse Asparagus

Jumbo asparagus is now available from Mission Produce in 1-pound bags designed to catch consumers’ eyes while protecting the asparagus and extending its shelf life.

The Oxnard, Calif., company has a year-round asparagus program, sourcing from Peru, Mexico and California, officials said in a news release.

Freeze cuts Michigan apple crop by more than 50%

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — More than half of Michigan’s apple crop — possibly much more — could be lost due to late-April freezes, and the state’s southwestern fruit production is a near-total loss.

Fruit and vegetables lead food price increases in April

Lower energy costs in April helped hold the Consumer Price Index steady despite a 1% increase in price index for fruits and vegetables.

Zespri kiwifruit to hit U.S. retail stores in early June

Zespri shippers are giving U.S. consumers notice that their colorful fruit will be available in leading supermarkets in early June.

NY Apple Association selects display contest winners

The New York Apple Association selected winners for its commissary display contest featuring New York apples and Marzetti products.