Slideshow: Associated Wholesale Grocers Innovation Showcase

Brian Polson, national account manager for Mountain View Fruit Sales, Reedley, Calif. (left), and Ryan Easter, national sales representative, say the company's planned summer promotion of peaches for canning attracts big attention in the Midwest markets of Associated Wholesale Grocers. Polson said canning experienced a revival during the pandemic, and retailers are looking forward to the much-anticipated shipping window of canning peaches from Mountain View. The deal will begin in early July. "It's a very rural (trend)," he said. Mountain View ships fay elberta-variety peaches, the classic canning peach, to retailers in cartons that typically retail from $20 to $25. "It is usually a one or two-week deal, and when you are out, you are out," Polson said. "We are planning for a great year."

Susan Brown and Mark Croft with Dole are pictured. Dole was promoting its new Sheet Pan Meals, available in limited markets now. Dole also is introducing several new flavors of its Chopped Kits. "What makes them popular is they have the dressing and accessories like sunflower seeds, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, crispy strips, tortillas or crispy onion seasoning packets," Brown said. "You just put them in a bowl, mix it, add meat or whatever."

Steve May, retail sales manager for C & C Produce, Kansas City, Mo., said the company was highlighting its local produce and value-added options at the showcase. The company is offering new kebab kits as grilling season heats up, he said.

Mark Filauri, director of sales for Grimmway Farms, Bakersfield, Calif, and Ally Nesci, regional merchandising manager, display a Cal-Organic carrot chip dipper pack, available in ranch, hummus and guacamole, and a single-bagged bunch package for organic green chard. The bag is ideal for home deliveries, Filauri said.

Amy Marshall, manager of retail and foodservice for the International Fresh Produce Association, and Joe Watson, vice president of retail and foodservice, attended the showcase.

The futuristic Kalera booth at the showcase attracted attention with an impressive light display simulating its indoor growing technology. Pictured are John Center, marketing manager, and Sarah Noernberg, director of sales.

Mark Trapp, key account manager for Robinson Fresh, displayed the marketer's new packaged vegetable line, which includes two-count green bell pepper, a two-count cucumber and a 10-ounce jalapeno pack.

Chuck Sinks Jr., business development manager for Sage Fruit, and Tim Colln, director of business development, display the marketer's 2-pound, top-seal, resealable cherry pack. The pack offers fixed-weight pricing and about 20% less plastic than a traditional clamshell. Sage Fruit is also rolling out a new proprietary apple variety called Sunrise Magic this year, Sinks said, with very limited availability. The new apple is a cross between gala and splendour varieties, he said.

Sunkist was well-represented at the showcase. Pictured left to right: Jeff Gaston, manager director of domestic sales, Courtney Bourdas Henn, senior marketing coordinator, Destiny Dulaney, marketing manager, and Jorge Martinez, account manager.

Anna Kirsch, regional director for the central region for Avocados From Mexico, is pictured at the showcase. Kirsch said momentum is building for strong avocado promotions for Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Leona Neill, director of marketing and packaging for Red Sun Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, displays the firm's compostable pack, fitted with a recyclable seal.

Samantha Hough, account executive for Wonderful Citrus, Delano, Calif., said the firm has its Wonderful Seedless lemons until about May this year, with volume starting up again in October. By 2023, the marketer expects to have year-round volume of the variety, she said.

AWG Innovation Showcase attracted a big crowd to Kansas City March 21-23, said Tony Mitchell, vice president of corporate produce and floral for Associated Wholesale Grocers.

AWG Innovation Showcase in Kansas City, March 21-23

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – After two years of virtual events, Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers brought back its Innovation Showcase live and in-person for 2022, and the March 21-23 event didn’t disappoint.

The show began in 2018, with a repeat show in 2019 with live participation. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AWG had a virtual show that year and again in 2021.

“This is the first year back live and we have had a great group of members come,” said Tony Mitchell, AWG's vice president of corporate produce and floral. With entertainment and education sessions, the live version of the show was well-received.

“We have a great group of fresh vendors here to support our members and it's a phenomenal event,” Mitchell said. “It is amazing being back in person; it just has been wonderful.”

One exhibitor said the in-person show was valuable.

"It was good to see a lot of the members we haven't seen in a couple of years," said Ryan Easter, who works in national sales for Mountain View Fruit Sales, Reedley, Calif. "Talking about promotions in-person is more impactful than talking about promotions by phone or Zoom meeting; you can see the excitement in people's eyes."

"The show is good because it's all the AWG divisions and all the decision-makers are here," said Mark Filauri, director of sales for Grimmway Farms, Bakersfield, Calif. "They see items that they want in the store, so it's a good opportunity for us to talk to everybody."

The event is based on innovation, Mitchell said. “A lot of these vendors are looking to bring innovative products throughout the whole grocery arena."

The show featured about 18 fresh produce vendors and about 100 total show vendors. Fresh is a big focus of the showcase, he said.

“At Associated Wholesale Grocers, we’re really focusing on fresh — produce, deli, bakery, meat, the perimeter,” he said.

AWG has about 1,200 members representing about 3,300 stores, covering an area of about 30 states in the middle of the country.

The company has a new distribution facility in St. Cloud, Minn., which is supplying center store needs for the Coborn’s Inc. group. A new perishable facility will be open there by the first of October, Mitchell said. And, in 2023, the company will be adding an “all in one” distribution facility in Tennessee that will feature a high level of automation.

“We have a lot of good stuff happening at AWG and it’s exciting to see all the folks and the excitement around this whole show," he said.

Among new items at the show, vendors talked about sustainable packaging, value-added packs and new varieties, Mitchell said.

Slideshow: Associated Wholesale Grocers Innovation Showcase

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