Latest News From Nuts, Dates & Dried Fruit

Natural Delights says it is offering 2- and 5-pound window boxes. High demand is expected, as medjool date sales surged during last Ramadan.

Delicious Living magazine has awarded Wonderful Pistachios In-Shell Seasoned Salt with Bronze for 'Best Savory Snack' in the publication’s 2024 Best Bite Awards.

The “Remember, They’re Wonderful” campaign's TV spots put an emphasis on the word "Wonderful" on the bag — and what consumers should expect inside.

California-based Natural Delights hosted 30 fresh-produce leaders and influencers from across the globe in an annual harvest tour that included hands-on learning, networking and food.

Growers with the Yuma, Ariz.-based Bard Valley Natural Delights Medjool Dates co-op started harvesting dates the first week of September and are expected to continue through the month.

It looks like a good year ahead for California’s pistachio, almond and walnut crops, despite a slightly delayed harvest because of winter and spring rainfall and some cooler-than-usual temperatures.

While official final shipment, inventory and closeout figures for the 2022 crop year will be released within the month, preliminary figures indicate last year’s crop is virtually sold out, according to a news release.

A dried fruit snack medley line has launched in Walmart stores across the U.S. and includes three single-serving snack pack varieties that combine whole dried cranberries with dried blueberries, pineapple and mango.

Move over, mushrooms: Meatballs, tacos and Bolognese can all be plant-based using walnut protein. And some social media influencers, as well as fruit and cheese brands, are chipping in to promote these nuts.

The medjool date grower has focused on consumer education in recent months to amplify its presence in Canadian markets.

The brand is adding a flavor already popular with its in-shell variety to its No Shells lineup.

Nuts, dates and dried fruit are getting a spot in more produce sections, where consumers already have a healthy mindset.

Yuma, Ariz.-based medjool date producer Natural Delights is primed for category growth, citing 2023 trends reports and consumer market research that favor dates.

The Yuma, Ariz., based date broker, grower and wholesaler's Sweet and Salty Almond Mini Medjools won Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Award for "Best Dates".

Ramadan is a crucial time of year for the date industry, and that goes for Joolies LLC. For Ramadan, going on this year from April 2 to May 2, Joolies is offering a 2-pound gift box full of its organic medjool dates.

According to the Trendspotters Panel at the 46th annual Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show, two major food trends to note are dates and peppers. Here are a few merchandising ideas to kick up sales.

It’s been a stressful 2021 so far for many nut and dried fruit growers and marketers, and it doesn’t look like the challenges will ease up before the year’s end.

Just in time for the annual medjool date harvest, Bard Valley Natural Delights shares IRI data showing a promising year for the category.

Bard Valley Natural Delights® partnered with California Walnuts and Registered Dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth to encourage people to “snack smarter” this summer.

Yuma, Ariz.-based Bard Valley Date Growers reports that the retail date category grew $6 million to $114.7 million in 2020.

Professional Football Hall of Fame member Tony Gonzalez talked to media members on Nov. 18 about his use of Wonderful Pistachios as his go-to source of plant protein.

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Atlas Produce and Distribution, Inc. has introduced a 100% recyclable one-pound medjool date bag under their Fresh Energy brand.

Another good year should be on tap for the date industry following the 2019-20 season that was marked by a significant sales uptick resulting at least in part from COVID-19.

Natural Delights is highlighting national parks in July with facts, activities and snacks to enjoy while visiting.

Wonderful Pistachios is making its No Shells Chili Roasted and Honey Roasted flavors available in an 11-ounce bag, adding another option to the original 5.5-ounce size bags that was introduced last year.

Among fruit and tree nuts, pecan acreage rates are at the top of the heap in Arkansas.

Date growers in California’s Coachella Valley had a wild ride this spring.

Coachella, Calif.-based Sun Date is increasing the percentage of its product that is organic, said DJ Ryan, sales and operations manager.

The Wonderful Co. has added two new flavors to its Wonderful Pistachios No Shells offerings, said Adam Cooper, senior vice president of marketing.

Traina Foods Inc., Patterson, Calif., has announced the launch of Pasta Toss, the latest fruit-forward product in its Traina Home Grown line.

Bard Valley Date Growers Association has unveiled new sustainable packaging

Woodspur Farms, which harvests 13 varieties of dates from late August until early November, had a record crop this year — up 6% from last year.

Hanford, Calif.-based Nichols Farms, which grows pistachios and almonds, has introduced a new packaging design, said Caleb Adams, director of marketing.

Mariani Nut Co. plans to add four new flavors to its line of all-natural seasoned almonds in February, said Lacey De La Torre, brand sales associate.

Crunchies Natural Food Co., offers a line of freeze-dried fruits, including strawberries, mixed fruit, strawberry-banana, pineapple, mango and cinnamon apple, said Shaby Fisher, senior marketing specialist.

Blue Diamond Growers plans to add a new flavor to its Bold line of snack almonds — Spicy Dill Pickle.

If California has a “nutty” reputation, it’s very well deserved. Nearly 100% of the three major U.S. tree nut crops — almonds, walnuts and pistachios — are grown in the Golden State.

Sunsweet Growers Inc., Yuba City, Calif., has a number of ways for consumers to enjoy the company’s products, said Stephanie Harralson, director of marketing, North America.

The Fresh Energy brand from Bakersfield, Calif.-based Atlas Produce and Distribution Inc. now offers an organic option for all of its varieties, said sales representative Luke Fountain.

As consumers — from millennials to baby boomers — adopt new healthy eating goals, sales of dates, prunes and dried fruit are gathering momentum.

Yuma, Ariz.-based Natural Delights is celebrating National Medjool Date Day on Feb. 4, promotions continuing through the month.

The California Walnut Board has launched the Life Isn’t Always Easy ad campaign to show how walnuts can be an easy way to add nutrition to snacks and meals.

Forecasts were pointing up for most tree nuts and dried fruit crops as the 2018-19 marketing year wound down, and the next crops were starting or completing their newest harvests.

California’s 2017 almond acreage is estimated at 1.33 million acres, up 7% from the 2016 acreage of 1.24 million acres.

Severn Peanut Co., which markets under the Hampton Farms brand, is running a customer appreciation giveaway this month for National Peanut Month.

Wonderful Pistachios has new packaging for its in-shell line and later this winter will update the look of shelled pistachios.

Prominent nut varieties are seeing the same positive eating trends seen elsewhere in the produce department, such as convenience and healthy snacking.

This year’s pistachio crop is expected to be down significantly from last year. The walnut crop is also down, with almonds projected to be up 5%.

California date grower-shippers say the 2017-18 crop is shaping up to be a fine one.

Dried fruit represents a healthy snack choice for consumers and healthy business growth for one of the leading companies in this field.