PMG Supplier Spotlight

Plenty adds Whole Foods Market and Gelson’s Markets to roster of California stores

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 19:00:19 GMT

Indoor, vertical greens grower Plenty Unlimited has expanded its California footprint to include all Gelson’s Markets and Whole Foods Market stores located in the Golden State. According to a news release, this expansion will double the grower’s retail presence.

“We’ve been big supporters of Plenty since we first started carrying their greens in our Bay Area stores back in 2020. We’re thrilled to be making Plenty’s produce available to all of our California shoppers,” Eric Cusimano, produce category manager for Whole Foods Market, said in the release.

Plenty’s indoor farm facility in Compton, Calif., opened in May this year. The indoor farm is now ramping up production to grow an estimated 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens annually to supply increased demand, according to the release.

“Opening Plenty’s first commercial-scale farm in Compton makes it possible for us to provide California retailers with a reliable supply of fresh leafy greens year-round,” Dana Worth, Plenty’s senior vice president of commercial, said in the release. “From expanding our presence in Whole Foods Market to bringing new, leading California retailers like Gelson’s on board, we’re giving more consumers access to regional produce that is grown clean.”

The grower says it cultivates its leafy greens in a high-tech controlled environment agriculture facility without the use of pesticides or bleach. In addition to its Compton farm, Plenty operates a vertical farming research center in Laramie, Wyo., and is building an indoor strawberry vertical farm in partnership with Driscoll’s near Richmond, Va., with an opening date slated for 2024.

Related news: Driscoll’s heads to Virginia to grow strawberries in world’s largest indoor vertical farm

Whole Foods Market and Gelson’s Markets will sell four varieties of leafy greens grown at Plenty’s Compton farm, which include baby arugula, crispy lettuce, baby kale and curly baby spinach leafy, according to the release.

“Over the past 70 years, Gelson’s has earned a reputation as one of the premier supermarket chains in the country, in part because of our dedication to offering superior produce,” Paul Kneeland, Gelson’s Markets senior vice president, said in the release. “Plenty makes it possible for us to provide our Southern California shoppers with delicious, locally grown greens all year long, thanks to their advanced technology that brings out its best natural flavor.”

Related news: Plenty unveils its first commercial farm in Compton

The Compton farm’s increased production is not only powering the expansion of Plenty’s California retail footprint to Gelson’s Markets and Whole Foods Market stores, but also includes all California-based Bristol Farms locations, totaling more than 180 retail stores across the Golden State, according to the release.

Additionally, Plenty’s leafy greens are also available online through e-commerce channels such as Good Eggs, Imperfect Foods, Instacart, Misfits Market and Whole Foods Market, the release said.

Whole Foods Market honors Ciruli Bros. with Supplier All-Star Award

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:57:15 GMT

Arizona-based broker, shipper wholesaler Ciruli Bros. is among the recipients of Whole Foods Market’s Supplier All-Star Awards, which recognize 15 brands that raise the bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility and are aligned with the natural and organic retailer’s core values.

This year’s recipients were honored for their contributions throughout 2022.

“Ciruli Brothers is both honored and humbled by the Supplier All-Star Award. Whole Foods Market has been a valued partner for almost two decades. Through dedication and collaboration, we have achieved growth in the mango category with our champagne mango program, which is based on our commitment to excellent quality and service,” Ciruli Brother’s COO, Chris Ciruli, told The Packer. “We remain dedicated to Whole Foods Market’s success and aspire to always add value for its team members and customers alike.”

Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts and merchants select winners across all departments and product categories, which include private label, produce, specialty, seafood, meat, grocery, culinary and whole body departments. Suppliers are also nominated by Whole Foods Market’s dedicated local foragers, who are responsible for finding new and emerging local producers within the communities served by Whole Foods Market.

“We are proud to recognize this dedicated group of suppliers and the work they do to serve our customers, advance our mission and propel the industry forward every day,” Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Whole Foods Market’s chief merchandising and marketing officer, said in a news release.

Related news: Specialty produce hits a sweet (and savory) spot for consumers

From emerging local brands to long-standing partners beloved by employees and customers, these suppliers are essential to Whole Foods Market’s business and continue to raise the bar for excellence within the grocery space, Gafsi Oblisk added.

Whole Foods Market’s Supplier All-Stars include companies who have sold to the retailer from two to 28 years. Recipients include a regenerative organic grower, several plant-based products and suppliers seeking out innovative ways to grow, catch, source and make delicious foods.

2022 Year in Produce: Controlled Environment Agriculture, or CEA

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 14:30:00 GMT

We all know that in the last few years, high-tech, indoor-grown produce has been blowing up — in the best way.

Well, that controlled environment agriculture trend just kept ticking on in 2022, sending waves of growth across the U.S. and world.

CEA has expanded in more ways too: The CEA Food Safety Coalition has broadened its scope, calling itself the CEA Alliance with Tom Stenzel taking the helm. Membership has expanded beyond CEA growers, such as UNFI.

Traditionally focused on leafy greens and herbs, CEA farms are starting to create commercially scalable strawberries. They’re working on more types of produce.

Partnerships are expanding too, with major retailers and distributors getting in the CEA game, as well as large companies that traditionally do field farming only.

CEA produce is gaining real estate at supermarkets among all the other salad bags and clamshells.

We’ll be closely watching this booming sector of specialty produce agriculture in 2023.

Jan. 25, 2022

Walmart invests in indoor vertical grower Plenty

By Amy Sowder

In what could be the first move of its kind for a massive retailer, Walmart is investing in an indoor vertical leafy greens grower: Plenty Unlimited Inc., based in South San Francisco.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart’s equity investment is part of a $400 million Series E funding round that’s part of a broader strategic partnership to use this technology to deliver fresh produce to Walmart retail stores.

Walmart will also join Plenty’s board of directors.

The long-term commercial agreement allows Walmart to source Plenty’s leafy greens for all its California stores from Plenty’s Compton farm starting later in 2022. Walmart is the first large U.S. retailer to significantly invest in vertical farming.

Jan. 26, 2022

Square Roots, Gordon Food Service open Wisconsin indoor farm

By Amy Sowder

Hydroponic, indoor leafy greens grower Square Roots and Gordon Food Service opened a climate-controlled, indoor farm in Kenosha, Wis.

First harvests were scheduled for spring 2022, reaching local consumers in Kenosha and the broader Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. The new farm expands Square Roots’ reach in the Midwest.

Kenosha is the fourth Square Roots farm in North America and the largest farm the company has built to date, with the capacity to produce more than 2.4 million packages of herbs and leafy greens annually. Square Roots operates two commercial-scale indoor farms in Michigan and another in Brooklyn, N.Y.

By deploying a network of local farms in cities such as Kenosha, Square Roots also reduces the supply chain, which means less distance between people and their food, reducing food miles and minimizing food waste.

Founded by serial entrepreneurs Kimbal Musk and Tobias Peggs, Square Roots fresh produce is available in more than 250 retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, FreshDirect, Fresh Thyme Market, Meijer’s market format stores, Morton Williams, Busch’s Fresh Food Market, SpartanNash corporate stores and Gordon Food Service Stores.

The partnership with Gordon Food Service is part of the shared mission to build commercial-scale, climate-controlled indoor farms nationwide — enabling local food at a global scale, year-round.

Feb. 10, 2022

Soil-based indoor farmers Soli Organic reveal ambitious expansion plans

By Jennifer Strailey

As the footprint for indoor-grown produce continues to expand across the country and around the globe, Soli Organic Inc. plans to build its newest farm in Marysville, Wash.

The 130,000-square-foot farm will supply 5 million pounds of USDA-certified organic herbs and leafy greens each year. Formerly Shenandoah Growers, the Virginia-based indoor farming company rebranded as Soli Organic in October 2021. The soil-based, controlled-environment agriculture company provides 100% USDA-certified organic produce to more than 20,000 retail stores nationwide. The company says its “‘biology first, technology to scale’ philosophy flips the typical high-tech controlled-environment agriculture script.

This results in the production of indoor-grown, organic produce at a lower price point — comparable to conventional produce pricing, the company said in a news release.

March 15, 2022

Vertical grower Bowery Farming launches first nongreen product: Strawberries

By Amy Sowder

New York City-based indoor vertical grower Bowery Farming launched a two-variety pack of strawberries — the first commercial release beyond leafy greens and herbs for the ag-tech company.

The two cultivars, the Garden Berry and Wild Berry, are grown indoors, pollinated by bees and picked when ripe.

Bowery’s strawberry duo-pack were distributed in limited release at a few New York City retailers and restaurants, with a suggested price of $14.99 for the 8-ounce container.

The duo-pack of strawberries is the latest initiative in a long-term expansion plan.

In February 2022, Bowery acquired Traptic, a three-dimensional vision and robotics harvesting start-up company, to accelerate the commercialization of fruiting and vine crops, starting with strawberries.

Bowery’s product line of Protected Produce features 14 stock-keeping units, including a new category called Farmer’s Selection, a rotating line of next-generation greens.

June 3, 2022

Cox Enterprises increases stake in CEA with Mucci Farms investment

By Jennifer Strailey

Atlanta-based communications company Cox Enterprises made a “significant strategic investment” in greenhouse giant Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, according to an announcement, which didn’t reveal precise terms.

Cox has invested more than $1 billion in sustainable technologies since 2007, including the acquisition of BrightFarms in 2021, according to a news release.

Mucci Farms, in business for 60 years, has a network of thousands of acres of indoor-grown fruits and vegetables, with more than 2,000 employees and the largest grow light program in the Canadian CEA industry.

The strategic partnership with Mucci Farms is the “next phase” in Cox building a multibillion-dollar CEA business and helping Cox become one of the leading providers of sustainable produce across North America.

Sept. 15, 2022

Driscoll’s heads to Virginia to grow strawberries in world’s largest indoor vertical farm

By Kristin Leigh Lore

Indoor vertical farming‌ ‌company‌ ‌Plenty‌ ‌Unlimited‌ ‌Inc.‌ confirmed plans with the city of Richmond to build the world’s largest indoor vertical farming campus in Virginia with a $300 million investment in Chesterfield County’s Meadowville Technology Park.

Plenty secured $400 million in financing, the largest investment to date for an indoor farming company, according to a news release. Plenty plans to complete its Richmond Farm Campus over the next six years, utilizing its 200 patent assets to grow produce year-round in grow towers that will be more than 30 feet tall.

What’s more, the first farming site slated for the expansive, 120-acre campus will be a Driscoll’s berry farm that will grow the first indoor, vertically farmed strawberries at scale. Driscoll’s farm will be completed by winter 2023-2024.

Oct. 19, 2022

In the heights: Q&A with Kalera CEO Jim Leighton

By Jennifer Strailey

For an industry still in relative infancy, it’s breathtaking to consider how far and how fast global vertical farming has grown in the last 10 years. The global vertical farming market size was valued at $4.34 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach just over $33 billion by 2030, according to a report from Grand View Research, Inc.
As this rapidly growing industry eyes the future with the hope of securing accessible food for all, it is also taking steps to commit to investing in ongoing research and technologies to advance existing sustainable frameworks and standards, including the Science Based Targets initiatives (SBTi), B Corp and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In October, with these standards in mind, 23 international vertical farmers signed the premier Vertical Farming Identity Declaration and Manifesto at the Vertical Farming World Congress in Brussels. Hydroponic vertical farmer Kalera was among them.

To learn more about the meaning behind the manifesto and the future of vertical farming, The Packer connected with Kalera President and CEO Jim Leighton.

Oct. 25, 2022

The Whole Foods Market deal with this indoor, vertical farm brand

By Amy Sowder

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market will now sell AeroFarms leafy baby greens and microgreens in its stores nationwide.

But there’s so much more to this success than getting a product on the shelf, said Mark Oshima, co-founder and chief marketing officer of AeroFarms, in his “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast interview with The Packer’s PMG.

This high-tech, indoor, vertical farming company based in Newark, N.J., grows leafy greens, herbs and microgreens using aeroponic methods, meaning the roots dangle midair to receive nutrients through a mist. Plus, there’s a highly calibrated spectrum of LED lighting.

AeroFarms products are already in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic supermarkets, specialty stores and with foodservice operators, as well as in The Fresh Market’s locations in 22 states since September. These greens are in restaurants spearheaded by top chefs such as Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster and David Chang of Momofuku fame. They’re also on the farm-to-plane menu served by Singapore Airlines.

The company helped form the CEA Food Safety Coalition, Oshima said. Now led by Tom Stenzel, former president of the United Fresh Produce Association, the coalition has expanded its mission beyond food safety to create standards specific to indoor agriculture and work on building best practices.

It’s also “a chance to educate the FDA and USDA about the differences of indoor growing versus field growing, the different set of challenges in terms of the macro pressures,” he said.

What's the deal with carrots? Bolthouse Farms tells us

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:27:37 GMT

Fresh carrots have been a mainstay at retail: They’re grown year-round, have a relatively low sticker price, are familiar and hardy for shipping.

(Farm Journal)

This produce category has its peak seasons of demand however, and is subject to fluctuating according to pandemic-related changes in consumer behavior, said Zak Karlen, general manager of Bakersfield, Calif.-based Bolthouse Farms .

The fresh carrot grower, processor, shipper and marketer has two main businesses: fresh carrots and carrots in consumer packaged goods.

“We’ve been dealing with the pandemic as everybody else has for 20-plus months now, and it’s almost like trying to put your hands around smoke as you solve a problem,” Karlen said on the Tip of the Iceberg Podcast . “As soon as you fix a problem, it creates another problem.”

First, Bolthouse focused on health and safety of employees, establishing extra protocols to bolster that critical, essential aspect of the business. Measures include no longer transferring an employee from one plant to another, incentives toward taking personal COVID-19 precautions, and COVID trackers. And, communication, of course, as is so necessary when situations change so often.

“Our communication team has done a really good job on doubling down on policies and procedures to make sure that everybody understands that we’re going to ground ourselves on the basics,” he said.

Some of those issues seem to be stabilizing a bit since early January, Karlen said.

“We’ve had to really kind of expand on the way we look at operations as well, which includes some SKU rationalization to make sure that we’re supplying customers with the core (stock-keeping units),” he said. “And then some of the more labor intensive ones, putting them to the side for 30 to 45 days to make sure that we can keep customers and consumers stocked with carrots.”

Learn more about carrots .

Ready-to-eat baby carrot demand dipped while whole carrot demand rose after March 2020 with more people staying at home, but now that whole carrot demand has mostly leveled out back to the 2019 demand.

“But the premiums are picking up quickly, the matchsticks, the petite. And so the category in the last four weeks has been growing relative to other veg, which is exciting, right?” Karlen said. “We want the category to grow. But us being able to stay up with that changing consumer demand has also been challenging through this COVID environment.”

(Farm Journal)

The company’s 2,400 employees haven’t been immune to the industry’s latest supply chain challenges either, possibly complicated even more by the omicron variant, such as labor shortages, freight delays and soaring costs.

When planting carrots in the Central Valley of California, Bolthouse works on a schedule that’s nine to 12 months out.

“And so it’s not like we have that ability to instantly react to a 20% surge in demand if there is such a surge. And so we are somewhat supply constrained because we want to make sure that we’re maximizing acres, and we don’t have excess acres that could potentially go to waste,” he said.

Carrots are experiencing the fallout of driver shortages as well, but as with all these challenges, Bolthouse is focusing on making its own business as stable as possible, getting as many good quality carrots as possible out to customers.

“We’re all kinda in this together, and it’s super important we use shared resources and bounce best-in-class ideas off each other to ensure we keep the food system going — because without that, you can have a serious problem on your hands,” he said. “In a weird way, I’m really excited about 2022, in trying to stabilize what we’re doing and focusing in on what we can control. What we can’t control, I’m not really going to lose a lot sleep over it.”

Gotham Greens doubles greenhouse footprint with five-state expansion

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:27:09 GMT

New York-based Gotham Greens , a Certified B Corp. and indoor, hydroponic farm company, will double the size of its greenhouse capacity from 600,000 square feet to more than 1.2 million square feet in 2022.

Greenhouse facilities are being built in near Dallas in Seagoville, Texas; near Atlanta in Monroe, Ga.; and near Denver in Windsor, Colo., according to a news release. The firm is expanding existing greenhouses in Chicago and Providence, R.I.

Watch Editor Amy Sowder tour the first Gotham Greens greenhouse with the CEO.

When these projects are complete, Gotham Greens will own and operate 12 high-tech, climate-controlled hydroponic greenhouses across eight states, joining its existing greenhouse network in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado and California.

“Gotham Greens is incredibly excited to further expand our greenhouse operations across the country, including to the South for the very first time,” Viraj Puri, cofounder and CEO of Gotham Greens, said in the release.

The national brand sells sustainably grown salad greens and herbs, plus plant-based dressings, dips and cooking sauces for retail and foodservice distribution.

Learn more about salads and salad mixes.

“Our goal is to deliver Gotham Greens’ fresh produce within a day’s drive from our greenhouses to 90% of consumers across the U.S., and these strategic greenhouse expansion projects bring us closer to this milestone,” he said.

Gotham Greens has achieved 28% year-over-year growth compared to 1% growth year-over-year for the total pre-packaged salads and lettuce categories), according to the release and Nielsen data for the last 52 weeks ending Feb. 26.

(Farm Journal)

Key retail partnership accounts are growing, including Whole Foods Market, The Kroger Co., Albertsons Cos. and Sprouts Farmers Market.

At press time, Gotham Greens sells its products in about 3,000 stores across 45 states.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Gotham Greens is expanding its operations into regions most impacted by the effects of climate change.

Learn more about the company becoming a Certified B Corp.

In California, where Gotham Greens recently opened a greenhouse in 2021, more than 37 million people are affected by drought with 87% of the state classified as “Severe” or “Extreme Drought,” according to Drought.gov in the release. The greenhouses are powered by 100% renewable electricity and have systems that significantly reduce traditional water and land use.

The proximity of Gotham Greens’ greenhouses to key metropolitan markets is another foundational aspect to the sustainability mission. It eliminates the need for long-distance refrigerated transportation while improving product quality and shelf life, which also can reduce food waste.

We tried it: Making trendy food boards with California avocados

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:27:05 GMT

I never knew I wanted to make an avocado rose, but now I know. I do. And I did.

On a Thursday evening in the kitchen with my laptop propped on the stovetop, I learned how to make a gorgeous (enjoy that modesty!) flower with 1/8-inch slices of a California avocado.

My tutorial was inspired by a live, virtual cooking class sponsored by the California Avocado Commission. Meg Quinn — founder of “Ain’t Too Proud to Meg,” food board expert, workshop instructor, social media influencer and recipe card author — hosted a charcuterie board cooking class featuring California avocados. The event was in celebration of the California avocado season that starts in spring and runs through late summer/early fall.

Retailers and produce brands alike need to hop on board (ahem) of this food-board trend. It’s not going anywhere. Creating food boards is much more doable for unexperienced home cooks, looks impressive and can feature your products.

For the class, about 25 of us received fresh and packaged ingredients in the mail, including a box of California-grown avocados with strict instructions on ripening and storage for optimal results.

My groceries came from companies and brands including Instacart, Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Divine Flavor and Driscoll’s. (Click on the links in the interactive food-board graphic!)

In less than two hours, I learned a lot more than how to create a flower out of an avocado to inspire awe and envy among my future dinner party guests.

First, it was confirmed that the best way to know when a hass avocado is ripe is when it’s no longer mostly green on the outside and is tender to the touch. If I’m not eating it that day, then I definitely need to store it in the fridge.

I thought I already knew how to cut an avocado, but I learned a better way that retains more nutrients from the bumpy skin. You cut the avocado in quarters lengthwise and peel off each layer — instead of scooping out the light-green, creamy flesh.

I also learned to make two cool recipes created by Quinn for the California Avocado Commission: California avocado goat cheese dip with crispy prosciutto and chocolate California avocado dip.

Fresh, creamy, colorful, packed with nutrition and beautifully displayed, I’m thrilled with my newfound skills. My future dinner party guests are so lucky.

North Shore Living Herbs & Greens adds ‘Certified Sustainably Grown’ on labels

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:26:39 GMT

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The latest packaging designs on the products of North Shore Living Herbs and Greens , Thermal, Calif., have all sorts of useful information.

Inside the recyclable plastic clamshell of herbs, there’s a label that can be peeled off after the shopper and homecook reads it and uses up the produce.

Brittney Bubb, North Shore’s creative coordinator, loves the Certified Sustainably Grown label, administered by SCS Global Services. Short for Scientific Certification Systems, it’s a third-party certification, validation and verification for environmental, sustainability and food safety and quality performance claims.

“I personally really love that certification because it means we treat our people really well,” Bubb said. She is a family member of the owners and has been instrumental in the company’s rebranding efforts and design work.

North Shore had a vendor booth at PMG and The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo June 3 and 4, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Bubb and her colleagues, Victoria Kovacevich and Steve Haston, talked to attendees and handed out fresh mint-infused cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream pops.

Showing a package of basil, Bubb showed how the label states the product is sustainably grown using greenhouse technology, recycled water, solar power and beneficial insects.

In 2019, the fifth annual West Coast Produce Expo included farm and field tours, and North Shore’s indoor hydroponic farm was one of the stops where attendees visited.

The company grows and sells herbs and greens at retail with the roots intact, which makes the package into a “mini greenhouse,” and enables the product to remain fresh longer at home.

(Farm Journal)

The peelable label explains that the product is meant for cooking, not planting and suggests how to snip or tear off what you want. It gives recycling instructions, social media logos and the website for more recipes, blog posts and tips.

“Herbs in general are getting more popular because people are cooking more,” Bubb said. “We’re excited to meet consumers’ needs with Certified Sustainably Grown, certified organic greens and herbs.”

Related news:

New York Apple Association's winning commercial to air on Food Network, HGTV, Nickelodeon

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:26:33 GMT

The New York Apple Association ‘s new commercial featuring New York apple growers won a bronze Telly award and will air on several major TV networks, according to a news release.

The Telly Awards is the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens. Entrants are judged by the Telly Awards Judging Council, an industry body of more than 200 experts. Those experts include advertising agencies, production companies and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry the Telly Awards celebrates.

The commercial was produced by Rochester-based creative agency Mason Marketing and the New York Apple Association.

(Farm Journal)

This year’s contest received more than 11,000 entries, with more submissions worldwide, such as Australia, Mexico, Germany, Spain, France, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

“We have a strong multimedia campaign for this fall, and the commercial will play a significant role,” association President and CEO Cynthia Haskins said in the release.

The winning commercial will air on the Food Network, Hallmark Channel, Magnolia Network, HGTV, Lifetime Network, E!, OWN, Bravo, Nickelodeon, TLC, Cooking Channel and Freeform. Clips from individual grower interviews will appear on the association’s Facebook page and will be used this fall to support the 2022 apple harvest.

The association’s target market for this season includes cooking enthusiasts and consumers who want healthy snack options.

“Our social media content will incorporate the winning commercial and several of the grower videos captured while on location,” association designer and social media manager Tony Mikiciuks said in the release.

Consumers want to know where their food comes from and from whom, he said: “We continue to make the connection between consumers and New York apple growers through digital media.”

The 2022 fall apple crop’s digital resources will include customized digital coupon programs and an extensive asset library of recipes, videos and apple descriptions. Geo-targeted promotions will provide retailers with original content and coordinate online advertisements with sales and promotions. The association will work closely with New York apple shippers and retail partners on geo-targeting advertisements, which allows for targeting of consumers within the key physical radius of stores.

(Farm Journal)

“Our digital geotargeting program allows us to place beautiful, custom apple content in front of consumers during the most important times in our crop year,” association account promotion manager Cailin Kowalewski said in the release. “Our in-house expertise and collaboration with retail partners should make for a winning combination in 2022.”

Also, the association is teaming up with influencers to deliver promotional messaging in marketplaces where New York apples are found. The group’s high-graphic tri-wall orchard bins, display merchandisers, totes, pouches and poly bags will continue to be available through New York State apple shippers.

“We are hearing reports from our growers that they are anticipating a good crop year. It will be an exciting year for New York,” Haskins said in the release. “Our account managers, equipped with a solid line-up of marketing and merchandising programs, are providing retailers and the foodservice industry with what they need to sell more New York State apples.”

Avocados From Mexico launches AI recipe generator

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:07:35 GMT

Avocados From Mexico has unveilved the GuacAImole tool , which uses artificial intelligence to generate a personalized guacamole recipe in a snap — of a photo.

Avocados From Mexico says it is the first to use multimodal AI, employing GPT-4 (text), GPT-4 Vision (image recognition) and DALL-E (image generation). The GuacAImole tool requires just one photo to work its magic, whether you snap a pic of ingredients or a finished dish, according to a news release.

Each personalized recipe will be delivered with an ingredient list, step-by-step directions, flavor combinations, food pairings and an AI-generated concept image to show off what the guacamole should look like, the release said.

“Creating innovation that matters is a big part of our culture at Avocados From Mexico. Integrating our brand with the cultural trends around us — in this case, AI and the Big Game — gives us an opportunity to continue building our brand and growing awareness in a way that excites and engages consumers,” Alvaro Luque, president and CEO of Avocados From Mexico, said in the release. “But as much as we wanted to create something fun that reminds them Avocados From Mexico are always good, it was just as important for us to invent a tool that is helpful and makes it easy to add avocados to their celebrations. We’re incredibly proud to launch GuacAImole and hope avocado fans have fun using it to put a new spin on their guac recipes.”

With 55% of consumers believing that the Big Game is a good time to experiment with something a little different — and 58% among those planning to make guac — the GuacAImole launch is well timed to deliver plenty of inspiration for game day, according to Avocados From Mexico. The tool makes prep and planning easy, with three ways for users to add guac to Better Bowl gatherings and beyond, the release said:

Make ingredients better — Visit betterbowl.ai and upload a picture of ingredients to use. The AI recognizes each item included in the image and suggests a customized guacamole. For example, take a picture of feta cheese and cucumbers, and GuacAImole turns it into “Big Game Greek-Inspired Guacamole Fiesta.”
Make a meal better — Or, rather than individual ingredients, upload a photo of a completed dish. The AI can identify the food via photo and break it into its components. For example, input an image of chicken wings and you’ll get “Touchdown Buffalo Wing Guacamole.” Have some extra buffalo wing sauce? Make it even better by whipping up “Gridiron Glory Guacamole.”
Make party planning better — Users can also interact with the platform’s questionnaire about event size, spice levels, flavor preferences, serving sizes and more, to get guac recipes customized to their needs.

The Super Bowl is the No. 1 consumption occasion for avocados and guacamole. Avocados From Mexico says it is responsible for more than 96% of avocado sales in the U.S. leading up to the game, with an estimated 250 million pounds of Mexican avocados imported. That’s enough to cover a football field with more than 75 feet of guacamole, according to the release.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Avocados From Mexico to elevate Big Game festivities with GuacAImole, the first AI-powered tool in the produce sector that turns your photos and texts into custom guacamole recipes,” Kristian Bottini, CEO of 270B, said in the release. “With a blend of cutting-edge technologies, GuacAImole offers a seamless, brand-integrated experience that redefines culinary creativity. Ready for action beyond game day, it’s a taste of the future, today.”

Avocados From Mexico says it is ready to make game day even better for football fans everywhere. This is just the beginning, the release said, with plans to evolve GuacAImole with voice and video capabilities already underway.

Caruso Foods unveils strategy for fresh food industry

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 15:53:16 GMT

Caruso USA has launched Caruso Foods — a dedicated subsidiary focused on producing fresh, customized foods tailored for grocery retailers, convenience stores and industrial food co-packing solutions — in a move the company says aims to address the evolving demands of the food industry.

Company officials recently spoke with The Packer about the endeavor.

Caruso Foods, assuming key operations from the discontinued partnership of York Street Fresh Foods from Lorenzo Food Group and Caruso USA, seeks to redefine the landscape with a strong emphasis on quality, innovation and the experience derived from its parent company’s four-decade legacy in assembling fresh, perishable products.

“As a fourth-generation enterprise working with fresh products, Caruso Foods stands poised to elevate the industry with our commitment to delivering high-quality prepared foods,” Jeff Burt, president and chief operating officer of Caruso USA, told The Packer.

“Our strategic investment in new technologies reflects our dedication to innovation and enables us to expand operations seamlessly, reaching large retailers in new markets,” Burt added. “With a legacy built on providing in-store solutions and impeccable timing, Caruso Foods is not just adapting to change but leading the charge in reshaping the landscape of the fresh food industry.”

Related: Caruso USA launches Caruso Foods

CEO Jim Caruso highlighted the challenges faced by retailers with high turnover, expressing that Caruso Foods is equipped to produce large-scale, made-to-order prepared foods, helping grocers and businesses maintain profitability.

“We stand ready to support our retailing partners by leveraging our experienced workforce, aiding them in overcoming labor challenges,” Burt said. “Additionally, our proactive approach includes substantial investments in state-of-the-art equipment for food preparation, coupled with a robust logistics system covering the entire United States.”

Caruso USA, known for distributing fresh produce and prepared food items nationwide, not only provides logistics services throughout the country but also boasts a fleet of over 150 refrigerated trucks and nine depots in the Midwest and Southeast.

“By offering direct delivery and comprehensive solutions, Caruso Foods aims to alleviate labor issues for retailers, ensuring a seamless and reliable supply chain for the ever-evolving demands of the industry,” Burt said.

Specializing in direct store delivery services, the company offers value-added solutions like replenishment and merchandising support to retailers.

The family of businesses under Caruso is already serving over 900 wholesale and retail locations across the U.S., with plans to expand operations to reach large retailers in new markets.

Overcoming Chilean produce obstacles

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 19:07:51 GMT

Chilean produce has become a key resource to keep fruit on U.S. retail shelves year-round. Challenges with shipping, plus labor — sound familiar? — have put a dent in export volumes of fresh fruit, but key players are collaborating to resolve the issue, like improving quality and efficiencies, diversifying destination markets, opening ports to cargo ships and prioritizing food supplies at those ports. And then there’s the Blueberry Express: a special charter service for the entire blueberry industry, to run early December through the 2022-23 season, with less than two weeks of transit time to the U.S. market.

Apples and pears

Chilean apple and pear exports were estimated to drop, by 5.2% for apples and 11.5% for pears, partly due to shipping costs and logistics. But Chile commands big market share advantages in 2022 for U.S. imports of apples at 52%. Chile accounts for 18% of U.S. import pear value in 2022.

Avocados

In marketing year 2021-22, Chile produced 57% more avocados than the previous season due to good climatic conditions, according to the USDA. Most, or 89%, of Chile’s avocados are the hass variety. Demand for avocados is strong from both domestic and export markets, pushing prices up the last two years.

Blueberries

The main market for Chilean fresh blueberries is the U.S., with more than 53% of the shipments last season. And the U.S. continues to be Chile’s main market for fresh organic blueberries, with 75% of all organic blueberries shipped to the U.S. This October to February season should feature a different variety mix and lower volume of fresh exports. The 2022-23 season of fresh blueberry exports to the U.S. is expected to be 8% lower than last season. The Chilean Blueberry Committee said the focus was on quality over quantity, as logistics, transportation and labor issues improve.

Cherries

Rabobank analysts say 2022 U.S. cherry imports could reach the highest volume in more than a decade. A November report said U.S. fresh cherry imports rose 50% year-over-year through August, with Chilean imports through that date up 131% compared to same time last year. But all Southern Hemisphere growers face more competition, declining prices and narrowing margins due to higher production costs.

Citrus

The U.S. continues to be the largest market for Chilean citrus exports in the summertime through October. However, the 2022 Chilean citrus crop volume may fall 27% from 2021 because of a late-May frost in Chilean citrus growing regions.

Grapes

Chile accounted for 41% of U.S. import grape value from September 2021 through August 2022, up from 39% for the same period in 2021 but nearly half of its 76% share in 2000, according to the USDA. “We formed the Chilean Table Grape Committee to generate a strategic plan to improve quality and strengthen our competitiveness in international markets,” said Ignacio Caballero, Asociación de Exportadores de Frutas de Chile marketing director. They are focusing on new varieties that can arrive at their destinations in better shape.

Fresh Express campaign: Eat green to win green

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 16:47:16 GMT

Value-added salad company Fresh Express launched the new year with its annual #FreshIntentions Challenge , an online and social campaign with inspiration, information and incentives to help consumers make healthier choices and achieve their goals in 2023.

For the fourth consecutive year, Fresh Express invites consumers to commit to the 30-day challenge and encourages them to share their progress for a chance to win money to support their intentions for the new year, according to a news release.

“The daily Fresh Intentions challenges help consumers work toward or maintain their wellness goals, including healthy habits and nutritious eating, and our fresh salad kits and blends make it easy to add nutrition and flavor to every meal,” Robin Bell, Fresh Express marketing manager, said in the release.

Fresh Express offers more than 100 varieties of fresh and healthy salads, from leafy salad greens like baby spinach and Butter Supreme to premium, chef-crafted chopped salad kits, like Twisted Caesar Pesto Caesar, Twisted Caesar Lemon Caesar, and Mexican Style. The company also has more than 350 online recipes.

Every day during the campaign, Fresh Express will post a new challenge and ask consumers to share a picture of their completed challenge with the hashtag #FreshIntentions on Instagram, Twitter or via a submission form on the Fresh Express website. Participants have a chance to win daily or weekly prizes, such as a month’s supply of Fresh Express salad coupons or gift cards. Three grand prize winners will receive a $1,000 gift card, along with Fresh Express branded items.

There’s a Fresh Intentions digital recipe book featuring recipes for resolution season, like keto-friendly Turkey Meatloaf Salad, Orange Avocado Salad, and Pesto Pasta Salad. It’s available for download during the challenge.

The campaign runs through Jan. 31. It will be further supported by digital advertising and influencer content. Fresh Express salad blends and kits have a suggested retail price of $3.99 and are available in the refrigerated produce department at grocery stores nationwide, including Albertsons, Aldi, Giant Eagle, Harris Teeter, Publix and Walmart.

Retail veteran Robert Ybarra hired for Bowery Farming business development

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:59:51 GMT

New York City-based vertical grower Bowery Farming has hired Robert Ybarra as director of business development. Among other roles and companies, Ybarra has more than 30 years of experience at H-E-B , the grocery retailer headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

He will report to Elayne Dudley, vice president of new business development, according to a news release.

Ybarra has food and produce industry experience in retail, manufacturing, procurement and distribution. At Bowery, Ybarra will develop new grocery retailer relationships.

At H-E-B, Ybarra was director of produce sales and merchandising. Most recently, he was director of business development at Villita Avocados, a Mexican avocado importer, where he spearheaded new business opportunities with big-box retailers. Beforehand, he was director of produce at Rouses Inc. and Coborn’s Inc.

Related news: Focus on fundamentals, says Rouses produce director

Ybarra’s leadership has been recognized by The National Grocers Association, and he was selected as a Top 25 Industry leader in The Packer. A Texas native, Ybarra received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville.

“It’s been an unprecedented time of growth at Bowery as we’ve launched the next chapter in climate-smart agriculture and broken ground on new farms beyond the Northeast,” Bowery Chief Commercial Officer Katie Seawell said in the release. “As we continue our national expansion, Robert’s role in expanding retail partnerships will further Bowery’s commitment to reimagine the fresh food supply chain and help build resilient communities with local sources of fresh produce.”

This appointment comes at a time of accelerated growth for Bowery. The company is on track to double its number of farms in 2023 and has doubled revenue for the second year in a row. Bowery’s leafy greens are available in more than 1,400 stores and e-commerce partners from Walmart to Whole Foods and Amazon. The company is also expanding its product portfolio beyond leafy greens and into new categories of pesticide-free produce, including strawberries and salad kits.

What’s trending at Baldor’s burgeoning retail line

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 16:37:10 GMT

NEW YORK — Baldor Specialty Foods is not one to be left behind in trends.

The fresh food distributor is based in the heart of the city’s food distribution neighborhood of Hunts Point, after all.

While many of Baldor’s customers are foodservice operators, there’s a growing section of wholesale, redistributor — and especially retail customers.

At the New York Produce Show on Dec. 1, William Magistrelli shared how Baldor is tapping into consumer trends and expanding its retail offerings. Hiring Magistrelli in March to be Baldor’s senior sales director of retail and wholesale was one major step.

Previously, he worked for Wakefern Food Corp. for 24 years, the retailer-owned cooperative including ShopRite, Price Rite, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Markets and Gourmet Garage. Magistrelli’s last three roles were wholesale and international sales director; director of innovation and OWN brands; and specialty grocery procurement manager.

These days, Magistrelli is promoting Baldor to more large chain supermarket retailers, besides the more than 2,000 independent grocers in the New York tri-state area, plus Whole Foods, The Fresh Market and Central Market.

Retail has always been slower to take on trends because of concerns such as shrink, he said.

“But I think our ability to capture those trends first because we’re seeing them on that side of the business — fine dining and independent restaurants — is such an asset for our retail-wholesale side’s team, because we’re able to see what’s happening first and ask, ‘how can we translate this trend to retail?’” Magistrelli said.

Related: 2022 New York Produce Show busier than 2021 show

Baldor is all about relationships with small, local farms, peak season produce, organics, hard-to-find specialties, Urban Roots snack kits and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, Magistrelli said.

His marketing theme to retail customers is: Let us be your produce aisle. Get customers in with produce and then introduce them to the meat, dairy and other gourmet, artisan foods Baldor offers, he said.

“It’s like a one-stop shop,” Magistrelli said.

Convenience, sustainable packaging and sourcing, telling the farmer story and personalization are all key consumer wants and demands.

Baldor was one of the first to pivot during the pandemic, before the word became an eye-rolling cliché. At the time, the company redistributed what restaurants couldn’t take and then started a direct-to-consumer business: home delivery of groceries. That revenue stream is no longer a focus, as Baldor is returning to its foodservice expertise and longstanding relationships.

But this period of home delivery has exposed consumers to what Baldor has, and they’ll want or recognize the name at grocery stores now, Magistrelli said.

Snacking is another trend that’s expected to continue, as well. And the company’s fresh-cut line of more than 400 produce items is the answer to many of these trends.

“Fresh cut is super huge. It’s the labor savings,” he said. “Today, labor is such a big thing for supermarkets, right? For any retailer it is difficult. So, we have a processing facility in the Bronx that cuts these items there. Cut it today, and it’s on the road in the evening.”

Baldor can send it to supermarkets in 5-pound bags or have it retail-ready. The processing facility is SQF-3-certified, the highest level of food safety certification by Safe Quality Food Institute.

“A lot of customers want to actually weigh it and put their own label on it,” Magistrelli said. “And we have our own private brand, Urban Roots.”

At his show booth, Magistrelli grabbed a clamshell of sea beans grown by Charleston, S.C.-based Heron Farms to show the kind of specialty produce possible.

Related: New York Produce show opens with memories, health and convenience

Heron is an indoor saltwater hydroponics farm for growing halophytes, or plants adapted for living in an environment that’s high in salt content. Instead of straining freshwater supplies, the farm uses plentifully seawater to grow produce year-round. Sea beans are a crisp, nutrient-dense and salty vegetable similar to spinach that can be used as a sustainable salt replacement, garnish or even eaten raw.

“It’s super exciting. This is the kind of things that our team does. They’re out there, leading first with the trends because of all the connections we have with all the suppliers, all the restaurants and all the chefs at those restaurants,” Magistrelli said. “Our ability to translate this to retail and wholesale is really what distinguishes Baldor from any of our competition.”

Lipman Family Farms adds board members

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:44:21 GMT

Lipman Family Farms says four new board members bring diverse expertise and perspectives to guide the company through its next phase of growth.

The newly appointed board members are John Corso, Beth Newlands Campbell, Jorge Fenyvesi and Jared Lipman, according to a news release.

Corso, former CEO of The Coastal Cos., has experience in distribution, manufacturing, transportation and logistics. Under his leadership, Coastal grew revenue from $85 million to over $600 million and emerged as a leading produce distributor and processor in the mid-Atlantic, the release said. Lipman Family Farms said his strategic perspective and operations experience will be instrumental in supporting its growth trajectory.

Newlands Campbell, a seasoned retail executive and former president of Giant Eagle, has over 30 years of expertise in food, drug and apparel retail in the U.S. and Canada, the release said. With a background in creating brand and shareholder value, Newlands Campbell’s leadership and purpose-driven approach will contribute significantly to Lipman Family Farms’ strategic goals, the company said.

“I am honored to join the Lipman family and board of directors and look forward to contributing during an exciting chapter for the company,” Newlands Campbell said in the release. Working alongside such a talented CEO, management team and fellow Board members is truly inspiring.”

Fenyvesi, with a background in ag biotech and 44 years of experience in managerial and directive jobs with The Dow Chemical Co., DNA Plant Technology, Savia, and the Plenus Group, joins the board to provide insights into agtech trends, according to the release. Currently serving on multiple boards, including Nature Source Improved Plants and Agromod, Fenyvesi’s strategic perspective aligns with Lipman Family Farms commitment to innovation and sustainability, the company said.

Lipman, a fourth-generation family member and vice president of business development and strategy at district farms, brings a blend of family legacy and modern business acumen, according to the release. His commitment to driving growth aligns with Lipman Family Farms’ generational progression and expansion strategy, the company said.

“These new board members bring a fresh set of perspectives to the table, stemming from their varied backgrounds and experiences,” Lipman Family Farms CEO Elyse Lipman said in the release. “Their diversity will offer a new lens to complement our long-term strategies for growth.”

Lipman Family Farms said the additions to the board will play a pivotal role in guiding toward sustained success as the company evolves with the ever-changing produce industry.

IGA honors Henry Johnson Jr. with highest award

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:51:32 GMT

At the most recent FMI Mid-winter Conference in Marco Island, Fla., the Independent Grocers Alliance bestowed the J. Frank Grimes Award upon Henry Johnson Jr., the former president of W. Lee Flowers & Co.

IGA Chairman Mark Batenic and CEO John Ross presented the accolade, often referred to as the Chairman’s Award, which was intended to be presented in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. Johnson retired in 2019.

The honor is a testament to Johnson’s dedication, legacy and commitment to fostering a sense of community within the realm of independent retailers, the release said.

W. Lee Flowers & Co. has served the Carolinas and Georgia as a wholesale and retail grocery company for over 102 years. In 1922, W. Lee Flowers started a wholesale grocery company with three employees. The business grew, and in the mid-1950s he sold the business to three employees: Herbert Timmons, Heyward King Sr., and Henry Johnson Sr.

“The new owners realized that to control their destiny, they needed to own their stores, so they began to build both the retail and wholesale business under the IGA brand,” Batenic said in the release.

By the 1980s, Timmons had left the partnership to pursue other ventures, and King and Johnson passed the business to their sons, Heyward King Jr. and Henry Johnson Jr. Under their management and new vision for the future, the company grew into the business it is today, the release said.

King Jr. and Johnson Jr. increased the size of the warehouse fivefold and increased the owned store count from a handful to over 60, according to the release. They grew their reach beyond South Carolina to North Carolina and Georgia while expanding their offerings from dry goods to meat, produce, dairy, frozen and even health and beauty products. By the 2000s, W. Lee Flowers was the only South Carolina-owned grocery wholesaler in the state, down from a peak of over 100, the release said.

Seeing new opportunities, Johnson Jr. created a new brand, KJ’s Market IGA, which served as their introduction into larger cities and now has become the new foundation of the retail business, according to the release.

By 2019, Johnson Jr. and King Jr. had led W. Lee Flowers for over 80 years combined. Heading into retirement, they decided that Alex Lee Inc. would acquire the business.

“When Henry and his partner, Heyward King Jr., decided to sell, they only talked to one company: Alex Lee,” Batenic said in the release. “They wanted the business they built up to stay within the IGA family and with a family-owned business. At the time of the sale, Henry and Heyward owned 50 of the 120 IGA stores they served.”

This move not only showcased their dedication to the IGA community, but also solidified the continuity of their legacy within the familial IGA network, the release said.

Despite his accomplishments, Johnson always maintained a modest demeanor, the IGA said. However, he emerged as an advocate for independent retailers, attributing much of their success to the support and guidance provided by IGA, according to the release.

“Henry Johnson is the ultimate gentleman. He has positively impacted the industry with his leadership for many years, and I have been fortunate to learn from him,” Brian George, president, chairman and CEO of Alex Lee Inc., said in the release. “He welcomed me into the industry and willingly shared his knowledge. I am honored to be able to continue to grow the business he devoted his career to with W. Lee Flowers and the retail stores.”

Heirloom navels available at Bee Sweet Citrus

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:21:54 GMT

Heirloom navels are back at Bee Sweet Citrus , further expanding the company’s portfolio of winter citrus varieties.

“Bee Sweet’s Heirloom Navels are a testament to the hard work our growers have poured into cultivating high quality citrus,” Randy Stucky, director of harvesting and grower relations of Bee Sweet Citrus, said in a news release. “They definitely set the bar for excellence due to their high brix levels and sweet flavor.”

Heirloom navels are a selection of California’s oldest and most established navel varieties and are typically grown on blocks of well-aged trees. The fruit from these blocks have above- average Brix levels and are only harvested once they’ve reached peak maturity.

“Every time shoppers purchase Bee Sweet’s Heirloom Navels, they can be sure that they are getting exceptional fruit,” Monique Mueller, director of communications forBee Sweet Citrus, said in the release. “The work of our farm and production teams, coupled with the technology of our Brix machines, guarantees customers high quality fruit every time they turn to our brand.”

Bee Sweet’s heirloom navels are packaged in high-graphic cartons and matching 3- and 4-pound bags. The company also has navel oranges, mandarins, lemons, meyer lemons, pummelos, grapefruit, cara cara oranges, royal red oranges and minneola tangelos as part of its diverse citrus line.

Celebrating a century of leadership: D’Arrigo California honors Andy D’Arrigo's 100th birthday

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 20:46:02 GMT

D’Arrigo California says in celebrating the 100th birthday of Andy D’Arrigo, it speaks to a century of resilience, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“Reaching 100 years is an extraordinary achievement, and my dad is a living legend whose contributions to our community, company, and the produce industry are immeasurable,” John D’Arrigo, who is Andy’s D’Arrigo’s son and the current president, CEO and board chairman of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., said in a news release. “His dedication, resilience and foresight have helped shape D’Arrigo California into what it is today, and we are immensely proud to celebrate this momentous occasion with him.”

Related: John D’Arrigo to receive Western Growers’ highest accolade

Born in 1924, Andy D’Arrigo witnessed the growth and evolution of the family business throughout his lifetime, according to the relase. With roots dating back to the emigration of his father and uncle from Messina, Italy, in 1907, the company says it has become a symbol of dedication, hard work and a commitment to quality.

Andy D’Arrigo’s career includes innovation, strategic leadership and a passion for the produce industry, the release said, which added that D’Arrigo California flourished as a brand during his years of guidance.

As the charismatic face of the Andy Boy brand from age 3, he became a symbol of trust and authenticity, the release said. The company said his image gracing its label is a testament to the values he instilled in the business and the connection he maintained with customers over the years.

D’Arrigo California says the centennial celebration is an opportunity to reflect on its heritage and express gratitude for the impact of Andy D’Arrigo’s leadership. The company will honor the milestone with a series of commemorative events, highlighting key moments from his tenure and the company’s history, according to the release.

Andy D’Arrigo remains an inspiration to generations within the D’Arrigo California family, and his impact will continue to resonate, the release said. The company said it looks forward to honoring his legacy and embarking on the next chapter, guided by the principles that Andy D’Arrigo upheld throughout his career.

Row 7 Seed Co. sells vegetables at select Whole Food Market stores

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:36 GMT

Row 7 Seed Co., based in Newburgh, N.Y., has launched a line of branded vegetables available in select Whole Foods Market locations in the Greater Boston area.

The organic seed company is focused on flavor and co-founded by Chef Dan Barber and vegetable breeder Michael Mazourek, according to a news release.

Barber is chef and co-owner of Blue Hill in Manhattan and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y. Author of “The Third Plate,” Barber has been called the “philosopher chef” and has been pivotal in growing the sustainable farm-to-table food movement.

By creating a new arm of the business to complement its seed offerings, Row 7 is advancing its mission to reimagine food from seed to table.

Born out of a mission to change the agriculture industry from the ground up, Row 7 works alongside chefs, plant breeders and farmers to co-select new varieties of vegetables.

Row 7 is building a growing model to bring these vegetables to the supermarket produce aisle. The company partners with regional, organic farmers to support biodiversity above and below ground. Consumers will be able to enjoy flavorful regional and organic agriculture, as well as seasonality.

“Row 7 on the supermarket shelves is the realization of a dream for this company,” Barber said in the release. “Our hope in launching Row 7 was to bring these vegetables into people’s home kitchens and spark a new seed-to-table conversation that supports tastier food, healthier soils and more diverse and nutritious diets.”

Related news: Bringing up baby butternuts, and other experiments in squash

These Row 7 vegetable varieties are available in select Whole Foods Market store locations, with plans to expand to more stores in the Northeast in 2023:

Badger Flame Beet: Selected by breeder Irwin Goldman, this golden beet is mild, sweet and delicious, whether raw or roasted. Grown in New York and Massachusetts.
Honeypatch Squash: Bred to reimagine the workaday butternut, this squash packs concentrated sweetness, flavor and beta carotene into a single serving. Grown in New York.
Robin’s Koginut Squash: Developed by Michael Mazourek, this little pumpkin has become a cult favorite for its velvety texture and rich, nutty flavor. Grown in New York.
Upstate Abundance Potato: Selected by second-generation potato breeder Walter de Jong, this potato is delicious roasted, smashed or boiled. The creamy flesh is naturally packed with flavor, requiring no butter. Grown in Maine and Vermont.

New York City’s fresh produce gets an edge

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:36 GMT

It doesn’t hurt Hunts Point Produce Market’s cause that New York City Mayor Eric Adams is a self-professed vegan, who occasionally eats fish.

By following a flexitarian lifestyle, Adams embodies the ethos of the Food as Medicine movement. He champions the plant-based diet for helping him with his Type 2 Diabetes.

Adams’ sweeping package of policy changes and initiatives — including dedicating tens of millions of dollars to overhaul the Hunts Point market infrastructure — makes the personal, well, political.

His measures span the market infrastructure, retailers and underserved communities. The changes include revising standards for all food purchased and served by city agencies and expanding plant-based meals in city-run institutions such as schools, jails and shelters, according to a city government news release and Priya Krishna in the New York Times . Adams’ executive orders also affect agencies overseeing childcare centers and hospitals.

“I have long said that our agencies should not literally be feeding our ongoing health care crisis, by serving foods that contribute to chronic diet-related diseases,” Adams said in the release. “These new food standards will help minimize the consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks, while encouraging whole and plant-based food options.”

The region’s fruit and vegetable suppliers have got to love that “whole” part.

The mayor has made it a point to understand the needs of Hunts Point, said Gabriela D’Arrigo, vice president of marketing and communications for produce wholesaler D’Arrigo New York , based at the Bronx market.

Funding the market overhaul

Market officials, including market CEO and general manager Phillip Grant, are working with local officials and others to collect capital investments to overhaul the aging market’s infrastructure. The market needs to be more modern, accessible and sustainable.

(Farm Journal)

Longtime market vendors are weary of this kind of talk with no action, but it seems there could be some momentum.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how stabilizing the market can be for people’s survival in unstable times, D’Arrigo said.

“We’re essential to this industry,” she said. “If you remove the wholesalers, you won’t have a business for long in major metro areas.”

Besides seeking private funds, the market has some help on the horizon from city, state and federal governments.

In the mayor’s Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery , he indicated $140 million would go toward Hunts Point infrastructure and community priorities, including $40 million in city capital funding for local open spaces and infrastructure.
And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a two-way ramp opening to provide direct access to the Hunts Point peninsula, completing Phase 1 in the Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project.
Also, the market will receive a $110 million federal grant, part of the White House administration’s U.S. Department of Transportation Infrastructure for Rebuilding America.

To access the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center — which includes the seafood market and meat market, as well as produce — in the south Bronx, vehicles have to exit the interstate highway network and use local streets.

Tractor trailers navigating local neighborhoods has been, let’s say, less than ideal for both truck drivers and the neighborhoods. It’s inefficient, causing traffic congestion and air pollution, among other challenges.

“It’s going to make the lives of the truck drivers who spent their entire week driving across the country so much easier. And they really play such an important role in our industry, moving the product from farm to wholesaler to retailer. That core logistical piece is so important,” said Stefanie Katzman, executive vice president of wholesaler S. Katzman Produce, Bronx, N.Y. “So, with New York being such a huge hub for produce and with the amount of volume that comes through here, making it more accessible was a great move.”

NYC retail

When bad weather events, such as Florida hurricanes and California fires, make supply short or low quality, market vendors like Katzman can tap into other sources, such as imports, so that retail and foodservice customers can still get what they need.

D’Arrigo and Katzman said the pandemic honed their skills at acting fast and diversifying their supply and customer bases.

(Farm Journal)

The mayor is working on concurrent goals too, which benefit Hunts Point.

Adams is striving to improve nutrition in food-insecure neighborhoods by offering financial incentives for grocery stores to stock healthy foods like whole, fresh produce.

Those grocery stores include corner stores, or bodegas, where almost 70% of New Yorkers in high-need neighborhoods shop at least once a week, according to the Shop Healthy NYC! Implementation Guide. These corner stores can comprise up to 80% of a neighborhood’s food retail venues.

New York City is home to more than 1,000 supermarkets, more than 25,000 corner stores, thousands of mobile fruit and vegetable vendors and almost 140 farmers’ markets.

And Hunts Point wholesalers supply a lot of the city’s smaller, independent grocery retailers, Katzman said.

“For these independent supermarkets in our general area, we’re really their main source of supply. We act as their distribution center, hitting them every day with fresh fruits and vegetables,” Katzman said. “And we need to make sure that we’re able to do that all the time, in order for them to stay in business and keep produce on the shelves for New Yorkers and beyond.”

Adams also planned to match dollars that New Yorkers spend on fruits and vegetables through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly referred to as food stamps, which can be used in stores, farmers markets and, increasingly, through grocery delivery apps.

NYC foodservice

This commercial epicenter of the U.S. is where trials and innovations often appear first in supply chain logistics, the latest “it” produce, ways of grocery shopping and restaurant concepts.

Trends pop up and trickle inward from the U.S. coasts. Fresh produce for health and wellness has long gained traction at edgy restaurants — just look at Dirty Candy and Eleven Madison Park. But now the local government is also setting the bar for less glamorous but essential foodservice.

Since January, city officials have introduced Plant-Powered Fridays into schools , introduced fresh produce into the nation’s only municipal emergency food system and expanded Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Clinics to public hospitals across all five boroughs.

“New York City’s new food standards should help schools and city agencies serve meals that better promote health and sustainability as well as meeting nutritional needs,” New York University professor emerita of nutrition, food studies and public health Marion Nestle said in a release. “They emphasize whole foods and those that are minimally processed — the cutting edge of nutrition advice these days.”

By Sept. 28, culturally diverse plant-based meals became the primary dinner options for three city hospitals, paving the way for a citywide rollout. This initiative expands on the health care system’s plant-based lunch default program — launched in March — which has since earned a 95% satisfaction rate, according to a news release.

“When it comes to preventing diet-related chronic disease, there is a growing recognition that it’s not our DNA — it’s our dinner,” Adams said.

— The Packer’s editorial director Jennifer Strailey contributed to this report.

Indoor vertical grower Local Bounti partners with Sam’s Club

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:36 GMT

Local Bounti Corp. , an indoor vertical grower based in Hamilton, Mont., has confirmed an offtake agreement with Sam’s Club for its leafy greens production starting at its greenhouse in Byron, Ga.

An offtake agreement is a binding contract between a company that makes a product and a company that needs to buy that product. It formalizes the buyer’s intention to purchase a certain amount of the producer’s future output, according to Investing News.

“This exciting commercial development represents a powerful endorsement of our dedicated team that works tirelessly to deliver the highest quality locally grown produce to our customers,” Local Bounti president Brian Cook said in a news release.

Cook said the company will continue to seek sound ways to allocate its capital, with financial efficiency in mind, as it keeps expanding operations. National relationships like this one with Sam’s Club helps advance the corporation’s facility network.

Local Bounti will implement its Stack & Flow Technology at the new Georgia facility to meet existing demand. This proprietary method of indoor farming combines vertical farming and greenhouse-growing technologies to deliver high yields of diverse leafy greens at great unit economics, according to the release.

Through this process, Local Bounti can grow produce in an environmentally friendly manner that increases harvest efficiency and reduces the cost and carbon footprint of the production and distribution process.

Local Bounti supplies about 10,000 retail locations with its two brands, Local Bounti and Pete’s.

UNFI to co-locate Square Roots indoor farms at distribution centers nationwide

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:34 GMT

Providence, R.I.-based United Natural Foods Inc. and New York-based indoor grower Square Roots have agreed to co-locate Square Roots’ indoor farms on-site at select UNFI distribution centers.

The first Square Roots farm, about 20,000 square feet, is planned for UNFI’s Prescott, Wis., facility and is scheduled to open in 2023, according to a news release.

UNFI is a grocery wholesaler delivering fresh, branded and owned-brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, e-commerce providers and foodservice customers.

“With this partnership, we can now bring local food, grown by local farmers, to UNFI’s network of retail customers and their shoppers, consistently and reliably, all year round. We can’t wait to get started,” Kimbal Musk, Square Roots co-founder and executive chairman, said in the release.

As part of its Better For All initiative, UNFI is focused on building closer relationships with its produce suppliers to build an efficient, expansive, high-quality supply chain network designed to shorten the time it takes to deliver produce to retail customers. Produce from the first Square Roots farm co-located with UNFI is intended to serve UNFI’s retail customers in Wisconsin and Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area.

Related news: UNFI’s changes make delivery a day quicker

“Today’s consumer is focused on the quality and freshness of their produce and relies on their local grocer to provide consistent access to high quality, locally grown food … that won’t spoil the day after they bring it home,” Dorn Wenninger, UNFI senior vice president of produce, said in the release.

This partnership also furthers UNFI’s environmental, social and governance initiatives, making progress on goals “to reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and advance sustainable agriculture and operations,” Wenninger said.

Square Roots has a vertically integrated model for indoor hydroponic farming leafy greens, microgreens and herbs. The company can quickly deploy its modular, cloud-connected farms in any location on a small footprint. Crops are also harvested and packed inside the Square Roots facility, ready for distribution to customers the same day of harvest.

“Our unique approach to indoor farming is fully optimized to support forward-thinking, large-scale distribution partners like UNFI,” Square Roots co-founder and CEO Tobias Peggs said in the release.

This initiative can improve supply-chain resilience and reduces miles driven transporting food, he said.

All Square Roots farms are U.S. Department of Agriculture Harmonized GAP+ Certified for food safety. The USDA’s Harmonized GAP Plus+ is the audit service for organizations required to undergo a GFSI audit for market access, according to the USDA. Many retail, food service and institutional buyers require suppliers to do a food safety audit conducted against one of the GFSI-recognized certification programs. (GFSI means Global Food Safety Initiative.)

Square Roots’ fresh produce is available at retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, SpartanNash corporate stores, Meijer, Fresh Thyme Market, Busch’s Fresh Food Market, Fresh Direct, Getir and Gordon Food Service Stores.

Baldor Specialty Foods makes strategic alliance

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:01:16 GMT

Baldor Specialty Foods , Bronx, N.Y., has made an alliance that it says will enable better direct-to-consumer grocery delivery.

Baldor, a produce and specialty foods distributor specializing in foodservice but also retail customers, has partnered with Farm to People, a New York City-based service for delivering local, sustainable and ethically sourced produce and pantry items to home cooks, according to a news release.

Baldor first began offering home delivery during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, as a way to ensure food access for local communities while also keeping the company’s employees working. As Baldor’s traditional restaurant and retail business has picked up again, the company sought a way to continue to satisfy the needs of the individuals and families who came to love Baldor’s home delivery while also meeting a growing demand from traditional clients.

The Farm to People partnership will allow home chefs to purchase family-sized quantities of Baldor foods.

“When we opened up for home delivery in 2020, we were blown away by the response — and we remain immensely grateful for the customers’ orders that sustained us in a difficult time for the restaurant industry,” Benjamin Walker, Baldor’s senior vice president of sales, marketing and merchandising, said in the release. He helped lead the company’s pivot.

“Partnering with Farm to People was a no-brainer since the company has the infrastructure to support these smaller orders and shares a similar mission to our own, of sourcing the very best food from the very best farmers and makers,” Walker said.

Through Farm to People, Baldor consumers can enjoy Baldor’s assortment of premium products, including Urban Roots and top-of-the-line produce.

Related news: Slideshow of 2022 BaldorBITE show

To celebrate the partnership, the company is offering a $15 discount on the first three orders (using discount code: BALDOR codes Baldor1, Baldor2, and Baldor3 respectively). Orders can be placed at farmtopeople.com.

“We can’t wait to welcome Baldor home delivery customers to our transparent, locally focused, sustainable shopping experience,” Farm to People co-founder and CEO Michael Robinov said in the release. “Baldor and Farm to People are all about delivering fresh, sustainably-grown foods in the most efficient and convenient way possible.”

With a focus on local, peak season and small farms, Baldor curates a selection of more than 6,000 items — including produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy and specialty items. The company manages more than 10,000 major restaurant, foodservice, retail and corporate accounts from Portland, Maine, to Richmond, Va. Baldor started as Balducci’s fruit stand in Greenwich Village in 1946.

What these 5 suppliers think about PMG's 2022 Produce Retailer of the Year

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 22:36:46 GMT

So, you may have read why we thought Chris Miller of MOM’s Organic Market deserved to win PMG’s 2022 Produce Retailer of the Year.

But don’t take our word for it. Let’s hear it from the industry. Here’s what suppliers say about Chris:

1. “Chris Miller and the MOM’s produce buyers go out of their way to help local farmers, and we proudly count them as friends. We’ve known them for over a decade, and they make us feel like equitable partners instead of vendors. If we have any problems at all, they jump at the chance to help us, and vice versa. It’s been a fantastic relationship in our view. Basically, they totally rock by every metric.” — Will Mitchell, co-owner of Potomac Valley Organics, Damascus, Md.

2. “Chris Miller and his team are dedicated to MOM’s Organic Market and the customers they serve, as well as being fair and loyal to suppliers.” — Tom Marrolli, senior business manager for State Garden and its Olivia’s Organics salads brand, Chelsea, Mass.

3. “Chris Miller exemplifies the impact that an independent, value-driven retailer like MOMs can have by empowering their produce director to support purchasing from businesses that match their values … Bananas and avocados are two of the biggest-selling items in the produce department, and thanks to Chris’ skill and ability to navigate the ups and downs of global small farmer programs, the impact of this ethical purchasing is felt directly by thousands of farmers from Ecuador, Peru and Mexico. Chris is an asset to our industry and a model for other produce directors in how to work with growers and suppliers to combine ethical purchasing with economic realities and retail savvy.” — Nicole Vitello, president of Equal Exchange Produce

4. “MOM’s director of produce, Chris Miller, leads his team to provide fresh merchandise to consumers who can count on MOM’s for organic fruits and vegetables of exceptional quality.” — Tim Harrington, merchandising manager at Stemilt Growers , Wenatchee, Wash.

5. “Chris Miller is passionate about the fresh produce industry and a lifelong learner. That passion shines through in his contagious enthusiasm for great seasonal and quality products, in his focus on strong relationships with all the people involved in the supply chain, and in his persistence in moving programs forward that create benefit for a variety of stakeholders. I admire how Chris leads through adversity while sticking to his ideals and never loses his enjoyment for being part of making the world of fresh food better.” — Jon Steffy, vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Produce Inc. , Ephrata, Pa.

Local Leaf Farms promotes the retail benefits of being smaller

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:34 GMT

Sometimes, bigger isn’t better — even with efficiencies at scale.

So says Local Leaf Farms, a vertical grower based in Barrie, Ontario. The company plans to reduce food miles and logistics headaches by opening as many as 20 small-footprint facilities across Canada by 2025, according to a news release.

While vertical farming techniques are becoming more mainstream in the industry, Local Leaf Farms, which also operates from Kingston, Ontario, uses small-footprint vertical farming operations to bring hyper-local production of fresh produce to consumers. Those leafy greens can be on grocers’ shelves within hours of harvest.

There are several advantages to producing in a smaller facility, Local Leaf Farms President and CEO Steve Jones said in the release.

“Not only are we better able to manage the quality and freshness of every variety we produce, but by servicing over a small geographical area, our product is on shelf quickly, offering consumers better quality and an extended life in their homes, while ensuring reduced shrink for produce operators.”

Related topic: Local produce

Shoppers ask for “My Local Leaf” by name, Schomberg, Ontario, Foodland produce manager Anna Pereira said in the release.

“Not only do customers rave about the bold flavors and long shelf life, but they also appreciate the eco-friendly packaging,” Pereira said. She’s referring to the 100% plastic-free, compostable containers used for My Local Leaf, the consumer brand of Local Leaf Farms.

The company’s leafy green products include whole leaf varieties, packaged salads and fresh herbs. The products are at select locations of Foodland, Goodness Me!, Longo’s, Sobeys, The Sweet Potato and Noah’s Natural Foods.

Tree to Table: Hudson River Fruit Distributors to Heritage Food + Drink

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:34 GMT

MILTON and WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — Four generations of Albinders have run Hudson River Fruit Distributors , a smidge more than an hour’s drive from New York City.

These days, the fourth generation is taking on more as Alisha Albinder Camac, the vice president of sales and marketing, is a partner in ownership of restaurants with her husband, Jesse Camac. One restaurant, Heritage Food + Drink, has an Apple Crisp for Two dessert featuring local apples — including Hudson’s. Marcus Albinder, Alisha’s younger brother, has recently taken on the role of operations manager and gave us a tour of the orchards and the packing house.

Related news: Marcus Albinder takes leadership role at Hudson River Fruit Distributors

This video was shot during New York’s peak harvesting season in the Lower Hudson Valley in mid-September. The company’s apples are stored in cold warehouses for differing times depending on the variety and best-tasting times. The company also has farms elsewhere and packs and ships apples from other farms.

These apples, from macintosh to SnapDragon, also end up in supermarket shelves, sometimes in totes with Apples from New York labels.

Ride along with us as we take this apple journey.

Other news: Variety show of Eastern apples, now and coming next

Avocados from Peru partners with Kroger, Ralphs, Food 4 Less to donate 26,000 avocados

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:25:49 GMT

Donating food is one thing. Donating nutritious food is another.

Helping people who need not just food, but healthy, fresh food packed with vitamins and minerals, was top of mind in September, Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, and when the White House hosted the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

It was also the month that Avocados from Peru collaborated with Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less to donate 26,000 fresh, nutrition-packed avocados to local food banks in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas of California, according to a news release. Avocados from Peru is the brand name for the Peruvian Avocado Commission.

A Sept. 26 celebration honored the donations of 13,000 avocados to the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino and Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino. These donations are on top of the more than 50,000 avocados Avocados from Peru has already donated to food banks this summer.
“It is an honor for our producer, exporter and importer members to donate thousands of healthy and nutrient-dense avocados to help those who struggle with food insecurity,” commission president Xavier Equihua said in the release.

Related: Avocados from Peru, Giant Food, donate tons of avocados

Avocados from Peru is also the official superfood of the Los Angeles Rams football team.
Almost 42 million Americans — one in eight — struggle with hunger, Sunny Reelhorn Parr, corporate affairs director for Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, said in the release.

“We are committed to changing that by helping to end hunger and waste in our communities. Thank you to Avocados from Peru for their generous support.”

(Farm Journal)

At the celebration, Avocados from Peru also debuted its Fighting Hunger with Nutrition Award – the first-of-its-kind recognition for leaders who prioritize addressing food insecurity through healthy, sustainable solutions. The winner was Congressman Pete Aguilar, U.S. Representative of California’s 31st district that includes both San Bernardino and Riverside.

Rep. Aguilar accepted the award, thanked the commission and highlighted the impact that food banks and similar organizations have on families facing food insecurity.

Related: Learn about avocados, the commodity

“Food insecurity affects thousands of parents in the Inland Empire, making it incredibly difficult for them to plan and provide healthy, balanced meals for their children,” Aguilar said, according to the release. “We have more to do to ensure parents do not have to choose between what is nutritious and what is affordable. I will continue to advocate for legislation aimed at reducing the cost of food and tackling the growing food insecurity and hunger crisis we have here in San Bernardino County and across the county.”
The donated avocados will be distributed to 80 of more than 200 partner agencies, serving an estimated 5,900 families in need, said Richard Schmidt, chief financial officer for Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County.

This celebration was held ahead of the White House’s Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on Sept. 28. The goal of this conference is to end hunger and increase healthy eating, as well as physical activity, by 2030 to reduce diet-related diseases and disparities across the country.

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Avocados from Peru partners with Kroger, Ralphs, Food 4 Less to donate 26,000 avocados