Produce Marketing
North Bay Produce Inc. was established as Wilderness Fresh Produce in 1984, its primary focus was Michigan apples, said Brian Klumpp, director of marketing and strategic development.
North American berry grower-shippers are responding to consumer and retailer pressure to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic.
Fresh apple inventories appeared to be down in December, compared to a year earlier, according to the Falls Church, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.
Though COVID-19 has taken away the opportunities for in-person sampling and other strategies, retailers have plenty of apple promotion options, marketers say.
The COVID-19 crisis has supercharged apple packaging in multiple ways, marketers say.
With COVID-19 having forced consumers to stay indoors and sharpen their skills as online shoppers, apple marketers say they have adjusted, too.
One of the chief initiatives at Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co. in 2020 pertained to sustainability, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Brewster, Wash.-based Honeybear Brands is building a new packing facility, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Honeybear Brands, as well as Elgin, Minn.-based Wescott Orchard & Agri Products Inc.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower-shipper CMI Orchards LLC continues to test new brands and apple varieties to go with its existing products, said George Harter, vice president of marketing.
The Fishers-based New York Apple Association rolled out numerous marketing and promotional initiatives in 2020, said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gardners, Pa.-based grower-shipper Rice Fruit Co. has sharpened its focus on sustainable packaging, said Brenda Briggs, vice president of sales and marketing.
The Oppenheimer Group is reporting growth in its Envy and Jazz apple programs, while Pacific Rose remains strong with exports and in certain domestic markets, said Roger Aguirre, director of apples and pears.
This should be a good year for Florida citrus with grower-shippers reporting good growing conditions for oranges and grapefruit, and some suppliers adding increasingly popular easy peelers.
Shipments of oranges and grapefruit from Texas should be up slightly this season, according to the November citrus forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Pandemic or not, sweet potato marketers expect a boost from spring holidays such as Easter.
Sweet potatoes were already doing well lately, and after a crazy 2020, consumers want them even more, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2021 consumer survey.
Organics Unlimited is touting its care of the environment, social responsibility commitments and total focus on organic bananas through its marketing efforts.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Dole Food Co. has launched an integrated sustainability campaign aimed at amplifying its commitment to the key enterprise-wide sustainability goals launched in 2020 under “The Dole Way.”
Consumer demand for organic bananas has grown during the pandemic, said Robert Adams, president of One Banana, Coral Gables, Fla.
U.S. banana imports in 2020 totaled 4.14 million metric tons in 2020, off 2% from 2019 and the lowest volume in the past five years.
Cinco de Mayo is coming soon, and once again the holiday presents opportunities to leverage countless cross-merchandising combinations and point-of-sale material.
With fruit from Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas-Watsonville, Naturipe Farms expects promotable supplies starting in early April and continuing through the summer.
It’s time to go back to basics, y’all.
Older, higher-income Hispanic consumers living in the Western U.S. are the most frequent purchasers of fresh limes, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2021 survey.
Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit has seen an increased volume of organic apples, pears and cherries, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.
Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries do well on social media, with their natural good looks and sweet nature.
Companies are touting sustainability efforts every which way — berry-focused companies included.
The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board has named Jamie Clover Adams as its new executive director, effective May 10.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers will be fully transitioned to the company’s HiC2 recyclable pouch bag in the coming season, said Dan Davis, director of business development.
Ask around about Angela Fraser, and you hear rave review after rave review.