Specialties

Monterey Mushrooms Unveils Specialty Mushrooms

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:00:17 GMT

Monterey Mushrooms announced the launch of its new nationwide specialty mushroom line on Sept. 22. The new line features a selection of lion’s mane, king trumpet, maitake, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms. It also includes a combination offering that includes sliced baby bellas, sliced shiitake, and oyster petals, designed to cater to the growing demand for gourmet and health-conscious culinary options.

“Our new specialty mushroom line is a testament to our dedication to providing high-quality, flavorful, and nutritious products while prioritizing sustainability,” says Mike Stephan, vice president of sales and business development at Monterey Mushrooms. “We are excited to offer mushrooms that not only enhance culinary experiences but also support a healthier planet.”

These specialty mushrooms are celebrated for their rich flavors and textures, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike, the company says, adding that lion’s mane is known for its unique, seafood-like taste, while king trumpet offers a savory, umami-rich profile, and Maitake, shiitake and oyster mushrooms bring their own distinct flavors and health benefits.

Monterey Mushrooms says it is introducing this line with top seal packaging made from rPET tills, crafted entirely from 100% post-consumer materials. The use of NIR colorant ensures these packages are fully recyclable, and top-seal packaging provides added protection to mushrooms throughout the supply chain, the company says.

Frieda’s Branded Produce still inspiring new food experiences

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:28:37 GMT

Frieda’s Branded Produce has inspired new food experiences with new-to-market specialty fruits and veggies for over 60 years and counting, says Alex Jackson, vice president of sales and procurement for the Los Alamitos, Calif.-based marketer.

“Over the decades, we’ve introduced over 200 new fruits, vegetables, and complementary items to American consumers,” Jackson said.

Last year, Frieda’s Branded Produce was acquired by Legacy Produce, which Jackson said significantly enhanced the company’s nationwide distribution capabilities and strengthened its position as a top supply source of the bestselling specialty produce. The strategic alignment has bolstered Frieda’s mission to inspire healthy, new food experiences, opening up new growth opportunities while preserving the unique magic of the Frieda’s brand, she said.

“Currently, we proudly carry over 100 specialty items, including many of our flagship brands like Stokes Purple sweetpotatoes, Tikis drinking coconuts, Organic Mighty Gold turmeric, Popjoys kumquats, Kahuna jackfruit, Quick Fires shishito peppers and Rambas rambutan, to name a few,” Jackson said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson said consumers have made it clear that they are looking for colorful, healthy and delicious produce that helps inspire new food experiences to meet their health needs while being approachable and affordable.

“Even with the inflation over the last two years, consumers prioritize the food they feed their families and the healthiness of the produce items they see when shopping,” Jackson said. “Consumers have also made it clear that they are willing to try new-to-them fruits and vegetables if they are approachable, easy to use and provide a delicious and nutritious eating experience.”

Frieda’s has been able to fulfill those needs with its retail, foodservice and e-commerce partners by focusing on being the supplier of choice of the top-selling items in the specialty category, she said.

“Not only has Frieda’s created a brand that sells 30% faster than the next leading brand, but we have also cultivated a friendly, colorful, and approachable brand image that appeals to consumers, with 54% of shoppers expressing an increased willingness to try new fruits or vegetables due to Frieda’s welcoming brand persona,” Jackson said.

Hot and getting hotter

Several of Frieda’s tropical specialty items have captured significant consumer interest in the past year, she said.

“Notably, our branded rambutan, dragon fruit, young coconut, and passion fruit have seen substantial increases in both sales dollars and units year-over-year, outpacing category growth,” she said.

Frieda’s branded rambutan has been particularly popular, with its sales growth exceeding the overall category’s rate.

“This trend reflects consumers’ growing curiosity and enthusiasm for exotic fruits,” she said. “Similarly, our dragon fruit offerings have seen remarkable demand with 53% [year over year] dragon fruit growth.”

Frieda’s carries more than five varieties of dragon fruit from four countries, allowing for a robust year-round program that consistently meets consumer interest, Jackson said.

“Dragon fruit, for instance, has captured consumer attention with its vibrant colors and exotic appeal, experiencing significant year-over-year growth,” she said. “We leverage social media and digital campaigns to showcase trending fruits like dragon fruit and passion fruit, highlighting their unique attributes and culinary uses.”

“Our young coconuts and passion fruit are also gaining popularity, with both items showing strong year-over-year growth,” Jackson said. “Additionally, our lychee and tamarind have demonstrated a higher velocity, meaning they sell faster [in terms of sales and units per store per week] than the overall category, making them a smart choice for retailers looking to boost sales.”

She said Frieda’s branded specialty tropicals are growing faster than the overall category, with its brand outpacing category growth in unit sales by over 75% and dollar sales by over 58%.

“Carrying Frieda’s tropicals will help retailers sell more produce faster thanks to our strong consumer appeal and effective merchandising strategies,” she said.

The role of online

Jackson said Frieda’s brand benefits from the company’s strategic use of online marketing to tell its story and inspire new food experiences.

“On LinkedIn, we focus on retail and merchandising strategies targeted to buyers, keeping them apprised of relevant product updates and category data,” she said. “This platform allows us to connect with industry professionals, share insights and provide valuable information that helps retailers make informed decisions about stocking our specialty produce.”

Instagram reaches more of the consumer audience, Jackson said.

“[On Instagram], we inspire consumers to fear no fruit and try new recipes,” she said. “Our Instagram content caters to the latest food trends, providing consumers with creative and inspiring ways to enjoy our specialty produce. By showcasing vibrant visuals and engaging stories, we encourage consumers to explore new food experiences and integrate our unique offerings into their daily lives.”

Frieda’s gives detailed information about the variety and selection of its specialty produce, Jackson said.

“For example, our dragon fruit program includes Snow Dragons, Fire Dragons, and Honey Dragons,” she said. “This variety appeals to consumers seeking unique flavors and experiences, and we ensure that both retailers and consumers understand the distinctive qualities and culinary potential of each type.”

“Our in-store displays, recipe cards, and tasting events help consumers visualize and experience the culinary possibilities of our specialty items,” she added.

In addition, Frieda’s highlights the nutritional benefits of its specialty produce.

“Through in-store signage, packaging labels, and digital content, we educate consumers on the health advantages of incorporating these fruits into their diets,” Jackson said. “Our marketing materials often include nutritional information and health benefits to reinforce the value of our produce.”

Fresh Origins sees its sales grow

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:27:57 GMT

Fresh Origins has seen increased consumer interest in its Micro Cilantro and Micro Rainbow Mix offerings, says Aaron Horwitz, senior marketing manager for the San Marcos, Calif.-based company.

Horwitz says customers are recognizing that the marketer’s products have a significantly longer shelf life than many of its full-grown counterparts, particularly Micro Cilantro.

“Instead of buying a traditional bundle of cilantro that might spoil in a few days, customers find greater value in purchasing BrightFresh Micro Cilantro, which has a seven- to 10-day shelf life and more servings per ounce,” Horwitz said. “As customers become more cost-conscious, they see the value in products that don’t spoil quickly. Additionally, Micro Cilantro offers a top-tier flavor experience, easily competing with the finest bunched cilantro. For our Micro Rainbow Mix, customers appreciate the no-prep, highly nutritious addition that is easy to use. It serves as both a flavorful component in meals and a pre-made, nutritious salad base.”

Fresh Origins recently invested in an automated packaging line, allowing us to switch to peel-and-reseal packaging, he said.

“This new equipment not only revolutionized our packaging branding, improving the customer experience on-shelf but also eliminated cumbersome hand-packing by our team,” Horwitz said.

“It added three to five to our already industry-leading shelf life and reduced our plastic usage in packaging by about 30%,” he said. “This new packaging line also provides a more reliable packaging experience for our retail partners.”

Fresh Origins carries about a dozen year-round products, but can work with retailers to bring in other products based on their specific needs, he said.

Path to growth

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted home cooking and increased the demand for nutritious, easy-to-prepare ingredients, Horwitz said.

“With much of the hospitality industry shut down, there was a high demand from retail consumers to recreate restaurant flavors and plating styles at home,” he said. “Since our product is a favorite among chefs, we found our way into many pandemic-era home-cooked meals and that demand has not slowed down, as customers are now accustomed to this high-quality product at an affordable price point.”

Microgreens are still an emerging category, Fresh Origins spends considerable time educating consumers about the products’ many benefits.

“We collaborate with nationally recognized nutritionists to provide accurate information about the nutritional density of BrightFresh items,” Horwitz said. “We also commission well-known chefs to endorse and demonstrate how to use microgreens in home kitchens. Our digital marketing focuses heavily on education, with content centered around common customer pain points, such as upgrading summer barbecues with nutritious ingredients or incorporating nutrient-dense foods into kids’ lunches for the back-to-school season.”

Fresh Origins runs a full-service marketing department with seven staff engaged in consumer and trade marketing for BrightFresh.

“Our team works with retail partners to provide the assets they need to learn about BrightFresh, and we use various brand-building techniques to engage with consumers,” Horwitz said. “Our department is growing, and our organization consistently supports our retailers and end customers with the tools they need to make great food choices.”

The company’s marketing efforts use traditional digital marketing methods, including paid advertising across various channels, to build brand awareness, in addition to trade publications to capture retailer attention.

“We are currently undergoing a complete website rebrand and recently hired a full-time content manager who has revolutionized our content creation approach,” Horwitz said. “This manager has been instrumental in developing robust email marketing and social media strategies, as well as creating a comprehensive content calendar for our new website. This site will feature information about our farm, educational pieces, nutrition features from nationally recognized nutritionists, and a recipe section led by chef partners from across the country.”

What’s hot in specialty produce? Flavor leads the way

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 19:49:42 GMT

Located a stone’s throw from Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, N.Y., Baldor Specialty Foods is another company with produce roots that run deep.

Beginning as Balducci’s fruit stand in Greenwich Village in 1946, today Baldor is one of the largest importers and distributors of fresh produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

Baldor partners with more than 1,000 farms to fuel its full-service catalog of more than 6,000 items and 1,000 fresh-cut options. It currently has warehouses in Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York, and the company is scheduled to open a new hub in the D.C. area in April 2024, Kenneth Bower, director of merchandising vegetables, told The Packer.

Servicing a wide range of retail, foodservice and institutional customers, Baldor has its finger on the pulse of trends in specialty produce.

Value-added and convenience were key themes this year, Bower says.

“The clamshell salad section continues to expand with new blends, kits and flavors to satisfy the most sophisticated home chef,” he said.

And labor-saving convenience remains top of mind in foodservice.

“Restaurants can’t afford to bring a team in early morning to prep for the next service; hence less ‘raw’ product and more ‘finished goods’ are in demand,” Bower says. “Items like snipped beans, peeled carrots, cleaned cilantro, de-veined and de-stemmed kale, chopped romaine, cored peppers, broccoli and cauliflower florets and peeled potatoes offer great value, consistency and labor relief.”

Baldor’s in-house Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point or HACCP-accredited fresh-cut division cleans and cuts the same whole produce the company stocks and sells each day, says Bower, who adds that this ensures its value-added items are processed and packaged under maximum safety standards.

Top produce trends in 2024

The Packer asked Bower for his hot produce predictions for the year ahead. “Flavor trumps everything — it has to taste good,” he said. But under the flavor umbrella, here’s what Baldor Specialty Foods sees trending:

Local leads — Demand for local and regional produce is not going away. “Growing our local vendor base and menu of offerings has been and continues to be a huge initiative of ours,” he said.
Mushroom mania — “The mushroom category has performed well,” says Bower, who sees this trend continuing. “The health benefits are being celebrated more and more and we are seeing browns outpace whites with creminis and maitakes leading the way. Lion’s mane is another variety that we believe will gain in popularity in 2024 — this could be the next maitake.”
Hot stuff — “Heat is neat and consumer demand for chili peppers is on the rise,” says Bower.
Small potatoes — Small potatoes are actually a big deal. Bower sees creamer/baby potatoes and fingerling varieties gaining in popularity both at home and at retail. “Taste, reduced cook time and versatility make these a great selection,” he says.
Baby on board — Additionally, Bower sees growth in other baby varietals such as broccolini, caulilini and Persian cucumbers. “Tender leaf items like spring mix blends, baby kales, baby spinach and wild arugula continue to be category leaders as chefs can use them as a base or starter and then get creative,” he says. “The baby head ‘gem’ category is also seeing great growth.”

While some trends evolve and others come and go, “at the end of the day, consumers want produce that tastes good, is safe and has been responsibly grown and sourced,” Bower said.

Seasons Farm Fresh offers retailers help with rambutan program

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 17:18:53 GMT

Seasons Farm Fresh says it can help retailers easily implement a Honduran rambutan program from July through November.

The company is the largest exporter of rambutan from Honduras to North America, shipping about 25,000 pounds weekly via air during the season, and is now offering a streamlined program including clamshells to help retail sell the unique fruit, according to a news release.

“We have worked over the past eight years with our cooperative of growers to bring consistent volume and growth to customers all across the U.S. and Canada,” Gabe Bernal, vice president for Seasons Farm Fresh Inc., Miami, said in the release.

Seasons Farm Fresh is a family-owned importer and wholesale distributor of tropical and specialty produce from Florida and around the world.

Bernal said having a rambutan program brings diversity to a retailer’s shelves and entices shoppers to head to their stores for this unique item.

“The popularity of this item has grown exponentially each year since we started in 2015,” he said. “It has moved from being a nostalgic item to becoming a well-known treat for those who originate from or have traveled to Central America or Southeast Asia, as well as for millennials who love this ‘hairy’ fruit.”

Bernal said the rambutan, which has distinct aesthetic and portability, stands out with its soft “hairs” on the outside and refreshing, juicy white to clear fruit on the inside.

Related: Marketing to young families with Ramboos, the rambutan

“It’s a great grab-and-go snack for kids and adults who want to try something new rather than the average grape, blueberry or cherry,” he said.

The company offers 5-pound bulk boxes as well as a clamshell program of six 12-ounce clamshells per box (120 to 150 boxes per pallet).

“These are flown in by air starting in July with fixed pricing until November,” Bernal said. “We control all of the operations and logistics so that the buyer only needs to focus on receiving the product or picking it up from our Miami warehouse. Our goal is to make the implementation of this product as streamlined as possible for customers.”

The program is backed by a state-of-the-art packing facility and hydro-cooling system in Honduras, according to the release.

“This has helped extend the shelf life and outside appearance of our rambutan,” Bernal said. “We see less blackening of tips on the outside of the fruit. Our farms and warehouse all have food safety and GlobalGAP certifications in place to ensure the integrity and quality of our product.”

Bernal encourages buyers to reach out to discuss the opportunities in rambutan.

“We welcome in-depth conversations with both the buyers and merchandisers of our products,” he said. “We can work with them to make POS material as effective as possible. The only way to grow a program is to support the retailers who believe in our vision behind this product - that rambutan will be a household name in bite-sized fruit within the upcoming years!”

Census of Agriculture: Specialty crops account for 10% of U.S. farm operations

Thu, 02 May 2024 23:16:59 GMT

The recently released 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture shows that farms specializing in specialty crops accounted for 10% of all farm operations.

Specialty crop operations include those that primarily grow vegetables and melons, fruit and tree nuts, and greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture products and are responsible for $84 billion in cash receipts (15% of the U.S. total), according to data from the USDA.

For 127 counties (or county equivalents), specialty crop farms accounted for more than 40% of all farms within the county, according to the USDA.

“Most of these counties are in states along the West and East coasts (including Alaska and Hawaii) and in or near metropolitan areas,” the USDA said in a summary of the data. “Half of the counties with the highest concentration of farms primarily engaged in growing specialty crops were in California, New York, Florida, and New Jersey.”

Almost all (95%) of U.S. counties with farms, as well as every state, had at least one farm growing primarily specialty crops, the release said.

EPA on path to reduce fresh produce consumption, says MCFA chair

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 20:37:21 GMT

Earlier this year the Minor Crop Farmer Alliance alerted the industry to a new Environmental Protection Agency policy that has the potential to cause serious problems for specialty crop farmers.

Now new specifics from EPA indicate the agency is on a path that will also affect the cost of producing fresh produce, thereby increasing prices for consumers and potentially lowering consumption.

In April 2022, EPA announced plans to bring its pesticide program into compliance with the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The agency has since released related details, including a proposed workplan update MCFA flagged to industry in February. EPA’s new policy is a 180-degree change, replacing a slow, methodical approach with an “act now, address questions later” one.

EPA was forced to move after years of its inaction on Endangered Species Act enforcement resulted in a series of lawsuits that have paralyzed the agency, monopolized resources and threatened the registration status of nearly all pesticides. EPA plans to remedy its situation by adding precautionary mitigations to labels for insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides and fungicides.

For many specialty crop growers, the mitigations will add significant production costs — and even take productive land out of production. For example: In June, the EPA released for public comment a proposed plan for a pilot project to protect 27 vulnerable species from pesticide spray drift and runoff. The pilot project proposes to require growers to implement at least four mitigation measures to stop runoff, and a 2,600-foot buffer beyond a listed species’ range or designated critical habitat. EPA proposed that distance because it is the farthest that spray drift is estimated to travel.

EPA is basing the pilot program’s restrictions on an overly conservative, precautionary approach, rather than conducting the refined risk assessments that federal regulations call for. And the agency is not relying on the best available science and data in fashioning these restrictions. These mitigation measures and such large, indiscriminate buffers will have a very real, negative impact on specialty crop producers.

USDA’s Census of Agriculture pins the average specialty crop farm at 64.5 acres, compared to 249.4 and 297.3 acres for corn and soybean farms, respectively. The 200-foot buffer required in some ESA scenarios would cause a 12% loss of land productivity for the average specialty crop grower.

All of these measures will increase the costs of production for specialty crop farmers — and eventually take its toll on already inflation-weary consumers, who will find it more difficult to afford fresh fruits and vegetables. EPA’s approach is likely to unravel years of industry efforts to convince consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Higher prices will move fruits and vegetables off the grocery list. MCFA has been communicating with EPA about our concerns, which we’ve documented in substantive public comments. We acknowledge that conducting refined risk assessments is very difficult for the agency, but EPA should not fast-forward to require mitigation measures before we know if they are needed — especially when those mitigations are expected to seriously disrupt grower operations.

MCFA’s comments included examples of how the pilot project would hurt growers throughout the nation, including Florida, California and the nursery industry in particular. Specialty crop growers share EPA’s goal of protecting endangered and threatened species, however, such protection should be science-based and appropriately tailored to address the actual potential risk.

It is clear that EPA’s new endangered species policy will shift the burden for protecting listed species from EPA to the pesticide user community — with the unintended consequence of increasing costs and affecting fresh produce consumption in the process. The specialty crop industry must all work together to ensure that growers’ voices are represented in the agency’s process.

Jim Cranney is chair of Minor Crop Farmer Alliance and president of California Citrus Quality Council. MCFA says it advocates for the use of sound science in government minor-use pesticide policies, so that growers have access to safe, effective, affordable crop protection tools. MCFA is funded and led entirely by fruit, vegetable, nut, ornamental plant and other specialty-crop producer organizations throughout the U.S. For more information, visit bit.ly/MinorCropFarmerAlliance.

Sun Belle marks arrival of seasonal red currants

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 18:23:55 GMT

Sun Belle , Schiller Park, Ill., says the season’s first Chilean red currants under the Sun Belle label are hitting stores now and will be available through mid-February.

Ken Hopps, Sun Belle director of business development, who recently visited the company’s partner farms in the central Chilean region of Maule, reports a “strong program on board.”

Tart, with a hint of sweetness, red currants grow in bright shiny clusters, making them especially appealing for recipes and garnishes, according to a news release. Sun Belle says these pearl-shaped, juicy berries pair well with cheese and grazing boards, with game and poultry, and in salads, jellies, baked goods, desserts and beverages.

“We love to bring red currants to our customers,” Sun Belle CEO Janice Honigberg said in the release. “Their beautiful bright color adds a bright spot in winter. They are also wonderful leading up to Valentine’s Day.”

Sun Belle and Green Belle offer conventional and organic blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, golden berries, cranberries, pomegranate arils, cherries and red currants. Sun Belle LLC, part of the Frutura family, operates five distribution centers nationally, including Schiller Park; Jessup, Md.; Oxnard, Calif.; Miami; and Laredo, Texas.

Related: Frutura acquires Sun Belle and Giddings Fruits, advances berry business

USDA awards more than $80M in specialty crop grants

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:31:06 GMT

The USDA said it awarded $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and consumers’ access to specialty crops — including fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. The funding stems from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program.

Funded projects include:

A partnership between the Nevada Department of Agriculture, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and Union Kitchen to develop the Farm2Food Accelerator, a 15-week program that helps the state’s female specialty crop producers and food entrepreneurs grow their value-added businesses into new statewide and regional markets.
The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board to promote the consumption of Michigan-grown asparagus through in-store promotion programs, educational opportunities and digital marketing to target consumers’ grocery shopping both in-store and online.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant and Specialty Crop Multi-State programs are funded by the 2018 farm bill and administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

“This funding will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and more,” Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs said in a news release. “These programs are furthering USDA’s and the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to build a more resilient food system, one where producers and consumers have more, new and better market opportunities, which helps farmers and their communities prosper.”

USDA awards $72.9 million to 54 states and territories to support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research. The USDA said the states and territories use the funding to provide sub-awards to projects that focus on areas such as investing in food safety, research on conservation and environmental outcomes, developing new and improved seed varieties, and pest and disease management. To date, USDA said it invested over $1 billion in more than 12,400 projects through this program.

The USDA also awarded $9.4 million to 11 projects through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, which funds collaborative multi-state partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty Crop Multi-State grants address regional or national-level specialty crop issues through research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues and marketing and promotion. Since 2015, the USDA said this program awarded more than $29 million to 40 projects across the country.

USDA extends CFAP deadline, adds dozens of specialty crops

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:07:03 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for applying for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funds, and added dozens of herbs and specialties as eligible crops.

Growers now have until Sept. 11 to apply for the money; the original deadline was Aug. 28.

Besides adding numerous specialty crops to the eligibility list, the USDA also added seven commodities to funds for sales losses, including green onions , pistachios, walnuts and watermelons .

The added specialty crops include: bananas, bok choy, star fruit, cherimoyas, dates, red dragon fruit, leeks, mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, pomegranates, tangelos, turnips and a number of fresh herbs. A full list of commodities, and what funds they are eligible for, are on the USDA’s CFAP webpage.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency, which is overseeing the program, has paid out 80% of the approved payments, to ensure funding for other applicants. The FSA is now paying the remaining 20%, according to an Aug. 11 news release on the changes to the CFAP. New applicants will receive the 100%, although payment caps of $250,000 for each grower or $750,000 for corporations (with three eligible partners) are still in place.

Agriculture Sonny Perdue said President Trump “is standing with America’s farmers and ranchers” in the release.

“That is why he authorized this $16 billion of direct support in the CFAP program and today we are pleased to add additional commodities eligible to receive much needed assistance,” Perdue said in the release.

The changes come just days after Democrats on a House Agriculture subcommittee asked the USDA to ensure specialty crop growers, particularly young and socially disadvantaged growers, received funds.

Several dozen agricultural groups including a dozen representing fresh fruit and vegetable growers, recently sent a letter to Perdue, requesting the deadline extension and more outreach to encourage growers to apply, as well as remove payment caps.

One of those groups is the United Fresh Produce Association .

“CFAP has provided important relief to fresh produce growers across the country who produce a diverse range of produce that have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel said in a news release about USDA’s announcement on changes to the program. “We are grateful to USDA for expanding this program and look forward to continue working with them to support growers whose produce is not covered under this further expansion of covered specialty crops.”

According to the USDA, 1,740 comments were made through June 22 on what additional commodities should be included in the program.

“After reviewing over 1,700 responses, even more farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity for assistance to help keep operations afloat during these tough times,” according to the release.

As of Aug. 10, the program has paid out $305.6 million to specialty crop growers, and $7.04 billion to all producers included in the program’s coverage, according to the USDA’s CFAP Dashboard.

More details are available at the Federal Register’s notice of funding availability and changes to the CFAP final rule .

Related stories:

Industry groups ask for CFAP extension, changes to eligibility

Democrats: Give more CFAP $$ specialty crop growers

USDA adds online portal to apply for coronavirus funds

Frieda's satisfies consumer curiosity with specialty citrus

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:09 GMT

Immunity will be top of mind this winter. In fact, according to a recent study by Hartman Research, 68% of consumers are either using functional foods or are interested in using functional foods for immunity benefit this year1. Give shoppers easy, delicious ways to dose-up on vitamin C and add variety to their citrus rotation with Frieda’s new calamondin and limequat grab-n-go pouches.

Limequats are a hybrid of two favorites— limes and kumquats —characterized by a sweet rind and tart juice. Sweeter than a lime and fully edible, this fruit can be used in cocktails and treats like limequat bars. Calamondin, also known as calamansi, are small hybrids of mandarins and kumquats that are perfectly poppable—skin and all! (Think teeny, tiny oranges that are sour & tart, making them ideal as an ingredient when creating a glaze for fish or poultry.) They are very popular throughout Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine for adding that tangy citrus flavor to dishes.

“Shoppers have become accustomed to discovering new citrus favorites every year,” says Alex Berkley, director of sales at Frieda’s. “First it was blood oranges, then came the Sumo mandarins. Last year shoppers fell in love with our mandarinquats, and this year they’ll be coming to the store to see what’s new & addictive in citrus.”

Frieda’s calamondins and limequats are available in 12/8-ounce pouches, with availability after Thanksgiving. Call your Frieda’s account manager today to request samples and pre-book. Supplies won’t last!

Source:
1 Functional Food & Beverage Supplements, April 2020, The Hartman Group, total sample (n=2,637)

Great Pumpkins! Grower Hits Record with Pumpkin

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:04:46 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island grower is first in the world to achieve a trifecta in the hobby of growing gargantuan foods: world records for heaviest pumpkin, longest long gourd and now, heaviest squash.

After previously breaking two records, Joe Jutras got his third during the weekend when smashed the giant squash record with one that weighed more than a ton. His green squash tipped the scales at 2,118 pounds (960 kilograms) during a weigh-in at Frerichs Farm in Warren on Saturday.

His other titles came in 2006, when broke the record for longest gourd, with a 126.5-inch (3.21-meter) gourd, and in 2007, when he broke the record for largest pumpkin, with a fruit that weighed in at 1,689 pounds (766 kilograms). Both previous records have since been surpassed, but Jutras is the only grower so far to break world records in the three most competitive categories.

“It feels great,” Jutras said Monday. “It’s really been a goal of mine to try to achieve this.”

Jutras has been working on the trifecta for a decade, since his pumpkin win. He was close to the goal a few years ago, but then a squash on track to break the record split. Now 62, Jutras recently retired from his work as a high-end cabinet maker to devote more time to his hobby.

Jutras noted that others had won multiple world records for fruits and vegetables before, but in categories such as carrots that are not as competitive.

He credits a new soil cultivation technique and a seed from last year’s world record breaker for this year’s win.

Ron Wallace, a multi-time pumpkin record breaker, called Jutras’ feat “unbelievable.” He said Jutras’ accomplishment showed the best of the hobby. “It’s about people competing and pushing the boundaries,” he said.

Jutras said his fruit is headed to New York City, where it will be on display this month at the New York Botanical Garden.

In February, he’ll receive a coveted “green jacket” honor for his squash record during at the annual convention in Oregon of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, considered the NFL of giant fruit and vegetable growing.

Asked what he plans to do next after achieving the trifecta, he said he’s been thinking about the bushel gourd.

“I think the record now is about 279 pounds,” Jutras said. “That might be something I might want to get into a bit.”

Copyright 2017 Associated Press

Hazel Technologies secures another $13 million in funding

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:09:40 GMT

Hazel Technologies, which has products designed to extend the shelf life of produce, has received $13 million in Series B funding.

That brings the total funding to $17.8 million for Hazel Technologies, according to a news release.

“This new financing brings in resources, both financial and strategic, that will grow Hazel from its current early commercial stage to become a profitable, world-leading provider of shelf life extension products,” Aidan Mouat, CEO at Hazel Technologies, said in the release. “We’ve delivered a solution that works both economically and environmentally, increasing efficiencies across the entire supply chain, and now we are able to roll these out to address food spoilage in multi-billion dollar markets internationally.”

The company produces sachets that are inserted into cartons of fruit and vegetables at the packing facility. During shipment, the sachets release vapor that slows the aging process of perishables.

Users of Hazel Technology products include Mission Produce for avocados, and Frieda’s Inc. for specialty and tropical produce.

“Hazel has a deep understanding of their customers that we rarely see in a start-up company,” Keith Gillard, general partner at Pangaea Ventures, which led the round of funding, said in the release. “Their drop-in solution for a broad set of supply chain applications will allow Hazel to be a true change maker in food waste reduction across the supply chain.”

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UPDATED: Industry pioneer Frieda Rapoport Caplan dies

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:23:58 GMT

UPDATED, Jan. 21 -- Industry pioneer Frieda Rapoport Caplan, 96, has died.

Caplan is widely praised for her role in elevating the role of women in the fresh produce business, and helping to introduce kiwifruit and other specialties to the U.S.

The subject of the 2015 documentary film “Fear No Fruit,” Caplan became the first woman to own and operate a company on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market.

She helped introduce the kiwifruit to the American market in 1962 and later marketed more than 200 exotic fruits and vegetables, including Sunchokes (Jersusalem artichokes), dragon fruit, jicama and Stokes Purple sweet potatoes.

In 1979, Caplan was the first woman to receive The Packer’s “Produce Man of the Year” award, then renamed the “The Produce Marketer of the Year.”

In an e-mail, daughters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, owners of Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s Specialty Produce , said she died at home on Jan 18.

After suffering a setback last June after a fall, her health declined rapidly in the last few weeks.

“She was such a remarkable woman, and was still very mentally sharp until the very end,” according to the e-mail.

“As you can imagine, she continued to ask us daily ‘what good things happened at Frieda’s today’ since she couldn’t go to the office any longer.”

Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, said she felt fortunate to have been friends with Frieda.

“She was a tremendous leader with a brilliant mind who could always pick up where she left off with you,” DeLyser said. “She remembered birthdays and special life events, checked on those she cared about regularly and was absolutely the biggest fan a person could hope to have. Frieda’s imprint on our industry is indelible and will live on through Karen, Jackie and Alex as well as through all she touched as a caring mentor and friend. “

“ CBS Sunday Morning ,” which interviewed Frieda Rapoport Caplan for a tribute to her life in November, moved up the air date to Jan. 19.

“We are in the process of planning a celebration of life and will share the timing and details with you within the next few weeks,” her daughters said in the e-mail. “Thank you for your friendship and caring for our Mom! Feel free to wear something purple ... her favorite color!”

The Produce Marketing Association recognized Caplan with its Women’s Catalyst Award at Fresh Summit 2019. (See video below.) The award recognizes people in the industry who cultivate women’s potential with mentoring and fostering a path for leadership, development and participation, according to PMA CEO Cathy Burns.

“As a female business owner in an overwhelmingly male-oriented industry, Frieda provided an example to many aspiring women executives and, in conversations we shared, it was very apparent she always had an open door to those seeking a mentor and guidance,” Burns said in a Jan. 19 statement. “She also delighted in the fact that her daughters and granddaughter were carrying forward the torch she lit when she founded Frieda’s, Inc. in 1962.”

Caplan helped countless women in the industry, Burns said.

“Upon joining PMA, Frieda’s office was among my very first ‘must do’ member visits, and she literally welcomed me with open arms to our industry. In the five years since, it was not uncommon to open my e-mail and find a note from Frieda offering her unique insights on trends, innovation, and inspiration,” Burns said in the statement.

She said Caplan has been described as a fearless entrepreneur, product innovator, produce pioneer, trailblazer, icon, and vanguard.

“She is all these accolades to others and me, but most of all I am incredibly blessed and proud to have called her a friend,” Burns said in the statement. “PMA joins the Caplan and Frieda’s families in mourning the loss of their matriarch.”

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Banded organic cara caras available from Morning Kiss Organics

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:39:35 GMT

Morning Kiss Organics , Chelsea, Mass., expects to see its biggest year for specialty citrus, with sales of cara caras increasing significantly over the past five years.

Cara cara navels are sweeter and contain higher vitamin A and C content than standard navels, according to a Morning Kiss Organic news release.

“Demand for specialty citrus continues to grow, and consumers are particularly loving cara cara navels,” Nelly Czajkowski, sales manager, said in the release. “We are excited to offer an organic option from our extensive network of high-quality growers.”

Morning Kiss Organic packs the cara cara navels with a pink band to differentiate them from other navels. They will also be available in 3-count bags, according to the release.

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Dole and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ seek to make fruits, vegetables familiar

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:40 GMT

Dole Food Co. , is adding recipes and accompanying videos, along with social media content and digital downloads to its summer promotion of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables through Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” and “Monsters University.”

The company is using its partnership with Pixar Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Co. to highlight recipes for children that include Brussels sprouts , dragon fruit and kiwiftruit .

“As a mom of three, I can confirm that there are two types of fruits and vegetables in our house: friendly and scary,” Rachel Young, Dole’s manager of digital marketing and communications, said in a news release. “However, since many of the fruits and veggies considered frightening are only because of their names or the way they look on the outside, I’ve found that fun recipes and interactive activities can go a long way toward changing minds and creating new favorites.”

The promotion also includes activities at www.dole.com/Disney .

The five new “Monsters, Inc.” inspired recipes join five others that were released earlier this summer. They were created by Melanie Marcus, Dole’s health and nutrition communications manager, according to the release.

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Kiwi berry season begins at Domex Superfresh Growers

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:56 GMT

Kiwi berry season is underway at Domex Superfresh Growers , Yakima, Wash.

The harvest started Sept. 12 in the Umpqua River Valley and the berries will be in stores soon, according to a news release.

Catherine Gipe-Stewart, communications manager, suggests that consumers wait until “the berry is a bit squishy and soft, even if they look a bit wrinkly,” according to the release.

The kiwi berries work well on top of salads, in Asian dishes and as snacks, she said.

“Kiwi berries are a nutritional powerhouse, high in vitamin C, K, and E, as well as rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber,” Gipe-Stewart said in the release.

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Fruits n' Rootz uses Hazel Tech in tropical fruit boxes

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 04:50:47 GMT

Hazel Technologies Inc., a USDA-funded technology company delivering new solutions for the fresh produce industry to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and fight food waste, announces a partnership with Miami, Florida-based tropical produce company Fruits n’ Rootz.

Founded in 2018, Fruits n’ Rootz specializes in the shipment of rare and exotic tropical produce items directly to consumers. Offerings include a wide variety of fresh tropical fruits such as soursop, mamey, cherimoya, and specialty banana varieties. Consumer interest in tropical fruit online delivery has skyrocketed in 2020 in the wake of COVID-19: This year Fruits n’ Rootz has reached over half a million Instagram followers and ships 20,000 boxes per month across the United States and Canada.

One persistent challenge with shipping tropical fruit long distances is the extremely high level of perishability. Fruits like soursop frequently have a shelf life of less than 7 days. For Fruits n’ Rootz, spoiled fruit was adding up, resulting in not only lower sales, but also lower social impact: A fraction of the sales for each fruit box is donated to support hungry children in Africa through iheartAfrica, a charity driven by a social mission to improve the livelihoods of men, women and children in the Democtractic Republic of Congo, Jamaica and Ghana.

Following the implementation of Hazel Tech® in 2020, shrink levels have decreased for Fruits n’ Roots. “Since incorporating Hazel into our tropical fruit boxes, we have observed approximately 40% lower quality complaints from customers,” said Krystal Pitt, Co-Founder and CEO of Fruits n’ Rootz. “Hazel not only allows us to reach more consumers with quality fruit, but also give back to communities in need more generously.”

“Food waste is one of the largest social issues facing the world today,” said Aidan Mouat, CEO, Hazel Technologies, “Our goals at Hazel are to not only support our partners like Fruits n’ Rootz in their efforts to fight world hunger, but also to provide our waste-reducing technologies across the globe.”

Specialty tropical fruit demand picks up

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:17:06 GMT

In March, tropicals were the last items on shoppers’ lists as they rushed to stock up on potatoes, apples and canned beans to survive the pandemic.

By April, however, things had changed. With people not eating out as much, retail sales have increased substantially in all departments, including tropicals.

“Tropical fruits saw a 12% growth overall in the three months since the pandemic started, with a lot more growth to come,” said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa’s World Variety Produce in Los Angeles.

But increased demand has brought its own challenges. With the disruption in international airlines, shipments that once arrived three times a week have been reduced to once a week.

As a result, “orders are much larger and spaced out, creating occasional gaps between them,” said Schueller.

COVID-19 has also affected shipments at J&C Tropicals, with specialty mangoes from Haiti arriving weekly compared to three or four times a week.

“Things are going well despite the madness,” said J&C vice president Jessie Capote. “The key metric for us is inventory. Our daily inventory is down 30%, which tells me some things might be in shorter supply and that things are moving in and out quickly.”

Capote said he’s always in discussion with retail partners on pricing strategies, and there’s been push-back on items such as rambutans from Guatemala, but retailers are still on board.

“At the end of the day, food makes people happy,” said Capote. “If you’re quarantined at home, picking up a Haitian mango may be a bright spot in your day, even if you pay a bit more.”

With travel plans and vacations on hold this summer, shoppers are looking to create “micro-escapes” at home, said Alex Berkley, sales manager for Frieda’s Inc ., Los Alamitos, Calif.

Berkley said shoppers are keen to go on a “treasure hunt” through the store and are particularly looking for more exotic tropical fruits in the produce department.

“We are helping retailers create those micro-escapes with jackfruit, dragon fruit and young coconut promotions,” she said.

Melissa’s, meanwhile, is focusing on its Made in America summer grilling program, which offered patriotic recipes and merchandising tips for Memorial Day and will peak again for the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Mary Ostlund, marketing director for Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals Inc ., said Brooks is teaching customers how tropicals grow and ripen to ensure consumers enjoy the fruit at its best.

“They also have fantastic stories to tell,” said Ostlund. Passionfruit, for example, tells harvesters when it’s ready to be picked. “If it drops into your basket when you jiggle it that means it’s good and ready,” she said.

Katiana Valdes, director of marketing and business development for Crystal Valley Foods in Miami, said changing demographics and the growing diversity of the U.S. population have contributed to the growth of specialty items and allowed many of them to go mainstream.

“Many Hispanics, in particular, consume these tropical fruits and vegetables and they continue to influence restaurant and supermarket offerings,” Valdes said.

Creative recipe ideas from bloggers and influencers also encourage consumers to try unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, she said.

“As demand increases, it’s important for retailers to make their customers aware of the product mix they offer,” she said. “Large secondary displays in high traffic areas, point-of-sale information and social media highlighting benefits and preparation techniques will all help increase sales.”

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What’s hot right now in tropicals?

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:17:01 GMT

Dragon fruit continues to lead the tropical pack, with gains of 21% in the past three months, according to Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Los Angeles-based Melissa’s World Variety Produce .

Though its pink scales and crisp white or red flesh make this tropical fruit truly exotic, the smaller yellow dragon fruit from Ecuador, shaped like a pine cone, may be the best, and sweetest, variety out there, said Schueller.

Alex Berkley, sales manager for Frieda’s Inc ., Los Alamitos, Calif., also sees the dragon fruit category expanding, especially the yellow variety.

“Frieda’s continues to grow our market share,” said Berkley, “growing three times the rate of the total category.”

The success of the red dragon fruit is due partly to its wide availability, Schueller said. It’s grown in Florida, Honduras, California, Israel and Vietnam, which offers a year-round supply.

The trendy fruit is popular in drinks, frozen yogurt and acai bowls, he said.

Consumers are also intrigued by the dragon fruit grown in South Florida, available now, said Mary Ostlund, marketing director for Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals Inc ., along with Florida-grown passionfruit and starfruit.

Beyond the curious names, “it’s the colors and shapes not seen elsewhere in the produce aisle that have extended the consumer’s reach in the tropical aisle and explain the first drop in the shopping cart,” said Ostlund.

What keeps customers coming back, she said, is the exotic flavor of tropical fruit, perfect for snacks, fruit salads and garnishes.

Ostlund is also promoting Brooks’ large SlimCados, which brown more slowly than other avocados, making them ideal for guacamole. Caribbean red papayas are also selling well, she said.

In the immunity-boosting category, consumers are becoming more aware of the health benefits of fresh ginger and turmeric and learning to prepare them, said Katiana Valdes, marketing director of Crystal Valley Foods in Miami.

As part of its Super Foods program, Melissa’s rolled out a 1-pound “Immunity Booster” clamshell in March containing fresh ginger and turmeric. The package advises adding citrus juice to make healthy juice shots at home.

Young coconuts are also gaining in popularity with their easy-open “spout” and pure, refreshing juice crammed with vitamins and minerals.

Melissa’s EZ Open Sweet Young Coconut, introduced late last fall complete with a straw, is now available year-round from Thailand, said Schueller.

“Here’s a truly natural drink, still in the packaging that nature provides, with absolutely no added sugars, flavorings or preservatives,” he said.

Berkley said Frieda’s Young Coconuts are growing 16 times faster than the category.

Top 10 Tropical Fruit with % gains in the last three months:

Dragon Fruit (white flesh, red flesh and yellow) - 21%
Red Caribbean Papaya - 17%
Jackfruit - 9%
Cherimoya - 12%
Kiwano Melon - 3%
Passion Fruit - 14%
Mango - 18%
Young Coconut - 11%
Rambutan - 13%
Strawberry Papaya - 9%

Oppy, Flavour Fields partner to develop, market ‘uncommon’ items

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:00 GMT

The Oppenheimer Group is partnering with microgreens and edible flower grower Koppert Cress , doing business as Flavour Fields , to develop and market varieties of specialty produce.

Oppy has extensive marketing experience and a customer base and Flavour Fields is involved in research and development of “uncommon” produce, according to a news release.

“We’re incredibly excited to explore interesting varieties that bring something truly unique to the market with Flavour Fields,” Garland Perkins, Oppy senior manager of insights and innovation, said in the release. “Oppy is well-positioned to play an important role as a bridge that connects the needs of retailers and growers, with cutting-edge innovations.”

Oppy, established more than 160 years ago, has a history of introducing new products, from Japanese easy-peel oranges in 1891 to Jazz and Envy apples in recent years according to the release.

“We have always been a leader of innovation for the produce industry, but our experience with the retail sector was limited,” Nicolas Mazard, general manager of Flavour Fields, said in the release. “We are therefore excited to access Oppy’s in-depth expertise in distribution and marketing.”

Koppert Cress created Flavour Fields in 2018, as a brand covering culinary innovation, according to the release.

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Frieda’s suggests focusing on health during World Vegetarian Month

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:42 GMT

With more people embracing a plant-based lifestyle, Frieda’s Specialty Produce , Los Alamitos, Calif., is prepared for the 43rd Annual World Vegetarian Day and Month (Oct.1/October).

“The pandemic has resulted in what we like to call a ‘health trigger moment,’ which is the point where consumers start to rethink their approach to diet and lifestyle,” Cindy Sherman, director of marketing and insights at Frieda’s, said in a news release. “Right now consumers are making shifts in how they eat fueled by the quest for immunity, which is why World Vegetarian Month is the perfect opportunity to plug into the immunity-boosting benefits produce shoppers are looking for.”

Frieda’s is encouraging retailers to focus on health/wellness in the product department. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the move to fresh produce, with a 10% increase in sales over 2019, according to a weekly report generated by IRI, 210 Analytics and the Produce Marketing Association.

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Frieda’s launches specialty citrus in pouches

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:39:55 GMT

With winter and the height of citrus season in mind, Los Alamitos, Calif.-based Frieda’s Inc. is rolling out grab-and-go pouches for two specialty citrus offerings.

Starting in January, Frieda’s will offer mandarinquats and lemonade lemons in branded pouch bags, according to a news release.

“Our data shows that the Frieda’s brand means something to shoppers and helps to get them over the hump of trying a something new,” Cindy Sherman, director of marketing and innovation at Frieda’s, said in the release.

“Because some of these items can be intimidating, we like to help them get ideas on how to enjoy our products. Using our packaging to educate makes it easy and convenient for shoppers.”

Mandarinquats are a hybrid of mandarin oranges and kumquats, according to the release, and Frieda’s suggests using them to add citrus flavor to dishes.

Lemonade lemons have a sweet taste and can be eaten as is, including the peel, or make a good addition to drinks, according to the release.

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Pro Citrus Network’s red mandarin, MandaRosa, heads to stores

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:39:27 GMT

Pro Citrus Network , Visalia, Calif., has a new brand of seedless red mandarins, the MandaRosa.

MandaRosa is a natural cultivar of a Tarocco (blood) orange and clementine , known as the MandaRed variety, according to a news release. Pro Citrus Network exclusively markets the variety in the U.S., through an agreement with U.S. breeders who propagated MandaReds in collaboration with the Citrus Breeding Institute in Italy, where the variety originated.

Kim Flores, vice president of business development and marketing at Pro Citrus Network, said the growers approached Pro Citrus Network last year to exclusively market the variety. The company used consumer feedback before choosing the name, she said.

MandaRosas are available from February through early March, in bulk two-layer trays and 2-pound reduced-plastic bags, 15 to a case. Supply peaks in mid-February, making it ideal for Valentine’s Day promotions, Flores said.

It’s the first patented pigmented seedless mandarin. Flores said retailers receiving the fruit are throughout the U.S.

“This is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind mandarin variety,” Flores said in the release. “We are super excited to welcome MandaRosa to our specialty citrus family.”

Flores said specialty citrus is an important offering at Pro Citrus Network, so the variety is a natural fit “especially as the mandarin category evolves and varieties with superior flavor profiles become increasingly important.”

The flavor and internal colors of the fruit change as the fruit matures, with some having red/purple pigment and others red/orange.

Christine Raymer, vice president of sales, said the company has worked closely with the California grower in developing the MandaRosa program.

Shipments to retailers began in late January.

“We’ve had a lot of excitement with the team in launching this new variety and have received good, positive feedback on samples we’ve sent to some of our top customers,” Raymer said in the release.

Flores said the 2-pound bags use kraft paper for labels, instead of the more commonly used plastic.

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Crystal Valley purchases specialty importer Joco produce

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:51:25 GMT

Crystal Valley Foods , Miami, is finalizing the purchase of Asian, tropical and specialty fruit and vegetable importer Joco Produce , Medley, Fla.

The acquisition expands Crystal Valley’s offerings, enhancing its ability to offer a diverse and full line of specialties, according to a news release.
Joco opened in 1983 and has a strong presence in foodservice and wholesale business, according to the release.

“The addition of the company’s product line will allow us to become that one-stop-shop for our customers and help us to deliver new and unique products year-round,” Jay Rodriguez, president of Crystal Valley, said in the release.

Crystal Valley in recent years has been bolstering core products while looking for new regions to source from and new products to offer, in part by acquiring companies, such as Team Produce, which became part of Crystal Valley in 2017, according to the release.

“The acquisition also comes at a perfect time for Crystal Valley as we have just completed an expansion and remodel of our Miami warehouse and we have additional cooler space for new items as well as a completely new and updated repacking area.”

Crystal Valley plans to start moving Joco’s operations to its Miami warehouse in December, but the process should be seamless for growing partners and customers, according to the release.

“Both companies are established and well recognized in the industry and our strengths as well as our combined inventories and staff will help build on our core competencies to promote future growth,” Joel Figueroa, president and owner of Joco Produce, said in the release.

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Harvest Sensation partners with Best Buddies for inclusive hiring

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Harvest Sensations , Miami, has a partnership with Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).

Harvest Sensation’s Jobs Program partners people with IDD and employment consultants, who help them through the job-seeking process and during employment, according to a news release.

Viviana Diaz, human resources director at Harvest Sensations, previously worked at Best Buddies, and says it is “very near and dear to my heart,” in the news release.

The partnership with Best Buddies is designed to “drive awareness and education for inclusive hiring practices,” according to the news release.

Harvest Sensations is a specialty produce importer and has a location in Los Angeles.

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Blue Road Capital purchases B&W Quality Growers

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:07:06 GMT

Private equity firm Blue Road Capital has purchased Fellsmere, Fla.-based B&W Quality Growers LLC .

B&W grows watercress, arugula and other specialty leafy greens for foodservice, retail and wholesale and has three processing facilities. The company also has farming operations in eight states, according to a news release from Blue Road Capital.

“Blue Road’s sole focus on agriculture and the supply chain were significant reasons for our picking them as our partner,” Mark DeLeo, B&W CEO, said in the release. “Their unique network of relationships will offer us access to capabilities and markets we could not have gotten on our own.”

Blue Road Capital has been studying the specialty leafy greens industry, learning about B&W’s reputation.

“With its distinct business model and leading share in the watercress and arugula markets, B&W is uniquely positioned as a platform for continued consistent growth,” John Duryea, Blue Road Capital founding partner, said in the release. “We look forward to partnering with Mark and B&W’s management team to continue B&W’s growth in the foodservice and retail markets and augment its specialty green product offering.”

Duryea also said that future acquisitions of “companies that can benefit from being a part of the B&W platform” are likely.

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