Archive For The “News” Category
By Columbia Marketing International
Supermarket sales data released by Nielsen Perishables Group reveals continued strong apple sales over the December holiday period. A three year analysis of apple performance by CMI shows retail volume continues to grow, led by newer varieties. During the month of December, apple category volume at retail increased by 3.2% over 2012 but is up 9.5% over 2011.
“It’s very encouraging to see near double digit volume growth in December compared to the same period just two years ago,” said Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for CMI. “The numbers validate that consumers are buying more apples overall while embracing new varieties.”
The Nielsen Perishables Group data for December 2013 shows the Fuji, Cripps Pink/Pink Lady®, Ambrosia™ and Granny Smith varieties all increased in volume by more than 20%. Honeycrisp and Rome volume in December 2013 vs. 2011 increased by 18.3% and 17.4% respectively.
“The December data really reveals how consumer preferences are shifting while growing the category in the process,” said Lutz. “Over two years, Honeycrisp volume is up by over 17% despite an average retail price of $2.40 per pound. Ambrosia™ volume is up by 24% with an average retail price that is 20% higher than the average for the total apple category. Volume growth at these levels combined with higher retail prices is only sustainable if consumers like what they’re buying and come back for more.”
Lutz said that despite the strong category volume gains, the report shows it’s not all good news. Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Jonagold and Cameo® all lost significant market share over the two year holiday period. Lutz noted that Cameo® volume dropped by 43% while Braeburn lost 28%.
The analysis also indicates how supermarket distribution practices are impacting store-level volume. Impressions per store per week (a measure of the unique items in each store each week) increased by 8.1% for the category as more apple varieties and items were stocked on retail shelves.
“It’s pretty clear that over the past two years, retailers encouraged consumers to discover these new varieties by putting more items on more shelves more often, said Lutz. “Ambrosia impressions jumped by 48% while Cripps Pink/Pink Lady® and Honeycrisp both increased by over 16%.”
Not all apple varieties secured incremental retail impressions. McIntosh, Braeburn, Romes and Cameo® varieties all suffered declines in retail impressions. “This clearly shows that there is a finite amount of space available for apples,” said Lutz. “Romes volume was bailed out by a substantial drop in an already low retail price, but those other varieties were hit hard by the loss of retail shelf support.”
Consumers’ favorite apple varieties may be changing according to newly released supermarket performance data for November.
Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for CMI, reports shoppers are increasingly seeking out apples believed to be high in flavor.
A report by Nielsen Perishables Group shows that older varieties like Red and Golden Delicious are losing ground, while new varieties like Gala and Honeycrisp are showing growth. Apple volume in supermarkets increased by 2.5 percent, apple retail prices fell by 6.5 percent, and the gains in volume were said to be supported by these falling prices. Gala was the largest volume apple in U.S. supermarkets, and has increased by 3 percent over the same period last year. Honeycrisp rankead second in volume, jumping by 14 percent.
Lutz reports more consumers are selecting newer variety apples like Gala, Honeycrisp and Fuji at the expense of some traditional favorites. Pink Lady volume jumped by 44 percent, while Ambrosia volume increased by 22 percent, despite supermarket shelf prices substantially higher than the average price for all apples.
Lutz stated, “Increasingly, for retailers success hinges not only on knowing which apple varieties to put on the shelf, but also knowing which apples to emphasize in merchandising and which varieties should be dropped.”
While a good portion of the trucking industry opposesd NAFTA, particularly as it relates to the safety of Mexican trucking operations, as well concerns over rates being adversely affected, this information relates to the year around produce availability under NAFTA.
It wasn’t that many years ago when you would walk through the produce section of your supermarket you’d never have seen items like fresh raspberries or green beans in the dead of winter.
This time of year Mexican grown accounts for a lot of fresh produce eaten by Americans, and it’s the result of the North American Free Trade Agreement — NAFTA — which took effect 20 years ago last month.
In the years since, NAFTA radically changed the way we get our fruits and vegetables. For starters, the volume of produce from Mexico to the U.S. has tripled since 1994.
One reason for this growth is NAFTA eliminated tariffs on items such as cantaloupes, which used to have a 35 percent tax on them when they crossed the border. No tariffs meant lower prices.
Another reason is NAFTA encouraged investment. This mean U.S. companies linvesting hundreds of millions of dollars in Mexican farms. That has helped create year-round supply and demand for U.S. and Canadian customers.
For example 20 years ago, you did not have 365-day distribution of tomatoes from Mexico to the United States. Now you’ll find Mexican tomatoes in U.S. supermarkets every single day of the year.
A big emphasis has emerged in recent years on locally grown fruits and vegetables. Many retailers are buying locally grown as often as they can. The claim is locally grown has been been shipped long distances, or has been bred to produce product that has a longer shelf life, with less taste.
However, the produce industry has made great strides in packaging and shipping more flavorful fruits and vegetables from Mexico.
By The North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
RALEIGH – The N.C. Sweet Potato Commission and N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will unveil a new retail promotion across the state this February in honor of Sweet Potato Month. The promotion, 52 Ways to Love Sweet Potatoes, will highlight the versatility and nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes. Components of the program include in-store displays, a branded website and a social media contest for consumers. The promotion will take place in February at 155 Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Ingles stores in North Carolina.
The in-store elements of the promotion will include recipe cards and point-of-purchase signage. In addition, cooking demonstrations will be held at select stores during the month to introduce consumers to new ways of preparing sweet potatoes.
The Sweet Potato Commission has created a branded website for the promotion which includes 52 sweet potato recipes, one for each week of the year. Another aspect of the promotion is a photo contest on the commission’s Facebook page. Consumers can earn a $100 gift card to one of the participating grocery stores by sharing their sweet-potato photos with the hashtag #loveNCSP on the social networking site. The promotion was made possible through funding from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Sue Johnson-Langdon, executive director of the N.C. Sweet Potato Commission, says she welcomed the opportunity to work with the department to promote sweet potatoes. “North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation, and produces nearly half of all sweet potatoes grown in the United States,” said Johnson-Langdon. “The N.C. Department of Agriculture understands the significance of supporting local growers, and we’re happy to partner with them on great retail promotions like this one.”
The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission is a nonprofit corporation made up of almost 400 sweet potato growers along with the packers, processors and business associates that support them.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forests. The department’s Marketing Division creates opportunities for farmers and food businesses to sell their products and be successful.
Thieves have been stealing nuts grown in California by the truckload, according to a recent news story in The Packer, a national weekly trade newspaper for the produce industry.
The crooks apparently hacked into a truck broker’s computer and stole IDs and other information that made them appear to be legitmate truckers. With that information, the thieves forged documents, drove trucks to nut packers, conned their way in and drove away with loads.
The Packer article quoted Carl Eidsath of the California Walnut Board as saying, “At $7 a pound, if you lose 42,000 pounds (the size of a typical truckload) that really adds up.”
(Let’s see, if our math is correct, that comes to $294,000!)
There were six such thefts in 2012, plus three more in 2013. The article says in one case, thieves broke through a fence at Gold River Orchards in Escalon, CA and made off with an estimated 63.5 tons of raw walnuts worth about $400,000.
The thieves hooked up three tractors to harvest wagons where the untreated nuts were piled. Although the nuts were recovered in an adjacent county, the thieves got away.
As a result, a task force of California walnut, pistachio and almond marketing boards have been formed looking for ways to protect the industry.
Some practices have been developed, which apparently are working. The industry is now using black lights to check IDs and contacting brokers before releasing product to get a serial number that only a real broker has. The trade also is working closely with the Los Angeles Police Department, who believe the thieves are Eastern European criminals.
By Fresh Express
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fresh Express, the nation’s number one producer of fresh salads, has launched a 30-Day Salad Swap initiative to encourage consumers to recreate the flavor profiles of their favorite higher calorie foods, from cheesy pizza to creamy pasta, in lower calorie salads.
The New Year has arrived and a commitment to eat better once again tops most resolution lists, leaving Americans hungry for tips and plans to stay on track. Participants can download a free Salad Swap mobile app to unlock a library of delicious salad recipes to match the flavors of the foods they crave.
The Salad Swap app can also track meals, calories, activities and salad purchases for rewards. Participants can earn money-saving coupons for every two Fresh Express bag codes entered–up to 14 bags in 30 days–in their Salad Swap account. Additionally, they can earn $50 in coupons to use throughout the year if 15 salad bag codes are entered within 30 days. Fresh Express offers a wide variety of field fresh mixes, kits, organics and slaws, all of which qualify for coupon rewards.
Despite many well-known benefits of salad, the average American eats a salad at mealtime only about three times a month according to market research firm NPD Group. Making one simple salad swap a day can help consumers eat and feel better, without sacrificing taste. Fresh Express consultant Chef Britney Ruby Miller worked closely with nutrition consultant Jessica Fishman Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, to create a collection of tasty salad recipes that pack a nutritional punch.
“A salad is my go-to nutritious meal because it’s such an easy way to get multiple servings of fruits and vegetables at one time,” notes Levinson. “And while you may not want to add all the offerings at the salad bar, virtually any food in moderation can be a topping for a salad. That’s why I love this new app from Fresh Express – it gives you permission and inspiration to think outside of the box with salad.”
A sampling of top-rated recipes from the Salad Swap includes:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
- Salad with Creamy Pasta
- Chicken Salad with Tomatillo Salsa
- Pizza Antipasto Salad
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends increasing fruit and vegetable intake because they contain a number of nutrients that are under consumed in the United States, including folate, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C and K. The Dietary Guidelines also suggests including dark leafy greens in salads as one of the ways you can increase your vegetable consumption.
For more information about the Fresh Express 30-Day Salad Swap, please visit www.saladswap.com.
About Fresh Express: Fresh Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB), is a leader in fresh foods and is dedicated to providing consumers with healthy, convenient ready-to-eat salads, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits. With the invention of its special Keep Crisp® Bag in the 1980s, Fresh Express pioneered the retail packaged salad category and was the first to make them available to grocery stores nationwide. Today, Fresh Express fresh salads come in more than 60 different varieties offering exciting new flavors and convenient new ways to meet the daily dietary requirements for fresh produce. More than 20 million consumers each week enjoy healthy, convenient ready-to-eat Fresh Express salads, spinach, vegetables and greens. For more information, visit www.FreshExpress.com.
By Wonderful Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios announced that Stephen Colbert, Emmy-award winning host and executive producer of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” will star in two Super Bowl spots for the nation’s leading pistachio grower. This will be Wonderful Pistachios’ second consecutive Super Bowl appearance and will kick-off a new, full-year agreement with Colbert under the campaign theme, “Get Crackin’, America.”
“Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of working with America’s premier nut company,” said Mr. Colbert. “The fact that it turns out to be the good folks at Wonderful Pistachios is just the pistachio on top of the ice cream sundae.”
As part of the full-year agreement, Colbert and Wonderful Pistachios’ in-house creative agency FireStation will team up to create a series of several spots throughout 2014 highlighting the “Get Crackin’, America” rallying cry. Directed by Emmy-award winning director Tom Kuntz, the commercial spots will be supported by in-store POS, public relations, digital and social media.
“Last year’s Super Bowl spot featuring PSY drove significant brand awareness and incredible buzz among consumers,” said Marc Seguin, vice president of marketing, Paramount Farms, maker of Wonderful Pistachios. “This year, we wanted to extend and deepen that enthusiasm beyond the Super Bowl with talent that excites and resonates with our core consumer target over the full year. Mr. Colbert is the perfect fit for our brand and for this campaign.”
By Avocado Board
IRVINE, Calif. – New research published in the November issue of Nutrition Journal reports adding one-half of a fresh avocado to a lunch may have helped healthy, overweight people feel more satisfied and reduced their desire to eat following a meal. The study was funded by the Hass Avocado Board.
The pilot study, “A Randomized 3×3 Crossover Study to Evaluate the Effect of Hass Avocado Intake on Post Ingestive Satiety, Glucose and Insulin Levels, and Subsequent Energy Intake in Overweight Adults,” compared the effects of incorporating fresh Hass avocado into a lunch—either by replacing other foods or by simply adding it to the meal— to the effects of eating a standard lunch to determine how avocado consumption would influence satiety, blood sugar and insulin response and subsequent food intake. The subjects were 26 healthy, overweight adults.
Researchers found that participants who added half of a fresh avocado to their lunch reported a significantly decreased desire to eat by 40 percent over a three-hour period, and by 28 percent over a five-hour period after the meal, compared to their desire to eat after a standard lunch without avocado. In addition, they reported increased feelings of satisfaction by 26 percent over the three hours following the meal.
“Satiety is an important factor in weight management, because people who feel satisfied are less likely to snack between meals,” said Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, Chair of the Department of Nutrition who led the research team at Loma Linda University. “We also noted that though adding avocados increased participants’ calorie and carbohydrate intake at lunch, there was no increase in blood sugar levels beyond what was observed after eating the standard lunch. This leads us to believe that avocados potential role in blood sugar management is worth further investigation.”
While the findings were generally positive, more research is needed to determine whether the conclusions drawn from this study can be applied to the general public. However, the results do provide promising clues and a basis for future research to determine avocados’ effect on satiety, glucose and insulin response.
“These research findings provide support for the emerging benefits of avocados,” said Nikki Ford, PhD, Director of Nutrition at the Hass Avocado Board (HAB). “These results further complement our research efforts in weight management and diabetes as well as our continued work to explore the many benefits that fresh avocados have to offer when consumed in everyday healthy eating plans.”
Fresh Hass avocados have 3 grams of total carbohydrate, less than 1 gram of natural sugar per one ounce serving (the least amount of sugar per serving than any other fresh fruit) and contribute 8% of the daily value (DV) for fiber. Each serving of nutrient dense fresh avocado is also a source of naturally good fats.
The research at Loma Linda University is one of several studies supported by HAB as part of a research program established in 2010 to increase awareness and improve understanding of the unique benefits of avocados to human health and nutrition. Clinical studies are currently underway to investigate the relationship between avocado consumption and risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, support of weight management and healthy living.
As part of its commitment to supporting research, HAB recently launched a science-based food and wellness education program, called Love One TodayTM. This program encourages consumers to include fresh Hass Avocados in everyday healthy eating plans to help increase fruit and vegetable intake and as a delicious, cholesterol-free, whole food source of naturally good fats. For more information, free educational resources and recipes visit LoveOneToday.com.
About the Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass avocados in the United States. In 2010 HAB launched a Nutrition Research program to increase awareness and improve understanding of the unique benefits of avocados to human health and nutrition. The four research pillars are heart health, weight management, diabetes, and healthy living. For a comprehensive collection of published nutrition and scientific literature, please visit AvocadoNutritionCenter.com.urce: Hass Avocado Board
In recent years there has been increased interest by shippers in using the rails to deliver fresh produce, in part spurred by the increasing costs of trucking.
This is nothing new since various types of rail service, whether using refrigerated rail cars or piggy trailers, has been tried since at least the 1970s. But after a long lull, some new services have been introduced. We’ll get more specific on these in a future feature story. For the time being, here are some observations by veteran individuals whose focus is on transporting fresh fruit and vegetables by truck, and their take on the efforts to increase rail service.
Kenny Lund, vice president of the Allen Lund Co. of LaCanada, CA notes rails only account for one to two percent of the fresh produce being shipped. There are only so many tracks and it would take billions of dollars worth of equipment to increase produce volume rail to say, four to eight percent.
“Refrigerated rail is increasing,” Lund notes. “They are doing more with wine, dairy and more temperature controlled products. But we don’t see a massive shift to rail and don’t see a pathway to do that.”
Fred Plotsky is president of Cool Runnings LLC of Kenosha, WI. He says new services such Rail Logisitics Cold Train, a rail operation based in Overland Park, KS, bases its freight rates on truck rates.
“The rails understand the market and they are taking advantage of it. Cold Train….will set a rate of say $3600 when the truck rate (to the same destination) is $4000,” Plotsky observes. Then when the truck rates increase to $4500 or $4600 Cold Train will increase its rates accordingly.
“Their service (Cold Train) is good and you can load them Monday for delivery Friday 0ut of Washington or California to Chicago,” he says.
However, Plosky adds if a shipper has a mixed load of produce spread out over 100 miles with three pick ups you are not going to use that rail service. Now if the rail service involved is a straight load or two pick ups in the same town, that is feasible.
At Des Moines Truck Brokers in Norwalk, IA, President Jimmy DeMatteis says they have working relationships with companies using the railroads.
“But there have been problems with claims. With some loads the rails don’t want to take responsibility for it. There’s not enough rail equipment yet and the rail infrastructure is poor. But the rails are making inroads,” DeMatteis says.
Lund at Allen Lund Co. adds, “The rails don’t like produce and they don’t like the claims that come with it. They won’t go out of their way for produce like they will wine and other temperature controlled items. What the rails like is consistency. Produce is opposite of consistency, because growing regions change, and demand changes. The rails build their world around schedules. The rails and trucking are major competitors, and the rails don’t want to do anything to help trucking.”
Doug Stoiber is with Raleigh, NC-based L&M Transportation Services. The company vice president had expected a “greater impact” from rail related companies such as Railex LLC of Rotterdam, NY, that partners with the Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation.
“Railex is successful and they are growing and they are encouraging some competition. I’m surprised they haven’t taken more truck loads of freight off the highways than they have,” Stoiber states.
He notes 98 percent of all consumer goods are delivered by truck and about 95 percent of produce is handled by truck. Stoiber says while the rails can take a lot of long haul produce off the highways, instead of “eliminating” transportation, it tends to “re-arrange” the movement of product.
“You still have to pay (a truck) for that first mile and the last mile, because the rails can’t deliver to the store doors or distribution centers, at least not yet. The cost comparatively for that first mile and that last mile is a lot higher than if it is delivered from shipping point to destination on a truck,” Stoiber says.
By Total Quality Logistics
NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Total Quality Logistics (TQL) officials announced the transportation services company will begin operations in Davidson County. The company will open a sales office to meet the needs of its expanding client-base in the Basin Alley Building located at 105 Broadway in downtown Nashville. This expansion represents an investment of $1 million and the creation of 105 new jobs.
With the opening of its Nashville office, TQL operates 22 offices in 11 states across the country.
“I want to thank Total Quality Logistics for its investment in Tennessee and creating these new jobs in Davidson County,” Haslam said. “Today’s investment by Total Quality Logistics shows confidence in our business environment, and the decision to expand here reinforces our goal of becoming the No. 1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
TQL chose to locate in Middle Tennessee because it gives the company access to outstanding professional talent, a key component to TQL’s ability to serve its customers and increase its market share of the domestic transportation market.
“Tennessee continues to prove itself as a state offering the best business climate in the country, and companies looking to further growth are taking notice,” Hagerty said. “I’m pleased Total Quality Logistics recognizes Tennesseans’ reputation as a friendly and dedicated workforce. I want to welcome Total Quality Logistics to Tennessee and look forward to their continued presence and investment.”
“We are pleased to expand our operations in a state that shares our focus on job creation and economic growth,” TQL Executive Vice President Kerry Byrne said. “We offer careers for entry-level employees that allow them to progress quickly and take on leadership roles. More than 90 percent of the current sales leadership within our organization has been promoted from within.”
“This investment by Total Quality Logistics is a testament to Nashville’s business-friendly environment and our deep and talented workforce in the transportation and logistics industry,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I thank the company for choosing to expand in Nashville and create more jobs, which further demonstrates the strength of economic development in our city.”
“We are excited that Total Quality Logistics has chosen to relocate to the Nashville region,” said Jeff Hite, vice president of recruitment for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Because of Nashville’s competitive business climate, educated workforce and high quality of life, we continue to see an influx of strong economic activity in the Nashville area.”
TQL is one of the fastest growing providers of transportation logistics services in North America, connecting shippers who have product that needs to be moved with truckload carriers who have the capacity to move it. The company works with more than 10,000 customers and 50,000 carriers across North America to move more than 800,000 loads a year. TQL moves approximately 3,500 different types of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods and beverages, meat and poultry, machinery and equipment.
TQL was featured in the November issue of Inc. magazine as one of the top job creators in the country. The publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine also has named TQL one of this country’s Military Friendly Employers.
People can apply for jobs immediately and should start the process online at www.tqljobs.com. Prior experience in the logistics industry is not necessary as new hires with the company participate in a 26-week paid training program. TQL offers its salespeople the opportunity to earn unlimited commissions in addition to their base compensation once they have successfully completed training.
About Total Quality Logistics
Total Quality Logistics is one of the top freight brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $1.6 billion in annual sales. The company, founded in 1997, is privately held and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 22 locations across the nation. TQL was ranked among the nation’s 150 Top Workplaces in 2013 in one of the largest-ever surveys of U.S. companies, with more than 1 million employees participating nationwide. TQL employs more than 2,300 nationwide.