Oser Communications Group
AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH PMA
Able Freight Changes the Future of Cold Chain Industry
For 29 years, Able Freight Services, LLC has consistently maintained vital cold chain security transporting perishable cargo to destinations worldwide, being the valued extension of growers and shippers and helping to change the future of the cold chain industry. “This is about a lifelong passion, commitment and dedication to be the top provider of logistics solutions in the perishables and pharmaceutical shipping industry. Our unwavering processes, clear expectations of teams, technology vision and entrepreneurial mindset define who we are,” said Orlando Wong, Able Freight’s CEO. Wong explains the company’s focus is preserving the shelf life of perishable cargo through detail-oriented and error-free operations. “With 24/7 operations, we are here to assist around the clock to ensure perishable cargo shipments arrive at their destination with the same high quality as we received it.”
Onions Supplies Without a Gap
By Andrea Cutler, Partner, Michael Cutler Company
When Michael Cutler began to focus on marketing onions and left behind other commodities, he was ready to take on the missing link in the industry as a year-round onion provider. Onions are supplied from different regions across the nation throughout the year. Cutler understood early on that to be the top player in onion supply, he needed to offer a year-round program. This would support his dream of being relied on as a single company for onions without having to switch multiple times throughout the year in different growing regions. Cutler has always been focused on being the best, offering perfection in every product he delivers. Fulfilling this dream required a strong strategy, a long-term plan, and partnerships. Michael Cutler initiated his program by coordinating with growers across the
Continued on Page 17
Florida Produce is Always in Season
New Orleans Saturday, October 30, 2021
Continued on Page 17
Wicked Kitchen Launches in U.S. With Global Mission
Florida plays a critical part in supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to the United States, Canada and globally. Each season brings its own bounty to the table. With the advent of fall, growers begin harvesting the fruits and vegetables that we love. Winter is a major growing and harvest time in Florida, and the spring brings even more delicious products. In the summer, harvests slow down as farmers gear up for another start to the amazing cycle of Florida agriculture. When other growing regions are just beginning production, Florida fresh commodities are already in full swing. Florida’s early and long growing seasons give growers and shippers a distinct advantage in the market. Florida’s geographical location also opens the doors for international trade through its ports.
Fresh From Florida Retail Program The Fresh From Florida brand is used to promote Florida-grown products locally,
Minnesota-based Wicked Kitchen, a leader in the U.K. market for plant-centric meals, snacks and ingredients, has launched an extensive line of more than 20 plant-based offerings in Kroger and Sprouts Farmers Market stores. The nationwide launch supports Wicked Kitchen’s goal to provide convenient and tasty plant-based foods for meat eaters and vegans alike, while reducing the harmful impact on animals and the planet. The launch of the product line ranges from flavor-packed convenient lunch and breakfast options to frozen ready meals to a range of meal solutions with sauces, mayos, pestos to meal kits. “As was demonstrated by Tesco in the U.K., the breadth of offerings Wicked Kitchen brings to market allows consumers to finally have a plant-based destination with a wide and growing variety of choices that has been lacking in the grocery market,” said Pete Speranza, chief executive officer of Wicked Foods, Inc., though the company.
Continued on Page 17
Continued on Page 17
Oser Communications Group
AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH PMA
Able Freight Changes the Future of Cold Chain Industry
For 29 years, Able Freight Services, LLC has consistently maintained vital cold chain security transporting perishable cargo to destinations worldwide, being the valued extension of growers and shippers and helping to change the future of the cold chain industry. “This is about a lifelong passion, commitment and dedication to be the top provider of logistics solutions in the perishables and pharmaceutical shipping industry. Our unwavering processes, clear expectations of teams, technology vision and entrepreneurial mindset define who we are,” said Orlando Wong, Able Freight’s CEO. Wong explains the company’s focus is preserving the shelf life of perishable cargo through detail-oriented and error-free operations. “With 24/7 operations, we are here to assist around the clock to ensure perishable cargo shipments arrive at their destination with the same high quality as we received it.”
Onions Supplies Without a Gap
By Andrea Cutler, Partner, Michael Cutler Company
When Michael Cutler began to focus on marketing onions and left behind other commodities, he was ready to take on the missing link in the industry as a year-round onion provider. Onions are supplied from different regions across the nation throughout the year. Cutler understood early on that to be the top player in onion supply, he needed to offer a year-round program. This would support his dream of being relied on as a single company for onions without having to switch multiple times throughout the year in different growing regions. Cutler has always been focused on being the best, offering perfection in every product he delivers. Fulfilling this dream required a strong strategy, a long-term plan, and partnerships. Michael Cutler initiated his program by coordinating with growers across the
Continued on Page 17
Florida Produce is Always in Season
New Orleans Saturday, October 30, 2021
Continued on Page 17
Wicked Kitchen Launches in U.S. With Global Mission
Florida plays a critical part in supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to the United States, Canada and globally. Each season brings its own bounty to the table. With the advent of fall, growers begin harvesting the fruits and vegetables that we love. Winter is a major growing and harvest time in Florida, and the spring brings even more delicious products. In the summer, harvests slow down as farmers gear up for another start to the amazing cycle of Florida agriculture. When other growing regions are just beginning production, Florida fresh commodities are already in full swing. Florida’s early and long growing seasons give growers and shippers a distinct advantage in the market. Florida’s geographical location also opens the doors for international trade through its ports.
Fresh From Florida Retail Program The Fresh From Florida brand is used to promote Florida-grown products locally,
Minnesota-based Wicked Kitchen, a leader in the U.K. market for plant-centric meals, snacks and ingredients, has launched an extensive line of more than 20 plant-based offerings in Kroger and Sprouts Farmers Market stores. The nationwide launch supports Wicked Kitchen’s goal to provide convenient and tasty plant-based foods for meat eaters and vegans alike, while reducing the harmful impact on animals and the planet. The launch of the product line ranges from flavor-packed convenient lunch and breakfast options to frozen ready meals to a range of meal solutions with sauces, mayos, pestos to meal kits. “As was demonstrated by Tesco in the U.K., the breadth of offerings Wicked Kitchen brings to market allows consumers to finally have a plant-based destination with a wide and growing variety of choices that has been lacking in the grocery market,” said Pete Speranza, chief executive officer of Wicked Foods, Inc., though the company.
Continued on Page 17
Continued on Page 17
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
Chile Roasters from Arizona Chile Roasters By Daphne McBroom, Arizona Chile Roasters
We are manufacturers of steel constructed chile roasters for commercial or home use. Our commercial chile roasters are made in four different barrel sizes to suit your business needs and/or customer base. They are
wheel mounted, piped for propane, and are offered with regular or stainless steel barrels. Our tabletop chile roasters are for those customers who want to roast a smaller amount per batch, or as a way to draw customers by using them as displays, awards, or raffles. Handmade in the USA, and the manufacturer selected to represent the state of
Green Plants – Trendy, Timeless and Taking Root By Sharon McGukin, AIFD, AAF, PFCI; and Kevin Ylvisaker, AIFD, PFCI
2021 was the year of the green plant. This plant phenomenon is both trendy and timeless. While flower shops have always sold green plants, we haven’t seen interior plant popularity take root like this since the 1970s. What’s the key to this revival of plant popularity? Plants are a good value and the perfect choice for long-lasting designs. They are an inexpensive way to bring natural style and fresh air to a room. Fresh air? Yes! Thanks to respiration, plants take in carbon dioxide to create energy and give off oxygen. People take in oxygen to create energy and give
off carbon dioxide. Energetically, we make good, healthy roommates. Studies prove that we are healthier and happier when living with plants. Being in touch with our foliage-bearing friends calms us down. Lowers the heart rate. Improves our focus. Encourages exercise while we tend an abundance of indoor and outdoor plants. Adds beauty to our personal space. How can you connect earth-friendly plants with eco-conscious customers in your floral business? Promote Plants Via Social Media Showcase interesting plants online via social media and video clips. For some people, plants are like pets. Encourage them to adopt more.
Produce Show Daily Arizona at the third Annual Made in America P r o d u c t Showcase at the White House in July of 2019.
AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH PMA Kimberly Oser Publisher
For more information, call 520.825.8717, email mcbroom@ arizonachileroasters.com or go to www.arizonachileroasters.com. Introduce new varieties; revisit old favorites. Share fun foliage facts and plant parenting tips, and post photos of fast, easy eco-chic plant decor.
Color Group Plants Color group plants for greater visual impact. Mix colorful foliage plants or blooming plants with green plants, succulents, cacti, or carnivorous plants. Tin containers are perfect for these plant combos. Do the plants have different water needs? Simply use a separate liner for each one. Plan an outdoor “plant party” for your next big shipment of plants. Continued on Page 17
Anthony Socci Vice President of Sales Yasmine Brown Production Manager/Art Director AJ Flick Senior Editor Jeanie Catron Associate Editor Susan Stein Customer Service Manager Marcos Morhaim Senior Account Manager Tara Neal Director of Operations Hannah Stefanovich Show Logistics & Distribution Enrico Cecchi European Sales Produce Show Daily is published by Oser Communications Group ©2021 All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy www.osercommunicationsgroup.com
Lee M. Oser Founder
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
Faster, Fresher, Cooler – Produce Logistics With Americold Where in the world are you importing from or exporting to? South America? Europe? Australia or New Zealand? Probably all of those and more. How many service providers are involved with the picking, packing, shipping, repacking, storing, and delivery of your products? So your supply chain is already complicated. And the demands of your customers won’t stop. They want produce fresher, faster, and more frequently. Cost pressures are likely restricting you
from adding to your team, so what can you do? It’s a lot. Americold understands, and is here to assist. With a vertically integrated supply chain model and industry experts who’ve been in your shoes, Americold has the infrastructure, the knowhow, and the port-adjacent locations with a full suite of value-added services that can alleviate the stress you and your supply chain are under.
How The Little Potato Company Is Working to Produce and Farm Potatoes Sustainably In addition to growing and selling the most delicious Little Potatoes possible, The Little Potato Company considers sustainability in every decision. The company has implemented numerous initiatives to lessen its impact on the Earth, from integrated pest management practices to water management to breeding programs. The Little Potato Company is an active member of – and the first fresh potato company to join – The Potato Sustainability Alliance, which is made up of farmers, supply chain partners, nonprofit organizations and advisors work-
ing together to improve the environmental, social and economic aspects of potato production in the United States and Canada. The Alliance is working on the biggest issues facing potato growers today: defining what sustainable potato production means and exactly how to farm potatoes sustainably. “We, along with all the members of the Potato Sustainability Alliance, work together to develop more sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of our farmers, and to lessen our impact on the planet,” said Steve Moorehead, director of agronomy at The
Able Freight Partners With Cargo Screening K9 Alliance Pioneering the use of commercial and independently certified explosive detection canines in a cargo screening role, Able Freight has entered into an agreement with The Cargo Screening K9 Alliance®, LLC (CSK9) to support its cargo operations at four West Coast U.S. locations. The exclusive partnership coincides with full implementation of the Transportation Services Administration’s (TSA) Third Party K9-Cargo (3PK9-C) initiative. “The introduction of 3PK9-C certified CSK9 teams as our primary screening method will allow Able Freight to shorten cargo processing times, increase cargo throughput, and lower our screening and freight handling costs,”
explained Grant Urata, Able’s compliance director. “By leveraging the efficiencies of this program, we expect it will help to increase our revenues and maximize profits, while providing a more efficient process for our clients.” Paul Hammond, CSK9 president, noted that the implementation of third party K9 screening is going to “massively change the industry for the better.” “We are proud of the alliance we have built across the country to offer full national coverage to our clients,” said Hammond.
About Able Freight Services, LLC Based in Los Angeles, California, Able Freight Services is the global expert in
Melons Logistics Driving Through the Pandemic By Andrea Cutler, Partner, Michael Cutler Company
In an ever-changing, pandemic-based environment, delivery services have become critically important. Grocery stores with delivery on demand or even Amazon suppliers who can ship in two days with the click of a button have been one of the top businesses since March 2021. These suppliers have learned to adapt to what the consumer needs. They have increased their sensitivity to where our weaknesses lie. Consumers are will-
ing to order increased volumes and pay more just so long as they can get the product needed on time and consistently. As the world reopens slowly, we try to navigate the new norm. Customers have a critical need for companies with integrity and stability that offer effective communication. Melons Logistics has operated this way, even well before the pandemic. A subsidiary of Michael Cutler Company, Melons Logistics has been providing quality service for years, on time delivery and 24/7 tracking.
Produce Show Daily Importing from Spain? Americold has locations throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Growers in South America? Americold’s partners are there, too. Importing through the East Coast, West Coast, or Gulf Coast of the USA? Americold has produce-specific operations at the ports of Philadelphia, Savannah, Houston, and Los Angeles, and other facilities close to eight other ports, too. Americold offers an extensive portfolio of services to apply to your products while they transit from the ports and into Americold’s care: cold treatment, fumigation, regulatory inspection support, Little Potato Company. For instance, The Little Potato Company has developed a proprietary breeding program that is focused on utilizing traditional breeding techniques to develop sustainable varieties that yield higher quality with more resistance to pests and diseases. Additionally, it continually works to decrease water usage, including using recycled water in its sorting and washing facility. In terms of maintaining healthy soil, The Little Potato Company is meticulous about crop rotation, and it has long-term, multi-generational relationships with its farmers to ensure that they are constantly improving their potatoes and the land while using fewer resources. The compa-
importing and exporting perishable commodities from the United States to destinations worldwide. The company creates competitive advantages for customers by offering innovative solutions and access to proprietary cold-chain technology. Many of the world’s most recognized brands trust Able Freight with their shipments. Able Freight Services’ 29-plus years in the business and hundreds of years of collective employee experience means clients benefit from industry-leading knowledge and responsiveness. For more information, go to www.ablefreight.com.
About Cargo Screening K9 Alliance, LLC CSK9 is a limited liability company under the umbrella of ITC Capital
Mark Heise was hired in 2002. He began to focus on supporting the sales and marketing needs behind the scenes. The sales team would book their orders of fresh produce and Mark would fill in the rest. With in-house access to this service, the sales team could cut out the middleman and follow through with real time tracking of every load to its final destination. This add-on service was just one of many that Michael Cutler Company provides to its customers. Shippers began to call Melons Logistics to see if they could support
visual grading and inspections, automated optical grading, ripening, repacking, labeling, reconditioning, or something more custom. Americold even has a national refrigerated LTL consolidation transportation program. Using Americold’s vertically integrated services will simplify your supply chain and give you back valuable time to focus on your core business.
For more information, go to www .americold.com, call 888.808.4877 or email info@americold.com.
ny’s goal is to nurture sustainable livelihoods for each farm and each family while providing better food for the whole world for generations to come. Additionally, The Little Potato Company has reduced its plastic packaging by 23% in its 1.5 lb bags. These are just some of the initiatives The Little Potato Company has undertaken to farm and produce potatoes as sustainably as possible and leave the Earth better than they found it. For more information, go to www .littlepotatoes.com, call 780.414.6075 or email sales@littlepotatoes.com.
Partners. CSK9 was formed to bring together the industry’s leading canine service providers. The core Alliance canine partners consisting of Vapor Wake K9 (VWK9), Vohne Liche Kennels (VLK), Southern Coast K9 (SCK9), and K9 Employment LLC, are strategically dispersed across four regional hubs: northeast, southeast, south central, and west. These four hubs provide national coverage, with regionally positioned management and operational capacity to facilitate efficient and expedited startups and maintain quality services and ensure consistency in delivery. For more information, go to www.cargoscreeningk9.com. For more information, go to www .ablefreight.com or call 310.568.8883.
their delivery needs. The team secures one lane at a time to build up relationships with shippers, carriers and receivers using their skills, tools and professional demeanor to develop long term business relationships. Melons Logistics is a dedicated team ready to offer expectational service and continuously adapting to the consumers’ needs. For more information, go to www .michaelcutlerco.com, call 800.258.6646 or email sales@michaelcutlerco.com.
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
MAC Heads Back to School with Programming to Educate About Apples, Nutrition Michigan Apples are heading back to school after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. Michigan Apple Committee’s school tasting program will continue in Fall 2021, a collaboration with University of Michigan, Wayne State University and the Building Healthier Communities program. The program brings three Michigan Apple varieties for taste tests, in which students can sample and identify their favorite variety. In previous years, Gala, Fuji and Jonagold were used in this test. The elementary and middle school students can jot down their favorite variety on a tasting sheet and take it home, making it easier to select that variety of
Michigan Apple during the next trip to the grocery store. In Fall 2018, 12,132 Michigan students at 19 schools participated in these Michigan Apple tastings. Urban and rural schools from districts across the state are included in the program. “Apples have long been a symbol of nutrition and education,” said Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “This program has been a beneficial collaboration, allowing nutrition educators to show students that healthy foods can taste great, too. We’re proud to continue our support of nutrition education programs in schools.”
Gotham Greens Salad Dressings Gotham Greens, a pioneer of sustainable greenhouse-grown salad greens, herbs, dressings, dips and cooking sauces, is expanding its fresh foods line to include two new plant-based, dairy-free salad dressings: Vegan Ranch and Vegan Caesar. Crafted with premium ingredients including its own greenhouse-grown basil, Gotham Greens’ new dressings transform these classic American favorites into modern dressings and dips made with no added sugar and no
gluten. Vegan Ranch brings an indulgent peppery and umami point of view that combines expeller-pressed sunflower oil, black pepper, white vinegar and dried parsley. Vegan Ranch offers an herbaceous twist with tangy, zesty and aromatic tasting notes, perfect for dressing fresh salads, dipping vegetable crudité and drizzling on pizza and breads. Create restaurant-quality Caesar salads in your kitchen with savory and
Produce Show Daily The program is a partnership between MAC and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Building Healthy Communities program, which includes health and nutrition education coordinated by Wayne State University at the elementary level and University of Michigan at the middle school level. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is also a partner in this program. MAC provides the apples, apple slicers and educational materials, and the Building Healthy Communities nutrition educators administer the taste test. “These apple tasting events are always a big hit and highly impactful amongst the students and participating schools. Prior to these tastings, many students view an apple as just that, an apple. creamy Vegan Caesar. Made with silken tofu, organic miso, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, capers, black pepper and organic soy sauce – instead of dairy and anchovies – this dressing brings a peppery kick and pairs well with crunchy lettuce varieties. Founded in 2009 on the core principles of sustainability, quality and taste, Gotham Greens has been one of the leaders in the movement toward a more sus-
Many are unaware of how many different types of apples are grown here in Michigan and how they vary in taste and texture. These events are a great way to get students excited about eating nutritious foods,” said Ben Ransier, curriculum and training coordinator for Project Healthy Schools. “Now more than ever, it’s important for kids to learn about nutrition and taking care of their health,” said Smith. “Apples are a great food for snacking and recipes, and kids love them. It’s an ideal way for kids to start healthy habits that last a lifetime.” For more information, go to www .michiganapples.com
tainable food system. The brand is focused on using fewer natural resources and reducing food waste by eliminating long transportation time and extending the shelf life of its fresh salad greens. The new dressings are available at all Sprouts Farmers Market nationwide.
For more information, www.gothamgreens.com.
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
Produce Show Daily
Michigan Apples Retail Market Development Programs Continue Success for Retail Partners Consumers want fresh, healthy food for their families that tastes great. Michigan’s unique climate and geography, and proximity to many large markets in the east, southeast and Midwest, are advantageous for retail partners as well as consumers. Freight costs can be a concern for retailers and distributors alike. Michigan Apples are closer to many retailers than West Coast apples, meaning they travel fewer miles and arrive more quickly. During harvest, Michigan Apples can be Able Freight (Cont’d. from p. 1)
As an example of Able Freight’s dedication to quality through innovation, Wong notes the company often uses utilizes Kold Kart, a refrigerated dolly located on the tarmac, which prevents perishable cargo shipments from exposure to ambient conditions on airport ramps before or after a flight, thereby reducing the risk involved in shipping perishable cargo by air. Able Freight’s operations also rely on the Cargo Screening K9 Alliance (CSK9) as the primary screening method for cargo, shortening cargo processing times, increasing cargo throughput, reducing screening and freight handling Florida Produce (Cont’d. from p. 1)
regionally, and internationally. Working with many of the largest and most respected retailers, Fresh From Florida promotes the purchase of Florida commodities through retail promotions, social media and traditional media channels. From Florida to Canada to Michael Cutler Company (Cont’d. from p. 1)
nation, gaining his footing by investing with the grower to partner up in the risky business of tackling Mother Nature, and to show the farmer that he was serious about his intentions. Cutler got even more serious by developing his own labels to brand his product for consumer Wicked Kitchen (Cont’d. from p. 1)
Speranza called the launch one of the largest single-brand launches in the U.S. grocery industry in decades. Wicked Kitchen’s expansion to North America aligns with unprecedented changes taking place among U.S. consumers, with more than 10 million Americans now following a plant-based diet and many more seeking simple and delicious ways to add more plants to their meals. Founded in 2017 by brothers and Green Plants (Cont’d. from p. 4)
Socially distance the customers, but not the plants. Advertise a “grab & go” plant sale, in advance. No greenhouse on site? Set up a tent filled with tables and benches and plants of all sizes and prices. From succulents to areca palms, price and label each plant by
harvested one day and delivered to a retailer the next. Fewer miles mean fast and fresh, which also translates to reduced environmental impacts. MAC’s retail account managers work closely with retail partners to build marketing plans that are tailored to each company’s marketing goals. With an emphasis on fresh foods and healthy eating, MAC participates in circular ads, loyalty programs and online shipping services. Custom signage and meal tips keep shop-
costs. Able Freight operates TSAapproved cargo screening facilities and one of its methods includes K9 screening to provide safe and efficient screening of air shipments. Technology is also a key foundational cornerstone for Able Freight. “We treat customizations of our technology and innovation platforms for clients and partners as an integral part of our freight forwarding services,” explained Wong. “To disrupt or make a difference in this industry, one must understand the industry and know how to curate and apply the data. Between A-Works, our warehouse and operational management system; and Datahub, our customer portal, our forward-looking technological capabilities
Malaysia, Florida produce can be found. When the COVID-19 pandemic came on the scene, both retailers and Fresh From Florida had to adapt to the changing shopping habits of consumers. Old tried-and-true methods quickly had to be adapted to reach people in their homes and offer ease of shopping. Social media advertising, influencer campaigns, and online grocery platforms
pers informed and keep them placing product in their shopping carts. MAC analyzes category spending data and market research to assist with marketing decisions based on consumer trends. In addition to marketing assistance, MAC also provides resources in the form of the Retail Dietitian Kit. Shari Steinbach, MS, RDN, tapped into her extensive experience as a retail dietitian to develop the kit. It contains information about the Michigan Apple industry; varietal, usage and storage information; and communications tools for retail dietitians.
are constantly improving current procedures, automation, data analytics and real-time tracking, all focused on catering to perishable logistics needs.” The company is based in Los Angeles, California and has offices and affiliates located around the world in key logistics hubs. The people representing each facility are the drivers of Able Freight’s operations and provide industry-leading knowledge, responsiveness and innovative solutions, notes Wong. Each facility possesses its own unique capabilities that are the drivers for success. Growers, brokers and international corporations benefit from the personal service and individualized attention provided from each Able location.
quickly evolved – along with promotions! Fresh From Florida promotions continue to adapt, taking the best of what “was” and combining that with new programs. Fresh From Florida retailers love to showcase Florida commodities due to their great reputation and the promotional support. Get involved with circular advertise-
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The tradition of apple growing in Michigan means a commitment to community and social responsibility, as well as stewardship of the land and dedication to providing safe, quality fruit for consumers. Now, more than ever, fresh, healthy, safe food is a priority. Michigan Apple Committee’s marketing programs help retailers drive traffic to their produce departments with programs and materials to encourage consumption of healthy foods and support Michigan Apple growers. For more information, go to www .michiganapples.com
Wong emphasizes it’s the company’s people and experiences that help set it apart for other freight forwarding companies. “We prioritize bringing value to our services for the benefit of all our partners and customers. We foster a workforce consisting of various backgrounds and ethnicities and are proud that our operations staff is fluent in 17 languages,” he said. “Pair that with 24 hours, 7 days a week service, and access to all layers of management including up to the CEO/president level, and clients can trust Able Freight to go above and beyond to satisfy requests and expectations.” For more information, go to www.able freight.com or call 310.568.8883.
ments with the Fresh From Florida logo, in-store displays and shelf talkers, Fresh From Florida product packaging, in-store demos, digital marketing, and online grocery shopping. For more information, go to www.follow freshfromflorida.com, call 850.617.7330 or email exporting@FDACS.gov.
recognition and to provide a top-quality product he and his team are proud of. All of this allowed Michael Cutler Company to offer a year-round yellow, red, and white program, as well as its premier OSO sweet onion label program with product from Vidalia; Peru, Texas; New Mexico; and California to offer sweet onions 12 months out of the year.
Cutler makes sure that the grocery shelf contains a strong supply of mild sweet onions that the consumer prefers to reach for. To be able to offer this, Cutler has a dedicated team consisting of grower relation specialists, quality monitors, food safety specialists, marketing experts, logistics service providers, and of course, strategic part-
For more information, go to www.michael cutlerco.com, call 800.258.6646 or email sales@michaelcutlerco.com.
world-renowned chefs Derek and Chad Sarno, Wicked Kitchen’s innovative products launched in the United Kingdom in partnership with Tesco, one of the world’s largest food retailers by gross revenue. Native to New England, the Sarnos are now bringing the brand home to American consumers hungry for more culinary-forward options in plant-based cuisine. Driven by the Sarno brothers’ culinary credentials and high standards, Wicked Kitchen touts the power of how plants help change the way the world eats by creating
best-in-class plant-based food. The chefs have created a growing library of more than 2,000 recipes and online videos that have received more than 30 million views. “Our mission is clear: we help people cook and eat more plants. Together with Wicked consumers, we help save many millions of animals, we help our planet, we support farmers and importantly, improve human health,” says Derek Sarno. “We’ve created the tools, recipes and products to make it simple, flavorful and fun for people to cook and eat more
plant-based foods in the U.K., and we are excited to now bring these to the U.S.” Earlier this year, Wicked Kitchen announced a successful investment round garnering $14 million in Series A funding for the plant-based food movement in the United States. The funding round was coled by pioneering plant-based foods venture fund Unovis Asset Management and Thailand-based NRF Nove Foods. Derek and Chad Sarno are also cofounders of Gathered Foods, maker of the Good Catch plant-based seafood line.
name. Use signage to relate the health and environmental benefits of plants and how to care for them. You can offer other in-store small, masked-group plant activities such as a terrarium bar, plant potting bar, “grab & go” plant potting kits, hands-on planting classes, DIY herb gardening, and children’s “playing in the dirt” plant-potting events.
These interactive opportunities share the importance of living with plants. Groom future customers by offering instore or online children’s events that teach plant appreciation. My 8-year old granddaughter and I often discuss the connection between people and plants. Yet, every visit, she looks at my ficus trees and says, “I still
ners in growing. Cutler’s teams are out in the field, visiting the packing sheds and inspecting the onions, as part of his commitment to the customer and the consumer.
don’t understand why you have trees inside your house!” Sharing with children the natural connection between people and plants trains future customers. How can trendy green plants take stronger roots in your floral business? For more information, go to www .oasisfloralproducts.com.