American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute

Johnny Barnes, president of the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI), Benson, NC, announced Jeff Smutny has joined ASPMI as executive director.

Prior to joining the sweet potato industry, Smutny served as the global director of marketing and regulatory affairs for the 4,000-grower pecan industry. He also served in various roles for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; spent time in political consulting, managing marketing for various political candidates; and he began his career directing a large advertising agency in California’s Central Valley.

Smutny graduated from California State University, Fresno. Jeff and his wife, Debi, split their time between Monterey, CA, and Lake Tahoe.

Ippolito International

Ippolito International, Salinas, CA, announced two additions to its organization, Joseph Mallobox and Bob Polovneff.

Mallobox has joined Ippolito International after working in the human resources arena for over 20 years. Most recently, his experience includes employment regulations, recruitment, and staff development at Taylor Fresh Foods, True Organic and Coastal Vineyard Care.

Polovneff has worked in the produce industry for Salinas-based grower shippers, including Ocean Mist and Dole. His experience includes commodity management and sales across retail, wholesale and foodservice channels.

Natural Delights

Natural Delights, Yuma, AZ, promoted David Baxter to vice president of sales and marketing. Baxter has been an integral part of the Natural Delights team for the past six years.

Baxter’s journey with Natural Delights began as a product manager. His dedication and expertise quickly propelled him to the role of director of marketing and business development. Now, as vice president of sales and marketing, Baxter will oversee the marketing and sales strategy for the brand.

Ratto Bros.

Ratto Bros., Modesto, CA, named Geoffrey Ratto as the company’s new chief executive officer. A fourth-generation member of the Ratto family, Ratto brings 15 years of industry experience to his new role. He succeeds Robert Engel, who stepped down earlier this month.

The new leadership team includes Anthony Ratto (operations manager); Nick Ratto (harvest/facility manager); Andrew Ratto (sales manager); and Matthew Ratto (sales).

Ratto served as the company’s sales director for five years. Prior to that, he worked as a retail service manager for Fresh Point of Central California. He earned his undergraduate degree from California State University Stanislaus and a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University. He resides in Ripon, CA, with his wife and two young children.

Avocados From Mexico Celebrates National Avocado Day

In partnership with The GIANT Company and Philabundance, Avocados From Mexico, Dallas, TX, donated 60,000 avocados for the fourth annual Top Guac Challenge, benefiting those experiencing food insecurity in the Philadelphia, PA, area.

Out of eight contestants, the team consisting of Kahiem Love-Miller, Philabundance Community Kitchen graduate, and Joanna Renzulli, GIANT store manager, received the most votes to win the esteemed 2024 “Top Guac Challenge” trophy.

Bako Sweet Emphasizes Summer Offerings at Retail

This summer, Bako Sweet, Bakersfield, CA, introduced its grilling merchandising bins, perfect for highlighting the versatility of sweet potatoes in grilling recipes. These bins are available through Labor Day, providing retailers with an eye-catching, seasonal display that encourages consumers to include sweet potatoes in their summer grilling plans.

To inspire people to use sweet potatoes in new and creative ways, Bako Sweet is actively engaging with them through social media.

Sun World Acquires Biogold

Sun World International LLC, Bakersfield, CA, has acquired Biogold Group, a South Africa-based global fruit variety rights manager, trading as Citrogold in South Africa. Biogold is recognized as the preeminent global supplier of citrus genetics.

In addition to its mango breeding program, Biogold manages rights to mango varieties developed by third-party breeders. With the breeders it represents, Biogold has the world’s largest mango collection and one of the world’s largest collections of avocado varieties.

Biogold’s operations will continue to be run by Viresh Ramburan as vice president, global licensing, citrus and subtropicals.

National Mango Board Scores Sweet Partnership with University of Mississippi Athletics

The National Mango Board, Orlando, FL, is partnering with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Athletics. Building on their initial collaboration, the National Mango Board will now sponsor all Ole Miss football and basketball home games for the 2024-2025 season. This partnership kicks off with the highly anticipated Ole Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State football game, Sept. 7, where the National Mango Board will serve as the official game sponsor.

As part of the sponsorship, the National Mango Board will be involved in various promotional activities throughout the football and basketball seasons, aiming to increase awareness about the versatility and health benefits of mango among students, athletes and fans. Each home game will feature unique mango-themed experiences.

Minnesota Grocers Association Recognizes Winners

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA), St. Paul, MN, named Kris Kowalski Christiansen of Kowalski’s Companies, Inc., its 2024 Outstanding Grocer.

Michael Koehler, director of retail strategic regional accounts of Blue Bunny/Wells Enterprises, received the MGA’s 2024 Outstanding Vendor Award.

Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association, was inducted into the MGA Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding service and exemplary contributions to Minnesota’s food industry. This honor coincides with her Aug. 30, 2024, retirement.

Doug Winsor of Jerry’s Enterprises, Inc. in Edina, MN, was named chair of the Minnesota Grocers Association. He took over the position on July 28, 2024, from Chris Quisberg of S & R Quisberg, Inc. in Baxter, MN.

The awards were presented July 28, 2024, at the association’s annual conference in Brainerd, MN.

Texas Onion Industry Highlights Season Wins

The Texas International Produce Association, Mission, TX, announces the TX1015 Sweet Onion season was successful. Innovative marketing activities, such as an online social influencer program, sweepstakes, restaurant week promotion, and KSAT TV partnership, drew a larger audience, empowering people to support local foods.

An influencer program was key to reaching Millennial and younger age brackets. The total reactions including views, likes, comments, shares, and engagement was 343,165.

The third annual Restaurant Week returned to the Rio Grande Valley, with 17 food trucks and restaurants that created dishes using the TX1015 Sweet Onion. Online promotions for the event and public voting garnered a 2,200.7% increase in brand awareness.

The team also released a cookbook titled “Sweet Flavors of The Lone Star State.”

For the second year in a row, David Elder, host of “Texas Eats,” created an on-air segment, along with social posts highlighting the TX1015 Sweet Onion.

This work was funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Marketing Service under the Specialty Crop Block Grant administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Del Monte Precious Honeyglow Pineapple Wins Innovation of the Year

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Coral Gables, FL, recently won “Overall Food Innovation of the Year” in the 2024 Mindful Awards, for the company’s new Del Monte Precious Honeyglow, an innovative personal-size fresh pineapple that weighs less than 2 pounds and offers an extra sweet taste and golden hue.

The Mindful Awards is an independent award program recognizing conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and products.

Fresh Del Monte’s new Precious Honeyglow is the most compact pineapple in Del Monte history, weighing between 1.5 and 2 pounds, about half the average weight of a full size traditional fresh pineapple.

Dole Marks the 40th Year of Whip

First, there was Dole’s sponsorship of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland in 1976, which led to a similar arrangement at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World several years later. After serving just Dole Pineapple juice and fresh-cut spears for its first season in the dual Adventurelands, Dole introduced a new kind of frozen pineapple treat called the Dole Whip in 1984.

Forty years later, Dole Packaged Foods continues the in-park sponsorship while Dole Food Company takes the next step in its Dole Whip journey with a new, all-natural Dole Whip at-home recipe created by its #DoleWhipLife Creator of the Year and the launch of the online Dole Whip University (#DoleWhipU) which gives Dole Whip lovers the opportunity to earn a diploma in Dole Whipenomics for the first time.

Dole’s newest Dole Whip, the Strawberry Coconut Lime Dole Whip, was created by Rachel Anderson, winner of Dole’s #DoleWhipLife Creator of the Year Contest in 2023.

In keeping with the spirit of the original frozen treat at Disney parks, all Dole Food Company-created Dole Whips are made with fresh Dole Pineapples, Dole Bananas, or both.

Gem-Pack Berries Unveils New Website

Gem-Pack Berries, Watsonville, CA, launched a new website. The redesigned site, developed in collaboration with Dystrick, features a new design with improved navigation and enhanced functionality, making it easier for users to access information about Gem-Pack Berries’ products, services and company news.

The launch of the new website is part of Gem-Pack Berries’ broader strategy to enhance its digital presence and better connect with consumers and stakeholders. By leveraging the latest web technologies, the company aims to provide a more interactive and informative experience for all users.

C.H. Robinson Launches Digital Dispatch

Global logistics company C.H. Robinson announced a major efficiency for carriers through the launch of Digital Dispatch, its enhanced load matching platform. Utilizing a new algorithm powered by data science and artificial intelligence (AI), Digital Dispatch analyzes a broad range of data to offer more timely and precise load recommendations based on a carrier’s unique search history and preferences within Navisphere Carrier.

The technology proactively provides carriers with real-time, hyper-customized recommendations, sent immediately via text or email, as soon as a suggested load becomes available, reaching carriers wherever they are through their preferred channel of communication.

Digital Dispatch first became available in February to contract carriers that own one to 10 trucks, with plans to expand to larger carriers in the future.

Michigan Asparagus Wraps Up Successful Season

The Michigan Asparagus season concluded one week earlier than usual, with ample volume available for summer festivities. To drive sales, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board (MAAB), Dewitt, MI, enacted marketing strategies, including retail promotions, influencer marketing and digital campaigns that further emphasized the importance of buying local and how that translates into supporting communities, one spear at a time.

The MAAB worked with eight key retailers across the Midwest, making a significant investment in digital campaigns, point-of-sale, and in-store demos to drive the locally grown/locally sourced messaging home

Inline Plastics Launches Safe-T-Fresh 7-inch Rounds

Inline Plastic, Shelton, CT, has new 20-ounce, three-compartment packaging, the TS7020C3. The lids prevent food items from mingling with the anti-migration design.

The second addition is the 46-ounce option, TS7046. Designed with signature Safe-T-Fresh technology, each package features tamper evident and tamper resistant seals to keep all food safe and secure.
The leak-resistant seal means less waste and a clean environment. It is made with 10% post-consumer PET and 100% recyclable plastic, certified by SCS Global Services.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Announces Foodservice Celery Dippers

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Oviedo, FL, announces its newest product, Dandy Celery Dippers, now available for foodservice.

Last fall, Duda launched celery dippers to retail audiences and saw the opportunity to bring the 2-inch fresh-cut celery sticks to foodservice operators seeking the latest innovation in fresh-cut celery.

As with all Dandy branded celery products, this new item is grown from Duda Generations’ proprietary celery varieties, ensuring they are naturally sweeter and crispier. It is also processed with water jet cutting technology for a clean cut and shipped within 24 hours to ensure consistent quality and flavor.

Edible Brands Launches Fresh Fruit Subscription Delivery Service

Edible Brands, Atlanta, GA, the parent company of Edible (formerly Edible Arrangements), announced the launch of its latest endeavor: freshfruit.com. The new e-commerce brand boasts a subscription business model, giving consumers premium whole fruits hand-delivered directly to their doorstep.

Launching with four whole fruit boxes available to order online in regular and large sizes, freshfruit.com offers customers two subscription options and a one-time purchase alternative to cater to individual needs.

Customers can choose from: weekly deliveries (every seven days); monthly deliveries (every 28 days); or a one-time purchase.

Each box is packed with a curated selection of whole fruits like bananas, oranges, pineapples, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes and blueberries — with seasonal fruit options launching soon. For those seeking an extra nutritional boost, select boxes will also include kale.

Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, 551 NW 77^th Street, Suite 101, Boca Raton, FL 33487 or email us at info@producebusiness.com.