July 2023 Grocery Insight

Grocery Insight

July 2023

Eclipsing titans such Starbucks and 7-Eleven in store count, Dollar General has established a presence in 48 US states with fierecly competitive prices and a solutions-focused array of grocery and household necessities. At a time when convenience and the option to click and pay are steering consumers, the iconic retailer has overcome this shopping habit by incentivizing consumers to shop in-store with personable associates and organized and well-stocked aisles.

Special Report

Dollar General

Dutifully serving consumers with discounted prices, a welcoming atmosphere and a hassle-free shopping experience doesn’t stop after consumers leave Dollar General stores. Dollar General's servant leadership and generosity are extended beyond store doors and into the community. Inspired by hardships co-founders experienced, the company has supplemented and advocated for education and literacy— things that are personal and meaningful to the company to this very day.

Recent History

In 2010, Dollar General became the exclusive retailer of Rexall Brand products. The move signified two brands uniting that each have withstood the test of time and are reputable for quality and having earned consumers’ trust. On the topic of brands, around that time, each Dollar General store sold roughly 10,000 items of national and private label merchandise, including health and beauty, home cleaning supplies, housewares, seasonal items and basic clothing. National brands including Tide, Bounty, Kleenex, Hanes, Cheerios and Lays also have a strong presence in Dollar General stores. The 11,000th store opened in Murfreesboro, TN in 2013, and the company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2014. The following year, Todd Vasos was named CEO, and Dollar General opened its 12,000th store in Juliette, GA. Included in the community celebration, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) donated $12,000 to Monroe County schools to fund literacy initiatives and further Dollar General’s mission of serving others.

In 2017, Dollar General’s footprint reached 44 states with the opening of a store in North Dakota, and the 14,000th storefront opened its doors in Dauphin, PA. That year, the Janesville, WI distribution center opened, creating 500 jobs.

“Since our humble beginnings in Scottsville, KY, almost 80 years ago, we have become one of the fastest growing retailers in the US, created tens of thousands of jobs and grown into a trusted partner for countless communities,” former CEO Todd Vasos said in company literature.

Dollar General opened its first location in Washington state in 2020, now with a footprint in 46 states. That year, Dollar General introduced its retail store pOpshelf. The retail store concept intended to engage consumers with a fun and hassle-free in-store experience. Stocked with seasonal, home décor, health and beauty, cleaning supplies, party goods and entertaining needs to name a few, pOpshelf offered items priced $5 or less.

The early 2020s have seen the opening of the 17,000th store location in Fountain, CO and expansion into Idaho, the company’s 47th state.

In 2021, Dollar General ranked No. 91 on the 2021 Fortune 500 list. Making it into the top 100 on the list was attributed to the company’s rate of growth and reporting $33.7 billion in sales during fiscal year 2020.

Current State of the Business

Dollar General has proven it can withstand the test of time. Coming out of a global pandemic, the company reported $37.8 billion in sales in fiscal year 2022. The company employs more than 175,000 associates and operates more than 19,000 stores across 48 states, according to the company.

At the beginning of June, Dollar General reported financial results for its fiscal 2023 first quarter, which ended May 5. Some highlights included net sales increasing by 6.8 perecn to $9.3 billion and same-store sales increasing buy 1.6 percent, which was attributed to a rise in the median number of transactions. These sales were led by consumables.

“While the macroeconomic environment has been more challenging than expected, particularly for our core customer, we are confident in Dollar General’s ability to deliver strong growth in the years ahead, despite the near-term pressure which impacted our first quarter sales results and is anticipated to impact our full-year sales and EPS,” said CEO Jeff Owen. “Looking ahead, we feel good about our position, and are taking action to better serve our core customer, which is our most important calling at Dollar General. Overall, we remain well positioned to serve all of our customers with our unique combination of

value and convenience, while also creating long-term shareholder value.”

In June Dollar General annnounced plans to open its first store in Montana this fall—the company's 48th state giving the company a presence in each of the lower 48 states. Two locations are being constructed: one in Columbia Falls and the other Eureka.

“Breaking ground on each new Dollar General is meaningful as it signifies upcoming affordable access to quality goods to customers, new jobs and career growth opportunities to employees, grant availability to local organizations improving residents’ education through the DGLF and tax revenue for municipalities,” said Steve Deckard, evp of Growth and Emerging Markets. “We look forward to celebrating our first Montana grand opening in the coming months and to serve new customers, employees and communities soon.”

Giving Back

In May, the DGLF announced its largest one-day donation in the Foundation’s 30-year history when it awarded more than $13 million to support adult, family and summer literacy programs across the country, affecting≠ roughly 3.1 million people as they learn to read and subsequently reach academic and professional goals.

“It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th anniversary year,” said Denine Torr, Executive Director of the DGLF. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.”

Founded in 1993 by Dollar General’s former CEO, Cal Turner, Jr., the Foundation was inspired by his grandfather and DG Co-Founder, J.L. Turner, who was functionally illiterate. Throughout the last 30 years, DGLF has steadfastly advocated for organizations and their

r Cont'd on Pg. 4

Special Report: Dollar General

efforts to elevate quality classroom instruction, increase access to literacy programming, advance innovation and inspire the joy of reading. The Foundation has awarded more than $233 million to advociate for 19.3 million people enhance their lives through literacy and education.

Also in May, Dollar General shared its plans to combat supply chain issues affecting companies across the US. Company leaders announced expansions in Dollar General’s global supply chain network. These include the opening of its first ground-up, dual facility in Blair, NE and two regional distribution centers in Newnan, GA and Fort Worth, TX. Dollar General also announced expansion plans set to take place in Jonesville, SC and Amsterdam, NY at current facilities.

“The recent additions to our supply chain network aim to provide greater efficiencies, create additional jobs and drive positive economic impact,” said Tony Zuazo, evp of Global Supply Chain.

Dollar General unveiled its Blair, NE distribution center, anticipated to create roughly 400 new careers at full capacity and symbolizes an estimated $140 million investment in Washington County. As Dollar General’s inaugural groundup dual distribution center, Blair merges the efficiencies of traditional and DG Fresh supply chain networks. The DG Fresh network serves more than 19,000 stores from 12 facilities.

Dollar General expanded its distribution center storage capacity by more than 2 million square feet through two regional facilities in Newnan, GA and Fort Worth, TX. Both facilitiies will hire roughly 200 people at full capacity and serve as the hub between import locations and Dollar General’s distribution center network.

Dollar General announced a roughly $45 million expansion investment in its Jonesville, SC distribution center. The 250,000-square-foot addition finished this spring.

Dollar General is building a 170,000-square-foot DG Fresh facility to accompany Dollar General’s traditional distribution center which debuted in 2019. Dollar General plans to

close on the property by this fall and start construction next year.

In March, Dollar General shared its latest super premium, made in the US pet food. The company reformulated and rebranded its dog and cat food line, Nature’s Menu. This move demonstrates Dollar General’s investment in private brands with this improved premium pet food brand. The line was created in response to pet owners’ demands.

“Our team of brand managers and buyers strive to ensure each private brand item we develop focuses on the needs of our customers and their families. Such is the case with Nature’s Menu, Dollar General’s exclusive super premium dog and cat food brand,” said Jackie Li, SVP of Private Brands and Global Sourcing. “Nature’s Menu is made by a family-owned and operated company in the USA and, like other DG private brands, is backed by our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. We are pleased to bring this exceptional, premium brand of pet food to market.”

Nature’s Menu dry pet foods are made with natural ingredients such as beef, lamb or farm-raised, cage-free chicken as the No. 1 ingredient. The recipes include vegetables and wholesome grains and are void of corn, soy, wheat, fillers, animal by-products, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Fortified with prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health and digestion, Nature’s Menu dry pet food recipes include added vitamins, minerals and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Nature’s Menu will debut a Made in the US, reformulated wet pet food this summer.

Leadership

Jeffrey Owen has served as CEO and as a member of the Board since 2022. Owen previously served as Dollar General’s COO. He returned to Dollar General in June 2015 as evp of Store Operations, with more than 20 years of previous employment experience with the company, including SVP, Store Operations; VP, Division Manager; Retail Division Manager; and various other operations roles. He began working for Dollar General in 1992.

In April, Kelly Dilts was promoted to evp and CFO. Dilts has served as Dollar General’s SVP, Finance since joining the

company in 2019. She has three decades of experience in retail financial and strategic planning, operational finance and controllership. She was previously with Francesca’s Holding Corporation serving as evp and CFO.

Kathy Reardon has served as evp and Chief People Officer since 2020. She joined Dollar General as Director, Human Resources in 2009 and was promoted to VP, Talent Management in 2012. Reardon was named VP, Retail Human Resources in 2014 and was promoted to SVP, Human Resources in 2019 and to SVP and Chief People Officer in 2019. Prior to joining Dollar General, Reardon worked at Centex serving as Director of Human Resources. Since beginning her career in 1998, Reardon also held various roles with Carrier Corporation and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia.

In May, Steve Deckard was promoted to evp, Growth and Emerging Markets. Starting as a regional director, Deckard most recently served as SVP of Emerging Markets and led Dollar General’s international expansion into Mexico. In his new role, Deckard is tasked with providing leadership over initiatives including Mi Súper Dollar General in Mexico, pOpshelf and DG Well Being, along with the company’s Real Estate and Decision Science & Analytics teams.

Steve Sunderland has served as evp, Store Operations, since 2019. He joined Dollar General as SVP, Store Operations, in 2014. Sunderland previously served as SVP, Retail Operations, of Office Depot, Inc.; SVP, Retail Operations, of OfficeMax Incorporated; COO of Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation; and World Kitchen, LLC’s President of Retail.

Emily Taylor has served as evp and CMO since 2020. Taylor joined Dollar General in 1998 and held roles of increasing responsibility in investor relations, financial planning and analysis, merchandise planning, pricing and merchandising operations prior to her promotion to VP, Pricing & Merchandise Data Optimization in 2011. She served as VP, Merchandising Operations and was subsequently promoted to SVP, General Merchandise Manager in 2014. She most recently served as SVP, Channel Innovation.

Special Report

IDDBA Takeaways

After all the networking, business ventures, showcasing new products and excitement, exhibitors at IDDBA had much to say about what knowledge was gained, the lessons learned, the positive encounters and the growth experienced during and after the show.

“We were able to meet and exceed all our expectations at IDDBA,” said Aimee Tsakirellis, Director of Marketing at Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods. “We showcased one of our newest hommus flavors, Topped Organic Grecian Golden Hour, showcased our new labels, which have received a great amount of positive feedback thus far, networked with other industry professionals and secured meetings at our booth with key accounts and prospective new accounts, making this an effective and efficient show!”

“We’d love for consumers to be aware of our new innovations and flavors being launched nationwide this year and beyond,” said Tsakirellis. “Most recently, we launched our Topped Organic Grecian Golden Hour Hummus, an ever so creamy spread with a lemon and oregano base and chickpea, herb and red pepper topping. Aside from new product launches, consumers can keep an eye out for our new packaging that features Cedars’ signature green lid and updated designs with bolder colors, fresh ingredient photography and updated typography. We hope that when you hear, taste or see Cedar’s products, you remember that we are rooted in the family for more than 40 years with generational recipes that have been perfected over time, and we pride ourselves on the sense of family you get with every bite you take!”

“We learned that non-dairy and vegan options are becoming more prevalent and desired by consumers, which is great for Cedar’s since all of our hommus flavors are dairy-free and vegan,” said Tsakirellis. “Additionally, we found that convenient, on-the-go products are a hot topic of conversation, in which Cedar’s Snack Packs are great for this market since they’re super easy to bring on the go. We also learned that consumers are on the hunt for the next innovative flavor or product that they haven’t

seen before, which was also great for us since we were showcasing various new hommus flavors that people absolutely loved.”

“During IDDBA 2023, we had the opportunity to explore a multitude of new concepts and recipes presented by various vendors. One prominent trend that caught our attention was the growing prevalence of vendors offering fresh-prepared and conveniently packaged goods. This trend aligns exceptionally well with our existing product lines, particularly our made-fresh-daily sushi and fresh-prepared Asian meals. Engaging in conversations with our retail partners, we discovered that many of them expressed a need to provide their customers with products that are both value-focused and budget-friendly. Understanding this demand, we recognize the importance of expanding our offerings of fresh-prepared meals and convenient family-focused bundles at affordable prices. Ultimately, our key objective is to leverage the insights gained from IDDBA 2023 to guide our future developments. We are committed to continuously adapting and expanding our product lines to meet the evolving needs of our customers, while simultaneously capitalizing on market trends to drive our clients’ and our company's growth and success.”

— Deborah Bush, Advanced Fresh Concepts

As always, DecoPac appreciated the opportunity to showcase its format treats and designs with message cookies and cakes. The company also was focused on its theme of ‘Celebrating Life’s Moments’. “We are pleased with the outcome and how our booth came together at IDDBA. Our overall theme was Celebrating Life’s Moments,” said Melinda D. Rasmussen, Marketing Communcations Manager with DecoPac. “We showcased

a vibrant, colorful display of product, supplies and technology with PhotoCake and CelebrationIQ. We had several takeaways this year with various QR codes to our Social toolkit (a content hub where DecoPac provides pre-approved social images and copy from our licensors Bakeries can utilize on their own social platforms), our digital catalogs where you can find the latest designs and products, to being able to order a personalized cake with CelebrationIQ.”

“With our licensing roots we wanted to pay honor to Disney (while in Anaheim, no less) and created two sixfeet tall cakes. One cake highlighted the more adolescent properties with Princesses, Encanto, Cars, etc while the other was focused on Marvel and Star Wars characters, both bringing a wow factor to the front of our booth. As you stepped inside you could feel the celebration of Life’s Moments from baby, teen, young adult to a more mature audience and everything in between. We showcased several alternative format treats and designs along with message cookies and various sized cakes. Celebrations come in all shapes and sizes, and we wanted to have a little something for everyone. Staying true to what you would expect with traditional products and formats while also showing a fun side with a divorce cake and trendy designs focusing on adult, including a show favorite, our IT (Pennywise) cake and treats,” said Rasmussen.

“We also had a focus on technology and providing bakeries with real time labor savings, demonstrating CelebrationIQ and PhotoCake. We had interactive screens to demonstrate the CIQ experience, both front and back end, highlighting the seamless integration with bakeries existing platform,” she continued. “There is a hyper focus on effective ways to meet the consumer demands while being conscious of labor. We have and will continue to work on creative solutions to help our customer do what they do best, make bakery treats look amazing. DecoPac is here to

r Cont'd on Pg. 8

by Advanced Fresh Concept Franchise Corp.

AFC SUSHI’S NEW BRAND

For over 35 years, we have been creating unique recipes that delight customers by combining distinct flavors and ingredients that work harmoniously together.

ZENSHI® is more than just a sushi brand; we are an authentic partner dedicated to operations excellence. We prioritize every aspect of our operations, from sourcing the finest ingredients to meticulous food preparation and efficient supply chain management. With uncompromising quality standards at the forefront, we ensure that every sushi roll and Asian meal offering meets the highest levels of excellence. Our commitment extends beyond the product itself to strategic marketing initiatives that captivate our target audience and foster brand loyalty.

Special Report: IDDBA Takeaways

r From Pg. 6

help.”

Alpha Baking made the most of its investment of IDDBA, which included reconnecting with partners and other exhibitors in the industry. “We’ve been exhibiting at the IDDBA show for years, and we’ve always found it to be a great opportunity to reconnect with current customers and to uncover new opportunities,” said Tim Lotesto Senior Director, National Retail Key Accounts with Alpha Baking. “This year was no different. The only thing that didn’t meet our expectations was the Anaheim weather.”

“For people who aren’t familiar with Alpha Baking Co., our website is a great place to start. There, you can get an idea of the breadth of our offerings, from buns and rolls to bread to sweet goods. The website isn’t all-inclusive, though. We’re constantly adding new items, and we specialize in working with customers to dial in items to match their specific needs. Contacting us through www.alphabaking.com will get you in touch with someone on our team right away, and we can quickly take next steps from there,” Lotesto said.

“After the Covid years, where everyone’s main concern was simply fulfilling orders and keeping shelves stocked, we’ve seen a return to requests for innovation,” he said. “Retailers want to carry high-quality items that can’t be found everywhere else, whether that means private label, completely unique items, or both.”

As IDDBA provides exhibitors the opportunity to see what is fueling the growth in the industry, Reser’s Fine Foods noticed several trends that are driving growth to the deli category specifically. “The 2023 IDDBA in Anaheim met our expectations,” said Anne Nelson, Senior Brand Strategy Manager, Deli with Reser’s Fine Foods. “Our big focus of this year’s show was to meet retailers where they are—we know meals solutions are top of mind and that offering flexibility and versatility is key. Reser’s has introduced a variety of meal solutions with innovative new items that put the power in retailers’ hands to customize a program that fits with their needs. Items that embrace big, bold fla-

vors and that can be used in a variety of ways (i.e. items that can be served hot or cold, bulk or repack, include or exclude protein, etc).”

“A big focus was the deli’s increase in quality to a point that we are now rivaling what consumers can get at restau-

“We are pleased with the outcome and how our booth came together at IDDBA. Our overall theme was Celebrating Life’s Moments. We showcased a vibrant, colorful display of product, supplies and technology with PhotoCake and CelebrationIQ. We had several takeaways this year with various QR codes to our Social toolkit, our digital catalogs where you can find the latest designs and products, to being able to order a personalized cake with CelebrationIQ.”

The Anaheim show floor was bustling with almost 2,000 exhibit booths.”

Atkins outlined some of the major and memorable moments at the show, as well as the organization's main goals. “When the IDDBA team and Board set expectations for 2023, the goals were: create an experience based on the new way our industry goes to market through education sessions and opportunities reflective of IDDBA’s 365 day a year work; build a show floor for IDDBA’s members and industry to do business; generate attendance numbers of pre-pandemic numbers; introduce IDDBA’s new President and CEO, David Haaf; and choreograph IDDBA’s five guiding trends throughout the entire show floor.”

rants. As consumers continue to scale back from eating out (now due to inflation), the deli has up’d its game and you are seeing restaurant caliber meal solutions—ethnic flavors, quality of salads, versatile dishes, etc. The deli will be a force to be reckoned with.”

IDDBA show organizers have a unique perspective as they see the show through a wider lens, letting them step back and take a look at the exhibit overall. “The IDDBA tradeshow is the association’s flagship event,” said Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing for IDDBA. “In addition to providing a show floor to create the opportunity to engage and do business, IDDBA offers top general sessions presentations, education, app technology and events like year’s ‘On the Beach’ party to generate learning and networking. We listened to feedback from last year of what attendees needed and wanted to see in 2023 and worked throughout the year to deliver those results in Anaheim. The business created networking both in person and on app, social media engagement and the show numbers have all really set new standards and future expectations. While our numbers are still in audit process, estimates appear that IDDBA 2023 will be just shy of 10,000 in attendance.

“This was especially important in general sessions led by myself, Heather Prach and David Haaf,” she added. “The entire What’s In Store Experience (WISL) brought these five trends to life for attendees: Whole Health, Whole Heart, Whole Self; Consumer Defined Convenience; ABCs of ESG; Worth the Value; Innovation and Technology.”

Looking back on what took place at the show, Atkins mentioned David Haaf continued to talk about IDDBA trends while recognizing the challenges faced in the industry, such as labor issues while trying to offer thought leadership solutions and IDDBA support. “Before the noon hour on opening day, the floor was already buzzing with exhibitors and retailers talking of deals that had already been sealed, supporting IDDBA’s mission to connect the buyers and sellers of the products and services of our members,” Atkins concluded.

IDDBA provides the opportunity for exhibitors to gain first-hand access to the latest trends and consumer preferences. "Ultimately, our key objective is to leverage the insights gained from IDDBA 2023 to guide our future developments," said Deborah Bush, Brand Development Manager of Advanced Fresh Concepts. "We are committed to continuously adapting and expanding our product lines to meet the evolving needs of our customers, while simultaneously capitalizing on market trends to drive our clients’ and our company's growth and success.”

— Melinda D. Rasmussen, DecoPac

From savory to sweet to layered & Spicy, and even, seaworthy.

Lakeview Farms has dips for every occasion and every consumer. Lakeview Farms crafts fresh refrigerated dips, spreads, hummus and salsa designed to delight the most discerning taste buds while providing exceptional value. Not to mention consistent performance for those who stock them. Discover what partnering with Lakeview Farms can do for you at LakeviewFarms.com or contact your Lakeview Farms representative.

Dairy The Future of

The majority of US customers said they always stop by the dairy aisle, according to a survey by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA). More than 88 percent of shoppers are likely to find options that fit their lifestyle in the dairy aisle, whether it be dairy-based favorites, non-dairy goods or even plant-based dairy alternatives. The survey also showed that 63 percent of households that enjoy snacking find their preferred snacks in the dairy aisle as well.

“As consumer trends and preferences shift over time, the dairy aisle continues to innovate and remains a constant in US consumers’ shopping trips,” said Tricia Greyshock for the NFRA. “Nearly three in five US consumers (56 percent) report that products from the dairy aisle take up half or more than half of the space in their refrigerator.”

According to Maia, a leading specialty yogurt company that specializes in grass-fed dairy products, grass-fed dairy has a projected CAGR value of 12.5 percent by 2030 making the subcategory one of the major growth drivers in the category. Maia Yogurt mentioned that yogurt pouch demand has an expected growth rate of 1.3 percent, which is 605 million pouches by 2025, although there is no current grass-fed yogurt pouch, leaving a white space in the market. “This is the most amazing time to be in yogurt and dairy because the consumer is now coming back to dairy,” said Hamilton Colwell of Maia Yogurt. “Ninety-nine percent of consumers eat cheese, butter, yogurt or milk and the nutritional benefits are shining through the previously clouded opinions that were in popular culture. What we are able to do with our grass-fed yogurt is drive meaningful incremental sales at our partner retailers. One of the most telling stats I learned earlier this week is Maia’s grass-fed yogurt has brought in more consumers to the yogurt category than any other brand by thousands. It is because people are looking for products they can trust, are delicious and nutritious, and it’s not just on the coast—it’s everywhere in this country. So, when we can showcase a grass-fed yogurt that is better for you and better for the cows

and better for the world, that tastes better, we are bringing back more people to the yogurt category at the select retailers that we work with in the northeast and Texas that anyone ever has.”

Pete & Gerry’s, a leading producer of eggs, launched Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised eggs in April 2023. The eggs are derived from Certified Humanely raised hens. "We're excited to bring Pete & Gerry's Pasture-Raised eggs to consumers to provide them with more high-quality options in the egg aisle," said Tom Flocco for Pete & Gerry's. "The Pete & Gerry's Organic offering pioneered a model of egg production that is better for the hens, better for the farmer, and better for the planet, and our new Pasture-Raised product continues in that proud tradition. We're confident that our continued commitment to animal and environmental stewardship embodied in Pete and Gerry's Pasture-Raised will resonate with consumers."

As dairy has remained a significant category in growing basket rings, the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association IDDBA tradeshow has maintained its standing as a leading annual tradeshow for dairy producers and manufacturers to showcase their latest and greatest products and offerings. On average, the show has more than 10,000 registrants with more than 800 exhibitors. Alongside this, dairy producers have remained steadfast in their dedication to meeting consumers where they are at with preferences and lifestyle choices. As plant-based and dairy alternatives continue to sweep through the category, many leaders are striving to give these consumers satisfying options. “The plant-based cheese segment remains far too under-developed, and we are very focused on bringing innovation that will bring new consumers and new occasions to the segment. We have heard from consumers that they are lacking quality options, so we have launched unique offering like our Snackable Wedges, Smoked Wheels and now our new snack packs,” said Bart Adlam with GOOD PLaNet Foods. “Our new Snack Pack was a direct response to the increase in snacking across the

USA and specifically to the demand for more plant-based options. They offer both vegan and flexitarian consumers a chance for a wholesome, healthy and satiating snack that is plant-based.”

Neutral Foods, another leader in the dairy segment that specializes in milk and butter products, said the company has maintained its sustainability commitment. “There are two reasons why Neutral set out to become the first carbon neutral food company in the US. The first reason is that it's the right thing to do – for the planet, consumers and our farm partners,” said Jim Jarman with Neutral Foods. “Globally, 37 percent of emissions are related to agricultural production and supply chain, and we know farmers are critical in reducing this impact. Sometimes farmers can get caught in the crosshairs, but by and large, good farmers are some of the original stewards of the land. They want to do the right thing and often need the right resources. On-farm, climate-reducing projects are an area where Neutral can help. We partner with great farmers to provide technical expertise, funding, project management, data management, verification, etc.”

Looking closer at how things are evolving in the category, “First, we're excited to work with the great farmers already in our supply chains. We're also looking forward to how we can increase adoption and support for climate-smart practices with additional farm partners through our initiative with Farm Raise and others. It’s important to note that dairy farmers are facing serious challenges, including increased feed prices and transportation costs, drought conditions and limited access to besttices and technical support. Farmers are the backbone of our food supply chain, and we must support them as they transition to innovative climate practices that will ensure their long-term sustainability,” Jarman said.

With many trends to stay ahead of, including sustainability, grass fed dairy and even alternatives in the category, suppliers are pulled in many directions. However, with continued innovation and creativity, category leaders are meeting the challenge.

The Future of

Maple Syrup

It’s hard to imagine how to improve upon pure, premium maple syrup. While some suppliers are exploring flavor infusion innovations to spur creativity for new uses, others are focusing their energies on enlightening consumers on all multitude of ways the rich, natural sweetener—in its unadulterated form—can be incorporated into not only diverse culinary experiences but also some unexpected ones, such as an easy energy source in endurance events. Packaging, therefore, remains at the forefront of priorities for maple syrup suppliers, not only for ease of use but also to ensure they can offer a size and price point for a wide variety of consumers, especially in today’s economy.

Anderson’s Maple Syrup is innovating with a syrup packet that it distributes to athletes to introduce maple syrup as a quick energy source. “We go to a lot of events with that packet including marathons and endurance bike races,” said Steve Anderson, President of Anderson’s Maple Syrup. “It is a great opportunity to tell our story directly to the consumer. And those types of athletes are also generally concerned with what they eat, so they appreciate that syrup is a healthier sweetener.”

Back on store shelves, consumers generally want size and price options, he said. “We still see the trend towards a smaller container, but there is still those looking for the value in the larger container. It seems the middle sizes are less important than they used to be. But still the smaller sizes are growing in strength for sure,” Anderson said. “Pricing seems to be the key right now. Everyone is watching their pennies, so the fight is to get them to spend their pennies on your brand.”

Inflation is clearly still having an impact. “Consumers are shopping more consciously and are changing where they go to purchase syrup if they aren’t finding the right selection of options and prices,” said Beth Calcagni, Marketing Coordinator for Butternut Mountain Farm. “Appropriate product assortment is essential to assure consumers can right size and value their purchases.”

The pure maple syrup category has been on a steady growth trend for more

than a decade, said Calcagni. “This accelerated in 2020 due to the pandemic and has now settled back into the pre-pandemic trajectory. In the last two years, we’ve seen a small contraction in demand after the pandemic spike; however pure maple has held on to and grown its share relative to imposter syrups. The most growth is coming from the underpenetrated South and Midwestern markets. There is a lot of opportunity. Pure maple syrup without any additional flavors and infusions continues to drive 99 percent of the category, and we anticipate consumers will stick to core offerings even more strongly as inflationary pressures persist.”

Anderson has a similar perspective and said the company will “continue to share the truth about pure maple syrup and not cutting corners. Pure is it! It’s hard to innovate on a perfect food like pure maple syrup, so we try to focus on just getting the story out there about how good pure maple syrup is,” he said. “There is a lot going on in this category and in some ways it could be confusing customers. The fun and interesting flavor spins companies are putting on pure maple syrup can be confusing, because if it is pure maple syrup, it should not have any flavors in it. While these flavors are fun, I don’t believe they are the future of our pure natural product.”

Meanwhile, Crown Maple takes a different approach to sharing the benefits and uses of pure maple syrup by introducing flavor-infused options and even adjacent items that incorporate its syrup, like its line of maple-glazed nuts and pancake mix. “Crown Maple continues to bring innovative products to the category that provide the opportunity to drive greater penetration and higher penny profits for our partners,” said Crown Maple CEO Michael Cobb. “Products like Crown Maple organic blueberry maple syrup, organic strawberry maple syrup and organic maple sugar pancake mix provide exceptional products that expand these categories. Retailers focused on growing their penny profits and satisfying their consumers continue to win in the market.”

Like Anderson and Calcagni, Cobb reports a leveling off of sales of late. “We

have seen a slight softening of maple syrup sales in recent periods as consumers adjust to inflation,” he said. “We believe that the benefits of an organic, all natural and sustainable product will continue to gain favor with consumers. We continue to take messages of versatility of usage to our consumers so that they may enjoy exceptional flavor in many ways. Expanded versatility tends to offset declines as it drives increased consumption.”

Butternut Mountain Farm has also been sharing this message. “Our team is always exploring ways to make maple more accessible,” Calcagni said. “Because maple syrup and maple sugar are versatile ingredients, we include it in products like marinades and spice blends that expand maple’s uses beyond breakfast. Additionally, we seek new ways to package maple products to make it accessible to families, chefs and food service customers.”

Coombs Family Farms gives consumers another reason to choose their maple syrup following a recent announcement its operations have gone solar. The company transitioned to 1,200 solar panels on the rooftops of its production facility for final grid interconnection to a 500 kW AC system. Annually, the system is expected to generate more than 760,000 kWh or roughly enough energy to provide 105 homes with electricity per year. The energy will cover more than 75 percent of Coombs Family Farms’ annual electric needs for production.

Coombs Family Farms produces and packs 100 percent pure and organic maple on 4,500 acres on the Connecticut River at its production facility at Bascom Maple Farms in Acworth, NH. The new system offsets 541 metric tons of CO2 or the equivalent of taking 116 cars off the road.

“Environmental stewardship and sustainable forestry have been guiding principles at Coombs Family Farms since the 1800s,” said Arnold Coombs, head of marketing at Coombs Family Farms. “The addition of solar energy is consistent with our values and will help us attain environmental sustainability goals essential to future generations.”

Get Coombs on your shelf. Connect with consumers. Grow your

• Highest Average Dollars per Store of all Brands

• Best Organic Brand growth, Currently #2 Brand

• #2 Brand in Grocery with 21.3% Growth Year-Over-Year.

(IRI 52 Weeks US — Total Food Ending 05/17/2021)

• Eight generations of maple farming

Small is a big idea.

When organic consumers buy Coombs Family Farms, they are supporting small family farms who share their values, their commitment to sustainability and to doing things right.

The Future of

Peppers

The peppers category draws in consumers who are looking for healthier ways to elevate their meals and add robust flavors without using less healthy options like salt. With varying levels of intensity when it comes to how spicy each varietal makes a dish, peppers are an inclusive ingredient that adds just the right amount of punch without driving away picky eaters.

“The growth of the pepper category is propelled by the emphasis on flavor and quality,” said Red Sun Farms President Jim DiMenna. “Consumers value peppers that deliver exceptional taste and consistent quality, driving the demand for these versatile and nutritious vegetables. In 2023, Red Sun Farms remains committed to upholding our stringent standards in food safety, quality and year-round supply. We are dedicated to investing in sustainability and innovation, ensuring that our practices align with the principles of responsible agriculture. Our team is enthusiastic about supporting our valued retail partners in their pursuit of success and providing consumers with nutritious produce that contributes to a healthier tomorrow. As part of our Seed to Plate commitment, Red Sun Farms takes ownership of every step in the process. From meticulous seed selection and propagation at our farms to efficient greenhouse operations, through harvesting, precise packing and reliable distribution, we maintain full control to deliver the highest quality peppers to our customers and consumers. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in every stage of the journey, ensuring a truly exceptional product that exceeds expectations.”

“As the home becomes the central hub for many individuals post-pandemic, there is an increasing desire for top-notch ingredients that can recreate the dining-out experience,” said Randi Church, Marketing Manager for Windset Farms. “Just like tomatoes, peppers offer a wide range of flavors and characteristics that can elevate a variety of dishes. The growing number of pepper varieties presents a wonderful opportunity for Windset Farms to introduce new and exciting flavor profiles to the pepper category. For instance, we re-

cently released Sonata Tropical Mini Peppers, which are a vibrant orange blocky pepper with few seeds and a sweet crunch. The pepper has notes of fresh herbs and fruit to finish, resulting in mouthwatering tropical taste. As the culinary world evolves and consumer needs change Windset Farms will continue to innovate to provide high quality, industry leading commodities.”

“We see a lot of opportunity in the sweet mini pepper category,” said Prime Time International CEO Mike Way. “They are a healthy, delicious, and convenient snack. Kids absolutely love them!”

The growing demand for greenhouse-grown produce has had a significant impact on Red Sun Farms’ operations.

“Prompting us to adapt and address the challenges associated with growth,” DiMenna explained. “The Red Sun Farms team has remained steadfast in identifying and capitalizing on every opportunity to enhance efficiency. We have prioritized the integration of technology, automation and innovative approaches in crop selection and process optimization. These measures are aimed at streamlining our operations, maximizing productivity and ensuring the highest quality standards. Implementing these changes is no small feat and requires considerable time and effort. By embracing advancements and constantly seeking innovative solutions, we are positioning ourselves for sustained success in the evolving landscape of greenhouse-grown produce.”

“The growth of the pepper category is influenced by various factors, and one crucial aspect is weather patterns,” Church said. “As we approach the summer season, concerns arise about extreme temperatures, as seen with the 'heat dome' phenomenon on the West Coast in 2021. Navigating through turbulent weather conditions, both locally and globally, and understanding their potential impact on demand can pose challenges. With more than 27 years of business experience, Windset Farms works within our abilities to drive incremental growth by effectively managing these challenges. Our experienced

team not only predicts and plans for optimal growing conditions, but also anticipates market trends. Managing consumer trends, implementing the best quality assurance and food safety practices and working closely with supply chain management teams all lead to category growth.”

Prime Time International has kept the peppers category vibrant and relevant to better support retailers and consumers "by having peppers available every day of the year,” Way explained. “Year round supply is not an easy task. It requires many different growing regions and there are a lot of moving parts, but our goal is to provide our customers with premium quality product 365 days per year.”

One way the company delivers on innovation is through experimenting with and exploring varieties.

“Prime Time’s farming team has put an emphasis on trialing new seed varieties,” Way said. “Finding varieties that are harvest friendly and produce high quality, flavorful product is key.”

Prime Time International has built and sustained solid partnerships with retailers. These unmalleable alliances are key for companies to set the peppers category on a rising trajectory.

“We couldn’t ask for better partners,” Way said. “We have built the business on doing what we say we are going to do, we don’t believe in cutting corners. It’s through these partnerships that we will be able to grow the pepper category and provide consumers with premium quality produce.”

Red Sun Farms has observed how the pepper category continues to demonstrate consistent growth year after year.

“This is fueled by its versatility as both a snacking option and a valuable ingredient in various culinary preparations,” DiMenna said. “Consumers appreciate the versatile nature of peppers, as they can be enjoyed as a healthy and convenient snack or incorporated into a wide range of dishes to add flavor, color and nutritional value. Additionally, construction is underway on another 36 acres of pepper expansion and first picks will arrive in April 2024.”

Growth Drivers in

Apples

With households focused on the quality and nutritional value of the foods they consume, apples— amongst other produce items—have seen extended growth over the past several years. Apples prove that eating healthy can taste good and offer a satisfying crunch. Dipped in peanut butter, sprinkled with cinnamon or drizzled with honey, apples leave consumers satiated and feeling like they indulged. At a time when consumers are becoming savvier in the kitchen and are planning meals in advance, suppliers are impressing upon them how seamlessly apples fit atop salads, roasted to accompany protein dishes and baked into pies and strudels. Suppliers are working to stay ahead of category trends in order to keep shoppers happy, engaged and excited to explore the diversity that apples provides.

“There are a few [trends] that come to mind—convenience, variety and organics,” said Brianna Shales for Stemilt Growers. “The Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in demand for packaged apples and we now see about 42 percent of apples sold in packages (primarily bags). Consumers continue to value convenience and though apples are one convenient snack on their own, we continue to see packaging as a way to elevate category sales and ensure that consumers learn about the array of varieties available in the category. Speaking of variety, there are many! Branded apples continue to emerge and we are especially excited about an increase in SweeTango apples, a great crop of Rave apples and another limited season of a yellow skinned apple we have, called Aura. We are big producers of Cosmic Crisp apples, which is growing its share of the apple category, and now ranks in the top 10. Lastly, we expect organics to grow in supply and will continue working on delighting consumers with great tasting organics.”

"Digital engagement is definitely spreading the most growth as far as we’re concerned," said Dan Davis with Starr Ranch Growers.

There are several factors outside apple suppliers’ control that affect category growth. A handful of suppliers

are able to work around these factors by locking in on the strengths and capabilities that are within their control. “There is a lot of competition in the produce space, with many products going year-round and everyone competing for the same space,” Shales said. “This just means we have to focus on growing fruit that delights consumers, and help deliver on the consumer need for convenience through innovative packaging and varieties.”

"The biggest thing right now is inflation," Davis said. "Consumers are having to make choices about what they do and what they don’t buy and how to stretch their dollars with the price of everything going up. From fuel and freight, labor, all of our inputs from corrugated boxes to bags, everything has gone up. Combating inflation is the No. 1 thing that’s out of our control, but we certainly have to be cognizant about trying to operate around and through. A lot of it is working specifically hand-inhand with retailers on what value-add options we can provide, where we can push our highest dollar products, where we can meet in the middle and where we need to offer a value option so that we can keep all segments of the value chain working and provide options to the consumer."

Suppliers shared initiatives set in place to not only continue to drive category growth but also position the category on solid footing heading into a new calendar year. "A lot of it is trying to engage people and getting back to cooking at home," Davis said. "As we combat inflation, we are providing a means by which everybody can get more creative at home with our products and get back in the kitchen and try and get back to cooking. We are providing those options and highlighting the different phases of use for our product between snacking and cooking and all the ways you can use our products."

During the first quarter of 2023 Crunch Pak found several new partners at retail. “New distribution has been driven by innovation within the category focused on ‘recession proof’ items that are still a must have product for families that are being more intentional

with their spending,” said Crunch Pak's Justin Horner.

As leading suppliers in the apples category, these suppliers have solidified their leadership positions and share attributes which have played a part in company-wide achievements. “Stemilt is all about freshness,” Shales said. “Our mission is to cultivate people and delight consumers through excellence. Part of delighting consumers is ensuring that we put freshness of our perishable products back into the hands of the retailer and consumer. We do many small things to ensure freshness, like forecasting supply and demand so that we are packing fruit to order and keeping tight controls on inventory. It’s these small differences that add up to leading on freshness.”

“Our partners are coming to Crunch Pak asking for innovation, exclusivity and solutions that are driven by market trends that other vendors struggle to provide,” Horner said. “It is a challenge we take pride in and continue to produce results. Focusing on product quality, safety and innovation has been at the core of Crunch Pak’s business and enables us to maintain our position as the leading brand in our category.”

Crunch Pak acknowledges working with strong allies helped the company make its mark within the apples category. “Crunch Pak works with some of the best suppliers of apples in the country and that remains the life blood of the company,” Horner said. “These partnerships have led to opportunity this year given the challenging crop conditions everyone has been managing.”

Feedback from retailers is crucial for apples suppliers to know if they are on the right track and to make the right decisions to spur category growth. “We aim to make merchandising apples as easy as possible for retailers,” Shales said. “We’re constantly looking at packaging options and displays, etc. that will be pain-free for retail, so that they can utilize them to influence sell-through at the point of sale. We also like to be an informative partner to help retailers navigate the nuances of the crop with great data and insights to help them make decisions and perform.”

C H E R R Y S E A S O N

I S H E R E !

Growth Drivers in

The Meat Case

Themeat case in neighborhood grocery stores sees high volumes of foot traffic. While traditional proteins, like chicken, beef and pork are seeing steady growth, unique proteins such as bison, elk, venison, veal and others are seeing explosive growth as shoppers explore the meat case.

Suppliers representing all of the sub-categories that encompass the meat segment have been advocating for retail partners and working with them to ensure the meat segment is advancing. “Our brand offers a product line that’s differentiated from all other grass-fed beef,” Maci Maier for Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed previously said. “Our products are lifetime grazed and 100 percent grass-fed, we can also confidently say that we are certified by American Grass Fed Association (AGA) and Land to Market (L2M) on each of our 120+ products. We focus heavily on the natural channel which shares the goals and values of improving and regenerating the food system.”

“The most important way that we advocate for our retail partners through these very challenging times is by doing whatever it takes to fill their orders despite the labor and transportation challenges facing our industry,” Tony Catelli, with Catelli Brothers previously said. “We operate our plants longer hours and many weekends to continue to service our customers at the highest level.”

“If there was any benefit from Covid restrictions it was that consumers learned that they could buy and prepare at home some of the premium cuts they frequently enjoyed while dining out,” Catelli continued. “Especially on the grill. We continue to provide these cuts to our retail customers. We have also underwritten programs with the veal industry to support cooking classes with bloggers and influencers to educate consumers, especially the younger demo, so they learn more about the various cuts and how to cook them. To further attract customers, we continually add new recipes to our website that reflect the latest food trends.”

“The bison industry is so very different than other protein industries,” Bob Dineen of Great Range Bison previously

said. “From production practices at the cow/calf level to the size of the industry (less than 500,000 head in North America) to the perceptions of consumers about bison meat, we must not only advocate for our retail partners but also for our rancher partners. It is important that our retailers understand some of these differences in order to pass along to the consumer how bison are raised, how our products are only produced here in the US and the benefits the product brings to their table.”

“Our most successful collaborations include promotions around the whole animal,” Dineen continued. “In other words, featuring a variety of cuts versus just ground bison to introduce consumers to the delicious and versatile muscle cuts of bison. We achieve better carcass utilization, and the consumer gets to offer their families better variety. We believe once a consumer tastes bison they become a permanent customer.”

The joint effort of moving the meat segment forward with retail partners begins with Blackwing Meats. The company ensures it is a strong partner for retailers and dependably offers superior quality that sets retailers up to succeed and expand their meat cases. “We are offering occasional TPRs as well as a stand-alone chest freezer to display our products,” Roger Gerber of Blackwing Meats previously said. “Our products are organic and or games meats that are a specialty product and the stand alone chest freezer makes a department just for our category.”

Suppliers are shielding consumers from side effects of enduring supply chain hurdles. However, there are some aspects of these trials that suppliers would like for retailers and shoppers to have a deeper understanding of. “Thousand Hills is based off a decentralized processing model, meaning we process cattle in the regions they are sourced from,” Maier said. “While there have been challenges, we are extremely proud of the way our model has held up, as we maintained a 95 percent fill rate throughout the pandemic.”

“At no time in our industry have we ever seen the across-the-board challenges facing every segment of the sup-

ply chain,” Catelli said. “There are price increases for every aspect of procuring, processing and delivering our products. But we are working with our customers to find efficiencies to overcome these runaway obstacles and challenges.”

“We are fortunate to have the resources necessary to supply both our existing and potential new customers,” Gerber said.

An ongoing conversation within the meat segment centers around sustainability and regenerative agricultural practices. Companies focused on these efforts have been attracting consumers who are conscientious about the products they support. “The bison business, due to its very nature, has always been in sync with sustainable, regenerative agriculture,” Verelli said. “Our bison mostly feed in the open pasture on grass, natural weeds, and forage native to the ecosystem. In short, our objective is to allow bison to be bison as much as we possibly can and let them roam freely the way they have for thousands of years. It’s as close as you will ever get to the ideal sustainable and regenerative model. To help them better connect with their customers, we work with our retailer partners through presentations and food demos. We are strong believers in educating the consumer, so to this end we always make ourselves available to our partners and customers.”

“Bison have been around for thousands of years; we like to think bison are ‘regenerative by nature.’ There have been multiple studies done that show if grasslands have large ungulates grazing rotationally the land will be more productive and sequester more carbon,” said Cory Schmeling of Great Range Bison. “Bison have instinctive natural grazing patterns that allow for deeper root growth and more productive grasslands. There is a story to be told about bison and their long history in North America; the conservation of the species, their ability to handle the wide variation of weather patterns on the high-altitude arid areas of the west, etc. We try to educate via social media, brochures etc. in order to help our grocer customers develop more bison consumers.”

Like all our premium pork sausage products our dinner links are made from only the best cuts of 100% fresh pork, seasoned with our unique blend of all natural spices that deliver an unrivaled level of quality and flavor.

When it comes to Quality& Flavor...

dinner links make a good point!

Growth Drivers in

Sour Candies

Youth is king when it comes to propelling the sour candy category forward into whatever its next stratosphere of lip-smacking, face-puckering, joy-inducing confectionery ecstasy will be. Candy makers are tailoring their offerings to the generations that spend significant time on social media, which is increasingly becoming where new style and lifestyle trends are both born and proliferate. Understanding how younger consumers are also embracing the hybridization of brands across categories, leading candy makers are also taking advantage of cross collaborative opportunities to continue cultivating their youthful appeal.

“The sour candy category has continued to grow creating saturation in the marketplace,” said Haley Peyron, Marketing Manager for Candy Dynamics, makers of the Toxic Waste brand of candy. “We come into every opportunity remembering what the Toxic Waste brand was founded on: creating a candy so sour that kids will want to dare each other to try.”

The popularity of Toxic Waste was propelled by its exposure on TikTok, and Candy Dynamics continues to utilize the medium to promote its next and newest innovations. “Gen-Z and Millennials are most likely to seek out new candies to try with many of them turning to social media for inspiration,” Peyron said. “Interactivity on social media has become increasingly important. With the younger generation having grown up with sour candy, they desire increased levels of sour. We encourage this through our Toxic Challenge which is labeled on all our hard candy packaging. This has continued to trend throughout the years, garnering millions of views across TikTok and YouTube.”

Candy Dynamics has since rolled out innovations in format and flavor. “Being that products are praised for their uniqueness, the novelty candy category is where you find innovation,” she said last month. “We pushed innovation forward when releasing our TikTok-famous Slime Lickers in 2015. Due to the increased attention on the product from social media, we ended up creating a new sector within the novelty can-

dy category: sour rolling liquid candy. Many brands have attempted to capitalize on this success by releasing sour rolling liquid candy products of their own, but Slime Lickers reign supreme.”

Slime Lickers saw two new flavors introduced at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo: Sour Apple and Black Cherry. “We will promote this new product throughout the year and plan for more product releases from our company as well as from our licensing partners coming later on,” she said.

Licensing has grown in prominence and utility in the cross promotion of novelty candies like Toxic Waste. In 2021, Candy Dynamics began working with Surge Brands to build out range of licensed products in support of Toxic Waste. “The awareness of Toxic Waste has grown astronomically in the past two years, so we have been able to release more candy items and even branch out into the world of licensed items,” Peyron said in late 2022. “Working with Surge Brands, we have released sodas, miniature figures, plushes, apparel and cosmetics, with many more releases set for 2023! We have noticed many of our retail partners beginning to stock the licensed items along with our candy to have a rotund view of the Toxic Waste brand.”

Gummi candy leader Haribo has also entered the licensing world this year when in February, action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand Vans announced an original apparel collection collaboration featuring Haribo’s Goldbear.

"On the heels of celebrating the 100th anniversary of Haribo Goldbears, we're thrilled to partner with Vans and honored to have inspired this special collection," said Andreas Kuhnle, Senior Vice President, Corporate Global Marketing, Haribo. "Haribo is about moments of childlike happiness and fun, helping fans feel like a kid in a candy store through our range of sweet treats. The colorful Vans x Haribo collection is inspiring that same feeling, and now our fandoms can come together in creative self-exploration and joy."

The kids Vans x Haribo collection includes two footwear options: the Clas-

sic Slip-On in Haribo Goldbears Red and the Old Skool V in Haribo Yellow Checkerboard. The collection also features a Vans x Haribo Pullover in True Red and Long Sleeve in Sky Blue and Twill Snapback in True Red. Rounding out the kids collection is an ultra-cozy Vans x Haribo Hoodie in Sky Blue.

The adult's assortment contains a Vans x Haribo Sk8-Hi in Haribo Black, Vans x Haribo Fleece Pullover in Black, Vans x Haribo Old Skool V in Yellow Checkerboard and Vans x Haribo Hoodie in Sky Blue. The Sk8-Hi in Haribo Black is decorated with Haribo's tagline: "Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo." The time-honored slogan is written in ten different languages on the quarter panels of the Sk8-Hi, representing the inclusiveness and global impact of both brands. The Vans x Haribo Fleece Pullover in Black is adorned with both brand logos while paying cheeky homage to Haribo's packaging with NET WT 66 OZ printed on the back.

Apparel collaborations weren’t the only project on Haribo’s plate as the brand also received a nod for Product of the Year in February for its Berry Clouds candies, as part of the 2023 Product of the Year USA Awards. The award was determined through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers in partnership with Kantar, a global leader in consumer research. Product of the Year is the largest consumer-voted awards program centered around product innovation.

"We prioritize innovation because we know our consumers are looking for new and exciting treats, and our whimsical Berry Clouds deliver on both," said Terry Do, Senior Associate Brand Manager at Haribo of America. "Haribo is about inspiring childlike happiness and delighting our fans with innovative treats, and it's rewarding to know that they love our latest gummies. We hope that through this great news, more consumers will get to know and love Berry Clouds along with the more than 25 varieties of fun and delicious gummies that Haribo offers. It's a sure way to remember how it feels to be a kid in a candy store!"

Upcoming Grocery Industry Events INDUSTRY CALENDAR

1. SuperZoo

Aug. 16-18, 2023

Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas, NV www.superzoo.org

2. Natural Products Expo East

Sept. 20-23, 2023 Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia, PA www.expoeast.com

3. NACS SHOW 2023

Oct. 4-6, 2023

Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, GA www.nacsshow.com

4. NFRA Convention

Oct. 7-10, 2023

Marriott Marquis & Marina San Diego, CA www.nfraconvention.org

5. The Global Produce & Floral Show

Oct. 19-21, 2023 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA www.freshproduce.com

6. PLMA Private Label Trade Show

Nov. 12-14, 2023

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Chicago, IL www.plma.com

7. Winter Fancy Food Show

Jan. 21-23, 2024

Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, NV www.specialtyfood.com

Consumers can sauté, cook, bake, & finish with Epicurean Butter

Drives Incremental Category Growth