October 2023 Grocery Insight

•National brand equivalent extra virgin olive oil

•Specialty oils & oil blends

•Innovative packaging solutions

•Certified Non-GMO, USDA Organic, Kosher & Halal oils to give your customer confidence in your products

•Plus foodservice options for grocerant & cafe concepts

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.

Special Report

PLMA Preview

The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has continued to annually bring the renowned Private Label Tradeshow to the grocery industry as the show has become a staple event for the industry as a whole. The show is expected to have 1,600 exhibitors that will deliver innovation, product developments surrounding center store food, snacks, beverages, fresh, frozen, refrigerated and more.

Leaders like Cedar’s Foods are gearing up for this year’s show as the company prepares to showcase some of its latest developments. “At this year's event, Cedar’s Foods is excited to showcase a range of innovative flavors that cater specifically to our private label partners. Our main goal at the show is to foster meaningful connections and engage in discussions with our private label brands to strengthen our partnerships,” said Aimee Tsakirellis, evp of Marketing for Cedar’s Foods. “Attendees can look forward to discovering our latest creations, including unique and exciting flavor profiles that align with the preferences of private label customers. We are eager to introduce our partners to fresh and enticing options that can be tailored to their private label needs. Additionally, we look forward to networking and exploring collaboration opportunities that will further enhance our mutually beneficial relationships within the private label sector.”

“Our focus this year will be on innovative products that capture growing trends in sauces and soups. Our goal is to identify strategic customers to work with in the development and marketing of these innovations,” said Rob Wagner, VP of Lassonde Specialties. “Mondiv is your go-to supplier and reliable source of supply and new product development, which provide the backdrop for future growth in our industry. We benefit from the information sent from the PLMA newsletters about industry events and news about our industry.”

Cedar’s Foods brings an authenticity to the industry that cannot be replicated, and the company is hopeful attendees will notice that. “At Cedar’s Foods, we want to emphasize our leadership in

the private label segment within Mediterranean foods by highlighting our extensive expertise, robust food safety programs and agile commercialization process. With more than 40 years of heritage, we offer authentic Mediterranean flavors while ensuring top-notch food safety standards. Our flexible commercialization approach allows us to excel in private label and co-packing, providing tailored solutions for our partners' success,” said Tsakirellis.

“To our esteemed retailer partners, Cedar’s Foods is not just a leader in the private label segment; we are custodians of tradition, champions of exceptional quality and purveyors of the authentic Mediterranean experience. When you visit our booth, we hope you feel the warmth and heritage that define our brand. We aspire to ignite your appetite for more hommus and genuine Mediterranean flavors!” said Tsakirellis

In an earlier interview with Peggy Davies, PLMA President, Davis mentioned the product developments the association has been working on this year and what has been driving the private label category as a whole. “Regarding initiatives, PLMA’s members will continue to strive for consistent quality, innovation and value in their store brand products as they expand across all categories and channels,” said Davies. “As an association, we are constantly looking for ways to add value to being a member of PLMA through our executive education programs and conferences and professional networking opportunities as exhibitors and attendees at our annual trade shows and by holding events and conferences throughout the year.”

“Studies are showing consumers are continuing to cook at home and own brand food and kitchen supplies are going to benefit. We also expect strong momentum in pet care and pet food, which was one of the fastest growing areas in 2022. Consumers are shopping smarter and without a doubt store brands are benefiting,” Davies said.

Rudolph Foods has been a leading player in the private label segment for decades and as a loyal exhibitor of PLMA, the company is looking forward

to another year of connecting and raising awareness of its product offerings, specifically pork rinds. “When you have been doing this for 68 years, the difference is with Rudolph Foods and a lot of other companies in the food space today, is some of my counterparts only have to do it right for two years or three years and then they flip or sell the company and they are onto a new position,” said Mark Singleton, VP Sales & Marketing at Rudolph Foods. “But when you have to live with our position for decades, you just tend to take a different view of what your relationship with customers are about and your relationship with great events like PLMA. I have been doing this event for over 20 years, and some of the most substantial and meaningful partnerships we have with our customers come from this meeting,” said Mark Singleton, VP Sales & Marketing at Rudolph Foods. “So, our goals for this meeting are the same goals that they are every year: to continue to educate the convenience, drug, grocery and mass stores and big box, speciality retail about what an underappreciated snack food item pork rinds are. We are the unsung hero of the snack food shelf. We are a protein snack; we have 7 grams of collagen. And for the last several years, we have had an incredible [amount of] growth in the category. So, PLMA is just an awesome opportunity to continue our journey in making sure that every pantry in America has a rotation of pork rinds.”

As inflation has continued to impact the grocery industry, private labels have been accelerated and maintain a key player in the industry across all categories. According to several media reports, retailers have been realizing that private labels can separate and differentiate them from competitors, driving foot traffic and increasing basket rings. The PLMA has continued to shed light on these increases and the tradeshow highlights and provides unmatched opportunities for those within the private label space. Reconnecting with current and potential partners, launching new products, sampling and learning all remain top reasons for loyal exhibitors to return to the show year after year.

Special Report

Encouraging Trial in the Meat Case

Leading meat suppliers that have a presence behind grocers’ meat counters have continued to encourage consumers to try new things through their signature products that gave the companies their reputation. There are several efforts these companies initiate and partake in to grow their consumer demographic.

Leaders like Great Range Bison have been devoted to helping consumers not only enter and try their products but help their retail partners grow and diversify their meat case offerings. "Ground bison has become increasingly popular at retail and is our best-selling product. The availability of steak cuts is dependent on the demand for ground bison. In order to achieve full carcass utilization we must balance ground demand and steak demand. This is not easy and can result in limited availability of steaks. At the end of the day, bison steaks are almost a by-product of ground bison. Retailers choose vacuum-packed steaks for labor reasons and we have the equipment and staff to continue to grow this category,” said Ace Ward, COO at Great Range Bison.

Coleman Natural provides consumers with a recipe portfolio that makes it easier for them to explore the category and cook delicious dishes. “Coleman Natural provides an extensive recipe portfolio and a free digital cookbook that offers simple ideas and instructions for excellent pork dinners in addition to breakfast sausages, bacon and snacks. One of our personal favorites is the Coleman pork green chili. Another recipe to wow your guests is the traditional Middle Eastern Shakshuka with Coleman Natural Smoked Polish Sausage. This recipe is not only gluten-free but keto and paleo diet friendly,” said Patricia Bridges, Senior Director of Marketing for Coleman Natural.

In the hopes of setting itself apart from competitors, Swaggerty’s Sausage has been able to maintain its signature flavor and product standards since the start of its business and entrance into the category. “The biggest compliment we often get is, ‘This tastes like the sausage I grew up on,’” said Doug Skeoch, National Sales Manager with

Swaggerty’s Sausage in a previous interview with Grocery Insight. “We have maintained our exacting standards and purposely avoided any changes to the quality of our products. We only use primal cuts of pork, never adding any trim or fillers to our products. The consumer inquiry we receive the most is, ‘Where can I find your products?’”

“With respect to inflation and supply chain, we are committed to maintaining our service-level excellence,” continued Skeoch. “During the pandemic, we had a tremendous amount of feedback from our partners thanking us for standing by them during that very challenging time. From a service-level standpoint, we always aim to do the same and hope it helps through these times as well.”

Swaggerty’s Farm prides itself on the quality and texture of its meat. The company also has been keeping traditions alive by incorporating generational recipes with their new signature meat options. “As we continue to advance our geographic footprint of the Swaggerty's Farm Brand with great success, it truly comes down to the quality of our products that ‘sell themselves,’” said Skeoch. “From the point of harvest to finished goods and into the freezer, the total time is less than 90 minutes. We coarse-grind our products to produce a breakfast sausage that is not mushy nor rubbery. Our product texture literally crumbles in your mouth. Combine that with our generations-old recipe which provides a flavor that is, ‘quite possibly the best tasting sausage in America!’”

Alongside this, Pederson’s Natural Farms said earlier this year that the company has been able to minimize cost increases, in which these savings are passed onto the consumer. “As is the entire natural CPG world, we are trying to find creative ways to keep input costs low while keeping our product and mission’s integrity. Our vertical integration allows us to minimize cost increases that are passed on to customers and consumers,” said Ben Warren, Retail Marketing Manager for Pederson’s Natural Farms. “Vertical integration is what helps us navigate the challenges of a tricky natural retail space while providing the high standards we live by to

our consumers. It's tough out there, but as people's desire to lean more towards natural meat increases, we stand to be ready to meet those desires.”

Niman Ranch’s Marketing Director Candice Johnson mentioned the several ways Niman Ranch has been able to make it simple for retailers to integrate its product assortment into their existing sets. “Niman Ranch offers a complete line of pork, beef and lamb allowing retailers to easily integrate the brand across multiple categories,” said Johnson. “This gives consumers access to humanely and sustainably sourced options throughout the meat case. Younger consumers are more than ever focused on ethically sourced protein and they’re willing to pay more for it. They truly see the value in protein that is responsibly sourced using humane animal care practices and sustainable farming techniques. We are seeing very strong demand for pork raised cratefree. This is even more relevant today with California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts's Question 3, which limit the sale of pork products sourced from farms using gestation crates. Consumer demand and state policy are driving this change. We often refer to bacon as our ‘gateway product’—once consumers try our bacon, they taste the difference and are hooked. This is a great option for adding Niman Ranch to the meat case and building from there.”

“The best way to feel comfortable trying something new is to taste it before you buy it. That’s why at Niman Ranch we love hosting in-store demos. This offers consumers the opportunity to taste our delicious proteins and learn more about Niman Ranch’s humane animal care and farming practices,” Johnson continued. “We provide display materials at the full service case to complement information provided by a meat counter associate, providing information about how our animals are raised and cared for by US independent family farmers and ranchers. They also have tips for preparing the perfect steak, burger and pork chop. We use social media, blog posts and our newsletter to share cooking tips and recipes with consumers."

Special Report

Frozen Fruit

The versatility of the frozen fruit category has been noticed by leading suppliers as they continue to educate consumers and retailers on the vast ways shoppers can incorporate their products into their everyday meals and lifestyle. Whether it’s as an addition to a smoothie or yogurt bowl, or the center of a delicious dessert, consumers have ample opportunity and options to keep up on their recommended daily serving of fruit.

company’s signature items: Fraddies, which are comparable to frozen fruit

“Nature's Touch has just unveiled ‘Nature's Touch Chocofruit Strawberry,’ where healthiness seamlessly blends with indulgence. This delightful treat is ideal for any occasion, whether you're snacking or entertaining guests; it's certain to bring joy. Nature's Touch brings the finest fruit that nature has to offer, featuring the best variety sourced from the best regions at the peak of their freshness. Frozen fruit carries a powerful sustainability message by addressing food waste and delivering value to fresh, especially in times of inflation.”

— John Tentomas, Nature's Touch

Wawona Frozen Fruit has been a trailblazer in the category as the company has continued cultivating partnerships with retailers while also maintaining a strong presence and partnership with school programs across the US. “We are celebrating our 60th anniversary of being in the frozen food business,” said Bill Smittcamp, President of Wawona Frozen Foods. “Everything we are doing is trying to raise awareness of frozen—and frozen fruit in particular—and products in California, so those are peaches and strawberries as well as everything else we make. The new products we are coming out with are a new Chamango ice pop. It’s peach, mango and pineapple with a little spice in it. We are selling it to kids as a half a cup of fruit, and we have two retailers that want us to launch it in Q2 of 2024. [We also have] a strawberry pear pop, and we have been making these pops for the USDA school lunch program for at least a decade. We have been trying to get them in with retailers and they just don’t fly, but we think that the new Chamango and combination of different fruits coming together is where we are trying to excel. For the holidays, in a limited, regional area, we make a product called a Peach Jewel. It’s a small, decadent, little cookie, which is filled with a peach filling. It is divine. We can’t sell baked goods because the crust is so fragile, so it is [made so consumers can] take it home, put it in their ovens, bake it and it’s like a little peach pie.”

Smittcamp highlighted one of the

cubes. “We call these fruit additives, so Fraddies,” said Smittcamp. “And that product is puree with diced fruit, and we are adding different proteins and flavors to the normal fruit, whether it’s a strawberry, peach or a pear. We are adding additional flavor to that to give it a little more zing. The smoothie households are loving them because if you want [to put] a green product in it, we have these little cubes that the smoothie operator can throw in their blender as well as a little spice in the peach.”

“An item we are trying to bring into the retail market from the school business is called a Fruit-a-Roo. It is a baked, filled turnover: apple, peach and cherry,” said Smittcamp. “For the schools we get commodity fruit, and we turn it into this because the school districts don’t know what to do with all their fruit, so we take their fruit and turn it into a turnover. It’s frozen and it will be prebaked, so all you have to do is either thaw it and eat it or warm it [first]. A lot of our customers love to put it in the microwave and put a scoop of ice cream on it, and it makes a wonderful single-serve dessert.”

Seal of Seasons has coined itself as “the farmers market in your freezer” as the company provides a variety of frozen fruit items through its several family farms across the US. The company has dedicated its time and leadership to select, smaller farms that work to support farmers, retailers, consumers and its employees.

Recently, the company announced a partnership with Publix in an effort to support Florida farmers, according to

media reports. Seal of Seasons also added a new antioxidant blend to its frozen fruit product lines, which contains strawberries, blueberries and blackberries along with dark cherries.

“Our company is excited to further Publix’s local sourcing and make Florida-grown frozen fruit available to everyone in the Sunshine State,” Founder Patrick Mateer said. “Publix is the perfect partner to distribute the best quality frozen fruit at fair prices for Florida’s families.”

Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods has been preparing for the upcoming holiday season despite some inflationary pressures.

“As the holiday season approaches, Nature's Touch is gearing up for a bustling time,” said President and CEO John Tentomas. “Given the challenges of inflation, consumers are seeking alternative solutions, and frozen fruit emerges as a crucial option, offering both affordability and health benefits to assist them during the festive period. Whether it's for baking, snacking, or adding to smoothies, frozen fruit serves as an excellent complement to fresh options.”

“Nature's Touch has just unveiled ‘Nature's Touch Chocofruit Strawberry,’ where healthiness seamlessly blends with indulgence. This delightful treat is ideal for any occasion, whether you're snacking or entertaining guests; it's certain to bring joy. Crafted with just two simple ingredients, it offers unparalleled convenience,” Tentomas said. “Nature's Touch brings the finest fruit that nature has to offer, featuring the best variety sourced from the best regions at the peak of their freshness. We have seen great results in Private Brand and our own brand with repeat purchase on our fruits. As we provide great quality products, consumers just want to buy them again and again. Frozen fruit carries a powerful sustainability message by addressing food waste and delivering value to fresh, especially in times of inflation.”

Category Analysis

Sausage

Leaders in the sausage category have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that consumers' dietary needs and preferences are met. As the demands for better-for-you options have increased over the years, there are several leaders who are trying to integrate these preferences and expand their product offerings. While the space still has room for more companies dedicated to cleaner, high-quality and all-natural ingredients, these leading companies have been able to take the category to new heights.

lined the company’s focus of educating consumers on its product offerings while also providing recipe ideas to help take the pressure of cooking off of busier households.

Pederson’s Natural Farms remains

“The sausage category is in need of innovation, primarily in the better-for-you food space. It’s challenging for consumers to find humanely raised and organic offerings, even in the more traditional recipes that lead the category. Sausage is a delicious and affordable protein, which is especially appealing to consumers who are feeling the impact of food inflation. It’s a great way to stretch the grocery dollar and feed large families without sacrificing flavor. Other categories are more advanced in terms of sustainability and the sausage category tails a bit. It would be great to see the category advance with more humane and environmentally savvy product innovation.”

— Alicia Baker, North Country Smokehouse

Sometimes this has been spurred by legislation, such as when the US Supreme Court this past July upheld California’s Prop 12, which banned the sale of pork products from companies that didn’t comply with livestock housing specifications and was approved by California voters in 2018 via ballot initiative. “With the heightened awareness of animal welfare in the market with the Supreme Court’s confirmation of California Prop 12 people, retailers and consumers are more interested in their options for humanely-raised meat, and we want to be part of that. We have some awareness campaigns to help people know we are Prop 12 compliant, and we hit that standard nationwide,” said Ben Warren Retail Marketing Manager for Pederson’s Natural Farms.

Warren mentioned the company has recently expanded its product lines to include pickled sausage. “Earlier this year, we launched our mild pickled sausage and that is our primary sausage focus today. It's the only all-natural pickled sausage on the market and it is part of a category that we have not participated in historically. We are working with both retail and e-commerce partners to help them launch this unique product,” he said.

Alongside this, Coleman Natural out-

the standard bearers and trailblazers in the natural category, Warren said.

“Our unique new items and steadfast adherence to our animal welfare and natural meats standard and our 97 percent fill rate with our partners ensure our reliability to our consumers and partners," he said.

“Consumers today are looking for more clarity and transparency on food labels, and they look for meat with claims based around animal welfare,” said Bridges. “Coleman Natural fills the void with a full line of humanely raised, crate-free, no added hormones or antibiotics ever, fresh and packaged pork products that customers can feel good about serving to their family and friends. Our bacon is a staple, but with sausages, grinds, pork chops and more, Coleman Natural performs well in the meat case and offers many alternatives to beef and chicken.”

Partnerships are a top priority for North Country Smokehouse (NCS).

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to build such strong relationships with both retailers and distributors over the years,” said Director of Marketing, Alicia Baker. “It’s a true partnership. Thinking back to the height of Covid, many of our retail and distributor partners were challenged with fulfillment issues and had large gaps on shelf. They turned

to NCS to help fill those gaps—and we were able to act quickly in their interest. That’s what it’s all about—understanding that successful business prioritizes the success of the whole above self-interest. Retailers are responding to consumers' growing demand for more sustainable meats. It can be a challenge to rationalize SKUs and make room on shelf for new products when demand is uncertain. The same goes for distributors—they need sales support and the necessary tools to present the products to their customers who trust them to put the best interest of their businesses at heart."

"At the end of the day there’s big changes happening in the food system, for the better, and navigating those changes in a way that helps everyone succeed is at the center of our relationships," she continued. "Our customers can see and feel that, and it makes it easier for them to put their trust and confidence in us and lean on us to help build their better-for-you sausage offering. It’s certainly a balance of science and art—data goes a long way in decision-making, but when you’re on the cusp of big industry shifts, you have to trust your partners to have their finger on the pulse. When it comes to organic, NCS certainly does just that."

As these sausage category leaders continue to innovate in the space, they are providing consumers with not only cost effective protein options but also better-for-you meal solutions. The space still has room for healthier and cleaner ingredient lists, but these leaders are driving the category forward through their continued work and dedication to responsibly sourcing their ingredients and products. Alongside this, these companies value their partnerships with retailers as retailers continue to be at the forefront of consumers needs and preferences.

Category Analysis

Onions

Thisyear’s Global Produce & Floral Show will showcase vibrant and growth-driving categories. The onions category in particular is in the spotlight for its versatility and unique flavor profiles per variety. There are several key players in the onion category that are adhering to environmentally friendly growing, packaging and transportation practices in addition to consistently offering fresh and flavorful onions.

“Shuman Farms has been a key player in the Vidalia onion industry for two generations and is known for its commitment to sustainable agriculture and responsible farming practices,” President and CEO John Shuman previously said. “The company works closely with its growers to ensure that the onions are grown using the most sustainable methods possible, with a focus on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity."

“We are always pushing to be better and more efficient,” Jessica Peri, Retail Sales Manager for Peri & Sons Farms previously said. “This applies to the entire organization. Our retailers want sustainable partners and that is what we bring to the table. Quality, consistency, new product, new packaging and excellent customer service. We have a great team to work with our retail partners on their private label packaging and sustainability initiatives. We are always willing to try new things even when it’s difficult, we find a way.”

Shuman Farms has put into motion a series of sustainability initiatives to fulfill its pledge. These include improving soil health in the form of planting cover crops intended to cultivate the soil and encourage long-standing agricultural productivity. Efforts also include utilizing grass waterways and grass terraces to avoid soil erosion and protect the land’s quality.

Other suppliers are forming partnerships with retailers who recognize and value sustainability efforts. One such company is Peri & Sons that cultivates a variety of onion that is both sustainably and ethically grown. In September, Peri & Sons Farms announced its Sweetie Sweet onions variety are back in season. These onions are an ideal match

for conscientious retail grocers who seek out products which reflect their values and initiatives driven to promote sustainability.

One way Peri & Sons is a strong partner for retailers is how attuned the company is to retailers’ preferences and beliefs and then mirroring that with the production and shipping of its onions. For example, reducing food waste and produce shrink is a key priority for sustainability-minded retailers. In response, Peri & Sons consistently supplies fresh, premium sweet onions. The crops are hand harvested which minimizes skin damage that leads to premature aging, spoilage and wasted food.

The Sweetie Sweets Premium and Organic packs utilize 15 percent less material than it has in the past, keeping Peri & Son’s paced with retailers who promote and enforce zero waste initiatives. Additionally, efforts to reduce carbon footprint are achieved by using a straight-line process that minimizes transportation, which helps to save time and money.

Meanwhile, G&R Farms promotes sustainability while giving back to the communities it operates in through its participation in the Rainforest Alliance Program. The Rainforest Alliance Program ensures farmworkers’ health and well-being are up to par while being respectful of the environment in G&R Farms’ Peruvian operations.

Onion suppliers are attuned to rising demand and expectations to have onions available and fairly priced year round. As such, suppliers have expanded growing operations to not only include the US, but Mexico and Peru as well. Demand for imported onions has steadily risen for nearly 40 years.

More than 20 years ago, in 1998, Shuman Farms was one of the first companies growing Vidalia onions to set up growing operations in Peru. The move was intended to provide grocers and households with sweet onions yearround that didn’t compromise on the intensity of its flavors or appearance.

In addition to its farms and facilities in Peru, Shuman Farms has been bolstering its presence in Georgia and investing in its domestic facilities. In

March, the company completed renovations of its packing facility. “Shuman Farms is dedicated to providing consumers with the freshest, highest-quality onions possible,” John Shuman said. “The company’s state-of-the-art packing facilities are equipped with the latest technology to ensure that the onions are carefully sorted, graded, and packaged to preserve their flavor and freshness. We recently wrapped up an extensive renovation to our packing facility in Cobbtown, GA. Upgrades and changes to our repack room, including the installation of a new grader, will increase productivity and efficiency which will positively impact our ability to service our customers.”

Peri & Sons Farms has been dominating the Nevada market with crops of its premium and organic yellow, red, sweet and Nevada white onions. In fact, the largest portion of Peri & Sons’ yearround program is based out of Nevada. This is in addition to the company’s offering of proprietary Sweetie Sweet onions and Sunions which the company has partnered with grocers to build anticipation for consumers who are looking for a flavorful ingredient that punches up appetizers and entrees.

To keep up with consumers' needs throughout the seaons, Bland Farms expanded its reach outside of its Georgia operations into Peru to supply Vidalia onions from September to March.

Deliberating over where to open operations outside of the US has allowed for Bland Farms to cultivate high quality, fresh and sweet onions. Bland Farms has also cultivated relationships with retailers, farmers and operators domestically and internationally. In August, Bland Farms leaders said the Premium Sweet Onions are on the verge of their seasonal debut. In mid-August Bland Farms will begin shipping its Premium Sweet Onions from Peru when the US’s Vidalia Sweet Onion season wraps up.

In addition to offering uninterrupted service to retailers, suppliers are adopting sustainable business practices and growing operations. Suppliers are respectful of the soil they use to ensure the landscape is there for future generations.

SERVE SUSTAIN INNOVATE GIVE BACK

At Shuman Farms, integrity and humility shape our mission to serve, sustain, innovate & give back.

Seasonal Merchandising In

Gourmet Snacking

Companies catering to the gourmet snacking category are emphasizing name and brand recognition to consumers planning fancy, festive occasions not just into the holiday season but yearround. Manufacturers of European-inspired meats that make up a large section of American charcuterie platters have been taking advatage of unique marketing and sponsorship occasions to introduce their specialty products to the masses. Domestic suppliers are also celebrating their company histories and origin stories to further differentiate themselves and make an impression on shoppers browsing grocery aisles for the perfect cracker to complement their meat and cheese platters.

boxes. We have the story of Venus on it, how it came about. There’s a little bit of history there. Consumers like to read about that, especially locally; people are very loyal. And it’s a good story.”

Looking ahead to the holiday season,

Foods.

“At NACS, Fiorucci Foods was excited to introduce several new flavors in their single-serve and on-the-go snacking assortment”, said Director of Marketing Shawn Munck. “With more stores gravitating toward elevated convenient snacking, the Fiorucci Foods offerings is a perfect fit."

“At NACS, Fiorucci Foods was excited to introduce several new flavors in their single-serve and on-the-go snacking assortment. With more stores gravitating toward elevated convenient snacking, the Fiorucci Foods offerings is a perfect fit. We’ve invested a great deal in understanding the convenient, on-the go-focused shopper and tailoring our assortment to their demands. Fiorucci features a variety of solutions to make on-the-go snacking more convenient, without losing the premium approach that consumers are demanding.”

“We have an assortment shipper, which is three sleeves of crackers in one box that we do that are branded and in our private label business. That’s the one that is the best seller for us during the holidays,” he said.

The company also showcased several new paninos, including new pepperoni/pepper jack and pizza flavors, building on Fiorucci Foods’ 60 percent market share in the category.

Venus Wafers, makers of the CäPeachio’s and Mariner brands of crackers, recently overhauled its branding; in part to unify its look but also to celebrate the company’s history and heritage. “We wanted to make it so it was a billboard effect with all our brands,” explained VP of Sales and Marketing Jim Anderko. “As we were introducing items to Mariner, they switched designers numerous times, so we were never getting the exact same background. CäPeachio’s was fine; Mariner was a hodgepodge of designs out there, so we just wanted to marry them all up.”

The rebranding came with some updated product offerings as well. “With that we introduced the CäPeachio classic Golden Cracker, which is a knock off on the Ritz but it’s non-GMO, vegan— we took all the problems out,” said Anderko. “And then we came out with an ancient grain water cracker.”

Further, Venus Wafers is 93 years old and has been operating through three generations, said Anderko. Founder Napoleon Barmakian, who was a diamond cutter, opened his business in 1931. “Nobody knows our story," Anderko said. "We put the story on our branded

Venus Wafers’ shippers help retail partners ensure they can place sought-after crackers in a high-trafficked area of the store so shoppers don’t need to go hunting for what they didn’t know they needed. “Ideally, they put up the displays around the cheese case, the meats or the boards that you’re trying to have the customers pick up the other products,” Anderko said. “If it’s in the deli, or within the vicinity of the deli, the crackers are there, the cheese is there, the meats are there and so are the condiments, honey, or nuts—it’s right there, and you don’t have to leave the deli and walk down another aisle.”

Often, shoppers will seek out crackers almost as an afterthought, he said. “With crackers, everyone gives it a side thought. They’ll have this big tray with meat and cheese and they’ll have an ounce of crackers in there. Who’s that going to feed? We’re always looking at ways we can cross merchandise, but during the holidays, especially, we sell a lot of shippers.”

The recent NACS show featured a number of innovations within the gourmet snacking category, led by Sigma and their flagship gourmet brand, Fiorucci

“We’ve invested a great deal in understanding the convenient, on-the-gofocused shopper and tailoring our assortment to their demands," explained Munck. “Fiorucci features a variety of solutions to make on-the-go snacking more convenient, without losing the premium approach that consumers are demanding.”

Meanwhile, fellow Italian specialty meats brand Veroni has made further inroads in the American market this year culminating in its acquisition by Ohio-based SugarCreek Packing.

Stefano Veroni, President of Veroni Group, said of the acquisition, "Selling a long-held family business is never easy, but we thought this was the right thing to do at the right time. We strongly believe in the benefits it will bring to our associates and to our customers.”

To continue introducing its specialty meats to Americans, Veroni in the last few years has been utilizing the spotlight at tennis events like the Mubadala Citi DC Open and the Western & Southern Open, both of which it sponsored this past summer.

“We want tennis fans to become fans of Veroni as well. We have been bringing the best charcuterie since 2016, and we want to continue carrying out our mission by celebrating sports and the high quality of our charcuterie,” said Marketing Manager Emanuela Bigi.

—

Shawn Munck, Fiorucci Foods

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Fiorucci’s handcrafted, authentic Italian flavors have made life taste beautiful for over 170 years.

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Seasonal Merchandising In

Dips and Spreads

While the arrival of fall and the many festive occasions that come with it have consumers planning Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, manufacturers of assorted savory dips and spreads think bigger and more longterm, ensuring their offerings are at the ready for every occasion year-round. Companies are following trends in consumer demand for fresh, better-for-you ingredients such that their products are now found in grocers’ deli and refrigerated aisles rather than in the center aisles along with complementary and more shelf-stable chips and crackers. Meanwhile, they are collaborating with grocery partners to develop enticing promotions and shopper programs to encourage purchase and trial.

“We have now our bean dip that came out around Superbowl time this year, and it’s really starting to gain some traction,” said Tara Murray, VP of Marketing for Fresh Innovations, makers of the ¡Yo Quiero! brand of assorted guacamole, salsas, quesos and now bean dips. “And it’s made with authentic Mexican bayo beans and our tomatillo salsa, and it is absolutely phenomenal. We’re really encouraging retailers to promote the purchase of that and get people off the chip aisle with that bean dip and go for a better-for-you option that has protein and fiber. Also for this year we’re coming out with a really good corn salsa that is similar to a cowboy caviar. It’s made with fresh corn, black beans, tomatoes and onions; it’s a great addition to our dip destination line.”

Ithaca Hummus is covering the needs of the fall season. “We are in prime dipping season starting with back to school, sporting events all the way through fall holidays and get-togethers,” said CEO and Founder Chris Kirby. “We try to pair our in-store programming to the season, especially with flavors like buffalo ranch and our new salsa. We had fun this year coming up with signage and copy for the fall.”

But more broadly, “We find the seasonality of our category favors times and holidays we associate with social gatherings,” Kirby said. “Having the macro themes already happening out there in the world allows us to meet

consumers where they’re at—or will be—and plan our creative accordingly.”

Maggie Carey, President of Lantana Foods, shared some of the company’s newest innovations for this time of year. “Garden Fresh always has a variety of offerings of fresh salsas we feature for the holidays, but our Lantana brand is where we have some exciting new offerings,” she said. “With the holidays being an important entertainment and snacking time of year, we know that providing variety to guests is important and understand that shoppers are looking for value while filling their basket. In order to meet these dual needs, we’re launching a Party Tray under the Lantana brand which will combine four of our top selling hummus varieties including: Classic Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper, Black Bean and Carrot Sriracha.”

Lantana has three new dips coming, all of which are dairy-free, said Carey. “As trends continue to evolve, we know that more people are incorporating more plants into their diets and so we are aiming to make the most delicious dips and spreads with that top of mind. We develop recipes that meet plant-forward consumer preferences for dips such as French Onion and Chipotle, and another exciting one that puts a unique twist on the street corn trend through a Spicy Poblano Corn offering. Additionally, you will see support for the Garden Fresh Gourmet Mexicali product, which is a delicious dairy based dip that flies off the shelves during the holidays.”

Freshness is an imperative for Fresh Innovations any time of year. “We make sure we can get that label as clean as absolutely possible because that is a huge mission and our vision for our brand is to be able to take delicious, better-foryou items to the consumer,” said Murray. “Also with our dip destination, have one place for consumers to go so they don’t have to wander the store looking for their favorite dips. They can go to one spot. And the good part about that for our retailers is they have one phone call to make. When they’re looking for these great things to build amazing sets, they just call Jay [Alley, VP of Sales]. That makes it super easy for everyone involved.”

Marketing then steps in with promotion. As an example, Albertsons recently put on a big tailgating event, and Fresh Innovations provided an incentive, Murray said. “If you buy a couple of our products and spend so many dollars, you are entered to win. We do a lot of contests like that within the retailers because that shows a lot of goodwill for us toward the retailer and also for the consumer with offers of if they buy multiple, they get something for it.”

Carey with Lantana said, “Lantana and Garden Fresh Gourmet will be featuring the dip products through our own social platforms plus providing in-store POS where the product is available. Additionally, we’re leaning into targeted shopper programs to support the new launch of the Party Tray.”

For Kirby with Ithaca Hummus, “We do our best to plan ahead by coming up with creative selling tools for our sales team to pitch to retailers. Recently we’ve been working on some fun initiatives in partnership with Aisle, which is a QR code-based incentive tool that delivers rebates to consumers,” he said.

While there is demand for party foods surrounding the holidays, Fresh Innovations is based in Texas where football— and the Superbowl in particular—often takes center stage, so the company is dexterous in its messaging as well as its product innovation. “Innovation for us never stops,” Murray said. After the Superbowl, “That’s when we really take heed, look at trends and focus on what’s the next thing. Luckily for our products with dips, anytime there’s a gathering, there’s dips. Right after that comes St. Patrick’s Day, and that feeds into April and Mother’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. We don’t necessarily stop. We just formulate our marketing, our messaging and our retail deals around those big consumer gathering holidays, whether it’s around a football game, or at New Year’s, we do a resolve to eat better message. Our dips are much better for you options than anything that’s shelf stable. And then during Thanksgiving, we do a big ‘Love your Leftovers’ campaign and how our products can enhance your leftovers, so really we really don’t stop."

Seasonal Merchandising In

Sour Candies

Elite sour candy manufacturers understand the nostalgia that comes with the sour, tart taste of their candies. Whether it was to prove yourself to your friends as a child that you could handle the sour taste better than others or to just get a jolt and explosion of sour taste and acidity, sour candies continue to increase in popularity year after year.

"It is important to remember that notoriety in the confectionery industry can happen to any company at any time, especially with the prominence of social media," she continued. "Trends have be-

“We're helping consumers turn over a new leaf this fall with our seasonal introduction of Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest candy. This limited-edition product captures autumn's essence in a soft, chewy candy that delivers the ultimate sour-then-sweet combination our fans know and love. Whether you're looking for a back-to-school treat, planning a trip to the local orchard or preparing for the next tailgate, Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest candy delivers all the tart and tangy fun this fall."

nounced its first fall flavor pack: Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest. The flavor is a limited-edition flavor pack which includes cranberry apple, apple cider and caramel apple. Alongside this the shape of the candies has changed as well from the wellknown ‘kid’ shape into an apple.

Candy Dynamics has reigned as a leader in the category since its inception. The company recognizes the nostalgia of the category and continues to provide high-quality tasty, sour candies to their consumers.

“With so many young people having grown up with sour candy, not only has the category taken off, but the levels of sour have also been affected,” said Marketing Manager Haley Peyron. “Kids especially want to challenge themselves and others to see how much sour they can handle. This was an element that Toxic Waste was founded on and what eventually inspired our Toxic Challenge where consumers place one piece of candy in their mouth and see how long they can hold it there before it gets too sour.”

Candy Dynamics has been able to keep its recipes and signature items in its product lines since the beginning— turning them into tried-and-true products their consumers can count on.

“While there are plenty of companies emerging offering a better-for-you candy, we have prided ourselves in keeping the formulation of our candies the same from the start as well as adding products that remain consistent with our sour brand,” Peyron said. “We are constantly looking at trends in the confectionery industry whether that be in flavors, ingredients, packaging, etc. We work closely with our manufacturers to bring new innovative products to the marketplace."

— Jenna Carls, Mondelēz International

gun to move much quicker as social media spreads information instantaneously. You don’t need to be one of the big names in the confectionery industry to find success within it.”

One of the more well-known brands, Sour Patch Kids, is a brand of Mondelēz International, which has a strong focus on snacks reaching more than 150 countries. Sour Patch Kids was introduced in 1985 and is known for its sour taste and gummy texture that is coated in sugar. According to the company, one of the biggest factors for why Sour Patch Kids became so popular was due to consumers purchasing the sour candy at movie theaters, making its name as a staple cinema snack.

In May 2023, the company introduced its lemonade-inspired flavors for summer.

"With Lemonade Fest, we've created a fun and refreshing candy that perfectly captures the ultimate essence of sourthen-sweet, in a way that only Sour Patch Kids can. We know our Gen Z fans will love the bright, lemonade-inspired flavors," said Grace Howard, Brand Manager, Innovation, Mondelēz International. "Whether you're lounging by the pool, trick-or-treating, looking for a cool stocking stuffer or puckering up for Valentine's Day, Sour Patch Kids Lemonade Fest delivers a tangy tingle that will keep the summer vibe alive all year long.”

Even more recently, the company an-

"We're helping consumers turn over a new leaf this fall with our seasonal introduction of Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest candy. This limited-edition product captures autumn's essence in a soft, chewy candy that delivers the ultimate sour-then-sweet combination our fans know and love," said Jenna Carls, Senior Brand Manager, Candy, Mondelēz International. "Whether you're looking for a backto-school treat, planning a trip to the local orchard or preparing for the next tailgate, Sour Patch Kids Apple Harvest candy delivers all the tart and tangy fun this fall."

Ferrara, parent company to Trolli, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy and more, announced this year their partnership with The Petfinder Foundation in an effort to support pet adoption. Alongside this partnership, Trolli launched its new Sour Duo Crawlers, which have a surprising flavor profile and encourage people to adopt unexpected or nontraditional pets such as lizards, ducks, rabbits and more.

"Our partnership with Trolli is an exciting opportunity to help unexpected shelter pets find forever homes," said Toni Morgan, Executive Director of The Petfinder Foundation. "While dogs and cats make for wonderful companions, there are plenty of other animals that fly, waddle or swim looking to be adopted, which most people don't realize. Designing the Trolli Dynamic Duo Grant to bring awareness to less conventional adoptable pets and help offset costs of adopting hundreds of them will make a notable difference."

Seasonal Merchandising In

Maple Syrup

The versatility of pure and premium maple syrup as a sweetener, a condiment, a flavoring ingredient and even as a fuel source remains the top message that suppliers are conveying, leading into the holiday season and all year round. The message is especially resonant as consumers are still grappling with the higher price of food and the challenges associated with feeding their families well. It is also helped by new research that hints at health benefits of replacing refined sugar in their diets with maple syrup.

According to the Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP)—the trade and advocacy organization is known as Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ) in French—the published study “Substituting refined sugars by maple syrup decreases key cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with mild metabolic alterations: a randomized, double-blind, controlled crossover trial” was conducted by a Université Laval team led by Dr. André Marette, at the Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec and Dr. Marie-Claude Vohl, at the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods. “In a clinical study, 42 volunteers took either two tablespoons of maple syrup or two tablespoons of sucrose syrup each day for eight weeks. After a four-week break, they switched sweeteners for the next eight weeks. The serving size was 5 percent of average caloric intake (half the 10 percent maximum of added sugars recommended by the World Health Organization),” explained the QMSP.

The researchers found that the volunteers who took the maple syrup had a better response to the oral glucose tolerance test than those who had the refined sugar, implying their bodies were better able to regulate their blood sugar levels. The maple syrup group also had lower systolic blood pressure and were able to lose abdominal weight.

The QMSP concluded from this: “The consumption of maple syrup as a natural sweetening agent is more beneficial to cardiometabolic health than that of refined sugars and can be associated with selective changes in gut microbi-

ota; maple syrup represents a good alternative to refined sugars, as it lessens liver damage and glucose homeostasis (blood sugar regulation); and maple syrup is a healthier choice than refined sweeteners.”

While the sampling size was small, Steven Anderson, President of Anderson’s Maple Syrup, has been following this research and is excited to tout the findings. “In the end, they didn’t change any habits,” he said. “They just replaced 5 percent of their sugar consumption with maple syrup. It was a study done the right way. That one was a quick turnaround with good, positive results for our industry.”

Published findings can only prove helpful for suppliers like Anderson’s, which has long been singing the praises of maple syrup as an alternative to energy packs used by athletes in endurance competitions. The company’s Pure Fuel brand features packets of maple syrup designed for athletes to consume a quick burst of carbs and minerals to support their efforts. While the brand caters to a smaller market, Anderson said the onthe-ground efforts at athletic events to educate about Pure Fuel also introduces participants to Anderson’s Maple Syrup and its many other uses. “When we’re there at those events, we’re also talking about Anderson’s Maple Syrup,” he said. “That tends to be a really healthy group of people. We’re trying to educate them that pure maple syrup is healthy and good for you. That’s one of the parts of marketing through those events is it helps those other sales. We’re hitting two markets with one stone and I think it hits pretty well.”

Sensitive to the concerns of consumers over cost, Anderson’s has pulled back on some traditional modes of marketing in favor of keeping costs down, but working with retail partners can be a bit of a balancing act. “While there is an uptick of sales for the holiday and colder seasons, it really is a versatile year-round product and sells well all year long,” Anderson said. “Most consumers are concerned with pricing right now, and so we are doing our best to keep our prices as low as possible and spending less on advertising and other

support. We always run a pretty good sale this time of year to promote people buying from us rather than someone else, hopefully. We’ve kind of pulled back on some of our marketing and try to go with what individual stores want; they want individual programs. There’s a broker involved; between the two of us we talk about these are the options the grocery stores provide. What can we afford? What makes sense?”

Earlier this year, Mike Cobb, CEO of Crown Maple shared the company’s objectives when working with its retail partners.

“Crown Maple creates, reinforces and builds the premium maple syrup segment together with our retail partners,” he said. “The premium maple segment trades up high-value shoppers and also expands usage occasions to grow maple syrup penetration and consumption. By building out the premium maple segment, retailers are able to present a complete offering to their shoppers including tapping into expanded usage occasions.”

Moving outside of traditional grocery, Anderson hopes to find new avenues to reach consumers. Beginning in October, the company aims to embark on cross-promotional endeavors with local chefs and restaurants, in which these professionals will use Anderson’s maple syrup in their dishes and offerings. The effect would be diners will become more aware of the brand but also, “it educates people that maple syrup can be used in lots of things,” he said.

Brand awareness is also a priority for Crown Maple at this time of year.

“We continue to drive awareness of Crown Maple and our exceptionally crafted maple syrups,” said Cobb. “The versatility of Crown Maple enhances breakfast foods, vegetable dishes, desserts, proteins and mixology.”

The messaging about versatility has continued from earlier this year.

“We have seen a slight softening of maple syrup sales in recent periods as consumers adjust to inflation,” Cobb said in June. “We believe that the benefits of an organic, all natural and sustainable product will continue to gain favor with consumers."

When you’ve spent over 90 years in syrup... tradition tends to stick.

Leading Apples Merchants

Katie Benson National Buying Manager Produce

Katie Benson has served as National Buying Manager Produce for ALDI USA since 2021. She previously worked as an assistant buyer for ALDI in 2013, but also worked at various companies before coming back to ALDI in 2021. Those include being a marketing coordinator for Lexington Homes, an account manager for MACVAD and a customer account manager for Produce Alliance. She attended Northern Illinois Universi-

Doug Montgomery Northwest Produce Buyer

Doug Montgomery has been Northwest Produce Buyer for Grocery Outlet since 2015. He first came to the company in 2009 as a produce and floral merchandiser. Montgomery previously worked as senior produce buyer for the 99 Cents Only Stores and prior to that, as an assistant produce manager for Metropolitan Market.

Andy Dykstra Produce Category Manager

Andy Dykstra has been Produce Category Manager 2 for Schnuck Markets since 2022. He first came to the company in 1999 as a courtesy clerk and has held assorted positions including produce clerk, produce category analyst and produce buyer before assuming his current role. Dykstra earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and banking from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Scott Negro Produce Category Manager

Scott Negro assumed his role as Produce Category Manager for Weis Markets in 2022. He first came to the company in 2013 and held positions including seafood category manager, meat category manager and frozen category manager. In his free time, Negro enjoys hiking, camping and generally anything outdoors.

Aaron Shea Category Merchant

Aaron Shea began his career at Giant Eagle in 2001 as a store team member. He has served in various roles at the company, including team leader, produce category buyer, merchandising manager before coming to his current role as Category Merchant in 2022. Shea graduated from Robert Morris University with a degree in business management. In his spare time, Shea enjoys traveling with his wife and two daughters, running, biking and watching hockey and football.

Erin Tice National Senior Category Manager

Erin Tice has been National Senior Category Manager of apples, pears, cherries, tomatoes and bananas for Sprouts Farmers Market since 2021. She first came to Henry’s Farmers Market, which subsequently merged with Sprouts, in 2007 and held various leadership roles. Tice has a passion for driving new product development and innovation in the produce industry, blending creativity and market insight to deliver fresh, enticing offerings.