Fresh Cut Magazine

Sales increases at retail generally better than whole produce

Retail sales of fresh-cut fruit products rose slightly in 2008, as did the average retail price for value-added fruit. Fresh-cut vegetable dollar sales and volume at retail dropped slightly in 2008, but the average retail price was higher than 2007, according to “Fresh Facts on Retail,” a report for United Fresh Produce Association compiled by The Perishables Group. The study compiled sales data from the second quarter of 2008, March 30 through June 28, and compared the numbers with the same quarter in 2007. More than 13,000 supermarkets were included in the report, or 62 percent of the all-commodity-value supermarket share. Wal-Mart Stores, club stores, independent retailers and alternative chain stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Markets were not included in the data. On average, the total dollar sales for the produce department in a retail market were $42,745 a week, an increase of more than…  » Read more

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Group developing metrics program for produce

A group of produce buyers, shippers and industry trade associations are developing a verifiable sustainability index for the produce industry. The Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops is made up of all the stakeholders in the produce industry, including non-government organizations, suppliers, industry trade associations and buyers, said Tim York, president of Salinas, Calif.-based Markon Cooperative and one of the collaborators on the project. Sustainability is a good goal, but it lacks a definition. Groups such as The Leonardo Academy are working on a practices-based definition, and while the produce industry is included in that group’s efforts, it’s really designed for any market, including consumer packaged goods and manufacturing. The Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops is designed by the produce industry and includes all of the stakeholders early on. “What we’re focusing on is specialty crops,” York said. “It’s very much inspired by what the California Association…  » Read more

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Innovative processor rolls out new items, green packaging

Ready Pac Foods is a pioneer in the fresh-cut produce industry and over the 40 years the company has been processing fresh, ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable products, innovation has remained a key part of its success. Dennis Gertmenian, who retired from the company in the fall, drove much of that success and innovation. It was his decision to start washing and mixing salads while managing his dad’s produce distributing company while dad was on vacation. This is Gertmenian’s second retirement. He first retired about six years ago, but returned in 2006 to guide the company back to profitably and gain market share. In the short two-and-a-half years he’s done both – and this time there’s no coming back, he said in a statement at the time of his retirement. Although he’ll remain on the board of directors for Ready Pac, he directed the company to not…  » Read more

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Reinforcing Good Ideas

I stopped in at my local supermarket to pick up a few items the other day. Since it was a quick trip and I only needed four items (per the list given to me by my wife), I didn’t take my reusable shopping bags, thinking I could carry the groceries out to the car unbagged as I’d carried them around the store. As I waited to pay by debit card, the cashier started bagging my groceries, and when I took my receipt and turned to leave, I saw four grocery bags waiting. To make matters worse, the cashier then asked if I wanted one of the items double-bagged! This same store just a few months ago was pushing green programs, including the reusable grocery bags. My cashier obviously didn’t get the message or it hasn’t been reinforced to the ground-level employee. Making a commitment – whether it’s being…  » Read more

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