Month: December 2014

It’s not unprecedented for the apple industry to work together—industry members do so daily on issues ranging from immigration to trade relations to crop research.  But, this holiday season, U.S. Apple Association (USApple) and participating members are working in strategic harmony to support apple sales by conducting joint retail communications and consumer education programs that share the same themes with their respective audiences at the same time.  The concept is the first of its kind on a wide scale level for apples. …

The NPD Group just released their 29th annual Eating Patterns in America report, and finds that an increase in meals from home is one of the single biggest changes in eating patterns in Americans in the last five years. “We are eating more meals in our homes, but not cooking more dishes,” says Harry Balzer, vice president of The NPD Group and author of the report. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the fresh potato category, where the white-hot microwaveable/steamable segment has seen dollar sales shooting up a scorching 31.0% for the latest 52 week period ending 9/27/14, according to data from Nielsen FreshFacts®. …

At this year’s Global Trade Symposium, which took place at the New York Produce Show and Conference on Tuesday, December 2, industry influencers from around the world challenged global traders to respond to dramatic changes sweeping retail, foodservice and global markets. …

Crunch Pak, the sliced apple specialist, promoted Krista Jones to director of brand marketing and product innovation. …