NewStar promotes value-added broccoli
NewStar promotes value-added broccoli
SALINAS, CA " NewStar Fresh Foods LLC, based here, began shipping two-crown broccoli the week of Jan. 10.
The company introduced the two-crown broccoli at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit 2004 in Anaheim, CA, in October. The rollout follows the company?s introduction of a three-crown broccoli in August.
John Killeen, NewStar?s vice president of sales and marketing, said that the broccoli packs tie in nicely with the company?s push toward iceless products. If the company can be retailer- and consumer-friendly, NewStar will be at the forefront of supply, he said.
?This ties in with our goal not to dump ice on top of product," Mr. Killeen noted. Benefits of going iceless are many, he said. Retailers like clean merchandise and with iceless, there?s less handling, less shrink and less cleanup. With no dirty water to contend with, iceless offers advantages in food safety. NewStar is realizing "extended shelf life with iceless green onions and iceless broccoli," Mr. Killeen said.
There?s also considerable savings on freight costs. As an example, Mr. Killeen said that a 2x24 iceless green onion pack could amount to a 50 percent freight savings vs. a similar iced pack. According to NewStar?s literature, substantial savings can be realized with 1,344 two-count broccoli crowns per pallet.
NewStar?s literature draws out further benefits for both two-crown and three-crown broccoli. For example, both provide better turnaround than shrink-wrapped product, and both have a UPC/PLU on the bag, which translates into a quicker checkout and an accurate ring. Going iceless means having more product per carton. At the store level, the packaging keeps the product safe from consumer handling.
Many of the same benefits apply to NewStar?s 24-count, 18-size broccoli bunches.
NewStar, formed in 1996, is a vertically integrated company that controls all aspects of the operation and provides year-round commodities and value-added products. In addition to broccoli, the company is a supplier of lettuce, celery, cauliflower and mixed leaf. NewStar is a leading shipper of iceless green onions and is a processor of packaged spinach products.
The company introduced the two-crown broccoli at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit 2004 in Anaheim, CA, in October. The rollout follows the company?s introduction of a three-crown broccoli in August.
John Killeen, NewStar?s vice president of sales and marketing, said that the broccoli packs tie in nicely with the company?s push toward iceless products. If the company can be retailer- and consumer-friendly, NewStar will be at the forefront of supply, he said.
?This ties in with our goal not to dump ice on top of product," Mr. Killeen noted. Benefits of going iceless are many, he said. Retailers like clean merchandise and with iceless, there?s less handling, less shrink and less cleanup. With no dirty water to contend with, iceless offers advantages in food safety. NewStar is realizing "extended shelf life with iceless green onions and iceless broccoli," Mr. Killeen said.
There?s also considerable savings on freight costs. As an example, Mr. Killeen said that a 2x24 iceless green onion pack could amount to a 50 percent freight savings vs. a similar iced pack. According to NewStar?s literature, substantial savings can be realized with 1,344 two-count broccoli crowns per pallet.
NewStar?s literature draws out further benefits for both two-crown and three-crown broccoli. For example, both provide better turnaround than shrink-wrapped product, and both have a UPC/PLU on the bag, which translates into a quicker checkout and an accurate ring. Going iceless means having more product per carton. At the store level, the packaging keeps the product safe from consumer handling.
Many of the same benefits apply to NewStar?s 24-count, 18-size broccoli bunches.
NewStar, formed in 1996, is a vertically integrated company that controls all aspects of the operation and provides year-round commodities and value-added products. In addition to broccoli, the company is a supplier of lettuce, celery, cauliflower and mixed leaf. NewStar is a leading shipper of iceless green onions and is a processor of packaged spinach products.
