The Power of Merchandising
With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about freshening up your retail displays of organic produce. Warmer weather means more picnics, refreshing salads and waistline reducing smoothies. Best of all, selling more produce, such as Organics Unlimited organic bananas means higher revenue overall. According to findings in the Power of Produce Report from the Food Marketing Institute, shoppers who purchase fresh produce spend an average of $20 more than the average shopper, and $30 more than shoppers who don’t purchase produce. One of the reasons produce sales mean bigger revenues is because produce has penetrated other consumption occasions. The rising popularity of juicing, as well as healthy snacking and breakfast options, translates to more incentives for the average consumer to peruse and purchase produce. Nearly two-thirds of supermarket shoppers will buy produce.
Although consumers are already purchasing more produce, strategic merchandising is still of high importance, as this presents a great opportunity for retailers to draw consumers to other products through cross-merchandising. The Power of Produce Report shows nearly half of impulse buys in the produce department are a direct result of merchandising displays which are eye-catching and informative. These displays are not only good for attracting consumers, but also for informing them about the quality and freshness of the product.
Nearly 60% of shoppers are looking to know more about where their food comes from, especially when it comes from organic farms like the fresh, quality organic bananas from Organics Unlimited. In fact, last year organic produce accounted for $4 billion in produce sales. Environmentally friendly produce that is also grown in a sustainable way is a top priority for consumers, most notably amongst Millennials. With 75% of consumers reporting that they would like to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, strategic merchandising is a great way for retailers to drive up consumption rates. At Organics Unlimited, we are proud that our organic bananas give consumers exactly what they are looking for: a fresh, healthy, certified organic option that is also grown with respect for our communities, our growers and our environment!
To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.
Organic Bananas, From Our Farm to Your Table
High-quality organic bananas that are delivered fresh and taste great are the product of years of research, experience and daily dedication. When considering how we are able to provide the freshest, highest-quality bananas to retailers and distributors, it’s important to know that we meticulously oversee the whole logistical chain. From the soil the bananas are grown in to the storage before distributors pick up their orders we keep quality in mind first and foremost.
The first step is to guarantee that the plants have good nutrition while growing. This begins with the soil. By performing soil tests at the farms and sending the samples to a lab for testing, we can determine the nutrient levels and moisture in the soil. These results show if the soil needs any organic fertilizers to provide the banana plants with the proper nutrients they need. It also helps determine if irrigation levels are accurate. Also very important, Organics Unlimited ensures that the soil used to grow organic bananas has never been used before in conventional farming, thus eliminating the possibility of residual chemicals.
As the banana plants grow, their physical characteristics are tracked for problems that may affect the quality of the bananas. Special teams make sure the irrigation systems provide each plant with the perfect amount of water and ensure the proper amount of sunlight reaches each plant.
Once the fruit is mature, bananas are cut and the process of getting them ready for shipping begins. The best, highest quality bananas without bruises or cuts are chosen (external blemishes can signify a poor quality fruit underneath the peel).
Transportation is very important in bringing high-quality bananas from the farm to the grocery store. Organics Unlimited uses trucks with temperature and humidity control, keeping the bananas at optimal levels so they don’t spoil from freezing or overheating. The transportation system ensures that the freshness of Organics Unlimited bananas is unmatched.
Once in Organics Unlimited’s San Diego warehouse, bananas are stored in climate-controlled, pressurized conditions for no more than two days before distributors pick them up. During the storage time, the Organics Unlimited team continues to monitor the quality of the product and tracks internal temperatures of bananas as well as external appearance.
Without a doubt, the most important aspect of the logistical and quality assurance process at Organics Unlimited is the people, the staff that work together with enthusiasm and passion to produce the best organic bananas possible. We take pride in our fresh, organic fruit, our communities and our customers and consumers!
To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.
Organics Unlimited Makes an Impact with Food Bank Donations in 2016
SAN DIEGO (Jan. 11, 2017) – Organics Unlimited, a San Diego-based grower and importer of organic fruit, is committed to providing high quality, organic produce to its customers. The company grows bananas and operates its business with sustainability in mind by caring for the environment as well as the communities near its growing operations. In keeping with these values, Organics Unlimited announces 2016 organic produce donations to local San Diego food banks.
In 2016, Organics Unlimited provided healthy organic bananas to both the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Feeding America San Diego. When shipments of organic bananas arrive at the Organics Unlimited warehouse in San Diego, boxes of fruit can sometimes be imperfect for distribution to retail customers but perfect for immediate distribution and enjoyment to beneficiaries of local food banks.
“If our organic bananas are too ripe to distribute to grocery store customers in perfect condition, I would rather donate that product to those who need it instead of risk the product not reaching customers in time,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, president of Organics Unlimited and GROW. “We are able to help families with food insecurity by providing them healthy, organic bananas, and at the same time we are minimizing the amount of wasted product. Our partnerships with local San Diego food banks help us stay committed to being a sustainable company that gives back to our communities.”
In addition to product donations to food banks, the GROW Fund, a nonprofit program developed by Organics Unlimited, allows the organic banana company to provide funds to organizations such as Children International, Project Amigo, Environmental Health Coalition and more. Over the past decade, through retailer and distributor support, GROW organic banana purchases have raised over $2 million in aid for communities near Organics Unlimited banana farms in Mexico and Ecuador. A percentage derived from the purchase of each box of GROW organic bananas is earmarked for the GROW Fund. Additionally, GROW by Organics Unlimited has supported Produce for Kids since 2014 in the nonprofit’s efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles.
