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News Articles About Green Giant^® Fresh

Green Giant® Fresh is the nation's most trusted brand in produce. Offering over 50 varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables grown by the nation's top growers, Green Giant® Fresh delivers a high level of quality that is unsurpassed by any other brand.

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	For FarmVille™ Players, a Crop From a Real Organic Farm By Elizabeth Olson Published: July 14, 2010, The New York Times *Users of the FarmVille™ social network game, who tend virtual crops, will have the chance to plant blueberries from a subsidiary of General Mills.* OPERATING a successful farm is a notion that is thriving in the virtual world. Some 20 million people check into FarmVille daily to plow pretend fields or buy, plant and harvest crops on online farms. Now Zynga Game Network, the social network game’s creator, is linking FarmVille’s vast pool of players to retailers as diverse as 7-Eleven stores and the organic food company Cascadian Farm.... Cascadian Farm, which sells 75 products including cereal, granola bars, vegetables and juice concentrates, is the second General Mills brand to form a partnership with Zynga. In May, its Green Giant Fresh subsidiary placed a coded sticker on broccoli, celery and other fresh products sold at 4,000 Target stores across the country. Each sticker was redeemable at TheGiant.com for five free “farm cash” units, the currency players use to maintain and expand their FarmVille projects. ... Read the entire article at New York Times site.
	Green Giant® Rights Sold *Article by Bob Luder, Senior Writer* Published: April 27, 2009 , The Packer Growers Express LLC has purchased the licensing rights for the Green Giant® Fresh line. Woody Johnson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Salinas, Calif.-based Growers Express, said agreements with fruit and vegetable shippers that pack under the Green Giant Fresh label will remain intact and retailers and consumers won't see changes to what's offered in the line. The key element of the transaction was a master agreement with Green Giant trademark license General Mills Inc., the owner of the Green Giant brand. The company announced the agreement April 23 at the United Fresh Produce Association convention. Growers Express formed a new affiliate. Growers Marketing LLC, to oversee the venture. Read this article (PDF)
	Growers Express Buys Green Giant Fresh Rights From Sholl Group *Article by Tim Linden* Published: April 24, 2009, Produce News In what is basically a swapping of positions, Salinas, CA-based Growers Express LLC has become the holder of the master license agreement for the "Green Giant Fresh" brand, while the previous holder of that agreement, The Sholl Group II, has become a sub-license holder for use of the brand in the value-added sector. Woody Johnson , senior vice president of Growers Express and general manager of the new venture, told The Produce News that his firm had become the volume leader so it made sense that it manage the branding agreement with the 13 other sub-licensees. The Green Giant" brand was created by Pillsbury and later purchased by General Mills, which markets many of the canned and frozen products that made that brand famous. The Green Giant Fresh" brand was acquired in 1995 by The Sholl Group II, which has served as the holder of the master license ever since. Read this article (PDF)
	New England Produce Council Expo Notes - The Packer - April 9, 2009 Article by Doug Ohlemeier, Eastern Editor F&S Produce F&S Produce Co. Inc., Rosenhayn, N.J., has added to its fresh-cut Green Giant Fresh-branded program. F&S is offering 22- and 40-ounce trays and 4-pound bulk packs of cut broc- Produce and Floral Expo 2009 coli, carrots, celery and cherry tomatoes. The trays feature a proprietary seal, said Sam Burleson, F&S' director of sales. The company has also released a 5ounce Green Giant-branded snack pack featuring similar items to be marketed in convenience stores and similar venues, Burleson said. Green Giant Fresh Eden Prairie, Minn.-based The Sholl Group II, which markets fresh produce under the Green Giant Fresh label, has introduced sweet potato fries and vegetable grilling retail packs. Green Giant has offered orange freshcut sweet potato fries, grown and processed through Wayne E. Bailey Produce Co., Chadbourn, N.C, for two years. Read this article (PDF)
	A United Front - Grocery Headquarters - April 1, 2009 *Article by Craig Levitt* Colorful Harvest.. Salinas, Calif.-based Colorful Harvest is a nationally branded grower, shipper, and marketer of unique and colorful fresh fruits and vegetables for the Colorful Harvest and Green Giant Fresh brands. According to COO and managing partner Doug Ranno, the company is introducing its new rainbow crunch carrot seeds and is showing new packaging options that feature five colors of carrots in a single bag. They have also expanded the growing region for its red corn and are promoting the fact that a larger supply is available. "A lot of consumers have never seen rainbow carrots or one of our dark red-all-the-way-through strawberries," says Ranno. "So we provide retailers information on how to sell rainbow carrots, red corn, etc. One of the reasons we are so successful is because we have invested lot of time helping retailers sell these products." Some of the materials available to retailers include what Colorful Harvest calls point-of-difference romance cards, basically photographs and information on products as well as a best practices chart, a step-by-step chart on how to successfully sell product. Read this article (PDF)
	Colorful Harvest Takes On More Florida Acreage - The Packer- December 29, 2008 *Article by Doug Ohlemeier, Eastern Editor* Florida has become a big expansion area for Colorful Harvest LLC. The Salinas, Calif.-based grower shipper has increased its Florida strawberry acreage. Booming volume has prompted the grower-shipper to also open a Plant City office. Colorful Harvest packs under the Green Giant Fresh brand as well as its own labes. In addition to a full line of berries, Colorful Harvest also ships melons and red corn. Read this article (PDF)
	Price Knows The Value Of Berries - The Salinas Californian- December 8, 2008 *Article by Robert Walch* Bobby Price has spent much of his career in the berry business. Over the years, he has seen more and more acreage switch not only over to strawberries but all other types of berries as well. "I think people are coming to realize that these berries not only taste good by offer real health benefits," said Price, business development manager for Colorful Harvest. "The eat fresh, eat healthy movement has increased the demand for all types of berries." Read this article (PDF)
	Specialty Potato Market Expands - Packer Online- December 5, 2008 *Article by Ashley Bentley* Potandon Produce LLC, the exclusive marketer of Green Giant Fresh potatoes and onions in North America, continues to expand its specialty line of Green Giant Klondike mini potatoes, which are packing in 24-ounce containers, said Dick Thomas, vice president of sales for the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based company. The line includes a red skinned yellow-fleshed potato, a yellow-skinned, yellow-fleshed potato and a purple skinned yellow-fleshed potato. Read this article (PDF)
	Organic Potatoes Continue To Gain Steam In Idaho - The Great Lakes Vegetable Growers News - December 1, 2008 *Article by Bill Schaefer, Idaho Editor* Jeff Bragg, product development director for Potandon Produce LLC, based in Idaho Falls, address the developing organic market and how to effectively expand that market. Potandon has been marketing organics for the past six years and has the exclusive license for Green Giant Fresh. "For organic to make a presence in the market there needs to be increased production from so-called conventional farms," Bragg said. "Without conventioanl farms turning into organic production, it's likely that we'll have a growth rate but it'll never be as big as it can be." Read this article (PDF)
	Sunny Cove Citrus Touts State-of-the-Art Traceback System - The Produce News - November 10, 2008 *Article by Brian Gaylord* Grower-owned Sunny Cove Citrus LLC in Orange Cove, CA, has a state-of-the art packing facility on the east side of California's Central San Joaquin Valley. ...Sunny Cove is entering its third season as the West Coast citrus supplier for Green Giant Fresh, and the "program is definitely building," Mr. Wilson said. Read this article (PDF)
	Specialty Potato Market Expands - The Packer - November 10, 2008 *Article by Ashley Bentley* Growers attribute the rise in consumer interest to product use by restaurants and cooking shows. Although the majority of the potatoes grown in the U.S. are russets, specialties and smaller categories remain an important and growing segment of the potato population. Potandon Produce LLC, the exclusive marketer of Green Giant Fresh potatoes and onions in North America, continues to expand its specialty line of Green Giant Klondike mini potatoes, which are packing in 24-ounce containers, said Dick Thomas, vice president of sales for the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based company. Read this article (PDF)
	Colorful Harvest Expands On Florida Strawberries - Packer Online- November 6, 2008 Article by Doug Ohlemeier Before the start of Florida's strawberry season, Salinas, Calif.-based Colorful Harvest - which packs under the Green Giant Fresh brand and its own labels -- added strawberry acreage and opened a Florida office. Doug Ranno, chief operating officer and managing partner, said the expansions won't change the supply relationship Colorful Harvest struck with Wishnatzki Farms in 2005 on strawberries and blueberries. Read this article (PDF)
	Fresh Summit 2008 Expo Notes - The Packer - November 3, 2008 Green Giant Fresh, Eden Prairie, Minn., launched its line of Patio Grillers value-added products. The five varieties of vegetable mixes come in foil pans ready to toss on the grill or in the oven, said marketing manager Sarah Wangler. See the article here.
	New Products Unveiled At Fresh Summit - Produce Business - November 1, 2008 Green Giant Fresh/Sholl Group II, Eden Praire, MN, offers five versions of Patio Grillers - fresh vegetables and a butter or olive oil-based sauce in a foil pan. Cook on the barbecue grill and serve four. Selections include Fire Roasted Salsa, a California blend of broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini and carrots, BBQ blend with broccoli, red potatoes, squash and carrots, a medley of green beans and carrots and baby red potatoes. See the article here.
	Demand Heating Up For Microwave Produce Items - Packer Online- October 29, 2008 Article by David Mitchell Green Giant Fresh accounts for 56.2% of vegetable kit sales. "There's definitely high demand," marketing manager Sarah Wangler said. "That's something retailers continue to ask for, added solutions in that area. It's an area of growth for us." Wangler said the company recently dropped the Freshtables brand. Those nine vegetable kits and the company's fresh-cut and stir-fry items now have similar packaging under the Green Giant Fresh brand, which got a new logo and look in September. Read this article (PDF)
	FPCP Luncheon Brings Food Safety Into The Spotlight - Produce News - October 13, 2008 Features photo of Mary Steinbeck, Green Giant Fresh. .Read this article (PDF)
	Packaged Pre-cut Vegetables - Grocery Headquarters - October 1, 2008 According to Jason Landry, sales director for Green Giant Fresh/The Sholl Group II, retailers should consider dedicating more space to pre-cut vegetables in order to further increase the category's robust sales...."We are seeing steady growth of Green Giant Fresh pre-cut items in the conventional grocery stores nationwide. Since the first of the year, Green Giant Fresh has seen a steady increase in sales, and we continued to see steady growth throughout the summer with as much as a 20% to 30% increase on some of the items..." Read this article (PDF)
	Green Giant Grows Graphics In Its Garden - Packaging Digest - October 1, 2008 Bags of Green Giant® vegetables show the tall green guy bigger than ever, with a new look. The Sholl Group II, Minneapolis, marketer of select Green Giant Fresh products, is changing the packaging and increasing the size of the Jolly Green Giant on all of its Green Giant Fresh products in grocery stores nationwide. Designed to take advantage of the immense equity and recognition of the Green Giant brand, the top third of the packaging is now devoted entirely to graphics illustrating the jolly green guy, his logo and his valley.Read this article (PDF)
	Fresh Talk - Grocery Headquarters - October 1, 2008 Article by Richard Turcsik Bigger Giant Look for an even bigger Green Giant in the produce aisle now that The Sholl Group II, the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based firm that licenses the Green Giant Fresh name from General Mills, is updating its packaging. In a move that capitalizes on the immense equity and recognition of the Jolly Green Giant, the top third of the packaging is now devoted to the Green Giant, his logo and his valley. (Article includes information about alliances with F&S Produce and Modern Mushroom Farms.) Read this article (PDF)
	Green Giant Icon Gets Even Bigger - The Shelby Report of the Southeast - October 1, 2008 The famous Green Giant® is getting bigger than ever with a new look on the Green Giant Fresh produce packaging. The Sholl Group II, a pioneer in the fresh produce industry and marketer of select Green Giant Fresh produce products, is changing the packaging and increasing the size of the Jolly Green Giant on all of its Green Giant Fresh products in grocery stores nationwide. In a move that will completely take advantage of the immense equity and recognition of the Green Giant, the top third of the packaging is now devoted entirely to the Green Giant, his logo and his valley. Read this article (PDF)
	Package Design - Package Design Magazine - October 1, 2008 Freshtables wins "Silver - Technical Innovation" for its Estersteam® Vent by American Packaging Corp. The specially designed Estersteam valve is pre-applied to rollstock, lidding and pre-formed pouch specifications and works with frozen, chilled or ambient products. Under microwave conditions, the valve activates and allows the package to vent to food is moist and perfectly cooked. Read this article (PDF)
	Bumper Crop - Grocery Headquarters - October 1, 2008 Article by Craig Levitt Growers gear up for the upcoming PMA show, where food safety will be a hot topic. In an effort to take advantage of the equity and recognition of the Green Giant, the marketer of select Green Giant Fresh produce products is changing the packaging and increasing the size of the Jolly Green Giant on all of its Green Giant Fresh products for grocery stores nationwide. The top third of the packaging is now devoted entirely to the Green Giant, his logo and valley. Read this article (PDF)
	Green Giant Is Growing - The Produce News - September 16, 2008 The famous Green Giant is getting bigger than ever with a new look on "Green Giant Fresh" brand produce packaging. The Sholl Group II, the Minneapolis-based marketer of select "Green Giant Fresh" brand produce products is changing the packaging and increasing the size of the Jolly Green Giant on all of its "Green Giant Fresh" products in grocery stores nationwide. In a move that will completely take advantage of the immense equity and recognition of the Green Giant, the top third of the packaging is now devoted entirely to the Green Giant, his logo and his valley. Read this article (PDF)
	Brand Knew - Grocery Headquarters - September 1, 2008 Article by Richard Turcsik In the produce aisle, recognizable names translate into sales. A bushel of canned goods and frozen aisle brand names—Birds Eye, Green Giant, Dole, just to name a few—are increasingly finding a home in the fresh produce aisle, alongside new and established produce-specific monikers, driving up sales, margins and customer loyalty in the process. Read this article (PDF)
	Green Giant Fresh Mushrooms Look To Capitalize On Weight Watchers Designation - The Produce News - June 30, 2008 The Sholl Group II, the Minneapolis-based marketer of selected "Green Giant Fresh" produce products, announced that all "Green Giant Fresh" eight-ounce packages of whole and sliced mushrooms are part of the Weight Watchers Pick of the Season program, and that beginning July 1 and continuing through September, "Green Giant Fresh" mushrooms will feature the Weight Watchers logo along with the "0 POINTS value" per serving logo. Read this article (PDF)
	Focus On Fresh - Grocery Headquarters - June 1, 2008 Packaging Convenience: Whether they're looking to save a few steps in a meal preparation or grab a quick and healthy snack, consumers are finding the value in value-added produce. "We're trying to build the category in a similar way to how the salad category was built years ago," says Jason Landry, director of sales for Minneapolis-based The Sholl Group II, marketer of the Green Giant Fresh brand. "It took a lot for the processed salads to really take off and to gain the consumer confidence and I think we're starting to get that now with the consumer with cut vegetables." Read this article (PDF)
	Put Sizzle In Summer Merchandising - Produce Business - June 1, 2008 Article by Carol Bareuther, RD Sarah Wangler, marketing manager, Green Giant Fresh/The Sholl Group II, Inc. Eden Prairie, MN, notes, "Stir-fry vegetable mixes are a fast and easy way for consumers to have a meal on the table in less than 15 minutes without having to heat up the kitchen." Read this article (PDF)
	Spud, Berry, Dairy Tour To Focus On Businesses - The Country Today - May 27, 2008 Article by Sara Bredesen In the produce aisle, recognizable names translate into sales. Tour participants will visit P and R Packing, an onion packing facility that services national brands such as Green Giant...Read this article (PDF)
	Packers Expect Stores To Add More Fresh-cut - The Packer - May 19, 2008 Article by Jim Offner "The main objective is to try to create a 4-foot, if not an 8-foot section," said Jason Landry, director of sales for the value-added line..."A lot of retailers don't have enough space to accommodate the variety of products coming out. The category is growing so fast they need to expand their sets at the stores to accommodate it all."Read this article (PDF)