Tag: on the road

VALLEY CENTER, CA -- Those of us in the business are very familiar with a field tour: load up in the bus, see some fields and a packing shed, and probably have a good meal.

Like many others in the produce business, I planned to be in Berlin for Fruit Logistica this week. Unfortunately, the show’s timing changed to April.   Fortunately for me (and you, who get to share in the fun!), I already had plans to visit a friend in the area, and do some store checking.  

PACIFIC GROVE, CA—I had a little time to do some store checking before leaving California in Mid-September, so here's a look around Andronico's.

Who would have thought the one closest to a subway stop was also across the hall from a lovely fruit stand?

I stopped by four very different formats of Carrefour, one of the largest supermarket chains in the world.

There's a reason I was looking for a Loblaws. I wanted to see how the company's no name off-grade produce displayed in-store. 

FULLERTON, CA—Organizers for the Fresh Summit Retail Tour brought three distinct formats to participants. In Bristol Farms we saw high end. At Grocery Outlet we saw deep discount and with Albertsons we split the difference. 

I’ve seen a lot of Bristol Farms stores in my day, and I’m never disappointed.

I kind of feel like I was being pranked at this store, that they somehow knew I was luring in Albany this day, because this store looked AMAZING. It's like the merchandisers came through and re-faced everything before I walked in.

SEASIDE, CA—There’s a reason I’ve been seeking out Grocery Outlet stores every time I’m nearby. The Emeryville-based chain is the ultimate treasure hunt.