Dole’s Bobby Banana Inducted Into Mascot Hall of Fame
Every banana has its day in the sun.
The National Mascot Hall of Fame, the country’s only online and physical museum and interactive educational experience dedicated to honoring the contributions of sports mascots, has unveiled a special display featuring Bobby Banana, the celebrated 7-foot ambassador of Dole Food Company created in 1992 to promote healthy living around the world.
Christened in the museum’s Department of Mascot Studies Gallery and continuing through Sept. 30, 2024, “Bobby Banana: Dole’s Healthy-Living Icon for a Hungry World”chronicles the inception and growth of the exuberant, sneakers-wearing Cavendish banana responsible for inspiring generations of kids and families toward nutritious food choices and active lifestyles.
The National Mascot Hall of Fame is located in Whiting, Ind., 21 miles south of Chicago, and also maintains a virtual museum honoring the 33 mascots it has inducted to date.
The three-month Bobby Banana display was timed by the museum to coincide with Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, a year-long celebration of the global produce leader’s 125 years in the banana business encompassing online, social, promotional, in-store and other activities through 2024.
“While the focus of the National Mascot Hall of Fame has traditionally been on college and professional sports mascots, we can’t help but admire the work of corporate icons like Dole’s Bobby Banana who have helped electrify and inspire progress toward a better, healthier and more equitable world,” said Karen Anaszewicz, the museum’s executive director. “Once we heard about this year’s Dole Banana-Versary, we knew the time was ripe to tell the Bobby Banana story.”
According to Anaszewicz, Bobby Banana becomes the first globally known corporate mascot to be displayed in the five-year history of the National Mascot Hall of Fame.
“After years of requests, we have decided to start officially inducting corporate mascots into the museum in 2025 as part of our expanded commitment to telling the full mascot story,” she said. “More details on this exciting evolution for the National Mascot Hall of Fame will be announced soon – so stay tuned!”
Bil Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications, helped develop the exhibit, which includes a series of illuminated display panels offering information about Bobby Banana, Dole Food Company and the Banana-Versary.
“We’ve had many dialogues with the National Mascot Hall of Fame over the years, so to finally see the display christened and welcoming guests is a major thrill – for me, Bobby and everyone at Dole,” he said. “This day instantly becomes a highlight of our Banana-Versary.”
The National Mascot Hall of Fame is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is $8-10. For visitor information, go to https://mascothalloffame.com/visit/.
For information about Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, go to the celebration page.
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Crave Expanding Crave Express Fast-Casual Dining in Walmart
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is launching its Crave Express Model within Walmart locations. Crave has expanded nationally with brick and mortar units as well as food trucks. The brand aims to provide Walmart shoppers with convenient access to Crave’s signature hot dogs, BBQ, and other delicious offerings, enhancing their shopping experience. The restaurants will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
The Crave Express Model is designed for fast-casual dining, making it easier than ever for customers to enjoy their favorite meals while shopping. The brand will also offer 3rd party services from the restaurant such as grubhub and doordash. The restaurants will be featured as you enter select Walmart locations throughout the U.S.
“We are thrilled to parter with Walmart for Craves expansion,” said Samantha Rincione, CEO and Co-Founder of Crave. “This new venture allows us to offer quick and delicious dining, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on the community.” The brand has a handful of units currently in development and plans to expand to over 100 units over the course of the next year.
The menu will feature a variety of hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, sliders, bowls, breakfast and desserts. Crave prides itself on its delicious modern menu, great customer service and inviting atmosphere. The Express Model’s integration with the Crave app further enhances the customer experience. Through the app, customers can order ahead, ensuring their meals are ready when they arrive. The app also provides access to secret menu items and exclusive deals. New users will receive a 10% discount on their first purchase, encouraging them to explore all that Crave has to offer.
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is committed to providing a unique and enjoyable dining experience for every customer. For more details about Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, visit www.iwantcrave.com or contact info@iwantcrave.com.
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Kroger Adds Field & Vine to Our Brands Offerings
Field & Vine is a fresh produce line grown by U.S. farmers in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.
The Kroger Co. is expanding its Our Brands portfolio with the addition of Field & Vine, a fresh produce line grown by U.S. farmers in California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. The brand currently includes blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.
“Field & Vine features berries grown in the fields of American farmers that are picked, packed and delivered in stores during peak seasonality,” said Dan De La Rosa, Kroger’s group vice president of Fresh Merchandising. “Harvesting at just the right time during the U.S. growing season allows us to provide our customers with an enhanced fresh experience, offering the highest-quality, best-tasting berries possible. We are thrilled to launch Field & Vine in collaboration with local farmers who enable Kroger to feed families across America every day.”
“Working with Kroger has been great for getting our Georgia blackberries to customers when they are at the very best of the season,” said Matthew Giddings chief operating officer of Always Fresh Family Farms. “By identifying where our berries are grown—right here in the U.S.A—customers can feel good about supporting their local growers and they are getting fresh and in season fruits, harvested at a time when fully ripe and ready to eat.”
Grown exclusively in the United States, Field & Vine is a limited-time, annual best of season experience, promising optimal freshness. Through local sourcing, Kroger decreases transit time delivering enhanced freshness and quality.
“Adding Field & Vine to the Our Brands portfolio brings together Kroger’s expertise in fresh with our commitment to deliver customers the products they want, backed by our fresh guarantee,” said Juan De Paoli, Kroger’s vice president of Our Brands.
To learn more about Kroger’s Our Brands, visit here.
For even more fresh products and everyday savings, visit Kroger.com or the Kroger app, offering more than $600 in savings available weekly in digital coupons. With more than 30,000 mouthwatering possibilities, customers are a swipe away from inspiration to reality. Kroger is worth it every time.
Customers can shop Field & Vine berries and more in-store or through Kroger Pickup and Delivery, offering the same products at the same low prices no matter how they shop. Save even more with Boost by Kroger Plus, the delivery membership that can save customers up to $1,000 per year on fuel and grocery delivery. Eligible customers can now try the Boost membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe on a monthly basis for as little as $7.99.
Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard eligible card members may now redeem a free one-year, next-day Boost membership or cardholders who are current annual Boost members may receive a free one-year extension of their next-day Boost membership. To learn more and redeem this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard cardmember offer visit the Boost Membership Benefits page.
*The creditor and issuer of the Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.
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