CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Midwest distributor Vine Line recently opened its state-of-the-art cold storage and distribution facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The facility covers 46,000 square feet and positions the distributor for greater access throughout the Midwest.
Leveraging pre-existing relationships, the distributor is now able to showcase its ability to be a full-service provider to the Midwest’s growing refrigerated goods industry. According to a press release, Vine Line successfully deployed programs that include inbound and outbound logistics, cross-docking, storage, inspection, re-packing, and re-distribution for customers all throughout the Midwest region in a short amount of time.
The company also put incredible thought and consideration into how the facility operates. Its latest temperature-controlled monitoring software provides the distributor the ability to store a variety of commodities and products inside its individual coolers. Vine Line’s newest facility allows the company to better serve most major markets in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and both North and South Dakota, within a single-day trucking transit.
For more transportation and cold storage news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - While not all foods are created equal, we in the produce industry recognize that people are. With International Women’s Day around the corner, touting the theme #eachforequal, the industry is ramping up to promote and celebrate the equality of women. Whole Foods Market is doing this through its celebration of Frieda’s Specialty Produce and the Women Makers Raising the Bar campaign.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our women-owned, women-led culture with one of our top clients,” shared Alex Berkley, Frieda’s Sales Director. “It’s magical when our story and values are completely intertwined with the DNA of those that we service.”
The Women Makers Raising the Bar campaign is a movement highlighting the accomplishments of notable women makers in the food indsutry. This year, Frieda’s will be a focal point in the produce department as a Female First for being a female-led trailblazing company that has introduced over 200 fresh produce items to the U.S. since 1962.
“We’re proud to feature Frieda’s products in our stores during our Women Makers Raising the Bar
campaign this month,” said Erik Brown, Produce Executive Leader. “Frieda’s is a women-owned
company that our customers have come to know and love, and we are excited to celebrate their high-
quality produce.”
Nationwide, the chain will promote a large selection of both bulk and packaged specialty produce, including dragon fruit, kiwano, mandarinquats, jackfruit, and much more. In total, 14 items will be showcased, according to a press release.
As ANUK’s all-woman editorial team applauds the efforts of suppliers and buyers this month, we will continue covering the latest news in fresh produce.
MISSION, TX - In Bloom is committed to providing experiences that are as varied and unique as its members are. This is the hope and vision behind the Texas International Produce Association’s (TIPA) new regional organization for women. As April Flowers, Chairwoman for In Bloom as well as the Marketing Manager for Lone Star Citrus Growers, tells me, the vision for this new group runs deep, including the desire to develop a community of female leaders who are advocates for fresh produce consumption and a voice for the opportunities and challenges within the dynamic Texas and international produce landscapes.
“The goal is to address all the needs of today’s women in produce. In Bloom is open to all women who work for TIPA member businesses, and we hope that every job position and age group will be represented. We have so much to learn from one another, so it is our hope that our membership will be surprisingly diverse," April shares with me. “We plan to provide experiences ranging from happy hours and workshops to field lessons. For example, we kicked off with a happy hour, but our second event was a prep-to-network event this past week.”
For the upcoming Viva Fresh brunch on Thursday, April 30, 2020 during the expo extravaganza, In Bloom will welcome all women who are registered for Viva Fresh, regardless of TIPA membership.
When I asked why a network and organization like In Bloom is so close to her heart, April shares her personal experience with me upon stepping into our industry.
“When I entered the produce industry as a second career, I knew plenty of people in the field, but I wasn't connected to many other women or regional marketing professionals. I genuinely wanted to expand my network, particularly among women in our produce region, but it was difficult to do without structured support,” she says. “It turns out that I wasn't the only one feeling this way. In fact, at least seven other women had reached out to TIPA staff members requesting women's networking opportunities.”
While In Bloom responds to a resounding need in our industry, it is also a personal passion project for April.
“I love the women I am serving with and I walk away inspired every time we work together. We are all so very different, and yet we have the same big goal: connecting and supporting women,” April reflects.
The impact that In Bloom has and will have, starts with everything from providing women with a workshop to address building bios and getting headshots to In Bloom’s plans for the amazing networking brunch planned for Viva Fresh where the commitee will highlight a few incredible women from the Texas/International produce region.
“The event I'm most excited about is a leadership symposium that is in its nascent stages. Each event we plan should receive a resounding ‘yes’ when we ask ourselves, ‘Does this event improve our members' abilities to do their jobs well?’" April tells me.
Every person, demographic, and goal needs a positive and supportive space in which to grow their values, beliefs, and vision. For the women of TIPA, In Bloom with help them cultivate their power from the inside out.
MURRIETA, CA - Aggressive—I believe this word accurately describes the increasing demand for California avocados, as well as the demand for supplier partners who can bring a consistent product to market and a great vision and program to boot. West Pak Avocado is one leader meeting the needs of retailers on all fronts, as Joe Nava and George Henderson share with me. And the season is just ramping up.
“Spanning from February until September, we expect a good-sized crop for the 2020 California season,” Joe, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, tells me. “Optimistically, volume is anticipated to reach 400 million pounds, which will meet the increased demand from consumers, retailers, and foodservice.”
With such good news laying a foundation for fresh produce department programs and menu highlights, there is no better time to begin planning ahead than now.
“The best time to start promotions is in March and April, at the beginning of the California season and all the way through to July,” George, Marketing Manager, says. “That covers early opportunities when the season ramps up and takes us through the American summer holidays and other seasonal celebrations.”
For those looking to map out the spring and summer, the peak volume will be April through July this year, with the shoulders of the season around March and September, respectively.
“Mexico is not currently shipping in enough volume to the States, so their lack of supply and the increased demand by both retail and foodservice has created a trend for strong pricing for California fruit,” Joe shares. “We'll continue to see an increase in demand even as the supply picks up in April.”
To capitalize on the increasing demand for California Avocados at retail, West Pak is offering its California Gold brand.
“The Golden State-centric packaging features the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Check certification along with the iconic ‘California’ CAC or California Avocado Commission label,” George states. “With this premium, branded bag, there is no question that these are fresh, locally-sourced, and seasonally hand-picked California avocados.”
On top of these many resources, West Pak is offering even more tools through its Avo-Opportunities retail program, including strategies to help drive sales with merchandising and point-of-sale materials, and online promotions. West Pak’s efforts work hand-in-hand with CAC's targeted consumer marketing initiatives and merchandising offerings that support the California season and the summer holidays.
For more about the lucrative opportunities on the horizon for California avocados, keep checking back on the green gold of our industry at AndNowUKnow.
ANAHEIM, CA - Natural Products Expo West has been postponed, but is assuring it will happen before this summer. The association behind Expo West, New Hope and its sister companies, made the decision after reviewing advice provided by local government and health authorities, taking into account the views of the communities the trade show serves regarding the recent concerns of COVID-19. A new date is expected to be announced in mid-April.
“Today, it is clear the majority of [our industry’s] voices are saying they want Expo West but not this week. And so we are being guided by that majority in postponing the show,” said Fred Linder, Group President of New Hope Network. “We will be working closely with all our customers and partners across the industry to identify a new date for the show later in the year, and providing the service and support to deliver the connections and experience everyone expects from Expo West and the New Hope Network.”
In addition to the postponement of the show, the association also made the following four important announcements, as listed in a press release:
- It is the association’s intention to work with all of its Exhibitors and Attendees on future credits and support, with particular focus on the many entrepreneurs and small businesses who are the heartbeat of this community, for whom the association is going to stand up a rebate fund of $5 million targeted at their specific needs.
- It is the association’s intention to deliver a Natural Products Expo West event before the summer to serve the community, either in Anaheim or a suitable alternative location.
- The association is already working on how it can deliver a much-enhanced Expo East in September in Philadelphia, serving and supporting the community with the best show it has ever had on the East Coast.
“As with all our events, it was the intention here at Expo West in Anaheim, to follow official guidance from local authorities and to listen to the voices of the community we serve and support, in order to maximize the health of the industry,” continued Linder.
To read Expo West’s announcement in its entirety, click here. AndNowUKnow will report on any and all updates.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against RRD Produce Co. as part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The California-based company allegedly failed to make a prompt payment to 17 produce sellers in the amount of $174,464 from May 2018 through December 2018. If the violations are repeated, it will be barred from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without the approval from the USDA.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
RRD Produce Co. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to the PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For further information, contacts, and to read the press release in its entirety, please click the link here.
THE DALLES, OR - Orchard View is continuously positioning itself for fast-moving growth, aiming to secure its place as one of the industry’s top cherry suppliers. The grower recently made a change to its leadership team in order to achieve this goal, promoting Mike Omeg to lead its business operations department.
“Joining Orchard View has been an exciting opportunity for me to bring my knowledge and expertise to a professionally managed family farm,” Omeg said. “I have enjoyed helping the team meet the new challenges of a growing business and ever-changing cherry industry.”
As Director of the new department, Omeg brings extensive industry-specific experience and a passion for cherry farming to a division focused on data analysis, safety, and compliance while exploring potential opportunities for future development.
According to a press release, the promotion follows a 2018 partnership between Omeg, owner of Omeg Orchards, and Orchard View—although the relationship between the produce powerhouses dates back to 1923. Orchard View believes Omeg’s formal horticultural education, including a master’s in entomology from Oregon State University, and many years of cherry experience, will help inform the future direction of the company.
“Throughout our long history, Orchard View always prefers to recruit from within, especially as our company continues on its growth trajectory,” President Brenda Thomas said. “We are therefore proud to welcome Mike Omeg to the management team, and we are confident that he will help us navigate the increasingly complex considerations in the industry thanks to his multifaceted background.”
Focusing on enhancing efficiency, volume, and quality, Orchard View’s season is only an eight-week window, emphasizing the necessity of streamlining operations to meet increasing demand for the company's high-quality cherries, which are grown over approximately 3,200 acres. Orchard View and Oppy, a premier grower, marketer, and distributor of fresh produce around the world, recently celebrated 10 years of a fully integrated partnership that utilizes the compelling value proposition of both industry leaders.
Congratulations to Mike Omeg on this exciting new role!
SONORA, MEXICO - Bridges Produce partner Rico Farms had a big celebration on hand. The organic grower recently held a grand opening for its BioFactory, built and designed to ensure the company’s growing practices of creating healthier soil.
“Rico Farms continues to push forward with radical innovations to improve soil and plant health, disease resistance, and productivity. The results of the new biofactory will have tremendous results that will advance the productivity and profitability of organic growers while minimizing impact on the environment,” said Ben Johnson, Bridges Produce President.
Bridges Produce is the exclusive sales agent for Rico Farms. According to the press release, the new BioFactory will advance Rico Farms’ mission to take care of the planet by nurturing its fields as well as supplying high-quality organic nutrients to other agricultural operations. The Tapia family, owner and manager of Rico Farms, will be able to achieve more fertile farmland with a higher content of organic matter, which allows the company to have greater CO2 retention while growing its organic summer and winter squash, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, melons, and chile peppers. Located at its Hermosillo farm, the press release states it is the first Biofactory of its kind in northwestern Mexico.
“We want to create a robust R&D team with university researchers and our BioFactory team so that we can develop new sustainable and organic materials for the overall industry,” said Francisco Tapia, Owner of Rico Farms. “We have a top product that no one is selling, it is a liquid biofertilizer called BIO-AMINO. It is high in nitrogen and essential amino acids. The benefit of this product is that it can be used in drip irrigation and is much cheaper than fish fertilizer with twice the nitrogen content.”
Bio-amino has been tested on the grower’s organic zucchini and yellow squash. Since the switch, Rico Farms is seeing healthier plants with yields up between five and fifteen percent. This spring season, it will be tested on all its organic crops.
The Tapia family is strong believers in the triple bottom line, producing over 100 products with three already in production: bacillus subtilis microbial inoculant, trichoderma harzianum microbial inoculant, and fertilizer with a high content of free amino acids. Rico Farm’s short-term objective is to identify endemic plant growth and biocontrol growth strains that they can then adapt to the soil and climatic conditions of the area and develop biological insecticides and biofertilizers. The second phase of development will focus on vermicompost and an insectarium to breed beneficial insects.
“The Tapia family is unrelenting in their pursuit of continuous improvement. The biofactory is an exponential leap forward!” commented Johnson.
Congratulations to Rico Farms and Bridges Produce on this exciting development! For more news and advancements in the industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA - The fresh produce road is a long and winding one. We’ve overcome challenges, discovered innovations, and always manage to have some fun along the way. Though that road is ever moving forward, it’s important to make pit stops every now and then. United Fresh is carving out time in its journey for all of us industry stakeholders, kicking off its All Roads Lead to San Diego Tour yesterday with a Town Hall meeting at Raley’s headquarters in Sacramento, California. I was one of many who attended and got the inside scoop of all that United Fresh is doing to pave the way for fresh produce.
Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, began the afternoon by discussing an array of pressing topics such as food safety, labor, and sustainable practices. The Town Hall then transformed into a question and answer forum in which growers, distributors, and all in attendance could present their ideas and concerns. First up, the group discussed methods of tracking product in order to develop food safety.
“We need to have and keep records of what people bought. And we’re not there. I don’t know anybody in the country who is there today at retail,” Tom began. “We’re already using the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), so case labels are great. We can scan cartons as they’re dropped into the store, but this is usually a big labor expense. Some of the foodservice distributors are starting to do it because of their own liability. The other thing businesses are looking at is the UPC codes and customer scan data. It would be great to know where a sick person bought their product and on what day. The FDA doesn't have the authority to ask retailers about the shopping patterns of everybody in the store. They have to get permission from the sick person, and it’s a much longer answer than we wanted. That’s one reason why it hasn’t happened yet.”
The room then turned its attention to the question of single-use plastics. How can we navigate sustainable practices while maintaining the high-quality produce we are known for? It’s a topic all in the industry are trying to digest, and Tom gladly took the lead on this conversation.
“There’s no infrastructure for recycling—every county does its own thing,” he began. “The public is very concerned, and we want to manage the use of plastics. We also have to be cognizant of why packaging has evolved to be what it is today. What we’d like to do is ensure is that the industry handles this together so that retailers aren't demanding different things. That’s one of the advantages of our association—we’re vertically-integrated, so we can discuss with everyone involved in the supply chain. We need to be consistent across our industry.”
For all of us, plant-based is a concept that continues to be at the forefront of all food industries. We, in particular, though, have a unique claim to this category as plant-based has been the name of the game all along.
“Being part of plant-based is good for us. I worked in the CPG business before this and fresh produce continues to wear the white hat. We have the healthiest food you can eat and people want fresh, organic, local products as near as possible and as far as necessary,” explained Tom. “People will eat the best quality with the best price from the best source. There is a demand for high-quality produce year-round. The industry is doing fairly well on consumption. While the total numbers don’t show overall growth, there is a huge decrease in some categories and a huge increase in others. We’re still the number one reason that people come to a store--people choose stores that offer the best produce.”
The afternoon culminated with a reminder that at the end of this produce road will be the United Fresh 2020 Convention and Expo. Overflowing with industry opportunities, Mary Alameda, Manager of Industry Relations, took a beat to describe what we can expect from this year’s show.
“We’re really excited to bring this show back out West. This is the first time that we’ve been back in southern California in seven years!” she said. “We will highlight networking, promotional, educational, business, team-building, and let-your-hair-down opportunities.”
As we all shuffled out of the impressive Raley’s conference room, the building was abuzz with friendly interactions and fresh produce discussions. Needless to say, we all left feeling a little more secure in the road we are travelling. I extend my thanks to United Fresh and all of the incredible produce purveyors who were in attendance yesterday.
United Fresh also held a concurrent event in San Francisco, California, yesterday at the San Francisco Wholesale Market where Robert Guenther, SVP of Public Policy, dicussed similar topics. The day concluded with a reception in Salinas at Tanimura & Antle. The Town Hall Tour is continuing today in California's Visalia and Santa Maria regions. On Wednesday and Thursday, the association will make additional stops and conclude the tour in San Diego, California, on Friday. These events are open for folks to join in along the way, so click here to find an event near you!
For more of the industry’s latest news, keep a tab open for us at AndNowUKnow.
GREENSBORO, NC - These days are full of industry executives making moves as the retail landscape becomes more competitive and demanding. With that energy top of mind, The Fresh Market's Board of Directors has appointed Jason Potter as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 2, 2020, replacing Larry Appel, who has resigned as CEO. The Board of Directors of The Fresh Market thanks Appel for his service as CEO over the last two and a half years and offers him best wishes on his future endeavors.
“I am thrilled to join The Fresh Market and look forward to working with all our team members in creating a highly differentiated specialty food retailing environment for our guests. Our goal will be to make The Fresh Market the go-to destination for customers looking for best-in-class perishables, unique itemization, and high-touch customer service, all provided in a convenient, clean, and accessible store format,” commented Potter on his appointment. “I look forward to being part of the company's future success as we accelerate the overall mission for The Fresh Market. In addition, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and alongside Apollo, which has a long track record of success in building value in consumer and retail businesses.”
According to the press release, Potter has over 30 years of experience in the grocery industry, having spent 26 years at Sobeys. During his tenure at Sobeys, Potter served as President of Sobeys West, Sobeys Atlantic, and President of Multi-Format Operations before becoming the Executive Vice President of Operations. As Executive Vice President of Operations, Potter had full leadership and P&L responsibility for the approximately 800 Full Service and Community stores under the Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, and Thrifty banners. He also served as Chairman of the Board for GIFT Atlantic Canada and was a board member of the Coca-Cola Research Council.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am very excited to welcome Jason to the team at The Fresh Market,” said Andrew S. Jhawar, Chairman of the Board at The Fresh Market and Senior Partner and Head of the Consumer Retail Industry Team at Apollo Global Management. “Jason is a proven executive with significant experience and success in the world of grocery retailing and operational turnarounds. He has demonstrated an ability to drive revenue and profit growth through innovation as well as improved operations, merchandising, and marketing, which are skills that make him the ideal candidate to lead The Fresh Market's continued turnaround efforts."
Potter earned his Bachelor of Management and MBA at Athabasca University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He was named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for Leadership.
Congratulations to Jason Potter on his recent appointment! Stay in the know with ANUK.