IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see the latest around all growing regions.
NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMING TO FLORIDA TONIGHT
Tonight will bring some of the coldest temperatures to Florida this winter so far. Plant City in the central part of the state will see a minimum temperature of 33° and a high of only 56°. These temperatures shouldn’t affect the strawberries from this region but could slow production a bit. Tomorrow, the minimum temperature will be 48°.
Thursday and Friday will be a touch warmer with minimums in the 50°s, but by Saturday they will be back into the 40°s where they will stay through next Tuesday.
Immokalee will see a minimum temperature tonight of 36°. Tomorrow through Friday, the region will see minimum temperatures in the 50°s, but will be back into the 40°s by Saturday where they will remain through next Tuesday.
Arcadia will touch 32° tonight, and even Homestead, south of Miami, will get in on the fun with a minimum temperature of 38° tonight.
The only major growing region that will not see minimum temperatures in the 30°s tonight is Belle Glade, which should stay right at the 40° or above.
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER OUT WEST
Western growing areas in California and Arizona can expect perfect weather over the next 10 days. The desert regions will see maximum temperatures in the mid 70°s and minimums in the low 50°s. Look for good quality and numbers out of Yuma and Coachella over the next ten days.
Coastal regions of Oxnard and Santa Maria will see maximum temperatures in the mid to upper 60°s over the next ten days with possible 70°s this Thursday and Friday for both locations. Minimum temperatures will be in the upper 40°s. Look for good supply and quality over the next ten days of items from these regions, strawberries, broccoli, celery, etc.
MEXICO
Michoacán
Perfect weather for the next ten days. Maximum temperatures in the mid 70°s and minimum temperatures in the upper 40°s. Possibility of an isolated shower here or there, but nothing major. Perfect berry weather.
Guanajuato
Occasional high clouds throughout the week with slight chances of rain, but nothing above 20 percent at the moment. Maximum temperatures will be in the low 70°s and minimum temperatures in the upper 40°s. Perfect weather for winter veg coming from this region.
Culiacan
Maximum temperatures in Culiacán will cool throughout the week from a high yesterday of 90° to only 82° this Saturday. Minimum temperatures will remain in the mid 50°s but dropping possibly into the upper 40°s by next Wednesday the 29th. Look for partly cloudy skies this Thursday through Saturday.
CHILE
Perfect summer weather up and down the country of Chile right now. Temperatures are mostly average with highs ranging from the upper 70°s to low 90°s depending upon the region. There doesn’t appear to be any rain in the forecast. Look for good quality and numbers out of Chile on summer fruit.
Thank you as always! We will be back later this week with another report.
CORAL GABLES, FL - A South Korean variety show that swept the world has a new contender on the U.S. stage. This time, it’s a banana. The Masked Singer’s season premiere is fast approaching, and Fyffes has teamed up with Fox to promote the first new costume from the upcoming season.
“Fyffes is thrilled to partner with Fox to introduce the new costume on our bananas,” said Marion Tabard, Vice President of Marketing for Fyffes in North America. “It’s a natural fit for Fyffes to feature 'The Banana.' We aim to catch the attention of produce shoppers and build excitement for the return of The Masked Singer.”
According to a press release, The Masked Singer drew in more than 17-million multi-platform viewers in its record-breaking debut. Guest celebrities have a sing-off in elaborate costumes while celebrity judges try to guess who’s under the mask. I wonder who will don the banana costume this time?
The banana company will have an exclusive promotional sticker featuring ‘The Banana’ on nearly all Fyffes' banana clusters starting mid-January and throughout February. Fyffes collaborated with Encompass Media Group and The Fruit Label Company for this promotion.
“We are very excited to see this banana sticker campaign and the season 3 premiere of The Masked Singer come to life on stage, following television’s largest live event,” said Dale Foshee, Managing Partner of The Fruit Label Company.
Season 3 of The Masked Singer premieres on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Fox.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more news in the produce sector.
WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the PACA. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA. By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Fresco First LLC, operating out of Temecula, Calif., for failing to pay a $15,367 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Yvette Aceves and Armando Cruz were listed as members of the business.
- Fuentes Farms LLC, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $13,200 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gisela B. Munoz was listed as a member of the business.
- MFC Food Service LLC, doing business as Full Line Food Company, operating out of Houston, Texas, for failing to pay a $59,832 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Mingfa Qu was listed as a member of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, 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 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.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - She was known by many names, wearing the crown of “Kiwi Queen” and “Mushroom Queen” proudly. After passing away January 18 at the age of 96, the industry is mourning the loss of this incredibly vibrant woman and Founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce while also remembering her incredible legacy.
Frieda began her career in produce by working for the Giumarra Brothers on the 7th Street Wholesale Produce Market. After several years, the landlord of the market—Southern Pacific Railroad—encouraged her to start her own business. This was a challenge she leapt into and also a move so characteristic of Frieda, the team at Frieda’s Specialty Produce shared in a statement. On April 2, 1962, she opened Produce Specialties, Inc. on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. Its light lavender signs drew attention and would later become the company’s trademarked color, as most people within the industry still associate the purple hue with Frieda’s Specialty Produce.
She was joined in business by both of her daughters: Karen Caplan in 1977 and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in 1983. Frieda’s greatest joy was that she got to work side by side with her daughters every day. Most recently, two of her grandchildren, Alex Berkley and Sophia Jackson, joined the now third-generation family business.
Throughout her life, Frieda was a political activist. She ran student body campaigns while she was a student at UCLA and was even named “Miss UCLA” for being the best-known person on campus. She was active in many local organizations, which provided support to people regardless of age, gender, race, color, sexual orientation, or financial status. Some of her favorites were: Dramatic Results, Trust Women, and Women Against Gun Violence. She also supported the ACLU, Anti-Defamation League, and Planned Parenthood.
The Fresh Produce and Floral Council (FPFC) released a statement upon hearing of Frieda’s passing as well, noting her contributions to the produce industry.
“Caplan has been praised and awarded for making the produce industry one of the greatest for female empowerment and opportunity, since her start in the 60s,” the statement reads. “Her most recent award, in 2019, was the Produce Marketing Association's Women's Catalyst Award, which recognized her leadership in advancing women in the industry. Caplan is responsible for introducing the Kiwifruit to the U.S. market in the early 60s, as well as many other exotic fruits and vegetables that we have all come to know and love.”
The FPFC's 2020 Chairman of the Board, Brian Cook of Pete's, stated that he remembers Caplan's openness in receiving new blood to the produce family when he first entered the industry.
In addition to her many passions, she was part of a longitudinal study conducted at UCI Mind Institute in Irvine, CA, to help find the cause and cure for Alzheimer’s. After her passing, her brain was donated to UCI Mind so it could be studied to help solve this terrible disease.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 22, with the location and time to be announced. To read more from her family and friends, please visit our In Memoriam trubute as well.
We here at AndNowUKnow extend our condolences to the Frieda’s family.
CINCINNATI, OH - On Friday of last week, Kroger announced the launch of its Kroger Technology & Digital Innovation Lab at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), as it continues to chase after new retail innovations.
“Our partnership with Northern Kentucky University provides the opportunity for our associates to work with NKU faculty and students on projects aimed at solving real, innovative business challenges,” said Yael Cosset, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
According to the Cinncinnati Business Journal, the lab will likely be a part of NKU’s College of Informatics. The teams will focus on initiatives that directly impact Kroger customers across the nation, including nutrition, health and wellness, and video analytics.
“It’s all about talent and how we attract talent for Kroger’s mission, which is increasingly techno-centric,” Chris Hjelm, Kroger's former Executive Vice President, explained to the news source.
This is not the first time that Kroger has dialed into upping its innovation strategy. Last year, the retailer opened its space at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub.
As long as Kroger continues to seek out new talent in both the retail and tech sectors, AndNowUKnow will watch out for its innovations.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - In this world, there are leaders and there are visionaries, passionate adventurers and champions for change, pathfinders and path-breakers—Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan was all of them. It is with our deepest condolences that we share the recent passing of Frieda. She meant so many things to so many—and a light to us all. Frieda passed away early in the morning on January 18th at her home. She was 96 years old.
Frieda’s daughters, Karen and Jackie, and her granddaughters, Alex and Sophia, are so grateful for the outpouring of love and stories they have received since Frieda passed away Saturday morning. The family will soon be sharing the details of a Celebration of Life which will be held on February 22, 2020.
It is truly impossible to encapsulate a life so rich and full, so please consider this a short walk down memory lane. Frieda’s contributions to our industry are many, and include such ground-breaking introductions as the kiwifruit—earning her the title, “Queen of Kiwi”—and a multitude of specialty/exotic fresh fruits and vegetables including Sugar Snap Peas™, Hothouse Cucumbers, Habanero Chiles, Kiwano® Melons, and those purple sweet potatoes we love so much—just to give you a taste of her long legacy.
Frieda was also truly impactful and graceful in her efforts as a female business owner in an overwhelmingly male-oriented industry to give women a voice, a mentor to mirror, a role model to strive to become, and an overall brilliant and passionate human to call an advocate.
As Produce Marketing Association’s CEO Cathy Burns shared on the passing of the industry leader, Frieda provided an example to many aspiring women executives.
“In conversations we shared, it was very apparent she always had an open door to those seeking a mentor and guidance. She also delighted in the fact that her daughters and granddaughter were carrying forward the torch she lit when she founded Frieda’s, Inc. in 1962,” Cathy wrote in a statement. “Recently PMA, through our Center for Growing Talent, honored Frieda with our Women’s Catalyst Award. The award recognizes an outstanding individual in the produce and floral industries who cultivates women’s potential by mentoring and fostering a path for leadership, development, and participation. As seen during the award presentation at Fresh Summit 2019, countless women who have benefited from sitting under Frieda’s learning tree joined in our celebration of her.”
Cathy also shared that, upon joining PMA, Frieda’s office was among her very first “must do” member visits, and she literally welcomed her with open arms to our industry. In the five years since, it was not uncommon for Cathy to open her e-mail and find a note from Frieda offering her unique insights on trends, innovation, and inspiration.
“Throughout her career, Frieda has been described as a fearless entrepreneur, product innovator, produce pioneer, trailblazer, icon, and vanguard,” Cathy reflected. “She is all these accolades to others and me, but most of all I am incredibly blessed and proud to have called her a friend.”
If we look back to 1962, we see one of the historical moments that shifted the industry for us all. Frieda established Frieda’s Finest/Produce Specialties Inc. on the male-dominated Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market—a legacy she now shares with her daughters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins as well as her granddaughters Alex Berkley and Sophia Jackson.
It goes without saying that, at that time, Frieda was one of very few women in the produce industry, and was the first to own and operate a U.S. business in our industry. Frieda quickly developed a reputation for buying and selling new and unusual produce specialties. Frieda has made a long-lasting imprint on the produce industry. This all can be seen in the 2015 documentary film, Fear No Fruit. To view the documentary, visit Friedas.com to download and watch it for free.
Frieda has received numerous awards and honors for her achievements, all ranking with the likes of this recent PMA honor, and which include The Los Angeles Times naming Frieda one of 12 Southern California business personalities who shaped the course of American business in the 1980s (along with Steve Jobs, Jane Fonda, and Michael Milken), in 2013, Frieda was selected as the Gold Stevie® Award winner for Lifetime Achievement in Business at the 2013 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and Frieda was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters during Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s commencement ceremony for her achievement as one of the nation’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
To honor her legacy, a CBS Sunday Morning segment that was taped in November about Frieda which was aired Sunday, January 19, as a wonderful tribute to a mother, a friend, and mentor, and an industry visionary that led an incredible life never to be forgotten.
We at AndNowUKnow extend our deepest condolences to Frieda's family and friends during this time as well as to all those who knew her and had the opportunity to be impacted by an unrivaled legacy.
WASHINGTON, DC - As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in a press release, that it has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the PACA.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA. By issuing these penalties, the USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Brahm Foods Inc., operating out of Maspeth, New York, for failing to pay a $52,701 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Arrora Vijay was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
- 54 ISLIP Food Corp., operating out of Central Islip, New York, for failing to pay a $7,114 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daniel Taveras and Liz Dionicio, Jr., were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
- D & R Foods LLC, operating out of St. George, Utah, for failing to pay a $47,360 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Daniel Webster and Roy Cook was listed as a members or managers of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in the USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to 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.
To see the full press release directly from the USDA, click here.
IRVING, TX - There was a time when an acquisition of any kind was few and far between. In just the past eight years that I have been in this industry, the numbers have grown to mega-proportions. With that, 7‑Eleven, Inc. is expanding its reach with the announcement that it has entered into an agreement to acquire "7‑Eleven Stores” of Central Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma has a growing economy, and this acquisition provides a great opportunity for us to expand regionally,” President and CEO Joe DePinto, stated.
This acquisition in Oklahoma includes more than 100 7‑Eleven-branded locations that have been operating independently for 67 years, according to a press release.
This move brings the total number of 7‑Eleven stores in the U.S. and Canada to more than 9,700 locations. The transaction is anticipated to close in 60 to 90 days and, per usual, is subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Whether the acquisition be one company snagging another or a land grab here in California where AndNowUKnow calls home—there is no mistaking that the market is active and corporations are hungry.
KANSAS CITY, KS - After 40 years in supermarket operations, Chuck Murfin has retired from the business and, in turn, resigned from the Associated Wholesale Grocers’ (AWG) Board of Directors.
“It’s been a great opportunity, a wonderful ride, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I will never forget all the great people I’ve met over the years,” Mr. Murfin commented, having joined the board in 1990.
Mr. Murfin’s withdrawl went into effect December 10, 2019, with the board electing Donald Rouse, Jr. to serve as Mr. Murfin’s successor for the remainder of his term at the December 2019 board meeting. Mr. Murfin’s term will officially expire at the association’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Chuck for his dedication to AWG and our members for the last 30 years,” said Barry Queen, Chairman of the Board for AWG. “Chuck has played an instrumental role on our board over the last three decades and helped guide us as we grew from two divisions with $2 billion in annual sales to eight divisions today with over $9.7 billion in sales.”
Mr. Murfin’s successor, Mr. Rouse, serves as CEO of Rouses Markets, a Louisiana-based regional grocer operating 63 supermarkets along the Gulf Coast.
“I am very honored to be joining AWG’s board and look forward to contributing to its continued success in any way I can,” Mr. Rouse said of the changes.
Mr. Rouse also brings an established tenure to the role, having began working in the buy-side as a teenager in his family’s grocery store.
“Donny Rouse leads one of the best regional independent chains in the country. They are very progressive in their store designs, operations, offerings, and marketing. They are a great example of an independent grocer that continues to raise their game so they remain relevant leaders in the markets they serve. I know that he will be a great contributor to our board and the future success of AWG and the members we serve,” said Chairman Queen.
In the press release, AWG noted that along with stepping away from the board, Mr. Murfin recently sold his four supermarkets in the Springfield, Missouri, area to a fellow member of the AWG.
The association serves over 1,000 member companies and over 3,000 locations throughout 28 states from eight full-line wholesale divisions, offering a vast portfolio including real estate and supermarket development services, print and digital marketing services, and more.
Congratulations to Mr. Murfin and Mr. Rouse on these new chapters!
OAKLAND, CA - More and more these days, the organic industry is drawing our eyes and the contents of our pocketbooks as companies make strides to build their market share. Purity Organic, Inc. is joining the fight, announcing its acquisition of Dunn's River Brands, Inc.
"We are excited about this acquisition as it continues our mission of continuing to provide better-for-you brands to our customers," said Mary Page Platerink, CEO of Purity Organic. "We have an aggressive roadmap in 2020 and look forward to continuing to serve our key markets and expanding into new areas for all our brands."
Moving forward, Purity Organic will focus on delivering operational excellence as it grows its family by refreshing the Sweet Leaf Brand and increasing that coveted market share across its expanded portfolio, according to a press release. Page Platerink, along with a team touting 40 years of beverage experience, will lead Purity Organic into the category's future.
"We believe there is tremendous potential for all our brands as the organic beverage market continues to expand," said Douglas Abrams, Chairman of Purity Organic. "We will continue to deliver great-tasting, organic beverages with a variety of strong brands."
The popular Dunn's River Brands' consumer brands also includes Tradewinds Beverage Co.
Congrats on the growing family of organic products! Thirst quenched!