ST. LOUIS, MO - Opening up the new decade with transformation seems to be the running theme of most retail news lately. Hitching its train to this wagon, Save A Lot recently announced an agreement with the majority of its lenders so that it might recapitallize the businesss. Under this new agreement, the discount grocer will receive $138 million to strengthen its business and accelerate its transformation plan.
“The agreement with our lenders is an important step in securing Save A Lot’s long-term success,” said Kenneth McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, in a recent press release. “This is a significant statement of confidence in our business and gives us the appropriate levels of capital to compete effectively. We have an amazing group of retail partners and team members who provide Save A Lot shoppers with high quality products at low prices every day. This new investment is an endorsement of their hard work and dedication to our customers.”
The press release noted that this agreement also provides for a reduction of indebtedness of over $400 million, strengthening Save A Lot’s balance sheet and significantly reducing its annual interest expense. Subject to approval, the retailer expects the deal to close in the first quarter of 2020.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in retail, strategy, and more.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Joe Barsi is stepping into a new role with California Giant Berry Farms with his recent promotion to President after serving almost two years as Chief Operating Officer. The move will help the berry provider start the new year and decade off strong by paving the way for a robust future.
“I am humbled and honored to be chosen by the owners to lead California Giant Berry Farms into the future. It is a company with a strong culture of quality, philanthropy, and fairness in all we do. I will make it a priority that we maintain our company culture as we continue our growth in the berry industry,” said Barsi.
While with California Giant, Barsi has worked closely with the company’s board and senior leadership team on its strategic planning and succession planning process. In addition, he’s helped the berry grower continue its foreign expansion and bolster its sustainability efforts, including guiding the corporate offices toward Zero Waste certification in 2020.
“We are excited to work with Joe in this new leadership role. He has helped take our company to the next level over the past two years, and we look forward to him leading as President as we enter a new decade here at California Giant,” said Bill Moncovich, Owner/Partner who will continue as CEO of California Giant, while Frank Saveria will continue as Owner/Partner of the international berry company.
According to a press release, Moncovich and Saveria are very pleased to have Barsi at the helm as the company as a whole continues to build a strong reputation as a trusted quality brand for its consumers and trading partners.
Congratulations to Joe Barsi on this exciting promotion!
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Trader Joe’s is starting the new year, and new decade, off strong, already having opened its first new store in 2020—today! Back in May, the cult grocery icon announced its plans to introduce its ninth store in Manhattan, which supported its urban expansion both in New York state and across the country.
“We’ve consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in New York (East Village), New York,” read an announcement on Trader Joe’s website, which disclosed that the grand opening of the new store took place today, January 6, 2020.
In addition to its new East Village location, Trader Joe’s is also rumored to be eyeing Long Island as another spot to keep upping its store count. The double whammy of possible New York state store openings further supports the grocery chain’s growth initiatives, which at the end of 2019 helped Trader Joe’s debut new stores in Idaho, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Where will Trader Joe’s maps and compass take it next? A first-ever market for the retailer? Or maybe another metropolis already bursting with TJ’s stores? Wherever it goes, AndNowUKnow will be sure to report.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Unfortunately, when consumers pick up a potato at the grocery store, they most likely only see what’s ahead in its life cycle, a.k.a. whatever they plan to make for dinner that night. As hardworking individuals with their hands in the soil, the team at Eagle Eye Produce envisions a more comprehensive understanding for consumers and industry members alike. Transforming imagination into action, the grower invested in a few time lapse cameras to record its potato fields in Eastern Idaho, capturing over 6 months of footage and compiling it into the video below.
“We launched this project to help connect the customer to the growing process,” said Dallin Klinger of Marketing and Communications. “We feel it is extremely important for people to understand where their food comes from and to understand the natural process behind it. When you look at a bag of potatoes in the produce aisle, it's easy to forget the generations of growers that work around the clock to ensure you get the best quality product. After watching the six months compiled, it’s easy to see the hard work and dedication that goes into this process. We are hoping this project and other projects in the future will help continue to bridge the gap between the farm and the fork.”
With over 20,000 acres grown and harvested annually, Eagle Eye Produce has become one of the largest potato growers in the western United States. According to Dallin, Eagle Eye’s potato season kicks off with planting in early April to early May. After 14-16 weeks, the grower begins to separate the vines in order to promote maturation of the potatoes. Then, as summer turns to autumn, the potato harvest kicks off.
After carrying out the two-pronged process of harvester and crossover, the potatoes are transferred to a 10-wheeler truck to be sorted and transported to a storage cellar. The potatoes are then inspected by skilled sorters who remove weeds, rocks, and look for any imperfections in the field-fresh-potatoes. Once inspected, the product is stored in regulated storage cellars, where it will remain until being packed. Each cellar holds millions of pounds of potatoes which can be stored for several months, ensuring a year-round supply of premium Eagle Eye Produce potatoes.
The grower’s exclusive potato harvest time lapse can be viewed above or accessed via the company blog. For more influential initiatives in produce, keep a tab open for us at ANUK.
DALLAS, GA - Between Australia, China, and Canada, retail giant Costco managed to secure its growth on an international level last year. Even so, the company has continued multiple expansion efforts across the U.S. as well. With no signs of slowing down, Costco now has plans to open its first store in Dallas, Georgia, according to the news source West Georgia Neighbor.
"The Board of Commissioners and our Paulding County staff have labored long and hard to provide the collaborative planning and organization necessary with Costco’s management, engineers, and real estate agents to successfully close the deal," said Board of Commissioners Chairman David Charmichael. He continued by noting that the Board is "grateful to Costco Wholesale Corp. for expanding to Paulding County."
Although Costco has remained quiet in terms of the new Dallas store, West Georgia Neighbor reported that the company submitted plans for the site back in 2018. The most recent version of these plans detailed a 135,000-square-foot store, a massive parking lot, and the possibility of a gas station. County officials have since issued a $17.6 million building permit to the company, with the land purchase finalized in December.
For more explosive growth from Costco in the new year, keep a tab open for us at ANUK.
WENATCHEE, WA - The adage “it's not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside” may ring true for a lot of things, but walk down the produce aisle and you see that the packaging does make a difference. Especially with today’s earth-conscious consumers seeking organic, local, or sustainable products. Starr Ranch Growers knows that the packaging is just as important as the great-tasting produce on the inside, so when the company decided to extend its sustainability program, I was all ears.
“Corrugated cardboard boxes are easy to recycle, and the boxes can be folded and stored for later use,” said Krista Beckstead, Marketing and Brand Specialist. “We want to provide the best quality product in a sustainable manner. This package is a good solution for the supply chain.”
Starr Ranch is ditching its plastic clam shell in favor of a more sustainable solution, eliminating the use of plastics, which only get recycled at a rate of nine percent. The attractive design utilizes little windows to let shoppers peek inside, maximizing product visibility while still protecting the precious produce. According to a press release, the new sustainable packaging is part of the company’s controlled trial for its organic Fuji apples. The next phase of the rollout will be creating packaging for all its organic varieties.
Will more cardboard packages spring up in the grocery aisle? Keep reading ANUK as we bring more sustainability to the forefront.
COVINGTON, GA - As it continues to expand its retail presence in the Georgia market, Lidl is taking steps to ensure its operations can keep pace with its growth plans in the region. The grocer recently announced a new $100 million regional distribution center located in Covington, Georgia. The new facility will serve as a regional headquarters to service the surrounding area.
“We look forward to breaking ground on Lidl’s fourth regional distribution center in the U.S. and hiring hundreds of new team members in Georgia,” Chairman Roman Heini said. “This centrally located facility will allow us to efficiently deliver outstanding quality products to our customers at the lowest possible prices and expand our network of stores across the region. We thank Governor Brian Kemp and local leaders for their tremendous support during this process.”
Lidl operates four stores in Georgia, located in Augusta, Mableton, Marietta, and Snellville, according to a press release. The retailer originally had considered Cartersville as the site for the new facility, but pivoted its focus to Covington, a city that is more centralized for Lidl’s entire store network in Georgia and its future growth plans.
“I am grateful for Lidl’s investment in Georgia and the tremendous opportunities that it will create for hardworking Georgians in Newton County,” said Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp. “Our logistics infrastructure puts domestic and international markets within arm’s reach, and leading brands from around the world are taking notice. As the No. 1 State for Business for seven years running, Georgia’s ability to support international companies looking to expand their U.S. footprint is unmatched.”
The new facility is set to take up 925,000 square feet and is expected to generate 270 full-time jobs over the next five years.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for updates on retail growth.
ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board (NMB) is encouraging any and all in the produce biz with a knack for a certain tropical fruit to get their mangos a go-go and get to participatin’ in the upcoming board nominations. The NMB is currently seeking nominations for six board member positions, including three fresh mango importers in District II, two foreign producers, and one domestic producer—all of which will serve a three-year term beginning January 2021.
The NMB is comprised of 21 mango industry members dedicated to increasing the consumption of fresh and frozen mangos in the U.S.—the NMB's mission. Current board members include fresh and frozen mango importers, a first handler, a frozen processor, domestic producers, and foreign producers, all of whom have made it their mission to conduct innovative research, implement promotional activities, and foster a thriving industry alongside NMB staff.
The nomination process is as follows, as noted in a press release: For each importer and domestic producer position, two nominees will be forwarded to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The two nominees per position will have been voted for by mango industry members in the respective district. Once nominations are in and a final slate of nominees has been selected, the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint the new members.
Before you get to nominatin’, be sure to note that candidates must meet certain requirements to be eligible, on top of being willing to serve the mango industry by fulfilling board member roles and responsibilities. The NMB encourages industry members without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, size of business/operation, and marital or family status or other basis protected by U.S. law, to participate in NMB activities and seek a position on the NMB. Foreign producer nominations will be submitted by mango foreign producing organizations or themselves.
If you already know of a candidate or two, or are thinking of serving yourself, click here for complete details, updates, and the necessary forms. Nominations must be received at the NMB office no later than February 21, 2020.
Looking for that extra push? According to a press release, by actively participating, board members will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of NMB programs in upcoming years—so what are you waiting for mango aficionados? Get to nominatin’!
WAXAHACHIE, TX - It’s the beginning of another new year, and the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association (PAIA) couldn’t wait to get a jump start. Priscilla Lleras-Bush, PAIA Director, announced that the association will be welcoming two new Co-Chairmen for the 2020-2021 term at the Association Meeting that took place in October 2019 in Anaheim, California.
“The elected PAIA Co-Chairmen for the 2020-2021 term are Jay Rodriguez of Crystal Valley Foods, Miami, Florida, and Walter Yager of Alpine Fresh, Doral, Florida,” Lleras-Bush said. “These two gentlemen have close to a combined 60+ years’ experience within the international trade/agricultural sector. Their knowledge provides our asparagus association with the foresight that will propel the entire asparagus industry forward.”
Rodriguez and Yager have been consistent, driven leaders of the asparagus industry and of PAIA. According to a press release, PAIA consists of 34 members: 23 key industry importers, focused on advancing and expanding market consumer demand, and 11 industry service providers solely focused on streamlining service to the sector.
“Each member of PAIA contributes their knowledge, experience, and specialized skills for the initiatives set forth by the association,” stated Rodriguez.
Yager added, “PAIA companies believe in membership synergy, and they understand that synergy is the single component stimulus for the association to obtain industry goals.”
In 2020, the association plans to focus even greater efforts on spreading the positive word to trade press, supermarkets, and consumers concerning the benefits of fresh asparagus.
“PAIA has always been an association with its finger on the pulse of the asparagus industry,” said Lleras-Bush. “We have been focused on dedication, direction, and increasing demand for asparagus. We will continue to work together with industry and agency to advance asparagus industry goals.”
Congratulations to Jay Rodriguez and Walter Yager on their new positions! For more produce-related updates, keep reading ANUK.
MCALLEN, TX - The Texas Produce Hall of Fame was established in 1988. Since then, 143 living and posthumous awards and 23 Scott Toothaker Awards have been given to men and women who have contributed to the betterment of the produce industry throughout Texas. On January 27, seven leaders of the Texas produce industry will be added to that legacy and honored this year at the Texas International Produce Association’s Hall of Fame Banquet.
According to a press release, the seven inductees to be honored as leaders among the farming or sales industry of fresh produce in Texas will be: Kathy Reavis, Aquilies J. Garza, Charles La Grange, Jimmy Pawlik, and Lawrence Kroman. Posthumous awards will also be given to honor Harold Macomb and Ross La Grange.
Jimmy Santos will be honored as the 2020 recipient of the Scott Toothaker Award for his dedication and service as a partner to the industry. The Scott Toothaker Award was established in 1989 for those individuals who are not directly involved in production agriculture, but who have made immense contributions nonetheless.
The Hall of Fame is held every other year and is considered one of the most treasured events. This banquet provides the opportunity for today’s industry members to pay tribute to the leaders and role models who paved the way for future generations in the produce industry. In addition, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the William E. Weeks Agricultural Scholarship, established to encourage future generations to carry on the hard work of our past leaders and pursue education in the field of specialty crop agriculture.
Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s event! For more exciting news in the industry, keep up with us at AndNowUKnow.