HERMOSILLO, MEXICO - Rico Farms, a grower marketed by its partner Bridges Produce, is putting significant effort into its social programs as a catalyst for changing its workers lives, both on and off the farm. With such a commitment to its team members, Bridges Produce-backed Rico Farms is one to watch in the industry.
“The critical role of the field workers is too often forgotten in the supply chain. Rico Farms is dedicated to improving the lives of its workers and its community,” Ben Johnson, President of Bridges Produce, commented. “Rico Farms is a wonderful example of Bridges’ greater mission, to enable all stakeholders to thrive.”
Rico Farms is owned and operated by the Tapia family, who grow organic summer and winter squash, melons, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, and chili peppers. The grower’s 100-percent organic crop seasons run from October through May. But it is not just the exceptional produce Rico Farms cultivates that gets Bridges Produce excited, but its focus on taking care of its team members.
“We don’t just want better employees; we want the workers to be better people in our community and to provide better opportunities for all our workers,” Rico Farms’ Operations Director, Jacobo Yanes, commented in a press release.
The Tapia family makes upgrades to their facilities and adds social programs every year to reach their goal of “Creating well-being and fostering a more sustainable world.” This year, Rico Farms implemented both a Fair Trade initiative that enabled 850 workers to make repairs and upgrades to their homes and expanded its educational fast track reading and writing program to include five different levels of education and training.
Under the education initiative, workers are able to enroll in reading and writing classes and work with tutors in efforts to graduate with one of the five certificates offered: literacy, primary/elementary, secondary/junior high, leadership, and its most recent program, which was introduced this year, high school. Funded by the Rico Farms Foundation, the education program has helped 337 people graduate over five seasons.
“Their interest and willingness to learn is motivation for us,” said Yanes. “It makes us want to continue supporting them to grow as people in all aspects and to show them that they are important.”
Workers are also invited to enhance their certificate programs with regularly scheduled educational talks, theater performances, and movie screenings. Several topics are explored in the program, including fostering self-esteem, drug prevention, and promoting personal development through health and nutrition education.
“I would like to thank Rico Farms and the Tapia Family. We had the opportunity to study and work at the same time. We did not have this educational opportunity back home where we live. We are also receiving materials to fix our houses because of this great Fair Trade program. We want to continue working here so more people can benefit,” said Samuel Hernandes, a Rico Farms Employee who, with his brothers, returned to the farm year-after-year, and has now taken on supervisor rolls at the farm.
Along with programs funded by the Rico Farms Foundation, the grower is also Fair Trade Certified. The premium paid on each box of Fair Trade products is returned to the Fair Trade Committee so other projects are funded that are selected by the workers. Since late 2013, the Rico Farms facility in Hermosillo, Mexico, has been Fair Trade certified, and this year the grower has initiated its most ambitious project yet. The company is providing materials to upgrade and repair 850 employee’s homes in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Veracruz, Mexico. The project is set to be completed by January 2020, and is made up of 600 workers from the current season with the remaining beneficiaries coming from the previous season. Over $100,000 in premium funds are used to purchase and deliver building materials including cinder blocks, cement, laminate, paint, and metal roofing sheet to the workers’ home communities. The project will benefit not only the workers, but thousands of their family members as well. These building materials are critical in southern Mexico, as many of the workers’ homes were damaged from an earthquake that hit two years ago.
AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest from the produce world.
SPRINGDALE, AR - Harps Food Stores is expanding its partnership with Instacart and, as a result, bolstering its delivery capabilities. This week, the retailer announced grocery pickup will now be available at select locations throughout its four-state footprint all thanks to Instacart.
“We are excited to expand into both delivery and click and collect services,” said David Ganoung, Harps’ Vice President of Marketing, in a statement. “We strive to continue to meet the needs of our valued customers by offering the convenience of both delivery and click and collect services.”
According to Talk Business & Politics, the two companies first teamed up earlier this year to initiate Harps’ foray into grocery delivery. Now, as a part of the expanded partnership, Harps will begin launching its pickup service in the next couple of months.
“Our expanded partnership with Harps Food gives customers one more time-saving option when shopping for groceries and household essentials,” added Andrew Nodes, Instacart’s Vice President of Retail. “We know that customers want choice, and we’re excited to offer both pickup and delivery options to Harps Food’s loyal customers.”
As grocery delivery continues its trajectory to the top of the list of hottest sectors in grocery retail, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date on the latest.
SUMMERLAND, BC, CANADA - PMA Fresh Summit may be in our rear window, but companies are still celebrating the effects of a successful show. Okanagan Specialty Fruit (OSF) showed up and out at this year’s Fresh Summit trade show in Anaheim, California. The developers of the non-browning Arctic® apple were pleased with the reception they saw from attendees.
“We always enjoy attending Fresh Summit—it provides excellent networking opportunities, is the ideal platform to share the newest developments for our company, and demonstrates the many opportunities that Arctic apples offer to the produce industry,” stated Neal Carter, President, in a recent press release. “The just-picked flavor and fresh appearance of Arctic apple slices provide retail and foodservice the ability to utilize fresh-cut apples without sacrificing flavor, convenience, and customer satisfaction. One of my favorite things is to watch people experience this firsthand.”
Showgoers were treated to the company’s Charcuterie Bar, which showcased how Arctic apples can be paired with other ingredients. OSF also offered attendees the chance to spin a prize wheel for a chance to win Arctic apple swag. The grand prize was a branded Apple Watch, which was won by Cherylynn Hebison.
“Winning this Apple Watch is amazing and I could not be more excited,” remarked Hebison. “Stopping by the Arctic booth at the Fresh Summit was not only informational, it was educational. Thank you so much, and I look forward to seeing you next year.”
In addition, OSF has just wrapped its harvest of Arctic® Golden and Arctic® Granny varieties, which will soon become available in select retail locations in the United States and to foodservice customers.
As always, stick with AndNowUKnow to read the latest in the produce industry.
HOUSTON, TX - The Sysco Corporation is always looking at new ways to switch up its offerings. Earlier this year, the company accomplished this by acquiring two meat distributors based in California. Yesterday, however, Sysco announced that it has now acquired two Hawaii-based fresh produce providers: Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce. The two companies combined have approximately $155 million in annual revenue. Part of Sysco’s specialty produce company, the acquired entities will operate under the FreshPoint banner.
“Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce have been providing quality service and produce to Hawaii and the Pacific Region since 1979, and we are excited to welcome them to the Sysco family of companies and to FreshPoint,” said Greg Bertrand, Sysco’s Executive Vice President, U.S. Foodservice Operations. “A key pillar of FreshPoint’s strategy for continued growth and value creation is the continuous assessment of new market opportunities. Acquiring Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce provides Sysco and FreshPoint with additional direct access to the Hawaiian Islands and increased capacity to expand our produce assortment in the local market.”
Armstrong Produce was founded in 1979 and has grown from a small family-run wholesale business into one of Hawaii’s leading produce wholesalers and distributors, according to a press release. With operations in Honolulu, Kona, and Kahului, the company supplies a wide range of customers with fresh produce daily, from local chefs to retailers. Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce are sister companies. FreshPoint expects to retain the executive leadership team of Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce, as well as all current associates.
“By leveraging the combined skills of FreshPoint, Armstrong Produce and Kula Produce, we are better positioned to serve our customers,” continued Bertrand. “This partnership provides an opportunity to broaden our vision to be our customers’ most valued and trusted business partner.”
Congratulations to Sysco on another successful acquisition! To see how the fresh sector continues to evolve, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
REIDSVILLE, GA - Around this time of year, the food wires become congested with recipe suggestions that introduce new takes on old favorites and acquaint consumers with what very well could be their family’s new tradition. No matter the recipe—whether it's a holiday classic or a new innovation—all winter holiday dishes are sure to have one thing in common: an onion variety or two featured front and center. Knowing this fact better than anyone, Shuman Farms is heading into a prime onion season with a sweet variety for retailers and consumers to enjoy.
“During the 2018-19 Peruvian sweet onion season, Shuman Farms led the industry by importing nearly 1,100 containers of Peruvian sweet onions for U.S. distribution. This season, we plan on having similar production,” John Shuman, President and CEO of Shuman Farms, shared with me.
Shuman Farms is currently shipping its RealSweet® brand Peruvian sweet onions, which normally runs during the months of September to March. With supplies on the up and up for Shuman Farms, I asked John how harvest and quality are faring in the great state of Georgia. John confirmed quality, despite the early harvest, has been excellent. This positions retailers well to stock up on not only a hefty supply of Peruvian sweet onions, but a supply rich in quality, too!
On the organic front, Shuman Farms will begin shipping its organic varieties in the next two weeks. This will include the grower’s new reduced-plastic packaging, which made its industry debut in September.
“We are continuing to grow our organics program and expect a good supply this year," John continued.
From conventional to organic, Shuman Farms has retailers and consumers covered this year in more ways than one. I’m talking quality, supply, and sweet, sweet onions.
For more crop updates like this, stick around AndNowUKnow.
ANAHEIM, CA - Before the internet took off, and with it social media, Fresh Del Monte Produce was already doing for the environment what brand influencers today are just beginning to catch on to. Now, it wants to share its wisdom and resources with potential partners in conservation.
“This is about something we have been working on for the past 30 years, and I have been intimately involved with it from the agricultural side in terms of looking for better ways of farming, ways that are more friendly for the environment,” Hans Sauter, Senior Vice President Corporate R&D, QA and Agricultural Services for Fresh Del Monte Produce, recently shared with me.
The company has taken these steps around four pillars of sustainability: its products, communities, environment, and people.
“It’s sustainability as a whole, but it is also a strategy,” Hans added. “Each pillar involves a number of different things that go into supporting our communities and our people, and all of it is validated very highly.”
And that strategy is growing in several new ways, Hans shared, as the company seeks to relay what it has learned with others in our industry and beyond.
“We are calling it A Better World Tomorrow—it is our vision. We have done it, we believe in it, and we are setting that example for our own suppliers, our own growers, and we want to partner with other organizations because we have experience firsthand in this,” Hans emphasized.
It would be a partner to be reckoned with, as the company continues to set and exceed goal after goal. The company has committed to delivering 300 different local sustainable initiatives by year 2025, with a point of keeping them local so team members and Fresh Del Monte Produce’s communities can engage with and give input on those initiatives.
Notable achieved and in-process commitments include:
- Reducing energy consumption by 12 percent per pound of product before the 2020 deadline
- Reducing water consumption by 21 percent per pound of product before the 2020 deadline
- Setting new targets for 2025, including a $200M investment in more fuel efficient vessels, reducing Scope 1 CO2E emissions by 10 percent
“As we transition to being more consumer centric, we are finding a common thread between telling our story about our sustainability and how it can also help us align with our consumer base. Our consumer base is interested in our efforts and those actions,” said Dennis Christou, Vice President Marketing N.A. “We need this to inspire other players to bring hope to the new generations because these new consumers are excited and are willing to engage with companies that make that investment and are doing the right thing.”
Dennis added that the team has seen an increase in demand for such stories on the buy-side, and that the company is working with partners to answer that demand.
“In general, we’ve seen that our retail partners have become more interested in increasing awareness and demand on the part of their consumers, who want to understand where their food is coming from, especially for the younger consumers—food defines who they are," Dennis remarked. "So, in the past, the retailer’s interest was to ensure the products were produced in a safe, sustainable manner, and now they want to get the story behind it. People want to relate to the farm, they want to relate to the environment.”
Intent on adding multiple layers to its existing legacy, Fresh Del Monte Produce is looking to spread its knowledge and its reach to potential partners that want to maximize the benefits of sustainable actions. We can’t wait to see what like minds join this initiative and the results it creates!
SANTA PAULA, CA - As we’re winding down the 2019 year and Thanksgiving vibes become more abundant, I like to take this time to be a little bit more retrospective and make the time count. Because before we know it, January will be upon us, bringing on another crazy year of innovation, changes, and beginnings. For Lee Cole, however, 2020 will be more than just another new beginning. On October 24, Cole announced that he will be retiring from his spot as Calavo Growers' President and Chief Executive Officer. With his retirement slated for early 2020, the Santa Paula avocado company has already kicked off a search to find Cole's successor.
Since 1999, Cole has served as the CEO, but has led the Board as Chairman since 1982, according to Pacific Coast Business Times. Not only was he heading Calavo Growers, but he also serves as Chairman of the Board for citrus distributor Limoneira. The title of Director can also be attributed to Cole, seeing he’s been juggling that role too since 2006. Before that, he ran as an executive of Safeway Stores from 1986 until 1996, when he had a ten year stint as President of Hawaiian Sweet.
Cole plans to remain on as Chairman for the Calavo Grower’s Board of Directors and support its relationships with its suppliers and investors, according to its recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The report also states that Calavo’s Board of Directors is in the process of interviewing and evaluating several qualified Chief Executive Officer candidates. Although, no mention of the next President was mentioned. Cole’s retirement from CEO will commence once his successor has been found in Q1 2020.
We at AndNowUKnow wish Lee Cole the best of luck with his transition and can’t wait to see what Calavo Growers has in store for us in 2020.
VALENCIA, CA - Sunkist Growers, the ever-evolving citrus provider, is adding new talent to its pool of team members, recently announcing it’s hiring of Matt Shekoyan to serve as Vice President of Strategy for Sunkist and its sister co-op, Fruit Growers Supply (FGS). A citrus-industry veteran, Shekoyan will work closely with Sunkist and FGS to enrich and bring new life to the companies’ strategic direction.
“I’m thrilled to join the Sunkist/FGS team,” Shekoyan commented. “We have a strong global brand, a talented team, and some of the best assets within the ag space. I’m looking forward to building upon our proud legacy and achieving even greater success for our stakeholders.”
Sunkist is eager to add Shekoyan and his 20 years of diverse leadership experience to the team. Shekoyan spent much of his career with The Wonderful Company, where he served in several operational and executive capacities in the U.S. and abroad, including Chief Financial Officer of Wonderful Citrus.
“We’re excited to welcome Matt to the team,” said Jim Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer at Sunkist Growers and FGS, in a press release. “This is a new position within our two cooperatives, and it was created to help us deliver on our commitment to our growers, employees, customers, and consumers. I am looking forward to his contributions in keeping Sunkist the citrus leader and industry innovator for many more generations to come.”
Raised in the Central Valley, Shekoyan comes from a family of citrus, grape, and almond growers who have farmed in the region for more than 75 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University. Shekoyan currently lives in Los Angeles, but in the past he lived predominantly in the San Joaquin Valley, lived and worked several years in Mexico, where he promoted California agricultural exports. He recently spent two years with his family in Valencia, Spain, where he further developed his global perspectives about the agricultural industry.
“Matt has seen the citrus industry grow, evolve, and redefine itself,” Phillips concluded. “He has a deep understanding of this sector of agriculture, and his knowledge paired with his long history and passion for all things citrus is what we call a triple threat.”
Congratulations to Matt on the new role, from all of us at AndNowUKnow.
VANCOUVER, CANADA - Recently, Oppy announced that it will be welcoming a new member to its leadership roster. Steve Roosdahl has moved up through the IT department to his new role as Vice President of Operations. Roosdahl has spent the last 24 years with Oppy successively moving through the leadership team under the wing of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Doug Grant.
“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of Oppy and the challenging environment of produce over the last two decades. Through our focus on culture, systems, and teamwork, I look forward to the future and supporting growth in my new role,” Roosdahl commented.
Roosdahl first started off as an application developer in the IT department and has been moving through management positions since then, adding responsibilities in transportation, manufacturing, quality control and operations, warehouse and inventory administration, and most recently, sustainability, food safety, and government relations and facilities. Sounds like Roosdahl has been quite the busy bee!
“Steve is very well suited for this promotion to senior management,” Grant said in the press release. “He has a strategic mindset while being adept to the finest level of detail, something that makes him unique for management. Steve is going to play a big role in Oppy’s continued success.”
But it all goes back to his first leadership role as one of the original developers of Oppy’s state-of-the-art supply chain software years ago that put Roosdahl on Grant’s radar.
“Here he gained a deep understanding of our business, which is where I sense he picked up his aptitude for strategy and how to be on the leading edge at all levels,” Grant added.
Another initiative Roosdahl has been on the forefront of is Oppy Transport, the company’s 3PL service, which he actually wrote his thesis on when he received his MBA in 2016 from Athabasca University. Grant recalls working with Roosdahl to implement that very paper.
Not only has Roosdahl made significant contributions to the industry, he also has spent many years chairing the Produce Traceability Initiative’s implementation committee, CPMA Council of Food Processing and Consumer Products (CTAC), and in his current CPMA director role.
Congratulations to Steve Roosdahl for the next phase in his journey! Keep with ANUK as we cover more produce news to come.
EMERYVILLE, CA - During a conference call detailing its third quarter financial results, Grocery Outlet revealed a new executive addition to its team, one that will lead the charge of a new growth front. Heather Mayo has been appointed as the discount grocer's Executive Vice President, Operations and Merchandising, East.
Throughout her career, Mayo has proven herself a valued leader. She most recently was Boxed’s Chief Merchandising Officer and has also worked with Walmart’s Sam's Club division as its SVP of Operations.
“Heather brings 23 years of experience in the retail club channel and will lead our efforts to expand our existing Mid-Atlantic store base and future expansion. We look forward to leveraging her operational and merchandising expertise as we develop our long-term plans for this market,” MacGregor Read, Vice Chairman, stated.
In this new role, Mayo is expected to lead the expansion of the grocer’s operations in Pennsylvania, hoping to make this region a new hotbed of activity.
Read clarified this further in the call, noting that “[We’re] really turning our attention to opening more stores in the Mid-Atlantic and certainly, hiring Heather is a great first step in that direction. We fully intend her to continue to build the infrastructure to support a higher growth rate as time goes on. But again, not to repeat myself, but we really believe in sort of this crawl-walk-run approach. You'll see us open a few stores in 2020 in that region, and then continue to build from there.”
As Grocery Outlet continues to chase after new markets and expansion, where will it set its sights next? AndNowUKnow will continue to deliver the latest in all retail news.