LAKE ELSINORE, CA - Calmich Produce is a company that packs and imports avocados from Mexico. The team is stoked to announce its first attendance to the PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California.
The experienced and innovative team connects quickly with customers by listening to their needs and establishing strong relationships built on trust and mutual respect. They intend to use the knowledge gained at the PMA Fresh Summit to continue nurturing existing relationships as well as building new ones.
Every member is extremely passionate about the produce industry and having the opportunity to bring nature to consumers.
WASHINGTON, DC - Martinez Fresh Produce has satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Dallas, Texas, company, as well as Arturo Martinez Isguerra, who was listed as a member/manager of the bussiness, met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued 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 of a 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.
Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. USDA will only reinstate the license of a business to an active status if all reparation awards are satisfied and if the license is not terminated.
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 includes 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 the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For more information, contacts, and to read the full press release, please click here.
SALINAS, CA - In an industry that specializes in produce, we certainly love news that skews toward fresh. For Moxxy Marketing, this news regards two fresh additions to its accounts service team. The company rehired Allie Coombs and brought on Emilia Rodriguez, both of whom will serve as Account Coordinators.
"The baseline for any successful marketing agency is exceptional creative," said CEO Karen Nardozza. "Our promise to clients is spectacular creative and strategically smart advice, delivered with unexpectedly proactive and detailed client service. It’s that combination that makes us stand out and why clients refer us again and again. As we bring on new clients, we recruit talent to support our account managers. We focus on hiring people who thrive in a fast-paced environment and constantly changing industry. Allie and Emilia offer a great support system and added value to our team and clients."
Molly Briseño, Vice President, added, “Allie and Emilia are in sync together as Account Coordinators, and with our management team. They’re a perfect fit for client support from strategy to media to project tracking and delivery. With exciting projects in the works, we know our clients will continue to receive Moxxy-level account service and that’s key to our success—and theirs."
According to a press release, Coombs previously worked for Moxxy from 2014-2016. After completing college at Oregon State, Coombs worked for EuroFresh Farms and NatureSweet Tomatoes on top customer accounts such as Costco and Walmart. She navigated business development for a startup, Fresh Alliance, during which she learned how to juggle transportation coordination with international grower and client relations.
"I love connecting the ag industry with the speed and visual effects of marketing," said Coombs. "Like reuniting with a close friend, we picked up right where we left off and I’m thrilled to be back."
Rodriguez is equally passionate about fast-paced agency life, Moxxy noted. After growing up in Salinas, she earned a Business Management degree from University of Central Florida. Upon graduation, Rodriguez returned to the Salinas area and managed events for Two Roads Hospitality, with clients including Bugatti, Apple, and News Corp.
"I enjoy juggling a wide variety of projects at once," said Rodriguez. "Moxxy has definitely challenged me, in the best way possible."
Fluent in English and Spanish, and used to juggling many different tasks, Rodriguez is well-prepared for a marketing career at Moxxy. Her family has ties to local fresh produce businesses, so she’s familiar and well-versed in the industry.
Congratulations to Allie and Emilia on these new roles!
SALINAS, CA - Hello, PMA Fresh Summit attendees! We are here, the Anaheim skies are clear, and the launch of a host of new Church Brothers Farms products is near! So, yeah, I’d say life is pretty good for all of us produce folks! In addition to new products—which will be on display at booth #3071—Church Brothers Farms is also celebrating its first year being part of the Green Giant Fresh family and will have a presence in the company’s booth (#2537).
“This is the time to showcase our products and people,” said Jeff Church, Vice President of Sales. “Fresh Summit is our opportunity to highlight our points of difference and illustrate to our customers where we are headed in the year ahead.”
The new products will include the following retail-centric goodies:
- Tuscan Baby Romaine
- Washed and ready to use bunched cilantro and parsley
- A 1-pound clamshell salad line with seven different items, available in conventional and organic versions
And, if you happened to be one of the many welcoming the Tour de Fresh riders to PMA Fresh Summit, then you probably saw Jeff Church and Bobby Nunes cross the finish line. According to a press release, this is the sixth year that Church Brothers Farms has participated in the ride—with Jeff Church having participatd since the start of the foundation in 2014—contributing nearly $48,000 to date to raise funds for salad bars in schools.
“Tour de Fresh is an opportunity for me to mix my passion for bike riding with raising money for a great cause,” Church said.
The Church Brothers Farms team will also be in the spotlight at PMA Fresh Summit after being honored with a few accolades. Alejandro Tomas Callejas, Director of Research and Development, is receiving the 40 Under 40 award, and Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, is working with college students on the Career Pathways Career Path Panel presented by PMA’s Center for Growing talent. She is also hosting Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo students from the agribusiness department.
Have a great Fresh Summit, friends! I hope we bump into each other at Church Brothers Farms’ booth and get to experience the new products together! Until then...
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Though the competition in the retail market is stiff, Dollar General refuses to back down from the race. The grocer has been taking great steps this year to grow the company, from expanding its selection of fresh produce and opening new distribution facilities, to testing out new formats and opening new stores in dozens of states. The retailer’s latest move to keep up with the competition is to bolster its digital strategy, offering new services to transform its customers’ shopping experience.
Dollar General already offers its customers a shopping feature that allows them to scan items on their mobile phones as they shop, to keep a running total of the prices. In around 250 of the retailer’s stores (and 500 more planned), shoppers can also scan and pay for their items as they go, skipping the checkout line entirely. But now, according to The Wall Street Journal, the company is planning to launch a buy-online and pick-up-in-store service that it hopes will attract a wider demographic.
Many retailers have been testing out digital tools to enhance their customers’ experience, many of which have already implemented similar order, pick up, and go programs, including Amazon, Kroger, and Weis Markets, to name a few. Though Dollar General has not revealed which or how many stores will begin testing the new service, it has confirmed that the project is underway, the news source reports.
The new service is based on extensive internal research—Dollar General found that around 45 percent of its customers use digital tools from its company or other retailers when shopping. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company also discovered that “digitally engaged customers” spend around twice as much as they normally would. The retailer is planning to build other features into the mobile app, including details about inventory, suggesting similar items when another is out of stock, and the ability to use digital coupons for online purchases.
What will Dollar General test out next to up its competitive edge? Keep reading AndNowUKnow for updates.
ANAHEIM, CA & BAKERSFIELD, CA - Grimmway Farms is raising the stakes of celebration at this week’s PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo by bringing the festiveness of its 50th anniversary to the trade show. As part of this celebration, Grimmway will be acknowledging and honoring its customers and industry partners who have been integral to the company’s success at its 50th Anniversary Celebration in the historic Anaheim packing district on Thursday, October 17.
“For 50 years, we’ve upheld the vision set by our founders while providing the best value, consistent quality, and outstanding service to our partners since day one. Grimmway is committed to creating a better tomorrow, but it’s our customers who make that possible. We look forward to thanking our committed partners and friends at PMA,” said Eric Proffitt, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Grimmway employee of more than 25 years.
In addition to its 50th anniversary party, Grimmway will also be unveiling an updated tradeshow booth that will feature historic images and a timeline filled with industry milestones. The new booth aims to tell the rich story behind Grimmway Farms, which started when Rod and Bob Grimm established the business not far from PMA’s 2019 convention site, according to a press release.
“Rod and Bob believed in investing in the people who work for us and with us. This philosophy has enabled our growth and it remains at the core of our business,” said Jeff Huckaby, who is President of Grimmway Farms and has worked for the company since 1998.
Attendees will also have the chance to meet a few Grimm family members at the expo, where they’ll be hanging out to thank customers and share more about the values that helped Grimmway Farms grow from a roadside stand to a global produce leader.
And—yes, there’s more Grimmway fun to be had!—Grimmway will also provide its customers with tours of local farmland in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. On this visit, attendees can tour the company’s growing regions and learn more about Grimmway Farms’ farming practices.
All of these efforts are extensions of Grimmway’s year-long campaign theme, “Family Owned for 50 Years and Growing.” The campaign kicked off with a farm-to-table event in March and a grower dinner in April, both serving to acknowledge agricultural stewardship and respect for the land among Grimmway’s farming community, as noted in the press release. Grimmway also hosted a company-wide picnic that witnessed 10,000 employees and their families enjoying some seriously good grub. Next on the calendar will be a community engagement event featuring field and facility tours and an employee-driven cleanup event at a local park later this fall.
“Grimmway has a bright future of continuing to supply the nation with healthy, high quality produce. We look forward to building upon the legacy Rod and Bob began, and we are deeply grateful for the support of the produce industry over the years,” said Brandon Grimm, son of Bob Grimm and a member of the Grimmway Leadership team.
So swing by booth #2885 to join in on Grimmway’s 50th anniversary fun! The ANUK team will see you there!
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - ‘Tis the season for new leadership! Next to update its executive team is Renaissance Food Group (RFG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Calavo Growers, Inc. Filling two newly-created roles, the company announced that Raina Nelson has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP) of Business Development, and Mark Lodge, formerly with Revolution Foods, joins RFG as the new EVP of Operations.
In her role, Nelson will oversee the company’s sales function, product development, quality and food safety, business development, customer service, marketing, and communications. As EVP of Operations, Lodge will oversee operations, product management, procurement, and costing for RFG’s nationwide operations. Both Nelson and Lodge will report directly to Jim Gibson.
“Raina has been a valuable member of our management team for many years.” said Jim Gibson, President. “She has a keen understanding of our customers’ needs; and I’m confident she will help take RFG into its next growth phase.”
Nelson has held multiple positions at RFG, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management where she oversaw all aspects of the company’s large and varied fresh ingredient supply chain. Prior to that, she served as the Vice President of Sales. She serves on the boards of the Southeast Produce Council and United Fresh Produce Association. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition and a Master’s of Science in Food Microbiology from the University of Florida, where she remains involved in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“Mark is known for his leadership, team building, and experience with fast-paced, complex supply chains,” said Gibson. “He has extensive knowledge in the food manufacturing arena and will be a great addition to our management team.”
According to a press release, Lodge has over 25 years of experience successfully leading large scale manufacturing and logistics operations, attaining success in complex and challenging business environments. Most recently, Lodge served as the Executive Vice President of Operations, Innovation and Customer Experience at Revolution Foods. He has extensive experience in bringing value-added, fresh, and convenient food solutions to various market channels in the U.S. and UK. He is accustomed to a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and has a proven track record for developing business opportunities from concept to delivery.
“Having Raina and Mark in place to oversee the daily details will allow me to more fully engage in strategic planning,” concluded Gibson. “Our governance structure is simply evolving to reflect the sophisticated, dynamic company we’ve become. For our customers, this means RFG will continue to be a reliable, agile, and innovative supply chain partner.”
Hats off to Raina Nelson and Mark Lodge on scoring these top-notch executive roles!
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Across the store, shoppers are looking for ways to add more festive cheer into their everyday items during the holiday season—from peppermint-flavored drinks to snowman-themed tissue boxes. It’s time for the produce department to join in on the festive fun!
For the first time, Frieda’s is offering a collection of limited-time offer (LTO) holiday alliums, including pearl onions, cipolline onions, and a special edition of 6-ounce shallots, all featuring festive labels and packaging in easy-to-open clamshells that showcase the product. The holiday labels are decked out with red and gold ornaments that are sure to grab your shoppers’ attention and drive Q4 sales for your store.
Research shows that shoppers are more willing than ever to spend additional money on the best ingredients. In fact, 69 percent of shoppers agree that it is worth splurging on better ingredients during the holidays1, according to research done in partnership with C+R in 2019. Surveys reveal that 63 percent of consumers say they are likely to trade up to shallots and 48 percent of consumers are likely to trade up to cipollines1 from traditional onions.
Use Frieda’s eye-catching LTO holiday packaging to sway shoppers to switch!
“We know that the fourth quarter is a great time to inspire shoppers and make the most of the holidays,” says Cindy Sherman, Director of Marketing and Innovation. “Consumers are more likely to leave these décor-worthy items out on their countertops, leading them to use these up faster and come back to your store to repurchase.”
ANAHEIM, CA - There’s nothing quite like the feeling of PMA Fresh Summit in the air: the excitement, the anticipation, the events, the samples! But let’s not forget those that have made a significant impact in our industry. The Center for Growing Talent will honor both Dr. Frieda Rapaport Caplan and Dick Spezzano for the 2019 Women’s Catalyst Award and the Jay Pack Cultivating our Future Award respectively.
“Frieda Caplan is a very special, one-of-a-kind, inspirational leader as well as mentor to so very many of us who have followed her in the produce and floral industries—both male and female,” said Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing at the California Avocado Commission and Moderator for the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast this year. “I have always felt fortunate that Frieda was kind enough to 'adopt' me when I moved to California with The Packer newspaper in the late 70s and that she has stayed with me as a valued mentor every day since. She is one of the most intelligent people I know and continues to have the innate ability to get to the crux of a matter with ease while providing invaluable perspective.”
According to the press release, Caplan will be presented the award by last year’s winner, Dawn Gray of Dawn Gray Global Consulting, during the sold-out Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast on Saturday, October 19th. Caplan will be the second recipient of the Women’s Catalyst Award for her leadership, mentorship, and willingness to support the development of others in the industry.
“Frieda has served as an inspiration and role model to many in the fresh produce industry,” said PMA CEO Cathy Burns. “During my first California member tour after joining PMA, she welcomed me with open arms. I fondly remember a dinner we shared with other female leaders in our industry and the many insights and laughs we had that evening. For me, the opportunity to build not only a relationship, but also a friendship, over the years is something I treasure. Her willingness to mentor others as they sit under her learning tree is one of the many reasons Frieda is being honored by the Center for Growing Talent with this award. A much-deserved congratulations to you, my friend.”
Along with Caplan, Spezzano shall also be receiving his award at the CGT Contributor & Volunteer Reception, an invitation-only event from 4:30-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16.
The President of Spezzano Consulting Service and longtime CGT volunteer is also currently involved as a Career Ambassador, a mentor for Career Pathway students. Spezzano still finds the time to serve on the Tip Murphy Scholarship committee as well as spreading awareness of careers in produce and floral. His legacy in the industry is amplified by his commitment to giving back to the industry and specifically to CGT as a volunteer and a mentor.
“Dick has always been a mentor to me and a strong CGT advocate,” said CGT Vice President, Alicia Calhoun. “He was one of the first industry members I met almost 27 years ago when I started PMA. Dick has a willingness to give back that’s not just about volunteering—it is a way of living. He is proof that volunteers are people who don’t want to be thanked for helping others but instead, want to thank others for giving them the opportunity to help. He has given his time, talent and expertise to excite bright, young talent and bring them into the industry and this award is very well deserved.”
The Career Pathways program is a cornerstone of CGT’s strategies to attract talent to the industry and brings students from universities across the world to PMA and CGT events as well as other regional industry events. Students are paired with Career Ambassadors who are industry leaders that guide the students through the event, providing connections and insights to the produce and floral industries. This year’s Career Pathways program will be the largest ever at Fresh Summit, with 37 students attending the event from 11 universities, including two from South Africa and one from Chile.
“Dick’s passion for produce is gravitating,” said Russ Tavlan, CEO of Moonlight Companies of California. “His perpetual curiosity and drive to learn has always been inspiring to me. But above all, his willingness to share so much of his time to cultivate the careers of so many makes him deserving of this award. Our industry is better because of him, and I’m grateful to call him my friend.”
Additional individual awards will be presented at Fresh Summit, including the surprise announcement of the Floral Marketer of the Year at the Floral Beach Bash Reception scheduled Friday, October 18, from 5:15-7 p.m. in room 204ABC.
With the Summit literally knocking at our doors, what else is to come next at this highly anticipated event? Stay tuned with us here at ANUK.
IRVINE, CA - It’s the end of an era for Western Growers, as the company bids adieu to its President and CEO of 18 years, Tom Nassif, effective February 1, 2020. But when one door closes, another opens, and the Western Growers Board of Directors has announced its unanimous decision to appoint Dave Puglia to the role of President and CEO. Puglia is stepping into his new role at an advantageous time, and will be able to bask in the glow of success that Western Growers has experienced under Nassif’s expert leadership.
“My service to Western Growers and the fresh produce industry has been a fulfilling culmination to my career,” Nassif commented. “Every day since 2002, my inspiration has been derived from the hard-working, innovative, and ethical family farmers who comprise our membership. I am proud of the major strides we have taken as an industry during my tenure, and it brings me great satisfaction knowing that the future of our association is secure in the hands of Dave Puglia.”
Puglia has been with Western Growers since 2005 and most recently served as Executive Vice President, where he oversaw four departments as well as the organization’s non-profit charitable foundation and its political action committees, according to a press release. Before he made the leap to Western Growers, Puglia served as Vice President of APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs consulting firm. Puglia also spent seven years in the California Attorney General’s Office, first as Press Secretary and later as Director of Public Affairs and Communications.
“Words are not adequate to express how deeply honored I am to be entrusted with this great opportunity and responsibility,” Puglia commented. “The people of this industry welcomed me into their hearts from the first day on the job, rain or shine. As their advocate, I am as energized and optimistic as ever about the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Western Growers conducted an extensive nationwide search to find a candidate that would ensure that the company’s leadership in federal and state public policy would continue on and grow while continuing to provide innovative business services to the association’s members, the press release states. Puglia ended up being the right person for the job.
“Fifteen years ago, Dave came to Western Growers with an extraordinary pedigree in California politics, having served in senior roles on statewide political campaigns and in public service in addition to private sector experience,” said Ron Ratto, President of Ratto Bros. and Western Growers’ Chairman of the Board. “Since joining our organization, Dave has demonstrated an unyielding passion for our members, a deep understanding of the issues facing Western agriculture—water policy, in particular—and an unrivaled capacity for leading our association and industry into the next decade and beyond.”
The association that Puglia will now head up has evolved into a well-recognized industry pioneer in food safety, labor and immigration, water, technology and innovation, international trade, and so much more—thanks to, in large part, Nassif’s clear vision and industry prowess.
“The mentoring and support I have received from Tom Nassif and so many current and past directors has been amazing,” Puglia said. “My talented and dedicated Western Growers colleagues have also helped propel me on this journey, and there is no better professional staff in the entire agriculture industry. We are ready to go.”
The Western Growers Family of Companies continues to cement its place in the industry and strengthen its team of 445 dedicated employees who provide expert advocacy and services across multiple business lines. And while the company looks to the future with Puglia at the wheel, the reverence and respect for Tom Nassif will persist throughout Western Growers and the entire produce industry.
“Tom Nassif was the right leader at the right time for our organization and the industry,” said Ratto. “The strength and influence our association enjoys today is a credit to his intelligence, work ethic, and personal charm. Our membership owes Tom a debt of gratitude for employing his fierce devotion and incomparable talents on our collective behalf.”
Congratulations to Dave on his new position—now excuse us as the office of ANUK gives Tom a standing ovation.