MANTECA, CA - Yes, produce people, it’s true. PMA Fresh Summit is only a day away! *cue intense screaming* I will compose myself momentarily in order to pass along information on Lipman Family Farms' plans for the future of its produce. As it continues to build relationships as well as its portfolio of tomato, vegetable, and greenhouse categories, it is innovating in convenience, quality, and sustainability. Throughout 2019, the company has worked to capitalize on consumer trends, including convenience and on-the-go options, all accomplished through its new processing items and processing facilities.
“We are evolving with the consumer needs to give our retail customers exactly what their consumers want,” said Elyse Lipman, Director of Strategy. “At Lipman, taking care of business means taking care of the Earth and taking care of people in all that we do. We intend to reflect this belief through every sector of our operations. From our packing houses to our farming methods, we are dedicated to reducing our use of energy, our carbon footprint, and our water usage as effectively as possible, and continue to improve through new means of research and technology.”
According to a press release, Lipman has expanded its fresh-cut distribution out of six facilities across the continent, making it a strong player in nationally distributed processed products all year long. While at Fresh Summit, Lipman will showcase new fresh-cut retail options of various cuts and specifications.
Lipman currently offers 100 percent recyclable or compostable packaging with its newest compostable top seal clamshell. The company has also made sustainability a priority from the start, not only within the packaging department, but also regarding how it operates and runs production on a daily basis.
Be sure to stop by Lipman Family Farms’ booth #2854 to learn more!
MCALLEN, TX - The run-up to PMA Fresh Summit is always a whirlwind of activity and preparation. As you’re sitting down and figuring out which companies to see and what products to be on the hunt for, AndNowUKnow has taken the guesswork out of mapping the show floor. One such company we’ve pinned on our own mental PMA map is GR Fresh, the vertically-integrated company that brings some of the freshest tomatoes and bells to the biz. I spoke with Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, to learn more about what GR Fresh is bringing to Anaheim.
“We’ll be showcasing our full line of tomatoes, from Roma tomatoes, grape tomatoes, vine-ripe tomatoes, to our full line of Mexican-grown veg, like our green bell peppers, red bell peppers, cucumbers, squashes, hot peppers, and eggplants,” Tony explained. “But on a broader scale we’re evolving our focus, developing true partnerships and relationships that include custom growing, and providing more value-added items to meet that rising demand in the market. We also have an opportunity to develop our Western veg program—there’s a lot of potential for Western veg out of this part of the country.” Expanding categories like iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, romaine, and red and green leaf, GR Fresh is looking to western veg to provide more value and consumer options under its brand name as it spreads to additional U.S. retailers and foodservice companies.
The most noticeable change does not come from the GR Fresh’s portfolio of products, but is in the company’s packaging, which underwent a total refresh.
“We’ve changed the artwork and labeling on our value-added packs for retail, which we’ll be introducing at the show,” he told me. “It’s really fresh and clean—has a great new look to it.”
This ties into GR Fresh’s overarching company plans, as it has been redefining and reinventing itself to be an attractive choice on the retail level.
“In this country, we want to be a serious choice that retail and foodservice companies consider, when they’re choosing who to partner with. We’re striving to fill those supply gaps, and with our planned new warehouse—set to open next year—we’ll be in a position to provide an expanded level of service,” Tony noted.
To see the new packaging, learn more about GR Fresh’s fresh portfolio, and chat with the team, swing by booth #1553. AndNowUKnow will continue its dedication to reporting the latest and greatest in all Fresh Summit news.
ROSEMONT, IL - Although leaders sometimes fall into the positions they were born for, there always comes a time for them to move on. US Foods Holding Corp. was hit with some unprecedented news this morning, as its Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Tim Connolly resigned, effective immediately. Consequently, the company will be conducting a search for the next great leader who will succeed Connolly.
“Tim’s commitment to supply chain excellence and passion for his work have left a positive mark on our organization,” commented Chairman and CEO Pietro Satriano. “His leadership will be missed. I am grateful for his service and we wish him the very best.”
Connolly joined the US Foods team earlier this year in May. Prior to his time with the company, Connolly gained over 30 years of experience serving as Senior Vice President of Operations at Uline, Chief Operating Officer at Essendant, and Manager of Supply Chain Operations at Cardinal Health.
Although we are unsure of where Connolly is headed, US Foods extends its gratitude for his service. For the latest news in the industry, keep reading us at AndNowUKnow.
IRVINGTON, NY - BrightFarms, the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, is incorporating blockchain technology as a member of the IBM Food Trust network.
Food Trust, a blockchain-based information-sharing platform, securely connects supply chain data across the ecosystem to enable unprecedented trust and transparency. In addition to providing provenance insights, network members such as BrightFarms, are realizing benefits around optimized supply chain processes, increased freshness, improved food safety, minimized waste and fraud and more.
"BrightFarms is committed to providing our retail partners and consumers with the safest, cleanest and most responsibly grown produce. Local, controlled environment supply chains already maintain a higher degree of structural safety benefits when compared to field grown produce form the West Coast, and Food Trust will be a valuable tool for highlighting those benefits. We're giving our retail partners the trust and assurance that's needed in today's market." said Jackie Hawkins, Senior Manager of Food Safety at BrightFarms.
“By joining IBM Food Trust, we are establishing an enhanced level of transparency to guarantee greater trust for retail partners. With Food Trust, partners such as Walmart can easily and reliably trace our leafy greens to their source in a matter of seconds,” said Paul Lightfoot, Founder & President of BrightFarms.
BrightFarms is ready to begin deploying the technology to its retail partners that also opt into the network.
For more information about BrightFarms, visit https://www.brightfarms.com.
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) imposed sanctions on two produce businesses as part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). Alpha Family Farms LLC, located in Florida, allegedly failed to pay a $22,625 reparation award, and Sandifer Farms LLC, located in South Carolina, allegedly failed to pay a $172,156 reparation award. Both companies will have their PACA licenses suspended and will be barred from participating in PACA-licensed businesses or other activities without approval from the USDA.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Alpha Family Farms LLC, operating out of Royal Oak Beach, Florida, for failing to pay a $22,625 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Amanda Camacho and Christian Spataro were listed as members of the business.
- Sandifer Farms LLC, operating out of Blackville, South Carolina, for failing to pay a $172,156 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Bruce A. Barron and Phillip L. Sandifer were listed as members of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Michael C. Harris. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.
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 more information, contacts, and to read the full press release, please click here.
CONYERS, GA - As the month of October progresses, PMA Fresh Summit shines over the horizon. Excitement builds as more news and developments surface leading up to the highly anticipated event at the end of the week, and Pratt Industries is an innovative company that will be showcasing again this year. Greg Smith, Business Development Manager, Agricultural Packaging, and his team are showing up in full force, shaping booth #1995 to be a must-stop-spot.
“We’ll have a large group of people at the show from our various facilities throughout the country,” Greg starts. “Many of our customers are based in California, so we look forward to seeing them in person, and we will have a large representation from our California locations.”
Pratt Industries, the fifth largest corrugated packaging company in the United States, is known for its innovation in fresh produce packaging and for its steady focus on increasing customers’ packing shed efficiencies and, as a result, reducing their costs through mechanical packaging automation. One way Pratt Industries innovates is with its sustainable packaging that addresses the needs of suppliers across the country.
“PMA gives us an opportunity to connect with and show our appreciation to our grower/shipper customers, so we hope to spend time with them while also sharing the unique message of Pratt’s agricultural packaging program with growers and shippers looking for a new or additional approach to their corrugated packaging,” Greg continues.
Fresh Summit is a pivotal event that brings businesses across the industry together to collaborate and innovate for a more sustainable future—something that Pratt Industries takes seriously. As the company’s presence continues to expand in California and the greater West Coast market, Pratt Industries is able to showcase its capabilities and services to these businesses in one easy location.
“We are looking forward to connecting with people and companies in California and throughout the country that are in need of our help,” Greg responds when I ask what the company is most looking forward to this year at PMA. “We’ve grown our business drastically over the last few years and have helped our customers by focusing intently on innovative designs and sustainability while providing exceptional, high-level service. That’s who we are.”
Sustainability continues to be a stronger and more prominent topic within the industry, and Pratt Industries aims to meet those expectations and standards. To find out more about what Pratt Industries has to offer, catch Greg and his team at booth #1995. For more news and updates concerning PMA, keep reading ANUK.
SALINAS, CA - D’Arrigo California is excited to announce and welcome Maya Capurro as a Sales Assistant and Morgan Tinari as a Marketing and Culinary Assistant.
Maya graduated from California Polytechnic State University in just 3 years. She majored in Agribusiness Management and as a student was active in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) and was an Agribusiness Management Club officer. Prior to joining D’Arrigo California, Maya worked as a peer advisor to the Agribusiness Department at Cal Poly and served as a sales coordinator intern at Driscoll’s.
“We are pleased to have Maya join our sales team as she brings an energetic approach to our fast paced environment,” stated John Scherpinski, Director of Sales at D’Arrigo California. “Maya is young, smart and diligent with her work which makes her a stellar addition to the team. She is a go-getter that is eager to learn and contribute to the bottom line.”
At D’Arrigo California, Maya will be responsible for sales order data entry, customer service on the phones, collection of outstanding sales balances and interaction with customers at tradeshows.
“I enjoy working with a progressive sales team and a fast paced environment that challenges me daily. I value how D’Arrigo California is committed to growing, packing and shipping quality fruits and vegetables year round. The company prides itself on tight Andy Boy produce specs and I respect their high standards. I look forward to learning and contributing to the sales team and honing my customer service and data entry skills,” stated Maya.
Morgan is a graduate of St. John’s University located in New York where she majored in marketing at the Peter J. Tobin School of Business. At St. John’s, Morgan played soccer (NCAA Division 1) and had a very successful scholar and athletic career during her college experience. Most recently, Morgan was a social media associate at SLMD Skincare. She was responsible for the creative direction for SLMD’s social media platforms. Morgan also assisted with event planning and influencer outreach.
At D’Arrigo California, Morgan will be responsible to create, post content, videos and images on the Andy Boy and Eat Broccoli Rabe social media channels. She will assist with tradeshow logistics, event planning and influencer relations to augment the culinary recipes and videos on the Andy Boy website.
“I was motivated to join D’Arrigo California because of the company’s iconic Andy Boy label that stands for top quality and consistency,” stated Morgan. “I am delighted to be part of a multi-faceted produce company that will be celebrating 100 years of business in 2020 as a family of companies (which include their sister companies, D’Arrigo Massachusetts and D’Arrigo New York). It’s an exciting time to work for a 3rd generation family owned company and market their cross dock, consolidation, solar farming and most importantly their fresh fruit and vegetable commodities to inspire a healthy lifestyle.”
“Morgan’s savvy marketing skills will drive the content, image creation and design for the array of Andy Boy products we grow, pack and ship year round,” stated Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos, D’Arrigo California Director of Marketing and Culinary. “Her in depth marketing knowledge, coupled with her creative and collaborative nature will complement our marketing department and growing commodities.”
We invite you to stop by our PMA Booth #2069 to meet Maya and Morgan.
COLIMA, MEXICO - Super Starr International, Mexico’s premier papaya grower and shipper, maintains a pristine food safety record and continues to stay ahead of the curve with its state-of-the-art standards.
For three generations, Super Starr has farmed in the U.S. and Mexico to produce superior year-round papayas and winter honeydew by growing, packing and shipping in-house. Unlike other papaya/honeydew melon suppliers, Super Starr controls the quality of its fruit from planting the initial seed until it’s placed on store shelves.
“We are proud of the commitment to quality and food safety standards upheld by Super Starr,” said Lance Peterson, President and third generation farmer of Super Starr International. “By owning each part of the supply chain, we have complete control of our safety standards and are in strict compliance to assure our customers receive both safe and excellent tasting fruit.”
Super Starr’s papayas were the first to be approved and placed on the green-list for sale and consumption in a recent food safety outbreak attributed to another supplier/grower.
Super Starr offers retailers and customers year-round Royal Star, Maradol and Hybrid Papayas, as well as seasonal Honeydew melons from December through April.
Attendees of PMA’s Fresh Summit can stop by booth #2248 on October 17-19, 2019, to speak with Lance Peterson and taste the exceptionally sweet Royal Star Papaya. A unique proprietary variety exclusive to Super Starr. For more information on Super Starr International, visit www.superstarrinternational.com.
WASHINGTON, DC - This morning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses as part of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). Each company failed to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased product from, as well as failed to pay reparation awards issued under PACA. As a result, the below listed companies have had their PACA licenses suspended and are now barred from engaging in PACA-licensed business without approval from the USDA, according to a press release.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Academy Fruit Company LLC, operating out of Clovis, California, for failing to pay a $104,195 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jayson Paul Scarborough was listed a member or manager of the business.
- MLC Berries Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $39,099 award in favor of an Oregon seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Miguel Campos was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder of the business.
- Old West Export Inc., operating out of Visalia, California, for failing to pay a $187,393 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Frances Murillo and Dave Muse were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
- Peerless Enterprises Inc., operating out of Gainesville, Florida, for failing to pay a $6,440 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eric Pleiman was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder 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 more information, contacts, and to read the full press release, please click here.
ALPHARETTA, CA - This week, Aptean, a global provider of software solutions, acquired produce industry ally and tech solutions provider Linkfresh. The move positions Aptean for more growth in the food industry by diversifying its portfolio and geographic reach of cloud-based solutions. Aptean will also be leveraging Linkfresh’s fresh food know-how to optimize niche food organizations with the necessary features and functions.
“Since its inception, Linkfresh has dedicated itself to servicing the needs of organizations in the fresh produce, protein, and egg sectors,” said Jeremy Wardell, General Manager of Linkfresh. “We help organizations run their businesses more effectively because we understand their unique challenges. Combining our industry, functional, and technical expertise with the experience and capabilities of Aptean allows us to provide a stronger offering to our customers, delivering increased value and ensuring they consistently exceed their operational and revenue goals.”
According to a press release, Linkfresh provides enterprise-wide ERP software solutions designed to help customers, including growers, packers, producers, and distributors of produce and protein items, control all aspects of their fresh food business. Furthermore, Linkfresh offers a the fresh food industry the tools needed to understand profitability, drive growth, and run operations more effectively—expertise Aptean will be pulling from as it hurtles both companies toward more growth opportunities.
“Acquiring Linkfresh expands our market-leading solutions for food organizations,” said TVN Reddy, CEO of Aptean. “The additions of Linkfresh’s dedicated focus and expertise in fresh foods, as well as its strong U.K. footprint, solidifies Aptean’s position as a provider of choice to food and beverage companies across North America and the United Kingdom.”
Both organizations share a mutual commitment to developing market-leading SaaS solutions utilizing Microsoft technology. The acquisition of Linkfresh will help extend Aptean’s core competencies to serve more distinct areas of the marketplace as it continues undergoing digital transformation.
For more produce industry acquisitions, expansions, and shake-ups, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.