WINTER HAVEN, FL - Keeping products always fresh is a true industry challenge, but for some, it’s all in the name. Always Fresh Farms, the produce marketer and grower/shipper of a wide variety of fresh fruits and veg, is consistently delivering on flavor, quality, and of course, freshness. I spoke with Wayne Giddings, President, to learn more about what the company hopes to unveil to the industry at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit.
Showcasing its lineup of berries, including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries, Always Fresh is also highlighting its domestic crop as well as those from Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.
“We are positioned to accommodate category needs 12 months a year, utilizing logistics strength to maximize quality and service,” Wayne shared with me. “We are committed to sustainability, from farming to packaging. We are focusing on our branding as well as breeding flavors that have a good appearance and a stable shelf life. Obtaining results is best done through defined goals and objectives of our retail partners and end users.”
As the company continues to push itself to be the best that it can be, it sees the inherent value in attending an event like PMA Fresh summit.
“PMA allows us an exhibitor to reach the largest global audience possible, while maintaining personal relationships and objectives,” Wayne said. “Our goal, as always, is challenge ourselves to deliver on the promise to be ‘Always Fresh’ every day.”
Stop by booth #4136 to see the Always Fresh team for yourself! And keep reading AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover the show circuit.
CULIACÁN, SINALOA, MEXICO - Those of us in the produce industry are well aware of just how jam-packed each year is with events and expos. That much traveling can be daunting, but each event offers something unique and different to attendees, including endless networking opportunities. One of the more vibrant shows, Sinaloa Encanta, is returning for the sixth time, offering industry players across the entire food supply chain the chance to congregate and learn more about Mexico’s unique food sector and the benefits of partnering with companies from the lush growing region.
“Over the last five years, we have not only increased the number of attendees among exhibitors, buyers, and sponsors (and therefore the number of businesses completed), but we have also spread out the event in order to show the wealth of the gastronomy and the culture of Sinaloa, thus achieving greater dissemination both nationally and internationally,” Eduardo Leyson, President of Sinaloa Encanta, commented. “We have made sure that those who attend enjoy a coexistence between friends doing business, learning about new national and international logistic systems, and enjoying a concert with artists of national and international stature.”
The event will take place on October 24 and 25; the first day’s activities will be held at the San Luis Lindavista Hotel, and on the second day, attendees will be treated to a tour at the facilities of the “Feria Ganadera” in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Both days are set to be full of exciting experiences and growth opportunities. Although no speakers at the event have been announced, Sinaloa Encanta always looks for individuals with an international mindset and insight into the world of agriculture.
The two-day event will feature the following activities:
Day One
Monthly assembly of the National Agricultural Council (CNA, Consejo Nacional Agropecuario) where approximately 100 Presidents/Directors of the main companies in the Mexican food sector will gather. Notable figures to be present include Secretary of Agriculture of the Mexican federal government, Dr. Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, and the President of CNA, Bosco de la vega Valladolid.
“Networking Day,” an exclusive event for sponsors featuring a conference with an international-class speaker; agricultural producers of the region; national and international buyers, restaurateurs, wine makers; and national and international media.
Second Day
Field visit to agricultural company VALHPAC (Valores Horticolas del Pacifico) where attendees can learn more about production in Sinaloa that seeks to maintain the highest levels of food safety and quality.
End of event party at the Feria Ganadera Culiacán facilities featuring tastings from the best 20 restaurants in Sinaloa and a sampling of Baja, California-produced craft beer, sake, tequila, and more. The party concludes with a concert featuring Edith Marquez and Maria Jose.
Industry professionals from across the supply chain are welcome to attend the event, and anyone attending can feel good about any fees they may incur, as part of the profits raised will be donated to the development of the children of agricultural laborers, including building and rehabilitating schools and educational facilities, and constructing food canteens.
“Above all, we hope to continue positioning Sinaloa as a vital center of Mexico's agricultural industry and one of the most important worldwide,” Eduardo said. “Sinaloa Encanta is an event where the most relevant actors in the food chain can interact—agricultural producers, national and international buyers, restaurateurs, winehouses, and representatives of the final client—essentially families of purchasing power in the region. This year we hope to increase the number of attendees to 2,500 and increase the number of businesses among attendees.”
Interested in learning more about this exciting event? Reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more news on other vibrant industry events.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Time flies in an industry where 50 years can be a lifetime or it can be the blink of an eye. For Grimmway farms, five decades are a testament to legacy, relationships, and a strong vision of stewardship for the land. What better way to celebrate a milestone occasion than at PMA Fresh Summit 2019?
“Being able to take our 50th-anniversary celebration on the road to PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim this month allows us to honor and acknowledge the customers and partners who have been integral to Grimmway’s success,” Eric Proffitt, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing shares with me. “2019 presents a unique opportunity to connect our customers with our history and company values. We’re looking forward to hosting a 50th Anniversary Celebration in the historic Anaheim packing district on Thursday and unveiling the booth during the expo.”
For a company rich in both history and vision, you can expect Fresh Summit excellence in all the efforts that Grimmway will share as we move through October—including an updated PMA Fresh Summit booth to tell the story of how Rod and Bob Grimm built a business that continues to lead the industry in innovation and service through a strong investment in farming, engineering, and year-round distribution.
“Location is key this year as we are taking the opportunity to bring our customers to our local farmland in the Southern San Joaquin Valley to learn more about the practices that set Grimmway and Cal-Organic apart,” Eric tells me. “Our farming-first approach has helped us build a reputation for premium quality. We’re looking forward to showing more of our customers how we differentiate our process starting at the farm level.”
A special year it is indeed. Several members of the Grimm family will be attending the show and Grimmway’s leadership team is looking forward to thanking its committed friends and partners at the company’s 50th Anniversary Celebration during PMA.
“Every year PMA Fresh Summit is one of the few opportunities we have to engage with all of our customers at once,” Eric reflects. “The ability to interface and reconnect together in one place empowers us to collaborate and conduct meaningful conversations at this impactful event.”
The PMA Fresh Summit energy is already contagious! Check out booth #2885 to visit with some of the industry’s most impactful leaders and we will see you all in Anaheim!
SALINAS, CA - Family-owned and operated growers pride themselves on producing high-quality fruits and vegetables alongside kindred spirits. So, it’s a high honor when said companies bring in executives from different bloodlines. Church Brothers Farms is one of such companies, recently hiring Rick Russo as the Vice President of Strategic Growth and Planning.
“Rick is joining us at a pivotal time in our company’s development,” said CEO Brian Church. “With our Green Giant Fresh commodity program, we are continuing to evolve. Rick’s experience and expertise is a good fit with our existing management team.”
Russo’s new position will include building competitive sales and marketing programs to grow new and existing business while also vetting potential partnerships, fostering alliances, and leading competitive product line development and profitability for Church Brothers’ domestic and international operations. Whew, that’s a mouth full!
“Church Brothers Farms is a well-established business, and I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the fast-moving company,” said Russo.
He comes to Church Brothers after Senior Sales and Product Development roles at several produce companies including Mann Packing, Tanimura & Antle, and New Star Foods. Furthermore, he is a graduate of California State University, Fresno.
Congratulations to Rick Russo on being honorably accepted into the Church family business!
ONTARIO, CANADA - Many autumnal activities feature apples. They can be bobbed for, ensconced in caramel, picked off of trees—the list goes on! I personally opt for activities that include eating an apple donut while drinking apple cider as I cruise through an apple orchard. But that's because I'm particularly autumn/apple obsessed.
Unfortunately for some, the list of apple-related activities may now include plucking the autumnal favorites off of the road, after nearly 2,000 pounds of apples spilled onto a street in Ontario, Canada.
The unfortunate incident was reported by Blackburn News, which stated that the apples tumbled off of a transport truck. Dozens of the apples were then mashed into the pavement as vehicles crossing through the area passed over them.
Although local authorities are looking into the incident, no charges have been filed.
We here at AndNowUKnow apple-plaud the efforts of those who helped clean up the spill, and hope that, despite the loss of these apples, apple activities continue throughout the months of October and November.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Zespri, a veritable kiwifruit king, has PMA Fresh Summit plans that are poised to steal the show. Attendees will soon have the chance to admire and sample the company’s wares, while trying their hand at a game of S’KIWI Ball, all at Zespri’s rockin’ booth. The company’s “Let Your Tastes Wander” campaign invites all who attend to get a taste of the Zespri culture.
“Our global Zespri team looks forward to PMA each year,” said Sarah Deaton, Shopper Marketing Manager. “It gives us the forum to bring our brand to life and update the industry on the growing consumer demand for SunGold and other varieties as well as the strong marketing investment behind our brand. Our goal is to help retailers and industry partners increase their sales and show them how we are committed to growing the kiwifruit category.”
Show-goers who swing by the Zespri booth will get an up-close look at the company’s eye-catching SunGold one-pound clam pack, sample a refreshing Kiwirita (sign me up!) or super smoothie, and try their luck at S’KIWI Ball for a chance to win a sparkling new iPhone 11 Pro. Regional and international Zespri staff will also be on hand to discuss customized programs to drive sales and success, according to a press release.
Zespri’s “Let Your Taste Wander” marketing campaign had customers scouring the produce aisle, looking for the unique SunGold Kiwifruit flavor through digital and print advertising paired with an interactive consumer contest. The campaign was a great success, launching Zespri’s SunGold variety to the number one branded kiwi in the category—a 19 percent increase from last year. As a result of this campaign and other efforts, Zespri’s sales have increased over 28 percent from last year—five times faster than the total category, the press release states. Now, PMA Fresh Summit attendees will be able to experience the campaign for themselves at the company’s booth, which features décor and messaging to reflect the theme.
“Zespri’s success can also be attributed to the new packaging design and merchandising displays,” Deaton commented. “We launched the season with a new look and feel for our SunGold, Green, and organic varieties. The graphics convey the nutritional information as well as the simplicity of eating on the go by simply cutting, scooping with a spoon, and enjoying its tropical, sweet taste. The refreshed packaging will be on display at the New Product Showcase.”
This year marks the fourth time Zespri has attended PMA Fresh Summit as an exhibitor, and its enthusiasm, fun, and brand spirit has made it a show favorite. The company will be co-sponsoring the event’s Welcome Reception, where show-goers can sample SunGold- and Green Kiwifruit-inspired dishes and beverages, while hobnobbing with the Zespri team. Zespri will also be sponsoring the 5K Race For Talent, offering runners a refreshing SunGold kiwi after the race is over.
At last year’s show, Zespri won the Best Team Attire award for its team’s creativity and spirit. This year looks to be no exception, as the company’s booth will feature an attention-grabbing costume and exciting activities. And, of course, Zespri’s Market Development Managers will be more than happy to chat with retailers to discuss custom programs and provide the tools and resources to help increase sales.
Is your curiosity piqued yet? Mine sure is, so at this year’s show be sure to swing by booth #3085 to meet the Zespri team (and maybe, if you’re lucky, some of the ANUK team).
BENTONVILLE, AR - Greg Foran, current President and CEO of Walmart U.S., has passed his baton off to John Furner, current Sam’s Club President and CEO. Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon will be welcoming Furner under his wing starting on November 1.
“Greg Foran has made a huge difference for Walmart, and we are grateful,” said McMillon. “He built a strong plan from the beginning to strengthen the U.S. business—a plan that made significant choices around investing in wages and benefits for associates and investing in price for customers. Greg’s ability to innovate, whether it’s making our stores a competitive advantage in an omnichannel environment or equipping associates with next generation technology and training, has helped position us for the future. The results have been impressive—every quarter, he led Walmart U.S., it has had positive comps. Before leading us to a stronger position in the U.S., he did the same thing in China. We will miss Greg and thank him for his leadership. He has made a difference for our customers, associates, and shareholders.”
According to a press release, Foran will be taking on the role of CEO at Air New Zealand Limited, but will stay on with Walmart through January 31 to ensure a smooth transition with Furner. Foran first joined Walmart in October 2011 and has served as CEO of Walmart U.S. since August 2014.
“It has been an honor to lead the team at Walmart U.S.,” said Foran. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve at a unique moment for retail and want to thank the associates who made it happen. It is bittersweet to leave Walmart, but this incredible opportunity to lead an iconic Kiwi brand was one I could not pass up, and I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
Furner started with Walmart as an hourly associate back in 1993, and eventually worked his way up through a number of frontline leadership roles, later becoming a store manager, district manager, and buyer. He has held leadership roles in operations, merchandising, and sourcing in Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International, where he served at Walmart China as Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer. Furner has also held the CMO position for Sam’s Club before taking on President and CEO in 2017. Furner will partner with Walmart U.S. E-Commerce CEO Marc Lore, who also reports to McMillon, to deliver a seamless omnichannel experience for Walmart’s U.S. customers.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and ready to get started,” said Furner. “There’s no better place than Walmart U.S. to touch the lives of millions of customers and associates. Together with the team, we will build on the progress under Greg’s leadership and continue to make Walmart an even better place to work and shop. I also want to thank the Sam’s Club team. My years with you have been amazing.”
Based off of his extensive experience, it looks like Walmart will be in good hands.
“John has done a fantastic job at Sam’s Club, and he will continue the momentum we have in Walmart U.S.,” continued McMillon. “John knows our business well, having held many different jobs in the company over more than 25 years, and he is helping transform it for the future. He has the experience and judgment to know what we should continue doing and what we should change. He embraces technology and new ways of working, and he keeps our customers and Sam’s Club members at the center of everything we do, while delivering results for the business. I look forward to seeing his impact for our customers and associates in Walmart U.S.”
No announcements have been made as of yet in regards to the successor for Furner at Sam's Club, but AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Across the industry, the importance of food waste continues to spur innovative companies to bring new solutions to the table. AgroFresh Solutions is one such company working to improve the supply chain. The company’s FreshCloud™ solutions platform ensures that the value of high-value apple crops are protected. How? I spoke to Brittany Buchanan, FreshCloud Global Business Lead, to find out.
Within the FreshCloud platform, there are three offerings: Predictive Screening, Storage Insights, and Transit Insights. All play a vital role in predicting the quality of an apple post-harvest.
“What we do with our Predictive Screening is at the time of harvest, or within a few days of harvest, we inform a grower, packer, shipper, or marketer, about the disorder risk likelihood for their particular crop,” Brittany began. “Using 40 apples that are representative of a particular block and a particular harvest, we take the juice extract from that sample in a buffer solution that gets stabilized on an RNA card. We’re then using high-tech laboratory equipment to identify whether or not there’s specific biomarkers present that are indicative of a specific disorder.
Storage Insights—the next offering in the platform—has the potential to deeply impact the way apples are stored in the future, and how the industry thinks about storage in general.
“There’s nothing else like it in the market or within this industry,” Brittany explained. “We’re looking at metabolic volatile organic compounds, also known as mVOC’s, in the storage rooms. Apples are stored for long periods of time often in a controlled atmosphere. For many of our customers, they want to know which store room they should use first. By pulling air samples and looking at what volatiles are present, we can see if the health of the fruit is changing. Decay disorders and some other storage problems have various volatile compounds associated with them. So, we are essentially smelling the health of the fruit behind closed doors.”
The third FreshCloud offering is called Transit Insights, which monitors temperature along the supply chain at very granular levels.
“We’re trying to use IoT sensors as well as quality metrics in a digital platform, so that the supply chain can move away from first-in-first-out inventory management, to first-expiring-first-out inventory management,” Brittany remarked.
It takes time to identify biomarkers, and AgroFresh is diligently working to expand this technology into other categories. Currently, FreshCloud Predictive Screening can be applied to commercial Honeycrisp apples. FreshCloud Storage Insights is available for most apple and pear varieties and FreshCloud Transit Insights can be used to monitor temperature and fruit quality for any produce.
As our conversation steers from the details of the offerings, I ask Brittany about specific pain points that retailers, growers, and shippers, have mentioned that helped drive AgroFresh into delivering this tech.
“These solutions are really about risk management and prioritization. We’re trying to maximize the revenue potential and distribution plan for the highest-quality fruit. And we’re trying to minimize losses for areas of concern. Data is becoming an increasingly important competitive advantage. So, those that choose to invest in innovations and insights such as FreshCloud will better learn how to optimize what they’re selling or what they’re buying.”
Intrigued? AgroFresh will be at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit, so stop by booth #3290 to see how these solutions can benefit you.
MISSION, TX - SiCar Farms jumped into the newswires recently, announcing the opening of its new facility alongside its new location. This warehouse, which will be located in McAllen, Texas, is 100,000 square feet and completely refrigerated. It also has 21 loading docks and 12,000 additional square feet of office space. The coolers' capacity stands at 85,000 square feet with a storage capacity of just over 120 loads of product.
“Expansion plans have always played a key role in our organization since SiCar Farms offices were opened in 2003 in McAllen, Texas,” stated Luis Gudino, CEO. “Our operations have vastly increased during the past five years, managing twenty different commodities, which has enabled us to increase our customer’s portfolio. Each commodity can have a wide range of varieties and sizes. In parallel, our assigned volume has also increased as a result of our customers’ satisfaction and trust in our company and brand. This new facility will accommodate three times as much of expected operational capacity. Additionally, the industry market's needs are constantly evolving and so are we; our company principles and focus are innovative, modern, and sustainable.”
According to a press release, the warehouse has cutting-edge tech. Currently, most functions are controlled by robotics and other high technology sorting line systems. By focusing on warehouse efficiencies, the company noted that this will optimize its inventory operations, increase product flow, and reduce over fifty percent of forklift traffic throughout the warehouse.
In addition, SiCar Farms has its sights set on energy sustainability, with plans to install solar panels within the facility by or before 2020. A newly-automated pallet-strapping device and facility truck scales will all result in time efficiency and reduce overall operational costs. The new warehouse will feature LED lighting throughout, a refrigeration system with isolated panels, and an IR2 system.
The facility is strategically located on the overweight corridor in McAllen, Texas. This location enables SiCar Farms to maximize its container weights and extend the value to its customers.
“We are positioning our brand in the United States and Canada, and long-term, we would like to expand our business (fresh produce) to other continents. The advantage we have is our CITROJUGO business unit, which is already recognized and delivers processed lime products to Europe and Asia,” continued Gudino.
To learn more about the company’s facility and capabilities, be sure to visit the team at PMA Fresh Summit at booth #866.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Known in the industry for its flavorful, high-quality berries, Driscoll’s recently announced the launch of Sweetest Batch™ Blueberries. As the company’s newest product in its Limited Edition collection, Sweetest Batch will be available in select cities for a limited time, delivering on a unique, indulgent berry experience that’s focused on elevated flavor.
“The fresh berry category continues to lead the growth of the produce industry and the blueberry experienced a double-digit growth in retail sales,” said Frances Dillard, Senior Director of Brand and Product Marketing. “As the number one brand in produce, Driscoll’s 100-year farming heritage is dedicated to flavor as our brand differentiation.”
Plans are also underway for Sweetest Batch Blackberries, working toward the company’s first complete berry patch with premium flavors across the strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry categories. According to a press release, Driscoll’s brand promise of Only the Finest Berries™ has singularly allowed the company to focus on its mission of delighting the consumer.
“We are excited about this new product innovation that leverages our best proprietary genetics to bring a big, extra-sweet flavor offering to our consumers,” said Annie Duner, Product Marketing Manager. “Driscoll’s goal is to generate buzz and excitement in an otherwise commodity-driven category.”
Bursting with flavor, these specialty blueberries follow the marketplace success of Driscoll’s Rosé Berries™ and Sweetest Batch Strawberries and Raspberries earlier this year. Like all of the company’s berries, Sweetest Batch Blueberries are bred naturally by the brand’s Joy Makers—Driscoll’s team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant health scientists, and entomologists—exclusively for its network of independent farmers to grow and harvest.
Due to the special attention and nurturing that’s required to ensure the berry’s superior quality, they are limited in availability. To locate retailers that feature Sweetest Batch Blueberries and other Limited Edition berries nationwide, click here. For all the latest news in produce, keep reading us here at ANUK.