KINGSVILLE, ON - We love celebrating big and impactful moves in fresh produce. This fall, the industry in Mexico is getting a whole lot sweeter thanks to Agrizar’s commitment to exclusively grow for Mastronardi BerryWorld America® (MBWA). Agrizar is one of Mexico’s largest growers, with a production network of over 8,700 acres. Last month, the company began picking MBWA’s remarkable blueberries and raspberries—celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality and flavor.
“We’re excited to expand our long-standing relationship with Agrizar,” says Paul Mastronardi, President, CEO, and the fourth-generation family member to lead Mastronardi Produce. “We’re continually impressed by their operations, facilities, and ability to deliver a fresh, flavorful product. There is massive growth potential for berries in North America, and we look forward to growing together.”
The berry category is primed for change if you ask me.
“I was intrigued by the success of BerryWorld’s proprietary berries in global markets,” says the CEO of Agrizar, Piero Zarattini. “But when I witnessed the plants’ durability and yield and tasted the fruit, I was blown away.”
A joint venture between Mastronardi Produce Ltd.® and the UK-based BerryWorld®, Mastronardi BerryWorld America presents a milestone move in the industry and the introduction of BerryWorld’s exclusive berry varieties to the North American market, according to a press release. This new venture launches on the heels of a record of successful expansions across Europe and into Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Congrats to Mastronardi Produce, BerryWorld, and Agrizar on the exciting journey ahead and the innovation in store!
AUSTIN, TX - The retail market is rife with competition, but when developing new strategies, sometimes looking inward is the best way to get ahead. H-E-B is taking stock of its current stores and launching renovations, new stores, and even replacing older, outdated stores with a fresh new format. The retailer has recently announced plans to construct a new store in southwest Austin that is set to replace an existing location in the Oak Hill area.
“We are excited to answer the call for a new store for the growing community in Southwest Austin,” commented Leslie Sweet, Director of Public Affairs. “With an enhanced in-store experience and the highest standard of service and selection, we tailored the store to serve the needs of our longtime Oak Hill customers that deserve the best we have to offer.”
Construction on the new store is planned for February 2020, with an anticipated opening date in late 2020 or early 2021, according to a press release. Once the new store opens, the older Oak Hill store will close its doors forever.
The new 90,000-square-foot store will have all the bells and whistles that consumers look for in their grocery experience, including the retailer’s H-E-B Curbside service, expanded product offerings, and more. The store will also feature an eco- and neighborhood-friendly design, incorporating sustainability practices like rainwater harvesting, water retention ponds, strict adherence to all aquifer regulations, and a future solar panel installation. Design elements of the store will also incorporate the look and feel of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Some of the new store’s offerings will include:
- A produce section with expanded organic and locally-grown selections and a large assortment of fresh-cut, ready-to-serve fruits and vegetables
- A large selection of prepared foods like sushi and other take-and-go meals
- An expanded selection of craft and import beers and wines
- An expansive deli department offering a variety of meats and cheeses, rotisserie chicken, in-house roasted meats, charcuterie, and a Mediterranean olive bar
- A bakery department featuring handmade artisan breads, cakes, and a Tortillería for fresh tortillas made in-house
The new store is not the only recently-planned development, as the retailer intends to renovate several stores, including its East 7th and South Congress locations, and open more new locations, such as H-E-B Lake Austin, which is expected to open in 2021.
Are these plans a sign of a new strategy? AndNowUKnow will keep you posted.
PORTLAND, OR - After over 40 years of bringing natural groceries to Portland residents, the independent grocery chain Bales and Lamb’s Marketplaces is set to close all four of its stores. The city known for its quirks is home to many small grocers, but shoppers and employees are sad to see such a long-standing chain close its doors. According to The Oregonian, Bales and Lamb’s hasn’t made public statements about the closure, but employees at each location have leaked the news.
Bales Marketplaces began as its own entity, but was purchased by Lamb’s Markets in 2015. The independent chain currently has stores in the Aloha, Garden Home, Lake Oswego, and Cedar Mill neighborhoods of Portland.
Employees reportedly learned of the closure on Tuesday, stating that the Garden Home store will close by October 19 and the Lake Oswego store will close on October 13. Last week, however, news of the Aloha and Cedar Mill store closures was reported by KPTV.
When grocery chains retire, so too do the moments created there. But luckily for Portland, relationships born from Bales and Lamb’s existence will no doubt carry on. To keep up with the latest in grocery news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SANTA BARBARA, CA - Apeel Sciences announced that an agreement with Houweling’s Group has been made. Houweling’s Group will have access to Apeel’s plant-based technology to replace the single-use plastic wraps on its English cucumbers, reducing food and plastic waste at the same time. The partnership comes after Apeel's news that U.S. retailers will soon have year-round access to Apeel fruits and vegetables that stay fresh up to two to three times longer than untreated produce.
"We are so excited to partner with Houweling’s Group knowing that sustainability is built into the fabric of their organization and we have the same mission of reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills every year,” said Gordon Robertson, Apeel Sciences’ Chief Revenue Officer. “Our growing network of suppliers is committed to using our technology to deliver longer-lasting produce, but we are incredibly proud to see Houweling’s utilize our technology as a way to replace the use of plastic wrap which will ultimately eliminate thousands of pounds of plastic waste per year.”
According to the press release, this partnership comes at a time when approximately 18 billion pounds of plastic waste enters the oceans annually. According to the UN Environment, only 9 percent of all plastic waste produced has been recycled, revealing the crucial need to reduce plastic use at the source.
“We have a rich history of investing in green business practices, leading the industry to a more sustainable future, which is why Apeel is the perfect partner to help achieve our goals in protecting the planet,” said David Bell, CMO of the Houweling’s Group. “We saw an opportunity with Apeel’s unique plant-derived solution that has proven to reduce food waste, but when we recognized Apeel could be used as a complete replacement for the functional plastic wrap on cucumbers, we became really excited. With the launch of Apeel-treated Houweling’s cucumbers, we will be addressing a significant pain point for environmentally-conscious consumers. This enables us to bring sustainable solutions to our retail partners and create a pathway to significantly reduce plastic from the supply chain.”
With more partnerships being made toward sustainability, will the time for zero-plastic wrapping become the norm? Keep reading ANUK as we uncover more in the produce industry.
SALINAS, CA - What could be better than a strawberry? A gigantic strawberry emblazoned across a brand-new website! Blazer Wilkinson, grower and shipper of conventional and organic Foxy-brand strawberries, launched its latest website after a period of significant growth. Both volume and service capabilities increased as the company ramped up its delivery of “The Ultimate Strawberry” to markets across North America.
“As farmers, we believe it’s our duty to respect the Earth’s resources and minimize our impact on the environment all while delivering a delicious, nutrient-dense product to consumers,” stated Kiana Wilkinson Amaral, Business Manager, Blazer Wilkinson. “Our new website gives us a much-needed platform to tell our story and demonstrate how we manage quality and flavor throughout every aspect of our growing, harvesting, and shipping operations. Being vertically integrated and connected to every aspect of our business is a big differentiator in our category and why we’re able to confidently say ‘We Grow the Ultimate Strawberry.’”
According to a press release, the new site is designed to highlight Blazer Wilkinson’s unique ability to manage quality, flavor, and year-round volume while respecting natural resources and providing an ethical working environment for its employees. As a vertically-integrated company, Blazer Wilkinson has farming operations throughout California, Florida, and Mexico, which allows the company to consistently deliver ultra, high-quality Foxy-brand strawberries year-round.
In order to develop this website, Blazer Wilkinson partnered with design firm MJR Creative Group.
“We’re thrilled with the result of our collaboration and opportunity to support Blazer Wilkinson in its mission to connect with consumers and tell their story. The visual impact of the site’s all-original artwork is stunning and a true testament to Blazer Wilkinson’s commitment to deliver on quality,” said Geoff Johnston, Account Director at MJR Creative Group.
Stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest in innovative efforts across the produce industry.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - It wouldn’t be PMA Fresh Summit time without an already pages-long to-do list full of all the exciting innovations to preview and companies to visit at this year’s show. One company that’s towards the top of our list is AgroFresh Solutions, a leading freshness solutions provider that will be showcasing a few of said solutions in Anaheim, California, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of this month.
“At AgroFresh, we’re focused on providing solutions for the entire fresh produce supply chain and for a broad variety of crops. We’re proud to present our comprehensive lineup of freshness solutions at PMA Fresh Summit this year,” said Narciso Vivot, Director of Business Diversification.
According to a press release, AgroFresh’s comprehensive portfolio of produce freshness solutions includes the likes of:
- SmartFresh™, which offers growers and packers control over the ripening process, overall lengthening it so that produce remains at optimal ripeness longer. Categories like apples have already reaped the rewards of the SmartFresh technology, with avocados, melons, and broccoli looking to get in on the action.
- RipeLock™, which leverages the time-tested tech behind SmartFresh to hone in on the banana category. This solution helps retailers deliver quality bananas to shoppers with a color and texture that encourages purchases while also minimizing food waste.
- FreshCloud™, a platform that provides visibility and insight throughout the supply chain by offering end-to-end visibility throughout transport. As a result, this integrated platform empowers informed inventory decisions for all types of fresh fruit, including blueberries.
In addition to helping retailers, wholesalers, and ripeners preserve freshness and bring ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables to the market, each of these solutions will be on display at booth #3290—so be sure to stop by!
For more PMA-worthy news like this, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
LAKELAND, FL - Not too long ago, Publix recently broke the news that its Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities, Jeff Chamberlain, had made plans to retire at the end of the year. Now, another veteran has decided he will retire as well. Joe DiBenedetto, Publix Super Markets’ Atlanta Division Vice President, has announced his decision to retire at the end of the year.
“Joe has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of our Atlanta Division,” said President Kevin Murphy. “Throughout his career, Joe has worked to develop leaders for future opportunities. We wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life.”
According to the press release, DiBenedetto’s more than 44-year-long career began in 1975 as a front service clerk in Cape Coral, Florida. After working in different capacities at several stores in Southwest Florida and Orlando, he was promoted to Store Manager in 1986 and District Manager in 1992. He was also Publix’s first District Manager in South Carolina. DiBenedetto was promoted to Regional Director in the Atlanta Division in 1995 and to his current position as Atlanta Division VP in 2011. The press release further goes on to state DiBenedetto and his wife, Cindy, will remain in the Atlanta area and are looking forward to spending more time with family, friends, and on their hobbies.
DiBenedetto’s successor has already been chosen. Kris Jonczyk will be promoted to take DiBenedetto’s place effective January 1, 2020. Jonczyk began his Publix career in 1986 as a front service clerk in Tequesta, Florida. Following along similarly to DiBenedetto’s footsteps, he became a Store Manager in 2000 and District Manager in 2012. He was promoted to Regional Director in the Atlanta Division in 2016. Jonczyk, and his wife, Cammie, will relocate to Atlanta.
“Kris is a strong operational leader who is committed to training and developing associates,” stated Murphy. “We are excited that he is ready to take the next step in his career.”
With all the recent changes lately in the executive structure, how will Publix perform in the upcoming year? Keep reading ANUK as we cover the latest in retail news.
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA - Can you feel it? That PMA Fresh Summit buzz is in the air. This time of year brings the best, brightest, and most innovative together to elevate the fresh produce industry with unique experiences for the consumer that help the buying community thrive. With Anaheim just around the corner, LIV Organic Produce is taking its vision for retailers to the next level with a program enhanced to drive new opportunities and growth for its partners.
This month, the company will be showcasing its one-stop-shop for quality, value, and differentiation with an organic program built on excellence and stewardship.
“Our key promotional items this fall and through the end of 2019 will center around our new year-round program of new crop organic potatoes currently shipping from Klamath Falls, Oregon, with red, yellow, and russet varieties to round out an incredible campaign of marketing opportunities,” Anthony Innocenti, Co-Founder, shares with me. “The promotional items will also include our extensive citrus program including all of our California-grown lemons, Minneolas, Meyers, pink lemons, grapefruit, and more to help bridge the gap between the retailer’s needs and the consumer’s demand. We want our retail partners to know that each strategic step we take was made to align with our customers and their constantly shifting shopper demographics.”
LIV Organic offers organic potato display options in bulk as well as 3 lb and 5 lb bagged options and is an excellent year-round resource for all organic potatoes including packing in private labels in any size bag. The company’s organic citrus program offers multiple weight bagged options as well as bulk for a range of retail needs.
The company is also in the thick of peak season with its California organic hard squash which is available year-round as well and is grown in three different regions depending on the time of year.
“LIV Organic’s offerings are all grown by our partners and family farms—true stewards of the land and individuals with vision. We know that the passion comes through in the produce we bring to market and that is a key tenet in how we develop our program,” Carrie Briones, Sales and Grower Relations, tells me. “LIV Organic is a grower partnership network built on consistent supply from several family farms and strategic packing facilities that can highlight some of the finest organic fruit and vegetables from the Western growing regions, heavily weighted in California and including Mexico.”
The company can ship seven days a week out of Los Angeles, California, to make sure that deliveries arrive with speed to market and with quality.
I am not sure about you, but I cannot wait for PMA Fresh Summit to kick-off and neither can the LIV Organic team. Stop by booth #571 and say hello to the LIV team including Anthony, Carrie, Ryan Galindo, Wes Yamamoto, and Valeria Cuenca—the newest addition to the team!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against New York Mart Group Inc. The company, operating from New York, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 23 produce sellers in the amount of $896,107 from October 2016 through December 2018.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
New York Mart Group Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
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.
IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see the latest around all growing regions.
RECORD BREAKING HEAT IN THE SOUTHEAST
The last several weeks have seen excessive heat and a lack of rain in the southeast region of the country. Temperatures throughout the region have been well above normal with highs in the upper 90°s and many locations above 100°. Many high temperature records have been broken in cities from Florida to Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee over the past two weeks.
To make matters worse, the region has also seen well below normal amounts of rain for the month of September. Regions of Tennessee only saw 3” of rain for the month which is only half of normal amounts. The Quincy, FL, region received 4” of rain in September, which is also half of normal.
Temperatures will continue well above average in the upper 90°s through tomorrow. Sunday will finally begin to see a slight cooldown with maximum temperatures dropping into the mid 80°s in Florida, Georgia, and, Alabama, while states further North such as Tennessee and North Carolina will drop into the 70°s.
Tomatoes are still coming out of Eastern Tennessee while the Southern Georgia region is kicking off their
fall season of veg such as bell peppers, squash, and beans.
HEAT RETURNING TO CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND
California, which has seen below average temps the last few days, will warm up again this weekend. The heat will return tomorrow and last though Monday. Sunday will be the hottest day of the warm up. The berry and wet veg region of Salinas will reach 85° on Saturday while the grape growing region of the San Joaquin Valley will warm up into the low 90°s this weekend.
The Coachella Valley—which is getting ready to kick off their Fall deals for peppers, beans, etc.—will see
temperatures rise to above 100° this weekend and last through late next week. These temperatures are about 10° above normal for October. Look for products to possibly come online earlier than normal out of this region.
Yuma, Arizona, will also warm up to around the 100° mark this weekend and into next week. Also about
10° above normal.
HEAT FINALY COMING TO ARGENTINAN BLUEBERRIES
The blueberry growing regions of Argentina have seen a cool spring and late start to their berry season.
The past few days, temperatures have been below average with highs in the mid 60°s and low 70°s with chances of rain. Starting Monday, temperatures will begin to warm with maximum temperatures reaching into the 80°s. Things will get real interesting next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as the highs will move into the 90°s and will reach a maximum of 100° by Saturday the 12th in Corrientes. Look for volumes to finally start to kick in late next week.
Thank you as always! We will be back next week with another report.