FRESNO, CA - The deadline for the application of FSMA 204 may not be until January 20, 2026, but it’s never too early to prepare. Famous Software has been working diligently with industry leaders to make sure its customers are ready for the compliance date.

“One of the cornerstones of the Famous platform is traceability. We know how important it is for our customers to be able to react quickly to any situation and be able to track where their products are, have been, and are going within their supply chain,” remarked Heather Hammack, President.

As a press release outlined, once the final rule was released, Famous Software immediately got to work. The company initiated a steering committee with key stakeholders, as well as several of its top customers, such as Ocean Mist® Farms, C.H. Robinson, Veg Fresh Farms, Church Brothers Farms, Lipman Family Farms, and Mucci Farms. Through this committee, Famous Software has worked to ensure that its customers were adequately prepared for implementation.

Since its formation, this steering committee meets regularly to dig deeper into the rule itself and understand what retailers and foodservice operator customers are planning and will be requiring.

Famous Software’s 2024 ERP release is now available and incorporates a number of different enhancements including several that tie directly to FSMA 204.

“We worked diligently with our customers to prepare them for the Produce Traceability Initiative. Because of that effort, there are very few changes needed within Famous for our customers to be FSMA 204 compliant,” Hammack explained. “We already have a traceability report that customers currently use that contains most of the data. We are adding a few columns that will make it easier for customers to report what is required.”

To learn more about Famous Software’s approach to traceability, as well as its FSMA 204 compliance plans, click here.

AndNowUKnow will continue to cover any updates pertaining to FSMA 204, so stay tuned.

HOUSTON, TX - Through its partnership with FreshPoint, a Sysco company, Brighter Bites has been able to help move over 3.6 million pounds of produce to deliver to 90 school sites. In total, almost 1,400 deliveries were made through FreshPoint’s support.

“We are incredibly grateful to FreshPoint for their unwavering support,” said Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Bites. “Having spent three decades with FreshPoint/Sysco myself, I know firsthand the values and dedication they bring to everything they do. Their backing is invaluable to us and underscores their commitment to making a positive impact by allowing us to supply millions of people in critical locations with our fresh produce and nutrition education programs.”

According to a press release, FreshPoint is the only partner of Brighter Bites’ that has supported programming in multiple cities, including Washington DC, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and cities throughout Southwest Florida.

FreshPoint Chief Executive Officer Jim Procuniar also commented on the announcement.

“FreshPoint provides fresh fruits and vegetables to our communities, and this partnership with Brighter Bites gives young students the opportunity to have access to fresh food which is particularly important with the smaller schools and intercity districts that Brighter Bites serves,” said Procuniar. “Not only does this program help underserved students, but it also helps farmers we work with to utilize excess product that would otherwise go to waste by getting it to where its needed most!”

With eight years of partnership between the two entities, Brighter Bites is also expanding its Board of Directors with a Sysco alum. Jenny Johnson, Senior Vice President, and Chief Accounting Officer at Sysco, will offer the nonprofit her extensive financial expertise to further its mission.

We commend Brighter Bites and FreshPoint for this continued partnership, and extend our congratulations to Jenny Johnson on this appointment.

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - As of August 12, Dollar General welcomed a new member to its Board of Directors. The retailer has appointed Kamy Scarlett to the team, serving on the compensation and human capital management committee and the nominating, governance, and corporate responsibility committee of the Board of Directors.

Since May 2023, Scarlett has served as the Senior Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, and Best Buy Canada for Best Buy Co., where she oversees talent development, health, and well-being of Best Buy’s worldwide employee base, as well as communications and public affairs and its Canada business. She also serves as executive vice president of Best Buy Canada.

According to a press release, Scarlett joined Best Buy in 2014 and has held various leadership roles across the organization including, among others, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President of Best Buy Canada from January 2020 to May 2023 and Chief Human Resources Officer and President of Best Buy’s U.S. retail stores from January 2019 to January 2020. 

Prior to joining Best Buy, she served as Chief Operating Officer at Grafton-Fraser and held prior leadership roles at Loblaw Companies Limited, Hudson’s Bay Co., and Dylex Limited.

“We are pleased to add Kamy to Dollar General’s Board of Directors,” said Michael Calbert, Chairman of the board. “I am confident her wealth of retail industry experience and leadership in both human resources and corporate affairs over the past thirty years will provide valuable insights in support of our strategic goals and growth plans.”

With Scarlett’s appointment, Dollar General’s Board of Directors now consists of 10 total members.

Congratulations to the new board member!

DUBLIN, IRELAND - Dole plc’s second quarter 2024 financial results are in. Although there was a slight dip in revenue, the report notes that with growth across all segments, positive momentum is still driving it forward.

“We are pleased to report another strong result for the second quarter of 2024, with Adjusted EBITDA increasing 2.2 percent to $125.4 million and 8.2 percent on a like-for-like basis,” commented Carl McCann, Executive Chairman. “Following the completion of our sale of Progressive Produce, we repaid $100 million of our Term Loan facilities in April, and at the end of the quarter, our Net Debt was $767.5 million.”

According to a press release, highlights from the report include:

• Strong second quarter Group results with growth across all segments on a like-for-like basis
• Revenue of $2.1 billion, a decrease of 0.8 percent. On a like-for-like basis, revenue increased 4.3 percent
• Net Income of $88.1 million, an increase of 68.4 percent
• Adjusted EBITDA of $125.4 million, an increase of 2.2 percent. On a like-for-like basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.2 percent
• Adjusted Net Income of $47.0 million and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.49

“Our strong first half of the year, and positive momentum within the business, positions us well to deliver a good result for the 2024 financial year,” McCann noted. “Today, we are pleased to raise our full year Adjusted EBITDA target to at least $370.0 million.”

To see the report in full, click here.

AndNowUKnow will report on the latest news in fresh, so keep your eyes peeled for our apple logo in your inbox.

CAIRO, EGYPT - As a global breeding and licensing company in business for more than 40 years, Sun World International has more than 200 table grape patents and Plant Variety Rights (PVRs) worldwide. Recently, two Egyptian courts have ruled in favor of Sun World International in infringement litigation the company filed against unlicensed Egyptian growers for illegal production and sale of Sun World grapes.

“Sun World will enforce the full extent of its rights against these infringers, seeking to stop illegal production, remove the infringing plantings, and collect damages for past infringement,” said Michael Stimson, Vice President of IP and General Counsel, Sun World International.

The California-based company has a long-standing business developing and licensing its proprietary plant varieties to growers worldwide, including Egyptian farmers, who earn a premium for growing Sun World’s superior varieties. Sun World’s varieties are licensed to growers in 22 countries.

The two economic courts, located in Cairo and Tanta, issued injunctions on the merits against two growers:

• Prohibiting the unauthorized propagation of Sun World varieties
• Prohibiting the unauthorized sale, offer for sale, import, or export of Sun World fruit Awarding monetary damages
• Forcing the uprooting and destruction of all grapevines illegally planted on their farms at the infringers’ expense

“We continually monitor table grape growing regions and table grapes in consumer markets around the globe for potential infringement cases,” added Stimson. “As a result, through private and court-ordered investigations, we identified Sun World’s proprietary vines on farms owned by unlicensed growers and, after a thorough investigation, pursued this litigation against them.”

A press release shared how Sun World encourages growers in Egypt who are interested in planting the Sugrathirteen black seedless table grapes variety, marketed under the MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® brand, to obtain a license to plant and propagate Sugrathirteen vines and to sell fruit under its authorized MIDNIGHT BEAUTY brand. Unauthorized Egyptian producer-marketers sometimes illegally sell Sugrathirteen variety grapes under the “Black Magic” brand and are subject to criminal legal actions and civil liability.

“Sun World’s business is to deliver the best varieties possible to our licensees. These illegal infringers are reducing the market price for the fruit grown by law-abiding, licensed Egyptian farmers who grow Sun World varieties. So, we work tirelessly worldwide to enforce our intellectual property against every single infringer we find,” Stimson concluded.

ANUK will continue to keep you updated on the industry's latest, so stick with us.

OVIEDO, FL - We are deeply saddened to report on the recent passing of an industry great. Edward “Ed” Duda, former Chief Executive Officer of DUDA, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the age of 91.

Duda was a third-generation descendant of company Founder Andrew Duda and the first of his generation to serve as President of the company. He began his career with DUDA in 1957 as a farm supervisor at its Belle Glade agriculture operation. He held a variety of significant roles within the company before being elected President in 1977. He was later named President and Chairman of the Board, followed by President and CEO. In 1992, he relinquished his duties as President, continuing to serve as CEO until his retirement in 1998. He served as Chairman of the DUDA Board of Directors until 2005. Duda also served as Chairman of The Viera Company Advisory Board, we learned from the company’s announcement.

Duda’s involvement and influence in Florida agriculture were reflected in his various industry memberships and recognitions over the years. He served as Director of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida from 1982 to 1998, trustee of Florida Institute of Technology from 1989 to 1996, and was elected Chairman of United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association in 1996. He was also a member of The Florida Council of 100 and a Board Member of Sugarland Harvesting Corporation. Duda was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Florida in 1994, alongside his cousin, Ferdinand “F.S.” Duda. In 1996, Duda was named “Produce Man of the Year” by a produce news organization.

In addition to his professional industry achievements, Duda was a U.S. Army veteran, member of the Oviedo High School Baseball Hall of Fame, former Vice President of the Lutheran Haven Retirement Center Board, and a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida, where he also served on their Board of Trustees. Additionally, he served as a Board Member for Southeast Bank and Rabobank, headquartered in Europe, in the 1980s.

“My father had an intense curiosity about people, life, business, and especially farming and the produce business,” says current DUDA CEO Sammy Duda, Edward Duda’s son. “He took a great deal of pride in the role he played in growing and diversifying DUDA into the successful business it is today. I will always remember his sense of humor, his interest in people from all walks of life, and his drive and determination that we could always be better. His humility and ability to connect with people will be an enduring legacy for all of us to emulate in our approach to life, work, and relationships. His love of the company and the people who worked here were a testament to his faith and confidence in God and the human spirit. He will be missed.”

The International Fresh Produce Association issued a statement reflecting on the passing of Edward "Ed" Duda.

“Ed was a critically impactful Chair who always put the fresh produce industry first and a pleasure to partner with during his tenure as an association leader,” said retired United Fresh CEO and retired IFPA Co-CEO Tom Stenzel. “As United Fresh Chair, he was a strong voice for grower-shippers and a tireless advocate for the needs of the fruit and vegetable production community."

Following a private family burial, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m. EST at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida. A luncheon reception will immediately follow the service in the Founders’ Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Haven Retirement Center.

We extend our condolences during this difficult time to all who knew and loved Edward Duda.