LUXEMBOURG - Recently, SCP Group, a Luxembourg-based financial investment firm, acquired Real hypermarket, a banner under German wholesaler Metro AG. The transaction includes 276 Real stores, its digital business (including the online marketplace real.de), 80 real estate properties, and all companies affiliated to Real.
“It is important to us that the majority of today’s Real stores will continue to operate in some form in the future. Thereby, many of the experienced and qualified Real employees will have good prospects of continuing their employment going forward,” Olaf Koch, CEO of Metro AG, said.
According to Metro’s press release, SCP Group partnered with x+bricks Group to oversee the repositioning of the business’ real estate portfolio. The investment firm will retain all of the approximately 34,000 Real employees with their present contracts under existing conditions.
“Today, we have achieved an important milestone that will provide Real locations with the best available economically viable concept for the future. SCP Group and x+bricks Group combine a highly dedicated team with high retail and real estate expertise, the necessary funds as well as a long-term vision for Real and its locations,” commented CEO of SCP Group, Marjorie Brabet-Friel.
For more information on this acquisition, please click here for the full press release. Stay in the know on all things retail with AndNowUKnow.
MUNICH, GERMANY - For the third time in a row, IFCO is awarding its annual Sustainability Certificate in Europe and North America. This sustainablility initiative began in September of 2018, when it was handed to retail customers in Europe and North America. Acknowledging the sustainability efforts not only of retailers, but also of growers, IFCO awards companies of both sectors of our industry.
“The use of RPCs ensures sustainability along the entire supply chain, from the growers to the retailers. By awarding our Sustainability Certificate, we like to recognize the efforts of customers in both industries in reducing their environmental footprint,” remarked Wolfgang Orgeldingr, Chief Executive Officer, IFCO. “The certificate proves that the awarded growers and retailers are taking concrete measures to make supply chains more sustainable and to protect the environment. This commitment is increasingly important to customers as well as to business partners. Therefore, being able to prove this commitment is a decisive factor for business success.”
Each retailer and grower customer receives a certificate highlighting the amount of carbon dioxide, water, energy, solid waste, and food waste avoided by utilizing IFCO RPCs in its supply chain.
As the industry steers toward sustainability initiatives that better the environment, customers are looking for partners that can deliver on sustainable efforts. Taking into account the increased demand for environmentally friendly products and processes helps retailers and growers stand out from the competition, a press release noted. By receiving IFCO’s Sustainability Certificate, the company noted that this is a clear demonstration of environmentally friendly behavior to customers and shareholders alike.
IFCO is constantly monitoring the environmental benefits generated by its logistics concept, the IFCO SmartCycle™, which is based on the principle of "share and reuse." All IFCO RPCs are reused between 30 and 120 times during their lifetime, and at every cycle are put through a rigorous cleaning and inspection process before being delivered for the next cycle. Those RPCs that cannot be repaired are 100 percent recycled and then used for the production of new IFCO RPCs.
As it monitors the environmental benefits through SmartCycle, IFCO reported the following savings:
- 516,168 tons of CO2, equivalent to 280,275 fewer cars on the road in a year
- 9.2 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to over 209 million five-minute showers
- 33,096 terajoules of electricity, enough to power over 17.4 million light bulbs for a year
- 265,873 tons of solid waste, equivalent to the trash produced by 194 million individuals per day
- 47,296 tons of food product waste, equivalent to 78 million average meals in the world.
These benefits carry through to IFCO customers’ supply chains and represent a significant achievement for companies wanting to protect their fresh produce while still being committed to improving their sustainability performance.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in how our industry is shaping the future.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s has been drumming up refreshed interest in the berry category lately by stoking consumers’ deepest berry desires with a few renditions of Limited Edition items. This week, the grower is expanding its Limited Edition Sweetest Batch™ line with the addition of Blackberries—another collection in the line that will include a curated series of best of season, ultra-flavorful offerings bred to give consumers an indulgent new way to experience fresh berries.
“The addition of Sweetest Batch Blackberries to the Limited Edition collection underscores our commitment to delighting consumers who have come to expect only the best and most flavorful berries from Driscoll’s,” said Fran Dillard, Senior Director, Brand and Product Marketing.
According to a press release, the new flavor-packed blackberry is one of the sweetest sensations to hit the produce aisle this winter and marks Driscoll’s as one of the first companies to market a complete berry patch premium flavor offering across strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Like the previously launched berries under the Sweetest Batch brand, Driscoll’s new Blackberries 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.
“We’re on a constant pursuit to innovate and perfect different blackberry varietals,” said Gavin Sills, Global Plant Breeding Director for Blackberries. “The traditional blackberry has long been known in the produce industry as an underdog berry, and Driscoll’s is set to revolutionize this segment with incredibly flavorful varieties.”
The latest product launch from Driscoll’s is also arriving on the heels of major growth in household penetration for the blackberry category.
“This new product innovation generates buzz and excitement for the entire blackberry category,” added Annie Duner, Product Marketing Manager. “Flavor is driving the overall growth of the fresh blackberry category.”
Driscoll’s as a brand is constantly working to develop new proprietary varieties, like those in its Limited Edition line. Though each proprietary variety takes years to perfect, the resulting Limited Edition collections promise to bring even more joy to the experience of biting into a fresh berry.
The Sweetest Batch Blackberries are available now in select regions across the U.S. for a limited time.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep the produce industry on the up and up in terms of the freshest, latest news.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Yesterday, President Trump ordered regulators to give farmers in California’s Central Valley more access to water. This approval of new federal biological opinions is part of a Record of Decision updates on regulatory policies governing water storage and conveyance. Since the late 2000s, farmers’ access to water has been restricted due to environmental efforts to protect aquatic life.
After authorizing an Interior Department order giving federal managers more flexibility in pumping water to farms, President Trump noted, “A major obstacle to providing more water for the region’s farmers has now been totally eliminated by the federal government.” This statement was delivered to a crowd of Bakersfield farmers who gathered to hear the President speak in a Bakersfield airport hangar.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Central Valley farmers have struggled under the restrictions implemented in 2008-2009, which curtailed the amount of mountain water pumped to the area in the hopes of protecting endangered fish.
Western Growers President and CEO, Dave Puglia, issued the following statement in response to the order:
“The Record of Decision approved by President Trump yesterday presents a long-needed break from the inflexible regulatory regime that has restricted water storage and conveyance since 2008. That regime has failed all interests—urban and rural communities as well as endangered and threatened species—by every objective measurement. We hope the Newsom Administration continues to approach this matter with objectivity and pragmatism. In his commitment to negotiating effective voluntary settlement agreements that would commit significant water flows and funding for habitat programs, the Governor has moved past ideologically-driven conflicts, usually in the form of litigation, that have beset water policy in California for decades."
He continued, noting, "That is a hard trail to blaze, but it’s the only true path forward. Given the inherent linkage between Delta operations under the revised biological opinions and the prospective voluntary settlement agreements, it is even more critical that our elected leaders seek practical and effective outcomes for all interests. ”
In response to this order, Governor Gavin Newsom said that the state would file suit to challenge the administration’s biological opinions that justified the order.
As we continue to chart how this decision affects the industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
HOUSTON, TX - Major changes are underfoot for those over at Sysco Foods. The foodservice extraordinaire recently announced a $36 million expansion plan to expand its campus and hire 58 new employees in Des Plaines, Illinois. In addition, the company also unveiled a newly rennovated facility in Orlando, Florida.
According to Journal & Topics, Sysco may potentially expand its Des Plaines campus, which includes two properties at 250 Wieboldt Drive and 501 S. Wolf Road. Overall, the construction value of the project is nearly $21 million and the total project value is over $36 million.
While those expansion plans are underway, Sysco recently opened its newly renovated Florida facility today at 2200 Consulate Drive in Orlando for its customized distribution subsidiary, SYGMA.
“For more than 20 years, SYGMA has been a trusted business partner to chain restaurants in the state of Florida,” said Bruce Harman, SYGMA Florida Vice President and General Manager. “SYGMA’s renovated facility provides additional capacity to serve this important, growing market and will allow us to continue to provide the same great products and services that our customers expect from us.”
According to the press release, the new SYGMA facility covers 227,000 square feet with approximately 60,000 square feet of additional space to help meet the demands of the growing local market as well as new energy-efficient features. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility also includes several sustainability features including new freezers and coolers, LED lighting, and dock doors with durable seals. These warehouse updates have contributed to a 25 percent reduction in energy use compared to SYGMA’s previous, smaller facility.
For more exciting developments in the industry, keep reading ANUK.
PRESCOTT, WA - As a consumer and even a trade news writer, seeing the plethora of apple varieties to choose from is a great experience but can also be a little overwhelming for many. The booming category sees a lot of popularity, so I wanted to get into the mind of FirstFruits Farms to see how the company is standing out. I tapped Chuck Zeutenhorst, General Manager, and Joe Vargas, Marketing, to hear firsthand what the grower of the exclusive Opal® apple variety has in store.
“With so many new proprietary varieties out there, I think we’ve created some confusion at retail for consumers, and it’s sometimes made it difficult for shoppers to choose what is the best,” Chuck says. “Whether it be on the promotional side or the packaging side, we definitely like to have our foot in the door at all levels. We’re involved in all aspects of what the retailer needs, so there’s a terrific amount of partnership that goes into the relationship at the high level.”
Joe tags in to further emphasize how FirstFruit Farms is a retailer’s best marketing partner.
“We have a lot of versatility in what we do. We’re in there with the retailer trying to help them with promotional, calendars, point-of-sales merchandise, information, and best practices,” Joe explains. “FirstFruits is trying to reach out to consumers in creative ways in order to keep the Opal as a household name.”
When I asked how FirstFruits can accomplish its mission, Joe mentions one way will be changing the packaging. The company has a couple of automated options running for more sustainable packaging and that should be put into the market by next season.
Joe further comments that decisions like these are made possible because of the company’s foundation.
“From the top down we’re owned and operated by one company. Starting from the farm all the way to the sales office, we have one voice, which makes the communication flow smoother. I think that’s where the apple industry is heading,” Joe continues. “We’re able to navigate a tight and competitive market by being a data-driven company. The ability to share information in a quick time frame with a quick turnaround allows us to make decisions promptly and effectively.”
Before I get carried away with the company’s plans, I have to ask how Opal was doing this season.
“We’re seeing great quality in our varieties this season, especially in our Opal variety,” Chuck tells me. “The market overall could be stronger, but our volumes are good, and we’re moving along at a steady rate.”
As I look forward to trying Opal this season, FirstFruits has an anniversary to celebrate. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of its Take a Bite Out of Hunger™ program. To date, the program has led to the donation of approximately 2 million lbs of fresh apples to local food banks in the past ten years. The 2019 participating retailers included AG New England, Baron’s Market, Bashas, Charlie’s Produce, Dave’s Marketplace, Frazier Farms, HEB, OK Produce, Raley’s, Roundy’s, Sobeys, Stater Bros, and United Supermarkets, to help donate over 269,250 pounds of apples to their local food banks.
For more exciting news in the industry, stay with us at ANUK.
OVERLAND PARK, KS - In general, Kansas City-based, locally-owned grocer Price Chopper remains tight-lipped in regards to its plans for expansion. This week, however, the retailer announced plans for several monumental investments. In total, Price Chopper will invest more than $54 million dollars into new stores and remodels of existing stores over the course of 2020. A major part of these plans includes the opening of two new stores that will add 300 jobs.
“As the grocery market leader, it’s important for us to reinvest into the communities we serve,” said Brian Haaraoja, President and CEO. “We know the impact of these investments will spur growth in new areas, while also adding to the job force.”
This year’s investment is more than the previous two years combined and brings the company’s total investments to more than $104 million in just three years. According to a press release, this is just one example of Price Chopper’s long-standing commitment to serving the Kansas City community.
Efforts will focus on the expansion of fresh departments, including produce and foodservice. Preliminary projects include:
- New store in Gardner, KS
- New store in Smithville, MO
- Remodel in Overland Park, KS
- Remodel in Leavenworth, KS
- Remodels in Kansas City, MO
The company is already one of Kansas City’s largest employers with over 11,000 associates. The investment will be made through a combination of efforts across the four local families that make up the Price Chopper group in the Greater Kansas City area. The stores, which are locally owned and operated by the Ball, Cosentino, McKeever, and Queen families, have been serving the Kansas City area for over 40 years.
Is this the dawn of a new age for Price Chopper? For more of the latest grocery expansions in the industry, keep following along with us at ANUK.
CORAL GABLES, FL - A Fyffes pineapple farm in Costa Rica, ANEXCO, was recently granted the Sustainable Agriculture Standard Certification by Rainforest Alliance (RFA) for the farm’s sustainable practices. As of last month, approximately 1,100 workers, 8 million boxes of pineapples, and 3,239 hectares of farmland and protected forest areas are now RFA-certified.
“Fyffes is extremely proud of what our team at the ANEXCO farm in Costa Rica has achieved,” Wolter Van Der Kooij, General Manager for Pineapples, said. “The Rainforest Alliance certification reconfirms our high level of social compliance and environmental commitment. As we look toward the future, our ambition is to continue to improve the farm for its workers, its community, and local natural habitat.”
The Sustainable Agriculture Standard certification is rooted in four key sustainability principles: effective planning and management systems, biodiversity conservation, natural resource conservation, and improved livelihoods. ANEXCO received RFA’s certification after a rigorous process of implementation and internal evaluation, followed by an external audit and validation conducted by CERES certification body.
According to a press release, Fyffes acquired ANEXCO in 2008 and through the years it has implemented sustainable initiatives to continuously improve the standards for its workers, communities, and environment. Its workers are represented by a permanent committee and several of them are members of multiple unions. The farm has received recognition for its health and safety management systems and is currently rolling out a gender equality pilot program. Transportation for farm workers is provided to a wide network of communities, and scholarships and school materials are provided to local children. These initiatives have had a positive impact on farm workers and the community.
ANEXCO has a total farm area of 3,239 hectares and has implemented reforestation programs throughout the years to offset its carbon footprint. 1,073 hectares of land within the farm are in conservation today, which provide a beautiful natural habitat for an inventory of 487 species of animals and plants.
In 2017, ANEXCO ranked first on the National Chamber of Pineapple Exporters and Producers (CANAPEP) assessment for its compliance on strict environmental and social legislation in Costa Rica. Last year, the farm inaugurated a state-of-the-art pineapple packing house, which led ANEXCO to win the Grand Exporter Award from the Chamber of Exportation Costa Rica (CADEXCO).
The RFA is an international non-profit organization that aims to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. The organization’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard sets out comprehensive environmental, social, and economic guidelines in order to certify cattle and crop farms around the world that promote sustainability. Fyffes principles and practices align to those of the RFA; its certification is an exceptional recognition for ANEXCO, its workers, and the community in Costa Rica, and another step forward toward a global sustainable future.
Congratulations to Fyffes on this exciting new certification! Follow along with us at AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on the most innovative initiatives in fresh produce.
KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Tiny tomatoes are raking in big results, as SUNSET’s Sprinkles® Tiny Mighty Tomatoes™ was recently recognized on the global stage for its innovative packaging and branding. The product was awarded Best New Brand in the Food & Beverage category at this year’s PAC Global Leadership Awards.
“We know that packaging plays a large role in inspiring people to eat healthy, fresh food, and we take great care in designing our offerings to achieve that goal,” stated Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce. “We are truly honored that our efforts have been recognized once again by a committee of brand design and packaging experts from around the globe.”
Sprinkles was developed to offer something different in the fast-growing snacking tomatoes segment, a press release noted. The branding and design appeals strongly to kids looking to add a bit of swag to their lunchboxes, but also appeals to adults as the perfect amount of tomatoes to top a salad. This approach is a game changer for the category, as initial sales for Sprinkles are highly incremental.
Like all products offered by SUNSET®, Sprinkles tomatoes were selected for unparalleled flavor. With a firm snap to the skin and an explosion of sweet flavor, these tiny tomatoes were well-deserving of the award. The product has received several other awards as well, including a flavor award from the International Taste and Quality Institute (ITQI), and a Produce Business Innovation Award. Sprinkles is available in both retail and foodservice formats.
Congratulations to SUNSET on this achievement! AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest in innovative new products.
GLENNVILLE, GA - In this industry, it is all about the layers—and if you are Bland Farms, those layers lie in the many advantages and benefits of a premium sweet onion program. Pun intended. The category continues to distinguish itself as a standout competitor at the retail onion destination, and with partners like Bland Farms, the opportunity to drive traffic into the fresh produce department is more advantageous now than ever.
“We are currently growing in Vidalia, Georgia, while harvesting from Mexico and shipping from Peru and Mexico both,” Chief Operations Officer Troy Bland shares with me. “The crop is looking really good even though it has been a wet growing season for the Vidalia crop so far.”
Troy adds that Industry-wide, Vidalia acreage is going to be down this year.
“It is about 500 acres less than it was last year—which was already down—so for the first time in 20 years, the Vidalia region will have less than 9,000 acres total,” he reflects.
Currently, there are plenty of onions entering the market from many different regions, he adds, but later on this spring and summer, it could be a situation where demand is greater than supply.
“We are very excited about our crop as well as some of the promotions that we have in store for the upcoming Vidalia season. We believe and hope that these promotions will create a tremendous amount of buzz at the retail level for Bland Farms Vidalia Sweet Onions,” Troy says. “This Vidalia season, Bland Farms is partnering with Paramount Pictures and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, which will assist in generating excitement for the company and its categories.”
Bland Farms will have dynamic point-of-sale merchandising displays, high-impact themed package designs, national press and ad campaigns, recipe tear pads featuring SpongeBob and Krabby Patty-inspired dishes, and social media support. To help get the retailers excited, Bland Farms is also running a national retailer display contest where Produce Managers can submit images of their creative SpongeBob/Vidalia onion in-store displays for the chance to win multiple prizes totaling $10,000.
“To get consumers involved, we have a consumer sweepstakes where consumers will have a chance to win multiple prizes including a grand prize trip to Paramount Pictures for a family of four. Finally, we will have a scavenger hunt for kids—and adults, too—to find the Vidalia PLU stickers that have Gary the snail on them,” Troy expresses, touting a move that will help draw consumers of all ages into the produce department. “This goes along with the theme of the movie where SpongeBob is trying to find his friend Gary who has been ‘snailnapped.’ When they find the Gary PLU, they post a picture to our social media pages for a chance to win weekly prizes! This promotion, as a whole, will help produce departments grow sales because kids are going to want the SpongeBob Vidalia onions, blossom sauce, and batter mix.”
It’s exciting times for the sweet onion category and upcoming Vidalia Onion programs, with Bland Farms planning to be at the forefront of the conversation to help retail partners tap into the benefits to come.