WASHINGTON, DC - The National Retail Federation today announced BJ’s Wholesale Club Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Eddy has been elected Chairman of the NRF Board of Directors. Eddy succeeds Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner, who has served in the role since 2022.

"We are immensely grateful to John Furner for his leadership of the NRF Board of Directors during a pivotal time of change for the retail industry," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "During his chairmanship, NRF continued a sustained pattern of growth in membership, conference attendance, and revenue. John also encouraged the pursuit of several new strategic initiatives including the launch of the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, which tracks monthly retail sales; NRF and Comexposium’s expansion of Retail’s Big Show to Europe and Asia Pacific; and our NRF Foundation’s partnership with Georgetown University to strengthen the bridge between the academic community and retailers’ evolving needs."

"As we look to the year ahead, we are fortunate to have Bob take the helm as Chair of the NRF Board of Directors," Shay continued in the press release. "Bob has a longstanding history and personal involvement with NRF, including serving as past chair of the finance executive committee. He leads a company that is experiencing rapid growth and expansion, and his experience and expertise will be invaluable as the retail industry continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace. We look forward to driving positive change for retailers of all sizes under his leadership."

"Retailers play a crucial role for Americans, providing everyday goods and essential items as well as outstanding career opportunities for millions of people," Eddy said. "I look forward to working with NRF and the board to continue to propel the retail industry forward."

Additionally, three new members were elected to the NRF Board of Directors, including:

• Worldwide Amazon Stores CEO Doug Herrington
• Orveon Global CEO Neela Montgomery
• Goodwill Industries International President and CEO Steve Preston

The board of directors, composed of the retail industry’s leading executives who serve as the governing body for the National Retail Federation, held its annual winter meeting today during NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show.

ORLANDO, FL - Today, the National Mango Board launches its search for nominees to fill six open board member positions for the term of 2026-2028. The board's primary goal is to raise awareness and drive the consumption of fresh mangos in the United States while educating consumers about the culture, flavor, and nutritional benefits of this versatile super fruit. The board also serves as a unifying force within the mango industry.

Members of the mango industry are invited to submit nomination applications for the following available seats, with the final deadline set for February 28, 2025, at 6 p.m. (EST):

• Three Foreign Producers
• Two District III Importers
• One District IV Importer

According to a press release, the National Mango Board comprises a total of 18 members, including importers, domestic producers, foreign producers, and a first handler. Appointed to a three-year term, board members collaborate closely with the National Mango Board staff to implement Marketing, Research, and Industry Relations programs that benefit the mango industry.

Nomination applications can be accessed at Mango.org/Nominations or by contacting National Mango Board Director of Operations, Rolff Vladimir Mitton at [email protected] or Operations Manager, Gabriela Rocha at [email protected]. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture makes the final decisions on all board member appointments.

The National Mango Board, in collaboration with the USDA, is dedicated to fostering diversity within the mango community, including growers, importers, shippers, distributors, marketers, and partners. The board encourages industry members to apply without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, protected genetic information, or reprisal.

AndNowUKnow will report on the newest members, so stay tuned!

VERO BEACH, FL - Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet proudly announces the addition of Rodrigo Lazo to its team. Rodrigo brings over 20 years of experience in the produce industry and a proven track record of success in building relationships, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional results.

In his new role as Sourcing and Grower Liaison, Rodrigo will focus on enhancing the company’s growth initiatives and strengthening its position as a leader in the produce sector.

He will serve as a vital connection between Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet and its network of worldwide growers, ensuring seamless collaboration and the consistent delivery of high-quality produce.

“I am thrilled to join Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet, a company with such a rich history and a forward-thinking vision,” said Rodrigo Lazo in a press release. “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the team and helping deliver the highest-quality produce to our customers.”

Mayda Sotomayor, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I have known Rodrigo for more than 20 years and I am sure his deep industry expertise and passion for excellence make him a perfect fit for our organization. We are confident that his leadership and insights will help us drive innovation and continue building strong partnerships with our growers, customers, and stakeholders. I am very proud he has joined our team.”

Rodrigo’s extensive background and commitment to the produce industry align with Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet’s mission of “For a healthier future.” The company looks forward to the positive impact he will bring as it continues to grow and evolve.

Congratulations to the new team member!

CORONA, CA - Index Fresh, a global leader in avocado production and marketing, announces the kickoff of the California avocado season, perfectly timed to meet the high demand during the Super Bowl period. With its strong California grower base, Index Fresh is uniquely positioned to supplement the low inventories and support promotions.

The avocado market is currently experiencing significant challenges, with Mexican supply falling short of meeting regular weekly U.S. demand. This shortage coincides with pre-planned marketing campaigns promoting wellness and football festivities, creating a tight market situation.

California’s early start provides a crucial option for retailers and foodservice operators during this key avocado sales period. While California’s harvest won’t entirely replace Mexican volume, it will supplement the market, reducing dependency on Mexican imports as the source.

John Dmytriw, VP of Business Development at Index Fresh, states in a recent release, “We’re excited to begin packing California avocados. This season’s crop is looking exceptional and will make a positive impact in the U.S. market. Buyers can look forward to a consistent and high-quality supply.”

Index Fresh’s strong California grower base gives the company a distinct advantage in accessing and supplying high quality avocados. This established network allows Index Fresh to respond swiftly to market demands and ensure a steady supply during critical periods.

Crop Outlook and Availability

• Expected Yield: California anticipates an above-average crop, estimating 375 million pounds for the 2025 season - an 8 percent increase year-over-year
• Season Duration: The 2025 California avocado season is projected to run through September, while supplies last

“Our deep roots in avocado marketing and extensive California grower relationships enable us to deliver premium avocados when the market needs them most,” adds Dmytriw.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest updates across the industry.

CORONA, CA - With a variety of customizable solutions available for the industry, Veg Fresh Farms is strengthening its fresh produce prowess with a focus on the logistics space. To find out how the supplier’s logistics services are elevating its business in terms of opportunity and customer service, I recently gleaned exclusive insights from Joe Filipski, President and General Manager of Veg Fresh Logistics.

"Beyond our existing retail and foodservice distribution channels, our robust logistics services offer a valuable opportunity to expand our business portfolio," explains Joe. "We manage the entire shipment process, from initial pickup and delivery to our distribution center to the fulfillment of customer sales orders. We partner with reputable third-party carriers, rigorously vetting their food safety protocols to ensure the highest standards. By utilizing satellite-tracked trailers, we provide our customers with real-time transparency and complete visibility into the status of their shipments at all times."

Veg Fresh established its logistics arm in 2021. Since then, the operation has evolved into a network of 2,000–3,000 carriers, averaging anywhere from 30 to 50 shipments a day.

"Many produce companies, and even those outside the industry, are recognizing the strategic advantage of establishing an in-house brokerage," Joe explains. "This allows for significantly faster truck onboarding compared to traditional shipping methods. With greater control over the shipping process, we gain access to a wider range of transportation options, ultimately resulting in more competitive rates."

Trust and reliability are two main drivers behind Veg Fresh’s logistics division and the success of its partners. Boasting a 98 to 99 percent on-time percentage, the company remains a reliable transportation source for its partners while maintaining a high level of transparency.

"Building and maintaining trust is paramount in our industry," emphasizes Joe. "We prioritize transparency in all aspects of our operations, from pricing and service updates to equipment maintenance and estimated delivery times. Although our team is relatively small, we operate with exceptional efficiency."

This innovative service provides invaluable support to producers across the contiguous United States. As Joe indicates, the company's expanding customer base will further broaden its reach and solidify its presence within these diverse growing regions.

"We are actively developing several enhancements, with a key focus on increasing transparency and visibility for our clients," explains Joe. "We will soon be implementing a sophisticated system that provides real-time shipment tracking, including temperature monitoring. This platform will be highly customizable, allowing each client to tailor their experience by setting preferred alert frequencies and the level of detail they desire regarding their shipment's progress during transit."

With a wealth of expertise in the fresh produce space, Veg Fresh wields an impressive advantage when it comes to providing logistics services for its partners and other supply-side operations.

Exclusive insights into this innovative service and more are on the way, so keep reading ANUK for the latest.

WASHINGTON, DC - A potential strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports has been avoided with the announcement of a tentative labor agreement, but the nation’s major container ports have already seen a surge in imports that is expected to continue because of potential increases in tariffs.

“The new contract brings certainty and avoids disruptions, and we hope to see it ratified as soon as possible,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “But the agreement came at the last minute, and retailers were already bringing in spring merchandise early to ensure that they would be well-stocked to serve their customers in case of another disruption, resulting in higher imports. The surge in imports has also been driven by President-elect Trump’s plan to increase tariffs because retailers want to avoid higher costs that will eventually be paid by consumers. The long-term impact on imports remains to be seen.”

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance announced Wednesday that they had reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year labor contract, and that workers will remain on the job until the pact is ratified. A temporary contact extension reached in October was set to expire on Jan. 15 and the move avoided a possible strike on Jan. 16. As stated in the original press release, the strike would have been the second in less than four months following a three-day walkout at the beginning of October.

“Just a few days ago, the clock was ticking down toward a possible strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, and an agreement that would avoid a shutdown appeared to be some way off,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “We have narrowly averted a strike, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been an impact. Importers had already front-loaded cargo in anticipation of delays, giving a boost to imports in December and early January.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.17 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in November, although the Ports of New York and New Jersey have yet to report final data. That was down 3.2 percent from October but up 14.7 percent year over year.

Ports have not yet reported December’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.24 million TEU, up 19.2 percent year over year. That would bring 2024 to 25.6 million TEU, up 15.2 percent from 2023. Before the October port contract extension and the 2024 elections, November had been forecast at 1.91 million TEU and December at 1.88 million TEU, while the total for 2024 was forecast at 24.9 million TEU.

January is forecast at 2.16 million TEU, up 10 percent year over year; February at 1.87 million TEU, down 4.5 percent because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in China; March at 2.13 million TEU, up 10.6 percent; April at 2.18 million TEU, up 8 percent, and May at 2.2 million TEU, up 5.9 percent.

Stay connected for updates on import trends and industry shifts with ANUK!