YAKIMA, WA - It’s with heavy hearts that AndNowUKnow announces the passing of Domex Superfresh Growers® Founder Robert “Bob” Chester Kershaw. The company made the announcement this Monday. Kershaw was 81 years old.
According to the company’s announcement, Bob was born February 3, 1938 in Yakima, Washington, to Ronald and Betty Kershaw. His family had migrated from Philadelphia in 1880, planting apple and pear orchards in the arid central Washington State land; dirt in which Bob would cultivate his career and life.
An avid mountaineer, ski-racing, hiking and climbing in the rugged Cascade Mountains provided a welcome respite for Bob, from hot summers toiling with his father Ron in the orchards. Bob was active in the mountains his whole life, even working on his ski turns 5 weeks before his death.
Bob graduated from Yakima Senior High School in 1956 and entered the University of Washington as a freshman that year. After completing his studies in economics in 1960, Bob returned to Yakima to marry Karen Helliesen and father two children, Kristin in 1965 and Robert in 1969.
Bob’s first job after college was working for Gilbert Orchards. While Bob liked to tell the story of beginning his farming career building boxes for the Gilbert family, it was true as well that is where he honed his farming and warehousing knowledge—skills that would eventually help him build his own business. Some might even say Bob’s core professional task never changed. While running Kershaw Companies with his brother and best friend Ed years later, Bob proved a natural talent at balancing profit & loss statements, negotiating agreements, and devising strategic planting schedules. But it was simple things like stoking a smudge pot at 2 a.m. or coaxing a wind machine to life to ward off the frost which Bob delighted in. It was Bob’s fierce attention to detail and insistence on doing even the "small things" right that helped lift a small company to one that is now considered a gold standard in its industry.
In 1969, Bob and brother Ed returned to the family farm, eventually conceiving Domex Superfresh Growers in 1981. Their project to bring other grower’s fruit to market grew into a vertically integrated organization to include the Kershaw farming interest, warehousing, sales, marketing, and logistical services. Successive generations of Kershaw family have bolstered the company reserves—Brian (deceased), Robert, Kevin, and Kristin. Today, it is one of the largest in the country.
Bob was lover of news, politics, and a good debate. He always kept his team guessing and often charted work strategy from his beloved sail boat or while skiing around the world with his second wife, Skippy.
For those remaining, Bob’s presence as the teacher, mentor, friend, and brother is complete, Domex Superfresh Growers noted. Bob’s lessons, friendship, and life’s work remain now more robust than ever—physically on the same plot of land from three generations of antecedents and, more importantly, in the lives of those who knew and loved him. The company notes that Bob’s two children Kristin and Robert both stand as vigilant standard bearers to his edict to be skeptical and critical, but always optimistic, especially when times are challenging.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the hunger-relief network, Second Harvest. Donations may be made online at www.2-harvest.org, and checks may be mailed to: Second Harvest, 1234 E. Front Street, Spokane, WA, 99202.
We here at AndNowUKnow extend the Domex Superfresh Growers team and all Bob Kershaw’s survivors our sincere condolences.
FOLSOM, CA - Blueberries are a summertime staple—but couldn’t they be more? I had the chance to speak with Victoria De Bruin, Marketing Manager of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) to learn more about the association’s goals and initiatives for 2019, and how it's helping blueberries get into every shopping cart year round.
De Bruin comes to this position from a unique place. She previously worked as Executive Director of the California Association of Collectors; Marketing Director for UC Davis and the California Department of Public Health; and a Marketing Director for the California Grocers Association. Her most recent position was as Branding Director for Farm Fresh To You, Full Circle, and Capay Organic Farms, where she oversaw brand development, expansion into new markets, consumer research, and public relations.
“USHBC supports its members—blueberry growers, marketers, and packers—through global promotions, health research, consumer insights, and market research to increase consumption for all forms of blueberries,” Victoria tells me. “Our efforts are geared toward driving demand across our primary audience of consumers, foodservice and health professionals, and food manufacturers.”
With consumers being a core focus of USHBC’s program, the council has a few tricks up its sleeve on how to drive demand for blueberries all year long:
- Targeted advertising that reaches consumers at key moments in their day
- Influencers, like Tia Mowry-Hardict, who offer lifestyle and recipe inspiration to millions of followers online
- Advertorial and earned media placements that highlight consumer demand and the versatility of blueberries to foodservice professionals in order to stimulate more blueberry items on menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert
- Advertorials, earned media, messaging, technical assistance, and recipes for food manufacturers that inspire the use of real blueberries—not artificial ingredients—in new products
- Scientific research that promoters the health benefits of blueberries
- New recipe development for USHBC’s website that readily brings consumers what they’re searching for online
“At the end of the day, our goal is to further strengthen our relationship with consumers, ensuring blueberries are front of mind and top of shopping list,” Victoria shares.
In addition to driving fresh blueberry demand all year, I ask Victoria what other insights she has on the category, and what trends have driven the association’s activities. The health benefits of blueberries, she explains, will be a key component in USHCB’s messaging.
“We’re continually funding new research to show how blueberries can have positive impacts on the health of consumers,” Victoria says. “There’s more to come in 2019 that will further show consumers how blueberries contribute positively to health in the areas of cardiovascular, brain, insulin response, cancer, and gut health.”
The council is also working to ensure that blueberries are seen as more than just a summertime fruit, educating consumers on the versatility of the fruit in both frozen and fresh form.
In line with its health-forward messing, the council’s Highbush Blueberry Farm to School Playbook teaches children healthy habits. The playbook is packed with nutrition facts, recipe inspo, activities for engaging students, and information for how schools can mazimize their Farm to School programs.
“Lastly, we are opening up new international markets for blueberries and increasing demand overseas,” Victoria concludes. “Recently, USHBC worked with the North American Blueberry Council to gain access for U.S. fresh, frozen, and dried blueberries in Myanmar and Vietnam. Continuing to be a global player, we launched a new export database this year that has complete international market data, including information on trade agreements and regulations, consumer preferences, exchange rate trends, and more.”
For the latest in fresh produce updates like this, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
RIDGEFIELD, CT - The Chefs’ Warehouse is expanding its operations in a big way—building the Connecticut-based distributor’s West Coast footprint with a new presence in Los Angeles County.
The distributor of specialty food products recently announced that it plans to lease a 231,000-square-foot facility in City of Industry, California, to support the expansion of its specialty offerings and meet the demand of a growing customer base in that region.
“We are excited to expand our foothold in Southern California, especially to our talented chef-customers,” said Tina Roberts, Regional Vice President, Southwest. “This new warehouse will be the key foundation for providing the highest quality ingredients available in the market today. This facility also strengthens our ability to provide excellent service to our customers throughout the Los Angeles metro area and beyond.”
According to a press release, this new facility will contain a state-of-the-art Allen Brothers meat and seafood processing facilities, to focus on the development of the company’s center of the plate brands, as well as a temperature-controlled specialty produce space—supplying fresh offerings to chefs and restaurants in the LA area.
For more on all things fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
KEASBEY, NJ - Doubling down on a commitment to brick-and-mortar retail, Wakefern Food Corp.-owned ShopRite announced plans to open a full-service, state-of-the-art store in Connecticut. The new store, which will be owned and operated by the Garafolo family and the family’s company Garafolo Markets, has a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for May 18 at 8 a.m.
“We are very excited to bring our ‘Fresh Marketplace’ ShopRite to the residents of Cromwell with the opening of this state-of-the-art shopping destination,” said Harry Garafalo, whose family also operates ShopRite stores in Milford, East Haven, Stratford, Orange and Hamden, CT. “We really believe the store will become an important part of the fabric of the local community.”
According to the press release, the store will take up 67,000 square feet and will include a number of new shopper-friendly features. The store will have a community room and culinary center for cooking workshops and demonstrations. Free nutrition counseling services will be available to customers, staff, and pick-up and home delivery online services, from an on-site registered dietitian. Fresh prepared meals will be available to customers along with custom salads and delicious dishes from in-store eateries like the Grill, Sizzling Wok and Sushi, House Smoked BBQ, Go Bowls, and Natural Foods—which can be taken home or enjoyed in the café. The store will also have an extensive array of organic, local, and gluten-free foods.
The new store will also feature a range of to-notch departments throughout the store, including:
- From-scratch bake shop: serving up special occasion cakes and freshly made bread
- Meat: with trained butchers
- Full-service seafood: featuring daily, fresh catch deliveries
- Floral shop: with fresh flowers
- Full-service deli and prepared foods: with a grilling station and grab-and-go items, freshly prepared hot entrees, salad and olive bars, and made-to-order sandwiches
The new store is set to employ around 280 people, with hiring continuing throughout the store opening. The new shopping format also incorporates innovative energy-saving and sustainable technology, including LED lighting and environmentally friendly refrigerant systems.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be attended by Cromwell Mayor Enzo Faienza and representatives of the local Council, Chamber of Commerce, and area non-profit groups.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more ground-breaking stories about retailers breaking ground.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - To say that The Allen Lund Company has been busy lately would be a bit of an understatement. Building on the recent wave of growth and expansion, the company has promoted Ryan Stephenson to Corporate Business Development Team Leader.
“We are all about growth. We think that he'll be a great addition to the company. He is going to bring a lot of organization and energy and mentorship...and we are really excited,” President Eddie Lund shared with us in this interview.
Stephenson has been the top performing Business Development Specialist (BDS) in the company, according to the company, beginning his career with ALC as a transportation broker with which he brought 10 years of experience.
"Ryan's sales success over the last 10 years speaks for itself. The same qualities that make him a great salesman will translate well in this new role. He is organized, persistent, a great team player, and he knows how to win. I look forward to working with him to help drive sales throughout ALC, " Lund added in a recent press release.
In this new position, Ryan will also be working with all the BDS' and their managers to drive new revenue opportunities for ALC.
"I'd like to express tremendous gratitude to my Charleston team for all their support over the years. To the ALC Executive team, I am grateful and excited for this opportunity,” Stephenson said. “I look forward to working with the entire ALC sales team, and I am confident we will achieve great things together."
Congrats, Ryan, on the promotion to Corporate Business Development Team Leader! And to Allen Lund, we look forward to all the growth ahead!
FRESNO, CA – Randy Giumarra, Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors recently announced that Ian LeMay will serve as the new President of the CFFA. LeMay will succeed George Radanovich, who has held the position since 2016 and will be leaving CFFA to promote sound ag labor policy in Washington, DC. LeMay will begin his tenure as CFFA President on June 1, 2019.
"I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the members of the California Fresh Fruit Association in a new capacity," said LeMay. “I came to the Association four years ago because I believe in its mission, deeply respect its history, and see infinite potential in advocating for the permanent fresh fruit growers and shippers of California. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe two great Association leaders in Barry Bedwell and George Radanovich, and thank them for their commitment to bettering our industry. The challenges that face us are many. These have not been easy years for our industry, but I remain confident in the future of California agriculture and our opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy with a unified voice.”
A recent press release detailed LeMay’s career and dedication to the continued success of California agriculture. Since 2015, LeMay has served as CFFA’s Director of Member Relations and Communications. From 2011 to 2015, LeMay served as the District Director for Congressman Jim Costa who represents California’s 16th Congressional District. As District Director, LeMay managed the Congressman’s district staff and advised the Congressman on a number of issues including agriculture, water, and transportation. Prior to working for Congressman Costa, LeMay worked as a California Market Specialist for the Lindsay Corporation. LeMay is a recent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).
“Ian’s appointment is a reflection of our Board’s commitment to establishing long-term leadership for our industry,” stated Giumarra. “Our Board and I have worked closely with Ian over the past four years. We are confident in his abilities and look forward to his leadership. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank George for his time, leadership, and impact that he has made over the last three years. George’s service is greatly appreciated by our entire membership.”
Ian and his wife Molly reside in Fresno with their two children, Emery Rose and Ellison James, and will welcome their third child this August.
Congratulations to Ian on this next step in his career!
HOUSTON, TX - Monterey Mushrooms’ forward thinking transportation division is getting a fresh coat of paint. This week, the mushroom maker announced plans to rebrand Monterey Logistics. After 34 years in business, Monterey Logistics will now become Premier Refrigerated Transport.
“We are the same company and people, but now we have a new updated name and look that reflects where we are headed,” said Robert Hampton, Vice President of Logistics, in a press release. “We pride ourselves on operating with the highest cold-chain standards in the industry, a craft that’s been honed for more than 34 years hauling highly-sensitive and perishable cargo for our dedicated service accounts.”
According to the company’s press release, Premier Refrigerated Transport is a mid-sized logistics company operating a fleet of more than 100 trucks, along with a 24-hour operations center that uses some of the best transportation technology on the market.
Premier Refrigerated Transport currently has has 17 terminals in 10 states and makes deliveries to all continental states, traveling more than 17 million miles annually. The company provides regional and national LTL and truckload hauling, servicing Monterey Mushrooms and its affiliates, along with other customers include fresh produce shippers, retailers, wholesalers, and perishable distributors.
CALIFORNIA - Spring’s last gasp is headed towards California this week, with a March-like weather pattern bringing stormy weather to the state. Though earlier days in the week will see pleasant, pre-summer weather, the later days of the week will be blustery and miserable. But it’s not all doom-and-gloom for some weather experts.
“This late-season storm will help prevent a shortage of the water supply during the summer and fall across the state,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said.
Driven by a dip in the jet stream, the rare storm will hit first in Northern California with rain before spreading across the state on Wednesday. The hardest-hit locations may see up to four to five inches of rain—around two to three times their normal monthly rainfall. For this late in the season it is extremely unusual to see a storm of this level in the region, and growing regions in the San Joaquin Valley will have to endure showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday night into Thursday, with localized heavy downpours and the possibility of light hail, according to AccuWeather.
Travel will be impacted, with roadways expected to be slippery with several delays on Interstates 5 and 80, as well as secondary roadways. Flight delays and cancellations in and out of Western hubs are also possible. Unsurprisingly, flash flooding is a risk in areas prone to flooding.
The incoming rain will bring with it chillier-than-average air, with high temperatures in the middle 60s across the Central Valley, about 20 degrees lower than the average May highs in the 80s. Even Death Valley will see temperatures only in the upper 70s. Snow levels are also expected to drop as low as 6,000—7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada region by Thursday, with up to a foot of snow possible at higher elevations. Travelers in this region should expect delays.
Wind is expected to be not just cold, but gusty as well. The heavy winds may even bring severe local thunderstorms, with the possibility of hail.
"The potential for severe thunderstorms will extend well inland beyond California as the storm moves along to portions of Nevada, Arizona and Utah at the end of the week," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
There is a silver lining to this storm, as the rain and cool air will minimize the threat of fire by keeping vegetation and the ground saturated.
This abnormal weather shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, with at least two more storms expected to his California this weekend into the middle of next week.
How will this unexpected storm impact crops and harvest time? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
PEARALL, TX - Black Gold Farms began harvest of the 2019 fresh crop of Texas colored potatoes earlier this week. The first run fields have indicated that the quality will be up to par!
“Getting into fresh crop for the year is always exciting—for us at the farm and for our customers,” said Keith Groven, Sales Manager of Black Gold Farms. “Retailers are thrilled to get their hands on fresh red and yellow potatoes.”
According to the company’s press release, Black Gold Farms recently finished up a strong storage season out of its North Dakota location. Texas-grown red and yellow potatoes will ship from Pearsall, TX, as well Black Gold Farms’ Arbyrd, MO, packing facility until early June. After that, Black Gold Farms will transition to its Missouri fresh colored potato crop that will pack and ship out for the summer of that location.
“I’m really excited to be digging our fresh red and yellow spuds,” said Steve Wright, Farm Manager of the Pearsall farm. “I’ve seen a lot of really good-looking potatoes come out of this area year after year—and this particular season, I’m especially excited.”
Wright noted that optimal weather, timing, variety, and land selection are triggers that set up the season for success.
Black Gold Farms also aims to leverage consumer demand for local potatoes.
“Texas retailers particularly, have witnessed the demand that Texas-grown colored potatoes can create. A lot of product can move when consumers know it’s local,” said Groven.
Texas locally-grown 5 pound poly packaging and half bins for Texas Locally Grown programs for 2019 are now available.
For updates on the potato season and anything fresh produce, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Of the top 22 finalists for this year’s Viva Fresh Innovation Showcase, three progressive and forward-thinking companies took top spots during the Best in Show voting segment that occurred on the trade show floor. I spoke with the teams behind the products and a few innovative voices shared their excitement with me.
Let’s take a look at what the winners had to say…
1st Place: Triple H - Triple H Grower's App
“We are excited and grateful for receiving the Best of Show Award in the Innovation Showcase, recognizing all the new ideas and ways to do things better among the fresh produce industry," said Jesus Claudio Zazueta, Operations VP, Triple H. "In this ever-changing atmosphere, it becomes crucial to embrace innovation as part of our DNA and, in Triple H, we are betting on technology as the pathway to strive as a company."
Allan Cardel, IT Manager, added: “The Grower’s App project was born out of the need and desire to offer transparency giving access to real-time information for the grower in a friendly platform that helps them run their business smoothly and timely. The grower’s profile has evolved over the last years, and so has our way to communicate and do business. This technological solution reduces the barrier of distance shortening response times and presenting critical information in real time.”
The mobile app is designed for associated growers where they can do real-time tracking on the status and location of their products being shipped from Mexico into the U.S. The app allows growers to monitor their product’s commercial performance on the facility where it will be sold from (inventory, conditions, selling prices, expenditures, financial breakdowns) allowing them to make the necessary adjustments, thus taking wiser and timely decisions to maximize profitability.
2nd Place: Frontera Produce - Sostena ProducePlan.com & GroundSight technology in collaboration with Crescent Fruit & Veg
“Thank you all who voted for our Innovation Showcase! We are elated to be part of this emerging technology, which is sure to revolutionize the produce industry, by promoting full supply chain visibility," said Amy Gates, President, Frontera Produce. "One of our core values at Frontera is transparency, and this technology pairs wonderfully with that aspect of our culture and allows us to continue to enhance communication with our customers to ensure a spectacular consumer experience.”
The development of Golden Crush was a cooperative effort by Sostena and Origene Seeds and was in direct response to declining consumer consumption and sales of cantaloupes at retail. ProducePlan.com and GroundSight were both conceived due to serious shortfalls in the produce supply chain. ProducePlan.com helps to ensure all key stakeholders have a coordinated supply chain by building supply plans based on demand plans, no more “plan and pray.” And with the precision irrigation technology of GroundSight, the companies have been able to help growers get increased yields and better quality.
3rd Place: National Mango Board - In-store Mango Display
"It’s an honor to be recognized by the Innovation Committee and we deeply appreciate Viva Fresh for bringing together such value and talent in our industry into one space for the expo each year," said Angela Serna, Communications Manager, National Mango Board. "We are working really hard to get the mango message out to our consumers and partners. The super fun superfruit message is resonating and continuing to grow."
The National Mango Board’s (NMB) in-store display provides retailers with a resource to showcase mangos and ultimately educate their customers while increasing sales. The reason? There was a need, according to the board, for a disruptor in the produce section that would call attention to mangos and provide a vehicle to present the fruit to their customers in a pleasing and consistent position. In 2018, the NMB distributed over 5,000 displays to retail partners and plans to double that distribution in 2019. Retailers benefit by having a visually pleasing and engaging resource to help them build sales incrementally 30% and more.
Congrats to the winners and to all the finalists from this year’s Viva Fresh Innovation Showcase!