DALLAS, TX - Costco’s Business Centers are coming to Dallas, Texas! According to a report from Dallas News, who cited a sign on the property, the former Sam’s Club location at 8282 Park Lane in Dallas will become a Costco Business Center. Currently, Costco has 18 business centers throughout the United States, none of which are situated in Texas. But, that’s all about to change!
The 133,000-square-foot building will cost the retailer roughly $10 million to remodel. Costco members can shop at these business centers, but the centers are geared toward business customers—as the name readily implies—due to its product selection that caters more to small businesses and restaurant owners.
The Business Centers also have delivery options. Orders placed online Monday through Friday prior to 3 p.m. will be delivered the next business day. To further its ease of delivery, what customers already ordered is saved in a list so they’re easy to reorder.
When asked about the opening of the center, Costco representatives were not available to comment to Dallas News.
For the latest in retail news, keep reading AndNowUKnow!
WASHINGTON, DC - As part of its efforts to ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA. By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Fresh Is Best Inc., operating out of Long Beach, Calif., for failing to pay a $17,638 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ever Melchor, Antonio Melchor and Reina Melchor were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
- Martinez Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Dallas, Texas, for failing to pay a $17,767 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Arturo Martinez Isguerra was listed as a member of the business.
- SAR Quality Avocados Corp., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $102,783 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Javier Sanchez Aguilar and Maria De Jesus Romero Sanchez were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Luis F. Mejia. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
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 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
DENVER, CO - The online retail juggernaut is strengthening its roots in Denver with the announcement of the planned expansion of its Denver Tech Hub, creating 400 high-tech jobs in the process. New personnel will include experts in fields such as software and hardware engineering, advertising, and cloud computing. Amazon plans to open a new downtown Denver office to work in conjunction with the company’s Boulder office that opened last fall to accommodate the rapid job creation, allowing Amazon to more than double its tech workforce in the Denver area. This number, when combined with retail and customer fulfillment facility employees equates to over 3,500 jobs in Colorado.
“We’re excited to continue to grow and invest in the Denver area,” said Dave Wood, Site Lead for Amazon’s Denver Tech Hub. “Our new office will offer our teams the convenience of a downtown location with an array of outdoor adventures just up the road.”
As of now, Amazon has more than 350 employees in the Denver area, who are at work building new services and products for the company’s retail and advertising businesses, as well as Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to a press release.
“As a growing thriving tech city it's no surprise Amazon has chosen to expand their Denver workforce,” said Representative Alex Valdez. “Our people and quality of life are second to none. We're excited to see more quality tech jobs coming to our great city.”
The new 98,000-square-foot office will be located in Invesco’s 1515 Wynkoop LEED® Platinum building in Denver’s Lower Downtown neighborhood. Amazon’s new Denver Tech Hub is just one of the company’s 17 North American Tech Hubs—a development center network in addition to Amazon’s Seattle and Arlington headquarters. These Hubs employ more than 20,000 individuals working to drive innovation for Amazon customers across the globe.
“Amazon’s continued growth in Metro Denver highlights the value in our investments in place-making, talent development, and global connectivity,” said Sam Bailey, Vice President, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. “We are thrilled to partner with Amazon on this significant opportunity for our community.”
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SUGAR CITY, ID - Potato industry veteran Tron Crumley joined Sun-Glo of Idaho®—a partner of Fresh Solutions Network®—as a member of its Sales team, effective April 15, 2019.
“My career has been single-mindedly focused on the potato industry. I am also the grandson of Idaho potato farmers, so selling potatoes is in my blood,” Crumley stated in a recent press release. “Sun-Glo’s level of customer service makes a positive difference to the bottom line. I'm looking forward to being an integral part of this service-forward, family-oriented business, working closely with the Sun-Glo team to unlock further sales opportunities. I love that each season brings something new; different volume, sizes, and quality. Couple that with the changing landscape of the industry, and the possibilities are endless.”
Crumley brings nearly 25 years of potato industry experience to his new role, having previously lead sales of both fresh and dehydrated potatoes for Idaho-based produce companies like Nonpareil, RPE, and Pro-Heath. In this role, Crumley will build upon Sun-Glo's retail, wholesale, and foodservice sales programs. The press release noted that Crumley is a self-professed competitive person, who enjoys the challenge of the ever-changing potato industry.
“Tron’s deep industry knowledge and connections will help us fulfill our ongoing mission to serve our customers by delivering extraordinary customer service and quality potatoes,” said Sun-Glo’s Vice President of Sales Jill Cox. “As a fourth-generation farmer, we understand the importance of fresh potatoes to the retail and foodservice industries and strive to innovate our fresh product portfolio. Tron’s leadership and experience will help us deliver even more value to our customers. The Crapo family enthusiastically welcomes him to the Sun-Glo team.”
Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, added, "We are delighted to increase the sales and customer service capabilities of the Network with Tron’s new position at Sun-Glo. We are constantly evolving, elevating customer service standards and pushing innovation boundaries. Tron is a great fit.”
Congratulations to Tron on this new role! For the latest in new hires, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CHICAGO, IL - Hazel Technologies is looking to make every cherry season from here on out the very best it can be. This week, the USDA-funded company debuted and launched its new post-harvest technology, Hazel® Cherry. Prior to its launch, Hazel Technologies piloted the technology with cherry packers in the Pacific Northwest and worked with Cornell University to ensure the product was truly ensuring excellent fruit quality.
“We are grateful for the partnership of our trial partners in the Pacific Northwest and look forward to continued adaption and success for packers and retailers using Hazel Cherry in their supply chains,” said Aidan Mouat, CEO and Co-Founder of Hazel Technologies.
The Hazel Cherry product consists of a quarter-sized biodegradable and food-safe packaging insert that is placed in boxes during the packing process. In the 2018 season, cherry packers in the Pacific Northwest tested out the tech, while Cornell University underwent a month-long study. According to a press release, both found that Hazel Cherry helps protect stem quality, reduce pitting, and minimize the probability of decay in commercial fresh cherry varieties.
“Our study showed using Hazel Cherry compared to an untreated control can result in better stem quality, lower decay, and lower rate of pitting in the ‘Royal’ cherry variety,” added Cornell University Professor Chris Watkins.
While heavily exported, cherries are notorious for being difficult, particularly when it comes to quality. Specifically, stem quality, pitting, and decay are challenges that fresh cherry packers and shippers consistently face. However, with the Hazel Cherry technology, cherry growers everywhere will have a solution to the tricky fruit.
“We are constantly looking for the newest technologies to help ensure the highest level of quality. In 2018, we used Hazel Cherry on our export grade cherries and had excellent quality arrivals in Asia,” said Deidre Baumgarten, Manager of Polehn Farms, a The Dalles, Oregon-based company, after trialing Hazel Cherry.
For the upcoming 2019 season, further academic trials studying Hazel Cherry are planned, so be on the lookout for more juicy details coming soon. For more information, click here, and for more fresh produce news, stick around AndNowUKnow for the latest.
WASHINGTON, DC - The United Fresh 2019 Convention & Expo is set to be an amazing time for all involved, but for Jan Berk, COO of San Miguel Produce, the Expo will be especially rewarding. Berk will be the featured speaker and honoree of the Women in Produce Breakfast General Session on Wednesday, June 12. Held each year, the celebration of Women in Produce recognizes the contributions of women who work in the produce industry.
“For more than 20 years, our Women in Produce honorees have always provided an inspiring look into successful pathways in our industry,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “Jan has such a rich career and personal story to share with our attendees that I know she will inspire yet another generation of produce leaders.”
Every year one individual is selected to share her personal experience of service. The featured speaker is chosen from nominations submitted by United Fresh members across the industry. A committee of past honorees and United Fresh officers evaluate the nominations, taking into account the candidate’s involvement in the industry, contributions to the industry, and inspiration for others working in the industry.
Joining San Miguel Produce full-time in 2002, Berk initially focused on sales, marketing, and rebranding, growing the company’s value-added product line, Cut ‘N Clean Greens. In 2006 Berk became a Partner at San Miguel with Founder Roy Nishimori, expanding her role to include oversight of the company’s operations as COO. Berk and Nishimori have made it a priority to stick to the company’s family-owned status, while creating and sustaining a fully integrated food safety and quality-of-life work culture.
Berk has served on a wide number of ag and community boards and organizations, including Chair of United Fresh’s Fresh-Cut Board, a member of the United Fresh Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and Ventura County Farm Bureau Board Member. Currently Berk serves on the Farm Credit West’s Local Advisory Committee and as Vice-Chair for the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA)
Jan will be joining an outstanding group of women including:
- Dan’l Mackey Almy, DMA Solutions, Inc.
- Tonya Antle, Organic Produce Network
- Frieda Rapoport Caplan, Frieda’s, Inc.
- Karen Caplan, Frieda’s, Inc.
- Margaret D’Arrigo Martin, Margaret, Inc.
- Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission
- Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh Produce Association
- Jan Fleming, Strube Celery & Vegetable Company
- Janice Honigberg, Sun Belle, Inc.
- Cindy Jewell, California Giant Berry Farms
- Lorri Koster, Koster Communications, Coastal Grower Magazine
- Julie Krivanek, Krivanek Consulting Inc.
- Kathleen Nave, California Table Grape Commission
- Lisa McNeece, Grimmway Enterprises Inc.
- Teri Miller, The Fresh Market
- Dr. Martha Rhodes-Roberts, Roberts Associates
- Steffanie Smith, Andrew Smith Company
- Heather Shavey, Costco Wholesale
- Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk, Seald Sweet International/Greenyard USA
- Rosemary Talley, Talley Farms
- Jenney Tenney, The Kroger Company
Registration for the Women in Produce Breakfast General Session is included in the United Fresh 2019 All Access Package. To register for the event, visit www.unitedfreshshow.org.
EAGLE, ID - The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is switching things up, with the addition of produce veteran and retail superhero Mike Krage as its new Retail Promotion Director-Northeast/Midwest. “Mighty” Mike Krage will take over for “Dynamite” Dave Rhodes, who will be returning to retail as Director of Produce and Floral for Fresh Encounter, a 59-store chain in Indiana and Ohio.
“I've worked closely with IPC as a retailer over the last 20 years, and I’ve always valued their insights about what’s going on within that category,” Krage said. “I’m a big fan of using data, and IPC has some outstanding category data available by retailer and by region. I’m looking forward to sharing how category data can really help drive good decisions for assortment, pricing, promotion, and merchandising.”
In his new role, Krage will be based in Champaign, Illinois, and will utilize category management, promotions, and other marketing support tools to assist buyers and category managers in the Midwest and Northeast in boosting category profitability.
Krage has held roles at Supervalu/UNFI, Albertsons, and Winn-Dixie, handling everything from operations to sales and merchandising to category management. He was also one of the first board members for the Southeast Produce Council, founded in 1999, and was on United Fresh’s Retail Board of Directors.
“Mike knows the produce industry from grower to end user, so he is able to hit the ground running with all the outstanding resources of the Idaho Potato Commission,” said Seth Pemsler, Vice President-Retail/International. “I know our customers are going to enjoy working with him.”
Krage celebrated his recent 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Diedre, with a hiking and zip-lining expedition near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The couple has a 24-year-old daughter who is a Registered Nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
Congratulations to Mighty Mike, Dynamite Dave, and the whole IPC team!
REDWOOD CITY, CA - Impossible Foods has been the stuff of headlines recently, with its rapidly expanding plant-based protein line riding high on the tide of healthy eating trends. But now, the latest report from Eater suggests, the company may have found itself in a Catch-22—are Impossible Burgers too popular? Restauranteurs are reporting shortages of the plant-based meat products and are being forced to turn away customers craving the company’s “bleeding” patties.
“[It’s] super frustrating,” Eater reports Ruby’s Managing Partner, Tim Sykes, as saying. “I’ve never had a product where I can’t get it anywhere.”
Sykes had been purchasing Impossible Burger patties for his New York City restaurant chain from distributor US Foods, but when US Foods ran out of Impossible Burgers, he was sent scrambling for supplies, eventually deciding to adopt rival mock-meat maker Beyond Burger patties. Still, Sykes said, many of his customers were unsatisfied.
The Washington Post is also reporting shortages of Impossible Burger patties among small-scale restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area.
“We are straining to meet demand,” Impossible Foods CFO David Lee said, in an interview with The Washington Post. “It’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a massive amount of growth at once.”
Impossible Foods has recently announced high profile deals with Qdoba, Red Robin, and Burger King—big burger chains interested in adopting the Impossible Burger 2.0 at thousands of locations.
In a letter sent to distributors dated April 10, Eater noted, shortly after the company announced a deal to bring Impossible Whoppers to more than 7,000 Burger King locations, Impossible Foods noted that demand was outpacing supply and predicted a shortage to last through mid-May.
“We may not be able to meet the requested quantities amongst some of our valued partners in the short term,” the company told distributors.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this and other breaking news in the plant-based food world.
XUANCHENG, CHINA - What did the hedgehog say before stealing all of one precinct’s cherries? Stick ‘em up!
Okay, bad jokes aside, this really did happen. Well, not the talking hedgehog part…but one little critter did try to escape a police station with cherries kebabbed on its spines.
The story went viral on social media after police officers in the city of Xuancheng posted a video depicting the tiny thief making a break for it with fruit from the station’s courtyard. Let it be known that a stolen produce story has never made the ANUK team’s eyes prickle quite like this before.
Officer Lin Yang first spotted the cute lil’ fellow enjoying a snack of cherries and found it “so cute,” according to BJ News, he just had to share the scene with the world. He then helped the hedgehog out by picking more cherries from the station’s trees, placing them on the hedgehog’s back so “it could take a doggy bag home.” As far as accessories go, that hedgehog was looking pretty sharp.
What’s next? De Brazza’s monkeys making away with mangos? Wombats wringing their hands over bags of watermelons they can’t quite call theirs? Horses hightailing it out of there with hijacked honeydew? Who knows, but one thing’s for sure: ANUK will be here ready to, once again, cheer against justice! (Sorry!)
IMMOKALEE, FL - Lipman Family Farms has announced that Soren Bjorn, Driscoll’s President of the Americas, is joining its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of discovering creative solutions to global challenges, Bjorn brings a unique perspective to the table.
“I am excited to join the Board of Directors of Lipman Family Farms. I’m impressed with the leadership team and Lipman’s commitment to the long-term growth and success of the business,” Bjorn said. “In addition to offering my own guidance and suggestions, I expect to learn a great deal from serving on the Board of Directors of one of the great companies in the produce industry.”
Bjorn has served as the President of Driscoll’s of the Americas for the last two years and has been with the company for more than a decade, serving as the Executive Vice President of Driscoll’s of the Americas and as the company's Senior Vice President of International Business and Global Technologies, leading research and breeding programs around the world.
“Soren brings vast experience and deep insight of the fresh produce industry to our Board,” stated Kent Shoemaker, CEO, Lipman Family Farms, in a recent press release. “We are honored to have him join our team.”
Bjorn recently completed a three-year term on the Board of the Produce Marketing Association. He earned his MBA from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baylor University, where he competed on the golf team. He grew up in Silkeborg, Denmark, and now lives outside Santa Cruz, California, where he supports local children through his role as Fundraising Chairman for a local Little League.
Congratulations to Soren Bjorn on this new role!