TEXAS - As the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border continues to get more complicated, impacted groups are taking a stand to protect their interests. The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) has expressed its frustration and offered up solutions to the border trade crisis in two letters recently sent to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, and Governor Greg Abbott of Texas.
To address the current border situation, McAleenan recently ordered the reassignment of 750 CBP agents from their regular positions at various points-of-entry (POEs) to assist Border Patrol, reported The Texas Tribune. TIPA has expressed concern that this reassignment will result in an immediate and considerable increase in wait times for all traffic crossing the border—including produce shipments.
In the letters, TIPA informs both officials that in just a few days wait times have grown from 30 minutes per truck to 4.5 hours per truck—wait times that the association suggests will continue to go up in the coming weeks due to Easter and Semana Santa (Holy Week in Mexico). The letters go into detail about what is on the line for the produce industry.
“Texas is the crossing point to nearly $7 billion dollars and more than 50% of all the fresh produce that arrives in the United States from Mexico,” the letter to Governor Abbott stated. “We have over 7,800 jobs that are directly reliant on the smooth and efficient flow of these goods, not to mention the many other thousands of jobs that indirectly depend on these products.”
The letter to Commissioner McAleenan acknowledged the security concerns that have led to the CBP personnel reassignment, but pushed for solutions to the problem.
“Can more be done to help facilitate the legal flow of the $533 billion of goods that cross our Southern Border?” TIPA asked in the letter. “Can personnel be repositioned from the other locations in the country like the Northern Border and Seaports to assist? Can personnel be called on from other departments, either federally or at the state level, to help with non-humanitarian/non-security related processes at the POEs?”
Not only does the lack of POE personnel slow the transportation of fresh produce to a crawl, but transportation and warehouse personnel must be paid for the extra time they spend just waiting. In the letters, TIPA cited the San Diego Association of Governments' and the California Department of Transportation’s statement which indicated that “even an extra 15 minutes of wait time could generate as much as $1 billion in lost productivity and 134,000 lost in jobs annually.”
The association stressed the urgency of the matter, as each day of the slowdown will be costly to produce companies, costs which will inevitably trickle down to consumers.
“Every day we delay, the wait times will continue to grow, industry will continue to suffer, and ultimately jobs will be lost,” TIPA implored in the letters. “We understand the immense pressure placed on the CBP during this time, but the legitimate and law-abiding industries that rely on the efficient flow of traffic across our POEs is suffering as well.”
Will the contacted officials come to the aid of the produce industry? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this story as it develops.
SANDERS, ARIZONA - Guess who’s back in the house? With a new store location click-clackin’ about, local grocery chain Bashas’ is back to disrupting the Southwest market. Last week, the grocer opened its first newly built store in a decade, which upped its store count on the Navajo Nation to eight, according to KTAR News.
The new store will operate under Bashas’ Diné Market banner, the retailer’s grocery store brand for Arizona’s Native American reservations, according to the news source. The store is 16,000 square feet and offers signage in the native language and products like fresh mutton and Navajo tacos made with traditional fry bread, according to KJZZ.
In a company press release, Bashas’ noted that the newest location joins 10 others under the Diné Market banner in the state of Arizona. Bashas’ also operates over 100 stores in Arizona and one in New Mexcio under its Bashas’, Diné Market, AJ’s Fine Foods, and Food City banners.
With Bashas’ back to building new stores, will the retailer continue to expand its store network in 2019? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - At this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, Mucci Farms took home the Freggie Approved Award, with its CuteCumber™ Poppers taking home the top prize.
“From Smuccies to Veggie to Go to CuteCumber Poppers, we’re grateful to be recognized consistently for our commitment to raising a healthy generation with a variety of products and packages,” said Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing, in a recent press release. “We are huge supporters of the Freggie program and the CPMA does a great job of providing a platform for the industry to showcase a variety of kid-friendly items to retailers.”
The press release noted that the Freggie Approved Award recognizes an exhibitor for their innovative product designed for children, and that the winner is determined by a committee of judges comprised of industry professionals.
CuteCumber Poppers adds to its impressive run of awards, which already includes the People’s Choice Award at the Leamington Greenhouse Competition, Best New Packaging at the United FreshMKT Expo, and the Freggie Approved Award at the CPMA Convention & Trade Show. A one-bite cucumber variety with exceptional flavor and a crunchy texture, CuteCumber Poppers are offered in multiple pack styles to accommodate club stores, retailers, and foodservice.
“We created a lineup of packages to give our ‘partners in produce’ multiple options based on their demographics and value propositions,” explained Fernanda Albuquerque, New Product Development Manager.
CuteCumber Poppers are currently available in select supermarkets in Canada and the United States.
In addition to exhibiting at the show, Mucci Farms annually sponsors the Relaxation Lounge which was themed as the ECO Lounge, to bring awareness to sustainability in the produce industry. The lounge— made of corrugate, repurposed wood and pallet wood—served as an appropriate backdrop to the soft launch of their new sustainable Simple Snack Series—with ‘Simple’ serving as an acronym for Sustainable Innovation Made Purposely for our Living Environment.
Congratulations to Mucci Farms from all of us here at ANUK!
MISSION, TX - On April 25, 2019, the fifth annual Viva Fresh Produce Expo will begin with opportunities for growers, wholesalers, and distributors to tour the San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market (SAWPM). The SAWPM is a crucial unified wholesale center for fresh produce and related industries.
Buses will depart from the JW Marriott for tours of the SAWPM on Thursday, April 25, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
“We’re thrilled to have the Viva Fresh attendees tour our facility and view the opportunities that it can offer,” said Fernando Narvaez, Director of Sales and Marketing for SAWPM. “The tour is specifically designed for anyone interested in working with wholesalers and distributors located here as well as anyone looking for a location for a branch or distribution/warehouse, or processing center in San Antonio.”
According to the company’s press release, in April 2016, the SAWPM facility was inaugurated and offers innovative warehousing solutions for growers and distributors of perishable products, as well as a centralized location for conducting business. The Viva Fresh tour will include the opportunity to learn about upcoming plans for expansion, as well as at least one of the SAWPM’s existing warehouses within the development’s first phase.
“In the past ten years, imports from Mexico through Texas have increased by over 122 percent,” said Dante Galeazzi, President of the Texas International Produce Association. “As this trend continues, it’s exciting to see new developments such as the San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market that offers vital infrastructure to support this region’s growth.”
In a rapidly expanding industry, the new development projects at SAWPM represent an significant investment. As stated in the press release, San Antonio is a fitting location for many Mexican exporters who are looking to grow their business, as well as U.S.-based companies that are looking for opportunities to access larger Texas markets.
The next phase of development will include build-to-suit leases that are ideal for growers, wholesalers, distributors, and processors of fresh produce or other perishables. These custom spaces can offer refrigerated, freezer, dry, and office spaces within a growing community of tenants in the industry.
For updates on Viva Fresh Produce Expo, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
NEW ZEALAND and U.S. - In today’s competitive market, companies promoting their produce have had to get, shall we say, colorful in their methods. Nobody knows this better than T&G Global, who’s recent JAZZ™ apple promotion includes all the colors of the rainbow. The company has recently announced that its JAZZ apples are the official sponsor of The Color Run.
“The Color Run sponsorship enables us to offer our retail customers an exciting promotional opportunity that illustrates our commitment to increasing demand for JAZZ apples through consumer marketing initiatives that also deliver on retail objectives,” said Danelle Huber, Marketing Specialist for CMI Orchards, in a press release.
Known as the happiest 5k on the planet, The Color Run features over 40 events across the U.S. and JAZZ apples will be there every step of the way. As runners are doused from head to toe with a different colored powder at each kilometer mark, they’ll be working up a major appetite, and an estimated 150,000 samples of JAZZ apples will be passed out as a post-run snack. The end of the race is just the start of the party—the Finish Festival features music, dancing, photo ops, activity booths, vendors, and more!
The Color Run sponsorship is one of many ways that JAZZ apples delivers turn-key promotional opportunities to drive traffic to retail stores, inspire sales, and inspire repeat purchases to keep JAZZ apples top-of-mind year-round. Runners from major markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle, among others. JAZZ wil also coordinate retail programs to align with The Color Run events to include denos, promotional ads and specials, and in-store displays.
In about half of the event markets, JAZZ will be partnering with retail customers to host The Color Run’s packet pick-up events, bringing brand exposure and thousands of shoppers to retail stores in advance of the events.
To continue to drive JAZZ-obsessed customers into retail customers’ stores, the brand launched an interactive store locator on its website.
“We hear from so many consumers via our social media platforms, website form submissions, and email who are actively searching for stores where they can purchase JAZZ apples,” said Brock Nemecek, Regional Marketing Manager for T&G Global. “Our adoption of Destini Store Locator technology not only simplifies that search for JAZZ fans, but also shortens the distance between purchase intent and the all-important cash register ring in-store.”
For more fresh news in produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
WATSONVILLE, CA - As I hear more and more stories from the women in this industry, I find myself inspired by the strength and commitment they exude. And as a rookie produce industry participant, I was lucky to speak with Lindsey Roberts, Marketing Manager for Monterey Mushrooms, who clued me in to the ins and outs of this colorful industry, and the unbridled enthusiasm for what she does. As we all gear up for the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC) April 14 to 16, we at ANUK are taking time to honor the hard-working women of the produce industry.
“This is the most welcoming, down-to-earth industry there is. I love to be a part of it,” Lindsey told me. “It’s like a big family and the trade shows are like our family reunions. I love produce marketing because it’s real. I believe it’s my responsibility—and my fellow peers in the produce industry’s responsibility to help educate the world about what it means to live a healthy, nutritious life and help eliminate some of the barriers that might make that hard for people.”
An industry vet of 14 years, Lindsey began her career as a humble intern for a strawberry grower. From there, she developed a rich and rewarding career, earning Agricultural Science and Agricultural Communications degree from Cal Poly along the way. For the past four years, Lindsey has been a member of Monterey Mushrooms’ marketing team, and has since developed a mind for mushrooms.
“Prior to marketing, I spent time working in quality and food safety. From there, I was chosen to participate in an intensive year-long grower training program that taught me about the art and science of growing mushrooms,” explained Lindsey. “Mushrooms are a niche produce item. After all, we have our own living kingdom: FUNGI! How could that be boring?”
Lindsey expressed to me her appreciation of the strong women of the past who blazed a trail in the produce industry for generations to come. No (wo)man is an island in this industry, and Lindsey gives credit to the great women and men who give advice and encourage fellow women marketers in agriculture. Among them is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Monterey Mushrooms, Mike O’Brien, who had nothing but high praise for Lindsey’s accomplishments.
“Lindsey is a pleasure to work with and a great teammate,” said Mike. “She is an energetic, innovative marketer and has brought to Monterey Mushrooms a new vision of marketing. On top of her marketing expertise she is a natural leader. She leads many projects for us and her project management skills are unmatched. Her background in growing mushrooms is an added value as she is an expert in all levels of Monterey Mushrooms. What many don't know about Lindsey is that her energy and leadership don't stop at work. She is involved in many volunteer charity organizations in the Monterey/Salinas area.”
Lindsey loves any chance for Monterey Mushrooms’ sales team to show off their products and tools that she helped to develop in an effort to sell more mushrooms. She delights in seeing attendees’ eyes light up when presented with new products, resources, or reports.
Humble beginnings and hard work have led Lindsey to where she is now. It may have taken time, but the wait was definitely worth it—something I can relate to on a deeply personal level.
“It wasn't an easy path to find a job that I love to show up to every morning. As with most jobs, especially in agriculture, you start at the bottom and work your way up. I’m so grateful for my days ‘in the trenches’ because it gave me the knowledge and experience I use every day in my, now, corporate office job," she said. "I'm proud to talk about those days.”
Want more exclusive interviews with the wonderful women of our industry? You'll get that and more when you keep reading AndNowUKnow.
JAPAN - Strawberries? For spring? Groundbreaking. Starbucks Japan is back, back again, to showcase just how innovative you can get when it comes to culinary creations. This time around, the coffee titan is debuting two new limited-edition Frappuccino drinks that feature a fruit that’s basically spring personified: strawberries!
While only available from April 10 to May 14, according to a press release, the new Frappuccinos have been crafted to spur a social media tizzy, with names like #STRAWBERRYVERYMUCHFRAPPUCCINO_RED and #STRAWBERRYVERYMUCHFRAPPUCCINO_WHITE—the hashtags don't cost extra! Starbucks knows the name of the game and knows it well. Heck, it basically created this game.
But what’s truly unique about this round of drinks is that they’re so produce-y, they’re basically strawberries in a cup! For example, the Strawberry Berry Match Frappuccino® Red features a strawberry cream base, a concoction of strawberry fruit and strawberry syrup, and strawberry powder dusted on the whipped cream. The Strawberry Berry Match Frappuccino® White pretty much consists of all the same goodies as the Red drink, just with white mocha and strawberry macaron chunks added in. Just to be clear, I’m a thousand percent team #STRAWBERRYVERYMUCHFRAPPUCCINO_WHITE! Macaron chunks? In my Frappuccino? Truly groundbreaking!
What fruit or vegetable will inspire Starbucks in its next drink launch? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on all the ways produce has become companies’ muse.
BENTONVILLE, AR - One of Walmart’s senior-most tech executives, Katie Finnegan, has announced plans to step down from her position. Finnegan, who led the company’s technology and incubation efforts, serving as the Principal of Store No. 8 and CEO of subsidiary video commerce company Spatial &, announced her departure via LinkedIn post.
“After 7.5 years of an **amazing** run, I have made the decision to leave Walmart,” Finnegan shared in that LinkedIn post last Wednesday. “From Hukkster, to @Jet, to Walmart, to Store No. 8, to Spatial&..... I couldn't have planned a more interesting and rewarding journey. #recharge”
Finnegan first joined Walmart through Jet.com where she served as Director Partner Experience & Product from 2014 to 2015 and VP of Strategy & M&A from 2015 to 2016.
Finnegan’s departure follows several other executives’. Chief Technology Officer Jeremy King left Walmart to become the Head of Engineering for Pinterest this March. And Bloomberg noted, Finnegan’s departure is one of several high-profile women executives leaving the Bentonville-based retail giant. Sam’s Club COO Gisel Ruiz, EVP Global People Division Jacqui Canney, and EVP of Consumables, Health and Wellness Marybeth Hays have all resigned in the past year.
Who will step up to lead Walmart’s tech incubation efforts, and how will Finnegan’s departure play out as Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers compete in the rapidly expanding realm of e-commerce? AndNowUKnow will bring you updates.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - With so many industries dominated by men, women and the unique issues they face can all too often fall by the wayside. But the produce industry is lucky enough to have a strong group of women ready to address the needs and issues of other women in the business. The Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC), is created by women for women to acknowledge the strengths and expertise the female side of the produce industry brings to the table. Recently, I was lucky enough to speak with Co-Chairs of WFPC's Advisory Committee Leslie Simmons, VP of Dave’s Specialty Imports; and Julie Lucido, CEO of Marketing Plus, about what makes this program so special and why it is important.
“This is a pretty incredible program, and I think it's unparalleled in the industry because there's really nothing else that is created by women, for women, in such an in-depth way that it really digs into the challenges that we face in such a specific manner. I think that it's hard to compare to anything else,” said Julie.
The WFPC prepares attendees to return to their respective organizations empowered and fully engaged. According to the website attendees will learn how to: achieve business results through the use of enhanced strategic skills; use meaningful business relationships to bolster personal and professional performance; strengthen leadership styles to motivate, inspire, and lead high-performing teams; and hone negotiation and communication skills.
Volunteers and contributors drive the agenda in terms of what topics are tackled each year, so the issues addressed remain relevant. Whether you are an executive or new to the industry, there is something for everyone at WFPC.
“We welcome new women who are looking for that kind of education, support, and empowerment, but also women who have been here before. It is a chance to connect and reconnect over critical topics and this year in a brand new location,” said Leslie.
This year's conference, from April 14-16, will be held in San Antonio, TX, a new city for the event, one that is building excitement with conference organizers and attendees alike.
“Being in a space like this, with women only, opens the door to conversations you don't normally have. You have a chance to dig deep on issues that effect you both personally and professionally,” Leslie continued.
And the location isn't all that's new. For the last two years, the conference theme has been “Own It,” but this year sees the debut of a new theme, “I Will.”
“I think that ‘Own It’ was very personal and it was really more responsibility for where you are in your life and career. I Will is the next step forward, the evolution of what we are trying to achieve,” Leslie said about the changing theme.
“Part of "I Will" is the capabilities and building and growth and what you want to be in your business life, but then there's also a personal agenda—how do you balance the specific challenges of being a working woman in a career that is type-A, and yet you have personal dreams and goals, be it children and family or personal fulfillment goals that you have. How do you balance and really complete your own picture?” Julie said about this year's theme.
The conference is unique because it was the first geared towards the fresh produce and floral industries that covers the entire supply chain, offered to women along the entire career continuum. The research-based conference provides a curriculum developed in partnership with business organizations, lending a real-world approach to sessions. The goal is to provide something meaningful for new and returning attendees, offering up a distinctive experience geared towards giving women the tools they need for success in all aspects of their lives.
For more updates on important conferences and programs, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
TAMPA, FL - The 8th annual Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) Excellence in Reusable Packaging award is now accepting applications. The award recognizes primary (end) user companies and organizations that have developed and implemented measurable and innovative reusable transport packaging solutions in their supply chain.
Awards will be presented to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The submission deadline is June 15, 2019.
“The RPA Excellence in Reusable Packaging award spotlights and celebrates primary user implementation of reusable transport packaging solutions that reduce supply chain costs and environmental footprints,” said Tim Debus, President & CEO. “We honor achievements with reusable packaging and promote the successful outcomes for educational purposes.”
The two awards that will be given in 2019 are: the award for for-profit companies and the award for nonprofit or governmental organizations.
“We added the non-profit category in 2017 to recognize the increasing number of reusable packaging solutions being deployed in this sector,” expressed Debus. “By highlighting and sharing these initiatives, we hope to spur even more adoption of reusable transport packaging across all types of industries and organizations.”
According to the company’s press release, the awards will be given to primary users of reusable packaging transport systems. Primary users do not have to be a member of the RPA to enter. Based on the quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of reusable transport packaging system, submissions will be reviewed and winners selected by an independent panel of judges. Winners will be notified in August and should be available to attend PACK EXPO 2019 to receive the award and to present their winning submission in Las Vegas September 23-25.
The winners will receive complimentary Primary User RPA membership for one year, airfare and lodging to attend and present their submission at the RPA Learning Center at PACK EXPO 2019, a commemorative trophy, RPA website, public relations, and social media exposure, and posting of their case study on the RPA website. Complete terms and conditions are on the application form.
Prior winners of the RPA Excellence in Reusable Packaging award include DS Smith Plastics and Anheuser-Busch InBev (2018), STIHL Inc. and Goodwill Industries International (2017); Cardinal Health (2016); Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Herman Miller, and the Boulder Valley School District (2015); Svenska Retursystem and Full Belly Farm (2014); Finelite (2013); and Herman Miller Inc. (2012).
For updates on the winners of RPA, keep reading AndNowUKnow.