FALLBROOK, CA - It’s a good day to be on the Del Rey Avocado team! After joining forces with TMD Creative to completely redesign its website and produce a new docu-series, the avocado marketer is reaping quite a few rewards. The refurbished website was honored with a Silver Davey Award from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts and an honorable mention from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals “2018 MarCom Award.” The documentary series was the recipient of the internationally recognized VEGA Digital Awards.
“When we set out to revamp our marketing and communications strategy, we did not imagine the work produced in partnership with TMD Creative would yield such tremendous recognition,” said Bob Lucy, Del Rey Avocaod’s President. “It has been humbling for all of us here because as a team we were able to create something that not only highlights our commitment to good stewardship but tells a compelling story at the same time. We are happy to call our relationship with Nick Pasculli and his team at TMD Creative a true strategic marketing partner based on a shared set of values.”
Del Rey Avocado first made the decision to redesign its company website two years ago as a means to enhance its marketing efforts and meet customer needs. The new website, which officially launched in the spring of 2018, provides both retail and foodservice buyers quick and easy access to necessary information. The website also provides access and info needed by the company’s global family of growers.
“Nick and his team are very responsive and really understand the dynamics of a multi-generational family-owned business. From our first meeting, I knew we made the right decision for our company and our family,” said Jessica Hunter, Del Rey Avocado’s Vice President of Production.
Del Rey Avocado’s partnership with TMD Creative also yielded a series of “Fair Trade” documentaries, which are featured on Del Rey’s website and social media. The series features two of the largest retailers in the U.S. and Canada that share Del Rey Avocado’s commitment to improving the lives of farm workers, their families, and their communities, as well as the company’s commitment to offering shoppers Fair Trade at retail, according to a press release.
One mini documentary, titled “Partnerships That Change Lives,” follows Del Rey Avocado’s activities in Mexico and highlights how the company has helped improve the lives of workers in the state of Michoacán. To watch this documentary, visit Del Rey Avocado’s website or Facebook page.
“Del Rey Avocado has been a perfect partner for TMD Creative. We share the same social values and a commitment to the agricultural industry, making every aspect of our engagement a complete joy,” said Nick Pasculli, President of TMD Creative.
Del Rey Avocado is a family-owned company that has been in operation in Fallbrook, California, since 1969. As one of the few California-based companies that owns its own facilities on both the West and East Coasts, Del Rey Avocado is strategically placed in key markets across North America.
Congratulations to Del Rey Avocado on its latest accolades!
For more produce wins of every kind, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
GROVELAND, FL - Growth is the name of the game, and The Kroger Co. is playing to win. The retailer has teamed up with online grocery retailer Ocado to power its slew of new Customer Fulfillment Centers (CFC). The second and most recent CFC is planned for Groveland, Lake County, Florida, and is just part of the company’s growth plan.
"Kroger is incredibly excited to construct one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Groveland, Florida—a city west of Orlando—through our relationship with Ocado," said Alex Tosolini, Kroger's Senior Vice President of New Business Development, in a press release. "Through our strategic partnership, we are leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience across America."
Kroger has plans in the works to open 20 CFCs, all powered by Ocado, in an effort to accelerate its ability to provide customers with anything, anytime, anywhere. The CFC model is an automated warehouse facility with digital and robotic capabilities, also known as a “shed.” The model will be replicated to serve customers across the nation.
"The City of Groveland welcomes Kroger and Ocado," said Mayor Evelyn Wilson. "We see it as another component to our overall community development and it demonstrates the City's commitment to foster quality jobs and provide exceptional livability."
"Lake County, in partnership with the City of Groveland, is thrilled to welcome Kroger and Ocado to our community,” said Lake County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Leslie Campione. “This technologically advanced venture will put Lake County on the cutting edge of the e-commerce industry. Kroger will bring more than 400 high paying jobs to be fulfilled by our local and regional skilled workforce and is precisely the type of company we have been working to attract.”
The retailer announced its plans last month to build two more CFCs in Central Florida and the Mid-Atlantic. The first CFC is planned for Monroe, OH, a suburb north of Cincinnati. The new fulfillment center will occupy 375,000 square feet and will be located at U.S. Highway 27 and American Way. The CFC is scheduled to break ground this year and be up and running in 2021.
"Enterprise Florida is thrilled Kroger and Ocado have decided to locate their new customer fulfillment center in Central Florida. We look forward to your success here in the Sunshine State," said Jamal Sowell, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
"Kroger thanks State of Florida, Groveland, and Lake County officials for their tremendous support of this project," added Tosolini. "We're eager to transform the grocery experience for Central Florida residents through innovation and ingenuity."
For more grocery retail news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
DUBLIN,CA - iTradeNetwork has revealed its first homegrown blockchain software designed for perishables. The new iTrade Blockchain uses Hyperledger Fabric and GS1 standards as foundational elements.
“Our blockchain is a cut above others, however, for a simple yet extremely powerful reason: It is built upon iTrade’s own applications and the data they collectively house,” said President and CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers. “For 20 years, we’ve provided over 5,000 retailers, distributors, grower-shippers, food manufacturers, operators, and logistics providers with tools that help manage their supply chains.”
Bassett-Spiers continued: “Unlike other blockchains that are largely mosaics of 3rd party information, we capture food supply chain data right at the source—product catalogs, purchase order data, quality inspection information, logistics data, as well as dozens of distinct product attributes within our traceability suite. As a technology, blockchain done right has the potential to meet a strategic necessity—giving consumers confidence and trust in their food. To add to that, however, iTrade is uniquely positioned to create a story about what we eat that’s unparalleled.”
According to a press release, using Hyperledger Fabric and GS1 standards as foundational elements, the iTrade Blockchain is also designed around interoperability.
“Hyperledger Fabric has emerged as the backbone of blockchain implementations for the supply chain,” noted Guy Hopkins, Head of Development and Enterprise Architecture. “Its ability to secure and control access to data, combined with its high transactional throughput, make it an excellent choice for our initiative. Enhancing the rich feature set of the existing iTrade platform to share food supply chain data across blockchains is another important consideration that opens up a lot of possibilities, and leveraging GS1 standards with our blockchain allows participants to do just that.”
The iTrade Blockchain is the latest in a string of innovations iTrade has brought to the market in the last 12 months, including Transit—a Palletized ASN traceability solution, an SFCA Module that drives compliance for the Safe Food for Canadians Act, and a brand new order management, traceability, and quality inspection platform for ambitious mid-market retailers.
"There are a few reasons why we call ourselves the 'no-nonsense, homegrown blockchain for the food industry,'" added Rene Cardenas, Head of Marketing and Strategic Planning. “First, we have a long history working with all types of companies involved in the food supply chain. We know the intricacies of how data is captured at different points in the chain, the associated business challenges, and the value this information provides from multiple perspectives beyond food safety and compliance. We thoroughly understand the varying degrees of technology adoption and capabilities across supply chain players as well, so we’re in the position to offer large and small players alike a variety of value-added services out of the box that other blockchains aren’t designed to offer.”
As stated in the company’s press release, iTrade is currently in discussion with several national and international retailers, as well as distributors, wholesalers, and grower/shippers in advance of a launch later this year.
For more updates on iTrade and other technology companies, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.
PARTY IS OVER IN CALIFORNIA – RAINS RETURN THIS WEEK
After a weekend of beautiful weather in California, the winter storm pattern that the state has seen for the last two months will return this week. As of right now, there are three storms lined up out in the Pacific with potential to bring rain and cold weather to California.
The first and best chance of rain will be tomorrow. Rain totals will be anywhere from .25 to 1.00” throughout the state. Temperatures by Wednesday will be 10° to 20° cooler than weekend highs depending on region. The San Joaquin Valley region as well as coastal growing regions of Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will all see maximum temperatures only in the mid-60°s and minimum temperatures on the mid-40°s. These temperatures will last well into next week.
There is another chance of rain on Saturday and then a slight possibility of rain for next Wednesday, March 27.
The desert regions will see temperatures drop this week as well, but at this time there is no chance of rain from these storms.
We will have an update on Friday as to any impact rain and cold temperatures will have on stonefruit and cherry blooms.
PERSIAN LIMES TO REMAIN LIGHT
Temperatures in the eastern coastal state of Veracruz remain cool with daily chances of rain through Thursday of this week. Look for supplies to remain light throughout the week. There won’t be any relief in the weather until Friday.
SOUTHERN FLORIDA TO SEE RAIN
Southern Florida growing regions to see a good shot of rain today. Immokalee, Belle Glade, and Homestead will all see over 1.25” of rain today. There is a slight chance of rain for tomorrow and then more rain for next Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures in these regions will remain relatively warm.
BLUEBERRIES EXPERIENCING COOL WEATHER
Several blueberry growing regions of Chile are currently seeing unseasonably cool weather. Growing regions such as Arauco, Linares, Rancagua, and Temuco are experiencing minimum temperatures in the low 40°s, with some isolated locations dropping down into the 30°s. Even though summer is winding down in this part of the world, these temperatures are about 10° to 15° below normal.
Here in the U.S., the central Florida growing regions of Plant City and Alachua, which are gearing up for the start of blueberry harvest, will experience cool temperatures today through Friday. These regions will see maximum temperatures right around 70° and minimum temperatures in the upper 40°s to low 50°s.
Let’s see if these temperatures affect production numbers. Temperatures should return to normal by Friday of this week.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN GEORGIA
Georgia currently is experiencing cool temperatures with lows in the 40°s, but come Saturday, things will begin to turn and temperatures will begin to rise. Next week will see maximum temperatures in the high 70°s to low 80°s and minimum temperatures in the mid- to upper 50°s. Starting next month, we should see spring berries coming from Georgia.
Thank you again for your support, and we will be back later this week with another update.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Forward-thinking provider of automated grocery solutions Ocado Solutions made waves in the U.S. earlier this year when the U.K.-based tech company announced a partnership with Kroger that would see the grocer build 20 automated fulfillment centers throughout the States. Ocado subsequently announced a similar agreement with Sobeys in Canada, and now, Ocado may be eyeing a bigger part of the North American pie, so to speak. Ocado has announced that it is building a new U.S. office in the Washington, DC, area.
“We selected the DC area for its great connections to cities across the U.S. and Canada, as well as for its strong technology and engineering talent pools,” said Luke Jensen, the CEO of Ocado Solution, in a statement reported on by Reuters.
Just last month, Ocado sold half of its U.K. retail business to rival retailer Marks and Spencer for 750 million pounds (or $995 million USD), and now the newly-lean and liquid grocer seems poised to double down on its North American ambitions.
At the time Ocado entered into its partnership with Kroger, Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado Group, outlined the promise of Ocado to potential partners in the U.S.
“Ocado's unique, proprietary, and industry-leading technology is set to transform the shopping experience of consumers around the world,” said Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado Group. “Our success as a retailer shows that we can offer customers unrivaled choice, quality, and convenience, efficiently and profitably. The opportunity to partner with Kroger to transform the way in which U.S. customers buy grocery represents a huge opportunity to redefine the grocery experience of Kroger's customers and create value for the stakeholders of both Kroger and Ocado. As we work through the terms of the services agreement with Kroger in the coming months, we will be preparing the business for a transformative relationship which will reshape the food retailing industry in the U.S. in the years to come.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates.
ARVIN, CA - In business as well as boxing, it’s good to have well-seasoned experts in your corner. Tasteful Selections® knows this and has taken steps to pack its corner of the ring with the best in the biz. The company has named Celeste Porter to its executive management team as Chief Financial Officer.
In her new role, Porter will be responsible for the financial, administrative, and risk management operations of the company, including the reporting of accurate financial results, development of financial and operational strategies and metrics, and the enhancement and monitoring of control systems. Porter will directly oversee the Finance, Information Technology, Accounting, and Human Resources departments within the company.
“We are very eager to have Celeste join our team at Tasteful Selections,” said Nathan Bender, Chief Operating Officer, in a press release. “With her experience and extensive capabilities, Celeste will assist us as we continue to successfully grow our business.”
Porter brings a diverse background to the company, with over 20 years of experience in various capacities. She served as Owner and Principal Consultant for her business, Breakthrough Financial Services, based in Bakersfield, CA, and most recently, Porter served as CFO and Interim Controller for Gazelle Transportation, LLC.
A Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Porter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Boston University. She is an advocate for automation and has experience with launching full-scale ERP and other systems to sustain scaling operations, strengthen infrastructure, and allow for real-time business insights. Committed to improving her industry and the world around her, Porter is an active member of Women Leaders in Business, which fundraises and works to increase awareness and support for women- and children-centered issues in the community.
“I am excited to partner with the Tasteful Selections’ operations and farming teams to enhance costing methods, integrate financial and operating systems, and provide best-in-class reporting with the use of BI tools and data science,” Porter said.
Congratulations to Celeste! Want more news about executive management changes in our industry? Keep reading AndNowUKnow.
GREEN BAY, WI - Yesterday morning, Shopko announced that it will be liquidating its assets and closing all of its remaining retail locations by June of this year.
“This is not the outcome that we had hoped for when we started our restructuring efforts,” said Russ Steinhorst, Chief Executive Officer, in a recent press release. “We want to thank all of our teammates for their hard work and dedication during their time at Shopko.”
Shopko announced in its release that it was unable to find a buyer for its go-forward business and will not be moving forward with the auction it previously contemplated. Gordon Brothers will oversee the liquidation process that is expected to conclude 10-12 weeks from now. As a result, the retailer will commence an orderly wind-down of its retail operations beginning this week—retail operations that began in Green Bay in 1962.
As of right now, no further details have been disclosed, but AndNowUKnow will keep its eyes on the newswire for the latest.
WENATCHEE, WA - CMI Orchards has announced plans for an impressive retail program that will give produce departments a veritable land of opportunity for holiday promotions.
“We are eager to work with our customers to set up promotions in alignment with key holiday events this summer,” said George Harter, Vice President of Marketing. “We truly feel that this program will positively resonate with shoppers and help drive summer sales.”
According to the press release, the company first introduced its American Dream promotion to retailers at PMA in October, 2018. Intending to “celebrate and inspire” Americans across the country, CMI Orchards created a new apple label to show support of military families, veterans, and patriots.
Opportunities for retailers to support this program and give back to their communities during Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day are coming up—with Veteran's Day in particular aligning with new crop apples in the fall.
“CMI’s eye-catching American Dream apple box can be used to create an impressive billboard display, with a positive, patriotic message that resonates with consumers,” said Harter. “Our dream with this program is two pronged: to honor and give back to those that have served and sacrificed; and to help retailers create excitement in their produce department, tying in to some of America’s most important holidays.”
With a portion of proceeds from the sale of each box returning to causes that support veteran and military groups of the retailer’s choice, the American Dream program is extra important! Harter said the specialty carton can be “packed with any conventional apples CMI sells.”
The company is “proud to honor and celebrate” the service and sacrifices veterans and their families have made and it hopes to continue to get some considerable retail promotions set up and give back to causes that are critical to local communities.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO - It’s a marriage made in ag-tech heaven! SoftBank Group Corp.-backed farming startup, Plenty Inc., has brought on Twitter’s former Chief Financial Officer, Mike Gupta. Filling the same role at Plenty as he did for Twitter, Gupta's hiring is in line with Plenty’s plans for international expansion and making improvements to its vertical growing technology, as reported by Bloomberg.
“It’s not new for me to be in hypergrowth companies that are entering uncharted territory," said Gupta in an interview. "This is a very capital intensive business so having someone who can think about how we raise and deploy capital in the long run will be very important.”
A veteran of the tech industry, Gupta spent about eight years in a variety of roles at Yahoo before serving as Treasurer at gaming company Zynga Inc., helping to lead the company’s initial public offering, according to Bloomberg. Gupta was key in helping Twitter go public in 2013, after which he left for a position at Docker Inc.
Plenty was founded in 2014 and boasts the ability to yield more produce in a given area than conventional farms, using only a fraction of the water. Bloomberg reports that the company’s backers include funds that invest on behalf of Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt, a Director of Alphabet Inc. With a previous $200 million investment from SoftBank and the company’s superior technology, Plenty hopes it will be able to spread its farms across the globe.
Gupta is not the first tech hire that Plenty has brought on. The company also has hired former Directory of Battery Technology, Kurt Kelty and former VP of Engineering, Nick Kalayjian, both from Tesla Inc.
Currently in the process of building a new version of its farms, called Tigris, Co-Founder and CEO of Plenty, Matt Barnard, said the new farm will be capable of producing over 40 times the amount of leafy greens that its current farms are able to grow, all while using less energy. Tigris is planned to roll out later this year.
With 200,000 square feet of indoor space in South San Francisco, the company uses only a small portion of the space for the produce it sells. Most of the facility’s space is used for research and development testing. The company has been selling its food online and in neighborhood grocery stores in the Bay Area since June 1, reported Bloomberg.
Plenty is in a somewhat precarious position, as many companies utilizing similar vertical farming tech proved economically unsustainable and shut down in recent years. As opposed to vertical farms that grow produce on parallel shelves, Plenty sprouts plants horizontally using tall columns. The company reports that its method allows it to more cheaply remove excess heat given off by LED grow lights and reduce energy required to deliver nutrients to the plants.
Currently the company is working on early-stage development in China and is also in discussions with partners and distributors in Abu Dhabi, Japan, and other regions.
Will this investment of tech industry leadership pay off for the farming startup? Keep reading AndNowUKnow for all the updates.
ATLANTA, GA - A true treasure of American ag is coming back to market this spring—Vidalia onions are back as of April 22. This week the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Vidalia Onion Committee announced that the pack date for the 2019 Vidalia Onion® season is 8 a.m. on Monday, April 22.
“With tremendous consideration after consultation with the Vidalia Advisory Panel, industry experts from the University of Georgia and crop assessments from the Georgia Federal State Inspection Service, I am pleased to announce April 22 as this year’s pack date for the official state vegetable of Georgia, the Vidalia onion,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, in a press release. “For more than two decades, Georgia’s Vidalia onion trademark has garnered global recognition, reaffirming our trust in the Vidalia onions being among the highest-quality in the food industry.”
Available for a limited time each year and hand-cultivated in 20 southeastern Georgia counties by 80 registered growers, Vidalia onions are prized by chefs, produce departments, and laypeople for their sweet, mild flavor.
The Vidalia Onion pack date is, the Vidalia Onion Committee notes, a rite of spring for fans of the vegetable. Each year, the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, state agricultural scientists, and the Department of Agriculture determine the pack date based on soil and weather conditions in South Georgia during the growing season to help ensure only the highest-quality onions are shipped to stores across the country. In 2018, 9,356.26 acres of Vidalia onions were hand-planted to be harvested in the forthcoming weeks, according to Troy Bland, chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee.
And this year, the committee is launching “The Sweet Life”, a new marketing campaign targeting grocery shoppers and aimed at reaching home cooks across the country.
“The Sweet Life builds on our very successful marketing effort over the last two years that helped to raise the profile of the Vidalia onion among food connoisseurs, particularly millennials who set many of today’s consumer trends,” said Bland. “Now we plan to focus on broader category of consumers who like to cook, entertain, and use onions. The goal is to elevate the brand as a signifier of good taste and living well.”
Vidalia onions represent nearly 40 percent of the sweet onion market in the country and are sold in every state.
The Vidalia trademark is owned by the state of Georgia because of the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986. To be considered a Vidalia, the vegetables must be cultivated in the South Georgia soil from a distinctive Granex seed and packed and sold after the official pack date each year, resulting in only the highest-quality onions reaching Vidalia fans each season.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.