WEST DES MOINES, IA - After much anticipation and more than a year of speculation leading up to a prospective 2019 groundbreaking for a reported more-than-1-million-square-foot distribution facility, Hy-Vee has confirmed that it will not be building a facility in Austin, Minnesota; the project has been cancelled.
According to local news source the Austin Daily Herald, citing a press release from City Administrator Craig Clark, the project has been suspended due to changing priorities within the company.
“We are stepping away from the project at this time, but not saying that we won’t ever revisit the facility in Austin,” Hy-Vee’s Assistant Vice President Pete Hosch stated.
In September of 2017, Hy-Vee confirmed that it was in the exploratory phases of plans to build a more-than-1-million-square-foot facility in Austin.
“The site in Austin is being considered for the project due to its centralized location in the company’s eight state territory, interstate access as well as the community’s ample workforce,” Hy-Vee said at the time in a statement to the Des Moines Register.
The project was delayed and reconsidered in November of that year, but a final decision was not reached until this month. Austin mayor Tom Stiehm expressed disappointment at the news.
“This has been a long process, which started in 2016, and we would have loved to see Hy-Vee build a new distribution center in Austin,” said Mayor Stiehm. “They have been a great partner. These facts only make the news that much harder to take…We’ll still be ready should Hy-Vee reconsider, but we know other companies will take note and I feel strongly there will be other projects that come our way because of the solid ground we put forward as a community. We’ve shown businesses that we’re ready to partner with them on economic development ventures.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to give you updates on the changing grocery landscape.
SOUTH BEND, IN - One of the more frequent produce memes to populate my Instagram feed is without a doubt the avocados “Not ready, still not ready, EAT ME NOW, too late” cartoon. It is one that Martin’s Super Markets is working to eliminate through a new partnership with Bill Gates-backed Apeel Sciences.
“We are committed to offering our customers the best possible produce while at the same time providing exceptional value. In keeping with this goal, we tested the Apeel avocados at several locations over several months. The results were positive in terms of customer feedback and increased sales along with a significant reduction in shrink,” said Ed Osowski, Director of Produce.
Just a few weeks in, Apeel Avocados are soon to represent 100% of the fresh avocados offered at Martin’s Super Markets. The retailer said in a statement that the Apeel Avocado rollout in its markets was accelerated after virtually zero shrink was seen with Apeel Avocados in commercial testing. Martin’s added that its confidence in Apeel Avocados is testament to the tremendous opportunity and value provided by the technology’s plant-derived food waste prevention, which on average doubles the edible shelf-life of avocados.
“We share Martin's passion for delivering the best quality produce to shoppers and are thrilled with their decision to partner with us as the solution for quality extension and shrink reduction,” Gordon Robertson, Apeel’s Chief Revenue Officer, commented.
Apeel avocados will be highlighted in Martin’s Super Markets with a Freshness that Won’t Go to Waste in-store campaign, including secondary display units and signage educating consumers about the power of Apeel to reduce the common problem of food waste at home and in the world. The move to virtually eliminate shrink in its avocados bolsters not only the retailer’s bottom line, but also its firm commitment to delivering on its promise of providing shoppers “the best quality products.” Martin’s evaluates products on three levels:
- Taste profile
- Appearance (size, color, and overall eye appeal)
- Customer longevity, which is how much time the customer has at home to use the product
If a product doesn’t meet all the quality standards above, Martin’s won’t carry it.
The program data through Martin’s partnership with Apeel might still be rolling in, but the science team is currently reporting a 50% or more reduction in avocado shrink at the retail level across programs. Some partners, it noted, have experienced as much as a 65 percentage-point margin increase, with a 10% sales increase for the avocado category, despite inflation or other fluctuations.
Apeel is still accepting select avocado, citrus, and asparagus suppliers into its exclusive program. Interested suppliers and retailer can inquire here.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Sometimes it’s just time to move on. After more than 15 years with the company, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. has announced the retirement of Emanuel Lazopoulos, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Product Management N.A., effective April 19 of this year. In June 2003, Lazopoulos started working with the company as a VP N.A. Fresh Cut before being promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Product Management N.A. in June 2005.
“We extend our appreciation and gratitude to Emanuel for all his many contributions, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on a new adventure in his life”, said Youssef Zakharia, President and Chief Operating Officer, in a press release.
Lazopoulos has been a crucial part in growing the Del Monte North American business, including the expansion of the company’s successful Fresh Cut operations across the region.
The company has promoted Danny Dumas to the role of Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Product Management N.A., effective April 19 of this year.
Dumas is a true industry vet, with over 30 years of experience and 20 years in Sales and Marketing with Del Monte. He previously held the role of Vice President N.A. Sales & Product Management (Banana and Pineapple Programs) since 2014, Vice President Europe and Africa from 2010 to 2013, as well as District Sales Manager Canada.
We hope Emanuel has a wonderful retirement, and congratulations to Danny!
MERIDIAN, ID - A new stop has been added to the U.S.'s quintessential quirky summer road trip. Joining the likes of the World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Baseball Bat, and Rocking Chair is the World’s Largest Albertsons, setting up shop in Meridian, Idaho. The new location is 40,000 square feet larger than the current reigning biggest Albertsons, weighing in at 110,000 square feet.
“Joe Albertsons was an innovator, and when he opened up his first store, it was 10,000 square feet, and at the time, it was really unheard of, one of the largest supermarkets in the Treasure Valley,” Albertsons Intermountain Division President John Colgrove said to 7KVTB. “Today, this store that we’re opening is 110,000 square feet so, if you think about it, you could fit 11 of Joe’s first stores inside of this store.”
The new location is part of the grocer’s next-generation format, called Albertsons Market Street. But while it fits the typical market street grocery store format, Albertsons Spokesperson Kathy Holland said that the increased volume of products available on the store's shelves sets it apart from any other.
“We tore down all the walls, redid the foundation and kind of built the inside, but kept the outside shell. We built the building inside to what we were looking for. As you walk around the store you can see, it doesn’t seem like such a large space. It doesn’t seem so overwhelming, like warehouse-style," Holland said to the Boise Dev.
The store boasts perks like a large produce selection with items not found in other stores, made-from-scratch deli and bakery salads, a popcorn station, a live lobster tank, an indoor wine cellar, and an expanded seafood and butcher block. It also features Cadence Kitchen, which provides shoppers with a wide assortment of prepared and ready-to-go foods.
For more produce news of epic proportions, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
SANTA BARBARA, CA - The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) is starting its new fiscal year off right! Not only did the association host its 83rd Annual Membership Meeting in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, but the CFFA also elected its 2019/20 fiscal year Board of Directors and Chairman. Giumarra Vineyards’ own Randy Giumarra was elected Chairman.
The CFFA’s Board is made up of 44 men and women working in operations across California. Each of the Board’s members are nominated to serve a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. In addition to Randy Giumarra, the following officers were elected to serve on this year’s Board:
- First Vice Chair: Kevin Herman (The Specialty Crop Company) - Madera-based fresh fig, pomegranate, and persimmon shipper
- Second Vice Chair: Wayde Kirschenman (Kirschenman Enterprises) – Kern County-based diversified farming operation
- Secretary/Treasurer: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) - Delano-based fresh grape shipper
The CFFA also honored Kent Stephens, CFO of Marko Zaninovich, Inc., with the prestigious Mentor’s Award. The Mentor’s Award has recognized individuals who have demonstrated a dedication to the fresh grape, berry, and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry since 1966 when the first award was granted to Jasmine Vineyards’ Martin Zaninovich. The association’s mentors’ committee picks a recipient each year and this year, Stephens, through his work in both the table grape industry and water advocacy, was chosen for his positive impact on California agriculture over the course of his forty year career, according to a press release.
Before this year’s meeting kicked off, Ruben Navarrette and John Manzella took to the association’s stage as the Annual Industry Workshop’s keynote speakers. The two spoke on our industry’s pressing issues, including immigration, trade wars, and other issues impacting the future of California ag.
Congratulations to Randy Giumarra and the CFFA on another year of California produce excellence!
For more news like this, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
BENTONVILLE, AR - A sneak peek into the mind of Walmart is a rare thing indeed, and recently the retail giant’s CEO Greg Foran opened up to Business Insider about the changes in the marketplace, staying on one’s toes, and not under- or overestimating competition like Lidl, Aldi, and Amazon.
"These are people out there that attack us. You've got drug stores, you've got traditional supermarkets, you've obviously got Amazon, you got hard discounters, you've got other discount stores, and we don't try and necessarily combat every single aspect of what they do, but when you've got stores that sit on 20 acres every two to three acres, you do have to deal with the fact that there are multiple Davids in your marketplace," the executive said, explaining how his company has risen to be the Goliath of its story with a number of others ready to throw stones.
While Foran told the news source that, when thinking about its strategy against Amazon, Walmart considers key questions like whether the name of the game is to have hundreds of millions of SKUs or to have a more curated assortment; what opportunities exist with data; and how should the team be thinking about health and wellness. It doesn't try to launch a counterattack every time Amazon makes a new move.
"This concept of the store being more than just a good store but being a fulfillment center feels like a pretty safe bet. So place your bets where you know you've got it right. Put a foot in the water on some of the other things, and let's test and learn. And some of the others, maybe you just sit back and wait and see," he said.
As to Amazon’s recently unveiled intentions for a new, lower-priced grocery chain, Foran said that he loves competing and thinks competition makes Walmart better.
"It galvanizes an organization into doing something," he said. "So I like it. Bring it on."
He explained there are many details Amazon will have to learn when planning for physical stores, like:
- Location
- Traffic signals
- Visibility from the road and signage
"Every time you enter a new business, you've got to have that energy and that drive to actually understand all of those components that go to make it work," he said. "Let's see what happens as they get into the space."
In thinking on new competition coming to market, Foran discussed Lidl's entrance into the U.S. He called it a galvanizing moment for the eastern seaboard for Walmart, which remodeled stores and boosted its grocery focus in the same region Lidl made its Stateside debut. He explained the company got the team North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia fired up and said, “we're going to take the battle."
"Lidl has put down three big [distribution centers] here in the United States," he said. "Guess what they're going to do? They're going to turn on the openings and they are on their third chief executive. So watch out: here they come."
Another "fierce competitor” Foran delved into was Aldi, who he said he never underestimates.
"I've been competing against all them for 20-plus years and they are fierce and they are good. They've done a very good job in the last two years of remodeling their stores, revamping them, changing their layouts, increasing the amount of organics that they're offering, gluten-free, they've driven prices down cleverly, improved the offer overall," Foran concluded.
With the pieces on the chess board clearly in place, 2019 looks to be an interesting year in the low-price arena of grocery, among others.
COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Accolades and kudos are in order for Oppy. For the 18th year running, the company won the honor of one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and earned its place in the program’s esteemed Platinum Club! By demonstrating traits of exceptional strategy, capability, commitment, and return on investment, the company has proven itself worthy of its best-in-class creds.
“It’s great to be selected once again,” said John Anderson, Chairman and CEO. “It’s an exciting time at Oppy. As our business continues to expand and evolve, we rely on our proven management philosophy to guide us as we grow. By encouraging collaboration across all channels of our business, we can move quickly and decisively toward our goals.”
Anderson points to the "expect the world from us" promise of the Oppy brand as the thread that ties strategy and execution together at Oppy.
“It’s been about a decade and a half since we introduced the idea of 'expect the world from us,' and it remains incredibly relevant to the team,” Anderson continued in a press release. “It enables us to manage our business with a clear purpose and understanding of where we’re going and how we’ll get there.”
Canada’s Best Managed Companies program is sponsored by a prestigious group of organizations, including Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business Magazine, Queen’s Smith School of Business, and the TMX Group. The program exists to recognize organizations that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. The Platinum Club is reserved for top-performing companies that have earned a place among the best for at least six years.
Oppy has been killing it for almost two decades, having been chosen every year since it first applied in 2001. The program’s applications are annually reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address a variety of business challenges including brand management, new technologies, leadership, globalization, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.
Also selected as one of BC’s Top Employers—for the third consecutive year—Oppy’s recent accolades recognize the company’s achievements in 2018 including adding large scale value-added programs for kiwifruit and citrus in Western Canada; launching Frank & Able, a new brand of greenhouse tomatoes-on-the-vine; building the scope and scale of its Ocean Spray berry program; and building high demand for its Zespri® SunGold kiwifruit.
Well done Oppy!
For more news about industry awards and honors, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
KINGSVILLE, ON - Mastronardi Produce is celebrating multiple milestones this week. We recently reported 2019 marks 65 years of business for the company, and it also makes a decade of Mastronardi attaining the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation.
“Winning this award for the 10th year in a row is a great honor and illustrates the depth of our team’s commitment to providing the very best fresh, flavorful produce,” said President and CEO Paul Mastronardi, the fourth-generation family member to lead the organization. “I am so proud to lead such a hard-working group of individuals who feel as passionately as I do about our collective mission: inspiring healthy living through WOW flavor experiences.”
Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business award programs, according to a press release, recognizing best-in-class Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million.
“This year’s Best Managed winners are a testament to the success found when businesses invest in talent, innovate intentionally, and think long-term,” said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte Private and Co-Leader for Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “These companies should be proud of this achievement, and their responsibility in acting as role models for other Canadian businesses.”
Achieving this year’s list means that Mastronardi Produce retains its prestigious Platinum Club status among Canada’s business elite. Congratulations to Paul and the Mastronardi team on this impressive streak.
BROOKLYN, NY - Gordon Food Service has linked up with Square Roots, a leader in urban indoor farming, to provide customers across North America with locally-grown food. The strategic partnership will see new campuses of Square Roots’ indoor farms built on or near Gordon Food Service distribution centers and retail stores across the continent, enabling year-round growing of premium quality herbs, greens, and more, which will then be available to Gordon Food Service customers.
“Customers want an assortment of fresh, locally-grown food all year round,” stated Rich Wolowski, CEO of Gordon Food Service, in a recent press release. “We are on a path to do that at scale with Square Roots and are excited to be the first in the industry to offer this unique solution to our customers.”
The press release noted that this partnership enables Gordon Food Service to bring a modern offering to meet growing customer demand for local food across North America. It also signifies the first significant expansion to new locations for Square Roots.
“This partnership means we will grow delicious, local real food at huge scale,” said Tobias Peggs, Co-Founder and CEO of Square Roots. “We’re so happy to be working with a mission-aligned partner in Gordon Food Service—leveraging technology to bring real food to a huge number of people across the country, while delivering real social impact by empowering thousands of young people to become our country’s future farmers.”
Square Roots utilizes a high-tech farming platform with its Next-Gen Farmer Training Program to train young people to become future leaders in the food industry. In addition to this tech, the company's Transparency Timeline enables customers to trace exactly how their food was grown and who grew it, simply by scanning a QR code on its packaging. Two winning tech solutions, if you ask me!
Stick with us here at AndNowUKnow for the latest in new partnerships.
CHELAN, WA - It feels as if I was just in the midst of the fun and flare of SEPC’s Southern Innovations, so I don’t blame anyone who might be surprised that the Southern Exposure Expo is this week. That’s right, planes are already en route to Orlando, Florida, for one of the big kick-offs to the season. Among them is the Chelan Fresh team, excited to visit with valued partners and meet prospective ones.
“I think Southern Exposure is a valuable show to attend because it gives our team quality time with a lot of retail decision makers. We have cherries coming up so it is good timing to talk about that,” Mac Riggan, Director of Marketing, shared with me. “We are expecting a very good cherry crop this year, and we have organic volume wrapping up at the end of July for apples and pears.”
Attendees will get a chance to see those organic pear and apple offerings, as well as Chelan’s increasingly popular Rockit™, KORU®, and SugarBee® apples, cherries in the company’s various pack styles, and POS materials.
“New varieties are driving customer experience and raising expectations, so we are excited to share more about that,” Mac says when I ask about some of the new excitement stirring at Chelan Fresh. “We consider ourselves leaders in category management, and we’ll be discussing how to drive business forward using data, as well as how we support the sale of our products with key merchandising tools in-store.”
This is just a taste of what show-goers can expect when they swing by booth #516. Don’t miss this stop as you enjoy the intimate, dynamic atmosphere of SEPC’s Southern Exposure in Orlando, Florida, March 7-9.