AUSTIN, TX - These days, there’s more healthy eaters than ever before as an increasing number of modern consumers subscribe to stricter dietary preferences. Whether consumers are shopping for Paleo, Keto, vegetarian, or flexitarian diets, one thing’s for certain: fresh produce is front and center, and the ANUK team is here for it—okay, maybe that’s two things! This week, Whole Foods Market debuted a new digital product catalog that is highlighting fresh produce by helping shoppers locate items based on dietary and healthy eating preferences.
“Whole Foods Market has always been a go-to for those who follow special diets or want greater transparency into what they are eating,” said Jason Buechel, Executive Vice President of Technology and Chief Information Officer for Whole Foods. “This new experience makes it easier than ever for those customers to find products that fit their needs from dietary preferences to lifestyle changes, and ultimately helps them achieve their wellness goals.”
The new catalog is available on wholefoodsmarket.com and the grocer’s mobile app and provides complete nutritional information, ingredient lists, diet and allergen tags, as well as photos of tens of thousands of products and their availability and price in-store. According to a press release, the full list of searchable preferences includes: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, Paleo friendly, Keto friendly, sugar conscious, dairy free, Kosher, organic, Whole Foods Diet approved, Engine 2, low sodium, and low fat.
Will Whole Foods’ latest innovation improve consumers’ shopping experience in and out of the store? AndNowUKnow will continue to cover all the new and fun ways of spotlighting fresh produce.
ATLANTA, GA - Lidl keeps on truckin’ after hopping the pond to North America, this time setting its sights on the Atlanta Metro area. Powder Springs, opening January 16th; Snellville, opening January 30th; and Mableton, opening February 13th, are the three Georgia locations getting their very own Lidl stores.
“We are excited to be opening our first stores in the Atlanta area and introducing Lidl’s high quality and low prices to more customers throughout the state of Georgia,” commented Chandler Ebeier, PR Specialist for Lidl.
With a large selection of private label products, low prices, award-winning beer and wine (exclusive to Lidl stores), and an extensive range of organic and gluten-free products, the new Lidl locations are a welcome addition to the Atlanta Metro scene.
Shoppers are in for more than just grocery bargains, as the grand opening event at the Snellville location on the 30th features an enticing giveaway. The first 100 lucky shoppers will receive a gift card ranging from $5 to $100. At the event Lidl will be giving away free samples of its products, as well as free reusable shopping bags, while supplies last, of course.
The Snellville grand opening event will take place on January 30th at 8 a.m., with normal hours being 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
AndNowUKnow will keep you updated on exciting store openings and events.
KANSAS CITY, KS - Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) has taken the new year, new me philosophy to heart, announcing restructuring changes and new leadership promotions. AWG created a more cohesive supply-chain alignment within the company, bringing together Division Operations, Merchandising, and Distribution/Logistics functions. Forging the way in this restructuring will be Dan Funk, AWG’s new Chief Supply Chain and Merchandising Officer; and Jeff Pedersen, AWG’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Support Officer.
Funk will be responsible for all merchandising and operations, according to a press release. He joined the wholesaler in 2012 to lead its Valu Merchandisers subsidiary as President. He was then promoted to Senior Vice President of Grocery for AWG. In 2015, he assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing. Before joining AWG, Funk worked in various retail and wholesale roles, ranging from a bag boy at an independent supermarket in North Dakota to leadership roles with leading retail chains and wholesalers.
Pedersen, a 21-year veteran of AWG, will lead sales, services, support, and solutions for the wholesaler. He has worked in a variety of leadership roles within AWG, including Executive Vice President of Division Operations. Before he joined AWG, Pedersen began his career in the biz at an independently-owned supermarket, working his way up to prominent management within leading Midwest retail chains.
As the press release outlined, Pedersen will lead the Supply Chain and Merchandising division and oversee its primary disciplines, divided into Sales, Services, Support, and Solutions.
The Sales team will be the primary point of contact for AWG members and will lead the communication as well as the retail execution of sales building strategies. The Services team will be the combined functions of Store Engineering, Store Design, Store Décor, Décor Manufacturing, Lighting and Design, and the management and administration of third-party services that serve AWG members’ facility design, construction, maintenance, remodeling, and other related needs. The Support team will be a centrally-managed group of functional areas and departments that are focused on delivering sales support to Division teams and its members. The Solutions team is a new addition for AWG. It currently encompasses retail technology, business solutions, and retail pricing. This new area will be expanded in the future to be the go-to for various member needs in the areas of technology.
“As our business and the challenges facing our members are ever-changing, we must constantly evaluate our performance against our mission objective,” stated David Smith, President and CEO, in a letter to AWG’s members. “As we measure that performance, from time to time, it becomes necessary for us to realign and adjust our resources with current and emerging member needs and priorities.”
Barry Queen, Chairman of the Board, added that, “The supermarket industry is both challenging and rewarding. AWG continues to stay positioned and focused to be the best wholesale partner a retailer needs to meet the challenges of today and the future.”
For the latest in retail happenings, keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow.
NOGALES, AZ - This Spring Solstice, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) will host its Spring Policy Summit at the Tubac Golf Resort in Tubac, Arizona. The two-day event, held March 19-20, will feature several new speakers—including Salvador Behar, Mexico’s NAFTA Deputy Chief Negotiator.
“It is very important for us to see the participation of people in the industry, along with regulators and policy makers. Together, at the summit, we create the synergy to put regulations and proposals in motion for the betterment of all,” said FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer, in a press release.
The Spring Policy Summit is set to kick off an auspicious year for the FPAA. 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of FPAA’s founding, and the association has several events planned out throughout the year, culminating in the Nogales Produce Convention this November.
In its press release, the association noted that it is excited to present a U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) informational session featuring Behar.
“The U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement promises more collaboration and transparency on key trade issues such as Customs clearances, Sanitary and Phytosanitary rules, and certain agriculture inspections,” the association noted in that release. “What is this likely to entail? Hear from confirmed speaker Salvador Behar, Mexico’s NAFTA Deputy Chief Negotiator.”
For nearly 10 years the FPAA has been hosting a policy summit, which attracts a wide range of policy makers from all over the United States and Mexico. Members, staff, and local leaders also attend the event. Interested parties can learn more at www.freshfrommexico.com.
LOS ANGELES, CA - 2019 is already looking to be a berry great year thanks to Western Veg-Produce’s relaunch of the popular Bobalu berries line. The Bobalu strawberry label’s return to retail, which Western Veg-Pro accomplished in partnership with Bobalu Berry Farms and West Coast Berry Farms, will bring the coveted line back to many stores and chain markets with a revamped look and label.
To celebrate the return of the Bobalu label, Bobby Jones, third-generation strawberry grower and President of Bobalu Farms, recently attended a first-time walk though at Vicente Farms. One thing he noticed at the event was how much restocking was needed in just one hour due to consumers’ love for Bobalu berries.
“There’s a sense of accomplishment and achievement to see your product on the store and then hear feedback that it’s quality product just means we’re taking the things my grandfather implemented and carrying them in the right way as far as putting up a good quality product,” Jones said in a recent press release.
Today, Jones carries on the core values of his grandfather, who built and grew the team of people the Bobalu Berry Farms’ team still calls family today. This ethos also carries into the farms’ mantra—“Family Grown, Family Owned”—which Jones noted “drives home the fact that we’re a family not just amongst the growers and the ownership but the generations of people who have worked for the family, and we grow the crop together as a family.”
One of the many stores Bobalu berries are returning to is Vicente Foods, whose produce team was excited to welcome the berry label back to their shelves.
“I can tell a lot of people are really excited about it—they are nice and clean and a good size—a lot of times you see black spots on the berries, but with these you can tell that’s not the case. You can even tell the stem looks really nice, too. A lot of people are happy with how they taste, but appearance is the number one thing people look at, but they want the taste too,” said John Canchola, Assistant Manager and Assistant Produce Buyer for Brentwood, California’s Vicente Foods location.
Produce Manager Ray Akol added, “Sales are good—I love the quality of the strawberry, nice and firm and that’s what we carry here. I sold five cases in one day [of long stems, compared to] selling five in three days [of competing brands]. Regarding the price, I mean [shoppers] will buy as long as the quality is good—nice, firm, texture, color—the price doesn’t matter, it’s the quality.”
According to a press release, West Coast shoppers can find Bobalu berries at Ralphs, Smiths, and other high-end restaurants and bakeries in addition to Vicente Foods, while nationwide consumers can shop Bobalu berries at major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Loblaw.
To stay up-to-date on only the berry best produce news, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
MONTEREY, CA - In a forward-thinking move, PRO*ACT has made an investment in the future with its Cultivating Change program, awarding grants to farms nationwide. Local farmers from coast to coast are clamoring to submit their grant applications, seeking funding for sustainability-focused initiatives.
Launched in 2015, PRO*ACT’s Cultivating Change program has so far given $325,000 to farms growing for local distributors across North America. The program has clearly gained momentum, as 143 farms from 34 states, a record number, have applied for funding.
“Beyond the $6k we received for our refrigerated truck, our farm saw an amazing outpouring from our community,” said Stacy Reeves, of Reeves Family Farms in Princeton, Texas, in a press release. “We saw more visits to our farm store, and this has given us the needed boost to establish more business with customers.”
While up to half of the money will be awarded through an online vote taking place on January 31, the remainder will be awarded through an industry review panel. Those interested in voting can do so at the Cultivating Change website and are encouraged to use social media tools to share their local farm’s application with the rest of the community.
The grant awards will be announced on February 3, with the lucky winners of the popular vote eligible for up to $100,000 for their projects. Encouraged by the positive outcomes, winning farms have experienced results that go beyond grant money.
AndNowUKnow will keep you updated on the developments and wishes the best to all farms applying. Bon Chance!
CALIFORNIA - New Year, new you—new wage schedule? January 1st marked a propitious start of the new year for California’s farm laborers who, staring New Year’s Day, will now be eligible for more robust overtime pay.
The result of legislation signed into law in 2106, this first-of-its kind rule finally came into effect this month, according to a report by Capital Public Radio. Companies that employ more than 26 people will now be required to pay overtime to farmworkers who work more than 9.5 hours a day or 55 hours a week.
Previous California regulations required employers to pay farmworkers overtime after working 60 hours in a week or 10 hours in a day.
This new change in law is the first phase of a two-phase process. In 2022, the next phase of the law will come into play—requiring California’s farm laborers to be paid double time for working more than 12 hours in a day.
These new laws may compound labor costs for farmers, many of whom will also have to absorb an increase in statewide minimum wage—which was raised from $11.00 an hour to $12.00 on the first of the year.
How will increased wages affect our industry? It’s unclear according to Philip Martin, UC Davis Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics, who told Capital Public Radio that there is very little reliable data on farmworkers’ hours.
“They may opt to pay overtime for workers they’ve already trained to use expensive equipment, rather than trying to hire additional workers and implementing shorter shifts to avoid overtime,” Martin told the news source, noting that new overtime regulations may largely effect large-scale agricultural operations who employ dairy workers, irrigators, and equipment operators.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates.
OTTAWA, ON - The new year is upon us, and with the new year comes new trade shows! The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) announced that the exhibit space for its 2019 CPMA Convention and Trade Show is sold out. The show, in its 94th year, will take place in Montreal, Quebec, from April 2-4, 2019, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The trade show will have 535 exhibit spaces featuring more than 250 companies from around the world.
“We are excited to welcome the Canadian and international produce industry back to Montreal for the biggest event in Canada for our trade,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA President, in a press release. “This year’s event will provide exceptional opportunities for business development, education, networking, and socializing, as we showcase that We Are Produce.”
The press release noted that CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show rotates between the same three cities: Montreal (2019), Toronto (2020), and Vancouver (2021). In addition to the sold out exhibit space, the show includes:
- Keynote address by Justin Kingsley at the Delegate and Companion Breakfast on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019. Kingsley is a New York Times best-selling author with experiences ranging from Press Secretary for the Prime Minister of Canada to Communications and Marketing Strategist for the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, the Montreal Canadiens, and UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre
- Walk off the Earth - Four-time Platinum artists and viral YouTube sensations with over 780 million views will be headlining the Annual Banquet on Thursday, April 4th, 2019
- The 2019 New Product Showcase, featuring 54 of the most innovative products in the produce industry, will be on display throughout the duration of the show
Delegate registration for the 94th annual CPMA Convention and Trade Show opens on January 7, 2019, at convention.cpma.ca.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash is welcoming the former Chief Information Officer for Wisconsin-based SC Johnson and Sons, Arif Dar, to its leadership team. Dar will take on SpartanNash's Chief Information Officer position, effective January 2, 2019.
After receiving his Master of Business Administration degree in MIS and Operations from the University of Western Ontario, Canada; his Master of Science degree in Communication Systems and Radio Engineering from King’s College, University of London, U.K.; and his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, Dar served in executive IT positions at Maple Leaf Foods (Toronto), Bombardier Transportation (Berlin, Germany), General Motors (Michigan), Tyco International (New Jersey), and General Electric (USA, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Americas). Dar also has his black belt in Six Sigma Quality Training
“We look forward to having Arif join the company, as his record of large-scale IT strategic planning and execution combined with his vision, collaborative leadership, supply chain experience, and knowledge of the food distribution industry lay the foundation for success at SpartanNash," said President and Chief Executive Officer David M. Staples. "During his tenure at SC Johnson, Arif’s cross-functional relationships throughout the business, empowering management style, and ability to drive operating efficiencies with diverse technologies drove an improved customer experience, cost savings, and sales growth.”
In his new position with SpartanNash, Dar will report to Staples and be responsible for developing and executing a company-wide IT strategy, leading the IT team, and leveraging technologies to drive and sustain a competitive advantage, according to a press release. This will include ensuring alignment with the company’s overall business strategy and providing strategic direction and oversight for the design, development, operation, and support of IT systems and programs. Dar also will provide oversight of SpartanNash’s architecture management, application management, security and risk management, and infrastructure and operations support management.
Dar's appointment to the Chief Information Officer role follows David deS. Couch’s retirement from the position. Couch first joined SpartanNash in 1987 and has held the CIO position since 2013.
“Dave’s leadership has been key to our success. We thank Dave for his contributions to the company and wish him and his family all the best,” Staples concluded.
Congratulations to David deS. Couch and Arif Dar on these next stages in their careers! AndNowUKnow will continue to report and latest fresh produce news.
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. policy will continue to take digs at the country’s ag stakeholders in 2019. 11 countries have ratified an updated trans-Pacific trade deal entitled the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and experts are saying it could put the U.S. ag industry at a massive disadvantage internationally. According to CNBC, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru have already agreed to the deal, which will slash tariffs and make their exports cheaper in each other's markets.
In a press release, investment bank HSBC noted that around 90 percent of tariff cuts will immediately take place, and goods of non-CPTPP members, such as the U.S., are now expected to be more expensive and less competitive in CPTPP countries. The Trump camp has been consistently arguing that the pact would have damaged U.S. manufacturing, added to the trade deficit, and sent American jobs overseas since the campaign.
However, some experts counter that billions are at stake for the U.S. economy. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, if the U.S. had stayed in TPP, the country's real income would have increased by $131 billion annually. Now, the firm said, the United States could lose an additional $2 billion in income because U.S. firms will be disadvantaged in CPTPP markets.
Will pressure on U.S. goods continue as additional countries get on board with the renewed TPP deal? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.