KANSAS CITY, KS - We love partnership news over here at AndNowUKnow. This morning, we are excited to share with you about an innovative retail alliance. Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) and Picadeli are working closely together to implement a cutting-edge salad bar solution that drives consumer engagement and sales growth for AWG member grocery stores.

“We’re excited to partner with Picadeli, and this partnership is another way that we fulfill our mission to our member retailers by providing all the tools, products, and services they need to compete favorably in all markets served,” said Dan Koch, AWG Group Vice President of Perishables. “By integrating advanced technology into members’ operations, ensuring sustainable sourcing, and maintaining high standards of food quality, AWG and Picadeli are not only meeting the current needs of our members but also setting new benchmarks for the industry.”

With this partnership, AWG and Picadeli are aiming to ensure that these retailers can offer high-quality, convenient, and healthy meal options that are affordable. By leveraging Picadeli’s innovative salad bar technology and AWG’s extensive network, the partnership will enhance the shopping experience, increase customer satisfaction, and boost the profitability and competitiveness of AWG member retailers, a press release explained.

The partnership aims to revolutionize the fresh food offering at AWG members’ stores by providing convenient, healthy, and sustainable salad bars. Picadeli and AWG are committed to disrupting the conventional fast-food landscape by offering an alternative that aligns with modern consumer demands for healthier, more customizable meal options.

“At Picadeli, we are passionate about making a better meal on the go affordable and accessible. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Associated Wholesale Grocers to bring our concept to their committed group of members,” said Patrik Hellstrand, Chief Executive Officer of Picadeli US. “AWG's dedication to providing exceptional service to its members to create the best customer experience aligns perfectly with our mission. We are excited to introduce their members’ customers to a new dimension of choice and customization.”

We look forward to reporting on this partnership more in the future, so stick with us.

ST. LOUIS, MS - As technology advances, we are able to track and monitor more than ever before. This tech is especially important when shipping products within the cold chain, and thanks to Copeland’s new GO real-time 4G/5G-NA tracker, the process just got streamlined. GO real-time can monitor in-transit conditions such as temperature within 15 meters of positioning accuracy, for up to 20 days.

“Improvements to location accuracy drive enhanced insight to shipments,” said Amy Childress, Global Vice President of Monitoring, Cold Chain. “Whether customers are transporting food, healthcare items, or other valuable cargo, our technology enables our customers’ shipments to be delivered at the highest possible quality.”

The cloud-based online software from Copeland is aptly named Oversight. It enables notifications via text or email if any deviation of temperature-sensitive conditions arise during shipment. Users can also receive real-time alerts via text and email of automated reporting generated from Oversight, including a detailed shipment summary. Additionally, users and trackers can view maps, graphs and charts of key shipments, including temperature, security, and location details.

One of the niftiest features Copeland has developed is the improved GO GreenSense™ recycling program, which reduces the number of devices that end up in landfills. A press release explained how Copeland provides customers with eco-friendly return boxes, pre-paid postage labels, and any required battery shipment notification labels, so users can return any Copeland GO tracker products for proper battery and component recycling.

As Copeland continues to revolutionize the next generation of climate technology, AndNowUKnow will be here to report.

WASHINGTON, DC - The leadership team at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) recently welcomed a new member. The association’s Government Relations team has named Mica Hider as the Director of Political Affairs and Action. She fills a critical role, leading political advocacy and action among elected officials, IFPA, and its members.

“I am excited to join the International Fresh Produce Association and help boost our political influence in the industry,” said Hider. “I look forward to working with our members and leaders to strengthen our political influence and build upon IFPA’s success in expanding our political engagement through FreshPAC, ensuring that the voices of our industry are heard and valued in Washington and beyond.”

Hider will now be responsible for leading the planning and management of IFPA’s political activity in Washington, DC, and will manage IPFA’s political action committee, FreshPAC. According to a press release, FreshPAC is one of the fresh produce and floral industry’s main sources of giving and connection with political campaigns of those federal candidates who influence and prioritize fresh produce, floral, and specialty crops.

The new leader most recently served as the Senior Director of Coalitions and PAC at the American Chemistry Council. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for BIPAC and GlobalWIN. Hider’s background also includes PAC management, fundraising, and political activity leadership at the National Associations of REALTORS, the Credit Union National Association, and then Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.

“We hear from our members that one of the most important things we can do as an association is to build our influence to advocate and act on behalf of the industry in a way where individuals and companies cannot,” said Vice President of United States Government Relations, Rebeckah Adcock. “Mica will bring immediate energy to these efforts, focusing on strengthening our political standing, expanding opportunities for members to be engaged in political activity, and increasing resources in FreshPAC. She brings years of experience building associations’ political capital, and I am thrilled that she is bringing her talent to the fresh produce and floral industry.”

Cheers to IFPA’s new Director of Political Affairs and Action!