SACRAMENTO, CA - Happy Halloween from The Snack Magazine! In honor of the spookiest day of the year, we invite the produce industry to play another round of our Find the Apple contest—but only play if you dare! If you can figure out this trick, you can get a major treat—a $100 cash prize!
If you haven’t received a hard copy of this month’s issue that features Famous Software’s President Heather Hammack, click here for the digital cover and try your luck. But before you snap that selfie—or have an office ghoul do it for you—be sure to do the following:
Show your mug!
Especially if it’s beat for the gods! While we can’t give bonus points to those pictured decked out in a costume, we will know who the coolest members of our industry are. Fact.
Be sure your talon is pointing at the AndNowUKnow apple logo
Pictured below is what our logo looks like and if you can spot it lurking within the trees on the cover, you might just be able to slither away with the cash prize.
If you can answer yes to both questions, email your photo to [email protected] to qualify; the race starts now! Remember that we choose two winners, one from the buy-side and one from the supply-side.
Join the coveted winners circle with the likes of:
- Mike Mendez of NatureFresh Farms
- Brandi McGuire-Sisco of Topco Associates
- Irene Jamarillo of Beachside Produce
- Laura Bartlett, Beachside Produce’s Sales and Marketing Administrator
- Two-Time victor Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- Sobey’s Produce Sourcing Specialist, Organic Dry & Wet Veg Lead, Monina Knox
- Sherry Harper of Beachside Produce
- Francesca Fordice of J. Marchini Farms
- David Carrick of EarthFresh Foods
- Jennifer Velasquez of Golden Sun Marketing
Interested in receiving a copy of The Snack so that you’ll be prepared for our next challenges? Subscriptions are valued at $129 per year, click here to subscribe.
CINCINATTI, OH - Kroger has gone one step further in its fight to keep up with e-commerce mega-companies like Amazon and Walmart—this time hand in hand with U.K.-based online grocer Ocado. According to a report from Reuters, Kroger plans to put in orders for the first three of 20 previously announced distribution centers before 2018 is through.
The distribution centers would be built to be what Ocado refers to as Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs) and would effectively give a strong boost to Kroger’s delivery business. The CFCs are robotically operated, and under the terms of the deal both retailers agreed to in May, Kroger will order 20 of them in these first three years of the agreement with Ocado.
As of yesterday’s report, Ocado has not yet revealed the locations for the first three CFCs, but did say Kroger will reveal additional details in the next several weeks. Reuters noted that Kroger expects each CFC to go live within approximately two years of each order.
Ocado’s deal with Kroger is the U.K. retailer’s largest to date, the source noted, and exceeds partnerships with Morrisons in Britain, Casino in France, Sobeys in Canada, and ICA Group in Sweden. Following the report, Ocado shares rose as high as 6 percent, making for a 195 percent gain over last year.
WILMINGTON, OH - BrightFarms’ locally grown packaged salads are making their Walmart debut, after the brand announced it would be offering its fresh product at select Walmart stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia starting this October.
“The heart of our mission is to provide more of the population with access to fresh, delicious and nutrient-rich local produce. By partnering with Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, we’re able to provide a wider portion of consumers with year-round local produce that was grown by farmers in their own community,” said Paul Lightfoot, CEO of BrightFarms.
According to a press release, consumer demand for local produce has increased, and BrightFarms is stepping up as retailers' go-to for products grown from farms closer to their stores.
Specifically, BrightFarms will be supplying select Walmart stores with product that was grown at its 120,000-square-foot Wilmington, Ohio, commercial greenhouse that the company opened earlier this year. BrightFarms also operates hydroponic greenhouses in Rochelle, Illinois; Culpeper, Virginia; and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Not only do BrightFarms’ greenhouses emphasize the powers of locally grown produce, they also use 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land, and 90 percent less shipping fuel when compared to long distance salad growers typically located in California and Arizona.
In addition to Walmart, BrightFarms’ salad greens are sold at Kroger, Ahold Delhaize, and Albertsons.
To stay up-to-date on the freshest of fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CORONA, CA - David Allen McDougall, Founder and President of AFI Executive Search, tragically passed away at the age of 64 on Friday, October 26, 2018. He leaves behind a lasting legacy within the recruiting industry and beyond.
The oldest of five siblings, McDougall and his twin were born in Seattle, Washington, on June 27, 1954 to parents Don and Byra McDougall. The family soon relocated to the heart of California’s agricultural community, which allowed McDougall to grow his appreciation for the food industry. McDougall went on to attend New Mexico State University, where he received a full ride scholarship for swimming and competed at an Olympic level. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1980.
After graduating, McDougall began his career as a manager at Texas supermarket chain, Furr’s. Due to his knowledge of the industry and his charismatic nature, McDougall was approached by a Dallas recruiting firm, which eventually led to the founding of his own recruiting company, AFI Search.
McDougall founded AFI (Associates for the Food Industry) in 1989 to recruit and place executives for retailers such as Albertsons, WinCo, Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Gelson’s, and many more.
“Dave was able to see the forest, the trees and beyond to the castle where everyone wins. I spoke to Dave at least once per day and always it was important, topical and allowed me to gain perceptive. I will really miss Dave; it is like a chunk of my world is gone,” said David Adams, Founder of Adams Marketing and Consulting.
Ed LeVassuer, Vice President of Oceanitan, added, "As everyone in this industry that met David could attest to, David set himself apart from all other consultants and job search companies. This was due to his personal involvement in each potential candidates job experience and qualifications, but their own personal life. He truly felt this was just as important because he knew exactly what any potential job opportunity or placement would require of each candidate. David will be extremely missed throughout the industry for many years to come. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends. We are all better today that we had met Dave in our lifetime whether it was professional or personal.”
McDougall married the love of his life, Erika, in Lake Tahoe, California, in January 1989. David has three children: Jeremy, Devon, and Lauren. He was very active in his community, serving as Chairman for the City of Corona’s Parks and Recreation City for seven years. McDougall was also a respected soccer coach for AYSO and Corona United Soccer Club.
McDougall enjoyed spending time engaging in outdoor activities such as cycling, fishing, and camping. One of his favorite pastimes was to be with his wife Erika walking their two Mastiffs, Jackson and Gus.
This was an incredible and unique man, loved so much not only by family and friends but by everyone he encountered throughout his life. His memory will last forever in the hearts of all that knew him.
McDougall is survived by his wife, Erika McDougall, and his children: son Jeremy McDougall, son Devon McDougall, and daughter Lauren McDougall.
The Celebration of Life services are scheduled for January 13, 2019 in Yorba Linda, CA. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations can be made to The American Heart Association or to the family’s gofundme account.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the McDougall family during this time.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - On this fair morning of Halloween, it saddens me to pen the following story, but pen it I must—but never fear, dear ANUK readers, it does have a happy ending. For those shameful tricksters in the business of stomping out jack-o-lanterns, you’ve been warned: find enjoyment in this tale and the spirits of All Hallow’s Eve will not be kind.
But I digress! Back to our story. Pupils at the South Hylton Academy were left devastated when their beloved pumpkin patch had been smashed to bits by “mindless yobs.” The children, understandably upset, had spent months growing their pumpkins. However, all hope was not lost. Nearby residents took matters into their own hands, posting pictures and videos on social media asking for the community to help the children regain their Halloween spirit.
And regain it, they did! By the end of this Halloween horror, the school was gifted 15 pumpkins and a donation of £130 ($165 USD), and the children’s faith in the spirit of Halloween—and human kindness—was restored.
I hope that you, dear reader, enjoy this Halloween night, and do not make the mistake that this pumpkin vandal made. Remember, treats will always be more pleasant than tricks.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Growerstock announced the public launch of its innovative, time-driven trading platform for the fresh produce industry that will help match buyer requests with verified sellers. Developed by a team of industry experts and mobile technology innovators, Growerstock is a secure online marketplace where buyers can easily and quickly locate and purchase produce in exactly the pack they require.
“While a digital marketplace isn’t a new idea, our team’s track record for delivering innovative solutions, combined with an intense understanding of industry challenges, has uniquely positioned us to build—from the inside out—what is simply the best fresh produce trading platform available. We are excited to have greatly improved efficiencies and enabled acceleration of fresh produce sales. Too much precious time is lost searching for buyers and sellers in an industry where commodities quickly lose nutrients, freshness, and value. Growerstock is fresh off the blocks, yet private testing and reviews have been stellar and our mission is clear; we will drive efficiency through innovation so consumers everywhere can enjoy the healthiest and freshest produce available,” said Tony Nuovo, Co-Founder and CEO.
According to USDA/NASS reporting, the U.S. Farming Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) of fruits and vegetables accounts for over $100 billion annually. According to a press release, this massive industry relies largely on antiquated systems and time-consuming processes to buy and sell fresh produce, which is what Growerstock hopes to tackle.
The newest trading platform helps shrink time and effort devoted to sourcing, purchasing, and tracking. The platform offers a hassle-free workflow, mobile apps, smart tools and services, and much more to boost buyers’ productivity through the roof. These features also enable buyers to instantly notify a network of pre-approved sellers and secure a deal in mere minutes from anywhere in the world.
Growerstock, which was featured as a 2018 Innovation Award Finalist at United Fresh’s Annual Conference & Expo in Chicago, is available to buyers across all U.S. territories, with sellers being added in key shipping points throughout the country with preference to California, Texas, and Florida initially.
For more news like this, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
MILLEN, GA - Uniting members of the produce industry to give back to those in need, the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) and the Society of St. Andrew have been working together to send much-needed relief to those in North Carolina and the Florida panhandle that have been affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael. While both buy-side and supply-side alike have banded together to provide aid in the form of fresh produce and water, there is much work to be done, and your help is still needed.
“We are extremely thankful for all of the support we have received from our members to provide these fresh produce shipments and bottled water to the areas hardest hit from these hurricanes,” David Sherrod, President and CEO of the SEPC said. “Our hearts go out to all the victims who have lost so much and those who are trying to put their lives back together. Through our SEPC Cares initiative, we will continue to offer assistance to as many people as we possibly can. Our mission is to have a servant's heart for our community and for the produce industry.”
On October 17th, the Society of St. Andrew delivered about three truckloads of donated produce to Rowland, North Carolina, which was then distributed to surrounding communities. According to a press release, donations included cabbage, sweet potatoes, apples, onions, clementines, and other produce items. SEPC members that were involved include:
- Cabbage Inc.
- Honeycutt Produce
- Nickey Gregory Company
- Shuman Produce
- Wayne Bailey Produce
- Wonderful Citrus
- Zespri Kiwifruit
- ReedTMS Logistics
In Florida, affected residents are still in desperate need of clean water and other necessities. Publix Supermarkets and Southern Valley Fruit & Vegetable are assisting the SEPC with contributing a truckload of bottled water, but the Council is hopeful that fellow members will also follow suit once enough utilities have been restored and communities are able to receive them.
For more information on how you can contribute to hurricane survivors, please contact the SEPC at [email protected]. All of our hearts at AndNowUKnow are with those in need.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Everyone’s favorite grocery perusing robot is heading into more Schnucks Market stores as the retailer looks to gain a tech-forward advantage over its competitors. Schnucks and Simbe Robotics announced this week that Tally, the autonomous shelf-scanning robot, will now be found at 15 additional Schnucks’ stores after the pilot tested success following its launch last year.
“Tally has been instrumental in boosting the way our shelves are managed and how our stores function. As a result of working with Simbe, we’ve experienced a phenomenon we call ‘The Tally Effect,’ an immediate improvement in in-store operations and increased teammates productivity,” said Dave Steck, Schnucks Vice President of IT – Infrastructure and Application Development. “Currently, teammates are spending several hours a week completing tasks like inventory scanning and price tag auditing. Since we implemented Tally, the robot now completes those mundane tasks, allowing teammates to focus on customer service. We have confidence that with Simbe, our stores will run more smoothly and customers will continue to have exceptional, and modern, shopping experiences.”
With the expansion of Tally into more stores, Schnucks is propelling its brick-and-mortar stores into a new era of efficiency and improved customer experience, according to a press release. Thanks to Tally, Schnucks now has access to insightful shelf data that bolsters Schnucks’ customer service, improves how products are organized and stocked, and that offers insight on the shelf and inventory optimization for the store, brands, and its delivery partners.
Tally robots’ average day includes perusing the floors three times per day and scanning approximately 35,000 products. By widening its reach to more stores, Tally robots will be able to scan over 1.5 million products and provide Schnucks with more accurate, frequent, and comprehensive insights into product flow and in-store operations.
Tally is also capable of the following:
- Conducting autonomous product audits, allowing store teammates to better serve customers
- Providing timely alerts for out-of-stock, low stock, and misplaced items
- Ensuring price tag updates are expedited to reflect price adjustments and promotions
- Delivering continuous in-store performance insights for brand and retail service partners
- Optimizing product location to create a more organized shopping flow and efficient planogram that works in concert with other technology
“Schnucks is deeply committed to exceptional customer service and has taken a tech-forward approach to improving in-store operations, which ultimately delivers a better shopping experience,” said Brad Bogolea, CEO of Simbe. “Tally has provided Schnucks with a deeper understanding of inventory flow and shelf health, and the results exceeded expectations. We look forward to our continued partnership and bringing digital-grade insights to even more of Schnucks stores.”
Tally currently operates in the following Schnucks stores:
- Ballwin - 15425 Manchester Road, Ballwin, Mo. 63011
- Woods Mill - 1060 Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, Mo. 63017
- Des Peres - 12332 Manchester Road, Des Peres, Mo. 63131
- Webster Groves - 8650 Big Bend, Webster Groves, Mo. 63119
Tally is slated to rollout in October or November in the following Schnucks stores, with more to follow soon:
- Sierra Vista - 1589 Sierra Vista Plaza, St. Louis, Mo. 63138
- Cross Keys - 13897 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, Mo. 63033
- Twin Oaks - 1393 Big Bend, Twin Oaks, Mo. 63021
- Granite City - 3100 Madison Ave. Granite City, Ill. 62040
According to a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, many of these stores are located near the 16 Shop 'n Save stores that are expected to close this month. As a result, Tally is expected to manage the influx of shoppers headed to different Schnucks stores.
Is Tally Schnucks’ secret weapon in the great grocery race? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the changing retail landscape.
TAMPA, FL - The day before Halloween is as good a day as any to celebrate, and why not celebrate with the news of IFCO’s new Vice President of Operations for its North America division. With more than two decades of experience in supply chain management, Heyler previously served as IFCO Vice President, East Area, from 2009 to 2013.
“I am proud to return to IFCO,” said Heyler. “The company has developed a strong reputation for developing and implementing fresh food packaging solutions that increase food safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency, while reducing costs for growers and retailers. That is something special and something I want to be a part of once again.”
For the past two years, Heyler has served as Chief Operating Officer of Pooling Provider, Hoover Ferguson Group, a former Brambles joint venture. According to a press release, he has served in a number of leadership roles in operations, logistics, transportation, and general management during his career. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Vermont.
“I am pleased Jon has agreed to rejoin the IFCO team,” said Dan Martin, President of IFCO North America. “A strong commitment to food safety and a culture of constant improvement are two of IFCO’s core operating principles, and Jon will provide the leadership, vision and superior execution we need to serve our customers, and their consumers, faster, better, and more completely than ever before.”
Heyler will lead IFCO’s strategic operations effort in the United States and Canada, where he will focus on wash operations improvement, asset management, and transportation. He assumed his role September 4; he is based at IFCO headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and will report directly to Dan Martin.
Congratulations to Jon on this new position!
GEORGIA - As we head into the colder months, there’s nothing like steamed vegetables to keep away the chill. One staple veg that you definitely can’t forget to include during these months is broccoli, and thanks to Hapco Farms, broccoli crop is looking swell for the rest of 2018.
Hapco Farms is winding down its Maine growing region and is gearing up for its transition to the South, with the season forecasted to be a good one. Currently, Hapco Farms is on schedule to keep customers and consumers well stocked with the green crop through mid-November.
“We are very lucky that Hurricane Michael did not impact our Georgia crop, and we are expecting good volume and a strong crop this season,” said Eric Scannelli, VP of Sales and Marketing, in a press release.
Hapco Farms will begin shipping broccoli from Georgia beginning November. After Georgia, the grower will move on to its Florida growing region come January.
Crowns and bunches of broccoli, as well as a wrapped product option, are available this season.
For more of fresh produce news like this, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.