BURLINGTON, WA - The demand for squash has grown in leaps and bounds over the years due to everything under the sun, from a changing demand for different tastes and textures to a health-forward need to bring a nutritious item to the plate that both elevates and energizes. Bay Baby Produce is rising to meet the challenge and helping to make squash a staple, from sweet to savory.
“The younger generation has made winter squash cool again,” Michele Youngquist, Owner of Bay Baby Produce, tells me. "They are a lot more health conscious—from eating to exercising. They’ve found unique ways to utilize squash in place of higher calorie foods, such as using spaghetti squash in place of pizza crust, pasta, or even as a great baking ingredient. Squash is very low in calories and carbs. It is also great for your heart and digestive health. Try out demos in the produce department. They just might like it!”
With squash in year-round demand, Bay Baby is bringing retailers three of the produce department must-haves for squash: Spaghetti, Butternut, and Acorn. And as the Delicata continues to move up the ladder, it is coming up on a year-round season in certain locations.
When I ask Michele how she recommends retailers tap into this category growth, she tells me that her customers are always looking for different and unique items.
“Many are looking to offer something their competitors aren’t offering,” she says. “With so many foodies out there, they’re all looking to cook and create new flavors for themselves and their loved ones. Being the first to cook and share a new item and recipe is like teaching. The foodie, cook, and teacher is sharing what a great, versatile veggie squash has become.”
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, squash is more and more finding a permanent place on the plate.
NEWARK, DE - With PMA Foodservice in the books and PMA Fresh Summit around the corner, its once again time to pick your brains for your nominees for the Produce Marketing Association’s 2018 awards of excellence; including the Robert L. Carey Leadership Award, the Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award, and the Floral Marketer of the Year Award. Nominations are due by August 10th, and winners will be announced at Fresh Summit in Orlando, Florida, October 18-20.
Here are the following PMA awards accepting nominations:
Robert L. Carey Leadership Award
The Robert L. Carey Leadership Award is named in honor of Bob Carey, who served as CEO of PMA for 38 years. The award recognizes a PMA member who demonstrates uncommon leadership skills and an unparalleled commitment to PMA and the fresh produce and floral industries.
Bill Schuler of Castellini Group was the winner of the 2017 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award and was recognized for his integrity, honesty, and strong vision for the fresh produce and floral industry.
Bryan E. Silbermann Award
The Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award honors a PMA member who has addressed an issue and/or challenge through collaboration in their work to advance the fresh produce and floral industry.
Tim York of Markon was the first-ever recipient of the Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award in 2017. York has been described as a leader who takes initiative on every project and someone who is truly committed to the betterment of the industry, according to a press release.
Floral Marketer of the Year Award
The Floral Marketer of the Year Award recognizes a PMA member in the mass-market floral industry who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to the industry that goes above and beyond.
Juan Carlos Hannaford, President of The Elite Flower, was chosen as the recipient of the 2017 Floral Marketer of the Year Award for his strong commitment to customer service, philanthropic attitude, and other attributes.
Want to nominate your own worthy candidate for any of these three awards? Click here and fill out the form by August 10. Happy nominating!
BOSTON, MA - The Beantown recently had a crackdown on drugs. A Revere man was working at Boston’s Haymarket, historically known for its fresh fruit and vegetables, when he was found selling both heroine and cocaine near a produce tent.
According to the Boston Globe, the suspect was under surveillance after he was seen making a street-level drug transaction behind a dumpster on Blackstone Street around 11:50 a.m. on Friday, July 20th. From there, he returned to a produce tent, where he looked to be employed, a police report expresses. Another person came up next to the produce tent, when the suspect engaged in another drug exchange, at around 12:45 p.m. After the second incident, officers placed the suspect in custody.
The suspect was holding 43 bags of heroin weighing about 20 grams, as well as 14 bags of cocaine and $638 in cash. He will be charged with Distribution of Class A Drugs in Boston Municipal Court.
For more fresh produce happenings, stick with AndNowUKnow!
SALINAS, CA - Our industry faces challenges every day. While some are solvable within minutes, others require innovative solutions implemented by teams over time. With ongoing labor shortages around the country, Taylor Farms Foodservice, which provides foodservice for Taylor Farms, is tackling the issue head on with technology and automation.
I spoke with Rodger Arroyo, Sales Manager, to find out more about the solutions Taylor Farms Foodservice has come up with in order to keep operating full speed ahead.
“One of the focuses we are really looking into is the labor issue; the shrinking labor force coming in from not only our plant operations, but also from the field operations,” Rodger told me. “Key ones are: automated harvesters out in the field, and within the plant, we have robotic arms that are actually packaging and place-packing product, as well as palletizing at the end.”
With this tech implemented in the fields and plants, taking part in all sides of operations, Taylor Farms and Taylor Farms Foodservice have been able to keep up with the industry and consumer demands with new investments.
“We have the ability to invest in our company, and we have five lines that are fully automated. By the end of the year we’ll have nine automated processing lines,” Rodger continued.
To find out more about how Taylor Farms Foodservice is implementing solutions to mitigate labor issues, watch our exclusive video above.
For more news like this, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
DALLAS, TX - Sysco has announced plans to break ground on a new facilities expansion; the company will host a groundbreaking ceremony for government officials, associates, and other members of the community at its FreshPoint Dallas facility.
The groundbreaking will take place on August 6, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. CT.
“FreshPoint Dallas has been a proud member of the Dallas community for over 100 years, and we are excited about the continued growth of our business,” said Robert Gordon, President and CEO, FreshPoint, in a press release. “The expansion of our facility offers us the opportunity to serve our customers with increased value-added capabilities, including our custom fresh cut produce service, FreshPoint FreshCuts. In addition, it demonstrates FreshPoint’s commitment to the continued development of our long-standing relationships with our local partners, including local farmers, suppliers, and other business partners.”
When complete, the project will add 65,000 square feet to the existing 125,000-square-foot building at 4721 Simonton Road. The new expansion is expected to create approximately 80 jobs for the FreshPoint Dallas operation.
Additionally, the company noted, a number of sustainability initiatives are included in the project, which will employ two Eco-Safe Digesters for tomato waste and LED lighting. The facility will also include a FreshCuts processing and production room for fresh cut produce, and a Reyco system that takes waste and grinds it for compost, saving fuel and energy and reducing the Company’s carbon footprint.
For more on facilities expansions, growing fresh food companies, and general produce news, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
CINCINNATI, OH - The Castellini Group of Companies announced that it is bringing on two executives, Brian Jenny and Greg Kurkjian, to help with the growth strategies of the company. Jenny will join CC Kitchens, LLC, as Vice President and General Manager in charge of both plant locations in Sharonville, Ohio, and Atlanta, Georgia. He will have total P&L responsibilities, including operations and sales. Greg Kurkjian will join Crosset Company, LLC, as Vice President and General Manager. He replaces the retiring VP and General Manager, Tim Shepard.
Brian Jenny has vast experience across various food companies throughout the US. He has served in sales, business development, operations, and marketing for companies including Naturally Fresh, Monterey Mushrooms Inc., and most recently at Naturipe Farms, where for several years Brian led the sales, operations, and P&L for a fresh-processing business serving convenient, on-the-go produce.
Brian Jenny is also currently the Chairman of United Fresh Produce Associations Fresh-Cut Processor Segment Board. Brian graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and applied economics.
“We are fortunate to have Brian Jenny become a leader at the Castellini Group of Companies,” said Brian Kocher, President and CEO. “Brian brings extensive retail, fresh-cut fruit processing operations experience to CC Kitchens, LLC. He’s led a multi-facility business through start-up and expansion.”
Greg Kurkjian served as Retail Sales Director for Club Chef for the Castellini Group of Companies from 1995-1998. Kurkjian has developed a broad experience base leading sales efforts with leading produce companies Fresh Express, Mann Packing, and Ready Pac Produce, and most recently at IFCO Systems, the RPC’s pooler.
Kurkjian was a member of the United Fresh Produce Association’s prestigious leadership program Class 7, and recently served as Chairman of the Alumni Leadership Board, according to a press release. Greg graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Science Business degree, and earned his MBA from Loyola University in Chicago.
“With Greg’s P&L experience and ability to grow topline businesses through development of strategic account planning, customer value propositions, and go-to market strategies, we are confident in his ability to lead a smooth transition at Crosset Company, LLC,” stated Kocher.
Both Jenny and Kurkjian will join the executive leadership team for the Castellini Group of Companies.
Congratulations to Brian Jenny and Greg Kurkjian on this next chapter!
FRESNO, CA - In fresh produce, your business is only as good as your partnerships allow you to be. For Famous Software and Walmart, that means both businesses are thriving. As of this summer, the software company has hit over over one million successful transactions between Walmart and its customer base through the use of Famous Integration Services (FIS) product line.
“Famous Software has offered a seamless integrated EDI solution since 2001, and PTI data has been generated with the use of our ERP system for over seven years. We have over 1,500 fresh produce customers, and working directly with retail partners such as Walmart to provide value to our customers is of the utmost importance to us,” shares Heather Hammack, President.
Using the FIS line allows companies to electronically trade with their customers and suppliers either directly or via the iTradeNetwork, making transactions with Walmart efficient and accurate for large and small enterprises alike. The feedback from Famous’ customers has been one collective sigh of relief, Heather tells me. These are just a few highlights customers say make FIS products an obvious choice for their integration needs:
- Fewer Clerical Errors
- Faster Communication
- Improved Product Tracking
- Less Paperwork with Corresponding Cost Savings
- Famous to Famous
- Improved Order Tracking
- Meets Large Customers' Requirements
- Invoices Get Sent Sooner and Paid Sooner
Further, when Walmart announced that it would be requiring both Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) labels and Advanced Ship Notification (ASN) information earlier this year and that the programs would be implemented in mid-2017, Famous Software was ready to assist its over 100 customers who trade with Walmart. Using the FIS product line, Famous was able to share the data Walmart was requesting from its suppliers in advance of receiving their shipments, expediting the process and providing more visibility throughout the supply chain.
With one million Walmart and Famous transactions in the books, this fruitful partnership is nowhere close to slowing. Walmart will be increasing the number of customers it requests implement PTI and ASN requirements based on the seasonality of what each company supplies. Don’t be the last to have Famous Software walk you through what you need to know.
NEW YORK, NY and BOISE, ID - Albertsons Companies is partnering with venture capital firm Greycroft to create a $50 million fund, the aim of which is to help grow emerging companies and technologies in the grocery sector.
“Albertsons Companies is committed to meeting customers wherever and however they like to shop, and part of that is being at the forefront of the tremendous innovation our industry has seen over the last five years,” said Shane Sampson, Albertsons’ Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer, in a press release. “As we saw with our recent acquisition of Plated, Albertsons Companies has the capital, scale, and expertise to power future growth of the most promising emerging businesses and technologies across the food and grocery space. We are thrilled to be partnering with Greycroft, whose investment acumen and relationships are positioned to be key drivers of our success.”
Using Greycroft’s investment expertise and connections into the early-stage technology industry and Albertsons Companies’ grocery savvy and coast-to-coast footprint, the fund will help Albertsons execute a broader technology strategy and provide insights and opportunities to partner with new and emerging technologies impacting the grocery sector.
According to the companies’ press release, Albertsons is already a leading presence in e-commerce home delivery in 8 of the top 10 MSA’s in the United States.
“As our eCommerce companies scale, they often incorporate a brick-and-mortar strategy to reach the entire US market. This partnership with Albertsons Companies will enable our companies to tap into their 34 million weekly customers, across a wide range of industries including consumer products, healthcare, wellness, pharmaceuticals, and grocery,” said Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Partner of Greycroft. “We believe that consumers should be able to get access to these high quality products and services whenever they want, wherever they want, and that requires a coast-to-coast footprint.”
For more breaking news in fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - Sing it with me now… In the summertime, when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and… grab a bowl of strawberries! Well, I love to enjoy that year-round, especially when sprinkled with shimmering sugar for a bit of indulgence.
DelFrescoPure® is making sure consumers’ strawberry needs are met by moving forward with the second phase of its greenhouse-grown strawberry acreage, from six acres to a total of seventeen acres of production.
“Since our first introduction of our YES!Berries Your Everyday Snack!™, the national and local retailers have shown tremendous support of our Ontario greenhouse-grown strawberries program!” Carl Mastronardi, President, said. “With the commitment of the retailers and consumer demand, we continued with our vision on becoming the largest strawberry greenhouse grower in Ontario under lights.”
The expansion includes energy curtains and high-pressure sodium grow lights to provide a 750,000-square-foot controlled microclimate environment for growing strawberries—innovative technology which allows the company to grow during all seasons. Further, marketplace demands for locally sourced strawberries are on the rise, according to a press release. To meet those needs, the company’s technologically-enhanced expansion will be in full production by November of this year, bringing its Ontario greenhouse-grown strawberries to Canadian retailers and consumers.
“Our consumers are looking for a tasty strawberry with home-grown flavor!” Ray Mastronardi, Vice President of Sales, expressed. “With our innovative growing practices, we offer a high brix level strawberry full of traditional strawberry flavor and only use integrated pest management to deliver a clean and pure strawberry.”
The company’s Yes!Berries Your Everyday Snack!™ come in two packaging options: 12 oz and a three-pack of 4 oz called STACKERS™, which are available locally and to Canadian partners.
For more fresh produce happenings, check back with AndNowUknow.
WENATCHEE, WA - The care that goes into produce is seen in nearly every aspect of our business and is highlighted especially in Stemilt’s cherry growers. Kyle Mathison shared with us how Stemilt’s A Half Mile Closer to the Moon™ cherries became as delicious as they are.
“We’re a half-mile closer to the moon—at 2,600 foot elevation up in the hills of Washington State,” Kyle shares. “Here the nights are cold and the days are warm, and we’ve just had a full moon last night. The lunar gravitational pull is pulling aromatics, the flavors, the sugars, the firmness, up from the roots and into the tree.”
Kyle’s love of cherries is imminent, as he checks the dark-red gems for quality and taste. Joining him on this quality-checking adventure is Jewel Osco’s Scott Bennett, who shares with us just how tasty these fruits really are.
“They’re full of sugar, big and plump, almost like a two-biter cherry,” he exclaims. "They’re beautiful, quality cherries: high sugar and the best cherries of the season right now."
With cherries that gorgeous, who wouldn’t want to see them on retailers’ shelves? Both Scott and Kyle assure us that these cherries are getting ready to hit the market.
“I can’t wait to get these into stores,” Scott says. “Customers are going to go crazy over these!”
Indeed they are, because I simply can’t wait to get my hands on cherries that can boast they’ve been a half-mile closer to the moon.
For more, check out the video above.