MONTEREY, CA - Foodservice is where trends really find ways to take root and grow into movements. For D’Arrigo New York, foodservice is the next area of continued growth for the company. And with PMA Foodservice right around the corner, the company will be looking for the latest and greatest offerings to bring to the New York marketplace.
Gabriela D’Arrigo, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, joins me in the lead up to the show to talk about what she will be eyeing as she walks the floor in Monterey, California.
“We are really looking to focus on and expand our foodservice business in our marketplace,” she tells me. “Servicing what I think is one of, if not the most competitive ‘food hubs’ in the world, we are looking for partners to work with us to create new food trends, and not just follow them. The foodservice world is extremely competitive, and we are anxious to get aggressive.”
Gabriela adds that when selecting a supplier/distributor, pick a company that will be your partner—not just a pit stop. D'Arrigo New York takes pride in seeing its business relationships as partnerships with the company’s customers.
“D'Arrigo is a legacy of farmers and distributors with a deep bench of individuals who have skin in the game,” Gabriela reflects. “It’s not only what we do, its who we are.”
With PMA Foodservice just days away, our team is gearing up for the innovation and excitement in store as they pound the show floor.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Maya Fresh LLC, operating out of Forest Park, Georgia, for failing to pay a $16,400 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Doris E. Martinez was listed as a member of the business.
- Havana Produce Inc., operating out of Paterson, New Jersey, for failing to pay an $11,214 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Peter L. Perez was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- Paradise Produce LLC, operating out of Las Vegas, Nevada, for failing to pay an $8,197 award in favor of an Idaho seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eugene J. Hickey, Michael K. Rosenblum and William H. Rosenblum were listed as members of the business.
- The Chop Shop Produce Co. LLC, operating out of San Antonio, Texas, for failing to pay a $7,111 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jamie M. Gonzalez and James R. Smith were listed as members of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
LIVERMORE, CA - While I’m sure many of us can appreciate that few things worth having come easy, the Tour de Fresh is coming off of one day and going into another that both take this cliché to the next level.
“We’ve had one hell of a day. This is the craziest Tour de Fresh day we’ve seen in a while,” Cindy Jewell, California Giant Berry Farms’ Vice President of Marketing, told the group at dinner as we commemorated night two of the four-day endeavor; a feat that ended up not coming easily.
A few mechanical issues and a couple of falls on the road, then ending in the lobby of a hotel that misplaced the reservation of 50-plus people, made for one of the more challenging markers that go to show the commitment of those involved with this event.
“I have to tell you, I’ve never been at the front of the group,” Gina Cole, longtime support member and previous Tour de Fresh rider, shared last night. “I got to see them in action and see everyone work together, go really hard, and ride really freaking fast on hot, hard pavement.”
Teamwork is a key part of what fuels this ride. Cyclists hand empty bottles to moving vehicles, who hand cool ones back that they then distribute to the rest of their group, all while everyone manages a pace of up to 25 miles per hour on two wheels. They put hands on each other’s backs to give a helpful push, rather than see a member fall off from the group and have to ride alone.
This is not an easy thing to do. Cycling 300 miles, even—or especially—spread over three or four days, is not an easy thing to do. Nor is driving behind them praying that no one falls. Because even at a slow pace someone could get hurt.
Yet year after year, in the heat of summer amidst filling produce orders and the flurry of a coming food show, industry members return to raise thousands of dollars to make fresh produce accessible to the next generation of consumers. And they do so with an infectious enthusiasm and a spring in their step you would never expect from those spending five or more hours a day in a saddle (or support car) to not only ensure the next generation is exposed to and choosing fruits and vegetables, but that those serving them have more and more customers each year across the nation.
Today the team climbs Mount Hamilton, which stands at 4,265 feet, hopefully cresting the top before the maximum heat of the day kicks in.
Amidst this year's Tour de France, the inspiration for the name of the fundraiser, Axel Merckx, eight-time Tour de France rider and Olympic Bronze Medalist arrived to lead the team out and ride with them through the event's most challenging leg.
My hat is off to everyone that makes this event possible—from planning and logistics, to pedaling and fundraising, and even some haggling so they all have a meal to eat and a place to rest their heads at the end of every day.
Stay tuned as we watch these produce professionals earn every dollar that means another salad bar for schools.
NEWARK, DE - The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) recently announced the latest addition to its team: Trevor Suslow, Ph.D., as Vice President of Food Safety, effective October 1. He brings with him a wealth of produce safety experience that will help him better identify, design, and deliver food safety value to PMA’s members across the globe.
“At this point in my career, I feel this position will provide me the platform to have the greatest impact on technical leadership for PMA members, the broader industry, and affiliated stakeholders, as well as best serve the produce industry’s commitment to protect consumers around the globe,” Suslow stated in a press release.
Suslow will engage with members and other industry members, coalitions, regulators, and the food safety community to educate and advocate for a risk- and science-based approach to produce safety. Suslow will also work with researchers to facilitate produce safety research that can be translated into industry best practices, including representing PMA on Center for Produce Safety’s (CPS) Technical Committee, on which he has served since its inception. Suslow will report to PMA Chief Science & Technology Officer Bob Whitaker, Ph.D.
“An important challenge to enhancing produce safety is reaching those who need to be aware and who need to understand what the science is telling us,” Whitaker said. “Trevor has the knowledge in and passion for the subject, and has a proven track record as a produce safety educator who can translate the science of produce safety for stakeholders from field labor to industry CEOs.”
Suslow’s reputation precedes him. The association noted that he is widely recognized as a produce safety expert by industry, academia, government, and media. He joins PMA from the University of California-Davis (UC Davis), where, as extension research specialist, he has been researching, advising, and educating the industry and other stakeholders on post-harvest safety and quality. Committed to finding science-based solutions to impact produce safety and quality, Suslow has been an active researcher and has been widely published in science journals as well as trade and mainstream press.
A plant pathologist by training, Suslow has devoted his career to safeguarding and enhancing the quality and safety of whole and fresh-cut produce. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences and master’s and doctorate degrees in plant pathology from the University of California, Berkeley. He then helped found, and worked as a staff scientist and director of product research at, DNA Plant Technology Inc., an early agricultural biotechnology pioneer. Suslow joined UC Davis in 1995, and has led the university’s Postharvest Technology Center since 2016.
“In addition to being well-known and respected among industry and produce safety circles, Trevor brings an incredibly deep knowledge base, insights, and ideas that complement the leadership PMA has taken on food safety,” CEO Cathy Burns said. “His perspectives and connections will help us fulfill our mission and vision to grow a healthier world for industry and consumers alike. I am delighted to welcome him to PMA’s team.”
Congratulation to Trevor Suslow and the PMA team on this next chapter!
BENTONVILLE, AR - In a new strategy to stay on top of online grocery and delivery, Walmart is taking a back seat and asking its consumers to do the same in the name of innovation. While online grocery delivery services seemed pretty streamlined already, if you ask me—place an order online and wait for it to arrive for an easy I-don’t-even-have-to-wear-real-pants peasy grocery option—Walmart is changing the whole meaning of online grocery delivery and partnering with Waymo, a self-driving technology company, to shuttle consumers to and from stores in self-driving cars.
“We’re always thinking of ways we can serve our customers now and into the future. And we’re looking at different technology and capabilities that keep customers loving the time-saving, wallet-saving service that is online grocery for years to come. So, enter a small pilot project we’re running with Waymo, formerly known as Google’s self-driving car project,” writes Tom Ward, Vice President – Digital Operations, Walmart U.S., in a blog post.
Currently, the pilot is on track to offer services to 400 of Waymo’s daily users known as “early riders” in Chandler, Arizona. And, with many consumers still iffy about the lack of human drivers on the road, Ward notes that Waymo cars have safely self-driven over 8 million miles across 25 U.S. cities.
“The purpose of all of this: to learn. While giving customers a unique experience with amazing technology, we’re learning how we can make Walmart Online Grocery Pickup even more convenient. Waymo’s experience, industry leading technology, and mission on safety is helping us enter this space in the right way. We’re excited to see what this pilot and the future hold,” Ward continues in the post.
Similar to other online grocery services, the pilot asks consumers to place an order on Walmart’s website that will then be completed by personal shoppers. But instead of waiting at home, Waymo cars will take consumers to Walmart stores to pick up their groceries, in a kind of throwback to the old tradition of going to the grocery store.
Will more retailers pilot self-driving cars to innovate online grocery if Walmart proves successful? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on all grocery retail developments.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company (ALC) has announced the promotion of an experienced transportation industry professional to lead one of the company’s offices. Jared Shehan, who has been with ALC since 2016, has been promoted to Manager of the ALC Nashville office, bringing more than 10 years of industry experience to his new position.
“I look forward to leading the Nashville office,” Shehan said in a press release. “We will follow the mission statement and values of ALC to push us ahead of the competition and uphold the high standard of customer and carrier service and the great reputation of ALC. I would like to thank the executive team for giving me this opportunity.”
Jared previously served as a Business Development Specialist for ALC. He has, according to ALC, been a business development specialist at the company since August of 2017. Priorly, Jared served as a manager at JB Hunt Transport where he was involved in Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Intermodal, Brokerage, Final Mile, and several other services.
Jared also has experience working as a transportation analyst and purchaser, and he attended Iowa Western Community College and Buena Vista University.
“Since joining the company Jared has excelled at developing great relationships with our carriers and customers,” VP of Sales & Branch Operations Jim McGuire added. “We are excited about the direction of our Nashville office with Jared as our new manager, and we are confident it will flourish under his leadership.”
Congratulations to Jared on his new role, from all of us at AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Frank M. Minardo LLC, operating out of Gilbert, Arizona, for failing to pay a $26,308 award in favor of a Washington seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Frank M. Minardo was listed as a member of the business.
- Ricardo Betancourt, doing business as Betancourt Produce, operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $31,230 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ricardo J. Betancourt was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Seasons Best Produce Corporation, operating out of Lutz, Florida, for failing to pay a $16,400 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jason A. Canals was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- Exclusive Produce Inc., operating out of Brooklyn, New York, for failing to pay a $21,375 award in favor of a Nevada seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Farid Isakov was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
MUMBAI, INDIA - Creating an integrated patent and post-patent agricultural solutions business that is making waves all over the world is UPL Limited—the company recently acquired Arysta LifeScience, which is a leader in innovative crop protection solutions that includes BioSolutions and Seed Treatment, for $4.2 billion in cash consideration, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
“The acquisition of Arysta is a transformation transaction for UPL. Arysta has a differentiated position in the crop protection market given its focus primarily on specialty applications and tailored local solutions. This is in line with our long-term vision of becoming a premier global provider of agricultural solutions designed to secure the world’s long-term food supply. This transaction is a ‘perfect match’ with powerful synergies across geographies, crops, and products, strengthened through best-in-class manufacturing and differentiated R&D capabilities,” Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of UPL Jai Shroff shared. “We are bringing together two winning teams with strong values and successful track records to create a strong platform for our mission of Farmer First and sustainable growth. New UPL will focus on making agriculture more sustainable and farmers more resilient to the impact of climate change and is committed to speeding progress towards the UN’s 2030 sustainable development goals.”
The goal for the acquisition, which will create what the company is referring to as the New UPL, is to embody a persuasive value proposition for growers, distributors, suppliers, and innovation partners in a consolidating market. To bring the acquisition to fruition, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and TPG partnered with UPL Corp to support the proposed acquisition.
“The combination of Arysta and UPL, two remarkably complementary companies, will create a new paradigm in the crop protection market with an efficient supply chain and formulation innovation capabilities. This new company is positioned to provide deep and wide local customer solutions and selling presences for broad acre and niche crops and markets, and a leading bio-solutions business. With its scale and capabilities, we believe the combined companies will represent a compelling value proposition for growers, distributors, suppliers, and innovation partners in a consolidating market,” Rakesh Sachdev, CEO of Platform, which is Arysta's parent company, said.
According to a press release, the following in regards to financing the acquisition:
- Transaction is backed by a US $1.2 billion equity investment from ADIA and TG. ADIA and TPG will each invest US $600 million for a combined stake of 22 percent in UPL Corp
- UPL Corp has received debt financing commitments of US $3 billion for the balance of the consideration with bullet maturity of 5 years, from MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Coöperateive Rabobank U.A. (Hong Kong Branch)
- UPL targets to retain an investment grade credit rating following the transaction
- UPL has a proven track record of acquisitions and disciplined deleveraging and expects the combined business to deliver strong cash flows
The acquisition, which is expected to be completed in late-2018 or early-2019, is expected to lead to UPL’s annual run-rate synergies of over $200 million. In addition to these expectations, the combined New UPL looks forward to more opportunities to drive revenue growth thanks to the broader portfolio, geographic presence, and shared innovation capabilities.
“We decided to separate our business last year in order to position both the Performance Solutions and Agricultural Solutions businesses for future growth and additional compelling value creation opportunities,” Chairman of Platform Martin E. Franklin said. “This transaction with UPL creates an agricultural chemicals powerhouse with highly complementary capabilities. The future is bright for these businesses, and we are excited to see what the two combined companies can accomplish.”
For industry news on acquisitions and more, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow.
BOONE, IA - These days, meal kits are popping up left and right. Fareway Stores is jumping in on the action with its latest partnership with HelloFresh, a leader in the meal kit category, by offering the grab-and-go option in its store locations as of Monday, July 23. Gone are the days when customers needed to make multiple trips because one or two ingredients were forgotten from their grocery list; the meal kits will provide HelloFresh’s popular meal recipes with premeasured ingredients.
On top of this partnership, the company is also teaming up with FreshTake to provide heat-and-eat meals for consumers looking for convenience. Customers will find the meal kits in the refrigerated sections in Fareway Stores.
“Providing alternative meal options for our customers pairs Fareway’s commitment to offer fresh, affordable products with the convenience that people are looking for,” CEO Reynolds W. Cramer shared. “We are excited about these partnerships, and to initially offer these products in about forty locations, with expansion being planned to others.”
The HelloFresh items make mealtime decisions easy for consumers thanks to the easy-to-follow recipes, clearly stated nutritional information, high-quality ingredients sourced from farms, and convenient kits, according to a press release. Customers will be able to spot the Mediterranean Chicken, Peppercorn Steak, Chickpea Couscous, and more options at the following Fareway locations: Ames/Boone area, Clinton, Des Moines metro, and Geneseo, Illinois; Mason City/Clear Lake, Maquoketa, and Omaha/Lincoln, Nebraska; Rochester/Stewartville, Minnesota; and the Quad Cities.
Chef-designed meals from FreshTake can also be found in the stores, offering customers easy and quick options that grant folks less time working in the kitchen and more time to enjoy their meal and day-to-day happenings.
In-store and online promotions will be running to boost excitement around the new release.
For more fresh produce news, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - Some relief may be on the way for farmers who have been hit hardest by the emerging trade war between the United States and its trading partners. An aid package of $12 billion will use existing funding to lessen the estimated $11 billion impact of tariffs other countries have imposed on U.S. agricultural products.
According to a report from CNN Politics, the aid package will include direct payments to producers of key agricultural exports, a program to purchase surplus from some agricultural producers, and efforts to build out markets for U.S. agricultural products.
“This is a short-term solution that will give President Trump and his administration time to work on long-term trade deals to benefit agriculture and all sectors of the American economy,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue stated to reporters.
When Trump announced that the U.S. would impose $50 billion on Chinese imports, the Chinese government shot back with tariffs of its own on a variety of agricultural products. Other U.S. trade partners such as Canada, Mexico, and the European Union have also issued tariffs against U.S. agricultural goods, and farmers are starting to feel the impact.
Although Republicans on Capitol Hill did not directly criticize the President, some have spoken out against Trump’s tariff strategy, suggesting that the administration drop the imposed tariffs rather than roll out an aid program.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, tweeted, “Tariffs are taxes that punish American consumers and producers. If tariffs punish farmers, the answer is not welfare for farmers—the answer is remove the tariffs.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan stated that he doesn't think "tariffs are the right answer,” and Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, likened the aid plan to "gold crutches."
"This trade war is cutting the legs out from under farmers and White House's 'plan' is to spend $12 billion on gold crutches," Sasse said in a statement. "America's farmers don't want to be paid to lose—they want to win by feeding the world. This administration's tariffs and bailouts aren't going to make America great again, they're just going to make it 1929 again."
As the trade battle continues, AndNowUKnow will report the latest.