ORLAND, FL - Sysco is expanding its fresh produce operations after revealing plans to double its FreshPoint Central Florida Facility in Orlando by adding 75,000 square feet to the original 76,000 square feet. To celebrate the coming expansion, Sysco announced it will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for government officials, associates, and other members of the community on May 23.
“FreshPoint is excited about the growth of our Central Florida business and the expansion of our facility in Orlando,” said Robert Gordon, FreshPoint’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud members of our communities and are excited by the opportunities our facility expansion will bring to expand our presence. We look forward to continuing to build relationships with our local partners and serving our customers with the increased capabilities our expanded facility will offer.”
FreshPoint, Sysco’s specialty produce company, will be receiving an 18,000-square-foot FreshCuts processing and production room for fresh cut produce as part of the expansion. With the new FreshCuts system, waste like cores, seeds, and skins will be ground up for composting as a way to save fuel and energy. Sysco will also be adding LED lighting and battery charging stations with Rapid-Charge technology to further sustainability efforts.
The expansion project is scheduled to take approximately one year and will provide 250 construction and support jobs during this period, according to a press release.
For more of the latest produce news like this, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SEATTLE, WA - Audrey Desnoyers’ produce career began in 1998, when she took to the streets in a lime green bug, offering samples of Zespri®’s kiwifruit to the public. This passion and dedication to the brand gave her the reputation of a trusted and effective leader within Oppy, and her impressive track record has only gotten more substantial. Recently promoted to the role of Oppy's Seattle office Sales Manager, Desnoyers will lead the company's Seattle-based sales initiatives.
“I look forward to the new challenges that the Sales Manager role will present, drawing upon my experience and enthusiasm to enable the sales team in Seattle to realize our potential and achieve our significant goals in the market,” Desnoyers said in a press release. “I appreciate the growth opportunities that Oppy has offered me throughout my career in the fresh produce industry.”
Serving as Oppy’s National Business Development Manager since 2015, Desnoyers began driving sales through creative promotion and marketing strategies, while mentoring and managing a high-performing team of outside sales professionals.
“Audrey has a skillset we believe is unparalleled in the industry,” said Brett Libke, Vice President of U.S. Sales. “Her deep knowledge of our products, and her relationships with our growers and customers make her a true asset to our team. She is rising through the ranks of Oppy through incredibly hard work and personal effectiveness and a genuine love for what we do.”
He added that Desnoyers has been a key touchpoint between Oppy and the top 50 U.S. retailers and has established herself as a highly credible leader within the company’s sales and marketing group, as well as its executive team.
Desnoyers fills the position recently held by Category Director Roger Aguirre, who had been Oppy's Pacific Northwest Sales Manager since 2002. With this promotion, Desnoyer will oversee business development, enabling Aguirre to focus directly on the company’s apple and pear strategy.
Backed by a strong team, Desnoyers will report to Vice President of Marketing James Milne, and continue her pivotal role in elevating Oppy’s signature brands—like Zespri Kiwifruit, JAZZ™, Envy™ and Pacific Rose™ apples, Ocean Spray Family-Farmer Owned berries, Divemex, OriginO, Oceanside Pole, and more—at retail across the U.S. and Canada.
“Audrey personifies Oppy’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Milne said. “A natural problem-solver, she inspires others to tackle challenges with creativity and confidence. She’s shaped the business development role at Oppy into a powerful, results-driven resource that stands alone in the industry. She has also contributed at a very high level to Oppy’s numerous product introductions, including premium apple varieties from ENZA and, more recently, Zespri SunGold kiwifruit. We’re excited to see the influence her innovative approach will have on our sales efforts in the Northwest as she moves into her new position.”
Congratulations to Audrey on her new position!
PARMA, ID - And they’re off to the races! Tearless and sweet onions by Sunions™ are stepping out of retail locations and into consumers’ baskets, as the company makes headway into this inaugural season for wide retail availability.
“I was absolutely amazed with Sunions and now I am cooking them up like crazy,” said consumer Jeanie R., according to a press release. “They seriously taste like candy when caramelized!”
USA-grown, the product has taken three decades of research, development, and natural hybridization of Bayer Crop Science. The long-day sweet onion becomes sweeter and more tearless in storage, and most other sweet onion options during Sunions’ availability—November to April, typically—make their way stateside from South America.
This inaugural year has proven to be one for the books, with 1.2 billion media impressions in print, radio, web, and television media, including ABC’s The Chew and Good Morning America. In addition to these heavy-hitting media highlights, the company’s tearless, sweet onions enjoyed the spotlight from The Daily Meal, which told readers, “Onions that don’t make you cry are finally here and we’re crying tears of joy.”
The Huffington Post also reported on the company’s new-to-the-game variety, saying, “Put your goggles away, people!”
The company has teamed up with popular consumer sites like Buzzfeed Food, as well as YouTube influences The Brothers Green Eats. It has also put out a series of videos posted to Facebook and Instagram to get as many people in the know on what the variety offers, reaching almost 4 million viewers.
Other consumers raved over their experiences with the product.
“I want to compliment you on the best onions I've ever eaten in my life,” said consumer Rick S. “I can eat them like an apple.”
If consumers are wanting to incorporate your children into the meal-prep process, this item is making waves with families. Consumer Andrea D. said, “Because they are tearless, my children can help me chop, dice, and slice them.”
Other consumers are finding in Sunions’ product what they always hoped for in sweet onions. Consumer Shirley I., for example, stated, “Just tried your onions and they are the best. I have bought ‘sweet onions’ before and was always disappointed—I couldn't believe the taste of Sunions.”
A sensory panel authorizes the ship dates that follow a tightly-controlled protocol, which consists of both flavor and tearlessness. Sunions made it onto the retail scene in November of 2017, and the season ended in late April.
For more information on Sunions comprehensive marketing plant, point-of-sale materials, produce manager education, social media content, and consumer advertising and public relations campaigns, check out the company’s website at www.iheartsunions.com.
For more fresh produce industry happenings, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
BOISE, ID - Amazon made headlines earlier this year after launching the first cashierless convenience store. And, despite a few blips in the system, fellow grocery retailer Albertsons is eyeing similar technology to streamline the brick-and-mortar experience, according to a report by BoiseDev.
“We are experimenting with Amazon Go-like technology today where someone could come in and pick up a Plated order, it would know that you were in the store, it would tender an order and you could leave outside of the check stands,” said Shane Sampson, Albertsons' Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer, during an analyst day presentation last Tuesday.
Unlike Amazon’s technology, which spans the entirety of its store offerings, Albertsons is only piloting the tech for “a limited set of products like Plated and other prepared foods,” as a way to hone in on the grab-and-go items that are popular with millennial consumers.
While Albertsons has not yet begun testing its new technology, according to Albertsons Companies' VP of Communications and Education Christine Wilcox, the question remains: is the retailer considering expanding this technology to a store-sized format, further mirroring Amazon? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two 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:
- MVP Produce LLC, operating out of Ruskin, FL, for failing to pay a $38,810 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Patricia Martinez and Miguel Martinez were listed as members of the business.
- LDS Food Distributors Inc., operating out of Chicago, IL, for failing to pay a $46,154 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Amado Acosta and Cecilia Gonzalez were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders 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.
MURRIETTA, CA - West Pak Avocado has people talking about California avocados. According to the company, the latest buzz in small fruits and vegetables has increased the conversation about the Golden State’s green fruit, especially in terms of retail promotion.
“While exhibiting at West Coast, we recognized increased interest in smaller fruit due to consumer and market demand for single-serving avocados,” said Doug Meyer, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in a press release. “There was also a lot of interest in our I Love Avocados brand program, which has been gaining momentum steadily since its launch in 2016. In addition, bagged avocado demand is sustaining its strength and will continue to do so throughout 2018 and well beyond.”
West Pak’s previous programs have included AvoMonsters and I Love Avocados, campaigns intended to bolster produce sales. AvoMonsters educates families about the benefits of adding the delicious green fruit into their diets, and I Love Avocados inspires health-conscious consumers to live a nutrient-rich life by providing easy recipes for the superfood.
“In addition to a lot of new and innovative packaging for both fruits and vegetables, there was a fair amount of buzz surrounding California Avocado season,” added Sales Representative Susie Rea. "Retailers seemed confident again to run promotions through the summer months.”
For the latest in fresh produce news, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
STEVENVILLE, MD - You might have muttered to yourself “this is bananas” if you had to endure hours of traffic because of a toppled tractor trailer carrying actual bananas. That’s precisely what commuters had to endure in the Baltimore suburb, where a trailer went through one of the guardrails in the median of U.S. Route 50/301 around 3:15 AM Thursday, May 17, next to the westbound lane. It rested on the guardrails of the other side, preventing the trailer from making its way to the other side. Fire Chief Buddy Thomas stated that when he arrived at the scene, they found the driver out of the truck and sitting on the guardrail. He informed them that he was okay, and was checked out by paramedics at the scene.
No one was injured, but traffic was disrupted for hours as the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department cleaned up the scene.
“The bananas did not spill," said Lora Rakowski, Spokesman for the Maryland State Highway Administration. “We were able to avoid offloading through an extensive recovery process.”
This alone took about 4 ½ hours, during which Kent Island’s Volunteer Fire Department cleaned the diesel fuel off of the road and righted the trailer.
Suffice it to say, traffic certainly didn't find the accident a-peel-ling.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Lending its specialty food cred and exceptional specialty produce to a perennially popular event, Frieda’s Specialty Food has partnered with the Los Angeles Food Bowl to provide fresh produce for two of the world’s top chefs to create vegetable-centric dishes. Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken of the Border Grill hosted “Plant Power: The No Beast Feast” this weekend as part of the month-long food festival taking place throughout the Los Angeles area.
“All of the fruits and vegetables featured at this plant-powered feast are generously provided by Frieda’s Specialty Produce, a powerhouse in the produce world,” said Feniger, in a Frieda’s press release. “We’ve known and been inspired by Frieda [Rapoport Caplan, Founder of Frieda’s] for more than 30 years, and we’re proud to have Frieda’s as a partner for this delicious event that celebrates female empowerment.”
Guests at the “Plant Power: The No Beast Feast” were treated to a variety of vegetarian and vegan signature bites and an interactive dessert bar.
“These chefs are trailblazers and innovators, and we are delighted to supply them with produce that will inspire new food experiences for guests attending this culinary event,” added Alex Jackson Berkley, Assistant Sales Manager at Frieda’s.
According to Frieda’s press release, all proceeds from the event will be donated to Girls Inc. and the James Beard Foundation women’s leadership programs to support the advancement of young girls and the empowerment of women in the hospitality industry.
“We’re also proud to support these great causes to help girls become strong women and help strong women achieve their full potential,” added Berkley. “That is the spirit of ‘Inspire. Taste. Love.’”
In addition to Milliken and Feniger, participating chefs include cookbook author Nadine Redzepi (Noma), Monique Fiso of New Zealand (Hiakai), Akasha Richmond (Akasha), Antonia Lofaso (Scopa Italian Roots), April Bloomfield (Hearth & Hound), Brooke Williamson (Playa Provisions), Dahlia Narvaez (Mozza), Roxana Jullapat (Friends & Family), Shirley Chung (Ms. Chi), Dakota Weiss (Sweetfin/Estrella), Jazz Singsanong (Jitlada), Niki Nakayama (n/naka), Nyesha Arrington (Native Santa Monica), Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson (Kismet), Sherry Yard (iPic Theaters), Tanya Holland (Brown Sugar Kitchen), and Valerie Gordon (Valerie Confections).
For more fresh produce news, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Since insisting on more control of SuperValu’s Board back in February, Blackwells Capital, one of SuperValu’s largest shareholders, has been biding its time, waiting for the perfect time to strike a new deal with the retailer. The time came last week when Blackwells issued a letter to SuperValu that called (again) for the replacement of six members on its nine-member Board of Directors and threatened a full-on revolt at the next shareholder meeting if ignored again, according to a recent press release.
“We believe there is significant value in Supervalu’s assets, people, and business relationships. But, after years of continuous value destruction, as a result of what in our view has been a misguided and haphazard strategy overseen by this Board, we are compelled to drive change that unlocks value for the benefit of all Supervalu’s shareholders,” Blackwells Capital writes. “The company has reacted to our suggestions with what we believe are ineffective half measures. With the share price still trading near six-year lows after the recent fourth quarter earnings, it is more evident than ever that the markets have lost all confidence in Supervalu’s current strategy, and in a Board that does not lead, but simply reacts.”
In its letter, the investor, which owns a 5.2 percent stake in the company, expresses frustration with the lack of acknowledgement and action of its previous request. Specifically, Blackwells points out in its letter that it had nominated “six exceptionally talented, independent candidates, who each bring desperately needed experience in retail and wholesale grocery, logistics, sustainability, and corporate turnaround, as well as fresh perspectives,” but instead of reviewing their credentials, SuperValu “publicized [Blackwells’] nomination notice,” “mischaracterizing” its intentions and rights as a shareholder, according to Blackwells.
As a solution, Blackwells suggests, SuperValu “engage with [its] shareholders. Enter into constructive discussions about ways to strengthen this Board. Take the time to meet with each of [its] extraordinary board nominees. Fulfill [its] fundamental duties by scheduling an annual meeting.” If unheeded, or if “procrastination, delay tactics, and defensive half measures” continue, Blackwells will “provide every SuperValu shareholder with the last say at the upcoming annual meeting. There [SuperValu] will have what we believe is a clear choice: between the status quo, with an entrenched Board that has proven itself unable to set a winning strategy, or a slate of highly qualified independent board candidates who are prepared and committed to unlock value for all shareholders.”
Will Blackwells' airing of SuperValu's dirty laundry lead to action on the retailer's part? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest industry tea.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - IFG® is adding a new tool to help growers, marketers, and retailers take advantage of its increasingly popular table grape varieties. The company’s seedless table grapes varieties were approved for new price look-up (PLU) codes in early May. Assigned by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), IFG’s six new PLU codes capture the unique characteristics of its seedless grape offerings.
“We are thrilled to have these PLU codes assigned,” noted Andy Higgins, Chief Executive Officer. “Our varieties are performing well, and retailers and marketers are asking for them by name. These PLU codes provide another tool for marketers and retailers to uniquely position our varieties for maximum impact. Our groupings allow for clearer messaging and allow for varieties to be on the shelf correctly positioned and priced, year around. We look at this as a win-win for all involved.”
The company noted in a press release that IFG chose to group its varieties into categories to allow for maximum flexibility for the grower, marketer, and retailer.
The PLU codes and the grape varieties categorized under them are included below.
IFG® Core (red, black, green) Seedless Grapes
Table grapes in this category have specific characteristics to meet international grower and market needs, which include key table grape qualities like improved size, texture, coloring, yield, lower growing costs or focus on early/late season timing. The company noted that these grapes consistently perform and are recognized by consumers for their excellent eating characteristics.
IFG Core Red Seedless Grape varieties, under PLU code 3496, include:
- Sweet Celebration®
- Sweet Romance®
- Jack’s Salute®
IFG Core Black Seedless Grape varieties, under PLU code 3497, include:
- Sweet Surrender®
- Sweet Enchantment®
- Sweet Secrets®
- Sweet Surprise®
- Sweet Favors®
- Sweet Joy®
- Sweet Magic™
- Sweet Bond™
IFG Core Green Seedless Grape varieties, under PLU code 3498, include:
- Sweet Sunshine®
- Sweet Globe®
- Sugar Crisp®
IFG Novelty (red, black, green) Seedless Grapes
This category includes varieties that were created to “break the mold of table grapes known today.” Capturing new flavors, textures, colors, and shapes, IFG said these also deliver on the Core variety potential for more desired sizing, texture, coloring, yields, growing costs or harvest timing. Unique and novel, the company sees these table grape varieties as having the potential to inspire the category.
IFG Novelty Red Seedless Grape varieties, under PLU code 3499, include:
- Sweet Nectar®
- Sweet Mayabelle®
- Candy Hearts®
- Candy Snaps®
- Candy Drops®
IFG Novelty Black Seedless Grape varieties, under PLU code 3500, include:
- Sweet Sapphire®
- Funny Fingers®
- Candy Crunch®
- Candy Dreams®
IFG Novelty Green Seedless Grape, under PLU code 3501, include
- Cotton Candy®
For more breaking news on table grapes and other important categories in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.