IMMOKALEE, FL - Fresh off the news of its expansion into greenhouse growing, Lipman Family Farms has announced a date for the company’s 4th Annual 5K Run for Backpacks. On Saturday, April 21, 2018, Lipman Family Farms will host its 5K run and a newly-expanded version of its Junior Fun Run format—now including a one-mile walk.
“This community event encourages healthy lifestyles and gets families outdoors participating in a fun, healthy activity,” said Jaime Weisinger, Community Relations. “And this year, with the addition of a one-mile walk, individuals of any age and ability can participate. The event raises more than $25,000 each year and continues to grow. It’s so exciting for all of us at Lipman to see communities come together to support the region’s children each year. We are so grateful for the growing enthusiasm around the event.”
Through sponsorships and event registration fees, Lipman’s annual event raises funds to purchase more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies for students in the Immokalee area each year, according to a press release. Backpacks are then distributed at Lipman Family Farm’s Backpack Giveaway event each August to help ensure local children have the supplies they need as they begin the school year.
The 5K and Junior Fun Run will take place at Immokalee High School’s Gary Bates Stadium. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., and the race itself begins at 8:00 a.m. Registration costs for the 5K Run are: $20 for a student, $30 for pre-event general registration, and $35 for registration the day of the race. Group discounted rates are available at $25. The Junior Fun Run is free. Registrants of all fitness levels are welcome, and participants will receive an exclusive t-shirt.
Interested parties can register prior to the event through http://www.lipmanfamilyfarms.com.
For more fresh produce news, stick with AndNowUKNow.
ATLANTA, GA - Growing produce is one thing, but getting it where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, is a whole other beast—and a beast with multiple heads at that. But one company is rising to the occasion. New in name, but not to the industry, CHEP Recycled is breaking out in 2018 with a new name and brand: 48forty Solutions. Previously owned by Brambles, which sold the CHEP Recycled business to private equity firm Grey Mountain Partners, this new go-to source for pallet management solutions is making its debut and generating excitement.
With pallet expertise at its heart; and technology, cost-efficiency, and most importantly, the customer at the forefront of the business, 48forty Solutions is newly minted and stepping onto the industry scene ready to change the game of recycled pallets. I spoke with CEO Kyle Otting and Vice President of National Sales, Marketing, and Customer Operations Hillary Femal to learn more about the company’s new solo venture.
“Under this new ownership, we have been given the opportunity to get back to operating as an entrepreneurial business,” Kyle tells me. “Considering we have over 2,000 competitors in the marketplace that have the ability to react very quickly, we need to be able to do the same. This new ownership structure will allow us to do that for the benefit of our customers, help us look for creative solutions to supply chain problems, and utilize technology to our advantage to drive cost-effective solutions and leverage our vast network.”
CHEP Recycled brings the new 48forty Solutions well over twenty years of experience in the industry and this is the first time in twenty years that the entity has had its own purpose.
“We define that purpose as offering simple, cost-effective pallet management solutions to our retail and manufacturing customer bases,” Hillary says. “We set our own strategy now. We put the customer first and foremost, both locally and nationally. We have strong relationships with our local manufacturers and retailers, which is the key to our growth, and our extensive network allows us to grow even more into areas we haven’t gone before.”
While the company is growing every day, Hillary tells me this growth did not come without challenges.
“We’re in the process of standing up on our own, and right now our biggest challenge is making sure we have everything in place to continue to operate as a sound business while running full speed ahead,” Hillary explains.
Now as a standalone company, 48forty Solutions is focused on these three strategies to better serve its customers:
- Offering a whole gambit of solutions relating to pallets and warehousing, including selling recycled pallets, purchasing used pallets, packaging supplies, and on-site services
- Building transparency and trust through rigorous safety, quality, and compliance programs while employing sophisticated IT systems that are transforming a traditionally paper-based industry
- Offering a better customer experience and helping customers live easier despite their busy schedules
Not to mention, 48forty Solutions’ company tagline is “Pallet management made simple,” something the company is using to differentiate itself at every step of its business. One way in particular that the business is proving its value is through an online customer portal where customers have the ability to order pallets at their desk online or through their smart phone, which Kyle says is a step in the right direction for our industry.
And, as a new company, I had to ask about the chosen name, 48forty, and both Hillary and Kyle laugh.
“48forty is a cheeky reference to the dimensions of a standard GMA pallet, 48 by 40 inches—the most well-known dimension for pallets. We thought the name would be memorable, fun, and reflective of our company culture now that we’re spun off from CHEP,” Kyle explains. “What we developed with our brand reflects what we are today: we’re entrepreneurial, we get better everyday, we roll up your sleeves, get our hands dirty, and get things done—that’s who we are and that’s who our customers are and so the look and feel of our name, brand, and logo reflect that.”
With a vast network of company owned facilities and assets, including a fleet of 4,500 trailers, 39 company-owned and operated U.S. facilities, six Canadian facilities, 180 affiliates, and 2,400 employees, 48forty Solutions is ready to be a one-stop-shop for the produce industry’s pallet needs from coast-to-coast.
For more on companies changing the produce industry for the better, AndNowUKnow will continue to report with the latest.
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 USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Moceri Food & Beverage Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $23,092 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Salvatore E. Moceri and Grace A. Moceri were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
- R. Ponce Produce Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $245,440 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ramona Ponce was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- CQP LLC, operating out of Downey, California, for failing to pay an $8,032 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Carlos D. Gallegos was listed as member of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Gaby Staben. She has challenged her responsibly connected status.
- Ye Hing Corporation, operating out of Rosedale, Maryland, for failing to pay a $148,512 award in favor of an Illinois seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Yuming Chen and Song Lin 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.
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.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Wonderful Pistachios has unveiled a brilliant green packaging refresh for the company’s Wonderful Pistachios No Shells variety, which is available in stores now. These nuts are everything consumers love about pistachios, from the unique taste to the health benefits, without the hassle of cracking open the shells.
This Wonderful Pistachios No Shells relaunch marks Wonderful Pistachios first foray into multimillion-dollar integrated marketing campaigns. The campaign will feature trade and consumer print and online advertising, public relations, social media support, and a large scale digital advertisement in Times Square, all of which launches this spring.
“Wonderful Pistachios No Shells delivers ultimate convenience to snackthusiasts, and has grown more than 50 percent across all channels, adding two million new households in the past year alone,” said Adam Cooper, Vice President of Marketing. “As Wonderful Pistachios No Shells maintains its rapid growth, we are confident this eye-catching new packaging will continue having retailers seeing more green.”
Wonderful Pistachio No Shells is available in Roasted & Salted and Lightly Salted, according to a recent press release, both of which are sure to jump off the shelf due to how easily they integrate into salads, baked goods, or as a topping on a main dish. And, of course, the pre-shelled nuts are a convenient and nutritious stand-alone-snack.
To stay in the know on packaging refreshes, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MISSION, TX - The Viva Fresh Expo, hosted by the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), is just around the corner! In preparation for the big event, Viva Fresh has announced the category finalists for the first annual Gateway to Innovation Awards recognizing expansion in the Tex-Mex produce corridor and excellence in areas like packaging design, new product development, food safety, machinery, software, and technology. With the opportunity to chair this year’s inaugural awards committee, I was able to immerse myself in the wonder and ingenuity that makes this show and region so dynamic. While these are the finalists for this program, may I say that all entries were innovative and exciting.
“We received a fantastic response for a first-year award program,” said Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO of TIPA. “The category finalists and winners will be prominently displayed outside the exhibit hall on Saturday, April 7 starting at 8:00 am so attendees will be able to view the region’s best products or services in the award category areas as they head to the show floor. We’ve created a unique and original display as a ‘wow’ moment for the Expo.”
This year’s award contest was open to all Viva Fresh exhibitors, according to a press release, with category finalists and winners examined based on a strict set of criteria and chosen by a panel of judges that included retail, foodservice, and produce industry veterans. The 2018 Gateway to Innovation Award Finalists include:
Most Innovative Fruit Product:
- Marvelous Jackfruit as Meat Substitute from Cabefruit Produce LLC (Booth 97)
- Mission Minis (Conventional and Organic) from Mission Produce (Booth 28)
- Winter Sweetz from Lone Star Citrus Growers (Booth 79)
Most Innovative Vegetable Product:
- Honey + Vinegar Golden Beets from Love Beets USA (Booth 32)
- Lorabella Blossom 'blissfully bright' tomato from Village Farms (Booth 129)
- SUNSET® Aloha™ Peppers from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
Most Innovative Fruit Packaging or POS Solution:
- Autumn Glory Pouch Bags from Domex Superfresh Growers (Booth 5)
- Black Label by London Fruit (Booth 67)
- Halos Tree and Tractor Display from Wonderful Citrus (Booth 82)
- Winter Sweetz from Lone Star Citrus Growers (Booth 79)
Most Innovative Vegetable Packaging or POS Solution:
- Cherto Gourmet Cherry Tomatoes On The Vine from Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
- SUNSET® Sweet Bites® Pail with SUNSET Snack Pack™ from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
- Veggies To Go from Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
Most Innovative Value-Added Solution
- Beet Salsa by Love Beets USA (Booth 32)
- Hummus (Homestyle Hummus, Parsley Hummus and Red Pepper Hummus) from Del Monte Fresh Produce (Booth 149)
- SUNSET® You Make Me™ Pasta Kits from Mastronardi Produce (Booth 146)
Most Innovative Technology Application or Software
- ALC Dock Scheduling from ALC Logistics (Booth 38)
- Food Safety by ScanTech Sciences
- Micro-budded, small tree, and higher-density citrus farming under HLB conditions by US Citrus, LLC (Booth 44)
- Mucci International Logistics App by Mucci Farms (Booth 86)
Most Innovative Product Solution
- Single Entry: Food Safety by ScanTech Sciences
Most Innovative Equipment:
- Single Entry: Pouch Bagger by Fox Packaging (Booth 64)
And, if you’re planning on attending this year’s event, don’t forget to vote via text or online! A Best of Show winner will be selected by popular vote on Saturday, April 7, and announced at 3 pm during the Expo. For more information on this must-attend event, visit VivaFreshExpo.com.
Viva Fresh Expo FullTilt MarketingTexas International Produce Association
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Making its first acquisition since the 1990s, Raley’s has announced plans to buy six Northern Nevada locations owned by Scolari's Food and Drug. Under the terms of the deal, Raley’s will assume operations of the acquired location and transfer them under the Raley’s banner as the retailer looks to expand its footprint in Nevada.
“I am pleased that Raley’s will reach and serve even more customers,” said Michael Teel, Raley’s Chairman and CEO. “Making healthy and affordable food available to more people aligns with our purpose to infuse life with health and happiness, by changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time.”
Raley’s has been a supporter of communities in Nevada since 1959, according to a press release, currently operating eleven Raley’s locations, one Food Source, and two Aisle One fuel stations in the state. Under the new agreement Raley’s will purchase five locations of Scolari's Food and Drug and one Sak ‘N Save, bringing the retailer’s total operations in Nevada to 19.
“The network of Scolari’s stores offers great synergies in a market we already operate,” added Raley’s CFO Ken Mueller.
Raley’s predicts the transition to the new banners will be complete by late spring of 2018. Raley’s will transition the five Scolari’s locations to the Raley’s banner, while the one Sak ‘N Save will keep its name and operate as part of the Food Source division of Raley’s.
“We expect to build on the existing customer base by offering even more products and categories at a price that is affordable. The Raley’s team will actively listen to customers, and we look forward to learning what the customers want and need from us,” said Keith Knopf, Raley’s President. “We take seriously the stewardship passed to us by the Scolari’s family and will work to preserve the positive impact they have created.”
Joey Scolari, Chief Executive Officer, Scolari’s Food & Drug, will continue to operate and serve its customers in Sparks and Sun Valley, along with the Scolari’s family.
“With complementary markets and strong family values, we believe Raley’s was the right partner to assume the operation of the six locations of our family business,” explained Scolari. “We are confident our customers and employees will be served well under the stewardship of the Raley’s organization.”
Raley’s last major acquisition moves occured in the 1990s, when the grocer purchased two other family-owned grocery brands, Nob Hill Foods in the Bay Area and Bel Air Markets in the Sacramento region. In total, the company operates 122 stores under four banners. With the addition of the Scolari locations, Raley’s store count will now reach 128.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - After a three-year run on YouTube, Sarah Strohl of Sarah’s Great Day is off to college and leaving her show in the hands of her mother, Founder/Owner of United Media Now Productions Valerie Strohl. For a refresh on Sarah’s story, see our previous coverage here.
With the help of a partnership with The Produce Moms’ Lori Taylor, Sarah is taking her next big step and is off to George Mason University Mason Life Program. One of just nine females accepted into GMU’s Mason Life program, her resume with United Media’s work on The Produce Moms account and Sarah’s Great Day helped get her into this competitive program.
The two business-savvy mothers took some time to look back and tell me about the key role their partnership, and fresh produce, played in changing lives like Sarah’s.
When does Sarah start, and where does she hope this opportunity will lead her?
Valerie Strohl (VS): Sarah starts school on August 22 and is excited to experience a traditional college experience. She will live on campus, walk to class, and get involved just like any other student. She will focus on continuing her education and is excited to meet new friends. I think she will do well in her cooking class! When Sarah completes her four years at GMU, we hope that she will move back home, obtain employment, and live independently. Honestly, we don't look at this any differently than her two older sisters. She's going to learn and grow. Her dad and I are just excited to be empty nesters next year.
Because, of course, we love our fruits and veggies, tell us a bit about how this program and helping people like Sarah further helps spread fresh produce love for cooks to come?
Lori Taylor (LT): Valerie taught me a lot about the community of people with disabilities. I had no idea over 20 percent of households include a person with a disability, furthermore the data surrounding obesity and other wellness concerns among this demographic. It’s always important that we promote fresh produce consumption. I am confident that our alignment with United Media Now Productions encouraged many of the households and people with disabilities that follow Sarah online to try new produce.
VS: This area is very important for people with disabilities. Weight gain is at an epidemic level in the disability community due to boredom, lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and low muscle tone. Needless to say, this leads to high levels of depression too. Being able to promote healthy food options that are EASY is critical to the success of losing weight for this community. By learning that fresh fruit and vegetables are actually tasty and fun to work with is important. I am hopeful that someday we can create quick videos for this at-risk population.
Looking back, is there anything you care to add?
LT: It’s been a wonderful, fairytale-type of business story. I will miss working with Val and Sarah very much…but our inspiration and catalyst is off to college, which is really what makes this the fairy tale. A new chapter for us all begins this Friday. The Produce Moms will be announcing our new media and kitchen partner later in the Spring. As emotional as change can be for us all, I have great peace with this transition and feel that we did some truly amazing work. I will always remember my work in Val & Sarah’s home kitchen among the best moments of my professional career.
VS: I will echo the statement of this being a fairytale-type of business story. Lori mentioned our role in advancing her brand and mission, but her faith in our company and these kids helped us grow to be a great video production company. The work these kids were able to produce is pretty incredible and trust me, Lori never gave us a pass. She helped and pushed us to do great things. We will obviously miss working with The Produce Moms, but are excited for this next chapter for our company and to continue our work in video production in other industries that are surrounded by food. I can say, with certainty, there will never be anything similar to this business relationship in my career again.
Lori added a big thank you to the Produce Mom Family of Partners, which provided a constant demand for videos and media work. As for Valerie, Sarah will be gone, but the company survives under the new name Specialty Food Videos. The team will continue to do videos for the disability community under the United Media banner and stay true to its mission.
Tune in this Friday at 11 a.m. EST on The Produce Moms’ Facebook page to see this dynamic trio together one more time!
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Despite having recently declared bankrupcy and closing more than 94 stores, as we previously reported, Southeastern Grocers has announced plans to expand its Fresco y Más Hispanic banner into Southern Florida with three new stores divided between Orlando and Tampa. This expansion is part of Southeastern Grocers’ commitment to ensuring that it meets the desires and needs of local communities with items and amenities authentically tailored to their needs.
“Our customer and associate responses to Fresco y Más have been extremely positive, and we’ve been successful in tailoring each Fresco y Más store to the need of the individual communities. We are confident that now is the time to introduce Fresco y Más into Central and West Florida neighborhoods and offer those customers an authentic Hispanic grocery store experience. We are excited to give our loyal customers a store they can count on while providing exceptional service and quality products,” said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO.
The new Fresco y Más locations are as follows:
- 8424 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 33615
- 4056 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
- 7382 E. Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32822
The new locations will begin serving the community in April, according to a press release from the Fresco y Más, offering consumers an enhanced shopping experience with a wide variety of products at a low price point.
To follow new retail openings, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
TORONTO, ON - Together, Fruits from Chile and the Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) collaborated to develop a series of innovative marketing programs for Chile’s seasonal fruits. Aptly dubbed Produce Made Simple, the series promotes Chilean blueberries, stonefruit, and grapes to consumers.
“The Produce Made Simple marketing tool allowed us to reach consumers at a fraction of the cost compared to other marketing programs,” Susanne Bertolas, Eastern Canada Merchandiser for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, commented. “Analytics were reported in an organized and easy-to-use format. The entire team at OPMA, quite simply, made it simple.”
A few of the highlights from the OPMA and Fruits from Chile collaboration included:
- TV promotion on three news programs in Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Ottawa with approximately 1 million media impressions
- An original cooking show promoted LIVE on Facebook and further promoted on YouTube
- A series of fun, fruity cocktail recipe videos with millennial influencer, “Do the Daniel.” This program also included a trendy, smoking dry ice cocktail
- Additional influencer collaborations with popular Ontario bloggers such as Cravings of a Lunatic and Seasons & Suppers
- Extensive online promotion via Produce Made Simple’s channels with four additional new videos, including one to promote National Blueberry Pancake Day!
The OPMA’s successful Produce Made Simple consumer program was the catalyst for the initiative, according to a press release, with over 250,000 monthly impressions across its social media platforms.
For all the latest marketing moves to promote eating fresh produce, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Let’s be honest: if I was a Postmates deliverywoman and my average Saturday was rocked by Chrissy Teigen’s name appearing in my dock, casually requesting fresh produce, I might run all over town, collecting all the fresh fruit and veg I could find, just to appease a modern-day queen. It's relatable.
This past weekend, according to Los Angeles Times, Chrissy Teigen attempted to place a simple order of five limes via Postmates. But, instead of receiving a normal amount of the tiny fruit, Teigen was delivered five bags for a grand total of almost 200 limes.
And, naturally, when life gives you 200 limes, you make more than enough baked goods—which is exactly what the model did. Taking to Twitter, Teigen kept her followers updated, tweeting a photo of her dubbed “couch lime command station,” and followed up later with the tweet, “I’m still making pies. I don’t even like lime.”
The celebrity ended up with a piña colada key lime pie, a key lime banana custard, and a key lime cheesecake, which tragically fell on the floor and was turned into cheesecake puddings with crust crumbles.
History has a funny way of repeating itself; this isn’t the first time Postmates has delivered more than enough fresh produce to Chrissy Teigen’s doorstep. In January, she tried to order six bananas and instead received six bunches of bananas.
While Postmates and other online food delivery services iron out the kinks, maybe Teigen should return to crowdsourcing as a means to last-minute grocery shop. But until then, I’ll be on Twitter, awaiting the next Chrissy Teigen produce adventure.