SACRAMENTO, CA - That wonderful time of year where we shirk our own identities has come, and ANUK is shaking things up for our annual Yearbook by partnering with DMA Solutions. That’s right, we’re having a contest!
So, whether it’s in the office or with the family, if you are in our industry and putting on a costume, we want to feature you! And yes, favorite photos from Halloweens’ past also apply!
Enter our virtual costume contest by posting a photo on your Instagram (personal or professional) and tagging @dmasolutions and @andnowuknow for the chance to win $100 cash.
All entries MUST be posted on Instagram and have both companies tagged by 3 p.m. PST on Nov. 2 to qualify. Winners will be chosen on Nov. 3 and announced via DMA Solutions’ Instagram–good luck to all!
If you just want to join the fun but don’t want to enter the contest, you can always send us your Halloween-themed photos by emailing us directly at [email protected] and the team will ensure you are featured in our annual Yearbook.
Trick-or-treat, fact or fun, stay checked in with AndNowUKnow for all the latest in produce.
BUCKEYE, AZ — Duncan Family Farms announced the expansion of its DFF University continuing education program for employees. A longtime advocate and provider of employee support and training, the company formalized the program to sharpen its focus on helping team members advance their skills and grow their careers.
“One of the goals in creating DFF University was to develop a framework that will allow the program to continue delivering benefits to our employees now and in the future,” said Tina Huff, VP of Human Resources, in a recent press release. “Too often, well-intended education efforts run out of steam over time and are abandoned. We’re implementing cutting-edge course management technology and an education oversight committee as part of our commitment to supporting the educational and career needs of our workforce for the long-term.”
With Duncan Family Farms continued steady expansion, the company thought it was essential to implement technology and a curriculum that allows for standardized employee education across its seven locations. With courses like Our Culture, Management Musts, Food Safety Protocols, and Turning Leadership Aspirations into Action, DFF University’s curriculum covers everything from management practices, technical skills, operational expertise, language skills, team collaboration, and mentorship, as well as prepares employees for purposeful, sustainable company growth. And every course is available in English and Spanish.
"Duncan Family Farms is committed both to people and to excellence," said Huff. "DFF University is designed to support these endeavors with career path courses focused on two of our fundamental principles: collaboration and growth. We are excited to fuel the ongoing legacy of Duncan Family Farms!"
Duncan Family Farms, a leading grower of organic baby lettuce and greens, kales, and herbs, employs approximately 500 people across seven locations, including its most recent operations in Oregon and New York.
For more produce industry news, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - If your company is looking for fun ways to pair food items with fall’s cooler breezes, D’Arrigo California has your back. The company is offering new marketing assets under its Andy Boy label. To highlight its specialty items, the company’s revived marketing debuts new recipes, culinary videos, and photography that will make you drool like Dracula in the dusky hours.
Spooky Broccoli Rabe Breakfast Pastries
To work off Halloween’s irresistibility for customers, Andy Boy worked with The Girl on Bloor’s Taylor Stinson to reveal his fun and kid-friendly new idea. The mom-approved pastry is a hearty, savory, cheesy, and green breakfast option. For the recipe, click here.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Broccoli Rabe Salad
Once Halloween has left us until next year, Thanksgiving will be on everyone’s mind. The problem of what to bring to family dinners never escapes any of us. Andy Boy’s popular spin makes Thanksgiving easier–and greener–for them. For the recipe, click here.
Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Stuffing
An Andy Boy classic to continue to show your customers how one of the calendar's biggest eating holidays can still be healthy and simple. For the recipe, click here.
Broccoli Rabe Layered Root Tart
Here is something to address the fall restfulness that settles with the deepening of colors. A new dish, the tart is an indulgent fall option, catering to those who can’t get enough greens with earthy root vegetables and broccoli rabe seasoned to savory perfection, with fresh herbs, rosemary, and thyme. For the recipe, click here.
Pumpkin and Fennel Soup with Chili Oil
Some of the more diet-conscious customers might turn away from these rich options, but as the ever astute planner, Andy Boy offers this lighter alternative. How can a customer say no to a pumpkin bowl? For the recipe, click here.
These are hardly all the options. For more inspiration to offer your customers, no matter what they are looking for, look too Andy Boy by visiting its website: www.andyboy.com.
Further, while Andy Boy has been hard at work creating what seems like an endless array of recipes to offer your customers, D’Arrigo has been working towards breast cancer awareness.
“We are so proud of our partnership with D’Arrigo California and their Andy Boy brand,” said Myra Biblowit, BCRF President and CEO, in a recent press release. “To date, their efforts have raised over $1.7 million for BCRF, funding more than 34,000 hours of breast cancer research. By partnering with the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the country, D’Arrigo is making a significant and tangible impact, and bringing us closer to a cure. We are tremendously grateful to D’Arrigo California for their incredible commitment to this cause.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as the month trailed on, the company worked tireless to generate funds for research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and a cure. It has focused on the indiscretion breast cancer has on who it attacks, using the notion to promote everyone to get involved and spread awareness. As of 2017, D’Arrigo has donated over $1.7 million to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the company’s Andy Boy labels, bags, and boxes all proudly adorn a pink ribbon.
It looks like D’Arrigo has it all figured out–all its work and play helps to keep the doctor away.
For more produce industry news, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow.
ST. LOUIS, MO – Doorsteps were left mysteriously empty after everyone’s favorite Halloween squash seemed to sneak off in the middle of the night in the suburbs of St. Louis. Was it ghosts, ghouls, or perhaps the angry neighborhood witch? Shockingly, this Halloween mystery is just another case of teenage shenanigans.
U.S. News reported that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch began tracking down the vanishing pumpkins disappearing from subdivisions of Maryland Heights last week. Police have since caught the three pumpkin perps orange-handed with over 48 pumpkins and one gourd in their possession–their pumpkin-crammed SUV notably “top-to-bottom orange,” according to Captain Scott Will.
Hoping to restore Halloween and return pumpkins to their proper place as kings of the stoop, police posted a “pumpkin lineup” online for St. Louis residents to identify. After posting the lineup on Facebook, Captain Will said the police have been “inundated” with people coming to track down their Halloween décor. However, twelve pumpkins remain unclaimed and ready for carving.
Two 18-year-olds were charged with misdemeanor stealing, while a 16-year-old was referred to juvenile court. I guess that’s what you get when you mess with Halloween.
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - Will SuperValu be taking its store count to the chopping block in order to boost its value? If activist investor Blackwells Capital has anything to say about it, that could be just one of the proposed changes that come to fruition.
In a letter made public early this morning, Blackwells has called for the sale of around 30 percent of its stores, the divestment of several real estate holdings, and a “refreshment” of its leadership. Blackwells, which currently owns about 4 percent of SuperValu’s shares, is in the top 10 of the retailer’s shareholders.
“Supervalu is one of the country’s largest publicly held grocery distributors and retailers. We were initially attracted to the Company’s durable wholesale distribution cash flows, compelling acquisition strategies and real estate value of its owned distribution centers and stores. Despite these advantages, SuperValu’s stock price performance is abysmal,” wrote Blackwells Managing Partner Jason Aintabi in the letter. “It has underperformed all relevant benchmarks, including its closest peers, over 1, 3 and 5-year time periods.”
Furthermore, Aintabi outlines four potential initiatives in the letter that he believes would reposition SuperValu and “unlock value”. The four points are as follows:
Owned real estate
Aintabi suggests the company sell some of its 17.3 million-square-feet of owned real estate. Its analysis suggests SuperValu’s real estate value alone is worth multiples of its current market capitalization.
Retail grocery
Blackwell suggests the company steer away from some of its direct retail exposure and sell some of it’s “struggling” locations. Aintabi’s plan would see a sale of approximately 30% of the stores, while using the remaining ones to roll out delivery and meal preparation services.
Leadership refreshment and commitment
Aintabi is calling for SuperValu to supplement its leadership with new expertise, including filling the current CFO vacancy with a seasoned industry executive.
Capital allocation
Blackwell is suggesting SuperValu must begin paying a dividend and commit to growing that dividend over time, as well as implement a share buyback plan that will be “immediately defending shareholder value.”
"We take seriously all input from our shareholders," a spokesman from Supervalu told CNBC in a statement. "As we have publicly stated, we continue to evaluate and execute on various initiatives as part of our efforts to transform SuperValu and create value for our shareholders."
Blackwells and Aintabi are seeking to immediately meet with Supervalu's board and discuss its proposal. There has yet to be word if a meeting has been set, but as this story continues to develop, stay tuned to further updates from AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Ready your pointer fingers, the Snack Contest is on now!
If you received your October issue of The Snack Magazine featuring the amazing Chef Jet Tila on the cover, get it out and race to win $100 cash. If you haven’t, click here for the digital cover and try your luck.
Make Sure Before You Send:
- Are you pointing at the ANUK Apple Logo?
- Can we see your face?
Once those markers are checked off, race your friends and industry mates to emailing that photo to [email protected] and claim the $100 cash prize!
And remember, we select not one but TWO winners: the first overall entry from the industry and the first buy-side member of the industry.
Join the ranks of previous winners like:
- Joe Soe of Sobeys
- Lisa Kacur and Stephanie Cutaia of EarthFresh Foods
- Jennifer Velasquez of Golden Sun Marketing
- Kate Reeb of Veg-Fresh Farms
- Mimmo Franzone of Longo’s
- Scott Hakes of Ciruli Brothers
So snap your Snack and see who wins in tomorrow’s ANUK Newsletter.
Interested in receiving a copy of The Snack to give you a leg up in future challenges? Subscriptions are valued at $129 per year, click here to subscribe.
IRVINE, CA – The California Avocado Commission (CAC) is taking the produce industry by storm these days. At this year’s PMA, the Commission addressed goals such as engaging retailers, supermarket dietitians, the media, and avocado stakeholders.
“The Commission held some very productive meetings with retailers and avocado stakeholders in our Fresh Summit booth this year,” said Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing, in a recent press release. “The opportunity to network with industry leaders and key accounts at Fresh Summit provides remarkable value.”
The Commission is meeting with retailers and stakeholders to take on its ambitions. More specifically, the CAC worked with the nationally recognized and award-winning registered dietitian-nutritionist Manuel Villacorta. He is also the author of three books, with a fourth book on its way. Titled Flat Belly 365, this new addition to his published works will be available in January of 2018. Villacorta is also a health blog contributor for The Huffington Post and an on-air contributor for Univision. With 18 years of experience backing him, Villacorta’s involvement in CAC’s direction is an effort to engage supermarket dietitians who visited the booth at PMA.
“We all look forward to having a larger crop next year,” said DeLyser. “We’re returning from New Orleans energized and ready to build out our marketing campaign with a focus on those customers who support the California brand.”
As expressed at PMA, the Commission’s mission includes developing programs for supermarket dietitians as a customized marketing strategy for retailers.
For more news on developing strategies within the industry, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow!
SALINAS, CA – With 20 years of produce industry experience in tow, John Landa is ready to tackle Ippolito International’s sales.
“I’ve enjoyed the fast pace of this industry and am looking forward to continually learn as I ramp up with the growing Ippolito product line,” said Landa in a recent press release.
His experience spans from his early years on Fresh Network's brokerage side to his most recent position at Dole in Salinas, California, where he started working in vegetable sales before moving on to covering the full line of berries. Other roles he has taken in between have been at New Star as the Sales/Leaf Commodity Manager and Tanimura and Antle as the Cauliflower and Broccoli Commodity Manager.
“We are extremely fortunate to have John join our expanding sales team," said Dan Canales, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Processing, in a recent press release. “John has handled accounts in all arenas of the industry and areas of the country. He brings a wealth of experience that will complement our expanding needs.”
With a degree in food nutritional science from Fresno State University, the Stockton native has not only gone into the business aspect of his degree, but also leads an all-around health-conscious life. His interests include running, attending hot yoga classes, and spending quality time with his two sons when they ride their mountain bikes or do any other outdoor activities together.
The undertaking of his new role at Ippolito will include tasks such as handling sales and commodity management. Landa’s experience will only further establish this second-generation farming company.
For more news on Ippolito's growth and the produce industry, check back with us at AndNowUKnow!
LEAMINGTON, ON - Celebrating the golden anniversary mark, The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers met with more than 130 members and guests at the Pelee Island Winery in Kingsville, ON, earlier this week.
The 50th Annual General Meeting also saw a required election for District 1 of the over 200 growers, representing nearly 2,900 acres of high-tech hydroponic greenhouse production.
Following a vote, Kevin Safrance and Hilco Tamminga were elected for a second term, according to a press release, while Bill Heeg, Marco Hoogenboom, and James Neven acclaimed seats in District 2.
The new Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 fiscal year per OGVG are:
District 1
- Paul Mastronardi (1 year remaining) - Hazel Farms
- Jason Whitcher (1 year remaining) - Cecelia Acres
- Peter Quiring (1 year remaining) - Nature Fresh Farms
- Kevin Safrance - EnviroFresh Farms
- Hilco Tamminga - Truly Green
District 2
- Jan VanderHout (1 year remaining) - Beverly Greenhouses
- Mike Vanderzwet (1 year remaining) - St. David’s Hydroponics
- Bill Heeg - Sunchoice Greenhouses
- Marco Hoogenboom - Hoogenboom Family Farms
- James Neven - Foothill Greenhouses
District 1 growers who have acclaimed a seat as Committee Persons for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, with one vacancy, are:
- Albert Mastronardi
- Jim Slater
- Rodney Wright
- Jordan Kniaziew
Trish Fournier claimed a seat as Committee Persons for the 2017-2018 fiscal year for District 2, while four seats remain vacant. The Board said it will appoint members to fill vacancies as a Committee Person at the next Board meeting, currently scheduled for November of 2017.
Congratulations to all these produce pros on their appointments.
WOLCOTT, NY - It’s a seller’s life for Crunch Time Apple Growers, as the organization prioritizes a brand refresh for SnapDragon® apples with customer engagement. The end goal? The organization wants to produce more sales than ever before. The approach the apple growers are taking is multi-tiered, creating a new website, fresh social media channels, and a new look for the apple that will replace older varieties seen in produce aisles.
“Something we discovered when we executed our online strategy, was there was an audience of SnapDragon enthusiasts out there waiting for our apple and trying to buy it before we had even started picking,” said Rena Montedoro, Director of Marketing at Crunch Time, in a recent press release.
With a honed mindset on the desires of consumers wrapped up in their active lifestyles and looking for healthy snacks, new partnerships supporting the value proposition of SnapDragon Apples are the product of its recent brand refresh.
Montedoro then pointed to fans such as Debbie Selke of Schenectady, New York. “Mrs. Selke literally drove from market to market ‘Seeking the Snap.’"
From this experience, the Seek the Snap Campaign was born. The driven campaign will run from October 23rd through the end of December, said Montedoro. Facebook users can share where they purchased their SnapDragons to be entered in to win a tote bag and some of the organization's apples.
“We want to further engage our online fans as well as show retailers that consumers are demanding our product and sometimes go to great lengths to get their ‘Snaps,’” continued Montedoro.
As the official Apple Sponsor at the nationwide Tough Mudder events that tap into a 3 million viewer audience, the company is well on its way to creating a relationship with active consumers. The apple growers are also teaming up with Schwinn bicycles, which opened October 5th, for a prize-rich promotion. The partnership will be giving away a bike a week throughout November.
Promotions for SnapDragon Apple have proven to be fruitful as they have run throughout this season, with a reported 8,000+ people signed up within the first week for the bike promotion with Schwinn on SnapDragon’s website. Views have also jumped from 15 to over 85,000 within just 60 days for Facebook and Twitter.
“People love this apple. Our consumers tell us SnapDragon has replaced every other apple for them–including Honeycrisp,” said Montedoro.
While boosting posts has helped the organization, conversations with core consumer Facebook users has proven to be the real story, according to Montedoro.
SnapDragon has not lost sight of more traditional methods of marketing, as it returns to a variety of retailers for in-store demos for a personal touch with its fanbase. This has allowed consumers to discover the crunchy deliciousness of this artisanal apple variety.
For the 145 farmers growing SnapDragon Apples, who farm under the name of Crunch Time Apple Growers, this marketing exposure has been invaluable.
“Our most important marketing objective is to build our consumer base and share our exceptional apples with as many people as possible,” said Montedoro.
With attentive highlights specifically shed on the carriers of SnapDragon, Crunch Time hopes to drive consumers to its doors for purchasing.
For more bites into the the fresh produce industry, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow!