GREENSBORO, NC - The Fresh Market announced today the appointment of Larry Appel as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Appel joins The Fresh Market with nearly 30 years of experience in retail, legal, and corporate strategy.
“I am committed to reenergizing all that sets The Fresh Market apart as a great brand and retail store,” said Appel, according to a press release. “Its heritage and history provide a strong platform in continuing to define the company as a unique ‘specialty’ grocer, offering best-in-class products and customer service. I plan to work with our teams to further elevate every aspect of our business–all with a sharp focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience every day in every store.”
From 2002 to 2012, Appel served at Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., a 500-store southeastern United States grocery chain, in a variety of senior leadership roles including Chief Operations Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Head of Strategy, and Chief Legal Officer. After leaving Winn-Dixie, Appel served as CEO of Skeeter Snacks, LLC, a leading producer of natural and wholesome snacks made in a dedicated nut-free facility. From 1997 to 2002, Appel was Senior Vice President of Legal at The Home Depot. Appel received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
“Following an extensive search and review of both internal and external candidates, the Board believes that Larry is the best leader for The Fresh Market going forward,” said Andrew Jhawar, Senior Partner at Apollo Global Management and Chairman of the Board of Directors at The Fresh Market. “We look forward to partnering with Larry and are confident in his ability to lead operationally and to execute strategies to ‘win’ with our customers. We are grateful to Brian Nicholson for his efforts in improving operations during this transition period, and we value his work in the critical role of CFO as we implement our strategy under Larry’s new leadership.”
Appel has also been elected to the company’s Board of Directors. In connection with Appel’s appointment, Brian Nicholson, the company’s chief financial officer who served as the company’s interim CEO, will remain in his role as CFO.
NOGALES, AZ - A new friendly face is joining The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) ahead of one of the group’s most active times of year. The association has welcomed Erika Dominguez, who has previous experience with FPAA, as its newest Policy Analyst/Communications Coordinator.
“It is an honor to be working with an organization that does so much for our community. I am thankful for the opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to the association and the new challenges that lie ahead,” said Erika, who previously served as FPAA’s Membership Programs Coordinator.
Erika is a native of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales High School alumni, who graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science in 2015. According to a press release, Erika has been active with the FPAA since graduating, helping the association with specific projects related to the Unisource utility rate case, and spending some time working as a history teacher at her former high school.
“We are excited to have Erika working with the FPAA,” says Association President Lance Jungmeyer. “She is an intelligent, hard worker that will bring a lot to this position. She has shown time and again that she is a fast learner that goes above and beyond to deliver on key projects. We are lucky to have her working on behalf of our members.”
In her new role, Erika will be responsible for the following:
- Coordinating the FPAA’s communications activities
- Coordinating outreach to reporters
- Overseeing the FPAA’s website and social media
- Focusing on specific policy issues that the FPAA monitors on behalf of the members
“Erika is going to bring a lot to the FPAA and its members,” added Allison Moore, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Director. “This will expand our ability to positively impact our members’ businesses.”
Welcome to the FPAA team, Erika, and here’s to another great year of work by the entire association.
FLORIDA – Hurricane Irma descended on Florida this weekend, making landfall Sunday and bringing floodwaters, battering winds, and more to the Sunshine State.
According to a report by NPR, the storm has left more than 6 million residents without electricity—with 60-mile-per-hour winds heavy rains, and flash flooding passing across the state.
And while, this morning the erstwhile-hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm, the effects off the squall will be felt for some time to come. In fact, some reports indicate that the combined economic losses attributable to Irma and Hurricane Harvey, which hit Texas late last month, could total nearly $300 billion.
“We estimated that Hurricane Harvey is to be the costliest weather disaster in U.S. history at $190 billion or one full percentage point of the GDP,” noted Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather Founder, President, and Chairman, in an AccuWeather report. “Together, AccuWeather predicts these two disasters amount to 1.5 of a percentage point of the GDP, which will about equal and therefore counter the natural growth of the economy for the period of mid-August through the end of the fourth quarter.”
Bloomberg has reported that much of this potential monetary loss could come from the agricultural sector—as the storm’s wake impacted some of the country’s largest citrus-growing areas and operations—as well as important tomato-, green bean-, cotton-, and peanut-regions.
Though the storm will continue to lose steam as it moves northward, flooding and tornados are expected to effect the Southeast in the ensuing days with storms expected to move across the eastern seaboard, weakening along the way.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates as they occur.
WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is taking on a challenge to renew shopper confidence in pears; let Operation Flavor commence. Involved in the initiative is an involved journey that will look at how pears perform throughout the supply chain.
“The pear category contribution to the total produce department dropped 0.08 percent in just one year’s time and is currently at an all-time low of under 1 percent. When you see this on paper, you have two choices–follow the past and stay the same or make a bold change. Operation Flavor is Stemilt’s journey to reverse this trend and get more shoppers to enjoy pears,” said Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director.
The move comes three years after the company introduced its Rushing Rivers™ Pears brand.
Stemilt and its pear partners, Peshastin Hi-Up, have launched this mission and, with it, several internal pear “pilots” and “promoters.” According to a press release, the pilots are leaders that will look for and enact change for Rushing Rivers pears, while promoters are believers in pears that implement Stemilt’s flavor and quality standards.
“The journey is already underway internally, and in the future, we will look to bring retail pear pilots and promoters on board. If we can increase the knowledge on pears shared throughout the supply chain, we can fine-tune the quality and flavor experience for shoppers. That will result in better category results for pears,” said Pepperl.
Stemilt announced that it is excited about the addition of two new ThermalTech TarpLess® ripening rooms at its Olds Station facility in Wenatchee just as Operation Flavor gets under way. The extra deep rooms will carry out the company’s RipeRite® ready-to-eat pear program in hopes of delivering both consistency and flavor to produce departments. Two dedicated pear ripeners are among the new Operation Flavor Pear Pilots, and they will be looking at ways to fine-tune the RipeRite® process throughout the season.
Stemilt’s Rushing Rivers come from the Wenatchee and Entiat River Valleys, considered top real estate for pears. It’s here where hands-on multi-generational growers from Stemilt and Hi-Up focus on harvesting pears at the optimal pressures that will result in high flavored fruits. After harvest, the company said that there are rigorous cooling practices, an overcapacity in packing that gives Stemilt one of the industry’s best packaging flexibility, and packaging that’s engineered for a successful RipeRite pear ripening program.
“Our Rushing Rivers pears have always had a phenomenal story to tell, and committed growers and production teams behind them. We’ve embarked on Operation Flavor to fine-tune all these things we are doing right, and locate new theories to test throughout the supply chain that will help us ensure flavor comes first for pears,” said Pepperl. “Just like at retail, we’re aiming to do a lot of little things right to make Operation Flavor a reality. It’s a journey, and one our entire team is passionate about. Rushing Rivers pears are going to be even better today because of the people behind the scenes looking to steer a new course for pears.”
As this mission is initiated, AndNowUKnow will keep you briefed on the latest.
WENATCHEE, WA - In 2010, Barclay Crane picked up a shovel and personally put 10 test trees into Quincy, Washington’s soil. Now, Pegasus Premier Fruit–exclusive North American Licensee, and Honey Bear Treefruit–lead sales agency, are looking at ramped up volumes of the increasingly popular Smitten™ apple as we head into the autumn months.
“We are anticipating in the 150,000 TP-equiv range sold from this crop,” Barclay shared with me recently, commenting that Smitten will be sold in various packaging across North America as well as exported to Asian markets. “Demand has been ramping up exponentially both in the U.S. and Canada since we introduced the first commercially-packed fruit (approx 10,000 TP) in 2015. We have also introduced significant import volume from New Zealand, which has been enthusiastically received.”
This year’s yields look strong, the team said, with little-to-no hurdles thus far from Mother Nature.
“We have not seen anything we’d characterize as unusual unlike the last two very early, warm growing seasons,” he says. “This season can be described as a ‘normal’ Eastern Washington summer...if there’s any such thing.”
Great news as the key response to the up-and-coming variety has been sell-through and re-orders from first-time chain supermarket customers.
“Several chain retailers have reported back that of the wave of new varieties coming through their supermarkets in the last several years, Smitten is the one customers consistently come back and ask for. We believe it’s a no-brainer for retailers: put it in the store and people will try, buy, and return for more. It is an extraordinary eating experience,” Barclay comments.
The team has also joined on with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation to co-promote in the interest of reducing cancer while introducing Smitten to the general consumer market. As a result, a portion of sales will be donated to breast cancer research.
“We are enormously grateful to be involved in this humanitarian effort while introducing Smitten,” Barclay shares. “We are also collaborating with several progressive chains in introducing Smitten in highly-decorative tote bags co-branded with the Komen logo.”
As we reported previously, Smitten growers focus greatly on its crunch and flavor, a trend Barclay says is something of a “paradigm shift” in consumer desires as the next shopping generation picks and chooses varieties.
“I call it the ‘Starbucksing of the Apple Industry,’” he adds, explaining that an interesting parallel could be drawn to the retail coffee industry when it went from a 50-cent commodity to an exciting $5-a-cup product.
Smitten is proudly grown exclusively by progressive multi-generational family growers all over North America with a collective sense of responsibility about growing food which is reflected in humane relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers alike.
To learn more, click here.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target has lowered its prices on thousands of items in order to contend with competitors like Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger.
According to a Target blog post, the company hopes to cut through the clutter and provide guests with great everyday values, while continuing to offer additional savings on the right products at the right times.
“We want our guests to feel a sense of satisfaction every time they shop at Target,” says Mark Tritton, Target Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer. “Part of that is removing the guesswork to ensure they feel confident they’re getting a great, low price every day. We’ve spent months looking at our entire assortment, with a focus on offering the right price every day and simplifying our marketing to make great, low prices easy to spot, all while maintaining sales we know are meaningful to guests. And guests are taking note, appreciating much easier, more clear—and more consistent savings—at Target.”
Tritton seems optimistic about lowering prices throughout Target stores. Alas, Reuters reports that Target shares were down as much as 4.7 percent when the announcement was made. With Amazon lowering prices at its newly-acquired Whole Foods grocery stores, Target is trying its hand at price cuts. Only time will tell if this new strategy garners an increase in consumer and market approval.
AndNowUKnow will continue reporting.
EUROPE - Ahold Delhaize announced a flurry of C-level leadership changes for its Europe and Belgium divisions last week, according to a press release. Effective September 11, Xavier Piesvaux will be appointed as its CEO of Delhaize Belgium and Luxembourg, succeeding Denis Knoops, who has agreed to separate with the company.
“I look forward to serving our more than 5 million customers even better, together with more than 30,000 Delhaize associates and our network of affiliates,” said Xavier in a company press release.
Xavier will succeed Denis Knoops in this role. Knoops worked for Ahold Delhaize for 25 years, serving the company in a variety of important roles.
He was involved with the expansion and commercial development of the Group in Belgium, the United States, and Asia. During the past three years, he was the CEO of Delhaize.
“We thank Denis for his dedication and valuable contribution throughout 25 years, serving the company in a variety of commercial, operational, strategic, and real estate roles across Belgium, the United States, and Asia,” said Dick Boer, CEO. “Denis has led Delhaize during the last three years keeping it true to its strong 150-year heritage that has made it a leading brand in Belgium and Luxembourg. We wish him all the best for the future”.
In addition to this change, Ahold Delhaize announced that Wouter Kolk, Brand President of Albert Heijn, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer Europe and Indonesia effective January 1, 2019, succeeding Pierre Bouchut, who will retire next year.
“We are pleased that Wouter is overseeing the Netherlands and Belgium as from September and is intended to join the Management Board next year,” said Boer. “In addition, he will continue to directly manage Albert Heijn. Wouter’s experience of leading Albert Heijn through a period of change will be particularly valuable in making our leading Belgian brand, Delhaize, the favorite supermarket in Belgium again.”
How will these moves impact the future of the business? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we report.
IRWINDALE, CA - The 2017 political landscape has been dynamic this year, and that is putting it lightly. As our livelihood is concentrated in the agricultural sector, the fresh produce industry has been more engaged than ever. With President Trump’s recent announcement to rescind the intensely debated Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), the dialogue is heating up across industries.
For a little refresher, DACA, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a program “where certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.”
With that said Ready Pac Foods CEO Tony Sarsam reached out to us to share his response to the administration’s decision and what it means to him, his company, the industry, and his impression of the future impact on the “Dreamer” recipients, as well as our culture as a whole. Please join us for this Q&A with the industry pioneer.
Q: Tony, what is your point of view when it comes to the recent DACA ruling and its impact on the industry?
Tony Sarsam: I’m very disappointed about President Trump’s decision to end DACA. It’s completely unnecessary to cause duress for the Dreamers, who are trying to make a difference, be productive members of society, and gain an education.
This decision doesn’t just affect the produce and fresh food industries, it impacts our entire culture, of which our industry is only a small subset. Our society needs productive, educated people who want to be here and want to make a difference. The kids participating in DACA are those people.
The recent DACA ruling, while hopefully temporary, sends the wrong message to those immigrants who are trying to be a part of our society in a productive way.
Q: What would you like to see, and hope can be done in the wake of this decision?
TS: Congress needs to take action and legislate. There’s a groundswell among the constituents of the vast majority of our congressmen to say “let’s do exactly that, let’s have immigration reform.” While there’s a current debate about broad immigration reform, there’s not much debate about DACA.
A recent poll in The Atlantic showed 80+ percent of Americans are in favor of DACA and, importantly, 72 percent of Republicans are in favor of DACA in some way, shape, or form. Congress has a great opportunity to show progress and allow Dreamers to have a path toward citizenship and be recognized as our brothers and sisters.
Q: How do you see immigration in its entirety, impacting this industry as we move forward?
TS: Of the 319 million citizens of the Unites States, all are the result of immigrants. Immigration is in our blood. It’s in our DNA. We are all immigrants. We are the mother of all immigrant countries and have to position ourselves that way.
Society must showcase the benefits that come from a diverse nation. Everything we’ve achieved is because of our country’s immigrant-rich history. Our best thinkers, entrepreneurs and inventions are because of our ability to work with the best and brightest people–regardless of ethnicity.
Our industry is quite beholden to immigrants for everything from the people running our companies to the people working in agricultural fields. Every place and every facet of our industry is dependent on the great work that immigrants and first-generation Americans can bring. We are almost disproportionately beholden to that group and need to work harder to make sure they can find a place.
Q: What is your message to the industry?
TS: My message to the industry is to work for justice. There’s a lot of debate about how you handle immigration and what immigration policy is. But, how can anyone find fault with a child who is trying to find his or her way and make a positive impact on our nation?
I think this is something we can all agree on–whether we’re Democrat or Republican, everyone can agree DACA is a good program for our nation.
I encourage everyone to write their congressmen to voice their opinions. We need to make opportunities available for the Dreamers as they graduate school and become adults.
The administration has given Congress six months to come up with a solution before the federal government officially stops renewing permits for current DACA recipients. As the debate continues, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we bring you voices from across the industry.
CORAL GABLES, FL – It’s time to celebrate! Del Monte Fresh Produce will host its 6th annual “Go Bananas!” Halloween promotion to encourage healthy eating during the Halloween holiday and promote Del Monte® premium bananas as alternatives to traditional Halloween treats.
This year, the annual sweepstakes will have a special focus on the company’s 125th anniversary.
“After five years of going bananas and 5,000 banana costumes dispersed among fans, we are excited to bring the 'Go Bananas!' Halloween promotion back for its sixth year,” said Dennis Christou, VP Marketing N.A., in a press release. “This year we were able to reference the promotion with our anniversary, and revamped the sweepstakes’ look and feel. We’re also pleased to send an additional 125 consumers home with their own banana costume!”
The “Go Bananas!” promotion gives consumers the chance to win a branded Del Monte banana costume to wear for their Halloween festivities. The company’s contest for this milestone anniversary celebration will incorporate a series of witty, historic “Go Bananas!” videos across its social media platforms, and will also randomly award a banana costume to 1,125 Del Monte banana fans who enter online. Last year’s promotion received more than 140,000 entries and millions of impressions throughout the month of September.
With the growing movement toward clean eating and healthier lifestyles, Del Monte launched the “Go Bananas!” Halloween promotion to keep healthy treats top-of-mind while leading up to the Halloween season. For more information, visit the sweepstakes website here.
AndNowUKnow hopes everyone entering Del Monte's sweepstake ‘goes bananas’!
LOS ANGELES, CA – Wonderful Pistachios will be kicking off its biggest football campaign to date with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. The NFL players will appear in humorous new commercials that will air nationally during this Sunday’s game, when the conference rivals battle it out for gridiron supremacy during one of the season’s most highly anticipated matchups.
The “Put a Smile on Your Snackface” ads score with the message that Wonderful Pistachios are the rare healthy snack that also tastes great.
“Wonderful Pistachios consistently put a smile on my snackface because they’re a healthy snack, and a good source of protein and fiber,” said Sherman, according to a press release, who returns to the Wonderful Pistachios roster for a second consecutive year after appearing in last season’s football and Get Crackin’ ads.
“No matter which team you’re rooting for, everyone can agree Wonderful Pistachios taste great, are healthy, and just plain fun to crack open,” Sherman added.
Sherman’s on-field opponent during the Sept. 10 game is Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, the newest member of the Wonderful Pistachios team. “Football fans can enjoy healthy snacks at their gameday gatherings with Wonderful Pistachios, because it’s one of the lowest-fat, lowest-calorie snack nuts, so you don’t feel guilty snacking on them all game long,” said Matthews.
Wonderful Pistachios’s in-house creative team, led by Chief Creative Officer Darren Moran, who recently joined the LA-based shop from Grey New York, created the “Put a Smile on Your Snackface” campaign. “Wonderful Pistachios has a history of funny, offbeat, celebrity-driven work that both reflects and drives pop culture," said Moran.
“Our crop is shaping up nicely this season, so we’re doubling down on sports and our commitment to healthy snacking, which helped Wonderful Pistachios become the fastest-growing snack brand in the country,” said Vice President Adam Cooper.
“Partnering with football’s biggest stars helps us score with sports fans who crave a guilt-free indulgence that’s big on nutrition. The football campaign, combined with our successful Ernie the Elephant Get Crackin’ ads and our Wonderful Nut health ads, will reach ‘snackthusiasts’ with the perfect healthy snack they can feel good about whether they’re watching a game, preparing for or recovering from a workout, or just looking for a fun snack.”
Wonderful Pistachios’s campaign will air on primetime football games and premium online sports sites all season long. AndNowUKnow wishes all the football fans out there great snacking!