ORLANDO, FL – Lesley Daniels has been named the new Director of Sales and Account Development at Produce For Kids, where she will oversee retail and vendor partnerships for the organization. Daniels is the newest member of Produce for Kids and brings 13 years of experience with areas of expertise in shopper data, project management, client services, and brand and category management.
“As a busy working mom submerged in the food industry for many years, I know it still can be a daunting task to feed my family a healthy and affordable meal,” said Daniels, according to a press release. “I am truly excited to create places where shoppers can be inspired and educated while raising funds for causes like Feeding America.”
Daniels' experience includes her most recent position as Own Brands strategic sourcing manager at Giant Eagle, Inc., as well as previous roles in sourcing, supply chain, and project management at Berlin Packaging and The Kraft Heinz Company. In 2016, Daniels won the Chairman Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation award from Giant Eagle, Inc. for innovation and profitability of Private Brands.
As Director of Sales and Account Development, Daniels will be responsible for overall produce partner and retail relations for in-store and digital Produce for Kids promotions. In addition, Daniels will manage the development and execution of in-store elements for Produce for Kids campaigns.
“Lesley’s wealth of experience using shopper data to drive sales and ROI will only enhance Produce for Kids programs for today’s every evolving shopper,” said John Shuman, President and Founder at Produce for Kids. “With her extensive involvement in managing vendor relationships on both the grocery and CPG sides of the table, I feel certain her skills will only elevate the brand awareness of our produce and retail partners.”
The Produce for Kids audience consists of thousands of busy families who are looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle. With Produce for Kids’ mission to create a healthier generation, the organization offers parents registered dietitian-approved, family-tested recipes ideas, tips, and more across its social media platforms, in-store and online campaign and website. Every program Produce for Kids executes has a philanthropic element to give back to charities, like Feeding America, and support programs that benefit families and children.
For all the latest in produce industry promotions and hires, check back in with AndNowUKnow.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – As the company continues its long and well-rounded history of giving back to the communities which help it thrive, the Allen Lund Company (ALC) has made another contribution to its yearly Acts of Kindness. The company recently participated with several charitable organizations to support good causes.
ALC Flatbed supported C5 Georgia Youth Foundation by hosting a barbecue. According to a press release, the company fed and entertained kids with games and raffle giveaways.
"We were very excited to partner with C5 for a second year for a cookout and an afternoon of activities for 70 kids at Camp Adahi," said Chris Clelland, Manager of the Flatbed office. "We love to be involved with C5 because we get to interact with the amazing kids in the program, and seeing the smiles we bring to these kid's faces is priceless. C5 teaches kids to overcome challenges and to become leaders not just for themselves but their communities. It is inspiring to see how these kids are overcoming the difficulties in their lives and becoming model citizens. 100% of these kids graduate high school and get accepted into college. We will continue to partner with C5 as it is an amazing program with tremendous success."
C5 Georgia Youth Foundation’s mission is to inspire high-potential youths from risk-filled environments to rather pursue personal success, prepare them for leadership roles in college, work, and community.
ALC Minneapolis also invested in its community by hosting a book drive for the Mayo Clinc in Rochester, MN. In June, the Minneapolis office collected over 500 books to be donated. The Mayo Clinic Pediatric Book Program accepts new and gently used books, with volunteers handing out roughly 400 books each week to children of all ages.
"We are pleased to donate more than 500 books to the Mayo Clinic's Pediatric Book Program. Our initial goal of 400 (enough for a week) books was far exceeded," said Derek Carmichael, Transportation Broker of ALC Minneapolis. "We want to thank ALC employees and our fellow 505 Waterford tenants for their generosity in making this book drive a success. We also appreciate the volunteers that hand out these books to each and every child visiting the pediatric floor; their efforts make a big impression on Mayo's smallest patients. Our entire office is looking forward to making this an annual book drive to support this great outreach by the volunteers and staff at The Mayo Clinic."
ALC’s headquarters is also hosting a Christmas in July Toy Drive for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVdPLA) in Los Angeles, CA. Throughout the year, SVdPLA collects toys and meals to donate to children in order to provide a full Christmas to the underserved in Downtown LA.
"ALC is proud once again to support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The toy drive is a small part of a much bigger picture which is providing a Christmas to the most underprivileged in Los Angeles," stated Nora Trueblood, Marketing Director at Allen Lund Company.
These gracious acts are all part of ALC’s 40 Acts of Kindness in a year, building off of the company’s 40th year in business in 2016.
Where will ALC invest its efforts to give back next? AndNowUKnow will report.
MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA - Today's route, shorter than yesterday's but much more difficult with heat and hills, tested our colleagues and riders. I'm happy to report that everyone finished, happy to take a celebratory dip in Lake Nacimiento!
"Getting into that lake was what got me through those last hills," Kelly Ansaldo, Agricultural Territory Manager at Rehrig Pacific Company, exclaimed, forgoing food, water, even the cold beer the support team had waiting at the finish line.
The challenge gave the riders a beautiful scenery though, as Axel Merckx shared with me while we celebrated a successful close to day two. "It's just so beautiful up here," he said. "These are some rough hills; the gravity really gets to you, but it's still a lot of fun."
And his and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg's presence proved a huge morale boost to the riders, who despite the grueling heat and inclines, still chatted and smiled with the riders.
The opportunity was even a close on an amazing circle for Ty Burns, who used to own a bike shop and had the opportunity to ride with Axel's father on a trip to Belgium a few years ago.
"I'll never forget; he asked me if I could do 20 mph, and at that time I was riding regularly, so I said yes," Ty told me. "When I saw where we were riding I assumed he meant kilometers, but he didn't. He's still in great shape and great to ride with. Afterwards he invited me back to his office for beer and ham and a wine that was named after him. It was a great experience and I'm very excited to revisit it by meeting Axel today."
This is one of just many amazing stories heard as these amazing members of our industry take on the road, rocks, wildlife, and vehicles for salad bars in schools.
On that note, through the efforts, focus, and a lot of sweat, the fourth Tour de Fresh has raised $155,241, enough for 50 salad bars to be made available across the U.S.
LAS VEGAS, NV - In yet another installment of the ongoing series of produce slip-ups, a semi truck hauling a 79,000 lb load of bananas spilled on the freeway in Las Vegas last week.
According to local news source KSNV, the truck crashed into the center median of Northbound I-15 on Friday morning, and the resulting wreckage shut down all but one lane of the roadway for the next several hours.
The latest updates show that there were no reports of injuries, however, the entire load of bananas perished in the unfortunate event.
What predicaments will produce end up in next? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on the latest.
WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt Growers is pairing with the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) to help six future fruit growers and other students with college costs through various scholarships. On Monday, July 24th, students, teachers, parents, and representatives from various local organizations gathered to celebrate these students for their academic achievements at a luncheon at the Wenatchee Convention Center.
“The WAEF programs give many the opportunity that may have not been there before,” noted West Mathison, President of Stemilt Growers, in a company press release. “We are ecstatic to support the children of Stemilt’s team members as they are the future for the industry.”
WAEF is a charity of Washington’s tree fruit industry that has, so far, been able to award just under $1 million in scholarships to 250 students for the upcoming school year. The foundation will hold its own luncheon in Yakima, Washington, on July 31st.
WAEF has been a partner of Stemilt for a decade, awarding hardworking students for their successes in and outside of the classroom. Through the partnership, the apple grower has created three scholarships through the partnership: the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship, the Renewal Scholarship, and Single Year Scholarship.
This year, the two organizations granted the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship to two students. The company noted that the award is granted to recipients who evince high moral character, a history of making choices that are morally sound, and possessed of values that align with Stemilt Founder Tom Mathison, values including hardwork and dedication to family and community values.
The students awarded these $20,000 scholarships are Stemilt employee Marcos Quiroz and Martimeano Villa. Quiroz is a student who is pursuing a degree in treefruit management and currently working at Stemilt in Research & Development while earning the credits to receive his degree. Villa is a senior at Toppenish High School with a 3.96 grade point average who has faced many hardships in his high school career while maintaining an excellent grade point.
The other Stemilt recipients are as followed:
- Amaris Casarez, a student at UCLA on a path towards a degree in chemistry with plans to continue onto medical school
- Edgar Apolinar a graduating senior from Wenatchee High School who plans to study law
- Daisy Montejano, a Wenatchee High School grad who plans on following a path towards architecture or another related field
- Jasmin Guerrero is a senior at Eastmont High School, who plans on attending Washington State University to pursue a career path in criminal justice
- Sami Everhart, a Wenatchee High School grad who graduated with a 3.97 GPA with aspirations in communications and graphic design
- Jose Torres Arellano, a graduated senior from Eastmont High School who plans on becoming an electric engineer
Each of these students will be receiving between $2,500 and $4,000 to help with college costs this fall.
Earlier this month, Stemilt presented WAEF with a check for $51,800 that was raised by the 9th Annual Thomas K. Mathison Golf Tournament that was held at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club, and these funds will be used to fund the foundation’s scholarships for years to come.
ANUK extends our congratulations to these deserving students and kudos to Stemilt for the good work.
JOLIET, IL - After showing strong results on the wholesale side of its most recent financial report, SuperValu is making moves in the Chicago-area scene. Acquiring a former Central Grocers-owned distribution center for $61 million dollars in the nearby city of Joliet, analysts say this will help SuperValu to provide to more independent retailers in Chicago. The deal was approved by a bankruptcy court judge on Tuesday.
As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the move will expand the number of items consumers will see in stores chains that had been primarily served through Central Grocers wholesale business. The now-bankrupt company operated as a wholesaler for more than 400 independent stores in the Chicago area, and SuperValu has been able to acquire business from many of those that would have been left without supplies.
"This can only be a good thing for independent retailers in the Chicago area... These large, national wholesalers will allow small, independent retailers to play bigger than they really are because of their resources and support," Jon Hauptman, Senior Director of Retail for grocery consulting firm Willard Bishop, told the Chicago Tribune.
This news comes in the wake of positive news from the wholesale side of SuperValu’s business. A double digit increase in net sales in the division during Q1 2018 gave the company’s shares a nearly 10 percent jump earlier this week. SuperValu also made final its $390 million acquisition of Unified Grocers last month.
Will doubling down on more wholesale business pay off for SuperValu and its investors? Stay tuned as AndNowUKnow continues to survey the buy-side scene.
GLENNVILLE, GA – United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with his counterparts across the contintent, Mexican Secretary Calzada and Canadian Minister MacAulay, as the trio of countries look to revise the NAFTA agreement. The three visited Bland Farms during their recent tour of southeast Georgia, in recognition of the company’s excellence as an industry leader.
Secretary Perdue tweeted about the visit, noting that, “Bland Farms in Glennville, GA, produces about 30 percent of all Vidalia onions. Partially sources in Mexico, operates in U.S., sells in Canada.”
“Bland Farms was honored to host the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and his counterparts both from Mexico and Canada,” said Troy Bland, COO. “It was one of the most significant moments in the history of Bland Farms, and a day I am proud to say I took part in.”
Company President and Owner Delbert Bland also noted the significance of the occasion.
“It was an honor to have the Secretary of Agriculture and his international counterparts stop by to learn about our operation,” said Delbert. “The more we understand about each other, the better we can all work together.”
Perdue echoed these sentiments and noted the importance of the three nations’ international cooperation.
“Our visit to Georgia fostered the mutual understanding and personal relationships that will help North American agriculture thrive, improve our regional partnership and collaboration, and strengthen our trading relationship,” said Perdue.
As NAFTA negotiations continue to unfold, the company noted, Bland Farms is proud to be recognized by Secretary Perdue as a company whose model and practices will aid in crafting legislation for an even stronger future.
For more breaking news in the produce industry, look to AndNowUKnow.
MCALLEN TX - Summertime for GR Fresh means plenty of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and newly added pomegranates straight from the Mexican soil. I grabbed the company’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tony Incaviglia, who filled me in on a few of GR Fresh’s seasonal strategies as the company continues to grow into a full-service provider of Mexican-grown products. Up next? A transition to Torreón and more value-added goodies at retail.
“We’re in the process of transition from Culiacán into our summer region in the Torreón region of Mexico,” Tonys tells me. “Romas, rounds, grape tomatoes, green bell peppers, our La Rouge red (bell pepper) program will get started soon this summer. White onions have begun, so our transition process is happening now.”
Key for GR Fresh’s continued growth is also the company’s value-added programs, Tony says. GR Fresh recently introduced new packaging for its mini sweet peppers and hot Peppers, providing the line in convenient 8 oz packages for retailers.
“We’ve been well-known in Mexico, and as we transition here in the United States and partnering with our retail partners, value-added has been a big part of that,” Tony continues. “We’re developing a mentality of developing more value-added items.”
Keep an eye out for the company’s jalapeños, habaneros, and poblanos value-added bags in stores this summer, and also, its first-ever commercial shipment of Mexican-grown pomegranates. Want to learn all the details of the company’s transition and other of GR Fresh’s brand new programs? Watch my full interview with Tony above.
RICHMOND, VA – As Kroger continues pursuing its lawsuit against U.S. grocery newcomer Lidl, a federal judge has made a decision on a request from Kroger and set an official trial date for the case. Kroger requested for courts to stop Lidl from selling under its disputed brand in a preliminary injunction, but the request has been denied.
U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. handed down a decision for Kroger’s request, which would have blocked Lidl from selling products under its Preferred Selection brand as the case continues. “I think the public interest lies in competition,” Judge Gibney said, according to the Richmond-Times Dispatch.
With an announcement that set the industry abuzz, Kroger filed suit at the end of last month against Lidl for trademark infringement. Kroger claims in the suit that Lidl’s house brand, Preferred Selection, too closely resembles Kroger’s own brand, Private Selection.
In answer to the preliminary injunction request from Kroger, retailers submitted expert witnesses who surveyed consumers to gauge their confusion over the brands and logos. After this day of testimony, Judge Gibney denied Kroger’s request and set the case for a bench trial date of January 11, 2018.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported that Gibney stated that while the logos look “somewhat alike,” the words “private” and “preferred” have different meanings from each other.
“I don’t find they have an identical or similar meaning,” Gibney stated.
During the testimony, Lidl US President and CEO Brendan Proctor confirmed that the retailer’s Preferred Selection label contains around 160 items of the 3,000 carried in a typical location. Many of these items are imported, and also carry the national flag of the country or origin.
“We wanted each product to look individual and to stand out from the market,” Proctor said.
Kroger stated in testimony that its officials first voiced their concerns about the similarity of Lidl’s logo to its own Private Selection brand last year when Lidl filed its trademark application.
Kroger’s Vice President of Corporate Brands, Gil Phipps, stated that Kroger’s Private Selection label is currently used on more than 1,000 of the retailer's products. “You make a brand promise to a customer… you have to deliver every time,” he said.
Kroger currently operates 2,800 supermarkets on U.S. soil under 24 banners. Lidl opened its first U.S. locations earlier this year, with 17 stores opened thus far and more than 100 due to be opened by 2018.
As the case progresses, stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest.
MONTEREY, CA – Now more than ever, there are incredible opportunities for foodservice operators to embrace produce as consumer demand for high-quality, fresh menu options continues to soar. Sunkist is highlighting the versatility of fresh citrus at this year's PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo July 28-30 in Monterey to educate and inspire the foodservice industry with the bright colors and flavors of citrus.
“Consumers are increasingly craving fresh, innovative flavors when dining out,” said Joan Wickham, Director of Communications. “Sunkist is highlighting how citrus can zest up drinks and dishes, sweet and savory, at this year’s PMA Foodservice conference.”
Visitors to the Sunkist booth will be able to sample two delicious dishes from James Beard Award-winning chef, Cindy Pawlcyn. The flavors of Sunkist Valencia orange, lime, and grapefruit shine in a Peruvian-inspired San Francisco Bay halibut ceviche with toasted Inca corn nuts, avocado, and red Chile peppers. On the sweeter side, Chef Pawlcyn will also serve a mouthwatering candied orange and brioche bread pudding with salted orange caramel sauce that incorporates fresh and candied orange peels. These recipes highlight the true versatility of citrus as an ingredient—from flesh to peel.
Sunkist offers over 40 varieties of fresh citrus throughout the year, including specialties and organics. This portfolio provides chefs with a wide array of seasonal flavors to inspire creativity and innovation on the menu.
To learn more about Sunkist citrus, visit event booth #1014 at this year’s PMA Foodservice Conference, or visit http://foodservice.sunkist.com.