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HIGHLAND, IN – After declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year and fielding a bid from Albertsons banner Jewel-Osco earlier this year, Central Grocers has finally auctioned off its remaining Strack & Van Til stores. In an unexpected turn of events, though, the banner won’t be headed Albertsons’ way. Instead the Strack and Van Til families have pooled their resources to reclaim 20 stores from the banner the families had previously sold to Central Grocers.
“We won! We are getting our stores back!” said Strack & Van Til President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Strack, in an email reported on by the Northwest Indiana Times. "We were qualified as a bidder last Thursday to participate at the auction for the stores and today we were announced as the winner of the auction."
Strack, who already owns 10 percent of the Highland-based supermarket chain, told the news source that the new ownership group would be labeled the Indiana Grocery Group and include the families that owned Strack & Van Til prior to it being sold to Joliet-based grocery cooperative Central Grocers in 1997.
Stack did not disclose the amount of the bid, which included 20 stores and other assets, but Jewel-Osco had already put in an initial bid of $100 million on 19 stores as a stalking horse bidder this May.
Earlier this year, Central Grocer closed 14 Strack & Van Til and Ultra Foods stores and laid off some 1,900 workers.
"The Strack and The Van Til families are excited for the opportunity to continue to serve the communities of NWI as we have for over 80 years," Strack continued. "While this will be a new company, we will continue to have the same connection to NWI as Ernie Strack and Nick Van Til did when they started their partnership years ago. Our associates, vendor partners, and most importantly our customers, are why we continue to work so hard. They are the reasons we are here, and we appreciate them and will work hard for them. When it comes to it—we are Indiana Made."
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with more on important developments in our industry.
What I find so special about AndNowUKnow is that it has the perfect blend of timeliness and relevance. Not only do you receive a morning and afternoon briefing, but the information you receive is on-point and on-topic. One can keep abreast on the major areas affecting the produce industry in all of the major areas of the produce supply chain, from production through to the consumer. It's concise without being cold, and relevant without being 'fluffy'. It's a must read for me twice a day!
WATSONVILLE, CA – California Giant Berry Farms has launched a new marketing program and sweepstakes encouraging consumers to use the company’s traceback function for berries purchased on the company’s www.calgiant.com website.
The campaign, launched this March, has already resulted in sweeping success for both the company and consumers curious as to the origin of their food, according to a company press release.
“The campaign increases awareness of our item level traceability program and captures demographics of those purchasers as we tell our story straight from the farm,” noted Cindy Jewell, VP of Marketing. “We connect with shoppers as they are purchasing our brand and begin building loyalty immediately with the additional information found on the traceback page. If they weren’t already a fan, they become one once they enter the contest, connect with a farmer, and taste our berries.”
According to the company’s press release, several years ago, California Giant invested in a food safety traceability function that would allow trading partners and consumers alike to trace each clamshell of the company’s fresh berries back to the source. Rather than using this function simply as a responsive food safety solution, the company expended it into a proactive marketing campaign, directing shoppers to flip over their clamshell after purchase and enter the 16-digit code on the company's website to learn more about where their berries were grown.
Thousands of shoppers have already entered traceback codes on the company’s website. And consumers who track their clamshells’ origins are also entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win cash prizes each month. Each time a shopper enters their code at https://www.calgiant.com/trace they are entered in a sweepstakes for a chance to win a monthly cash prize of $100.
California Giant plans to continue the program through September with promotions via social media and videos from the farm and store. And once on the site, consumers not only gain access to information on where the berries were grown; they are also able to view recipes, tips, and video content featuring the farmers and their families involved in bring California Giant berries to market.
For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Looking to inspire and educate today’s students into becoming tomorrow’s industry professionals and leaders, the loved presence of The Produce Mom® Founder and CEO Lori Taylor has been selected to take the speaking helm at the upcoming California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. No stranger to inspiring youths with the power of produce, Lori will provide the keynote address for attendees of the event, as they look to bring their knowledge back to the classroom.
“My aim is to inspire educators to use fresh produce in the classroom as a way to promote agriculture and encourage school-aged children to consume more fruits and vegetables,” explained Lori. “The Produce Challenge® calendar is a powerful tool that is currently utilized in classrooms throughout the United States. I’m eager to share with California educators how they can best utilize tools from The Produce Mom and our Family of Partners.”
The conference will be held this week from July 14-15 in Visalia, California. According to a press release, Lori’s keynote address will focus on the story behind The Produce Mom, and how the brand’s Produce Challenge calendar can serve as a classroom tool.
Lori will also explain how The Produce Mom has partnered with Julie Cates, California Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year, in order to expand The Produce Mom’s educational program, Find Your Favorite®. Together, they created in-classroom fresh produce tasting parties and lessons that fulfilled academic standards from the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.
HMC Farms has also announced that it will serve as the Title Sponsor for Lori’s keynote address.
“We are proud to sponsor Lori (The Produce Mom) at the upcoming Ag in the Classroom conference,” said Chelsea McClarty Ketelsen, Tree Fruit and Table Grape Sales at HMC Farms. “Lori is an incredible proponent for ag with a unique understanding of real world agriculture who realizes the benefits of sharing that knowledge with as many people as she can. We are looking forward to her keynote address and learning about how to engage the youth of today in agriculture.”
Presented by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, the conference focuses on educators looking for new and innovative ways to educate their students about food and agriculture, across all subject areas.
This year’s event includes workshops on edible gardening, plant nutrients, the Asian Citrus Psyllid invasion affecting citrus supply, and others. Attendees will also have the opportunity to go on farm tours.
Need more conference details? Click here to learn more about the event.
Congratulations, Lori, on this distinguishment!
PHARR, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) recovered more than 50 pounds of cocaine bound for the United States aboard a shipment of tomatoes this weekend. The drugs were bound for the United States via the Pharr International Bridge.
“These are outstanding seizures from our officers at the cargo facility. Despite the summer heat, our officers remain vigilant and continue to uphold the CBP mission,” said Port Director Severiano Solis, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, in a press release from the CBP.
According to the CBP report, on July 8, CBP officers from the Pharr International Bridge singled out and referred a Freightliner tractor trailer for secondary inspection. CBP officers used a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine team to locate 16 packages of cocaine comingled with the truck’s tomato shipment.
The tomato truck was one of three drug busts at the point of entry this weekend. All told, from July 6th to July 8th, CBP OFO officers seized more than $940,000 in drugs. The cases remain under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
Where will treacherous types attempt to infiltrate our industry next? Via tomatoes, taters, turnips, or truffles—AndNowUKnow will let you know.
WENATCHEE, WA - Peak cherry season is here, and with it comes Stemilt Growers Kyle’s Pick Cherries and Artisan Organic Sweet Cherries. I recently got a chance to speak with the company’s always informative Communication Manager, Brianna Shales, about the latest in the Stemilt’s cherry endeavors, including these two highly sought-after pieces of the puzzle.
“Cherry season is going very well at Stemilt. We’ve got lots of quality fruit and a lot more to come as we look towards the next two months or so,” Brianna prefaces our conversation. So how can retailers turn that quality fruit from impulse buy, into repeat sales?
Quality and size, Brianna explains.
“The larger size cherries will result in sweeter fruit—science has proved it, so that’s what we really try to produce at Stemilt,” she continues. “Kyle’s Pick Packs and premium organic cherries are a really good way to drive quality home this time of year. It’s the peak of cherry season, so it’s a good time to capture those sales and hopefully the shopper will come back after they’ve had a great experience and buy again.”
Want to hear more from Brianna about Stemilt’s current cherry season and the packaging options available to retailers? Check out our full audio interview above.
BOISE, ID – Albertsons is pressing pause on its initial public offering, almost two years after the company first postponed its IPO. Albertsons is reportedly halting its previous plans to reintroduce the company's IPO, at least for the time being.
These plans, Bloomberg reported, may only be halted short-term. Bloomberg noted that despite recent disruptions in the industry, Albertsons had been considering reviving its IPO plans and going public as soon as this year. The retailer has continued to update its quarterly financial results in amended filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which the news source noted may indicate that Albertsons’ IPO plans may not be scuttled for good.
And the company is purportedly still eying an acquisition that may give Albertsons momentum going into an IPO. As recently as March, Bloomberg reports, the company was discussing plans to acquire Sprouts Farmers Market—a move, the financial news source noted, would give Albertsons increased expertise on perishables and natural foods that could be applied across its various banners.
Bloomberg stated that this latest news of Albertons IPO comes in the wake of a string of announcements. The news source cited Albertsons' reported bid for Whole Foods earlier this year, the current $13.7 billion acquisition between Amazon and Whole Foods, recent stock performance of Kroger, and the less-than-optimal performance of Blue Apron’s IPO as contributing factors to company delaying its IPO.
After Amazon’s announcement that it had reached an agreement to acquire Whole Foods in June of this year, traditional grocery stocks declined, with major retailers like Kroger, Supervalu, and Weis Markets hemorrhaging market value overnight.
What’s next for Albertsons IPO debut? AndNowUKnow will report.
BLANDON, PA - A new face familiar to the mushroom industry will be taking the helm at Giorgi Mushroom Company and Giorgio Fresh Co., as current President Dave Carroll makes his leave. The company has announced Joe Caldwell, formerly of Monterey Mushrooms, will assume the role over the next nine months as Dave transitions toward retirement.
"Giorgio is an outstanding company made up of amazing employees, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead," said Caldwell. "Over the last 30 years, Dave has led the transformation of this organization to be a leader in the mushroom industry and a company that he can be very proud of."
Caldwell’s career in the produce industry has been mainly with Monterey Mushrooms, where he spent 32 years, most recently as Vice President. During his transition into Carroll’s role, both he and Carroll will run the operation as a team, ensuring that the company does not miss a beat and continues on its path of success, according to a press release. After that nine month transition, Carroll will remain with the organization in an advisory, technical, and strategic role.
"He is well known throughout our industry as someone who is excited and passionate about mushrooms and the mushroom business," Carroll shared upon Caldwell’s hiring. "His leadership skills, integrity, and business acumen will fit well into the Giorgio Organization. His vision of a bright future for our industry will build upon our successes and help continue the growth of our company well into the future."
"Giorgio’s best days are ahead and I am excited about the company’s future," he added. "I am very happy that I will be leaving Giorgio in what I feel are the best hands possible."
Congratulation’s to Joe Caldwell for his new role, and best wishes as he takes on this new endeavor!
SALINAS, CA – As the industry gears up for the Organic Produce Summit to kick off tomorrow, Mann Packing is ready to serve up attendees its full line of organic items at its booth during the event. Offering solutions for both retail and foodservice, Mann’s exhibit will include recently launched items, in addition to its existing lines.
“OPS is a fantastic opportunity for us to share Mann’s vision for organics and showcase our growing product portfolio in the cut-veg section in produce,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Communications.
The company will showcase its recently launched Organic Green Beans, Organic Cauliflower Florets, and Organic Super Blend at the event, according to a press release. The Organic Super Blend is at the center of this recent launch, offering consumers crunchy veggies like kale, colored carrots, green cabbage, and broccoli in an appealing mix of flavors and textures. Additionally, Mann’s stated that its new Organic Cauliflower Florets and Organic Green Beans are two of the fast growing product segments in organic product with their on-trend offerings.
Mann’s stated that these three new products perfectly complement the brand’s existing line of organic products for retail. These fan favorite items include Organic Broccoli Florets, Organic Broccoli & Carrots, Organic Vegetable Medley, Organic Broccoli Cole Slaw, and Organic Veggies Snacking Tray. According to Mann Packing’s Nielsen U.S. data, the company’s Organic Broccoli & Carrots, Organic Broccoli Slaw, and Organic Vegetable Medley are the number one branded organic items.
Specifically for foodservice, Mann’s will exhibit its Organic Arcadian Harvest. This petite whole leaf lettuce salad blend is similar to spring mix but with lettuces that are fully mature, giving more texture and body to salad. This selection is popular with foodservice operators at universities, as well as deli salad bars for retail.
“Consumers are driving demand for these items and for us, convenience is top-of-mind. It’s also great to have this showcase near our headquarters where we can tour our operations with key customers,” Nucci added.
Attendees can also get an eyeful and mouthful of the Mann’s 16.25 oz Organic Veggie Tray, as the company will offer samples at its both. The tray includes 100 percent organic vegetables and organic creamy ranch dressing. Filled with healthy broccoli, celery, and carrots, the tray is sold in the U.S. and Canada.
Need more Mann Packing in the lead-up to the show? Visit the company’s website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to follow the brand.
Catch Mann Packing at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California, from July 12-13 in booth #214.