MEXICO CITY, MX – Continuing its strategic focus on the flourishing Mexico and Central America markets, Walmart has announced another investment to its logistics network through Mexico. The company will invest USD $36 million (650 million pesos) distribution center in Yucatán.
“This new business unit will positively impact the state’s production infrastructure, since it will not only generate more than 500 direct and 250 indirect jobs, but it will also expand its supply network to the states of Campeche and Quintana Roo. This will reach more places in less time, which will eventually boost the investment made and attract more local suppliers,” Walmart’s executives stated, according to The Yucatán Times.
The company stated that this move will allow it to strengthen and expand its logistics network in Mexico. The Yucatán Times noted that Walmart Mexico and Central America has 36 business units and stores to support in Yucatán, which include the following:
- 10 Bodega Aurrera
- 11 Mi Bodegas Aurrera
- 5 Bodegas Aurrera Express
- 3 Sam’s Club
- 1 Superama
- 6 Walmarts
“Walmart de México y Centroamérica has been a pioneer in integrating logistics into its business model, looking for the best places and conditions to invest,” said Miguel Cavazza, Walmart Vice President of Logistics for Mexico and Central America, according to Milenio News. “For Yucatán, it is a reason for more satisfaction and gratitude, that big companies trust in investing in the state, for our people, the conditions to do business, and infrastructure.”
With this newest distribution center, Walmart’s investment into Yucatán will now amount to around USD $171 billion (over 3.138 trillion pesos). Walmart has operations spanning 14 municipalities of the state of Yucatán including Mérida, Halacho, Hunucma, Izamal, Motul, Kanasin, Oxkutzcab, Tekax, Tixkokob, Tizimín, Ticul, Uman, Valladolid, and Progreso. This amounts to 3,457 permanent jobs.
The new facility, and Walmart’s continued investment into the area, has also gained accolades from political figures in the state.
“The investment of Walmart de México and Central America confirms the good economic direction of Yucatán and new opportunities for quality employments,” said Rolando Zapata Bello, Yucatán Governor.
As produce and grocery continue to expand in the Mexico regions, AndNowUKnow will have all the latest in buy-side strategies and growth.
IMMOKALEE, FL - Since its inception more than 60 years ago, Lipman Family Farms has grown to become one of the largest open-field tomato growers on the continent. Yet, as its name suggests, the company is family-owned and driven by the integrity of its founding vision and the immediacy of its relationships. So, how does a family farm operate on this grand scale?
I recently had the opportunity to ask Lipman’s CEO Kent Shoemaker this very question. As the first CEO hired from outside the Lipman family, Shoemaker inherited a business structure that may have made many executives uneasy. But the company’s culture and the benefits of the family-farm-writ-large were a perfect fit for him.
“We like to say that the larger we get, the smaller we want to act,” Shoemaker tells me. “I’ve been around family businesses for most of my career, and I believe that this model allows us to be nimble and customer- and employee-focused.”
For Shoemaker, it’s the immediate and personal connections that Lipman cultivates that prime the company’s culture for success.
“When you work in a public company, many times you never get a chance to meet with your shareholders,” Shoemaker says. “I know every one of my shareholders. We have the ability to be accountable to the vision of the family—which is a very specific one. It’s a unique model in the sense that I don’t have to go through layers to get things done. We make decisions in hours and days instead of weeks and months.”
Shoemaker explains that Lipman’s structure–with no vice presidents and just a handful of administrators interacting directly with business units–allows for greater communication, accessibility, and accountability throughout the company. And, Shoemaker tells me, a sense of shared responsibility that is central to Lipman’s operations.
“When you own thousands of acres of land and a lot of people depend on you for their livelihood, you take steps to preserve that,” Shoemaker notes. “Sustainability is a term that has become very popular in recent years, but the Lipmans have been sustainable for decades. We are sustainable in our agricultural practices, water use and waste reduction. We’re also working on a very large solar project now, and we use drip irrigation throughout our enterprise. We’re always looking for more efficient ways to do things while being respectful of the resources we have. But we didn’t just start doing that. We’ve been doing it for a long time."
For Shoemaker and the Lipman team, issues of sustainability, labor, and leadership are all part of a shared vision. And the company aims to be as sustainable and conscientious in its approach to its employees and its customer- and consumer-relationships as it does in its approach to land stewardship.
“We want to be an employer of choice and offer a work environment where people feel valued and protected; we are continually striving to make our work conditions as desirable as possible,” said Shoemaker, remarking that the company employs both a domestic labor force and skilled workers from Mexico recruited directly by Lipman and brought in under the H-2A visa program. “I think as a country we need to recognize the value of our immigrant population, and we need to be respectful of people who for decades have been doing important work that many in the traditional labor force don’t want to do."
As for the future, Shoemaker tells me that the company, excellently placed from the standpoint of vertical integration, will continue its storied tradition of sustainability. He’s optimistic that trends toward health-conscious eating and increased produce consumption will propel the industry into the future.
For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK, NY – Grapes were put under the microscope for a new book called Grapes and Health: A Monograph, coming out with tools that can help promoters tout more links between the little fruits and health than ever.
“As shown by bona fide scientific studies, the beneficial actions of grapes and grape compounds are multifaceted and help to explain their ability to impact a wide range of disease states,” said John M. Pezzuto, Ph.D., award-winning cancer researcher and editor of Grapes and Health.
The book begins by establishing the basics of grape biology, according to a release from the California Table Grapes Commission, such as the presence of thousands of natural compounds–including polyphenols–in grapes of all colors, and the fact that grapes are technically a berry.
Individual chapters written by subject experts then examine the state of the research in the following key areas:
- Heart health
- Inflammation
- Cancer
- Brain health
- Gastrointestinal health
- Joint health
- Bladder function
- Eye health
In human studies with California grapes, research showed that eating the equivalent of 1-1/2 to 3 servings of fresh grapes a day has shown beneficial effects.
The 235-page authoritative reference is a compilation and synthesis of peer-reviewed, grape-specific research, designed for health and science professionals and available for purchase from Springer Publishing.
The commission noted that emerging research in other areas of health suggest the grapes’ ability to promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities at the cellular level may also play a protective role in eye, brain, and joint health, and more. Additionally, in two small human colon cancer studies, grape consumption inhibited target genes that promote cancer growth, and protected the healthy colon tissue.
With a keen interest in the healthy reach grapes have, check out more from the California Table Grape Commission here.
AUSTIN, TX - When many people think Amazon, the first thing that comes to mind is that tech prowess that has helped make the retail giant a household name. From being an early on master of the e-commerce game and its wide array of tech-focused patents, to its state-of-the-art distribution operations, Amazon clearly knows what it’s doing. So, now that the company has linked up with grocery retailer Whole Foods, what new innovations will the food industry see infiltrating the business? According to a new report by Bloomberg, think robots.
"We will be joining a company that’s visionary," said Whole Foods’ Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, according to a transcript of an address to his employees. "I think we’re gonna get a lot of those innovations in our stores. I think we’re gonna see a lot of technology. I think you’re gonna see Whole Foods Market evolve in leaps and bounds.”
Of course, Amazon’s technological offerings were an important part of what made their acquisition offer so attractive. In its recent piece, Bloomberg called on experts who say the most immediate changes Amazon would bring from this arena is likely to be in the company’s warehouses.
"The easiest place for Amazon to bring its expertise to bear is in the warehouses, because that's where Amazon really excels," shared Gary Hawkins, CEO of the Center for Advancing Retail and Technology, according to the source. "If they can reduce costs, they can show that on the store shelves and move Whole Foods away from the Whole Paycheck image."
Automation is one of Amazon’s key strategic advantages over some of its less techy grocery counterparts, but it has barely scratched the surface as far as automation for perishable items such as produce. Amazon employs the use of robots in its vast network of distribution centers, but can this method translate to the same success in a landscape where you must have a touch gentle enough to not destroy a raspberry, but strong enough to transport a pallet of jumbo watermelons?
A big challenge for Amazon, Bloomberg says, will be applying these logistical tools previously focused on durable products like books and toys to delicate perishables that require a gentle touch and a highly controlled temperature.
As we touched on in our previous article, experts said Amazon’s warehouse space for fresh distribution is not where it needs to be to compete with other major retailers that have been building their U.S. presence in the market over the last 10+ years. This Whole Foods deal now gives them an incentive to reinvent its methods on how groceries in the future will be distributed.
Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant who spent two years working on Amazon's grocery push, told Bloomberg that Amazon may be looking towards a network of automated warehouses for its grocery operations. The source suggests this would likely mean 1 million-square-foot facilities—large enough to serve businesses including Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and Prime Pantry. Ladd said these would most likely utilize robots and automation.
"The goal will be to create as advanced a distribution capability as possible to provide customers with exceptional service and the freshest of fresh produce, vegetables, and meat," Ladd said. "Amazon will win the battle against Wal-Mart by winning with fresh food.”
While we’re still in the very preliminary stages of uncovering just what an Amazon-tinged grocery retail environment might look like, all signs point to a promising future.
LEAMINGTON, ON – Summer is heating up across the Midwest, but NatureFresh™ Farms’ mobile greenhouse tour is undeterred. And after completing almost 50 events since mid-April, consumers are still coming back to the company’s #GreenInTheCity events to learn more about the way greenhouse veggies are grown.
“The mobile greenhouse has not only been a conversation starter but a difference maker in how we connect with our customers,” said Ray Wowryk, Director of Business Development. “We care about the future of fresh and all that it entails; we need to collectively increase fresh produce consumption. NatureFresh™ can help do that with the GEC and by getting front and center with consumers, we share our story to help inform them of the value of greenhouse vegetables. Knowing who grows what you buy is important, understanding how its grown is just as important if not more.”
NatureFresh Farm’s mobile Greenhouse Education Center (GEC) is a 38-foot, custom-built unit that the company describes, in a press release, as an exact snapshot of how it grows its vegetables in state of the art high tech greenhouses in Leamington, Ontario, and Delta, Ohio. Equipped with fruit bearing plants and complimented by a live Bumblebee Eco-System, the GEC serves as an education resource to inform consumers about how greenhouse vegetables are grown.
The GEC will be supported this summer by five college students who are responsible for event day operations, serving as NatureFresh Brand Ambassadors at each event, and interacting with retail partners to ensure their customers have the best possible experience. With varied backgrounds ranging from agri-business to environmental science to marketing to biology, NatureFresh notes, the team provides unique perspectives of the value of greenhouse grown vegetables.
“We are able to immediately impact consumers purchasing decisions at store level with the knowledge we share about how we grow greenhouse vegetables,” said Cole Burkholder, GEC Team Member and third year Environmental Science Major at Ohio State University—whose family operates a farming operation of more than 500 acres of row crops in central Ohio. “The look on people’s faces when we explain the greenhouse growing process, and they see the live plants with real fruit, it’s priceless. You kind of see that ‘a-ha’ moment in their eyes. We’ve even had customers show us their shopping carts when leaving to show us the tomatoes or bell peppers they have purchased because of our conversation. It’s a pretty good feeling!”
Now in its third year, the #GreenInTheCity Tour has completed more than 200 events to date across eastern North America connecting with consumers at retail stores, summer camps, schools, and community fairs.
The tour will continue through November and wrap up at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario, November 12th, 2017.
For more on all things produce, check in with us at AndNowUKnow.
WATTERSON, TX - This one is for those of you who might still be a little watermelon-drunk off of your 4th of July festivities.
Many hear that everything is bigger in Texas, and that appears to apply to a man named Alvin Grohman’s watermelon patch. Grohman reportedly grew a number of sizeable melons this summer, the largest weighing in to that of a boxer at 64 pounds.
The prize was not the only one to make local news headlines, with siblings weighing in at 54 and 44 pounds—plenty to feed even the largest avid watermelon seed-spitting families.
For those of you curious how the small-time grower managed to get some colossal fruits, the Statesman reported that they were all Carolina Crosses, one of the largest varieties of watermelons, but no further secrets of his trade.
The news source noted that Grohman’s deep love of agriculture started when he began helping his mother Ida Grohman. He has been tending a garden for about 30 years, currently living with his brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Janice Grohman, in Watterson, Texas.
While he does set up a produce stand to sell off some of his homegrown tomatoes (he also reports having done well with pepper crop), he reported no intention of parting with the prized melons, nor did the source say if he’d cut into them yet.
While he may not be willing to share, any push that shines a spotlight on fruits and vegetables is fine by us.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - There’s a lot of power in the potato. Americans eat an average of 142 pounds of potatoes per year, or almost 365 potatoes per person. That’s an average of a potato a day! With over $2.4 billion in sales, potatoes are firmly in the top three highest grossing vegetable categories. And in fact, shoppers who buy potatoes have a dollar ring of more than twice the average shopping trip.
So, how can you tap into this persuasive potato purchasing power? Join us as we discuss What’s In Store for Side Delights brand of potatoes, exclusively distributed by the Fresh Solutions Network.
With Side Delights line of potatoes, retailers can easily translate mega trends towards convenience, global flavors, and inspired meal solutions into increased ring at the register. Including Flavorables, Roastables, Steamables, and beyond, Side Delights has the perfect product line to meet every type of consumers’ demands.
The newest product in the company’s ever-growing line, Flavorables are microwavable 1 lb trays that take on popular new flavor trends in an eye-catching, brightly colored package. Including Smokin’ Tomato, Chimichurri, and Malaysian Curry, this Side Delights brand jumps off the shelves and into the shopping carts of convenience-driven consumers everywhere looking for a punch of flavor.
Roastables are simple to prepare in the oven or grill, with a no clean up option that feature bold, global flavors to spice up consumers’ favorite side dish! Delicious potatoes seasoned with adventurous Montana Mex seasoned salts, Roastables deliver a burst of flavor in its own convenient roasting tray. Just roast, season, and eat!
Steamables, the number one selling microwaveable steam product line on the market, includes 6 SKUs of ready-to-steam in the bag, triple washed potato options. Retailers that carry Side Delights Steamables products are proven to have higher dollar and volume velocity in the potato category overall.
With the help of Side Delights line of consumer crave-able products, the power of the potato can be yours!
Thank you for watching What’s In Store.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA – The heart of our beloved industry isn’t just the fruit and vegetables that are so carefully produced, but also the very professionals who dedicate themselves to fresh produce every day. In this vein, Frieda’s Specialty Produce has continuously partnered with EARTH University to search out future global industry members, and empower them with the tools and passion they need to thrive.
As Karen Caplan, Frieda’s President and CEO, recently told me, the company’s fruitful partnership with the non-profit organization began many years ago to uplift youths, while bettering the industry along the way.
“Over 20 years ago, Panfilo Tabora, a longtime friend of ours, took a position at EARTH and introduced the university to us,” Karen shares, adding that Panfilo was instrumental in helping Frieda’s to import the first fresh Hearts of Palm into U.S. markets over 30 years ago. “In 2002, we began a regular contribution to provide scholarships for students to support all four years of their education. It was in 2008 that we began hosting an EARTH intern here at Frieda’s for a formal 4 month program each fall.”
Based in Costa Rica, EARTH University offers educational opportunities in sustainable agriculture to students in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. Spanning over 50 nations across the globe, the organization exemplifies a true “learn by doing” philosophy. EARTH University offers its students a rigorous four-year curriculum in agricultural sciences and natural resources management in both student-centered and experiential learning.
Interestingly, if you purchase organic bananas at any Whole Foods Market in the USA, they are probably from EARTH University. As part of their “learn by doing” philosophy, EARTH produces and exports more than 1 million boxes of bananas each year, to the U.S. and Europe.
“EARTH University is the only global university that teaches and practices true sustainability in every part of its curriculum,” Karen continues. “The university gives students the skills and education to go back into their communities when they graduate and create enterprises that improve the economies of their home countries. That’s a whole new generation of international agriculturalists who put sustainability first!”
As the Frieda’s team knows firsthand, the participation of current industry members and companies are vital to the betterment of agricultural worldwide.
“Our support helps EARTH produce future sustainably-minded agriculture professionals who then go on to affect change in their home countries,” Karen says. “We are also proud to have influenced the lives of our interns from teaching them skills they can use in their future careers, sharing our work culture and even our day-to-day lives. In return, we get a fresh perspective from each intern. The learning really goes both ways!”
As of 2016, Frieda’s has hosted six EARTH University interns in its operations; two from Costa Rica, two from Haiti, one from Kenya, and one from Zimbabwe. Rumby, Frieda’s last intern who was from Zimbabwe (the home of the horned melon) was the one to teach the company that the skin of a horned melon is actually edible, and as Karen was quick to interject, also delicious with a little salt!
“Our employees take ownership in mentoring an intern, and no matter how small an interaction is, whether it is professional or personal, the experience motivates and energizes them,” Karen finishes.
Frieda’s has proudly introduced EARTH and it’s students and graduates to several other produce companies. Taylor Farms recently hired an EARTH graduate for their Florida operation and J & C Produce, based in Miami, will be hosting their first EARTH Intern next summer.
For more information on how to learn more about EARTH University program, visit www.earth-usa.org or contact Victor Sanchez, a USA based representative of EARTH [email protected].
BYRON TOWNSHIP, MI - SpartanNash Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Meyers, is resigning, according to an SEC Filing by the retailer made on June 27. His resignation will be effective July 14.
In his stead, the Board of Directors selected retired VP of Finance Thomas Van Hall to step in as interim CFO.
Myers joined the company in April of 2016, having previously served as CFO of KeHE Distributors, where he was credited for orchestrating two multi-million dollar acquisitions for the company, according to an MLive report. SpartanNash noted in the filing that the outgoing executive resigned for personal reasons.
Van Hall brings a long tenure with the retailer, working as Vice President Finance from 2001 until July of 2015. During that time he oversaw the operations of the finance department, including retail, distribution, and corporate accounting. He led the integration management for the merger of Spartan Stores and Nash Finch Company from August of 2013 to July of 2015, and is familiar with duties such as:
- SEC reporting and compliance
- Budgeting/forecasting
- Tax planning and compliance
- Financial shared services operations
While SpartanNash did not disclose further information on a permanent replacement, AndNowUKnow will report any updates that might influence the retail and produce industries.
SALINAS, CA - The produce industry has always been one about investing in the future—planting a seed, nurturing it, and watching it grow. One company that has always been aware of that parallel is Mann Packing, who is continuing to invest in the future through its Mann Packing Scholarship for California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) College of Business. The school’s Scholarship Committee has recently selected four new, outstanding candidates to receive the gift.
“These young adults have distinguished themselves through a passionate commitment to our local community,” said Lorri Koster, Chairman & CEO, upon the company's announcement. “All of the recipients demonstrate great potential in leading the next generation in agriculture and their passion informs their work to improve this industry moving forward.”
According to a press release, Mann’s will continue this effort to reach future leaders in agriculture by making the scholarship available through 2022. Dean of the CSUMB College of Business, Shyam Kamath, thanked both Koster and Mann Packing for this continued support.
“This significant scholarship gift enables our most needy students from the Salinas Valley and other farming sector related communities to get a huge leg-up in pursuing the American Dream and contributing to our community and the larger society we live in,” Kamath commented.
Established in 2016, the Mann Packing Scholarship seeks to recognize candidates who have demonstrated local leadership and have shown a commitment to future involvement in the agriculture industry.