BOISE, ID – Amidst last month’s news of an executive shakeup at Albertsons, the company’s Chief Administrative Officer Justin Dye quietly departed from the company.
“It was tough to say goodbye,“ Mr. Dye said in an interview reported on by the Wall Street Journal. “I care deeply about the people and the company.”
Dye, who the Wall Street Journal noted was viewed by some as a potential successor to CEO Bob Miller, left the company five days before Wayne Denningham, the company’s erstwhile EVP and COO, was promoted to President—potentially paving the way for Denningham to succeed Miller at the helm of Albertsons.
Dye and the company parted on amenable terms, and the executive reported that though he is spending time with his family in the immediate future, he may seek another job as an executive or at a private equity firm in the near future.
The journal reported that the company’s recent moves help to shed some light on the company’s succession plan—a topic of speculation in the industry. According to the news outlet’s sources, Miller, now 73 years old, has no plans to retire in the works, but Denningham’s new role positions him as a likely candidate when Miller and the company inevitably part ways.
Albertsons is entering its 11th year under ownership from Cerberus Capital Management. The private equity giant took control of the company in 2006, bringing Miller onboard to articulate the company’s vision for growth.
In the past month, Albertsons has been making headlines for its ostensible interest in acquiring Whole Foods and its subsidiary Jewel-Osco’s plans to acquire 19 Strack & Van Til locations from Central Grocers.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on developments in retail and the produce industry at large.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - After much ado, a release date for the first Lidl US locations has been announced. Come June 15, there will be another retailer opting to provide affordable fresh produce and groceries to consumers, as revealed in a New York meeting yesterday.
Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are expected to see the first 20 sets of doors open as one of Germany’s largest retailers makes the trek across the pond, according to the Virginia Pilot. Amongst the premier locations are Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
While the report does note the specific date of the launch, it said that the retailer is still keeping its lips sealed on which of these stores will welcome shoppers on that day.
Even having this much, however, is a stride in knowing what the retailer has up its sleeve. Lidl’s stateside operators have been careful to dole out details before making its debut, leaving something of an anticipated audience in the industry as more information comes to light. The last report of when it might launch broke in February, when Lidl announced it would begin opening stores this summer.
While there is a concentration on the East Coast market, the German-born chain has also shopped in Texas as it looks to have 100 stores serving Americans by 2018.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep the industry in the loop as more becomes known of this and other developing stories in the buy-side.
SANDPOINT, ID - As consumers keep demanding more and more fresh products, Litehouse is responding in full force. Having already reinvested in expansions in Sandpoint, Idaho, and Lowell, Michigan, over the past year, the well-known salad dressing provider is beefing up their production capabilities once again with a new expansion to its Hurricane, Utah, facility. After all is said and done, the expansion in Hurricane will triple the size of Litehouse’s existing plant.
“We are excited to reinvest in the communities where we live by adding new jobs and new employee-owners to the Litehouse family,” shared Jim Frank, CEO. “Our employees, innovation, and capability to be flexible in a changing consumer environment is what has led Litehouse to the success we’re enjoying today.”
The expansion at Hurricane will add around an additional 180,000-square-feet to the current facility, as well as 165 new jobs. In order to launch the project, which is expected to be completed in March of 2018, Litehouse joined forces with Utah’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Litehouse has been a strong partner in several of the local communities it occupies, leading both a 55,000-square-foot expansion project in Lowell and a 26,000-square-foot expansion in Sandpoint.
A company who is no stranger to quick innovation, Litehouse prides itself on the passion of its 100 percent employee owner workforce. As the food industry continues to gear itself more towards the fresh product perimeter of the grocery store, the past five years of growth have built the category to $146 billion, according to a press release. Litehouse produces a breadth of products, including refrigerated salad dressings, herbs, dips, packaged salad kits, and beverages.
As the company continues to gear up and respond to consumers’ cravings for fresh, keep following our coverage for the latest.
NOGALES, AZ - There’s a new hero to thank for the safe rescue of a recently endangered load of fresh bell peppers. An unidentified, yet undeniably brave, canine officer alerted authorities to the true nature of a recent fresh produce shipment, leading them to discover nearly 7 tons of marijuana hidden amongst the load.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made the discovery at the Mariposa Commercial Facility over the weekend in the Nogales, Arizona, area. According to a release, the drugs were moved in a tractor trailer carrying the bell peppers, but were discovered when offloaded for further inspection.
Enter our favorite new officer. The unknown CBP narcotics detection canine used his disciplined skills to alert his human counterparts that a suspicious order had been detected. The unassuming load was then revealed to contain over 13,700 pounds of marijuana, mixed in with the bell peppers.
Authorities have estimated the value of the bust to be around $6.5 million. The driver of the tractor trailer was a 46-year-old man from Mexico, and was subsequently arrested.
Was this another victory for the world of fresh produce? This author thinks so, with a nod to the four-legged hero of the day.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Summer is on the horizon and, with it, plenty of grilling and entertaining. Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) is meeting the season head on with its Side Delights® summer promotional program.
“Summer is grilling season and the perfect time to prompt shoppers to add potatoes—America’s most popular vegetable—to their grocery list,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO. “The Side Delights celebration of summer promotional program is designed to inspire summer shoppers to purchase potatoes with eye-catching POS and creative recipes.”
The company has announced a slate of three monthly promotions: “Meet Your New Flame” for June, “Star Spangled Steamables” for July, and “Grill Potatoes” for August.
Each month-long promotion includes unique in-store merchandiser displays and point-of-purchase signage with QR codes featuring a unique Side Delights recipe.
Memorial Day is just around the corner, and Side Delights’ June promotion “Meet Your New Flame” will be in place to motivate shoppers to add potatoes to their carts and their grills—and reward them with healthy, easy-to-prepare recipe for “Grilled Potato Bake.”
The month after, the company will launch its “Star Spangled Steamables” July campaign in time for July 4th, America’s most popular grilling day. FSN will roll out a recipe for “Red, White and Blue Potato Salad” just in time for the festivities. According to the company’s press release, this year, approximately 214 million people plan to celebrate Independence Day—and will spend an average of $71 per household of barbecues and picnics.
Grilling goes beyond meat with Side Delights August promotion “Grill Potatoes.” The company will introduce fresh signage and store displays intended to remind shoppers of the convenience and versatility of cooking potatoes on the grill and will unveil a simple recipe for “Grilled Potato Planks.”
Side Delights summer promotional materials are available now through Fresh Solutions Network partners.
For more on promotional opportunities and offerings in the produce industry, check in with us at AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL – As consumers prep for a busy season full of ripe and tasty fresh produce, Produce for Kids (PFK) is looking to launch into a season of grilling fruits and veggies with its latest Twitter party. The company will celebrate summer in retail stores across the nation with its #SimplySummer Twitter event.
“The weather is warming up and families are looking for new ideas to kick off the season. We are excited to have three of our produce partners participating in our #SimplySummer Twitter party,” said Trish James, Vice President. “We invite all likeminded brands to be part of the conversation on Thursday to help build awareness for healthy eating.”
The Twitter party will take place on Thursday, May 18 at 4 p.m. EST. According to a press release, the event will kick-off retail campaigns in more than 2,000 stores across 28 states. The campaign highlights 50 new seasonal recipes to the PFK website, the launch of a new e-cookbook, and the promotion of fresh produce with the What’s in Season Guide and Produce Tips.
PFK and three of its partners–Shuman Produce, Southern Valley, and To-Jo Mushrooms–will be sharing tips and recipes for consumers on summer grilling, the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, summer travel, and more. Each partner will be giving away prize packs during the party.
Consumers and retailers alike can see the new seasonal recipes on the PFK website, which will support its partners’ products, in addition to capitalizing on new food trends like cauliflower rice, jackfruit, Naan pizzas, and Buddha bowls. The recipes featured also highlight in-season produce, grilling, and grab-and-go ideas for the warmer months.
“This will be our first summer season with the new Produce for Kids Produce Tips section of our website,” continued James. “We see this a huge opportunity to highlight how to pick, store, and prep popular seasonal produce.”
This particular Twitter party coincides with the June kick-off of several PFK retail campaigns in the following banners:
- Associated Wholesale Grocers Oklahoma
- Associated Wholesale Grocers Springfield
- Meijer
- Price Chopper/Market 32
- Publix Super Markets
Also a feature of the Twitter party is the Simply Summer e-cookbook. A popular PFK feature last year, this year’s book is being launched with new recipes and can be download for free here. The book comes complete with 20 registered dietitian-approved cookout classics, a guide to What’s in Season for Summer, and other tips sprinkled throughout the compilation.
The company stated that in the past, PFK Twitter parties have averaged 8.2 million impressions.
How will PFK and its produce partners have kids and their families eating healthy with produce next? AndNowUKnow will find out.
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger is saying so long to Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions Sukanya Madlinger, as the company vet plans to retire on June 19. In tandem with her retirement announcement, Kroger has revealed it plans to promote Calvin Kaufman as her successor, with Ann Reed to succeed him as President of Kroger's Louisville division.
Madlinger, who remained with the company for 31 years, joined Kroger in 1986 as a store management trainee in the Cincinnati/Dayton division. Holding a variety of leadership positions in stores and merchandising throughout her tenure, and in 2003, she was named Vice President of Drug/General Merchandise/Pharmacy Merchandising and Procurement for Kroger's corporate office in Cincinnati. Madlinger returned to the Cincinnati/Dayton division in 2008 as Vice President of Merchandising, and was quickly promoted to lead the division as President in 2010. Once again moving upward, she was promoted to her current role as Senior Vice President of Retail Stores in 2015.
"Throughout her accomplished career, Sukanya has exemplified true leadership," said Rodney McMullen, Chairman and CEO. "Sukanya's focus on developing future talent and fostering strong partnerships helped build a deep bench of leaders to sustain Kroger's future growth. The entire Kroger family wishes her and her family the best in retirement."
In her place, Kroger has promoted Kaufman as the new Senior Vice President of Retail Stores. Kaufman joined Kroger in 1994 with the Fred Meyer Logistics group in Portland, Oregon. Serving in various other logistics roles at Fred Meyer for several years, Kaufman went on to do the same with the Kroger logistics team, prior to being named President of Kroger Manufacturing and Corporate Brands in 2008. According to a press release, was named to his current role as President of the Louisville Division in 2013.
"Calvin is an unwavering advocate for improving the customer and associate experience in ways that will accelerate growth and create shareholder value," shared McMullen. "His passion for strengthening our corporate culture and clarifying our company purpose makes him a natural fit for our leadership team."
Now assuming the role of Kroger’s President of the Louisville division is Ann Reed, who has worked with the company since 1993. She was named to her current position in 2015.
"Ann has shown tremendous leadership in driving our Customer 1st Promise and company purpose into our business strategy," added McMullen. "Ann brings to our Louisville division team her dedication to and deep understanding of our customers, associates, and communities."
Congratulations to Madlinger on this next chapter in her life, and here's to much more from the retail giant in the future.
DUBLIN, OH – Wendy’s is celebrating National Salad Month, breaking with fast food clichés and offering a variety of fresh and healthy salad options, hand prepared in restaurant every day.
According to a company press release, Wendy’s remains committed to daily, in-house ingredient prep—hand-slicing fresh tomatoes, washing and chopping heads of lettuce, and topping each salad entrée with freshly-prepared chicken breast.
New fresh offerings include:
Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Salad
Built on a foundation of spring mix and iceberg and romaine lettuce, this salad is topped with a freshly grilled, all-white meat chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and grape tomatoes. Served with a creamy basil pesto sauce, topped with crunchy French bread croutons, and finished with the Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Light Balsamic Vinaigrette, this offering is available for a limited time only.
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
This menu favorite combines hand-picked red and green apples, roasted pecans, cranberries, and creamy blue cheese crumbles. Wendy’s signature salad is served on a bed of Wendy’s signature lettuce blend and topped with freshly grilled chicken and Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Pomegranate Vinaigrette.
Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad
Mediterranean flavor mixed with a savory sundried tomato grain blend makes this salad stand out for Wendy’s—with quinoa, chickpeas, white beans, fire-roasted vegetables, and sundried tomatoes. It’s topped with crumbled feta, freshly grilled, all-white meat chicken breast, creamy hummus, and Marzetti® Simply Dressed® Light Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Taco Salad
This dish employs Wendy’s signature chili, paired with hand-diced tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese over a bed of hand-chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce. Add sour cream, crunchy tortilla chips, and a fiery salsa blend made with ancho chili peppers and roasted tomatoes, and Wendy’s has itself a unique take on the taco bowl.
Wendy’s supply chain, established in 1969, delivers fresh ingredients to its restaurants several times a week. For more on the fresh side of foodservice, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
TORONTO, ON - Sweet potatoes aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore, as Chef Robert Mutch of Longo's and the Country Sweet Produce team showed hungry attendees at the record-breaking CPMA last week.
I followed my stomach to the crowded Bako Sweet booth, where Chef Mutch was making magic with the company’s ready-to-eat, value-added sweet spuds, a microwave, and a steamer bag.
“People loved Chef Robert’s samples. They enjoyed the amount of flavor and freshness; it was a light snack they could enjoy while walking the floor,” Marketing and Specialty Sales Manager Gina Pettit shared with me. “All the tasty creations were made in the microwave with our steamer bag, and everyone was surprised at how simple and easy it was to whip up each recipe.”
You can count me amongst them. The first sample I managed to get my hands on was the sweet potato salad; a tasty twist that seemed to marry traditional fruit and potato salads together for a healthy treat. Then there were the beautifully simple mashed sweet potatoes, which were such a hit they seemed to be scooped up as soon as they hit Bako Sweet’s wicker platters.
Finally, there was a savory option that had my taste buds tingling. Sweet potato hash, mixed with greens for a savory punch, made for a great course option I admittedly came back to for seconds. And, Gina told me, I was far from the only one.
“It was great to see that we had a number of returning visitors. We were happy to send people home with a bag to try for themselves, and we definitely ran out of recipe cards by the end of the show,” she said.
While retailers, foodservice operators, and curious consumers stopped in to have a try, company President Michael Valpredo shared on the versatility and benefits that have been rocking the category, including the ability to be substituted for heavier vegetables and food items, extreme levels of vitamins E and C, high fiber, potassium, and iron.
My favorite part of attending a show is being able to see first-hand traditional veg lovers inspired and new ones made. I constantly heard sweet potato fans saying, “I never knew how much you could do with these,” as well as several walking away with a newfound appreciation for sweet potatoes.
Needless to say, I left with a few recipe cards of my own, plus a Single Sweet or two, and I can tell you I’ll be using them in more than just a pie.
TORONTO, ON - When I wasn’t fangirling as my 12-year-old self to well-known Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, I was enjoying new celebrities-in-the-making on the country’s produce stage: the annual CPMA Convention and Tradeshow. Here are some of the stand-outs I saw.
Mucci’s Veggies to Go
While I may not be the demographic the packaging designers had in mind, my inner child was thrilled with this product. Additionally, the convenience-seeking adult was happy about the ability to eat in the car (never while driving, of course!). I’m thinking other adults and their children, both inner and otherwise, will feel the same.
Mann Packing’s Bacon Maple Delight
I will be the first to admit I’m the woman that orders my bacon separate from my pancakes so as to keep the syrup away. But, the kale, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts mix topped with bacon and maple has recalibrated my thinking. If I can be converted, your shoppers can, too. Who else can’t wait to get their hands on this?
Litehouse Pourables
Litehouse has expanded on the success of its OPA Greek Yogurt dressings by upping the stakes and bottling them up in a pourable, no-mess vehicle. This sleek, curvy bottle—combined with the dressings that have skyrocketed since their initial launch last year—will likely be a perfect complement to the produce department.
The Smitten™ Apple
If you’re a horse-betting kind of buyer, this one has the nice lines you want to see. It’s a cross between crowd favorites Gala, Braeburn, Falstaff, and Fiesta, conceived by the same New Zealand breeder of Envy™ and JAZZ™. The blush catches the eye, but it’s the crunch consumers will likely come back for.
Nichols Farms Pistachios
Organic. Roasted. Salted. The first two are descriptions consumers look for on both packages and menus, and the third captures my sodium-obsessed heart. The resealable bag is spoil-proof and klutz-friendly, while pistachios continue to garner fans spanning all generations, from Boomers to Generation Z.
These are just some of the many innovations and inspirational products on the floor. Can't wait to see what you all have to bring to Vancouver for CPMA 2018.
Litehouse Foods Mann Packing Mucci Farms Nichols Farms Smitten™