NOGALES, AZ – Looking to honor the leaders and innovators of our industry, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has named a new Member of the Year. The association presented the award to Chris Ciruli, who was nominated for going above and beyond working towards the betterment of the industry and its membership.
“I am very humbled by this recognition from my peers, and I’m glad to keep giving back to the community that supports a great industry and great people,” said Chris. “I’m thankful to my family and employees that allow me so much time away from them to participate in so many wonderful industry events and to contribute to the industry.”
Chris Ciruli currently serves as COO of Ciruli Brothers, and the Chairman of the FPAA’s Mango Division.
According to a press release, Chris also served as a Chairman of FPAA from 2008-2010, and continues to served as a board member with the association.
“When we think of this individual, we think of leadership, collegiality, and optimism about the future. We think of innovative marketing. We think of a willingness to enter the political fray and say what must be said, no matter how difficult or delicate,” FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer said while presenting the award. “He is a man of good humor and can calm a tense moment or difficult conversation with his frank and direct way of confronting a situation. In this business, as serious as it can be, we sometimes need a laugh to bring us back to the ground."
Chris also serves as Treasurer of the National Mango Board and is a Board Member at the United Fresh Produce Association, in addition to his contributions with FPAA.
"Chris’s positions on national boards and his representation of the FPAA helps bring awareness of the produce industry’s issues and needs to the national stage,” Lance added.
Chris has also previously served on the United Fresh Wholesaler-Distributor Board, the PMA Foodservice Board, and with PMA’s Foundation for Industry Talent among other industry initiatives.
“Chris has always been very unselfish with his time working on behalf of our association and our community. Our industry is so much better positioned because of the work he’s done for all of us, and it is very fitting that he receives this honor from the members,” said FPAA Chairman Gonzalo Avila.
The award was presented to Chris during an annual meeting of the FPAA that took place on May 2. Each year’s Member of the Year is presented with a custom metal sculpture made by Tucson artist Matt Harper. Prior honorees include:
- 2015-16: Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed Company
- 2014-15: Scott Vandervoet of Vandervoet & Associates
- 2013-14: Walter Ram of The Giumarra Companies
- 2012-13: Jaime Chamberlain of JC Distributing
- 2011-12: Terry Shannon, Jr. of Shannon Brokerage
- 2010-11: Martin Ley of Del Campo Supreme
- 2009-10: Chuck Thomas of Thomas Produce
“He is a proud and vocal proponent of our community and our industry,” said Sabrina Hallman, the 2015-16 winner of the Member of the Year Award, and head of Sierra Seed Company. “Chris can be relied on to escort and tour visitors from near and far, and all are welcomed and educated about the produce business here on our border regardless of their stature or the size of their wallet.”
When Chris isn’t working at Ciruli Brothers or one of his many other industry commitments, he works hard to raise money for local charities. This includes the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County, where Chris plays an integral role in organizing their large annual fundraising events. Chris also helps coach soccer for his children, and enjoys family activities with his wife, three kids, and a host of extended family members and friends.
Congratulations to Chris on this distinguished recognition!
WASHINGTON, DC - As United Fresh gears up to put on its first ever joint general session, the association has announced Doug Rauch, former President of Trader Joe’s, as 2017’s keynote speaker, welcoming attendees of FreshMKT, FreshTEC, the International Floriculture Expo, and the Global Cold Chain Expo to join together on Wednesday, June 14.
Having spent 31 years with Trader Joe’s, serving as President for the last 14, Rauch played a pivotal role in taking the Southern California-based chain from nine stores to more than 340 in 30 states. Prior to his retirement from Trader Joe’s in 2008, he worked tirelessly to build the retailer’s prized buying philosophy, create a unique private food label program, and wrote and executed the business plan to make Trader Joe’s a national chain. Rauch also championed the development and execution of Trader Joe’s University, as well as the company’s customer experience orientation.
“Trader Joe’s national popularity with consumers is thanks in large part to the innovative mind of Doug Rauch,” shared United Fresh President & CEO Tom Stenzel. “He was able to scale a brand in a competitive marketplace and created a unique and self-sustaining culture of innovation. With three decades of retail experience and a conscious driven new venture, Doug will inspire us all across supply chains.”
Rauch has since taken up his new venture, Conscious Capitalism as new co-CEO. According to a press release, Conscious Capitalism looks at how higher purpose, stakeholder integration, conscious leadership, and conscious culture can simultaneously build stronger businesses and improve society as a whole. A recent senior fellow at the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative, Doug has focused on the challenges of food waste, hunger, and obesity, motivating him to also become Founder and President of Daily Table. Daily Table provides both grab-n-go meals and basic groceries at discount prices, bringing affordable nutrition to those living in food insecurity.
The United Fresh 2017 Joint Opening General Session will take place on Wednesday, June 14, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
JOLIET, IL - Strack & Van Til parent Central Grocers, Inc. has announced that it and all of its subsidiaries have voluntarily elected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
As a result, the company said it is initiating an “orderly sale” of the chain.
"In light of the increasingly difficult environment for independent supermarkets and retailers, we have been working tirelessly to achieve an outcome that is in the best interests of our stakeholders,” Ken Nemeth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Grocers, said in a press release. “We are using this court-supervised sale process to provide us the time and flexibility to conduct an orderly sale of the Strack & Van Til stores, while we work to sell the warehouse in Joliet and wind down our wholesale distribution operations."
As we previously reported, creditors like the Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Mars Financial Services, and Post Consumer Brands filed a case in an attempt to recoup a debt from the company totaling $1.8 million. In view of this voluntary move, the company said it intends to file a motion shortly in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeking to dismiss the involuntary bankruptcy case.
In addition to selling the Strack & Van Til banner, which the company said it anticipates entering into a sale agreement with a stalking horse bidder in the near future, there are also plans to sell its distribution center in Joliet as it seeks to streamline wholesale distribution operations.
The retailer did emphasize that it will keep all 22 Strack & Van Til, Town & Country Market, and Ultra Foods stores open during the process.
"Our stores are open, and we are as focused as ever on supporting our customers and providing the legendary service that we are known for,” Jeff Strack, President and Chief Executive Officer of Strack & Van Til, said. “As we move through this process, our priorities, values, and commitments to our customers and our communities will not change. We thank our loyal customers for their continued support, and we thank our employees for their hard work and dedication."
Employees are receiving pay in ordinary course, and the retailer stated it intends to pay vendors in full for goods and services provided on or after the filing date, May 4, 2017. To support operations during the court-supervised process, Central Grocers has filed a number of customary motions seeking court authorization to continue on.
The company said that it has also been cooperating with its lenders and expects to have access to sufficient liquidity to continue operating its stores and winding down the distribution center in an orderly fashion.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow updates on this story as it develops.
SALINAS, CA – Premium fresh produce grower and shipper Tanimura & Antle announced a slew of new hires. The company added experienced produce professionals Amy Voogd Pemberton, Sybil Chapple, and Jason Arnaldo to key managerial roles on its sales team.
“I am delighted that we’re able to expand our sales and service team with such top industry talent,” said Helena Beckett, Senior Director of Retail, VMI, and Delivered Sales. “We’ve always had one of the very best sales teams in the produce industry and adding these outstanding professionals to the mix really takes our commitment to quality, service, and innovation to a remarkable place.”
Amy Voogd Pemberton joins the company as Director of Retail, VMI, and Delivered Sales. The 20-year veteran of the produce industry began her career with Fresh Express in 1993 and, in 1997, made the move to Earthbound Farm—where she was a key contributor to the company’s remarkable growth. Amy has managed accounts for some of the biggest names in retail, including Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Publix.
Sybil Chapple is a second generation Tanimura & Antle employee. She returns to the company—with which she interned in college—following a stint with Tessemae’s All Natural, as Fresh Food Development Manager, where she helped launch their organic salad kits. Sybil had previously served as Sales Manager at Tanimura & Antle from 2011 to 2016, and is returning in the capacity of VMI and Delivered Sales Manager.
Bringing more than 15 years of experience in fresh logistics to his new role, Jason Arnaldo is assuming the title of Transportation Manager. He spent 13 years in transportation at Fresh Express and then two years with Dole where he oversaw more than 500 delivered shipments per week, led projects to advance operational efficiencies, trained employees, and built long-term relationships with carriers and customers.
For more important hires in the produce industry, check in with us at AndNowUKnow.
YAKIMA, WA - The Domex Superfresh Growers' apricot orchards in Central Washington State are in full bloom, creating a sea of white as the grower looks toward a harvest expected to run from early July through mid-August.
“We’ve just passed full apricot bloom, where the maximum number of flowers are open,” described Chief Horticulturist Dave Gleason. “The aroma of the orchards is intoxicating. It’s wonderful.”
Running a little later than usual, Superfresh said in a press release that Washington State apricots can conveniently be added to cherry and apple orders. As we reported earlier this week, Dave himself said in his most recent orchard update that there is a lot growing in the region currently, with much in store.
Amongst the latest of its activities is the launch of the newest addition to its apricot offering: a bright, “sunshine-themed” one-pound fixed-weight pouch bag, designed to grab shoppers’ attention.
“Pouch bags are driving growth in the stonefruit category, including for 'cots. In the 52 weeks ending November 27, one-pound apricot bag dollar sales increased 57% and pounds increased 65%, according to IRI/FreshLook data,” said Mike Preacher, Director of Marketing.
Pouch bags are ideal self-merchandisers: Easy to display, portable, re-sealable, and prominently advertising the eating experience, the company described pouch bags as an ideal self-merchandiser.
Superfresh Growers offers flexible packaging options to retailers, including one-pound and two-pound clamshells, as well as random-weight 1.6 pound poly bags.
The company said that central Washington is the ideal location to grow apricots, feeding them with rich, fertile, volcanic soil, 300 days of sunshine, four distinct seasons, and a combo of hot days and cool nights.
Not only do apricots work well to sell to consumers as an eat-out-of-hand product; they also work in sweet or savory dishes. Some suggestions include being added to grilled kabobs, served on a cheese platter, or mixed in a salad.
Contact Mike Preacher for retail and social media kits, or for more ideas on pushing apricots, at [email protected].
BRAMPTON, ON - Loblaw Companies Limited has revealed financial results for its first quarter of 2017, beating analysts estimates with a profit of 90 Canadian cents (65.6 cents), an increase of 9.8% compared Q1 2016, despite the difficult retail climate and Canada’s continued battle against deflation.
"We continued to invest to deliver value to consumers," shared Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Galen G. Weston upon the report. "We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter, against a highly competitive food retail environment and despite the pressures of deflation and healthcare reform."
While shares generally fell around 1 percent, Loblaw’s made positive strides in its performance. Loblaw reached a revenue of over $10.4 billion, an increase of $20 million, or 0.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2016, while retail segment sales were around $10.12 billion, an increase of $12 million, or 0.1%, compared to the first quarter of 2016.
With the rest of 2017 somewhat up in the air for many Canadian grocers, Loblaw reported that this year the company hopes to do the following:
- Deliver positive same-store sales/stable gross margin in retail segment during a highly competitive grocery market
- Grow adjusted net earnings
- Invest approximately $1.3 billion in capital expenditures, including $1.0 billion in retail
- Return capital to shareholders by allocating a significant portion of free cash flow to share repurchases
Other financial highlights found in Loblaw’s report include:
- Operating income of $492 million, an increase of $56 million, or 12.8%, compared to Q1 2016
- Adjusted EBITDA of $865 million, an increase of $36 million, or 4.3%, compared to Q1 2016
- Net earnings of $230 million, an increase of $37 million, or 19.2%, compared to Q1 2016
- Adjusted diluted net earnings per common share were $0.90, an increase of $0.08, or 9.8%, compared to Q1 2016
- The Company repurchased 3.4 million common shares at a cost of $240 million
As Loblaw continues to modestly succeed in its uphill battle for Canada’s grocery retail share, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest.
SANDPOINT, ID - With a strong hold on the refrigerated salad dressings market, there’s a true passion for produce infused into the craveable flavor and applications of OPA by Litehouse® Pourables. Since its initial launch in 2016, OPA Pourables have boasted strong sales and a strong connection with the powerful Millennial demographic; elements that the company only expects to continue.
As Alison Kellogg, Brand Manager, recently told me, the key to the line’s success comes in its unforgettable flavor and convenient nature.
“A major factor in Millennial purchase decisions is convenience. They like having quick and simple solutions at their fingertips to add great flavor to a meal with ease, and the OPA by Litehouse Pourable format makes it easy to do just that,” Alison tells me.
With the line’s lower calorie, higher protein health benefits, the selections are quickly becoming a staple item in the fridges of younger shoppers. Litehouse is capitalizing even further off of health-driven buyer behavior by ramping up cross-promotions in the produce department.
“Cross-promotions with complementary items such as bagged salads and other produce items work well to catch consumer attention and drive incremental sales,” Alison tells me. “Creating displays of items that pair well or work together in recipes can also create easy grab-and-go solutions for consumers.”
Litehouse offers its retail partners recipe cards that seamlessly demonstrate how the flavor profile of the Pourables series can further uplift the possibilities of produce for consumers. As the line’s new flavors gain even more distribution, the company is especially focusing on driving consumers to the shelf and grabbing their interest.
“We have a variety of materials available for retailers to drive consumer sales at the shelf level,” Alison says. “This includes shelf-talkers, shelf strips, and neck hangers. We’re also happy to create custom materials for our partners.”
The line that first began with a selection of unique flavors, now boasts the following flavor profiles in the OPA by Litehouse® Pourable format; Avocado Cilantro, Tzatziki Ranch, Ranch, Jalapeno Ranch, Feta Dill, Blue Cheese, Caesar, Strawberry Poppyseed, and Roasted Garlic.
What's next for produce and the potential of Litehouse Foods? AndNowUKnow will be sure to advise.
JOLIET, IL – Central Grocers is facing involuntary bankruptcy, as several of the nation’s largest food providers attempt to reclaim nearly $2 million dollars in unpaid bills.
"Central is reviewing the involuntary petition filed by certain vendors and will respond to it shortly. The Company’s Strack & Van Til stores are open for business and serving customers," said Jeff Strack, CEO of Strack & Van Til, in an email reported on by the NWI Times
According to the NWI Times’ report, creditors—including the Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Mars Financial Services, and Post Consumer Brands—filed an involuntary bankruptcy case in an attempt to recoup a debt totaling $1.8 million.
The retailer’s creditors have filed suit in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Illinois in an attempt to force Chapter 7 bankruptcy—a move that would force Central Grocers to shut down and liquidate assets from its $2 billion business to repay a portion of what they are owed.
Though the lawsuit is sizeable, there is no indication that it reflects the entirety of Central Grocers’ debt, and more creditors may come forward to join the petition.
The lawsuit follows an announcement last month that Central Grocers plans to sell its 22 Strack & Van Til locations and close nine stores operating under the Ultra Foods banner.
"Central Grocers continues to work with its legal and financial advisors toward implementing a sale of the Strack & Van Til stores and is continuing to explore strategic alternatives for the other parts of our business, which may include a sale transaction," said Strack.
For more on the situation as it develops, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As consumers continue to recognize the health benefits of potatoes and the convenient aspects being brought to the category, Fresh Solutions Network has announced a new marketing program to further build on the momentum. The company has cultivated a new challenge aimed at the food blogger influencer, in order to build on its blogger collective and share unique branded recipes.
“Making Side Delights® Steamables™ potatoes an integral ingredient to a green salad or adding a healthy twist to a traditional potato salad emphasizes the performance potatoes deliver across a range of potato salad options,“ noted Kathleen Triou, President and CEO. “#potatosaladredux challenged bloggers to come up with innovative recipes such as the French potato salad with warm bacon vinaigrette, from Sabrina Modelle at The Tomato Tart.”
This new challenge specifically targets and looks to leverage the trending popularity of potato salads. According to a press release, the program engages relationships with food bloggers, home cooks, and food influencers who use potatoes,and encourages them to share their recipes through social media channels–thus, building more brand awareness. The posts will link to the Side Delights website, and use the hashtag #potatosaladredux.
The program will be amplified through posts made on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in order to increase overall impressions and awareness. The #potatosaladredux program, executed throughout the month of April, includes potato salad recipes which are low in fat and calories, high on surprises, and feature Side Delights Steamables™ potatoes.
The company noted that its last challenge, #MashItOrSmashIt, resulted in new recipes for the weeknight cook starring Side Delights Steambles potatoes. This campaign secured nearly 2 million impressions in the 30 days following the challenge.
Retailers who stock Side Delights Steamables also look to benefit from the impact of the brand. Fresh Solutions Network noted that shopping baskets which include a Side Delights Steamables potato purchase average nearly twice the register ring of a basket with any product, $108 versus $56, respectively. The company advised that retailers can accelerate sales even more by placing the Side Delights Steamables in high traffic areas near other complementary meal items.
Where will innovative companies look to take potatoes next? AndNowUKnow will report as new marketing campagins are unveiled.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Effective today, Driscoll’s Inc., announced that Soren Bjorn has been promoted to President, Driscoll’s of the Americas. Bjorn previously served as Executive Vice President, Driscoll’s of the America’s, a role which he has held since 2013 when the company went through an organizational restructuring for global growth strategy. In this role, Bjorn continues to lead the largest business unit for Driscoll’s.
In the ten-plus years Bjorn has worked at Driscoll’s, he has successfully led several key business units. He served as the company’s first Senior Vice President of International Business and was responsible for oversight of Driscoll’s European, Middle Eastern, and African businesses; an Australia-based joint venture; and a new start-up venture in China. As well, Bjorn has led Driscoll’s global research and breeding programs, which focus on developing proprietary seedlings in order to deliver consistently great-tasting berries to consumers around the globe.
“Soren’s decade of work across different roles within Driscoll’s enables him to bring an incomparable wealth of experience and knowledge to his position,” said Kevin Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, according to a press release. “His promotion is a true reflection of his longstanding leadership within the brand and we look forward to his continued success in leading the growth of a critical business unit for the company, in the years to come.”
A seasoned executive in the food industry, prior to working with Driscoll’s, Bjorn spent six years with Del Monte Foods in San Francisco. He also held the role of President and CEO for UniMark Foods, Inc.
From all of us at AndNowUKnow, congratulations, Soren! We look forward to your continued success and leadership at Driscoll’s.