CASHMERE, WA — Two monoliths in the world of fresh-cut and value-added produce are joining forces. Taylor Farms and Crunch Pak Holding Company entered an agreement for Taylor Farms to buy a minority stake in Crunch Pak® sliced apples.
The Taylor Farms investment will give Crunch Pak key regional distribution to retail and foodservice customers nationwide. Symbiotically, the partnership provides Taylor Farms with Crunch Pak’s fresh fruit slicing technology and fruit industry expertise.
“Our investment in Crunch Pak gives us the fresh fruit slicing technology we need to move into that category,” commented Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms. “We look forward to working closely with Crunch Pak as we explore new ways to deliver an unmatched quality of fresh sliced fruit products across a variety of channels.”
According to a press release, Dovex Fruit Co. and its partners will retain the majority stake in Crunch Pak, which will provide Taylor Farms with access to raw fruit product, organic and conventional. The Crunch Pak sales, marketing, and management teams will remain in place, with Bruce Taylor joining the Crunch Pak Board of Directors.
“The fresh-cut industry is rapidly changing; customers are requiring deliveries seven days a week. You have to be national but with regional delivery across the country,” said Crunch Pak President Mauro Felizia. “We bring leading edge technology in slicing the best quality fruit to the table, but we need faster distribution to market. In today’s business environment, logistics, innovation, and collaboration are important; our partnership with Taylor Farms will give us that synergy.”
The companies said they look forward to building on the partnership and are working together.
How will this development alter the changing landscape of fresh-cut produce? Stay tuned with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.
ORLANDO, FL - Now having closed its $780 million deal to purchase Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants is pulling the chain into the fold. This includes shifting its Irving, Texas, headquarters to Orlando, Florida. The question of when, however, still remains.
“While there is no timeline in place, eventually Cheddar’s will be headquartered in Orlando,” said Darden Senior Director Rich Jeffers in an e-mail, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “For Cheddar’s to benefit from our scale, and the rest of our competitive advantages, we will need to consolidate many of the support functions.”
As we reported previously when the acquisition was announced, Cheddar's President and CEO Ian Baines expressed excitement for the leverage the buyout would bring the company, commenting that Darden's expertise will enable his team to further capitalize on its growth potential.
Jeffers also noted that Darden CEO Gene Lee said that the ability for Cheddar’s to leverage Darden’s scale is one of the key aspects of the deal.
Baines himself is both a former Central Florida resident and former Darden executive, according to the report, and will remain President of Cheddar's post-acquisition.
Lee told investors after the announcement that departments like human resources would be among the first consolidated, of which there are less than 100 corporate support jobs at the Irvine location currently.
Cheddar’s operates 165 locations across 28 states, priding itself on making fresh, made-from-scratch dishes with quality, natural ingredients.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date on this and other moves in foodservice and beyond.
DALLAS, TX – With Viva Fresh Produce Expo only days away, DMA Solutions, Inc. and other industry leaders are ramping up for further ways to uplift the leaders of tomorrow. Students from Texas A&M University will have new opportunities to network with industry members throughout the event, and during the Aggies for Fresh Reception.
“We were thrilled with the success of last year’s Aggies for Fresh scholarship program and wanted to offer a dedicated networking reception for students to get to know the companies they’re looking to work for someday,” said Bret Erickson, President and CEO of Texas International Produce Association. “This will be the perfect opportunity to meet highly capable future employees and we expect to see an excellent turnout in support of these bright young stars.”
This year’s reception will be held on Friday, April 21, from 4-5 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel in Salon A & B on the 4th floor. Each of the recipients who will be present at the reception have been personally mentored and handselected by Dan’l Mackey Almy, Founder of Aggies for Fresh and CEO of DMA Solutions. Of the dozens of applications submitted, these ten students truly embody the work ethic and passion of the industry, which makes them excellent candidates for fresh produce positions.
This year’s ten scholarship recipients of the Aggies for Fresh program come from various backgrounds and degrees. According to a press release, this spans everything from Agricultural Economics to Food Science and Technology. Seven students are graduating seniors who will be pursuing full-time positions in May, with the other three graduating later in 2017 and into 2018 and currently looking for internships.
“Lone Star Citrus Growers is proud to support the Aggies for Fresh program because our industry is in need of young, energetic minds to help shape the future of fresh produce–Aggies for Fresh is a direct pipeline to a qualified pool of just that,” said Trent Bishop, Vice President of Sales at Lonestar Citrus Growers. “Having had the opportunity to speak to and meet several of this year’s participants, I am highly encouraged by their enthusiasm and energy, and it’s very evident that the future of our industry indeed looks very bright.”
Sponsors of the reception include the following:
- DMA Solutions, Inc.
- J&D Produce
- Lakeside Produce
- Lonestar Citrus Growers
- Tex-Mex Sales
- Triple H Produce
- Wayne E. Bailey Produce
- Wonderful Citrus
- Texas Farm Credit
The Aggies for Fresh program expanded this year from the six to ten students after a successful inaugural year last year.
It’s not too late to RSVP to the Aggies for Fresh Reception! Secure your spot at the event by clicking here and registering by April 14. Want to schedule a personal interview with any of the students, email Sarah Bockholt.
BENTONVILLE, AR – Starting April 19, Walmart is offering discounts on approximately 10,000 items available for in-store pickup through the company’s e-commerce platforms. This, along with significant cost cutting measures at the corporate level may mark the point at which President and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce, Marc Lore’s overall strategy is finally coming to fruition—with a streamlined corporate structure, greater focus on e-commerce, and increasingly competitive pricing.
“With Pickup Discount, we are beginning to take the ethos behind Jet’s Smart Cart and marrying it with Walmart’s operational efficiency to bring price transparency to life at Walmart.com,” said Lore, in a press release. “We’re creating price transparency to empower customers to shop smarter and choose what’s best for them. Now, they can either pick up and save even more money, or ship two-day for free to home, without paying for a membership.”
This latest development is part of an aggressive push on the part of Walmart to out-price its competitors, and it comes on the heels of other efforts to gain online market share. According to CNBC, the retailer recently lowered the chain’s minimum order requirements for free shipping from $50 to $35 and shorted delivery time by up to three days—offering two-day shipping gratis on two million items. This on top of several recent e-commerce acquisitions since Lore arrived at Walmart just over six months ago.
“When we leverage our fleet of more than 6,700 trucks to deliver products directly from fulfillment centers to our 4,700 stores, this means quite simply, it costs less for us to ship to stores. So, our customers should share in those savings,” Lore noted.
At the same time that the company has pursued customers with price-cuts and discounted services, the company has pursued an aggressive streamlining agenda. Late last year, the company announced plans to cut roughly 7,000 administrative jobs, and an additional 300 tech jobs within the organization are being cut this month.
Will the retailer’s efforts be successful in gaining ground on Amazon in the e-commerce sector and fending off forays from European discounters like Aldi and Lidl who plan to gain ground on their U.S. counterparts with their discount pricing? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
WENATCHEE, WA - Produce departments looking to capitalize on the juicing craze can look to Stemilt Growers for innovative new merchandising options. The company is unveiling a refreshed look for its Fresh Blenders™ line of apples for juicing and smoothies. The design is arriving at retail soon via 5 lb pouch bags and redesigned display-ready shipper cartons.
“The new look features a simplified logo with obvious messaging to shoppers that the apples inside were grown to be juiced,” said Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director, according to a press release. “The packaging makes it easy for retailers to merchandise juicing apples separate from their regular apple displays. Segmenting is key to category growth, and has proven to be very successful at driving apple sales in the past with brands like our industry-leading Lil Snappers® kid-sized fruits.”
These new assets will help retailers market directly to the growing crowd of shoppers who juice or make smoothies at home. Apples are a main fruit used by shoppers who either juice or blend at home, because of their flavors, high juice concentration, nutritional benefits, and year-round availability.
Additionally, Stemilt noted that shoppers who juice often buy produce in bulk, so they don’t need premium quality fruit. The apples packed under the Fresh Blenders brand have great flavor profiles, with high sugars and acids, but may not have full color or be blemish-free as one would expect with a bulk display.
“This makes Fresh Blenders a great value offering, which is needed in the apple category, and a great way to capture a bigger purchase size from a shopper who is buying for a specific purpose,” added Pepperl.
Stemilt’s in-house design team created the new logo and packaging, using simple and clean graphics and messaging in order to convey the value of Fresh Blenders. The simplicity of the look also helps the apples stand out on display, and allows shoppers to easily inspect each stand-up bag. The Fresh Blenders display ready carton clearly calls out the product as “Juicing Apples,” making it a great merchandising tool to create a juicing destination in the produce department.
“Studies have shown that one in three shoppers are buying fresh fruits and vegetables specifically for juicing and making smoothies at home. They juice because it’s an easy way to get many servings of fruits and vegetables, not only for themselves, but their kids too. Building a ‘juicing destination’ at retail and merchandising juicing ingredients like apples, carrots, kale, and more together is a great way to attract these shoppers and encourage those purchases. Fresh Blenders apples do the messaging for you, and are a great value offering to attract this important shopper segment,” said Pepperl.
Another change for the Fresh Blenders brand, which launched back in 2015, is the move to one 5 lb pouch bag for conventional fruit, and a 4 lb pouch bag for organic fruit. Only one variety of apple is packaged in a Fresh Blenders bag, and the variety name is labeled with a sticker on the outside of the bag for easy recognition by the shopper. For more information, visit the company’s Fresh Blenders page here.
IRWINDALE, CA - The ranking for the 2016 IRI survey listing the top growth leaders in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry has been revealed, and Ready Pac Foods has made the list for the second year in a row.
“Two of the macro trends that we innovate against–indulgence and convenience–are also key takeaways across the top growth leaders in this study,” said CMO Tristan Simpson. “We always keep the consumer at the forefront of our development as we strive to delight them with fresh and indulgent experiences.”
The ranks were announced at the Food Marketing Institute’s Midwinter conference earlier this year, confirming Ready Pac Foods as 14th in the 2016 total. In 2015, the brand was recognized by the IRI CPG Growth Leaders Survey as a top leader for identifying key trends in the market, according to a press release.
Top themes the growth leaders highlighted for driving business in 2016 included:
- Indulgence
- Functional beverages
- A growing convenience-driven snack trend
- Popularity of plant-based proteins
- The proliferation of natural ingredients in consumers’ eating habits
The ranking was divided into three categories: Top 10 Large, Top 15 Midsize, and Top 15 Small businesses. Over 400 CPG manufacturers, with more than $100 million in sales in measured channels, were considered.
Congratulations to the Ready Pac Foods team on this achievement!
MISSION, TX - The Texas International Produce Association’s (TIPA) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Dante Galeazzi to the position of President and CEO. Galeazzi will assume the role May 1, 2017.
“To say I am excited about this opportunity would be a huge understatement. I feel such an incredibly strong connection to this industry, especially to Texas and to the TIPA organization,” said Galeazzi, in a press release. “I’m eager to get to work and continue delivering value to our membership through events like Viva Fresh and providing issues management to our domestic grower/shippers and importer members.”
Galeazzi is a veteran of the produce industry who held a position on the association’s Executive Committee for eight years and served a full two-year term as Chairman of the Board. According to TIPA, Galeazzi brings a vast set of experiences and unique understanding of the issues of the TIPA membership.
“We are excited to have Dante taking the reins at TIPA,” Jimmy Bassetti, President of J&D Produce and TIPA Chairman, said. “He has the energy and passion, as well as the industry knowledge to continue the tremendous momentum we have built over the last five years.”
Galeazzi was hired after outgoing President and CEO Bret Erickson announced to the TIPA Board his intention to pursue a new leadership position with an international agricultural technology firm following the completion of the 2017 VIVA Fresh Produce Expo.
“We’re sorry to see Bret leave,” said Bassetti. “He brought a great attitude and confident leadership to TIPA which has been reflected in our growth, influence, and success. The positive impact he made at the association and our industry will be felt for years to come. We’ll miss Bret, but we wish him the best as he begins a new chapter in his career.”
Despite its leader’s impending departure, the association is confident in the brightness of its future and the fact that Galeazzi’s lifelong experience in produce will serve him well as he steps into the role.
“Choosing to leave TIPA has absolutely been the most difficult professional decision I have ever made,” said Erickson. “I’ve worked closely with Dante on the TIPA Board and he has provided countless hours of volunteer service and guidance to this organization. I am confident his dedication and enthusiasm will serve the industry and our membership well.”
As for Viva Fresh, the third annual expo kicks off later this month on April 20 in Austin, Texas! We will continue to report on this and other important developments in the produce industry as they occur.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against K & A Produce.
According to a USDA press release, the company, operating from New York, allegedly failed to make payment to eight produce sellers in the amount of $199,937 from November 2014 through July 2015.
K & A Produce will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
AUSTIN, TX – It seems as though the rumors surrounding a potential acquisition of Whole Foods Market are only swirling faster as new reports surface regarding past suitors and the chain’s current status. The latest company to be associated with the rumored buy-out is e-commerce giant, Amazon.
According to an anonymous person close to the matter, Amazon reportedly considered taking over Whole Foods last fall but did not pursue the deal. The individual asked to remain unnamed, according to Bloomberg, as the deliberations were all privately conferred.
The discussions, although they did take place, never actuated into a solid plan. This move, if it had come to fruition, would have helped Amazon further launch its presence in fresh groceries.
These rumors have put Whole Foods shares on the rise. Bloomberg noted that in early trading, shares jumped as much as 4.3 percent. As of 1:14 p.m. (EST) today, Whole Food's stock had risen approximately 1.77 percent to $34.14, and a price to earning ratio of 24.68.
Acqusition rumors surged again earlier this week as activist investor Jana Partners LLC grabbed up nearly 9 percent stake in the company. Sources have reported that the stakeholder had already been pushing for a possible sale, as well as leadership changes.
As we’ve previously reported, Whole Foods market has been the target of buyout and acquisition news for quite some time now. A Whole Foods shareholder first began pushing a potential sale in November, with Kroger joining the mix as a feasible buyer. ANUK also explored the possibility, speculating on John Mackey’s stance of the matter.
Which big name will emerge next amidst a potential Whole Foods takeover, and will it further uplift the company? AndNowUKnow will be sure to report.
OVIEDO, FL - With 90 years of giving back in the books, Duda Farm Fresh Foods is showing no signs of stopping. In a new move in partnership with The Produce Mom, the company has launched a new school training program that could give over 31 million students more opportunities to choose fresh produce.
With Duda’s Culinary Ambassador Chef Todd Fisher at the helm, these hands-on culinary training sessions with The Produce Mom CEO Lori Taylor aim to reach nearly 100 school foodservice professionals in Indiana. Each session will be live, focused on teaching these professionals strategies to make fresh produce more exciting and inviting to students, all while emphasizing the national Smarter Lunchrooms Movement.
“We fundamentally believe within Duda Farm Fresh Foods that improved nutrition through healthier alternatives and choices in consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables for our society is important,” shared Dan Duda, President, upon the announcement. “We invest in programs and services that support school meal programs because we believe it will create a lasting impact on future generations and our industry as a whole.”
According to a press release, these training sessions include both demonstration and sampling of five dishes from Chef Todd's USDA school meal recipe collection, each aiming to promote under-consumed vegetable categories, such as dark green, red/orange, and legume. Each person trained receives Culinary Skills Training and Smarter Lunchrooms Strategies continuing education credit, authorized by the Department of Education and USDA Team Nutrition program.
"When my business received the opportunity to create a USDA Team Nutrition curriculum for school foodservice personnel focused on promoting vegetables, I felt strongly that the leaders of the produce industry—like Duda Farm Fresh Foods —needed to be involved," added Taylor. "In one week, the live training sessions starring Chef Todd Fisher have impacted over 10 million annual school meals. The current audience of the forthcoming digital curriculum represents over 1 billion annual school meals across the United States.”
Dubbed “the largest restaurant in town,” school districts are responsible for providing healthy meals and snacks to thousands of children each day in their respective cities. As the company shared in its release, this fuels Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ passion for supporting The Produce Mom and participating in the USDA Team Nutrition program as they encourage students to make healthy choices—choices that will determine lifelong patterns and shape generations to come.