COLLETON COUNTY, SC – The crew of a cabbage truck found themselves in the proverbial hot water last week, when the truck crashed into a bridge, slid down an embankment—striking several trees—and then came to rest in a swamp.
If that wasn’t enough, the contents of the truck became dislodged and trapped the two men under its cargo—mounds and mounds of cabbage.
"The front of the trailer failed, propelling the load of cabbage onto the cab, destroying the truck and trapping the two occupants," Colleton County Fire and Rescue (CCFR) officials told local CBS affiliate Live 5 News.
A South Carolina Transport Police Officer came across the wreck shortly after it occurred, on the Northbound lanes of I-95, but he was only able to extricate the passenger from the wreckage. Subsequent responders worked to free the other occupant trapped beneath a truckload of cabbage.
"Firefighter-Paramedics deployed ladders to reach the second the occupant who was trapped approximately 15 feet above the ground," CCFR officials said. "Crews dug through mounts [sic] of cabbage, then used hand tools to free the driver. He was extricated with the use of a stokes basket."
Both of the people inside the truck suffered injuries and were immediately transported to Colleton Medical Center. The SC Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash.
SEATTLE, WA - New permit documents revealed by tech site GeekWire name “AmazonFresh Pickup” as the e-commerce giant’s latest grocery concept. Evidence collected by the source even suggests these new brick-and-mortar locations will be open soon.
According to the permit filings, Amazon gained approval from the city of Seattle to install signs that read “AmazonFresh Pickup” for stores in both Seattle’s Ballard and SoDo neighborhoods this week. The filings also show the entrances of the stores will be adorned with signs greeting to each neighborhood, for example, “HELLO BALLARD,” and “HELLO, SODO,” as well as messages such as, “Shop online. Pick up here,” and “Relax while we load your groceries.”
Permit records also cite www.amazon.com/pickup as a possible future web address for shopping for the store online shopping. Currently, the address redirects to a blank white page.
Additional information that GeekWire pulled from Amazon’s permits include:
- Each store includes an awning for drivers to park under
- Each store includes a brick-and-mortar store where employees put orders together
- Customers will schedule a specific 15-minute to two-hour pick up window when ordering online
- Peak time slots will sell out, helping manage traffic flow
- Customers can drive into a designated parking area where purchases will be delivered
- Alternatively, customers can walk into the retail area to pick up their items
- Customers will also be able to walk into the retail room to place orders on a tablet
- Walk in customers will have their products delivered to them in the retail room
- Permitting information uncovered last year said hours of operation are expected to be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- At peak time, there will be approximately 15 employees working on site
- Three to five employees will be dedicated to bringing orders out to parked cars
- About a quarter of all trips are expected to occur between 5 and 7:30 p.m
- The average wait time is expected to be about five minutes
Amazon has yet to comment on the existence of these stores, but the “Amazon” and “AmazonFresh” names have appeared in permit documents several times, GeekWire confirms. As we’ve reported previously, this is not Amazon’s first foray into brick and mortar retail. Dubbed Amazon Go, the company’s previously announced physical store has shoppers scan their mobile device upon entering the store, take items off the shelf, and walk out the door with no other steps.
No word yet on when these stores will open their doors to consumers and other prying eyes, but AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
MONTEREY, CA – The Agricultural Personnel Management Association (APMA) recently concluded its 37th APMA Annual Forum. The event, held over three days at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, addressed topics in human resources, labor, and safety, and was attended by nearly 270 participants from California and Arizona.
According to a press release, the forum featured workshops addressing current issues impacting agricultural businesses in human resources, safety, and employment and labor law. The event opened with welcoming remarks from APMA President and General Manager for RAMCO Enterprises Julio Sanchez.
The opening keynote—“What is the Future of California Agriculture”—was presented by Robert Roy, President and General Counsel of Ventura County Agricultural Association.
The event also featured an address by Bob Gray, past President and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation—who spoke at the 37th Annual APMA dinner and shared valuable insights on the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. And evening festivities also honored the 7th graduating class of the Human Resource Professional in Agriculture (HRPA™) Program—the only HR certification program specific to agriculture.
Rob Trice, CEO and Founder of The Mixing Bowl & Better Food Ventures, closed the event with a keynote on innovation and technology and their potential impact on food and agriculture.
For more on important events in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
BENTONVILLE, AR – Strong performance has equaled some significant payouts for Walmart employees. The company has shared more than $700 million in bonuses to its team members over the fiscal year, with a recent sum bestowed following Walmart’s strongest sales performance of the year for its 2016 Q4.
Walmart stated Monday that the retail giant distributed $157 million to its over 850,000 associates across the U.S. According to news source MassLive, this announcement came after Walmart U.S. saw an 1.8 percent increase to its sales over the fourth quarter, in addition to improvements in customer service and inventory.
The bonuses were doled out along with an annual pay raise for Walmart employees, which was enacted on workers' March 9 paychecks. Walmart also stated that these bonuses were part of an iniative to invest more in its workers. This included a program by the retailer to advance and promote workers, which encompassed the following over the past fiscal year:
- Walmart U.S. promoted more than 200,000 associates to jobs with higher pay and more responsibility.
- More than 150,000 associates were converted from part-time to full-time.
These announcements come in tandem with Walmart's continued investment in training, education, and higher wages for its employees over the past couple of years, equaling billions of dollars.
Will Walmart’s sales stay on the rise throughout fiscal 2017 in the competitive buy-side market? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
WASHINGTON, DC – Mi Pueblo Latin Market Inc., operating out of Colorado, has posted a $100,000 cash surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
According to a USDA press release, under the regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), the company was required to post a bond following the company’s involvement in bankruptcy. The company posted the bond to obtain a license to operate in the produce industry.
USDA will hold the bond for three years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct business according to PACA rules.
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.
MIAMI, FL - It is a shining moment for women in the produce and floral industry, and according to the Center for Growing Talent by PMA, they should “Own It.”
That is the theme of this years Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference, anyway. The event, being held in Miami, Florida on April 23-25, is entering its fifth year and has quickly become a milestone for the success and growth of gender diversity within this historically male-dominated produce landscape. And, because research shows that more women in leadership positions measurably fuel a company’s success, CGTbyPMA designed this event to propel the entire industry, all genders included, forward.
The curriculum leverages this competitive advantage by building and strengthening core leadership skills that are important for all leaders, while addressing broader issues that uniquely affect women.
I can personally attest that the inaugural Women’s Fresh Perspectives in 2013, as my first industry event, left a lasting impact and I learned things there that I still carry with me and use every day.
So, as the industry puts the finishing touches to their annual event schedules, it would be a shame to skip this one, and the opportunity for competitive advantage that it brings.
With Early Bird registration ending right around the corner on March 17, I connected with some of the key coordinators and participants in the event, Alex Jackson, Senior Account Manager, Frieda's Specialty Foods; Alicia Calhoun, Vice President, Talent Portfolio; and Nancy Johnston, Sr. Sales & Marketing Manager for Sysco Produce, for a roundtable Q&A about what to expect from this year's not-to-be-missed lineup.
Q: What is the mission of the conference?
Alicia Calhoun: The Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference is developed specifically for women in the produce and floral industry regardless of their career stage, with the mission to cultivate women's potential. The theme of the conference this year is “Own It,” which embodies the core philosophy of what makes women in this industry extraordinary.
Q: What are the highlights of the schedule?
AC: The schedule is brimming with beneficial topics—it’s impossible to single out one session since they were all picked with a purpose—but I can’t deny how excited I am for keynote speaker Mel Robbins’ session on creating lasting behavior change. Mel has led multi-year coaching programs at the likes of Johnson&Johnson; given one of the top TEDx talks in the world; and been tapped to host shows for FOX, A&E, Cox Media Group, and now CNN.
Mel’s perspective on leadership, risk, and human potential will empower attendees to conquer fears and eliminate mistakes in order to propel their performance. Her talk will perfectly underscore the “Own It” theme of the conference this year.
Beyond the general sessions, the concurrent workshops are designed to meet the needs of emerging, middle-level, and executive leaders. These highly-interactive sessions are tailored to ensure attendees get the most value by focusing on all levels of their career.
Q: Why do you feel this conference is important to the industry?
Nancy Johnston: I used to be able to count on one hand the women who were in produce sales in Salinas 25 years ago. Today, we have hundreds of women in all fields of interest, and it’s essential for our industry’s growth that we have a peer forum to openly talk and develop our skills. By doing so, not only do we excel and push ourselves and our companies to the next level, but we encourage other women to join this wonderful community.
Alex Jackson: Our industry offers many opportunities for networking, and not as many opportunities for professional development. Most professional development programs are for high-level employees, whereas the Women’s Fresh Perspectives conference offers professional development for women in all levels of their career. On top of this, our industry has spoken for years about the lack of young professionals, and women, coming into our industry. It is important to retain the ones we have by investing in them. This conference is the perfect opportunity to invest in both young and women professionals.
Q: Why should companies send their employees?
AJ: This is a great opportunity for your employees to not only make industry connections that will benefit your business, but return with confidence and the ability to realize their full potential to perform in your workplace!
For the women in our industry who continue to excel, this program offers Mid-Level and Executive tracks that teach them business and management strategies to bring back and implement. All of the speakers that the CGTbyPMA hires to inspire and educate these women make themselves available for continuous learning, which benefits your business. We have had many participating companies hire the speakers from past conferences to come to their workplace to teach all of their employees, male and female. Yes, these women are here to learn in the female perspective, however, the education goes beyond gender boundaries.
When women meet other women in the produce and floral industry, they are encouraged to use their network even more, and to stay at their company, and in the industry longer than they would without a network of women around them.
NJ: Women are essential to the growth of our industry and the companies they work for, and leaders need to invest in the future. This is a great opportunity to help strengthen your bond with women employees, and since women tend to be inherently team-oriented, it can help retain and build relationships.
AC: Networking at these types of events is always key–and having such a diverse cross-section of women of all ages, from different supply chain segments, and from all over the world provides a great platform for attendees to continue to build their network of peers.
Q: Anything else to add?
NJ: I am excited to participate in the women’s panel this year—it will be a great learning experience to hear from all the different participants. I want to hear from as many people as possible, so make sure to register before it’s too late!
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Anthony Vineyards is bringing a new face into the fold with the addition of Greg White to the company’s Sales and Marketing team. Previously with Shafter, California-based Top Brass Marketing, Greg brings a background in table grapes sales to his new role, amongst other fresh produce commodities.
“We are excited to welcome Greg to the team as we ramp up for our program in California,” Rob Spinelli, Sales, shares with me. “Greg will be responsible for supporting the continued growth of Anthony Vineyards’ conventional, organic, and specialty grape programs.”
Greg officially joined the Anthony Vineyards team on March 1, 2017, and will be working out of Anthony Vineyard's Bakersfield office.
“Anthony Vineyards has a great reputation of a conventional and organic program as I hope to bring quality customer service, and contribute to company growth of this already successful organization” Greg says, reflecting on the new role.
The California grape season will kick off in early May from Coachella, California, with Anthony Vineyards beginning its harvest during the first week of May with both organic and conventional flames and sugraones. The program will peak towards the last week in May or first week of June and Anthony Vineyards will continue through Coachella right into the San Joaquin Valley without a gap, Rob adds.
Greg White is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield where he earned a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Communications. He serves as a board member of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. He is also a member of the following community organizations, Kern County Farm Bureau, Active 20/30 of Bakersfield, and Zaninovich Family Reunion Committee.
We’d like to offer our congratulations to Greg and the Anthony Vineyards team on this recent news and the exciting road ahead.
BREWSTER, WA – Finding a committed workforce to harvest labor-intensive apple and cherry crops can be a serious challenge. But Gebbers Farms has found a way to do so while improving lives in the U.S. and abroad. By hiring contract workers through the H-2A visa program, the company is able to meet its labor needs and improve the lives of its workers and their families abroad.
The H-2A program provides visas for qualified temporary agricultural workers looking for work in the states; through the program, skilled workers from around the world can come to the U.S. and work.
“The reason why I came here is to better myself and my family,” notes Douglass Cohall, a Jamaican contract worker at Gebbers Farms. “In Jamaica, jobs are really hard to find, so this opportunity for me to come here is to better, not only me and my family—but Jamaica as a whole.”
“The Jamaican program has been around since 1943,” explains Sheldon Brown, a Liason Officer with the Jamaican Embassy. “Back then, we started sending workers to the United States to work in various farms. Then in 2010, we got an opportunity to come to Brewster and to Gebbers Farms.”
Gebbers Farms, a family farm with one of the largest contiguous apple and cherry orchards in the country, began contracting with Jamaican workers about seven years ago, to meet the demands of a labor-intensive harvest. With fewer and fewer resident farmworkers in Washington to cultivate and harvest the company’s expansive orchards, Gebbers turned to H-2A workers as a means of meeting rising demand, while providing much needed jobs for Jamaican workers.
“Our fulltime workers, the people that are residents here, have been declining over the years, and we’re required to bring in more and more contract workers,” explains Travis Schoenwald, Orchard Management, Gebbers Farms. “It’s a very labor intensive process, so we need a lot of people—and we need good people.”
Contract workers from Jamaica work from six to nine months and are responsible for a variety of tasks, from thinning apples to harvesting cherries and apples—and everything in between—everything that needs to happen in orchards to produce high-quality fruit.
American Dream | Jamaican Workers from Chelan Fresh on Vimeo.
The program’s mutually-helpful benefits have been observed “very far and wide” noted Jamaican worker Eyon Gale, describing Gebbers Farms’ reputation with Jamaican workers: “they just want to be here at Gebbers.”
For more on forward thinking produce companies, check back with AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL – As many collected in Orlando, Florida, to celebrate SEPC’s Magic of Produce, Produce for Kids had more to reign in as it met and greeted industry members.
Not only did the company mark its 15th anniversary, but it hit the $6 million milestone for funds raised for programs that benefit families and children during SEPC’s reception.
“I had a vision 15 years ago that the produce industry could come together to create a healthier generation,” said organization President, John Shuman. “As we celebrate this anniversary and milestone donation of $6 million raised, it gives me great joy to say each and every program we implement at Produce for Kids has, and always will, have a giving back aspect.”
At the show, PFK announced to new retail partners in Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield Division and Military Produce Group, according a press release, participating in 2017 in-store cause marketing campaigns. They join previously announced partners like:
- AWG Oklahoma Division’s Major Savings
- Advantage Independent
- Country Mart
- Homeland and United divisions
- Meijer Stores
- Price Chopper
- Publix Super Markets
- Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.’s Pick n’ Save, Copps, and Metro Market divisions
Amongst the announcements were also a new produce category-focused section on produceforkids.com, and the continuation of the We Heart RDs program.
Produce for Kids’ website launched this week produce categories highlights, sharing information with consumers on seasonality, health benefits, tips to pick, and much more. PFK awarded partner organizations at the show for their contributions through the years, including an award for Most Charitable and Longest Standing Retailer among others.
PFK’s We Heart RDs program will continue in 2017 in partnership with like-minded commodity boards across the country. The kit is currently sent out to more than 380 retail dietitians at more than 52 retailers across the U.S. Additionally, the 4th annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge program will run two activations over the 2017-18 school year, one for back-to-school in August and another for return-to-school in January, so stay tuned!
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - When it comes to fast food, there’s a few options—meat in bun, meat in a taco shell, meat fried and thrown in a bucket. So, what do you do if you want your food ASAP, but want to live a produce-centric lifestyle? Enter VeganBurg, the restaurant that Business Insider touts as the vegan’s answer to McDonald’s.
Founded in Singapore in 2010, the VeganBurg concept came when young entrepreneur Alex Tan discovered he had a mysterious illness that could not be cured through traditional medicine, according to Business Insider. Tan tried out a plant-based diet, which gave him the results he was looking for, but soon found that eating in a vegan lifestyle was not as tasty, nor as convenient as he had hoped for.
What came from that discovery was VeganBurg. Now open in San Francisco, CA, as well as Singapore, VeganBurg offers essentially the same type of menu as McDonald’s—burgers, fries, even hot dogs. The difference, however, comes when you take a closer look at the ingredients. Think burgers with mushrooms, pineapple, avocado, even broccoli. Even the fries are covered in seaweed.
You may have heard of plenty of vegan chains before, but what VeganBurg does arguably better than most is make plant-based food accessible. Nothing is neon green, lumpy, or too expensive—it's all in the form of foods that meat eaters have grown to love, at a price that won't make you regret your healthy eating choices.
Will you make your way to San Francisco to try this produce-centric fast food joint for yourself? Let me know when you’re in town and we can split some seaweed fries.