HOUSTON, TX – Sysco Corporation announced last week that Anita Zielinski will join the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Zielinski’s appointment will take effect April 3, 2017.
"We are pleased to have Anita join Sysco and bring her extensive experience in financial accounting and reporting, internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and IFRS," said Joel Grade, Sysco's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Her vast knowledge of technical and complex accounting matters, including working with large public multinational companies and her strong analytical and managerial skills, make her well-suited to join our finance leadership team.”
Zielinski joins the company from Houston-based Ernst & Young’s Assurance, where she served for 20 years, eventually being promoted to partner in 2013. She has extensive experience working with Sysco as a client, as well as other large and mid-sized companies in a number of industries—including distribution, real estate, transportation, and manufacturing.
As Chief Accounting Officer, Zielinski will oversee all accounting functions and be responsible for financial accounting and reporting, accounting policy, tax compliance and strategy, and internal controls. Zielinski will also act as key liaison to external auditing firms.
Zielinski earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
We here at AndNowUKnow congratulate Zielinski on her new appointment and wish her the best in her new endeavors.
LOXAHATCHEE, FL - In a further effort to attract and bring value to its growing customer base, J&J Family of Farms® is introducing a brand new Field-Grown Colored Pepper program. The new varieties, grown in a collaboration with seed Seminis®, boast thick walls and a long shelf-life.
“We are constantly looking to perfect our produce year after year, and we are confident that we have the best colored pepper variety in the market,” explained Chris Coffman, Sr. VP, Marketing and Strategy for J&J Family of Farms. “We are excited to bring our Field-Grown Colored Peppers to the market. It’s dense and yields a higher net weight, making it excellent for processors. We believe it’s going to take time to educate our customers about this new Field-Grown Colored Pepper, but once they have it in their hands, they will experience the quality and great taste for themselves.”
Over the course of its history, Seminis has made a name for itself working closely with farmers across the U.S., helping to identify disease resistance packages and provide quality produce. According to a press release, this new partnership was the result of J&J Family of Farms’ search for a pepper that would be competitive with greenhouse-grown colored bell peppers—and the Seminis team was the best way to assure the finest was obtained.
“We are extremely excited about our Field-Grown red and yellow pepper pipeline,” said Jonathan Mein, Ph.D., Pepper Product Manager with Seminis. “Our breeders have focused on bringing the right combination of quality, yield, and disease resistance into a Field-Grown colored pepper program. Our goal, ultimately, is to put more, better-looking, higher quality fruit in the hands of consumers. We knew J&J was the perfect grower to collaborate with and turn that vision into a reality.”
The company is reporting a Florida growing season filled with good crops and excellent yields. These new Field-Grown red and yellow peppers are available now, and interested customers can contact J&J Family of Farms for more information.
DONNA, TX – Tomato-loving consumers now have a new way to celebrate the produce they love, as Kingdom Fresh Farm has launched a new social media campaign. The new marketing endeavor will highlight the benefits and attributes of the company’s full line of products to further engage consumers with its brand.
“Since we started promoting our brand, we focused on our business practices, from production to food safety and social responsibility,” shared CEO Alberto Gonzalez upon the announcement. “This time, we are going for something different and fun by giving each tomato a personality that describes their wholesome attributes."
Officially launched on February 10, the campaign will unfold gradually over the following 14 weeks, according to a press release. Each tomato selection that Kingdom Fresh offers has been given its own character that describes its specific and unique hallmarks, such as health, texture, sturdiness, sustainability, and more.
“We are thrilled to have this new campaign! These little guys truly represent our tomatoes. This opens up the conversation with customers beyond the specs and pricing that is common ground in this business” stated Guillermo Martinez, General Manager.
As the campaign continues, the company will engage consumers with the following marketing facets:
- Video spots
- Social media content
- Trade media appearances
- Trade show presence
Kingdom Fresh Farms plans to highlight the profiles of its full line of products with the campaign, including its Round, Roma, and Grape Tomatoes, in addition to its newest inclusion, the Organic Grape Tomato.
As companies within the industry continue to innovate in the social media sector, count on AndNowUKnow for all the latest.
CAMARILLO, CA – With summer just on the horizon, and consumers looking to tomatoes to round out the flavor of their dishes, Houweling’s Tomatoes has unveiled three new high-flavor tomato packs to its Signature Selection line.
“The expansion of the line fortifies our brand vision of offering premium, flavorful snacking tomatoes, thereby creating a loyal following of tomato lovers and repeat retail purchases,” explained Brand Manager Lindsay Martinez.
The exclusive Signature Selection brand dictates a strict criteria for varietal selection and growing practices, in order to keep flavor at the forefront of the offerings, in addition to texture and appearance.
According to a press release, the following varieties now join the lineup:
- Tomtastic Yellow Cherry Tomatoes: Selected for their sweet flavor and yellow burst of color, these cherry tomatoes are packed in 12 x 10.5 oz. clamshells
- Signature Medley Grape Tomatoes: Varietals for Houweling’s grape medley offer a pleasing variety of intensely delicious flavors, varied shapes, distinct textures and brilliant colors. Signature Medley is available in 12 x 1 pint diamond clamshells or 15 x 1 pint rectangular clamshells.
- Signature Rainbow Trio: Bright Yellow, Red, and Orange premium snacking tomatoes are chosen for their high flavor profiles and firm texture. Packed neatly in a compartmentalized clamshell for eye-catching shelf presence, the Rainbow Trio is available in 10 x 1.25 pint clamshells.
The Signature Selection line distinguishes itself on the shelf with a distinct black and gold label branding, with the variety staunchly displayed on the clamshell. Each pack highlights a declaration to consumers that they will consistently enjoy a premium eating experience.
The three new packs join the current selection of premium Signature Selection items with also includes Sweetoms Red Grape Tomatoes, Strawberry On The Vine Tomatoes, and Tomazing Red Cherry Tomatoes. The line is available year-round through Houweling’s California and Delta, BC greenhouse farms.
HOOD RIVER, OR – With a unique set of challenges that come inherent both within the realms of fresh produce, and heading a woman-owned business, Hood River Cherry Company Co-Owner Kathryn Klein has vowed to take the industry by storm both personally and professionally.
As Hood River looks to a spring of new buds, an additional 100 acres of high-elevation cherries, and flourishing opportunities, Kathryn tells me that there’s no coincidence to the success the company has seen thus far.
Infusing a passion for cherry growing, a focus on family, and maintaining her accomplishments as a successful businesswoman and owner, I took a minute to sit down with Katy to learn just what makes her tick, and what she’s looking forward to in the year ahead:
Q: What challenges are you looking to tackle in 2017?
Kathryn Klein: As the larger producers in the industry continue to grow and buyout small farms, we’re working hard to maintain our small, family-run orchard growing what we know are the best cherries on the market at a competitive price—without cutting any corners. We still pick and sort our cherries by hand—that’s almost unheard of in the cherry industry these days. The way we grow and harvest produces the incredible fruit our loyal customers have grown to expect.
Another challenge is distinguishing our small farm, hand grown, high-elevation cherries from the “big guys” on the market. We know the difference between our artisanal cherries and the mass-produced products on the market, so we work hard to make sure our customers do too.
Q: What trends do you see emerging in woman leadership in ag?
KK: The agriculture industry is losing its workforce, and we need to find ways to attract and keep more women in our ranks. One way to do this would be to provide childcare assistance so young mothers can feel valued and supported in the industry. These women will be the leaders of the future and we need to support them and their families today.
Other trends I see are shifting customer demands, uncertainty regarding climate changes and its impact on the industry and small producers being bought up by large-scale operations. Because there’s a real camaraderie among women in agriculture, I believe we can come together to support our industry and each other through the changes ahead. I’ve seen more and more women coming into agriculture and I’m excited at where that’s going to take the industry.
Q: What are some rewarding aspects of heading your own business?
KK: It’s incredibly rewarding working side-by-side with my family every day. Tackling projects with my daughter, watching my granddaughter grow day by day as she runs in and out of the office, and spending quality time with my husband doing the thing we love most: growing exceptional cherries.
Because we are a small family-owned orchard, we have the chance of getting to know and investing in our employees’ lives. Many of our workers have been with us for decades and have harvested with us year after year. After that long, they feel like family to us. We are so grateful to be able to watch their children grow up and share in special events like family birthday parties and graduations with them.
Q: What advice would you offer to women currently in the industry, or looking to join?
KK: Learn to operate a forklift and tractor. Get your hands dirty. Spend time on the loading docks getting to know your truck drivers and the world they live in. The more women understand all aspects of agriculture, the more successful we will be.
Connect with women in agriculture groups, conferences and workshops—we can all learn from each other. Sometimes being a woman in agriculture feels like an outsider. As more women join the agricultural industry this will continue to change. I feel more accepted now than 15 years ago and expect it will be even better in the future. It takes courage to persevere.
Those of us who’ve been in the business for a while have the opportunity to support other women wanting to join. Reach out and support or mentor other young women joining our industry. Give them a hand up. Believe in yourself and what you have to offer.
As Hood River prepares for another year of successful harvest, Kathryn will co-head the helm to increased production and further consumer engagement throughout the year. And with sights set on uplifting industry women to the benefit of fresh produce as a whole, I don’t see Kathryn’s name as one to soon forget.
With cherry season soon to ramp up, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest in Hood River news and all things stonefruit.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - On-demand grocery delivery company Instacart is reportedly well underway in talks to raise roughly $400 million in new venture capital.
According to news source Axios, the company had previously raised $260 million in 2015, when the company was valued at $2 billion. Its latest valuation will be a 50 percent increase—$3 billion. Existing shareholder Sequoia Capital is expected to lead the new deal.
Last year, Instacart CEO Aproorva Mehta told Bloomberg that the company had no plans to raise more venture capital in the future.
This news comes on the heels of a recent fray in which Instacart had attempted to eliminate tipping, replacing tips with a standardized “service fee” to be collected by the company. After employees complained, tipping was reinstated.
For more developments as they happen, check back in with us at AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Jonathan Mendez, doing business as 3 Mendez Produce, operating out of South Gate, Calif., for failing to pay a $2,580 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jonathan Mendez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- JLP Farms Wholesale Retail Produce Transportation LLC, operating out of Tifton, Ga., for failing to pay a $165,302 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, John L. Pettiford, Diane M. Royster and Anthony D. White were listed as the members of the business.
- Global Connection VA LLC, operating out of Dallas, Texas, for failing to pay a $101,533 award in favor of a Washington seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jose Luis Aguero and Alberto Vazquez were listed as the members of the business.
- De La Cruz Produce, operating out of Gillette, Wyo., for failing to pay a $2,419 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Francisco De La Cruz was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACAincluding buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
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.
WASHINGTON, DC - The Trump Administration has rolled out the second edition of its immigration executive order this morning, revising some major aspects of the law. The administration's previous immigration order had been blocked by courts shortly after going into effect.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the revised order now prohibits immigration from six specific countries—Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya. Prior renditions of this order also excluded immigrants from Iraq, but according to NBC News, the country was removed from the list after “an intense review” from the State Department to improve vetting of Iraqi citizens.
The updated order is seen by some as a pivot for the Trump administration, signaling that the President may be more willing to bend on immigration issues that previously believed. For those in the produce industry, this may mean more responsiveness from the administration on these issues, which we are all hoping for.
Effective March 16, the updated version states the following, according to WSJ:
- People who hold current visas are exempt from the restrictions
- Syrian refugees can now only be held for 120 days
- Existing visas approved before that date will not be revoked
- The ruling does not explicitly apply to current lawful permanent residents and green card holders
- The number of refugees allowed in the country is to be no more than 50,000 in 2017
- There is no longer preference for “religious minorities,” such as Christians fleeing persecution in majority Muslim nations
These revisions come just a few weeks after the administration was challenged in court for several aspects of the law. A three-judge panel from the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously to uphold a federal judge's restraining order on the travel ban in early February, delaying the executive order's implementation.
It does not seem that the current order will have a major impact directly on the produce industry, but AndNowUKnow will continue to update you on the latest.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – Allen Lund Company (ALC) is looking to keep the education and success of future generations at the forefront of its company strategies. The company was recently honored for these efforts by the Verbum Dei High School at their Mardi Gras Gala.
The company was recognized for its continued support of the school’s Corporate Work Study Program, which ALC has partnered with for over ten years.
"I envision them becoming model citizens, they are educated young men who know a tough part of life and have risen above it. They can become the very best and most talented people we have in society," said CEO Allen Lund.
The Corporate Work Study Program at Verbum Dei serves as a focal point at for the high school. The program serves as a means for businesses to help students have a college-preparatory education, according to a press release. Through the program, students gain experience via entry-level positions, which earns them relief from the cost of their education, in addition to providing experience in a professional work setting.
"Besides just Verbum Dei, Allen has helped the Catholic Church in Utah and he is Chairman of the Board of the University of Portland. Congratulations on your award from Verbum Dei,” stated Fr. Michael Mandala, S.J. President of Verbum Dei High School.
ALC was honored by Verbum Dei High School during their event on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. During the Gala, Allen Lund was commended for his support and participation of the program.
"Allen and his family are extraordinary human beings, they are always looking out for the community and they do it with an extraordinary family base," stated Timothy R. Busch, CEO, The Busch Firm.
ALC stated that it sees the program as an invaluable resource for Verbum Dei students. The Gala not only honored students for their success, but also raised funds for scholarships.
"He has transformed the Catholic community in Monticello, Utah by building a Catholic Church and made it available to families and youth,” said Mike Smith of Bob Smith Toyota on Allen Lund. “Congratulations on this well deserved and well earned award, I know that it's nothing that you would want but everything you deserve."
As Allen Lund and ALC continue to invest in the betterment of the communities around them, in order to bring the goodwill of the industry to others, AndNowUKnow will have the latest.
YAKIMA, WA – Domex Superfresh Growers is wrapping up a fickle February and setting its sights on big developments in March. This week, the company released its February orchard update and announced its progress as a Special Olympics sponsor.
This week, Superfresh released its February orchard update—filling us in on orchard conditions during this protractedly-cold winter season.
“One of the measures we use to indicate where we are each year compared to normal is called growing degree units,” Chief Horticulturist Dave Gleason explained in the video. “In the Yakima Valley, we are at 22. Compared to normal, that means we are a month behind normal bloom, and six weeks behind where we were last year.”
Though the company noted the slow development of its crop this year, Dave and his team are optimistic about a short spring—ideal for fruit growing. For more, check out the video above.
Virginia Wade, the newest and youngest member of Team Superfresh Growers is gearing up for the opening of this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. According to a company press release, the Washington native has spent the last several months training and participating in lead-up competitions.
This weekend, Virginia will compete in the Washington State Special Olympic Winter Games, which last year, qualified her for participation with the U.S. team in Austria.
“Virginia has grown into being a great skier,” noted her ski coach and sister, Katie Wade. “It’s exciting for all of us to see Virginia go to Austria to compete in the World Special Olympics.”
Only a week after the games in Washington, Virginia will head to DC to join the U.S. Special Olympic team as they head to Austria to compete. The games open March 18th, and Virginia’s first day of competition will be the 19th.
Superfresh's sponsorship has covered the “behind the scenes” cost of Virginia’s participation in the games—from gear and goggles, to flights and accommodations for her whole family.