AUSTIN, TX - From United Supermarkets, Brookshire’s, and H-E-B to Ahold and Whole Foods, the Viva Fresh 2017 program is well underway as the 3rd annual trade show and convention returns to Austin, Texas. Slated for April 20-22, 2017 at the Austin Convention Center and Hilton Hotel, this event cultivates an intimate trade show environment with a buyer to supplier ratio that has lifted the Viva Fresh event to the top of the convention list.
H-E-B’s Group Vice President, Hugh Topper, took a beat and shared with me the his impression of the event’s impact, “With only 2 years under its belt, Viva Fresh has become a great regional show. The mix of Texas and Mexico growers makes this a true international event. The venues have been great and with the event returning to Austin this year, everyone can experience the hospitality of the Capital of Texas.”
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Back by popular demand, the theme for the Viva Fresh Expo is again celebrating the “Gateway to the Americas.” It’s no secret that Texas and the Rio Grande Valley play an important economic role in the distribution of fresh produce. From 2007-2015, fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico through Texas have grown an eye-popping 107%, and in 2015, Texas crossed 210,000 truckloads, with that number expected to grow to as much as 358,000 by 2023, according to analysis by the Texas A&M Center for North American Studies.
Joseph Bunting, Produce Business Director, The United Family®, discussed with me his excitement around 2017’s Viva Fresh; “I am again looking forward to attending the Viva Fresh show in 2017. With the show moving back to Austin, Texas, it should be a great venue right in the heart of Texas. This will be the third year United Supermarkets has attended the Viva Fresh show and we are looking forward to another great show and the opportunity to strengthen our current Texas and Mexico partnerships while developing new ones.”
It is easy to see why Austin is such an ideal locale for the event. Not only is Austin known as the Live Music Capital of the world, but it’s also a great foodie city. In fact, Travel & Leisure named Austin one of America’s Top Cities for Foodies as part of the magazines reader’s survey.
Downtown Austin includes a vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment scene. The famous 6th Street Entertainment District, Warehouse District, and 2nd Street District are all located within walking distance of the Austin Hilton Hotel and the Austin Convention Center.
Keith Durham, Certified Category Manager, Fresh Foods, Brookshire’s, spoke to me about the draw of the Viva Fresh Expo, noting, “What I like about this regional show is that it is like a mini PMA. Even though it’s getting larger every year, you can still walk the show floor and spend time with companies that can add to your business.”
Durham continued, “The educational sessions are quick and easy to attend, not mention, the content is very good. With our company being based in Texas, Viva Fresh gives us an opportunity to find new vendors to expand our ‘Local Grown’ community.”
Tommy Wilkins, Director of Sales for Grow Farms Texas and member of the Expo Steering Committee added that the return to Austin and the entertainment options the city provides should produce some good times, as we all well remember from 2015.
This year, he notes that Viva Fresh is committed to the education sessions and the speakers to challenge the status quo and excite the participants to drive healthier choices while driving consumption of the crops that are grown or travel through this corridor.
“Produce buyers have lot of choices battling for their time,” Tommy said. “We want to offer retailers an event that will give all involved a wonderful experience that is well-worth the investment. Feedback from both the buy-side and supply-side of the industry tells us that this event is the place to be.”
Here are some of the 2016 stats that detailed the success of the event:
- 27% increase in exhibitors from 140 booths to 179.
- 70% increase in retail/foodservice attendees. In addition, 100% of retail/foodservice respondents to a Viva Fresh survey stated the Expo met all their business needs.
- 65% increase in sponsors.
Bret Erickson, TIPA President & CEO remarked, “We know we’re doing something right when buyer attendance has nearly doubled from year-one to year-two and nearly 100% of those retail and foodservice attendees report they are satisfied or very satisfied with the event with many commenting this is one of the best events they’ve attended. Additionally, over 90% of all attendees report that they plan on coming back to join us again in 2017.”
So, what are some highlights that attendees can look forward to at Viva Fresh 2017?
The Friday Night Welcome Reception on April 21 will be held at Maggie Mae’s. Serving up tunes since 1978, Maggie Mae’s is a local legend in Austin with the largest rooftop view on 6th Street and the entertainment district. This venue is also within walking distance from the Hilton Austin Hotel.
In addition, the Viva Fresh committee is planning several exciting educational seminars on Friday, April 21 with a wide range of relevant industry topics and expert speakers. This will include developing more hands-on experiential learning with actual produce displays, sampling, and showcasing products for review.
Because everything is bigger in Texas, expect more big ideas and big flavors at the 2017 Viva Fresh Expo. Mark you calendars now, as the show is already filling up fast!
See you all in 2017!
SALINAS, CA - After experiencing a successful inaugural year in the U.S., Mann Packing’s Nourish Bowls™ line is hitting the Canadian market.
The still-new product has touted a warm reception stateside, spurring rapid growth and wider distribution.
“Our weekly shipment average of Nourish Bowls has gone up four times since our U.S. launch in April and even increased in the summer months, which is a great sign for colder weather,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing at Mann’s, in a recent release. “We’ve made sure to have a variety of on-trend flavor profiles that target consumers from moms to Millennials and are confident that Nourish Bowls will sell just as well in Canada,” Nucci added.
This latest step is underway, with the award-winning line available to Canadian retailers this month.
On-trend flavors include:
- The new Cauli-Rice Curry bowl
- Smokehouse Delight
- Sesame Sriracha
- Southwest Chipotle
- Butternut Kale Risotto
The line was awarded the 2016 PMA Impact Award at the Fresh Summit last October for Excellence in Packaging, just six months after it was introduced.
Mann Packing noted that Nielsen data shows great opportunities for growth in health and wellness, with 47 percent of Canadian households looking to increase vegetable consumption per a survey conducted by the data company.
Retailers can find a wide range of marketing materials, like Mann Packing’s new Girlfriends Guide: Beyond the Bowl with creative recipes for the Nourish bowls, how-to videos on YouTube, and more.
What strides will this product make next as it closes in on its first birthday? AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop on this and other innovative fresh produce line.
ATLANTA, GA - One of Brambles' top execs has recieved recognition from one of its region’s top names in leadership. The supply-chain logistics company’s Group SVP and CIO, Jean Holley, has been named Global CIO of the year by the Georgia Chief Information Officer Leadership Association (Georgia CIO).
“I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire Brambles information technology team,” shared Holley upon recieving the honor. “Brambles is a fantastic company that is committed to making the world a better place, and that would not be possible without the innovation, hard work, and dedication of the IT team.”
Presented at the Association’s recent 18th Annual CIO Awards Ceremony in Atlanta, Brambles said that Holley accepted the award on behalf of IT employees worldwide. According to a press release, IT is a strategic partner within Brambles’ business units—and through commitment to hard work, collaboration, and dedication—empowers the company to achieve its customer satisfaction and marketplace goals.
“Thanks to Jean’s leadership, Brambles’ IT team is trusted by the business, with a reputation for delivering on difficult, complex strategic projects,” added Brambles’ CEO, Tom Gorman. “Jean has built a strong, diverse team within which mutual respect is high and all team members take pride and enjoyment in what they do.”
The company said that Holley was nominated for her part in transforming Brambles’ IT organization into a high-performing global function. Her priorities have focused on:
- Formally vetting and measuring spend for IT projects
- Improving customers’ experiences
- Lowering business operational costs
- Enabling Brambles to operate as one integrated company
“Jean and the other individuals who have earned these awards are the best and brightest leaders—not just within information management, but in the sectors they represent,” said Lisa LaRoque, Executive Director of the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. “In today’s fast-paced world, where information travels from one end of the globe to the other in a fraction of a second, organizations that win in the marketplace benefit from the superior strategic planning and day-to-day execution these individuals bring to the table.”
The annual Georgia CIO Awards Ceremony honors Chief Information Officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership. CIOs and those in equivalent positions are selected by a distinguished panel of CIO judges, including prior Award recipients, CIO peers and industry experts, based upon their leadership, innovation, business value created and service to others.
Congrats to Jean Holley on this awesome career distinction!
CINCINNATI, OH - Citing sinking food prices as a cause, Kroger Co. announced third quarter results that fell on the lower end of its expectations.
"I am proud of our associates for continuing to connect with our customers in a difficult operating environment,” said Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen, in a company press release. “Deflation persisted as we expected during the quarter. We are firmly focused on our long-term strategy of improving our connection with customers and associates, and continue working on process changes to lower costs. We don't change our strategy based on quarterly swings in results. We remain committed to delivering on our long-term earnings per share growth rate guidance."
According to Reuters, Kroger's stock fell around four percent in premarket trading. Since then, however, shares seemed to have stabilized, even rising a modest 2 percent.
Details of the third quarter report include:
- Total sales increased 5.9 percent to $26.6 billion, compared to $25.1 billion this time last year.
- Total sales excluding fuel grew a more robust 7.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
- Total Supermarket sales, excluding fuel and Roundy’s, increased 1.6 percent in the third quarter compared to last year.
- Gross margin was 22.2 percent of sales this quarter.
- Total operating expenses—adjusted to exclude fuel, Roundy’s, and an $80 million contribution to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in the third quarter of 2015—increased 19 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to last year.
- Net total debt to adjusted EBTIDA ration increase to 2.35 in the third quarter, compared to 1.99 during the same time last year, in part as a result of mergers with ModernHEALTH and Roundy’s Inc.
- Return on invested capital, excluding Roundy’s, was 13.63 percent for the third quarter, down from 14.16 percent in the third quarter of 2015.
Kroger has modified its fiscal guidance for the remainder of 2016:
- A net earning guidance range of $2.03 to $2.08 per diluted share, adjusted from a previous guidance of $2.03 to $2.13.
- An adjusted net earnings guidance range of $2.10 to $2.15 (excluding a $0.07 charge as a result of restructuring some multi-employer pension obligations), down from a previous guidance of $2.10 to $2.20.
- Expected capital investments—excluding mergers and acquisitions—is $3.6 to 3.9 billion for the year.
- Excluding fuel, the company expects slightly positive identical supermarket sales growth.
Kroger intends to announce its 2017 business plan and fiscal guidance in March. The company expects positive identical supermarket sales, a net earnings growth on the low end of the company’s 8 to 11 percent long term growth rate, and an operating environment very similar to today’s. The company says it remains committed to achieving its long projections and to growing dividends.
For more industry news as it happens, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
PLEASANTON, CA - With demand for local, organic, and sustainable options in fresh produce splintering the traditional supply chain, more comprehensive solutions are becoming necessary for its management. That’s why I sat with Ray Connelly, VP of Business Development at iTradeNetwork, to discuss the viability of fresh in today's diverse market, and the whitepaper the company just released in response to the industry call for answers.
“Managing perishable food across a fragmented supply chain network requires the right processes, the right partners and the right technology. Taken holistically the risks of fresh food can be marginalized, ensuring profitable transactions for each network participant, and ultimately improving each consumer’s experience,” Connelly expanded.
As it stands, the fresh food supply chain suffers from communication gaps which can result in too much product or too little inventory on store shelves. The consequences of these communication gaps are serious, leading to customer dissatisfaction, shrink due to waste, and out-of-stocks which undermine profitability. Additionally, the industry is suffering from a loss of tribal knowledge which makes communication more important. This issue stems from loss of industry experts in the form of retiring baby boomers, along with a lack of experienced workers to fill those shoes. Spanning the gap, and connecting produce buyers to the source are great ways to address this issue.
Fresh perimeter aisles are the key to retail differentiation, and meeting consumer expectations in “fresh” is crucial for success. But, delivering "fresh" can present a major challenge, with a product that starts to turn the instant it is harvested. The window of opportunity is short with no room for error in communication, according to iTradeNetwork. This is why Food Lifecycle Management, spanning key stakeholders, is critical for the category.
According to the whitepaper, building a business ecosystem which allows access to analytics, early visibility to data, and maintains good data hygiene is the foundation for a successful Food Lifecycle Management framework. A proper framework will embody the following seven core components:
- Food Centric Network
- Responsive Supply Chain
- Connected Quality
- Improved Fresh Experience
- Food Safety Compliance
- Sustainable Sourcing
- Cross Network Insights
Proper Food Lifecycle Management assists retailers in sustaining value through high quality to win consumer business, while also eliminating food waste and decreasing shrink. With one-third of food wasted globally, that equates to 1.6 billion tons of produce annually, improving transparency through communication along the supply chain is imperative to effective category management.
For further information on the core components of Food Lifecycle Management framework and more information on this topic, download the iTradeNetwork whitepaper here.
MISSION, TX - Hector Garza is returning home. At least that is what Hector tells me as we talk about reuniting with the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) as the Director of Industry Relations.
"It would be cliché to say, but very true here, I really did not know what I had till I lost it. I had left TIPA to continue in my career in IT as the Director of Technology at the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC)," Hector tells me. "It was very tempting to leave TIPA for an IT position in such a prestigious location, and since my studies have been in IT, I truly believed that was the right move at the time. But in reality, the relationships that I was able to cultivate in the produce industry, and the team at TIPA are what brought me back."
The Mission EDC is at the forefront of economic growth in Texas, with a visionary leader, Alex Meade, CEO of Mission EDC, at the helm. Alex created the first e-STEAM (Entrepreneur, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) ecosystem in South Texas, dubbed the CEED building (Center for Education and Economic Development Corporation), Hector adds.
When I ask Hector what makes TIPA such a great association to work for, he tells me that the South Texas' border with Mexico has created a beautiful culture and environment, and a lot of the major local fruit and vegetable producers and importers are located in the Rio Grande Valley.
"The members of TIPA, the growers and producers in Texas and Mexico, our friends in Nogales and throughout the U.S., the TIPA staff and Board of Directors are what makes TIPA such a great place to work for," Hector shares. "TIPA is my family. Everybody takes care of each other. I have been fortunate in meeting wonderful individuals in the produce industry and I wish to continue to meet even more and help grow the Texas International Produce Association."
As Hector moves forward with TIPA, his goals are far and wide–beginning with The Viva Fresh Produce Expo, which has surpassed many expectations from the start and continues to grow as a top regional event in the fresh produce industry.
"One of my personal goals is to continue to help the expo succeed and make sure the exhibitors, retailers, and sponsors get the most from it," he says. "I also wish to continue to grow the TIPA membership and its presence in the produce industry."
Looking back, Hector shares with me his roots in IT and how he got into the industry, beginning with the Marine Corps in July 2001.
"I was actually born in Mexico, but raised in South Texas throughout my childhood. My mom was a single parent, and she raised and provided for my sister and me. We never got to travel outside of Texas, with the exception of Mexico to visit relatives," Hector comments, noting that he wanted to see the world, travel. "That's exactly what I received in the Marine Corps, plus a lot of hands-on experience in IT."
After four years of service in the Corps, he pursued a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems and was halfway through completing the degree when he received a Presidential Letter in the mail. Hector was being recalled into active duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008 with his base of operations in Fallujah, Iraq.
"I had to pause my education goals and return to serve in the Marine Corps. A year later, and with God's help, I made it back home. It was certainly the longest year of my life, but one I will never forget," he humbly shares.
This time when Hector returned, he finished his Bachelor's degree while working part-time at Texas Citrus Mutual (TCM) with Ray Prewett, President of TCM at the time. Dabbling in a little IT work, web development and helping to organize meetings for the citrus growers, it was at TCM where he met Bret Erickson, now the President of TIPA.
When TIPA began its search for someone to help with membership relations, Hector’s name came up and the rest is history. While working at TIPA, Hector was able to earn his Masters of Science in Information Technology.
"I still am incredibly passionate about IT today, and it will always be a part of the way I look at the industry and develop solutions," Hector says. "But I sure have learned that technology alone might not be my dream job. The relationships that I was able to cultivate in the produce industry and the team at TIPA are what brought me back. Very different from the corporate world, the produce industry is very unique. It is the people in this industry that I love to be around. I believe that I am already in my dream job."
Congratulations, Hector, on your return to TIPA! And the team at AndNowUKnow is counting down the days till Viva Fresh 2017!
ROCHESTER, NY – As trends shift and flourish amongst consumers in the buy-side segment, Wegmans is looking to make a lasting impression on its shelves. The company announced yesterday that it would be cutting prices for a wide variety of items in its stores, based on demand.
“We offer the lowest prices in the market on items families use most, so they don’t have to run around town to find the best value,” stated President Colleen Wegman, according to WTVR.com. “2016 has been a challenging year of deflation for our entire industry, lowering the costs and retails for staples like eggs and ground beef.”
With consumers growing interest in organics, the company has peppered the list with a healthy smattering of fresh produce. According to the Wegmans website, consumers will now be able to purchase the following fresh and value-added fruit and veggies at a lower price:
- Triple Washed Baby Arugula, 5 oz
- Triple Washed Baby Spinach, 11 oz
- Triple Washed Spring Mix, 16 oz
- Fresh Italian Blend Salad, 8 oz
- Fresh Garden Salad, 16 oz
- Organic bananas
- Broccoli
- Seeded cucumbers
- Grape tomatoes, 1 pt
- Asparagus bunches
This investment by Wegmans into lower prices expands over more than 40 products. Each item was selected for being the most consistently meaningful to families who shop at the store.
The lowering of prices for products like organic almond milk and greek yogurt was specifically selected to “to keep current with the changing trends of what today’s families are buying most,” continued Wegmans.
All products whose prices have been lowered are currently Wegmans brand, to allow the company more aggressive decisions with pricing. To view the whole list, click here.
Will more buy-side chains be picking up this pricing trend? Keep your cursor over AndNowUKnow as we report.
NOGALES, AZ – Building enduring community ties and growing the future of fruits and veggies, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), in conjunction with United Fresh’s “Let’s Move Salad Bar to School” program, donated salad bars to two Nogales-area schools in a ceremony that took place November 4th.
“Putting a salad bar in front of children each and every school day encourages the consumption of fruits and vegetables. At the same time, it creates a culture of healthy living, providing great benefits for their development, the school, and the community in general,” said Lance Jungmeyer, President of FPAA, in a press release.
The program is a product of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” agenda to promote better nutrition and fitness in children. The FPAA has participated in the program, along with United Fresh and other organizations, for the past four years.
The Nogales U.S. Customs Broker Association Inc.’s contributions made the FPAA’s participation possible and have allowed the FPAA to donate one salad bar each year to local institutions. A 5K benefit activity earlier in the year allowed the organization to donate to a second school.
The recipients of this year’s donation are: Lincoln Elementary in Nogales Unified School District and Calabasas Middle School in Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District.
At the donation ceremony, representing the schools involved were Dr. Lucina Romero, Principal of Lincoln Elementary; Mia Rodriguez, a student at Lincoln Elementary; Dr. David Verdugo, School Superintendent of District 35; Andrea Altamirano, student of Calabasas Middle School; Ed Bañuelos from Southwest Food Services of Excellence; and Alfredo Velasquez, School Superintendent of Santa Cruz County.
For more on initiatives designed to increase produce consumption, check back with AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Stay Fresh Distributors Inc. satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a recent USDA press release, the Brooksville, FL, company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Jason A. Canals was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named responsibly connected individuals. USDA will only reinstate the license of a business to an active status if all reparation awards are satisfied and if the license is not terminated.
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.
SANTA PAULA, CA - The holiday craze is upon us all, supply-side, buy-side, and consumers alike. Limoneira wants to help all of those ends with citrus in the latest, December-focused video of the company’s spokesperson and Healthy Grocery Girl CEO and Founder Megan Roosevelt.
“Because it’s December that means the holidays are here, and I’m so excited to share with you two easy DIY ideas for decorating your home with citrus for the holidays, and also a really easy, delicious beverage to help comfort and nourish your body when the weather gets chilly,” Megan says in the latest in Limoneira video series.
You can watch the full video below, and explore previous ideas Megan has demonstrated on the company’s YouTube channel here.
Amongst the simple but decorative ideas are citrus place cards, a fun touch for any and all holiday parties that any retail department could easily display, and a lovely Orange Citrus Garland that is sure to be both fresh and festive.
The video also goes into the convenient, effective comforts of hot lemon water, explaining that, “Sometimes, simplicity truly is key when the weather turns cold.”
Each versatile item brings either utility or consumption of Limoneria citrus to the forefront as 2016’s days continue to get shorter.
And what’s around the corner for 2017?
According to the company, citrus is one of the healthiest items in the store to help those resolutioners get back on track post-holidays. Not only does Megan have easy tips already available to push citrus sales by reaching those health-conscious consumers, but there is more to come in as we count down to the new year and beyond.