JOLIET, IL - In the latest move to team up with innovative management solutions company Topco, Central Grocers has announced it has joined as the cooperative’s latest member-owner.
“Central Grocers is pleased to join the Topco family,” shared Ken Nemeth, President and CEO of Central Grocers. “Topco’s innovative approach to finding business solutions in the grocery industry will be of significant benefit to the members we serve in more than 500 independent grocery stores. We envision that their buying power will help us maintain customer-friendly pricing in our intensely competitive markets, while Topco’s expertise in quality assurance, packaging, and sustainability will help us improve overall in-store efficiency.”
Joliet, Illinois-based Central Grocers is a supplier for grocers such as the following:
- Strack & Van Til
- Tony’s Finer Foods
- Ultra Foods
- Sunset Foods
- Town & Country
- Key Market
Central Grocers will participate in Topco’s Grocery, Dairy/Bakery, Meat, Deli, Produce, and Floral programs as part of its new partnership. According to a press release, Topco expects to have the wholesaler fully-transitioned by first quarter of 2017.
“I am excited for this strong retailer-owned wholesaler to join our membership,” explained Randy Skoda, Topco's President & CEO. “We look forward to partnering together to help Central Grocers fulfill their mission of serving the true independent grocer in their local market,” he continued.
As explained by the company itself, Topco Associates LLC is an over $15 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation, and knowledge management solutions for food industry member-owners and customers, which includes grocery retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice suppliers.
PITTSBURGH, PA - Giant Eagle and McDonald's employees joined thousands of others in the Pittsburgh area in an organized “Day of Disruption,” calling for a $15 minimum wage and union representation.
The event was organized by The Service Employees International Union and is specifically aimed at McDonald's restaurants and local hospital UPMC, according to news source WTAE, but Giant Eagle employees have also joined.
"Giant Eagle workers will also join the fight for $15 today, asking that the company start paying family-sustaining wages and stop interfering with Giant Eagle employees' right to organize," a press release on behalf of the group stated, according to the report.
The strike takes place in parts today, Nov. 29, marching at a number of McDonald’s locations in the city in the morning, followed by a downtown rally in the afternoon.
Pittsburgh is just one area this is taking place, the source reported, with cities across the nation taking part in the overall strike.
"It's about workers, but it's also recognizing that workers are more than who they are in between when they clock-in and clock-out, but that they're our community members, they're our neighbors, they're humans," said Pittsburgh United Organizer Kai Pang. "We should have the right to not only survive but thrive in this city."
AndNowUKnow will report on this and other current events occurring in the buy-side and all other circuits of the produce industry.
MIAMI, FL – As the demand for Dave’s Specialty Imports products and expertise continues to increase, the company has announced the appointment of three new employees to bolster its forces. Dave’s has added Eduardo Iruela, Vincent Ferrante, and Erica Smith to its team members.
“The successful growth of our company is dependent on the right people in the right places. We have grown and changed a lot over the years but we are doing our best to stay true to the values and business ethics that my Dad founded this company with. We have a great team that is really working hard, and I think it can only get better,” said Mike Bowe, President of Dave’s.
Eduardo Iruela was hired by Dave’s over the summer, and has brought over 20 years of produce experience to the company. As a new member of the sales team, Eduardo has already helped Dave’s cultivate stronger partnerships with key retailers and wholesalers. According to a press release, Eduardo’s proficiency with categories such as asparagus, berries, peas, and other specialty items made him a perfect fit for the company.
“Ed has a personality that just radiates. He is genuine and experienced and he has been a wonderful addition to the team,” commented Leslie Simmons, Vice President.
Vincent Ferrante was appointed as Dave’s new Vice President of Business Development in late October of this year. “It’s good to be back on the berry side of the produce business, and to be a part of a growing company with great grower partners,” he stated.
Vincent has seasoned produce experience in new business development, agriculture, operations, and management. Vincent’s versatile role will encompass retail and wholesale relations, in addition to outreach for domestic growing partners of Dave’s.
Dave’s most recent hire also sees another member of the family business joining up in its ranks. Erica Smith will be the third granddaughter of Founder Dave Bowe to join the business, joining Leslie Simmons and Jennifer Alessandrini. Erica will focus on sales administration and operational support at Dave’s. Erica possesses a BS in Business Administration, and is coming to produce after 7 years working at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
As Dave’s continues to ramp up growth both inside its company and in consumers’ baskets, keep up with AndNowUKnow for the latest.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Those who tune into global TV show Worldwide Business with kathy ireland® are about to see a familiar face from the produce industry. IFCO CEO Wolfgang Orgeldinger will join the famous host to talk about smart, reusable packaging systems.
When asked to explain why he thinks IFCO’s customers choose to work with the company, Orgeldinger shared, "I think, first of all it's because we get the basics right by providing an excellent service and making sure that we are a truly customer-centric organization. All of our employees think of what the customer needs. Beyond that, we can bring value to customers that none of our competitors can, because we are the global leader in the segment.”
A leading global provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh food products, IFCO operates in over 50 countries with 270 million RPCs. The Munich, Germany-headquartered company was founded in 1992 and exists under Brambles’ global supply chain solutions group.
“We have a truly global footprint,” Orgeldinger continued. “We have a very large fleet of containers and 80 service centers around the globe. Combining all of these things, we bring our expertise, more than two decades worth of it, to really help reduce the risk for our customers when it comes to food safety, compliance, sustainability, and social responsibility. That's why our customers choose us.”
Viewers can watch Orgeldinger as part of Fox Business Network’s sponsored programming on December 4, 2016 at 5:30pm ET, and Bloomberg International at 7:30am GMT, 10:30am CST D.F. and 3:00pm HKT.
“Food safety is a hot topic today, and for good reason,” added JL Haber, Vice President of Programming for Worldwide Business with kathy ireland®. “It's so important that our fresh food delivery is done right. By partnering with leading producers and retailers, IFCO is doing just that. This innovative company works hard every day to create the most cost-effective and sustainable supply chain. We're proud to feature IFCO on our show as they make a positive difference in our world.”
To learn more information about IFCO’s reusable packaging solutions visit IFCO.com, and don’t forget to check out the full interview on Fox Business and Bloomberg next week!
Mississippi Valley - Violent winds on Monday and thunderstorms brewing this morning may signal tornadoes throughout the Mississippi Valley later today. According to AccuWeather, severe storm warnings are in place with damaging winds, localized flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes expected.
"The most likely time for a tornado to spin up will be from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson.
Though a lack of humidity limited Monday’s weather to strong gusts of wind, a surge of warm humid air could result in tornadoes and flooding this evening. Risk of tornadoes will extend from central and eastern Louisiana, to western and central Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee—including major cities like Baton Rouge and Monroe in Louisiana, and Jackson and Tupelo in Mississippi.
Tornadoes could touch down for several minutes and the formations may be wrapped in rain, making them more difficult to see. Additionally, much of the dangerous weather is expected to occur after dark, increasing the potential danger.
"As the isolated severe storms move eastward, they will likely form into a squall line," Thompson said. "Once this happens, the main threat will shift from tornadoes to damaging wind gusts on a more regional basis from southeastern Louisiana to Alabama and central Tennessee."
Cities that could be affected by severe storms and flooding overnight include Nashville, New Orleans, and Birmingham, Alabama.
Thompson did note one potential silver lining from this storm front: "While the severe weather and flash flooding threat certainly are not good news, the rain will fall in areas of exceptional drought that have not received much rain during the past few months."
The violent storms over the Mississippi Valley will likely subside throughout Wednesday, though a few localized thunderstorms may spread as far as northern Florida and New York state.
For more on severe weather with the potential to impact our industry, stay current with AndNowUKnow.
BURLINGTON, WA - With wellness top of mind, health-conscious consumers are exploring hearty, nutritious squash options now more than ever. To help retailers tap into the growing demand, Bay Baby joined me to talk about the squash market, and how to convert the upward trend of the category into shopper dollars.
“Winter squash is continuing to gain popularity, and Delicata and acorn squash are both very popular holiday items,” said Michele Youngquist, Owner of Bay Baby Produce. “And this year, the market is meeting and exceeding expectations.”
According to the company, pricing and volume of squash has remained constant since the crop was harvested in October, and parallels last year's markets. Weather was favorable this year, though there were some slightly cloudy days which ultimately did not impact the market. Yield and quality have both been excellent, thanks to the region’s fertile growing conditions.
So how can retailers harness the demand in the category?
“Work closely with your supplier! Using POS displays, labels, and eye-catching packaging draws in the consumer,” says Michele. “Providing recipes has been an important part of educating the consumer how to eat squash.”
Alongside Bay Baby’s merchandising solutions, buyers looking to share inspiration with customers can start with the Bay Baby website which hosts recipes, such as the acorn stuffed delight, tapping into harvest fall flavors. Bay Baby’s social media platforms, such as Pinterest, also host a wealth of squash-based delight!
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano, also known as El Popo, has rumbled to life once again, this time spewing ash as high as three miles into the air.
As we reported previously, the volcano put locals on alert in late August, when an earthquake triggered a series of 78 low-intensity exhalations.
This time, the explosion reached more than 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles) above the volcano's crater, according to Nature World News. It was reported that in 24 hours, from Nov 26-27, El Popo surprised locals with 129 incidents of ash columns, three more major explosions, and a 1.8 magnitude tremor.
Mexico's Director of Civil Protection, Luis Felipe Puente, told the news source that the explosion consisted of steam, gas, and ash.
Local authorities warned both locals and tourists to stay away from the areas near the volcano, particularly its crater, with hiking strongly prohibited.
Ash in the air can cause breathing issues, especially for children, elderly, and pre-existing respiratory problems, so those in the area have been warned to use caution.
While ash has also been an issue for transport in the past, most recently shutting down the Mexico City airport last spring when the same volcano had an eruption reaching a little over the height of this one, there have not been any reports that air traffic in the area has been canceled.
CORONA, CA – Receiving a nomination from the city of Corona, CA, itself, Veg-Fresh Farms has been honored as an entrepreneurial leader in the area by the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE). On November 15, the company took home the 2016 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award in the Family Business Category.
“In our almost three decades of business, our offices have been in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and now, Riverside County. Every location has been great to be in, but the Inland Empire truly feels like ‘home’ for Veg-Fresh Farms. We have felt so embraced by the City of Corona since moving here in 2014, and being nominated by them was such an honor,” said Mark Widder, Partner at Veg-Fresh Farms. “We enjoy being part of the community and will continue to be involved as much as we can.”
According to a press release, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award raises awareness of entrepreneurship in the Inland Empire region in Southern California and honors leaders of the sort in the surrounding area. The event was founded and presented by IECE at Cal State San Bernardino’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration in a black-tie gala event.
Veg-Fresh Farms was nominated by Corona in the Family Business category along with two other Corono-based companies, American National Manufacturing and ESL Power Systems, Inc. All company partners went up on stage together to accept the award.
“It felt like a great accomplishment. Being recognized by our peers for the effort we have put toward this business over the last 28 years feels fulfilling and very meaningful,” said Randy Cancellieri, Partner at Veg-Fresh Farms.
As the event helps to educate and encourage young entrepeneurs at Cal State San Bernardino, Veg-Fresh Farms also contributed to the sponsorship of MBA students entering the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration in 2017.
During the event, a moment of silence was held to acknowledge the passing of former Stater Bros. Executive Chairman Jack H. Brown, who the College of Business and Public Administration was named after this summer. The school was largely supported by Brown over the years through scholarships and donations.
As entrepreneurs and companies in our industry are recognized for their hardwork and forward-thinking practices, AndNowUKnow will have the latest.
NORTH CAROLINA - As retail competition continues to get hotter than ever in the United States, it seems as if several retailers are zeroing in on just a few key markets. One such market that is undeniably getting a lot of attention from investors is North Carolina’s Triangle region, or roughly the area between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Over forty new grocery stores are slated for the area in the coming years, including locations from top names such as Walmart, Publix, Wegmans, and more.
“One reason is just the strength of our economy. The other is just chance and our position on the East Coast, where we happen to be,” explained Charlie Coyne, Director of Retail Services for the Triangle and Triad markets for CBRE-Raleigh, at a NAIOP meeting earlier this month. “One grocery store that starts with a W is moving south, and one grocery store that starts with a P is moving north, and we’re in the crosshairs right now.”
The ‘W’ and ‘P’ that Coyne cryptically refers to, are likely Wegmans and Publix, respectively. Florida-based Publix has already opened three Triangle region stores, and while only four more are confirmed to be in the works more, the Triangle Business Journal reports that this number is likely to grow as the company secures more sites. Wegmans, based in New York, has yet to officially stake its claim in North Carolina, but has confirmed plans for four, 120,000-square-foot prototype locations.
“If you’ve been to a Wegmans, it’s really four stores in one,” Jim Broemer, President of Welcor Development of Raleigh said, according to the Business Journal. “It’s a Panera and a pub attached to a Whole Foods, attached to a Publix, attached to a BJ’s. It’s 35 checkouts. So, they’re going to be kicking at everybody.”
The 42 stores scheduled for the region will likely bring 1.5 million-square-feet of new grocery store space to the competitive market in the next two to four years. That’s almost a 20 percent increase in square footage over the area’s current inventory of 8 million-square-feet of grocery space.
In addition to the large-scale invasions of Wegmans and Publix, new names to the market like Sprouts and Lidl see the Triangle as an opportunity to grow its footprint and marketshare. The Triangle Business Journal also cites behemoths like Target and Walmart, who are planning to add their small format stores in the region.
As more details on the thriving region are revealed from even more retail interests, AndNowUKnow will update you with the latest.
Walmart Wegmans Target Publix Lidl US Sprouts Farmers Market
WATSONVILLE, CA - At Driscoll’s, we wanted to know which fruits and veggies have the power to make people happy. So, we conducted a national survey that shows that 85% agree eating berries makes people happy, much more than beets, bananas, kale, and a whole lot of others.
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Learn more about the Driscoll’s happiness survey. Driscoll’s, share the berry joy.