MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With CEO Brian Cornell continuing on his mission of making Target a destination for groceries and fresh products, Target has announced a new program that will see a change in how its food staff is trained. For the first time, Target will have a dedicated staff just for its grocery department, who will receive specialized training in order to enhance customers’ experiences in the store.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, training will include both handling backroom inventory and interacting with the store’s grocery customers. Depending on each location, grocery teams will include anywhere between 10 to 60 employees.
Katie Boylan, Target’s Vice President Communications, told the source that the new program has already been rolled out at 450 stores, with another 150 stores expected in the next month. Boylan said that this new approach is part of an effort “to improve our offering, better cater to our guests, and drive growth.”
Spearheaded by newly appointed Senior Vice President of Grocery Transformation, Aaron Alt, the program will see a new regional-based leadership position called Grocery Director. Each will oversee food-related decisions at about 60 stores and report to Target’s store operations team at its headquarters in Minneapolis, WSJ notes.
So far, Target has picked 10 grocery experts for the salaried position, with more in the works for other key markets. Boylan added that these employees will “provide education and oversight that helps store teams make more informed decisions.”
While the company has not discussed the cost of the program or how the changes might affect worker wages, this investment was not likely made in vain. With grocery accounting for around a fifth of its total revenue, Target has all the good reason to keep honing in on improving its perishable and fresh grocery sectors.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Looking to match the growth of its company, Lakeside Organic Gardens, LLC has announced the groundbreaking of its new state-of-the-art facility. This move marks the company's first big purchase since its inception in 1996.
"We are very excited for this new project that has been in the works for some time," Katie Bassmann, Marketing Coordinator for Lakeside Organic Gardens, tells me. "Lakeside has seen exponential growth and as the company grows, our facilities are growing with it! We are looking forward to this creating new jobs for our area as well as expanding our reach for organic vegetable sales."
Located at 25 Sakata Lane in Watsonville, CA, the new 65,000-square-foot facility will include 50,000 square-feet for cooling space, with the additional space being reserved for sales and shipping offices.
The tentative date of completion for of the cooler is mid-spring 2017, according to a release. Additional phases of construction will include administration offices and the headquarters for the Dick Peixoto Family of Companies, which consists of Lakeside Organic Gardens, LLC, Pajaro Valley Laser Leveling, and Pajara Valley Irrigation.
Producing over 45 commodities, Lakeside Organic Gardens, LLC is one of the largest family-owned and operated solely organic vegetable growers and shippers in the United States.
As the company progresses further into its phases of construction, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against Hop Hing Produces Inc., operating out of New York alleging unlawful employment of an individual under PACA employment restrictions after being given notice by USDA that the company was not permitted to employ the individual without USDA-approval and the posting of a surety bond.
According to a USDA press release, Hop Hing Produces Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company willfully violated the PACA by unlawfully employing an individual under PACA employment restrictions, it could 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.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Chris Drew, Vice President of Operations at Ocean Mist Farms, has been admitted into Class 47 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), a 17-month curriculum from October 2016 to February 2018, which is managed by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and is one of the most esteemed leadership programs in the United States.
Drew has more than 16 years of experience in the in nursery crops and vegetable production and has been with Ocean Mist Farms since 2004. His duties there include directing activities associated with the post-harvest of Ocean Mist Farms products, managing the cooling and shipping facilities, overseeing food safety and quality assurance, sustainability and value-added operations, and directing new product and service innovation.
Drew, who lives in Hollister, CA, with his wife and two daughters, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and also has an MBA.
"We are excited to see Chris participate in the Cal Ag Leadership program," said Joe Pezzini, CEO of Ocean Mist Farms. "He has a team approach to solving complex problems; has leadership and intellectual acumen and he is a product expert. We are thrilled that he will bring this additional training and perspective to senior management.”
More than 1,200 men and women have participated in the program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government, business, and other areas. Applicants must be growers, farmers, ranchers or individuals working in allied businesses and organizations who are emerging or mid-career leaders in agriculture.
The program operates through four partner universities—Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, and UC Davis. In addition to leadership-focused and high-impact curriculum through monthly seminars, fellows participate in an eight-day national travel seminar and a 15-day international travel seminar as valuable extensions to their studies.
As explained in a press release, CALF invests approximately $50,000 per fellow to participate in the Ag Leadership Program, with costs being underwritten by individual and industry donations.
HACKENSACK, NJ - Allan Napolitano, Sales and Partnership Development Manager at Vision Import Group, recently had an opportunity to journey out of the office and into the fields in Ecuador with V.P. of Sales Ronnie Cohen to research the upcoming mango crop and plantain fields.
"It was really a fantastic opportunity to do field visits in Ecuador. While my daily work is sales and creating programs, I have a very strong interest in learning about what is happening at source," said Napolitano. "To see for myself the development and literal growth of product that we normally see packaged and graded already was wonderful."
Vision Import Group provides a fifty-two week supply of its mangoes, and in addition to growing in Ecuador, also has operations in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, and Peru, that span the Kent, Keitt, Tommy Atkins, Haden, and Ataulfo varieties.
"To be in a position of greater understanding with the challenges that my growers face helps me to be a better partner to them," Napolitano added in a press release. "It also helps me more clearly communicate with my customers and share in real time what is happening in the fields. We all have a passion for what we do and it’s great that I can share my experiences with everyone I work with."
Napolitano also mentioned that he is grateful to The National Mango Board members, who were all welcoming and supportive in his experience.
Comprised of Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles and Vision Import Group in River Edge, NJ, these separate companies allow parent, the Vision Companies, to do business in two slightly different ways while sharing unified national distribution and marketing both brands nationwide. With several global grower partnerships, Vision Import Group is known for its direct relationships with growers, allowing it to offer its high quality produce.
BATAVIA, IL - The buy-side looks to be on the move as hiring sprees continue to pop up in a number of states. Most recently, Aldi has announced a series of hiring events this month, taking place in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
The retailer had a hiring fair yesterday at three different locations in Gainesville, FL, with another scheduled for Sept. 15th. According to local news source WUFT, positions include store associates, shift managers, and a manager trainee, offering $11.50 per hour, $15.50 per hour, and $45,700 per year. As a store manager, the retailer has announced there is a chance to earn up to $86,500-$94,000 per year.
The same positions are being filled over in the Oak Forest area of Illinois for a number of stores, where the Oak Forest Patch reports that retail and management experience are preferred, with an invitation to join Aldi’s 401(k) program and eligibility for health benefits for any working 25+ hours a week. Hiring events in this region are taking place today, Sept. 7th, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but did not include an additional hiring event for this month as in Florida and Pennsylvania, where there will be events to fill associate and shift manager positions both Sept. 9th and 10th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. These events are in the Pittsburgh area, which looks to be a growing retail area in the state.
As we reported recently, Pittsburgh just saw a sizeable hiring spree last week when Giant Eagle announced it was looking to fill 400 positions, and earlier last month Harris Teeter announced it was hiring 3,000 employees across the eastern seaboard.
What will we see in this hiring spike as we approach the Halloween and Thanksgiving holiday preparation windows? AndNowUKnow will report on this and any other fluxes on the buy-side, so stay tuned.
BENSON, AZ – The next time you decide to give your lemons the added heat of a fire-induced flavor profile, be sure that you prepare your selections a bit more carefully than this inflamed trucking incident in Arizona.
While en route to transport its shipment of fresh lemons to California, an 18-wheeler in Arizona blew out its front tire which sparked a sequence of events leading to the closure of Interstate 10. The highway was closed for 90 minutes while its shipment smoldered on the sidelines.
“The front tire blowout caused a fire to start on the cab portion of the truck and then moved to the trailer,” said Kameron Lee, a Public Information Officer from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, according to bensonnews-sun.com. “The driver and co-driver were able to get out of the cab without any injuries.”
Thankfully, with no one hurt from the crash, the truck accident made for a zesty sight as the truck and its contents sent up a large plume of smoke throughout the Arizona valley, with scorched and toasty lemons strewn across the freeway.
Traffic Alert! @Arizona_DPS troopers on scene of a TT fire WB I10 near MP 304 (near Benson) a lot of cleanup ahead. pic.twitter.com/5A6mqTm5aS
— Kameron Lee, PIO (@dps_pio_lee) August 31, 2016
Authorities stated that the fire resulted in a total loss of the rig, a 2013 International, as well as its enclosed shipments. Transportation on the freeway remained delayed for the majority of the day while clean-up ensued.
What steamy situations will fresh produce find themselves in next? Stay tuned with AndNowUKnow for the latest in transportation and shipping reports.
MONTEREY, CA – Matching new innovations and expanded portfolios in the foodservice realm, Sakata Seed America has its own fresh offering to put on the plate in its Infinite Gold LSL Cantaloupe.
Alecia Troy, Senior Marketing Manager, recently told me from the bustling floor of PMA Foodservice just what makes this product a stand-out option for foodservice operators.
“From a foodservice perspective, we’re loving LSL cantaloupes because they give a little more flexibility,” Alicia tells me of the diversity of the fruit.
This flexibility in the Infinite Gold extends from a longer shelf-life for prolonged foodservice options, into retaining its fresh flavor and juices for a deeper length of time as well.
“Infinite Gold is great for slicing, cubing, and balling,” Alecia says of the many options the cantaloupe offers to foodservice operators and beyond.
Even better? These diversification of uses extends into delicious blended drinks, such as the company's conceived margarita using the puree of an Infinite Gold melon.
Which qualities of Sakata’s Infinite Gold melon are launching the product even further into the foodservice segment, with opportunities abound? Watch the brief video above.
WEST MILTON, OH - While I took up a few fun food challenges, both in school and in my fresh produce career, I can say that none of those foods ended in someone having to call 9-1-1.
Not the case for a class full of Ohio junior high schoolers.
Last Friday, Sept. 2nd, about 40 kids ranging from age 11 to 14 were treated by medics after ingesting “suspected ghost peppers” at school, according to a Dayton Daily News report, five of which had to go to the hospital.
The culprit? A food challenge to ingest one of the hottest peppers in the world.
“Kids will be kids, and sometimes they do challenges and dare each other to do things,” Pam Bucaro, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dayton Children’s Hospital’s ER, said. The hospital’s greatest concern, Bucaro commented, is exposure to hot peppers if the child has a history of asthma or if oils from the pepper reach the skin or eyes. “These are not games and there can be serious effects when ingesting things.”
That is what seems to have happened at the school, where symptoms reportedly ranged from blotchy skin, hives, and eyes tearing, to sweating and general discomfort.
The student who instigated the event and brought the peppers has since been identified, according to school officials, but whether or not they will be disciplined was not made clear.
“It was definitely a disruption, and school disruptions are in our school code of conduct,” Superintendent Brad Ritchey of Milton-Union Exempted Village Schools said. He also commented, “The response of emergency services was amazing; deputies and help from surrounding paramedics… we really had a lot of help here this afternoon. This was serious but sometimes situations at schools become far more serious than this.”
The actual incident happened during the school’s lunch period, and local police and emergency responders were called at 12:06 p.m. The district sent a one-call to all parents around 2 p.m.
Ghost peppers, or Bhut Jolokia peppers, score a hefty one million units on the Scoville heat scale, continuing to rise in popularity and availability as sauces and flavors. And kids aren’t the only ones learning to respect the capsaicin. We reported recently that a New York building was evacuated when an unsuspecting consumer microwaved an unidentified hot pepper.
AndNowUKnow will continue report on this fiery trend, though hopefully they keep out of reach of children.
MEXICO, SOUTHWESTERN U.S. - Hurricane Newton is emerging from Mexico’s Baja California to bring heavy rains, winds, flooding, and mudslides to areas like Sinaloa, Sonora, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Already having drenched Mexico’s coastline with 3 to up to 12 inches of rainfall, AccuWeather expects winds of up to 80 mph and 6 to 12 more inches of rain to travel through Baja California Sur and western Sonora through Thursday.
Sinaloa will also see the possibility of flash flooding and mudslides today, with meteorologists predicting more than 6 inches of rain in some areas of the agricultural-focused state.
Meanwhile on the U.S. front, Arizona and New Mexico have also received significant amounts of rain overnight, sparking more heavy rainfall and flooding throughout today.
Northwestern cities like Phoenix will likely be on the periphery of the downpours, AccuWeather says, but cities farther east in Tucson will get the brunt of it.
"Tucson averages just 1.29 inches of rain during the month of September, and some areas in and around Tucson could get that much rain in just one day," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson. "Streams, rivers, and drainage areas can flood quickly with these tropical downpours, so be prepared for rapidly changing conditions into Wednesday.”
As Arizona’s heaviest rain comes to an end tonight, Hurricane Newton will shift towards New Mexico. There, AccuWeather says, flooding will become more localized and downpours will become less intense.
The source names New Mexican cities Gallup, and Truth or Consequences, as among those for flood risk tonight, with the storm moving into Albuquerque at a lesser strength.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow Newton as it passes through ag hubs in both Mexico and the U.S., so keep watching with us for more.