LAKELAND, FL - Todd Jones has begun his official month as CEO of Publix, and with it, has announced the company’s Q1 2016 financial report. In the report, Publix revealed that overall sales were up 4.5 percent over the same quarter last year, but the company’s stock price fell from $45.20 to $43.95 a share.
“I’m pleased that our Publix associates delivered strong results,” said Jones in a statement. “Unfortunately, these results were not enough to offset the challenges in the stock market.” Only Publix's Board of Directors and 179,500 employees are allowed to buy and sell the stock, which until Monday was trading at a record high, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Publix’s sales for the first quarter of 2016 reached $8.7 billion, up 4.5 percent from last year’s $8.3 billion. The company estimates sales increased 1.2 percent due to the effect of the Easter holiday being in the first quarter of 2016.
Wegman’s recently beat out the retailer in a Market Force Information survey that polled more than 10,000 people, on which company earned the title of America’s favorite grocery store. The top spot went to Wegmans with Publix as a close second, scoring a 75 percent consumer loyalty rating.
Other highlights from Publix and Jones’ report:
- Comparable-store sales for the first quarter of 2016 increased 3.3 percent
- Net earnings increased 6 percent to $581.9 million
- Earnings per share increased to $0.75 for 2016, up from $0.71 per share in 2015
This is the first quarterly report issued under new CEO Todd Jones. Former leader Ed Crenshaw retired last Friday after 42 years with the company and eight as CEO.
CARLISLE, PA – Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets’ have announced a big monetary investment in the fight against hunger in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. During last month’s Bag Hunger campaign, Giant/Martin’s donated $632,620 to support local and regional food banks.
“We believe that everyone should have access to healthy, safe and nutritious food,” said Tom Lenkevich, Giant/Martin’s President, in a recent press release. “Our customers have also generously embraced this mission, and thanks to their ongoing support we are helping our regional food banks and local pantries feed our neighbors in need every day.”
Major recipients of the Bag Hunger campaign, include the following:
- Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Philabundance
- Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley region
- FeedMore - Central Virginia Food Bank
- Greater Berks County Food Bank
- Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, PA
- Maryland Food Bank – Western Branch
- The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Virginia
In 2015, the company said that $12.3 million was donated to approximately 100 total hunger relief agencies throughout the year. These donations were in part realized through the company’s Meat the Needs program, which delivered over one million pounds of safe, nutritious meats to families in need.
Giant/Martin’s said that it plans to hold a second Bag Hunger campaign in September for Hunger Action Month, and will secure more donation funds through customer, vendor, and corporate support.
Count on AndNowUKnow to deliver reports on how industry retailers affect their surrounding communities, as we continue let the new industry news out of the bag.
REEDLEY, CA - Nestled in the fertile agricultural region of the Central Valley, Valliwide Marketing represents farmers who care about the health, welfare, and environment as well as the fruit they bring to retail community and ultimately the consumer. As we move through the spring months and look toward summer, these stewards of the land are gearing up for one of the most anticipated times of year for fresh produce, California’s stonefruit season.
Valliwide is a marketer for organic fruit and this year the company will be kicking off the season with several varieties, and main volume on the horizon slated for mid-May. Bill Schene, Mason Parkinson, and Owner Tod Parkinson, took a few minutes from their busy day to discuss the upcoming stonefruit season with me, and what we can expect from Valliwide’s growers.
“We will be harvesting in Reedley, California, beginning with Honey May yellow nectarines and then moving right into Polar Lights white nectarines and Zee Fire yellow nectarines,” Bill tells me as we talk about the varieties that will begin the program.
The company also offers an apricot variety called the Westcot, with a focus on differentiating the early-season categories in produce departments. Valliwide will then move into white and yellow peaches and then into the plum crop, which starts around June 1st.
“This year it looks like there will be good volume and a good set. Plums will come in at about the same volumes as last year,” Bill says. “At this point we anticipate promotable volumes throughout the summer. We invest in our crops every year in an effort to bring the right sizes and great quality to our retail partners.”
At Valliwide, the team is constantly looking to enhance and upgrade its ranches so the company can offer the best tasting varieties.
“Flavor is a big thing for us and is a focus throughout all of our programs as well as picking our fruit at the proper maturity levels,” he adds. “We take great care in the product we bring to market.”
Valliwide represents quite a wide range of farm sizes from smaller two-acre operations to 150-acre ranches. Valliwide’s California stonefruit season runs consistently into end of August.
Owner Tod Parkinson and his wife Traci own the operation that Valliwide is today. Todd has been growing fruit most of his life and began to represent his first organic farmer in 1999. Traci joined the business in 1994 and enhanced the program with office and financial management skills from her years in the banking industry. Both Tod and Traci are deeply invested in the growers they represent and the need for organic farming, flavor, and quality.
“I grew up in Reedley, and all throughout high school I worked in both the fields and the packinghouse,” Tod tells me. You can tell, California growing is in his blood. “Our evolution came about six years ago when we shifted our program 100 percent to organics. A lot of growers were looking for a niche at that time and organics were growing in popularity. It was one category we truly felt would have staying power.”
As the company ramps up for its California stonefruit season, retailers can look forward to promotional opportunities with the growing demand for this popular category of fresh fruit.
Valliwide markets its organic program under its Valley Pride, First Fruits, DE Boldt, and Red Raven labels.
MILLEN, CA - The Southeast Produce Council’s annual Bright Ideas Platform is now open to applicants, promising a key audience for suppliers to present their latest launches and retailers to peruse the latest in produce.
“Our Bright Ideas Platform provides a hands on approach to introducing new items to the industry,” says SEPC’s Executive Director David Sherrod. “We experienced a tremendous amount of support last year and look forward to seeing even more innovation this year.”
Well-attended by all key aspects of the industry, including retailers, foodservice, suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, SEPC’s Bright Ideas is slated for this fall, September 29 through October 1, at the Southern Innovations Symposium in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Taglined “Innovating the Produce Industry,” the new products’ showcase looks to feature the most innovative products and services in the industry with a twist.
“We like to say it is ‘pane-less,’ because we have removed the showcase or aquarium display, and replaced it with a real consumer experience environment,” David comments on the distinctive setup.
So what is the window for the innovative products and services included in the big event?
Any new launches scheduled to be released to market no earlier than April 5, 2016, and no later than December 2, 2016, are applicable.
All SEPC members are able and invited to apply with no fee required. However, there is a table fee of $495 upon acceptance, the council says, which not only holds your spot in the event, but also includes a hightop table to display your new product or service.
Part of the charm of the Bright Ideas platform is its intimacy, and in order to retain that honor no more than 50 products or services will be accepted. All submissions will be reviewed by SEPC’s Education Committee, making sure that those chosen meet the council’s criteria, before contacting those selected.
Interested? Applications must be sent before June 16, which can be done here.
Exhibitors and attendees alike are required to register for the Southern Innovations Symposium in order to attend the showcase, and though it is a chance you won’t want to miss, Bright Ideas is just one of a full slate of offerings the Symposium will present at the charming Kingsmill Resort.
Whether you are showing off the latest innovation your company has to offer, or looking at the latest launches of the industry, we look forward to seeing you there!
HOUSTON, TX – Foodservice distributor Sysco Corp. has recently released its Q3 earnings report for 2016 showing a $60 million improvement in adjusted operating income. For the third fiscal quarter ended March 26, the earnings report showed a sales increase of 2.2 percent to $12 billion, and gross profit increase of 4.1 percent to $2.1 billion for the company.
“Our third quarter financial results were strong as we remained focused on servicing the needs of our customers and made steady progress toward our three-year plan financial objectives,” said Bill DeLaney, Sysco’s Chief Executive Officer, in a press release. “As a result, we generated solid gross profit dollar growth of 4 percent, while effectively managing ongoing deflationary pressures.”
Other findings in the Q3 report included:
- Gross margin increased 35 base points to 17.8 percent
- Adjusted operating income grew 16.0 percent to $438 million
- Net earnings increased 22.7 percent to $217 million, up from last year’s $176.9 million
The report also revealed that adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased $0.06 to $0.46. Sysco shares are trading up in light of the report, with share value sharply increasing 2.19 points (4.76 percent) since the opening bell on Monday.
The Q3 earnings report comes at the heels of last month’s announcement of three new executives, Greg Bertrand, Scott Sonnemaker, and Bill Goetz, who will assume their new posts at Sysco this July.
- Greg Bertrand has been named Senior Vice President for U.S. Foodservice Operations. He will direct all of Sysco’s U.S. broadline operating companies.
- Scott Sonnemaker will be Senior Vice President for International Foodservice Operations in the Americas, responsible for Sysco Canada, Bahamas Foodservices, International Food Group, and Sysco’s joint ventures in Costa Rica and Mexico.
- Bill Goetz will serve as Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing
As always, you can increase your learnings-per-share potential by reading AndNowUKnow.
HAVANA, CU – In a historic move 50 years in the making, the first U.S. ship finally docked in a Cuban harbor this morning. Carnival cruise ship, The Adonia, brought 700 passengers from Miami, FL, to the Havana shores in increased relations between the two countries.
In a statement to CNN, the cruise manager asserted that this voyage marked "the beginning of a new era,” after relations between the U.S. and Cuba were restored last year.
So what does this mean for the U.S. and Cuba trade market, and will Cuba's current infrastracture be able to support its economic endeavors?
"Particularly, agriculture's leading the effort because we see the wisdom of doing business with the Cubans, so I think it's just a matter of time," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, in a statement to Michigan news source, MichiganRadio.org, after recently touring Cuban farms.
As Cuba averages about 70-80 percent of its food needs being imported per year, Texas-based news publication, The Alice Echo, reported that in 2014 alone, the U.S. exported nearly $300 million in goods.
Michiganradio.org also reported intriguing prospects for Cuba as a new U.S. market. Limited access to up-to-date technology and other input resources have left Cuban farmers with low productivity, resulting in the high import rate for the country.
As Cuba continues to struggle with its agricultural needs in the country, ag experts report that this continued struggle in Cuba to meet its farming needs, presents a viable opportunity for U.S. farmers and suppliers to aid the country in its requirements.
A recent approval by the U.S. government for the first American-built factory on Cuban soil, also indicates possibilities of a trade market. The factory, CleBur, is a joint venture between Cuban and American businessmen which will provide tractors for farmers, and increase the solidity of the country's current economic infrastructure.
However, according to MichiganRadio.org, officials agree that the first step in reaching continued trade agreements with Cuba is improving relations between citizens of both country, which allow for increased yields for Cubans and Americans alike.
Only time will tell the future of trade relations between Cuba and the U.S., so continue to rely on AndNowUKnow as we report on the state of the agricultural market between the countries.
SALINAS, CA - Markon Cooperative Inc. has announced its new Assistant Purchasing Director, promoting Andrew Engles for his expertise in product purchasing and ability to build strategic relationships.
Engles joined Markon in June 2006 after graduating from St. Mary’s College, most recently serving as the company’s Product Manager. In this position, he oversaw the purchasing of Northwest commodities such as apples, onions, pears, and potatoes, holding responsibility for growing produce sales by establishing markets, providing commodity updates, servicing customers and suppliers, and fostering and building relationships.
According to a press release, Engles will now be tasked with overseeing the purchasing of all fruits, vegetables, herbs, lettuce, and green salads for the company’s following foodservice members:
- Ben E. Keith Foods
- Gordon Food Service
- Gordon Food Service Canada
- Maines Paper & Food Service
- Nicholas & Company
- Reinhart Foodservice
- Shamrock Foods Company
“At Markon, we strive to be indispensable to our partners,” explained Mark Shaw, Markon’s Vice President of Operations, in a statment. “Andrew helps us live this value through his dedication to doing a top notch job day in and day out. He has the critical skillset needed to lead and grow our purchasing department and meet our foodservice customers’ diverse and always-changing purchasing needs.”
On top of his experience with Markon, Engles was one of the select few chosen to take part in the Produce Management Association’s Emerging Leadership Program, which takes high-potential leaders from all segments of the global produce and floral supply chain and teaches them how to embrace increasing levels of responsibility, and handle challenges and opportunities inherent in future leadership roles within the industry.
For all your latest news on influential hires within the produce and foodservice industries, keep your eyes peeled to AndNowUKnow.
MIDWEST AND TEXAS – A string of thunderstorms and severe weather flared throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas over the weekend. Such areas affected saw outbreaks of hail, lightning strikes, high winds, and tornado activity.
Accuweather.com reported on Friday that these weekend storms were striking areas which had already seen a string of such weather last week. These areas include a portion of the Interstate-35 corridor which was particularly subject to violent weather on Tuesday.
The storms broke late Thursday night, and extended on Friday into the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley areas. The storms then moved into central Texas, a majority of Oklahoma, and continued to move eastern and northern into Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, and parts of South Carolina over the rest of the weekend.
At the worst parts of the storm, isolated tornados, frequent lightning strikes, and damaging wind gusts with hail were seen. East Texas was reported by The Weather Channel to have received a particularly bad collection of the storm with severe flooding. Due to the slow-moving pace of the storm, flash food warnings were issued across most of the affected areas as 3-6 inches of rain fell on some communities.
Weather authorities state that although the worst of the storms appear to be over, flood warnings will remain in effect and communities may still see heavy rain and bouts of worse weather as the storms move on to the east.
As these spring storms progress, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for up-to-date information on changing weather and its affect on the industry.
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira Company has announced that its Harvest at Limoneira Project (formerly Santa Paula East Area 1) has received the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Award of Excellence from the American Planning Association’s California Chapter, Central Coast Section. Limoneira's plan will now move on for consideration in the APA California Chapter state awards this October in Pasadena.
“Limoneira's mission statement involves community development, and we are proud to continue our legacy of stewardship within the Santa Paula community,” said Harold Edwards, Limoneira’s CEO, in a press release. “Responsible community development involves building consensus across all constituencies within a community, and receiving this award from the Central Coast Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA) provides further validation of our success in connecting with the City of Santa Paula as well as the Santa Paula community on a project that benefits everyone.”
The APA California Awards Program is designed to both encourage quality planning and increase the public's awareness of the planning profession. The Santa Paula East Area 1 project (now known as Harvest at Limoneira), received an 81 percent approval from Santa Paula voters in the 2008 S.O.A.R. (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources). This S.O.A.R. vote victory represents the first and only large-scale master-planned community project to obtain the approval of public voters since Ventura County's S.O.A.R. initiative was implemented in 1991, underscoring Limoneira's ability to build consensus within its local community.
“We couldn't be more proud of the partnership we have forged with the City of Santa Paula, Parkstone Companies, Meridian Consultants, Jensen Design & Survey and Sargent Town Planning to create the Santa Paula East Area project, now called The Harvest at Limoneira, and we are thrilled to take the next step towards realizing the buildout of this exciting project,” Edwards continued. “This project has involved years of thoughtful planning and the realization of all our work will now become evident as The Harvest at Limoneira is built.”
David Sargent, who developed the plan for the project following a series of charettes and workshops organized by Penrod, Locacciato, and the community, commented, "Santa Paula has a rich history and citizens who are passionate about their town. Our job was to devise a plan and form-based code to shape new neighborhoods that reflect Santa Paula's authenticity and character and the sustainable place-making principles of New Urbanism."
Harvest at Limoneira features:
- 500-acre master-planned community
- 1500 residential units
- An elementary school
- High school facilities
- 40-acre sports park
- Civic amenities
- Public safety facilities
- Trails and open space
Work is currently underway to create improved lots, which will be sold to home builders in November 2017, with residential occupancy slated for fall 2018. The project is being developed by Limoneira Lewis Community Builders LLC.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Fresh produce and industry innovations were thriving at this year’s Viva Fresh Expo, making for well-varied event. Heriberto Vlaminck, Vice President of Operations at Triple H, said the company was right on-trend with its own representation.
“Food safety is a hot topic right now,” Heriberto told us as he surveyed the floor scene. A topic that Triple H has expanded on with its own three step program, called Safe Agriculture for Food Excellence (SAFE).
SAFE, as we recently reported, consists of three key phases:
- Diagnose
- Execute
- Oversight
These stages increase safety assurance and utilizes more preventative measures. “It’s a continued system that makes their process at getting better,” finishes Heriberto. “So everyone gets a safe product.”
Find out what else Heriberto has to say about the SAFE program in the above video exclusive.