WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• E&RRR LLC, operating out of Jonesboro, Ark., for failing to pay a $9,110 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Reynaldo Cano and Efren Montano were listed as members and managers of the business.
• Otto Brehm Inc., operating out of Yonkers, N.Y., for failing to pay a $12,361 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ernest G. Brehm, Jr., and Michael W. Brehm were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business. Linda Tritto was also listed as a principal of the business at the time of the order. However, Linda Tritto has been found not responsibly connected to Otto Brehm Inc. at the time of the violation.
• Blue Light Produce LLC, operating out of Charlottesville, Va., for failing to pay a $93,322 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Christopher J. Meduri was listed as the member of the business.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

SACRAMENTO, CA - A major update concerning California’s ports occurred yesterday. The California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced the award of $27 million to support data system development and interoperability across California's five containerized ports.

“This milestone marks significant progress in the Governor’s vision to improve California’s supply chain, powering us into a more equitable and economically prosperous future,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Through this critical funding and strong collaboration between California’s ports, key operators will now have essential data to help move goods using a more efficient, reliable, and resilient transportation network. Together with our recent Port and Freight Infrastructure Program investments, these groundbreaking awards will help leverage innovation and new approaches, continuing to advance CalSTA’s Core Four priorities of economic prosperity, equity, climate action and safety.”

According to a press release, this marks the first-ever state-level funding in the country focused on improving data functionality across a statewide network of ports.

As the release went on to note, the state's containerized ports—which include the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego, and Hueneme—handle 40 percent of all U.S. containerized imports, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in economic activity.

The money will fund ten projects across the five ports to address key challenges in port operations and foster long-term statewide freight resilience.

These projects include but are not limited to: optimization of cargo-routing, deployment of cutting-edge technologies, implementation of climate resiliency, and more.

For more information, read here.

AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you abreast of the latest happening across the nation, so stay tuned.

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI - Culinary innovation is the bellwether of the next big produce item, with foodservice inspiring the masses to love even the most forgotten fresh item. Carving out a bigger space for itself ahead of this pack, Good Foods recently expanded its research and development team with not one but two experienced individuals.

Chef Yury Krasilovsky has been named the company’s first-ever Culinary Innovation Manager and Felicia Pierce-Baity has taken on the title of Senior Foodservice Brand Manager.

“Good Foods already has a robust portfolio of products and a deep commitment to quality,” said Chef Krasilovsky, who will leverage decades of industry expertise to develop new foodservice products and applications for Good Foods. “I look forward to building upon this strong foundation through culinary innovation in foodservice.”

Prior to joining the team, Chef Krasilovsky served as Executive Chef of Foodservice for Barilla Group, growing the brand’s foodservice business through the creation of on-trend concepts, products, and applications. Now, he will work toward a diverse range of products for schools nationwide, among other focuses for Good Foods.

In what reads as a strong complementary move, Pierce-Baity will develop and lead the execution of Good Foods’ foodservice channel strategy.

“The opportunity to work alongside a forward-thinking and creative team to bring new innovations to life immediately drew me to Good Foods,” said Pierce-Baity. “I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”

Coming to Good Foods from Rana Meal Solutions where she served as Senior Marketing Manager, Pierce-Baity will leverage her experience, as well as data and insights, to inform the brand’s foodservice innovation pipeline.

The hiring of these new team members, the company said in a press release, underscores its commitment to growing its foodservice business.

“Good Foods is uniquely positioned to address the growing needs of the foodservice channel with our dedication to quality,” Shannon Maher, Chief Growth Officer, commented. “The talent that Chef Yury and Felicia bring to our team continues to showcase our well-suited position.”

You can learn more about such plans by seeing the Good Foods team live and in person at the NACUFS National Conference later this month, July 17–20, at booth #1219.

In the meantime, we offer our congratulations to these two esteemed additions!

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - After recent news of a Chief’s retirement, The Raley’s Companies is back with even more leadership updates. The company recently announced the promotion of two leaders within its Enterprise and Raley’s Operating Division.

Mike Gabbert assumed the position of Senior Vice President, Chief of Human Resources. In this role, he will lead all aspects of HR, including talent acquisition, benefits, compensation, leadership and development, and team member relations. Mike is a proven leader, having worked for Raley’s for more than 40 years.

According to a press release, he began his career at Raley’s in HR but has vast experience across the company, including 19 years in store operations, and most recently leading Raley’s distribution and logistics.

“We are fortunate to have Mike Gabbert, who is the epitome of dedication and service leadership. We are grateful for Mike’s willingness to serve in this elevated capacity,” added Keith Knopf, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We strongly believe promoting from within can lead to increased employee engagement, productivity, and overall success for the organization.”

Donna Mendes is Gabbert’s successor in distribution logistics for Raley’s operating division. She has been promoted to Executive Director of Logistics. She will lead the Natomas Distribution Center, including all supply chain planning and execution processes with internal stakeholders to increase the in-store availability of products.

For the 27 years she’s been with Raley’s, Mendes led different in-store departments and held multiple operational leadership roles. Most recently, she served as a District Team Leader, leading store operations.

“Donna is a dynamic and trusted leader who is committed to Raley’s purpose and culture. Her broad expertise developed through store operations, and her focus on innovation, will allow us to further to enhance our business” said Jen Warner, President of Raley’s Operating Division. “We are excited to see the positive impact that Donna will make in logistics and supporting stores with the highest standard of service.”

Congratulations to both of these leaders on their new posts!

QUEENS COUNTY, NY - Lidl signage, with its bright primary colors, is sure hard to miss. Shoppers in the New York area will have another bright sign on their horizon, as the latest Lidl is set to open at the end of July in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Local leaders will be at a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Lidl to the area, taking place at 7:30 a.m. before the store opens.

“At Lidl, we are committed to bringing fresh, high-quality food to communities at affordable prices,” said Or Raitses, Lidl’s Senior Director of Real Estate for the North Region. “By opening our doors in Fresh Meadows, we are thrilled to continue Lidl’s expansion in New York City and look forward to bringing exciting new products to the customers in the area.”

Other Lidl locations in New York are in Elmhurst, Astoria, New Hyde Park, among others, as the company continues to expand its reach in the region.

The new store will have plenty to offer customers, including:

• Over 100 fresh fruit and vegetable options
• Hundreds of organic and gluten free products
• Specialty items ranging from hard-to-find cheeses to authentic specialty sauces, and cured meats
• Organic and grass-fed meat options

According to a release, Lidl will be making donations to City Harvest and the Food Bank for New York City, which provides aid to families in the area, including Queens County. 

The new location is set to create about 40 new jobs. Lidl, already a 2024 Top Employer, provides healthcare benefits to both part-time and full-time employees. You can read further about its impact, opening ceremony, and more here.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for all the latest on supermarket expansions.