CARPINTERIA, CA - Carl’s Jr. CEO Andy Puzder is not opposed to a robot invasion in one of the chain’s restaurants. In fact, he’s rather fond of the idea.

The fast food executive said that he was inspired by San Francisco’s Eatsa, a service-forward, high-tech powered restaurant manned by just a few employees in the kitchen while the front of house is handled entirely by robotics.

“I want to try it,” Puzder told Business Insider in regards to an automated Carl’s Jr., adding that that isn’t all Eatsa has inspired him to change up.

It seems that the fast food CEO has his eye on a fresher Carl’s Jr. as well.

"We could have a restaurant that's focused on all-natural products and is much like an Eatsa, where you order on a kiosk, you pay with a credit or debit card, your order pops up, and you never see a person."

While the fresh-focused, almost fully-automated restaurant inspiration is part of the interest that could have the fast food chain looking into more produce involvement, Puzder commented that there was a financial motivator as well.

"With government driving up the cost of labor, it's driving down the number of jobs," he said, according to the report. "You're going to see automation not just in airports and grocery stores, but in restaurants."

And Puzder had an interesting take on millennial preferences when it comes to the service industry as well, posing that the impulse-buy generation loves technology, but not social interaction.

"Millennials like not seeing people," he says. "I've been inside restaurants where we've installed ordering kiosks... and I've actually seen young people waiting in line to use the kiosk where there's a person standing behind the counter, waiting on nobody."

While, as a millennial, I’m not entirely willing to admit I want to forgo such a key part of the “going out” eating experience, the picture he paints is not unheard of and could be supported by the driving e-commerce that has gripped service and retail in the past few years.

As for whether or not his prediction, which involves an entirely new kind of face for grocery, foodservice, and beyond comes true, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow while we eagerly await to find out.

SALINAS, CA & YUMA, AZ - With the Yuma/Salinas transition underway, produce companies are looking to the beginning of spring to bring strong demand across California’s vegetable programs. I spoke with Foxy Produce for the latest updates on its portfolio and what they anticipate moving forward.

“We’ve started both conventional and organic broccoli and cauliflower in Salinas. We’re done for the season on those two items conventionally in Yuma, however we’ll continue at least another ten days to two weeks organically, with those two items,” Doug Classen, Sales Manager tells me. “We plan the same schedule every year, but this year we are ahead on all items.”

Currently the company is up to ten days ahead on broccoli and cauliflower, with lettuce starting 4-5 days ahead as well for Foxy. Leaf lettuce and romaine are probably very close to being on schedule.

“Rains throughout the past few weeks may pose the normal April through May condition challenges you expect with a rainy springtime transition,” Doug adds. “If you start early and hit some cooler weather it will slow down the crop, so there could be some gaps in the future.”

The next crop to transition for Foxy will be iceberg this week, and iceberg is reflecting a slighty improved market, Doug notes.

Most of Foxy’s acres are relatively steady and the company is looking at a bit of growth in both organic and conventional production.  

“We are constantly looking to grow and evolve,” Doug says. “Everything we do organically, we also do conventionally. It makes us a one-stop-shop and our shoppers are giving us amazing feedback and demand is excellent.”

Speaking specifically of Foxy’s organic growth, Matt Seeley, Vice President of Marketing tells me that the biggest motivating factor in the company’s evolution in organics has been the increasing consumer demand for consistent, high-quality organic produce.

“This program for Foxy is only in its fifth year and we now have more than 30 organic items in our program and have recently added more specialty produce items including fennel, red and gold beets, and dandelion greens under ourFoxy Organic label,” Matt says. “We are also seeing growing popularity for our BroccoLeaf™ offerings.”

Foxy grows in the Salinas Valley, CA; Yuma, AZ, as well as Nevada’s higher desert growing regions to support its growing year-round program.

Foxy Produce

CINCINNATI & MILWAUKEE - Kroger has announced two key promotions to its Roundy’s chains, appointing current VP of People Operations, Michael Marx, as the company’s Wisconsin division President and current EVP of Operations, Don Rosanova, as President of Mariano’s.

Roundy’s new Wisconsin division President, Michael Marx, began his career with Kroger in 1975 as a stocker, and, after completing the management development program, he served in numerous leadership positions, including store and district management and Produce, Floral, and Natural Foods Merchandiser. He was promoted to Director of Regional Operations for the Southwest division in 2006, and to Vice President of Operations in 2007. Marx was named Vice President of Transition at Kroger's general office in Cincinnati in 2011, and took on his current role earlier this year.

"Michael's knowledge of store operations and merchandising, combined with his expertise in human resources and organizational effectiveness, will serve him well in this role,” explained Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano. “He builds strong teams of leaders and associates who work together to deliver business results. Michael’s leadership skills and business knowledge make him an excellent addition to our Roundy's team in Wisconsin."

Rosanova, new President of Mariano’s, has served in his current role as Executive Vice President of Operations for Roundy's since May 2006. Previously, he had served as Group Vice President—Supply Chain from 2002 to 2006. Prior to his career at Roundy's, Rosanova was Vice President of Operations of foodservices supplies provider, Edward Don & Company, from 1999 to 2002. His other professional experience includes time spent at Dominick's Finer Foods as Group Vice President of Operations and other various management positions.

"Don has been my partner in building the Mariano's brand and I could not have built this without his leadership," said Mariano. "His passion for excellence has made him a well-respected leader within the Roundy's and retail grocery community. Don has been an integral part of the success of the Mariano's stores since its inception and we look forward to him continuing that journey as we grow the Mariano's business."

Both leaders will now be reporting to Roundy’s CEO, Bob Mariano.

Roundy's

RIVERSIDE, CA - Walmart’s list of major produce growers shipping with Polymer Logistics’ wood grain-style reusable plastic containers (RPCs) has expanded by three.

Moonlight Companies, Agroexport LLC / Villita Avocados, and Wawona Packing Co. will now be using the more farm-styled RPCs, joining companies like Grimmway Farms, Calavo Growers, Pure Hothouse Foods, Gerawan Farming, and Bee Sweet Citrus.

“We see the many benefits of the newly designed Polymer Logistics wood grain RPC, not only in food safety and product damage reduction, but also in sales and merchandising of the fruit we grow. It’s a great program that we’re happy to support,” Holli Buller, Sales at Moonlight Companies, said.

Ben Vived, Sales Manager at Wawona Packing Co., added in a press release, "We've been collaborating with Walmart and Polymer Logistics on the launch of the new wood grain RPCs. The process has been very smooth and the service from Polymer Logistics has been outstanding. Custom packaging is a specialty of Wawona's. Joining forces with Polymer Logistics was a natural fit.”

The retailer is currently converting many of its produce apartments to the wood grain RPCs across the U.S., an aesthetic addition to the newly redesigned formats for fresh that it previously announced going into 3,300 stores.

"We are pleased to be working with such a great group of growers to back Walmart's innovative new produce merchandising effort. We see wood grain RPCs expanding very quickly within the Walmart supply chain and beyond to other retail customers," said Gideon Feiner, CEO of Polymer Logistics, in the release.

Polymer Logistics’ VP of Sales, Tony Mosco, added that the company's operations group is working hard to keep up with the demand as customers continue to sign up for the RPC program at a rapid pace. “The feedback we've been receiving is that the quality of our containers and our comprehensive customer service offering is attracting new growers across the country."

Walmart currently plans to have the design in several of its latest fresh produce department designs by November of this year.

Walmart Polymer Logisitcs Moonlight Companies Agroexport LLC Wawona Packing Co.

HAVANA, CUBA - As part of President Obama's historic trip to Cuba, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced several new measures in an effort to foster further partnerships between the U.S. and Cuban in agriculture.

"Recognizing the importance of agriculture in the United States and Cuba, USDA is advancing a new partnership for the 21st century between our two countries," explained Vilsack. "U.S. producers are eager to help meet Cuba's need for healthy, safe, nutritious food… The agreements we reached with our Cuban counterparts on this historic trip, and the ability for our agriculture sector leaders to communicate with Cuban businesses, will help U.S. agricultural interests better understand the Cuban market, while also providing the Cuban people with science-based information as they grow their own agriculture sector.”

This historic visit to Cuba is the first by a sitting U.S. President in nearly 90 years. It is Secretary Vilsack's second visit, which the USDA says is another demonstration of the President's commitment to chart a new course for U.S.-Cuban relations and connect U.S. and Cuban citizens through expanded travel, commerce, and access to information.

Among the announcements made by Secretary Vilsack are the following:

• USDA will being allowing the 22 industry-funded Research and Promotion Programs and 18 Marketing Order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba. 
• Secretary Vilsack and Cuban Minster of Agriculture Gustavo Rodriguez Rollero will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a framework for sharing ideas and research between the two countries.
• USDA will review all proposed Research and Promotion Board and Marketing Order activities related to Cuba to ensure that they are consistent with existing laws. 
• Provide nutritional research and guidance, as well as participate with the Cuban government and industry officials, at meetings regarding nutrition and related Cuban rules and regulations.
• Conduct plate waste study research in schools.
• Provide U.S. based market, consumer, nutrition and environmental research findings to Cuban government and industry officials.
• Research commodities' role in a nutritious diet that improves health or lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
• Study the efficacy of water disinfectants to eliminate/inactivate bacteria on commodities.
• Test recipes and specific products amongst Cuban consumers of all ages, with the goal of increasing product development and acceptance.

While most U.S. commercial activities are still prohibited, the Trade Sanctions Reform Act (TSRA) of 2000 permits the export of U.S. agricultural commodities, though U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba are limited by U.S. restrictions on government export assistance, cash payments, and extending credit. U.S. agricultural exports have grown significantly since trade was authorized in 2000. In 2014, Cuba imported over $2 billion in agricultural products including $300 million from the United States.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

UNITED KINGDOM - Tesco is looking to get ahead of the fresh trend taking the consumer market, revamping its shelves with the launch of 76 fresh-focused labels.

The labels will be under seven brands with a range of the retailer’s own "farm" brands, according to a report from The Guardian.

“Over the last 18 months we have been simplifying our ranges, launched Brand Guarantee and improved customer service,” a Tesco spokesperson said, according to the report. “However, we know customers want the convenience of getting all their shopping in one place. These seven new brands, which are exclusive to Tesco, address our customers’ needs for quality fresh food, at very competitive prices in a single shop.”

The revamp covers:

• Fresh produce
• Meat
• Poultry
• Matches or will beat competitor prices

According to Tesco, this newest strategy is intended to “meet the need for a new level of quality at great prices,” with lower rates on a variety of produce categories including lettuce and berries.

As we reported previously, the retailer is currently looking to build its relationship with local British farmers and growers, however, The Guardian reports there has been turmoil over the new launch due to Tesco’s approach involving the use of “fictitious British-style farm names” to attract shoppers, with the National Farmers’ Union questioning the method when there are many real ones.

“In all cases, the fresh food being sold under our new brands is sourced from a selection of farms and growers,” a Tesco spokeswoman commented, according to The Guardian, stating that some of the names, ‘Nightingale’ and ‘Rosedene’ for example, had previously been operating farms and were selected in partnership with its suppliers. “Some are small, family-run farms while others are of a larger scale – and every product has been reared or grown to specific standards from known and audited farms and growers.”

As to why the retailer chose to use this approach for the new brands, AndNowUKnow is still awaiting comment.

We will continue to report on this and other retail strategies that promote and influence the produce industry.

Tesco

DENVER, CO - In the company’s Q4 2015 financial report, Farmland Partners Inc.  has revealed it is has officially closed deals on 25,057 acres of farm land in four states for an aggregate purchase price of $205.9 million.

The company’s new land includes the acquisition of 121 farms, located in Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Illinois. 

“By entering into four new states, acquiring our first permanent crop farm, increasing our tenant base, and starting other initiatives, we continued a growth trajectory that we believe has made us one of the largest landowners in the United States," said CEO Paul Pittman in a press release.

Also in Farmland Partner's report was the purchase of three farms in Georgia in the fourh quarter, totaling 1,367 acres for a total of $4.9 million. 

Expected to close in the first quarter 2016, the company has announced it will acquire an additional two farms in Georgia and Illinois totaling 248 acres for $1 million, and has contracts to buy three more farms in Illinois and Georgia totaling 567 acres for an aggregate purchase price of $2.2 million.

The company says its portfolio now includes 258 farms with a total of 108,163 acres (including five farms totaling 8,591 acres under contract) in Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

Farmland Partners

CALGARY, ALBERTA - Attendees of this year’s CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be treated with a varied showcase including two keynote speakers, business sessions, and learning lounges dedicated to addressing current issues in the produce industry. 

Head keynote speaker, Arlene Dickinson, will speak Wednesday morning and will share the secrets of her success as one of Canada’s most renowned independent marketing communications entrepreneurs. Hear how Arlene has built her career through a creative and innovative approach to business, and what she’s learned from the Lion’s Den at this year's show.

Jean Rickli has been selected to lead the lunch keynote speech, with insights from J.C. Williams Group and the latest global retail concepts and innovation trends. Rickli’s session will showcase the best innovation cases from 26 countries worldwide, and will expand on the 3 hottest trends of this year; passion for food, low inventory, and secondhand/no waste.

The first business session, Social License and Sustainability: What you need to know, tackles social license and agriculture as a growing issue for consumers, and information presented in the documentary, License to Farm. Join presenters Janice Tranberg and Shelley Jones to learn more from speakers both inside and out of the produce industry on how to confront these issues along the value chain, according to a press release.

Creating Choices, presented by Brent VanParys and Hali VanVliet, will introduce CPMA attendees to The BDO SuccessCare Program™. A collaborative process, this program helps business owners manage change or transition within their companies so they are always ready for sale, with more choices available.

Stay right on the Trade Show floor in the Learning Lounges, and jump through 30 minute sessions on key issues in the industry. Sessions planned for this year’s convention are: 

• Innovation: Produce, the Next Generation - Presented by Oleen Smethurst, Costco Canada and Davis Yung, Fresh Direct Produce
• Food Safety: Challenges across the Supply Chain - Presented by Joe Darden, Mastronardi, Dan Martin, Sysco, and Mimmo Franzone, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets
• The Changing Role of Dietitians in Retail – Presented by Kristyn Hall, RD, Nutrition and Culinary Solutions and Heidi Piovoso, Retail Dietitian
• A Frank Discussion with Two Mikes: A Conversation about Issues Impacting Industry – Presented by Frank Pagliaro, Loblaw Companies, Mike Furi, The Grocery People, and Mike Ecker, Vineland Growers.

The CPMA’s 91^st Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in Calgary from April 12-14, 2016.

CPMA