SACRAMENTO, CA – Raley’s Greg Corrigan joined AndNowUKnow to share a few reasons why everyone in the industry should honor their retail produce managers. Listen to the full interview above, or keep reading for a brief summary of what Greg had to say.
The Senior Director of Produce and Floral and Chairman of United Fresh’s Retail-Foodservice Board felt strongly about the program, noting that it’s a powerful way for retailers to recognize their produce managers for their hard work and commitment to the industry.
“The produce team leaders out there work really hard,” Greg tells me. “It’s a great opportunity for us to recognize them and honor them for selling our great products and connecting with not only our customers, but the communities out there.”
Nominations are now being accepted for the United Fresh Produce Association’s upcoming Retail Produce Managers Award, and the deadline is fast approaching. The award honors top retail produce managers for their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service, and customer satisfaction.
Submit your nomination before January 5, 2016 to make sure your top retail produce manager can be recognized before the industry. Click the green button below to begin the nomination process.
Nominate a Retail Produce Manager
As we previously reported, Greg noted that this program was a “very important aspect of staff development at Raley’s.” When I asked him to elaborate, he said that some of the retailer’s past winners have been promoted to other positions within the company.
“It’s a great way to develop your teams and recognize those guys that are top performers at your organization,” he said, noting that the award-winners come back from the event motivated to work even harder for their company.
In case you need even more convincing, check out our previous article on the “3 Reasons Why the Produce Industry Should Honor Produce Managers.”
Don’t miss the window to nominate your produce manager. Click here to start nominating them today.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Berry Fresh, owned by Chilean-based Agroberries, has welcomed industry vet Kelly Dietz to take up the post of the newly created position Director of Business Development, East Coast.
“I am very excited to be joining the Berry Fresh team,” Dietz said, according to a press release. “The more I was able to learn about Agroberries and Berry Fresh, the more I realized it is a very successful company with amazing opportunities. I look forward to helping them expand their customer base."
Dietz brings 26 years of industry experience, most recently having worked at Bakersfield, California-based Grimmway Farms as its Director of Sales, Eastern Region. She has also worked for Virginia-based Verdelli Farms and served as Chairman of the Board for the IFPA.
“Kelly brings a wealth of produce knowledge and experience,” Lorenzo Venezian, President of Berry Fresh, added in the release. “She has developed a deep knowledge of the markets and customers in the eastern region and we look forward to having her on board.”
According to the company, Berry Fresh has become one of the largest distributors of blueberries and blackberries in North America through vertical integration with Agroberries.
The company expressed enthusiasm for what is to come with Dietz’s addition to the team.
COLIMA, MEXICO - Mexico’s Colima Volcano has erupted again, officials from Colima state have confirmed. The state’s most active volcano has been erupting ash for the last several days.
Know as Mexico’s Fire Volcano, Colima Volcano has continued to erupt into Tuesday, where it saw eruptions that had plumes reaching a height of 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) into the air, according to Mexican news source El Universal. National Civil Protection coordinator Luis Felipe Puente has been detailing the volcano's activity on his official Twitter account.
Colima Volcano has remained highly active since November 16, RT reports, when the volcano saw a powerful eruption of over 3 kilometers (1.8 miles). Colima Volcano has seen continuous activity since in July, with our last report on an eruption in August that also reached upwards of 1.5 miles.
Government officials in Colima have referred to this recent uptick in activity at Colima as “atypical," saying that eruptions of this type and intensity hadn't been seen since the volcano’s largest explosive eruption in 1913, the Associated Press reports.
As of yet, no injuries have been reported and damages to agriculture have not been reported, but AndNowUKnow will update you as more reports surface.
MONTEREY, CA – PRO*ACT’s sustainability and local produce initiative Greener Fields Together™ now has a twofold judging process for its Cultivating Change competition.
This new program allows local growers to apply for grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, with the window for applications closing on November 30th.
According to a press release, there will be five winners for each grant in increments of $3,000 and $5,000, with two winners of $10,000 grants.
The top two awards will be determined by a panel of industry leaders, PRO*ACT said, which includes:
- Nova Sayers | NSF | Business Development - Global Food Division
- Johnna Hepner | PMA | Director Food Safety & Technology
- James Barham, Ph.D | USDA Rural Development | Agricultural Economist
- Jim Ebersold CSW CSS| Purchasing Manager | Ted’s Montana Grill
- JoAnne Berkenkamp | Tomorrow’s Table LLC | President
- Glenda Yoder | Associate Director | Farm Aid
Those who apply will also be chosen via an online voting and peer review process, the criteria of which will be based on the following four specifications:
- The capacity to receive and manage grant funds responsibly and the skills and experience necessary to undertake the identified project.
- Demonstration that thoughtful consideration is being given to the technical challenges of the project.
- A compelling plan for how the project will impact the business or operation and/or that of the community.
- A comprehensive budget that demonstrates financial prudence.
Farms applying for a grant will submit statements about their company and the program they wish to have funded.
The peers that will be voting online, including those associated with each farm, distributors, and PRO*ACT members, with the farms that have received the most votes winning the additional awards.
PRO*ACT will announce the grant winners on January 6, 2016. For more information and complete rules, visit www.cultivatingchange.org/rules.
WINTER HAVEN, FL – Westlake Produce is welcoming procurement and sales specialist Gonzalo Alvarado to its team to oversee its new Austin, Texas office.
Over the past ten years, Gonzalo has gained valuable experience in South American and Mexican tropicals. Prior to joining Westlake, he was employed by Splendid Products in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“What attracted me to Westlake Produce was their commitment to Service Above All,” he said. “In this market’s competitive environment, it is satisfying to be a part of a team that still emphasizes values such as customer service and developing strong partnerships. I am excited to contribute to the continued growth of Westlake’s tropical department and deliver the highest quality products to our customers.”
Westlake’s entry into Texas will give the company a stronger foothold in the south and complement its existing offices in Winter Haven, Florida and Los Angeles, California.
“We have always wanted to open a sales office in Texas to add to our successful Florida and California operations,” said President and CEO Bill Brooks. “Finding the right person to build a project around has been a tedious search. Gonzalo, with his experience, service philosophy, and passion for the industry, is just the right individual to build a successful sales team.”
Congrats on joining the Westlake team, Gonzalo!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release from the USDA, the following companies and individuals are restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Mega Fresh LLC, a Branford, Connecticut-based company, has allegedly failed to pay a $28,438 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Gary L. Connolly was listed as a member of the business.
- Melonhead LLC, a Boulder, Colorado-based company, was barred for failing to pay a $44,366 award in favor of a Colorado seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Michael S. Joseph was listed as a member of the business.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. All oversight of actions related to PACA are conducted by AMS, an agency within the USDA.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
WENATCHEE, WA – Chicago’s BlogHer Food, a conference that hosted food bloggers and influencers from around the nation, was treated to a breakfast event hosted by Stemilt Growers as it brought some of the best of Washington to the Windy City.
“This was our first time at BlogHer Food, and we were very impressed by the caliber of media who traveled from all over the country to come to the event, all for the love of great food,” Roger Pepperl, Stemilt’s Director of Marketing, said in a press release. “We love that we were able to show the attendees a bit of our Pacific Northwest apple traditions.”
The private breakfast event, which took place on Nov. 6th, saw 25 top food bloggers from all over that were treated to Stemilt’s history, its ongoing mission to grow World Famous Fruit, and the following four proprietary products:
- Fresh Blenders
- Lil Snappers
- Skylar Rae Cherries
- Piñata Apples
Among those in attendance at the breakfast were Lauren Allen of Tastes Better from Scratch, Jen Rattie of My Crafty Life, Echo Blickenstff of Favorite Family Recipes and many more national food media representatives.
Merchandising Manager Jocelyn Gerard, who shared the history with the attendees, also conducted a comprehensive apple taste test to showcase varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, Piñata, Pink Lady, and SweeTango.
Roger added, “Our Piñata apples were the biggest hit with the bloggers, who admired the profile of the apple for its culinary distinctiveness. We are looking forward to growing relationships with some of the top bloggers in the food industry who attended our event.”
Besides being able to try Stemilt’s signature Simple ABC Smoothie featuring Tart Fresh Blenders, the company said that BlogHer Food also gave it the opportunity to tout its kid-sized fruit Lil Snappers and Fresh Blenders, the grower’s apple offerings packaged for juicing and blending.
The quickness of many parent bloggers to inquire about Stemilt’s proprietary products bolstered its confidence in the continued growth of demand for items like Lil Snappers and Fresh Blenders as awareness spreads across the country.
The company added that a number of bloggers, who often incorporate fruits into their articles and recipes, expressed interest in working with its apples and pears for their upcoming holiday recipes.
Stemilt also just saw the first snow of the season for the area of its late, late cherry orchard.
Roger stated that this orchard is a newer planting that will continue to extend the season with cherries at, or above, 3,000 feet above sea level.
SALINAS, CA - At this year’s US Foods Fall 2015 Food Lovers Forum in Chicago, the foodservice company took the time to recognize its 2015 Produce Vendor of the Year—Mann Packing.
“We are honored that US Foods recognized Mann and our relationship with them,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Foodservice Marketing. “They are an important customer we look forward to further building a significant partnership together.”
Every year, US Foods chooses six vendors as the company’s “Vendors of the Year.” Categories include an Innovation Award, four category awards (Center of the Plate, Grocery, Non-Foods and Produce), and the Easy To Do Business With Award.
According to US Foods, these awards recognize vendor partners who demonstrate excellence over the past year in various aspects, including as innovators in packaging development and R&D, experts in commodity purchasing and risk management, and creators of new, ingenious solutions that add value to products. US Foods explains that the selected vendors also provided best-in-class service to US Foods associates and shared customers.
As we’ve previously reported, Mann Packing also won Sysco’s Supplier of the Year award earlier this year.
KANSAS CITY, MO - Multivac has announced a new hire to the company’s sales team, appointing Ryan A. Spencer to Product Specialist – Compact Equipment. In his new role, Spencer will lead Multivac’s inside sales effort for all “compact” (CPS) equipment, such as chamber equipment, belt-fed chambers and medical chambers, while also maintaining proper inventory of equipment.
“I’m very excited about joining Multivac and helping drive further awareness and sales of our CPS equipment,” Spencer said. “Customers throughout North America, and around the world, know the Multivac brand and the quality it represents. My team and I are ready to continue promoting the positive attributes of our CPS equipment and the Multivac brand.”
According to a press release, Multivac expects Spencer’s addition will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the company. Since July of 2009, he has held titles such as Senior Marketing Specialist, Product Support Specialist, and was most recently a Customer Engagement Specialist at Milbank Manufacturing. Before his career began, Spencer earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 2009.
With the addition on Spencer, Multivac will continues its growth within the thermoform food package industry. In the past year, the company has launched new products, including the R 105 MF Thermoformer, a fully automatic, cost-effective system optimized to produce high-quality vacuum skin packaging. The company says it will also be building a 32,000 square-foot manufacturing addition to its Kansas City facility by early Summer 2016.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target is enhancing its produce team with another new addition: Robby Cruz.
Sources say that the 21-year Albertsons/Safeway veteran has been appointed as Target’s new Director of Perishables Sourcing, Merchandising. This change will be made effective December 1, 2015. Robby will oversee Target’s perishables business, all while delivering freshness and improving the overall guest experience.
During his tenure at Safeway, Robby held several leadership roles across sales, marketing, merchandising, and strategic procurement of produce and floral. His experience will no doubt be of great value as Target looks to expand its presence in fresh, perishable foods.
His team at Target will consist of Senior Produce Sourcing Leads Mike Tucker, Brendon Krieg, Andrew Schuster, and Jerry Arne, and Sourcing Analysts Diego Diaz, Natalie Obst, and Ryan Rogers.
This isn’t the first seasoned Safeway professional that Target has tapped in 2015. Scott Bradley, Safeway’s former Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain, joined Target as its new Vice President of Perishables earlier this year, as we previously reported.
The news of Robby’s addition comes hot on the heels of recent announcements that Target would be looking to perform fresh-focused tests at 25 Los Angeles stores and potentially seek outside partnerships to strengthen its fresh food supply chain.
Could this be the start of a produce revolution at Target? While it’s still too early to tell, these hires certainly hint that something is in the works, especially given the retailer’s acceleration in food sales this past quarter.
As we covered in a previous report, Target CEO Brian Cornell said that he was encouraged by the company’s improved performance in food, saying, “We’ve been very focused on assortment changes and bringing more natural, organic local items into many of our categories, and we’re seeing the guest react very favorably.”
We will have to continue to wait and see how exactly Target will up its game in the perishables department, but if Robby and Scott’s appointments are anything to consider, it could be promising.