THERMAL, CA - North Shore, the southern California-based herb grower, has named Micki Dirtzu as the new Director of Marketing.
In her new role, Dirtzu will be responsible for driving the company's overall marketing strategy including communication strategy, product marketing, tradeshow management and customer messaging, according to a press release.
"Micki brings to North Shore Sales & Marketing a diverse marketing skill set and experience as well as a proven track record in delivering success," said Suzette Overgaag, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. "We are so excited to have her on our team."
Dirtzu will support her position and the North Shore team with an extensive marketing and brand management background as well as with her business development expertise in the consumer packaged goods industry.
The new Director of Marketing most recently worked with Flagstone Foods and has worked as an Associate Brand Manager for Supervalu. Dirtzu has a Master in Business Administration from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Communications from Augsburg College. She is a member of California Women in Agriculture and Illuminators.
Congratulations Micki, on your new role with North Shore!
DAVIS, CA - How much does the perfect salad cost? Well, if you ask the University of California, Davis, it looks like it may cost $4.5 million.
UC Davis has been awarded a $4.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture—all in the name of improving lettuce crops.
The five-year, renewable grant is part of the 2014 Farm Bill’s USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative funding program. It will support a multidisciplinary research program aimed at leveraging new technologies to sustain the supply of lettuce in spite of changes in climate.
“We will be exploiting genomic technology to address the needs in all areas up and down the lettuce production chain,” said the project’s Leader Richard Michelmore, a plant geneticist and Director of the UC Davis Genome Center.
Research will range from identifying genes that are key to developing important stress-resistance traits in lettuce to fine-tuning imaging technologies that will allow growers to remotely assess the status of their crops in the field.
One of the project’s strengths, Michelmore added, is its longstanding collaborations with plant-breeding companies of all sizes, as well as the California Leafy Greens Research Board.
This isn’t the only grant offered to the university either, according to a press release, with a second USDA grant of $9,459 being awarded to UC Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist Jeffrey Mitchell. This grant will be used to assess opportunities for applying established principles of conservation agriculture to high-value vegetable crops, the press release added.
In total, USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative awarded $50 million in grants nationwide for projects ranging from plant genetics research to new product innovation and development of new methods for responding to food safety hazards.
Could this be the start of a new age of leafy greens? If Michelmore has anything to say about it, it just might be.
McALLEN, TX – GR Produce, Inc. is unveiling a new rebranding initiative that aims to strengthen its visibility as a grower in the United States.
GRFresh, the company’s new brand, will continue providing customers with staple items such as roma, round, and grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, hot peppers, pecans, and now pomegranates, all grown in six regions spanning over 6,000 acres through Mexico.
“Our reputation as a grower, along with our new brand, will help redefine our presence that will closely align us with fresh food production here in the United States,” said Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales.
To strengthen its network of distribution centers strategically located in McAllen, Texas, GRFresh also plans to soon open its newest distribution center in San Antonio, Texas, spearheaded by industry veteran and General Manager Danny Canady. He brings valuable local market knowledge along with nearly ten years of produce experience in this Texas market.
GRFresh is also working on launching a new website that will contain accessible content consisting of food safety certificates, social responsibility information, consumer trends, product information, category insights, and market data, according to a press release. The website will provide links to the company’s Facebook page, a LinkedIn page, and YouTube channel to promote company messages, news, and videos.
Despite the new name, the company says it will continue to operate under the vision of Founder Juan Gonzalez Reyes. His integrity, vision, and commitment continues to drive his firm beliefs in sustainability, social responsibility, and excellence in safe food production.
VENTURA, CA – LINKFRESH is hosting a series of webinars aimed at helping fresh produce companies better understand how ERP solutions can help their business, all while addressing key issues in the fresh food supply chain.
Starting on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, LINKFRESH will present four stand-alone webinar sessions that participants can register for today, according to a press release. You can participate in any webinar as it pertains to your interests or business.
Click the green button below to register for a webinar.
Register for a LINKFRESH Webinar
The available webinars include:
- Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 – LINKFRESH ERP Advanced Warehousing And Transportation – LINKFRESH will explore ERP Advanced Warehousing and Transportation features that accommodate transportation scenarios specifically found within the food sector.
- Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 – LINKFRESH ERP For Farming Organizations – This webinar will explore ERP features designed specifically to meet the needs of a farming organization. These will include: crop/harvest planning, harvest shrinkage and harvest resource allocation, as well as a look at the LINKFRESH farming user role center
- Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 – Traceability With LINKFRESH – We will take a closer look at the how ERP enables a food supply chain organization to efficiently track and trace product through their entire supply chain.
- Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 – LINKFRESH Advanced Quality Control and Traceability – Take a closer look at the extensive features of LINKFRESH ERP for Microsoft Dynamics AX designed to enable a food supply chain organization to efficiently track and monitor the origin, production, destination and quality of product through their entire supply chain.
For more details on LINKFRESH, check out their website below.
CORAL GABLES, FL – Shares in Fresh Del Monte surged this morning after the company posted a 43 percent increase in profits for its third quarter.
As of 12:09 pm EDT this morning, the company’s stock rose approximately 10 percent to $46.50.
Some of the biggest contributors to Fresh Del Monte’s success this quarter were the company’s excellent growth in its fresh-cut and avocado businesses, as well as higher sales volume in North America and higher selling prices in the Middle East.
As for Fresh Del Monte’s banana business, sales rose 0.3 percent to $425.2 million. In the fresh-cut category, net sales increased 32 percent to $126.3 million on higher volume and pricing. For non-tropical items, net sales increased 9 percent to $52 million on higher volume and lower pricing.
Chairman and CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh said that he was pleased with Fresh Del Monte’s financial performance this quarter, noting that avocados are becoming one of the company’s fastest growing categories.
“We look to aggressively capitalize on our position as a leader in avocados to meet growing customer demand,” he said in a press release. “Our results were further shaped by our focus on higher value products, continued expansion of our geographic presence, further leveraging of our distribution and marketing channels, innovative opportunities with new customers globally, and closer relationships with existing customers.”
Highlights from this quarter include:
- Net sales for the third quarter were $936.1 million, compared with $884.6 million during the same time last year
- Gross profit for the third quarter was $83.3 million, compared with $73.9 million during the same time last year
- Operating income for the third quarter was $34.4 million, compared with $29.3 million during the same time last year
- Net income for the third quarter was $28.5 million, compared with $19.9 million during the same time last year
“Over the years, our team has done an exceptional job in transforming our Company for long-term growth and profitability by focusing on our fundamental strengths, and further leveraging our healthy and convenient product lines and geographic presence, allowing us to build a formidable strategic advantage for our Company as demonstrated by our third quarter achievements,” Abu-Ghazaleh continued.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the financial performance of produce companies across the industry.
PAKISTAN - Locus Traxx s entering a new foreign market: Pakistan.
The company is now opening its first office and distribution center in the region to help improve the shipping quality of the country’s produce.
According to a press release, the quality and image of imports have frequently been affected in the region by chill injuries caused by the fluctuation in container temperature, or “breaks in the cold chain.”
Locus Traxx stated that Pakistan fruit exports often arrive to their destination in less than perfect condition due to imperfect cold chains.
“This is a huge problem, but until now no effective solution has been available,” Aziz ur Rahman Shaik, Locus Traxx’s Representative for Pakistan, stated, adding that Smart Traxx™ Go can reduce or eliminate these issues. “Now customers will be able to receive fresh produce that has much improved shelf life.
Smart Traxx™ Go gives the user global access to real-time monitoring of important information such as:
- Temperature of the container
- Location of the product
- Security when the door to the transport has been opened
“Mr. Aziz ur Rahman is doing a great job for the produce industry by introducing technical equipment and devices for better control and traceability throughout the cold chain,” CEO of Roshan Enterprises Khalid Eijaz Qureshi, said in the release.
The consignment can be ready to go in as little as five minutes. The user only needs to pull the battery tab and add Smart Traxx™ Go to the shipment and will be able to monitor the produce from dispatch to delivery.
BERKELEY, CA - As Grocery Outlet continues with its goal to find the best candidates for key produce positions nationwide, the Emeryville, California-based retailer has introduced a new face to the produce and floral team.
Grocery Outlet welcomed Scott Gonzales in September, as the new Southern California Produce and Floral Merchandiser.
Scot Olson, Director of Produce and Floral, tells me, “We are excited to have Scott Gonzales join the Grocery Outlet Produce Team as he brings a wealth of experience to help us continue to grow. Scott has nearly 40 years of produce experience that began in Southern CA where he will soon return to help lead the charge as we open our First two L.A. area stores this December.”
Scott brings 40 years of produce industry experience to his new role, beginning his career as a Produce Manager at Ralphs in 1975. He then went on to join Beverly Hills, California-based Irvine Ranch Farmers Market as a produce merchandising supervisor where he grew weekly produce department sales to $150K. Scott eventually became the interim Director of Produce. Scott made his way to Northern California in 1988, where he worked with Bel Air Markets before time away from corporate life to raise his family. Scott joined General Produce in 2010 where he became versed in wholesale, and worked hand-in-hand with GOI stores.
Scott will be reporting to Scot Olson.
“Scott has a natural ability to teach and train while working a produce department which will prove to be a great asset for us in Southern California,” Olson ads.
Grocery Outlet’s world-class executive team is known for cultivating a culture of collaborative relationships with more than 2,500 supplier partners. In order to maintain Grocery Outlets' high standards, the company focuses on its values of ingenuity, transparency, creativity, dedication and collaboration along with a keen eye for value and exceptional negotiating skills.
The privately held company generates annual revenues exceeding $1.5 billion and employs approximately 1,000 people across the U.S. The Grocery Outlet Bargain Market brand currently includes over 220 independently operated stores in California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Pennsylvania.
MILWAUKEE, WI – Roundy’s is opening up its largest ever Mariano’s location in Chicago today.
Coming in at more than 83,000 square feet, this two-story location will offer shoppers an “unparalleled foodie experience” with high-end departments and traditional grocery staples.
As Roundy’s 34th Mariano’s store, the location will anchor the NewCity development at 1500 N. Clybourn Avenue near the CTA Red Line North Avenue/Clybourn station. The company expects that the store’s opening will bring approximately 540 new jobs to the Chicago area, according to a press release.
“We are constantly evolving to better serve the needs of our customers, and our store at NewCity is no exception,” said Bob Mariano, Chairman, President, and CEO of Roundy’s. “We of course have the traditional grocery staples, but with unique features like fresh smoothies, sushi, and smoked barbeque, we offer an experience unlike anywhere else.”
As Mr. Mariano mentioned, the store brings a wide array of unique store enhancements that are meant to appeal to everyday shoppers and foodies alike. Some of these examples include a VEG’D department, which features freshly-prepared vegetarian and vegan food options, as well as a SQUEEZ’D department that provides customers with made-to-order fruit and vegetable smoothies.
Other enhancements include:
- Vero featuring premium coffees with on-site, fresh-roasted coffee beans, as well as locally and homemade gelato prepared with traditional Italian techniques
- Cheese and Charcuterie with a variety of regional and international cheeses that can be cut-to-order and specially wrapped, along with an extensive selection of salumis, a hand-pulled mozzarella station, and an olive bar
- Todds BBQ offering daily smoked brisket, ribs, and more, all with a variety of sauces to fit shoppers’ tastes
- Oyster Bar featuring the freshest shucked oysters and specialty seafood dishes
- Full-service Pharmacy with friendly and accessible pharmacists, immunization services, the Mariano’s Prescription Savings Club and the unique PharmaSmart Blood Pressure machine
The Roundy’s Foundation will make a donation to non-profit organization After School Matters to support their cause in providing after-school and summer opportunities to more than 15,000 Chicago high school teens each year, as well as celebrate the store’s grand opening.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Here at the Sun World Vineyards at the San Joaquin Valley of California, Fall isn’t signaled with the coloring of leaves or pumpkins in the patch, but with the arrival of SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® brand grapes, ready for harvest. Sensationally sweet, refreshingly crisp, and exceptionally bold in color, they’re the ultimate grape perfection.
Perfected over the years by Sun World’s Variety Development Center in California, this late season variety is known for its outstanding production per acre, berry size, and extraordinary eating qualities. Developed in 1993, and first introduced commercially in 2005, it has grown to become one of Sun World’s signature grapes.
SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® grapes are available to U.S. consumers September through December, meaning they're available just in time for after-school snacks and holiday feasts.
What’s the best way to enjoy SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® grapes? There are lots to choose from. Add to a spring mix salad for a wonderful lunch or dinner side. Pair with a dash of whipped cream for a healthy dessert. Or grab a bunch to go for a simple and nutritious snack. With a mere 90 calories per one and a half cup serving, and an abundance of antioxidants, and some Vitamin A and C, SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® grapes are a sweet healthy treat.
For more information on SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® grapes and Sun World’s other tasty offerings, visit us at www.sun-world.com. Be sure to follow Sun World Fruit on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - BrandStorm™, a new event developed by United Fresh, is seeking to empower the next generation of produce marketers by providing them with the skills and tools to succeed.
Next week, on November 1-2, 2015, new and young marketers across the produce industry will band together to learn about the latest trends, strengthen their network, and discover insights that can help bolster their organizations.
And that’s just the beginning. Here are FIVE reasons your marketers should attend this event.
Gain insight into consumer trends and generational behaviors
On Monday morning, attendees will have an opportunity to attend several workshops, such as “Building a Brand Narrative,” “Marketing by Design: Managing the Creative Process,” “Rules for a Winning Brand Launch,” and “Battling Marketing Channels: Maximizing Your Opportunities.”
These workshops are designed to inspire young produce marketers to think outside the box in addition to thought-provoking presentations from Phil Gwoke, BridgeWorks Gen Xer; Robert Rose, best-selling author and Chief Strategy Officer for the Content Marketing Institute and Senior Contributing Consultant for Digital Clarity Group; and Leslie Stein, Chief Inspiration Officer for Full Circle Inspiration. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to equip your marketers for the challenges to come.
Learn the latest tools and trends in produce marketing
BrandStorm will kick off on Sunday afternoon with a brief one-hour content marketing session with Robert Rose. He is well-known for his ability to develop content marketing and customer experience strategies for large companies such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AT&T, UPS, Packard, and more.
Attendees will be challenged to think on their feet and learn about new approaches to common marketing channels.
Network and engage with industry peers of produce marketers
Guests will have a chance to mingle with fellow produce marketers and collaborate on new and unique marketing methods during Sunday evening’s Opening Reception.
BrandStorm provides a comfortable, social atmosphere at the Hyatt Regency hotel in San Francisco so attendees can be encouraged to meet and greet colleagues from across the entire produce industry.
Dive into real-world case studies
Working in small groups, produce marketers will work together on solving common industry challenges on Monday afternoon with real-world case studies. After leaving this event, you can be confident you or a produce marketer from your team will be armed with tangible solutions to these common brand hurdles.
Brand-storm innovative ideas that you can take back and implement into your brand practices
This day and a half event is designed to equip young produce marketers with the tools they need to feel confident in the face of the oncoming, everyday marketing challenges. They’ll feel inspired, motivated, and above all, ready to provide value to the company they represent.
Registration to attend is still available. Click here to register today.