ATLANTA, GA – PMA Fresh Summit 2015 is just days away, NatureFresh™ Farms has plenty of innovations to share with expo attendees at booth #4785.
OhioRed™ Tomatoes, the newest brand from NatureFresh™, will be unveiled at this year’s show.
“In just a few months, consumers will be able to eat Ohio-grown tomatoes that will come from our new greenhouse facility in Delta, OH,” said Chris Veillon, Director of Marketing.
The first crop from the Ohio greenhouse will be planted in November, according to a press release.
Visitors at NatureFresh’s booth will also get a chance to experience some of the company’s latest innovations in product merchandising, including the TomBar™, the Grape Tomato Machine, and Corporate Chef Henry Furtado’s TomPopper™ bar.
“We understand customer buying habits are changing and we need to adapt to that,” said Ray Wowryk, Director of Business Development.
The TomBar™ allows customers to hand-select up to twelve different tomato varieties from a unit similar to an olive bar.
The Grape Tomato Machine is similar to a gumball machine in concept. It allows consumers to select from three unique grape tomato varieties, giving them the opportunity to pick the color, type, and quantity they need.
NatureFresh™ has also revamped its Greenhouse Education Center to demonstrate all of the functioning aspects of a typical NatureFresh™ greenhouse at the expo.
This micro-greenhouse features cherry tomato plants, a bumble bee eco-system, irrigation, venting, and an energy curtain system. iPads alongside the unit will feature the new NatureFresh™ app, which plays various promotional videos focusing on various aspects of the company’s greenhouse operations.
Lastly, NatureFresh™ has been named a finalist in the PMA Sensory Experience Contest that takes place on Friday, October 23rd. Corporate Chef Henry Furtado will be on-site during the contest to prepare his version of a Fresh Caprese Wrap.
To see all of these innovations and more, visit NatureFresh™ at booth #4785 at PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta, GA.
ROCHESTER, NY – Wegmans is continuing to expand its footprint in Pennsylvania, this time in a whole new market.
The retailer announced earlier this week that it would open its first store in Lancaster County, a move that will greatly please consumers who previously needed to travel a considerable distance to reach the closest Wegmans location.
Ralph Uttaro, Wegmans’ Senior Vice President of Real Estate, said he looks forward to the day when the company can welcome customers to Wegmans in Lancaster.
“Lancaster residents have been asking us to build a store for a long time,” he said. “In fact, we know that many now travel to our other locations to shop. Now we will be able to bring incredible customer service, help with meals, and consistent low prices to them.”
The new store is expected to be similar in size and design to Wegmans’ newest stores, coming in at 120,000 square feet. The store will anchor the planned mixed-use project, The Crossings at Conestoga Creek, a development of High Real Estate Group LLC, according to a press release.
Up to 550 people will be employed in full- and part-time positions, the vast majority of which will be hired locally.
Wegmans hopes the new store will open in 2018, though a solid opening date will only be announced once all necessary approvals are in place.
The company currently operates 16 stores and a Retail Service Center in Pennsylvania. On November 8, Wegmans will open its 17th Pennsylvania store in Concordville (Delaware County).
Robert F. Weis, a longtime leader in the food retailing industry and Chairman of Weis Markets has passed away at 96 years of age.
In his tenure at his family company, Robert was the principal figure in the growth and continued success of Weis Markets, beginning at the company early in his life when he needed to stand on a box to operate a cash register.
After graduating from Yale University in 1941, Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army, ultimately serving in World War II in the rank of captain.
After returning to the company founded by his father, Robert worked in various positions including operations, distribution, marketing, procurement, human resources, real estate and store construction. Ultimately, he would oversee the company’s finances, real estate, and store construction.
In the subsequent decades, Robert helped oversee Weis Markets’ growth and expansion into six states. In 1995, Robert became Chairman of Weis Markets, Inc. Since 2009, his company has made record investments in its growth, acquiring 11 units, upgrading more than 100, and opening nine new stores.
Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia, who together have three children: Jonathan Weis, who serves as Weis Markets’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colleen Ross Weis of New York City, and Jennifer Weis Monsky, also of New York City. Robert is also survived by nine grandchildren and a sister, Ellen Wasserman of Baltimore.
Best known for his strong belief in philanthropy, Robert and his wife have supported a number of major philanthropic projects and causes, including: Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA where the couple established the Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis Professorship in Judaic Studies and the Weis College House, Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA where they helped establish the Blough-Weis Library and the Stella Freeman Weis Cultural Endowment, the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation of Boston, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Sunbury Community Hospital during its non-profit years. Robert and Mrs. Weis also helped establish the Department of Judaic Studies at Yale University and endowed a professorship for this department.
In another extreme act of kindness, Weis and his wife sponsored a flight of Jewish survivors who emigrated to Israel following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Weis was generous to numerous local causes in his hometown of Sunbury and the Central Susquehanna Valley where he often made private donations to local charities. In recent years, his company has made approximately $6 million in donations to community-based health care organizations, food banks, educational foundations and cultural institutions throughout its five state marketing area.
AndNowUKnow would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Weis family and Robert’s friends during this difficult time.
POMPANO BEACH, FL - Robert Colescott, Founder and CEO of Southern Specialties, was only 23 years old when he found himself at the helm of a bankrupted company. The former Mets Minor League player joins us for an exclusive interview to tell us the behind-the-scenes story of Southern Specialties' rise to success.
Check out the full article in The Snack magazine by clicking here, or continue reading the full piece below.
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Growing Something Special
“There needs to be a relentless focus on the consumer,” Robert Colescott, Founder and CEO of Southern Specialties, tells me when I ask him where his priorities lie. “Anticipate and respond to consumers’ needs, tastes, and preferences, and then find the niche that allows you to grow.”
And diversify, he adds. French beans, white asparagus, star fruit, watercress… Produce companies don’t just follow the trends, they can help make them.
“If you don’t believe me, look at someone like Frieda’s Specialty Produce, and, since we are here, listen to our story,” Robert smiles.
The year was 1986. Guatemala was in the middle of a Civil War and the New York Mets won the World Series. The relevance? Robert suddenly found himself, metaphorically and literally, up to bat.
“Both headlining events had to do with my career at the time. I’d been drafted by the Mets organization fresh out of high school and was entering my third year playing in the Minor Leagues. Once the baseball season was over I would return home just in time to start the peak import season, working for a company responsible for growing specialty produce in Guatemala,” Robert tells me.
Essentially, Robert was being groomed by the owner of the company so he could contribute "sweat equity" towards a partnership in the near future, which ended abruptly in a WTF moment. Disaster. The owner, his future business partner, uprooted to another part of the country and bankrupted the company.
Robert didn’t speak a word of Spanish, and wasn’t prepared or experienced with restructuring a company out of bankruptcy at just 23 years old.
While the business looked to be falling apart to most, Robert sought to reestablish his footing by focusing on a little known sector of the industry at the time - specialty produce.
“My goal was to create a company that could thrive in a competitive market and could provide solutions to customers in the form of cost savings and convenience with ‘one-stop shopping’ for their procurement departments,” Robert tells me.
Robert was able to partner with a German agronomist who retired from United Fruit (a banana company) and had decided to make Guatemala his new home. Robert managed to persuade a few other suppliers to conduct business based on an agreement to recover a large portion of debt from the previous company.
“My goal was to create a company that could thrive in a competitive market and could provide solutions to customers in the form of cost savings and convenience with ‘one-stop shopping’ for their procurement departments,” Robert tells me.
“All others would only do business on a cash advance basis. Welcome to the import business!” Robert laughs.
In 1990, Southern Specialties was born.
Growth in specialty produce from Guatemala, primarily for foodservice and wholesale terminal markets, began to boom as the fledgling company gained traction. To keep the momentum going, Robert not only looked to introduce new items to the retail trade, but also to diversify growing regions to support the company’s year-round programs, and further vertically integrate the company’s business model to manage cold storage and logistics.
"We owe many thanks to people like Frieda and her awesome family for further educating buyers and consumers about specialty produce. Their role in marketing has been instrumental to the success of so many in this business and from all of us foodies,” Robert tells me.
Expansion of the company’s resources became a necessity, and after ten years of having his nose to the grindstone, Robert’s brother-in-law, Tommy Bagwell, and a key supplier from Guatemala decided to invest.
“Tommy and I both believe that you should never mix family with business, but after several years being together, and discussing typical growth issues, he insisted on providing additional seed money to help grow the business,” Robert says. The investment gave Southern Specialties enough horsepower to expand from three to fifteen categories and increase their SKU’s from twenty to over two-hundred.
“We started new operations in various countries in efforts of diversifying our growing regions for year-round supplies and today we are established in ten different countries,” he notes.
As Southern Specialties’ business has continued to grow and opportunities were presented to the team, the company decided to expand its offices and opened sales distribution facilities in McAllen, Texas, and Los Angeles, California.
“We focused on reducing food miles by shipping product direct to a distribution center closest to end customers versus having product consolidated in Florida and then sent back across the United States,” Robert adds. “Customers soon realized they could reduce their driver time and countless hours procuring product by centralizing their business utilizing our consolidation service.”
In 2000, convenience packaging began to pick up steam, but Southern Specialties was only accustomed to packing and selling bulk produce. Robert and his team identified the company’s core competencies and decided to invest in processing equipment which helped the company achieve another milestone, the creation of “Southern Selects” and “Today’s Gourmet” brands for consumer packaging of snow peas, sugar snap peas, baby vegetables, French beans, and asparagus just to name a few. The company saw opportunities not just in retail and price clubs, but also the foodservice trade. By packaging these products in larger bulk formats to foodservice operators it allowed for extended shelf life, easier inventory or portion controls at the restaurant level, and acted as additional protection for food safety or contamination.
“Additionally, around this time we decided to rebrand our company logo and changed our motto to ‘Let’s Grow Something Special.’ This relates not only to specialty produce but growing relationships, programs, healthy and tasty products, and building a business model that generates value to all involved throughout the supply chain from farm-to-shelf or farm-to-plate,” Robert tells me.
"‘Let’s Grow Something Special.’ This relates not only to specialty produce but growing relationships, programs, healthy and tasty products, and building a business model that generates value..."
Getting consumer brands and packaging off the ground was no easy feat, to say nothing of moving into the value-added arena. Enter Vice President of Business Development, Charlie Eagle, who worked to develop the vision, brands and to generate retail demand.
“The new packaging allowed us to build brand recognition with the retailer and the consumer, and it also gave us the opportunity to educate consumers with various preparation methods, health benefits, recipes, and nutritional highlights,” Charlie tells me. "Our values, growing practices, growing regions, the people behind the brand, are what drive the success of this business.”
“I truly appreciate all of Charlie’s years of loyalty and dedication to growing our company. Without question, our company is where it is because of his valuable input, knowledge, and experience,” Robert says.
“We’re all on the same level. I’m equal to the receptionist who I refer to as the ‘Director of First Impressions’- we just have different responsibilities. We do need to take our jobs seriously-but not ourselves.”
“The magic formula here is figuring out what stage of the evolution a given product is in, and figuring out when it’s right for our company to use its business model and customer relationships to produce a product that is much higher in volume and lower in cost,” he says. “Some would call it commoditization, but we constantly look at our business and ask, ‘where are these new items on the playing field? And when is it the right time for us to start a new activity? When is the right time to go after a new type of customer? What about services?’ We have many more choices than we could ever execute on. We’re not constrained by capital. We’re constrained by, ‘how many of these things can you actually achieve with a high degree of success and profit?’”
Today, more than ever, our industry is changing at an incredible pace, Robert tells me. He speaks of demographic shifts, time-constrained consumers looking for convenience, budget-oriented shoppers, consumers looking for indulgence with unique foods, food miles, food ethics, ethnic foods, an aging population, baby boomers, and now the presence of millennials.
“There are so many factors that challenge the way we present, produce, and create value,” Robert says.
When I ask Robert how he defines his place in the company, he responds that he sees himself as the Chief Energizer Officer. “I like to loosen things up a little by reminding people they need to have a sense of humor.”
Robert hates organizational charts or titles, and that shows in every aspect of the company. “We’re all on the same level. I’m equal to the receptionist who I refer to as the ‘Director of First Impressions’- we just have different responsibilities. We do need to take our jobs seriously-but not ourselves,” Robert tells me. “It is something that hard work and plenty of hurdles have taught me over the years. It’s a part of maintaining a passionate environment. Keep your people focused on what matters most during that hour, day, month, or quarter.”
For a leader that found himself at the helm of a ship between the Guatemalan Civil War and the New York Mets’ World Series win, I have more than a little faith that this company can weather any storm.
“There’s a world of flavor out there,” Robert tells me.
And today, it’s easier than you may think to taste it.
GREENSBORO, NC – After rumors spread that The Fresh Market was considering a potential sale, the company announced today that it is conducting a “strategic and financial review” of the business.
In the announcement, The Fresh Market stated that this review could result in one of three options, according to a press release:
- Continue pursuing value-enhancing initiatives as a standalone company
- Capital structure optimization
- A sale of the company or other business combination
The Fresh Market has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as its financial advisor and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as its legal advisors to assist in this process, according to a press release.
Last week, The Fresh Market’s shares jumped approximately 7.8 percent after reports of the discussions hit the wire. Reuters reported that Ray Berry, Founder and Chairman of The Fresh Market, was seeking support from additional private-equity firms, and could team up on a deal with son-in-law and 6.4 percent owner Michael Barry.
In September, specialty grocery retailer named retail veteran Rick Anicetti as its President and CEO.
“Since joining the company, Rick and his team have been working to identify and execute on opportunities to improve the company’s sales growth and to drive operational efficiencies,” said Rich Noll, Lead Independent Director. “An update on these findings will be provided when the company reports its third quarter fiscal 2015 earnings in November.”
The Fresh Market concluded that it does not intend to comment any further regarding the strategic and financial review until the Board of Directors approves a specific action or concludes its review.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this potential sale.
RIO RICO, AZ – SunFed is launching three new products to its ever-evolving program, all of which will be revealed at the upcoming PMA Fresh Summit Expo in Atlanta, GA this weekend.
One of the latest additions is Melonheads™, a seedless watermelon program available in both organic and conventional options. Melonheads™ are launching soon with new boxes and labels in the coming weeks.
Brett Burdsal, Director of Marketing at SunFed, was excited to debut this new product to expo attendees.
“We are continuing our pioneering work with unique melon varieties as we continue our slow launch of our Melonheads™ program,” he said.
Yum Melons™, another new unique melon program originally grown in the south of France, has currently been undergoing commercial trials with select retailers. SunFed’s objective is to answer the continued demand for versatile, new, one-of-a-kind fruit varieties as consumers search for healthier ways to enhance their meal and snacking options, according to a press release.
Mark Cassius, Chief Innovation Officer, said that the Yum Melon™ is "truly something different."
“This melon variety has an amazing flavor and aroma that when coupled with its distinct sweetness, really delivers a great, consistent melon experience every time you eat it,” said Cassius.
Last, but not least, SunFed will also introduce its new year-round Perfect Limes™ program as part of its inaugural entry into tropical produce. Grown on family-owned farms in the fertile growing areas of Mexico, these limes are a natural progression for SunFed. 
They will be offered in a 10-pound and a 40-pound box, designed with the company’s signature vibrant 60’s pop art-inspired packaging.
“Limes continue to increase in demand and this expansion of our program compliments our growing line of fresh produce,” said COO Matt Mandel.
Perfect Organic® labels, which promote the USDA certified-organic nature of SunFed items and ensure the produce is rung up correctly and with ease at the register, will also be on display this weekend.
“We want to help boost organic growth in produce departments,” said Burdsal. “Our team realizes that challenges arise with mislabeling as well as identification of the products at checkout. Our desire is to address those issues earlier in the process, before they affect the bottom line.”
Along with the push in organics, SunFed will continue to keep Fair Trade Certification top-of-mind for its growers and marketers as the team continues to address the conscientious retailer and consumer.
Join SunFed at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit to check out all these new programs, as well as a new booth created from a repurposed shipping container.
“This new design aligns with our sustainability goals and initiatives,” continued Cassius. “We welcome everyone to stop by booth 2259 and check out our new platforms and programs."
We’ll see you there!
SOUTHWESTERN U.S. & MEXICO - More rain for the southwestern U.S. into Wednesday, forecasters say, with showers and thunderstorms venturing into California, Arizona, Northern Mexico, and even further east into Texas.
"The storm system over the southwestern U.S. is pulling moisture from more humid areas and into the region, resulting in a significant increase in activity," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said. "Showers and thunderstorms across the area will be scattered but some could produce rainfall rates of 1 inch or more per hour.”
Thunderstorms will be spotty throughout the Southwest, but the slow moving nature of the system may lead to rounds of thunderstorms hitting the same areas for multiple days, AccuWeather reports. Residents and growers in the regions should also keep an eye out for potential flash flooding, Duffey continued.
While the showers and thunderstorms will mainly be concentrated in the four corner states, this storm system will produce spotty showers across the southeastern portion of the state California as well, leaving the potential for some flooding and muddy terrain.
Duffey also expects the system to collide with a tropical system as it moves into the western Gulf of Mexico.
"The combination of the energy of the Southwest system, with the large swath of moisture moving inland from the Gulf, should lead to widespread heavy rainfall over New Mexico, Texas and the surrounding region,” he continued.
While this specific storm will not put significant dent in the drought, as we’ve previously reported, California and its surrounding states are expecting significant precipitation through winter due to El Niño.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - It’s hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner. With Thanksgiving a little over a month away, there’s no better time than now to make sure your consumers know that the holidays don’t have to be as stressful as ever.
Here’s one great example to promote the sweet potato category during the holiday rush. This retailer set up a display brimming with California-grown Country Sweet Produce sweet potatoes and Bako Sweet® steamer bags to attract consumer attention during this all-important time of year.
When merchandised properly like the photograph above, retailers can take advantage of the added value and quality this sweet potato offering brings to their program.
The Bako Sweet® steamer bags cooks sweet potatoes perfectly in ten minutes, dramatically reducing the amount of time it usually takes by over 80 percent.
With these new steamer bags, consumers can achieve the same great taste and receive the same health benefits with significantly less effort. Touting themselves as California-grown, this innovation is a big hit during the holidays. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin B-6, vitamin A, carotene and potassium, rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and are also a great source of manganese and dietary fiber.
“We continue to be impressed with the merchandising and displays by some of our retail partners,” added President Michael Valpredo. “Being a newer item, it takes some push at the store level, but we are all starting to see some very positive results.”
Country Sweet Produce is working around the clock to make sure the holidays are sweeter and as stress-free as they can be. This is one in-demand category you don’t want to miss out on promoting this year to help boost sales at store-level.
HICKORY, NC - After training, planning, and fundraising, 38 riders collected in front of Lowes Foods in Hickory, NC, geared up and ready to ride for produce.
"Thank you so much for doing this; remember, you're doing it for the kids, so thank you and have fun!" Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of United Fresh, announced to the procession before it pulled out to start the 75 mile first leg of the four day trek to Atlanta, GA.
Despite frost on the rooftops, foggy breath, and being up as early as 6 a.m., it was a fun, playful atmosphere for the starting line to 2015's Tour de Fresh.
"We had a chilly, but enthusiastic, start to today's ride and our whole team is enjoying the sunshine, fall colors and hills," Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms, tells me. "We are looking forward to a delicious, and well-deserved dinner tonight, sponsored by our friends at New Sprout Organic Farms at the Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, NC."
Well-deserved is right. Steep hills and narrow roads makeup the beautiful North Carolina countryside as members of the industry from executives of companies to employees at the start of their careers join the 275 mile, bi-state ride.
The atmosphere at each stop, however, is all jokes and fun. Whether it's the strong support crew, made up four vans and two cars that wait periodically at pit stops to provide food and water, the mechanical team that checks every bike every night for safety, or the group supporting each other toward a good cause, it made for an enthusiastic first day.
As of 5:30 PM (Pacific) on October 19, the Tour de Fresh has raised $137,418 towards placing salad bars in schools across the country, a number that continues to increase even in crunch time. Stay tuned as we continue to follow these amazing riders into PMA Fresh Summit on Thursday, October 22.
DELTA, BC – Village Farms is looking forward to celebrating 25 years of business by introducing its limited edition Heavenly Villagio Marzano Heritage bag to PMA Fresh Summit attendees this week.
Showcasing the journey of the company over the past 25 years, these graphics were created exclusively for Village Farms by artist Shirley Chapman. This limited edition art will be featured in the booth along with the company’s Founder and CEO’s father who inspired a Paisano Recipe series for Village Farms. “Paisano,” or countryman recipes, are simple, easy-to-prepare dishes that highlight the cooking versatility of the exclusive and authentic Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato, according to a press release.
With the PMA Fresh Summit expo coming shortly, there’s plenty to be excited about as Village Farms moves into its 25th year. As we previously reported, Village Farms is now the exclusive marketer of all Great Northern products. This agreement will increase the company’s distribution in the central and Mid-Atlantic markets for both USA and Canada.
“As the company evolves with exclusive authentic varieties and extensive partnerships along with our innovative branding we look forward to sharing these exceptional growth opportunities with our retail partners and consumers,” said Doug Kling, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
Having also debuted exclusive varieties such as two new cherry varieties, Cabernet Estate Reserve and Cherry no. 9: Fall in Love Again, Village Farms says it has yielded great success so far this year and looks forward to even more next year.
Debi Street, Director of Variety Development & Innovation, said that “the quest for flavor is a company mission, as well as providing attributes such as longer shelf-life that deliver value throughout our customer supply chain.”
Visit Village Farms at booth #1665 at PMA Fresh Summit to see what makes this company “Distinctive, Notorious, Authentic.”