EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - C.H. Robinson Europe, B.V. has named a new leader to accelerate growth in the European region.
European transportation professional Jeroen Eijsink has joined the company as President. He will report to President and CEO John Wiehoff.
“C.H. Robinson’s clear strategic focus on growth provides ample opportunities for strategic development in Europe,” Eijsink said in a press release. “A unique business model, corporate culture with a strong focus on people development, and global Navisphere® technology separate C.H. Robinson from others in the logistics industry.”
C.H. Robinson has added 18 offices in the European region over the past three years, adding up to a total of 52. Today, the company employs over 1,000.
Chief Executive John Wiehoff praised Eijsink for his expertise in the field.
“Jeroen is a focused and proven collaborative leader who brings extensive European transportation expertise and significant leadership experience to his new role with C.H. Robinson,” he said. “Europe is a critical part of our global growth strategy and a competitive differentiator for the company. Our business in the region is well positioned with a strong leadership team in place.”
Prior to joining C.H. Robinson, Eijsink served as CEO of DHL Freight Germany and as CEO of DHL Freight Benelux and United Kingdom.
WASHINGTON - The USDA announced that Gregory Hall, doing business as Chicago, Illinois-based Virtue Cider, satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
As we previously reported, Virtue Cider failed to pay a $108,024 award in favor of a New Hampshire seller and was subsequently restricted from operating in the produce industry.
Now that the order reparation has been satisfied, the company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Gregory Hall was listed as the sole proprietor of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
The 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.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. USDA experts have also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. The Agricultural Marketing Service, PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
BENTONVILLE, AR - It looks like the pipes are working and several Wal-Mart stores will be back in business.
CNN Money reports that the retailer is reopening the five locations, two in Texas, one in California, one in Florida, and one in Oklahoma, that it closed in April due to plumbing issues.
"We thank the community for their patience as we work through these issues and are excited to give our customers a store that better reflects the shopping experience we are providing today in other markets across the country," Wal-Mart said in a statement, according to the report.
The closures came as a swift shock to the 2,200 employees working in the stores, who were given the federally mandated two months pay upon being laid off, as well as the option to transfer to a store nearby if the positions were available.
While Wal-Mart is hiring for the locations’ reopening, CNN Money reports that it has not guaranteed the former employees they will be rehired. They are, however, invited to re-apply to their old stores and will receive the same rate of pay or higher if they are rehired for the same job. Wal-Mart also said it will honor the original hiring dates as an employee’s anniversary.
The chain is already in the process of notifying those who were laid off or who transferred to other locations that they can now re-apply to those stores that were closed.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Del Monte Fresh is going bananas for Halloween with its latest campaign to encourage consumption.
The fourth annual “Go Bananas! Halloween Costume Giveaway” offers consumers a chance to win a Del Monte-branded banana costume to wear to their next Halloween party.
The giveaway also extends to social media, where 1,000 Del Monte fans will be randomly selected to win a banana costume as well. Consumers can enter the giveaway on www.freshhalloween.com and submit a photo of themselves as a banana using a template provided on the website to obtain additional entry, according to a press release.
Dennis Christou, Vice President of Marketing for North America, said that consumers have responded favorably to the promotion and that the company is excited to bring it back for another year.
“Consumers love dressing up as bananas and it is a great opportunity to reward our loyal fans while at the same time promotion healthy Halloween treats,” he said. “We haven’t seen anyone turn down a Del Monte banana costume yet, or the chance to pose in one!”
The promotion is available for U.S. and Canadian retailers. Del Monte will provide secondary banana stickers, POS material to liven up banana displays for Halloween, and in-store life-sized banana photo opportunities.
The three-week promotion will begin on September 9th, 2015 and end on September 30th, 2015 in order to guarantee delivery in time for Halloween.
LEAMINGTON, ON - Orangeline Farms, the growers of Zing! Healthy Foods, is taking a refreshing look at the most basic of lessons this September, with its new ABCs campaign.
Just in time for back to school, Zing! Healthy Foods is helping parents pack a crunch in their kids’ lunch boxes. The company’s Sweet Mini Peppers provide an exciting flavor and texture to entice young learners while offering them up a high dose of essential vitamins. According to a press release, medical research has shown the following as the ABCs of vitamins: Vitamin A is for Vision; Vitamin B6 is for healthy mood and healthy brain; Vitamin C is for a healthy immune system.
“Our Zing! Sweet Mini Peppers provide a healthy boost to the body in many ways,” says Jordan Kniaziew, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We all know Vitamin C helps the body fight off a cold, but our Sweet Mini Peppers are an excellent source of B6 which boosts our mood and brain. And we can’t lose sight of Vitamin A. It’s important in supporting healthy eyes and vision. All critical factors in a child’s success.”
Orangeline Farms says it is excited about the continued growth in the specialty pepper market. The company’s contribution to the popularity of peppers has helped fueled the grower’s energy in developing even more innovative products. According to Kniaziew, “It’s important to anticipate what people will want. Giving them a healthy, tasty alternative to the everyday is at the heart of Zing! Healthy Foods.”
Perfect for lunch boxes, on sandwiches, and more, kids are sure to learn their ABCs this school year with Orangeline Farms’ Sweet Mini Peppers.
BOISE, ID - Though the gloves have not completely come off, it looks as though temperatures between Haggen and Albertsons are beginning to scale upwards.
As we previously reported, Haggen announced yesterday that it has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the retail chain it acquired several stores from in January of this year. Now the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that Albertsons has come back to clarify that it will not sit quietly as these allegations are made.
“The allegations contained in the Haggen complaint are completely without merit and we will vigorously defend ourselves in court,” Albertsons said, according to the report. “Albertsons has not engaged in anticompetitive or inappropriate practices as alleged by Haggen. The divestiture of stores to Haggen followed the process determined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order.”
Albertsons’ statement continues by attributing the claims Haggen has made to Albertsons’ lawsuit filed last month, in which it was seeking just over $40 million for inventory it said Haggen had never paid. As we previously reported, Haggen stated at the time that it had additional grievances it would be countering that lawsuit with.
“Rather than paying the amounts owing, Haggen responded by filing this lawsuit against us in an attempt to deflect attention from their failure to comply with basic contractual obligations,” the company stated, according to the report.
Neither side’s claims have been proven as both cases are in their beginning stages, so it remains unclear whether one or both are in the right.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this story as it develops.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Looking to re-define the meaning of fast casual dining is Eatsa, a new restaurant that says it’s “time to change fast food for the better, forever.”
It sounds ambitious, but when you consider that the restaurant is fully automated, you might do a double-take. It’s no McDonald’s. You won’t find a single burger or French fries on the menu here. Instead, guests will find healthy salad bowls featuring Quinoa and an entire meal’s worth of protein.
Eatsa is one of the first restaurants of its kind to experiment with fully automated ordering software. That means no cashier and no lines. For many busy office workers in the San Francisco area, Eatsa could be seen as a long-awaited blessing.
Tim Young, Eatsa's Co-Founder, said that the company is reinventing fast food by combining the speed and affordability of fast food with the delicious flavors and nutritious ingredients of premium fast casual.
“By developing new technology to automate every aspect of the food experience, we are able to deliver a product with the best qualities of premium fast casual at a price point that is accessible to everyone,” he said in a press release.
Guests order their meal on an in-store iPad or on their phone. After an order is made, a salad bowl shows up in a customer’s personalized cubby. The virtual cashier remembers every customer and allows for personalized and tailored suggestions.
“It’s essentially lunch on demand,” said Scott Drummond, Co-Founder. “Eatsa’s Order Anywhere concept translates to zero wait time for customers. No more waiting in line. No more $12 lunch salads. Just delicious food that is nutritious, affordable, and quick.”
Every bowl is $6.95, with quinoa as the basis for each bowl. Some of the more popular menu items include:
- Smokehouse Salad - Toasted Red Quinoa and Mixed Greens topped with BBQ Portabella, Tomato, Cucumber, Corn, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Red Pepper, Sharp Cheddar with BBQ Ranch and Crispy Onion Strings
- The Mediterranean - Quinoa Herb Salad and Arugula topped with Tomato, Cucumber, Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese and Dill Yogurt Sauce
- Harvest Bowl - Quinoa Stuffing topped with Green Beans, Roasted Root Vegetables, Cranberry Relish, Mushroom Gravy, Almonds and Crispy Onion Strings
- No Worry Curry - Stir Fry Style Quinoa with Arugula, Curried Parsnip Strips, Pickled Onions, Roasted Potatoes, Apple-Cabbage Slaw,Red Thai Curry and Spaghetti Squash.
While it’s still up in the air how successful this business will be, it’s enough to make me want to visit at least once.
CHICAGO, IL - Joan Wickham, Sunkist’s Advertising and PR Manager, joined AndNowUKnow during United Fresh in Chicago to share some of the latest news on the company’s Finger Limes.
“These are a really unique type of citrus,” said Joan. “They’re very intense bursts of citrus flavor. It’s a new product for Sunkist and we’re excited to be showing retailers and getting them excited about the variety.”
Finger limes have a deep green exterior and light green interior flesh that can be described as citrus pearls. Also known as caviar limes, these pearls can be squeezed from the peel to add a vibrant, citrus burst of flavor to any dish.
To see more on Sunkist’s new Finger Limes, check out our interview with Joan above.
SALINAS, CA - Tanimura & Antle’s 100 unit employee housing project proposal has been approved unanimously.
“Roughly eight years ago, we were faced with a similar labor shortage in Yuma, Arizona,” Mike Antle, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for T&A, said in a press release. “We were able to start a guest-worker program because apartments were available to refurbish. We are at the same crossroads in Salinas and needed to act quickly.”
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors praised the project as a model for the agricultural industry, according to the release, serving a major concern for the lack of affordable and seasonal housing for workers in the fields.
The long-term supply of labor is necessary to sustain the agricultural industry, and is among one of the major issues facing Salinas Valley employers today.
“This is the first time in 33 years that we were unable to hire enough workers to harvest our crops,” Antle continued. “In addition, our current workers are enduring longer harvest hours in order to avoid losing planted crops.”
T&A stated this is only the start towards a solution to Salinas Valley’s housing crisis, and it hopes other companies will look to build privately funded solutions similar to this 100 unit housing project for their own workforces.
The approval of the plan has allowed for it to be fast tracked, and the company anticipates it will be able to welcome employees in time for Salinas’ 2016 Spring harvest season.
For more specifics on the project, click here. You can view project photos and frequent updates by following T&A on Twitter, handle @taproduce.
BANCROFT, WI - Continuing the momentum of its successful #RescuedMoments campaign, Tasteful Selections™ is still working to inspire shoppers with time-saving recipes and useful cooking tips. Ending October 1st, the brand recently executed over twenty in-store events across the country to promote the bite-sized potato line and support the final few weeks of #RescuedMoments.
“Tasteful Selections is proud to lead the petite potato category with turnkey promotions for all of our customers,” stated Randy Shell, Vice President of Marketing and New Business Development at RPE. “The positive feedback received after the in-store events reinforces our mission to provide extensive promotional opportunities and customer support.”
Select retail stores in Dallas, Knoxville, New Orleans, Sacramento and Seattle featured Tasteful Selections displays, point-of-sale materials, and brand ambassador interactions with shoppers, according to a press release. These brand ambassadors promoted #RescuedMoments online resources and distributed thousands of coupons and recipe cards.
At the events, shoppers could receive coupons and speak with ambassadors to learn more about the company, with many showing particular interest in entering the #RescuedMoments Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner of the sweepstakes will win a private cooking session for two with award-winning Chef Joey Elenterio at his newest restaurant, Cadence, in San Francisco. Two additional winners will receive kitchen cookware to help rescue their own moments, the company says.
All shoppers are encouraged to visit Tasteful Selections social media accounts and Tasteful Selections #RescuedMoments website for other giveaways and to watch 12 cooking videos led by award-winning chef partners. You can watch one of these videos below:
Over the course of the campaign, each market was further supported with online and mobile advertisements and blog partnerships, Tasteful Selections says.