MIDWEST U.S. - Scott Schuette, the 30-year retail veteran and Director of Produce Operations for Bashas’ is taking on a new role with Fresh Thyme Farmers Market as the company's Director of Retail Produce. The new Meijer format is a full-service specialty retailer that offers an extensive produce department and a value-priced fresh, healthy, natural and organic philosophy. The timing is great for the move, as the company plans to open 150 stores by 2020.
“The produce industry relies on building strong wholesale/retail partnerships and operating with integrity in order to grow both sides of the business,” Scott tells us. “My many great years at Bashas’ have taught me these life lessons by giving me the opportunity to practice this philosophy daily. I look forward to putting these best practices to good use at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market”.
Scott has been greatly supported by his friends in agriculture over the past three years at Bashas’, whether it was helping the retailer become hyper-competitive in the marketplace, assisting in new programs, working down in the trenches during remodeling campaigns, or donating products to charity events.
Scott starts his new role with Fresh Thyme Farmers Market on June 8th.
Congratulations Scott, on all that you have accomplished and the new opportunities yet to come!
IRVINE, CA - The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has announced the promotion of Ken Melban to Vice President of Industry Affairs. Melban will now lead the Commission’s industry advocacy activities, including issues management, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program, production research and grower communications.
“Ken’s leadership of the California avocado GAP program and advocacy for California avocado growers in areas such as water availability and pest management is worthy of recognition,” said Tom Bellamore, President of CAC. “In his new role Ken will continue these initiatives and lead others to help California avocado growers sustainably produce top-quality avocados with a fresh-to-market advantage.”
Melban joined the Commission in 2011 as Director of Issues Management, and has worked with industry members to create and evolve CAC’s GAP program. In just a few years' time, nearly half of California avocado acreage is GAP-certified, and with upcoming Food and Safety Modernization Act requirements Melban anticipates that number to grow.
During California’s drought, Melban has been very involved with local water boards, as well as advancing best practices in irrigation and water conservation. He also championed international industry activities to identify pests and research solutions to pest issues including the polyphagous shot hole borer and fusarium dieback, according to a press release.
Melban has two decades of agricultural leadership experience, including work with California commodity boards and with the Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, researchers, growers, and chemical manufacturers in the identification and registration of effective crop protection materials for California agriculture. His prior experience includes work with the National Grape & Wine Initiative, and management of the Statewide Spray Safe program. Melban was also instrumental in the development of the California Potato Pest Management Strategic Plan, and served as Director of Crop Protection Services for the California Pepper Commission.
ORLANDO, FL - Produce for Kids is giving your family cookout a fresh makeover this summer, with its new Simply Summer: 20 Fresh Cookout Favorites e-cookbook. The cookbook is available to download online for free and contains 20 healthy summer dishes, including Hidden Veggie Cheeseburgers and Light & Fresh Potato Salad.
Summer is a crucial time for produce sales, the company says. Every Simply Summer recipe makes produce the main ingredient in your recipes, increasing sales and increasing families’ consumption during the season.
Click here to download the cookbook for yourself!
To compliment the e-cookbook launch, Produce for Kids is hosting the #SimplySummer Twitter party on May 13 at 9pm ET with SUNSET Produce, Well-Pict Berries, and To-Jo Mushrooms. According to a press release, participating brands will be sharing healthy recipes and tips for summer, as well as giving consumers the opportunity to win grocery gift cards.
You can join the conversation by using the hashtag, #SimplySummer, and get your brand in front of influential bloggers and parents. If you’re looking for more ways to stay healthy this summer, Produce for Kids will also be hosting the #SimplySummer Pin to Win Sweepstakes all summer. Consumers can create their essential summer cookout pinboard for a chance to win a $100 grocery store gift card.
WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt is just weeks away from kicking off its apricot harvest, and all signs are pointing to a high-quality season.
Starting June 10th, Stemilt will begin harvesting its apricots two weeks earlier than normal due to the early spring and warm weather in Washington State. Though the 2015 crop is down 10 percent from last year’s large volume crop, the company anticipates jumbo sizing and very high-quality fruit.
With organic food sales in the U.S. totaling a record $39.1 billion in 2014, Stemilt is looking to capitalize on the rising popularity of organics with its organic apricot program. Nearly 65 percent of the company’s apricots are grown and certified as organic, while its entire crop of peaches and nectarines are organic as well.
“Consumer demand for organic fruits continues to grow,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt’s Marketing Director. “Stone fruits are an important part of the produce department each summer and carrying smaller items like apricots organically is a great way for retailers to maximize sales both within the organic category, and the entire produce department. Promoting flavor alongside organic is the way to win over consumers.”
Peak season for Stemilt’s organic apricots runs from June 22nd to July 10th, according to a press release. Retailers can begin loading apricots in early June and increase volumes for promotions later in the month and into early July, just in time for Fourth of July ads.
“Stemilt is heavy in premium apricot varieties like Rival and Perfection, which will harvest during the peak timeframe and offer consumers a great eating experience,” added Pepperl.
Stemilt’s apricots are grown by the Douglas family, who has farmed fruit for four generations.
“Sharing their passion and commitment to organics through in-store vehicles, social media, email marketing, and more will elevate the great quality apricots featured in your stores, and most importantly, boost sales this summer,” said Pepperl.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the stone fruit season.
MILWAUKEE, WI - Roundy’s, Inc. has reported its Q1 2015 financial results, citing lower-than-expected March sales, and declining sales in the retailer’s Wisconsin locations.
“We achieved our targeted EBITDA and gross margin rate for the first quarter, which were the result of improved operational efficiencies in both our Wisconsin and Illinois stores. Due to softer than anticipated March and Easter sales, our same-store sales were below our expectations,” said Robert A. Mariano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roundy’s. “We remain committed to improving financial performance across all of our banners. Our team has embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at managing expenses and further improving our operating efficiencies and execution.”
Net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2015 were $981.9 million, an increase of 13.8% from the first quarter of 2014. Net sales for the Roundy’s Wisconsin markets however were $646.7 million, a decrease of $16.8 million. The company closed three Wisconsin stores in Q4 2015, which the company believes is the main reason for the sales slump.
As we have previously reported, Roundy’s has denied any rumors that the retailer will pull out of the state, despite the dropping sales.
Additional highlights from the report include:
- Net sales from continuing operations increased 13.8% to $981.9 million
- Net loss from continuing operations was $0.4 million, or $0.01 diluted net loss per common share, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $5.5 million, or $0.12 diluted net loss per common share
- Adjusted net loss from continuing operations2 was $0.4 million, or $0.01 adjusted diluted net loss per common share, compared to adjusted net loss from continuing operations2 of $0.8 million, or $0.02 adjusted diluted net loss per common share
- Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations2 was $30.2 million compared to $28.5 million
Continue watching AndNowUKnow for all the latest financial updates.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Via Marina, a French engineering construction firm and subsidiary of the multinational Vinci company, is putting a water transportation offer on the table for a thirsty California. And it’s an interesting one.
According to a News10 report, Via Marina served up a “prefeasibility” study that suggests drawing water from the mouth of both the Klamath and Eel rivers in Northern California to be transported to the southern, dryer regions of the state in a submarine, flexible river.
"You can use this water, and because by definition you are at the mouth of the river, all of the users upstream are not jeopardized," Felix Bogliolo, Via Marina Chairman, told News10.
So how do they plan to do this? With several tubes that are each about 12 feet in diameter and tethered to the ocean floor.
He may not be William Shatner, but he also has bit more than a Kickstarter mapped out. In fact, seeing the story of the actor's mildy eccentric plan was what inspired the Chairman to call in the proposal. As for getting down to the fine print, Bogliolo reportedly told News10 that technological improvements would allow his company to help quench California’s thirst for about $3.8 billion, considerably more affordable than a similar $20 billion that was shelved by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation back in 1975, or the $30 billion plan our favorite sci-fi captain proposed.
In fact, according to the report, it works out to about $653 per acre foot, more than half the cost of desalinated water with a fourth of the energy use.
With the restrictions being imposed by the California state government, as well as the amount of money being budgeted exclusively towards drought relief tactics, that seems downright affordable. Not to mention it may not be totally impractical.
"This is not the craziest idea I've heard, by any means," Jay Lund, Director of the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, commented in the report, adding that California drought solutions that appear too good to be true do tend to be so.
At worst, it’s an imaginative solution. At best, a plan so crazy that it just might work. For now, however, the jury is out.
EDMONTON, AB, CANADA - The Little Potato Company, provider of proprietary, unique varieties of Creamer potatoes, reports that it is the fastest growing segment in the potato category across North America.
The company breeds, grows, washes, packages, ships and markets Creamer potatoes, and has increased its listing base to include all of the United States as well as all Canadian provinces, according to a press release.
“We literally travel the world working with select, global breeder partners to search out just the right attributes in Creamer potatoes,” Angela Santiago, Co-Founder and CEO of The Little Potato Company, commented in the release. To support continued expansion, the company is looking at more infrastructure opportunities in the U.S. and are putting the finishing touches on a new Creamer variety to be launched later this year.
“We only accept Creamers that are unique, bursting with delicious flavor, look great—and will stay that way from farm to shelf to plate. It takes our team many years to create and deliver a new variety. It takes experience, care, and planning to make sure all our Creamers taste and look fantastic, and that our growers can grow enough to satisfy increasing demand from Creamer potato lovers,” Santiago said.
To date, The Little Potato Company has three main packing facilities and five distribution centers to facilitate efficient, timely delivery throughout North America, including a new washing, sorting, and packing facility that tripled flow-through capacity that was built last year.
The company offers several unique proprietary varieties of Creamer potatoes that it sells in 1.5, 3 lb, and 5 lb sizes. It recently launched two unique value-added products: The Oven|Grill Ready kits and Microwave Ready kits that bundle Creamer potatoes, easy-to-use trays, and a choice of six unique seasoning flavors.
Having increased field production by 30% in 2015 through expanding its team of carefully selected growers and the total number of acres dedicated to growing Creamer potatoes, the company stated it has big plans and possibilities for the future.
WENATCHEE, WA - Oneonta is anticipating yet another excellent cherry season this summer with the first shipments of Northwest cherries expected to hit retailers soon.
Scott Marboe, Oneonta’s Marketing Director, said in a press release that a warm spring initially accelerated the season, but May weather patterns have adjusted the start date to a “little closer to normal, but still much earlier than previous years.”
Oneonta foresees fruit shipping through the first week of August. Rainier cherries will start earlier than normal, around June 8, according to a press release.
“Cooler weather the last few weeks and much needed rain showers have moved harvest dates back a few days,” Marboe continued. “We are now looking for our first pickings to be May 29. That is still an early start date, but it’s not the record pre-Memorial Day we thought might happen.”
The crop this season is showing great quality and sizing is up to par, as well. Marboe noted that the first fruit from early orchards will be smaller in size, but bigger fruit will be more prevalent after the first few days of the shipping season.
“We anticipate another excellent year, barring any incidents Mother Nature might throw at us,” he said.
For a more in-depth look at the company's cherry production, check out the video from Oneonta below.
Oneonta offers a wide array of packaging options, including the Euro 12/2.25-pound pouch bags for domestic markets and loose clamshells and 5kg packaging for offshore receivers.
Also this year, Oneonta’s Wenatchee packing facility has introduced a 100 percent optical sorting and packing line.
“Another new Unitec line with Vision II technology is going to provide an exceptional piece of fruit to the industry,” said Marboe.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the cherry season.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Wada Farms Marketing Group has welcomed Michele Peterson to the company’s sales team. She will now be based out of the San Luis Valley in Colorado.
Kevin Stanger, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Wada Farms, said, “We are excited to have Michele join our team. She has great experience and an outstanding reputation in the industry. She will be a positive addition to the Wada team.”
Michele came to the San Luis Valley as an infant, according to the company, but did not get introduced to the potato industry until many years later when she married into a 3rd generation potato farm.
Peterson began her produce career working in accounting, but moved to warehouse management, and then sales and marketing. Her favorite of those, she says, is marketing, where she gets to meet, learn, and experience other people and cultures. Before joining Wada Farms, Peterson was General Manager at Harvest Select.
ROCHESTER, NY - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. has announced that it is entering the New York City market, anchoring a $140 million development of Admirals Row.
“It is a thrill to bring Wegmans to Brooklyn, along with hundreds of new jobs. Our family started this company in 1916, and we built our business by always putting the needs of our employees first,” Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman said in a press release. “Our employees are part of our family, and they are the reason for our success. We are proud to be part of this exciting project and look forward to providing the very best quality and selection, consistent low prices, and incredible customer service to the local and wider Brooklyn community.”
Carlo Scissura, President, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, also conveyed enthusiasm for the economic and social boost the store could give the surrounding community, as well as providing direct access to wholesome, local foods. “The addition of Wegmans supermarket to the Brooklyn Navy Yard is a major step forward to ensuring quality, fresh and affordable produce and foods in one of New York City’s food deserts,” he said.
The promised supermarket is set to occupy 74,000 sq. feet of 300-acre Brooklyn Navy Yard, as well as 78,000 sq. feet of retail space, 126,000 sq. feet of light industrial space, and 7,000 sq. feet of community facility space, all to be developed by Steiner. According to the release, BNYDC has also secured an option to build 100,000 sq. feet of additional light industrial space above a parking facility to accommodate ongoing demand.
“The Brooklyn Navy Yard is proud to deliver on its promise to bring a supermarket to this neighborhood,” BNYDC President & CEO David Ehrenberg also commented in the release. “But not just any grocery store. Wegmans is widely recognized as the country’s best supermarket for its affordable, quality food and is also recognized as the best retail employer in the country. And one of the reasons we selected them was because their employee compensation is consistently equal to or better than other food retailers in markets where they have stores,” he said, adding that the yard looks forward to working with the retailer.
The estimated completion date was not included in the company’s announcement, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.