CHICAGO, IL - Karen Caplan, President & CEO at Frieda’s, Inc. has a number of accomplishments and accolades in her professional repertoire. Whether it is her position as the first female chairperson of the United Fresh Board of Directors, the honor of being the first female President of FPFC, or President of the largest chapter in the country of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Los Angeles… Karen continues to set the bar and raise it.
This year, United Fresh has named Karen as the honoree and featured speaker at the Reception Honoring Women in Produce on Tuesday, June 9th at United Fresh 2015 in Chicago. Held each year in conjunction with the United Fresh convention, the Reception Honoring Women in Produce recognizes the contributions of all women working in the produce industry, with one individual invited to share their personal experience.
I asked a few industry friends to share their excitement on this recent announcement and the impact that Karen has made on the produce industry.
For as long as Lisa McNeece, VP of Foodservice & Industrial Sales for Grimmway Farms, can remember, Karen has been a great role model for both women and men in the produce industry.
“I have been fortunate to know Karen for well over a decade and believe her accomplishments are truly inspirational. She has honored both her family and our industry. The future holds no limits for what women can accomplish. I am looking forward to hearing about her journey when she speaks at the Reception Honoring Women in Produce this year at United Fresh in Chicago,” Lisa tells me.
For Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and CEO of DMA Solutions, Karen was one of the first women she met in fresh produce. Dan’l was at a PMA convention in San Antonio in 1995 when she was a Senior in college and she actually stood “in line” to speak with Karen. “I remember being so nervous as a steady stream of buyers were also vying for her attention. Since then, Karen has become customer, a competitor, a colleague, one of my first clients when I started DMA, a mentor and most of all, a friend."
Karen has had more accomplishments than any one person can count, but Dan’l would say her greatest is that of a Mom, Sister and Daughter.
“In many ways, this honor is a bit overdue,” Dan’l smiles. “But not really if you know Karen—she is always the one ensuring that others are getting recognized first. Now Karen is following in the footsteps of her dear Mom, Frieda, who was a first year recipient. Things do come full circle, and in this case, it's all well deserved.”
Rex Lawrence, Founder of Joe Produce, had nothing but words of praise and enthusiasm as well, for the produce industry pioneer’s impact. “I was incredibly happy to see Karen recognized for her efforts and successes with Frieda's. She and their team do an amazing job in so many facets of their business. I'm really impressed with the happiness of their people, and the company's ability to evolve with the changes in the market place, and lead with their changes in some instances. Lastly, I've always been impressed with Karen's humbleness and approachability. So in addition to being a successful produce professional, she is a kind person. As a fellow parent, I like her daughter Alex's attitude, which says a lot about Karen and her values. Way to go Karen!”
The featured speaker is selected from nominations submitted by United Fresh members across the industry and reviewed by a committee of her peers, including honorees from the past 18 years.
Congratulations, Karen, on this prestigious honor! From your friends and AndNowUKnow.
NEW KENSINGTON, PA - Resealing lovers are in luck, Yerecic Label has added the Reseal Wrap label as the newest in its line of re-sealable products.
The new product combines both convenience and food safety to give consumers multiple uses from the label.
"The Safety Reseal label helped to solve convenience and security issues," said Yerecic Label VP of Sales and Marketing, Rich Thoma. "However some of our customers want to be able to open clamshells at retail for repacking purposes, but love the convenience of a wrap that reseals."
The new Reseal Wrap provides many of the same benefits as its sister product, the Safety Reseal, such as keeping clamshells closed during transit and allowing customers to reseal packages to maintain freshness, while providing plenty of room for brand information.
"Consumers are looking for convenience in every aspect of supermarkets especially on the fresh perimeter," said Yerecic Label President Art Yerecic. "The re-sealable feature on both the Reseal Wrap and Safety Reseal allow the treasured product information to catch consumers’ attention and stay in-tact as consumers open and close the package."
According to a press release, the ability to print information on the back of the label provides plenty of room for brands to incorporate branding, nutritional information, and tips for consumer onto the Reseal Wrap concept. This way, growers and retailers can both entice and educate shoppers at the point of purchase.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on two PACA violators in Florida and Connecticut for failure to pay reparation awards.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
- M K Produce Inc., a Tampa, Florida-based company, has allegedly failed to pay a $15,291 award in favor of a New Mexico seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Byeong Suns Ha and Joo Kyung Lee were listed as the Officers, Directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
- Connecticut Fresh Inc., a Stamford, Connecticut-based company, was barred for failing to pay a $282,169 award in favor of a Georgia seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nick Bakes was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business. The other principal of the business at the time of the order was Kristina Bakes. She has challenged her responsibly connected status.
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 principles 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. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
PLEASANTON, CA - Safeway has announced that it will be closing nine Denver-area locations by June 13.
"This was a very difficult decision made after long and careful deliberation," said Kris Staaf, Director of Public Affairs for Safeway's Denver Division. "Ultimately, our business analysis indicated that we needed to cease operations at these locations.”
Officials at the company reportedly have been evaluating operations at all 9 stores extensively while considering ways to improve performance for more than a year. The bottom line was that the stores were not profitable, Staaf added.
Safeway stores will be closed at the following locations, according to The Denver Post:
- 560 Castle Pines Parkway, Castle Rock.
- 3904 E. 120th Ave, Thornton.
- 12900 Zuni, Westminster.
- 16921 E. Quincy Ave, Aurora.
- 22675 E. Aurora Parkway, Aurora.
- 1955 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver.
- 7500 S. Pierce Street, Littleton.
- 1730 S. Buckley Road, Aurora.
- 8200 S. Quebec, Centennial.
The company says it will make every effort to place store employees affected by the closures at other area Safeway supermarkets.
As we’ve previously reported, Safeway, was acquired earlier this year by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, parent of the Albertsons chain, for a $9.2 billion valued deal. When Cerberus took over, 168 stores were sold to four separate buyers to satisfy antitrust concerns. As of January, the combined Safeway-Albertsons had 2,230 stores and 250,000 employees across 34 states.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Grimmway Farms is promoting Bob Borda as the company’s newest Vice President of Organic Sales.
“Borda brings years of experience and knowledge to his new role. He has been active in the organic industry for over twenty years from his start at Pavich Family Farms in 1992, through developing the organic carrot program as Director of Organic Sales for Bolthouse Farms, that later evolved into the Director of Retail Sales prior to his departure,” says Jeff Huckaby, Executive Vice President of Grimmway Farms. “His most recent role, Vice President of Marketing at Grimmway Farms, has provided him with invaluable insights into our company culture as well as a solid understanding of our Cal-Organic operation.”
Borda succeeds Todd Linsky, who resigned this past month. While Borda begins his new role, Carl Williams, has been promoted to Director of Organic Sales.
“Bob and Carl will work closely together in supporting the Cal-Organic sales function. As Bob leads the outside sales, Carl, with over 33 years of produce experience, oversees the internal day-to-day sales activities of planning and executing the business as he has done for the past six years, ensuring overall customer support,” comments Jeff Meger, President of Grimmway Farms. “The two will report directly to Jeff Huckaby, Executive Vice President of Grimmway Farms. Jeff has been intricately involved with the Cal-Organic operation since our acquisition of the company in 2001. He served as the General Manager of the Cal-Organic division and later, in 2006, was promoted to Executive Vice President of Grimmway Farms. We are well poised to support the continued growth of the organic vegetable category.”
Borda says he’s excited to work with customers in assisting them with the growth of the organic vegetable category.
“I look forward to working with Carl Williams in my new role. Carl and I have worked closely together in past endeavors, and we both are excited to team up once again. This collaborative approach provides enhanced insights to support the planning and execution of our program. Continued development of customer relationships is most important to me,” continued Borda.
Mike Anspach will now be overseeing Grimmway Farms’ day-to-day marketing operation.
FRESNO, CA - Crown Jewels Produce President Rob Mathias and Company Partner Atomic Torosian have proudly announced the addition of industry veteran Bill Hammerstrom to its sales team.
“Bill lives everyday with his “motto,” ‘Quitters never win and winners never quit,’” Atomic tells me.
Bill, who officially starts with the company today, May 11, brings almost 20 years of industry experience with him. Having graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Business and Management in 1991, he worked most recently as a Produce Sales/Broker with The Superior Sales Inc. group headquartered in Hudsonville, Michigan, during with which he worked at his home office based in Kingsburg, California. He also currently owns his own company, Hammertime Company, which he began in October of 2001.
“Bill lives produce everyday, as he lives and farms on his own home ranch growing peaches, sugar plums, and alfalfa,” Atomic commented, adding that his expertise lies in the grapes, citrus, and fruit crops of all kinds. He is also a family man and active in the outdoors like hunting and fishing, loving to spend quality time with his wife Karri and their son and daughter.
His passion away from work is the rodeo life. Bill reportedly team roped, calf roped, and steer wrestled for the Professional Rodeo Circuit for three years in the early 1990’s, still carrying that strength with him in his pursuits, as reflected in his motto.
Crown Jewels just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and Atomic and Rob Mathias both reportedly look forward to seeing how this “dynamic produce veteran” helps it towards achieving its goals moving forward.
“We know Bill will bring a fresh new perspective to the Crown Jewels Produce Team as the company continues its growth expansion in California, Mexico, Central, and South America,” Atomic said.
For all the latest industry news, be sure to keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
BANCROFT, WI - Dave Phillips, industry veteran of nearly two decades, is joining RPE Inc. as the company’s newest Director of Foodservice Sales, effective May 4.
While reporting to Vice President of Sales, Ross Verner, Phillips will be responsible for overseeing the foodservice sales division of the company, as well as serving as the sales manager for both of RPE-Idaho’s offices, and expanding RPE’s relationships with Idaho potato growers, according to a press release.
“As our business continues to grow, we gain a tremendous amount of value by adding talented people like Dave to our team,” said Russell Wysocki, President and CEO. “His experience and leadership will help us to continue to be one of the most progressive and innovative potato growers, shippers, and packers in the country.”
Phillips most recently served as Director of Sales and Marketing for fresh potatoes at Nonpareil Farms.
“RPE is really one big family,” said Phillips. “I am a family-first person and I really got that same feeling when I joined the team at RPE.”
Phillips concluded by saying he looks forward the challenges the new position will bring and hopes his experience in procurement, sales, and marketing will continue to strengthen RPE’s brands and relationships with growers and customers alike.
IRVINE, CA - Summer holidays are nearly upon us, and the California Avocado Commission is taking advantage of this prime opportunity to introduce some inventive recipes utilizing peak season ingredients, such as fresh California avocados.
Whether you’re searching for something spicy or mild, the Commission has featured three recipes that it says “customers won’t forget,” according to a press release.
Check out some of these appetizing recipes below, and be sure to browse the Commission’s recipe database by clicking here to find more concepts featuring fresh California avocados.
Chorizo Sliders with Cajun Guacamole
Click here for the recipe for Chorizo Sliders with Cajun Guacamole.
Hot and Crunchy California Avocado Cone
Click here for the recipe for Hot and Crunchy California Avocado Cone.
Veggie Lovers Crepes with California Avocado
Click here for the recipe for Veggie Lovers Crepes with California Avocado.
Each recipe is meant to complement the smooth and mild flavor of fresh California avocados. What better way to celebrate Memorial Day or Father’s Day by firing up the grill and complementing your dishes with avocados?
For all the latest on industry news and promotions, continue to follow AndNowUKnow.
ZAANDAM, NETHERLANDS & SINT-JANS-MOLENBEEK, BELGIUM - Sources in Europe have reported that Ahold and Delhaize have begun discussions on a possible merger, and the stock market has responded with a big jump.
Financial newspapers De Tijd and L'Echo quoted several unnamed sources, saying the talks were still in a preliminary phase. Speculation about a merger of the two supermarket chains dates back to at least 2006, but upon news of the reignited talks, shares in each companies soared again. Ahold shares jumped nearly 18 percent and Delhaize shares rose 15 percent.
While the financial world is all abuzz about the potential merger, analysts are not so convinced it will be the right move for the companies.
Bruno Monteyne, Senior Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, said that savings from the merger would be limited, because the companies were “neighboring" chains and not direct and overlapping rivals.
"I think there's very little merit in the deal in the past and today. Large food retailers rarely ever do successful mergers. In this case of Delhaize and Ahold it is probably the worst kind of combination," Monteyne continued.
Analysts at Rabobank were more optimistic about the news, suggesting to The Financial Times that a deal could result in savings of €1 billion, while boosting the combined group’s pricing power in the United States. Currently, both companies have more than half their sales tied up in U.S. businesses.
While this merger was previously discussed in 2006, some believe management changes and an overhauled board at Delhaize makes a follow-through much more likely. Frans Muller was appointed Chief Executive of Delhaize in 2013, replacing Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, a descendant of company Co-Founder Jules Vieujant.
The Charlotte Observer reports that Beckers-Vieujant will be leaving the board after 20 years, leaving only one director left with ties to the founding family. Members of the family still own about 20 percent of the shares, but their ties are mostly financial, not managerial.
“I think that management teams are different now,” Patrick Roquas, an analyst for Rabobank, told The Charlotte Observer. “Delhaize’s current board has a different approach than management in 2007.”
Stay tuned as AndNowUKnow continues to follow this potential merger.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Frieda’s Specialty Produce has set out to show consumers that the meat industry does not have dibs on backyard barbecues.
“We find a significant change in American barbecue habits,” Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, said in a press release. “Shoppers are grilling more vegetables in the summer, and now they are starting to grill more fruits as well. One of the food trends this year is making vegetables the main course, and summer grilling season sets the perfect stage for that.”
This isn’t a small audience to target, either. According to the release, recent studies show that 87 percent of American households have outdoor barbecues, believing that the grill is a healthier way to prepare meals. The company reportedly wants to push these steps in bringing produce to a new audience into full on leaps by highlighting grill-friendly fruits and veggies. Some of the items Frieda’s recommends with grill lines seared into them are:
- Shishito Peppers
- Baby Bok Choy
- Belgian Endive
- Eggplant
- Fava Beans
- Fingerling
- Baby Potatoes
- Artichokes
- Colored Cauliflowers for cauliflower “steaks”
- Starfruit (caramelized)
- Zululand Queen Baby Pineapples (caramelized)
Caplan also added that the company has already started to see retailers promote grilling in different spots of the country. “Grilling Season” officially begins Memorial Day weekend, May 25, continuing throughout the summer with popular barbecuing holidays like Father’s Day (June 21), Fourth of July weekend, and ties off on September 7th with Labor Day weekend.