HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation is fighting back against the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) attempts to block its merger with US Foods by filing a memorandum opposing the move.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the retail company filed a memo with the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Columbia yesterday claiming that the merger the FTC is opposed to would actually increase the competitive level of the foodservice market.
"We look forward to presenting all of the facts in court and ultimately, through this merger, delivering better service at a lower cost through a more efficient, innovative and competitive combined company," Bill DeLaney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sysco, said in a press release.
As we have previously reported, the FTC is currently in pursuit of legal action that would block the merger on the grounds of antitrust law violations, stating that the two companies are too large in the foodservice industry to be united.
“FTC’s flawed logic on the structure of the local food-service distribution market led to dubious analysis of market share,” the company stated, according to the Wall Street Journal.
According to the press release, the memorandum places an emphasis on the following points:
- A market for broadline foodservice distribution services for "national customers" does not exist. The foodservice distribution industry is extremely competitive. Customers of all sizes, including the industry's largest customers, have many options from which to choose, including systems distributors, specialty distributors, cash-and-carry stores and broadline distributors.
- Local markets are highly competitive. The FTC's flawed logic on the structure of the local foodservice distribution market led to dubious analysis of market share. In one instance, the FTC claims Sysco and US Foods would control 100 percent of the market in San Diego. In reality, more than two dozen companies compete for customers' business in San Diego. Local market dynamics are similar across the U.S.
- Synergies will reduce Sysco's annual costs by at least $600 million. These savings allow the combined company to become more efficient, invest in improved customer service and innovative products, and reduce customer prices, all of which contribute to an even more competitive market.
- A robust, binding divestiture package with Performance Food Group creates a stronger competitor. The proposed sale of facilities in 11 markets to PFG directly addresses FTC concerns that the merger might reduce choice for customers with locations in multiple local markets and regions.
How this will influence the case is yet to be seen. The current date for the FTC’s motion is set to be heard by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta on May 5, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this developing story.
VACAVILLE, CA - Dried fruit producer Mariani Packing Company has partnered with Ganeden Biotech, a company known for manufacturing and marketing probiotics. This partnership allows Mariani to innovate and develop a new portfolio of dried fruit snacks and ingredient products using Probiotic Cultures from GanedenBC30.
“As consumers continue to demand more from the snacks and food that they are eating, dried fruit partnered with the benefits of probiotics is an ideal combination,” says Miranda Ackerman, Director of Innovation and Business Development for Mariani. “We are very excited for our upcoming launch of consumer products, initially focused on digestive health and overall wellness, as well as the portfolio of fruit ingredients in development that we will be able to provide for our global customers.”
Dried fruit and probiotics have both been shown to support digestive health, and by combining them, consumers will be able to add probiotics to their everyday snacking. As the market and education on probiotics increases, consumer awareness continues to grow - currently about 80% of consumers know what probiotics are and associate them with a health benefit, according to a press release.
“This dried fruit innovation combines prebiotics and probiotics into a truly functional health product that is complemented by antioxidants,” says Dr. Holly Petty, Director of Technical Services and Innovation for Mariani.
Petty says that Mariani’s partnership with Ganeden has enabled them to bring products to market that deliver active cultures 10 times more effectively than yogurt – but in a form that can be stable right on the shelf.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Del Monte Fresh Produce has announced its Costa Rica banana operations (33 farms and 41 packing houses, totaling 10.653 hectares/26,324 acres) have achieved Carbon Neutrality certification by SCS earlier this year. The company also reported it will continue working with Reforestation/Conservation Programs in all its farming operations worldwide.
Hans Sauter, Vice President Corporate Research & Development and Agricultural Services of Del Monte said, "We are very excited that our banana operations in Costa Rica achieved Carbon Neutrality status and were certified under these very stringent standards. With these satisfying results, we are now looking into replicating this experience in other operations."
The Carbon Neutrality certification obtained covers the entire custody chain from Del Monte banana farms up to the loading port in Costa Rica. Greenhouse Gas emission audits were conducted by SCS Global Services and were based on the following four, widely accepted, standards:
- World Resources Institute’s Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (Revised Edition)
- Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard: Supplement to the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
- Draft Costa Rican Standard 2013 “Metodología para la Cuantificación y Verificación de Remociones Forestales – Borrador”
- SCS’ Carbon Neutrality Requirements (a proprietary standard by SCS Global Services), June 2014
"This certification validates the effectiveness of our environmental sustainability efforts and it comes on the heels of our recent Sustainably Grown certification by SCS of our banana and pineapple operations both in Costa Rica and Guatemala," continued Sauter.
Del Monte Fresh Produce is also continuing to invest resources in maintaining nature reserves as well as planting trees in its operations worldwide. It is estimated that by the end of 2015, a total of 7,578 hectares (18,725 acres or 75.8 Million m²) will be under protected status or reforested. According to a press release, this is in addition to the thousands of trees, many of them local species, which are donated every year to the schools and employees in communities where the company operates.
SINT-JANS-MOLENBEEK - The Delhaize Group has released its Annual Report for 2014 in an interactive format, containing a range of aspects from professional outlooks and interviews to the bottom line.
"Our Annual Report 2014 highlights our performance and underscores our commitment to deliver on our Purpose: to operate our customers' preferred local supermarkets and work together to support that ambition," Frans Muller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delhaize Group, commented in a release.
Overall the company saw €21.4 billion ($29.4 billion) in revenues and €89 million ($118 million) in Group Share net profit.
Key highlights for the U.S. included:
- $17.7 billion in U.S. revenue of the company’s global revenue totaling $29.4 billion.
- 1,295 stores in the U.S. of the company’s total 3,402 stores worldwide.
- U.S. stores saw increased customer confidence driven by a number of positive indicators such as an improved job market, lower gas prices and a strengthening real estate market.
Of the company’s total revenue growth, 6.6 percent in local currency was made in the U.S. (4.5 percent excluding the 53rd week) supported by comparable store sales growth of 4.4 percent.
Some of the challenges the company anticipates for 2015 include increased competition from discounters, which the Delhaize group stated will mean that it will be increasingly important to focus on long-term differentiation at both Food Lion and Hannaford stores. It reportedly plans to focus on Food Lion’s new strategy: “Easy, Fresh & Affordable... You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!” which supported the banner’s positive real sales growth, as well as seeing Hannaford continue to drive home an “advantage in fresh” and emphasize Hannaford’s focus on health.
UNITED STATES - 84-year old Actor William Shatner has a lot of experience saving the universe. As Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, there was rarely a day he couldn’t solve every problem thrown his way. But when hearing about his most recent venture, it's hard not to think that kind of power went straight to his ego.
Shatner announced on Friday to Yahoo! Tech that he plans to launch a Kickstarter to raise $30 billion for a water pipeline from Seattle, WA to Lake Mead, NV, with plans to feed water to Arizona, Nevada, and California.
“California’s in the midst of a 4-year-old drought,” Shatner told Yahoo! Tech's David Pogue. “They tell us there’s a year’s supply of water left. If it doesn’t rain next year, what do 20 million people in the breadbasket of the world do? In a place that’s the fifth-largest GDP — if California were a country, it’d be fifth in line — we’re about to be arid! What do you do about it?”
Will he use phasers or ray guns to save the world this time? Try Kickstarter instead.
“So I’m starting a Kickstarter campaign. I want $30 billion … to build a pipeline like the Alaska pipeline. Say, from Seattle — a place where there’s a lot of water. There’s too much water. How bad would it be to get a large, 4-foot pipeline, keep it above ground — because if it leaks, you’re irrigating!” exclaimed Shatner.
I spoke with Barry Bedwell, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, and he only had this to say, “I have not seen any details, but the story was brought up in a meeting today in Sacramento and no one in the room seemed to take it very seriously.”
Could Captain Kirk really be steering us wrong this time?
“It’s simple,” Shatner assures. “They did it in Alaska — why can’t they do it along Highway 5? This whole area’s about to go under!”
Shatner agreed that even if he’s not able to raise the money, the effort will at least raise consciousness for California’s drought.
“If I don’t make 30 billion, I’ll give the money to a politician who says, ‘I’ll build it.’ Obviously, it’s to raise awareness that something more than just closing your tap … so why not a pipeline?”
There has been some blowback from Shatner's comments, but the actor has been responding with charm, tweeting out a few choice responses to Washington residents on his proposal.
And as the Twitter drama continued...
However unrealistic Shatner's campaign may be, it's definitely creating a conversation — which may have been his mission all along.
LOS ANGELES, CA - This year’s Earth Day doesn’t mark a momentous occasion of action at 4Earth Farms, but an opportunity to show the company’s bigger goal: To make every day Earth Day.
I spoke with 4Earth Farms Co-Founder and CEO David Lake to learn more about how the company is looking to achieve this goal. To hear more from David himself, check out our interview above.
“Doing the right thing when it comes to the environment is not a business strategy for us, it is a tenet,” David Lake, Co-Founder and CEO of 4Earth Farms, said in a press release. “I think those of us who earn our living from the earth have a responsibility to be good stewards of our planet - a philosophy that is also good for business.”
According to the release, 4Earth has maintained that responsibility by working with vendors and grower partners to be more sustainable and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Another focal point in the company’s endeavors towards sustainability is in its 160,000 square foot facility, which 4Earth continually reinvests in to make more efficient and yet environmentally conscious.
The facility’s cooling tower water recycling project, for example, saves over 18,000 gallons of water usage per day, self-built by 4Earth. This technology, as well as having begun converting the landscaping to drought-resistant plants and having invested in waterless bathroom fixtures, are a just a few ways the company is endeavoring to conserve water during California’s longest drought on record.
David took the time to talk with me a little more on what technologies 4Earth Farms is implementing to enforce its commitment to sustainability.
“Probably our most significant technology is our LED conversion, which LED will make a large difference in any large facility,” David tells me.
The project he is referring to is the company’s current conversion of all warehouse lighting to LED fixtures, which will keep 987,768 pounds of Carbon Dioxide, 1,646,279 grams of Sulfer Dioxide, and 3,819,380 grams of Nitrogen Oxides from being released into the air in just one year, according to the release.
The lasting impression David wished to leave was why this is so important to him and to the company. It was the Co-Founder’s firm belief that we could “move the needle” and make a difference, but would take everyone doing their part. And Earth Day is a good reminder to do so.
SEATTLE, WA - Starbucks’ cold-pressed juice brand Evolution Fresh is introducing a new line starring fruits and veggies to its 42-flavor repertoire.
“We know people are looking for ways to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets,” Jeff Hansberry, President of Evolution Fresh, said. “As the demand for cold-pressed juice continues to grow, we’re launching our new line of fruit and vegetable juice blends and smoothies as an easy way to experience the taste and nutrition of Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juices. The new sizes provide an easy way to boost the nutrients in a meal or a snack and add more fruits and vegetables into a daily diet.”
The new line includes one current flavor plus five new ones, all of which will be available for purchase on retail shelves nationwide before Summer kicks in, according to a press release.
The company has spent two years developing this new 11 oz bottle line, with each recipe unique to Evolution Fresh and focused on delivering a cup of the daily recommended fruit and vegetable content without any kind of sweeteners or additives.
While the line includes current green hit Essential Vegetable™, other new veggie and fruit-centric flavors include:
- Green Devotion™: A mix of celery, cucumber, spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale with a splash of lemon and parsley. Each bottle contains 160 percent of the daily value of vitamin K, with 8 grams of naturally occurring sugar.
- Emerald Greens™: Cucumber and crisp apples blended with spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, and a squeeze of both lime and lemon. Each bottle contains 120 percent of the daily value for vitamin K, with 14 grams of naturally occurring sugar.
- Green Grove: Orange, mango, crisp apple and pineapple are combined with cucumber, spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale to create a good source of A and C Vitamins.
- Berry Beet: Apple, mangos and a blend of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries create a deep red. Fresh Evolution also added hydrating coconut water, beets, black raspberries, and cherries.
- Mango Green: What the company calls a “tropical fruit smoothie” is a blend of juices and purees of mango, orange, apple, cucumber, acerola cherries and coconut water. Not to leave out veggies, spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale are also in the mix. All together the combination creates a strong source of potassium as well as of vitamins A and C.
The new varieties listed above are reportedly available at a suggested retail price range of $3.99 to $4.79 at grocery stores nationwide.
AVONDALE, PA - To-Jo Mushrooms has announced that Kevin Anderson, the company’s Director of Product Innovation, received the Research Chef’s Association annual Pioneer Award.
“Culinology has come a long way in recent years and Kevin has been an integral part of that success,” said company President, Tony D’Amico. “We are so proud to have a recognized industry leader as part of our R&D Team, and I commend him on receiving this esteemed award.”
The award is given annually to an individual who is recognized as a leader in the food industry utilizing the practice of Culinology®, and combines the discipline of culinary craftsmanship and food science for at least 10 years. The Nominee’s influence must be apparent throughout the food industry, including in education and standard practices.
According to a press release, Anderson has exemplified these qualifications through his ongoing development of innovative menu concepts, food processing techniques and commercialization practices for To-Jo across various foodservice and manufacturing platforms. The company says he was honored to receive this year’s award at the annual Culinology Conference recently held in New Orleans, LA.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Website operators are reportedly in a tizzy as a result of Google implementing a new search algorithm, launching today, April 21, that will favor sites that are deemed to be more smartphone friendly in its search results.
How does this affect you?
If your site is considered good for mobile viewing, it’s a plus. But according to a USA Today report, Forrester Research found that 62 percent of business sites are not conducive to smartphones while about 86 percent of U.S. smartphone users make their searches through Google.
“As people increasingly search on their mobile devices, we want to make sure they can find content that’s not only relevant and timely, but also easy to read and interact with on smaller mobile screens,” a Google spokeswoman said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
And now Google is making a move to push businesses to do just that. The Wall Street Journal reported that web developers have been in a “panic and frenzy” getting ready for the launch, calling it “mobilegeddon.”
Websites that are considered viewable for smartphones have readable text that isn’t too small, don’t take too long to load, and are easily navigated without too many graphics. Google provides a mobile-friendly test, which you can try by clicking here, to see if your website qualifies.
Those that do will be closer to the top of Google’s search results.
Google reportedly does not expect we will see any changes from this algorithm until next week.
CLEARWATER, FL - Albertsons has announced it will close its Clearwater location next month, one of only two of the retailer’s Tampa Bay, Florida-area grocery stores.
The store, which is scheduled to close May 28, is one of four Albertsons stores still operating in Florida. According to an independent Albertsons Florida source, this location was the first Albertsons opened in Florida and was originally opened under the Skaggs-Albertsons banner.
According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Notice filed by the grocery store with the state of Florida, 86 Albertsons employees will be laid off.
The Tampa Bay Times cites "foodie" culture as one reason for Albertsons lack of success in the region. With more boutique markets like The Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s entering the market, Albertsons has become a brand name that is no longer of interest to consumers in the area, says the Tampa Bay Times.
According to the Tampa Bay times, Albertsons sold 49 of its 93 Florida locations in 2008, and have slowly been ramping down location numbers ever since.