VALENCIA, CA - Kevin Fiori, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sunkist Growers, has been named as the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) new Chairperson on its Board of Directors. Cathy Burns, PMA President, and Tim Riley, President at The Giumarra Companies and former PMA Chairperson, had some encouraging words for Kevin as Riley passes the baton to his new successor.
“We’re all working together to boost consumer confidence in our products, meanwhile attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals for our businesses and marketing fresh produce in new ways that will increase consumption,” said Riley. “I’m confident that Kevin, a talented leader with an immense amount of diverse experience in this industry, can rally with the rest of PMA’s board members and hundreds of volunteer leaders to continue to engage the entire fresh produce and floral industry in 2015 to work toward those goals.”
“Over the past year, Tim Riley led the diverse team of industry leaders and business strategists of the PMA Board of Directors, who together, contributed significant insight and guidance to implement PMA’s new strategic plan,” said Burns. “Now, as Kevin steps into that leadership role, he brings years of diverse global expertise coupled with the passion and talent that’s needed to inspire industry leaders and drive those strategies forward in an effort to move the needle on fresh produce consumption and floral demand.”
During Fiori’s opening statement at PMA Fresh Summit’s Breakfast General Session, he affirmed his and Sunkist’s commitment to working together with the industry to inspire kids to eat healthier with PMA and Sesame Workshop’s ‘eat brighter!’ initiative.
Sunkist has recently launched new Sesame Street-themed packaging as part of the ‘eat brighter!’ campaign to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among children aged 2 to 5 and their parents and caregivers.
“Through this program, the industry has an amazing opportunity to encourage kids and their parents to eat better. When we work together as an industry, we all win,” said Fiori.
Prior to joining Sunkist in 2008, Fiori worked with Dole Food Company for 29 years in a number of positions ranging from sales representative all the way up to Senior Vice President, Agriculture Operations. His long-standing dedication to the industry and leadership experience will prove invaluable as he steps into this new role in his successful career.
AndNowUKnow congratulates Kevin Fiori on his election as PMA’s new Chairperson!
PHARR, TX - Red Sun Farms is wrapping up 2014 with a year of incredible growth and expansion. As November gets underway, the greenhouse growers are announcing the recent expansion of its distribution center and cold storage facility in Pharr, Texas. The 24,000 sq. foot expansion more than doubles the size of its initial 23,000 sq. foot facility, bringing the Texas distribution center and cold storage facility to 47,000 square feet.
“We established our footprint in Texas about 3 years ago as it provided the ideal distribution point to consolidate all of our tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers that we grow at our operations in Mexico,” Carlos Visconti, COO, tells me. “Any time we see an opportunity to bring the produce closer to our customers, create direct shipments and decrease the miles on the road, we consider that opportunity an investment worth making.”
Popularity and demand has grown for Red Sun’s product portfolio with positive results over the past few years. Between shipping and receiving, the company sees approximately 20 million cases of produce moving through the facility each year. The company started expanding the Pharr facility at the beginning of the year and wrapped up construction and maintenance a few weeks ago.
In addition to the expansion in Texas, Red Sun Farms is also counting down to the ribbon cutting and official grand opening of its new greenhouse operations in, Dublin, Virginia on November 17th. Harvest of conventional TOV kicked off on September 25th with the first Virginia Grown, Organic TOV getting underway last month.
12 additional acres to the operation will be underway soon as part of Virginia's phase 2 of the plan, followed by phase 3’s additional 18 acres that will bring Virginia’s Red Sun footprint to 48 acres in 2017. Once complete, the three year project will create jobs for 205 people and boast 48 acres of locally greenhouse grown tomatoes, organic, and specialty lines of produce.
Congrats, Red Sun, on your continued growth and evolution.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Giumarra Wenatchee is adding a 1-lb bag option for its Nature’s Partner kiwifruit just in time for the California and Italian seasons.
“We experienced success with our 1 and 2-lb kiwifruit clamshells and wanted to expand our packaging offering to appeal to a wider consumer base,” says Jason Bushong, Division Manager for Giumarra Wenatchee. “Our research shows that selling packaged kiwifruit in addition to bulk lifts the sales of the entire category.”
According to a press release, the new packaging will feature bright graphics, recipes, and nutritional information. It will offer both eye appeal for consumers and versatility to retailers.
“This bag delivers on great merchandising opportunities with QR-coded information for consumers, including new and exciting ways to use kiwifruit, such as in kiwifruit salsa,” says Bushong. “We demoed a kiwifruit avocado salsa recipe for consumers and received great feedback. The options to cross merchandise with kiwifruit are incredibly versatile.”
The new bag has been made with convenience in mind. “The size is perfect for smaller families or single-person households who prefer the convenience of a grab-and-go bag,” says Scott Ross, Eastern Region Business Manager for Giumarra. “We feel this additional packaging option will ultimately lift kiwifruit sales.”
With a supply of kiwifruit grown in the U.S., New Zealand, Chile and Italy, Giumarra Wenatchee markets kiwifruit year-round. This new bag should be a strong addition to the company’s packaging lineup.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - Loblaw is selling 10 Shoppers Drug Mart stores in locations throughout Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. According to Global News, seven of the ten stores will be sold to independent pharmacists running stores under the McKesson brand name. The remaining three stores are being sold to Pharmasave Drugs in Atlantic Canada.
The impetus for this sale stretches back to last year's $12.4 billion merger deal which united Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart. Canada's Competition Bureau's approval on the deal hinged on a condition that the combined companies would divest themselves of locations in areas where multiple store locations could have an adverse affect on market competition, leading to upward pressure on pricing. The Bureau cited 27 such local markets where these concerns existed in its initial report on the merger.
“Competition generally leads to lower prices for consumers, as well as more consumer choice, a wider range of service options and increased innovation,” explained a Competition Bureau regulator in an official statement.
Shoppers Drug Mart has been attracting increasing interest from the fresh produce industry in recent months with its addition of fresh produce into several of its stores in an important market test case. As AndNowUKnow previously covered, the success of this test case could add Shoppers as an important new retail client for companies throughout the industry, giving more customers access to the fresh fruits and vegetables which are key to a healthy lifestyle.
According to the Global News, Loblaw is still required to sell another four locations in order to fulfill its obligation to the Bureau. To this date, it has sold 14 total stores and nine in-store pharmacies.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on Loblaw's future operations as it moves forward after its merger with Shoppers Drug Mart.
HURLEYVILLE, NY - Capitalizing on the multi-billion dollar bagged lettuce market is the latest innovation in salad dressings: Formaggio’s Just Add Lettuce™, the “world’s first three-dimensional salad dressing.” I spoke with Just Add Lettuce™ creator Anthony Mongiello to find out exactly what a 3-D salad dressing is, and how it’s quickly gaining a compelling foothold in the market.
“Ordinary salad dressings have length and width, but they have no height, no depth. Every Just Add Lettuce™ jar has incredible ingredients like cheese, olives, fresh vegetables – everything you need to make a gourmet salad,” Mongiello tells me. “I wanted to make it easy for consumers to just pick up the container and do what the label says. Just add lettuce.”
Formaggio, most known for its domestic and international award-winning fresh mozzarella products, recognized that its customers were using its cheeses on top of salads, and they were clamoring for something more to complement their healthy dishes. Mongiello wanted a product that was consumer friendly, and wouldn’t require shoppers to look for extra ingredients they’d have to chop and clean up after. Thus, Just Add Lettuce™ was born.
Formaggio currently offers Just Add Lettuce™ in three varieties: Italian, Spanish, and Greek, all in 12 oz. packages. The company has also recently introduced a Bleu Cheese & Cranberries variety.
“The response to Just Add Lettuce™ has been incredible,” Mongiello continued. “And it’s so versatile – people can use it over rice, mashed potatoes, short-cut pasta, and even with a Spanish omelette.”
Looking ahead, Mongiello tells me the company is continuing to go healthy by introducing edamame, quinoa, and kale items to its Just Add Lettuce™ line.
Can’t wait to see how else Formaggio will tap into the produce industry to get the most out of its unique line of salad dressings.
FRIESLAND, WI – Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. has added Gary Stevens to its national sales team.
“Alsum Farms & Produce is very excited to have Gary join our growing team,” says Heidi Alsum-Randall, National Sales and Marketing Manager of Alsum Farms & Produce. “His knowledge of the produce industry coupled with his wide array of work experiences in business development, sales and customer relations make Gary a perfect fit for Alsum.”
According to a press release, Gary will be responsible for procuring and servicing national retail, food service and wholesale grocer accounts in his new role.
Gary has over two decades of experience in the produce industry. He most recently served as the organic team lead at Sunfed. Prior to that, he worked with Herbthyme Farmes, Albert’s Organics and A&P.
“I look forward to helping Alsum Farms & Produce on various company initiatives and gaining more knowledge about the potato and onion categories,” Gary says. “I am excited to be part of this ever-growing family business that began more than 40 years ago.”
Congratulations on this new position, Gary!
CALIFORNIA – Philip Martin, Professor in the Agricultural Resource Economics Department at the University of California, Davis, has released a study of the fruit and vegetable sector’s effect on the economy, the farm worker community and how California’s agricultural job employment rates compare to the rest of the country.
Martin used data gathered in the 2012 Census of Agriculture to conduct his research, which was recently published in the July/August issue of Update, the department’s semi-monthly newsletter.
According to his findings, Martin concluded that the average farm employment in California is growing faster than in the rest of the country. The information in the census revealed that 86% of farm labor expenses in California occurred in four categories, all of which are fruits and vegetables.
Based on these gains, he made the suggestion in his study that the category of farm employment will continue to garner higher media attention for a variety of factors.
The Times-Delta reports that Martin expects farm employment to stay in the news with reports of fewer workers coming from Mexico, drought-related cutbacks and the increase in minimum wage. In that article, Don Curlee added that these factors, along with the noisy demonstrations orchestrated by union leaders have attracted media attention away from the positive benefits workers have received for their farmer/employers.
California Fresh Fruit Association President Barry Bedwell spoke to AndNowUKnow about Martin’s research and Curlee’s assertion. He told us, “I concur with Dr. Martin’s observations and predictions that the farm labor sector will garner more attention in the future due to the issues mentioned. I also strongly agree with Don Curlee’s thoughts that many of the positive factors and benefits associated with farm labor in California have been overshadowed due to the misinformation disseminated by organized labor who continue to struggle to show value to farmworkers.”
Currently, the majority of California’s 464,000 farmworkers are hired by farmers who grow high-value fruits, vegetables and horticultural specialties, according to the Visalia Times-Delta. These crops provide jobs and help contribute to California’s economy.
These results serve to further showcase the resourcefulness of our industry and the commitment of our farmers and growers to finding new avenues of growth in the face of whatever challenges the modern economy may bring.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Fresh Solutions Network took home the prestigious PMA Impact Award at Fresh Summit this year for its innovative Side Delights® Gourmet Petite potato line. Judges assessed 67 entries by 56 different produce companies based on a wide ranging set of criteria, including Marketing, Sustainability, Consumer Convenience, Supply Chain Efficiency/Functionality and Food Safety. In these categories, Side Delights stood apart.
“The Gourmet Petite potato line was introduced in 2014 with the goal of providing a fresh new way to make every meal a little more interesting and enjoyable,” stated Kathleen Triou, President & CEO for Fresh Solutions Network. “With Side Delights Gourmet Petite potatoes, consumers can enjoy the flavor, color and excitement of the specialty potatoes they find in fine-dining restaurants or see on their favorite cooking shows with the meals they make at home.”
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the PMA Impact Awards,” she continued. “We see packaging as a vital component for increasing shopper engagement in the potato category, especially when packaging is often the only way for shoppers to judge the quality of the product inside. High marks for our packaging validates that we’ll create stronger sales on the potato table shelf.”
According to Kathleen, Side Delights® looked to capitalize on a Petite potato segment which leads the category with 16% year over year growth. Its visually exciting packaging with contemporary, bold graphics and appetizing photography drew the attention of both consumers and PMA Fresh Summit judges. Packed in a stand-up pouch bag, it serves to drive incremental purchases through enhancements in shop-ability and convenience.
“Finally, we wish to congratulate the other award winners, which were CMI for its Go-Go fresh cherry snacking pouch, Earthbound Farm for its PowerMeal Bowls, Mucci Farms for its New Pint tomato packaging and Wholly Guacamole for its grab n’ guac box,” Kathleen graciously added.
Congratulations on being a PMA Impact Award Winner, Fresh Solutions Network!
ESSEN, NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA – Aldi has topped a global survey measuring brand simplicity for the second year in a row.
The survey was published on Wednesday by strategic branding firm Siegel+Gale and ranks companies by the simplicity of its communication and customer service. Siegel+Gale argues that a “simple” brand is vital, because it creates a higher level of loyalty and pay elasticity from consumers.
The online survey, which is conducted every year, has over 12,000 respondents that span across eight countries. They said that Aldi, which is currently expanding its produce category with new organic products, offers “clear pricing and a clear offer,” which promotes high quality at low prices.
According to the report from Siegel+Gale, this simple approach makes “decisions easier and the shopping experience basic, but rewarding.”
Coming in at number two was tech giant, Google. In its ranking, the firm said, “As famously innovative as it is simple, the Google search engine is ‘peerless’ and ‘reliable,’ according to respondents worldwide.” The ranking also pointed to a study that showed Britons trust Google more than they trust their own families.
The other companies that rounded out the top ten are Lidl, McDonald’s, Netflix, IKEA, C&A, Subway, Miele and Amazon, in that order. You can check out the full list here.
Simplicity is one of the factors used in determining a company’s popularity with customers and employees. Congratulations to Aldi and all of the companies on the list!
WOODRIDGE, IL - Produce Pro Software is simplifying life for produce professionals with a new line of mobile apps, headlined by the powerful Food Safety App. Courtney Heim, Sales Representative & Marketing Professional for Produce Pro, explained to me how the company is leveraging mobile technology to eliminate the costly paper clutter of traditional food safety filing methods while enhancing employee accountability and accuracy.
“At the heart of all of our technologies is a commitment to simplifying the lives of our clients,” Courtney explained to me. “With the Food Safety App for example, a manager has easy access to their food safety records tied directly to a specific function or equipment. They can view the tasks assigned to their employees and any corrective actions being taken with the touch of a button.”
The app also enhances accountability. Imagine an employee being sent to check a cooler's temperature. The employee could be instructed to use the Food Safety App to scan the cooler's location QR barcode in order to verify that they are physically present at that site to do the inspection or reading. Once data is entered, information is made available to managers with time-stamped verification of who completed the task. If corrective action paper work occurs, it can be attached directly to that record and stored. Likewise, if an audit is conducted, reports are easily available to be printed.
“At Produce Pro, we recognize how busy business owners and managers are in running the core aspects of their business,” Courtney explained. “Our apps allow these professionals to focus their attention on doing what they do best: making connections with their customers and growing their business.”
Some of Produce Pro's other mobile applications include:
- Checkout App: An app which facilitates online ordering, loading each customer’s specific pricing, lead time specifications, and order deadlines each time they log into the app
- Driver App: An app which provides delivery confirmation and support for drivers, streamlining the delivery process for proper shipments and reducing the cost of product delivery.
Together these apps comprise the complete Produce Pro Software solution, the early results of which have been highly impressive, according to Courtney. For example, FreshPack Produce, a Produce Pro client, enjoyed “unprecedented sales growth” far exceeding the 20% annual figure CEO Chris Wisekal had initially foreclosed before implementing the Produce Pro solution.
"Produce Pro enabled us to handle retail, wholesale, food processors and food service,” he shared in a press release. “We are now serving big, multi-concept accounts and other national chains. We could not do that without Produce Pro. Our in-stock ratios are higher. The quality of product is better because we are turning it faster. We can enter orders more efficiently, which allows us to provide better customer service. The ProducePro system is simply more robust. It gives you options to do business the way you and your customers want."
Produce Pro encourages produce professionals to check out its full line of products on its website for more information.
In an age of increasing technological sophistication, it is great to see companies like Produce Pro Software helping members of our industry stay ahead of the curve and deliver the best possible product to their partners.