Rich Macleod, Vice President of the Pallet Division at TransFresh, and Dr. Jeff Brecht, Director of the UF Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences Research Center for Food Distribution & Retailing, join AndNowUKnow to discuss some of the shelf-life innovations at the university.
The university has expended a lot of effort on research into predicting the shelf-life of products. By using the temperature history of a product through the supply chain, scientists have discovered a way to predict the remaining shelf life of the product.
Sonya L Stahl, Lab Technician at the University of Florida, gave AndNowUKnow a look into her research into shelf-life. Her research focuses on tomatoes and the way in which air gets in and out to discover how bacteria could make its way into tomatoes.
UC Davis and the University of Florida, under the Specialty Crops Initiative, are able to produce research that compliments each other. Their real field research allows the trade to evaluate its processes on a scientific basis to deliver the highest quality food to consumers.
MONTEREY, CA – With this year’s PMA Foodservice Expo around the corner, more than 300 produce and floral industry professionals will participate in the annual PMA Foundation 5K Race for Talent.
The race will benefit PMA Foundation efforts to attract talent into the industry and provide development opportunities for young professionals. On the PMA Foundation website, it states, “Each year runners, sponsors and sideline supporters make this race a huge success. Proceeds provide crucial support for the development and execution of the PMA Foundation’s mission to attract, develop and retain talent for the global produce industry.”
Taylor Farms will participate this year as a team. “This is such a fun event and a great way to kick off the weekend for PMA. Each year we have great team participation and already have 20 people signed up!” says Lauren Hattersley, Taylor Farms Sales & Marketing Representative. “What I love about the 5K is the fact that it doesn’t matter if you are running or walking, it’s about getting out and setting a personal goal for yourself and finishing the race with the support of your team behind you. Watch out for Team Taylor!”
Aside from supporting the industry’s talent development challenges, runners will compete for Top 3 Overall Male and Females, Best Team Attire, Best Team Spirit and Largest Team to Register. The PMA Foundation website also states, “This race features a performance t-shirt, race bag full of goodies, continental breakfast with coffee, and a guaranteed fun time by all.”
The race will begin at 6:30 AM on July 26 with an aerobic warm-up starting at 6:00 AM.
Registration for the race and PMA Foodservice Conference is still open on www.pmafoundation.com. For a full schedule of the conference's activities, click here.
SPAIN - While the Spanish economy has taken a hit over the past several years, consumers and retailers are beginning to see signs of growth. With things on the uptick, produce merchandisers are noticing new trends among Spanish consumers and retailers, ones which the industry would be wise to pay attention to.
Any retailer will tell you that presentation is key to healthy produce sales and this is no different in Spain. Phil Gruszka, of Gruszka Consulting, noted that large display formats are becoming increasingly popular among Spanish consumers. In order to draw attention to on-sale items, they are allocating more space in stores. The total merchandising area is regularly set and is changed out for items on sale as promotions change.
Prepackaged and value added fresh fruits are very popular with Spanish consumers. Many feature health related claims, one of the biggest right now being ones about anti-oxidant properties. Cartoon characters are also becoming increasingly popular on prepackaged fruits, as retailers try to market more produce to younger children. Also popular are 'Grab and Go' fruit cups which consumers appreciate for their portability, and can be found in many stores in large, well stocked displays.
As for prepackaged vegetables, value added varieties which can be easily incorporated into sautes, soups, and stir frys are currently very popular.
In addition to prepacked varieties, bulk produce is also widely available in Spanish supermarkets. In order to streamline the checkout process, many retailers have set up a system whereby bulk produce is weighed and tagged with a scanable price ticket long before the customer gets to the register. With no scales at the registers, lines move faster and grocers operate more efficiently. To this same end, the Hypermarket chain of grocery stores installed a set of self-checkout lines for customers to make use of.
Outside of the produce department, Gruszka noted that different cheese varieties can be found scattered throughout Spanish supermarkets depending on its intended use. Rather than a centralized aisle, Deli cheeses, shredded varieties, and artisan selects are located near the products they would be commonly paired with in dishes. For both cheeses and meat products, country of origin is front and center in the product's merchandizing scheme.
For more on Cheese, Meat, and Seafood merchandising trends in Spain stay tuned to ANUK's sister publication, DeliMarketTV for part 2 of this story.
WASHINGTON, DC - American Food Distributors Inc., a Colorado-based company, has posted a $260,000 surety bond with the USDA to obtain a PACA license and operate in the produce industry.
Under the regulations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), the company was required to post a bond following its prior involvement in bankruptcy, according to a press release.
The USDA will hold the bond for three years to provide assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct business according to PACA rules.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Any PACA licensee looking to employ someone who has previously failed to pay a reparation award, or has been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
BLOOMINGTON, MN - Supervalu is going 'all in' with its wholesale business division, company CEO Sam Duncan revealed during Supervalu's annual shareholders' meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Bloomington. Duncan talked at some length about Supervalu's earlier purchase of 18 Rainbow Food stores, something he characterized as a “wholesale play.” His most revealing statement however came later:
“We are going to be a great wholesaler,” Duncan said. “That is our focus. It is more than half of the company, and we are darned good at it…I have no desire to be a big retailer.”
So far it has been revealed that 10 of the 18 former Rainbow stores will be reopened as Cub Foods locations. Supervalu's wholesale customers such as Jerry's Foods and Lunds are expected to play a big part in many of the remaining stores.
That wholesale has become the majority of Supervalu's revenue is no accident. When Supervalu sold four of its biggest supermarket operations earlier this year for $3.3 billion, it left its much smaller Cub grocery store line as its largest remaining retail chain. Annual revenue fell to about $17 billion in the wake of this deal, a majority of which now came from Supervalu's wholesale operations.
Duncan hopes the shift in focus will help his company halt the downward path its sales numbers and stocks had taken prior to his installment as CEO in late 2013. So far he's been successful, with Supervalu stock up 7% as of Wednesday, $6.83 higher than it's 30 year low at $2 per share in 2012.
“We have got a heck of a lot accomplished,” Duncan told shareholders. “But we have a lot more to do.”
Supervalu however, with Duncan at the helm, is confident that it is on the right path.
VENTURA, CA – LINKFRESH has been named to the 2014 Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club for the forth time.
The Microsoft Dynamics President’s Club honors high-performing Microsoft Dynamics partners that have commitment to customers that are reflected in its business success and growth, according to a press release. This group represents the top 5% of Microsoft Dynamics worldwide partners.
Robert Frost, Group CEO for LINKFRESH said, “LINKFRESH is dedicated to helping customers around the world, particularly in the food industry, find the best solutions and services to accommodate their business needs and further their success. By collaborating closely with the teams at Microsoft and through the Presidents Club, our Microsoft Gold Partner status, and the Global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) program, we can maintain a comprehensive understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics platform and supporting Microsoft technologies to ensure we continue to provide innovative solutions, services and unparalleled value to Microsoft Dynamics customers.”
The acknowledgment came during the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2014, which is the company’s yearly premier partner event.
“Each year we recognize and honor Microsoft Dynamics partners from around the world for exemplary performance,” said Neil Holloway, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions Sales & Partners. “The award-winning partners contribute to the ecosystem and customer businesses alike through their exceptional commitment and expertise. Microsoft is honored to recognize LINKFRESH for their achievements this past year and for their dedication and support of Microsoft Dynamics applications.”
LINKFRESH was previously honored by inclusion into the Microsoft Dynamics Presidents Club in 2007, 2010, and 2012. The company was also Microsoft Dynamics ISV of the Year (United Kingdom) 2012 and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner of the Year 2010.
Congratulations LINKFRESH!
BRAMPTON, ON – Loblaw Companies Limited’s Board of Directors has appointed Galen G. Weston, the current Executive Chairman, as the new President, effective immediately. He will also continue in his position as Executive Chairman.
"I am excited about the future, and the opportunity to execute on the strategic vision we have built for the Company. I am confident that Loblaw will continue to advance its business both financially and operationally and be well positioned to create long-term sustainable value," commented Mr. Weston.
Weston has an extensive background in Canadian retail. He has been the strategic architect of reshaping the grocery business as well as transforming Loblaw into a diversified portfolio of businesses, according to a press release. Weston is credited with the creation of the Choice Properties and the acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.
As Executive Chairman, Weston is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Company as well as leading the Board. In his new role of President, he will be responsible for the execution of the Company’s strategy, leadership of the management team and its overall business performance.
Loblaw reports that Vicente Trius, President since August 2011, will be leaving the business effective today to return to Brazil for family reasons.
“Vicente has made an enormous impact on virtually every aspect of our business in the time that he has been with the Company. Our businesses are stronger, our customer proposition more compelling, and our operating effectiveness much improved. He has set a strong foundation for the future,” said Mr. Weston.
“When we release our second quarter results next week,” Weston continued, “You will see that Vicente and the team have delivered another solid quarter in a very competitive supermarket environment, with synergies, SAP and efficiencies on track. With the business in very good shape, Vicente felt it was the right time to leave Loblaw. I respect his decision, and on behalf of the Board and all of our colleagues in the business, I thank him for his many contributions."
Congratulations on the new appointment Mr. Weston!
HAWAII COUNTY, HI - GMO Papaya growers in Hawaii County can breathe easy in the aftermath of Judge Greg Nakamura's judicial injunction preventing the public disclosure of the location of their farms. The court battle started when two growers, Ross Sibucao and a second unnamed plaintiff, sued Hawaii County arguing that the disclosure requirement would unfairly expose them to vandalism and economic damages.
The registry requirement being challenged in court is just a part of a larger law which Hawaii County adopted last December banning the open-air use and testing of GMO crops. Margaret Wille, the Kohala Councilwoman who authored this legislation, told reporters at West Hawaii Today that she was satisfied with Judge Nakamura's decision.
“It addresses the concerns without undermining the right-to-know laws,” she said.
Since its passage, the ban of open-air GMO crops has been incredibly controversial in Hawaii. Judge Nakamura's injunction will be in effect for a 30 day period while a larger lawsuit works its way through the U.S. District Court in Honolulu. This lawsuit challenges the broader question of whether or not Hawaii County had the legal authority itself to ban the open-air growing of GMO crops and is certainly a battle Hawaii growers will be closely following.
For updates on this story stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
MOSES LAKE, WA – In a surprising and frankly somewhat puzzling turn of events, Washington State Potato Commission Director Chris Voigt has found himself in the midst of a scandal because of his support of U.S. congressional candidate Dan Newhouse. After looking into the matter, Voigt seems to done nothing and yet he is currently being investigated by the Washington State Executive Ethics Board over accusations that he used state tax funded resources to support Newhouse's political run. Allegedly Voigt sent politically themed emails from his Potato Commission account and used a company car to deliver campaign signs.
Tim Kovis, Newhouse's campaign manager characterized the accusations as a pathetic example of “flinging mud everywhere and praying some of it sticks...Chris is a volunteer and the campaign had an understanding with him that he would support Dan with his own time and resources."
Voigt argues that this is exactly what he did. He points out that he could not have even used state resources to aid Newhouse because the Potato Commission is not a state owned enterprise.
“All potato commission assets are owned by the potato growers, not the state,” Voigt said in a statement. “Our building, our computers, our pens and pencils, any intellectual property [are] all owned by the potato growers, not the State of Washington...The potato growers of Washington own the domain name ‘potatoes.com.’ This is not state property, and any e-mails were sent during my personal time.”
As for the company car he allegedly used to deliver campaign materials, Voigt explains that the cars were not purchased with state resources and were owned by the Potato Commission.
“A deduction is taken out of my paycheck every pay period for some personal use of the Potato Commission vehicle,” he said.
The trouble started for Voigt when Dan Newhouse's political opponent Clint Didier released a series of emails Voigt allegedly sent using his Potato Commission email, although it has not been confirmed that these are the same emails which the Ethics Board is investigating Voigt for. Didier's Campaign Manager Larry Stickney wants to go so far as to bring the matter to the attention of the Federal Election Commission.
“We’re consulting with an attorney about it,” he said. “Nationwide, these type of groups have become more politically active … We believe they are out of line.”
According to iFiberOne News, if found to have committed an impropriety, Voigt could face up to a $5,000 fine per violation. If what Voigt says is true however, it would be surprising if this matter is ever allowed to get that far.
Whatever is decided in the end, you can count on AndNowUKnow to bring you the news as it breaks.
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Harry Stigter, Nature Fresh Farms Grower, joins AndNowUKnow to discuss the company’s growing processes and environmental protections. From heating to technology and water recycling to biologicals, Nature Fresh is working from day one to ensure the best quality produce out of its 30 acres of TOVs, 66 acres of peppers, and 30 acres of specialty tomatoes.