WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• LMS Distributors, operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $103,969 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Silvia Zuazo and Miriam Marquez were listed as the members of the business
• J & M Produce, doing business as Mi Mexico Produce, operating out of Jessup, Maryland, for failing to pay a $6,608 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Maria D. Tapia Medina and Jose H. Miranda were listed as the officers, directors, and major stockholders of the business
• Marroko Valley, operating out of Hidalgo, Texas, for failing to pay a $17,188 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Sylvia Alanis-Alanis and Felipe De Jesus Marroquin Salazar were listed as the members of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. 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 principals 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.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

QUINCY, MA - Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes are taking place under the Ahold Delhaize USA umbrella. Ahold’s current Chief Commercial Officer, Roger Wheeler, has been appointed as the new Brand President of Stop & Shop, effective September 30. He steps into this role as current Brand President Gordon Reid plans to retire in mid-2025.

“It’s an honor to rejoin Stop & Shop in this leadership role. I have not only spent a significant portion of my career working at the brand but am a lifelong customer and have a strong passion for the communities Stop & Shop serves,” Wheeler said. “I look forward to working alongside our Stop & Shop team as we build upon the work underway to deepen the loyalty of our customers, operate great stores and provide excellent service every day. Together, we will grow the Stop & Shop business, be a top employer in our markets, and create great experiences for our associates. Stop & Shop has a clear focus on growing through large, multi-year price investments and a stronger customer value proposition.”

In his most recent role as CCSCO, Wheeler led the transformation of commercial capabilities, which enabled strategies for future growth, as well as continued to drive efficiencies that reduced costs and increased sales. Prior to this role, he served as President of Retail Business Services for seven years.

According to a press release, Wheeler also served as SVP of Supply Chain, as well as both Store Manager and Category Manager roles in the grocery industry. He initially joined the Ahold fold in 2005 as Vice President of Meat and Seafood at Stop & Shop.

“At Ahold Delhaize USA, it’s a strength of our organization that we have a depth of internal leadership talent, which will ensure a smooth transition. A native of Massachusetts with more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket industry, and nearly 20 years of experience at Ahold Delhaize USA and Stop & Shop, Roger is the right person to propel the Stop & Shop brand forward,” said JJ Fleeman, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold.

Fleeman continued, stating, “He is a proven leader who is passionate about the customer experience, knows the market, and has an outstanding track record of building a strong organizational culture to drive the successful execution of initiatives and strong financial performance.”

Reid has worked for Stop & Shop since 2019, and before that, spent six years at the helm of Giant Food. He will remain with Ahold Delhaize USA until mid-2025, providing leadership support for strategic initiatives.

For more from the press release, click here.

ANUK has you covered on the industry’s latest, so keep looking for that little green logo.

FRESNO, CA - Beyond its central commitment to elevating the California table grape sector through investments, promotions, and education, the California Table Grape Commission (CTGC) also sets a heightened focus on contributing to the next generation of industry leaders. California table grape growers are continuing with this impactful investment, with three categories of scholarships becoming available in 2025. 

2025 will mark 40 years of California table grape growers providing scholarship opportunities to graduating high school seniors from the table grape growing regions of California, a press release stated. Since 1985, table grape growers across California have aided over 200 students in attending college.

With three scholarships from each category available, California table grape growers are providing the following opportunities:

• The Field Worker Bridge Scholarship, a $14,500 scholarship for students who will attend two years at a community college and transfer to a four-year university
• The second Field Worker Scholarship, a $25,000 scholarship for students who will attend a four-year university

To qualify for these Field Worker Scholarships, eligible high school graduates or graduating seniors or their parent/legal guardian must have been employed as a field worker in a California table vineyard during the 2024 harvest or plan to be employed during the 2025 season.

The industry is also supporting the next generation with a third scholarship, the $25,000 Agriculture Scholarship, which is available for students interested in building a career in the California table grape industry and investing their undergraduate years of study in academic areas related to the industry. For this scholarship, eligible high school graduates or graduating seniors must plan on pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree in a field of study pertinent to table grapes and be residents of California’s Coachella or San Joaquin valleys.

The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Friday, February 7, 2025. To hear from recent scholarship recipients impacted by this generous investment, click here.

Stay tuned as ANUK continues to relay updates from across the produce-sphere!

FOWLER, CA - The highly anticipated domestic citrus season in California is on the horizon, exciting retailers and consumers alike as the popular category outlook continues to impress. Bringing the 411 that customers need to know as we launch into the season, Bee Sweet Citrus’ Director of Harvesting and Grower Relations Randy Stucky and Sales Representative Jason Sadoian join me to dish on the latest from the trailblazing grower and marketer.

“This year’s crop is tracking a few weeks earlier than last season; volume is up across the board, with a smaller size structure. Fruit condition and quality have been exceptional, with very little pest damage. We’ll pick up as soon as imports clear up, and we’ll have plenty of fruit to sell,” Stucky shares with me.

As a company that tailors its programs to customers and ensures it covers their time periods, Sadoian reveals that they go beyond simply offering a year-round program.

“Bee Sweet brings convenience and service by having everything available to load in one central location. Our new campaigns and promotional calendar will be a useful tool to drive more sales as well,” he says. “Our crops look to be very normal in the sense that last season was down a little on oranges, lemons, and Mandarins.”

Bee Sweet also ships anywhere in the country, with everything the company grows and packs loading out of Fowler, California. With a lemon shed in California’s Imperial Valley area as well, Bee Sweet can also load fruit and offer additional value and more.

Filling the basket with flavorful domestic citrus is anticipated to be a win-win-win this season for the customer, grower, and the consumer. As we launch into October, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for more updates coming down the line.

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it has imposed sanctions on Miami, Florida-based American Fruit & Produce Corp. for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions include barring the company and its principal operator from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

Direct From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

American Fruit & Produce Corp. failed to pay $1,034,745 to 18 sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from March 2018 to October 2022. This is in violation of the PACA. American Fruit & Produce Corp. cannot operate in the produce industry until September 6, 2026, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principals, Hugo Acosta Jr. and David Acosta, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until September 6, 2025, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

To read the release in its entirety, click here.

BANCROFT, WI - In a strategic move to address food insecurity, RPE launched an initiative in October 2024, donating $10,000 to support five food banks nationwide, with a focus on enhancing community engagement and retail partnerships.

"Food insecurity continues to be a pressing concern, particularly as the holiday season nears," stated Rachel Atkinson-Leach, Vice President of Brand and Category Excellence. "We are thrilled to foster meaningful engagement with our community, empowering them to nominate and vote for the food banks closest to their hearts, ensuring that support reaches the communities in greatest need."

Through the Farmer’s Promise fresh potato brand, RPE aimed to create a direct impact by allowing consumers to nominate and vote for their preferred local food banks. The top five selected organizations received financial contributions, with $5,000 allocated to first place, $3,000 to second, $1,000 to third, and $500 each for fourth and fifth places.

The urgency of this initiative was underscored by alarming statistics. According to a press release from FeedingAmerica.com, 47 million people, including 14 million children, faced food insecurity in the U.S. This initiative reflected RPE’s commitment to addressing such challenges and ensuring vital resources reached those in need.

As the holiday season approached, RPE encouraged consumers to participate by voting and sharing information through social media and email. The campaign aimed not only to provide essential support to food banks but also to inspire community involvement.

By taking action against food insecurity, RPE sought to ensure that everyone had a seat at the table, reinforcing the importance of community engagement in tackling critical social issues.

As always, keep reading ANUK for more ways to support your community and beyond.