GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash is welcoming the former Chief Information Officer for Wisconsin-based SC Johnson and Sons, Arif Dar, to its leadership team. Dar will take on SpartanNash's Chief Information Officer position, effective January 2, 2019.
After receiving his Master of Business Administration degree in MIS and Operations from the University of Western Ontario, Canada; his Master of Science degree in Communication Systems and Radio Engineering from King’s College, University of London, U.K.; and his Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, Dar served in executive IT positions at Maple Leaf Foods (Toronto), Bombardier Transportation (Berlin, Germany), General Motors (Michigan), Tyco International (New Jersey), and General Electric (USA, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Americas). Dar also has his black belt in Six Sigma Quality Training
“We look forward to having Arif join the company, as his record of large-scale IT strategic planning and execution combined with his vision, collaborative leadership, supply chain experience, and knowledge of the food distribution industry lay the foundation for success at SpartanNash," said President and Chief Executive Officer David M. Staples. "During his tenure at SC Johnson, Arif’s cross-functional relationships throughout the business, empowering management style, and ability to drive operating efficiencies with diverse technologies drove an improved customer experience, cost savings, and sales growth.”
In his new position with SpartanNash, Dar will report to Staples and be responsible for developing and executing a company-wide IT strategy, leading the IT team, and leveraging technologies to drive and sustain a competitive advantage, according to a press release. This will include ensuring alignment with the company’s overall business strategy and providing strategic direction and oversight for the design, development, operation, and support of IT systems and programs. Dar also will provide oversight of SpartanNash’s architecture management, application management, security and risk management, and infrastructure and operations support management.
Dar's appointment to the Chief Information Officer role follows David deS. Couch’s retirement from the position. Couch first joined SpartanNash in 1987 and has held the CIO position since 2013.
“Dave’s leadership has been key to our success. We thank Dave for his contributions to the company and wish him and his family all the best,” Staples concluded.
Congratulations to David deS. Couch and Arif Dar on these next stages in their careers! AndNowUKnow will continue to report and latest fresh produce news.
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. policy will continue to take digs at the country’s ag stakeholders in 2019. 11 countries have ratified an updated trans-Pacific trade deal entitled the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and experts are saying it could put the U.S. ag industry at a massive disadvantage internationally. According to CNBC, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, and Peru have already agreed to the deal, which will slash tariffs and make their exports cheaper in each other's markets.
In a press release, investment bank HSBC noted that around 90 percent of tariff cuts will immediately take place, and goods of non-CPTPP members, such as the U.S., are now expected to be more expensive and less competitive in CPTPP countries. The Trump camp has been consistently arguing that the pact would have damaged U.S. manufacturing, added to the trade deficit, and sent American jobs overseas since the campaign.
However, some experts counter that billions are at stake for the U.S. economy. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, if the U.S. had stayed in TPP, the country's real income would have increased by $131 billion annually. Now, the firm said, the United States could lose an additional $2 billion in income because U.S. firms will be disadvantaged in CPTPP markets.
Will pressure on U.S. goods continue as additional countries get on board with the renewed TPP deal? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
SALINAS, CA - The New Year, for many of us, is a time for change. Moxxy Marketing is no exception, hiring Seanie Aceves as its new Account Coordinator to start off 2019 on a high note. Aceves brings to the table extensive expertise, including marketing, web design, project management, and sales and customer service. Moxxy has gained an experienced new employee with a diverse and valuable skill set.
"I enjoy so many aspects of marketing—it’s what led me to start my own company," said Aceves in a recent press release. "After running my business for over a year, I realized that I wanted to be part of a strong team where I could make the most of my skillset. Moxxy is definitely that team! I look forward to applying everything I’ve learned to help Moxxy’s clients flourish."
Aceves, a Long Beach, CA, native, earned her bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University before working in marketing, sales, and customer service for Keller Estate and Francis Ford Coppola wineries. Branching out from the wine industry, Aceves joined the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau as a Marketing Coordinator, where she was responsible for handling print, web, email, and digital campaigns. Before her move to Moxxy, Aceves ran her own marketing company, providing WordPress web development and content management.
"Seanie impressed me from the start," said Karen Nardozza, President and CEO. "Though we weren’t recruiting at the time, she contacted me nonetheless and skillfully pitched herself, describing her background in marketing and web development, and explaining her sincere desire to work at Moxxy in part due to our unique culture and strong reputation. Seanie has lived up to her spiel, adding value immediately from her positive, team-focused attitude to her ability to handle anything that comes her way with proficiency and a smile."
At the moment, Aceves is working on Moxxy’s account teams for Riverview Farms, Peterson Farms, Joullian Vineyards, I Love Produce, PhycoTerra, Braga Fresh, Berry People, and others.
Congratulations to Moxxy and Seanie, we at AndNowUKnow hope this is the start of a long and fruitful relationship.
AUSTIN, TX - Whole Foods Market is heading into new markets in the new year as the retailer looks to put more locations on the map and help shoppers nationwide tap into Amazon’s two-hour delivery service. The specialty grocer currently operates around 479 stores, and new stores would help position it against a few of Amazon’s biggest competitors in the brick-and-mortar arena.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a person familiar with the plan revealed Whole Foods representatives have visited Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming—three markets currently lacking Whole Foods locations—as possible spots to set up new 45,000-square-foot stores. These stores are larger than typical Whole Foods stores in order to integrate Amazon online orders, delivery, and pickup into its brick-and-mortar format.
As Whole Foods and Amazon expand, Forbes posits whether the two could be eyeing an acquisition of a major grocery distributor, like UNFI or SpartanNash. While Amazon has a good relationship with both distributors, the news source reports a merger or two could occur in 2019 to streamline the grocery supply chain. However, Forbes also asserts that if Amazon does not add a grocery distributor to its portfolio, the e-tail giant could be building its own supply chain and logistics network.
Spokespeople from Amazon and Whole Foods have declined to comment on new store construction and spending regarding the specialty grocer’s 2019 expansion.
Will Amazon and Whole Foods Market continue to shock the grocery sector in 2019? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on fresh produce and grocery expansions, acquisitions, and growth.
EXETER, CA - A recent cold snap has hit the Central Valley of California, and citrus growers are celebrating the cooler temperatures. California Citrus Mutual (CMA) explained that crops are at low risk due to preventative measures, and that the temperature flux can actually improve the flavor of the fruit.
The lows for the latest freezing evenings in the valley ranged from 27℉ to 29℉ , with the lowest temperatures hitting 24℉ to 25℉ in Ventura County, resulting in the coldest night recorded this winter.
The navel orange crop is resistant to temperatures as low as 27℉, however mandarin varieties are far more susceptible to the cold weather at temperatures of just 32℉, and lemon varieties fall near the middle, tolerating temperature of around 30℉.
While the oranges are impacted by the lower temperatures, what is more important, CMA said in a recent press release, is the amount of time the fruit spends at these low temperatures. The organization explained that, "the potential for damage increases when cold temperatures persist for several hours.”
When frost protection is needed for their crops, farmers turn to wind machines to keep the ground near the trees moist, and slightly elevate temperatures of the citrus groves. This cold snap resulted in a hard freeze, even colder than the previous nights and causing crop protection plans to be enacted as quickly as possible to save the state’s $3.8 billion dollar citrus crop.
CMA explained the crop protection plan in case of a hard freeze, stating that “the combination of a wet grove floor and the use of wind machines can elevate temperatures in the grove by as much as 5 degrees. As the warm air rises from the moist ground, wind machines effectively trap and circulate warm air in the grove. When temperatures fall below critical levels, 5 degrees is significant in preventing crop losses.”
With the crops safe from damage, farmers and consumers alike can celebrate the curious effects the cold has on citrus.
“Cooler temperatures are expected and can promote fruit flavor and quality, as well as allow for the fruit to stay on the tree longer thereby extending the season,” CMA explained. The season is just a quarter of the way completed, so there is plenty of time to invest in an excellent citrus crop before its close in mid-June.
AndNowUKnow is happy to report that California citrus is celebrating the colder weather, so expect delicious crops for the new year! Keep reading us here for the latest in produce news.
EAGLE, ID - The Idaho Potato Commission’s Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl witnessed another year of great ball playing, with BYU freshman Zach Wilson throwing a perfect game and carrying his team to victory against the Western Michigan Broncos at the 22nd annual event.
“For more than two decades, college football teams have been traveling to Boise to play their hearts out at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which is, for many players, one of the biggest events of their lives. The Idaho Potato Commission is extremely proud to host these athletes, their families and friends, cheerleaders, and band members to help create an unforgettable experience for everyone,” said Frank Muir, Idaho Potato Commission President and CEO.
According to a press release, Zach Wilson completed all 18 passes totaling 317 yards and threw four touchdowns, setting a new single-game BYU record for completions. The BYU Cougars went on to beat the Western Michigan Broncos 49-18, with close to 20,000 attendees cheering the two teams on at Albertsons Stadium and two million fans watching it live on ESPN.
“In my opinion, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is one of the most exciting of all college bowl football games. Every year, long-standing records are broken and talented young men are recruited to the NFL to become all-star players. It’s unpredictable, it’s exciting, it’s fun, and it represents what college athleticism is all about,” Muir continued.
The event proved to be even more successful thanks to the help of past alum and current NFL players, who posted creative Instagram and Twitter posts in which they rooted for their alma maters and shouted out Idaho® potatoes. This included Josh Allen, Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills and player for Wyoming in the 2017 FIPB. Other players who posted included:
- Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots (BYU)
- Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (BYU)
- Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (BYU)
- Greg Jennings, Retired (Western Michigan)
- Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans (Western Michigan)
The game also provided an opportunity to promote some of the commission’s other important programs, including:
- The iconic Big Idaho® Potato Truck was parked amidst all the tailgating activities, providing a backdrop for thousands of selfies!
- Miss Idaho, Nina Forest, greeted fans at the Big Idaho® Potato Truck and was on the field for the coin toss along with Frank Muir; Randy Hardy, IPC Chairman; Spuddy Buddy; Dave Bieter, Mayor of Boise and Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of the FIPB.
- The IPC presented its long-time charity partner RODS, a non-profit organization that helps find homes in the U.S. for orphaned children in other countries with Down syndrome, an oversize check for $25,000. Frank Muir and Randy Hardy, Chairman of the IPC, presented the check on the field during the second quarter to RODS President, Rob Wight and his son, Alex.
- Spuddy Buddy, the IPC’s famous mascot who entertains fans from the sidelines, was named the #1 College Football Bowl Mascot by SBNation this year.
Lastly, the commission also ensured that no matter who was watching or where, every football fan around knew who the naming sponsor was thanks to the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal showcased via the following features:
- Permanent signage in prominent locations throughout Albertsons Stadium
- Nine ESPN television and radio ads
- A 30-second welcome message from Frank Muir
- Several public address mentions and video board announcements
- Idaho® potato logos on the field, in the end zones and on the sidelines and fences
- Multiple mentions by the sportscasters
- Game day program advertising with the IPC logo on the cover and three-page spread
For more produce play-by-plays before the best season, aka football season (duh!), is up, keep following AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK, NY - After a steady decline in stock value and loss of partnerships, Blue Apron may have seen a Christmas miracle unfold. The meal kit maker announced a new partnership with Weight Watchers (WW) Inc.
“The arrangement will help [the] company stabilize its customer count without having to spend tens of millions of dollars on advertising and promotions that have hurt its bottom line,” Blue Apron Chief Executive Officer Brad Dickerson said in a recent interview, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
While no financial details were released, Dickerson did confirm that Blue Apron will be paying WW Inc. resulting subscription fees from the partnership. The CEO hopes that this new angle on the meal kit market will help the company be more profitable in the coming year and rise above the penny stock threshold.
WW Inc. had attempted to work with meal kit provider Chef’d in the past, but saw difficulty in marketing the meals to the kit’s consumers. Though no success came from the previous meal kit partnership, WW Chief Executive Mindy Grossman has commented that she has “great confidence in the partnership with Blue Apron,” according to WSJ.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the development of Blue Apron’s latest meal kit attempt and how the market receives this new diet fad.
SANTA PAULA, CA - As December drifts away, cold and flu season continue on through the relentless winter. How can consumers avoid getting sick without a trip to the pharmacy? Limoneira Citrus Spokesperson Megan Roosevelt suggests a trip to the produce aisle for ten great illness avoidance strategies for the new year.
Lemons:
- Support immune health: lemons are rich in vitamin C, helping to boost the body’s immune system
- Are alkalizing: despite their tangy flavor, lemons have an alkalizing effect (not an acidic one) after digestion, so a glass of lemon water can help maintain proper pH balance in the body
- Are anti-bacterial: they can help boost the body’s ability to fight infections
- Support healthy weight loss: research studies show that lemons can improve digestion, and may increase the body’s metabolic rate
- Support dental health: due to their antibacterial nature, lemons can help to prevent gingivitis
- Hydrate: make water more palatable with sliced lemon, or a combination of lemon slices and fruit, to help keep hydration tasty in a natural way
- Support healthy blood pressure levels: research studies have linked daily lemon consumption with helping to lower blood pressure—in tandem with a heart healthy diet and regular exercise
- Support skin health: vitamin C promotes collagen production, which is the wrinkle-preventing protein that is naturally occurring in skin
- Support bowel regularity: Warm lemon water can prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements
- Are nutrient dense: In addition to vitamin C, lemons also contain calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous
If these ten citrus-tastic properties of lemons can’t get you sprinting for the produce aisle, new Limoneira content by Megan Roosevelt every month of 2019 certainly will! Keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow for all updates Limoneira and continual produce coverage.
BENTONVILLE, AR - 2018 was the year of the truck driver shortage, but that didn’t stop Walmart from hiring its largest number of drivers ever. The massive retailer hired around 1,400 new drivers this year, but according to a report from Yahoo News, hundreds more are still needed.
"We have a commensurate amount of demand and freight to move. And so, we've seen a need to grow our private fleet—that, we view as a competitive advantage, from a value perspective. We've been hiring a lot of drivers," shared Tracy Rosser, a Senior Vice President of Transportation and Supply Chain at Walmart.
And Tracy means a lot of drivers. As of December 2018, almost 1,000 new drivers were already in Walmart’s hiring pipeline, 200 of which will be attending hiring events in January and 400 are referrals the company is in the process of evaluating.
Being one of America’s foremost experts on supply and demand, Walmart acted fast after catching wind of an impending driver shortage this fall. Yahoo said the retail giant began aggressively going after new driver hires, offering $1,500 referral bonuses, using social media to reach younger drivers, shortening the application time from 73 days to 31 days, and reformatting its hiring events for higher pass rates. The salary of a first-year Walmart driver can be around $86,000, and they can gain quarterly safe driving bonuses and receive benefits, including up to 21 paid days of vacation.
"You've had more demand that's been placed into an economy that's got super low unemployment levels pulling drivers out of the driving industry, because the driving industry is not the most favorable job in terms of quality of life, time away from home, unpredictable schedules, sleeping in your truck, those types of things, and pay. It's really created a shortage within the driving industry," Rosser said.
According to the American Trucking Association, these retail-sized truckload carriers experienced an average turnover rate of 96% in 2018, the highest levels since 2013. Rosser said Walmart has an industry low turnover average that is typically in the upper single digits or low double-digits, ranging from 7% to 12%.
Will Walmart’s efforts be enough to gain the upper hand in the fight against driver shortages? AndNowUKnow will follow up in the new year.
IOWA CITY, IA - In one of the largest fraud schemes in organic farming history, one Missouri farmer almost made it to the bank with millions after falsely marketing conventional goods as organic. According to a new report from the Associated Press, farmer Randy Constant led efforts to sell more than $142.4 million worth of falsely marketed organic goods to at least 10 customers nationwide between 2010 and mid-2017, when he voluntarily surrendered a certificate to operate in the USDA’s National Organic Program.
“The number of years they were able to operate at that scale is a betrayal to honest, ethical organic practitioners,” said Mark Kastel, Co-Founder of Wisconsin-based Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog. “Not only do they have to compete against this unfairly, but it tarnishes the reputation of the organic label. It’s a gross betrayal of consumer trust.” In a statement, Kastel also noted that the case points to weak oversight of the organic industry by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
According to the report, Constant, the alleged leader of the scheme, told customers his corn, soybeans, and wheat was certified organic. However, court documents allege that not only was at least 90 percent of the grain being sold non-organic grain, but also that Constant was aware that farmers he purchased from used unapproved substances, including pesticides and nitrogen.
Constant was charged with one count of wire fraud, and if convicted, would forfeit $128 million to the government along with his interest in 70 pieces of farm machinery and equipment.
Three Nebraska farmers who sold their crops to Constant have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme as of October and are awaiting sentencing, the report shared. A representative for one of the farmers contends that they were recruited by Constant, remaining ignorant to his false marketing practices because they were reaping higher profits by selling their products as organic.
Will a USDA crackdown on organic fraud be what’s needed to protect the integrity of fresh produce sales? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.