PELION, SC - Is a Thanksgiving table complete without some green? Sure, the rich colors of autumn typically adorn holiday tables this time of the year, but WP Rawl is giving shoppers a reason to add a pop of green to the typical vibrant oranges, deep reds, and natural browns that make up November and December feasts.
I spoke with Ashley Rawl, VP Sales, Marketing, and Product Development, to learn more about WP Rawl’s greens season, including major leafy greens, green onions, herbs, beets, and leeks, happening now.
“We are currently in the thick of our busiest time of the year. During November and December, we are very busy hand-harvesting on the farm. Our teams are also working around the clock to process our triple-washed, chopped farm fresh leafy greens,” Ashley told me. “Our quality is steadily improving, but we are also trying to overcome major field damage brought on earlier this fall by two back-to-back hurricanes.”
Ashley noted that the hurricanes did affect WP Rawl’s product yields and created long harvesting times for the company in the fields. Moving forward, the company is confident that, as long as Mother Nature cooperates, it will be back on track with its field production by the end of December, which should include yielding higher volumes of its entire product mix. Ashley also noted that the market has been very active this year based on demand and product, and as a result, WP Rawl is expecting to finish another great season by the end of 2018.
In addition to its existing line of green goodies, WP Rawl is also excited about a few recently debuted products and the shopper preferences they are fulfilling this holiday season and beyond.
“Earlier this year, we debuted our new Nature’s Greens Organic line extension. The new items include Organic Tuscan Kale and Organic Collards, both of which are triple-washed, cut, and packed in 5-ounce bags,” Ashley said to me. “These items were developed in response to consumer preference for more organic items and smaller pack sizes to minimize food waste.”
Thanks to WP Rawl, not only will retailers be able to give the gift of green to their shoppers this season, they will also be able to give the gift of organics—something to truly be thankful for.
To stay in-the-know and in-the-fields with those harvesting greens this holiday season, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
VAUGHAN, ON - For DelFrescoPure®, 2018 has been a year to celebrate—new products, big partnerships, an expanded strawberry program. Now, the greenhouse grower is ending the year with another bang—President and CEO Carl Mastronardi has taken home the Ontario Produce Marketing Association’s (OPMA) Cory Clack-Streef Produce Person of the Year Award. OPMA’s honor, which was awarded at the association’s 27th Annual Gala in Vaughan, Ontario, recognizes individuals who work tirelessly to improve the consumption of fruits and vegetables through innovation and hard work.
“I want to take a moment to extend my sincerest thank you for selecting me as the recipient of the Cory Clack-Streef Produce Person of the Year Award at the Ontario Produce Marketing Association Gala last Friday, November 9, 2018,” Carl shares with me upon winning his awards. “This is one of the most unforgettable events of my life, and to be recognized by OPMA, my peers, and the experts in the produce sector is a highlight that I treasure with abundant gratitude.”
This year’s Produce Person of the Year’s Award went to Carl for his outstanding work developing and expanding the Ontario greenhouse strawberry industry, the association explains in a press release. Carl’s lead on expanding and adding full-lighting systems has allowed for high-quality, locally grown strawberries in Ontario 10-months out of the year. Since Carl and Director Jamie D'Alimonte first tested an acre of greenhouse strawberries in July 2016, DelFrescoPure’s program has grown dramatically. Just in the last few months, the company added another 6 acres of greenhouse strawberries, making for a total of 17 acres.
“I was completely unaware that OPMA was considering me for this award, so it came as a complete surprise! I can only express my sincerest thanks,” Carl continued. “This recognition is a strong example of the great support that OPMA has given its members throughout the years, and we are very fortunate to be affiliated with OPMA, the OPMA Board of Directors, and the OPMA employees.”
More than five hundred people from across the Ontario produce industry attended the Annual Gala at the Universal Event Space in Vaughan, Ontario. The association also presented its OPMA Fresh Award to Phil Burkholder, from Rouge River Farms to commemorate a young individual who demonstrates a fervent determination to improve the quality, distribution, or consumption of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside of Ontario during 2018.
OPMA’s President, Michelle Broom, shares, “These two award winners represent the future of the Ontario produce industry; their innovative approach and determination provide inspiration for the entire industry to strive for continuous improvement.”
Congratulations to Carl Mastronardi for DelFrescoPure’s major contributions to Ontario and the greenhouse strawberry industries from all of us at AndNowUKnow!
WASHINGTON, DC - Sanders’ latest bill once again takes aim at large corporations, and this time, he’s taking on Walmart. The legislation is titled The Stop WALMART Act, or The Stop Welfare for Any Large Monopoly Amassing Revenue from Taxpayers Act. MarketWatch explained that the the bill would prevent large companies—defined as those with more than 500 workers—from buying back stock unless workers were paid a minimum wage of $15. It would also have companies ensure that their CEO’s compensation did not grow higher than 150 times the median pay of its workers.
"The Walton family, the owners of Walmart, are the wealthiest family in America with a net worth of about $180 billion. Meanwhile, most Walmart retail workers are working for horrendously low wages with minimal benefits," Sanders said in a statement to CNBC. "The wealthiest family in America must pay its workers a living wage."
Walmart countered the move by saying it listens to workers and invests in training, benefits, and wages, according to a CNN Business report.
"We have increased our starting wages by more than 50% in the last three years while also adding new benefits like paid time off, advanced job training, paid family leave and college for $1 a day," the retailer said in its own statement. "In addition, our associates continue to earn quarterly cash bonuses—more than $625 million last year alone."
CNBC noted that the act may not gain traction due to the fact that Republicans currently control the Senate. However, as we’ve reported on ANUK, Senator Sanders’ voice is not one to be ignored. At the beginning of October, Amazon took the plunge and raised its minimum wage to $15 after Sanders introduced legislation in September that would tax corporations for tax burden related to low-wage employment. It was aptly titled "The Bezos Act.” The Senator later applauded the e-tailer’s move.
Amazon was also under fire recently from the President himself, who stated back in March that the company did not pay enough taxes to state and local governments.
In addition to criticizing Amazon, Sanders has stated that Disney did not pay its workers decent wages, to which Disney responded by giving its employees raises.
"Amazon and Disney did the right thing by raising their minimum wage to $15 an hour," Sanders said in the statement. "Walmart can and must do the same."
Will Walmart follow in Amazon's and Disney's footsteps and hike up its minimum wage? AndNowUKnow will keep its eyes on the newswire.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Roasted, glazed, sauteed, or raw, carrots are undeniably part of the Thanksgiving spread and beyond. Grimmway Farms’ Mike Anspach and Western Veg-Pro’s Dennis Slater took the time to share how the category is looking from multiple sides of the market.
“We’re finishing up our summer crop and heading to Bakersfield, California, for fall harvest. The crop looks beautiful with nice quality and we’ll have ample supply through the holiday season,” Grimmway’s Vice President of Sales tells me, adding that the season brings strong demand for carrots. “While baby carrots account for the most volume sales, we anticipate high demand for value-added items like shredded carrots and carrot chips, coins and sticks. We also expect strong demand for all of our organic carrot items, especially rainbow carrot products which include our ColorShred® carrots and rainbow cello, bunch, and baby carrots.”
Seeing excellent demand, good supply, and great quality for carrots overall as we head into the big eating holidays, Mike advises that secondary displays are key this season and provide great space to highlight rainbow carrots and other products newer to the market.
“We recommend promoting baby carrots as shoppers begin to prep for holiday cooking and we encourage retailers to plan promotions around value-added items as well, perhaps bundling 2 to 3 items to mix and match for additional discounts,” he advises the buy-side.
For jumbo carrots, Dennis said availability is out of Bakersfield, Ontario, Canada, and Mexico, crossing through McAllen, Texas.
“The market is strengthening in anticipation of good holiday demand,” he confirms. “The Canadians are now putting much of their carrot volume in storage and are trying to raise their market by a couple dollars per 50’s. Meanwhile, Mexican jumbos are arriving regularly in McAllen with variable quality, and we are seeing good quality Mexican jumbo prices strengthening.”
With Thanksgiving fast-approaching, and December holidays right behind it, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you checked in on fresh produce.
UNITED STATES - Is Ahold Delhaize looking to make itself known as a major competitor to the likes of Amazon and Walmart on their own turf? Reports are saying yes. According to Reuters, CEO Frans Muller revealed the retailer’s potential strategy shift, which included plans of looking for acquisitions in the U.S.
“We have a strong market share in regions where we are active. That gives us a good starting point to join in the acquisition game,” Muller told news source Financieele Dagbald.
While Muller was forthcoming in divulging the strategy shift, no details were disclosed regarding possible targets or how much the company is looking to spend.
Earlier this year, Ahold Delhaize announced plans to expand its U.S. online business organically by honing in on its online grocery delivery business Peapod. This month, Peapod named Selma Postma as its new President, with Ahold Delhaize also announcing growth in its e-commerce business and a new partnership expanding its digital operations.
Where will Ahold Delhaize bite first and how will this new strategy fare in a tough retail market? AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye on the ever-changing retail landscape.
NEWARK, DE - Turning your talent crisis into a talent opportunity? Center for Growing Talent (CGT) has your back. How, you might ask? By focusing strategically on its people practices with CGT’s new assessment tool, HRvest. A simple and strategic management tool, HRvest was developed in partnership with the HR transformation experts at PwC and is now available through CGT as part of its mission to provide industry-specific solutions to attract, develop, and retain talent.
“Our industry is facing a massive talent challenge, worse than many other industries because we have the added problem that top young talent doesn’t know about our industry unless they grew up with us,” said CGT Board of Directors Chair Marty Craner and President of B&C Fresh Sales. “For our companies to become talent magnets, first we have to make talent a strategic priority.”
According to a press release, the HRvest assessment HRvest guides companies through identifying the gaps and opportunities in their HR programs and practices, and then helps them build action plans to increase retention.
“When you approach HR strategically, your company becomes a more attractive place to work, and your employees are more engaged and more likely to stay with you. With that talent advantage, you can better drive your business forward.” said Center for Growing Talent Executive Director Margi Prueitt.
Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns noted in the press release that strategic human resources to be an industry imperative.
“As younger workers enter the marketplace with a special passion to make a meaningful difference in the world, the produce and floral communities are primed for an infusion of fresh talent,” Burns said. “To keep pace, we need to be prepared for a diverse set of skills that can be delivered by a wide range of people, from those without degrees to those with PhDs. HRvest will provide industry with much-needed HR analysis to retain our best and brightest talent, and ultimately grow a healthier world.”
CGT also stated that HRvest is the boldest offering to date from Center for Growing Talent.
“Big corporations pay tens of thousands of dollars for this kind of strategic management evaluation,” said Craner. “The Center for Growing Talent Board of Directors decided to invest in developing this first ever, industry-specific tool so that our entire industry can benefit from it.
For more information and to enroll your company to take the HRvest assessment, click here and follow the HRvest link.
HOUSTON, TX - Sysco announced that its Board of Directors has elected Edward D. Shirley as Independent Lead Director, effective today. In his new role, Shirley will coordinate the activities of the independent directors, help facilitate the board’s oversight and shareholder responsiveness, and act as a liaison between the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and the other independent directors.
Before joining the Sysco team, Shirley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi Limited from 2012-2014 as well as served on the boards of Elizabeth Arden, Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. Prior to that, he was Vice Chairman of Procter & Gamble and held several senior executive positions during his 27 years with The Gillette Company (purchased by Procter & Gamble in 2005), according to a press release. Currently, Shirley serves as a Director on the Board of New York Life Insurance Company.
“Ed has provided exceptional leadership and valuable insights as a member of our board over the last two years,” said Tom Bené, Sysco’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to good corporate governance practices and believe that the addition of an independent lead director will help to enhance corporate oversight. The board looks forward to working with Ed in his new role.”
Shirley’s appointment to his new role follows the retirement of Jackie M. Ward and the election of Tom Bené as Sysco’s Chairman of the Board.
Congratulations to Edward D. Shirley!
To stay in the loop on what’s moving and shaking in the produce industry, keep following AndNowUKnow.
ARLINGTON, VA - Lidl is expanding its presence in the U.S. market in a big way, for the retailer recently announced an agreement with Best Market to acquire 27 of its stores in New York and New Jersey. Notably, the deal will see Lidl expanding its regional presence and entering a new market in Long Island.
"Best Market has played an enormously positive role in the area, and we look forward to working closely with Best Market employees to build on that success," said Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US. "We are excited to expand into many great communities on Long Island and across the New York City area and introduce more customers to our simple and efficient approach to grocery shopping, which will mean high quality and huge savings for more shoppers."
According to a press release, Lidl will begin the transition process next year. This step-by-step plan involves the remodeling, reinvestment, and reflagging of Best Market stores into Lidl stores. Lidl noted that all Best Market employees in New Jersey and New York will have guaranteed employment opportunities with Lidl once the stores have been converted.
"Today is a great day for Long Island, our Best Market team, and our valued customers in New Jersey and New York," said Aviv Raitses, Co-Owner of Best Market. "Partnering with Lidl on this deal offers our employees a secure future with a growing grocer and continues the great tradition we started more than twenty years ago. We are delighted to be part of such a win-win and Best Market customers have something great to look forward to with Lidl."
The terms of the acquisition agreement are not disclosed, and it is expected to close over the coming months.
For the latest in acquistions and shake-ups in the retail sector, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
NORTH CAROLINA - As the 2018 harvest winds down for North Carolina sweet potatoes, Nash Produce’s Director of Marketing and Business Development, Tami Long, tells me that the industry will begin working to estimate the impact of the reduced acreage and the two hurricanes had on this season.
“Many farmers decided to plant different crops this year due to the extremely low prices on sweet potatoes for the last few years. Then, North Carolina had two major hurricanes hit the area,” she says. Though she adds it will be several months before the industry knows the extent of how this will affect pricing and availability of sizes, Nash Produce is committed to shipping quality product to customers all year long.
As we know, Thanksgiving and sweet potatoes are practically synonymous. Despite the natural challenges Tami assures me that demand will be met.
“Nash Produce is receiving beautiful sweet potatoes from our farmers just in time for the holidays. Consumers will be able to create fabulous dishes with these sweet potatoes,” she assures me. “Sweet potatoes continue to be in high demand from consumers due to their health benefits and great taste! How can you not like a vegetable that has 'sweet' in its name? Consumers want new, exciting products.”
In response, Nash Produce now offers its white Bonita and purple Murasaki sweet potatoes in easy-carry 3 lb bags. These sweet potatoes are slightly different in texture, she explains, but maintain the same sweetness as the orange Covington sweet potato.
“Since these varieties are cooked exactly like the orange sweet potato, adding these to the retailer’s produce bin is a simple way to meet customer demand and need for new products,” Tami comments.
Additionally she shares that retailers who offer pre-cut sweet potatoes will definitely sell them. “Sweet potatoes can be tough to cut, so this is a great option. Also, retailers should showcase sweet potato recipes for something other than pies and casseroles. People want new options—sweet potatoes would be the perfect addition to any recipe as a natural sweetener. Nash Produce is here to help retailers maximize their in-store marketing programs,” she concludes.
Keep an eye on AndNowUKnow for the latest on all key fresh produce categories through the holidays and beyond.
VALENCIA, CA - It’s the holly jolly citrus season, a.k.a. the best time of the year. I don’t know if there’ll be snow, but there will be lots of citrus cheer! With citrus varieties of all shapes and sizes available throughout this holiday season and well into spring, Sunkist Growers is gearing up for another great season.
I spoke with Christina Ward, Director of Communications, to learn more about what Sunkist varieties retailers should have on their radar as we head further into the citrus season.
“Sunkist has more than 40 varieties of fresh quality citrus for the season,” Christina said to me. “And for us we always say, ‘you can’t spell citrus without us.’ The cornerstone of our co-op is our growers and that’s where that concept really came from. It’s citrus season, and it’s that time of year for California-grown Navel oranges. It’s an exciting time.”
Christina emphasized Sunkist Delight™ Mandarins, which are going to be available from November and May. Christina also noted a few of Sunkist’s specialty varieties, including blood oranges and Cara Cara Navels, which are trending off-the-charts with consumers these days.
“There’s continued growth with our specialty varieties, and you’ll see a lot of people gravitate towards our Cara Cara Navels and our blood oranges. And what we learned is the more people get exposed to and discover and experiment with our specialty varieities, they just fall in love,” Christina continued. “So, our goal is to really get our product and our citrus out there to the consumers, farm-to-table, so they really understand what they’re missing."
From there, Christina revealed that shoppers won’t be able to stop their citrus cravings and that they’ll only want more after just one bite of Sunkist citrus.
For the full details from Christina, watch our exclusive video above.