ORLANDO, FL - Center for Growing Talent (CGT) presented its first-ever Women’s Catalyst Award to Dawn Gray at CGT’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Leadership Breakfast, Saturday, October 20, during PMA Fresh Summit. Recognized for her leadership in advancing women in our industry, Gray was the first to accept the award that honors one leader annually from the fresh produce and floral industry who is cultivating women’s potential by mentoring women and who is providing a path for women’s leadership, development, and participation.
“I love being connected with the word catalyst. To me, a catalyst creates change and spurs people to action,” Gray told the audience while accepting her award. According to a press release, she credited those who had been her influencers, noting, “I’ve had the good fortune of having a lot of great catalysts in my life. It says a lot about this industry that if you operate with honest, transparency, and humility, and back up what you say, this industry will give you opportunities like you’ve never seen before.”
The President of Dawn Gray Global Consulting was presented the award by CGT’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Committee Co-Chairs, Sysco Produce Senior Sales Manager Nancy Johnston and Dave’s Specialty Imports Vice President Leslie Simmons.
“Our awardee has been an advocate for and promoter of women in every organization in which she has served,” said Johnston in teasing out Gray’s identity to the audience.
Simmons added, “One nominator told us Dawn is, ‘Honest and transparent, she coached her team to greatness.' She hired women from other industries and taught them produce, bringing their skills and experience into our industry. She’s truly been a catalyst for women!”
This inaugural award, first unveiled at the 2017 CGT Women’s Fresh Perspectives Leadership Breakfast, is one of two talent-centric leadership awards offered by CGT—the other being Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award, which was given to Sysco Corporation Vice President of Produce Rich Dachman this year.
“Dawn brings this award to life, and in the process, sets an example for others to join in to cultivate the potential of our industry women. That’s the definition of being a catalyst,” said CGT Vice President Talent Portfolio Alicia Calhoun.
CGT’s newest award recognizes inspiring and innovative leaders each year and, as a result, builds the industry’s awareness of the value of mentoring women and creating excitement around women’s leadership. Nominees for next year can be men or women and must be PMA members.
To learn more about Center for Growing Talent and the Women’s Catalyst Award, visit www.CenterforGrowingTalent.org.
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - Move over hanger, there’s a new sheriff in town. For those looking to curb hunger and stick to a healthy diet, Renaissance Food Group has just the solution. Its newest innovation item, One Pot Kits, debuted over the weekend at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit. The product line is a solution to fresh, easy-to-prepare meal kits that consumers can make at home in one pot, such as an instant cooker or slow cooker.
“Generations from Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z recognize and embrace the importance of living a healthy lifestyle; however, they have limited time throughout the day to dedicate to preparing and cooking,” said James Naaman, SVP National Sales. “At Renaissance Food Group, we have created an on-trend meal solution that doesn’t make the consumer choose between health and convenience.”
Garden Highway One Pot Kits are available in a variety of blends, including Minestrone Soup Kit, Spring Stew Kit, Marinara Kit, Pot Roast Kit, and White Bean Chili Kit. According to a company press release, each Kit contains fresh vegetables, herbs, and other components needed to place in the slow cooker. Garden Highway One Pot Kits can be used as a standalone vegetarian dish or enhanced with protein at the consumer’s discretion.
Packed in a square, inline container with a tamper-evident tear-away strip, Garden Highway One Pot Kits merchandises easily into produce displays and stands out on display shelves with a newly designed, clear label, which prominently displays the Garden Highway logo while featuring the colorful vegetables in its transparent container.
For the latest in innovative new products, stick with us here at AndNowUKnow.
GLENNVILLE, GA - Bland Farms is celebrating its 70th anniversary of farming, ringing in another year of expanding its family tradition of farming. While Bland Farms started operations with only five acres, the company has since grown to be one of the largest packers of Vidalia® onions annually.
The company first began in 1982 when Delbert Bland and his late father Raymond began growing Vidalia sweet onions on five acres in Glenville, Georgia. Recognizing a rising demand for sweet onions, Delbert Bland then expanded production outside of the Peach State, bringing sweet onions to new domestic and international markets, including Texas, California, Peru, and Mexico, all year long.
Since the company’s beginnings, Bland Farms has been influential in bolstering the Vidalia brand. According to a press release, this has included being the first to successfully incorporate Vidalia sweet onions into processed foods as well as beginning a mail order business in the late 1980’s that introduced the Vidalia name to markets west of the Mississippi River.
Through every accomplishment and milestone, Bland Farms has remained a family affair. Delbert Bland and his wife Sandra have helped pass down the lessons of the family farm to their sons Troy and Landis, and, not to mention, the whole family, including the extended Bland family, is involved in the day-to-day operations.
As Bland Farms positioned itself as one of the many produce leaders guiding our industry, the company has also positioned itself as a cornerstone of its community and has made an effort to give back via its Raymond D. Bland Scholarship for Agriculture. Through this scholarship, Bland Farms seeks to reward students who have demonstrated similar qualities to those of Bland Farms and who are in pursuit of an agriculturally related field of study.
Congratulations to Bland Farms on 70 years and here’s to 70 more!
LAKELAND, FL - Publix CEO & President Todd Jones recently announced five officer promotions, effective January 1, 2019.
Kevin Murphy, Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, will be promoted to President. Murphy began his career in 1984 as a front service clerk in Margate, Florida. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 1995. He was promoted to Jacksonville Division District Manager in 2003, Atlanta Division Regional Director in 2009, Miami Division Vice President in 2014, and to his current position in 2016.
Laurie Douglas, current Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, will assume additional responsibilities as Chief Digital Officer. Douglas joined the company in 2006. Prior to joining Publix, she was Senior Vice President/Chief Information Officer of FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Center Inc. Before joining FedEx Kinko’s, she was Vice President of Information and E-Business Technology at The Home Depot.
Dale Myers, current Vice President of Retail Business Development, has announced he will retire after 44 years of dedicated service.
With Myers’ retirement, Bob Bechtel, Miami Division Vice President, will be promoted to Vice President of Customer Experience. Bechtel began his career in 1978 as a front service clerk in Sarasota, Florida. He worked in various positions before being promoted to Store Manager in 1991. He was promoted to Lakeland Division District Manager in 1995, Lakeland Division Regional Director in 2008, and to his current position in 2016.
According to a company press release, John Goff, Miami Division Regional Director, will be promoted to Miami Division Vice President. Goff began his career in 1991 as a Front Service Clerk in Jacksonville, Florida. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 2005. He was promoted to Jacksonville Division District Manager in 2010 and to his current position in 2014.
Casey Suarez, Vice President of Distribution, has announced he will retire after 40 years of dedicated service.
With Suarez’s retirement, Mike Lester, Director of Warehousing, will be promoted to Vice President of Distribution. Lester began his career in 1983 as a warehouse selector in Lakeland, Florida. He worked in various positions before being promoted to Warehouse Superintendent in 2000. He was promoted to Distribution Manager in 2008 and to his current position in 2014.
“We are thankful for the more than four decades that Dale and Casey have served our company,” said Publix CEO & President Todd Jones in a press release. “We thank them for their contributions and wish them well in the next chapters of their lives. We are also excited to announce the promotions of Kevin, Laurie, Bob, John, and Mike. For our company to have continued success, we need associates who are ready to take the next step in their Publix careers. These promotions continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of developing associates by preparing them for opportunity.”
Congratulations to Kevin, Laurie, Bob, John, and Mike on their promotions!
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Consumers are visiting a newly designed Raley’s website these days. The retailer continues to make efforts that enhance customer experience through its improved e-commerce interface and offer customers a better understanding of its vision and purposeful addresses of health and wellness.
The new website proves the retailer’s commitment to making customers’ lives easier by delivering a personalized, time-saving digital shopping experience, according to a press release. This makes shopping easy, no matter where, when, or how consumers choose to shop.
“We understand that customers’ needs are changing whether shopping online or in-store,” said Mike Molitor, Raley’s VP of E-Commerce & Loyalty. “Our goal is to make it easier and more compelling for customers to interact with online shopping and our savings program, Something Extra.”
Communities and the planet are put front and center on the new website, as stories detail customer inspiration and give transparency around products sold by the retailer.
“The new Raleys.com represents another step in Raley’s transformation into a customer experience company that is committed to making healthier options available to customers through transparency, personalization, and service,” said Deirdre Zimmerman, Senior VP of Marketing.
Personalized offers are integrated on the new site, as well as regularly purchased products. Raley’s Something Extra savings program was also redesigned, and it now uses real customers who share real-life experiences saving money.
Position Interactive was tapped to help with the redesign, and the Raley’s partner established that the user experience and navigation supported the brand positioning.
“We were excited to partner with Raley’s to bring their purpose of nourishing communities and making healthier options available to everyone to life online,” said Ali Zamanian, President of Position Interactive. “The Raley’s audience is very diverse, and the new website is a tool to make their lives easier, regardless of when and how they shop.”
The new website is an extension of Raley’s ongoing partnership with Unata, and it enables customers to plan in-store shopping, delivery, and pick-up orders in one central location. Raley’s e-commerce has been fully integrated with a weekly ad, promotions, and digital offers because of Unata’s personalized engine.
“Through a long-term, strategic digital partnership with the Raley’s team, Unata has built an online experience that is going to make grocery shopping an even better, more inspiring and convenient experience for Raley’s customers,” said Brandon Carlos, Senior Director of Customer Success. “We’re proud to be powering Raley’s new completely shoppable, personalized, and integrated website, which is part of their commitment to making customers’ lives easier.”
Check out the new website in all its glory: Raleys.com.
For more fresh produce and retail news, stick with AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited G K Produce Inc., operating out of Philadelphia, PA, for failure to pay for produce.
According to a press release, the company failed to pay $548,441 to eight sellers for produce which was purchased, received and accepted in interstate commerce from November 2013 through March 2014. This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). As a result of these actions, G K Produce Inc. cannot operate in the produce industry until Oct. 18, 2020, at which time they may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principal, Gary M. Klinghoffer, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Oct. 18, 2019, 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.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
FRESNO, CA - The California table grape industry set a new five-week record, shipping over 23 million boxes into the worldwide marketplace September 8 to October 12, according to the USDA. The reporting of daily shipments to the USDA is voluntary but most of the industry participates so that, on a year-to-year basis, the number of shippers reporting is consistent and so is the data.
“This year, unfortunately, there was a period of nearly three months when shipments to the USDA were under-reported compared to prior years,” Nave said. “This caused confusion as it appeared that with excellent quality and a large crop, the volume wasn’t moving. Once the reports were updated, two things became clear: volume was moving all along and the last five weeks set a volume record.”
Due to the voluntary nature of USDA daily reporting, the data collected is typically 22 percent lower than the actual volume reported to the commission. Reporting shipments to the commission is required by state law, a press release noted, and that data is not not released until the end of the season, after it has been compiled, reconciled, and confirmed.
“It is pretty easy to add 22 percent to the last five weeks of USDA data and see why the expectation is that the shipments will have blown away industry actuals,” Nave said.
Based on the retail promotions and advertising lined up through the end of the season, the commission expects record volume weeks to continue.
Nave also noted that while tariffs impacted global markets, table grapes were shipping into all of the industry’s traditional export markets and, according to the latest USDA data, exports were down less than eight percent through August. According to Nave, there are some markets that have increased volumes: Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
With 60-65 percent of the volume typically shipping September 1 through January, Nave said that planning for an aggressive fall and winter promotion schedule is the norm, but that this year dollars have been added to the budget to support additional late season retail promotions and extend consumer advertising reach.
For the latest in produce news like this, keep following us at AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL - Sysco’s Vice President of Produce Rich Dachman has won the Center for Growing Talent’s (CGT) inaugural Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award. The award, announced at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, FL, over the weekend, is intended to honor industry members that attract newcomers to build their careers in produce.
"I could not be more proud to receive this recognition," stated Dachman. "The students teach me more than I could ever instill upon them. For me, this is what it is all about. I believe when you make an investment in people, it continues to pay off long after you are gone. To be recognized for this important and rewarding work is so humbling. Thanks to Sysco for the continued support in this endeavor, and thanks to Center for Growing Talent for allowing me the opportunity."
Dachman actively participates in and supports programs that attract and develop industry talent. He has mentored Career Pathways students at Fresh Summit every year since 2008, and Sysco FreshPoint has gone on to hire several Career Pathways students. To this day, Dachman remains a mentor to many of his now-industry colleagues.
"We picked Rich because he exemplifies what attracting talent to our industry looks like," Alicia Calhoun, Vice President, Talent Portfolio, told me when I asked her why Rich was selected for the first-ever award. "He is always willing to serve as an Ambassador for career pathways, frequently hosts students for tours at FreshPoint’s facilities, and goes above and beyond to attract talent to this industry."
Nancy Johnston, Sysco’s Senior Sales Manager, Produce, accepted the award on Dachman’s behalf. Johnston also co-chairs CGT’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Committee, which guides CGT’s women’s programming.
"Rich never turns down an ask from a member of the industry for a sit down or a call for coaching and mentoring," Johnston said. "He is also a great supporter of women in our industry."
The Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award was created earlier this year to recognize any industry members who are striving to attract talent through their passion and insights. According to a press release, the award is named for Pack, former CEO of Standard Fruit & Vegetable Co., who with then-PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann envisioned the Career Pathways program to attract top university students to industry careers.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to have Center for Growing Talent offer an award in my name recognizing an individual who supports attracting talent to our industry. While the original Pack Career Pathways Program has exceeded expectations and its success has been extremely gratifying, on a personal note, this award is certainly a career highlight," said Pack.
Congratulation Rich, on this fantastic honor. And stay tuned for more coverage on this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in the days to come.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Just in time for the holidays, 4Earth Farms has expanded its Brussels sprouts retail programs. Building on its reputation as an industry leader in Brussels sprouts, 4Earth Farms is offering conventional Brussels Sprouts, Organic Brussels Sprouts, Brussels Sprouts Stalks, and a colorful addition—Purple Brussels Sprouts.
I had the chance to talk to Mark Munger, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, to learn more.
“We really enjoy the holiday season when we expand our Brussels sprout offerings. Our stalks are always a seasonal favorite. Cut right off the plant and cleaned of their leaves with the sprouts shown in their natural state, Brussels Sprouts Stalks add a great visual to a holiday store set,” Mark tells me. “Customers can pick off the Brussels sprouts or they can throw the whole stalk in the oven with olive oil and seasoning for a unique table presentation.”
The 4Earth Purple Brussels Sprouts are an heirloom variety that are especially admired by lovers of Brussels Sprouts and even those less appreciative of their green cousins. The purple Brussels sprouts have a sweet, nutty flavor and mild aroma. They even keep their rich purple color after cooking!
4Earth Farms will start harvesting these purple beauties out of California’s Central Coast and Washington State, from late October through December.
“While we have planned and planted for plentiful holiday supplies, the harvest is not limitless. We are encouraging those retailers interested in making Purple Brussels part of the holiday mix to order early,” said Dave Hewitt, 4Earth Farms Director of Sales. “We are also going to be offering a consistent but limited supply after the holidays.”
4Earth Farms is supplying conventional purple Brussels sprouts in 4Earth Farms’ branded 1 lb handle bags and 1 lb vexar net bags.
Besides purple, 4Earth’s full line of Brussels sprouts are packed with a variety of value-added, private label, and bulk configurations.
For the latest in veggie updates, stick with us at AndNowUKnow!
ORLANDO, FL - Orlando, Florida, was exceptionally warm as produce members gathered from around the world for PMA Fresh Summit, and I’d like to think it might have been our industry that brought the heat.
Nearly 21,000 attendees turned out for the event, with particularly strong participation from retailers, according to PMA.
"The show was well attended as usual, with motivating speakers that left you with something to take back to the office and share with your team. The new shift in days allowed for better attendance of customers as well as time to enjoy the show floor," John Castro, Director of Category Management and Research for Duda Fresh Farms, shared with me.
Decision makers from Giant/Martins, Sendik’s, Wakefern, Food Parade, Albertsons, Kroger, and many more perused the rows of new innovations, connecting with growers and suppliers up until the lights turned down to signal the end of 2018’s Fresh Summit.
While each day found a point to devote to education, it was those who arrived Thursday that were treated to everything from turning today’s disruptions into tomorrow’s opportunities, to a number of relevant Experience Extensions. Speakers included PMA CEO Cathy Burns, Wegmans’ VP of Produce and Floral Dave Corsi, Oppy’s Executive VP and COO Doug Grant, and Tony Award winning actor and musician Leslie Odom, Jr., among several others.
“As always, Fresh Summit delivered a valuable experience filled with really great energy,” Karin Gardner, Oppy’s Director of Corporate Communications, commented. “From thought-provoking general sessions to a pair of action-packed days on the show floor, we had the opportunity to learn and connect with stakeholders, strengthen friendships, and grow as an industry. A personal highlight, for me, was being more involved in the Career Pathways program and gaining a deeper insight to the great work being done by the Center for Growing Talent.”
One of those general sessions was Friday morning’s breakfast, when Bruce Taylor, Founder and CEO of Taylor Farms, and Peyton Manning took the stage—talk about a winning team! The Forum for the Future: Lessons in Leadership Both on and Off the Field tied Manning’s Super Bowl success to business growth. A resonating moment for me, and for those I spoke with, was his advice to always be open to learning, commenting that “everyone needs a coach.”
And then the Expo itself began.
“While it was a record-setting year for Fresh Summit, what I am most proud of is the reinvention we began this year with the program. We had great thought partners in the volunteers on the Fresh Summit Committee, and the staff took their feedback and recommendations to heart and worked to transform the look and feel of Fresh Summit into what you experienced," Cathy said. "To see exhibitors and attendees connecting in the sessions and on the Expo floor and feel their energy and excitement sustained over the course of the event was amazing.”
On Saturday morning, early risers had an opportunity to support the women of our industry with the annual Women’s Fresh Perspectives breakfast, a particularly moving event in light of Executive Director of CGT by PMA’s Margi Prueitt retiring next February. If you cried when Cathy surprised attendees by taking the stage to speak about Margi’s contributions to CGT by PMA, to Women’s Fresh Perspectives, and the world in general, you weren’t alone.
“If you’ve ever been within a mile of Margi, you know the passion that she has for attracting industry talent. You can see it in her heart and her soul,” Cathy shared with the crowd, speaking about how Margi has been instrumental in key programs to the produce industry’s future. “The seeds she’s planted…not just in Women’s Fresh Perspectives but for Career Pathways, which we just hit our thousand student mark this year.”
Julie Krivanek, Founder of Krivanek Consulting, then treated us to an interview with Olympic Skier and World Champion Lindsey Vonn, a conversation that was both fun and inspiring.
“In athletics, and in work in general, the most talented aren’t necessarily the most successful,” Lindsey told Julie and attendees of her achievements. “It’s who’s willing to put in the most work.”
All over this year’s Fresh Summit were these nuggets of business, work, and connection, as industry members new and seasoned enjoyed the expansive show floor.
“As a long-standing and proud exhibitor at Fresh Summit, we can easily say that it continues to be one of the strongest events on our calendar to connect with our trading partners and other influential members of our industry. The educational opportunities are outstanding and the networking events are well-timed so that all can attend. Traffic was heavy and meaningful throughout the show and we are huge supporters of PMA and its efforts to unite our industry,” Julie DeWolf, Director of Retail and Shopper Marketing for Sunkist Growers, shared with me.
SUNSET® Events and Internal Branding Manager, Nancy Pickersgill, ranked this summit among the best.
"This was one of our greatest shows yet! We had so many exciting new products and innovations to share at Fresh Summit, including our SUNSET® WOW™ Berries, Sugar Bombs™, and Shazam!™ Shishito Peppers, that were very well received at the show. Our fresh samples served up by our Culinary Director Chef Roger Mooking were a hit! It’s great to have face time with so many customers and industry professionals and the PMA brings everyone to one location for us to accomplish this."
There were also, of course, a number of awards and titles to be fought for, and this show was no exception.
Awards on the Floor
- Best Packaging Promo: Smabrailo Packaging
- Best First Time Exhibitor: Fresh Cravings LLC
- Best Island Booth: Triple H Produce
- Best In Line Booth: Snack It Forward
- Best Overall Product Promo: Shenadoah Growers
Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award
Rich Dachman, VP of Sysco Corp.
Women’s Catalyst Award from Center for Growing Talent
Dawn Gray, President of Dawn Gray Global Consulting
Produce Marketing Association’s 2018 Floral Marketer of the Year
Carlos Oramas, CEO and Co-Founder of Gems Group, Inc.
Congratulations to the winners of these prestigious titles, and to PMA on another successful Fresh Summit. Stay tuned for more coverage from AndNowUKnow’s experiences on the floor, our PMA Picks, and more.