SALINAS, CA - If you’ve been lucky enough to check out Church Brothers Farms’ full foodservice product spread, then you already know this new honor from Sysco is more than deserved. At this year’s Sysco Corporation’s Supplier Recognition Event on October 24 in Houston, the foodservice giant selected Church Brothers as the recipient of its 2017 Sysco Gold Produce Supplier Award.
“We are honored by Sysco’s recognition,” said Jeff Church, Vice President of Sales. “They are an important customer, and this was a team effort earned by Church Brothers Farms and True Leaf Farms.”
According to a press release, Sysco’s Gold Award was created to highlight supplier efforts, including factors such as sales, margin, and case growth. The award also factors in more subjective criteria, including sales support and category management engagement.
This is not the first award the Church Brothers Farms team has taken home in the foodservice arena. Church Brothers was the recipient of the Vendor of the Year award from Get Fresh Produce in Chicago, the 2017 Supplier Award for Nationally Branded Produce from Frosty Acre Brands in Alpharetta, GA, and the Taco’riffic Award from Wendy’s, for what the chain said was, “Unwavering dedication and support during the 2016 re-launch of the iconic Wendy’s taco salad.”
Want to see all the products Church Brothers has to offer, including its award-winning foodservice lineup? Check out ChurchBrothers.com.
WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND -New year, new beginnings rings particularly true for the folks over at Asda, as Roger Burnley has been named the President and CEO of Asda, effective January 1st, 2018. His new role was announced by Dave Cheesewright, CEO of Walmart International, the parent company of Asda.
“Roger was purposefully brought back to Asda to partner with Sean ahead of the transition to Roger taking up the position of CEO. He and Sean have worked as a great team, and I’m really confident in Roger’s ability to continue building upon our returning momentum,” said Cheesewright, in a recent press release.
Burnley returned as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO in October of 2016 at Asda. At that point, he joined Sean Clarke, who had only recently been appointed as President and Chief Executive that July.
This transition has seemingly been in the making for quite some time. When describing Sean Clarke at the time of his 2016 appointment, Cheesewright said he was “one of our most experienced global executives” and Burnley would be “a future CEO.”
Clarke is set to continue his 21-year-long career at the company through the end of the year, and at the bright and shiny start of 2018, when Burnley takes on his new title, Clarke will take time off while continuing to be involved with Walmart.
“Asda is a great business, and we’ve started to realise its potential again. Sean’s focus on serving customers and simplifying the business has established a firm foundation on which we can build. Since I returned to Asda last year, I have been encouraged by the passion and professionalism of our colleagues and look forward to leading this terrific team,” said Burnley.
Just as Cheesewright expresses his eagerness to have Burnley on board in the position, in a recent press release, Clarke expressed he is looking forward to seeing the progress Asda will make under Burnley’s leadership after he leaves his 15-month-long stint.
“Asda is moving in the right direction, but there is still much more for us to do. I am excited to see the momentum continue under Roger’s leadership. Walmart has given me and my family some great opportunities. I am looking forward to taking some time out, but I will always stay connected to the company,” said Clarke.
The two will be working closely together to ensure a smooth transition come January and a happy holiday season for all its customers. So, when you pop the bubbly this New Year's Eve, don't forget to cheers to the newly promoted exec at Asda!
For more fresh produce industry news, stay tuned into AndNowUKnow!
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – The Allen Lund Company (ALC) is continuing its efforts to give back to communities across the country and encourage the well-being of those within the company. From Labor Day to Columbus Day, ALC offices nationwide were encouraged to take part in a Race Around ALC Fitbit challenge, encouraging healthy lifestyles while raising funds for disaster relief in Puerto Rico.
"We strive for fun company-wide initiatives that bring together our offices across the country,” noted Jenny Meli, Human Resources Generalist, in a press release. “It is wonderful to work for a company that is willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. This contribution will go a long way in making a difference in the lives of many of the Puerto Rico families."
The Race Around ALC Fitbit challenge’s goal was to “Walk Around ALC”—the 9,500 miles between all the company’s offices; in the end, ALC surpassed the goal, tallying a total of 9,555 miles (or 19,109,304 steps). Because the company reached its goal, $2,500 will be donated to disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
ALC noted that its Fitbit challenge is a reflection of Allen Lund Company's culture in promoting employee's wellbeing and sustaining giving back to communities wherever they can and thanked top walkers including: Matt Christ (Los Angeles), Brodie Donaldson (Denver), Jan Russo (Savannah), Steve Greene (Chicago), and Jason McFarlane (Madison).
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with more on the beneficent side of produce.
MILLEN, GA – The Southeast Produce Council has officially appointed its new Board of Directors Chairman for 2017-2018, and not only is she a board veteran, she’s the council’s second female Chairman ever. Faye Westfall was inducted on September 29, 2017, at the President’s Dinner Dance held at the SEPC’s recent Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
“Faye is one of the most diligent and hard-working people that we have ever had on this Board,” David Sherrod, President and CEO of the SEPC, said in a recent press release. “I am so excited to have her energy at our helm this year. She has fostered our STEP-UPP program to one that is recognized by top retailers in the country as one of the best educational programs within the produce industry. I know that the SEPC will flourish this year because she will unselfishly give her time and resources to make sure it does! She is a blessing to me and this council.”
Faye Westfall was born and raised in Ruskin, Florida, where she attended East Bay High School. She later attended Nursing School while living in Maryland, during which she also became involved in the transportation business. After three years, she moved back to Florida and immersed herself back into the produce world, working with tomatoes, transportation, brokerage, as well as running production lines. She worked at J C Valenti for about 9 years before it was purchased by The DiMare Company and continued to run the production line, eventually transitioning into sales. Faye is currently the Director of Sales at DiMare Fresh-Tampa and has served on the Southeast Produce Council’s Board of Directors for 7 years.
“The SEPC’s educational STEP-UPP program has been my passion,” Faye said. “I still try to stay in touch with previous classes while concentrating on the current one. Education in the produce community is very important to me, especially trying to blur the lines between the Grower/Shipper and the Retail/Wholesaler. Making communication open and more transparent I feel will only make things profitable for all involved.”
Not looking to retire anytime soon, Faye not only is an active member in the produce world–known as a professional clown who enjoys spreading love and laughter–but also enjoys filling her weekends with her four children, their spouses, five grandchildren, one great-grandson, and her extended church family.
We here at ANUK wish Faye luck in the upcoming year in her new role. For more produce industry news, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
SEATTLE, WA - On the heels of a stellar financial quarter, Amazon is brewing up new buzz for a potential array of new store formats for both Amazon and it’s newly-acquired Whole Foods chain. In a call with investors, Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky addressed plans to test out new concepts in brick and mortar retail, but will these enter the world of grocery in the vein of Whole Foods? So far, the word is mum.
“We think we'll also be developing new store formats and everything else just as we've talked about in the past with before Whole Foods, [A]mazon Bookstores, Amazon Go, and the opportunity that technology presents,” said Olsavsky, according to The Motley Fool. “So we're experimenting with a lot of formats.”
“A lot of formats,” obviously doesn’t tell us much, but it does lend us a look into what future might hold. If you happened to look at Amazon’s financial report last week, you may have seen a section referred to as the ‘physical stores’ revenue segment. This revenue stream brought home $1.3 billion for the company and included sales from Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods. But if you ask source Motley Fool, the fact this section was highlighted signifies that Amazon will not be slowing up on brick and mortar retail anytime soon.
"[T]hat class of revenue, physical stores revenue, is going to be where we are going to book any sales that where a customer physically select[s] an item in a store," CFO Brian Olsavsky said, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence transcript. "So it also—it does include our Amazon Books.”
Yes, Amazon Books is one potential format. Olsavsky also said he could neither confirm or deny rumors of an Amazon pharmacy format, reports The Street. On top of these two prospects, Amazon has previously unveiled plans to grow its AmazonFresh Pickup, and checkout-less Amazon Go formats. But as of now, little information has been announced on what new formats Whole Foods will bring to the table. Whole Foods had been slowly rolling out its 365 by Whole Foods Market warehouse-style format prior to its acquisition. But what’s next?
"Whole Foods really gives us a fast head start on that and a great base and a great team to work with who has a lot of history and 10-20 years of learnings that we don't have and wouldn't have" in physical retail, Olsavsky continued during the call. "Working together will bring out different strengths to the table.”
As we keep trying to decode these hints from Amazon and Olsavsky, the ANUK team will continue to keep you in the loop on what big moves we can expect from the retail behemoth.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Baked, fried, boiled, or seasoned, there’s not a bad way to enjoy potatoes and you can’t go wrong with the classics. But this holiday and winter season, Fresh Solutions Network®, LLC is offering shoppers inspiring and innovative ideas to shake up the usual takes on this healthy and popular American tradition with its eye-catching potato Side Delights® winter promotions.
“Cooking at home is still the preferred way to prepare a meal for 98 percent of Americans, and the holidays are the ideal time for home-cooked meals,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO, in a press release. “During this busy season, shoppers want quick and easy side dish options and recipes to inspire them. Side Delights winter promotions will attract shoppers and increase potato sales.”
The Side Delights three-month winter promotion encourages shoppers to try new potato recipes (delivered by QR Code) with visually appetizing merchandisers and point-of-purchase signs that demonstrate the ease and appeal of quick to cook potato side dish recipes.
This season catch “Some Gifts Are On the Table, Not Under the Tree” December Holiday Promotion, “New Year = No More Boring Dinner” New Year’s Promotion, “Potatoes Fuel Performance” Super Bowl Promotion, and “Table for 2. Make It Together” Valentine’s Day Promotion.
December’s themed, in-store “Some Gifts Are On the Table, Not Under the Tree” visuals celebrate good cheer and good food with the gift of potatoes and a festive recipe for Hasselback Potatoes and Garlic Confit.
In January, shoppers will receive a recipe for Steak and Potato tacos with Poblano Chiles in its “New Year = No More Boring Dinners” New Year’s promotion, along with tips on how to include potatoes in New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get organized, and spend less and save more.
Just in time for the Super Bowl, Fresh Solutions is providing shoppers with new entertaining ideas with “Potatoes Fuel Performance” in-store promotions directing them to the potato issue of Performance magazine with nutritional information and healthy potato recipes that are perfect for game day.
Lastly, February is full of love with “Table for 2. Make It Together” Valentine’s Day promotions that include a quick and easy Goat Cheese and Chive Potato Stacker recipe giving couples a reason to stay in for the evening and truly enjoy good food and better company.
With so many different potato recipes to get shoppers through the main events of the winter season, shoppers won’t want to miss Fresh Solutions Side Delights Holiday Promotions.
For more on all things produce, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
LEAMINGTON, ON – Good things are coming to the North American market in small packages this season. NatureFresh™ Farms and Eminent Seeds NL announced today that they have reached a proprietary agreement to bring “the World’s Smallest Tomato” to North America; NatureFresh™ Farms will exclusively grow and market Tomberry® tomatoes in Canada, United States, and Mexico.
“We are pleased to partner with Eminent NL” said Peter Quiring, President and Owner of NatureFresh™ Farms, in a press release. “This is a perfect fit to complement our TOMZ® snacking category and our brand strategy. We want to grow and market the best tasting tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, and we are excited to offer this for the first time from our Leamington, Ontario, greenhouse starting next spring. Our research team works hard at identifying these new varieties that taste exceptional, and we look forward to the new opportunities they provide for future consumers.”
“The World’s Smallest Tomato,” The Tomberry® tomato is about 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter with an average fruit weight of 1 to 2 grams.
Jan van Heijningen, Director at Eminent Group, and John Ketler, Farm Manager at NatureFresh™ Farms, finalized the agreement during the 2017 PMA Fresh Summit in New Orleans early this month. Under the terms of the deal, NatureFresh™ Farms will begin growing and commercially marketing this new variety of tomato from its Leamington, Ontario, Greenhouse in spring of 2018. The company plans to expand production of the Tomberry® tomato over the next few years, as the category grows to meet consumer demands for snacking tomatoes.
“The Tomberry® is unique in size and has caught the interest of our retail partners” explained Matt Quiring, Executive Retail Sales Manager for NatureFresh™ Farms. “The snacking trend in North America has exploded, and we continue to search for new items that will help grow our snacking category. This pearl-sized fruit’s unique size is something hard to miss and even more difficult to pass by without picking up. Once a consumer tries them, we are confident that they will be coming back for more. Visually, it is candy to the eyes. From a sensory standpoint, we can back that up.”
Over the past year, NatureFresh™ Farms’ trial and development team has worked with Eminent NL Seeds to explore new tomato varieties that would fit the growing trend in the snacking category. The company notes that Tomberry® both delivers on flavor and brings a new look and ingredient to the culinary world of food service. Tomberry® tomatoes are versatile and visually appealing and are ideally suited for snacking, salads, and hot dishes.
For more on all things produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Speak up and let your consumers, your shoppers, your peers, and elected officials know why NAFTA supports fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. This was the resounding message as key movers and shakers from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico gathered to discuss their interest and support for the Produce Coalition for NAFTA.
As thousands browsed the PMA Fresh Summit show floor below, members of the Produce Coalition for NAFTA, which includes veterans of Mission Produce, Taylor Farms, Driscoll’s, Wonderful Citrus, and many more, discussed having watched NAFTA’s influence take shape and increasingly help our industry.
“It has helped grow our business; it has helped grow consumption in the categories we have; it gave us another diversified area with options,” Vic Smith, President and CEO of JV Smith Companies, shared when asked about the importance of NAFTA and the coalition looking to keep it in place. He reflected on a current book he is reading, The Next 100 Years, which observed the market power North America has by working together between the three countries. “It would be a tragedy to forsake our North American position. If we don’t come together to partner and maintain the strengths we have together on this, there will be a vacuum and other markets will shoot into it.”
Enrique Sanchez Cruz of the Mexican Pavilion communicated optimism in the meetings he has had with influencers in both the U.S. and Canada.
“It has been great to listen to these officials speak on the strength of the U.S./Mexico relations. The representatives of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado all clearly state the message that it is extremely important to them to keep the bilateral relationship open,” Cruz shared at the gathering. Even so, he emphasized the importance of telling the government and the consumers those same messages.
David Krause, President of Wonderful Citrus, agreed that communication is key in keeping what he called a “fantastic tool” in expanding companies and increasing produce availability for consumers.
“We, like many of the businesses in this room, have made significant investments in the last decade in an attempt to better serve consumers in North America. I think that’s the fundamental issue which NAFTA has allowed others to do. And we must maintain that focus as we move forward in these negotiations,” Krause said, emphasizing that he and the company are very proud to be a part of the coalition and that the challenge is to be more vocal in advocating for NAFTA.
Another message was that change and evolution in NAFTA doesn’t have to be negative, but that its continued existence is a positive for the industry as a whole.
“The key is we have to help a lot more people in our country understand what NAFTA has done,” Smith commented. “We can’t stand by and let anyone say there is an unfair advantage, I don’t personally believe it. I think some of the best producers I’ve seen were in categories like tomatoes, that recognized with NAFTA there was an opportunity to improve both their supply and the supply chain, and then the greater consumption, which should be all our goal. So, this coalition came up to counter a limited, narrowly-focused viewpoint. And hopefully we can make a difference.”
The most influential moment for me was when the leaders discussed the possibility of agriculture’s place in the NAFTA negotiations being overshadowed by the automobile industry, in which many encouraged producers to let negotiators know that our industry “was not up for forfeit” in the wake of louder trades.
“Perhaps the challenge for us is to be a little bit more vocal in advocating with our peers in the industry,” Krause said. “We support the coalition, we are very pleased with it, and I would encourage the members of the coalition to talk to your peers. Let’s get others behind this; let’s make sure that we don’t lose this fantastic tool or allow others to take it away from us.”
As the next rounds of negotiations approach, AndNowUKnow will keep you briefed on the latest as it pertains to the produce industry. Additional information can be found on http://producecoalitionfornafta.com/.
Coalition for NAFTA Driscoll's JV Smith Companies Mission Produce Taylor Farms Wonderful Citrus
DELANO, CA - Claire Caratan, part of the fourth generation at Columbine Vineyards, gave us a look behind the greens of those vineyards through her eyes.
“My great grandfather shipped his first harvest of grapes in 1926,” she shares, adding that her family has continued that tradition by producing some of the freshest table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley for almost nine decades.
Columbine Vineyards grows more than 15 varieties of table grapes, available from July through December, including its proprietary varieties like the Black Globe and its exclusive Holiday variety.
“The Holiday is my personal favorite grape,” Claire tells us. “The Holiday eats fantastically; it has delicious flavor, a bright red color, and really crisp texture.”
Available late September through early December, the Holiday is offered in an easy grab n’ go bag, as well as Columbine’s new petite bag.
To see our entire interview, including other Columbine grape varieties and why you and your consumer will want to be a part of the Columbine Vineyards experience, watch the short video above.
NEW YORK, NY - Are you even a night owl if you don’t watch The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon? In a recent segment aired on his show, Fallon explores one of the beautiful ways that pumpkins can be used once the Halloween candles are blown out, consequently taking me back to chemistry class.
Before you reach for your favorite Smashing Pumpkins disc, reminded of the band by a running joke that has never left neighborhoods, Fallon throws a wrench in your plans by–gasp–exploding them!
In the segment, Fallon calls to who he refers to as the “resident science expert,” otherwise known as Street Science’s Kevin Delaney. To address the “spooky time,” they welcome the opportunity to do some “spooky stuff.” For the companies looking to surprise customers with a theatrical display, you might want to sit up in this class, because you’re in for a treat.
We have all been left with sad, decaying, pumpkins after carving Jack-o’-Lantern season has come to a close.
Enter (stage left): The Pumpkin Booth. Let me preface this explanation with Fallon’s emphatic cries, “DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME,” and “COVER YOUR EARS!”
Delaney cautiously walks into an enclosed booth, where there lies a decrepit pumpkin on its last leg, far beyond its glory years. He then fills a plastic bottle with dry ice and water, before turning it upside down, pressurizing the fog that is created when the two interact. As the bottle expands, it reminds me of science experiments of my yesteryear.
Wait for it. Wait for it… BOOM! The bottle explodes, along with the pumpkin that previously enclosed it.
Again, this is a dangerous procedure, but MAN does it tap into a childhood-like sense of complete curiosity, or what?! While this experiment caters to post-Halloween resolutions with holey shells of has-been pumpkins, Fallon has many other tricks up his sleeves to make the season fun and festive. For ideas on how to amp up your Halloween game, check out the video:
Stay tuned into AndNowUKnow for more produce industry news!