SHANGHAI, CHINA - Christy Zhu, IFCO China’s Country Manager, spoke about RPCs numerous social, sustainable and economic advantages at a panel discussion entitled, “The Changing Structure of the Fresh Produce Distribution Chain,” PMA’s Fresh Connections: China.
At the gathering of more than 160 fresh produce industry executives and government officials from fifteen countries and regions, Zhu shared that RPCs could potentially alleviate China’s estimated $32 billion dollars of food waste by protecting fresh fruits and vegetables from damage during shipping
“With a rapidly expanding global population that will reach nine billion by 2050, we need innovative and responsible solutions to ensure we are able to grow, process and transport an abundant supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food to every corner of the globe,” said Zhu. “RPCs are becoming the preferred transportation method for fresh food because they are sustainable, cost-effective, and reduce food waste at a time when too much of our food ends up in landfills and not on dinner tables.”
IFCO is a leading global provider of reusable packaging solutions, operating a pool of over 200 million RPCs in 34 countries around the world, according to a press release.
IFCO RPCs allow air to flow around products and allow faster cooling and easier, more consistent temperature control, preserving and protecting fresh food better than one-way packaging.
Zhu also told Fresh Connect: China attendees RPCs are environmentally sustainable because they require less energy to transport and clean over their lifetime versus one-way packaging and concluded that IFCO RPCs could be an ideal fresh food transportation solution for China and other emerging markets around the world.
ST. LOUIS, MO - Schnuck Markets has laid off 52 corporate employees in an effort to restructure the company.
Paul Simon, Senior Communications Specialist for Schnucks, told the St. Louis Business Journal that this move will end up affecting nearly 10 percent of the company’s corporate workforce.
“This move streamlines our organizational structure, increases store support and positions Schnucks for long-term growth,” Simon said.
The only information available about which positions are affected is that Simon said they would be within “several departments and levels within the company’s headquarters.”
The St. Louis Business Journal also reports that eight more previously open positions at the company will be eliminated.
As we’ve previously reported, Schnuck Markets has made a few executive changes as of late, with Scott Schnuck stepping down and appointing Todd Schnuck as the company’s new Chairman and CEO late last year.
The company has recently closed a location in East St. Louis, according to a press release.
AndNowUKnow will have continued updates on the changing structure of this retailer.
OTTAWA, CANADA - CPMA has announced the election of their new Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting.
Mike Furi of The Grocery People Ltd. is the association's newest Chair, along with Longo's Mimmo Franzone, Costco's Oleen Smethurst, Giumarra's John Corsaro, Loblaw's Eric Biddiscombe, and many more joining the Board of Directors.
Bernadette Hamel, CPMA’s past Chair said, “It’s been an honour to lead the CPMA as they entered into their 90th year serving the produce industry in Canada. The dedication and ongoing support of the board of directors is a true testament to the collaborative nature of our industry. It was exciting to see the launch of the Half Your Plate Campaign during my term and I truly believe that this initiative will inspire Canadians to make healthier choices while increasing industry prosperity.”
Both Hamel and Ron Lemaire, President, provided reports outlining the past activities and future plans of the Association, and members were given the opportunity to engage with CPMA leadership to ask questions and hear about association activities.
“I look forward to leading the CPMA over the next year. During my term as Chair I plan to work with industry to enhance our advocacy efforts to reduce barriers to trade and deliver on programs to improve our industry knowledge and education,” said Mike Furi, CPMA’s new 2015-2016 Chair.
The new members of the board of directors are:
Executive Committee
- Chair Mike Furi of The Grocery People Ltd. Retail
- Past Chair Bernadette Hamel of Metro Richelieu Inc. Retail
- 1st Vice Chair Sam Silvestro of Walmart Canada Corp. Retail
- 2nd Vice Chair Rick Alcocer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.
- Executive Committee Member Les Mallard of Chiquita Brands North America
New Board Members
- Murray Driediger of BC Fresh Vegetables Inc. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- George Pitsikoulis of Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers Inc. Wholesaler
- Byron Bellows of Colemans Food Centres Retail
- Jean-Guy of Mazerolle Co-op Atlantic Retail
- Oleen Smethurst of Costco Wholesale Canada Retail
- Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose Ltee Wholesaler
- Stephan Schmekel of Del Monte Fresh Produce Canada, Inc. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Davis Yung of Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. Wholesaler
- Joel Ippolito of Ippolito Fruit & Produce Ltd. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- David Dubeof Krown Produce Wholesaler
- Eric Biddiscombe of Loblaw Companies Retail
- Mimmo Franzone of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. Regional Retail
- Mario Masellis of M.L. Catania Co. Ltd. Wholesaler
- Tim York of Markon Cooperative Inc. Food Service
- Joe Sbrocchi of Mastronardi Produce Ltd. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Andrea Palmer of Nova Agri Inc. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Kendra Mills of PEI Potato Board Affiliated Services
- Michele McMillan of Sobeys National Procurement Retail
- Colin Chapdelaine of Star Produce Ltd. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Brian Slagel of Sunkist Growers, Inc. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- John Corsaro of The Giumarra Companies Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Steve Young of The Oppenheimer Group Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Brian Hampton of The Produce People Ltd. Wholesaler
- Scott Fairbairn of Thrifty Foods (Jace Holdings) Retail
- Gerry Van Winden of Veg Pro International Inc. Grower/Packer/Shipper
- Mike Ecker of Vineland Growers' Co-operative Ltd. Grower/Packer/Shipper
“Having alternating directors is very beneficial to CPMA. While we have continuity with our staff, we benefit from the changing perspectives of the different industry professionals on our board,” said Lemaire.
Lemaire added that the board has worked tirelessly on the governance renewal process and he’d like to thank them for their continued dedication to the industry. He looks forward to continuing CPMA’s legacy as it enters into its 91st year.
OAK BROOK, IL - The list of people who are 'Lovin’ It' is growing much shorter in recent days, and McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook has taken notice.
The credit agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded its rating on McDonald’s from ‘A’ to ‘A-’, and McDonald’s shares were down to 1.7% at $96.13 after the fast-food chain unveiled its turnaround strategy. The company cites operational changes in its future but has yet to combat what many are saying is the real problem: People just don't like McDonald’s menu anymore.
“No business or brand has a divine right to succeed, and the reality is our recent performance has been poor,” Easterbrook admits in a company video Monday morning. “The message is clear. We are not on our game.”
According to the Washington Post, most stores have seen plummeting customer attendance for the past two years. The Post reports that in the first three months of the year, sales fell about 3 percent and profit fell 32 percent.
The country’s eating habits are changing towards places where food is perceived as “more fresh,” the Washington Post says, and McDonald’s has been struggling to adapt. “Fast Casual” kings like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread are growing more and more popular while traditional fast food chains fade away.
"The immediate priority for our business is restoring growth under a new organizational structure and ownership mix designed to provide greater focus on the customer, improve our operating fundamentals and drive a recommitment to running great restaurants,” Easterbrook said in a press release. “As we turn around our business, we will look to create more excitement around the brand and ensure that we build on our rich heritage of positively impacting the communities we serve."
One way McDonald's is trying to revamp its image is through its new corporate structure that will be led by Mike Andres, who will continue to serve as President; McDonald’s U.S., Doug Goare, currently President McDonald’s Europe, will become President of International Lead Markets; Dave Hoffmann, currently President of McDonald’s Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) will become President of High-Growth Markets. Ian Borden, Currently Chief Financial Officer of the APMEA region, will become President of Foundational Markets.
Other highlights from McDonald’s press release include:
- Refranchising 3,500 restaurants by the end of 2018
- Accelerating the pace of refranchising from 81% to about 90%
- Deliver approximately $300 million in net annual G&A savings by the end of 2017
- Return $8 to $9 billion to shareholders in 2015 and reach the top end of its 3-year $18 to $20 billion cash return by the end of 2016
- The company will begin testing all-day breakfast in California
- McDonald's claims it will stop buying chicken treated with antibiotics
- Planning to close about 700 of its more than 36,000 worldwide stores this year
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the latest trends in the food and restaurant industry.
CANADA - Target is returning 55 stores back to the landlords it had leased from, as well as 19 office and warehouse space leases.
“Unfortunately, they’re coming in at a time when the retail environment is somewhat challenging,” Edward Sonshine, Chief Executive Officer of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, said in a Globe and Mail interview.
The company filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, according to The Star, saying that any leases that hadn’t been returned to the respective landlords by yesterday (May 4), today (May 5), and tomorrow (May 6) will be auctioned off individually.
While the real estate may not be the best as of yet, Target’s financial adviser Lazard Freres & Co. LLC was reportedly in contact with about 360 prospective parties for the leases, according to a Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. report of monitor.
According to the Globe and Mail report, retailers believed to have a vested interest in the leases include:
- Wal-Mart Canada Corp.
- Canadian Tire Corp.
- Loblaw Cos. Ltd.
- Lowe’s Canada
- Sears Canada Inc.
Target reportedly also signed with Oxford Properties Corp. and Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc. (a pair of Canada’s largest landlords) to buy back 11 leases for its more ideal stores for $138 million, according to the report.
Those that will benefit from the income Target receives once the properties are auctioned will soon see the outcome, so keep checking in to AndNowUKnow.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Giumarra Agricom International has announced a new way to appreciate your avocados with the debut of its new Nature’s Partner avocado nutrition initiative. This announcement also includes a redesigned bulk avocado bag to target increasing consumption.
“Given their consumer popularity and reputation as a delicious superfood, we felt strongly about positioning avocados as a vital addition to a healthy lifestyle,” says Bruce Dowhan, Vice President and General Manager of Giumarra Agricom. “We are excited to share the bag and accompanying promotions with our retail partners and work with them to develop nutrition-focused programs designed to educate their consumers and increase avocado purchases.”
The bag was designed to promote Hass Avocado Board’s “Love One Today” nutritional messaging and touts the avocado’s “naturally good fats + cholesterol free” benefits.
“We are offering a customized nutritional marketing program to each of our customers to help them promote and sell more avocados to consumers,” says Gary Caloroso, Director of Marketing for Giumarra Agricom. “We will utilize our company’s nationwide network of respected registered dietitians and chefs to support our customers’ in-store and out-of-store communications vehicles in sharing the health benefits and varied uses of avocados to their customers.”
As the perfect complement, Giumarra also offers Nature’s Partner branded avocado racks for retail display purposes. The back of the bag also features a Hass Avocado Board-created recipe for an Avocado, Feta, and Apple Sandwich. The company’s new, rotating recipes will highlight avocados’ versatility and flavor.
“Since their introduction in 2013, the Love One Today mark and marketing campaign have been helping to support the industry's efforts to educate consumers about avocados’ health benefits. They were designed to complement and extend the marketing efforts of Hass Avocado Board members and the industry, and Giumarra’s new retail packaging is a perfect example of this synergy,” says Jamie Johnson, California avocado grower and Chairman of Hass Avocado Board.
According to a press release, Giumarra will be continuing its close work with avocado commodity board partners to create effective and creative ways to market its Nature’s Partner avocados grown in California, Mexico, Chile, and Peru.
IDAHO - Several Idaho potato farms have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture in an effort to rectify damages they say have been sustained from Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) regulations.
“After exhausting all available avenues to bring about necessary changes to the PCN program, growers were left with no options other than to file suit,” Mickelsen Farms, LLC, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement, according to the Southeast Idaho Business Journal. “The PCN program and regulations were put in place without proper notice to or input from the appropriate stakeholders.”
Other companies and farms listed on the Plaintiffs list are:
- RIGBY PRODUCE, INC., an Idaho corporation.
- WATTENBARGER FARMS, an Idaho general partnership.
- ADAM and BROOKE NEIBAUR, husband and wife, d/b/a.
- CRIPPLE CREEK FARMS.
- CAROL A. ANDERSON FARMS TRUST.
- MARK ANDERSON, Trustee.
- KORY FRANCE, an individual.
- GERALD OLER, an individual, d/b/a/.
- OLER FARMS.
- BOHEMIAN, LLC, an Idaho limited liability company.
- GERALD and HELEN KELLEY, husband and wife.
- CRAIG V. and ANDREA KELLEY, husband and wife.
- DAN G. and KAREN K. ELDREDGE, husband and wife.
- LAMOND COOK, an individual.
According to the report, all plaintiffs currently have farms that are under quarantine or came to harm as a direct result of APHIS and ISDA regulations. In the claim it is stated that this is not well-founded because while PCN is a potato pest, it allegedly does not pose any threat to human health or “enters the tuber of a potato.”
- As a result of the damages sustained, some of the results the farms filing action are seeking include:
- A declaration that APHIS’s actions violated several Acts and the Tenth Amendment and were arbitrary and capricious.
- A cancellation of the Final Rule, APHIS’s ad hoc protocols, and the Idaho PCN Rules.
- An end to quarantine and regulation of the plaintiffs’ fields.
Due to the litigation process currently underway, the Southeast Idaho Business Journal reported that both departments could not comment on the matter. AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date on this story as it develops further.
Welcome to What's In Store. Since its inception in 2008, Rally Logistics has been providing the best in logistics solutions to some of the largest retailers, wholesalers and growers in Canada and the United States. Growth has been tremendous during this period. Sales have more than tripled and new offices have sprung up in Woodstock, NB and Leamington, Ontario.
Realizing the importance of staying at the forefront of the industry, Rally Transportation was formed in 2014 in order to better provide Rally's clients with consistent year-round or seasonal pricing. With the combined resources of Rally Logistics and Rally Transportation, Rally has access to thousands of carriers and drivers throughout Canada and the 48 continental United States. It strives to grow these borders each year and has delivered freight as far west as the Hawaiian islands.
Rally Logistics is now looking to ride this wave of momentum into the future. Through acquisitions, new partnerships, and strategic hirings, the company is looking to expand throughout Canada and the United States. In doing so, it will focus on opening new offices throughout Florida, California, Texas, New York, Arizona and Quebec. Rally is also planning to expand the size of its fleet of trucks within the next three to six months in order to better meet the growing demands of its client base.
Rally Logistics is continually looking to partner with new wholesalers, retailers and growers. It will continue to share the benefits of being part of its close-knit logistics operation with both its current and future partners. From a foundation of integrity and expertise in the industry, Rally Logistics is looking to make your business its own. Thank you for watching What's In Store.
CHICAGO, IL - A new company is teaming up healthy snack options and cold pressed juices to make it easier for consumers to pick produce when shopping.
“Consumers are looking to food to provide more than just life-sustaining calories - they want their food to really work for them. dailyServing is the first of its kind to harness the power of whole foods in this way. We have seen that supplements simply aren’t the best ways to meet our nutritional needs. If we can encourage people to eat more real food instead of reaching for a pill, we can make a huge impact on our public health,” Katie Goldberg, dailyServing’s in-house Registered Dietitian, said in a press release.
The company has paired its own individual line of vegan-friendly, gluten-free snack options that come tailor-packaged with its cold pressed juices. According to dailyServing, these pairings are a science-based solution to attract consumers seeking a trusted source of nutrition information. The company does this with the intent of personalizing or tailoring the product with the help of a Registered Dietitian.
“A recent Neilsen study found that three-fourths of Americans believe they can manage their health with nutrition, and one-third believe that food can replace medicine. But knowing how to make that happen can be daunting,” Goldberg said. “As dietitians, we are trained to sift through the research and pull out the best information for the consumer. dailyServing is the result of that process."
dailyServing’s cold pressed juices are 100 percent pure produce, paired with trend-focused superfoods to provide expert nutritional advice and make eating smart an easy choice for consumers.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Wal-Mart has announced another shakeup of its top executives, including a few departures from the company. All signs indicate that Wal-Mart is looking to tighten up its operations team.
Mike Moore, EVP of the smaller-sized Neighborhood Market store division, has been promoted to EVP of the much larger Supercenter division. According to Forbes, there are only 613 Neighborhood Markets, but Mike Moore will now be in charge of 3421 U.S. Supercenter locations. Julie Murphy, former Wal-Mart West EVP, has taken Mike Moore’s former position.
Current U.S. SVP of Innovations, Mark Ibbotson, will now also work on asset protection, as well as working more closely with Wal-Mart Global eCommerce. This new position is expected to help integrate grocery home shopping.
Several positions have also been eliminated in the current Wal-Mart shakeup. CEO Greg Foran and COO Judith McKenna have eliminated executive positions which supervised Wal-Mart East and Wal-Mart West. The position formerly held by Julie Murphy will not be filled, and Joaquin Gonzales Varela, EVP of Wal-Mart East has left the company, according to Forbes. All U.S. operation executives now report directly to Judith McKenna, and the merchandising division reports directly to Greg Foran.
Lastly, Pam Kohn, EVP of Wal-Mart Realty has left Wal-Mart and is being replaced by J.P. Suarez. Forbes reports that Suarez has served as SVP of real-estate strategy and has now been elevated to Executive Vice President. He will now report to Judith McKenna, COO.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to follow all the updates on this restructuring company.