TAMPA, FL - Westmoreland Sales Group has signed a two-year contract with IFCO SYSTEMS. With the conclusion of negotiations for the deal, Westmoreland will now be shipping all TopLine brand tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers from its distribution centers in Ontario and Michigan using IFCO RPCs.
According to a press release, IFCO's strong track record for customer service and food safety were key factors in the decision making process. IFCO's relative proximity to Westmoreland's facilities, speed of response time and ability to meet the company's demand for RPCs were also heavily considered.
“We are working with IFCO to ensure our TopLine products arrive to our retail customers in the best possible condition while lowering costs through the supply chain,” shared Brian W. Blommaert, CEO of Westmoreland Sales Group. “The IFCO RPC solution also supports Westmoreland’s commitment to the environment by helping to reduce the number of cardboard boxes used.”
“Westmoreland is a great partner, and we are pleased the company is using IFCO RPCs to deliver high quality product to retailers in the US and Canada,” agreed Dan Walsh, President of IFCO North America. “We are constantly developing new solutions to address specific opportunities at companies like Westmoreland, and their move to our program is proof that trading partners and consumers benefit from working toward the common goal of greater service and safety.”
Going forward, IFCO will be taking charge of all RPC logistics services for Westmoreland, from distribution to cleaning to re-entry into the supply chain.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the lastest partnerships and deals in the fresh produce industry.
Longo’s and Mastronardi Produce have teamed up for a new Local Winter Produce Program co-branded SUNSET® and “Taste Ontario – Sourced by Longo’s.”
This new initiative features fresh and flavorful Ontario tomatoes and mini cucumbers, now being marketed with their ‘available all year long’ convenience – even during the winter. The SUNSET® and Longo’s partnership offers consumers the benefit of reduced food miles on their produce with locally grown cucumbers and fresh tomatoes that are vine-ripened and hand-picked for superior quality and flavor.
Longo’s is committed to showcasing Ontario-sourced products and the benefits of local produce. Dedicated to growing flavorful greenhouse produce all year round, SUNSET® sees this venture as a great opportunity to educate consumers on the benefits of greenhouse growing.
Check out the video above for a look at Longo's and Mastronardi Produce's new Local Winter Produce Program!
LOS ANGELES, CA - Gourmet Trading Company is welcoming produce transportation expert Jesus Recendez Garcia into the fold as its new Transportation Manager.
Kristen Francisco, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, praised Garcia for his comprehensive logistics background and experience.
“Jesus’ extensive knowledge of transportation logistics and drive to learn more makes him the right candidate to move the company forward,” said Francisco.
Garcia comes to Gourmet Trading Company with three years of produce transportation management experience, according to a press release.
During his former 10 year career at FedEx, he completed the company’s Management Training Program, as well as studied for his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Biola University.
MILWAUKEE, WI – Roundy’s has announced the addition of 5 new stores to its fiscal 2015 lineup.
This news came as part of the Wisconsin-based retailer’s recently released financial guidance for the 2015 fiscal year ending January 2, 2016 and the first quarter ending April 4, 2015.
According to the report, Roundy’s plans to open one new store in the first quarter of FY 2015 and an additional 4 throughout the remainder of the year.
The company is projecting a 0.25-1.25% loss in same-store sales growth for Q1 and a 0.75-2.75% loss for the fiscal year.
For the year, Roundy’s is expecting $4-4.08 billion in net sales and an adjusted EBITDA of $115-125 million.
For now, it is unclear where these new store locations might be. The company currently operates 148 retail grocery stores and 97 pharmacies under the Pick’ n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s retail banners in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates in the retail sector.
GOLDTHWAITE, TX - Early Saturday morning, firefighters were called to the scene of Leonard’s Big Valley Pecan Farm to attend to a fire which had broken out at the grower's processing plant. In all, it took firefighters from the cities of Goldthwaite, San Saba and Mulllins three hours to contain the blaze, according to KWTX News.
Damages from the fire are currently estimated at $1 million. 100,000 pounds of pecans and the entity of the facility were destroyed during the event, Goldthwaite Fire Chief David Schwartz shared.
While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Leonard’s Big Valley Pecan Farm's Manager shared that it could have originated from the dryers inside the building.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
AndNowUKnow would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Leonard’s Big Valley Pecan Farm as they work to rebuild during this difficult time.
DALLAS, TX – Avocados from Mexico is looking to keep the momentum strong following the Big Game with its new Fanwich campaign. Running from February 2 to March 13, 2015, the campaign will help keep avocado consumption strong with a variety of consumer-focused marketing efforts.
“This Fanwich campaign will keep avocado fans pumped up long after the Big Game comes to an end,” shared Alvaro Luque, President, Avocados from Mexico. “This promotion will give our consumers a reason to eat and feel better with Avocados From Mexico while having fun building the ultimate Fanwich.”
According to a press release, the Fanwich campaign is designed to encourage consumers to create their own sandwich recipes with fresh avocados. Consumers can then enter these sandwich creations at the Fanwich website. Every week, four $500 grocery gift cards will be awarded to contest entrants. There will also be a Grand Prize valued at $25,000. The lucky winner will be able to select a kitchen makeover, a “man cave” or a 10-day trip to anywhere in the world.
Avocados from Mexico will also be encouraging retail competition from Avocados from Mexico with the company's first national display contest. Retailers can submit their entry to the Fanwich website in order to enter. All entries must include Fanwich POS items and be submitted no later than March 20, 2015. Prizes range from an iPad to $10,000 cash so that retailers can craft their own ultimate “man cave.”
Avocados from Mexico will be supporting the Fanwich promotion with a full digital/social media campaign as well as in-store radio and merchandising. Jeff Mauro, “Sandwich King” and Co-Host of “The Kitchen,” will be doing his part to promote the contest with a line-up of videos leading up to the time period.
For more news on the North American avocado industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SARASOTA, FL - Global Organic Specialty Source, Inc. has hired Southeast Produce Council President and produce industry veteran Mark Daniels as its new Director of Sales and Procurement.
With his hire, Daniels will immediately bring over three decades of invaluable experience in the produce industry to the company. Working as a Senior Buyer for Bi-Lo, Supervalu, BJ's Wholesale Club and, most recently, as a Senior Buyer and General Manager for Sea Island Produce/Military Produce Group, Daniels was in a position to learn the ins and outs of the produce industry from the buy-side of the market.
According to a press release, Daniels will be focusing his efforts on the southeastern region of the United States where he sees evidence of a growing demand for organics.
Congratulations on this exciting new position, Mark Daniels!
Welcome to What's In Store. It's always apple season and New York Apple Sales, Inc. has a crop worth getting excited about.
Quality on New York State apples such as Gala, Pink Lady, McIntosh, Empire, and Fuji is outstanding and size is up across the board. In addition, New York Apple Sales is working together with its new partners, Scotian gold, on a fresh Honeycrisp apple strategy. Between harvests out of New York, Nova Scotia and New Zealand, New York Apple Sales is poised to deliver prime Honeycrisp apples year round. With wonderful flavor, color, crunch, and visual appeal, New York Apple Sales, Inc. is looking forward to marketing these varieties throughout the end of the year and into June of 2015.
New York Apple Sales, Inc. is also excited about continuing to market the premium KORU® Plumac apples imported from New Zealand. With an exotically sweet taste and wonderful crunch, this apple is sure to delight. Building upon the success KORU® Plumac apples achieved last season, New York Apple sales, Inc. is predicting another strong performance from this variety for this season.
New York Apple Sales, Inc. will be working with various retailers throughout the season to market this crop. With such a bounty of local produce at their fingertips, New York Apple Sales is encouraging consumers to look no further than the Empire State for all their produce needs. Thank you for watching What's In Store.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – Crowley Maritime Corporation is upping U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico trade.
The company’s liner services group announced that it will add a 400 FEU capacity, flat deck barge to its South Atlantic Puerto Rico service in the first quarter. According to a press release, this will increase the rotation between Jacksonville, Florida and San Juan to four sailings a week.
The company is also replacing its existing 580-foot, triple-deck barges with a recently modified 730-foot, triple-deck barges in the North Atlantic – Puerto Rico trade between Pennsauken, N.J. and San Juan. This will increase capacity by over 40% in that lane.
“With the changes in the marketplace, we expect strong demand for space on our vessels, and we are stepping up to provide improved capacity, equipment and sailing frequency to benefit our customers,” said John Hourihan, Senior VP and General Manager, Puerto Rico.
He added, “This service enhancement is another indication of our commitment to the people and businesses of Puerto Rico, whom we have been pleased to serve for over 60 years.”
Crowley will be adding more than 6,000 pieces of cargo carrying equipment to support this increased capacity in both services. This additional equipment will include a combination of dry and reefer containers and chassis.
Once the flat deck barge is outfitted for container carriage, Crowley will place it into service on a two-week rotation. By combining the new barge with its six, triple-deck, roll-on/roll-off barges that range in size form 580 feet long to 730 feet and accelerating the schedule, Crowley will be able to offer four weekly southbound and northbound sailings a week between Jacksonville and San Juan.
BRONX, NY – Teamsters Local 202 announced that a tentative contract agreement has been reached with Hunts Point Market, averting a possible strike.
“Our members stood strong and the market knew we were serious,” said Daniel Kane Jr., President of Teamsters Local 202. “We said we deserved a fair wage, we fought for it and we got it.”
According to the New York Times, the three-year agreement would give workers a raise of $20 a week the first year, $22 the second year and $24 the third year. This would be a compromise between the union’s earlier push for a raise of $25 a week each year and the merchants’ counter of $16 in the first year and $22 thereafter.
“We’re not too far from our demands, so we feel confident that it will be ratified by the rank and file,” said Kane. He added that it would be “the largest wages and benefits package we’ve received in the last 20 years.”
According to a press release, this contract deal comes on the heels of a strike vote that members took earlier this week. 95% of the members approved the strike after merchants gave what was deemed a “final offer” with raises far short of those proposed by the union. After the strike vote, merchants raised their wage offer.
The union’s 1,300 members at the market will have final say. They will vote on the tentative deal this Wednesday.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on this developing story.