COMMERCE, CA - As of today, 99 Cents Only Stores began an orderly wind-down of its business operations across all 371 of its store locations. The company entered into an agreement with Hilco Global to, among other things, liquidate all merchandise owned by the company and dispose of certain fixtures, furnishings, and equipment. To help facilitate the wind-down, the company has appointed Chris Wells, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, as Chief Restructuring Officer. Mike Simoncic, Interim Chief Executive Officer of 99 Cents Only Stores and Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, will step down.

"This was an extremely difficult decision and is not the outcome we expected or hoped to achieve," said Simoncic. "Unfortunately, the last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment, including the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting consumer demand, rising levels of shrink, persistent inflationary pressures, and other macroeconomic headwinds, all of which have greatly hindered the company's ability to operate. We deeply appreciate the dedicated employees, customers, partners, and communities who have collectively supported 99 Cents Only Stores for decades."

99 Cents Only Stores, together with its financial and legal advisors, engaged in an extensive analysis of all available and credible alternatives to identify a solution that would allow the business to continue, according to a press release. Following months of actively pursuing these alternatives, the company ultimately determined that an orderly wind-down was necessary and the best way to maximize the value of 99 Cents Only Stores' assets.

Hilco Real Estate (HRE) is managing the sale of the company's real estate assets, both owned and leased, in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas.

As we learn more about the circumstances, we will be sure to report.

MONTEREY, CA - The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is urging industry members to apply for Class 54 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Applications are due on April 17 for mid-career growers, farmers, ranchers, horticulturalists, foresters, and/or individuals working in other areas of California’s diverse agriculture industry.

The Ag Leadership Program is considered to be one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States, a press release noted. Through the program, fellows learn leadership skills that help them expand their impact. More than 1,400 individuals have participated in the program and are now influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government, business, and other areas.

Throughout the intensive 17-month program, fellows are immersed in leadership theory, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence, and other skills and tools. Along with individualized leadership development coaching, fellows engage in situations and discussions focused on complex social and cultural issues. They are provided with opportunities to build enhanced critical thinking skills that, combined with a broader perspective, help graduates guide creative solutions throughout their lives.

The program includes approximately 55 days of formal program activities, the release continued. Four partner universities—Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, and UC Davis—deliver integrated, comprehensive, and diverse curricula at the seminars. Fellows learn from first-rate educators and subject authorities from many professions and backgrounds. As a valuable extension to the monthly seminars, fellows participate in national and international travel seminars that provide further opportunities to understand interconnected systems and governments, dialogue with policy leaders, and compare and contrast cultural dynamics.

For links to the application, informational resources, and upcoming prospective applicant events, click here.

And stay tuned for more industry opportunities like this.

MISSION, TX - Following the program's rebranding last year, the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is expanding Encouraging Discovery & Growth in Education (EDGE) during the Viva Fresh Expo. This year, more than 40 Texas university system students will attend, furthering their careers in produce through networking and mentoring opportunities.

“As our industry evolves, it is imperative that we keep the next generation and their skills at top of mind," stated Dante Galeazzi, President and Chief Executive Officer of TIPA. “With the agriculture industry contributing to 2 million jobs state-wide, and fresh produce playing a significant role in creating job openings, incorporating current students, and upcoming graduates into our companies is imperative to creating the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Formally known as Aggies for Fresh, the program rebranded last year with a mission to offer college students throughout Texas educational resources, networking opportunities, and career mentorship to expose them to categories throughout fresh produce looking for young and fresh talent to fulfill roles in emerging sectors, a release detailed.

This year, the program participants include Texas A&M (College Station), Texas A&M (McAllen), Tarleton, Texas State, and UTRGV. They are studying agriculture, accounting, finance, and more and are looking for ways to blaze their trail in the industry and seek out employers that align with their career goals.

The program has six sponsors this year, including Fresh Texas, the Texas Department of Agriculture, Perricone Farms, Delta Fresh Produce, Grower Alliance, and Sunview Marketing. 

“EDGE was formed to encourage students to learn and take on up-and-coming roles within current and emerging sectors in our industry,” Galeazzi added. “On behalf of TIPA, we are proud to host a program that provides value and exposure to the fresh talent looking to create a career path that gives them an EDGE throughout any fruit or vegetable category that resonates with their interests and objectives. We hope Viva Fresh attendees come ready to hire these great students and add to the ranks of the healthiest industry in America.”

To read more about EDGE and its expansion, click here.

Keep your eyes peeled for these up-and-coming leaders at the show!

PHARR, TX - Attendees of this year’s Viva Fresh Expo are in for a treat as they get to witness Kaliroy Fresh’s exclusive new packaging option. The peel-back shaker snacking tomato clamshell is made from recycled PET and was inspired by the architecture of a greenhouse structure, making it functional, sustainable, and eye-catching.

"As pricing models and the world change, considering the volatile shifts in the exchange rate, lack of water, and inflation, Kaliroy Fresh continues to evolve in how it goes to market and establishes more equitable relationships for both sides in order to continue to cover costs, reinvest, and grow," Tom Lyons of Kaliroy Fresh said.

The unique and memorable design allows the clamshell to be shipped as a “commodity” pint clamshell without the need for a new item set up. However, it has a consumer-friendly peel-back label with a shaker feature, a release explained.

Kaliroy Fresh has invested heavily in the year-round production of snacking tomatoes, including Grape, Mixed Medley, and Cherry. The company has found that snacking tomatoes grow perfectly year-round at its Jalisco campus, which it calls the “Napa Valley” of tomatoes. For buyers looking for a new peel-back shaker snacking tomato clamshell alternative to what is currently available in the market with a consistent supply, Kaliroy urges them to partner with the company.

The supplier has invested in additional acreage and volumes as well as production in Baja California, in addition to Jalisco and Sinaloa. This has enabled Kaliroy Fresh to be a premier option for year-round, fully vertically integrated tomato supply, without any outside growers, and full ownership over the entire supply chain from land to the end customer.

The company produces Roma, Round, Grape, and Mixed Medley Tomatoes and recently added dedicated acreages for new items, including Cherry Tomatoes and Mini Sweet Peppers.

Along with its new packaging, Kaliroy Fresh is also creating a new website, launching social media, exhibiting at more trade shows, and refreshing its brand.

To learn more, visit booth #1110 on the show floor.

ITASCA, IL - An essential component of our supply chain is corrugated packaging, and it has an essential part to play in the fight for sustainability. Fibre Box Association is a champion within the sector, continuously promoting the benefits of corrugated cardboard material.

During my conversation with Fibre Box’s Senior Vice President, Rachel Kenyon, we immediately touched on something critical: Why put a plant-based product in a package that’s not plant-based? And that’s exactly it—as an industry championing health, we have to apply that within our operations.

“Our boxes are made from natural fibers, so there’s automatically a strong connection to the farmers who are growing these products for consumers,” Rachel began. “One thing we see these consumers concerned about is that their boxes aren’t getting recycled when they put them in the bin, but that’s certainly not true of our products. We couldn’t continue to make our products without that recovery stream.”

This was recently highlighted in the association’s 2020 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

“We began doing LCAs of corrugated packaging in 2006, and we’ve done four since. From 2006 to 2020, Fibre Box has reduced the greenhouse gas emissions per unit by 50 percent,” Rachel said, noting the commitment that came from our industry that drove down that environmental impact. “When you look at the LCA, the results that we achieve are because we recycle our product, because we use the fiber again, and we can't achieve those results without that recycling.”

One of the things end users of the association’s products—anyone who makes a product that goes out to retailers—should note, as Rachel pointed out, is those retailers are often looking for how to calculate their impact on the environment.

“What we’ve been able to do with the information from our LCA is give information to users of boxers so they can calculate the Scope Three impact of our products,” Rachel shared. “Currently, we have a table in the LCA that outlines that information, but we’re soon coming out with a carbon calculator to help.”

There are many elements within the packaging industry that I learned from Rachel, and I highly implore you to reach out to her as a resource!

WASHINGTON, DC - Last month, we sat down with the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) and Walmart to discuss the evolution of the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP). In a second insightful interview, I rejoined the two organizations to further discuss the program’s retail engagement.

“Participating in the ECIP is a direct way for suppliers to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility,” LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing and Communications for EFI, told me. “There has been greater public interest in ethical and sustainable practices that has led to many businesses being heavily scrutinized by customers. Research has shown that businesses that proactively demonstrate their prioritization of ethical labor practices build greater trust from socially conscious consumers.”

The ECIP launched last November, and since then, Costco, Kroger, McDonald’s, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart have invited over 160 produce suppliers to register on the platform. They have asked this first cohort to engage by purchasing an annual subscription, then working with growers to access the system.

Participating buyers are receiving updates on which suppliers have engaged and whose growers are beginning to use the system. Buyers are educating their full supplier base on the importance of implementing socially responsible labor practices all the way to the field level.

“Walmart helped develop the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices,” said Wynn Peterson, Senior Buying Manager, Produce at Walmart. “We have endorsed it and encouraged suppliers to do the same. We aim to source 100 percent of Walmart U.S. fresh produce and floral products from suppliers who have endorsed this industry framework.”

The collaborative nature of the ECIP shows the industry’s commitment to the Ethical Charter and to continuous improvement of labor practices. The ECIP Advisory Group has made it clear that the principles of the Charter provide ample and clear guidelines that businesses can model their practices on.

“The ECIP is the first measurable step retailers have to support adherence to the Charter at the field level, since their audit requirements do not currently extend beyond the packing or processing facility,” LeAnne continued. “The ECIP relies on self-assessment rather than audits and provides growers with the opportunity to validate the work being done.”

Each principle has been broken down into a series of management systems, with guidance and resources on how to implement them. The Charter emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement of labor management systems “that sustain and demonstrate compliance with applicable labor, employment, occupational health and safety laws governing the employer.” The ECIP provides the tools to support this process.

“A grower’s self-assessment is never shown to their supplier or retail customer. This is essential: Growers must be free to assess their systems honestly, even in areas where they are struggling, without worrying how their responses will impact commercial relationships. ECIP is a capacity-building resource, not a compliance test!” LeAnne emphasized.

Growers are encouraged to honestly assess their existing management systems; suppliers support their growers’ continuous improvement and assume accountability as the link between growers and retailers; and retailers motivate and recognize their suppliers’ efforts, helping to move the entire supply chain toward more responsible labor practices.

“Engagement with the ECIP from all parts of the supply chain shows the produce industry’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility. Collaboration across the chain will ensure everyone’s voice is heard and honored in a collective effort to guarantee a safe, healthy, and respected agricultural workforce for years to come,” LeAnne added.

While retailers are now inviting the first cohort of suppliers, the ECIP will eventually scale to reach all fresh produce and floral suppliers. If a grower or supplier has not yet been invited by a customer, they can still begin using the program.

We applaud all of the growers, suppliers, and buyers who are moving us toward a more ethical future for the industry. Keep reading ANUK for more insights like these.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) puts forth ongoing public policy efforts to find workable and practical solutions to the farm labor crisis. Offering his expertise, IFPA Director of U.S. Government Relations John Hollay was recently named to a multi-stakeholder and bi-national task force convened by the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars that aims to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to improve labor recruitment and employment conditions for farm workers.

“The opportunity to serve on this Task Force and ensure that IFPA member voices are represented has been invaluable,” said Hollay. “Ensuring that we have the workforce that is ready to meet the challenge of feeding a growing world is integral to the health of our planet and its people, and the success of our industry. I am honored to represent IFPA and its members on this task force to ensure that its recommendations align with how the fresh produce operates.”

This work is part of an overarching project titled “Agriculture in North America–From Knowledge to Action” that will assess agricultural labor conditions in Mexico and the United States. According to a press release, a final task force report is expected in early 2025. As part of the task force’s work, it recently toured production facilities in Mexico and met with legislative and regulatory officials to explore solutions to the farmworker labor challenge.

“For years, the fresh produce industry and our agriculture sector partners have made an overwhelming case for legislation to reform our broken immigration system and help build a legal and reliable workforce, especially now that the USDA expects the U.S. to import more food than it exports starting this year,” Hollay added.

IFPA has called on its members to contact Congress to enlist bipartisan consensus for the Supporting Farm Operations Act (HR 7046), which freezes AEWR increases for two years, giving immediate relief and certainty for the industry to perform while Congress works on broader reforms. In addition, IFPA has provided comments to both the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security, wherein the organization reinforced its commitment to building a workable H-2A program that is fair to employers and employees alike.

We applaud Hollay and IFPA for their continued efforts in advancing labor reform.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - Big news has come over from Allen Lund Company’s (ALC) Vancouver, British Columbia, office. The transportation broker’s BC operation announced the promotion of Kathryn “Kat” Ball to General Manager.

"I'm excited and grateful to the executive team for this opportunity, and for their confidence in me,” said Ball. “To be joining the ranks of the hardworking and dedicated General Managers of ALC is an honor. I look forward to growing the BC office, strengthening ALC's presence in Canada, and continuing to develop and support the great team we have here.”

According to a company release, Kat received her undergraduate degree in English from Simon Fraser University, followed by a post-graduate diploma in Marketing and Sales Management from the University of British Columbia. She began working for ALC Vancouver, BC—formerly United World Transportation—in 2006.

In April 2023, the Allen Lund Company acquired United Word Transportation, and Ball aided in the transition as Assistant General Manager.

“I am very pleased that Kat is being promoted to General Manager,” commented Steve Baker, former General Manager of the Vancouver office. “She deserves it. Kat and I have worked together for over 18 years now. She is probably the most well-rounded in our office in every aspect of our business. I have no doubt that Kat will do well as the General Manager, and I am honored to be associated with her and looking forward to her continued success.”

Tracey Lewin, Vice President of Sales and Operations, also commented on the promotion.

“I am impressed with Kat's scope of experience, talent, drive, and leadership qualities, and I have every confidence that she will lead the ALC Vancouver, BC, office to amazing success,” Lewin stated. “She is committed to doing things the right way and has the trust and support of her team as well as the rest of the general managers and Corporate. A big thank you to Steve Baker for all he has done over the years to build an experienced team that will continue to flourish and grow under Kat's direction.”

Congratulations to Kat Ball on this exciting promotion!