WASHINGTON, DC & SCHENECTADY, NY - An advantageous grocery partnership is taking place in the Northeast United States. Price Chopper/Market32, under the Northeast Shared Services umbrella, has entered into a long-term agreement and an enhanced tech integration with Upside. This comes after their initial collaboration, which resulted in 500,000 incremental transactions from 50,000 customers.
“Thanks to Upside, we've made significant progress in attracting new customers and encouraging our existing ones to consolidate their food shopping with us,” said Sean Weiss, Price Chopper/Market 32 Vice President of Marketing. “Deepening our partnership stands to further accelerate that growth.”
Upside and Price Chopper/Market 32 are set to build on their success with the introduction of "Check-in," an innovative new receipt-less experience poised to bolster the impact of the chain’s AdvantEdge loyalty program by enhancing user reconciliation rates.
According to a press release, Upside's newly implemented direct data feed is expected to strengthen Price Chopper/Market 32's loyalty program. Initial findings indicate that Upside has effectively converted 25 percent of non-loyalty Upside users into AdvantEdge members who now make about one additional visit per month and spend more incrementally.
“In the face of heightened competition and consumer challenges stemming from inflation, Price Chopper/Market 32 sought concrete methods to strengthen its sales strategy,” said Tyler Renaghan, Upside Vice President of Grocery. “Our partnership with them has proven mutually beneficial, enhancing both the company's bottom line and consumer satisfaction. By introducing unique, profitable promotions, the collaboration has boosted Price Chopper/Market 32’s sales while helping value-conscious consumers navigate an uncertain economic climate.”
Upside conducted a survey of its users regarding the partnership. The findings revealed that customers not only became enthusiastic promoters of the store but also tended to spend more and expressed intentions to continue patronizing Price Chopper/Market 32 due to its partnership with Upside.
To keep up with the progress of this partnership, leave a tab open for ANUK.
THE NETHERLANDS - When pineapples from Costa Rica arrived at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, local authorities were surprised to find said container concealed over a ton of cocaine.
The drugs were discovered when the cargo was being unloaded at a warehouse, where they were then transported to a safe place by the Customs Special Team, a report from The Tico Times explained.
“A GPS beacon was also found along with the batch of drugs. Criminals use beacons to measure the exact location of a container. The fruit company acted cleanly according to protocol and therefore does not appear to have anything to do with the coke shipment,” authorities mentioned in a press release.
The count was closed at 1,109 kilograms, roughly 2,445 pounds. In total, the cocaine was valued at €83 million or approximately $90 million.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on produce as it appears in the news—in all facets!
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - Exciting news came from the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) earlier this week. We learned that the organization has announced the 20 rising stars who will participate in the 2024 Passion for Produce (PFP) program in Vancouver, Canada.
“We are delighted to see a great interest in this program from young professionals working within our industry,” said Ron Lemaire, President. “PFP is a program that provides participants with mentorship and education opportunities in a fast-paced but fun setting. This allows them to expand their professional network and their knowledge beyond the scope of their current role within the industry.”
As an added value to membership, PFP was created by CPMA in 2010 to provide young professionals in the produce industry with the opportunity to accelerate their professional development through a unique mentoring experience at the CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show.
Over the three-day Convention and Trade Show, PFP participants will be partnered with industry mentors for interactive sessions, networking events, and more to learn all they can about the fresh produce industry in Canada, a press release stated.
PFP participants gain knowledge through first-hand experiences, discussions, and networking that empowers them to return to work with an enriched understanding and renewed enthusiasm for the produce industry. Participants develop lasting relationships with mentors, fellow candidates, and other industry leaders that will guide them through their careers.
This year marks the 14th edition of the PFP program. Since 2010, 210 individuals have participated in the program representing over 90 member companies. The call for applications for the 2025 PFP program will open in fall 2024.
Learn more about the program and this year’s participants here.
Best of luck to the program participants!
INDIA - Seed health is top of mind for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds’ operations in India. The company recently opened a new Seed Health Lab in Hyderabad, India, which will serve growers in India, across the Asia Pacific region, and beyond.
“High-quality, healthy seed is the foundation of success in the field for our customers,” said Nishchint Bhatia, Head of Asia Pacific for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds. “This investment highlights our commitment to ensuring growers have a reliable supply of healthy, disease-free seed. This world-class facility also supports ‘Make in India’ and India’s growing leadership role in agriculture and vision to become a key global seed exporter.”
The lab becomes part of Syngenta’s global network of vegetable seed Quality Control labs—including centers of excellence in the United States and the Netherlands—which supports Syngenta’s mission to deliver the highest quality vegetable seed products to growers around the world.
Built for $2.4 million, the 6,500-square-foot modern facility is currently capable of processing 12,000 virus/bacterial tests per year with capacity to expand with future growth, a press release stated. The facility is compliant with seed health test regulations in India and will be aligned with international accreditation programs. The lab is also seeking export certification and local accreditation with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
“Global seed stewardship and promoting seed health in the global movement of seeds is critical to protecting the integrity of growers’ crops and safeguarding global supply chains and global food security,” said Erik Postma, Global Head of Quality Management for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Flowers. “Detailed care must be taken with every seed that makes it to a grower. This is a shared responsibility of the entire seed industry, which is why we’re proud to offer our seed testing services to other seed companies to support international phytosanitary standards.”
Syngenta’s Hyderabad site was first established in 2009 and is home to more than 250 full-time and seasonal employees and workers supporting seed processing, quality control, and supply operations.
For more on this company’s growth, stick with us at ANUK.
TEXAS - Navigating the path toward sustainability is challenging, to say the least. Federal and state laws shift, retail standards change, and countries around the world have differing demands on what they’ll allow into their markets.
With so many issues at hand, it’s important to turn to experts like Aaron Fox, Vice President of Fox Packaging, who understand the difficulties presented by these shifts. Below is an excerpt from an opinion piece he released to the industry, in which he outlines considerations taken into account for flexible packaging, EU regulations, and much more.
To read the letter in its entirety, please click here.
Navigating sustainable packaging necessitates collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to responsible practices. At Fox Packaging, we stand not just as a packaging provider but as a dedicated partner in your sustainability journey toward responsible packaging programs. The increasing complexity of packaging requirements across various regulations underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that consider the entire lifecycle of packaging materials.
Federal and state laws are actively shaping the future of packaging through new bills and regulations. However, there is a growing concern that these legislative efforts may not fully grasp the nuanced impacts on communities relying heavily on packaging in their supply chain. These communities often face unique challenges that must be addressed to ensure that sustainability efforts do not inadvertently create new problems or exacerbate existing ones.
Our commitment extends beyond delivering packaging solutions. As partners, we would be glad to review your packaging program, advising on considerations and changes realistic to your brand, product, and infrastructure. Whether you choose Fox Packaging or not, our advocacy for responsible packaging, the circular economy, and collaboration across the supply chain remains unwavering.
At Fox Packaging, we recognize the crucial role that domestic suppliers play in the agricultural ecosystem. Our team is dedicated to supporting the success of fresh produce, ensuring that our efforts contribute to feeding communities rather than filling landfills. It's essential to acknowledge that packaging suppliers are pivotal in these discussions, and we are eager to share our expertise and insights with lawmakers to promote the responsible treatment of quality materials.
Each brand's path to sustainability is distinct, and it's imperative that this journey be a collaborative one. By uniting our efforts, we can define and support decision-making where packaging not only preserves the freshness of our produce but also delivers tangible benefits to our environment and society at large.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest in all things fresh produce.
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PENNSYLVANIA - On-demand grocery delivery has become more accessible through a recently formed alliance between Giant Eagle and DoorDash. The grocery delivery titan will now be offering groceries from all corporate Giant Eagle supermarkets and Market District locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia.
“Our partnership with DoorDash is just another way to conveniently order groceries from Giant Eagle, whether customers choose to use our longstanding, company-led curbside pickup and delivery service or the popular DoorDash platform,” said Justin Weinstein, Giant Eagle Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer. “We continue to see increased demand for fast and convenient grocery delivery, and we recognize that many shoppers have come to rely on DoorDash for their real-time grocery needs. This expanded partnership helps to ensure that customers across all our markets have access to the products in our supermarkets regardless of how they choose to shop with us.”
Now, the millions of consumers shopping in DoorDash’s convenience and grocery categories each month will have access to Giant Eagle’s vast selection of high-quality fresh produce, meat, seafood, and convenience items. This expansion comes after Giant Eagle and DoorDash first partnered in 2022 to pilot the service in select stores in Ohio, a press release detailed.
All participating Giant Eagle locations will be available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members $0 delivery fee, reduced service fees, and more. With Giant Eagle on DoorDash, more than 99 percent of DoorDash’s monthly consumers in the U.S. have access to a grocery and convenience retailer.
Click here for more details on this strategic alliance.
For more updates like this, keep reading ANUK.
TUBAC, AZ - Crucial insights will be shared at the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas’ (FPAA) annual Spring Policy Summit on April 3, 2024. The must-attend gathering for industry leaders, policymakers, and experts will focus on the trade environments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The summit will kick off with a keynote speech on "U.S.-Mexico Trade – What is the State of Play?" delivered by Andrew I. Rudman, Director of the Mexico Institute. According to a press release, Rudman will address the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the context of trade, as both countries approach pivotal elections.
The afternoon sessions will explore a variety of pressing topics, including:
- Reducing Impact of Port Disruptions: A panel including representatives from CBP, the Arizona Department of Transportation, U.S. Customhouse Brokers, and representatives of Arizona’s Senate offices will discuss strategies to mitigate disruptions at ports due to migrant issues and other emerging concerns
- Food Safety and Handling Hot Topics: This session will cover the latest developments in traceability implementation, updates from the FDA's Southwest Import District, Canada's use of SENASICA SRRC Certification, and more
- DC Update: Garrick Taylor of the Border Trade Alliance and Allison Moore of the FPAA will provide an update on political developments, upcoming regulations, and what to expect in the near future from Washington, DC
- USDA APHIS Updates on Plant Protection and Quarantine Efforts: The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will outline their operations at the border, focusing on the role of insect identifiers, scientific reviews of pest risks, and the importation process of fresh produce into the U.S.
- Tomatoes, Trade, and the State of Play: The summit will conclude with a session on the latest updates regarding fresh tomato imports and the Tomato Suspension Agreement, featuring discussions with government and industry leaders that have been fighting to protect U.S. companies importing fresh tomatoes
The event will conclude with a closing cocktail reception where participants will have the chance to network and discuss the insights gained throughout the event.
ANUK will keep you informed as we hear more about this event, so stay tuned.
WASHINGTON - Farmworker Awareness Week is nearly here! As we approach the week of awareness and advocacy on March 25–31, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) has released an updated communications toolkit, encouraging everyone in the ag industry to stand in support of our country’s farmworkers.
“We are excited to share the newest updates to our toolkit,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, EFI’s Director of Marketing Communications. “Farmworkers are an indispensable asset, and we want them to know we appreciate their efforts. EFI also wants to educate our communities and government on the importance of farmworkers and the need to invest in developing and recognizing their skills.”
The revamped communications toolkit is designed to amplify the voices and stories of farmworkers across the Americas while offering an array of resources for anyone dedicated to highlighting the contributions of farmworkers every day, a press release explained.
The comprehensive toolkit has been expanded to offer even more features, including:
- Educational resources and activities for students
- Statistics-forward infographics
- Sample logos, images, and posters for social media and around the office
- Example proclamations, press release templates, and more
“With this toolkit, anyone can show their appreciation for the skilled and difficult work performed by farmworkers,” Ruzzamenti added. “It also gives the industry an opportunity to educate consumers about the 365 days of care required to keep fresh food on our tables.”
The Farmworker Awareness Week communications toolkit and all associated resources are available for free download here. For more information on EFI’s Farmworker Awareness Week efforts, click here.
Stay tuned as ANUK brings you more industry news.
SAN JOSE, CA - Not one, not two, but three new awards have been given to ZAG Technical Services for its role as a trusted technology advisor and dedication and contributions to the technology space.
“We understand this industry well and the challenges facing today’s grower/shipper, including labor shortages, resource scarcity, small margins, and cyber threats,” asserted Greg Gatzke, ZAG Chief Executive Officer. “Technology plays a big role in helping agriculture alleviate those pain points.”
CRN Magazine, a trusted source for IT channel news, analyses, and insights, named ZAG an MSP Pioneer 250 Company on its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list, a release explained. Organizations named to the MSP Pioneer 250 have largely built their business models around providing managed services.
In February, ZAG was also named to Cloudtango’s MSP Select list, as a top Managed Service Provider. MSP Select honors MSPs in the United States that deliver technical excellence and innovation that exceed customer expectations. This was ZAG’s third consecutive year on the MSP Select list.
For its inaugural Hybrid Solution Provider 250 (HSP 250) list, Channel Insider, a TechnologyAdvice brand, recognized ZAG as one of the most progressive IT solution providers.
To read more about ZAG’s awards, click here.
Congratulations to the solutions provider on these recognitions!