OVIEDO, FL - Duda Farm Fresh Foods connects industry members through its weekly newsletter, keeping those subscribed up to date on pertinent weather and crop updates. One segment, titled Hands Behind the Harvest, spotlights one individual essential to making it run efficiently.

Oscar Rodriguez, Harvest Manager, shares how he got his start at Duda Farm Fresh Foods and some of the lessons he’s learned along the way.

“My father began working for Duda Farm Fresh Foods in 1995 as the Transplanting Supervisor. He would work in either Salinas or Oxnard, California depending on the season,” he shared. "When I was a child during my summer breaks, I would go with him to work. In doing this, I met Dr. Larry Pierce, former Vice President of Research and Development, now retired, who introduced me to higher education in the field of agriculture.”

After that, Rodriguez finished his education before officially starting at the company in 2017. He primarily manages celery and is also in charge of all the components of the (PTI) Produce Traceability Initiative System.

“The biggest lesson I have learned in this job is that teamwork is the way to go, all departments need to work together and be in constant communication so we all can be in a win-win situation,” he added.

We love seeing companies spotlight individuals within their networks. ANUK hopes to see more of these!

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - After playing a critical role in advancing SpartanNash’s ambitious People First strategy to attract, develop, and retain top talent, Nicole Zube is taking on another crucial role. The experienced leader has been named as the food solutions company’s newest Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.

Zube joined SpartanNash in September 2022. Under her leadership, SpartanNash achieved its 2023 Key Performance Indicators for safety and Associate retention, performing in the top-quartile among peers with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and reducing turnover by more than 9 percent, a release stated. She also led the creation and launch of SpartanNash's first People Philosophy and Competencies, which are measurable skills the company uses to help guide candidate interviews, goal setting, professional development, and the overall Associate career experience.

In addition, Zube championed enhancements to SpartanNash's Total Rewards offering, including pay increases for all entry-level roles in Retail and Supply Chain, expanded bonus program eligibility, a new service awards program, a higher discount for the Associate Stock Purchase Plan, and more.

During her time with the company, SpartanNash has earned accolades that include the Great Place to Work® certification, a spot on Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024 list, and a No. 12 ranking on Indeed's Top 25 Most Flexible Companies list.

"Nicole's work to support our family of 17,000 Associates has better positioned the company to deliver on our promise of customer-focused innovation," commented SpartanNash Chief Executive Officer Tony Sarsam. "Nicole has driven remarkable, measurable impact that is felt by every individual Associate across the organization, and we are proud to recognize her talent, leadership, and passion with this well-deserved promotion."

Before joining SpartanNash, Zube most recently served as Head of HR – U.S. Commercial at Kellogg Company, where she worked in a variety of human resources roles during her decade-long tenure. To read more about her wealth of experience, click here.

And keep clicking on that little apple logo for more retail and fresh produce news.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - How do you envision the checkout experience? Whether it be a quick self-checkout guided by innovative technology or an enjoyable conversation with the retail staff, Target is making sure its shoppers receive an enhanced experience during checkout with the implementation of multiple store developments.

“At Target, we’re always listening to our guests so we can deliver a joyful and convenient shopping experience,” the company said in a recent release. “Checking out is one of the most important moments of the Target run, and we know that a fast, easy experience—whether at self-checkout or the lanes staffed by our friendly team members—is critical to getting guests on their way quickly.”

Some of the customer-focused changes coming to Target stores include:

• The rollout of Express Self-Checkout with limits of 10 items or fewer at most of its nearly 2,000 stores nationwide
• More traditional lanes staffed by team members across all stores for guests
• Continued investments in additional training to ensure its teams can continue to provide great guest service during checkout
• Store leaders have the flexibility to open more lanes staffed by team members and set self-checkout hours that are right for their store

These changes began hitting Target locations on March 17, guided by recent consumer feedback that revealed that ease and convenience are top of mind for shoppers. In response, Target piloted the concept of Express Self-Checkout with limits of 10 items or fewer at about 200 stores last fall.

“Self-checkout was twice as fast at our pilot stores. By having the option to pick self-checkout for a quick trip, or a traditional, staffed lane when their cart is full, guests who were surveyed told us the overall checkout experience was better, too,” the company release went on to explain. “We’ll continue evolving to match guests with the right checkout options so they can get what they need—alongside same-day fulfillment services like Drive Up, Order Pick Up, and Target’s same-day delivery. It’s all in service to demonstrate the convenience, joy, and value of the Target run.”

For more updates on the latest retail developments, keep checking AndNowUKnow.

MISSION, TX - A sweet offering is coming straight out of the Lone Star State as the Texas onion industry officially kicked off harvest for Texas 1015 Sweet Onions (TX1015). In honor of the season, the organization is launching a marketing campaign aimed at boosting brand recognition and sales.

“We’re excited to offer this behind-the-scenes look at the individuals behind the TX1015 Sweet Onion and to honor the dedication of the families and farmworkers whose commitment to quality is feeding families across the country,” said Dante Galeazzi, President of Texas International Produce Association (TIPA). “It’s important to know where our food is coming from and to understand the profound connections that we have with our produce through the growers in our local communities.”

Building on the success of its 2023 campaign, TIPA will release a new video series, “Peeling Back the Layers of the TX1015.” The series will highlight the stories of the Texans who cultivate TX1015s, offering consumers a deeper connection to the heritage, hearts, and hands behind each onion. According to a release, the campaign will also feature promotional activities funded through a USDA-AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

For the second year, TIPA will collaborate with Texas food legend David Elder of Texas Eats to highlight the history and significance of the Lone Star State's official vegetable. Additionally, residents and visitors within the Rio Grande Valley can anticipate the return of the Annual TX1015 Eat Sweet Restaurant Week event, during which local restaurants will feature special menu items incorporating TX1015 sweet onions.

“This year’s dynamic campaign is already off to a fantastic start, and we’re confident it will reach new audiences and leave an impact statewide and beyond,” remarked Galeazzi. “Many consumers are not aware that all U.S.-grown sweet onions were bred from the original TX1015 sweets, and we’re on a mission to change that.”

The harvest of TX1015 onions has already begun in Texas’ southern counties. While a brisk January has affected early yields, availability is anticipated to rise substantially as temperatures increase in the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to mild winter conditions, exceptional quality is anticipated. Excellent quality, size, and availability are expected to continue throughout the summer as the harvest begins in the Wintergarden region in another six to eight weeks.

Stick with AndNowUKnow to read about the latest campaigns and launches.

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Big things are in the works for the Mastronardi Produce® operation. A recent exclusive interview with the greenhouse grower’s Conor Chilvers, Account Manager, revealed strategic growth in the form of partnerships, product innovations, and more.

“We're excited to announce our partnership with Sekoya Blueberries, which will give us access to a very flavorful portfolio of blueberry varieties that is really gonna help set Mastronardi apart in the berry game,” Conor told us, noting the company’s impressive growth in the berry arena.

The company is also experiencing growth in the tomato sector, expanding its incredibly popular Bombs™ tomato lineup.

“We're also excited to keep the innovation coming with our Bombs lineup, which has become ever-famous,” Conor shared. “The newest bomb that we're launching here is the Bahama Bombs™. [We’re] very excited—a lot of good feedback so far, with super high taste, high flavor, and high brix level.”

Be sure to check out our exclusive video above for more insights! Keep clicking on AndNowUKnow for the latest in fresh produce.

SANGER, CA - Competition in the retail landscape continues to drive supplier innovation as more buy-side operators look to their vendor partners to help them stand out to the discerning consumer eye. Kings River Packing has taken up this task in recent years, bringing a family of merchandising solutions to guide the citrus lover into the heart of the produce department.

“Our family of merchandising displays aids in driving sales for Kings River's retail partners by enhancing product visibility, creating attractive displays that catch the attention of shoppers, and effectively showcasing Kings River's citrus products,” Michelle Alo, Director of Marketing, shares with me. “Kings River is committed to empowering our partners with effective merchandising and point of sale (POS) solutions, custom-tailored to meet the unique requirements of each retailer. This commitment entails delivering adaptable merchandising displays that seamlessly integrate with the retailer's brand identity and store configuration.”

Additionally, Kings River provides signage and promotional resources to spotlight Kings River's citrus products within the store environment.

“Through close collaboration with our partners, Kings River strives to refine merchandising and POS strategies, fostering stronger connections with consumers and amplifying sales opportunities,” Michelle continues. “Our collective goal is to elevate the shopping experience, ensuring that customers are not only drawn to our citrus offerings but are also engaged and inspired by their overall retail experience.”

Michelle then gets into the nuts and bolts with me as she describes how important it is to discover each operator’s specific needs. When considering display options, she notes, the choice between universal and variety-specific displays depends on the specific needs and circumstances of the retailer.

“Universal displays, like the Kings River Grown to Share display, offer the advantage of versatility, making them preferable when retailers desire flexibility to showcase a range of citrus varieties. They can easily adapt to seasonal rotations of promotions without requiring additional labor for setup and teardown,” she says. “This flexibility allows for efficient use of space and resources while ensuring that the display remains appealing and relevant to shoppers throughout the year.”

But, consider a different option. Variety-specific displays may be preferred when retailers want to focus on promoting a particular variety, such as when varieties are first available for the season or a special promotion.

“These displays can be tailored to highlight the unique features and benefits, creating a targeted marketing approach that resonates with customers interested in that particular variety,” Michelle explains. “By utilizing strategic placement and eye-catching designs, both universal and variety-specific displays can draw customers' attention to the products, increasing the likelihood of purchase and driving sales for the retailers. Ultimately, the decision between the two types of displays should be based on the retailer's objectives, target audience, and overall merchandising strategy.”

Michelle begins to wrap up the conversation by telling me that Kings River is committed to staying attuned to consumer trends and preferences, incorporating insights into its strategies and executions.

“By continuously evolving and innovating, we aim to elevate consumer satisfaction and drive sales. This includes extending our display opportunities beyond traditional brick-and-mortar stores to provide a seamless online shopping experience, ensuring a comprehensive 360-degree approach to consumer engagement,” she concludes.

Keeping the eye primed for citrus is one way that Kings River Packing innovates. And there are many more to come.