LAKELAND, FL - One honorable grocery vet stepped into retirement and was quickly appointed to a new role within the Publix ranks. Grocery veteran Mark Irby was named this morning as the retailer’s newest Board Member, announced during Publix’s annual shareholders’ meeting.
According to a press release, Irby began his Publix career in 1973 in the sign shop in Lakeland, Florida. He worked in various capacities within that department, and in 1983 transferred into the advertising department as a Marketing and Research Manager.
Then, in 1988, Irby was promoted to Director of Marketing and Advertising, before being named to the role of Vice President of Marketing in 1989. He retired earlier in 2022.
Chairman Ed Crenshaw commented on the recent appointment.
“We congratulate Mark on his election to the Board,” said Crenshaw in the company press release, going on to note how Irby’s previous time spent with Publix will serve him in this new role. “His extensive experience in helping build and promote our Publix brand will bring a valuable perspective.”
Congratulations to Mark Irby on his new title!
MURRIETA, CA - Increased capacity is on the horizon for West Pak Avocado’s Apeel-protected supplies. The provider has built out the partnership even further with the new installation of Apeel treatment capabilities at its Michoacán, Mexico, facility.
“We have made the strategic investment to expand our Apeel treatment capacity in our Michoacán packinghouse because it fits perfectly with our objective to provide best-in-class service to our customers,” mentioned West Pak Avocado Chief Executive Officer Mario Pacheco. “We look forward to providing our retail partners with longer shelf-life with Apeel-treated fruit from our Mexican operations.”
West Pak Avocado Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Meyer also chimed in.
“I am thrilled that we have the capability to offer Apeel-protected avocados to customers in all markets that we serve. Apeel protection gives retailers the opportunity to merchandise further-ripened avocados on their bulk displays and increases the size of their bag displays with more time for sell-through,” Meyer said. “Ripened avocados in bags are also a possibility. Consumers are given more time to enjoy their avocados at home. All in all, Apeel protection translates to more time and more opportunities for the entire food chain.”
The first installation of Apeel treatment capabilities took place at West Pak’s Murrieta, California, facility in 2021. The addition of the Michoacán installation in early 2022 will significantly increase the company’s capacity to supply Apeel-protected avocados, a press release noted.
Both of these West Pak facilities now provide at-source treatment options to deliver a year-round supply of Apeel-protected avocados to retailers in North America, Asia, and Europe.
“We are excited to expand our operations with West Pak,” added Apeel Senior Vice President of Product Erich Klawuhn, citing that Apeel offers a sustainable way to fight food spoilage. “With Apeel’s protection, West Pak’s retailers can offer longer-lasting produce that makes it easier to purchase more while preventing waste.”
What other expansions are on the horizon for West Pak Avocado? ANUK will keep you informed.
GLENNVILLE, GA - This year, three significant events align as the Vidalia® onion season, Viva Fresh Expo, and Major League Baseball (MLB) kick-off. Creating the perfect conditions for a marketing trifecta, Bland Farms® is setting the lineup for a home run season with its latest World Champion Taste campaign, headlined by a partnership with Will Smith, World Series Champion Pitcher of the Atlanta Braves, which the onion purveyor will have on full display at Viva Fresh.
“Vidalia sweet onions are special in that they are only grown in Southeast Georgia, but they are sold in all 50 states,” says Brian Silvas, Sales Manager. “They drive the onion category, and like the start of the baseball season, Vidalia’s bring excitement as they signal the start of summer. Shoppers who add Vidalias to their baskets also tend to spend more on other grocery items because all the great recipes, snacks, dips, and dressings featuring the onion are great impulse purchase items and are perfect for cross-merchandising.”
To meet each retailer’s and shopper’s needs when incorporating Vidalia onions into their summer menus, Bland Farms offers a selection of bulk packaging and bag sizes. The onion purveyor’s partners can even customize bag sizes to meet their merchandising needs.
Not to mention, Bland is providing colorful secondary displays featuring World Championship Taste graphics to entice Vidalia and baseball fans alike. With these display options, buyers can drive incremental sales across the produce aisle. To top it off, the company will also be showcasing its other merchandising tools at Viva Fresh.
“In addition to our Vidalia onions, this year we will have our Vidalia Brands Sweet Onion Petal Shipper and the Vidalia Brands Batter Blossom Shippers at our booth,” adds Brian. “Consumers know and trust the Vidalia Sweet Onion name, and they have found that the Vidalia Brands items only add to their sweet onion experience. The market response has been great year in and year out, with demand for these items growing each season.”
Want to learn more about Bland Farms’ merchandising campaign promising “Major League Sweetness” and the chance to knock onion sales out of the park? Swing by booth #107 to see the stats.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Spring has sprung here in the Northern Hemisphere, and one of the first fruits I start stockpiling in my cart are melons. Shoppers know that the sweet burst of flavor is a perfect addition to spring dishes, so I turned to Pacific Trellis Fruit’s Jeff Nichol to find out everything I could about the current melon market.
“The offshore deal out of Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama is winding down and will finish over the next few weeks. The current watermelon market is tight out of Mexico due to agricultural issues and weather. We are, however, excited and optimistically expect to see increased supplies of both Mini and Full-Size watermelon coming out of Guaymas and Hermosillo, Mexico, toward the end of April, which will continue for about 6–8 weeks,” the Senior Sales Executive explained to me.
The company is looking forward to what Jeff called a stellar spring and summer season for its melons.
“Weather has turned around, and consumers are ready to taste the many flavors and varieties of melons that are available,” he noted. “In June, we will see product available domestically from Yuma, Arizona, and then we will move to the Huron/Westside growing area from July to September.”
Reporting both more acreage and an excellent product quality, Pacific Trellis Fruit wants buy-side partners to know that it is ready to keep them well-stocked this season. And even though I touched base with Jeff regarding the current market, he remarked that the Dulcinea® brand offers a year-round supply of melons in various sizes, styles, and varieties. Bin programs are also available to drive incremental sales and volume.
A number of the company’s branded melons are especially memorable in the eyes of shoppers, and Jeff pointed out how these crops are faring so far.
“Our great-tasting Dulcinea Tuscan-Style® Extra Sweet Cantaloupes will be available in June out of Arizona and then move to the San Joaquin Valley in California from July through September,” Jeff remarked.
Rich in flavor and sweetness with flesh that brings a brilliant orange color, these melons are perfectly snack-sized and ready to eat. Their distinctive grooves also let shoppers pick their ideal ripeness level.
The grower’s KISS Melons line is also expecting an availability soon, with Golden KISS Melons available in late-May to early-June out of Arizona. KISS Limon melons will also be available at this time.
“The line of KISS melons also includes the popular Summer KISS, which has a sweet, mellow, and creamy flavor; as well as Sugar KISS, which is the sweetest member of the KISS family,” Jeff added. “It is full of flavor and melts in your mouth, dissolving like sugar. That melon will be available starting in Arizona in June and run through September into the beginning of October.”
In addition to its conventional programs, the company’s organics are set to be available out of Mexico sometime in mid-May.
As we look toward strong promotional opportunities, such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July, be sure to look to Pacific Trellis Fruit for all of your melon program needs!
DENVER, CO - The growth of the potato category isn’t slowing down any time soon, in part due to the work of Potatoes USA, which consistently uplifts potato suppliers to provide a generous boost to the sector. On March 8, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) swore in 33 members to the organization’s Board at its Annual Meeting.
“I am appreciative of the potato industry and for the time I have spent working with so many great farmers and industry members over the last several years during my time serving on the Executive Board of Potatoes USA,” said Jason Davenport, Chairman of the Board and President of Allied Potato. “I look forward to the year ahead as Chairman and hope that as an industry we all find ways to navigate the difficulties of rising costs, supply chain challenges, global inflation, as well as dealing with labor and trucking shortages and come out stronger at the end of this, with more experience and resolve for a brighter future and outlook on agriculture. I am certain that the path forward is to continue to work together and collaborate as an industry.”
This year, the USDA appointed 13 new members and reappointed 20 members to serve three-year terms, as explained in a press release. This brings Potatoes USA’s Board to 104 members this year, including growers, importers, and one public member.
Every year, Board Members are nominated by the industry to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The newly appointed or reappointed members were sworn in by Alex Caryl, Branch Chief of the Market Development Division of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crops Program.
To see a full list of Potatoes USA’s Board of Directors, click here.
Congratulations to all of these leaders for taking on a critical role with this industry organization. For more growth updates and leadership appointments, keep clicking on ANUK.
PHARR, TX - A recent ruling was made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in regard to border crossing inspections. The government official announced last week that all commercial vehicles crossing the Texas-Mexico border will undergo a thorough inspection upon arrival at United States checkpoints. Already, the ruling has created significant delays in transportation.
"This weekend, the fresh produce industry saw millions of dollars of fresh fruits and vegetables held hostage on the international bridges between Texas and Mexico in the lead-up to the Easter holiday pull," Dante Galeazzi, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), said to ANUK. "As we have reiterated many times, TIPA supports border security, but what we are experiencing today is not that. Our companies are being used as bargaining chips. This industry pays taxes, calls Texas home, employs thousands of Texans, and feeds the country. Our people should not be punished."
TIPA released a statement outlining that these enhanced safety inspections are Level 1 and take 45 minutes to complete. The statement also noted that some bridges are experiencing 100 percent inspection rates, while others have low inspection rates, and some have not implemented any.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the ruling comes following the Biden administration's decision to end the pandemic-era Title 42 health order. The inspections are being put in place to mitigate the migration of immigrants, drug smugglers, and illegal cargo carriers, another report stated.
The news source went on to note that as of Friday, truck lines were averaging three to four hours along the Texas-Mexico border, with more delays expected as we head into the week. As we have seen previously, these delays may result in higher prices on goods, accounting for increased transportation costs surrounding time lost and fuel used.
TIPA noted this morning that a protest is currently underway at the Pharr International Bridge, where a blockade has been created by truckers. According to this report, truckers faced delays in excess of 30 hours while attempting to cross over the weekend.
"For the sake of the many American families and especially those in Texas who are counting on healthful fresh fruits and vegetables for the Easter Holiday, and on behalf of Texas businesses who not only are employers but also keep the economy of the state going, we ask you to reconsider the state Department of Public Safety inspections of fresh produce trucks occurring in Texas ports of entry," the association stated in a letter addressed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) also commented on the situation.
"We agree that safety and security are paramount, which is why the inspections of commercial trucks by U.S. Customs and Border Protection are considered to be the best in the world," added FPAA President and CEO Lance Jungmeyer. "Texas has some of the most secure Commercial Ports of Entry anywhere along the U.S. border. Officers use sophisticated technology to see through the trailers and catch illicit cargo and prevent human smuggling."
As more news surfaces on this issue, AndNowUKnow will keep you informed.
Texas International Produce Association Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
BAKERSFIELD, CA - This Monday morning, there’s supreme cause for celebration, as Country Sweet Produce announced the promotions of Prescott Leyba to Director of Sales and Alexandra Rae Molumby to Director of Marketing for Bako Sweet®.
“As we continue to frame out our bright future, we’ve identified the importance of having a sales and marketing team that work in a complementary manner with two highly focused and specialized leaders,” said Michael Valpredo, President. “Prescott and Rae have proven to be an exceptional team, and we look forward to our future sales growth and company success with them at the helm of sales and marketing.”
In these new roles, both Leyba and Molumby will be working together to take the Bako Sweet brand to new heights. From farm to retail, the pair will be looking closely at building highly functioning sales and marketing teams—both internally and with strategic partners—to drive the company’s goals forward, a press release explained.
“It’s extremely important that we remain a ‘customer-first’ company,” commented Leyba. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Rae and our respective teams to ensure that we continue to expand on our goal of providing high-quality products to our retail partners in ways that add value for today’s consumer.”
Molumby added her thoughts regarding the promotion and what it means for the future of the company.
“It’s been especially rewarding to see the growth of our brand over the last couple of years thanks to the ongoing marketing and merchandising efforts from our team,” Molumby remarked. “In the last year, Bako Sweet has earned consumer media attention from some of the most reputable publications and has increased sales significantly as a result.”
Leyba and Molumby have a host of achievements to recommend them, but most recently, they worked together with two major Southern California retailers to secure dedicated in-line space and distribution of Bako Sweet products, all while incorporating merchandising and promotional components. This was a first in the company’s history.
As the release went on to note, it’s synergy like this that has elevated the Bako Sweet brand as a value-added partner for retailers and a highly visible brand for shoppers. Leyba and Molumby will continue to represent the brand as its primary sales and marketing contacts.
If you want to congratulate these two in person—I know I do!—be sure to stop by their booth #607 at the West Coast Produce Expo, June 3–4.
A hearty congratulations from all of us here at AndNowUKnow!
DUBLIN - Consistently dedicated to extending its industry reach, Dole plc has officially unveiled its new “Dole Exotics” specialist division along with its “BE Exotic” consumer brand. The announcement was made at Fruit Logistica 2022 and marks the company’s focus on realizing the potential of exotic produce, with a focus on avocados and mangos.
“Our ambition is nothing less than to raise the bar in the exotics category,” said Tobias Deil, Category Director for Avocado and Mango in Dole EMEA in a presentation at Fruit Logistica. “We believe we are uniquely positioned to do so given the quality of our existing production and our commitment to invest in more, the experience of our global specialists in exotic fruits, the technical expertise they bring, and our infrastructure across the most fertile global growing regions, but also on-the-ground in key markets.”
By creating a bespoke unit dedicated to the growing, procurement, ripening, and marketing of exotic fruits and vegetables, Dole plc intends to expand its reach in the category, a press release explained. To do so, the company will apply its resources and expertise associated with DOLE® Bananas and Pineapples to deliver exotic fruits to retail shelves across Europe and the globe.
In order to complement group production and third-party sourcing, Dole Exotics will offer a vertically integrated supply chain, a streamlined route to market, and the in-house capacity to assure the best agronomic and sustainable practices from grower to consumer.
“Our BE Exotic range will speak to the consumer in a contemporary, innovative way. Our packaging will deliver striking on-shelf impact while, in promoting the brand, we will be encouraging consumers to embrace their inner adventurous selves by trying something new,” added Deil. “BE Exotic is a brand very much of its time-one inextricably linked to identity, but one also endorsed by DOLE, a trusted and recognized name. It is a compelling combination which we believe will resonate with consumers in markets right across Europe.”
To learn more about Dole plc’s recent brand and division, click here.
How will these new launches affect Dole plc’s U.S. portfolio and reach? Keep reading AndNowUKnow for answers.
LYONS, GA - Spring and summer Vidalia® onion promotions are prepared to kickoff as operators across the industry ramp up for these highly anticipated supplies. L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms is one purveyor revving its engine, announcing a promotional partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation for the 2022 season. The onions will be represented by co-branded packaging during the partners’ Memorial Day Promotion, running May 16–30 and the July 4th Promotion, running June 20–July 4.
“We had been wanting to do something with veterans and the United States military for a while, and when we started talking to the folks at the Gary Sinise Foundation, we knew this was the perfect fit for us,” John Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing, explains. “The work they are doing for our veterans and first responders is incredible, and we are excited to work with such a remarkable organization.”
A unique QR code on the packaging will drive shoppers to a dedicated site where they can learn more about the many programs offered by the foundation. Consumers can also make donations, and Herndon Farms will donate five percent of the gross sales, up to $25,000 during the campaign.
The Gary Sinise Foundation’s mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need, a press release explained. The foundation’s programs serve America’s heroes and their loved ones 365 days a year.
For more partnerships and fresh produce news, you know where to find us.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - Walmart is traversing the digital space to continue bringing e-commerce advancements to its grocery empire. Setting its focus on its Indian e-commerce platform Flipkart, the grocer has announced the arm has reportedly internally raised its IPO valuation target to $60–70 billion.
According to Reuters, Flipkart raised its valuation target by around a third from $50 billion. The retail arm now plans for a United States listing in 2023, two sources with direct knowledge of the plan told Reuters. The main reason for waiting, continued the source, is due to Flipkart’s internal plan to boost valuations further by focusing on two relatively new businesses—online healthcare services and travel bookings. (How this will affect potential grocery e-commerce as Flipkart makes a bid in the United States remains to be seen.)
The listing is now being planned for early-to-mid 2023, as Flipkart is incorporated in Singapore and wants to list in the United States. As noted by the sources, the IPO valuation target could be anywhere between $60 billion and $70 billion.
To read more about the recent strategy, click here.
AndNowUKnow will keep a close watch to see how this U.S. listing will drive growth for Walmart’s entire operation and its e-commerce abilities, so keep clicking back to keep a tab on the industry.