NAPERVILLE, IL - The more minds that are at the table, the more ideas that will come to the surface. As KeHE Distributors® continues down its path to sustainability, the company is welcoming its supplier base to join the cause. Through the new KeHE ECOtrade™ program, the company aims to make sustainability a priority for everyone.
“We recognize our impact on the planet and want to lead change within the food and beverage industry. The new KeHE ECOtrade program has been created to inspire others to use their business as a force for good and join forces with those already taking action,” Laura McCord, Executive Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, stated. “The program will recognize and support brands that make a significant climate action commitment, such as net-zero, carbon-neutral, or science-based targets, and bring those to the forefront for retailers and shoppers to discover.”
As a leading natural, organic, specialty, and fresh food distributor, noted the release, KeHE recognizes its stewardship role of caring for the planet and making meaningful progress toward climate action in transportation, energy, waste, and refrigerants.
The company has pledged the following climate commitments:
- Decrease transportation emissions by 20 percent by 2030
- Lower food waste by 50 percent and landfill diversion by 90 percent before 2030
- Reduce Global Warming Potential (GWP) from refrigerants by 20 percent by 2030
- Pursue options to allow 100 percent of its energy use to come from renewable energy
KeHE is also calling on its product suppliers to take action by joining in the distributor’s efforts through the KeHE ECOtrade program.
Currently, the program is inviting new brands and organizations to join. As of now, participants in the ECOtrade program include organizations like PepsiCo, Preserve, Tasty Bite, Clif Bar, Ecos, Stonyfield Farms, Alter Eco, Delicious & Sons, Numi, and Moonshot.
Curious to learn more? Click here for details.
How will the fresh produce industry take part in this program? We cannot wait to find out.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - After many successful achievements in the sustainability space, AgroFresh Solutions has outlined its long-term commitments. Through its first-ever Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, the company is reinforcing its dedication to global customers to deliver new products, services, and solutions that improve produce quality and reduce food loss and waste.
“AgroFresh's commitment to sustainability is at the very core of what we do, and our focus on ESG goes hand-in-hand with our mission of ensuring produce freshness and reducing food waste on a global scale,” said Clint Lewis, Chief Executive Officer. “We firmly believe that reducing post-harvest losses of already-produced food is more sustainable than increasing production to compensate, and our solutions have helped keep countless tons of quality produce from being wasted. Looking ahead, we will continue to hold ourselves accountable and leverage our products, services, and technical expertise to serve our customers and help address their sustainability goals, as well as focus our innovation efforts to develop and bring to market new solutions that maximize produce freshness and help reduce food loss and waste.”
The ESG report provides a transparent view into AgroFresh's sustainability performance across a number of key areas, including benchmarks aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), a press release stated. AgroFresh is leading the charge in reducing food waste, embracing all 17 UN SDGs and addressing five of them—UN SDGs 2, 9, 10, 12, and 13—within the ESG report.
Highlights of the ESG report include:
- Addressing Hunger and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
- Promoting Innovation
- Ensuring Sustainable Global Consumption and Production Patterns
- Taking Action to Combat Climate Change and Its Impacts
AgroFresh is also launching a set of ESG commitments to achieve by 2027, including:
- A focus on continued innovation through R&D investments
- The reduction of AgroFresh’s environmental impact
- Contribute to the improving representation of gender and racial/ethnic diversity in global agriculture
- Making an impact at a local level, through the dedication of employee time and expertise
More on AgroFresh’s ESG commitments can be found here.
For more on how companies are upping their sustainability commitments in the fresh produce industry, stick with us.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - It is always exciting to watch talented experts climb the ladder in our industry. Recently, SpartanNash pulled back the curtain on another pivotal promotion. Previously serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, David Petko will be taking on the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer.
Petko, who was hired in April 2021, oversees all aspects of the company’s global supply chain, which consists of over 145 company-owned stores, over 2,100 independent retailers and national accounts throughout the United States, as well as U.S. military commissaries and exchanges.
Playing a critical role in the grocer's transformation strategy, Petko successfully launched a comprehensive supply chain transformation initiative to drive savings, optimize the network footprint, and rationalize SKUs, according to a press release. He also helped lead a new agreement with Coastal Pacific Food Distributors to expand the retailer’s distribution footprint on the West Coast while simultaneously reducing fleet mileage by 10 percent. The supply chain initiative is expected to realize cost savings of $15 million to $30 million.
Petko has 25 years of supply chain and distribution logistics experience to complement a proven track record of transformational leadership and improved customer and associate satisfaction. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for C&S Wholesale Grocers, where he worked to increase operational efficiencies as well as safety, associated engagement, customer focus, and innovative problem solving throughout its supply chain.
During his 11-year career with the grocer, Petko held the position of Regional Vice President of Operations from 2014–2019, Senior Director ES3/D2S from 2013–2014, Director of Operations from 2012–2013, and General Manager of two of its facilities from 2009–2012.
"The SpartanNash supply chain is the backbone of our operations as a food solutions company," said Tony Sarsam, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Dave's leadership has resulted in immediate impact on our productivity, making us more efficient and effective and enabling us to focus more than ever on insights that drive innovative solutions for our food retailer customers."
Congratulations to David Petko on this exciting promotion and the continuation of the retailer’s ambitious transformation blueprint!
WATSONVILLE, CA - A variety of factors have led to a somewhat volatile lettuce market, as shippers report escalated pricing due to quality concerns, lower yields, and high demand. In order to catch up on the recent turn in the market, I spoke to Brian Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens.
“Currently, there is no leaf available on the West Coast,” the Sales Manager shared with me. “Everyone, both conventional and organic, has pulled the pin amid aphid and weather issues. In California, Salinas and Watsonville are slow to start, and we are looking at a seasonal start at the end of March. The central Valley will probably start sooner.”
As many shippers are currently in the same boat, lower yields have been reported across the board, due in part to the pattern of adverse weather—which Brian echoed.
“Being organic, there’s not much we can do until we harvest March 28 up north on new blocks and ranches,” he said. “Because of the warmer weather and aphid pressure, most growers are in the same situation.”
Additional quality concerns such as tip and fringe burn, as well as blister and peel, have been reported by companies dealing in leafy greens.
Given the situation is not a singular event, the pressure to get leaf into the store is mounting. Brian did note there may be relief on the horizon.
“If the weather holds up here in the Pajaro Valley, we are hopeful we may be able to harvest sooner,” he remarked.
We’ll continue to keep our eyes on this situation, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest.
GLENNVILLE, GA - As the crisis in Ukraine continues, industry members like Walt Dasher of G&R Farms are making their support for the country known. Recently, the onion grower’s Vice President announced that he will be donating $2,500 to Work Central Kitchen (WCK) to aid in the efforts to feed Ukrainian refugees and is urging other fresh produce names to contribute.
“I have watched in disbelief the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, and I am moved by the perseverance the Ukrainian people are showing to protect their families and get them to safety, while also staying behind to defend their country,” said Dasher. “They are an example to the world, and they are the line in the sand that represents freedom. As a food industry, we grow nourishing foods, and together let’s help Chef Andres nourish a nation in need. I challenge each produce company to join me and make a donation to World Central Kitchen.”
Dasher’s donation will be used to help Chef Jose Andres and other feeding operations as they prepare meals for those fleeing Ukraine, a release noted. WCK is serving meals at eight border crossings across the country and helping local restaurants to prepare meals in eight Ukrainian cities including Odessa, Lviv, and Kyiv, which have been greatly impacted.
In addition to providing assistance in Ukraine, WCK is also on the ground in Romania, Moldova, and Hungary.
As he makes his donation, Dasher is challenging other industry members to match his efforts and contribute to WCK. You can give to the organization by clicking here.
For more updates on how industry names are assisting those in need, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CULIACÁN, SINALOA, MEXICO - With strong pillars to stand on, an organization can reach new heights. For Veggies From Mexico (VFM), its values are evident and a clear contributor to its success. With a weekly audit system creating a culture of food safety and operational excellence, VFM represents a grower community rooted in sustainability and social responsibility.
“The VFM audit system promotes the culture of food safety and social responsibility, not only with the managers of these areas but with all the company managers and workers. Spanning general management, administration, the packaging facility, the field, and other support areas, this ensures a comprehensive culture and a lifestyle,” explains Chief Executive Officer Georgius Gotsis. “The weekly audit is a means to support what farmers, year after year, confirm in their certification audits, both in food safety and social responsibility. Our farmers have the certificates of the highest level in these two areas.”
Once a farmer has gained the required certification and is compliant with the criteria of the weekly audits, they are welcomed to the community and given labels with a customized QR code to be placed on their pallets, which leads directly to the Veggies From Mexico website with information on the grower.
The Veggies From Mexico community currently comprises the following growers:
- Agroexportadora del Noroeste
- Agrícola Belher
- Tricar
- De La Costa
- Agrícola Campaña
- Agrícola El Nazario
- Del Campo y Asociados
- SL Agrícola
- Agrícola Chaparral
- Agroindustrias Tombell
- Agrícola Maor
- Promotora Agroindustrial y Comercial del Tamazula
Collectively, these suppliers provide a robust portfolio of tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, bell peppers, string beans, spicy peppers, blueberries, and more. To further promote food safety across its community, Veggies From Mexico also implements continuous training to ensure its operation is safe for its growers and the communities they serve.
“Each year, we have local and foreign specialists to train our community members and their food safety and social responsibility leaders,” Georgius states. “The purpose is to provide knowledge and tools to continue reducing food safety risks, as well as to continue providing the best living conditions for their workers.”
Building on this training, a team of technicians from Eleven Rivers Growers is trained every summer in the most significant food safety and social responsibility certifications in the world.
Establishing the Veggies From Mexico community as a symbol of high-quality, clean, and consumption-safe produce grown by a team with an admirable human approach, the grower community has made several plays to educate consumers, distributors, and retailers about its commitment to food safety and social responsibility.
“We have developed a promotional program through workshops and webinars, content promotion on digital channels of our own, and presence in specialized media as well as participating in events in the sector to position the Veggies From Mexico brand as a badge of certainty,” Georgius adds.
An unwavering dedication to social responsibility and food safety is something many consumers are looking for in the produce department, and Veggies From Mexico is helping to meet this need with a dynamic team of certified growers.
As always, keep clicking on ANUK for the latest industry updates.
YERINGTON, NV - Having a great product is vital to making that sale, but having a robust and strong marketing partner is what drives programs to success. Teri Gibson, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations for Peri & Sons Farms, realizes this need to bridge produce with the retailer—and the grower’s marketing program is one to keep an eye out for this season.
“Our Onions All Year® program provides a seamless process for our customers,” Teri says. “We help remind them about the seasonal changes before they happen, so they can best maximize their space and product.”
Currently, Peri & Sons is in its Nevada storage crops, and its fresh crop from California will be kicking in soon. With the transition, the grower is providing education where needed to make the category boom as part of its OnionXpress™ California Seasonal promotion, which kicked off at the beginning of March. In doing so, the grower hopes to curtail food waste and excess labor and transportation costs.
“Spring onions look and store differently than fall onions. Fall/winter onions have hard, colorful, shiny skins that are visually appealing. Spring onions have flakier, mottled, and loose skins,” Teri explains to me. “We educate our customers, so they don’t mistake spring onions as poor quality when they are delivered, which could result in a rejection, unnecessary food waste, and added costs across the board.”
That educational experience extends to the shopper, as well. Many consumers, myself included, may wonder why onions on display aren’t as polished while they pass them by on the shelf. Retailers can let their shoppers know that the upcoming season’s onions are every bit as delicious as fall/winter onions, and they’re more field-fresh as they’re only stored for a short amount of time.
Just like last year, retail customers can expect some sweet onion swag to brighten up their day and produce aisles.
“As part of the promotion, we provide the California Season Handout, send out an e-blast to our retailers, and include a little merchandise for our customers,” Teri illustrates. “This year, we are changing from our signature Peri & Sons logo t-shirts to embroidered canvas logo caps. On the caps, we’re also introducing a new promotional logo for the program.”
Available in maroon and gray, the new brimmed caps are great to wear on the produce aisle floor to advertise onions year-round. That’s a win-win scenario if you ask me.
Curious to learn more insights on how to make your produce section the top destination? Keep reading AndNowUKnow.
EUGENE, OR - The online world is evolving at a rapid speed, meaning companies need infrastructure and strong team members to help guide growth. This is exactly what Fall Creek Farm & Nursery is creating as the blueberry breeder has announced J. Nathan Jurgens as its new Information Technology (IT) Director.
“I’m very excited to help Fall Creek realize its vision of a World with Better Blueberries through systems and processes that make us more agile for our customers,” said Jurgens. “It also feels right, like I’ve come full circle since I grew up in Oregon and worked summer jobs picking blueberries as a teenager.”
In his new position, Jurgens will be responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of worldwide IT strategies to spur business growth and enable the company’s innovation objectives, a press release stated. As IT Director, he will also help to ensure optimal ROI, cyber security capabilities, and recruitment and retention of IT talent.
As Jurgens steps into this role, he is backed by 15 years of experience in IT systems, including integration of business applications, support, process workflows, compliance, cybersecurity, and business planning in vertical markets such as finance, healthcare, higher education, and manufacturing. Before joining Fall Creek, he was most recently an IT Consultant in Alabama specializing in project management.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Language from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration degree in Information Security Management from Saint Leo University in Florida. Jurgens is fluent in English and Spanish.
Co-Chief Executive Officer Oscar Verges, who Jurgens will be reporting to in his new role, shared his thoughts on the recent appointment.
“Nathan brings a wealth of CIO and IT consulting experience across a variety of industries and international businesses to his new role at Fall Creek,” he commented. “We look forward to working with him to standardize our IT platforms and tools worldwide, ultimately enhancing our customers’ experience.”
Congratulations to J. Nathan Jurgens on starting in this new position!
ORLANDO, FL - Records were broken at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure this year. Healthy Family Project reported that over 200 attendees gathered for the organization’s annual Southern Exposure reception. All industry members present were there to celebrate the cause marketing programs, which have raised a total of $7.3 million for families in need.
“It’s humbling to look back at what started as a small in-store cause marketing promotion to what Healthy Family Project has become today,” said John Shuman, President of Shuman Farms and Founder of Healthy Family Project. “With the support of our retail and produce company partners, we are delivering best-in-class cause marketing programs influencing millions of families to eat healthier while also giving back to charities across the U.S.”
The Healthy Family Project success story from the past year was broadcast on screens and included testimonials from 2021 retailers. Guests were outfitted with the popular Fruits & Veggies & Giving Back t-shirts, which are used across produce departments to showcase the willingness of our industry to give back through education, resources, and donations.
Shuman, along with retail and digital program partners, gathered for the check presentations, totaling $250k raised in 2021 and benefitting Feeding America food banks as well as Our Military Kids and Foundation for Fresh Produce. According to a press release, the checks were presented for each 2021 Healthy Family Project retail and digital program, including Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield Division, Coborn’s, Military Produce Group, Publix Super Markets, Rouses, and Stop & Shop, as well as digital programs Power Your Lunchbox and Mission for Nutrition.
The Healthy Family Project booth featured a display showcasing the profound impact of healthful food choices. Upcoming 2022 programs include the AWG Springfield Division, AWG Oklahoma Division, Coborn’s, Military Produce Group, Publix Super Markets, and Stop & Shop. Digital campaigns include Mission for Nutrition, which launched on March 1, and the annual Back to School with a Healthy Family Project program that will launch in August 2022.
Cheers to Healthy Family Project and the industry partners who make its mission a reality.
OTAY MESA, CA - Fresh produce once again fell victim to the illegal actions of criminals as United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the Otay Mesa, California, commercial facility recently uncovered almost 1,200 small packages of methamphetamine. The alleged drugs were discovered hidden amongst an unassuming shipment of onions.
“This was not only a clever attempt to try and smuggle in narcotics, one I haven’t seen before, but also time-consuming to wrap narcotics into these small packages, designed to look like onions,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego. “These efforts show how effective our officers are, and as a response, the lengths drug trafficking organizations are willing to go to as they try to smuggle narcotics into the U.S. While we have certainly seen narcotics in produce before, it’s unusual for us to see this level of detail in the concealment.”
The alleged drugs were uncovered during an inspection of what authorities thought was a tractor trailer of onions, a press release stated. During the exam, the CBP canine team screened the truck and trailer and a detector dog alerted to the possible illicit substances inside.
Upon searching, officers found 1,197 packages of methamphetamine mixed with onions in sacks. The packages were shaped into small globes with a white covering placed over them to blend with the onions they were concealed amongst. Overall, CBP officers recovered approximately 1,336 lbs of methamphetamine worth an estimated street value of $2.9 million.
The driver was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) for further investigation.
Thank you to the diligent officers that continue to protect the reputation of fresh produce everywhere.