CORAL GABLES, FL - Fresh Del Monte is preparing for a leadership transition as a member of its C-Suite team has announced their departure. Recently, the fresh purveyor announced through an 8-K filing that Eduardo Bezerra, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be stepping down and an interim CFO will soon be appointed.
Bezerra entered the role of SVP and CFO in March 2019, taking over the position from Richard Contreras. According to the filing, he will be resigning to pursue other personal and career interests, not due to any disagreement with the company, its leaders, or its operations. His resignation will become effective March 31, 2022.
As Bezerra transitions out of Fresh Del Monte, the company has announced its intentions to name an interim CFO to take over pending the search for a permanent leader to officially step into the position.
For more updates on Fresh Del Monte’s leadership transition, stick with AndNowUKnow.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart has offered us an inside look at the recent success of its operations, pulling back the curtain on its newly released fourth quarter and full-year highlights. In the report, the grocery chain revealed it has eclipsed $150 billion in net sales this quarter.
“We had another strong quarter to finish off a strong year,” said Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have momentum in our business in all three segments. We’re being aggressive with our plans and executing on the strategy. It’s exciting to see how the teams are simultaneously navigating today’s challenges and reshaping our business.”
As outlined in the financial report, Walmart’s total revenue for the fourth quarter was $152.9 billion. Total revenue for the year reached $572.8 billion, a 2.4 percent increase compared to the year prior.
For the full fiscal year, the retailer saw significant growth in its omnichannel operations, reporting that United States e-commerce sales grew by 11 percent and 90 percent on a two-year stack.
This growth comes as the company works to successfully navigate higher supply chain costs and other pandemic-related challenges while continuing to execute its strategic initiatives.
To explore more of the recently released financial report, click here.
AndNowUKnow is continuously tracking impressive growth across the retail sector, so keep clicking back.
YAKIMA, WA - Before I know it, I’ll be packing my bags and heading to Orlando, Florida, to soak up the industry networking I’ve missed for the last two years. To prepare myself for the whirlwind of innovations, booths, and fresh faces that will be the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure, I reached out to some industry friends. One such friend is Catherine Gipe-Stewart, who clued me in on what Superfresh Growers® will be highlighting at the show.
“Alongside teasing the 2022 cherry and blueberry seasons, we’ll be showcasing our year-long domestic apple and pear programs,” Catherine, the grower’s Communications Manager noted. “Our proprietary varieties are always a draw, as we offer Cosmic Crisp®, Autumn Glory®, and Sunrise Magic®—our newest variety that boasts a pink and orange ‘sunrise’ coloring that has a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness.”
The company will also be highlighting its Superfresh Organics® line, with organic pears going into the spring and organic apples offered year-round.
“Organic Pink Lady and Organic Granny Smith are two varieties we especially want to focus on for promotions this spring. Pink Lady’s sunny logo is ideal for spring advertising and marketing,” Catherine remarked.
In addition to the above, Superfresh Growers will go into greater detail regarding its cherry and blueberry seasons—as Catherine already hinted.
“We have orchards spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, which leads to a steady supply all season long,” Catherine explained. “Super Cherry® is our branded cherry program, boasting the largest cherries on the tree! This is a great program to add specialty offerings, capturing the affordable luxury of cherries.”
The Superfresh blueberry season is another focus as we look down the road to summer. With 700 acres of the berry grown in the Umpqua River Valley in Oregon, Superfresh Growers’ blueberry fields have a multi-generational legacy spanning nearly fifty years.
“The mild, dry climate is ideal for producing delicious, large, high-quality blueberries over a long season. We have a great little microclimate with winters and summers that are milder than our northern neighbors in the Willamette Valley. We typically start 7–10 days earlier than the Willamette Valley, depending on the year,” Catherine continued. “Our whole company looks forward every year to the arrival of our hand-picked blueberries and kiwi berries!”
For over 150 years, the Superfresh Growers family has been cultivating fresh fruit in the Pacific Northwest. With its strong focus on conservation and sustainability, the intention is to keep farming for generations to come.
Be sure to stop by booth #1011 to see the team and hear more for yourself!
SALINAS, CA - As a vegetarian, salads are my go-to, especially when eating out. The refreshing crunch of Romaine lettuce never gets old, and the versatile product can be applied to the plate in a variety of ways. Coming off Valentine’s Day—a holiday known for its eating occasions—I linked up with Church Brothers Farms’ Jason Lathos to discuss the current state of the Romaine market.
“Our team is currently seeing very good quality and volumes,” began the Manager of Commodities. “We will transition from Yuma, Arizona, back to California’s Salinas Valley in mid-April, so we are not only doing short-term planning, but long-term planning to ensure there are no gaps or overlaps in production. As of right now, it looks like everything is fitting like a glove.”
Overall, the Romaine market is looking steady as consumer demand saw a 10 to 15 percent lift surrounding what Jason said is one of the biggest foodservice holidays of the year, aside from Mother’s Day. Jason also relayed that pricing has been overall steady but is always subject to change depending on volumes/yield at the field level as well as demand.
“Pricing has been steady in the double digits. The market has been between $10 to $14, and we are hanging around $12 currently. Any time you’re at double digits or higher, that’s a positive,” Jason told me.
The only potential challenge Jason sees in the field revolves around end-of-season disease. Fluctuations in weather and long lengths of time in the field can sometimes bring about disease that creates a gap or loss of product, causing the market to go up. However, there are currently no issues in sight, and Church Brothers Farms is well-positioned to combat any issues.
Looking toward the supply chain, Jason and I also discussed how transportation has posed challenges to the grower.
“The loading patterns are definitely skewed right now. There’s a lot of no-show trucks, and freight rates have been up. Finding trucks and drivers has been tough. But this has been a factor for the last two years,” he said.
Even so, Jason anticipates that recent consumer trends will help foster a greater sense of normalcy.
“I think people are getting burned out on isolation and have what I call a home hangover,” he noted. “Consumers are tired of just buying their groceries at retail and cooking at home; they want to treat themselves. They are also being more sympathetic toward foodservice workers, so they clearly want to support restaurants and their staff.”
As we at ANUK continue to learn more surrounding produce, transportation, and labor, keep coming back to our little green logo.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Back in December, we announced that Consentio was expanding its United States presence by teaming up with Alsum Farms & Produce. Now, the company is strategizing to build out its footprint even further, announcing it has appointed Carlos Galvin to the U.S. leadership team.
“I was drawn to Consentio, not only because of the digital platform, but also because of the vision and ethos of its Founders,” Galvin commented. “Like many people, I am increasingly conscious of the need for sustainable and responsible food production. I am a big fan of organics, and to see a platform that actively helps to reduce food waste whilst increasing supply chain transparency is a dream come true!”
According to a press release, Galvin has wide-ranging business experience across three continents, including many years working in logistics and operations in the fresh produce sector.
Andy Makeham, Head of U.S. Operations, weighed in on the recent appointment.
“Carlos’s impressive experience combined with his natural drive, energy, and positive attitude to life make him the perfect candidate to help grow the U.S. operations,” Makeham said. “Consentio trades globally, so Carlos’s international business experience and mastery of languages will also help our mission. We are lucky to have him!”
Congratulations to Carlos Galvin on entering a new role!
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Easter and Mother’s Day are two of the biggest spring eating occasions, bringing ample opportunities in the fresh produce aisle. As retailers ramp up for the promotional events, Fresh Solutions Network is wielding its Side Delights® brand to provide secondary display suggestions in the potato category.
“Easter and Mother’s Day are perfect holidays to celebrate with food and family, such as a BBQ and backyard Easter egg hunt, Mother’s Day brunch, or a festive, family-style dinner,” said Kathleen Triou, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With eye-catching displays and a full assortment of potatoes, Side Delights can help shoppers select their holiday menu items while increasing in-store sales. Retailers can further increase the basket ring by pairing potatoes with complementary secondary displays this spring holiday season.”
Pulling from several recipes within its portfolio, Side Delights suggests pairing potatoes with items such as eggs, meat, and herbs.
According to data from the National Retail Federation, in 2020 and 2021, studies showed that consumers spent record numbers on food shopping in preparation for the Easter holiday, exceeding $6.48 billion and $6.32 billion, respectively. Additional studies showed that 83 percent of Americans plan to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2022.
An Idaho Potato Commission study confirmed that secondary displays positively impact potato category sales, a press release noted. Stores with secondary potato displays showed a 22 percent sales increase compared to stores with no secondary display and showed an average category growth of 2.5 percent.
Looking to boost potato sales for these exciting holidays? Take a page from the Side Delights playbook and you may be in luck.
SALINAS, CA - With nearly 100 years of experience, it’s no surprise that Tanimura & Antle understands how to refresh the lettuce category. After seeing years of success and growth at the foodservice level for its Artisan® Baby Iceberg, the supplier has added a 2 ct retail pack of Artisan Baby Iceberg to its suite of specialty products.
“We’re excited to introduce Artisan Baby Iceberg to both our retail customers and consumers. As grower-shippers are challenged to do more with less each day, we’re constantly seeking new seed varieties and products that deliver what our customers are looking for while also amplifying our sustainability efforts,” said Brian Antle, Executive Vice President of Sales. “With less days to harvest, Artisan Baby Iceberg spends less time in the ground, requires less water, and adds to our overall sustainability efforts. This item is an all-around win for everyone."
The product was first introduced to the foodservice sector after extensive research and development in the variety’s proprietary seed genetics to ensure it would uphold the supplier’s expectations in quality, year-round consistency, and flavor. After seeing its success in the foodservice space, the grower has now increased the volume of its program to introduce the new retail pack, according to a press release.
“More than ever before, today’s consumers are more aware and concerned with topics such as food waste and sustainability,” said Ashley Pipkin, Director of Marketing. “Studies show that around 32 percent of food waste takes place in consumers’ homes. Our new 2 ct Artisan Baby Iceberg gives consumers a new twist on a familiar favorite with a guilt-free, smaller portion size that they won’t have to throw away half of at the end of the week. Above and beyond that—Artisan Baby Iceberg is slightly sweeter in flavor than traditional iceberg with the same familiar crunch and texture attributes.”
Tanimura & Antle’s Artisan Baby Iceberg is a fully mature petite seed variety that grows dense and compact, just like a regular head of iceberg lettuce. The supplier officially started shipping the new item to retail partners this week.
The new 2 ct Artisan Baby Iceberg will also be showcased at Tanimura & Antle’s booth, #1016, at the upcoming Southern Exposure event in Orlando, Florida.
For the latest and greatest products to hit the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
SELAH, WA - As we inch closer to the anticipated event that is Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure, fresh produce and fresh faces are top of mind for the companies eagerly waiting to attend. Among those industry leaders is Rainier Fruit Company, which will be showcasing its lineup of high-flavor, premium apple varieties.
“Pink Lady®, Lady Alice, and Envy™ are having a stellar year, and it’s awesome to see an emphasis on these varieties. Their high flavor profile and explosive crunch make them a crowd-pleaser,” Vice President of Sales Blake Belknap says.
With the event fast approaching on March 3–5, Rainier is echoing a common sentiment felt across the industry: the excitement surrounding the chance to gather and meld minds in person.
“It’s always a good time to see old friends and familiar faces, but I am excited to see the new as well! I know that there will be innovations across the trade show floor. Immersing myself in what’s new in the retail environment and making new connections—it’s always a good time to be had!” Blake exclaims. “It’s been a long couple of years dominated by webinars. Getting face-to-face with retail partners is a breath of fresh air, and one that we are looking forward to. As much as we have adapted to an online work environment, nothing replaces the ability to meet with people in person.”
As you explore the show floor, don’t forget to make a stop by booth #404! AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you more updates in the countdown to this exciting industry event, so stay tuned.
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN & MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Recently, the global logistics company C.H. Robinson tapped Waymo Via, the trucking and delivery unit of Alphabet’s autonomous driving technology subsidiary Waymo. Through this strategic partnership, both companies will be mutually exploring the practical application of autonomous driving technology as solutions across the logistics and supply chains.
“We are excited to partner with Waymo Via to explore how autonomous driving technology can help bring increased capacity and sustainability into our logistics strategies. Together, we are going to harness this emerging freight technology and its potential on behalf of customers and carriers,” said Chris O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer at C.H. Robinson. “We believe there is a real opportunity to bring our scale and information advantage to bear to help develop transportation solutions for them and their ability to participate in and benefit from AV. C.H. Robinson is also best positioned to represent the role of drivers and small and mid-size carriers in a more autonomous future.”
As Alphabet is the parent company of Google, C.H. Robinson has a powerful partner on its side. The partnership combines the benefits of Waymo’s innovative autonomous driving technology, the Waymo Driver, with C.H. Robinson’s Navisphere technology, which is one of the most-connected logistics platforms.
According to the release, the collaboration will initially focus on running multiple pilots in the Dallas-Houston transportation lane with Waymo Via autonomous trucks hauling C.H. Robinson’s customer freight. During and after the pilots, the companies will collaborate to shape the future development and expansion of autonomous driving technology as an additional transportation solution.
This will effectively provide much-needed capacity, help improve the carrier and driver experience, and address the business challenges posed by long-term driver shortages.
“We look forward to this collaboration with C.H. Robinson, both for their deep roots and experience in logistics and transportation, but also as a company that shares our vision of how technology and autonomous trucking can change our industry for the better,” said Charlie Jatt, Head of Commercialization for Trucking at Waymo Via. “C.H. Robinson’s size, scale, and platform give us access to rich and unique transportation data along with customer relationships and pilot opportunities to help bring our Waymo Via solution to the market.”
I for one am interested in seeing Alphabet flexing its strength in the ag industry. Since its investment in farming tech and robotics, one can’t help but think of the possibilities this tech giant is capable of.
ANUK will keep an eye on the wire to report the latest on the horizon.
WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, we reported that the United States halted all avocado exports from Mexico following the potential endangerment of a U.S. official. Following further investigation of the incident, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced it restarted its inspection program in Michoacan, Mexico, and resumed exports. Upon receiving this news, several industry entities commented.
"On behalf of the entire industry, I would like to thank the authorities of both countries for their support and commitment to reactivate the exports of the Michoacan avocado to the United States in order to avoid, to the extent possible, the impact on supply after the suspension of harvest and shipments announced on Friday, February 11," commented Director General of the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers Exporters of Mexico (APEAM), Armando López Orduña. "We want to recognize the work of the full value chain and the open dialogue and mutual commitment of all the parties involved to reach an agreement that allows the success of this great industry, so we can continue to strengthen, develop, and grow this important export program."
USDA-APHIS explained that it worked closely with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico's Regional Security Officer, Mexico's national plant protection organization (SENASICA), and APEAM to enact additional measures to enhance the safety of its inspectors working the field, a press release noted.
On Wednesday, February 16, APEAM presented a comprehensive proposal for the creation of an Intelligence and Security Unit within the organization to support the export program. On Friday, February 18, the proposal was approved by all parties, and an agreement has been accepted to resume the full export program of Mexican avocados to the U.S. starting Monday, February 21, 2022.
Robert Guenther, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Chief Public Policy Officer commented on the recent decision as well.
"The USDA has just announced the resumption of avocado exports from Mexico into the United States after a comprehensive investigation into the threats against a USDA inspector. In particular, USDA has shared that avocados that were inspected prior to the suspension of trade and are currently at the packing facilities will be released. Additionally, the announcement confirmed that inspections have also resumed," commented Guenther.
He continued, stating that, "the safety of our USDA inspectors is paramount. We are grateful that both countries have come to a resolution so that the U.S. and Mexico can continue our positive trading relationship. IFPA looks forward to continuing to work with businesses on both sides of the border and their respective governments to continue to monitor and address these issues, so consumers can continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to fresh produce."
The Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association (MHAIA) also shared its appreciation for the organizations that worked to resume exports, with Ron Campbell, Executive Director, issuing a statement.
"We are extremely appreciative of the diligence and hard work of APEAM and all of the officials on the ground in Mexico to work together to develop a solution to this complex situation," he imparted. "We are pleased that Mexico and the United States will continue working together to fortify the continuous supply chains that promote economic growth and development for this important industry in both countries."
To read the USDA's full release, click here.
For more updates and developments on industry imports and exports, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Association of Avocado Producers and Packers Exporters of MexicoInternational Fresh Produce AssociationMexican Hass Avocado Importers Association