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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - A game of omnichannel Battleship is being played in the retail sector as operators fortify their fleet while setting out on new courses for growth. In a recent development, Lowes Foods announced it would be teaming up with DoorDash in an effort to build out its on-demand offerings.
“We’re excited to add DoorDash to Lowes Foods’ suite of convenient, online ordering options in the Carolinas,” said Chad Petersen, Vice President of e-Commerce at Lowes Foods and Alex Lee Retail. “DoorDash customers will have the opportunity to shop from our complete assortment of fresh and center store products, which not only includes national brands, but Lowes Foods’ Brown Bag and private label items. Customers will also be able to order our ‘Lowes Foods Originals’—prepared foods from the Chicken Kitchen, freshly-chopped produce from Pick & Prep, premium Boars Head meats and cheeses from our deli, and even our famous square cakes from The Cakery.”
This new partnership will give Lowes Foods shoppers access to on-demand grocery delivery from over 70 store locations across North and South Carolina, as explained in a press release. Currently, DoorDash offers over 50,000 products including fresh produce, with Lowes Foods offerings now added to the mix.
Consumers will be able to use the DoorDash app and website to get Lowes Foods products delivered directly to their front doors on the same day they are ordered. Additionally, shoppers will be given added convenience through the ability to schedule their delivery at a time slot that works with their daily agenda through the “Schedule Ahead” option.
“We are excited to partner with Lowes Foods to offer consumers across the Carolinas a fast and convenient option to access their favorite grocery products on-demand,” commented Shanna Preveì, the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development for DoorDash, on the recent partnership.
Lowes Foods is now available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program as well. Through this service, shoppers have a $0 delivery fee on thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores across the country.
Where else might we see movement on the retail game board? ANUK will keep you in the loop.
SALINAS, CA - Only two weeks into the new year, and already our industry has seen a plethora of changes, especially amongst leadership. One such change comes from TMD Creative, which announced Monica Tovar has been named its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 24, 2022.
“I’m truly grateful and excited to be a part of an established and talented full-service marketing firm,” said Tovar. “TMD has exemplified top quality work and service with their talented team, and I look forward to bringing my experience to their amazing client base.”
In her new role, Tovar will provide marketing strategies, communications, and creative services to businesses, government agencies, and non-profits, noted a press release.
Prior to this new role, Tovar has held a variety of leadership roles at companies including Entravision Communications, iHeart Media, and Stephens Media Group, where she managed teams to create and implement marketing strategies for businesses small to large.
“There is no one better to carry the TMD mantle than Monica Tovar. I have known her and worked with her for many years, she is a dynamic, creative, talented professional with tremendous leadership skills,” commented Nicholas Pasculli, Founder. “This will be a great new chapter for TMD Creative, our great team, and amazing clients. I consider myself blessed to have Monica leading the team.”
In addition to her previous roles in the industry, Tovar has also become involved in a range of charitable activities and is currently Board Chair of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Vice Chair of Resource Development of the United Way of Monterey County, and Board of Trustee of Big Sur Land Trust. She has been a mentor at Hartnell College’s Women’s Education Leadership Institute for the last five years, and while serving as a Board Member and Past President for the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, she received a Philanthropy Award in 2016 for an event she helped create called #100MilesOfCourage.
Congratulations to Monica Tovar on her new role as President and CEO!
LOUIS, MO - Expansion comes in many forms, and some of the greatest opportunities exist within our own leadership teams. The Tom Lange Family of Companies recognizes this, and recently made a momentous expansion to one of its leadership roles. Board member Greg Reinauer is expanding his position to take on the duties of Chief Executive Officer.
“I appreciate the confidence the Tom Lange Board of Directors has placed in me and our leadership team,” Reinauer comments. “I am grateful for the privilege to have worked with Phil ‘Rock’ Gumpert and look forward to continuing to work with him as our Board Chairman, The Tom Lange Family of Companies remains focused on growth and the expansion of our business across all three divisions.”
Reinauer served as President since joining the company in March of 2012, and will continue in that role, a press release stated.
Phil “Rock” Gumpert retired December 31, stepping down from his role as CEO, as we reported last month. The appointment of Reinauer completes a succession planning process and provides continuity of leadership throughout the company.
“The Board and I are confident that Greg is the right person to build on the momentum that he has created since joining the Tom Lange Family of Companies,” said Gumpert. “His vision for the company’s future and experience as a seasoned leader made Greg the perfect choice to lead Tom Lange both as President and as CEO.”
Congratulations to Greg Reinauer on this exciting appointment!
PURCHASE, NY - Groundwater serves as a critical resource for the agricultural industry, especially as California continues to experience the impacts of extreme drought. Many efforts have been made to preserve our water resources, and we recently learned of a new initiative implemented by PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA). Yesterday, the company announced a $1.5 million grant given to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD).
"Partnering with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California will not only help enable long-term, sustainable water security for local communities who depend on an accessible and reliable supply of clean, safe water," said Johannes Evenblij, President of West Division at PBNA, "but it will also be critical in the advancement our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) Net Water Positive ambition to reduce absolute water use and replenish back into the local watershed more than 100 percent of the water we use. As a food and beverage company, we're acutely aware of the critical role water plays in the southern California ecosystem and our community."
Through this partnership, the WRD will pilot its first inland injection well for utilization of in-ground storage. When complete, the project will store an average of 325,851 gallons of water per year for municipal and indirect use, drought resiliency, and mitigation, a press release explained.
"The Water Replenishment District is proud to be the first public agency to receive a water sustainability grant from PepsiCo," said WRD Board President John D.S. Allen. "This grant will help build our region's drought resilience for years to come. The WRD Board of Directors commend and applaud PepsiCo for their commitment to protecting our watershed."
For more information regarding PepsiCo's water strategy, click here.
The news of PBNA's grant comes at a critical time, as the subject of groundwater recharge is on the brain in California's San Joaquin Valley. According to Bakersfield.com, groundwater managers are quickly building new recharge sites in an effort to replenish aquifers with excess water during wet seasons. The efforts are especially crucial as local agencies work toward bringing groundwater back into balance by 2040 in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
As more news comes to light, we at ANUK will keep you informed on the latest developments in groundwater replenishment.
PepsiCo Beverages North America Water Replenishment District of Southern California
LOS ANGELES, CA - Back in August 2021, it was announced that Kroger teamed up with ghost kitchen operator Kitchen United to bring freshly prepared restaurant food to its locations. Now, it seems this dynamic partnership is coming to fruition, as Kroger banner Ralphs and Kitchen United MIX announced the opening of the first kitchen center in Los Angeles, California.
"When our customers think of food, they think of Kroger," said Dan De La Rosa, Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising for Kroger. "The Kitchen United collaboration provides the fresh, on-demand meals our customers crave. It is one more innovative example of how Kroger is fulfilling its commitment to anything, anywhere, anytime."
The new launch allows customers to build freshly prepared, on-demand restaurant meals from any or all of the participating restaurants, according to a press release.
Customers can place an order digitally using Kitchen United's proprietary MIX platform via web, mobile, or an in-person ordering kiosk and choose to pick up their meal onsite or have it delivered.
"We couldn't be prouder that Kroger and Kitchen United chose to open the collaboration's first location in Ralphs," said Kendra Doyel, Vice President of Merchandising, Ralphs. "Our customers come to us to find the freshest food and to answer the all-important 'what's for dinner?' question. This collaboration provides our customers one more simple meal solution that they can pair with Ralphs' fresh products."
This restaurant kitchen is the first to open after Kroger and Kitchen United announced their national partnership back in August 2021. Additional locations in Texas are anticipated to open later in the month.
"We proudly operate successful ghost kitchens across the country and will apply that expertise to reimagine takeout and delivery within Kroger stores," said Michael Montagano, Chief Executive Officer of Kitchen United. "Our work together provides millions of Kroger customers access to their favorite restaurant cuisines in a convenient supermarket format, while providing Kitchen United and our restaurant partners a high-touch, interactive storefront. We are excited to bring this creative solution to the Westwood community."
The off-premise restaurant kitchen allows shoppers to mix and match their meals from multiple foodservice providers, including Fresh Brothers, Bushi by Jinya, Sajj Mediterranean, Doghaus, and more.
As the retailer wields this unique foodservice alliance to achieve further success in the grocery space, keep an eye out for the next report from AndNowUKnow.
MISSION, TX - Us here in fresh produce know our ranks are filled with amazing people that help drive the industry forward on a daily basis. Shining a light on these impactful leaders, the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) will be honoring some of them at this year’s Hall of Fame Banquet on January 24, 2022.
Established in 1988, the Texas Produce Hall of Fame has presented 150 living and posthumous awards as well as 24 Scott Toothaker Awards to those who have contributed a large part of their lives to the betterment of the industry. According to a press release, the Hall of Fame Banquet is held every other year by TIPA and provides a chance for industry members to pay homage to leaders and role models who have helped pave the way.
This year’s inductees are the Wiesehan Family, including John F, Raymond, Richard, Kenneth, George, John, and Roger. A posthumous award will also be given to Abel Salazar of Salazar Farms, and Scott Fletcher and Harold Wilkins will be honored as the 2022 recipients of the Scott Toothaker Award for their dedication and service as partners to the industry. This award was created in 1989 and is given to individuals not directly involved in production agriculture, but who have made great contributions regardless.
In addition to an awards ceremony, the banquet also serves as a fundraiser for the William E. Week Agricultural Scholarship. The scholarship was established to encourage future generations to pursue education in the field of specialty crop agriculture in order to carry on the hard work of past leaders.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
SANTA PAULA, CA - Global avocado purveyor and value-added fresh food provider Calavo Growers has announced a change to its Board of Directors. Board member Harold S. Edwards announced he has decided to retire from his position effective February 1, 2022.
Edwards has been with Calavo’s Board of Directors since 2006. The industry leader currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira Company. He has served as the CEO for the 123-year-old agricultural company since 2003 and held a Director position for Limoneira’s Board since 2009, according to his LinkedIn.
Noted in Calavo’s press release, Edwards has decided to step down to devote more time to his duties as Limoneira’s CEO.
“We appreciate Harold and his 16 years of service to Calavo and to the Board. His contributions have been invaluable,” said Calavo Chairman J. Link Leavens. “Harold’s retirement will bring the size of our board to 10 members, down from a high of 13, which is more in line with a company of our size.”
Calavo has undergone a few leadership changes over the past few months. In addition to promoting several new Vice Presidents of Sales and a Board of Directors appointment, the company tapped Brian W. Kocher as the incoming President and CEO. Kocher will step up to his new role on February 1.
Steve Hollister, Interim CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, expressed the relationship between the two companies will remain a fruitful one.
“Calavo’s relationship with Limoneira as one of our valued suppliers remains strong, and we look forward to our continued work with Harold in his capacity as Limoneira’s CEO,” commented Hollister.
Stay tuned as we keep an eye on the changing leaderships and appointments in all things fresh.
SALINAS, CA - Bringing you the latest market updates and useful retail strategies is what we at AndNowUKnow set out to do daily. As I looked to dissect the details of the current broccoli and cauliflower markets, I had a chance to speak to Greg Villalobos, Garrett Bernard, and Ray Cunanan, Sales Executives and Commodity Managers at Pacific International Marketing, who offered me some exclusive insights.
“We are currently growing broccoli in both Yuma and Scottsdale, Arizona,” Greg begins. “The quality has been excellent out of both areas with plentiful supplies. The warmer-than-normal temperature we have been experiencing in the desert since the end of November has brought the crop forward, creating a surplus.”
Retailers can optimize these volumes by placing broccoli on ads, highlighting the commodity in digital retail apps, or allowing retailer coupons. Pacific grows broccoli in multiple regions to provide a year-round program to meet its broccoli floret, bunch, and crown needs, which are all freshly packed for its retail, foodservice, and club store customers.
In addition to Yuma and Scottsdale, Pacific also grows broccoli in Santa Maria, California, which has recently seen pressures due to cold weather.
“Our Santa Maria, California, growing region is very short on supply,” Garrett points out to me, “as the recent rain coupled with cooler nights is causing decreased yields and availability.”
As Greg, Garrett, and I wrapped up the details of the company’s broccoli production, Ray Cunanan also provided me with an exclusive look at the current cauliflower market, also detailing tight supplies as a result of cooler weather.
“Early warm temperatures and some light rain brought cauliflower acreage forward,” Ray notes. “Supplies were heavy, as we harvested well before the scheduled harvest dates. As normal winter temperatures set in, the crops slowed down, leaving us with short supplies.”
Ray goes on to let me know that there have been good cauliflower supplies to date, but the industry could see some gaps in supplies if cold temperatures persist.
Pacific grows cauliflower in both Santa Maria, California, and the Arizona desert to hedge against inclement weather, and its cauliflower is also packed fresh for its retail and foodservice customers.
To keep reading pertinent crop updates from across the industry, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Looking back over 2021, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) can say that it made a huge impact in the lives of many veteran farmers throughout the industry. Now, with its focus on 2022, the coalition is setting an ambitious goal as its new funding cycle opens.
“Our sights are set high for 2022: we anticipate raising $500,000 to give out to this year’s class of Fellows,” said Rachel Petitt, Program Director. “We recognize this is a lofty goal, but we are really close, so it definitely feels achievable.”
In its 11th year, the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund has granted over $3.5 million in support to more than 800 military veterans pursuing careers in agriculture, according to a release. One of the FVC’s central programs helps beginning farmers and ranchers with one of the greatest challenges—accruing start-up capital.
“As FVC starts this next round of funding, the stories of 2021 are a wonderful reminder of the importance of our mission,” explained Executive Director Jeanette Lombardo. “These stories drive our efforts every day as we seek new funding and create programs to help our Farmer Veterans throughout the country.”
Over the past year, FVC awarded 138 farmer veterans with farming equipment through its Fellowship Fund small grant program. This included big ticket items such as greenhouses and grow tents, walk-in coolers and cold storage units, water filtrations, honey extractors, and milking systems.
“It was taking me four hours to fill up my 1,100-gallon leg tank, and now, with my Generac pump, I can fill the tank in about 15 minutes,” commented David Volkman, an Army veteran who served for nearly three decades before starting Ohio Valley Hops, and a recipient of one of the grants.
Now, FVC is welcoming the arrival of its next funding cycle, with applications having opened on January 3, and remaining open until February 14. To apply, click here.
Funding for the 2022 cycle is made possible by organizations including Wounded Warriors Project, Kubota, Tractor Supply Company, Homestead Implements, Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment, Vital Farms, Sugar Bottom Farm, Barreras Family Farm, and Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Cheers to FVC for continuing to make a difference in the lives of veterans in agriculture!