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SACRAMENTO, CA - Executive search firm Joe Produce Search is doing what it does best: tracking down talent for a critical industry role. The company was recently retained to lead a confidential search for a best-in-class Chief Executive Officer. The candidate selected will be leading a $300 million North American grower-shipper-processor operation.
“We love dealing with values-based organizations who treat their people, customers, and the planet with integrity and mindfulness,” said Rex Lawrence, President of Joe Produce. “Of course it’s always a compelling proposition to be a part of helping to place leadership in a company. In this particular case, the new CEO will have the opportunity to balance honoring the company’s heritage and culture, while at the same time steering it into a more profitable future.”
The business that Joe Produce will be representing is known across the globe for its innovation and category leadership, a press release explained. Opportunities remain plentiful going forward, and the present CEO has driven the company’s topline and culture through growth and evolution, acquisitions, innovation, and customer execution. The next CEO’s challenge will be to pull all of these components together while improving the bottom line.
The CEO selected must lead a highly respected and experienced executive team in a strong, values-based culture. This leader will have experience managing a multi-site operation, with the ability to motivate, unify, and drive the performance of a team of thousands. The incoming CEO will also need values consistent with the company’s expectations of remaining steadfast in its pursuit of excellence and always doing the right thing while driving innovation and profitability. The ideal new leader will not just talk the talk, but place compliance, ethics, and sustainability efforts at the forefront of their strategy.
“This is an international search. Our team of Executive Search Consultants are interviewing leaders in the top echelons of fresh produce, agriculture-at-large, and perishables. While we have some excellent candidates in our pipeline now, we’d like a few more. Finding candidates who match our client’s criteria and culture is not easy...but that is why they hire us,” shared Lawrence.
Finally, the incoming CEO will ensure the company remains steadfast in its pursuit of operational excellence, next-gen technology, and production stability to keep customers happy and margins growing, the release noted. The CEO will have full responsibility for the company’s P&L, reporting to a Board of Directors composed of representatives from the parent company and industry experts. They will have both the autonomy to run the business and the support of the corporate shareholder. Given the international component of Joe Produce’s client, the new CEO will need to have the presentation, communication, and collaboration skills to work with the Board and leadership team.
Does this sound intriguing? According to the firm, those interested in the role can schedule a 100% confidential conversation with the leader of this search, Senior Executive Search Consultant Erinn Barberini. For their contact, as well as additional details, click here.
For all things fresh produce, stick with us here at ANUK.
NAPERVILLE, IL - Look into the future and you shall see where the retail opportunities lie. While most of us do not have a crystal ball or a time machine handy, KeHE Distributors is making it easy to look ahead to the consumer demands of 2022, as it recently released its list of Macro Trends to Watch, gathered by KeHE experts.
Food adventuring is first up on the extensive list of trends. Though many shoppers find comfort in familiar flavors, consumers are also searching for unique twists in taste, experimenting with trending flavors such as yuzu, hibiscus, ube, and tzatziki as cuisine exploration remains on the rise. KeHE experts also noted that while Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisines dominate as the most-reached international cuisine types, younger generations are driving consumption of African and Mediterranean cuisines and making them more mainstream, according to the release.
In the next year, KeHE experts also predict the continued rise of plant-based varieties like ready-to-eat meals and alternatives, and anticipates an increase in demand for sugar replacements and new categories utilizing food technology.
Also on the list of this year’s predictions is dual purpose offerings, as consumers have become more concerned about how their food purchases impact the environment, as well as farming practices and regenerative agriculture. Because of this, KeHE predicts that shoppers will continue to look for products that are upcycled, zero waste, and have a reduced carbon footprint.
Another trend that seems to continue gaining momentum is the demand for convenience, which was dramatically impacted by pandemic restrictions. Anticipating these at-home food habits to continue, KeHE expects shoppers to keep gravitating toward time-saving products and grab-and-go snacks. In addition, chef-inspired prepared meals, home delivery meals, and refrigerated entrees and appetizers are also expected to see growth.
Next on the company’s extensive list of trends is blurring diet lines, as KeHE expects consumers to be more proactive with their health while remaining flexible in their diets, leading to the trend of picking and choosing from diet fads and customizing them to meet consumers’ personal needs.
Also continuing its rise in popularity is the demand for local products. The trend toward shopping locally does not seem to be slowing down, and buyers can optimize signage, shelf tags, and other merchandising tools to draw attention to locally sourced offerings.
Next up on the list: grains! Over the last several years, there has been a growth in the popularity of oat milk, which has sparked interest in other categories as an alternative ingredient. KeHE experts anticipate a rise of barley, hemp, pistachio, and buckwheat as future grain alternatives as well.
Last but not least, KeHE has also pointed out a change in consumer behavior sparked by macroeconomic issues, such as inflation and supply chain shortages. As consumers look to get the most out of every food or beverage, ingredients that are naturally beneficial or immunity-boosting are capturing more attention and dollars. For example, mushrooms have made their entrance into the beverage, coffee, creamer, and snacking categories.
For more information on each of the predicted trends, click here.
So, now that you’ve taken a glance into the demands of the new year, are you ready to turn trends into transactions? Keep reading ANUK to find out how these consumer behaviors will continue to drive retail dollars.
WAKE COUNTY, NC - Especially during the holiday season, I cannot help but think about those across the nation who struggle with food insecurity. In an effort to overcome this challenge, national food benefits platform Tangelo has teamed up with Wake County Government, North Carolina, Cooperative Extension – Wake County Center, and community partners to create and distribute food benefits for members of the community who are at risk.
“We are thrilled to be working with Wake County and partners to successfully deliver nutritious foods while also identifying diet deficiencies and barriers within their communities,” said Jeremy Cooley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tangelo. “This is the first step in building a sustainable food future for Wake County, and we look forward to continuing our work here.”
Twelve percent of the population in Wake County is considered food insecure, which includes more than 37,000 children under the age of 18, a press release explained. Tangelo worked with Wake County to specify eligibility criteria, design food benefits, and enroll members of the community into the Tangelo Mobile App, where they can complete a social risk screening and redeem their nutritious food benefits for fresh, culturally relevant food to be delivered to their doorsteps twice a month.
Local supplier The Produce Box also joined the initiative, providing fresh, local produce for Tangelo to deliver to the community, providing increased access to nutritious food.
“The holidays can be stressful for everyone, especially the most vulnerable residents in our community,” said Courtney Tellefsen, Chief Executive Officer of The Produce Box. “This partnership is a natural extension of what we've been doing for 13 years across North Carolina and helps support our local farmers and deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to families who need them well into the new year.”
Local community organizations have also helped identify and enroll families into the Tangelo Mobile App, including:
- El Centro Hispano
- Pine Acres Community Center
- Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church
- Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church
- Raleigh Dream Center
- Lutheran Services Carolina
- Wake County Health and Human Services Child Welfare Division
According to the release, 500 households who have limited transportation and are experiencing food insecurity are taking part in this pilot program through February 2022, with options to continue afterward.
The ambitious, admirable project helps support the Wake County Comprehensive Food Security Plan adopted in 2017, which works to push the county toward food security and a sustainable food future.
“Many of the participating households reside in food deserts—places where it’s tough to find fresh, affordable food,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria. “This new program will allow us to overcome food deserts, transportation barriers and other hurdles that have historically prevented people from accessing nutritious food. The healthy food will come directly to them.”
As more companies across the industry rally to battle food insecurity, ANUK will report on the tactics taking form.
SALINAS, CA - The celery and lettuce categories are of key interest as Duda Farm Fresh Foods makes its transition from Salinas, California, to ensure its retail partners have the high-quality vegetables they need to meet steady demand. Diving into the grower’s dynamic operation, I recently got in touch with Western Sales Manager Rich Uchida, who gifted me the details of the supplier’s transition.
“We are currently transitioning our celery crop from Salinas, California, to Oxnard, California,” Rich begins. “Our lettuce items, including Iceberg, Romaine, Romaine hearts, green leaf, and red leaf, as well as broccoli and cauliflower, are also transitioning from Salinas to Yuma, Arizona.”
Weather conditions have posed challenges on the company’s lettuce and celery seasons, however, Duda Farm Fresh Foods reports that volume of both commodity items and value-added offerings are looking steady, with good quality across the board.
“Mother nature is always a factor that we have to deal with and learn from,” Rich continues. “This season, we experienced some warmer weather conditions in Yuma, as well as in Oxnard and Salinas, which impacted lettuce and celery production. Our fresh-cut celery season ended earlier than anticipated in Salinas, and matured early in Oxnard.”
In addition, Rich notes that COVID-19 protocols and current truck shortages have also contributed to the pressures in both categories.
“This season, we’ve noticed less activity than in previous years as buyers are being more conservative with their ordering. COVID protocols combined with the current truck shortages and supply chain challenges have made it difficult to gauge and project customer demand,” Rich points out.
As it consistently overcomes these pain points, the company has made key plays to bolster its growth and expand its reach, including the investment in a new online purchasing tool to meet evolving consumer expectations.
If there’s anything I know about this industry, it’s that leaders are constantly harnessing dedication and innovation to continue pushing the industry forward and get more fresh produce into the hands of consumers. Regardless of the hurdles it may face, Duda Farm Fresh Foods is doing just that.
CHARLOTTE, NC - Following the immense planning and activity that went into cooking Thanksgiving dinner, there is no doubt that consumers would love a reprieve from time spent in the kitchen. Jumping in to offer a solution, Dole plc has rolled out its new healthy plant-based or lean protein single-pan fresh vegetable meals.
“Dole strives to always be at the forefront of food and culinary trends that can drive product innovation and exploration in the kitchen,” said Dole Director of Product Innovation Shannon Yamada. “Our new Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kits are the culmination of considerable research and trend analysis and allow us to deliver on exactly what consumers are looking for—great-tasting, convenient, one-pan healthy meal solutions. In addition to 20 ounces of fresh vegetables, consumers may add their favorite protein along with the delicious seasoning to easily create a personalized one-pan masterpiece for the family.”
Dole introduced the new lineup last week, shipping to retailers in select markets across the Eastern and Southeast United States, according to a press release. This new launch is one of the first catering to the growing demand for sheet pan meals, a trend that provides busy shoppers with a healthy, convenient solution when it comes to mealtime.
Combining fresh, ready-to-roast vegetables with perfectly paired seasonings which can be used on both the vegetables and consumers’ favorite protein of choice, shoppers can cook the meals on a conventional sheet pan to produce a restaurant-quality meal in minutes—not to mention they will only have one dish to clean up afterwards.
“Our new line adds three unique products that disrupt the refrigerated vegetable aisle,” added Yamada. “DOLE Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kits provide a fresh, flavorful solution for busy consumers who want to make healthy eating simple and enjoyable.”
The new value-added line’s flavors include:
- DOLE® Homestyle Roasted Herb Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kit – Whole baby carrots, mini red potatoes, green beans, and rosemary and thyme seasoning
- DOLE French Onion Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kit – Whole baby carrots, mini red potatoes, green beans, and onion, garlic, and parsley seasoning
- DOLE Lemon Parmesan Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kit – Whole baby carrots, mini red potatoes, broccoli florets, and garlic parmesan and lemon pepper parmesan cheese seasoning
Sheet pan meals have boomed in popularity over the past few years, with Pinterest data trends and searches for the category more than doubling over the past year. Google searches for sheet pan dinner recipes have also increased by more than 500 percent in the last five years, peaking at the start of 2021.
Due to this rising trend, DOLE Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kits evolved through extensive product development in the company’s research and testing environment. Through this meticulous process, specific ingredients, spices, and flavors were tested by culinary experts, including Melanie Marcus, Dole’s in-house Registered Dietitian and Nutrition and Health Communications Manager.
“The foundation of our Sheet Pan Meal Kits is a robust seasoning flavor that can spark creativity in the kitchen and allow for customization, based on the amount of seasoning you choose to use,” she explained. “In addition to lean proteins like chicken, turkey, and different varieties of seafood, this seasoning works equally well with tofu and legumes for a fully plant-based meal that tastes great.”
These new DOLE Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kits serve four and have a suggested retail price of $5.99. Currently, Dole’s product innovation team is hard at work developing additional flavors to add to the expanding line.
The three new products join 60 other Dole salad kits, salad mixes, and slaws, including its popular Chopped! and Premium salad kit lines and 15 ready-to-eat bowl salads, for a total of 78 product offerings and a plethora of eating experiences for your shoppers.
Well, I know what I’m having for dinner! Give your consumers the same sense of assurance by adding Dole’s latest lineup to your aisles.
RIESLAND, WI - Boosting efficiency across an operation is sometimes all it takes to open up new channels of growth. As it looks to streamline its processes and achieve sustainable expansion, Alsum Farms & Produce has announced it has selected Consentio as its digital trading platform of choice.
“We have been piloting Consentio for a few weeks now as we believe the platform will help streamline and accelerate our sales order processing and also improve customer service,” commented Wendy Dykstra, Chief Operating Officer. “Consentio will link directly to our Microsoft Dynamics ERP system removing the need to manually enter orders and significantly reducing our workload.”
Consentio is a leading digital platform for fresh produce designed for producers, wholesalers, and supermarkets.
According to a press release, the innovative platform works to simplify and accelerate sales, reduce costs, improve profits, and minimize food loss. To do so, the solution streamlines order flow and simplifies communications to create a platform for sustainable growth.
“I am delighted Alsum Farms & Produce has joined our rapidly growing pool of United States Consentio customers,” Andy Makeham, Head of Consentio USA, stated. “The integration to Microsoft Dynamics opens up a huge marketplace for us.”
This formidable alliance comes shortly after Consentio raised $5 million to support its business expansion in the United States.
AndNowUKnow will keep a close watch to find out how this innovative partnership will lead to further growth for Alsum Farms & Produce.
PORTLAND, OR - Investments in regenerative management practices have clearly paid off for Agriculture Capital (AC), as evidenced in its fifth annual Impact Report. The report outlines how AC has had positive effects on the environment and the community, further demonstrating the company’s prowess in quantifying food system impact.
In the past year, which presented countless challenges, Agriculture Capital established coordinated risk assessment and oversight, including best practices to secure the health and safety of AC teams, ensure business continuity, provide service to customers in the context of significant supply chain disruptions, and mitigate ongoing environmental, social, and governance risks. This collaboration has been key to the organization’s successes in 2020, a press release noted.
In 2020, Agriculture Capital was reportedly more productive, growing and selling more healthy, organic, and responsibly produced food; sequestering more atmospheric carbon; producing more food per drop of water; and sustaining more wild pollinator vitality. The results further demonstrate the benefits of regenerative practices on performance.
Significant reduction in energy and water use includes:
- Since 2018, energy use decreased per pound of crop produced by 37 percent for citrus and 46 percent for blueberries
- Over 2.8 billion gallons of water are being conserved across AC businesses each year, the same as the annual use of about 36,000 people across California and Oregon
- At Columbine Vineyards, water use decreased almost 38 percent between 2017 and 2020, while net crop production over that same period increased 14 percent. This marks an overall water efficiency improvement of nearly 82 percent
Wild pollinators and beneficial insects appeared to boost blueberry yields as well:
- On AC’s Oregon blueberry farms, a 9x increase in wild pollinator species abundance and 2.5x increase in beneficial insect abundance was observed since 2016
- Early assessment methodologies suggest yield boost from wild pollinators conservation efforts
Increased soil organic matter is also supporting water resilience, as AC is creating steady increases in organic matter across its Oregon blueberry operations, ultimately holding more water in the soil for crop use.
Building on Agriculture Capital’s proprietary AC Way regenerative impact framework, the 2020 Impact Report introduces goals such as operating all facilities as zero waste facilities, net zero carbon verticals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, running zero-toxic businesses, and with zero plastics involved in AC crop verticals. Net positive imperatives will serve as critical North Stars to guide AC’s regenerative management and strategic aspirations through 2030.
The full report can be found here.
We extend our thanks to Agriculture Capital for this important work in ensuring the longevity of our food system.
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WENATCHEE, WA - While the month of December often sparks up excitement surrounding Christmas or New Year’s Eve, this trade news writer is focused on another anticipated celebration: National Pear Month. That’s right, for 31 days buyers and suppliers (and writers) alike are celebrating the versatile pear category and all of its top-dollar glory.
With such an event underway, I tapped CMI Orchards’ Sales Manager and Pear Lead Sarah Barkley to talk all things pears.
“The pear market continues to grow in strength and volume as more shoppers discover the delectable eating quality and culinary versatility of pears,” she states. “CMI is well-positioned to supply our customers with pears throughout the year to meet this growing demand.”
In honor of National Pear Month, CMI is aligning with USA Pears to participate in several projects, including launching custom promotions for retailers across the United States.
CMI Orchards offers a consistently high-quality, year-round pear program. In 2020, the company announced a new partnership with Independent Warehouse in Dryden, Washington, to add more premium pears to its manifest. In addition to its domestic program, the supplier also partners with Southern Hemisphere growers to import quality pears to add volume to its manifest and extend seasonal availability.
“Our pears are grown in some of the most outstanding pear growing regions in the world,” Sarah continues. “We produce a wide varietal mix, including Bartlett, D’Anjou, Bosc, and Red Pears, both conventionally and organically grown. Our conventional program, Sweet Gourmet Pears, and our organic program, Daisy Girl Organics™, are both fan-favorite, successful, and award-winning product lines.”
To help drive category sales during National Pear Month and beyond, CMI Orchards offers an innovative grab-and-go pouch bag that matches the premium eating experience with convenience. On the packaging for its Sweet Gourmet Pears, consumers can find pear-ripening and handling tips as well as recipes to encourage shoppers to explore the versatile culinary uses of pears. To help consumers enjoy their pears faster, CMI encourages retailers to participate in pre-ripening programs.
Happy National Pear Month, friends! Don’t forget to take part in the festivities with 31 days of pear promotions!