WASHINGTON, DC - Frieda Rapoport Caplan is admired across the industry for her momentous contributions to fresh produce and the people who work to provide it. Further honoring this indelible leader, the United Fresh Produce Association has announced the recipients of the 2021 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s scholarship recipients back in the nation’s capital for the industry’s most important event for the benefit and vitality of the produce industry,” said Jackie Caplan Wiggins, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Frieda’s. “These passionate industry professionals will have a great opportunity to learn from Washington Conference veterans and other industry leaders on the most pressing public policy issues while contributing their own diverse perspectives and experiences.”
The four industry leaders selected to receive scholarships include:
- Joseph F. Basciani, Co-Owner and Chief Financial Officer, Basciani Foods
- Curtis Griffin, Assistant Grower, Griffin Ranches
- Lianna Tilton, Quality Assurance and Food Safety Supervisor, Braga Fresh Family Farms
- Leticia Velazquez, Midwest Operations Manager, The FruitGuys
Founded in 2001 by sisters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in honor of their mother Frieda Rapoport Caplan, the program gives representatives from family-owned, United Fresh member businesses the opportunity to attend the United Fresh Washington Conference on September 20-22 in Washington, DC. According to a press release, the four scholarship recipients receive complimentary airfare, hotel, and registration to participate in the conference and will be recognized at the Wednesday morning general session.
The United Fresh Washington Conference unites hundreds of leaders from all sectors of the industry for education on pertinent industry issues and meetings with members of Congress and top regulatory officials. Each year, a scholarship committee reviews applicants for the program using several criteria, including the candidates’ interest in advocacy work and their commitment to the produce industry.
The recipients of the scholarship will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders from across the nation, as well as develop an understanding of the political process and how to advocate for their priority issues and learn effective strategies for sharing the industry’s voice during the Produce Advocacy Bootcamp.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients!
CHICAGO, IL - Production for the apple category is preparing to hit full swing, and Hazel Technologies is ready to continue helping companies fortify their supply chain operations. The solutions innovator has already made a significant impact on the apple industry this season, helping growers, packers, and shippers to extend the quality and shelf-life of their products with its flagship technology, Hazel 100™.
Apple suppliers optimizing the solutions providers’s USDA-funded postharvest product line include Rice Fruit Company®, BelleHarvest®, and River Valley Fruit®.
“In a typical year we might ship two million boxes of apples, ranging from the core varieties like Honeycrisp to proprietary varieties like KIKU® and Lemonade™ apples,” said Leighton Rice, Quality Control Manager at Rice Fruit Company. “With each variety comes different challenges. We have found that Hazel’s range of technologies can help to keep the fruit fresh and attractive, which is why we’ve added Hazel 100 to our process this year, alongside Hazel CA™ and Datica.”
With the North American apple harvesting season hitting its peak over the next couple of months, grower-packers across the United States are planning to continue using Hazel’s suite of products on both their core and proprietary varieties, the company explained in a release.
The tech maven’s suite of apple technologies features Hazel 100, Hazel CA for long-term storage, Hazel O™ for organics, Hazel Datica™ for storage monitoring, and Hazel Trex™ for quality verification. Each of these unique innovations is designed to help extend shelf-life and monitor the quality of apples while in storage.
“At BelleHarvest, we pride ourselves in embracing innovations to provide the highest quality of produce for our customers,” commented Milt Fuehrer, Chief Executive Officer, BelleHarvest Sales. “Over the last two years of working with Hazel, we’ve seen that same dedication to innovation through the constant improvements being made to Hazel CA and its companion technology, Hazel Datica. We’ve been thoroughly impressed with our QC and pack-out results.”
Hazel 100 takes an innovative approach to a technology the apple industry has used for the last two decades, and companies across the apple supply chain are beginning to notice its numerous benefits.
“We feel even more confident in our storage strategies knowing that we have Hazel Tech on our team,” commented Gene Gifford, General Manager of River Valley Fruit. “We’ve used Hazel products successfully and have seen better packouts, better arrivals, and found it extremely user-friendly. We cannot wait to continue our partnership using Hazel’s products for apples this season.”
To read about the latest cutting-edge advancements in the fresh produce industry, keep clicking back to AndNowUKnow.
BENTONVILLE, AR - With the pandemic seeming to spur even greater growth for big-box chain Walmart, the retailer has announced another operational expansion with the construction of a new distribution center. The facility, which is located in Troutman, North Carolina, will serve the company as it continues to optimize its network and its retail capabilities.
“As online shopping continues to become the norm, our customers rely on Walmart e-commerce to bring them everyday necessities ordered online in a quick, efficient manner, right to their doorstep,” said Jennifer Hritz, Senior Director of Fulfillment, in a release obtained by Charlotte Business Journal. “In order to do that, it’s critical that we continue to expand our supply chain network and build a talent pipeline that will support those customers for years to come.”
According to the report, the new facility will create 500-plus jobs for the region and will serve as a high-velocity fulfillment center to support Walmart’s supply chain network. In a separate report, Walmart revealed it had purchased the one million-square-foot building for $69 million in December 2020, which sits on roughly 158 acres.
The Charlotte Observer reports the facility will open in late September, with products shipping out to customers in mid-October.
As Walmart keeps its sights set on expansion, what will be the next move from the company, and what impact will it have on the evolution of the retail market? AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest news.
VANCOUVER, CANADA - If you asked me who I love seeing most on the show floors, I’d tell you it’s the women of this industry. Knowledgeable, welcoming, and hard-working to boot, the women that make up fresh produce are inspirations in more ways than one. As we come up on the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference (WFPC), I reached out to several women making waves in the industry, one of them being Oppy’s Sydney Schutkowski.
“I am still relatively new to the industry, but in just a few years, I have found so much value in the Center for Growing Talent’s initiatives,” Sydney begins. “I’ve benefited in so many ways from their Career Pathways program, and from both the Young Professionals and the Listen, Learn, Connect series this past year. Virtual or in person, these events have helped me to grow personally and professionally and I’m excited to be a first-time-attendee at the WFPC. After 18 months of being divided by a screen, I am excited to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face and build relationships with those across the industry.”
The Business Development Representative was initially drawn to a career in produce because of the opportunity to be surrounded by and learn from the influential women in our industry.
“Karin Gardner put me on the produce path as my Career Ambassador at PMA’s Fresh Perspectives conference back when I was still in college. Her willingness to take me under her wing that week led me here to Oppy, where I am now fortunate to work alongside Angie Hanson and Ambar Rodriguez,” Sydney reflects. “This A team continues to lift me up as they show me the ropes while passing along their steadfast grit and ambition. And lastly, by some stroke of luck I was also paired with Kat Hultstrand of The Wonderful Company during a virtual speed-mentoring session back in 2020. Over a year later, she still serves as a role model and listening ear. These four women have not only opened doors for me, but also given me the keys to be confident when unlocking a door or two myself.”
This confidence can be seen not only in Sydney’s burgeoning prowess in marketing, food innovation, and supply management, but in her belief that the industry is lifting up more diverse voices to drive growth.
“I have never doubted my value or place the industry. This is particularly true here at Oppy, where my voice is valued and speaking up is encouraged. This year I’ve been lucky enough to serve as a Young Professional on the Women’s Fresh Perspectives committee, where I’ve seen firsthand the work that is being done to cultivate women’s potential industry-wide. Elevating diverse voices gives a necessary outlet for unique perspectives,” she comments.
As we wind down our conversation, I ask Sydney what advice she would impart to other women looking to break into this industry.
“Despite being surrounded by fruits and vegetables daily, I always find it funny that it took me so long to come to the realization that I wanted a career in fresh produce,” she says with a laugh. “Now that I’m here, I cannot imagine being so fulfilled doing anything else. So, my advice to those who are looking to get into it is simply to take the leap. On the outside it can look intimidating—produce is unpredictable and things change quickly. Now that I’m on the other side of it, I realize this is what makes it fun. No two days are the same, but rest assured you’ll figure it out along the way—with the help of some really great people, too. The future is bright for women in this industry.”
I’ve never doubted it for a second!
IRELAND- Criminals have once again been caught red-handed trying to smuggle drugs under the guise of fresh produce, this time on the Emerald Isle. It was announced recently that Irish Gardaí uncovered a haul of cannabis worth an estimated €2.18 million ($2.5 million) concealed within boxes of green chile peppers and zucchini.
According to a report from The Irish Examiner, the officers responded to a report of unusual activity in Emo, County Laois, and upon searching a storage facility and the surrounding areas found what looked like pallets containing boxes of vegetables which had previously been unloaded from a truck.
Upon examining the boxes, gardaí recovered 112kg (246 lbs) of packaged cannabis. The person suspected of the crime was arrested at the scene and questioned later, the news source stated.
We tip our hats to the officers who used their diligence and skill to keep fresh produce safe from the unsavory actions of criminals across the globe.
WASHINGTON, DC - The restaurant industry has had to overcome numerous challenges over the past year and a half as a result of the ongoing pandemic. While eating and drinking experiences were altered for many consumers, the foodservice sector is continuing to strategize to meet their evolving demands. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) recently released its mid-year supplement to the 2021 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, highlighting the continued impact of COVID-19 on the foodservice sector.
The report takes a deep dive into the key indicators and trends influencing the restaurant industry’s recovery, including the current state of the economy, workforce, and food and beverage sales, as of June/July 2021, as explained in a press release.
“Faced with one of the most devastating and disruptive events of our lifetime, the restaurant industry has taken significant strides toward rebuilding over the first half of 2021,” said Tom Bené, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Consumer expectations around dining out have changed, and the industry is continually adapting to not only meet but exceed these expectations. Restaurant operators, along with their partners throughout the supply and distribution chain, remain focused on providing diners with a safe and enjoyable experience, amid rising food and labor costs and challenges related to the pandemic. Given these factors, our outlook through the end of the year is one of cautious optimism.”
Some of the key findings depicted in the report include:
- Food and beverage sales in the restaurant and foodservice industry are projected to total $789 billion in 2021, up 19.7 percent from the previous year
- As of June 2021, 39 states and the District of Columbia had reopened to 100 percent indoor dining capacity; 11 states and Puerto Rico are open at varying capacities ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent
- Six in 10 adults have changed their restaurant use due to the rise in the delta variant
The report also addressed labor and food costs as challenges within the restaurant industry. In its mid-year supplement, the association noted that while July marked the seventh consecutive month of staffing growth with a net increase of 1.3 million jobs in the first half of 2021, while eating and drinking establishments remain nearly one million jobs or eight percent below pre-pandemic employment levels. Seventy-five percent of restaurant operators reported that recruiting employees was their top challenge as of June 2021—the highest level ever recorded, according to the release.
Further exploring the rebound of the restaurant industry, the report also revealed that an NRA survey conducted August 13-15, showed that the delta variant threatens to reverse the gains made in the first six months of the year.
Some of the study’s discoveries about consumer habits in response to the delta variant include:
- Six in 10 adults changed their restaurant use due to the rise in the delta variant
- 19 percent of adults said they completely stopped going out to restaurants
- 37 percent of adults said they ordered delivery or takeout instead of dining in a restaurant
- 32 percent of adults said that if asked to wear a mask and/or show proof of vaccination to dine indoors again, they would be less likely to dine in a restaurant
“The trends from the first half of the year are promising, but a lot of uncertainty remains in regard to the delta variant, consumer confidence, and ongoing labor challenges,” said Hudson Riehle, Senior Vice President of Research. “We expect restaurant pent-up demand will remain high in the coming months. However, in this state of flux, maintaining the availability of on-site dining with few capacity restrictions will be critical to keeping the overall sales momentum going forward, especially for fullservice operators.”
As the industry continues to work to gain momentum amidst these pressing challenges, the National Restaurant Association will continue monitoring COVID-19’s effect on the foodservice sector, as it plans to release its full State of the Restaurant Industry Report in early 2022.
To download the full 2021 Mid-Year Update, click here.
To keep reading the latest in fresh produce and foodservice news, keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow.
ST. LOUIS, MO - All the way back in 2018, we reported on Schnuck Markets’ innovative partnership with Simbe Robotics as the retailer worked to integrate Tally robots into its operations. Having conducted extensive tests and trials, the two are now expanding their alliance as Schnucks rolls out the robots to all 111 of its locations.
“We are facing a ‘new normal’ in the grocery industry, and Tally has been instrumental to ensuring we continue to provide an exceptional store experience while rising to meet new operational challenges,” said Dave Steck, Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Application Development at Schnucks. “By deploying Tally to all stores, we are fully operationalizing these insights into our supply chain and expanding our ability to leverage real-time data to make revenue impacting decisions. Tally has become an integral component of our stores, streamlining operations and ultimately creating a better store experience for our customers and teammates.”
Building on previous successful expansions, the multi-year, full-scale roll-out will bring Tally robots chain-wide across the U.S., making Schnucks allegedly one of the first grocers in the world to utilize AI-powered inventory management technology at scale. By incorporating Simbe’s solution into chain-wide operations, Schnucks will gain even greater visibility into store conditions, with deeper levels of business insights as the retailer prepares to adjust to the quickly evolving landscape of a post-pandemic world.
“Schnucks is the prime example of thoughtful adoption of retail technology, and we are honored to be their partner on this journey to create a better store experience through access to richer data,” said Brad Bogolea, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Simbe Robotics. “This expansion is a momentous occasion for Simbe, Schnucks, and the broader retail technology industry. It demonstrates that robots that are thoughtfully deployed are a critically important tool for retailers to improve bottom lines, support teams, and maintain an exceptional shopping experience, both in stores and online.”
According to the release, Schnucks first piloted Tally in July of 2017 and expanded to additional stores in 2018 and 2020. Tally traverses store aisles up to three times per day and autonomously captures on-shelf data including inventory position, price accuracy, and promotional execution.
Additional benefits of Tally include:
- Detecting 14x more addressable out-of-stocks than manual scans
- Enabled 20–30 percent reduction in out-of-stock items
- Increased price tag and promotional execution compliance in stores across tens of thousands of products per day
- Increased accuracy of real-time inventory integrated into Schnucks’ automated replenishment system, streamlining ordering and ensuring store shelves are restocked quicker to meet customer needs
- Delivered access to real-time product location data through the Schnucks Rewards app, enabling more efficient shopping trips for customers, restocking and fulfillment activities for store teams, and 3rd party e-commerce partners
Are robots the way of the future for grocery retail? With operators beginning to implement this technology at scale, all signs seemingly point to yes.
MONTEREY, CA - As the sun sets on another day in the fresh produce industry, we continue to inch closer toward the Organic Produce Network’s Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2021. With organics on the lips of everyone across the supply chain, this event is sure to spur innovation through its many educational sessions. Philip Karp, President of Shenandoah Growers, is one supply-side luminary ready to divulge his insights during the segment dubbed “Growth of CEA—What’s Real and What’s Hype from a Retail and Consumer Perspective.”
“With increasing climate volatility and supply chain disruptions threatening food supply, controlled environment agriculture (CEA) has an important role to play in the organic food supply chain moving forward,” Philip told me. “It’s our view that in order to meet the growing global demand for fresh produce, both indoor and outdoor production will be necessary, and we’re stepping up to meet that challenge.”
The focus of this session, according to Philip, will be on the opportunity for CEA operators to meet the ever-growing demand for fresh, locally grown organic produce that is both affordable and grown sustainably. Having extensive expertise in this arena, the Shenandoah Growers President is just the man to champion this task.
“Attendees should be aware of how great of an opportunity this show is for stakeholders from all across the organics sector, including both producers and buyers, to come together to tackle common obstacles, learn from each other’s experiences, and share insights on trends not only in the organics sector, but the industry more broadly,” Philip said. “There are a lot of exciting things happening in the CEA space, and we’re looking forward to having the chance to tell Shenandoah Growers’ story."
During the session, Philip will share exclusive insights from Shenandoah Growers’ experience, highlighting how the company has achieved cost-effective, scaled indoor production, as well as the environmental benefits its technology models have enabled and the bright future ahead for this sector.
“I hope attendees come away from this session understanding that CEA is no longer just a dream, or a vision for the future. Companies like Shenandoah Growers are making this idea a reality right now, as we’ve achieved reliable scaled production with efficiencies that enable us to sell our organic herbs and greens affordably,” stated Philip on a final note. “Beyond affordability, our growing methods and technologies have allowed us to produce food sustainably, reducing water and land use, while eliminating the need for environmentally intensive fertilizers.”
There is plenty more in store for those who attend Philip’s session, so be sure to reserve a spot on your OPS calendar ahead of the show!
FALLBROOK, CA - Avocados have become a staple in the homes of many shoppers, and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. With retailers in search of new ways to strengthen the category, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to discuss merchandising strategies amidst a tight avocado market with Del Rey Avocado’s Vice President of Sales Patrick Lucy.
“The current market is very, very tight—probably the tightest it has been in three years—due to the size curve and maturity issues in Mexico, combined with California and Peru harvest wrapping up,” Patrick explains to me.
Del Rey Avocado is reporting good quality across its avocado crops, with the size curve proving to be slightly smaller due to cooler conditions in its growing regions. This size curve, in addition to smaller fruit coming out of Mexico, has contributed to a tight market in the category.
As retailers look to continue capturing avocado sales in the produce department, they can harness Del Rey Avocado’s flexible retail programs to optimize the smaller sizing in the category.
“We offer our retail partners many different types of programs and tailor them to fit their needs and help drive sales,” Patrick begins. “We have many different value-added programs, whether it be preconditioning, bagging, private labels, and Apeel-treated avocados. We always try to make sure our retail partners are carrying the best eating avocado for that time of year, which is why we give them the option of avocados from California, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Colombia. We want to give our retail partners as many options as possible to make avocados their #1 produce item week after week.”
To boost the category, Del Rey Avocado recommends giving shoppers a variety of different options, with different sizes and packaging options to meet the needs of every consumer.
“Retailers should be size and country-of-origin flexible. The avocado category is very fluid and can move up and down quickly throughout the season, so if they can be flexible in the sizes they offer, they can move extra volume,” Patrick adds. “The biggest way to drive avocado sales is to have a few different offerings or value-added avocados on the shelves. The more options you give your customers, the better—not every person is looking for a size 48 ct, some might want bagged avocados to use through the week, while others may want something smaller that they can use for a single meal.”
To keep up with the avocado market and the latest merchandising strategies in the retail sector, don’t forget to leave a tab open for AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - For the supply chain, this past year has been host to many challenges and disruptions. However, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel as an announcement from the White House was just released, revealing that President Biden has appointed John D. Porcari as Port Envoy to the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force to address the ongoing hurdles. Following the announcement, the National Retail Federation (NRF) released a statement in support of the decision.
“Retailers have faced a number of unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, and the supply chain disruptions that continue to evolve pose a threat to many American businesses,” stated Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French. “As consumer demand increases, the supply chain challenges and the costs associated with them remain significant.”
In June of 2021, the NRF sent a letter to President Biden outlining the challenges that are being faced by the supply chain and retailers, according to a press release. The letter also featured potential solutions to combat not only hurdles created throughout the pandemic, but future issues as well.
“Imports at retail container ports have marked record highs recently as consumer demand continues to stretch supply chains and retailers shift to the peak shipping season for winter holiday merchandise,” continued French. “The bottlenecks and congestion we are seeing at our ports highlight the need for an improved and sophisticated supply chain that can handle these issues.”
The Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force was established in June to address the issues that emerged in several sectors, including retail. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leads the Task Force’s focus on ports and trucking issues while Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spotlights on food and agriculture. The new Envoy Porcari will work closely with Secretary Buttigieg to tackle the challenge of congestion at U.S. ports.
“NRF is encouraged by the Biden administration’s action on this critical issue. We look forward to working with Envoy Porcari, Secretary Buttigieg, and the full Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force to mitigate these challenges, particularly in advance of the upcoming holiday season, so that retailers can ensure consumers can access the products they want and need in a timely manner,” French added.
How will Envoy Porcari’s work help ease challenges for both the retail and fresh produce sectors? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest answers.