CALIFORNIA - If forewarned is forearmed, the produce industry is always ready when it comes to safety precautions. This is what California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) President Ian LeMay recently reminded me when I called to check in on whether the latest double-back on mask mandates has had any impact on labor in California ag, specifically fresh produce.
“We have maintained a significant advantage as our members have remained vigilant and have always kept employee safety as a top priority. Many of our members maintained the daily temperature check-ins, and in many facilities masking policies never stopped despite the easing of California mandates,” Ian shared.
As a result, the association and its members have seen a minimal presence of COVID-19 in their operations, even with regional mask mandates and warnings about the Delta variant increasing in recent weeks. In that vein, ag continues to do all it can to retain as much of the workforce as possible considering how much of a challenge a full roster has become in recent seasons.
“Labor continues to be our number one priority, and parallel to that is employee safety,” Ian reasoned. “We were definitely in a tight labor market earlier in the season. Looking back, there were a couple of contributing factors as to why that could have been, including a longer citrus season, a healthy cherry crop, and the continuance of some state/federal social safety net programs. But, as we have settled into summer that has eased a bit. It is still tight—we never have enough hands—but our members are making it work to get the freshest fruit to market.”
So, while the labor market continues to be tight, CFFA remains vigilant and active wherever it can.
“Our industry’s eyes are fixed on Washington DC and the need to pass immigration reform (Farm Workforce Modernization Act) for all the right reasons,” Ian stated. When I asked about possible solutions, he added, “Near term, we will continue to do what we can as an industry to create a safe and healthy working environment; we will support organizations like the California Farmworker Foundation, which is making meaningful impacts in our communities; and we will continue to grow, pick, pack, and ship the world’s highest quality fresh fruit.”
Likewise, AndNowUKnow will maintain our own vigilance, with hope that more action in this fight for our industry becomes available soon.
WENATCHEE, WA - From the show floor to the sales floor, CMI Orchards is ready to take on Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2021 with its unique portfolio of organic apples, pears, and cherries. It was only fitting that I checked in with the company as we round the corner to the event, and Brand Manager Rochelle Bohm had plenty to report.
“With new partnerships and expanded capacity, CMI carries year-round core organic apple and pear varieties,” she began. “We have one of the largest selections of specialty-branded organics, which includes KIKU®, Kanzi®, Ambrosia, Jazz™, Envy™, Smitten®, EverCrisp®, and Cosmic Crisp®. We call these items the ‘fourth tier’ of selling, giving retailers the opportunity to capture incremental sales attributed to the higher rings that branded organic apples deliver.”
In addition to showcasing its full suite of organic options, CMI will also be sharing some of the interesting and exciting things the company has been working on relating to sustainable packaging. CMI will also have its eye out for exciting developments within other produce commodities, particularly in relation to new items and sustainable packaging.
“The organic sector has tremendous growth opportunities as more consumers elect to shift their lifestyles and become more tuned in to their health and wellbeing. We’re continually running the numbers, looking at nationwide and regional scan data to review category trends. What we’re seeing is that there is more room to grow with organics for most retailers,” said Rochelle. “OPS is a great place to see what is trending in the industry and the approaches that CMI and other companies are taking to bring fresh products and ideas to market.”
As a formidable organic player, CMI appreciates this show and its specific focus on organics. Rochelle relayed that OPS is typically very well attended, and CMI always has great interactions with retailers looking to grow their organic business and see what’s new.
“We hope to see many of our retail friends after a period of reduced travel and the migration of trade shows online,” she added. “We’re excited to get back to face to face meetings with our customers, and to share with them some of the new and exciting things that have been percolating at CMI over the past 12 months or so.”
But, this is not all that CMI Orchards has planned for the show.
“We don’t want to give anything away ahead of time, as many of the things we’re sharing have been ‘behind the curtain’ for a while now. You’ll have to come and visit our booth to see for yourself!” Rochelle concluded. “We’re looking forward to showing our customers the breadth of our offerings and to talk to people about our ideas and strategies for using organics as a key tool for growing sales.”
Intrigued? Be sure to swing by booth #426 to get all of the juicy details.
SEATTLE, WA - News of an executive departure from Amazon has come across our desks as the retailer confirmed on Monday that Wei Gao, one of its top grocery leaders, will be leaving the company. It has not yet been announced where she will be going, but her 16 years of service with Amazon were influential.
Gao most recently served as the retailer’s Vice President of Grocery Tech, Product, and Supply Chain, according to an article from CNBC. She also held numerous other roles throughout her tenure including senior positions within the company’s Kindle and inventory planning teams before she became Vice President of Forecasting.
During her time at Amazon, Gao also earned the coveted role of “shadow” adviser to Amazon Executive Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, a position she held from July 2018 to January 2020. Gao was one of only two female executives to be appointed to the role.
Her last day at Amazon will be September 17, the retailer confirmed, leaving us wondering where the next stop in her career will be?
We're also curious about who will fill her shoes and have the Bezos' ears in regards to upcoming grocery plans.
For more updates from the retail sector, stick with AndNowUKnow.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Retailers, take note. Eagle Eye Produce’s new crop onions and potatoes are ready for shipment. As we wind down the summer months, consumers are hungrier than ever to add staple vegetables like onions and potatoes to their shopping list—and Eagle Eye is just the right partner for the job.
“We have made significant improvements to our onion program for this season. We have the people, infrastructure, and the onions in place to have a great season in both our Washington and Idaho/Eastern Oregon regions,” said Joe Ange, Director of Business Development. “As our programs continue to grow, we are more excited than ever to get the storage season started!”
The company’s new crop yellow and red onions are already ready for shipment, with new crop white onions close behind.
Annual onion harvest has begun once again for Eagle Eye Produce growers in the sunny and fertile Snake River Valley of Idaho and Eastern Oregon and will continue into late September. Harvest in Washington is also underway for Eagle Eye Produce’s yellow, red, and white onion crops.
"Expect the same great quality and increased volume from us this year,” said Jason Pearson, Director of Onion Sales. “Even though Mother Nature has thrown our growers some curveballs, it's still Game On."
The grower is also beginning to ship its new crop russet, red, and yellow potatoes from its packing facilities in Idaho this week. Over the next few months, Eagle Eye growers will harvest thousands of acres of world-famous Idaho® potatoes.
“We anticipate a good harvest this year with excellent product available to go to market with, although this growing season has seen some challenges,” said Coleman Oswald, Director of Sales. “We experienced higher than normal temperatures this summer with very little precipitation, which may lead to lower than anticipated yields. With the reduced yields, we are anticipating strong and active markets this season, which we are currently seeing take shape as harvest begins.”
Alongside its new crop, a press release noted, Eagle Eye Produce will be introducing new packaging, including new Harvest Select® retail bins. It has also invested heavily into its packing and storage facilities in Idaho over the past year, with state-of-the-art equipment that will reduce labor, improve quality, and contribute to more consistent packs year-round.
Alongside the announced addition of Central Produce, a premier grower-shipper in Payette, Idaho, earlier this year, Eagle Eye Produce has been able to up its retail offerings. The company is now packing everything from 2 lb to 50 lb packs.
With a year-round supply marketed under several brands, Eagle Eye is able to support its retail partners with a sales and marketing team proven to get the work done.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest in all things fresh produce.
BOISE, ID - Digital growth is the name of the game these days, and Albertsons Companies is stepping up to the plate. Shoppers continue to lean on grocery delivery to stock their kitchens, and the retailer is capitalizing on that trend with three all-new launches. Through its free Deals & Delivery app, Albertsons for U shopper loyalty program, and FreshPass™ grocery delivery service, Albertsons is chasing down sales in several innovative ways.
“We have been working hard to revolutionize Albertsons Companies’ digital offerings and enhance all aspects of the food experience and journey,” said Chris Rupp, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Digital Officer. “We have been in lock-step with our customers and today’s launch of our new Deals & Delivery app, our Albertsons for U loyalty program, and FreshPass subscription service exemplifies our commitment to innovation and customer service, meeting shoppers where they want to shop, whether that be in store, curbside, or at home.”
The new Deals & Delivery app seamlessly integrates both the Albertsons for U loyalty program and the FreshPass subscription service, a press release stated. Shoppers can select their closest store within the app, gaining greater access to Albertsons’ 20-plus banners, including Safeway, Albertsons, VONS, and Jewel-Osco. Creating an integrated in-store experience, this launch also includes a digital wallet and app coupon integration, shopping list builders, and a convenient pay-from-app feature.
Albertsons Companies’ new loyalty program, Albertsons for U, offers new personalized deals, rewards, and perks, automatically enrolling those previously signed up for the retailer’s previous reward program. It is available across its banners, dubbed Albertsons for U™, Safeway for U™, Jewel-Osco for U™, etc. Members earn points on nearly every dollar spent, and points can be redeemed on groceries.
FreshPass is an optional subscription service integrated into the new Albertsons apps. It is available for $99 a year (or $12.99 per month) and offers unlimited free delivery on orders $30 or more, and in select markets, free 2-hour grocery delivery and Drive Up & Go™ shopping experiences. Those who sign up now can expect to save up to $395 per year with an annual FreshPass subscription, the press release added.
How will these new digital advancements play into Albertsons’ long-term growth strategy? Keep reading ANUK as we follow along.
LEAMINGTON, ON - Go big or go home is more of a lifestyle than some cliff-side taunt when in the produce industry, and few live by it as vividly as Mastronardi Produce®. True to form, the greenhouse grower is not looking to go home without going big at the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Innovations Expo.
“We love networking with buyers at SEPC. We are in a fast-moving, always evolving industry, and it’s important to showcase our new innovations in sustainable greenhouse growing. At the same time, we always enjoy learning from buyers how new key trends in consumer purchasing of fresh produce impacts our business and the supply chain as a whole,” Peppe Bonfiglio, Vice President of Sales for the company, shares with me.
We discuss how staying innovative is how to keep one step ahead, bringing even more opportunities in greenhouse growing now and in the future. In the spirit of that, Peppe shares that, this year, Mastronardi will be highlighting the temptingly snackable Lolli Bombs™.
“Lolli Bombs are our latest addition of snacking tomatoes on-the-vine, and rocks the same level of explosive flavor that our customers have come to expect. It’s always fun to showcase a variety of innovations at SEPC, and this year, I am sure, will be no exception,” Peppe says, explaining that he and the team are looking forward to networking with industry professionals. “It’s even more exciting to be doing it in person this year. There’s just something so special about human interaction and showcasing our innovations in front of everyone.”
He points out how, beyond screen fatigue, in-person provides a full sensory experience that can actually foster further creativity.
“Being together brings forth new ideas and sparks new conversations. Overall, we are excited to be safely getting back together with the industry after a long period of being apart,” Peppe reflects.
Likewise, it sounds as though the Mastronardi portfolio will continue to innovate and bring more to each meeting opportunity, on and off the show floor.
“We will continue to build partnerships with inspirational leaders in our industry and invest in the latest research and development initiatives in vegetable greenhouse growing, so that we can continue inspiring healthy living through quality, flavorful produce,” the Vice President of Sales promises.
If you have not yet registered for SEPC's Southern Innovations, click here to join us in Savannah, Georgia, September 9–11. Hope to see you there!
SACRAMENTO, CA - Here at AndNowUKnow, we are starting our Friday off with a bang as we are excited to report that our local Rä Foods' Wild About Sprouts™ brand has announced not one, not two, but three new additions to its team. The Sacramento, California-based company revealed that Antonio Ortiz will be added as Director of Operations, Chelsea Deusenberry as Continuous Improvement and Quality Manager, and Jacqueline Ponciano as Operations and Safety Coordinator.
Ortiz comes to Wild About Sprouts with over 20 year of career experience, including as an accomplished operational management professional and leader. According to a press release, he most recently served as General Manager for Superior Farms in Dixon, California, where he presided over a large-scale operation, managed a diverse team, and met all performance and productivity expectations.
Prior to this role at Superior Farms, Ortiz was Facilities Manager at North Shore Greenhouses, Director of Operations at McKay Transcold, Operations Manager at Railex, and Plant Manager at Cotterman Co. Throughout his career, he has honed his skills in areas such as operational and facilities management and has lead a plethora of successful initiatives.
Chelsea Deusenberry will be joining Ortiz on the list of new hires, coming to Wild About Sprouts with 11 years of expertise in quality control, as well as experience in automation, robotics, and GFSI audit experience for both FSIS and FDA production plants.
Additionally, Deusenberry performed continuous gap analyses a to determine areas of improvement in operational efficiencies and internal processes as well as tracking and analyzing product specifications, customer quality concerns, and vendor complaints. She is working to enhance the company’s food safety programs and processes and will be participating in automation and increasing capacity initiatives.
Rounding out the list is Jacqueline Ponciano who joins Wild About Sprouts as Operations and Safety Coordinator and has quickly been promoted to Logistics Manager. In her new role, she will focus on compliance, training, and project management.
Ponciano adds a background in material requirements planning, vendor relationships, and inventory management. She is now working to further develop the company’s transportation and customer service departments, focusing on order fulfilment and on time deliveries.
Jeff Sholl, Owner of Wild About Sprouts commented on the three new hires.
“Wild About Sprouts™ is on a mission to reach consumers across the country with fresh, living, safe, healthy, flavorful sprouts,” he said. “In order to do this, we needed to expand our operations and hire experts for key positions to help us meet the increasing demand we are experiencing.”
Congratulations to the three new leaders as they take the reins of these key roles!
BRITISH COLUMBIA - School supplies shopping lists include more than just notebooks and pencils these days, as healthy snacks and eating occasions are equally as important. With this in mind, Oppy is wielding its exclusive collaboration with the Ocean Spray® brand to launch its latest back-to-school campaign. Oppy is presenting its berries, grapes, and citrus under the umbrella of the campaign’s positioning line: The new school way to enjoy Ocean Spray®.
“This is a relationship I’ve personally been a part of for a decade,” said Oppy’s Senior Vice President of Sales for North America Brett Libke. “Oppy and Ocean Spray have been building this bond over a half-century of business together. The success of our exclusive fresh cranberry program, which began nearly two decades ago, laid the groundwork for our strawberry venture to go live in 2016. Now we bring a trusted, comprehensive fresh produce line to market together. I am incredibly proud of this partnership and the diverse items we deliver today.”
Libke noted in a company press release that there are plans for further growth, having announced Oppy’s 12-month grape program under the Ocean Spray brand earlier this year.
The growth of this collaboration comes in tandem with the peak promotional period that surrounds the back-to-school season. This moment also aligns with ample volumes of fruit, according to Brand and Key Account Manager TJ Wilson, who heads the brand strategy for Ocean Spray products at Oppy.
“Retailers can get really excited for this August-September period as back-to-school sales return,” Wilson said. “With consumers packing a lunchbox, school bag, or briefcase for the first time again instead of running down to the kitchen and opening their fridge, these items still offer all the conveniences of home in a portable snack. Just wash and serve, or peel and serve.”
The campaign includes POS materials, merchandising vehicles for in-store displays, an array of digital and social content, and customizable retailer promotions based on partner needs. Its shopper marketing strategy also entails a mobile-first advertising component to drive messaging directly to its preferred audience via geo-targeting.
“During the pandemic, consumers gravitated back to the brands they know and trust,” said Eric Sinsigalli, Director of Sales at Ocean Spray, accounting for the reportedly more than 4 million new households that rediscovered their love for Ocean Spray products in that period. “With the brand further expanding down produce aisles just a few short years ago, The new school way to enjoy Ocean Spray® campaign reminds consumers that the same label they know for its quality is providing them exceptional items in fresh too—during a pivotal moment in their family’s lives.”
All items included in this campaign are available now.
Now get out there and grab those sales, retailers!
SANTA MARIA, CA - There is nothing quite as refreshing as seeing a familiar face amongst a crowd, and that’s exactly how I felt when I spotted Crystal Chavez, Marketing Director for Gold Coast Packing at this year’s PMA Foodservice show. Stopping by the company’s booth, I got a sneak peek into its new lineup of retail offerings and got the chance to discuss with Crystal some of the supplier’s goals for the upcoming year.
“We are predominantly a foodservice company, and we have been around for 42 years. We are smaller, but we love to work with our customers, and we’re willing to work with the items they’re looking for and that they want to create, and we go back and forth until we create exactly what they want,” Crystal started off.
However, just because the company primarily serves foodservice customers doesn’t mean that retail is not on its radar. As our conversation progressed, Crystal explained that one of Gold Coast Packing’s new goals is to expand its reach into the booming retail sector.
“One of our goals this year is to reach out more into retail. We have 12 oz and 2 lb retail items of our core line, so broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cilantro, and some blends of both of those together. So, a lot of great new items mostly into retail,” she explained.
After finishing my talk with Crystal, I can’t wait to see what Gold Coast will bring to the retail sector as it further widens its reach in the market.
To hear more of what Crystal had to say, watch our exclusive video linked above.
PERU - This year’s avocado season aligns with a pivotal movement in the organic sector. All signs point toward a continued rise in demand, and the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC) is taking full advantage of this. The organization recently established its dedicated Organic Avocado Committee for the federal promotions program, devoting resources for organic avocado supplies in the United States. This marks the first move to market an organic product under the federally funded organization.
“We are going to be a very strong player in organics this summer so we are introducing an organic avocado marketing program,” said PAC President Xavier Equihua, noting that it is the organization’s first time promoting organic avocados in this manner with these funds. He continued, saying organics are “one of the fastest growing sub-categories for the produce industry and Avocados from Peru wants to inspire other associations operating under a federal promotion program to do the same and start incorporating organics into their promotions.”
Equihua added that there is a movement to launch a non-commodity-specific organic promotion program. As one of the key staffers who coordinated the legislation to establish the Organic Food Production Act during his years as a key trade advisor on Capitol Hill, he brings an expert perspective to the mechanics of the National Organic Program law.
Under the National Organic Program, producers, handlers, and importers may request an exemption for assessments paid to a federal promotion program, a press release explained. This summer, PAC is promoting organic avocados to retailers with custom-designed programs, and the funds are coming through the assessments of the importer community.
“Xavier is the first person to do a carve out program for organic avocados,” Bob Lucy, President of Del Rey Avocado Company and Chairman of the Avocados from Peru Marketing Committee, said. “A number of retailers have already signed up. This is a great opportunity to promote Peruvian organics this year.”
Avocados from Peru is working individually with retailers around the country to customize promotion programs and has several different options to choose from.
Equihua added that avocado promotion groups are the experts, just as other commodity groups are well-versed in their fresh product. As such, he does not believe an organic program covering all commodities can be as effective as a program launched within a single commodity group.
“We want to be the inspiration for other producers and hope they follow our lead in promoting organics,” he said. “We also want U.S. policymakers to take note and realize that a national organic promotion is not the path to take.”
Peru has entered its heavy shipping period this season as organic avocado volume remains light. Equihua estimated that 4 to 5 percent of Peru’s avocados destined for the United States in 2021 will be organic.
As we monitor further movement across the organic sector, keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow.