SALINAS, CA - Food safety remains top of mind for businesses across the industry, and that is where the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) is keeping its focus as it looks to bolster its team of industry experts. The organization recently announced it has appointed Alyssa Licata as its new Compliance Officer. Licata will replace Jonathan Field, who is set to retire this month after serving as Compliance Officer since the LGMA’s establishment in 2007.
Licata has been on staff for several weeks and will be taking over all of Field’s former responsibilities as she works out of the LGMA’s new Salinas-based office. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from California State University, Monterey, and most recently served as a Lab Manager for Seed Dynamics, according to a press release. Before that, she worked as a Food Safety Specialist for Markon Cooperative, bringing with her a scientific approach to understanding why food and environmental safety were important to the company’s 250 produce suppliers.
During her time at Markon, Licata oversaw a supplier food safety database, created Standard Operating Procedure documents to improve workflow, and conducted departmental research in understanding E. coli presence among leafy greens.
“We are very pleased to welcome Alyssa to the LGMA as our new Compliance Officer,” said Tim York, Chief Executive Officer of the California LGMA. “We anticipate her skill set as a microbiologist will provide the LGMA with a unique skill set, new eyes, and a fresh perspective. We are very much looking forward to having her on the LGMA team.”
LGMA’s Compliance Officer reviews all government audit reports of member farms, and works to ensure any infractions cited during these mandatory audits have been corrected. The Compliance Officer is also tasked with making sure corrections have been verified via a follow-up audit. Overall, the Compliance Officer’s role is to guarantee that members are 100 percent compliant with all required food safety practices under the LGMA, as noted in the release.
“The job of the Compliance Officer is extremely important. When customers purchase leafy greens from our members, it’s with the expectation that all of the LGMA’s required food safety practices are being followed and verified by government audits. The Compliance Officer’s role is to double check to make sure this is happening. We thank Jon Field very much for his many years of dedicated service to our industry and we wish him the best of luck in his retirement,” York added.
Congratulations to Alyssa Licata on landing this exciting new role, and to Jonathan Field on his upcoming retirement!
BOISE, ID - Albertsons has a thing or two to look forward to next month, as it has been announced that the retailer is welcoming a new executive to its team. Sharon McCollam has been named as its new President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Bob Dimond, who will retire and remain as an advisor through February 2022. McCollam’s appointment will be official as of September 7.
“I am thrilled to be joining Vivek and the Albertsons leadership team during this exciting time in the company’s history,” said McCollam. “Albertsons Cos. is a family of iconic brands that empowers and values its people; obsesses over exceeding the expectations of its customers, communities, and associates; and operates at the highest levels of humility and integrity in everything it does. It is thriving because its culture is built on values that its people and communities cherish and want to protect. It is a privilege to be joining this incredibly high-performing team and to be stepping back into such an exceptional opportunity that will allow me to leverage my broad multi-brand, multi-channel, and transformation experience as well as participate in one of the most exciting customer-centric digital transformations in integrated grocery and pharmacy today. I could not be more excited to take on this challenge and create the kind of change that will inspire our associates, our customers, and our shareholders.”
McCollam retired from Best Buy in 2016, where she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative, and Chief Financial Officer. She is broadly recognized as the co-pilot of Best Buy’s Renew Blue transformation, which is regarded as a pivotal omni-channel transformation. Prior to Best Buy, McCollam held several transformational leadership positions at Williams-Sonoma from 2000 to 2012, including Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer, a press release stated. Since retiring, she has served as a member of several corporate Boards, including companies with a strong consumer, e-commerce, and healthcare presence.
In her new role, McCollam will assume several leadership responsibilities, including finance, corporate strategy, information technology, supply chain operations, and property development, and will be involved in all aspects of the company’s growth and transformation strategy. In addition to her proven financial leadership, McCollam brings broad retail and omni-channel operational expertise that will help accelerate the achievement of the company’s goals.
“I am thrilled to have Sharon join the Albertsons team,” said Vivek Sankaran, Chief Executive Officer. “We are entering the next phase of our transformation, centered on building deeper relationships with customers through data, technology, and connected omni-channel solutions. Sharon has done just this throughout her career, helping to engineer multiple retail transformations, including the spectacular turnaround of Best Buy and the digital transformation at Williams-Sonoma. Sharon is well-known for her expertise in retail operations and digital growth strategies as well as her passion for building customer-centric cultures. I look forward to working closely with her to architect the evolution of our strategy and create value for all of our stakeholders.”
Sankaran also commented on the retirement of Dimond.
“I would like to thank Bob Dimond for his contributions to Albertsons Cos. over the past seven years,” he said. “He has established a strong foundation for our finance team and was extremely instrumental in our IPO. Bob helped us deliver consistent financial results, improve our balance sheet, and elevate the level of investment in our business. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Congratulations to each of these retail luminaries as they take the next steps in their journey.
VERO BEACH, FL - Not only are sustainable practices good for the environment, but they are a boon for upping basket share. Consumers are more commonly on the lookout for sustainable packaging, which has led to the creation of Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet’s latest launch in the table grape category: The EcoBox. The creation of this alternative to plastic clamshells also aligns with the supplier’s corporate sustainability commitment.
“By 2025, we want 100 percent of our consumer packaging to be recyclable. We are looking to create a healthier future for all of us, not only by sourcing high quality produce but also by creating a healthier environment,” states Mayda Sotomayor, Chief Executive Officer.
According to a press release, the EcoBox is a moisture resistant, sturdy, high-graphic box created with clay-coated recyclable paperboard. This packaging solution ensures breathability of the product while allowing consumers to see the excellent quality of the fruit, which, as we know, is integral to securing sales.
The supplier is determined to keep pace with consumer trends, retailer requests, and environmental needs. As such, the company continues to design packaging with eco-friendly alternatives. Not only is the company targeting developments in the grape category, but it is also testing a more sustainable film, which reduces plastic for bagged citrus.
“We noticed the need to develop a new eco-friendly clamshell and took action proactively; we wanted to offer retailers an innovative packaging that was aligned to their sustainable goals,” said Rob Anderholt, Grape Commodity Manager.
Helena Fernandez Irastorza, Marketing Coordinator, also discussed the addition of this new packaging.
“We have tested the 1 lb EcoBox this season on grapes and the results were very positive,” she said. “We are looking forward to implementing this design for our next season and then extending it to other commodities.”
As for the other categories that Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet is targeting for packaging development, we will just have to wait and see.
For more of the latest updates in fresh produce, keep reading ANUK.
SANTA CRUZ, CA - Conversations surrounding organics are ramping up. Maybe it is because Organic Produce Summit (OPS) 2021 is quickly approaching, or perhaps we are witnessing a pivotal shift in the sector. Either way, Jacobs Farm del Cabo is making its voice heard, ramping up for the show with a whole host of supply chain advancements.
“We have new packaging launches, sustainability initiatives, and more coming down the pipeline, and OPS provides an energizing space to share these with likeminded people,” said Danielle Loustalot, Marketing Manager. “We’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the organic industry is shifting to meet growing demand for social and environmental responsibility, greener alternatives in packaging and farming, and exceptional organic produce.”
The supplier will showcase many of its top-selling, fall-season del Cabo and Jacobs Farm brand products at the event, including most of its delicious cherry tomato varieties, peppers, and veggies, as well as fresh basil, rosemary, and more.
Additionally, Jacobs Farm will exhibit its paperboard pack—a new paper-based clamshell introduced in May of this year—at both its booth and the Sustainable Packaging Innovations Showcase. The company has received positive feedback on this new pack style, and it is poised to spur engaging industry conversations as soon as it hits the show floor.
“We like to describe our new del Cabo paperboard pack as ‘as clean and green as it gets.’ The pint pack is made with 100 percent recycled paperboard and provides a clear view of the product inside with a plant-based, cellulose window that is certified compostable both commercially and at home,” Danielle continued.
Not only does this packaging diversify retail shelves, but it builds on a broader company climate change initiative called the ClimateLab™. This initiative is aimed at both mitigating Jacobs Farm’s impact and developing tools to face the implications of climate change.
“The introduction of our paperboard is part of a steady shift toward more sustainable materials and, in this year alone, it’s projected to reduce our company’s plastic waste by half a million pounds,” Danielle told me.
This is one of many positive metrics that Jacobs Farm will share at OPS. It will be the company’s first in-person trade show since the start of the pandemic, and having the chance to talk organics in its own backyard is the cherry on top of recent sector excitement.
Be sure to visit Jacobs Farm del Cabo at booth #125 for all of this and much more.
ROSEMONT, IL - While still not in the clear in terms of the pandemic, more and more restaurants have begun reopening, and for distributors like US Foods, that means an increase in demand. This has proven to be the case as the company released its second quarter fiscal 2021 results, reporting that gross profit increased 74.2 percent to $1.2 billion, a $498 million boost from the prior year.
"The commitment to excellence demonstrated by our associates has fueled our very strong second quarter results," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pietro Satriano. "As markets around the United States reopen without restrictions, we have seen strong demand for our products, services, and consultative expertise. While supply chain labor is expected to remain challenging for the next few quarters, we remain focused on delivering profitable growth as our industry continues to recover."
In addition to a gross profit boom, the distributor also saw case volume and organic case volume skyrocket. According to a press release, total case volume increased a 53.5 percent, with independent restaurant case volume shooting up 79.1 percent. Total organic case volume saw a 50.3 percent increase for the quarter, while organic independent case volume saw a whopping 74.4 percent gain, showing that foodservice is beginning to make a comeback following the past year and a half of dormancy due to lockdowns.
Other highlights from US Foods’ second quarter fiscal 2021 results include:
- Net sales of $7.7 billion, a 68 percent increase from the year prior
- Net income available to common shareholders was $46 million
- Adjusted EBITDA increased 277.3 percent to $332 million
- Diluted EPS was $0.20; Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.58
As part of the release, the company also announced its six month fiscal 2021 standings. Overall, US Foods revealed that its net sales for the period had increased 28.1 percent from the year prior to $14 billion. Gross profit also rose 25 percent from the year prior to $2.2 billion, a $435 million increase from the same period in 2020. US Foods’ adjusted EBIDTA for the six month time span increased 90.2 percent to $504 million.
The distributor held a conference call and webcast to announce the results this morning, and slides from the presentation can be found on the company’s investor relations page. To see more details from US Foods’ second quarter and six month results, click here.
As the foodservice industry remains on the rise, how will it impact US Foods’ success? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Building out one’s prowess in the fresh produce industry often begins with looking inward to fortify a diverse team of talented leaders. This is just the move North Bay Produce is making as the company revealed it has tapped Paul Driscoll as its new Director of Business Development in Canada.
“It’s incredible to see how much North Bay has grown and achieved over the years. I am very excited to once again be working with this amazing organization,” Driscoll stated. “Tremendous potential exists for flavor and quality in Canada. North Bay growers are focused on these attributes and more. We look forward to growing together with our partners in Canada.”
Driscoll has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has a deep passion for fresh produce. According to a press release, he brings a great understanding of many of the challenges in the Canadian marketplace, with experience working with various producers around the world and a continued focus on taste, innovation, and product development.
“Paul is a leader in the produce industry in Canada, and we know he will be a great asset to our business,” stated Nick Osmulski, President. “Aside from that, Paul is a great person, and we are happy to have him on board.”
As he steps into his new position, Driscoll will play an instrumental role as the company works to build on its Canadian relationships.
North Bay Produce optimizes cutting-edge technology and extensive varietal trials in multiple key regions around the globe to produce the best-tasting and longest-lasting fruits and vegetables while also reducing waste through technology and strategic breeding.
We here at AndNowUKnow congratulate Paul Driscoll on his recent appointment, and we’ll be here to report on the successes to come for North Bay Produce.
ELK CREEK, CA - Three key state and federal decision makers recently met to discuss their response to building wildfire resiliency in California. Governor Gavin Newsom joined U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service Fire Chief Randy Moore at the burn scar of the 2020 August Complex to collaborate on wildfire response, fuel management, and other efforts to build resilience against wildfire as extreme climate impacts ripple across the West.
“California is fortunate to have strong federal partners committed to taking aggressive action to tackle the existential threat of catastrophic wildfires in the West driven by climate change impacts,” said Governor Newsom in a press release. “Together, we’re scaling up our vital work to improve the health of forests and landscapes across multiple ownerships and jurisdictions and ensuring we prioritize efforts in communities that face the greatest risks.”
Chief Moore recently issued a memo to all regional foresters temporarily halting “managed fire” until further notice in order to prioritize fires that threaten communities and infrastructure. The Governor requested that federal wildfire suppression strategies be reassessed amid the extreme risk posed by current fire conditions. He also called for federal investments to support additional firefighting personnel, aerial firefighting equipment, and long-term access to satellite technology for early detection.
The Governor, alongside Secretary Vilsack, who serves as Co-Chair of the Biden Administration’s Wildfire Resilience Interagency Working Group and Interagency Drought Relief Working Group, Chief Moore, USFS Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region Jennifer Eberlien, and CAL FIRE Director Thom Porter surveyed damage from the August Complex fire and joined a briefing at the Alder Springs U.S. Forest Service Station. The briefing underscored the role of fuel management efforts across state and federal jurisdictions in helping to protect the area around Alder Springs.
Joint state-federal management is crucial to California’s overall forest health and wildfire resilience, as the federal government owns 57 percent of California’s forestlands while the state owns 3 percent. The Newsom Administration and the U.S. Forest Service are working under a shared stewardship agreement to treat one million acres of forest and wildland annually to reduce the risk of wildfire. In addition, Governor Newsom also launched an expanded and refocused Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, with federal, local, and tribal leaders, to deliver on key commitments in the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, which outlines a path to increasing the pace and scale of land management.
Under this Legislature, the Governor has invested $2.2 billion to build wildfire resiliency and advance emergency response as part of the California Comeback Plan. The funding supports additional firefighting crews, new firefighting equipment, and expanded land and forest management efforts and builds on the Governor’s previous budget investments in emergency management and executive actions. Additionally, Governor Newsom surged CAL FIRE’s firefighting ranks in March by authorizing the early hire of 1,399 additional firefighters, and this month supplemented the department’s capacities with 12 additional aircrafts.
As we continue to track California’s wildfires, ANUK will be sure to keep you informed.
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - As leaders from across the industry gather to celebrate advancements and innovations in fresh at Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) upcoming Southern Innovations, one produce titan is preparing to flex its value-added prowess on the show floor. To find out exactly what Renaissance Food Group (RFG) has in store for this year’s attendees, I tap Nelia Alamo, Vice President of Communications, for some exclusive insights.
“RFG is a long-time supporter of SEPC and Southern Innovations, and we are very excited to return to in-person events,” Nelia begins. “We look to SEPC events to draw decision-makers and key stakeholders from the buy-side community. Events such as Southern Innovations are well-attended and provide great selling and networking opportunities, which we hope to take advantage of.”
Demonstrating the ever-evolving innovation of the fresh produce industry, RFG will be showcasing several new offerings that satisfy consumer demand for unique, flavorful, and convenient products as they continue to cook more at home.
During the show, RFG will be highlighting convenience and on-trend flavor profiles as we move toward the fall and winter selling months. The value-added supplier offers organic and conventional solutions for retail and foodservice channels, and will optimize Southern Innovations to promote these unique capabilities.
“Together with Calavo Growers, we have tons of exciting initiatives on deck to drive forward our ‘one-company’ vision,” Nelia concludes. “And with Southern Innovations on the horizon, we’re looking forward to a great show!”
Stop by to check out RFG at booth #100 to get an inside look at some of these exciting industry innovations. As always, keep reading AndNowUKnow, as we promise to continue bringing you the latest news from across the fresh produce industry.
MOREHEAD, KY - In February of this past year, AppHarvest made a name for itself as the first greenhouse company to go public through the launch of its IPO. Now, the AgTech innovator has made another key move to drive its evolution as it has announced Julie Nelson as its new Executive Vice President, Operations, tapping into her years of expertise with companies like PepsiCo to increase its supply chain capabilities.
“AppHarvest’s mission aligns with my personal values,” Nelson said. “AppHarvest’s vision of combining the best that nature offers boosted with world-class technology to sustainably and affordably grow nutritious fruits and vegetables is inspiring, and I look forward to building a best-in-class operational team in support of this mission to build a climate-resilient food supply.”
In her new position, Nelson will play a key role as an Executive Management Committee member, reporting to President David Lee. She will also aid in developing company strategy, establishing operations, and driving efficiency to reach productivity and cost goals while guaranteeing quality and customer satisfaction.
Nelson joins the company after most recently serving at McKinsey & Company, according to a press release. Prior to that, she held a long tenure at PepsiCo, where she led supply chain teams and the global operations team. While with the company, her focus included network optimization, scaling digital technologies, and end-to-end value chain productivity.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Nelson is also an advisory council member for the West Virginia University Global Supply Chain Management Program.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Webb commented on Nelson’s recent appointment.
“Julie has battleground-tested experience in scaling operations across sites,” he said. “Her recent focus on improving sustainability in the food and beverage supply chain by reducing food waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions makes her a natural fit at AppHarvest.”
Lee mirrored Webb’s sentiments.
“Julie’s deep experience optimizing complex manufacturing and distribution networks for major consumer goods companies and her proven ability to drive productivity across the supply chain will help us to deliver improved profitability as we scale,” he added.
Cheers to Julie Nelson as she takes this next step in her career!
AVON, CT - Whole Foods Market is once again accelerating its expansion strategy as it prepares to bolster its presence in another key market. Recently, the retailer announced it will be opening a new store in Avon, Connecticut, on September 1.
The new 44,760-square-foot store’s assortment will place emphasis on local products from the New England area, hand-picked by Whole Foods Market North Atlantic’s Local Forager, Holly Long, according to a press release.
The new Avon Village store will feature a large assortment of organic, conventional, local, and Sourced for Good produce, as well as Eco-Certified apples and peaches grown on family farms.
The new store will also house a number of local grocery products, in addition to upgraded seafood and butcher departments and a specialty department dedicated to honoring cheesemakers and other artisan producers.
As noted in the release, all food at Whole Foods Market must meet the company’s rigorous quality standards, which prohibit hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and over 100 flavors, colors, sweeteners, and other ingredients commonly found in food.
Stay tuned to see how the retailer will continue to push this ambitious strategy forward, as AndNowUKnow will surely be here to report.