TORONTO, CANADA - An esteemed industry vet has taken a pivotal next step in their already illustrious career, as it was recently announced that John Lucot, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Giant Eagle, has joined e-commerce solutions provider Mercatus as the company’s Senior Strategic Advisor.
“Already a leader in its space, Mercatus is continuing to build on its reputation as a trusted eCommerce partner to the grocery industry,” said Lucot. “The platform, its broad functionality, and the company’s rapid pace of innovation is impressive. I look forward to leveraging my operations experience and insights as a retail executive to help ensure Mercatus clients have the mission-critical solutions they need to connect to, retain, and profit from their online customers.”
In this new role, Lucot will support retailer engagement initiatives and offer his deep grocery and industry knowledge to ensure the success of the Mercatus client network and advance the solutions provider’s cloud offerings, as explained in a press release.
Lucot also serves as a longtime member of the Food Marketing Institute Board of Directors and continues to serve on various other industry and charitable boards. Prior to joining the executive team at Mercatus, Lucot spent 42 years at Giant Eagle, holding the position of President and Chief Executive Officer prior to his retirement in 2016. He also served as a member of Topco Holdings Board of Directors, having been named Chairman back in 2016.
“At a time of such rapid channel growth, having someone like John—a proven leader in the grocery industry with years of retail business acumen—will be extremely valuable to Mercatus and our clients,” said Sylvain Perrier, Mercatus President and CEO. “From his long, successful career at Giant Eagle, to his impact as a board member at a number of industry organizations, John is engaging, knowledgeable, and insightful. I’m looking forward to working closely with him, as is my executive team, as we address the most relevant digital commerce needs of grocery retailers quickly and clearly.”
Congratulations John Lucot! As e-commerce becomes an increasingly more vital component of the retail space, AndNowUKnow will keep an eye out for the growth sparked by this recent appointment.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Connecting the farmer to the consumer is a humbling act, and one that we are constantly striving for on and off the shelf. The California Strawberry Commission aims to do just this for strawberry farmers, recently launching a new sales-driving campaign. Throughout peak strawberry season 2021, consumers will have access to real farmer and farmworker stories through a #StoryBehindtheBerry webisode series shared across Facebook, Instagram, and the organization’s website.
To inspire shoppers to eat more healthy strawberries, the campaign invites consumers to enter the #CAStrawberryChallenge by recreating a CA strawberry recipe for a chance to win one of 15 $200 gift cards from May through July.
To help consumers stay on top of the latest nutrition trends and the many health benefits of California strawberries, registered dietitian Whitney English is sharing her expertise on a summer-long series called Whit’s Tips, which is featured on social media and the commission’s consumer website.
According to a press release, a series of "Strawberry Snackdowns" is featuring registered dietitians competing live on Instagram for prizes. By simply voting for a winner in the competitions, participants are automatically entered to win $50 Visa gift cards. The next #StrawberrySnackdown, hosted by influencer Michelle Smith from The Whole Smiths, is taking place today, May 13, at 11 a.m. PDT.
Additionally, timely nutrition information, summer recipe videos, cooking demos, giveaways, and more will be shared daily across Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and on the commission's website.
Prepare for an influx of strawberry sales as shoppers head to the aisles in hopes of nabbing one of these exclusive prizes.
PALM DESERT, CA - As consumer demand for unique product offerings maintains, Sun World International has made an announcement that will expand its global network of growers and marketers. The company revealed recently that it has granted six additional licenses to Egyptian table grape growers and marketers, bringing the total number to seven. Sun World also appointed two new Italian table grape growers and marketers as part of its strategy to extend its reach in these gateway markets, bringing its total Italian licensees to 10.
“We have been eager to announce this group of tremendous new licensees,” said Garth Swinburn, Vice President of Licensing. “A hallmark of Sun World’s many years as an international fruit breeder and licensor is the longevity of our relationships with our licensees. We make the decision to grant a license with deliberation and care, so this is an important move for our company.”
One of the company’s central motivations for this new expansion is to meet the growing demand for newer and improved table grape varieties in the global fresh market, according to a press release.
The widening of Sun World’s footprint also reflects the transition taking place in Egypt and Italy as public table grape varieties are replaced with proprietary varieties, like those that the company breeds in its Center for Innovation in California. An expanded portfolio of innovative table grape varieties will give new licensees greater access to domestic and international markets, creating greater opportunity for new revenue streams.
“Everything we do, and every aspect of our breeding and genetics program, is done with the success and prosperity of our growers and marketers in mind,” continued Swinburn. “I’m delighted to welcome these impressive new marketers to the global Sun World Community.”
New marketers have been granted rights to distribute fruit from existing and new varieties developed by Sun World and marketed under the company’s brands such as AUTUMNCRISP®, MIDNIGHT BEAUTY®, SABLE SEEDLESS®, ADORA SEEDLESS®, SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS®, and SOPHIA SEEDLESS®.
Sun World’s new licensees include:
- PICO Modern Agriculture
- Agrostar for Modern Agriculture
- Belco
- Daltex
- El Roda Company for Agricultural Development
- Fayed Horticulture Export Ltd. Co. (FATA)
- Magrabi Agriculture SAE (MAFA)
- AgriMessina
- Agricoper
How will Sun World’s expansion into these gateway markets impact its growth strategy in other regions? AndNowUKnow will bring you the answers.
SAN JOSE, CA - With technology taking the wheel on industry growth, resources provided by partnering tech and service companies have become more integral than ever. ZAG Technical Services is one such company, and recently launched a new supply chain risk assessment and management program for its partners. The tool is aimed at providing agribusinesses with visibility into the cybersecurity risks that can affect their business.
“Technology enables streamlined operations for businesses across the supply chain, but it can also introduce risk to an organization and its suppliers. Knowing where that risk is coming from is the first step in working to address it,” said Greg Gatzke, President. “We’ve introduced a way for organizations to assess their risk and be provided with actionable steps they can take to ensure their vendors and suppliers are meeting basic requirements that help reduce the likelihood of a cyberattack disrupting operations. Your vendors’ risk is your risk.”
Supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly common as food production and agribusinesses use more technology to streamline operations, increase ROI, and improve processes. However, these same businesses are at risk for becoming targets of cyberattacks, a press release stated. A 2020 survey from Deloitte found that 83 percent of organizations experienced a third-party incident in the past three years, with 11 percent causing a severe impact on customer service, financial position, reputation, or regulatory compliance.
ZAG’s supply chain risk assessment provides tailored insights into potential vulnerabilities within an organization’s supply chain, along with a targeted remediation plan for how to manage and mitigate the risk. The company calls on its 22 years of experience in IT consulting, managed services, and support to clients across several markets to provide extensive expertise in agribusiness and fresh produce sectors.
For more innovative ways to support your business, keep reading the latest from ANUK.
VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA - Cherry season has arrived! And to kick things off, Oppy is giving buyers the chance to get in on the action a little early as it has begun shipping the first cherries from Katco Packing after it recently formed this new alliance, offering the popular Brookside and Katicich brands under the same roof in Stockton, California.
“We are thrilled to bring cherries to our customers earlier than ever,” said Jon Bailey, who leads Oppy’s cherry category. “Having started on May 2, our volume has been steadily increasing with peak volume from May 15 onward and plenty of fruit for Memorial Day promotions. The quality looks good overall with some blocks in the northern area averaging a size 10 row size.”
Oppy typically begins domestic cherry season in mid-May, according to a press release. However, through this newly formed partnership, the grower, marketer, and distributor will offer cherries from the beginning of May through the end of August, harvesting in California, Oregon, and British Columbia.
To help bolster the success of this highly-anticipated season, Katco recently added a state-of-the art Unitech optical sorting machine to bring increased speed and accuracy to the packing process. As the grower plans to increase its supply of Coral cherries, and with the already heavy supply of Bings present in the last half of production, the new line will ensure consistent size and quality in its bags and clamshells.
In addition to this increased precision, the two brands offer each other a series of other benefits such as production efficiencies and logistical support, while Oppy vertically integrates to contribute marketing and promotional backing.
“Our program is built with partners who have a 100 percent cherry-focus. Having a team all-in on stone fruit, paired with this top-notch technology, is an equation for the best quality cherries we’ve seen come out of California. We are extremely pleased with the new developments in this category,” said Senior Vice President of Categories and Marketing James Milne.
With cherries getting ready to ship out, Oppy suggests that retailers make their consumers aware that the season has arrived. Bailey suggests positioning fruit so it’s easily visible in stores and headlining the news in e-commerce outlets to help online shoppers realize that cherries have made their way to the produce aisle.
As summer begins to unfold here in the Northern Hemisphere, Oppy has the key to capitalizing on early cherry sales, so stock up now.
For more insights from across the produce industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
PROVIDENCE, RI - As each of us makes moves to advance in our careers, sometimes all we need is someone to take a chance on our talent. However, I have a feeling that United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) was not taking much of a risk with its most recent promotion of a company leader. The distributor has named Matt Whitney as its new Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, effective immediately.
In this new role, Whitney will be responsible for leading the company’s Professional Services and e-commerce business units while also developing new business models, pursuing innovation opportunities, and implementing several ongoing strategic initiatives to complement UNFI’s base wholesale business. He joined UNFI in early 2020 as Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy and Business Transformation, leading the company’s Value Path initiative, a cross-functional effort to identify sales growth, product efficiencies, and cost containment opportunities.
Prior to joining UNFI, Whitney was the Corporate Vice President of Field Transformation at Sysco, where he also served as EVP of its Boston division, and Head of the Integration Management Office for Sysco’s proposed acquisition of US Foods. Earlier in his career, Whitney worked in strategy consulting and mergers and acquisitions. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Chris Testa, the President of UNFI, commented on how this appointment will bolster the company’s operations.
“UNFI is focused on innovation and finding new ways to support our customers beyond a traditional distribution model. Our Professional Services and e-commerce teams are two critical growth vehicles that help make our customers stronger, more differentiated, and under Matt’s leadership these teams will help them continue to grow and flourish,” said Testa. “His cross functional leadership, business acumen, and strong strategic thinking will help us deliver results and ensure we are best positioned for future growth.”
Congratulations to Matt Whitney on this exciting promotion!
FRESNO, CA - Many fresh produce companies pride themselves on their foundation as a family farming operation, but how can they ensure that the family legacy lives on long into the future? One way, which I was recently enlightened on, is to implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Revealing vital insights into company succession planning, the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno’s Institute for Family Business (IFB) hosted a “Family Business Succession Through ESOPs” webinar presented by Steven Deis, Director of ESOP Advisory for Aegis Acquisitions and Legacy member of the IFB Board.
“An ESOP is a controlled process for helping legacy shareholders transition their business financially,” Steven told me as we sat down to discuss the topic. “Many smaller family-owned organizations don't necessarily want to sell to a third party and potentially lose some of the integrity of their legacy. With ESOPs, the beneficiaries are the employees of the company, whereas in a traditional sale of a business, only the current owners are paid for the sale and the individual employees don't see any future wealth creation benefits.”
Steven added that ESOPs are highly applicable to companies in the produce industry—especially those that are vertically integrated—as well as the distribution grocery sector. In the webinar, he noted that in the U.S., there are over $1.4 trillion in assets held in ESOP-owned companies. There are about 6,500 companies nationally that are employee-owned through an ESOP, and California has over 800 of those.
The number of employees that are covered under ESOPs is upwards of 14 million in the United States, according to Steven. With this financial plan, owners are essentially creating a market for the stock of the company and staying private. They are able to manage the company going forward, all while maintaining the integrity of that family legacy into the future.
“Company shareholders elect to do an ESOP to be able to sell equity in the company at a fair market value for the benefit of their families and have the beneficiaries of the stock sold, over time, become the company’s employees. For a company that has, say, 200 employees, rather than the business being held by one family, all of the employees and their families will be able to build equity value into the future,” Steven explained. “For C corporations, a benefit is the ability of shareholders to sell their privately held business equity and possibly defer and or eliminate the capital gains tax associated with the sale. For S corporations, whatever percentage of the company held by the ESOP after the plan is adopted will pay no federal or state income tax.”
That being said, not only will ESOPs save companies money, but they will create deeper incentives for employees to contribute to the business’ long-term goals.
“We’re really trying to empower the employee who has been a part of the extended family by giving them an opportunity to build their own wealth,” added Fernando Parra, Ph.D., CISA, Department of Accountancy Assistant Professor and Director of the Institute for Family Business at California State University, Fresno. “So, as they think of their retirement, they know that every hour they're spending on that family business is also building their wealth for the future.”
While ESOPs serve as a fantastic option for a family business’ financial transition, Steven reiterated that at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your company is make a plan.
“In a study from the Business Enterprise Institute, about 80 percent of business owners said they believe for their company to properly transition going forward, they need to have a written plan. When asked how many actually had a plan, only 17 percent said yes,” Steven told me. “An ESOP is only one possible option available to family-held businesses. If you haven't planned, talk to your advisors and plan for the future of your company. The most important thing is that if you know your options, you have flexibility.”
For more on this vastly beneficial topic, check out IFB’s webinar above as well as an informational document from Aegis Acquisitions here.
And, as always, keep reading ANUK to stay in the know on the best strategies to bolster your business.
LOS ANGELES, CA - The ringing of the bell that signifies the beginning of a fight may quickly turn into register rings thanks to this long-standing partnership. Recently, Wonderful® Pistachios revealed it will be sponsoring championship boxer Jose Ramirez once again as he enters the ring to face Josh Taylor on May 22 for the junior welterweight unification title.
During his biggest fight yet, Ramirez will proudly enter the ring wearing the Wonderful Pistachios logo on his shorts, with additional branded gear being worn by his team during the fight, a press release explained. The fight will also raise awareness for causes close to the boxer’s heart.
“Now that I’m fully vaccinated, it’s a big lift off of my shoulders as I head into the biggest fight of my life because I know I’ve done my part to keep myself, my family, and my community safe,” Ramirez said. “I dedicate this fight to the farm workers in California’s Central Valley, because they’re the true heroes who have maintained our food supply in a safe and steady way during this hard time; thank you. And thank you to Wonderful Pistachios for continuing to support my dreams in the ring and in my community.”
In the lead up to the momentous fight, Ramirez, who is a Central California native from Kings County, partnered with Wonderful to ensure farm workers were fully supported during the pandemic. Back in March, the boxing champion addressed the employees at the Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds plant in Lost Hills, California, and encouraged them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
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As a result of Ramirez’s dedication to the cause, now, more than 86 percent of The Wonderful Company employees in California’s Central Valley have been vaccinated. Ramirez’s efforts will be showcased in an upcoming installment of the ESPN docuseries “Blood, Sweat, and Tears,” which will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the fighter’s life leading up to the event, including authentic footage captured in his hometown.
The main event fight will take place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on May 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
And so the countdown begins to an exciting event, and the even more exciting sales that will follow.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AgroFresh is honing in on innovation in the citrus category as it announced the global launch of SmartCitrus™, a new quality platform designed to maintain freshness and reduce food waste. The new platform combines a comprehensive range of post-harvest solutions into a single treatment for citrus products.
“Since Tecnidex became part of the AgroFresh family, we combined forces, created synergies, and connected innovation efforts—because in agriculture and supply chain management, solutions, experience, service, and integration matter,” said Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh. “SmartCitrus represents AgroFresh’s ability to deliver all four in a way that is seamless for our customers. While we honor the indelible legacy of the Tecnidex brand and founder Manuel Garcia-Portillo, we are building on those achievements by strengthening our customer-focused capabilities and bringing new products and technologies into the market.”
SmartCitrus is an AgroFresh branded platform which includes the extensive portfolio of Tecnidex, which AgroFresh acquired in 2017, according to a press release. The platform is powered by Control-Tec™ post-harvest technologies for end-to-end use on packinglines, degreening, and in storage rooms, including enhanced treatment water management and savings.
This Control-Tec equipment is integrated into the FreshCloud™ digital platform to enhance decision-making with rapid, easy data access for operations teams, allowing SmartCitrus to intelligently deploy a wide range of solutions—including broad-spectrum liquid fungicides such as ActiSeal™, Scholar®, and Tecto® 500 SC; FreshStart™ disinfectants; and the company’s recently launched VitaFresh™ Botanicals plant-based edible coatings.
“The launch of SmartCitrus and the unification of our products under the AgroFresh corporate umbrella is an important and critical next step for AgroFresh,” said Julian Herraiz, General Manager - Spain for AgroFresh. “The AgroFresh brand name and entire organization are synonymous with quality produce solutions, and unifying under one consolidated brand banner will simplify how we work with our customers and help us all build a bigger and more successful organization. Combining our heritage in the citrus industry with proven near- and post-harvest technologies such as Harvista™ 1.3 SC and the SmartFresh™ Quality System, along with the FreshCloud™ digital technology platform, enables us to provide greater benefits for the industry.”
AgroFresh citrus solutions are developed using certified ISO 14001 environmental management system standards. AgroFresh aims to help growers, packers, and retailers optimize the supply chain and increase sustainability by helping to reduce food loss and preserve citrus freshness. The company’s solutions and technologies currently reduce an estimated 10,000 tons of food waste per day.
What crucial innovation will this industry ally develop next on its mission to optimize the supply chain? Keep reading ANUK as we find out.
SALISBURY, NC - In a time of retail market shifts, the opening of new store can serve as a sign that a grocer has mastered the changing tides and is able to continue carrying out its expansion strategy. This is the case as Ahold Delhaize banner, Food Lion, has announced the opening of a new location in Warrenville, South Carolina. The store will officially open May 12, serving the surrounding community by providing an extensive product assortment, including local fresh produce.
"I’m extremely excited to open this new store in my local community,” said Brian Kelly, Store Manager of the new Warrenville Food Lion. “I’m proud to welcome my neighbors and family to shop with us and experience our expansive assortment and variety throughout our store. I look forward to seeing new faces, welcoming old friends, and serving my community at our new location.”
The Warrenville location is situated at 2587 Jefferson Davis Highway and offers customers a wide variety of products to choose from. According to a press release, the store will include in-store, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables; grab-and-go meal options for convenience; and locally grown produce from companies like Titan Farms.
In addition to the host of exciting offerings, the new location will also be part of Food Lion's MVP loyalty program, which features personalized Shop & Earn monthly rewards offers, weekly promotions, and ongoing sales.
What part will this new location play in Food Lion’s expansion strategy? Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow to find out.