BOSTON, MA - Innovations within the fresh produce industry show no signs of slowing down as this company continues to unveil creative new strategies to boost efficiency across the supply chain. In its most recent efforts, Tive has joined forces with Sensirion for the development of its multi-sensor tracker Solo 5G, which provides reliable in-transit temperature monitoring.
“Tive helps customers and LSPs manage critical shipments and take actions to eliminate preventable delays and damage,” said Martin Forest, VP, Technology and Operations at Tive. “Condition monitoring is key—it must be real-time, hyper-accurate, and compliant. With Sensirion, we are confident that our products have the very best components available so we can focus on improving our solutions and delivering even more to our customers.”
The in-transit visibility solution switches out passive data loggers with real-time visibility into the location, temperature, humidity, shock, and light of sensitive cold chains, according to a press release. Optimizing Sensirion’s state-of-the-art, 3-point calibrated sensors, Tive is able to expedite the delivery of ISO-certified industry-compliant solutions that align with the demanding requirements of shippers and logistics service providers moving their ingredients.
In order to achieve this accuracy, Tive’s Solo 5G tracker relies on Sensirion’s ISO 17025-certified humidity and temperature sensor SHT33. The SHT33 technology melds the company’s digital humidity sensing capabilities with new, high-accuracy ISO 17025-certified digital temperature sensing specifically for cold and frozen chain applications on a single chip.
“Tive’s innovative tracking solutions are the perfect application for our ISO 17025-certified humidity and temperature sensors, offering highly reliable, accurate, and GDP-compliant sensor technology. Taking this disruptive approach, Tive and Sensirion are revolutionizing cost-efficient temperature tracking in supply chain management,” says Matthias Scharfe, Product Manager for Humidity and Temperature Sensors at Sensirion.
Utilizing state-of-the-art CMOSens® Technology, the SHT33 sensor’s functionality includes energy-saving signal processing, communication speeds of up to 1 MHz, and two distinct and user-selectable I2C addresses. Each of the devices is identified via a unique serial number, and comes with an ISO 17025-accredited calibration certificate, which comprises three temperatures: -30 degrees C, 5 degrees C, and 70 degrees C. These calibration certificates, as well as data for each SHT33 sensor, can be easily downloaded from a server address given in the shipment documents, which allows simple and efficient processing by automated systems.
SHT33 users can also merge the provided calibration data from their sensors with the calibration data needed for their dataloggers, which drastically streamlines the assembly and testing processes.
To read more about this industry-shaking innovation, click here.
Keep clicking on AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest information and innovations in the fresh produce industry.
NEWARK, DE - The legacy of Frieda Rapoport Caplan is one that will be eternally felt by the fresh produce industry. To contribute to her lasting impact, the Center for Growing Talent (CGT) by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA)—with the help of Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins—announced the founding of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship.
“As we finished off 2020, it was a challenging year for everyone in business. We felt it would be really awesome to memorialize and honor Mom by finding a way to give back to the industry and the foundation,” said Karen Caplan, CEO of Frieda’s. “Jackie and I decided to establish a scholarship to allow a woman who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to attend the conference to do so—all expenses paid.”
The scholarship will enable a woman in the industry to attend the Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference each year at no cost, according to a press release. The scholarship was designed for women in the industry who, like Frieda, embody a spirit of action, excellence, and dedication to personal and professional development.
This year’s conference will be held September 12–14, 2021, and the 2021 scholarship recipient should meet a few criteria, including being a first-time attendee of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference and employed in any segment of the produce or floral supply chain at the time of application and the conference. More details about the application can be found here, and those interested should note that applications are being accepted until May 31, 2021.
“Many of us will remember Frieda as a transformative leader, a mentor, and an enduring supporter of personal and professional development,” said Megan Nash, Director of Programs at Center for Growing Talent. “It is so fitting that in the years to come, many women will be able to pursue their own development at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference because of this lasting gift. We are so grateful to Karen, Jackie, and the Caplan family for their generous contribution, and we’re honored to be a part of the work to ensure the legacy of Frieda Rapoport Caplan is never forgotten.”
The Caplan family's influence and engagement with the Women’s Fresh Perspectives portfolio stems from the early days of the conference program. Frieda herself was a speaker at the inaugural Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference and received the Women’s Catalyst Award at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast in October 2019 before she passed away in January 2020, after which the award was renamed in her honor.
Her family members, including granddaughter Alex Berkley, attend the conference every year. Berkley remains an active leader of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Committee and served as Co-Chair from 2015–2017.
Cheers to Frieda and her everlasting legacy!
WESTBOROUGH, MA - With the familial bonds that are created within this industry, loss is something we feel as a whole. Today, we as an industry mourn the loss of a selfless and tireless leader, as Lee Delaney, President and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 8, at age 49.
“We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the passing of Lee Delaney,” said Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Christopher J. Baldwin, in a statement on behalf of the Board. “Lee was a brilliant and humble leader who cared deeply for his colleagues, his family, and his community. We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family, especially his wife and two children. We will honor his legacy and remember the extraordinary impact he had on so many. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Delaney will be remembered by all who have had the opportunity to work with him for his humility and unparalleled dedication to the industry.
Delaney joined BJ’s in 2016 as the Chief Growth Officer, according to his LinkedIn page. He later grew into several distinguished roles within the company, holding the position of Chief Commercial Officer shortly after joining the team, and later being promoted to President in 2019. In February of 2020, the esteemed leader was named Chief Executive Officer for the retailer, where he fearlessly led the team through what he called a “remarkable, transformative, and challenging year that structurally changed [the] business for the better,” in the company’s latest earnings report last month. Prior to joining BJ’s, Delaney was a partner in the Boston office of Bain & Co.
Delaney’s legacy will be continued by his wife and two children, and all that were blessed to work alongside this passionate and dedicated industry trailblazer.
We here at ANUK would like to offer our condolences to his family and all those who are mourning the loss of Lee Delaney.
QUINCY, MA - Ahold Delhaize USA recently made a strategic play to strengthen its services company, Retail Business Services. The company appointed Rom Kosla as its new Executive Vice President, IT, and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Kosla will oversee all aspects of IT for the U.S. businesses, with a specific focus on delivering common systems and innovation that create digitally enabled experiences and support the omnichannel ambitions of Ahold’s local brands.
“It is an honor for me to join Retail Business Services,” said Kosla. “We’re emerging from an unprecedented time for the food retail industry, and evolving consumer expectations continue to require new technologies, agile workstyles, and more. I look forward to working alongside my new team and across the organization to support Ahold Delhaize USA and its local brands to pave the way for the future of grocery retail IT.”
Kosla is a food retail veteran with more than 25 years of information technology (IT) experience. He joins Retail Business Services from PepsiCo, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President and CIO of Corporate and Enterprise Solutions. In this position, Kosla was responsible for all enterprise-wide applications, digital sales, and mobile solutions platforms, as well as application security and enterprise-wide development and operations globally.
Prior to joining PepsiCo, Kosla also worked in IT roles at Deloitte Consulting and Nestle, as noted in a press release. He joined Retail Business Services on April 5, 2021, and will be based in Quincy, Massachusetts.
“Rom has two and a half decades of global IT experience, across all aspects of the industry, from development and applications to infrastructure and e-commerce,” said Roger Wheeler, President, Retail Business Services. “He not only brings a depth of experience that will create strong IT foundations and strategies that support the brands’ omnichannel ambitions, but he is also a great leader of people with a proven track record of developing an inclusive culture where associates are engaged and find purpose in their work. We look forward to leveraging this strong blend of expertise and leadership during a pivotal time for Retail Business Services and all the U.S. businesses as we continue to transform for the future and meet the needs of connected customers.”
Kosla has served as an advisor to the Global Women’s Leadership Forum and as a leader for the Men on Board (MOB) initiative to support and mentor high-potential women to executive leadership roles.
Congratulations to Rom Kosla on earning this new title!
GONZALES, CA - With seasonal demand for fresh produce already off to the races, so too are companies like Braga Fresh as they kick into high gear. As Casey Mills, Director of Commodity Management, keys me in, the grower has already begun its product transition and is reaping a bounty of offerings that should soon be making their way to your produce aisles.
“The 2021 Braga Fresh Salinas, California, growing season is off and running. Beginning on March 29, our full line of Josie’s Organics and Braga Farms commodities and value-added items became available to load at our cooler in Gonzales, California,” Casey tells me. “A few items are still being harvested in the Imperial Valley and Yuma, Arizona, for the next few weeks but will be transferred to Salinas to deliver our customers a seamless one-stop shop for all their organic needs through this year’s transition period.”
As Casey goes on to elaborate, Braga Fresh has already begun harvesting its broccoli, cauliflower, red and green leaf lettuce, green and red cabbage, cilantro, and fennel at its Salinas operation. Starting the week of April 5, organic kale, iceberg lettuce, and romaine will follow suit.
“The early weather patterns for the Salinas growing season have been cooler than normal this year, resulting in most anticipated harvest dates being pushed back roughly a week,” Casey explains. “Thus far, our growers have been able to bridge the gap out of the desert, and we currently do not anticipate any major breaks in supply this spring.”
Kicking off in mid-May, Braga will continue its harvest in its desert and Mexico regions, as well as in Santa Maria, California, from early May through early June in order to provide buyers with a year-round supply of organic celery and celery hearts.
Currently, Braga Fresh is reporting excellent quality amongst its celery, celery hearts, and organic leaf lettuces, along with promotable volumes available.
With so many offerings and so much demand from shoppers, now is the perfect time to take advantage of this key transitional period, ensuring a well-stocked produce section throughout the spring and summer.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failure to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). In total, the five produce businesses did not pay $61,035.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Fresh by Nature Inc., operating out of Norco, California, for failing to pay a $22,421 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Manuel R. Pinon was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
- Prime Quality Produce Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $3,057 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jaqueline Cisneros and Daniel Garcia were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business
- D & M Produce LLC, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $28,314 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Maria V. Mendoza was listed as the manager and member of the business
- Tin Mex Imports Corp., operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $3,680 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jose De Jesus Moreno, Silvestre Moreno Mendoza, and Ana Lucia Moreno were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business
- 2JM Produce LLC, operating out of Edinburg, Texas, for failing to pay a $3,563 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Joel Carcano, Jr., was listed as the manager and member of the business
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For more information, and to read the press release in its entirety, click here.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - In the same way that Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither were NatureSweet®’s delicious tomatoes. Celebrating the detailed work that goes into growing the fruit, the supplier has announced the national rollout of its new media campaign, Tomatoes Raised Right, to tell its brand story.
“We are proud and excited about our Tomatoes Raised Right campaign,” said Vice President of Marketing, Lori Castillo. “This campaign is about all of the hard work each and every one of our Associates does 365 days a year to provide consumers with the best-tasting tomatoes.”
The new campaign features an intriguing new look and style, including an updated website, digital advertisements, and television spots, in addition to newly designed promotional shippers and point-of-sale materials. Each of these components has been carefully redesigned to highlight the delicate journey of NatureSweet tomatoes, from the company’s sustainable growing practices to the homes of shoppers, a press release explained.
The Tomatoes Raised Right media campaign is centered around opening the grower’s greenhouse doors and sharing its unique story with consumers all over the world through a detailed and authentic look at the company’s growing practices. It gives an inside look at the many contributions made throughout the season, from planting and nurturing to hand-picking and packaging every single tomato, proving that raising something right doesn’t happen in one day.
The campaign kicked off in the USA in November of 2020, with TV and digital support airing across four major geographic areas. The national rollout was launched this March and has shown increased sales to date.
Keep reading ANUK for the latest news in the fresh produce industry.
MILL VALLEY, CA - An already-popular brand elevated by a new product? Sign me up! TerraFresh Organics’ distinguished Earth Greens label is gaining a new category all-star, as the company has added Organic Amber Crest Peaches, which will be available through May 2021.
"The weather in Mexico this winter has not been desirable for growing stonefruit, which has caused a delayed start to the season and a strong demand for U.S. stonefruit,” said Greg Holzman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner. “Our California-grown Amber Crest Peaches will be available mid-April and available through May. We’re eager to begin the season with optimal quality, sizing, and demand for the fruit."
TerraFresh Organics was chosen to be Bloom to Box's partner this year to market and sell Red Globe Properties’ Amber Crest Peaches. Bloom to Box pruned and thinned the trees heavily, which resulted in less volume, but a more optimal-sized fruit. Retailers can expect to see high-quality Amber Crest Peaches peaking at a larger size than years before, as stated in a press release.
Additionally, Terrafresh Organics is supplying plums, apricots, pluots, varietal peaches, and nectarines this season. So, if you’re in the market for a newly refreshed stonefruit set, TerraFresh may be the partner for you.
Don’t hesitate to take a bite out of this exclusive opportunity!
BROOKLYN, NY - With the plant-based sector skyrocketing in popularity amongst consumers as they shift to vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets, Ark Foods is expanding its reach in the market with its most recent launch. The company has unveiled its new line of plant-based, protein-packed Clean Label Salads, which it will be showcasing at this year’s SOutheast Produce Council (SEPC) hybrid trade show from April 6–8.
“With this new group of spring launches, Ark Foods is leading exciting change in the produce aisle,” said Lindsay Belfatto, Vice President of Sales. “When you think about a nutrient-dense, plant-based lunch, our Clean Label Salads will be an accessible option at the grocery store, especially as people return to the office. We’re eager to continue this momentum and bring the line to as many produce aisles as we can in 2021.”
The Clean Label Salads line was first announced at the 2020 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) virtual trade show where the 2021 launch of the lineup was revealed. According to a press release, the excitement will continue as the Clean Label Salads will make their first appearance on shelves quickly following the SEPC event.
Offered in mouth-watering flavors such as Cashew Kale Caesar, Crunchy Kale Ranch, Ginger Sesame Greens, and Bright Pesto Greens, the lineup was developed, tested, and brought to market entirely during the pandemic. The Clean Label Salad line seeks to bring awareness and accessibility to vegetables that are not often found in store-bought salads such as watermelon, radishes, and golden beets.
Ark Foods’ new line will be made available for consumer purchase at retailers nationwide, including:
- Whole Foods Southwest (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas)
- Giant Martin’s (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia)
- King Kullen / Wild by Nature (New York)
- Winn-Dixie (Florida)
- Central Market (Texas)
- Giant Eagle and Market District (Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania)
Where will this new plant-based lineup make its next appearance? Stick with ANUK for more answers.
PROVIDENCE, RI - Part of the draw of forming partnerships with big-name players is the ability to leverage their supply chain services. United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has been a key partner for many brands looking to expand, and recently launched its new Community Marketplace. Through the business-to-business e-commerce solution, UNFI will modernize the way brands interact with grocery wholesalers by allowing thousands of emerging products not currently available at UNFI distribution centers to be ordered on its website.
“Access to the largest assortment of available items is an area of increasing importance to our customers, and Community Marketplace delivers on this need while giving brands an easy-to-use platform to gain the speed, scale, and agility to win in today’s marketplace,” said Tom Kraus, Vice President of E-commerce. “By fully integrating Community Marketplace with our Easy Options website, we now have an industry leading tool for our customers to better connect with suppliers to provide their local communities with the widest variety of on-trend and emerging natural and conventional products.”
Through this virtual marketplace, suppliers gain immediate access to UNFI’s digital infrastructure to promote and sell their products to UNFI’s broad customer base. A press release explained that approved suppliers keep complete control of their inventory, order management, pricing, and shipping charges. In turn, UNFI customers gain access to an even broader assortment of unique and local items with flexible order sizes and the convenience of ordering from multiple sources online in one place. Businesses looking to become an approved Community Marketplace supplier can apply here.
UNFI Easy Options is available to a variety of businesses, including independent grocery retailers, convenience stores, natural food stores, and restaurants. Through the website, customers of all sizes have access to over 20,000 grocery items that are fulfilled from UNFI’s distribution network without minimum order sizes, order frequency requirements, or membership fees. Currently, hundreds of Community Marketplace SKUs are available through the Easy Options site, but with strong interest from the supplier community, the variety of products will continue to grow as more vendors participate.
There are endless opportunities to form influential partnerships in this industry, and ANUK is here to help you uncover them.