ENGLAND - Aldi is taking an innovative approach to supporting the supply chain after recently announcing that it will fund a further 60 produce industry apprenticeships over the next two years. This strategy comes in partnership with Management Development Services (MDS), and bolsters both companies' missions to support future talent in the ag sector.
“The MDS scheme is highly respected and provides an excellent pathway for promising talent to achieve their potential within the sector, which is why we are pleased to be funding a further sixty apprenticeships over the next two years,” commented Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK.“The success of the program is evident, with a number of MDS graduates now employed at Aldi to help us continue to deliver high-quality fresh produce at unbeatable prices.”
MDS’ program provides industry training, including a graduate apprenticeship scheme, which Aldi has supported since 2016. The trainees will develop management and leadership skills while learning the ropes in a range of positions, including supply chain, marketing, and technical and operations, a press release explained.
“Our combination of on-the-job learning, alongside a chartered qualification, equips trainees with invaluable management and leadership skills to help them begin fulfilling careers within the food and fresh produce industries, which are crying for out for ambitious, capable new recruits,” remarked MDS Chair Christine Tacon. “Aldi’s ongoing support is testament to the quality of graduates that the scheme produces, and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Aldi has already taken on five permanent employees from previous MDS intakes, and plans to support two existing colleagues through the apprenticeship program in 2021. Thus far, the retailer has invested roughly £1 million ($1.39 million) over six years.
This unique approach raises questions of retail’s position in ag, as Aldi is funneling leadership directly from the produce industry.
Will we see this type of investment in the United States? AndNowUKnow will continue to be on the lookout.
SUNBURY, PA - To truly lead a retail program, one needs ambition and drive, and Weis Markets has found this in its new Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. Promoting a key player on its leadership team, the retailer has announced that Bob Gleeson will now take over this esteemed executive role.
In this new position, Gleeson will oversee the company’s fresh and center store merchandising, sales and procurement, marketing, and advertising. He will be reporting to Weis Markets’ Chief Operating Officer Kurt Schertle, according to a press release.
Gleeson joined Weis Markets in 2019 as Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. He began his career in the industry at Shoppers Food Warehouse in 1984 as a part-time grocery associate.
During his 29-year career with Lanham, Maryland-based Shoppers, and then subsequently for Supervalu, he worked in increasingly senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Center Store, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, and Division President.
Congratulations to Bob Gleeson on this exciting promotion!
PORTERVILLE, CA - From a Navel orange in the consumer’s palm to a blueberry between their fingertips, the fresh fruit sector is a never-ending adventure. Homegrown Organic Farms is a great example of this diversity, bringing multiple categories into the fold of its expertise. As the grower’s citrus season continues and its domestic blueberry program readies for launch, I had the chance to sit down with Cherie France, Marketing Manager.
“At this time, we are about 50 percent through our citrus season, and quality is outstanding as are flavor profiles. It has been a banner year in terms of volume, quality, and flavor,” she began. “We offer our citrus programs every month of the year as we have domestically grown citrus offerings.”
Cherie explained that retailers should keep product on a fast turn, mind the cold chain, and place it in desirable locations within the produce department. Also, she noted the importance of remaining cognizant and strategic when setting retail price, especially when compared to conventional pricing.
Last time I talked with Cherie, we discussed Homegrown’s newly launched import blueberry program, which ended in February. Even though the industry faced challenges surrounding imports last year, she told me that it was an excellent inaugural year for the program.
In addition to the Fair Trade Chilean blueberry program, Homegrown also boasts of a strong domestic program.
“We plan to begin harvest in mid to late April in the San Joaquin Valley of California, with the peak being May 1 and on,” Cherie said. “We are seeing a heavy set with ideal bloom temperatures. Between this and planned growth, we are expecting 10–15 percent more volume this year versus last year out of California.”
Be sure to consider Cherie’s insightful suggestions as you look to continue expanding sales in the produce aisle. And, as the pages of our fresh produce calendar continue to turn, keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL - Though Easter and St. Patrick’s Day have been at the center of our coverage of holiday merchandising lately, the National Mango Board (NMB) is already getting ahead of the Cinco de Mayo holiday rush. The association is offering a limited number of festive display bins to U.S. mango shippers on a first-come, first-served basis.
“During May, there is peak availability of three of the main mango varieties, making mangos the perfect ingredient to brighten up a Cinco de Mango feast,” said Senior Retail Marketing Manager Tammy Wiard. “The versatility of mango allows consumers to incorporate mangos into every part of their Cinco de Mayo menus, from fresh slices as a snack, to sauces, salads, drinks, desserts, and more.”
The Cinco de Mango bin program is designed as an opportunity for shippers to provide mango bins to their retail partners. Prior to ordering, shippers should check the list of NMB’s retail partners to avoid sending bins to retailers that are already scheduled to receive bins for their full store count, as noted in a press release.
The display bins feature colorful, high-quality graphics that will grab shoppers’ attention and help pump up mango sales in stores. The bins are made of durable corrugated material with an aqueous coating for added strength. The deadline to order the Cinco de Mango display bins is March 15 and while supplies last. There is no cost for these bins, but quantities are limited.
After April 1, shippers will have the opportunity to order other versions of the display bins with themes applicable to the rest of the year including back-to-school, tailgating, Q4 holidays, along with a nutrition-specific message. Samples of these themed headers are available on the NMB website.
To access the order form and program guidelines, please click here.
Be on the lookout for more holiday merchandising opportunities as ANUK reports.
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - A fresh produce pot of gold awaits retailers who take advantage of Renaissance Food Group’s latest launch. The company has announced the promotion of its Garden Highway-branded Irish Stew Mix, which is a blend of fresh vegetables and herbs, as buyers ramp up for St. Patrick’s Day merchandising.
“Consumers are increasingly looking for fresh meal solutions to support their busy lifestyles. This is especially true as we enter into a new era of shopping habits as a result of COVID-19, where people are looking to replicate their favorite holiday celebrations and meals from the comfort and safety of home,” stated Nelia Alamo, Vice President of Communications. “Renaissance Food Group is proud to offer our recipe-ready Irish Stew Mix that can be easily paired with corned beef or sausage for a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal.”
Garden Highway Irish Stew Mix features pre-cut, ready-to-cook ingredients, designed to bring convenience and added value to consumers planning a traditional Irish feast. This festive blend includes green cabbage, red potatoes, baby carrots, yellow onion, fresh thyme, and bay leaves. Topped with a holiday-themed label, Irish Stew Mix can be strategically cross-merchandised in the meat department to help drive incremental sales.
A press release noted that the Garden Highway Irish Stew Mix will begin shipping today, Wednesday, March 10, and is sure to be a lucky charm for retail sales this St. Patrick’s Day.
Opportunities abound in the produce aisle during this beloved holiday, so don’t hesitate to bring exclusive products such as this to your shelves.
LAFAYETTE, LA - Evolving at lightening speed to meet increasing demand, food delivery companies across the industry are making big moves to take up a larger part of the expanding market. The most recent company to make such a pivotal move was Waitr Holdings, which has announced its acquisition of Delivery Dudes, a Florida-based food delivery company.
“Delivery Dudes affords us the opportunity to further expand our footprint in the Florida delivery marketplace,” said Carl Grimstad, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Waitr. “The Dudes have created a strong brand presence in South Florida and we are excited to have them join our team. Their well-trained and friendly staff, combined with reliable drivers, deliver fresh food from top local restaurants—a perfect fit for Waitr.”
The purchase price for the acquisition is approximately $23 million in the form of stock and cash, according to a release.
Both companies expect the deal to close before the end of next week, subject to the approval of closing conditions and variables.
“We’ve been working hard for the last decade and are excited to join Waitr, a company that shares our entrepreneurial spirit and believes in us,” said Jayson Koss, CEO of Delivery Dudes. “With Waitr’s resources, we look forward to growing the South Florida market and working to help Waitr expand their market presence. We believe 2021 will be an exciting year.”
As the food delivery sector continues to grow, AndNowUKnow will be here to bring you the latest news.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - With consumer focus continuing to shift toward companies with sustainability at the forefront of their business, it has become all the more important for businesses across our industry to develop their environmental strategies. SpartanNash is doing just that as it has announced the appointment of Greg Molloy to Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety, effective March 1, 2021.
In his new role, Molloy will be responsible for developing and leading strategic initiatives within the sector to ensure SpartanNash’s compliance with safety and environmental regulations. As noted by the company in a press release, Molloy will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Yvonne Trupiano as he takes over his position.
Prior to joining SpartanNash, Molloy served as Group Manager, Corporate SH&E for Nestle USA. While there, he led environmental, health, and safety programs for over 70 sites and 9,000 employees.
Before that, Molloy held roles as Corporate Director, Risk and EHS for Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream and Manager of Safety for General Mills.
"One of SpartanNash's key initiatives in 2021 is improving our associate experience through initiatives related to safety and retention. Mr. Molloy's leadership will be paramount to achieving these goals," said President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Sarsam. "As we continue to build a people-first safety culture, his track record of creating comprehensive programs to deliver compliance and safety results and experience ensuring safety measures and awareness are embedded throughout business processes will enable and empower our success at SpartanNash."
Congratulations to Greg Molloy on his new position!
CORONA, CA - I am what you might call a tomato snob. With a discerning palate, it’s rare that I find one that makes my taste buds sing, but I dare say I’ve found my match in Veg-Fresh Farms’ Sweet King™ Tomatoes. To learn more about this variety, I spoke with Randy Cancellieri, Managing Partner.
“The Organic Sweet King is a proprietary, crimson vine-ripe variety like consumers have never tasted before. Every Sweet King tomato boasts full flavor, bold red color, and perfect slices,” he shared with me.
Bold words fitting for a bold tomato.
“These organic tomatoes taste so particularly good because the plant itself is a shorter vine, which is different than the traditional longer vines. This ensures that the ground nutrients more efficiently and effectively reach each and every piece of fruit. They are also grown and harvested in a short period of time, which keeps that flavor and quality profile so consistently perfect,” Randy noted.
This growing style captures the gorgeous flavor of the Sweet King Tomatoes, making them a certain standout in retail programs.
“The growing and harvest cycle of the Sweet King tomato plant differs from that of commercially grown hothouse vine ripe tomatoes, which are grown for long cycles with vines running miles that can minimize the nutritive properties to the plants,” Randy explained. “Sweet Kings are grown as nature intended—shorter plants with short harvest cycles ensuring a tomato flavor that will remind consumers of tomatoes grown in their own backyard.”
As grilling season approaches, these tomatoes need to be a standard across the produce department.
Keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover industry news.
THE WORLD - I cannot express enough of my love and pride for the women in this industry. In a scant two-and-a-half years, I have learned more about intelligence, adaptability, and guts than I ever could have imagined. Although International Women’s Day has passed, the all-women editorial team at AndNowUKnow is keeping the spirit alive throughout the month of March, bringing you insights from the bold women who make our industry thrive.
Lisa McNeece, Vice President of Foodservice and Industrial Sales, Grimmway Farms
“On March 11, I will be celebrating my 30th year here with Grimmway Farms. It truly has been an amazing journey. Back when I first started in Sales, there were very few women involved—it was a male-dominated business. I worked hard, I listened to my peers, and earned their respect. Most importantly, I built strong relationships. I love seeing so many women in this industry today, many of whom I am happy to call my friends. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to establish strong relationships. Pick up the phone and reach out! Too often, we get caught up with texting or emailing. Put a voice and face to the person on the other end.”
Teri Miller, Senior Category Manager, The Fresh Market
“The disrespect that I was shown by a select few when I first joined the produce industry in 2007 has almost disappeared completely—there are still a few knuckleheads out there *winking emoji.* At my first Produce Marketing Association event, a Juice Representative yelled for me to stop. He wanted me to take a sample to show to my husband. I politely pointed to my badge and clarified that I am the retailer and the decision maker and that I was insulted by his assumption—many similar stories, but this one sticks with me. To those women before me who paved the way and those that are still paving the way, I am forever grateful and adore each of you.”
Christina Ward, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Sunkist Growers
“It’s an honor to be surrounded by the many inspirational women in this industry, from my peers to our growers and the many more talented people within the supply chain. Produce is packed with a strong network of female leaders who mentor and support each other. We’re excited to celebrate the legacies of those who came before us and this generation of women in produce.”
Karen Caplan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frieda’s
“It’s been great to see so many women earn their way into significant roles in the produce, retail, and agriculture business. When I started my career in produce, I was one of less than a dozen women in produce sales. When my mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan, started the company in 1962, she was the first and only woman to own and operate a wholesale produce company in the U.S. Now, I’m thrilled to see significant numbers of all sales people in our industry are women and it is no longer unusual for a woman to own and manage a company. It’s an exciting time!”
We stand with these strong women and can’t wait to see more of us enter the fresh produce biz. I, for one, know that when we put our heads together, we can’t be beat!
SALINAS, CA - When I hear the word acquisition, I can’t help but be intrigued. Couple that with the star power of Tanimura & Antle, and you’ve got a story that demands attention. Recently, Tanimura & Antle announced its acquisition of Green City Growers, an operation based in Boston, Massachusetts. This merger builds upon both companies’ passion for creating hands-on educational experiences for consumers and promoting healthy lifestyles.
“Our investment in Green City Growers is our next level of engagement to continue our efforts to impact the lives of all. Our philosophy has always been a learning by doing approach. By reaching children, charitable organizations, corporations, wellness, and community outreach programs, we can have a strong impact on promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Scott Grabau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tanimura & Antle. “This partnership and acquisition will also provide our retail and foodservice partners their own opportunity to have an impact in the communities they serve by partnering with us on these programs.”
The combined goal of this partnership is to access and serve individuals and local communities not ordinarily provided with the opportunity to connect with their food, a press release explained, while strengthening the food supply by providing a supplemental, healthy, and independent food source.
Both Tanimura & Antle and Green City Growers are centered around increasing awareness, building engagement, and providing shoppers with education on where their food comes from.
Upon its founding in 1982, Tanimura & Antle—and the two families that give the company its name—created a partnership centered on equality, trust, and ownership. Since then, it has become a leader in first-to-market product offerings and industry innovations regarding how food is produced and delivered. Throughout its tenure, the company has built a culture that focuses on its employees, customers, and suppliers.
Similarly focused on the development of its people, Green City Growers began its business in 2008 by installing and maintaining raised garden beds at people’s homes. The certified benefit corporation (B-corp) then expanded business to include schools, non-profits, corporate clients, and real estate companies. Part of what makes Green City Growers special is that it provides its customers with the infrastructure, tools, and educational resources required in order to grow their own fresh produce—all using the principles of organic, regenerative, and pesticide-free agriculture practices.
“We see innovation in the food production and distribution chains as a societal and environmental necessity. We are implementing creative and realistic solutions that help meet the multiple challenges food systems currently face. We work toward this while at the same time providing local jobs, sourcing local materials, and supporting local economies,” said Chris Grallert, President of Green City Growers. “With a solid business foundation in our proven and robust soil growing technologies, we can now thoughtfully look into how we can expand our custom services in other areas of urban agriculture, including vertical and other indoor technologies. I could not be more excited about this new partnership.”
Under the new ownership, the company will continue doing business as Green City Growers with Chris Grallert as President of this new partnership.
The experience that Green City Growers brings to the table is vast, as it offers consulting on design, workshops, virtual engagement, and educational opportunities, the release went on to note. With this certification comes a mission that combines bottom-line success with environmental and social responsibility. Green City Growers reaches thousands of children and adults with hands-on educational programs about growing healthy food.
To date, Green City Growers has installed hundreds of garden spaces using organic, regenerative, and pesticide-free agriculture practices and currently services over 150 unique farm and garden locations. These operations range from small, raised garden beds to rooftop farms and can be found throughout New England, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York.
Green City Growers services a rooftop farm on top of Whole Foods Market in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, and is the Red Sox’s “other farm team,” having maintained the rooftop farm at Fenway Park since 2015. In addition to these unique farm and garden locations, Green City Growers also manages garden education programs for public schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and supports wellness and sustainability programs for property management, real estate companies, and corporations with their own gardens.
Given that Tanimura & Antle’s culture fosters innovation, it is no surprise that it would find a kindred spirit in Green City Growers.
Keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow as we uncover the latest news from the fresh produce industry.