WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it has filed an amended administrative complaint against North Pacific Canners and Packers Inc., doing business as NORPAC Foods Inc. (NORPAC), for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The new complaint supersedes and replaces the complaint that was previously filed against the Oregon-based company on September 28, 2020.
The company has allegedly failed to make payments promptly to two produce sellers and creditors in the amount of $152,181 between June and August of 2019.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
NORPAC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
For more information, and to read the report in its entirety, click here.
THE WORLD - Happy International Women's Day, y'all! It's that time of year when we get to give some extra love to the amazing women who keep our industry going through their innovation, creativity, and so much more. We got in touch with some of the powerful women we have the honor of working alongside, so take a gander at what they had to say about this celebratory month below.
Megan Gorgisheli, Director of Marketing Administration, Giumarra Companies
“I feel incredibly lucky to have found a home in an industry that promotes delicious, healthy, and affordable food to all people and supports the valuable contributions women make to our business. Throughout my 14 years working in fresh produce, I’ve connected with a number of passionate female leaders both inside and outside of Giumarra who have guided me toward continuous professional and personal improvement. As our industry grows in the years to come, I look forward to helping mentor the next generation of leaders as we strive to positively impact the lives of consumers everywhere.”
Megan Jacobsen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gills Onions
“It’s a privilege to work in agriculture where I am empowered, inspired, and connected to so many outstanding women who make our fresh produce sector so remarkable. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the industry’s diversity, as well as acknowledge the task ahead for us to keep working toward more inclusion at all levels in our companies. As an industry, we are continually faced with various challenges, but together, as individuals and a fresh produce community, we make each other stronger. To the strong and amazing women in fresh produce, we see your hard work and contributions to agriculture!”
Denise Junqueiro, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Mission Produce
“Women have made their mark on this industry and continue to do so today. You can see their touch throughout the supply chain, bringing different perspectives and broadening the pool of insights and contributions. Their value is unmatched.”
Crystal Chavez, Marketing Coordinator, Gold Coast Packing
“A fresh female perspective is just what the produce industry needs and I feel so fortunate to be working alongside many amazing women that are helping drive change in the trade. I love this industry and the unique programs it offers for women only. Through these programs, I have met many incredible women. This great group of 'produce gals' that share my same passion for fresh and healthy, are the ladies that I can always count on for guidance and advice. I can’t wait to meet more powerful females, those that helped paved the way for me and those that will keep our female voice loud in the years ahead.”
Today and every day, let's continue working toward a more equitable workforce that honors the immeasurable contributuons of these female leaders.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it has imposed sanctions on Santa Fe Springs, California-based Bain Distributors Inc. for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions include barring the business as well as its principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.
Direct From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Bain failed to pay $322,653 to three sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from September 2015 to August 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. Bain cannot operate in the produce industry until February 8, 2023, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principal, Alfred Lares, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until February 8, 2022, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.
TARRYTOWN, NY - Following its recent entry into a new category, Jac. Vandenberg has its sights set on even more growth. The company recently revealed that, thanks to the addition of California to its grower lineup, its SUNRAYS® brand grapes will now be available year-round.
“We are thrilled to now offer SUNRAYS grapes year-round. It was always a goal of ours from the moment we began discussing the idea of expanding SUNRAYS into the grape category,” said Brand Marketing Manager John Paap. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve heard from many of our retail partners the challenges of carrying a multitude of labels and varieties that constantly change week to week, month to month, and season to season. The message was clear—retailers want a single, reliable, year-round grape brand on the shelves, and we are proud to offer SUNRAYS as a solution.”
The expansion of the SUNRAYS brand into the grape category is fairly recent, first launching in December 2020, and retail response to the new program has been tremendous, according to a company release. With the brand already offering grapes sourced from Peru, Chile, and Mexico, the addition of California growers to its lineup allows the company to provide retailers and consumers with a year-round grape brand they can rely on.
“We started with the first SUNRAYS grapes from Peru in December, and we are now in the middle of the Chilean season,” explained Paap. “The growers we’ve partnered with are outstanding, and the quality of the fruit packed in SUNRAYS reflects that. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from retailers on the program thus far. Their shoppers are really connecting with the messaging of the brand and, of course, enjoying the eating experience of the product itself."
The SUNRAYS grape program out of Mexico will begin around mid-May and transition into California around mid-July. A majority of the grapes packed will be proprietary varieties, such as SUNRAYS’ Pristine, Sweet Celebration, Sweet Globe, Krissy, Jack’s Salute, and Allison varieties.
With a delicious product like this one available all year long, shoppers are sure to make these varieties a staple in their homes.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow as more delicious products pop up in the produce department.
IRELAND - Today we honor womens’ integral contributions to the industry, and Fyffes is joining in on the celebration. The company has announced a new target to reinforce its commitment, aiming to implement gender equality programs across 100 percent of its owned sites in Latin America by 2025. Additionally, Fyffes plans to roll out these programs to 50 percent of its suppliers by 2030.
“The impact of COVID-19 has been challenging for our workers,” said Stella Davis, Fyffes Sustainability Manager. “We are aware that women have been disproportionately affected economically and that the pandemic has meant additional stress and uncertainty for families in terms of budgeting, family planning, and health care, among other household responsibilities. We want to empower all our workers to improve their communication skills and tackle serious issues like domestic violence, which has spiked during the pandemic all over the world. That’s why we are thrilled to be able to offer all our workers, male, female, and managers, the opportunity to complete the HERessentials program, which provides the tools to be more resilient during these difficult times.”
Global agricultural supply chains are a major employer of women, yet many of them often face significant gender inequalities on a regular basis, as noted in a company release. A key goal of Fyffes’ sustainability strategy is to create a more inclusive workplace with women as equal partners with men.
In 2019, in line with Fyffes Enriching People’s Lives sustainability pillar, the company established its first gender equality program to address gender-related challenges at its melon farms in Honduras and a pineapple operation in Costa Rica. Developed in partnership with The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and BSR, the program was delivered by Fyffes’ local partners AED (Asociación Empresarial para el Desarrollo) and FUNDAHRSE (Fundación Hondureña de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial).
“Gender inequality, discrimination, and gender-based violence risks are widespread in Latin America,” said Margaux Yost, Manager at BSR. “Fyffes proactively recognised such risks and identified gender as a key priority within its sustainability strategy to improve the working conditions of its employees and the communities surrounding its farms. BSR was pleased to leverage its experience with our HERproject initiative to help Fyffes establish its first Gender Equality Program, which will give Fyffes employees the tools and platform to overcome some of those challenges.”
Lidl Great Britain (GB) and IDH have reportedly supported the project both financially and conceptually from the beginning. Fyffes will also be launching HERessentials, a new digital gender empowerment program created by BSR’s HERProject™, which will allow the company to scale up its already successful gender equality program and reach more workers across Fyffes farms.
“We operate with a fundamental respect for the rights of the people we interact with and are delighted to be partnering with Fyffes on the HERessentials program to promote gender equality,” said Amali Bunter, Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl GB. “It’s a sad reality that women remain more vulnerable to human rights violations, which is why as an organization we are taking several steps to promote gender equality both within our work force and our wider supply chain. We are proud signatories of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, and through this exciting partnership with Fyffes we hope to protect and empower female workers whilst demonstrating a best practice model that can be rolled out more widely in future.”
Starting in May of this year, Fyffes will launch the HERessentials digital tool in its Anexco pineapple and Esmeralda banana farms in Costa Rica, subsequently extending it to other Fyffes farms in Costa Rica, followed by Belize by Q3 2021. The program will continue to expand to additional locations until 2030 to reach the established target.
Be sure to keep an eye out for additional Women’s History Month celebrations as more industry leaders announce their own efforts.
PHOENIX, AZ - Data shows that younger generations are more likely to gravitate toward health-forward grocers. As such, it is critical that retailers continue to evolve their stores into a fun, fresh experience, and Sprouts Farmers Market knows this well. The company recently announced a series of upcoming stores, four of which will feature a new, smaller format, as well as one relocation, aiming to open approximately 20 stores this year.
“This year, Sprouts will densify its footprint with more stores opening in California, Florida, and Texas,” said Dave McGlinchey, Chief Format Officer. “We’re excited to introduce our newest format in four stores in the second half of 2021 and plan to feature this format with even more stores next year, when we will be expanding at unit growth of 10 percent or more.”
Ten of the new stores will be in Florida, where the grocer has been growing rapidly since 2018 and currently operates 23 locations. Stores in Dania Beach, Florida; Grand Prairie, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and Smyrna, Georgia, will introduce Sprouts’ updated, smaller format, which averages 25,000 square feet. Additionally, the retailer’s store in Tustin, California, will be remodeled this year to feature this new layout.
“Our refreshed format highlights the unique experience Sprouts is known for while emphasizing product innovation, attributes, and departments meaningful to our target customers like high-quality meat and seafood, frozen items, and plant-based products,” said McGlinchey. “The smaller size is very efficient and keeps produce at the heart of the store while maintaining our familiar open layout that will offer more assortment of products for a treasure hunt shopping experience.”
Sprouts will also open two new local produce distribution centers this year, one in Aurora, Colorado, in March and another in Orlando, Florida, later in the year. The new centers will drive supply chain efficiencies by positioning stores within 250 miles of the centers, according to a press release.
Sprouts currently operates 362 stores in 23 states. To see where future stores have been planned for, please click here.
Each new store will bring approximately 110 new career opportunities to their respective markets. Grand opening dates and hiring information for each location will be shared at a later date.
To see how these strategic expansions bolster Sprouts’ operations, keep an eye out for reports from AndNowUKnow.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - It’s never too early for buyers to begin planning for Easter promotions, especially since consumers will be spending the holiday at home as opposed to a restaurant brunch. To illuminate the opportunities for sweet potatoes in particular, I spoke with Chris Carroll, Country Sweet Produce’s (CSP) Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
“Easter represents one of the peak seasonal consumption periods throughout the year for sweet potatoes,” he shared with me. “Our storage stock inventories remain very strong, which presents retailers with a great opportunity to highlight sweet potatoes in their ads and displays.”
For retailers looking to capitalize on strong Easter promotions, the new Bako Sweet® display bins provide them with an excellent merchandising vehicle to reach consumers via secondary display opportunities.
Chris also noted that stores can “cross merchandise sweet potatoes with other Easter holiday ingredients to build the perfect ‘sweet potato casserole’ display including marshmallows, cinnamon, pecan halves, and brown sugar. And for shoppers chasing after convenience, our new 14 oz Conventional and Organic Steam Bags provide a quick, easy-to-prepare solution.”
With a wide selection of value-added pack styles—alongside bulk sweet potato options—retailers have a variety of options for building out their displays.
“Grown from California’s Sweet Spot™, you can trust the Bako Sweet brand to deliver the most consistent, high-quality sweet potatoes 100 percent of the time,” Chris imparted.
From a health and nutrition perspective, sweet potatoes are the perfect addition to shoppers’ carts all year long. Pair that with holiday promotions, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found Lewis Macleod as a responsibly connected principal to Huxtable’s Kitchen Inc. (Huxtable’s), in Vernon, California. Due to violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), USDA has imposed sanctions on the business, including requiring that all principals may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval. This is an update to Press Release No: 044-20 issued on February 26, 2020, and 150-19 issued on November 6, 2019.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Huxtable’s violated section 2(4) of the PACA by failing to pay $551,829 to six sellers for produce purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from October 2015 to May 2016.
Lewis Macleod has been held responsibly connected to Huxtable’s at the time of the violation. As a result, he may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until February 2, 2022, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For more information, contacts, and to read the full press release, please click here.
OXNARD, CA - Today, Mission Produce has revealed that it definitely knows the way to my heart, and those of consumers nationwide, with the debut of its year-round mango program. The company will also be bringing Patrick Dueire on board as Director of Mangos to oversee the new program.
“We’re entering the mango category today as we did the avocado category almost 40 years ago—in a way it never has been done before,” Steve Barnard, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, said. “Mangos offer a long runway with a lot of opportunity. As the number one consumed fruit in the world, adding mangos to our portfolio is a natural addition as we expand our footprint worldwide, without losing focus on avocados.”
According to a release from Mission, the company will be incorporating ripening and distribution on a global and national scale through its advanced network.
“We are in a prime position for market expansion—Mission currently owns 300 hectares of mangos in Peru and is on track to source additional fruit from other premier growing regions,” Vice President of North American Sales, Stephen Fink, said. “We began our original mango program a few years ago during a seasonal window to keep our workforce employed year-round. We’ve seen increasing demand from our customers, and the impressive response to our current mango program indicates we are ready to grow into the mango market.”
Barnard went on to explain that mangos will continue to add to customer satisfaction while simultaneously boosting profitability.
“Mangos are typically off-season from avocados, so this complementary program creates a unique synergy within our international farming business,” he added. "Mission’s unparalleled access across its distribution, ripening, and transportation network will allow the company to optimize production with the seasonality of mangos as it has with avocados. Entering the mango category brings additional offerings to Misson’s customer base, enhancing its ability to provide great value-added service and maximize profitability.”
Mission has announced that Patrick Dueire will join the company as Director of Mangos, brining with him more than 20 years of international growing, shipping, and distribution experience in the U.S. and Europe.
Prior to joining Mission, Dueire spearheaded Dayka & Hackett’s mango business, managing tropical category imports. In 2016, he was appointed to serve as a member of the National Mango Board.
“Patrick is a strategic hire to complement our avocado expertise with significant capabilities in the mango industry,” Fink said. “We are confident we will be able to capitalize on rising opportunities to provide high quality mangos and continue world class service for our customers, without losing focus on our beloved superfood—the avocado.”
How will this portfolio expansion boost Mission’s continued growth? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you more updates.
PROVIDENCE, RI - The true test of success is longevity. Building on an impressive long-standing partnership, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) recently revealed that it has extended its primary grocery distribution agreement with Whole Foods Market.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNFI and Whole Foods have worked closely together to consistently deliver ‘better for you’ foods to consumers throughout North America. This extension allows both companies to maintain focus on what is most important: continuing to meet the growing demand for healthy food at home as we navigate through the global pandemic,” said UNFI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven L. Spinner. “We look forward to continuing to play a very important role in the rapidly evolving foodscape and supply chain, while furthering our tradition of innovation, scale, and efficiency.”
The term of the primary distribution agreement between UNFI and Whole Foods now runs until September 27, 2027, according to a press release.
“UNFI plays a key role in ensuring Whole Foods Market is able to meet the growing demand for high-quality products across our network of stores and facilities,” said Bart Beilman, Whole Foods Market’s Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Retail Operations. “We’re pleased to continue our strong and longstanding partnership with UNFI.”
The unveiling of this extended partnership comes on the heels of a recent expansion for Whole Foods Market, which currently has 10 stores in development in new markets across the country.
As more powerful teams take their place in the fresh produce industry, you can count on AndNowUKnow to report.