NOGALES, AZ - With key political moves taking place that play a crucial role in the future of the agricultural industry, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has joined with the Food & Agriculture Associations in issuing a letter addressed to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. In the letter, the FPAA expresses its support of Secretary of Agriculture nominee, Thomas Vilsack, and U.S. Trade Representative nominee, Katherine Tai.
“Both Representative Tai and Secretary Vilsack have an outstanding knowledge of the intricacies of trade and the value of building meaningful and productive relationships with their peers in Mexico,” said FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer. “These nominees will help fulfill the promise of USMCA.”
With the new Biden Administration beginning its preparations for the next four years, the FPAA puts great importance on supporting nominees who support trade that includes tackling non-tariff barriers to trade, according to a press release.
Vilsack was recently nominated by the Biden Administration to serve as Agriculture Secretary and also served in the same role during the Obama Administration. In the time following his role under the Obama Administration, Vilsack has been involved with the Dairy Export Council and has a strong background in developing rural communities.
To read the letter in support of Secretary Tom Vilsack, click here.
U.S. Trade Respresentative nominee Tai will also be playing an integral role as she works alongside President Biden as his primary trade advisor. In her position, Representative Tai will also oversee trade negotiations with other countries. She has a wide-range of experience with trade negotiations and played a key role in the most recent United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA.)
To read the letter in support of Representative Katherine Tai, click here.
For the latest news from around the fresh produce industry, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
MOREHEAD, KY - News like this doesn’t come around every day, so it’s no wonder that AppHarvest’s announcement that it planned to go public via reverse IPO shook the wires. As the first greenhouse company to do so, its shares soared 44 percent in trading on Monday of this week. This was made possible by AppHarvest merging with Novus Capital, a special purpose acquisition company, as both completed their previously announced business combination and related charter amendments.
The resulting company is named AppHarvest, Inc. and its common stock and warrants commenced trading on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbols “APPH” and “APPHW,” respectively, on Monday, February 1, 2021. AppHarvest has qualified to list on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which, according to a press release, is the highest of three tiers based on certain financial, liquidity, and corporate governance requirements that the company met. The combined company will be led by Jonathan Webb, AppHarvest’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
“Today marks an important milestone for AppHarvest and for American agriculture as we drive the next chapter of our growth as a public company,” said Webb. “The capital we raised in this transaction will further advance our mission of transforming agriculture by developing large-scale sustainable food production in the heart of Central Appalachia. We currently import nearly half of all fresh vine crops sold in the U.S. To create a more resilient food system, we must farm more efficiently and closer to where the food is needed.”
According to MarketWatch, AppHarvest and Novus Capital announced a deal to merge that values the greenhouse operator at roughly $500 million before proceeds. Till now, AppHarvest has raised $475 million in capital.
The Boards of Directors of AppHarvest and Novus Capital unanimously approved the transaction, and the transaction was also approved at a special meeting of Novus Capital shareholders on January 29, 2021.
“Jonathan Webb and his talented team at AppHarvest have established a unique platform for rapid growth and value creation that will be further strengthened by this transaction and entrance into the public markets,” said Bob Laikin, Chairman of Novus Capital. “We look forward to seeing the team capitalize on the attractive opportunities that lie ahead given the heightened investor focus on ESG initiatives and the secular shift to plant-based foods, as AppHarvest continues to redefine American agriculture.”
Further denoting the scope of this news, AppHarvest brought on a new President with decades of experience across retail and consumer industries. David Lee joined the company on January 25, stepping in as President.
“In a marketplace where consumers are more knowledgeable and conscientious than ever about the food they buy, we have a tremendous opportunity at AppHarvest to build a trustworthy sustainable foods brand that people care about,” said AppHarvest President Lee. “Customers are craving better quality food options—and ones they can feel better about because the company is socially conscious and environmentally responsible. With our first harvest already underway and produce shipping to major grocery outlets, we reiterate our full-year 2021 guidance.”
Lee has gained experience with companies such as Fresh Del Monte, Zynga, and Impossible Foods. His focus will be on accelerating infrastructure buildout, strengthening marketing, and establishing effective product development processes as AppHarvest works on building a name for itself as a brand looking to disrupt traditional agriculture.
Overall, AppHarvest plans to operate a dozen greenhouses by 2025, all of which will focus on the production of tomatoes, berries, leafy greens, and cucumbers.
Stay plugged into AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest industry-shaking news like this.
VIDALIA, GA - Fresh produce has fallen upon exciting times as companies across the industry have continued to announce new leaders in rapid succession. Recently, Giro Pack joined the group by announcing that it had promoted Chris Alvarez to the role of Director of Sales and Customer Service.
“I’m excited for this next chapter here and for the opportunity to lead in a new capacity. Many of our partners across the industry know that we’ve faced major transitions in recent years, but I’ve always seen what is possible in terms of better serving our client partners and employees to reach new heights. We’ve been able to rebuild and accomplish so much, but it’s that vision that still drives me,” said Alvarez. “We’re building something special at Giro Pack. I’m happy to be a part of it, and I’m thankful to work with some amazing teams and individuals.”
In his new role, Alvarez will lead and implement strategies to help align several different departments in order to guarantee customer satisfaction, the company’s culture, and Giro’s position in the market, according to a press release. His position also includes overseeing account management and business development initiatives and efforts.
Prior to gaining this role, Alvarez served as Customer Service Manager and National Sales Manager throughout his nine years with Giro Pack.
Congratulations to Chris Alvarez on his recent promotion!
SANTA MARIA, CA - No matter the time of year, carrots are a staple for my kitchen. I’m not alone in this, as many consumers extend what some consider to be a traditional winter meal staple into a year-round staple. I sat down with Matt Hiltner, Babé Farms’ Marketing Coordinator, to get more of an inside look at how the supplier is shaping up to meet this demand.
“As of right now, the carrot market appears steady. We will see if that changes given that California has lifted the stay-at-home order,” Matt commented. “We are planting with confidence for the upcoming season and feel we are poised for a good year in the carrot category due to a variety of factors. Our optimism has grown as we’ve witnessed foodservice begin to reopen in some capacity across the country. Chefs can’t wait to get back to plating their signature creations again in the ways they originally intended (not takeout containers), and our baby carrots and other signature vegetables are part of that equation.”
Matt also hints toward another holiday in the wings, one that drives foot traffic to the foodservice sector.
“With Easter on the horizon, we have reason to be optimistic not only in the foodservice sector but in retail as well. Rainbow carrots meet all the criteria consumers are looking for in 2021. They’re vibrant and colorful, sweet and delicious, and above all HEALTHY,” he proclaimed. “As we all try to boost our immunity and stay healthy in the coming year, we find that ‘eating the rainbow’ is a great starting point—and what better way to do it than with colorful carrots! We frequently use the hashtag #EatTheRainbow on Instagram as a friendly reminder to our followers about the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and how fresh produce is a vital part of that.”
A year-round supplier of carrots, Babé Farms, grows the full color spectrum of bunched baby-sized carrots, including French (orange), pink, purple, white, yellow, and round (otherwise known as Globe or Thumbelina carrots).
“We offer straight packs of each variety, as well as a mixed case that includes three to four colors, both of which are popular in retail and foodservice alike. Not only are rainbow carrots pretty on the plate, but each bunch comes with bilingual (ENG/FRE) UPC tags for retail,” Matt explained. “They’re the perfect way to paint a produce department with a diverse assortment of colors. In addition to baby carrots, we also have limited supplies of large sizing on these bunched varieties as well as a mixed-color, bulk size 25 lb sack that is perfect for school programs, juicing, or processing of any kind.”
With optimal weather ushering in high quality and beautiful carrots, I think it’s high time we deck out the produce aisles in numerous colors. Don’t you?
PHARR, TX - Alleged criminals have once again attempted to use fresh produce as a cover for their unsavory deeds, but the officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) have stepped in to make sure these plans could not be carried out.
The officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility uncovered packages containing alleged fentanyl and cocaine worth an estimated $890,000 in a commercial tractor/trailer arriving from Mexico with fresh produce.
“Our frontline officers working at the commercial facility in Pharr continue to maintain their vigilance and dedication to the border security mission. This significant, poly-drug seizure is attributable to the effective use of all available tools and resources. Their efforts this weekend prevented these narcotics from reaching our communities,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
The truck driver carrying a load of produce was stopped at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility on January 29, 2021, according to a report. After being referred by a CBP officer for non-intrusive imaging and a second examination, officers found the alleged drugs concealed within the vehicle.
Officers were able to remove packages weighing 95 pounds of alleged cocaine and 10.23 pounds of alleged fentanyl. The drugs were valued at $732,500 and $157,500, respectively.
The border patrol officers seized the narcotics, and the driver was arrested. The case is now being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Thank you to the hard-working officers who continue to keep fresh produce safe from unscrupulous actions.
YAKIMA, WA - Not only are organics growing in popularity with consumers, but they are one of the driving forces behind overall category growth. The apple and pear categories are great examples of this, as Superfresh Growers® recently announced strong sales results for the month of December. Apples were up seven percent while pears were up 12 percent in dollar sales, led by double-digit organic growth in both and strong showings by core and emerging apple varieties.
Core varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, Granny Smith, and Fuji all had steady growth, ranging from 3-15 percent, according to the company’s release. Proprietary varieties, including Cosmic Crisp® and Autumn Glory®, boasted large dollar gains as well.
Autumn Glory apples in particular saw record December shipments, and Superfresh witnessed its growth nationwide. Data for this variety includes:
- Sales up 54 percent and volume up 102 percent
- Sales and volume up by double- or triple-digits in most regions
Cosmic Crisp apples also continue to grow the category strongly, but are not to the level witnessed in December 2019. Data for Cosmic Crisp includes:
- Up 7 percent in dollars and 18 percent in pounds
- Some regions saw sales growth in the triple digits; West North Central (+167 percent) and East South Central (+152 percent)
- Availability spread nationally, due to increased volumes in the second year
Superfresh reports that strong consumer programs continue the momentum of 2019, but there is much opportunity for retailers to help with merchandising programs surrounding the Cosmic Crisp variety. The Cosmic Crisp retailer tool-kit is an excellent resource for building displays and digital programs.
December apple growth overall was strong, with category dollars up seven percent, though volume was flat at 0.3 percent. The average price per pound was up 6.6 percent to $1.67/lb, while retail prices were all moving to the industry average. Proprietary varieties decreased to become more competitive with core and mature varieties, and core and mature varieties rose in price with increased demand and the market rising. All other proprietary varieties also experienced a decrease in price per pound as well.
The pear category, on the other hand, was up 12 percent in sales and six percent in volume. Average price per pound was up five percent to $1.60/lb. Strong sales were a result of strong core pear growth: Bartlett (17 percent), Anjou (11 percent), Bosc (12 percent), and Asian pears (eight percent), along with Red Bartletts that were up an outstanding 107 percent in sales. Asian pears experienced a stellar 21.8 percent increase of price per pound to $4.96/lb. Superfresh Growers will have a steady supply of Asian pears through the spring.
Organic apple share continued at a record percentage of 15.9 of category dollars, and 11.4 percent in volume. Organics sales are up 10 percent. Price per pound is up 11 percent to an average of $2.29/lb.
Organic pear growth continued its momentum from November, up 11 percent in dollars and 13 percent in volume. They still had a high category share of 15 percent for dollars, and 11 percent for volume, though those were down from record November percentages.
Packaged apples and pears remained strong during COVID-19, though they had moved to pre-COVID volume averages in October and November. For December, Superfresh saw slight rises over pre-COVID averages again. 41 percent of apple volume was packaged compared to the pre-COVID average of ~40 percent. 21 percent of pear volume was packaged compared to the pre-COVID average of ~18-20 percent. Nationally spiking numbers of COVID-19 cases seem to be shifting focus back to packaged apples and pears for convenience and perceived food safety.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest category updates.
GREENSBORO, NC - My fellow leisure readers will rejoice this month as The Fresh Market is launching its first-ever issue of The Fresh Market: The Magazine. The unique launch aims to capture shopper dollars across the grocery store by promoting exclusive recipes to consumers—many of which prominently feature fresh produce. The debut February issue also features seasonal inspiration for Valentine’s Day.
“The inspiration behind the magazine was to bring those same feelings of joy, anticipation, and trust our guests have in our stores to shoppers at home, be it on their couches, kitchens, or wherever their home office might be,” said Kevin Miller, Chief Marketing Officer. “The goal was to create one of the best food magazine experiences ever, chock-full of our exquisitely curated hard-to-find, best-tasting foods from around the world, plus features on our team members and exclusive content on our partners telling their stories directly or through the most influential tastemakers in America.”
According to a press release, the retailer’s new magazine will feature practical tips for cooking and meal planning, including a unique citrus feature that outlines the best supreme method to get all of the juicy fruit segments without the bitterness.
Another spread features guest influencer Michiel Perry, known as the Black Southern Belle, which includes her family recipe for a low country inspired shrimp sauté with fresh okra and tomatoes. New products, like The Fresh Market’s Yellow Tomato Sauce made with tomatoes hand-picked on a family-owned farm in Italy, are also showcased in recipes.
The Fresh Market: The Magazine is mailed out monthly and is also available in all The Fresh Market locations, as well as online.
As retailers continue to enact new strategies for capturing shopper dollars, be sure to check out the latest reports from ANUK.
TORONTO, CANADA - Targeting one of the biggest problems of our time, Loblaw has partnered with Loop to better address plastic waste reduction across a variety of its products.
“The fact is that there’s too much plastic waste in our environment. We are part of the problem and must be part of the solution,” said Galen Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited. “We are actively reducing plastic waste in hundreds of ways in our business today through better processes, new materials, and packaging design. Loop is one of the most innovative opportunities as we work with them to make it easier for consumers to be part of the solution.”
According to a press release, Loop consumers shop for products in durable packaging that is reused until the end of its life.
It is yet uncertain how partnering with Loop will benefit the reduction of plastic waste in produce departments, or whether value-added programs targeting fresh will be the grocer’s next target.
“Loop is designed to be as convenient as the single-use shopping experience while creating a sustainable, circular model for consumption,” said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of Loop and TerraCycle. “Collaboration is necessary to tackle the waste crisis head on. As Canada’s largest retailer, Loblaw’s operational scale and years of expertise will make Loop accessible to more shoppers and make meaningful progress toward our shared goal of reducing waste.”
We know how tirelessly suppliers are working to create sustainable packaging for retail and continue to applaud their efforts. Will Loop look to the supply-side for inspiration and collaboration? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - 2021 has become synonymous with leadership, as multiple companies have announced a swath of executive appointments across multiple operations. The latest news is from Ahold Delhaize, which announced the nomination of Jan Zijderveld to its Supervisory Board, effective April 14, 2021.
According to a press release, Zijderveld is a Dutch national who spent almost 30 years at Unilever holding several senior management positions in seven different countries, ending up as CEO and President of Unilever Europe and Member of Unilever executive team.
Zijderveld served as Chief Executive Officer of Avon as of 2018 and left the company in 2020 after a successful turnaround of its business. This ultimately resulted in an acquisition of the company by The Natura & Co.
Currently, Zijderveld holds several advisory functions.
“We are pleased to propose Jan for appointment to the Supervisory Board. He will bring extensive international experience, consumer insights in a broad range of products and valuable knowledge of the global retail space. With his arrival, we found the skills and competencies that will be important to the Supervisory Board as Ahold Delhaize is executing its Leading Together strategy and the Supervisory Board continues to evolve” said Chair of the Supervisory Board, Peter Agnefjäll.
Congratulations to Jan Zijderveld on this new appointment. We here at AndNowUKnow look forward to more news from Ahold.
TAMPA, FL - A new leader has made her way onto the scene, as IFCO Systems Worldwide has recently announced its new President of IFCO North America, Candice Herndon.
“I am thrilled to join IFCO,” said Herndon. “The company’s vision of an efficient, sustainable fresh food supply chain is imperative now, more than ever. I look forward to working with IFCO leadership, the North American team, our customers, and the entire fresh food supply chain to advance that mission.”
Herndon most recently held the position of Vice President, First Mile Solutions (FMS) and Key European Accounts, at CHEP, according to a press release. During this time, Herndon was responsible for overseeing the growth of Brambles’ plastic pallet and containers division in Europe, and also developed new products and supply-chain strategies to not only eliminate waste, but lower risk and costs. Prior to her role as Vice President of FMS and Key European Accounts, Herndon held various key leadership positions at CHEP.
Since joining the company back in 2006, Herndon has occupied roles in strategic planning, brand strategy, supply chain solutions, customer value creation, and sustainability and regulatory affairs. Before bringing her leadership skills to CHEP, Herndon also worked for Accenture, performing strategy and management consulting services across multiple industry sectors.
As President of IFCO North America, Herndon will report to IFCO CEO, Michael Pooley, effective immediately. She will be taking over for Dan Martin, who previously held the role and will remain with the company until May 15, 2020.
“I am pleased to welcome Candice to the IFCO team,” said Pooley. “Her strong leadership skills and proven track record in strategic planning, customer collaboration and innovation, and operational excellence make her the ideal person to lead our North American business. I would also like to thank Dan Martin for his great leadership and service over the last three years at IFCO. Dan has done an excellent job in improving the performance of the IFCO North America business and helping the business secure significant contracts.”
Herndon obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations Management from the University of Georgia, as well as an MBA in Corporate Finance from Emory University. Herndon also expanded her education with Executive Education Leadership Development Programs in France at the Centre Europeen d’Education Permanente (CEDEP).
Congratulations to Candice Herndon on her new position! We at ANUK are excited to see where her expertise will lead IFCO.