JACKSON, WY - Where one natural grocer once stood, a new one will soon take over as Whole Foods Market completes its acquisition of a Jackson Whole Grocer location. The two companies recently entered a definitive agreement to pursue the deal, with plans expected to be finalized early this year.
“Like Jackson Whole Grocer, Whole Foods Market is committed to offering high-quality products, supporting our team members, developing successful relationships with our suppliers, and caring for our local communities and the environment,” said Bill Jordan, Regional President of the Rocky Mountain region at Whole Foods Market. “We look forward to getting to know the Jackson community, including residents and visitors, and providing them with products that must meet Whole Foods Market’s strict quality standards, as well as a destination to discover new flavors and local items unique to this area.”
According to local news source Buckrail, Whole Foods will be offering opportunities for employment to as many qualified former Whole Grocer workers as possible. Regardless of the terms of the deal, this location is expected to remain open as the transition takes place.
Jeff Rice, Owner of Jackson Whole Grocer, also commented on what this transaction means for the company.
“For more than ten years, it has been an honor to steward Jackson Whole Grocer. During that time, our team has proudly served our customers and community,” said Rice. “After much mindful consideration, we have decided to sell our business. We are fortunate to have this opportunity with Whole Foods Market, an organization that is aligned with our mission of creating and sharing exceptional experiences in food and shopping. Whole Foods Market is best-in-class at providing such extraordinary experiences and they are often recognized as one of the best companies to work for in America. We are confident that our customers and employees will greatly benefit from the working and shopping experience that Whole Foods Market offers, and we are excited to welcome Whole Foods Market to the Jackson community.”
Further details of the deal have not yet been disclosed to the public. As Whole Foods continues to bolster its presence across the country, be sure to check out the latest reports from AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK, NY - As winter continues to leave a chill in the air, Bowery Farming is looking to add a little bit of spice to the produce aisles. The vertical farming company has recently unveiled its new Farmer’s Selection product category, which includes a line of rotating, small-batch, flavorful greens curated by Bowery’s R&D team, and the first product to be released under the new category is Bowery’s tastebud-tingling Mustard Frills.
“Deeply committed to innovation and bringing new and exciting culinary experiences to consumers, our world-class R&D team has been hard at work developing this new line of wildly flavorful greens grown locally with unparalleled freshness,” said Katie Seawell, Chief Marketing Officer. “We’re thrilled to unveil our new Farmer’s Selection category, which showcases the nimbleness of our farms and beauty in this emerging category of Protected Produce through these rotating, first-of-its-kind greens, developed with flavor in mind first and foremost, with seeds selected for their unique properties. For this first release, we set out to develop a recipe with a kick, and Mustard Frills surpassed even our wildest expectations.”
The first product that launched this new line, Bowery’s Mustard Frills are a hearty mustard green with some kick that will leave a lasting impression. According to a press release, the Mustard Frills start off with a tingle and end with a fiery, wasabi-like finish that will heat up any dish.
The Farmer’s Selection category was created through Bowery’s desire to bring the thrill of discovering new ingredients at local farm stands to the grocery retail space. With agricultural scientists working year-round to uncover flavor-packed varieties, consumers will be able to get their hands on new small-batch greens every few months.
Mustard Frills will be available now through spring 2021, after which Green Sorrel will take the spotlight as the next product in the category. Bowery’s Mustard Frills are now available in select New York City independent grocery retailers, with Green Sorell slated for availability in a broader range of locations.
What new products will Bowery continue to roll out under its Farmer’s Selection category? Time and ANUK will tell, so keep a tab opened as we bring you the latest.
OXNARD, CA - If every consumer met the Bobalu brand the way I did, their hearts would hum at the sight of each box. I’ll never forget when the head of the company’s third generation, Bobby Jones, told me of how his floral-decorating grandmother fell in love with his cowboy grandfather. How their names together represent the company that planted one of Ventura County’s first strawberries. Now, consumers have a chance for the same treat as the team focuses on expanding the reach of its brand and the story that inspired it.
“As we focus on building our brand name with consumers, we are excited to reveal new website additions coming this spring, with new social media ambassadors, a shopper database, and a plan to share exclusive family recipes with our new followers,” Anthony Gallino, VP of Sales, shares. “We are also adding a QR code to our label to provide instant access to our story, our recipes, and selection and storing tips.”
Likewise, the berry provider is diving head-first into deeper partnership discussions as it looks to further propel consumption in today’s hungry climate.
“We look forward to learning more about how we can capitalize with our trading partners on the new dietary guidelines that support fresh produce consumption and finally address guidelines for our youngest consumers. We also look forward to supporting our retail partners as they navigate the online shopping demands and are very interested in how foodservice might expand at retail as consumers look for ways to get out of the kitchen in 2021,” Anthony shares, telling me there are so many possibilities on the horizon of this new year.
“We have all seen so much change in the last 12 months,” he continues. “We have not had in-person connections with our buyers or our industry peers. However, we have all seen new sides of people as we meet on screen in each other’s kitchens, living rooms, and new home offices—meeting with a retailer wearing a sweatshirt and baseball cap is definitely more relaxing and personal than in an office with a suit and tie! Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep that as a forever policy?” he laughs.
It’s this very window Anthony says has built stronger personal relationships over the past year, opening up several possibilities for digital and market expansion.
With a foundation for exciting partnerships, as well as plans for further growth, it looks as though both Bobalu’s story and its berries will be celebrating a broader reach in the near future.
MIAMI, FL - Super Bowl Sunday is quickly approaching, and retailers with WP Produce’s Desbry brand on the shelf already have a promotional leg up on competitors. Serving as a point of differentiation in a green sea that typically offers only one variety, Desbry’s Tropical Avocados are sure to be a touchdown on game day.
“In expanding the avocado category, retailers open the produce aisle to more sales opportunities,” said Chris Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales. “Right now, most retailers only offer their customers one choice when it comes to avocados. By offering consumers another choice to try in this popular produce category, our retail partners become more valuable to their shoppers, especially surrounding events like the Big Game.”
Now is the ideal time to grow the avocado category at retail with a different kind of fruit while affinity and interest are high. On top of releasing exclusive recipes, Desbry will be partnering with The Produce Moms to garner awareness leading up to the Super Bowl. And, as one of the top grower-shippers of Tropical Avocados, Desbry is one brand that should be on every grocers’ radar.
“Desbry grows our Tropical Avocados throughout four different regions in the Dominican Republic as well as Florida,” Chris continued. “We now have promotable volumes available, so retailers can offer various types of pack sizes while taking advantage of our merchandising solutions with branded bins and two-count poly-mesh bags that protect the fruit.”
The Big Game warrants equal flavor, and Desbry’s Tropical Avocados are often two to three times the size of traditional Hass avocados. These specialty products are excellent for recipes such as ceviches, salads, or sliced on top of a burger, meaning retailers have plenty of opportunities to get creative in terms of cross-merchandising.
WP Produce is offering 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-count packs for its retail partners; its double-layered boxes are available in 16, 18, 20, and 24 counts; and the 25-lb carton features two-count poly mesh bags.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to wow consumers ahead of the Big Game!
YAKIMA, WA - It is never an easy task to announce the passing of one of our own industry members. So, it is with great sorrow that we say Tim Corkill, a bright star who spent his career beaming with enthusiasm for fresh produce, passed away on Saturday, January 9.
“Tim Corkill had such a killer work ethic and a mind for the details, and those qualities coupled with his enthusiasm for our business made him someone we could always trust,” said Chuck Zeutenhorst, FirstFruits President of Marketing.
Corkill will always be remembered by those who had the pleasure of working beside him as a tireless leader with a keen eye for the industry and its growth. As one of the driving forces behind FirstFruits Opal apple program, he played an integral part in the growth and success of the company.
Throughout his career, Corkill honed his skills and left his mark as Western Regional Marketing Manager at the Pear Bureau Northwest, as the Western Manager of the California Grape Commission, and as Director of Marketing Services with Fresh Western, River Ranch Inc before joining FirstFruits as its Western Regional Marketing Manager.
“I’ll always remember the high level of enthusiasm and preparation Tim put into all aspects of his life, whether it was a big meeting or a trip to his beloved family cabin. Tim had a zest for life and deep knowledge of the industry that he joyfully shared with all those who were lucky enough to know him. I knew Tim to be the best rental car racer in LA traffic, arriving early to all meetings with the belief that ‘if you’re not early, you’re late.’ I will miss Tim and the energy he brought to all aspects of his life,” said Joe Vargas, Director of Marketing.
We would like to offer our condolences to his dear family and those who are mourning the loss of such a beloved man.
WASHINGTON, DC - It seems that 12 produce professionals are about to embark on another new journey, as the United Fresh Produce Association has recently announced the Class Two Fellows of the Produce Safety Immersion Program.
“We’re thrilled to welcome class two of the Produce Safety Immersion Program as they begin their journey as produce safety professionals,” said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, Vice President of Food Safety. “We successfully adapted class one’s program and are excited to take what we learned to effectively build the technical capacity, critical thinking skills, and leadership attributes of this next class through a virtual format.”
The program, sponsored by Renaissance Food Group and Ecolab, combines formal webinars, technical seminars, informal networking, problem-solving exercises, group work and individual projects, as well as mentorship, according to a press release. Four esteemed safety professionals will be mentors to the program fellows and accompany them at each meeting, including Suresh DeCosta, Director of Food Safety, North America and Latin America, Lipman Family Farms; Natalie Dyenson, Vice President, Food Safety and Quality, Dole Food Company; Sergio Nieto-Montenegro, President, Food Safety Consulting and Training Solutions; and Walter Ram, Vice President of Food Safety, Guimarra Companies.
Members of the United Fresh Food Safety Council Steering Committee evaluated early-to-mid career professionals with less than five years’ worth of experience in produce safety based on their career aspirations, backgrounds, and roles in the industry.
The Class Two Fellows mentioned in the release include:
- Kelsey Adams, Taylor Farms, Texas, Dallas, TX
- Abraham Cardenas, Taylor Farms Fresh Vegetables, Salinas, CA
- Jordan DeVries, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Grand Rapids, MI
- Isabel Gomez-Garcia, Walther P. Rawl & Sons, Inc., Pelion, SC
- Hilal Kasapoglu, Taylor Farms, North Kingtown, RI
- Kaylie Lemon, Curation Foods, Santa Maria, CA
- Mike Lepera, Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, Canada
- Jose Morales, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Salinas, CA
- Alex Morales, Jr., Prima® Wawona, Reedley, CA
- LaTaunya Tillman, Driscoll’s, Tampa, FL
- Mari Villegas, Heinzen Manufacturing International, Gilroy, CA
- Bristol Wells, Highland Ag Solutions, Mulberry, FL
The 12 Class Two fellows will begin this mentorship during a virtual kickoff meeting later this month.
Congratulations to these fellows on their new journey within the world of fresh! Keep checking AndNowUKnow as we bring you all the latest news in this industry.
FRESNO, CA - The start of 2021 has heralded even more interest in fresh produce as consumers carry forward their New Years’ resolutions to eat more produce. A perfect example of produce that this trade news writer hopes to include more of in their diet is squash, a versatile and budget-friendly option. To learn more about the squash market itself, I turned to Luis Corella at Baloian Farms.
“We’re approximately a third of the way into our Mexico season, which will go until June of this year,” the Nogales Operations Manager explained to me. “Currently, the squash market is tight due to cooler weather in the past few weeks and transition in the fields from different areas during the winter months.”
Luis noted that the market may adjust slightly in the coming weeks if warmer weather holds and once transition across growing regions has been completed.
“The quality for this season so far has been excellent, and we’ve seen minimal disease issues. Market price is currently in the mid-teen range and should remain within that range until more volume is available after additional surface area has been harvested,” he shared.
Market updates like these are never far off in the world of AndNowUKnow, so continue to stay tuned.
CARLISLE, PA - Convenience and customer loyalty often go hand in hand, and retailers across the United States have long ago learned this lesson. To further their dedication to convenience, many retailers have followed in Amazon’s footsteps and launched a Prime-esque loyalty program. The GIANT Company is the latest to do so, as it doubles down on its long-term strategic omnichannel plans with the launch of CHOICE Pass™.
“The demand for online grocery services has sky-rocketed over the past year, far surpassing the growth that was originally predicted. The same holds true for GIANT Direct, where we’ve seen online customers grow each month,” said Matt Simon, Chief Marketing Officer. “Today’s families are strapped for time, and CHOICE Pass simplifies shopping with an easy solution that helps save them time and money, without compromising on quality, giving them more time to come together at their table and connect over a meal.”
CHOICE Pass will be available to GIANT’s online GIANT Direct and MARTIN’S Direct customers, a press release explained. It provides unlimited free delivery and pickup for the price of $98 a year. Now available, CHOICE Pass represents the company’s next step in enhancing its holistic online experience.
“Currently, one-third of our customers engage with us digitally. As that number grows, given the renewed interest in subscription services, especially grocery delivery, CHOICE Pass also positions us for future growth in the expanding digital landscape,” added Simon. “And as we look forward, we’ll continue to explore ways to strengthen our e-commerce platform to not only meet the increasing demand, but to also offer a seamlessly integrated online experience to our online customers.”
CHOICE Pass replaces the current model of PodPass. To underscore the fact that this change was made to help customers, CHOICE Pass comes with a new contemporary logo that takes its origins from GIANT Choice Rewards.
As we plumb the depths of the latest in retail innovation, keep reading AndNowUKnow to stay up to date.
PROVIDENCE, RI - Never underestimate the power of a good Board Member. United Natural Foods, Inc.’s (UNFI) latest addition to its own Board brings a strategic leader to its team, one who has significant large-scale supply chain expertise. Gloria Roberts Boyland joined UNFI’s Board of Directors on January 14, 2021, a new role in which she will help advance the wholesaler’s long-term objectives.
Throughout her career, Boyland has accumulated a variety of operations experience. She currently serves as a Strategic Advisor of Aurora Technologies, a position she has held since June 2020. From 2004–2015, she served as Staff Vice President at FedEx. Afterwards, she became Corporate Vice President, where she was responsible for evaluation and leadership of advanced operations technology initiatives, service quality and customer experience improvements, and new service offerings for the company.
Prior to her tenure at FedEx, according to a press release, Boyland held leadership positions in various functions at GE Capital Corporation, including Six Sigma Quality, mergers and acquisitions, and acquisition integration.
“Gloria’s extensive experience leading operational transformation at global companies, coupled with her leading-edge, future-focused logistics and supply chain knowledge, make her a valuable addition to our Board,” said Steven L. Spinner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As the largest and most diverse grocery wholesale distributor in North America, UNFI will continue to strategically invest in our distribution network, operations, and logistics capabilities to further enhance our ability to best serve our retail customers. Gloria’s knowledge will be a tremendous benefit in helping guide these efforts.”
In addition to an already impressive resume, Boyland practiced for eight years as a commercial transactions and investment attorney at GE. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Vontier Corporation and previously served as a Board Member of UMRF Ventures. In 2016, Boyland was appointed to the U.S. DOT Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation.
Boyland has won a bevy of well-deserved accolades throughout her career. She was named to National Black MBA Magazine’s Top 50 under 50, Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Corporate Directors, Black Enterprise’s 2017 Most Powerful Corporate Executives, and Black Enterprise’s 2019 List of Most Powerful Women in Corporate America. Boyland is also a STEVIE Silver Award winner.
Congratulations to Gloria Boyland on this next step in an already illustrious career.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Ever wonder how Walmart managed to build its eCommerce division so quickly? Well, much of its success can be attributed to the industry expert Marc Lore, who is serving as the CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S. In a recent announcement, we learned that Lore is now stepping down from his role after leading the company since 2016.
“Reflecting on the past few years with so much pride—Walmart changed my life, and the work we did together will keep changing the lives of customers for years to come. It has been an honor to be a part of the Walmart family, and I look forward to providing advice and ideas in the future,” Lore said in his LinkedIn post. “Looking forward, I’ll be taking some time off and plan to continue working with several startups. Excited to keep you all up to date on what’s next.”
According to CNBC, Lore was the Co-Founder of Jet.com, which Walmart acquired in 2016. While this acquisition proved to be vital in the growth of Walmart’s eCommerce division, the company also leveraged Lore’s extensive expertise in order to accelerate the process. Prior to working on Jet.com, Lore gained significant industry experience at Amazon.
Walmart recently announced Lore’s retirement from the company, which will be effective at the end of January. However, he will continue to serve as a strategic advisor for Walmart until the end of September. Moving forward, Walmart’s eCommerce team will report to CEO John Furner.
“Marc’s leadership helped ensure we were positioned to respond to the demand driven by the pandemic this year,” CEO Doug McMillon said in an email. “All of this progress is the result of good work from a lot of people, of course, but Marc’s expertise and aggressiveness have been game changing. We have learned a lot from him. I have personally learned a lot from him.”
We wish the best of luck to Marc Lore on the next step in his journey!