ONTARIO, CANADA - What would we be without our environment? Without ground to stand on or air to breathe? Nature Fresh Farms is taking the necessary steps to ensure that this is never the case as it has joined the SmartWay Transportation Partnership to reduce freight-related emissions. Over the past year, Nature Fresh Farms has been working with SmartWay to further its sustainable development and continue to lead in its environmental initiatives.
“It has always been important for Nature Fresh Farms to recognize and understand our carbon footprint in every area of our operations,” shared Leigh Ann Breault, Director of Logistics. “Making the necessary improvements to our freight supply chain, using the recommendations provided from SmartWay, will only help reinforce our position as an industry leader in sustainability.”
According to a press release, SmartWay is administered in Canada by NRCan and is free to those interested in becoming members, aiming to help both shippers and carriers move goods efficiently by maximizing load capacity and keeping fuel costs and environmental impact at a minimum.
SmartWay encourages its members to be more aware of their carbon footprint by helping them track fuel consumption and improve their overall performance. Through its membership, Nature Fresh can use the program to measure the environmental impact of its freight supply and use recommendations from SmartWay to improve and modify its operation strategies. With Nature Fresh Farms’ commitment to reducing emissions, the goal is to have at least 80 percent of its carrier base SmartWay certified by 2023.
Having over 3,600 North American companies signed on to the SmartWay partnership, Nature Fresh’s membership demonstrates the company’s continued environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.
Never take the environment for granted, she’s all we’ve got! Stay tuned for all of the newest ways that companies are upping their sustainability as we at ANUK report.
MORGAN HILL, CA - Seeing companies across the fresh produce industry lending a hand to those in need always leaves us here at AndNowUKnow with a smile. Sakata Seed America is one of the latest to leave us writers grinning as the company has announced that it has significantly increased its volume of fresh produce donations to the Yolo County Food Bank in Woodland, California, through the efforts of its Woodland Innovation Center.
“We’ve recently launched our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout Sakata’s global operations. We are focusing on the United Nations SDGs where we feel Sakata can make a specific impact—with reducing hunger being one of our aligned goals,” said Sakata Seed America President and CEO, Dave Armstong. “We are focused on developing seed varieties that are resilient in multiple growing environments, and the donations from WIC are part of those research and breeding efforts. We’re making a concerted effort to align our company’s vision and values in order to be good corporate citizens. Making these type of donations puts our vision and values into action.”
Throughout 2020, Sakata Seed donated more than 37,000 pounds of fresh produce through the Yolo Food Bank program, according to a press release.
Sakata Seed America’s corporate values include not only focusing on sustainability, but harmony in its service to both the people and the Earth, which is why the company’s donations are of such great importance for those involved.
“Sakata Seed has been an amazing partner,” commented Aliyah Moreno, Yolo Grown Program Coordinator for the Yolo Food Bank. “We have received various types of crops such as melons, watermelon, squash, tomatoes, and peppers. Yolo Food Bank puts these crops to use by distributing them to the 60,000 Yolo County residents that we serve. With the pandemic, we saw a drastic increase in client need and attendance at our sites. Having such a huge increase in donations this past year was SO helpful and appreciated by so many people.”
Sakata established its Woodland Innovation Center in 2015, and has made donations to the program since the Center’s inception.
However, due to hardships faced by people in the community in 2020 created by the ongoing pandemic, Sakata significantly increased the volume of fresh produce donations this past year.
Thank you to Sakata Seed for continuing to provide for those in need in local communities around the nation.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it has imposed sanctions on Bella Fresh Houston LLC (Bella Fresh) of Houston, Texas, for its violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions include barring the business and its principal operator from engaging in PACA-licensed business or activities without USDA approval.
Direct From USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Bella Fresh failed to pay $3,154,711 to 10 sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from December 2017 to May 2019. This is in violation of the PACA. Bella Fresh cannot operate in the produce industry until Jan. 9, 2023, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principal, Andrew Ruggiero, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Jan. 9, 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.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI - The future of 2021 is looking ever-so-bright, as Good Foods looks toward another year of good deeds after reflecting on a year of charitable efforts in 2020.
“Supporting our charitable mission is a cornerstone of what we do at Good Foods,” said Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Danyel O’Connor. “Not only is our charitable mission important to our company, but each of our employees holds it near to their heart as well. We’re so proud of our efforts in 2020 and look forward to continuing our service and community outreach in 2021.”
This year, the company established a new partnership with Brighter Bites, teaming up during the 2020 collegiate football season to host the “Sack Hunger” campaign, as well as the SUNSET Rocks concert during Fresh Summit, which resulted in a total donation of $35,000 to the Brighter Bites’ organization, a press release revealed.
On top of its work with Brighter Bites, Good Foods also donated to national charities that support the company’s mission to educate communities on fresh, better-for-you food, as well as organizations in their own backyard. The company made a donation of $250,000 worth of products to local food banks in Chicago and Wisconsin.
With the help of its employees, Good Foods also partnered with several nonprofits and schools, including Garden of Eatin’, a community garden in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Cristo Rey St. Martin High School Work Study Program; Kenosha County Warm Clothing Drive; Children’s Miracle Network; and The Salt & Light Coalition in Chicago, Illinois.
The company plans to continue pursuing its charitable mission in the coming year through more donations, supplying its communities with necessary resources, and furthering its partnerships with organizations like Brighter Bites.
How will these investments in its own communities impact the future of Good Foods and other companies like it? Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow as we report.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Food tech and dried fruit are teaming up in the hopes to Deploy Nutrition for Humanity, as Treasure8 and Mariani Packing Company partner together to inspire healthier living. Both will be working together to create a better food system and reimagine the way the world buys, sees, and tastes dried fruit and vegetables.
“With the 4th generation running our family business today and the health of future generations in mind, we’re excited to accelerate our innovation journey and embark on a new chapter with Treasure8 that will help extend our global platform into healthy living solutions for people worldwide,” remarked Mariani’s Chairman, Mark Mariani.
“Working with Mariani is a key step for us in further accelerating our partnership platform, which is critical to scale our nutrition solutions as quickly as we can,” added Timothy Childs, Founder, and Co-CEO Treasure8. “Our ultimate purpose is to Deploy Nutrition for Humanity, and with Mariani’s 4th generation vision to Inspire Healthy Living, our interests are perfectly aligned to accelerate each other’s growth and impact.”
Both companies, according to a press release, have committed to improving and expanding the category, but also working to create options from upcycled sources, bringing them to corners of the world desperately in need of nutrient dense sustenance.
Treasure8 Co-CEO Derk Hendriksen commented that, “Any time we have an opportunity to expand our capabilities, we want to take advantage of it. And this is an enormous one. Mariani is a long-established company with extensive scale and knowledge, and it’s an honor to team up with them to make a difference in the global food system.”
Treasure8 is known for its SAUNA™-based dehydration technology and partnerships platform, which is capable of sustainably capturing more flavor and nutrients from fruits, vegetables, fungi, and other organic material. The company’s mission is to lead a Resource Revolution®, creating a strategy designed to make healthier, more affordable, and more sustainable nutrition for the greater public.
Through its partnership with Mariani, Treasure8 adds instant operational readiness (IOR) to its partnership platform so that scale and impact can be brought to a global audience.
Mariani specializes in dried fruit nutrition categories, with a history of high operational standsards and its embracing of outside innovation solutions. It brings its manufacturing and commercialization platform to the partnership.
AndNowUKnow will continue to cover partnerships in the fresh produce space, so stick around.
LOS ANGELES, CA - It may only be mid-January, but party planners like me aim to get started on major events early, such as Super Bowl LV. With many retailers and consumers looking to continue healthy New Year’s resolutions, Wonderful® Pistachios is putting its A-game on as it rolls out a fresh-forward strategy.
Wonderful Pistachios has created delicious, healthy recipes consumers can recreate right at home to create the ultimate Super Bowl spread.
The company’s statement included recipes such as Mediterranean Wonderful Pistachios & Chicken Meatballs with herby zesty lemon-dill yogurt dip and Banh Mi Veggie Sliders served on whole-wheat slider rolls and topped with a bright and creamy chili sauce, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño, and carrot.
With a wide selection of recipes, Wonderful Pistachios is hitting every flavor on the pallet including recipes such as:
- Cherry Popcorn Balls
- Chicken Tenders with Spicy Chipotle and POM Ketchup
- Party Mix
- Quinoa-Stuffed Mushrooms
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate Glaze
- Snack Board
- Street Taco
- Sweet Corn
- Veggie Burgers
- Wrap Bites
Cross-promotional opportunities abound as Super Bowl LV nears! For recipes to post next to Wonderful Pistachio stands, click here.
As the football event of the season nears, keep checking back for more fresh produce ideas to wield in-store.
DALLAS, TX - The importance of marketing has become more prevalent in recent years, and DMA Solutions is at the forefront of innovation in this space. The company aims to bolster brands across the fresh produce industry, recently announcing the discussion topics and dates for its January and February Marketing Matters webinars.
“We’ve fine-tuned our subject matter to feature the most helpful content in the New Year,” said Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and CEO. “The topics we’re covering will help industry professionals make strategic decisions on behalf of their brands as we introduce important information on 2021 trends, tradeshows and shopper behavior.”
This innovative webinar series will cover a variety of topics that are both informative and discussion based, according to a press release. Almy and her team of marketers will presentx key information and facts as well as invite expert panelists from the industry to share their insight.
Topics for these webinars include:
- January 21 - 2021 Trends: Food, Floral, and Drinks
- February 11 - Viva Fresh and Southern Exposure: What You Need to Know
- February 25 - How 2020 Has Changed Shopper Behaviors
DMA’s Marketing Matters webinar series offers a forum for learning, sharing, and an open dialogue. Those interested in attending upcoming webinars can register here.
More topics and dates will be announced later in the year, so keep an eye out for further announcements as ANUK reports the latest.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - With companies across the industry fortifying their operations for the year ahead, new leaders are being put in place to help drive forward growth. NatureSweet® is one such company with expansion in mind as the greenhouse grower has announced the addition of Suzanne Wade to its Board of Directors. Bringing with her an in-tune senior executive perspective, Wade will be a strong asset for the NatureSweet team.
“The values at NatureSweet are in line with mine—they do what is right with integrity—and they really are raising the bar for an entire industry,” said Wade. “I could not be prouder to join the Board of an organization that knows who they are and are fearless in their fight to transform the lives of Agricultural workers.”
With a career spanning over 40 years, Wade has worked amongst some of the leading retail companies in the industry, according to a press release. Of her four-decade-long career, 11 of them were spent at Walmart where she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources as well as Senior Vice President of Membership, Marketing, and Administration for the retailer's Sam’s Club branch.
In 1997, Wade joined H-E-B, after which she held a variety of senior leadership roles for the grocer. These included Group Vice President of Sales and Advertising and Senior Vice Presidnet of Human Resources. For most of her time at H-E-B, she led one of the company’s largest divisions which encompassed over 200 stores and 50,000 associates.
“Suzanne’s incredible perspective will help us raise the bar in our commitment to partner with our customers to change the way the packaged produce category operates, driving change not only on the sustained quality of the product, but also in the lives of the agricultural workers,” said CEO and President Rodolfo Spielmann. “Her civic contributions and understanding of how important our Associates are to help making that success a reality is extremely aligned with the work we are doing in transforming the company from the best tasting snacking tomatoes to the single-source solution for greenhouse vegetables for our customers.”
In addition to her well-rounded professional experience, Wade is also recognized for her civic contributions with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Tribute to Women Leadership Award, the North San Antonio Chamber Athena Award, the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, and as a Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Trefoil Honoree.
“Suzanne’s experience is the perfect combination of strategy and hands-on approach to support NatureSweet’s unique position in the market,” said Executive Chairman Bryant Ambelang. “With its unique story of Unleashing the Power of People at the forefront of everything they do, she will no doubt help to support its transformation of the agricultural industry.”
Congratulations to Suzanne Wade on her new appointment! We look forward to seeing her continued impact on the fresh produce industry and all that she will accomplish with NatureSweet.
SEATTLE, WA - When one door closes, another one opens—or in this case, two doors open. After recently announcing the shuttering of its Prime Pantry grocery delivery platform, Amazon has revealed plans to open two new Amazon Fresh grocery stores in Washington—one in Seattle and the other in Bellevue.
The Bellevue location will be situated in Factoria, while the Seattle store will be housed in the city’s Central District, according to an article from Puget Sound Business Journal. Both sites are currently under construction with hiring already underway, but opening dates have yet to be released.
The pandemic has shifted the grocery market considerably, and Amazon has used that shift to transform its grocery concept. Currently, Amazon operates 26 Amazon Go stores nationwide, and recently opened its first Amazon Fresh grocery store in Woodland Hills, California. In 2017, the online retailer also bought Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion, further expanding its grocery footprint with the addition of the company’s 500 grocery locations across the country.
With business booming at its brick-and-mortar locations, Amazon has revealed other markets for expansion including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Other potential sites include New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Connecticut.
What big moves does Amazon have waiting in the pipeline to expand its grocery business? AndNowUKnow will keep a pulse on the newswire to bring you the latest updates.
WEST DES MOINES, IA - As the retail market faced challenging hurdles to overcome last year due to the pandemic, companies realized that their employees were in fact the key to a successful transition. To celebrate the efforts of its associates, Hy-Vee has revealed that in 2020 the retailer gave more than $167.2 million in bonuses and other benefits to its employees.
“Our goal for 2020 was to build upon Hy-Vee’s current benefit offerings to bring better compensation, better services, and better opportunities to our employees and their families,” said Randy Edeker, Chairman, CEO, and President. “As we start 2021, we will continue to bring more benefit offerings to our employees as we further our mission to be the best place to work in America.”
The employee-owned company has over 88,000 associates, each of which were offered new employee benefits and perks launched throughout 2020, according to a release from Hy-Vee. The newly instated benefits include tuition assistance, pharmacy bonuses, 90th anniversary gifts, as well as:
- 10 Percent Employee Discount on Groceries
- Holiday Pay
- Employee Appreciation Bonuses
- Enhanced 401(k) Plan
- Part-time Insurance
Recently, Hy-Vee also announced that free rapid antigen COVID-19 testing would be offered to its employees at 47 Hy-Vee pharmacy locations.
In addition to the benefits and perks offered to its associates, Hy-Vee revealed that it shared over $68.7 million in bonuses to its full-time employees and $6.5 million to part-time associates.
Currently, Hy-Vee is looking to hire 10,000 more employees across its eight-state region. All employees are eligible to access these benefits after 30 days of employment.
What new employee programs will other retailers offer for their employees as the grocery market continues to change and adapt? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring you the latest answers.