SANTA CRUZ, CA - Pledging to support those in need is one of the most honorable things we can do as fresh produce advocates. Awe Sum Organics is one leader that continues to make a difference through its operations, recently pledging to support the Homeless Garden Project’s new expanded farm just above Santa Cruz, California, which provides education and transitional jobs in organic agriculture. Additionally, Awe Sum’s Sociedad Agrícola Saturno farms has been purchasing land from families in Peru and now touts 150 hectares (370 acres) of organic grape production at Sol Sol Farm.
“Awe Sum Organics is proud to offer organic and Fair Trade USA Certified fruit because we feel it’s important to give back to the local communities that are involved in growing, harvesting, packing, and shipping our Awe Sum Organic fruit. So far this year, through the sale of our Awe Sum Organic and Fair Trade Certified fruit over $250,000 has been collected by Awe Sum Organics to be distributed back to the local communities where our organic fruit is produced,” said David Posner, President, CEO, and Founder.
The trainees in the Homeless Garden Project program learn hands-on job skills needed to grow organic crops and create value-added products, receive other life and job skill training in subjects such as digital and financial literacy, are offered counseling support, and much more. Crops harvested at Homeless Garden Project will be sold at the Awe Sum Organics-sponsored Farm Stand, as well as donated to community members in need via local nonprofits through the Feed Two Birds program.
In the 1980s, the Peruvian government distributed plots of land to its citizens in an effort to restructure wealth, according to a press release. Due to a lack of those farms’ profitability, Awe Sum’s Saturno farms began purchasing land from each individual family in the Sol Sol community and now employs community members in the field and the packing house.
The Fair for Life premiums that Awe Sum Organics has collected from the sales of these organic grapes has raised money for building roads, a church, infrastructure such as running water, as well as the designing and building of a preschool, elementary school, and high school.
While in late 2019, Awe Sum Organics transitioned its social compliance program from Fair For Life to Fair Trade USA, it is now well positioned to continue supporting Sol Sol through both the increased sales of organic grapes from Peru and continued collection of Fair Trade premiums.
Hats off to Awe Sum Organics which is giving back to communities both locally and globally.
COLOMBIA - A shipment of fresh avocados fell victim to another illegal drug operation over the weekend. At the port of Buenaventura in Colombia, officials uncovered more than 3,465 pounds (1,572 kilos) worth of cocaine hidden amongst the fruit. The container was being prepared for shipment, but luckily never left the port.
According to Sunday World, the shipment was intercepted by the Buenaventura Port Control Antinarcotics Company, who had received a tip-off about the shipment. The drugs were concealed within a container set to ship to the port of Antwerp and delivered to a Netherlands-based company.
This seizure follows a similar drug bust which took place last week, in which officials discovered over 593 pounds (296 kilos) of cocaine in Buenaventura.
Once again, we at AndNowUKnow thank all of the hard-working port officials who work to prevent crimes such as these.
GLENNVILLE, GA - It’s out with the old and in with the new as we head into 2021, with G&R Farms announcing an all-new retail partnership in the spirit of giving. The grower has partnered with Costco and Schnucks Supermarkets to launch its new annual promotion, Season of Giving. G&R will donate funds based on the number of boxes shipped to these retailers, with each chain selecting their own local charity.
“We have been blessed with an increased demand of our sweet onions this year while so many Americans have suffered personal and financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we felt compelled to offer support and give back to the communities we serve,” stated Walt Dasher, Vice President of G&R Farms.
The promotion launched with Costco’s Texas Division on November 16 and will run through December 31, a press release stated. These funds will benefit the local United Way subsidiaries in Costco’s Texas markets. United Way provides health, education, and financial stability to the 1,800 communities it serves in the U.S. and worldwide. A sticker will highlight the promotion on all sweet onion bags, and G&R Farms will conduct PR and social media activities to spread the word.
For Schnucks, the Season of Giving campaign will begin December 1 through December 31 and will benefit Operation Food Search (OFS). OFS distributes more than 35 million dollars’ worth of food and necessities to 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties and in the city of St. Louis. The promotion will include a new secondary merchandising display, tear-off pad, stickers on all sweet onion bags, along with PR and social media activities.
“When we started working with the United Way and Operation Food Search, we realized what a huge difference they are making for so many people in need especially during these very difficult times. That’s when we decided to make this an annual event. Our goal is to increase the size and scope of the Season of Giving promotion each year,” continued Dasher.
With these new merchandising materials in play, G&R’s Season of Giving promotion is sure to drive foot traffic to the onion category. To find out how else our industry leaders are giving back this holiday season, keep an eye out for more reports from ANUK.
BENTONVILLE, AR - We’re heading into one of the busiest times of the year for retailers across the nation, and grocery operations are stacking their deck with new partners in order to succeed. Walmart most recently announced its plans to acquire JoyRun, a last-mile delivery app that will ultimately bolster Walmart’s supply chain operation.
"This acquisition allows us to further augment our team and ongoing efforts to explore even more ways to deliver for customers in the future. For instance, Runners could complement our SPARK program and 3rd Party delivery providers," Srini Venkatesan, Executive Vice President at Walmart Global Tech, wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
The acquisition includes the platform, intellectual property, and staff of JoyRun, all of which was purchased for an undisclosed sum. According to Venkatesan, the app has 30,000 users and roughly 540 retail partners.
When the deal closes—which is expected within a few weeks—Walmart will temporarily shut down the app while it assesses the intellectual property and business model. The app will then be relaunched, and a Walmart spokesperson said that it could be different from the original.
Grocery delivery strategies from Walmart have included drone partnerships, delivery vehicles, and more, so this acquisition is another step toward the retailer’s successful supply chain operation.
Stick with AndNowUKnow as we continue to plumb the depths of the latest in retail.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Whether or not we are ready for the seasons to change, Mother Nature has her own plans, and with them comes the need for companies located in California’s Central Valley to transition their crops to the desert in the southwest. Cal-Organic Farms is one such operation that is preparing to move its bunching greens and lettuce crops from the San Joaquin Valley to the Coachella Valley in the coming weeks. With quality and supply looking ideal, the company expects a successful season with new opportunities to expand production.
“We expect to have our complete line of Cal-Organic vegetables transitioned to the desert in the coming weeks,” explained Bob Borda, Vice President of Sales. “Our crops are harvesting about a week ahead of schedule in both the San Joaquin Valley and Coachella desert which makes for a seamless transition from one region to the next.”
Because the Salinas Valley faced high heat and an extreme fire season in California this year, Bob shares with me that the supply of organic lettuces was tighter than normal. Harvesting in San Joaquin Valley, Coachella Valley, and on their acreage in the Southeast, Cal-Organic is seeing ideal quality and supply for its fall leafy greens and lettuce crops.
“In California, mild late-October weather has led to strong supplies and premium quality across our full line of Cal-Organic vegetables,” continued Bob. “In the Southeast, temperate weather has led to good supplies of bunching greens, herbs, and leaf lettuces.”
Along with the company’s upcoming transition, Cal-Organic will be working to extend its seasons as it looks to continue expanding its organic acreage in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast.
“This is our second year of growing organic crops in the Southeast and we’re looking to broaden this regional portfolio to include a comprehensive lineup of our Cal-Organic vegetables,” said Bob. “Diversifying our growing regions has allowed us to widen availability windows for seasonal commodities and recognize efficiencies that will help us meet increasing demand. It also reduces food miles for our customers and helps us deliver fresh produce to stores faster.”
As fall draws to a close and winter takes its place, AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest updates from across the fresh produce industry.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Exciting news is in the air at McCartney Produce, the fresh produce and specialty foods distributor, as it has announced that it will be joining FreshEdge™ and its family of companies. The addition of McCartney will serve to further diversify the group’s customer base and expand its offerings in the Midwest and Southeast. In joining FreshEdge, McCartney will be welcomed into the fold of companies that include Get Fresh, Indianapolis Fruit, Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh, and Papania’s.
“By teaming up with FreshEdge, McCartney will expand its selection of specialty items and fresh-cut processed products such as fresh salads, sandwiches, and healthy snack items—while continuing to provide its exceptional customer service,” said Raymon Randolph, President of McCartney Produce.
The deal closed on November 18, but terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to a press release. The deal positions the group of companies as one of the largest independent produce and specialty foods distributors in the United States.
“We are pleased to continue to build our family of ‘Best in Class’ fresh food distribution companies that are supported by our collection of vertically integrated value-added operations,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge.
McCartney was founded in 1947 and distributes its products from its facility in Paris, Tennessee. As the company joins FreshEdge, Randolph will continue to lead McCartney as President, and operations will continue from the company’s current location.
“We are excited to have McCartney join the FreshEdge family,” said Greg Corsaro, President of FreshEdge. “We believe combining our operations in Tennessee with McCartney’s strong market presence will enhance FreshEdge’s ability to serve foodservice and retail customers in the South and Southeast.”
FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, a Bethesda, Maryland-based private equity firm. The Firm is known for investing equity capital in already established lower middle-market companies and provides opportunities for management teams to achieve strategic, operation, and financial objectives.
As FreshEdge continues to expand its family of companies, ANUK will keep its fingers on the newswire to bring you updates.
THE E.U. - The value of produce is being spotlighted on the world stage once again. And unfortunately, once again, it is in a political tug-of-war. Earlier this month, the European Union (E.U.) placed tariffs on a number of U.S. items ranging from 15–25 percent, with the latter amount being placed on several produce categories, including grapefruit, sweet potatoes, and table grapes, as well as tractors and orange juice, among other items. The latest list amounts to nearly $4 billion in U.S. goods.
“A 25 percent tariff certainly makes exporting very challenging. We expect some level of impact on our market, but it remains to be seen how great it will be,” April Flowers, Marketing Director for Lone Star Citrus, shared on perceived impacts of the move.
This is the latest in a series of moves related to a dispute between the U.S. and the E.U. over the subsidizing of aircraft production. In response, the Farm Bureau Federation noted in a release that it is frequently the case that U.S. food and agriculture are being “dragged into a dispute that they had nothing to do with.”
In a BBC News report, E.U. Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the E.U. wanted to see both sides remove their respective tariffs and end the ongoing feud between our two countries.
"Removing these tariffs is a win-win for both sides, especially with the pandemic wreaking havoc on our economies," Dombrovskis said, going on to refer to the most recent U.S. Presidential election. "We now have an opportunity to reboot our transatlantic cooperation and work together toward our shared goals."
Will we soon see this hatchet buried? AndNowUKnow will continue to report as we keep our fingers crossed over our keyboards.
WESTBOROUGH, MA - With a year as topsy-turvey as the one we’ve had, it’s always grounding to hear that the industry is carrying on as best it can. The retail landscape has had its fair share of surprises, and BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings is celebrating a positive one. Recently, the retailer announced a record third quarter fiscal 2020 result, citing comparable club sales, excluding gasoline sales, which increased by 18.5 percent.
“The third quarter was another remarkable quarter with robust comp growth, significant market share gains, and record profitability. As we look ahead, we are confident our business will continue to thrive given the structural shift in consumer behavior; our market share gains; and our strategic investments in digital capabilities, membership, assortment, marketing, and geographic expansion,” said Lee Delaney, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our team members across our business are working hard to execute at the highest standards and meet our members’ increased demand for our products and services. We remain grateful for their continued dedication and hard work in helping us drive industry-leading results.”
As noted in its release, the wholesaler’s gross profit increased to $743.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 from $617.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Merchandise gross margin rate, which excludes gasoline sales and membership fee income, increased by 10 basis points over the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Continued execution of the company’s category profitability improvement was offset by distribution costs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Other key takeaways for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 include:
- Income from continuing operations increased by 122.6 percent year-over-year to $122.9 million
- Adjusted EBITDA increased by 57.1 percent year-over-year to $242.2 million
- Net cash provided by operating activities was $802.0 million and free cash flow was $675.1 million
- Operating income increased to $190.4 million, or 5.1 percent of total revenues compared to $100.9 million, or 3.1 percent of total revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2019
For more information, click here for the release.
ANUK will continue to keep you apprised of the latest news, so keep a tab open.
PROVIDENCE, RI - Brandishing the name Master is not to be taken lightly. Several of our industry-leading retailers were recently honored with the title, with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) naming the 30 category winners of its annual Master Marketer competition. In a virtual awards show broadcast on Wednesday, November 18, the company recognized best-in-class marketing efforts by independent grocery retailers served by UNFI’s wholesale distribution business.
“In a year of great change and challenges, we’re proud of how our independent grocers are continuing to make powerful connections with their customers and local communities through effective marketing and merchandising programs,” said UNFI President Chris Testa. “We’re thrilled to continue our Master Marketer awards program, albeit virtually this year, and recognize those grocers who are truly excelling at building their brand, their customer relationships, and their overall business. Congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and to Foster’s for their achievement as this year’s Grand Master Marketer recipient.”
This year, 275 marketing programs were submitted for the 2020 Master Marketer awards which are judged based on the creativity, clarity, and effectiveness of the stores’ marketing efforts. Entries were assessed by professors and grad students from St. Joe’s University, University of Wisconsin, and the University of Minnesota, according to a press release.
The full list of store winners by category is as follows:
Tier 1: Stores 30,000 square feet and smaller
- Website/Social Media: Supervalu, Warren, Arkansas
- Fresh Department: Handy Foods, Ottawa, Illinois
- Natural, Organic, Specialty: Food Bowl Market, San Diego, California
- Extra Effort Advertising: Hall's Great Valu Supermarket, Colonial Beach, Virginia
- Grand Opening/Anniversary: Bill’s IGA, Staunton, Illinois
- Industry Promotion: Babbs Supermarket, Spencer, Indiana
- Public Service/Community: Vintage Grocers, Malibu, California
- Radio Spots: Island Foods, Chincoteague, Virginia
- TV Commercials: Baesler’s Market, Sullivan, Indiana
- Tier 1 Master Marketer: Food Bowl Market, San Diego, California
Tier 2: Stores larger than 30,000 square feet
- Fresh Department: Dorothy Lane Market, Dayton, Ohio
- Natural, Organic, Specialty – Wholesome Choice, Irvine, California
- Grand Opening/Anniversary: Oakes Farms Seed to Table, Naples, Florida
- Extra Effort Advertising: Baesler's Market, Terre Haute, Indiana
- Private Brands: Lynn’s Superfoods, Hardin, Montana
- Industry Promotion: Chris Food Center, Sandstone, Minnesota
- Public Service/Community: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia, Minnesota
- Website/Social Media: North Branch County Market, North Branch, Minnesota
- TV Commercials: Baesler’s Market, Terre Haute, Indiana
- Tier 2 Master Marketer: Oakes Farms Seed to Table, Naples, Florida
Tier 3: Store groups with five or more locations
- Website/Social Media: The Fresh Market, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Fresh Department: Myers Group Corporate, Clinton, Washington
- Natural, Organic, Specialty: Ingles Markets, Black Mountain, North Carolina
- Grand Opening/Anniversary: Coborn’s, Inc., St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Extra Effort Advertising: Foster’s, George Town, Grand Cayman
- Private Brands: Super One Foods, Duluth, Minnesota
- Industry Promotion: Karns, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Public Service/Community: Pay-Less Market Inc., Hagatna, Guam
- Radio Spots: Food Depot, Stockbridge, Georgia
- TV Commercials: CUB, Stillwater, Minnesota
- Tier 3 Master Marketer: Karns, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
In addition to the category winners, Foster’s, a family-owned and operated grocer with five stores and a distribution center on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, was named the 2020 Grand Master Marketer for overall consistent performance over the years.
UNFI associates were given the opportunity to vote for the first-ever Master Marketer Associate’s Choice Award. In this category, 12 nominees in the TV commercial category were given another chance at being recognized for their TV spots. Winning this category was CUB in Stillwater, Minnesota, for its “Chalk Art” TV commercial.
Click here for the full video with Paul Pliachik, Strategic Advisor, and Jeff Swanson, Vice President of Communications and Media Relations, to watch as they discuss the awards.
Congratulations to all of the leading grocers who were awarded!
CHARLOTTE, NC - With more consumers than ever making their way into the kitchen to whip up exciting new recipes for themselves and their families, it seemed like the perfect time for Dole Food Company to announce its “Now We’re (All) Cooking” initiative to encourage aspiring chefs. The most recent virtual event welcomed bloggers and influencers to try their hands at preparing dishes inspired by Disney and Pixar’s film Ratatouille. Taking place on November 12, the virtual cooking class was a success and has inspired Dole to make plans for similar events in the near future.
“As it turns out, going virtual allowed us to share our healthy recipes and cooking tips with aspiring chefs and Dole and Disney fans from California to Connecticut and from Omaha to Las Vegas,” said Nutrition and Health Communications Manager Melanie Marcus, who led the event by walking participants through the recipes. “It also showed the appetite that many families have for being in the kitchen and cooking together, regardless of the pandemic. We’re already planning expanded encore virtual cooking classes for 2021.”
During the class, Marcus helped several dozen participants through the preparation of Little Chef Potato-Leek Soup, the company’s take on the classic dish that started Remy and Linguini’s relationship in the animated film.
According to a press release, the group also took on Oui Oui Wafer Banana Macarons made with DOLE® bananas, kiwi, Mandarin oranges, and vegan cream cheese. Participants were also provided with in-depth knowledge of the collaboration between Dole and Disney which has been in effect since the 1970s.
The recipes that were featured during the virtual class are just two of 20 created by Marcus for Dole’s “Now We’re (All) Cooking” initiative. All recipes are available online along with DIY recipe videos, digital downloads, and other family-friendly activities.
What other events will Dole reveal in the coming months? Keep a tab opened for AndNowUKnow as we bring you the answers.