UNITED KINGDOM - It is with a heavy heart that AndNowUKnow learned of the recent passing of Costco U.K.’s Trading Director Steve Barnett. The retailer’s team expressed extreme sadness over the the death of a retail leader who was crucial to the launch of Costco’s U.K. division in 1993.
“With deep sadness, we want to let everyone know of the passing of Steve Barnett. Steve was a businessman, a tremendous leader, and a very good friend to many at Costco,” a statement from the retailer reads. “His presence and personality will be missed at every level within the company here in the U.K. and across the international Costco team. The impact that Steve has had on Costco U.K. cannot be measured. The buying team’s ethics, drive, and success are as a result of Steve’s leadership. Steve’s fundamental belief in Costco’s ethics and the impact on the welfare of Costco employees and vendors was the focus of his every instruction and continuing development of a sustainable buying program was his passion. It is all about the people, and Costco’s ethics is how he started many presentations to employees, vendors, and conferences, and his actions showed this was true every day.”
Barnett held the Trading Director position for 15 years and also served on the Federation of Wholesale Distributor’s (FWD) council.
“Steve made a massive contribution to both Costco and the wholesale sector’s development over many years and was one of the original Costco team in the U.K. His pride at working for Costco was evident to all who encountered him,” commented FWD Chief Executive Officer James Bielby in a statement. “Suppliers who dealt with Steve knew him as the toughest of negotiators but one who was held in the highest respect, with his dry sense of humor and sense of decency apparent to all. Steve was a great supporter of FWD as the Costco Council representative, and a regular speaker at our conferences and seminars. His insightful contributions and unfailing support were hugely valued by all his fellow FWD members. Steve had a great sense of fun and loved a wind-up, but he was one of the nicest and kindest people in our industry, as well as someone who took a huge interest in the world around him, with some strongly argued but sincerely held opinions on a whole range of issues. Thank you for everything you did for our trade, Steve. You will be missed by us all.”
Barnett leaves behind his wife, Annette, and two children, Jessica and Izzie.
Our condolences go out to Steve Barnett's family and loved ones at this time. We, at AndNowUKnow, are holding a space for you all in our hearts.
WATSONVILLE, CA - As the industry continues to grow, new leaders are needed to help expand and lift companies to new heights. California Giant Berry Farms has found this leader in the way of Kyla Oberman, who has been appointed as the berry purveyor's new Director of Marketing.
“I have admired California Giant both personally and professionally for as long as I can remember and feel fortunate to be joining the team,” said Oberman. “Its dedication to best quality berries and commitment to the community is something I look forward to being a part of.”
Oberman most recently worked as Marketing Manager for Jacobs Farm del Cabo. Before joining Jacobs Farm, Oberman was the Director of Marketing for Tanimura & Antle and the Director of Marketing for Naturipe Farms.
In total, Oberman has over 15 years of fresh produce marketing experience across a variety of categories.
“We have a lot of history working with Kyla over the years,” said Joe Barsi, President. “Kyla started working on the California Giant account when she was an Account Executive at McDill Associates in the early 2000s. She understands our company’s mission, values, and culture.”
According to a press release, as Director of Marketing, Oberman will be responsible for leading the company’s strategic brand and consumer and trade marketing efforts.
“It is an exciting time at California Giant as we build our team for future growth and Kyla is a great addition to our management team,” added Barsi.
Congratulations to Kyla Oberman on her exciting new chapter! Stay with AndNowUKnow as we bring you the freshest news from our industry
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL - It is with a heavy heart that we report a legend in the apple community has recently passed. Tim Byrne, well known for launching several apple varieties into the market, passed away last week. His dedication and passion for the category, as well as his impact on the industry, will long be remembered by everyone in fresh produce.
“He was a friend of mine. Tim was a Chicago city kid who traveled well, learned everything he could, and lived for a good meal with a great glass of wine. He enjoyed the freedom that comes to many during life in your early 20s, going to school a bit and living a lot. He ‘went corporate’ with Philip Morris for a number of years and enjoyed a successful career while honing his chops in management,” said Chris Sandwick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hess Brothers Packing. “Tim bounced into the apple business and found a new home with Pepin Heights in Minnesota. While there, he ran a pick-your-own operation, managed wholesale sales for the company, and grabbed a tiger by the tail when Pepin decided to go ‘all in’ on an unknown variety called Honeycrisp. It was through the growth of that variety that Tim befriended growers all over the world. They all mourn his loss together.”
Byrne’s third act saw him become a guidance counselor to the industry as a new generation of managed varieties materialized. His innate intelligence and ridiculous passion for paperwork served him well as he learned the world of Intellectual Property Law. He helped establish NBT: A Grower’s Cooperative and served as its first President, launching SweeTango apples in the U.S. and working with plant breeding programs all over the world.
He had a particular love for the land and people of New Zealand. Byrne worked with that country’s Honeycrisp growers as they found their footing and later helped launch the Koru variety while working with New York Apple Sales.
“Tim was a kind and caring person who had a tremendous knowledge of the apple industry. Tim was a great asset to our company and guided us as we entered into the managed variety segment of the apple industry,” added Kaari Standard, President and Owner of Yes! Apples, New York Apple Sales, Inc.
Byrne brought intelligence, passion, and joy to the apple industry. He is missed, but those qualities remain through those of us who were fortunate enough to learn from him.
“Whether you were a customer, an employee, a colleague, or a friend, Tim Byrne was something special to you,” continued Sandwick. “I was all of them. Cheers, Tim.”
On behalf of all of us here at AndNowUKnow, Tim Byrne’s light will not be forgotten and he will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to all of his family and loved ones during this time.
LAKELAND, FL - Forty-four years of dedicated service tends to make a strong impression. And Joe DiBenedetto, retired Atlanta Division Vice President, is an industry vet Publix sees at the top of his game. During its annual stockholders’ meeting earlier today, the retailer announced DiBenedetto was elected to its Board of Directors.
According to a press release, DiBenedetto began his Publix career in 1975 as a front service clerk in Cape Coral, Florida. After working in different capacities throughout the company’s operating area, he was promoted to Regional Director in 1995 and to Atlanta Division Vice President in 2011. He retired at the end of 2019.
“We are pleased to have Joe rejoin the Publix family in a different capacity,” said Chairman of the Board Ed Crenshaw. “His more than 44 years of Publix experience, including being instrumental in the continued growth and success of our Atlanta Division, will make him a strong addition to our Board.”
DiBenedetto also served on the Georgia Food Industry Association’s Board of Directors from 2011 through 2019.
The announcement also included the retiring of Tom Hough from the Board after five years of dedicated service.
“We are thankful for Tom’s service to our board,” said Crenshaw. “His strong financial background helped support our continued growth, and his dedication to community service supported our focus on giving back.”
Hough spent 36 years at London-based Ernst & Young before retiring in 2014, joining Publix's Board shortly after in April of 2015.
Congratulations to both these veterans on their newest chapters! Stay up-to-date on all retail and fresh produce-related news with AndNowUKnow.
PHOENIX, AZ - Seasoned retail veteran Gilliam Phipps is joining Sprouts Farmers Market’s C-suite team as its new Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. Effective April 14, 2020, Phipps will be stepping up to oversee the organic grocer’s marketing, advertising, customer engagement, and private label teams.
“I am extremely humbled to join Sprouts, a brand that I’ve long admired for innovation and purpose,” said Phipps. “Providing communities access to healthy, affordable foods is more important today than ever before, and I look forward to helping the brand connect even further with customers nationwide in meaningful ways with the products they need and desire.”
Phipps brings to his new role over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, branding, and product/private label development with mega-retail brands like Kroger, H-E-B, and, on the supply-side, Hormel Foods. Most recently, according to a press release, he served as Vice President of Branding, Marketing, and “Our Brands” at Kroger, whose team he first joined in 2012 as Vice President of “Our Brands.”
Phipps’ grocery industry experience also includes over 11 years with H-E-B, where he held various positions including Director of “Own Brand.” While with the Texas-based retailer, Phipps oversaw branding, innovation, product development, packaging, and design.
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome Gil to the Sprouts team,” said Jack Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer and who Phipps will report to directly. “The experience Gil brings will be instrumental in shaping Sprouts’ long-term strategy to build brand awareness and loyalty with our core shopper, including strengthening and defining our private label business.”
Phipps earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin.
Congratulations to Gilliam Phipps on his new, exciting role!
SEATTLE, WA - Our industry has come a long way in the world of online shopping, few so far as Amazon. Once known almost solely for its book delivery, it has expanded its portfolio and continues to do so into fresh produce. With the current demands of today's coronavirus changing the way consumers shop, Amazon is evolving further by ramping up its personnel while its affiliates implement increased safety protocols and resources.
According to Amazon's COVID-19 Blog, the company announced it is planning on hiring 75,000 more team members in order to fill the surging need for delivery and warehouse stocking.
According to an update on Amazon’s site, the e-tailer also listed several new ways it’s getting groceries to shoppers during the COVID-19 crisis, including:
- Temporary changes to in-store offerings, which include no longer allowing personal, reusable containers, no self-serve offerings or sampling, and seating areas are temporarily unavailable
- Expanded Whole Foods Market grocery pickup from roughly 80 stores to more than 150 and will continue to expand grocery pickup in the coming weeks
- Adjusted store hours for select Whole Foods Market locations to focus exclusively on fulfilling online grocery orders during this time
- Since March 16, hired more than 100,000 people, including for grocery delivery
- Invested more than $500 million to support employees and partners during the crisis
- Opened its Woodland Hills, California, grocery store as a temporary online-only store, focused exclusively on fulfilling grocery delivery orders.
- Implemented a waitlist for Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods delivery
In the coming weeks, Amazon announced it will launch a new feature that will allow customers to secure time to shop. This feature will give delivery customers a virtual “place in line” and will allow the e-tailer to distribute the delivery windows on a first-come, first-served basis.
As more news comes to light in the retail and fresh produce space, keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Enlisting shoppers for delivery is becoming a regular practice as consumers work to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus. These delivery shoppers are on the frontlines, and many retailers are implementing new measures to protect the health and safety of their customers and team members alike. Target is one such company, making some safety announcements earlier this month and teasing that its same-day grocery delivery service, Shipt, has hired an additional 70,000 shoppers.
“We’re incredibly proud of the commitment our more than 350,000 frontline team members have demonstrated to ensure millions of guests can count on Target, and we’ll continue to focus our efforts on supporting them,” said John Mulligan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Target. “The measures we’re announcing today are aimed at ensuring we are creating a safe environment for the guests who continue to turn to Target, while also providing our team with additional resources as they fulfill an essential service in communities across the country.”
According to the news source StarTribune, Shipt shoppers are independent contractors, and the company expects its fleet to reach roughly 200,000 in the coming weeks.
This new format is highly relied upon by consumers these days, and Target is working to ensure all who seek out this service are guaranteed a timely delivery window.
“Our shoppers have been delivering record volumes to our customers, yet we know many are finding it difficult to use our services due to high demand,” said Shipt CEO Kelly Caruso, explaining that the company plans to double its delivery fleet by the end of the month.
Keep an eye out for reports from ANUK as more news surrounding the coronavirus comes to light.
CALIFORNIA - Education is key during a time of uncertainty, and many in our industry are seeking more resources as they come to better understand the COVID-19 pandemic. The Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) is working to ensure the continued distribution of knowledge, launching innovative webinars to discuss strategies to improve the safety of leafy greens.
“The leafy greens community is focused on providing the safest leafy greens possible—and we want produce buying companies to understand what is being done during the COVID-19 situation as well as how they can get more involved in the LGMA food safety practice update process,” said April Ward, Communications Director.
The association is inviting foodservice and retail buyers to join in on the conversation, promoting a level understanding across the supply chain with its webinars. You can still register for the Webinar!
Through the process of sound science, best practices, and stringent government audits, LGMA plans to continue its important food safety role even during this time of COVID-19 precautions.
Tune in to reports from AndNowUKnow to contribute to the continued education of our industry.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - There’s nothing quite like a vibrant orange carrot to brighten up a dreary day. Grimmway Farms’ carrots have been spreading even more joy as of late as the grower recently donated fresh carrots to support Kern County residents and California food banks during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
“Grimmway is uniquely positioned to provide produce to families and frontline workers during this challenging time, and we’re working with state and local organizations to ensure fresh food is available to those in need,” said Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms. “We’re all working toward a common goal to keep our communities safe, and we’re committed to seeing this through together.”
Huckaby delivered baby carrot snack packs to six hospitals and numerous clinics throughout Bakersfield. According to a press release, Grimmway’s donation will provide vitamin-rich carrots to aid healthcare workers fighting on the front lines at Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health, Bakersfield Heart Hospital, Kern Medical, and Mercy Hospitals in downtown and southwest Bakersfield.
“Grimmway is a leader of social responsibility in this community, and we are honored to partner with [the grower] during this time,” shared the Friends of Mercy Foundation through a Facebook post.
Last week, the company committed to supporting the establishment of pop-up grocery stores on the Memorial, Mercy, and Adventist Health hospital campuses. These temporary stores will provide healthcare staff with food and household items that they can access quickly and safely on site, including fresh produce donated by Grimmway and other local producers.
The company is also sending twice-weekly shipments of baby carrots and whole carrots to the Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank and delivered truckloads of produce to Fresno, Oakland, Fairfield, Sacramento, and San Francisco through the California Association of Food Banks’ (CAFB) Farm to Family program. Grimmway’s food bank donation supplies carrots that will feed thousands of families throughout California.
“Thank you Jeff Huckaby and Grimmway Farms for your immediate response to a plea to help California food banks meet the significant increase in demand,” said Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
A single serving of carrots provides more than half of the daily recommended value of vitamin A, a powerful micronutrient that supports the immune system. If you are a California grower or broker with surplus produce, Grimmway Farms encourages you to connect with Kate Haefke via email at the CAFB Farm to Family program.
To all our valued industry friends, thank you for continuously spreading joy throughout local communities. Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more fresh produce news.
FRESNO, CA - Despite the challenging times across our industry, I continue to hear stories about struggles met with enormous amounts of support, communities coming together, and companies taking the initiative to keep the health of their teams top of mind. Fowler Packing is taking care of its family of team members this month by assembling and dispersing 1,250 grocery boxes for them and their families.
“We believe it is our people that make Fowler Packing so special,” CEO Justin Parnagian, shares with me. “We are so thankful for their hard work in helping to deliver the nation’s food supply, particularly during these stressful times. Our employees’ health and wellbeing has, and always will be, a priority for us.”
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Fowler Packing felt the need to expand ways to help its employees during this incredibly difficult time. As an essential business, Justin tells me that Fowler’s employees have continued to show up to work while they face uncertainties and changes in their daily lives.
“Children are home, loved ones have lost their jobs, and the health of their families are always a concern of ours,” Justin expresses. “We wanted to support them in meaningful ways. We began with a wage increase and the following week we purchased, assembled, and dispersed those grocery boxes for our employees and their families. Our goal was to provide staple items for the family that may not be easily accessible due to work shifts and availability in grocery stores.”
The grocery boxes included bread, rice, beans, tortillas, apples, milk, and chicken breasts.
Fowler’s message to its employees is deep and meaningful: Their safety and well-being continue to be the company’s first priority and the team has implemented strict precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus while reinforcing those guidelines daily.
“We thank them for their relentless hard work during these difficult times,” Justin says. “We know that many of them have been grappling with changes in their daily lives and continue to show up to work, which is truly admirable. Because of their round-the-clock efforts, we have been able to continue supplying the nation with safe and healthy fruits.”
As an industry, we have to come together to feed America, Justin notes. The agricultural industry is essential and vital to the health and well-being of our nation.
“During these stressful times, we are quickly reminded what the true priorities are in life. We have a remarkable role as an industry to help families put nutritious foods on the table and support our local communities for those who can’t afford to do so,” he reflects.
Strategic investments happen at the heart level as much asat the bottom line. Thank you to all those companies engaging in the health of their teams, our industry, and the public at large!