LAKELAND, FL - Grocers have been at the front lines since the impact of COVID-19 became felt nationwide. In order to ensure that shoppers and workers are safe, Publix announced last Friday that it is rolling out contactless pay across its entire store network, including its GreenWise Market banner.
“In these unprecedented times, we recognized the need to make our customers’ trips to our stores faster and more efficient,” said Chief Executive Officer Todd Jones in a statement. “By expediting this payment option, we will help customers reduce contact with commonly used surfaces like PIN pads.”
A contactless payment is made by placing a smartphone or contactless pay-enabled credit or debit card near a contactless-enabled device, rather than swiping or inserting a card into the PIN pad. The most commonly known forms of contactless payments are Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Alongside this initiative, Publix has also enacted the following to keep its workforce and customers safe:
- Increased sanitization efforts through frequent and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces like carts, door handles, PIN pads, ATMs, and vending machines
- Started installing plexiglass shields at all cash registers, pharmacies, and customer service counters
- Reduced store hours to allow extra time for store cleaning and preventive sanitation
- Designated shopping hours for customers ages 65 and over to better support the senior population
- Installed signs, marked distances on the floor where customers line up, and initiated intercom announcements to remind customers to maintain the recommended 6-foot distance between themselves and other shoppers
- Provided store associates in non-food handling roles, such as cashiers, baggers, and pharmacy clerks, the option to wear gloves and masks
- Implemented emergency pandemic pay for full- and part-time associates who show symptoms of, are diagnosed with, are caring for someone diagnosed with, or are self-quarantined due to COVID-19
Publix is not the only retailer rolling out contactless options. Walmart too has enacted a no-contact initiative for its shoppers, as well as a no-contact pickup and delivery system.
As more innovations pop up, AndNowUKnow will continue to report back to you on the latest.
KINGSVILLE, ON - A strong passion and a deep appreciation for the regions in which we live are both hallmarks of our industry. For Mastronardi Produce®, giving back to the community that it calls home has always been something that the fourth-generation, family-owned company holds close to its heart. With the importance of community at the core of their values, the team is rallying support for the Tomato Capital of Canada with the announcement that the recently built amphitheater located in Leamington will be named SUNSET® Stadium.
“This was an easy decision for us. Since my great-grandfather first purchased a farm on Oak Street 70 years ago, our roots have been here in Leamington,” Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce, shared. “This is a way to give back to the community that has given us so much support and has helped us grow into who we are today.”
The outdoor theater is located near the shores of Lake Erie in Seacliff Park and features a concrete pad with capacity for 300 people and grass seating for 5,700. It hosts a range of special events, concerts, and celebrations, and provides a hub for the community to come together.
This recent effort is one of many that mark the relationships with the community that Mastronardi Produce has cultivated, having donated millions of pounds of fresh produce to local charitable organizations such as food banks, community shelters, and school nutrition programs over the years. Purchasing the naming rights to the amphitheater is just one of many meaningful philanthropic initiatives the company has undertaken for its local community, according to a press release.
Mastronardi Produce has been a leading participant in community events that support foundations such as the MS Society of Canada and Autism Ontario and has also hosted many of its own community events to support local youth and promote the greenhouse industry. These events include a week-long camp adventure for local youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend camp—dubbed CAMP-ARI—and Sliced Leamington, a live cooking competition for both youth and adults.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Mastronardi Produce,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “Mastronardi Produce is a great community leader, and we are proud to associate our waterfront jewel with a trusted national brand like SUNSET®. We look forward to working with the Mastronardi Produce team to continue to enhance entertainment experiences along our waterfront for Leamington residents and visitors alike.”
Congratulations to Mastronardi Produce and the surrounding Leamington communities for leading by example, year in and year out!
PEACH COUNTY, GA - Georgia Peach growers are anxiously awaiting first harvest of what is shaping up to be the best crop in years. Harvest is expected to begin around the 15th of May and continue through the 15th of August. Following last year’s bumper crop, consumers are eagerly awaiting the quintessential summertime fruit.
With the current situation surrounding COVID-19, many retailers are expecting a huge lift in southern peach sales this summer.
“Many are touting fresh peaches as the feel-good fruit of the summer. With these uncertain times, we’re glad to be able to support our peach partners throughout the summer season. Everyone needs a taste of familiar comfort these days and we’re ready to bring back some normalcy to consumers nationwide with the juicy, healthy and unmatched flavor of a Georgia peach,” says Will McGehee, Partner with Genuine Georgia.
Genuine Georgia expects to pack nearly 3 million boxes of Georgia Peaches during the summer months. Offering convenient Grab-and-Go 2-pound bags as well as fresh peaches sold loose by the pound or the each.
“Retailers have the opportunity to merchandise peaches according to their shopper’s preference,” said Duke Lane III.
2020 Genuine Georgia partners can look forward to customized marketing support programs featuring everything from digital ad programs, social media support campaigns, a dietitian toolkit and customer specific merchandisers highlighting sweet Georgia Peaches.
Sweet Georgia peaches are a nutritional powerhouse of health. A medium peach packs more than 20 different macro and micronutrients, including fiber, vitamins A, C, E, potassium, and zinc. They are also naturally free of fat, sodium, cholesterol, gluten, and trans fats. The orange-yellow hue of peaches is a cue that they’re an excellent source of beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that’s converted to vitamin A. In fact, a medium peach (1 cup slices) has about 500 IU of vitamin, equal to about 10% of the Daily Value for this nutrient. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for optimal growth, bone health and vision.
For more information about the Genuine Georgia Group or to partner for the 2020 season, go to www.genuinega.com or call 478.822.9210.
NORTH AMERICA - Retail’s latest development in navigating the COVID-19 concerns includes an innovative solution to social distancing challenges in grocery stores. Sector leaders like Ohio-based Kroger and Canadian-based Loblaw recently announced that they each are testing one-way shopping lanes within stores.
This new concept “further encourages physical and social distancing,” said Kristal Howard, Head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at Kroger, according to Cincinnati Business Courier.
Aiming to maintain the vital six-foot distance between shoppers and workers, the retailer has not yet announced where it will be testing this concept.
Although not many details were released, we know that in this new format, shoppers can only move through grocery aisles in one direction.
Loblaw is piloting a similar system in addition to limiting its customers within stores and banning reusable bag use. According to news source Daily Hive, this no backtracking format is expected to mitigate the spread of the virus.
We at ANUK can’t help but wonder who will be next to adapt this innovative concept. To find out, keep a tab open for us as we continue bringing you the latest news.
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Southern Sun LLC for failing to meet its contractual obligations issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The New Jersey-based company allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 14 produce sellers in the amount of $744,685 from February 2018 through November 2018.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Southern Sun LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to the PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For further information, contacts, and to read the press release in its entirety, please click the link here.
BELDING, MI - With spring now in bloom for us in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s a feeling in the air of fresh renewals. As leaders in the industry step forward to continue growing and strengthening the produce community, one such leader, in particular, is shaping a new path. Nicholas Mascari is assuming the role of President of BelleHarvest Sales. With a shared vision for the future of the company, Nicholas took a moment to share with me the plans he and his new team has in store.
“The company is an outstanding apple marketer with an excellent reputation in the industry, and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this fantastic team,” Nicholas commented on the new sales venture. “My decision to accept this position at BelleHarvest was straightforward and based on the sheer fact that our vision and core values aligned with each other for the growers, shippers, valued partners, and the future of our industry.”
Previously, Nicholas was the President of Applewood Fresh Growers. According to a press release, he transitioned from that position on March 3, 2020. Now, he will work closely with Milt Fuehrer, Chief Executive Officer of BelleHarvest, and the leadership team to execute their shared vision. The new sales team is a joint venture between BelleHarvest and MI Fresh. Nicholas further stated he looks forward to working with his partners and is eager to expand and explore valuable relationships.
"It's been my honor to lead Applewood Fresh through this exciting period of growth and change. I'm very proud of everything I accomplished as the leader of the company and look forward to my new endeavor,” he stated when asked on his transition. “Be assured that you can expect the same commitment and dedication from me, with additional support from a top sales, marketing, growing, and packing team. Regardless of the products we sell, we want our business to provide benefits and solve our valued partner's problems with solutions that help businesses grow. We understand that a company's most valuable asset is its base of loyal customers!”
We at AndNowUKnow wish Nicholas Mascari the best on his new adventure! For more insights, updates, and news in the industry, keep an eye out for us in your inbox.
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI - It’s not every day one receives the “Best in Show” honor. So, when we found out that Good Foods, a category leader of dips and good-for-you products, had been named “Best in Show” by Taste of Home magazine, we at ANUK were more than elated! Good Foods’ Chunky Guacamole was awarded the title in a taste test against eight other guacamole brands.
“We’re so proud of the work we’ve done to perfect our Chunky Guacamole, and are honored to be recognized by Taste of Home magazine as 'Best in Show',” said Danyel O’Connor, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our company is passionate about providing fresh, quality products and it’s exciting to hear about people loving the product as much as we do.”
According to a press release, the eight brands were judged by editors of the magazine in a taste test that scored the brands against the following criteria: flavor, texture, and appearance.
“When it comes to the best guacamole from the store, the testers agreed that Good Foods was the tastiest of them all. This premade guac looked homemade and fresh coming out of the container. When we dipped in chip after chip, we were happy to find chunks of avocado, bits of tomato, and just the right amount of cilantro. As someone who is not the biggest fan of cilantro, I can assure you, anti-cilantro folks out there will still enjoy this one. Another bonus here was the guac had the right amount of lime and salt—something other brands really seemed to struggle with,” Taste of Home stated. “In the end, Good Foods was crowned our favorite. By the end of the test, this bowl was absolutely clean and that’s truly the best marker of good guacamole.”
Congratulations to Good Foods! For more exciting recognitions and industry updates, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CORONA, CA - As the industry evolves, new business relationships continue to form to meet the demands of the market. Recently, Veg-Fresh Farms announced an exclusive partnership with Doc’s Organics, which operates out of Imperial County, California. To bolster the move, Veg-Fresh is also welcoming a new face to the team.
“As a result of this exclusive partnership, we have added Jose Valdivia to Veg-Fresh as the key team member to work directly with Doc’s Organics, as he has worked closely with Doc’s for many years,” said Jacob Gracia, Director of Citrus at Veg-Fresh Farms.
According to a press release, Valdivia has been in the citrus industry for over 20 years working out of California's San Diego County with organic lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.
This exclusive partnership between two family-owned businesses that share similar values and a passion for produce will allow Veg-Fresh to provide its customers with high-quality organic citrus.
Doc’s currently has 700 acres of organic citrus that includes lemons, grapefruits, minneolas, and limes, and a packing facility that includes five buildings for a combined 40,000 square feet.
“Our facility uses some of the most modern methods of washing, sorting, sizing, and packaging so that we can provide customers with our key values—organic integrity and consistent quality of products,” stated Gina Dockstader, Owner of Doc’s Organics.
For more amazing partnership news, fresh faces, and produce updates in our industry, keep checking back with us on AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased from. The California-, Florida-, New Jersey-, and Texas-based businesses failed to pay reparations amounting to $125,768, issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). This will result in the suspension of their PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- John Lee, Jr., doing business as Produce Perfection, operating out of Vernon, California, for failing to pay a $17,228, award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, John S. Lee, Jr., was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- AM Group Inc., operating out of Fresno, California, for failing to pay a $78,874 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Christopher Kim was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
- V & M Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Tampa, Florida, for failing to pay an $18,973 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Emilia Merchan was listed as a member or manager of the business.
- New York Produce Inc., operating out of Secaucus, New Jersey, for failing to pay a $2,394 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Elio Valdivia was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
- Start Produce Inc., operating out of San Antonio, Texas, for failing to pay a $8,299 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Rohen Pimentel was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in the USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
For further information, contacts, and to read the press release in its entirety, please visit the link here.
WATSONVILLE, CA - The California Strawberry Commission will kick off its 2020 consumer “Snack with Heart” campaign this spring, aimed at connecting the heart of strawberry farmers with the heart of consumers.
Using social and digital media, combined with influencer partnerships and national media outreach, the program is designed to demonstrate the heart behind California strawberry farming, elevate the health benefits of California strawberries and amplify the versatile ways consumers celebrate and love fresh and frozen strawberries throughout the year.
Day in the Life Video Series
Consumers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart and passion behind growing nearly 90 percent of the nation’s strawberries through a new video series designed to spotlight real stories of California strawberry farmers and farm workers. This series will be accessed via www.californiastrawberries.com and the @castrawberries social media platforms. The site is now also available in Spanish.
#Snackwith♥ Challenge
Designed to tap into the love people have for strawberries, consumers can enter the “Snack with heart” challenges during peak strawberry season which runs April through August. By posting their unique strawberry snacks on Instagram, tagged with #snackwith♥challenge, consumers will have opportunities throughout the summer to win premium prizes, including the end-of-summer cash grand prizes of $1500, $1000, $750.
Elevating Strawberry Health Benefits
The Commission will continue to elevate the health benefits of strawberries throughout the year and promote the latest nutrition research news.
Retailer Outreach
New this year, is a California Strawberries retail newsletter with key insights to help retailers stay in the know regarding crop forecasting, consumer promotions, category information, nutrition facts and more.
For more information in both English and Spanish, visit CaliforniaStrawberries.com and follow California Strawberries on Instagram.