US Foods Reports $400M Gain in First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023; Dave Flitman and Dirk Locascio Comment



ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp. revealed the results for the first quarter fiscal year 2023 recently. In it, the foodservice distributor detailed its net sales increased 9.5 percent, or a $400 million increase, from $7.8 billion to $8.5 billion.

Dave Flitman, Chief Executive Officer, US Foods (Photo credit: Business Wire)“We are encouraged by our start to the year as US Foods delivered strong financial results again this quarter, demonstrating continued execution against our long-range plan,” said Dave Flitman, Chief Executive Officer. “We grew total case volume by nearly 6 percent and independent restaurant case volume by 8 percent, while improving our cost structure and profitability. For the quarter, we grew Adjusted EBITDA by 40 percent and expanded Adjusted EBITDA margin by 80 basis points. I am excited about the significant opportunity ahead, and I am highly confident that executing our strategic priorities will position US Foods for long-term success.”

As noted in the release, net income available to common shareholders was $75 million, an improvement of $91 million compared to the prior year.

US Foods revealed its results for the first quarter fiscal year 2023 recently, reporting net sales increased 9.5 percent, or $400 million, from $7.8 billion to $8.5 billion

Adjusted EBITDA was $337 million, an increase of $96 million or 39.8 percent, compared to the prior year.

Dirk Locascio, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, US Foods“We’re very pleased with what we accomplished during the first quarter,” added Dirk Locascio, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Net sales were $8.5 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 9.5 percent over the prior year, driven by case volume growth and inflation. We also drove strong gross profit growth of 19 percent again in the first quarter, which was well above growth in operating expenses. Importantly, we meaningfully reduced our net leverage compared to both the first and fourth quarter 2022 and repurchased $34 million in shares as part of our $500 million repurchase program. Based on the significant momentum we continue to drive against our long-range plan, we are reaffirming our full year 2023 guidance.”

The distributor also noted its total case volume increased 5.7 percent from the prior year, driven by an 8.1 percent increase in independent restaurant case volume.

For more information, check out the release here.

ANUK will keep an eye on the wires for more updates in our industry.

US Foods


Four Star Fruit Names Justin Dixon as Director of Imports; Jack Campbell Comments



DELANO, CA - Four Star Fruit is ending our week with an exciting announcement, unveiling the recent appointment of Justin Dixon. Stepping in as the provider’s newest Director of Imports, Dixon will play an integral role in expanding Four Star's worldwide growing presence and establishing sustainable partnerships.

Justin Dixon, Director of Imports, Four Star Fruit“I am thrilled to join the Four Star Fruit team and undertake this new responsibility,” said Dixon. “Alongside our growth expansion plans, we want to enhance our value to customers by adding commodities to our portfolio outside of table grapes, such as citrus and stonefruit. As we look into the future, this step will be a significant milestone on our journey toward becoming a fully integrated supplier.”

Dixon settles into this vital role with extensive sales and leadership experience. In his most recent role, he served as a Sales Representative in Kingsburg Orchard’s stonefruit department.

Four Star Fruit has named Justin Dixon as its newest Director of Imports

According to a press release, Dixon’s track record in the produce industry has prepared him to lead Four Star Fruit's efforts to expand its presence globally, which will bolster a year-round program and provide the next level of service for its customers.

Jack Campbell, President, Four Star Fruit“Justin is a highly experienced, strategic thinker and brings considerable value to the Four Star Fruit sales team,” commented Jack Campbell, President. “We are pleased to welcome Justin to our team and look forward to seeing him lead and expand our import department.”

As the release went on to note, the distinguished table grape supplier is confident that Dixon’s expertise and leadership will contribute to its continued success by driving the overall business strategy and enabling greater innovation, giving the company a competitive edge.

Congrats to Justin Dixon on this new role! For more fresh produce updates, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow.

Four Star Fruit


DMA Solutions Provides Marketing Tune-Up Insights; Jordan Confer Details



DALLAS, TX - Marketing! Whether you’re in the marketing department or you’re reaping the benefits your marketing team provides, this branch is essential for any industry. DMA Solutions, our industry’s produce marketing whiz, has just the tips and tricks to spice up your strategy.

Jordan Confer, Communications Manager, DMA Solutions“...With growing to-do lists and meeting-filled days, it’s easy to hit ‘autopilot’ on marketing activities and let them coast by without a proper tune-up or refresh,” wrote Jordan Confer, Communications Manager, in DMA Solutions’ latest blog post, detailing the five signs that it’s time for a marketing tune-up.

What are some things to keep in mind? Confer noted that they could be:

  • Your messaging isn’t clear
  • Your social media communities aren’t growing
  • You can’t remember the last time you distributed a press release
  • Your website isn’t updated
  • Your photography/recipes are out of date

DMA Solutions has shared some useful tips and tricks to give your marketing strategy a tune-up

Don’t fret! DMA has your back to liven up your marketing plan and bring you front and center in the produce aisles. Check out the post now to find the ways to breathe new life into your messaging and communications.

Keep an eye out for more insights from our industry with ANUK on your screen.

DMA Solutions


Limoneira Enters Exclusive Licensing Relationship With Apeel Sciences; Harold Edwards, John Carter, and James Rogers Comment



SANTA PAULA, CA - Maximized shelf-life and return on investment are in store for Limoneira, as the citrus maven has announced a new partnership. Partnering with Apeel Sciences, the company has entered into an exclusive licensing relationship to protect lemons across its supply chain with Apeel’s innovative coating technology.

Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, Limoneira“We are excited to be working with Apeel to generate greater supply chain flexibility, maintain higher quality lemons, decrease costs, and reduce waste, all to the benefit of our growers, customers, shoppers, and the environment,” said Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira. “Since 1893, Limoneira has been a leader in the ‘what’s next’ category, and we see offering Apeel-protected lemons as a truly natural next step to continue delivering the World’s Best Lemons.”

Through this partnership, Limoneira will protect lemons across its supply chain with Apeel’s coating technology.

Partnering with Apeel Sciences, the company has entered into an exclusive licensing relationship to protect lemons across its supply chain with Apeel’s innovative coating technology

By allowing citrus to retain its quality for longer, Apeel’s solution improves Limoneira’s strategic position for market opportunities with retail and foodservice customers demanding a more sustainable approach to providing high-quality lemons.

James Rogers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Apeel Sciences“Apeel’s technology brings with it a new set of opportunities for the category and Limoneira’s customers,” said James Rogers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apeel Sciences. “Growers working with Limoneira can expect access to new channels of distribution, Retailers can expect energy and cost savings during warehousing and distribution, and Consumers can expect an experience they need to see to believe. We are excited about the near-term, but also for the longer term, as we are establishing a foundation for continuous incremental improvements driven by the collective efforts of our like-minded companies.”

During product trials conducted by Limoneira, Apeel-protected lemons demonstrated a significant difference in quality compared to other coatings, exhibiting reduced water loss, shrivel, and color change or “bronzing.”

John Carter, Vice President of Citrus, Limoneira“The supply chain ultimately ends at the shopper’s countertop and the restaurant table, where quality acts as a positive reinforcement to where the shopper makes their purchases,” added John Carter, Vice President of Citrus for Limoneira. “Utilizing Apeel provides the opportunity to have a better first impression and more importantly to have a greater ‘lasting impression’ which benefits all stakeholders.”

Click here to read more about this cutting-edge alliance.

As more partnerships are formed to uncover strategic fresh produce advancements, ANUK will be here to report.

Limoneira


Kira Pocedic and Wajih Rekik Detail SUNSET® Partnership With Terra Delyssa for National Salad Month



KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - May is a celebrated month. We have Mother’s Day, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Barbecue Month, and…National Salad Month! SUNSET® is getting in on the celebration as it recently partnered with Terra Delyssa for a delicious consumer campaign. The dynamic duo will be taking over Instagram with a team of collaborators to inspire shoppers to eat fresh.

Kira Pocedic, Brand Manager, Mastronardi Produce®“SUNSET and Terra Delyssa are very like-minded; we focus on flavor, innovation, quality, and healthy living,” Kira Pocedic, Brand Manager for Mastronardi Produce®, tells me. “We’re excited to inspire consumers to eat healthy with creative recipes highlighting our Wild Wonders tomatoes and Terra Delyssa’s 100 percent Tunisian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.”

Throughout the month of May, SUNSET and Terra Delyssa will launch recipe video content on Instagram and a consumer sweepstakes for a chance to win the ultimate salad prize pack, courtesy of both brands.

“Being partnered with a like-minded brand with shared values helps drive awareness and trial for both brands, which in turn drives sales,” continues Kira. “Wild Wonders is a gourmet mix of colors, sizes, shapes, and flavors from all around the world. It is the number one selling medley brand in the market, and Terra Delyssa olive oil is an award-winning product. It’s exciting to see this campaign unfold, and we look forward to future collaborations with Terra Delyssa.”

SUNSET® recently partnered with Terra Delyssa to celebrate National Salad Month with a consumer campaign, featuring delicious recipes created by Instagram collaborators

Starting this week, consumers seeking fresh inspiration will feast on healthy content from Blake Menard, Maggie Michalcyzk, Liz Della Croce, and Joni Gomes. The delectable partnership brings creative and flavorful recipes to the platform, enticing consumers to grab a big salad bowl or plate and dig into new ways of eating fresh.

Wjih Rekik, Chief Executive Officer, CHO America“Partnering with SUNSET for National Salad Month was a natural fit for us,” said Wajih Rekik, Chief Executive Officer of CHO America, home of Terra Delyssa. “We share the same passion for providing consumers with high-quality, healthy, and delicious ingredients. Our extra virgin olive oil complements the fresh taste of Wild Wonders tomatoes perfectly.”

Check out @sunsetgrown and @terradelyssa and inspire your shoppers to grab a bit more green throughout National Salad Month! As always, keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow to bring you more updates.

SUNSET®


Grocery Outlet Reports First Quarter Results; RJ Sheedy Comments



EMERYVILLE, CA - With each new day comes an opportunity to win over shoppers. It seems Grocery Outlet has taken advantage of that opportunity, reporting that it had gained new customers in its recent fiscal first quarter 2023 report. For the quarter ended April 1, 2023, Grocery Outlet reported that net sales increased by 16.1 percent to $965.5 million.

RJ Sheedy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Grocery Outlet"Our first quarter performance exceeded expectations driven by strong same-store sales results, gross margin expansion, and bottom-line leverage," said RJ Sheedy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are encouraged by the growth in transactions as we are attracting new customers and our existing customers are shopping with us more often. We are delivering on our mission of Touching Lives for the Better and we continue to execute our strategic growth initiatives to maximize long-term shareholder value."

According to a press release, comparable store sales for the first quarter increased by 12.1 percent, driven by a 7.9 percent increase in the number of transactions combined with a 3.9 percent increase in average transaction size.

For the quarter ended April 1, 2023, Grocery Outlet reported that net sales increased by 16.1 percent to $965.5 million

Other highlights from the report include:

  • The company opened three new stores, ending the quarter with 444 stores in eight states
  • Net income increased 18.5 percent to $13.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased by 36.9 percent to $63.1 million
  • Adjusted net income increased by 40.7 percent to $27.0 million, or $0.27 per adjusted diluted share

For more details from the report, click here.

Stay tuned for more retail news straight from ANUK.

Grocery Outlet


Arable Capital Partners Names Tim Stejskal Operating Partner; Greg Richards and Derek Yurosek Detail



BELLEVUE, WA - A new partner is joining the Arable Capital Partners team in the form of Tim Stejskal. He will be taking on the new title of Operating Partner on the Arable team.

Tim Stejskal, Operating Partner, Arable Capital PartnersStejskal brings a wealth of industry experience to the table. Most recently, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Innovations, a provider of sliced apples and other fruits to retailers, foodservice, and K–12 schools.

Previously, Stejskal was the General Manager and Senior Vice President of Sales and Innovation at Dole Fresh Vegetables, where he spent 24 years.

Tim Stejskal will be taking on the role of Operating Partner on the Arable team

Prior to that, Stejskal was Director of Sales at Chatham Village Foods.

Greg Richards, Founder and Managing Director, Arable Capital Partners“Tim is a proven leader with a track record of successfully managing and growing businesses. I am excited at the value he brings both to the Arable team as well as to our portfolio companies,” said Greg Richards, Managing Director in the Bellevue, Washington, office.

As noted in the release, Stejskal will work with Arable’s portfolio companies on strategy and special projects. His responsibilities will help him to source, evaluate, and provide diligence prospective investments for Arable.

Derek Yurosek, Managing Director, Arable Capital Partners“Tim is an industry veteran, and we are lucky to have him on the team supporting the growth of Arable’s portfolio companies,” commented Derek Yurosek, the Managing Director in the Bakersfield, California, office.

Cheers to Tim Stejskal on his new position!

Arable Capital Partners


Oppy Recognized as One of Canada’s Best Managed Companies; John Anderson Comments



VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - Keeping a streak may be hard for some, but for Oppy, a 22-year streak is a badge of honor. The company was recently recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 22nd time, taking part in the program’s Platinum Club for 16 years.

John Anderson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner, Oppy“It’s a particularly profound year to be honored for this award,” said Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner John Anderson. “As we’ve glimpsed back on 20 years of expect the world from us, we’ve also really honed in on what lies ahead. Being a Canada’s Best Managed company through the entire life of our brand promise proves that the heart of Oppy is beating strong, and the clarity of expectations we have for ourselves, and others have of us, will auspiciously guide our way into the future.”

According to the release, candidates apply annually and go through a rigorous assessment led by a multidisciplinary judging panel in order to attain Canada’s Best Managed standing. Companies are evaluated on their level of maturity on four core pillars: strategy, commitment, capability, and financials. Oppy has been chosen every year since it first applied in 2001.

Oppy was recently recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 22nd time

New this year, applicants were awarded bonus points for demonstrating leading-edge practices in the realms of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives, with particular attention on reducing gas emissions, limiting waste, improving energy efficiency, and cultivating diversity. Outlining its sustainability achievements and roadmap in the first edition of its sustainability report, “Expect the world from us,” Oppy detailed its accomplishments and vision for the future to the judges.

This recognition follows Oppy’s Canadian distinctions for 2023 including BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, along with the induction of Anderson into the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame at the end of this month.

Congratulations on the amazing achievement!

Oppy


Index Fresh Meets Demand for Organic Avocados; Nic Vallejo Details



CORONA, CA - As we’ve seen from recent reports, the organic segment is continuing to grow. With summer knocking at our doorsteps, retailers are prepping their organic set for increased demand in several categories—one of which is avocados. Index Fresh reports that shoppers are looking for California avocados both as a healthy and sustainable option.

Nic Vallejo, Sales and Business Development, Index Fresh“At Index Fresh, as a grower-owned avocado marketer, we are highly adaptive to industry growth toward organics. We’ve found that organic California fruit is really attractive to quality-conscious shoppers. It’s no longer a secondary category at many grocers. Organics are getting prime grocery store real estate,” Nic Vallejo, Sales and Business Development, said.

Index Fresh has premium California organics ready to promote for the season. California’s ample 2023 rains paused the early-season avocado harvest, allowing the fruit time to mature. Index Fresh keeps the organic category supplied throughout the year as consumer education about the benefits of organics continues to expand.

Projections for the season state that California growers will harvest nearly 22 million pounds of organic Hass avocados in 2023. California organic avocados are packed in the Index Fresh brand, while the company markets imported organic fruit under the AvoTerra label.

Index Fresh reports that shoppers are looking for California avocados both as a healthy and sustainable option

“Our team identifies strategies for both new and current retail customers to maximize the organic category, because more and more avocado consumers are looking for that premium fruit experience,” Vallejo said. “Customer satisfaction drives repeat sales and continued growth.”

Index Fresh provides both bagged and bulk organic fruit tailored to each retailer’s needs. Additionally, the grower’s Field Safety Coordinators provide education on how to navigate the USDA organic certification process and diversify orchards. When growers elect to go organic, Index Fresh provides hands-on support and a toolkit for success, a press release stated.

Projections for the season state that California growers will harvest nearly 22 million pounds of organic Hass avocados in 2023

“We work with our retail customers at the true partner level, to make sure our clients and their shoppers get what they’re looking for, because, at the end of the day, consumers want a delicious, reliable piece of fruit,” Vallejo said. “We double on product quality and provide real-time market information always striving to ensure our clients are up to speed on product availability and market trends.”

For updates on organics, stick with us at ANUK.

Index Fresh


GR Fresh's Tony Incaviglia Discusses Mexico Transition



MCALLEN, TX - Along with the warmer weather here in the Northern Hemisphere, spring and summer bring along new opportunities to promote fruits and vegetables at retail and foodservice. That being said, a partner that delivers consistent supplies is invaluable. Take GR Fresh, for example, as it undergoes its Mexico transition.

Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, GR Fresh“The transition is upon us as we work through challenges,” Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, told me. “We are hoping that plants and ranches that have been in play since November and December carry us into the new summer growing regions, providing our customers with as seamless a transition as possible.”

GR Fresh’s season never winds down in Mexico—the grower simply moves growing regions and picks up where it left off. According to Tony, GR Fresh’s summer/fall program is growing stronger every year as it continues to offer staple items such as Roma tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash, along with value-added packs for retail and foodservice partners.

GR Fresh is currently undergoing its Mexico transition to provide a seamless supply to its partners

As Tony mentioned, this past season has presented multiple challenges to the industry. Even with those obstacles in place, GR Fresh is working to mitigate shortages and provide its partners with an excellent supply.

“This year’s winter program has been as challenging as we have had in the 14 years I’ve been involved in this sector of the industry. Inconsistent weather patterns and inflation reared their ugly heads. Weather impacted supply and inflation had impacted demand,” Tony explained. “So much for the old saying, ‘the tighter the supply, the higher the demand.’ That was not the case this winter; if there had been any kind of normal demand, markets would have flourished.”

With GR Fresh’s Mexico transition currently underway, the grower is looking forward to a successful season ahead.

Stick with ANUK for more crop updates year-round.

GR Fresh