MAITLAND, FL - Calling all Florida tomato producers! The Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) is seeking nominations of growers to serve on the committee for a two-year term, from September 2023–September 2025.

“I encourage any and all growers in Central and South Florida, no matter how small their operations, to consider volunteering to serve on the committee, which in turn serves to support the state’s tomato industry,” said FTC Manager Michael Schadler. “We are looking for candidates who can bring a fresh perspective on how the FTC can better help the Florida tomato industry to thrive.”

The FTC will be holding a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, for tomato producers to nominate fellow growers or themselves to serve, according to a release. The organization is a federal marketing order that regulates the handling of Florida tomatoes and supports the industry through research and promotion efforts.

The committee oversees production in two districts covering Central and South Florida, with each district having five open member positions and five open alternate positions for a total of 10 members and 10 alternates on the full committee. Districts include:

• District 1 Counties: Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach
• District 2 Counties: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, St. Lucie

Anyone who has grown tomatoes in a commercial capacity or who is an officer of a corporate producer in either of the FTC districts during the 2022–23 season will be eligible to nominate and be nominated.

Growers interested in participating or who have questions can reach the Florida Tomato Committee office at 407-660-1949 or [email protected].

For more industry opportunities, keep clicking on AndNowUKnow.

Florida Tomato Committee

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - With over 40 years of industry expertise under his belt, Sam Silvestro has played an important role in the development of fresh produce and its connection to retail. In light of his ongoing impact, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has announced that he will be the recipient of the 2023 CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Sam on the CPMA Board and experienced, firsthand, his passion and dedication to advance our industry,” said Ron Lemaire, CPMA President. “As CPMA’s Chair in 2016–2017, Sam helped the Association to develop new educational tools for our members and created a role dedicated to identifying food safety knowledge gaps within the industry. He also helped us launch the fruit and vegetable policy statement to increase Canadians’ fresh produce consumption.”

Silvestro currently works as an executive consultant for national brands, according to a release, and has previously held senior roles at Sobeys and Walmart Canada. His positions have included Special Project Manager, Director of Produce, and Director of Merchandising.

Additionally, Silvestro has been involved in a number of government committees on food safety as well as the import and export of food products. He also served on several boards, including CPMA and Ontario Produce Marketing Association.

CPMA will present the award to Silvestro alongside other industry members and businesses on April 27 at the association’s CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.

Cheers to Sam Silvestro on this amazing honor!

Canadian Produce Marketing Association

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - A new leader recently joined the GrubMarket Board of Directors in the form of industry expert Mark Tisdel. Tisdel will be joining as an independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chairperson.

“GrubMarket is one of the world’s most innovative and disruptive food companies. Over the years, I have followed GrubMarket’s incredible trajectory as a fast-growing and highly profitable technology enabler and driver for digital transformation for the food industry. I truly believe the company’s significant progress to date underscores its incredible future potential,” Tisdel commented. “I am honored to bring my extensive experiences, as both a public and private software technology company Chief Financial Officer, to the board as an independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chairperson at this critical juncture in the history of the business, and I sincerely look forward to supporting GrubMarket as it continues its strong and profitable growth.”

Tisdel, an experienced finance executive, will be an essential advisor to GrubMarket as the company continues to further cement its position. As noted in the release, the highly qualified and accomplished industry leader brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting.

For the last 15 years, Tisdel was the Chief Financial Officer for public and private software technology companies in the United States and internationally, achieving strong growth and profitability, such as Model N and Orion Health. He currently serves as the CFO of Mineral, where he has been instrumental in driving the company to profitability and positive cash flow while catapulting revenue growth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to GrubMarket’s board as Audit Committee Chairperson. Mark is a proven and dynamic leader, with deep experience running high-functioning finance and accounting teams at top SaaS and technology companies like Model N,” Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of GrubMarket added. “In addition to accounting, financial reporting, and audit expertise, Mark also brings extensive experience in operational and international matters, which will be valuable to us both in our current phase of hyper-growth and beyond. With experience that spans over three decades, including roles as both a public and private software technology company CFO; Mark will be a great asset to our organization as we continue our path of long-term, profitable growth.”

Tisdel holds his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Clarkson University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Cheers to Mark Tisdel as he begins this new journey!

GrubMarket

ONTARIO, CANADA - For our produce friends north of the border, it’s almost time for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, bringing together industry members from across Canada and the United States for fun networking opportunities. Among them is DelFrescoPure®, which will show off its premium greenhouse-grown produce lineup.

“We are proud to be a Canadian company and are committed to servicing our backyard,” says Vice President of Sales Ray Mastronardi. “For over 60 years, we have operated under three simple beliefs: nutrition and flavor go hand-in-hand, there’s always an opportunity to innovate, and customer service is everyone’s job.”

Along with its premium product line, DelFrescoPure will highlight its Heirloom tomatoes and Organic Mini Cucumbers, which have a brand-new look. Back by popular demand, the grower will also be spotlighting its Euro Bean, The Gourmet Slicing Bean®.

All of DelFrescoPure’s products are grown in Ontario, Canada, and are available year-round. The supplier has a variety of offerings that come in a myriad of formats to suit each customer’s needs. Priding itself on its customer service, DelFrescoPure listens to its partners and delivers what they want, something everyone at the company is passionate about.

DelFrescoPure is also dedicated to sustainably improving its yields, putting its focus on minimizing its environmental impact.

“Consumers are more aware of environmental issues and are more educated now than ever. They care about how their food is processed and if it’s done in a responsible way,” notes Ray. “If we can compete in the marketplace by lowering our costs, we can pass that on to our customers. It will also provide us with longevity in the marketplace—more food, less space used, and fewer resources to create that food. In the long term, we know that we’re leaving less of an environmental footprint.”

To see DelFrescoPure’s quality offerings up close, make booth #839 one of your stops at CPMA 2023.

DelFrescoPure®

TEXAS - Happy Earth Month! In the world of fresh produce, it's a celebration we hold near and dear, and we love to see companies using it as an opportunity to push forward in their ambitious sustainability strategies. One retailer doing so is H-E-B, which is rolling out several new efforts to bolster its year-round commitment to maximizing recycling initiatives across its Texas footprint.

As the grocer explained in a recent release, H-E-B will be introducing additional measures this April to boost its year-round blueprint for reducing waste and maximizing recycling efforts.

This includes the launch of multiple strategic ventures aimed at supporting plastic waste reduction among its customers, providing sustainable options for Texans looking for an alternative to the landfill.

Through this strategy, H-E-B is now accepting retail plastic bags and other eligible plastic items from customers when picking up their Curbside orders. The grocer also updated the look of its plastic bags and made important recycling language more prominent to help encourage shoppers to bring their bags and other plastic items to the store for recycling.

Further encouraging recycling in communities, nearly 600 elementary schools in Texas are participating in H-E-B’s annual School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, and the retailer selected six projects across the state which will benefit from 2023 H-E-B Community Recycling Grants in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful.

Rounding out its Earth Month efforts, H-E-B is embracing its continuing commitment to sourcing from Texas businesses. In doing so, select H-E-B stores in Austin will host Austin Community Markets, a community-based event that will feature some of the retailer’s local suppliers and brands, as well as fun entertainment opportunities.

To read all about H-E-B’s plans for Earth Month, read the release here.

As always, stick around for the latest retail updates.

H-E-B

WASHINGTON, DC - It’s no doubt that the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is one of the industry organizations standing at the forefront of workforce development and support. Pushing forward in its admirable mission, the organization has launched an annual campaign set to raise awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly in the ag sector.

“We understand this can be a challenging and uncomfortable topic to discuss,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, Director of Marketing and Communications for EFI. “But data shows that farmworkers face sexual harassment at a rate two to three times higher than other work sectors—and that makes this a problem we can’t ignore. Farmworkers often fear losing their jobs, being removed from the United States, or denied entry for speaking out. Language barriers can also prevent them from understanding they should not tolerate inappropriate behavior which could include verbal or physical assault from anyone, including supervisors or coworkers.”

With the month of April recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, EFI is helping to provide valuable resources on this important topic. According to a press release, EFI offers a toolkit on its website that provides three awareness posters and an informational one-pager available for download, as well as links to access the ¡Basta! Prevent Sexual Harassment in Agriculture toolkit and training module.

EFI supported the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, a part of the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, in developing the ¡Basta! toolkit, which is free to use and available for download.

As the release went on to note, research from the Southern Poverty Law Center estimates that 80 percent of all Mexican immigrant farmworkers report being sexually harassed on the job site, while advocacy groups estimate that as many as 85 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment at work.

“EFI is proud to bring resources to the industry that assist employees at all levels with having these challenging conversations,” Ruzzamenti concluded. “We are committed to facilitating culture change to improve the lives of farmworkers and create safer food and a more responsive, skilled labor force. Openly advocating for zero tolerance of sexual harassment is just one way we can facilitate that.”

To read more about the company's efforts, click here, and to access the comprehensive toolkit and more, click here.

For more industry updates, keep clicking on ANUK.

Equitable Food Initiative

CHARLOTTE, NC - A new, juicier, more aromatic pineapple is on the market, and we can thank Dole Food Company for that. Recently, the global leader in pineapples since 1901 introduced a new golden pineapple in response to consumer demand for a sweeter pineapple-eating experience.

“In the 122 years that Dole has been cultivating pineapples in Hawaii, Central and South America, and throughout the tropics, we’ve learned what it takes to grow the world’s best, most beloved fruit,” said Director of Corporate Communications William Goldfield. “While all Dole pineapples are tender; sweet; and packed with nutrients, healthy enzymes, and Vitamins B6 and C, these new Golden Selection® Pineapples glow and taste just a little brighter.”

DOLE® Golden Selection Pineapple arrives at select supermarkets in the United States and Canada in mid-April. Sustainably grown exclusively in Costa Rica, noted the release, the new fruit has been expertly cultivated to taste sweeter, shine brighter, and offer a more vibrant tropical flavor that balances the pineapple’s customary sweet and tart sensations while elevating the indulgent taste experience.

Less than 6 percent of all DOLE Pineapples possess the taste and appearance qualifications necessary to be tagged a DOLE Golden Selection Pineapple, continued the release. The new fruit will be available in limited quantities based on seasonality and availability.

Eager to flag some easy recipes to draw your shoppers’ attention? The company’s Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, and Nutrition and Health Communications Manager, has identified a number of dishes from Dole’s vast online recipe library that best showcase the enhanced sweetness of the DOLE Golden Selection Pineapple, including:

• Pineapple Carpaccio
• Dole Mango Pineapple Salad
• Cool Summer Gazpacho Salad
• Ginger-Chili Ahi Tuna Poke Skewers
• Magic Carpet Lemon Curd Cups

Keep an eye out for more updates from ANUK as more products hit the shelves.

Dole Food Company

SACRAMENTO, CA - As I rip off my calendar page hanging on the wall, I have a gleam in my eye. I know you, the industry, do too, as I am ecstatic to announce our Snack logo contest.

Whether March was eventful, relaxing, or full to the brim of necessary to-dos, the month also brought along our gorgeous April Snack issue. This release holds a special place on our bookshelf as it is our 75^th issue. But that’s not the only big number we’re celebrating—you are now on the clock to nab that $100 prize.

The rules are the same, but here is a refresher:

• Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
• Your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
• Send your pic to [email protected] with the subject line “FOUND the Apple Logo” to be considered for the $100 cash prize
• You MUST write “FOUND the Apple Logo” in the subject line of your email

The contest only begins once we have officially made this announcement through our ANUK newsletter, and you have until the end of the week to send in your selfies.

Will you be joining our list of savvy winners? Your name could be at the top:

• Marissa Marchini of J. Marchini Farms
• Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies
• Paul Huckaby of Keenan Farms
• Danny Ortiz of Sysco
• Dani Loustalot of Jacobs Farm del Cabo
• Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards
• Beth Keeton of Elephant House PR
• Manny Bracamonte of Green Life Farms
• Mike Specht of Nature Fresh Farms

Grab your snappiest hat and a good drink as you enjoy the rest of the issue once you’ve located the logo, and catch up with more industry insights, interviews, and innovations at ANUK.

The Snack Magazine

CINCINNATI, OH - When it comes to retail, the trust of the consumer is invaluable. Proving that it has earned more than just its shoppers’ trust, Kroger was recently recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies for 2023. This is the second consecutive year it has received the award, which recognizes companies across customer trust, investor trust, and associate trust.

"As an employer, food processor, retailer, healthcare provider, and more, Kroger has a unique responsibility to lead with purpose and create positive change," said Rodney McMullen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Being named one of the Most Trustworthy Companies is an honor we do not take for granted, and we will continue to work to earn our customers' trust every day."

The Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2023 list evaluates United States-based companies with $500 million or more in annual revenue, a press release stated.

The list was developed in collaboration with Statista and is based on an independent survey of approximately 25,000 U.S. residents. Kroger ranked #3 out of 700 among the Grocery and Convenience Stores category.

Congratulations to Kroger for winning the award once again!

Kroger

HOUSTON, TX - On its mission to improve access to fresh produce while educating families on nutrition, Brighter Bites has just taken a monumental step toward progress. The organization recently announced that it is expanding its partnership with sweetgreen to serve schoolchildren and families across Texas.

“When sweetgreen meals are available at distribution locations, it’s always a crowd-pleaser and welcomed by our schools and families,” said Katie Degen, Senior Program Manager of Brighter Bites Houston. “The meals enhance the program's overall experience by exposing families to different fruits and vegetables. This inspires families to recreate the meals at home with the produce provided in the weekly boxes!”

Brighter Bites and sweetgreen began their partnership during the opening of the company’s Main Street restaurant in Downtown Houston in 2020. For every meal sold during the grand openings, sweetgreen donates a freshly prepared meal to Brighter Bites for students and families at underserved elementary schools in the local community.

Brighter Bites has been the impact partner for 10 of sweetgreen’s restaurant openings across Texas in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. According to a press release, Brighter Bites has received over 3,500 meals, equating to around $45,000 worth of food donations. Now, Brighter Bites and sweetgreen are partnering for new restaurant openings in Austin and Uptown Houston, Texas.

“Since day one, our mission has focused on expanding access to real food,” said Tony Wu, sweetgreen’s DEI and Social Impact Program Manager. “We resonate with Brighter Bites’ holistic approach to providing equitable access to fresh food and robust nutrition education to kids and their parents to reinforce healthy eating habits. We’re proud to support Brighter Bites and build healthier communities together.”

Brighter Bites is able to provide families with craveable, nutritious meals made from scratch in sweetgreen’s local kitchens in addition to its regular produce distribution. The two organizations hope to connect and inspire families with new ways to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into healthy and delicious meals.

As this partnership continues to expand, keep an eye out for the latest from ANUK.

Brighter Bites