UNITED STATES - Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Foodservice: Delivered event was especially relevant this year as foodservice operators across the country are working to navigate this strange COVID world. One of the hottest topics on the table was the road to reopening restaurants, spearheaded by industry leaders like Chef Todd Fisher from Duda Farm Fresh Foods. I had a chance to sit down with him after the show and gain a chef’s perspective on the challenges restaurateurs currently face.

“The road to reopening, in many ways, is the same as opening a new restaurant. Staffing needs are in question with reduced capacities as some staff are not comfortable with coming back. The new sanitation guidelines are actually not far from our previous sanitation standards. However, in the past, those tasks were done in somewhat of a low-profile style. Now, we want people to see the efforts we are going through to ensure they are both safe and feeling comfortable,” Chef Todd explained. “Due to some ingredients being unavailable, in addition to limited staffing, we cannot execute our original full menus. Staff retraining, taking temperatures, logging contacts, and the re-closing of dining rooms have made this transition truly difficult.”

As foodservice operators continue to work through this challenging time, I was curious as to how fresh produce suppliers might lend a helping hand. According to Chef Todd, this essential supply chain relationship boils down to two key collaborations: providing smaller pack sizes as category usage decreases, and evaluating new pre-cut needs as labor forces are reduced.

At the end of the day, though, we all took to PMA’s virtual trade show floor because we are invested in one thing: delicious food. That’s why Chef Todd also took a beat to showcase an exclusive brunch recipe demo.

“My brunch recipe was a savory ‘Dutch Baby’ using Dandy Super Sweet Corn, bacon, and brie. In the demo, we showed the viewers how to cook the bacon and corn and how to mix the batter. Afterward, we topped the Dutch Baby with brie cheese and put it in the oven. Once it was fully cooked, we showed how to serve and garnish the dish,” he explained.

A tempting recipe like that had us all reaching through the screen in hopes of getting a taste!

Despite the challenges and unconventional new formats, there is one message that prevails: this industry will do whatever it takes to bring the world the best-tasting, highest-quality food.

Stick with us here at AndNowUKnow as we all navigate these strange times together.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods

REDWOOD CITY, CA - Plant-based food products have become a mainstay in the industry, and retailers are cashing in. Recently, Publix tapped into the momentum and announced a new partnership with Impossible Foods, rolling out its flagship product, the award-winning Impossible™ Burger, at all of its 1,252 stores across the Southeast.

“One of Impossible Foods’ most important goals is to make our products available everywhere people buy animal-derived products, and that includes Publix, one of America’s favorite grocery stores,” said Impossible Foods’ President Dennis Woodside. “Impossible Foods’ fans are passionate, vocal advocates. Many of them have been specifically asking for Impossible Burger to come to Publix. We’re confident it will be a big hit, whether grilling burgers on the patio or cooking meatballs in your kitchen.”

According to the release, Impossible Burger uses 96 percent less land, 87 percent less water, and 89 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional beef from cows. With consumers opting for more sustainable and ethically sourced products, it’s no wonder Impossible Foods’ grocery store footprint has increased by more than 60 times in 2020 alone.

Sold in convenient, 12-oz packages, Impossible Burger can be found in the meat department at all Publix stores in the company’s seven-state operating area. Impossible Foods’ plant-based meat will also be available through Publix’s grocery delivery service and for curbside pickup.

Which market will Impossible Foods dominate next? Keep reading ANUK as we follow the retail trail.

Impossible Foods Publix

MISSION, TX - A study recently conducted by the Agricultural & Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University—and cited by the Texas International Produce Association—found that the payment limits imposed by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) would have varying impacts across the country. However, specialty crop producers, in particular, would fail to access an estimated $483 million of the funds intended to them by Congress as a result of those limits.

According to the press release, the study was commissioned by an alliance of specialty crop industries shortly after the CFAP rules were announced. While the group would like to see higher limits to offset more of the losses incurred by farmers, they say that these producers specifically were not set-up to access the funds CFAP would provide in the same way other agriculture industries might.

“We know the money allotted by Congress to the USDA for the CFAP program would not make our American farmers whole,” said Dante Galeazzi, President of the Texas International Produce Association. “The losses our industry suffered due to the COVID impacts were simply too great, and I think everyone understands that. However, for our fruit and vegetable farmers to not be able to access the full monies allotted to them by our elected officials feels like salt on an open wound.”

Between March and April of this year, nearly all of the U.S. closed operations in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, it also resulted in the overnight loss of a major distribution channel—the foodservice sector. Schools, restaurants, theme parks, cruise lines, and resorts all closed.

Some demand shifted to the grocery stores, but it was not enough to absorb the supply of the highly perishable products intended for those entities. As a result, the specialty crop producers lost approximately $12.5 million from January 15, 2020 to April 15, 2020.

“Because specialty crops do not participate in the traditional Title 1 safety net programs, specialty crop producers have not organized their business structures similar to row crop farmers,” cited the AFPC study. “Although Congress has not traditionally subjected specialty crop producers to payment limits, a significant number of farmers will have binding payment limits imposed by USDA which means [they] were eligible for more assistance to cover their losses than they ultimately received.”

As a result, the consequence would be many small family farms in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector qualifying for only $250,000 in covered losses, as opposed to the $750,000 limit simply due to their organizational set-up.

The good news is that a fix to the CFAP program is entirely possible. Galeazzi posed possible solutions that the USDA and Congress could implement.

“USDA, or Congress, must integrate a change into the CFAP program for the Specialty Crop section,” says Galeazzi. “At the minimum, these producers should be eligible for the full $750,000 limit regardless of their structure or ownership model. The combination of the perishability of fresh fruits and vegetables and the inability to access markets during this pandemic created a storm of conditions that sadly resulted in farmers having to destroy or discard their crops. We are only asking that USDA allow them to access the funds the CARES Act intended for them.”

For access to the full study, please click here.

ANUK will continue to provide the latest updates from our industry.

Texas International Produce Association

MIAMI, FL - Consumer behavior has changed since the advent of COVID-19, and industry innovators are turning on a dime to meet these new expectations. WP Produce recently introduced a new protective, two-count bag for its Desbry^® Tropical Avocados.

"Since retailers aren’t doing in-store sampling, our bags and bins provide retailers with an alternative—using visual, virtual sampling by showing beautiful slices of cut fruit, plus recipes and tips for use, to catch shoppers’ attention and promote sales," said Chris Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales, WP Produce. ”The two-count bags are convenient for shoppers and give retailers a way to demonstrate how responsive they are to rapidly changing consumer preferences."

According to a press release, these pouches are part of a comprehensive, value-added merchandising program.

The grower is offering retailers signage, recipe tear pads, and striking display bins to educate shoppers and increase sales for this fruit that is already benefitting avocado sales.

"These in-store displays of bagged Desbry Tropical Avocados in bins definitely turn shoppers’ heads and provide retailers a turnkey way to implement a category extension and keep growing profits with avocados," said Karen Nardozza, President and CEO of Moxxy Marketing. "In addition to education on the bins, and a simple, delicious family recipe on the bag for Willy’s Avocado Salad, more tips and recipes are shared on the Desbry Instagram, and through partnership with The Produce Moms, to make sure retailers have consumer support—both in-store and online."

The press release went on to note that Tropical Avocados have been gaining distribution with major retailers, earning attention from food writers and media, and gaining in popularity across a variety of consumers.

Retailers, are you ready to hop on the tropical train?

WP Produce

YERINGTON, NV - When the best minds in our industry come together, major milestones can be achieved. Just ask industry pioneers The Nunes Company and Peri & Sons Farms. The joint-venture partners recently completed the 2020 expansion of their state-of-the-art Walker River Cooling Facility and Distribution Center in Yerington, Nevada.

“Our commitment to customer service is our driving force. By tripling the size of our facility, we can increase our forward distribution capacity to not only be able to load more trucks directly to the eastern part of the United States, but to increase the distribution of our California-based crops in the summer months,” said Tom M. Nunes (T5), President of The Nunes Company, Inc. “Through the expansion of this facility we also set ourselves up to be in great shape for expanding our acreage for future growth. Having the ability to consolidate loads, gives us the opportunity to offer a heightened level of quality and consistency, while still giving our customers a diversity of produce options. ”

In response to much anticipation and heightened demand, the expansion has added extra cooling capacity, warehouse space, six additional loading docks, and also saves the trucker approximately 600 miles in distance by not going into and out of California. All of this ultimately leads to the consumer receiving a fresher and higher quality product.

“We value our partnership with the Nunes Company. Seeing the impact of The Walker River Cooling Facility, not only on the customer level, but also at the community level to the people of Lyon County, goes to show that great accomplishments can be made when two produce giants join teams and share a common vision. We are proud to be on this adventure together and look forward to our future progress,” said David Peri, Owner and Founder of Peri & Sons Farms.

The Nunes Company and Peri & Sons first opened this facility in May 2017, and it has been servicing retailers, wholesalers, processors, and other buying organizations throughout North America ever since, according to a press release. Nevada–based Peri & Sons is one of the country’s largest onion growing operations while and Salinas, Calfornia-headquartered The Nunes Company, is one of the nation’s largest grower/shippers of fresh organic and conventional produce marketed under the Foxy Organic and Foxy Brands.

The Nunes Company and Peri & Sons have been working together since 2008, growing and marketing organic fresh vegetables in Lyon County for consumers across North America. Starting with 16 acres 12 years ago, the two companies continue to grow and ship more than 40 million pounds of organic baby greens and 50 million pounds of organic fresh vegetables per year.

We would like to offer our congratulations to The Nunes Company and Peri & Sons Farms on this significant step in both expansion and excellence!

The Nunes Company Peri & Sons Farms

DUNDEE, FL - As companies grow, the obvious next step is the addition of new team members to round out their expansion strategies. For Florida Classic Growers (FCG), it’s upping its game with the addition of Derek Rodgers to its sales team.

With over 14 years of experience in the produce industry, Rodgers is a welcome addition to Florida Classic Growers. For the last seven years, he has been working within Florida citrus. In fact, Rodgers has been closely linked to Florida citrus his whole life through his family’s involvement in the industry.

He is coming to the FCG team just in time, a press release noted, as the company recently embarked on a new partnership with Riverfront Packing Company, The Packers of Indian River, and Quality Fruit Packers.

Rodgers graduated from Webber International University Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Marketing.

“We are very excited to add Derek to the Florida Classic Growers Family,” expressed Al Finch, President. “Adding someone with his knowledge and experience demonstrates our continued commitment to the future of the Florida citrus industry."

Congratulations to Derek on this new role!

Florida Classic Growers

IRVINE, CA - Staying at the forefront of innovation is no easy feat, which is why The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) is extending its partnership reach to include international players. The California-based incubator, which is dedicated to accelerating the development of agricultural technologies, recently announced that the Government of Canada is its first international partner.

“As our technology center continues to advance solutions for farmers across the nation, we are elated to expand our global reach through this collaboration with Canada,” said Dennis Donohue, Director of the WGCIT. “We strive to move the needle on the development of agtech worldwide and look forward to serving as a destination for innovation on a global level.

Located in Salinas, California, the WGCIT is one of the first agricultural technology centers in the United States dedicated to bringing innovative entrepreneurs together with farmers to facilitate creative solutions to the biggest challenges facing agriculture, a press release explained. The incubator, which opened its doors in 2015 with only six companies in tow, has grown to include more than 75 companies. All are striving to develop cutting-edge tech designed to kickstart the specialty crop industry.

As part of the partnership through the Consulate General of Canada, the Canadian Technology Accelerator will have full access to the WGCIT. The partnership will encourage collaboration between the Canadian Technology Accelerator and WGCIT resident startups in an effort to introduce and rapidly deploy innovative technologies that help farmers feed more people with fewer inputs.

“We are thrilled to be the first international partner of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology,” said Rana Sarkar, the Consul General of Canada in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. “Through this partnership, we are strengthening the agtech ecosystems on both sides of the border and helping to build a sustainable future for North America.”

We at AndNowUKnow look forward to what new innovations arise from this partnership. Stick around as we find out.

Western Growers

WASHINGTON, DC - Shoppers on Capitol Hill will be met with an all-new shopping experience this month as Safeway prepares to open up a new and improved store on August 12. While Safeway has long been a trusted retailer to the market, it’s now gained a competitive advantage with this top-of-the-line launch.

“We are delighted to grand open our beautiful new Capitol Hill grocery store, on the same site where our previous store stood until two years ago,” said Tom Lofland, President of Safeway’s Eastern Division. “This conveniently located neighborhood store will offer many unique features and products. Customers will be sure to enjoy the beautiful, modern design and the wide selection of products, including organic, natural, and healthy goods across all departments. We know the Capitol Hill Safeway will be a wonderful addition to the community.”

As reported by PoPville, the new store will stand at 60,236 square feet and serve a critical region of the state. It is also expected that this opening will kick off an entire month of innovative renovations set to revamp the area’s entire store network, including two other stores in Washington DC, one in Silver Spring, Maryland, and one in Arlington, Virginia.

Matthew Fyre will be the new Store Director following his time managing the chain’s Southwest Waterfront location. The news source noted that part of Safeway’s new format includes updated and expanded natural and organic offerings as well as fresh-forward convenience options. The brand-new produce aislein particular will undergo a major revamp with greater accessibility to fresh-cut and organic produce.

With more than 3,700 new items in total, this state-of-the-art facility may just be a trend-setter for the entire country. Keep reading reports from ANUK as we wait to see how the new store’s features will trickle down.

Safeway

IRVING, TX - It seems as though cash rules everything around 7-Eleven this week as the premier retail and foodservice chain announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Speedway for $21 billion. Purchasing the company from Marathon Petroleum Corp., 7-Eleven will acquire approximately 3,900 Speedway stores located in 35 states with its massive cash investment.

"This acquisition is the largest in our company's history and will allow us to continue to grow and diversify our presence in the U.S., particularly in the Midwest and East Coast," said Joe DePinto, President and Chief Executive Officer of 7-Eleven. "By adding these quality locations to our portfolio, 7-Eleven will have the opportunity to bring convenience to more customers than ever before."

According to a press release, Speedway and 7-Eleven have complementary geographic footprints with little overlap. 7-Eleven currently has over 9,800 stores in the United States and Canada and with Speedway's high-quality portfolio of approximately 3,900 stores, this acquisition will bring 7-Eleven's total number of stores to approximately 14,000 in the U.S. and Canada. Following the transaction, 7-Eleven will have a presence in 47 of the top 50 most populated metro areas in the U.S.

Speedway, with annual pre-synergy run-rate EBITDA of approximately $1.5 billion prior to the acquisition, is an exceptional business with significant opportunities for future growth. 7-Eleven expects to achieve $475 million to $575 million of run-rate synergies through the third year following closing, while maintaining financial flexibility and a strong balance sheet. Upon closing, 7–Eleven will be even better positioned to continue to pursue profitable growth opportunities.

7-Eleven and Speedway will also share best practices to deliver products and promotions based upon customer demand and continue both companies' legacy of innovation. In addition, the combined company will be well-positioned to maximize efficiencies and optimize relationships with vendors and business partners.

As noted in the release, 7-Eleven plans to form an integration steering committee with representatives from the leadership of both 7–Eleven and Speedway. Brand 7-Eleven will welcome the approximately 40,000 members of the Speedway team into the 7-Eleven family and integrate best practices of both companies.

Additionally, 7-Eleven reaffirms and expands the company's existing commitment to important environmental priorities as a part of its broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts. Together, the combined company will set mutual and shared 2027 targets to reduce CO2 emissions, to utilize more eco-friendly packaging and sustainable food supplies, and to drive reduction in plastic usage. All of these measures will work together to enhance long-term corporate value.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. As to whether the acquisition will drive fresh produce at the retail and foodservice chain is unknown, but we at AndNowUKnow will be sure to report.

7-Eleven

FRESNO, CA - John Leroy Woolf Jr., better known as Jack, was a pioneer in the Fresno farming community and left an indelible mark on the industry. After decades of tireless work creating some of California’s largest and most successful farming operations, Jack Woolf passed away at his Fresno home at the age of 102.

A WWII U.S. Army veteran, Woolf returned to the United States and began working for cotton farmer Russel Giffen, during which Woolf impressed many with his skills of planning, execution, and management. In 1974, he purchased some of Giffen’s farmland and launched his own company: Woolf Farming Company.

Woolf was among the first to plant almonds and pistachios in Fresno County, a crop that now generates roughly $7.8 billion in revenue each year.

Throughout his career, Woolf worked to ensure that water efficiency was top of mind, all while laying the groundwork for farming and processing higher-value crops. He was involved with decision makers on this matter, serving on the Westlands Water District Board of Directors from 1976 to 1992.

“It would be impossible to overstate the contribution Jack Woolf made to irrigated agriculture on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley,” said Tom Birmingham, General Manager of Westlands Water District. “There simply are not enough superlatives to describe Mr. Woolf, but he will always be remembered as a man of great integrity and a true gentleman.”

Woolf was involved with several boards and organizations, including the National Cotton Council, The University of Santa Clara Board of Regents, the Fresno Historical Society, The California Tomato Growers Association, among others.

He is survived by his wife Bernice and six children: Anne Franson, spouse Don; Nancy Woolf; John Woolf, spouse Mary Pat; Mike Woolf, spouse Shelly; Stuart Woolf, spouse Lisa; and Chris Woolf, spouse Sarah. He also leaves behind 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jack Woolf was a man so in love with the land that even at the age of 100 he would visit the office two or three times a week. Fresh produce truly changes our hearts and minds, and Jack was a pioneer for both.

Our condolences go out to Jack’s family and friends at this time.