MUNICH, GERMANY - Recently, the Advisory Committee of IFCO Group announced a change in its C-suite roster. Wolfgang Orgeldinger will retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer, and Michael Pooley has been appointed his successor. Pooley will take over the responsibilities as CEO effective July 1, 2020.

According to a press release, Pooley is a strategic thinker who has led large scale successful growth and change programs in Brambles and Exova Group. He comes with very relevant experience in the industry within pooling and retail whilst having worked for over 25 years in business management, sales, and operations. Pooley is well-known for his digital knowledge with a focus on track and trace and big data analytics. He graduated in 1990 from the University of Bath with a B. Eng. (Hons) Mechanical Engineering and earned an MBA at the Henley Management College.

“Since I have joined IFCO in December 2000, we have grown the company from a small niche player generating c. €200M ($217M USD) revenues to a global leader in the RPC pooling industry with revenues of more than €1.0B ($1.08B USD),” Orgeldinger commented. “The IFCO team has successfully entered new markets, steadily grown our client base, built-out our product and service offering, and improved our operations. This has led to strong, consistent growth even throughout challenging economic cycles. Within the last year, we have successfully managed the ownership transition and with knowing the IFCO Group is in good hands, it is the right moment for me to retire as CEO. I am excited to further support the company in my new role as Board Member and am looking forward to seeing Michael Pooley and the whole team shaping the next chapter in IFCO’s long-lasting success story.”

Having joined in 2000, Orgeldinger has successfully shaped IFCO over the last 20 years, first as Chief Operations Officer and since 2013 as CEO. He will remain committed and continue to support IFCO Group as he transitions to the Advisory Committee. This transition has been planned well ahead of time in close cooperation between Orgeldinger and the Advisory Committee and is designed to ensure a smooth transition and handover over the next several weeks.

“We would like to thank Wolfgang for his outstanding commitment and contribution to IFCO’s success and for his great support over the last 12 months following the ownership transition. Wolfgang has led the development of IFCO over the last 20 years into the leading global Reusable Plastic Crates (RPC) solution provider. We are very grateful that he will continue to support IFCO and our customers as a member of the advisory committee going forward,” Stephan Förschle commented on behalf of the Advisory Committee. “In close collaboration with Wolfgang, we have identified Michael through an extensive search process. We are confident that Michael will successfully continue IFCO’s strategy and foster the company’s profitable growth with innovative products, digital solutions, and best-in-class services with an obsession to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. Michael knows IFCO and a number of our customers very well from his time at Brambles. He combines operational, technical, and digital skills with commercial thinking and has a strong go-to-market drive.”

Congratulations to Michael Pooley on his recent appointment and we look forward to seeing Wolfgang Orgeldinger succeed in his new position.

IFCO

IRVINE, CA - Zeroing in on the peak needs of the industry and those it serves, the California Avocado Commission has announced that it is responding to the current COVID-19-induced climate with rapid changes in-house.

“The Commission has been extensively reevaluating each CAC activity in light of societal shifts and sensitivities and adjusting our activities as we strive to move forward in support of this year’s California avocado crop with the right messages, tone, and method of delivery,” said California Avocado Commission President, Tom Bellamore. “Likewise, the obvious importance of retail sales and the constraints on the foodservice industry are driving daily decisions about how we allocate resources and support our valued customers.”

Marketing plans, grower communications, and office operations are all being included in this shift as Bellamore emphasized that safety throughout the supply chain and the California avocado industry is the Commission’s number one priority.

On the market side, the team shared that retailers reported a very strong pull from shoppers for early and mid-March, and despite being offset somewhat by the foodservice dine-in cessation, California avocado growers harvested nearly 46.7 million pounds this season through March 22.

This, the Commission noted, compares to 5.1 million pounds for the same time last year. Some of this increase is due to a larger crop in 2020, but much is due to strong early-season demand.

As many of us know, consumer panic-buying was a nation-wide event over the past month, resulting in some expectations of softer retail traffic into early April. This, according to a press release, has led many growers to temporarily slow down on harvesting. Unlike some produce items, mature avocados can remain safely on their trees, providing some harvesting flexibility. Meanwhile, welcome rains have continued in California avocado growing areas, which bodes well for sizing and quality leading into late spring and summer.

The Commission has also shifted much of its outdoor advertising buy to streaming video and digital communication, maintaining its objectives to reach targeted consumers where they are.

“Major changes, such as ‘safer at home’ orders have caused CAC to critically examine where and how consumers are spending their time, how they are feeling about things and what resources we might provide as a brand,” said Jan DeLyser, California Avocado Commission Vice President of Marketing.

The new advertising creative The best avocados have California in them is also still on.

“Positivity and healthy food, like avocados, are among what consumers need most right now. Given the timing and the fact that the new advertising campaign had launched, we decided to stay with it,” said DeLyser. “Enjoying healthy produce like fresh California avocados is a simple pleasure we can savor while we’re home.”

Likewise, the team has multiple channels to communicate with California avocado growers and industry stakeholders, including publications and its grower website, according to a press release. Digital programs with influential bloggers who contribute to CAC’s blog, The Scoop, and to their own channels, as well as digital chef programs, recipe communications, and marketing via custom content providers all continue.

To read what might come down the line for the Commission, click here to view the announcement in its entirety.

While visiting CAC’s website, be sure to see the new coronavirus resource page to help growers and stakeholders find key government and industry guidance in one convenient location.

As our industry continues to work through this pandemic, AndNowUKnow is here to report to and serve it.

California Avocado Commission

ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Recently, Ahold Delhaize announced that together with its local brands, it has deployed more than €170 million (over $185 million USD) on COVID-19 relief and support efforts so far. Alongside its local brands and supply partnerts, these efforts will ensure better health and safety measures for associates and customers, enhanced benefits for frontline associates, charitable donations, and additional support for local communities.

“In this time of acute need, we see people coming together across all our communities to help each other through this pandemic,” said Frans Muller, President and CEO. “Ahold Delhaize and all our local brands in the U.S., Europe, and Indonesia are taking substantial measures to ensure the safety of both associates and customers in response to the significant challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fighting this requires everyone’s support, and I am pleased with our efforts to date.”

According to the press release, the following actions have already been taken:

• Introduced additional safety and protective measures for associates, totaling €44 million ($47.9M USD)
• Enhancing pay and/or associate benefits in the U.S., Europe, and Indonesia Ahold Delhaize brands
• Providing further economic support to communities with commitments to hire more than 40,000 associates
• Local brands across Ahold Delhaize have also enhanced associate assistance programs to provide health and wellbeing support
• Some brands have also established special grocery delivery services for healthcare workers
• Collectively, the Ahold Delhaize brands have so far committed nearly €20 million ($21.7M) to charitable donations to support the following: local food banks, feeding first responders in critically hard-hit areas, national and private health systems, the Red Cross, and to medical facilities to further research on COVID-19

“I want to recognize the resilience and courage demonstrated by all the medical and emergency professionals working on the front line. Our own sector has also proven to be vital at this time—supported by associates across all our brands, in our supply chains, and at our support offices,” Muller continued. “Their determined efforts and the care and teamwork they exhibit every day fill me with pride. I am both impressed and humbled by their actions in this time of great need. Finally, I am grateful to customers in all the communities we serve for respecting social distancing guidelines and local health regulations that help protect not only themselves but our associates as well.”

Fore more information on the measures Ahold has implemented, click here for the full press release.

Keep following ANUK as we cover more news in the retail and fresh produce sector.

Ahold Delhaize

YAKIMA, WA - Groceries are in high demand with consumers looking to secure their staple products as COVID-19 concerns continue to develop. Apples are one category that shoppers have turned to with Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith being the top varieties purchased. According to Nielsen data from Superfresh Growers, consumers are favoring packaged apples, which has jumped up 34 percent in volume and 25 percent in dollars over the last four weeks ending March 21, and likely more than that since.

As consumers hunker down, they are turning to apples, which are not only a staple, but juicy, nutritious, and kid-friendly. They are also readily available and easy to handle along the whole supply chain, as noted in the press release.

Apples jumped to the top of the fruit category in March. They are up 22.3 percent in volume and 13.6 percent in sales, year-over-year for the four weeks ending March 22, 2020. Gala was the lead volume mover, representing 28 percent of all apple volume. Gala apples were up 13 percent in dollars, and up 25 percent in volume. Honeycrisp reigned over apple dollars, representing 26 percent of overall apple sales. Honeycrisp apples were up 21 percent in dollars and up 39 percent in volume.

Bagged pear sales were also up 2.9 percent, and the pear category is beginning to see similar packaging trends to apples. Organic apples are seeing an increase, up 22 percent in sales, and up 34 percent in volume. Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady were the top five (in order) for organic volume in March.

Apples and pears are easy for grocery operations in these challenging times. Superfresh Growers has multiple display options including floor bins and display-ready cartons that make life easier on produce department and supply chain operations staff.

As news surrounding the COVID-19 crisis continues to come to light, AndNowUKnow will continue bringing you the latest news.

Superfresh Growers

NEW YORK, NY - Our industry’s current climate has bred increased collaboration in order to maintain the security of our workforce. One of the latest partnerships that has come to fruition is between foodservice distributor Sysco and C&S Wholesale Grocers, who have partnered together to strengthen the food supply chain in New York during the coronavirus pandemic. The partnership will allow C&S Wholesale Grocers to alleviate a potential worker shortage stemming from increased food retail demands, while transferring Sysco’s personnel to similar job functions while demand is temporarily lower in the foodservice industry.

“Our agreement with Sysco, as well as our other key partnerships recently announced, will enable us to handle the increasing grocery needs of communities around the country,” said Mike Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of C&S Wholesale Grocers. “C&S is continuously looking at ways to get food and critical products to all of our retail customers. This new partnership allows us to focus on a region that has been devastated by this health crisis and honor our commitment to keep our New York families fed.”

According to a press release, this innovative partnership will provide temporary work opportunities for certain Sysco warehouse and delivery associates. These individuals will remain employees of Sysco during the period of time they work at C&S, with Sysco being responsible for providing the agreed upon compensation, as well as any other benefits associates typically receive.

This is one of several partnerships C&S has entered into during this crisis to ensure delivery of food and essentials to families across America.

Hats off to Sysco and C&S Wholesale for forming yet another innovative partnership to support the food industry. Keep a tab open for us at ANUK as we continue bringing you the latest.

Sysco C&S Wholesale

CORONA, CA - The fresh produce industry is a-buzz with solutions for meeting the unprecedented demand we have experienced as of late. With COVID-19 concerns circling, growers are analyzing the state of the market in order to formulate a new game plan. Mark Widder, General Partner at Veg-Fresh Farms, has noted significant shifts in the tomato category, with the new Tomato Suspension Agreement taking effect and, in turn, a new era for the industry taking shape.

“Demand for not just tomatoes but all produce items has been an increasingly moving target. As buyers and supply chain managers look at store and restaurant replenishment demand, they are adjusting their ordering tempo accordingly,” Mark explained. “With all things considered, demand for tomatoes has moderated from typical levels in the restaurant world. Retail was blitzed for the past 10 -12 days as stores were overrun by consumers shopping for home cleaning items, meat, and fresh produce.”

Ahead of the coronavirus crisis, Veg-Fresh reported a demand-exceeds-supply situation that was expected to trend until June as the crop transitions into Baja California. With Florida crops starting in April, Mark expects the new supply will help to relieve the market.

“Now that supply chains have recovered the retail store inventories, people have realized there will be plenty of fresh tomatoes and other items when they return to shop. This will be an Easter food shopping season like we have never seen before, with kids home from all schools and colleges. There should be good grocery store shopping demand for those cooking a nice family Easter dinner at home,” Mark noted. “Having said that, we encourage those not cooking at home to support local and national restaurants that do remain open. There are drive-thru, pickup, and delivery services like GrubHub, UberEats, Postmates, Doordash, and a multitude of other ways to support the hard-working restaurant industry as we all navigate this crisis.”

Here at AndNowUKnow, our hats are off to all industry operators working to mitigate the current supply and demand margins we are faced with. Keep checking in with us as we help bring new solutions to light.

Veg-Fresh Farms

COLIMA, MEXICO - Given the current state of the market, any time we get the green light from growers, packers, and shippers on steady supply, we take to the newswire running. Super Starr International was the latest from the supply-side to confirm that not only does it have a steady supply of papayas at the moment, but that the fruit can be a strategic produce aisle sale since shoppers are looking for fruit and veg options that are both healthy and unique.

“Our papaya program is year-round, which guarantees us consistent production throughout the year. We have a steady supply of fruit, and the papayas are eating wonderfully with great taste. Papayas are nutrient-rich and a great source of vitamin C, making it a key fruit to add to diets during this time,” said Lance Peterson, President and third-generation farmer. “We are very conscious of what is currently going on in the world, and we want everyone to be healthy and safe. We have meticulous food safety standards already in place and have been reinforcing them throughout the company. We’re committed to not only making sure our workers are safe and healthy, but that we are providing food that is safe for consumers as well."

With supplies being steady, Lance also noted that volumes and the papaya market as a whole are steady, too. And when I asked about weather, Lance only continued the trend of our conversation by confirming Mother Nature has been helpful in nurturing a higher fruit quality.

“The weather has been good. The winter was rather mild, and with the current weather consisting of heat in the mid- to low 90s during the day and cooler nights, the temperature changes are helping us with our brix flavor, creating a sweeter, quality of fruit,” Lance said.

In addition to papayas, Super Starr is also at the tail-end of its honeydew season, which started in January and will be winding up in early April.

“Since we are a grower and distributor working directly with customers, we have security as far as knowing what we’ll have to produce each season,” Lance concluded. “We also have some exciting news coming up in the next couple of months that we look forward to sharing soon.”

For more crop and market updates like this, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.

Super Starr International

UNITED STATES - As the nation bands together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, retailers are stepping up on safety measures. Recently, we reported Loblaw and Kroger were piloting one-way traffic for shoppers and enhancing precautionary measures through select stores. Now, it appears that more major chains are following suit. Walmart, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and more announced they too will be launching new measures.

“Our priority has been and remains the health and safety of our team members, members, and communities. We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of our team members and we value the trust and confidence that our members have in us to provide them with essential services during this challenging time,” said Lee Delaney, President and Chief Executive Officer, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’ve implemented significant new protocols to help promote a healthy and safe environment for members and team members. We will continue to take precautions following guidelines and recommendations from health experts and relevant federal and state agencies.”

According to a press release, BJ’s announced it will be limiting the number of members allowed inside its club, citing no more than 20 percent of the store’s capacity at one time. The retailer will also be posting additional signage and implementing other processes to ensure team members’ safety. For more details, click here for the full press release.

Walmart U.S.’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dacona Smith also announced additional steps in slowing the spread. To ensure safe social distancing practices, the retailer will be regulating store entry, following the 20 percent capacity guidelines as well. Much like Kroger and Loblaw, Walmart will be instituting one-way traffic through the aisles in select stores.

“We always want people to feel welcome at Walmart, and we know that in ordinary times a store is a gathering place for members of a community to connect and socialize,” Smith stated in the update. “We look forward to the time when that is again the case; however, we now want to prioritize health and safety by encouraging customers to do their shopping at a distance from others, then head home.”

Effective as of this past Friday, April 3, Costco is limiting shoppers to two guests each membership card, according to its website. The warehouse operator has seen heavy traffic since the situation began and has continuously updated and implemented various procedures to ensure the safety of both its associates and customers, such as changing hours of operation, special operating hours for members over 60, and product limitations.

According to an update on its website, Schnucks Markets announced it will be limiting its customers to one shopper per household. Meijer also announced it too will be limiting shoppers to decrease customer count inside the store.

“We continue to look for additional ways to ensure the safety of our customers and team members in the face of this difficult challenge,” Meijer President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Keyes said in a press release. “By working together, we can reduce the spread of this virus and help keep our communities safe.”

As more news develops, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

BJ's Wholesale Club Costco Walmart Schnucks Market Meijer

COLUMBUS, OH - The convenience sector is getting a new fresh produce-forward rep, especially as more produce distributors and processors like Columbus’ very own DNO Produce expand into the market. In fact, DNO Produce’s foray into c-stores is just another way one of our industry’s leaders is keeping the consumption of fresh produce on an upward trajectory by growing its reach into all retail markets.

I sat down with Jeremy Taylor, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DNO Produce, to find out more about the distributor’s latest expansion.

“We’ve always been in the grab-and-go space with our school lunch program items, so it was a natural progression to continue to offer portion-packed products. Folks are choosing healthier options every day at c-stores, and we wanted to be a part of it,” Jeremy said.

Thus far, DNO Produce is servicing distributors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Western New York, Indiana, and Chicago.

As more produce suppliers dive into the convenience store market, I asked Jeremy what makes DNO unique in the growing crowd.

“Our just-in-time ordering,” Jeremy replied. “Most companies are looking for long lead times, which result in outdated product. We’re taking orders for next day and producing to order. This makes our product high quality and well-built for our customers. After all, we’re an extension of them.”

This differentiation only furthers DNO Produce’s own rep as not a run-of-the-mill produce distributor, which Jeremy emphasized is key in drawing in new distributor partners who are interested in also setting themselves apart from other companies.

“DNO Produce is looking to partner with distributors who stand out among the crowd with the items they offer. I would encourage distributors to not be afraid to pilot unique items like mango cups or different apple varieties,” Jeremy explained. “Consumers have a lot of choices out there, and it’s important that we create unique value.”

For more news on the fresh produce expansions happening across our industry, stick with us at AndNowUKNow.

DNO Produce

ROSEMONT, IL - If you’ve been keeping an eye on our recent ANUK reports, you know that US Foods is working non-stop to help retail and foodservice operators navigate challenges inherent to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a seemingly endless amount of new partnerships, the company announced last week that it has secured an additional 20 retail partners across national grocery store chains and wholesale grocers.

“As our country responds to the impacts of COVID-19, the demand on grocery retailers continues to grow,” said Chairman and CEO Pietro Satriano. “Through these partnerships, we are creating new opportunities for our distribution workforce while helping to maintain the nation’s food supply. We value these new relationships and expect to add more partners as the situation continues to evolve.”

To date, more than 700 US Foods distribution associates have been temporarily contracted to support this work. According to a press release, these associates are primarily in warehouse roles such as selectors who choose product for shipping and truck drivers who deliver product directly to a retailer’s distribution center or retail location.

In addition to these new distribution partnerships, US Foods is selling much-needed product to retailers across the country as they strive to maintain inventory given unprecedented consumer demand.

Some of the company’s partners include Kroger, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Albertsons, and Oklahoma-based Homeland grocery stores.

Keep checking in with us here at AndNowUKnow as we bring you the industry’s latest and greatest.

US Foods