ARLINGTON, VA - The National Grocers Association (NGA) Board of Directors has announced the next President and CEO appointment of the NGA. Effective September 1, 2019, Greg Ferrara will take on the reigns following Peter Larkin’s retirement, who will remain on as advisor until his retirement at the end of the year.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization and an industry that I care so passionately about. Independent grocers are the bedrock of thousands of communities across this country and NGA has played an essential role in ensuring that those entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow and be successful. The future is very bright, and I look forward to working closely with our Board of Directors and members to grow NGA’s influence and resources in support of our membership,” said Ferrara.

Ferrera has been with the NGA since November 2005 and brings a wealth of experience in the grocery industry, specifically managing his family’s century-old supermarket in New Orleans before the store was ultimately destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. He has also worked as a Corporate Project Manager for Associated Grocers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; holds a BA in Political Science from Loyola University New Orleans; is a fellow of the prestigious Institute of Politics at Loyola University; a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management; and is a graduate of the NGA Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University.

“As a former independent grocer, Greg’s passion for our industry is second to none and his leadership over the years as NGA’s Chief Lobbyist, among other roles, has prepared him well to lead this organization into the future. We look forward to working with Greg to support his efforts to buildupon the strong foundation that Peter Larkin has laid for NGA,” said Cheryl Sommer and Mike Stigers, NGA Chair and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, respectively.

The press release states Ferrara currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the NGA. He is responsible for overseeing NGA’s advocacy and lobbying efforts, public relations, industry relations, and retail and wholesale membership. As NGA’s Chief Lobbyist, he is responsible for representing the association and its members before Members of Congress, Federal Agencies, and the Executive Branch on a wide-variety of issues while also overseeing the NGA’s political and grassroots affairs, including the NGA Grocers PAC. Ferrara is also responsible for working closely with and maintaining an excellent relationship between NGA and its state trade association partners.

Considering his extensive background, we at ANUK look forward to his many successes with NGA. Congratulations Greg Ferrara!

National Grocers Association

WENATCHEE, WA - Have you ever had a cherry so good that you howl at the moon after you’ve eaten it? If not, both you and your shoppers need to get in on the Stemilt Moon cherry hype. The fourth-generation grower’s A Half Mile Closer to the Moon® cherries are hand-picked, premium, high-quality cherries grown at elevations of 2,640 feet and higher.

“Moon cherry harvest is starting the first week of August at Amigos Orchards in Wenatchee, Washington, and we are excited about our plans for the cherry season finale,” said Brianna Shales, Communications Manager. “Amigos has the perfect climate for growing late-season cherries. The locale is ideal because the days aren’t as hot as other locales and it cools off at night, helping fourth generation grower, Kyle Mathison, grow firm, large, and super-sweet cherries.”

Mathison likes to align his cherry harvest with the days leading up to the full moon—August 15, for those who don't have a moon chart memorized. According to a press release, Mathison has found the extra gravitational pull from a full moon enhances nutrient delivery from the root of the trees to the fruit hanging from its branches. This extra gravitational pull results in harvesting fruit with high sugars, acids, and aromatics, which all leads up a premium eating experience.

“Moon cherries are a great differentiator at retail and a proven way to end the cherry season on a high note,” Shales stated. “The packaging and mystical story of these cherries highlight the quality inside and the unmatched passion of Kyle, the ‘Cherry King’ who has farmed for four decades.”

Varieties that can be found under A Half Mile Closer to the Moon brand include Skeena, Sweetheart, Staccato®, and Sentennial™, all late-ripening varieties. Each variety is firm, comes in large sizes (10 row and larger), and has a nice balance of sugars and acids. Options to load Moon cherries will begin the first week of August and will continue throughout the month.

“The varieties found under the Moon cherries label are what allow us to end the season with a grand finale,” said Shales. “They also leave retailers with a delighted consumer and a lasting memory of our World Famous cherries.”

Stemilt packs Moon cherries in random-weight pouch bags and 1 lb and 2 lb clamshells. The grower also offers multiple digital resources to help promote these delicious fruits in store, including a digital toolkit that features social media assets, POS and poster materials, video, photography, and more. Retailers will also have resources for Stemilt’s national holiday dedicated to Moon cherries, National Chant at the Moon Day on August 15.

“National Chant at the Moon Day is where we celebrate our premium Moon cherries and how the moon cycle can benefit cherries during harvest,” remarked Shales. “We encourage retailers to use this tool on a consumer level to elevate Moon cherry sales as well as share the story of our mystical Moon cherries.”

On top of its extensive promotional resources, Stemilt is also partnering with influencers across the country to target new market groups. More than 15 influencers will be sharing the Moon cherry brand across various social media platforms. Stemilt will also be supporting in-store sales with geo-targeted social ads that target social media users in major Moon cherry markets.

“We are constantly looking for ways to support the brand to ensure retailers find success at the end of the cherry season,” said Shales. “Using influencers who reach shoppers and geo-targeted social ads are effective yet simple ways to support retailer’s efforts in store.”

For the latest in what’s happening in produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Stemilt Growers

MONTEREY, CA - Hot off the tails of PMA Foodservice, the third annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS) is on its way. New details about the event have been released: This year’s first of six educational sessions will feature a deep dive into the changing landscape of food safety on organic farms and the industry response to the new Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule. The session will examine how FDA produce inspections will be implemented and the changes affecting the leafy greens industry.

"This year’s summit will provide up-to-date resources and information to support the continued success of organic producers," said Tonya Antle, Co-Founder of the Organic Produce Network (OPN). "From seed to soil to harvest, our goal is to present the most relevant information on the most important subjects and issues facing organic production."

The first session, “Organic Farming Systems in the Era of FSMA,” will be moderated by Jacob Guth, Director of Food Safety for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Panelists for this session include, Greg Komar, Technical Director of Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; Donna Lynn Browne, Director of Food Safety and Responsibility, Naturipe Farms; and Steve Patton, Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Inspection and Compliance.

“Organic production and food safety requirements can sometimes conflict, but often they work hand in hand. Producing safe food has always been the priority for organic growers,” Guth commented, in a press release.

The six educational sessions will focus on a range of topics designed to engage and inform organic farmers, growers, and producers and their service and supply chain partners. Among the topics that will be addressed by organic industry leaders are farm soil management, the impact of technological advances in organic agriculture, the latest on labor and immigration, and a look at the hemp industry.

The summit is made possible by partners CCOF and OPN and is designed to provide vital information to organic farmers and ranchers, along with an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food. According to a press release, OGS is the only event specifically designed to bring organic fresh food producers and their service and supply chain partners together for education, information, and networking opportunities.

OGS 2019 takes place December 4-5 in Monterey, CA, at the Monterey Conference Center. Currently exhibitor registration is underway, but move fast—there are less than 30 remaining booths available. General registration to attend the summit is set to open August 1, and more details of the educational program, including session topics and speakers, will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, head to the show’s website, here.

AndNowUKnow will keep you posted on all the OGS 2019 news.

Organic Grower Summit

MONTEREY, CA - From new proprietary varieties of lettuce to avocado popsicles, this year’s PMA Foodservice had something for everyone. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone, because the showroom floor was a veritable who’s who in the produce industry. Nearly 2,000 attendees roamed the floor with 600 buyers. The ratio of buyers to exhibitors was three to one—a stat worth mentioning. Of the 201 exhibitors on the sold-out show floor, there were 30 first timers, and a record 36 participants in the Fresh Ideas Showcase. Attendees were treated to new products, innovations, and trends that are set to take the foodservice world by storm.

“This year’s Foodservice Conference and Expo was an incredible gathering of the produce and foodservice communities—from the education programs to the expo to the networking opportunities," said PMA CEO Cathy Burns. "I’d like to thank Conference Committee Chairs Jill Overdorf of Naturipe and Nichole Towell of Duda Farm Fresh Foods and our committee members for their leadership and guidance in helping to create the experiences we shared this week, as well as our sponsors for their support. I’d also like to thank our exhibitors for sharing their innovations with us, but also their generosity in donating fresh fruits and vegetables to the Food Bank of Monterey County.”

From what I saw, I firmly believe that everyone was a winner at this show, though some left the expo with some extra kudos—Driscoll’s won Best of Show, Coastline Family Farms snagged Best of Show 2nd Place, and Good Farms won Best Product Promo.

Duda Fresh Farms had an especially good time, winning the coveted PMA Produce Plate Award that was presented by celebrity chef, author, and TV host, Ted Allen, at the People’s Choice Award at PMA’s 2019 Strolling Lunch Competition. The company’s prize winning dish, Charred Dandy® Super Sweet Corn and Chicken Tinga Tostada with Fermented Dandy® Celery Slaw, was created by Chef Todd Fisher.

Allen—Host of Food Network's Chopped to name one of his many projects and keynote speaker at the show—did more than just pass out awards, however. The celebrity culinary maven also spoke about his insights on the culinary world and his thoughts on what’s ahead for the foodservice industry. He even took it a step further, adding that he would love to establish ongoing connections with PMA and produce suppliers as contributors to the unbelievably cool ingredients on the Chopped show.

"We [Chopped] would love to be a show that's at the vanguard of what you do. We have a perfect place to showcase it and we've demonstrated that grocery stores and the buying public responds to it...you can help us and we can help you," Allen said. He later continued. "I think we could be something of a team. We're all about stimulating people's imaginations and palates, and it's fun—let's do it together."

Conference Co-Chair Jill Overdorff posed a question to attendees: how are each of us going to be an ambassador for our industry? Allen echoed that sentiment in his keynote, where he compared his work on the popular food show Chopped to what those in the produce industry partake in everyday. Allen’s purchases are 90 percent produce, so he’s clearly put his money where his mouth is when expressing his passion for the produce sector. In his speech, he noted that this industry makes an impression by introducing people to new flavors and evolving their palates, simply by what we bring to the table in terms of fresh produce. Allen waxed poetic about new and rare flavor combinations like strawberries or peaches added to Bruschetta, or shishito peppers added to a pesto dressing or seeded and charred, as a way to open consumers up to a whole new world of possibilities.

Among the products and offerings I saw, I deduced that plant-based foods are steadily taking off, avocados are as popular as ever, pre-cut fruits and veg are in high demand, and sustainable packaging is the next big innovation—and that’s just for starters. No two booths were the same, and there was always something amazing around every corner. At least in this writer’s eye, the show was flawless, and I wasn't the only one who thought so.

"This year's event in Monterey, California, impressed once again. The agenda put together by the PMA, as well as the people, the food, the location was perfect," commented Frank Swanson, Category Manager, Fresh Produce for US Foods.

It’s no surprise that this show attracts the best in the biz, whether big or small, because I saw partnerships percolating left and right. I’m no buyer, but I could see how the event was a smorgasbord for companies looking to meet their produce goals and make a splash in the foodservice world. This show is an invaluable tool for networking and gaining fresh ideas and insight.

“PMA Foodservice is such an incredible opportunity to meet with our suppliers outside of Salinas and build new relationships in the area and beyond as well. Monterey is also the perfect place to host a number of networking events giving our associates the opportunity for professional development in an intimate setting," Julie Olivarria, Vice President or Produce for Sysco, said. "PMA always puts on such a great event, starting with the keynotes and the 5K, all the way through to the trade show floor. We're always looking for new items, new packaging, or new ways of addressing food trends to better serve our customers. As we continue to expand our programs and look for new partnerships, PMA remains among those we feel offer significant value."

Making new connections, developing business relationships, and inspiring new dialogues around food were major themes at the show, but more than that, PMA Foodservice offers the entire industry a chance to look at where it’s been and where it’s going. It may be cliché, but I saw the future of the industry on that showroom floor, and that future looks pretty bright.

Produce Marketing Association

KANSAS CITY, KS - Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is preparing to reward shopper loyalty and drive more sales with its latest partnership with RSA America (RSA), a supermarket technology company that specializes in delivering mobile rewards.

“This is a great digital solution for our member retailers and we look forward to working with RSA to deliver even more savings to consumers,” said Jeff Pedersen, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Support Officer, AWG. “We strive to build long-term relationships with partners such as RSA to assist our members in improving sales and increase their market share.”

According to a press release, RSA America will now be one of AWG’s preferred mobile loyalty reward and coupon vendors. The way the mobile platform works is that it allows retailer’s real-time coupon validation and management at every touch point of the redemption process.

“AWG member stores will be able to offer more savings to their shoppers. With RSA and AWG working together, our clients can be assured they have the best deals and the best technology which will allow them to focus on doing what they do best: serving their customers,” said Rob Belcore, Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder of RSA America.

For the latest in what’s happening in the industry, keep reading ANUK.

Associated Wholesale Grocers

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Figs have grown in popularity over the last decade, as consumers have taken to eating them in both sweet and savory dishes. Paul Catania Jr., CEO of Catania Worldwide, gave me the lowdown on this gorgeous fruit.

“California figs are a great attraction,” he began. “The best way to market them is to educate consumers on all the different ways to eat fresh figs. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and make a perfect addition to any recipe. You can stuff them with gorgonzola and then wrap them in prosciutto for a flavorful appetizer. Or you can make some fig jam and spread it on your morning toast!”

The options, it would seem, are endless. Full of fiber and rich in minerals, figs also offer health-conscious consumers a guilt-free way of snacking.

Catania is entering into the beginning stages of harvest for its second crop of figs from California, which include varieties such as Brown Turkeys, Black Mission, and Sierra. Sizable volumes are expected for all three.

“Brown Turkeys are a larger piece of fruit and not as commonly known,” Paul shared. “They’re gaining more recognition and popularity. Our second-crop Black Mission figs are traditionally a bit smaller than first crop, but an exceptional eating piece of fruit. And our green variety is the Sierra, which is also a fine eating piece of fruit.”

For the latest in fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Catania Worldwide

BENTONVILLE, AR - What once was a far-off hope is now almost a reality. Self-driving cars is already happening, but self-driving and food delivery cars? Now that's practically genius. More and more retailers, like Walmart, are investigating the possibilities and has been implementing its own pilot projects with automated vehicles to increase and streamline its delivery capabilities.

“We’ve been exploring a few pilot projects with self-driving car companies that include both customer delivery as well as transporting goods between our locations. Today, we’re announcing a new pilot with autonomous vehicle company, Gatik,” said Tom Ward, Senior Vice President, Digital Operations, Walmart U.S., in a statement on the company’s website.

Arkansas—Walmart's home state—has recently passed legislation allowing for autonomous vehicles to operate in the state. Walmart has begun testing its self-driving car program in Bentonville, where the vehicles will move customer orders along a two-mile route between two of its stores. While some details and logistics still need to be worked out, the company is eager to incorporate the new technology into its online grocery ecosystem.

“We’re always out to help our customers, and that means helping them save time and money. So, we’re using our position of strength to reinvent the shopping experience to take us, and busy families, well into the future,” added Ward.

What other retailers will follow suit on this path to automation? Will this technology reinvent grocery delivery and increase consumer interest in delivery options? AndNowUKnow will report.

Walmart

STAFFORD, VA - Publix has been strategically expanding its operations across the country, as it grows its new-concept GreenWise Market stores and extends its distribution capabilities, moving forward with a new $400 million North Carolina distribution center. The retailer has also been exploring new markets, Virginia in particular.

The company has announced it will be constructing a new store in Stafford, VA, at the Embrey Mill Town Center, according to Potomac Local. The new 48,000-square-foot store will employ approximately 130 individuals.

Publix has previously expanded into the Virgina retail scene, with new stores popping up in Carytown, VA and Fredricksburg, VA.

Is this the start of a Virginia retail takeover? And will this expansion prompt other retailers to expand their retail operations in competition? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.

Publix

OXNARD, CA - Gills Onions has doubled down on its sustainability efforts. The company has announced the addition of solar energy to its already comprehensive sustainability portfolio that it has been cultivating and growing for a decade.

“We established sustainability priorities to ensure the greatest impact across our operation,” Owner Steven Gill said. “We face many challenges in our business, including minimizing our environmental footprint while also ensuring the safety and highest quality of our products. We are moving forward with innovation and great enthusiasm as we explore ways to do so. We are maintaining this focus even as we continue to navigate this challenging economic and regulatory environment. Our vision is for the long term and so is our commitment.”

The new 472 KW(dc) solar roof array at Gills Onions’ Oxnard-based processing facility was developed by REC Solar, a division of Duke Energy Renewables and one of the country’s leading suppliers of on-site and off-site renewable energy solutions. The solar roof will produce 13,791 fewer metric tons of emissions, which is about the same carbon sequestered by 16,231 forest acres for a year, according to a press release.

“At Gills Onions, it is our goal to provide the highest-quality onion products with the lowest environmental impact,” said Gill. “We are pleased to partner with REC Solar on our latest initiative. We’re continually evolving our sustainability program to positively impact our environment.”

This project is one of many that makes up Gills Onions’ sustainability portfolio, which includes projects that help address the reduction of emissions, carbon, and waste; water conservation; efficient land usage and conservation; environmentally preferable and safe packaging choices; and quality of life for farmers, employees, and the communities the company inhabits.

What will be Gills Onions’ next progressive sustainability initiative? Read AndNowUKnow to find out.

Gills Onions

ROSEMONT, IL - It’s a great day to be a driver for US Foods! This week, the foodservice operator announced that eight of its drivers were named to the 2019 class of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) Truck Driver Hall of Fame, receiving recognition for having some of the best safety records and a strong commitment to the industry.

“At US Foods, we are committed to developing a team of highly skilled and trained drivers who are committed to putting the safety of our employees, customers, and fellow drivers first,” said Mary Zmuda, Vice President of Safety. “The drivers honored have clearly demonstrated this commitment in practice as they serve our operators each day. We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

According to a press release, the honored US Foods drivers include:

• Percy Ardion of Houston, Texas
• Phillip Bachor of Albuquerque, New Mexico
• William “Ray” Boruff of Knoxville, Tennessee
• Glenn Fisher of Altoona, Pennsylvania
• Robert “Andy” Fitzgerald of Knoxville, Tennessee
• Gaylen Giffin of Altoona, Pennsylvania
• Larry “Denver” Jiles of Atlanta, Georgia
• Roger Lusk of Lubbock, Texas

These drivers showcased fantastic safety records and a longevity of service, two necessary factors the IFDA takes into account when inducting new classes into its Hall of Fame. In addition, drivers must have at least 25 years of employment with an IFDA member company, as well as no chargeable accidents and no moving violations within the last five years.

This year’s Hall of Famers will be recognized at the IFDA Distribution Solutions Conference on the morning of Oct. 29, 2019, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

To see which other transportation pros have received this honor, click here.

It's no secret that finding drivers, let alone Hall of Fame-worthy drivers, is a challenge. As we previously reported, Walmart is currently working to tackle the shortage in transport labor and Bloomberg reports that it is on course to double in a decade. 

So, a big congratulations to this year’s winners and the company they serve! For more produce industry wins, stay right here with AndNowUKnow.

US Foods