WOODRIDGE, Il – At the Chicago International Produce Market (CIPM), companies looking to increase operational efficiency and traceability are taking note of Produce Pro Software. One such company is La Galera Produce, a family-owned wholesaler and merchant at the market committed to providing the finest in Mexican fruits and vegetables to its customers.

“We noticed Produce Pro at the United Fresh 2015 convention and also learned a fellow merchant at the CIPM had just implemented their software solution, which came highly recommended,” said Francisco Vega, an Owner of La Galera, in a press release.

La Galera adopted Produce Pro in May of this year. The system provided the company with the ability to use different currencies, efficiently place orders for customers with multiple stores, and enhance visibility on product details.

“Produce Pro has not only made my job easier, but my customer’s job easier,” said Jose Vega Jr., La Galera Owner. “Being able to group customers with multiple stores has made order placement easier, faster, and more efficient now that we have Produce Pro.”

The company’s owners and employees described Produce Pro as an ideal ERP Software Solution, perfect for a company like La Galera that provides wholesale distribution to large chains across national borders but flexible enough to accommodate smaller grocery and restaurant clientele.

“The system is extremely flexible. We were able to customize certain things based on the needs of our business which has helped resolve several currency issues we had previously, giving us the ability to pay vendors in pesos. Now everything flows seamlessly together,” said Erica Vega, La Galera Owner.

“We wouldn’t be able to live without all of the traceability features. It has helped us track down every detail related to our products,” added Xiomara Herrera, an Administrative Assistant with La Galera.

For more on business solutions for the produce industry, check back in with AndNowUKnow.

Produce Pro Software La Galera Produce

MONTEREY, CA - Your future Director of Sales, responsible for carrying on the brand legacy, may have recently spent a memorable day learning how agribusiness works, followed by a juice box. On November 3, third-graders from around Monterey county attended Farm Day, an event with the aim of encouraging enthusiasm in what the world of agriculture has to offer.

“Farm Day is a wonderful opportunity for third-graders to get to know the local farmers and producers that are right here in Monterey County,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Corporate Marketing at Mann Packing and one of the Farm Day volunteer guides. “We wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see all the smiling faces learning about the agriculture industry. We love supporting this great event and the chance to introduce people of the fantastic farmers who are at the heart of this vibrant valley.”

The produce industry abounds with initiatives for igniting interest in promising agricultural careers; but Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. stands out for striving to cultivate curiosity in the industry through Farm Day over the past 25 years. If you do the math over the lifetime of the event, it has turned out a staggering 165,000 students and 33,000 adult chaperones and teachers exposed to the magic of farming.

Farm Day occurs three times each year and draws together industry sects spanning areas from R&D, seeds, production, packaging, pallets, equipment, computers, and specialty fields. Millions of dollars worth of equipment captivate kids in between presentations given by participating companies. It takes nearly 700 people each year to execute the three events. And some people, such as Candi Depauw, Farm Day Coordinator, have been volunteering since 1991.

“The goal is to establish an appreciation for the agricultural industry, and show people where the rubber meets the road, so to speak,” commented Depauw. “We demonstrate to kids, teachers, and parents that if children are interested, there is a world of possibility within agriculture. Until they see it, many people think it is just growing lettuce or some other commodity, but there are multiple industries behind the person with the knife cutting lettuce in the field.”

The nationally recognized program has remained totally free to schools, despite the $100 cost per student, covered by the non-profit. ​

Mann Packing Farm Day

BOISE, ID - Albertsons looks to be on the move once again, this time eyeing grocery chain Price Chopper for upwards of $1 billion.

The retailer is in advanced talks to buy up the Schenectady, New York-based, 130+ store chain, according to Reuters.

Albertsons and Price Chopper declined to comment on the deal.

Sources close to the matter, who asked Reuters not to identify them because the matter is confidential, cautioned that it is still possible for the deal negotiations to fall through.

This would be the latest in a string of big moves for Albertsons over the last couple of years, which has grown to an entity of more than 2,200 supermarkets.

Most recently, the retailer was mentioned on a list of candidates to acquire hundreds of Rite Aids in Walgreen’s bid to appease the FTC for its own acquisition. Other strategic strikes include the notable $9.2 billion merger with Safeway, and ownership of brands like Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Tom Thumb, and United Supermarkets.

Buying up Price Chopper as well, which has deep roots on the eastern seaboard going back to 1922 when it started as a wholesale grocery warehouse in New York. It now operates in not only its home state, but also Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

We will continue to follow this story as more details develop.

Albertsons Price Chopper

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that New Farm Inc. satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a recent USDA press release, the Brooklyn, N.Y., company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Jong Hwa H. Kim was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named responsibly connected individuals. USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.

The PACA Division, which is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

WATSONVILLE, CA - As California Giant shifts through the seasons, preparing to end the 2016 year with some crops and beginning the 2017 year in other regions, the company has further opportunities on the horizon for increased exposure. California Giant is ramping up excitement around its trade email, ‘Buzz Blog,’ and putting together its own cookbook.

As Vice President of Marketing Cindy Jewell recently told me, each offering is positioned to place California Giant with a unique connection with its consumers, partners, and customers alike.

“Our ‘Buzz Blog’ email is the perfect way to get a detailed overview of each of our berries. Every email gives an overview of what we expect on volume, quality, weather, and more for each berry type,” Cindy tells me of the ongoing engaging resource.

The email, accessible through its site, goes out every other week on Mondays. Cindy says that the company has taken a fully engaged involvement with the trade email, tailored to the needs of its recipients. Each ‘Buzz Blog’ contains information from California Giant’s sales, growers, and marketing teams to provide a complete point of reference to the reader.

Furthermore, Cindy describes, each member of the company’s sales and marketing teams has their own subscriber list, so readers receive the email directly from their contact person at California Giant; rather than a larger list.

“People are always requesting to be added to our ‘Buzz Blog’ subscriber list. California Giant is always looking to further connect and engage our customers and consumers, so we’re excited to see what opportunities the ‘Buzz Blog’ brings next,” Cindy tells me.

In that same vein, Cindy says that California Giant is preparing to launch its first cookbook. The book was cultivated from year-long interaction between the company and its consumers as shoppers responded to recipes, tips, promotions, and other offers.

“Our cookbook is a unique collection of the most viewed and downloaded recipes by our key consumers over the year. It will also include a unique collection of our own recipes from the California Giant team, and their family members,” Cindy describes.

The book, in production now, acknowledges the support of California Giant’s consumers, and that of its most loyal trading partners who buy and promote the company.

As California Giant continues to put a focus on it presence in the marketplace with innovative and social-media minded endeavors, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.

California Giant Berry Farms

LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Just as consumers are fleshing out their baskets with rising purchases and demand for specialty produce, Frieda’s has announced a new addition to its team to flesh out its leadership.

Allen DeMo, a produce veteran of over 25 years, has joined the company as its new Director of Procurement and Sourcing. In his new role, Allen will cultivate a myriad of relationships to further bolster the company, according to a press release. 

“We are excited to welcome Allen to the Frieda’s family,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s. “He will direct our buying and grower development team, nurturing our relationships with suppliers and growers around the world.”

In his extensive time as part of our industry, Allen has held leadership roles with previous companies such as Green Thumb Produce, DiMare Fresh, and Ready Pac Specialties. Most recently, he was part of the DLJ Distributing team. Allen also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council.

Allen can be reached at his new role at [email protected] starting December 1, 2016. 

Congratulates on your new appointment, Allen, and we can’t wait to see where the Frieda’s team heads next!

Frieda's Specialty Produce

SALINAS, CA - Premier grower and shipper of fresh produce Tanimura & Antle has hired industry veteran Samantha Cabaluna as its new Vice President of Brand Marketing and Communications.

“I am honored to be a part of the Tanimura & Antle family,” said Samantha. “The legacy of this company is a powerful foundation that will continue to nurture innovation and bring more delicious, premium fresh produce to more family tables as the company grows. I’m thrilled to be asked to help catalyze that growth.”

According to a press release, Cabaluna will lead the company’s marketing and communications program, working closely with both President and CEO Rick Antle and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jeff Jackson, to keep the third-generation grower-shipper at the forefront of the produce industry.

“Samantha brings to Tanimura & Antle a brand marketer and communications expert with a proven record of wins,” stated Rick. “She has been a steadfast leader time after time. We are excited to have Samantha joining our team and the best is yet to come.”

Samantha previously served for nearly 14 years at Earthbound Farm, where she was instrumental in protecting the company’s brand, overseeing all communications and marketing initiative, packaging and graphic design, public relations, issues and crisis management, social media and web communications, as well as being the company’s primary spokesperson. 

For more on important hires the produce industry, stay up to date with AndNowUKnow. 

Tanimura & Antle

BOISE, ID - McDonald’s is highlighting what it is that makes its french fries “world famous,” in a video installment of a series called “What’s Cooking Across America at McDonald’s,” shining a light on Idaho potato farmers.

McDonald’s Executive Chef Dan Coudreaut and Director of Culinary Innovation Chef Jessica Foust went to the farms themselves for the feature.

“When you think of McDonald’s, you think of our world famous french fries,” Chef Coudreaut narrates. “They were on our very first menu, and our fries have been a favorite ever since.”

The chef continues by saying that great french fries start with great potatoes, introducing us to one of the global food chain’s suppliers, Idaho-based grower and Owner of Noble Farms, Mark Noble.

“We’ve been doing it like this for quite a few years,” Mark says of the quality potatoes, explaining to the watchers what makes a perfect potato as Chef Coudreaut emphasizes the importance of the ties between the restaurant and the farm, the grower to the consumer.

The video was released on November 11, listing such facts as; Idaho farmers plant 320,000 acres of potatoes every spring, and that Idaho’s “rich soil, sunny days, and cool nights create the perfect growing conditions” for the produce.

Watch the one 1 minute, 34 second production yourself below.

The video highlights those “hands in the dirt” shots of harvest, potatoes right out of the ground, and Mark himself sifting the dirt, with his voice answering the foodservice chefs' questions, particularly highlighting Russet Burbanks.

The video transitions into a soft-lit McDonald’s kitchen that highlights a healthy approach to french fries, like the use of vegetable oil and no trans fats.

On YouTube alone, the video has garnered over 210,000 views.

McDonald's

JOLIET, IL - In the latest move to team up with innovative management solutions company Topco, Central Grocers has announced it has joined as the cooperative’s latest member-owner.

“Central Grocers is pleased to join the Topco family,” shared Ken Nemeth, President and CEO of Central Grocers. “Topco’s innovative approach to finding business solutions in the grocery industry will be of significant benefit to the members we serve in more than 500 independent grocery stores. We envision that their buying power will help us maintain customer-friendly pricing in our intensely competitive markets, while Topco’s expertise in quality assurance, packaging, and sustainability will help us improve overall in-store efficiency.”

Joliet, Illinois-based Central Grocers is a supplier for grocers such as the following: 

• Strack & Van Til
• Tony’s Finer Foods
• Ultra Foods
• Sunset Foods
• Town & Country
• Key Market

Central Grocers will participate in Topco’s Grocery, Dairy/Bakery, Meat, Deli, Produce, and Floral programs as part of its new partnership. According to a press release, Topco expects to have the wholesaler fully-transitioned by first quarter of 2017. 

“I am excited for this strong retailer-owned wholesaler to join our membership,” explained Randy Skoda, Topco's President & CEO. “We look forward to partnering together to help Central Grocers fulfill their mission of serving the true independent grocer in their local market,” he continued.

As explained by the company itself, Topco Associates LLC is an over $15 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation, and knowledge management solutions for food industry member-owners and customers, which includes grocery retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice suppliers.

Central Grocers Topco

PITTSBURGH, PA - Giant Eagle and McDonald's employees joined thousands of others in the Pittsburgh area in an organized “Day of Disruption,” calling for a $15 minimum wage and union representation.

The event was organized by The Service Employees International Union and is specifically aimed at McDonald's restaurants and local hospital UPMC, according to news source WTAE, but Giant Eagle employees have also joined.

"Giant Eagle workers will also join the fight for $15 today, asking that the company start paying family-sustaining wages and stop interfering with Giant Eagle employees' right to organize," a press release on behalf of the group stated, according to the report.

The strike takes place in parts today, Nov. 29, marching at a number of McDonald’s locations in the city in the morning, followed by a downtown rally in the afternoon.

Pittsburgh is just one area this is taking place, the source reported, with cities across the nation taking part in the overall strike.

"It's about workers, but it's also recognizing that workers are more than who they are in between when they clock-in and clock-out, but that they're our community members, they're our neighbors, they're humans," said Pittsburgh United Organizer Kai Pang. "We should have the right to not only survive but thrive in this city."

AndNowUKnow will report on this and other current events occurring in the buy-side and all other circuits of the produce industry.

Giant Eagle