BENTONVILLE, AR – As competition in the buy-side sector continues to soar, Walmart is making further investments into upping its production and securing its footprint in the market by announcing plans to build a new distribution center. The facility, located in Central Florida, will encompass 146-acres and is currently valued at more than $2 million.

The planned project in Brevard County will span a sizeable 592,830-square-feet, according to the Orlando Business Journal, and will feature one main facility to store both cold and dry produce, freezer items, and other perishables such as dairy, deli, and meats. 

The distribution center will also house a shipping and receiving dock, along with 943 parking spaces. Other smaller facilities are also planned for the site for fuel, a guard house, truck maintenance garage, and more. 

Walmart filed a permit to begin the project in Cocoa, FL. Florida Today reported that the retail giant will receive $2.92 million in economic incentives from the city to build the center, including a cash incentive of $2 million, as well as create 239 jobs. 

Orlando Business Journal speculates that the distribution center’s creation will also generate $96.2 million in new capital for Cocoa by the end of 2018 through construction, renovations, technology, and furnishings.

Once granted the permit, Walmart will be able to move forward with its groundbreaking and prospective plans for completion.

Where will the buy-side industry expand next, and which retailer will set its roots further into the U.S. market with new distribution centers? Keep up with AndNowUKnow as the reports roll in.

Walmart

SPARTANBURG, SC - From a restaurant manager to his current role as Senior Purchasing Manager for Denny’s, Gene Harris has had quite a ride since he started with the company in San Diego, California, in August of 1986. As Gene celebrates his 30th anniversary this year, the industry veteran shares with me the details behind his long tenure at Denny’s and how the company’s commitment to its customers starts from within.

“Denny's is such a great company to work for,” Gene tells me as we talk about the family-feel of Denny’s corporate culture. “We work as a team and work together to support each other, while also supporting restaurant operations and the franchisees. Our goal is to continually support and drive the Denny’s brand; whether it’s a company restaurant or a franchise restaurant, it doesn’t matter. It is still a Denny’s!”

So, what brought Gene to Denny’s? The path was definitely unique. Gene worked as a cook in many restaurants during, and after, high school. When he went to college, Gene took several automotive classes and worked as a mechanic for about 2 years before deciding to go into the Navy in February 1979 to be a cook. 

“I ended up as a cook on a submarine stationed in San Diego. I served on two different nuclear subs in the seven and a half years that I was in,” Gene tells me. “I got out of the Navy on August 3rd of 1986 and went to work at Denny’s two weeks later. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Gene has navigated the many leadership roles at Denny’s, from Restaurant Manager, General Manager, and General Training Manager, to Product Development Project Leader, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Manager, and his current position as Senior Purchasing Manager. Through the years, Gene has seen the company grow both its footprint and its diner demographics, and attributes the company’s success to the strength and support within the Denny’s culture.

“Diversity is an everyday part of our culture, and that has helped us bring multiple perspectives to the table in order to drive growth,” he says. “We treat everyone the same – as a fellow member of the Denny’s Team.”

As Gene enters the next ten years with Denny’s, his goal is to continue to improve and strengthen the company’s regional purchasing programs, and to also provide great service and value for the restaurants.

“Staying ahead of food safety issues, finding ways to improve our purchasing programs even more – these are all apart of our vision at Denny’s. I love the produce industry – especially the people. It's like a big family,” Gene shares. “And personally, my goal is to be the best husband, dad, and ‘Papa’ I can be, and also to give back by serving others in need. I am very blessed!”

Please join me in congratulating Gene on his 30^th anniversary with Denny’s, and for his continued impact on our industry! 

Denny's

IRVINE, CA - The California Avocado Commission (CAC) is gearing up for a milestone year at PMA Fresh Summit, celebrating its 45th year as an exhibitor. This year, the commission will be bringing with it a new logo and insights for 2017.

“Clear communication of the origin of California avocados is a key strategy for the Commission,” said Jan DeLyser, CAC’s Vice President of Marketing, according to a press release. “In 2009, CAC introduced a new consumer logo that heightened the communication of California, then developed a label design for the fruit that handlers were able to customize for their use. Both have evolved, and with the new Commission logo, all California avocado identification is integrated.”

This new corporate logo looks to align with the commission’s consumer logo and label schematic, it explained, acting as a significant departure from the design that has been used in variations for the last three decades.

As for insights into next year, DeLyser said, “The 2015-16 California avocado season has come to a close with the harvest expected to come in on projection. Now we’re gearing up for next season and inviting retailers and industry stakeholders to CAC’s PMA Fresh Summit booth #2843 to learn about our latest research and plans for 2017.”

Taking place October 15 and 16 of this year, this 45th year for CAC is a marker in a long history of support of PMA. Commission Founding President, CEO, and California avocado innovator, Ralph Pinkerton, served as PMA chair in 1973, and DeLyser held the same honor in 2012-13. Many members of the commission have also volunteered on PMA committees.

CAC will now return as a sponsor of the Produce for Better Health Supermarket Registered Dietitian (SRD) program, as well as host groups of SRDs in its booth. In attendance will be Matt Ruscigno, MPH, RD, educator, and media spokesperson, and Past-Chair of the Vegetarian Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

At PMA Fresh summit, he will share with SRDs and others about the benefits of a plant-based diet, plus the nutritional and culinary benefits of avocados.

See for yourself by stopping in on booth #2843 next month, October 15 and 26. And keep on checking in with AndNowUKnow for more to expect from the show as we count down to the big event.

California Avocado Commission

NOGALES, AZ - There’s a new option on the market for devoted organic consumers.

As we recently reported, Wholesum Harvest is partnering with Vitalis Seeds to launch the “Vitalis Born, Wholesum Raised” initiative. When we checked in on how the program is going, Wholesum Harvest says they are seeing success. Inquiries are rolling in, PLUs are on boxes, and orders are shipping out.

“This is the assurance consumers need that there hasn’t been any modification to the product. It’s organic for the organic purist,” says Jessie Gunn, Marketing Manager for Wholesum Harvest. “Through this quality mark, we are demonstrating our commitment that organic agriculture should start with organic seed.”

The program has opened a dialogue with consumers about the origins of organic produce, and Wholesum Harvest is glad to be providing answers. According to Gunn, organic is the fastest growing produce segment, and the company wants to get ahead of the curve in using organic seed.

Of the decision to launch the program, Gunn says, “People were asking for it. We know people are getting logo fatigue with Organic, Non-GMO, Fair Trade labels, but the most important point from start of the day to dinner is that we’re doing business right.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all the latest in organic produce news.

Wholesum Harvest Vitalis Organic Seed

RIO RICO, AZ – With over 20 years of experience in the industry, President of Mas Melons & Grapes, LLC, Miguel A. Suarez, has shared what has led the company to its prominent stature as a vertically-integrated agribusiness.

Today, the company is known annually marketing more than 3 million boxes of melons, grapes, squash, asparagus, cucumbers, avocados, and broccoli through strategic partnerships throughout Mexico. 

"Today, the solid business of relationship Mas Melons & Grapes has built during the last 19 years with most of its global customers, goes beyond the merely business transaction, it is founded in a provocative, customer-driven passion to ethically source the finest and best tasting fruits and vegetables out of Mexico," said Suarez, according to a press release. 

Suarez, best known as Miky, is no stranger to the melon and grape industry. Over 20 years ago, he earned the reputation as being the sales manager with the highest records of Mexican cantaloupe and honeydew melon exports while working for a leading distribution company in Nogales, Arizona. After hearing frequent complaints about the inconsistent quality and lack of taste, he concluded the best solution is to have complete control over the whole process, from production, post-harvest and shipping, all the way from field to distribution.

To achieve this level of control, Suarez decided to partner with some of the best third generation growers in Mexico, with whom he had developed an honesty-driven relationship, and jointly invested on getting key human resources, quality, and food safety certifications. The partnership also sought out state-of-the-industry equipment to guarantee every fruit under the company's Desert Pride® brand is delivered with optimal quality and flavor. 

"Every individual at Mas Melons & Grapes has learned to take care of our customers the way he or she would want to be taken care of. We believe that's important to your continued success, and to ours," continued Suarez.

Over the years, said the company, Suarez has dedicated himself to being the preferred supplier of his customers globally by consistently delivering superior quality, flavor, and service.

Mas Melons & Grapes furthers its deliveries of fresh produce into North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia with investments into state-of-the-art technology. This focus and dedication in the company has allowed for continuous growth, and opportunities for future generations. 

Where is Mas Melons & Grapes headed next? Stay with AndNowUKnow to find out.

Mas Melons & Grapes 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With CEO Brian Cornell continuing on his mission of making Target a destination for groceries and fresh products, Target has announced a new program that will see a change in how its food staff is trained. For the first time, Target will have a dedicated staff just for its grocery department, who will receive specialized training in order to enhance customers’ experiences in the store.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, training will include both handling backroom inventory and interacting with the store’s grocery customers. Depending on each location, grocery teams will include anywhere between 10 to 60 employees.

Katie Boylan, Target’s Vice President Communications, told the source that the new program has already been rolled out at 450 stores, with another 150 stores expected in the next month. Boylan said that this new approach is part of an effort “to improve our offering, better cater to our guests, and drive growth.”

Spearheaded by newly appointed Senior Vice President of Grocery Transformation, Aaron Alt, the program will see a new regional-based leadership position called Grocery Director. Each will oversee food-related decisions at about 60 stores and report to Target’s store operations team at its headquarters in Minneapolis, WSJ notes.

So far, Target has picked 10 grocery experts for the salaried position, with more in the works for other key markets. Boylan added that these employees will “provide education and oversight that helps store teams make more informed decisions.”

While the company has not discussed the cost of the program or how the changes might affect worker wages, this investment was not likely made in vain. With grocery accounting for around a fifth of its total revenue, Target has all the good reason to keep honing in on improving its perishable and fresh grocery sectors.

Target

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against Hop Hing Produces Inc., operating out of New York alleging unlawful employment of an individual under PACA employment restrictions after being given notice by USDA that the company was not permitted to employ the individual without USDA-approval and the posting of a surety bond.

According to a USDA press release, Hop Hing Produces Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company willfully violated the PACA by unlawfully employing an individual under PACA employment restrictions, it could be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service

CASTROVILLE, CA - Chris Drew, Vice President of Operations at Ocean Mist Farms, has been admitted into Class 47 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), a 17-month curriculum from October 2016 to February 2018, which is managed by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and is one of the most esteemed leadership programs in the United States.

Drew has more than 16 years of experience in the in nursery crops and vegetable production and has been with Ocean Mist Farms since 2004. His duties there include directing activities associated with the post-harvest of Ocean Mist Farms products, managing the cooling and shipping facilities, overseeing food safety and quality assurance, sustainability and value-added operations, and directing new product and service innovation. 

Drew, who lives in Hollister, CA, with his wife and two daughters, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and also has an MBA. 

"We are excited to see Chris participate in the Cal Ag Leadership program," said Joe Pezzini, CEO of Ocean Mist Farms. "He has a team approach to solving complex problems; has leadership and intellectual acumen and he is a product expert. We are thrilled that he will bring this additional training and perspective to senior management.”

More than 1,200 men and women have participated in the program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government, business, and other areas. Applicants must be growers, farmers, ranchers or individuals working in allied businesses and organizations who are emerging or mid-career leaders in agriculture.

The program operates through four partner universities—Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, and UC Davis. In addition to leadership-focused and high-impact curriculum through monthly seminars, fellows participate in an eight-day national travel seminar and a 15-day international travel seminar as valuable extensions to their studies. 

As explained in a press release, CALF invests approximately $50,000 per fellow to participate in the Ag Leadership Program, with costs being underwritten by individual and industry donations.

Ocean Mist Farms 

HACKENSACK, NJ - Allan Napolitano, Sales and Partnership Development Manager at Vision Import Group, recently had an opportunity to journey out of the office and into the fields in Ecuador with V.P. of Sales Ronnie Cohen to research the upcoming mango crop and plantain fields. 

"It was really a fantastic opportunity to do field visits in Ecuador. While my daily work is sales and creating programs, I have a very strong interest in learning about what is happening at source," said Napolitano. "To see for myself the development and literal growth of product that we normally see packaged and graded already was wonderful." 

Vision Import Group provides a fifty-two week supply of its mangoes, and in addition to growing in Ecuador, also has operations in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, and Peru, that span the Kent, Keitt, Tommy Atkins, Haden, and Ataulfo varieties.

"To be in a position of greater understanding with the challenges that my growers face helps me to be a better partner to them," Napolitano added in a press release. "It also helps me more clearly communicate with my customers and share in real time what is happening in the fields. We all have a passion for what we do and it’s great that I can share my experiences with everyone I work with."

Napolitano also mentioned that he is grateful to The National Mango Board members, who were all welcoming and supportive in his experience.

Comprised of Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles and Vision Import Group in River Edge, NJ, these separate companies allow parent, the Vision Companies, to do business in two slightly different ways while sharing unified national distribution and marketing both brands nationwide. With several global grower partnerships, Vision Import Group is known for its direct relationships with growers, allowing it to offer its high quality produce. 

Vision Import Group