PITTSBURGH, PA – 42 years of service to Giant Eagle is soon to come to a close for President and Chief Operating Officer, John Lucot, who has just announced his intent to retire this upcoming June 30th. Beginning his career in 1974 as a Supermarket Clerk, Lucot has risen to be a key member of the senior leadership team responsible for launching the company’s Market District banner, fuelperks! customer loyalty program, and more.

“The fact that I have spent my entire career with Giant Eagle is a testament to the compassionate spirit and commitment to the personal growth of others that is at the core of our wonderful organization,” said Lucot in a statement, explaining that the part of his career he will miss the most is serving his tens of thousands of team members and millions of customers.

“Throughout this difficult decision-making process, my belief in the strength and positive direction of the company has eased my mind as I begin spending less time with my Giant Eagle family, and more with my wife and children,” he added.

Since January 2012, Lucot has served in his current role, rising from other executive positions in distribution, retail development, real estate, and operations. According to the company, Lucot has been an instrumental part of developing several sectors of Giant Eagle’s business, including:

• Giant Eagle’s GetGo chain
• Real estate operations
• Independent operations 
• Investing hundreds of millions of dollars in capital reimbursement 
• Entering Giant Eagle into new markets
• Launching the Market District banner
• Launching fuelperks! customer loyalty initiative
• Enhancing Giant Eagle’s Own Brands program

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Chief Executive Officer Laura Karet will assume Lucot’s Chief Operating Officer responsibilities moving forward, and had this to share about his contribution to the company, “John’s value to Giant Eagle is immeasurable. In addition to his expertise, steadfast leadership and competitive and fiery spirit, the profound and positive impact he has had on the lives of our Team Members cannot be understated.”

Congratulations to John Lucot and his 42 years as a key member of the retail grocery industry, and happy travels into the future!

Giant Eagle

JAPAN - Melons and other fruits are a hot, highly sought-after commodity in Japan, making it that much more of a sting when two separate farmers reported hundreds missing from their properties earlier this month.

One farmer was upset to discover as many as 1,400 Rupia Red melons missing from six of his greenhouses, located in the Miyagasaki region.

“It’s unfortunate,” the farmer told the Fuji News Network. “1,400 melons, that’s quite painful.”

Desired for their red flesh and high sugar content, the news source reports that the melons were valued at a total of about 700,000 yen (over $6,400.)

The theft, the grower reported, was discovered on May 9th, just one week after another man discovered 200 melons missing from his property in Hokota City. That incident, which took place on May 2nd, cost the grower upward of 120,000 yen (more than $1,100.)

As we’ve reported previously, the popularity of melons in Japan has been cause for astonishing bids at auction when it comes to just the right varieties. Around this time last year, a pair of Yubari melons went for 2.5 million yen (about $20,500) and in June of 2014 a rare, black skinned watermelon sold at an auction for 350,000 yen (more than $3,000).

As for finding the stolen melons, Ibaraki police confirmed that they regularly receive reports of thefts from farmers in the area.

The higher the risk, the greater the reward. And it seems there’s great rewards, and the risks that come with them, to melon growing in Japan.

WATSONVILLE, CA – This year’s signature Tour de Fresh event is already breaking records with more than 50 riders and 32 sponsors. Riders represent all areas of the fresh produce industry, including growers, retailers, foodservice, industry associations, service providers, and registered dieticians. Participants will ride from Napa Valley to Monterey, Calif. July 26-28, with the goal of raising at least $175,000 in order to donate 50+ salad bars to schools across the country through Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools. Currently, riders have raised $28,047.

As an incentive, anyone who donates to a rider now through May 31 will automatically be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a $1,000 Visa gift card, courtesy of Premier sponsors:

• California Giant Berry Farms
• Church Brothers Farms
• Dole Fresh Vegetables
• Enza Zaden
• Fresh Point
• J&J Family of Farms
• Mission Produce
• Sunripe Certified Brands
• Tanimura & Antle
• Tsamma

“In order to meet our goal of placing 50 more salad bars in schools this year, we’ll need support from industry professionals, family, friends, and local community members,” said Cindy Jewell, vice president of California Giant Berry Farms. “We want everyone who supports this event to feel a sense of ownership and pride, knowing that their contribution lasts far beyond 2016 - it provides fresh fruits and vegetables to thousands of students for years to come.”

This year’s event takes place three months earlier than in years’ past, which puts additional pressure on riders to fundraise quickly. To help support a shorter fundraising window, Tour de Fresh encourages everyone to share rider donation pages on social media, lead community fundraising events, and encourage businesses and schools to get involved.

“We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of Tour de Fresh, which is why Sunripe Certified Brands has chosen to be a Premier sponsor this year,” said Jon Esformes, CEO of Sunripe Certified Brands. “It is our hope that companies and communities will rally together to support the riders who have committed their personal time to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of students.”

Opportunities are still available to join the following confirmed sponsors:

• AndNowUKnow
• Arctic Apples
• California Giant Berry Farms
• CHEP
• Church Brothers Farms
• DMA Solutions, Inc.
• Dole Fresh Vegetables
• Duda Farm Fresh Foods
• EBX Logistics
• Enza Zaden
• Evolution Fresh
• Fresh Point
• Growers Express
• Hort Americas
• Interfresh
• iTrade Network
• J&J Family of Farms
• Lipman Produce
• Mission Produce
• Pajaro Valley Fresh
• PMA Foundation
• PRO Act
• Rehrig Pacific Company
• Renaissance Food Group
• Sakata Seed America, Inc.
• Specialty Produce
• SunFed
• Sunripe Certified Brands
• Tanimura & Antle
• Tessamae’s
• The Wharf Marketplace
• Tsamma
• United Fresh
• Watsonville Coast Produce
• Western Precooling

For more information about Tour de Fresh sponsorships and riding opportunities, please visit www.tourdefresh.com or contact Brock Nemecek at [email protected].

Tour de Fresh

NEW YORK, NY - National Cucumber Day, June 14th, is upon us produce fans, and if you work for a company that provides the refreshing produce-item, I would bet you this gin-soaked festival will be right up your alley. 

Hendrick's Gin, a cucumber-infused spirit itself, has declared it will be initiating a “whimsical-takeover” of both National Cucumber Day and the entire “cucumber celebration season.” For 44 days, beginning May 2nd, 2016, "All individuals prone to wonder, curiosity, and atypical acts of garnishment are advised to keep an eye on [Hendrick’s],” explained the company’s National Ambassador, Jim Ryan in a statement.

 

What is it like to pass through life ill-construed and misclassified? Ask the humble cucumber. Oft considered a vegetable, the cucumber is unequivocally a fruit. The fact that it bears seeds makes it so. Now that you know, immediately go to a cocktail party and tell everyone. Or simply pass along this public service video.

A video posted by Hendrick's Gin (@hendricksgin) on May 11, 2016 at 10:46am PDT

"The era of people thinking of the cucumber as an innocuous salad ingredient has ended," declared Ryan. "More than the core infusion of our liquid, the cucumber is central to our worldview as a most unusual gin."   

So how exactly does Hendrick’s expect to take the cucumber from innocuous to “Most Unusual?” Well, one way to start is with 130-foot, “lighter-than-air miracle” known only as “The Flying Cucumber.” The Flying Cucumber is a massive dirigible airship, shaped, of course, just like the familiar produce item, which will be traveling from one coast of the U.S. to the next. 

Want ever more cucumber-y goodness as your new favorite cucumber-based holiday approaches? Additional festive happenings include: 

The Cucumber Festival of Wonder in New York City 

Taking place in June in New York City, the event will present “a cavalcade of cucumber-inspired marvels,” fascinating live spectacles, roaming cocktail contraptions, and more. 

Most Unusual Cucumber Day Contest

Enter to win a trip to the Festival along with other cucumber-themed prizes by posting a photograph of the “Unusual” on Instagram and Twitter with  #CucumberDayContest and #MostUnusual. 

Cucumber Cultivation Kits

To support at-home cucumber growing, complimentary Cucumber Cultivation Kits may be requested at CucumberDay.com

Cucumber Greeting Cards 

The gin-maker has designed its own line of customizable greeting cards that can be shared throughout the cucumber season. Design your card here. 

National Cucumber Day Hotline: 1-844-Q-CUMBER 

For all cucumber inquiries, Hendrick's Gin has established a round-the-clock Cucumber Day hotline.

Want to learn more about the cucumber extravaganza? Visit the Cucumber Day website at CucumberDay.com, and @HendricksGin on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to learn how to get involved.

Hendrick's Gin

CHICAGO, IL - With more than two decades of experience in helping to cultivate leaders in the produce industry, President of Krivanek Consulting, Inc. Julie Krivanek has been named this year’s honoree and featured speaker for United Fresh’s Honoring Women in Produce reception.

Founder of a top strategic thinking and planning firm in the fresh produce industry, Julie shares a long history in helping contribute to United Fresh by kicking off the inaugural Industry Leadership Program back in 1995, according to a press release. Julie has since served the program for the past 21 years as those apprentices of the program have gone on to help lead and influence the fresh produce industry.

Julie is the latest in a distinguished line of influential women in the industry, most recently Frieda’s President and CEO and 2015 Honoree, Karen Caplan.

Join the United Fresh Association and attendees next month, June 20-22, at what has been called one of the most popular networking events of the show, while celebrating Julie and all the women of our industry.

Typically with standing room only, you can ensure a spot at the Honoring Women in Produce reception with an All Access or Produce Convention Package, found here.

Hope to see you there!

United Fresh Krivanek Consulting

OXNARD, CA – In what the company has marked as an expansion to its foodservice role, Mission Produce has announced that Bryan Garibay has been promoted to Foodservice Sales Manager. 

“We have expanded Bryan’s role in our foodservice operations based on his abilities, and also based on the growth of this important business segment,” said Patrick Cortes, Sales Director, in a recent press release. “Bryan is a solid performer, and this new position gives him that opportunity to expand his leadership capacity with the company as we develop additional foodservice business.”

Garibay rises to his promotion with ten years of experience, most recently in foodservice sales. In his new role, the company said that Garibay would be responsible for managing top-level client relationships, developing new business, and overseeing daily sales activities. 

On his own behalf, Garibay said that he sees the popularity of avocados, and Mission’s market position in the category, as the biggest avenue for growth in the foodservice arena. 

“I’ve been involved in the foodservice business at Mission for the past two years, and I’ve seen explosive growth over that time. Moving forward, we expect the category to continue to expand as more and more operators add avocados to their menu. Based on Mission’s year-round availability from multiple production areas, and ripe distribution centers across North America, we are in an excellent position to serve foodservice customers’ needs every day of the year,” stated Garibay. 

Cortes said that Garibay’s promotion represents the growth of the foodservice role in the company as a whole, and how important that position has become to Mission.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on industry hirings, promotions, and executive shakeups as they are announced.

Mission Produce

LEAMINGTON, ON - Pure Flavor is at it again, and this time with new developments in packaging and sustainability innovation. With United Fresh 2016 on the horizon, the company has been named a finalist for Best New Packaging in the Produce Innovation Awards competition.

With new packaging and the new Cloud 9 snacking tomato, Pure Flavor is responding to the latest consumer desire for a high-flavor tomato and a sustainable presentation.

“We have found a great solution to ensure that we use as much of the tomato plant as possible. This new packaging is an all-compostable recyclable paper tray made from, you guessed it, tomato plants,” Sarah Pau, Director of Marketing, tells me. “Pure Flavor is always looking to innovate, and our new Cloud 9 tomato and packaging is a perfect addition to our tomato family. The combination of sustainability and heightened flavor experience really tells the story behind our goals as a company.”

Cloud 9 is a premium, light red, round cherry tomato that presents a crispy, crunchy, and juicy bite, with a thicker flesh than many similar tomato varieties.  

To round out the products presentation, Pure Flavor will be introducing tomato-featured recipes on the bottom of the tray, like the company’s Herb-Parmesan Roasted Tomatoes. To check out more on the company’s new product and its portfolio of greenhouse offerings, please visit booth 1814.

Good Luck, Pure Flavor, on your new product and we will see you at United Fresh 2016.

Pure Flavor

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - Former Senior Manager of Produce and Floral for Raley's, Jon Holder, has officially begun his new venture with Grocery Outlet. The retailer revealed this week, the selection of Aspiring Operators in Training (AOT) Jon and Yvonne Holder, as the new operators of the West Vallejo, California store.  

“We all wish Jon and Yvonne warm congratulations and many successes as they build upon this new foundation with Grocery Outlet,” Scot Olson, Vice President of Produce and Floral, tells me. “Jon brings a wealth of retail experience to this venture and we look forward to watching him and his wife put their personal touches on the location.”

Jon was in management at Raley’s for 31 successful years, holding the position as Senior Manager of Produce and Floral for Raley's for the past nine years. Yvonne also spent many years at Raley’s, including time in her role as a Senior Merchandiser. They have been in the AOT program in Atascadero, California, for more than ten months and have proven ready for the challenge and the next stage in their retail careers.

As we previously reported, Jon credits the difficulty in making this decision to the friendliness, passion and good nature of so many in the produce and floral business. Luckily for many, Jon is staying in the industry and will never be more than a phone call away.

Raley's Grocery Outlet

LOXAHATCHEE, FL -  J&J Family of Farms and Moore Farms have announced their entrance into a new strategic relationship, that seeks to leverage and grow Moore Farms' Georgia production and enhance J&J’s sales and marketing capabilities.  

“This transaction is another significant milestone for J&J, by adding a long-time grower family as a partner in our Family of Farms,” explained Lynn Rundle, Chairman of the Board and CEO of J&J, in a statement. 

As part of the transaction, Moore Farms will also become a shareholder in J&J Holdings, resulting in a complete alignment and partnership in all aspects of J&J’s business. Tim Moore, Owner of Moore Farms, shared, “We are excited to become a shareholder in J&J Holdings and feel that the Moore family farming legacy that has carried on to the third generation with our sons TJ and Ryan is only strengthened through this relationship with J&J.”

The two company heads weren’t all who commented on the new alliance. Brian Rayfield, VP of Business Development at J&J, added that the company’s newest partner shares its passion for food safety, social responsibility, and best farming practices. 

“We are excited to have Moore Farms as part of the J&J Family of Farms. The Moore family’s exemplary reputation in the industry brings great value to J&J.  Through this partnership we expect to be able to expand the volume that the Moore’s grow and expand the distribution that we have built with our Florida operations.”

This deal comes less than one full year after J&J announced a strategic alliance with Thomas Produce Company, a move that added up to approximately 14,000 acres of farmed land in the U.S. and Mexico. As J&J continues to grow its volumes and distributions, keep following AndNowUKnow for the details.

J&J Family of Farms Moore Farms

ORLANDO, FL – After serving the company since 1976, the Director of the TransFresh Corporation North America Pallet Division, Rich Macleod, will retire from 40 years with the company this June. 

The announcement came today from the company’s President and CEO, Ken Diveley. Macleod will serve in his position until June 30, before being succeeded by long-time company veteran, Michael Parachini.

“Although we will miss Rich and wish him a rewarding retirement, I am confident that the experienced TransFresh Tectrol Service Network, under Michael’s leadership, will carry on Rich’s legacy of exceptional technical know-how and commitment to customer service without missing a beat,” Diveley said.  

Macleod joined the TransFresh team in 1976 as a lab assistant after earning his Master of Science degree in Postharvest Plant Physiology from UC Davis. Macleod then quickly became involved in the assessment of Tectrol Technologies' commercial relevancy for a wide range of commodities. Through this research, Macleod helped cultivate a new selection of applications to utilize controlled and modified atmosphere packaging. 

By 1990, Macleod had moved through several senior positions with the company to become appointed as the head of the Pallet Division. Most recently, Macleod and his team celebrated the successful development of the new TransFresh Tectrol Storage Solutions for Blueberries, which combined a unique zipper-sealed pallet closure system with Apio’s BreatheWay® Technology.

“I am grateful to have had a truly rewarding career in an industry that I love, and I am confident I am leaving behind a strong team that, with Michael at the helm, will continue to service our customers and the fresh produce industry with sound technical capabilities and dedicated effort," said Macleod. "I look forward to seeing their many achievements in the months and years to come.” 

During his 40 years at TransFresh, the company listed Macleod’s notable achievements as the following:

• Secured several key patents
• Spearheaded proprietary research
• Led important internal R&D initiatives
• Maintained expectations that technology developed must have a measurable economic impact on the retail end
• Partnered with leading universities, federal agencies, and industry organizations to study the economic efficacy of Tectrol Modified Atmospheres 

“For many years, Rich has been the guiding force behind the success of the TransFresh Pallet Division and a wide range of pioneering services and operational innovations that have enhanced the efficiency and efficacy of the Tectrol Modified Atmosphere Packaging System, offering growers and shippers a system for increased marketability of their fresh berry products and retailers a potential for greater returns on their investment,” Diveley stated.  

Macleod will remain available to his successor and TransFresh customers past his retirement date to provide for a smooth transition. 

Parachini will take over the role of Director for North America Pallet Division at TransFresh with 27 years of experience, flush with operational and technical services management, R&D initiatives, and process improvements for customer needs. The company said that Parachini has been deeply involved in the delivery and expansion of TransFresh and Tectrol Technologies throughout North America. Parachini received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Management from California Polytechnic State University.

Best of luck to Rich Macleod in his retirement, and count on AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on management announcements and transitions within the fresh produce industry.

TransFresh