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ANNOUNCEMENT
NOMINATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE IN FOODSERVICE
United Fresh, Washington, DC, is accepting nominations for its 2019 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program. Honoring foodservice’s most innovative produce performers, the program pays special tribute to chefs and foodservice operators for excellence in the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. Winning chefs and foodser-
vice professionals will be recognized in eight categories – Business and Industry, Casual & Family Dining Restaurants, Colleges & Univer- sities, Fine Dining Restaurants, Hospitals & Healthcare, Hotels & Resorts, K-12 School Foodservice and Quick Service Restaurants — at the United Fresh Convention and Expo, June 10-12, in Chicago.
ANNOUNCEMENT
STEMILT’S PROMISE: NO ANTI-RIPENING
AGENTS ON ANY PEAR VARIETY
Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, WA, says it no longer will be using anti-ripening agents on any pear variety that comes through its doors, as part of its Operation Flavor program. During the program’s first year, Stemilt’s pear team
of pilots and
promoters worked with various groups – from picking to packing – to create a plan to elevate pear flavors. “Pears can often present a challenge for the retailer as they are not ripe when the consumer is ready to make the purchase,” says Roger Pepperl, Stemilt marketing director. “When consumers go to the store, they expect the fruit to be ready to eat as soon as they get home – not a week down the road. We found that anti-ripening agents contributed to a product that never reached its potential flavor and was not delivering the consumer with an amazing eating experience.”
TRANSITION
FOOD LION HONORS JOHNSON AS
STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ANNOUNCEMENT
CHURCH BROTHERS LANDS BUSINESS FROM GROWERS EXPRESS
Church Brothers Farms, Salinas, CA, has acquired the commodity vegetable business of Growers Express, LLC and a licensing agreement to extend
the Green Giant Fresh brand to new varieties in partnership with Growers Express. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. Church Brothers Farms said the assets include the growing, harvesting and selling of field- packed vegetable commodities currently branded under Growers Express’ Green Giant Fresh license. Growers Express retains the high growth,
value-added segment of its business where innovations such as Cauliflower Crumbles, Vegetable Noodles and Green Giant Fresh Vegetable Bowls were first brought to market. “It was vital we find a partner that allows for seamless continuity for our farming opera- tions,” says Jamie Strachan, chief executive of Growers Express.
Annette Johnson
In recognition of her commitment to her community and for the tremendous leadership she has shown for her team of associates, Annette Johnson was named Food Lion’s Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager of the Year at the company’s headquarters in Salis- bury, NC. Johnson is the store manager at the Food Lion located at 5242 Fairfield Shopping Centre in Virginia Beach. Johnson was selected from a group of more
than 1,000 store managers across the company. She and three other Food Lion store managers — JD Jones at 1200 Tyler Ave. in Radford, VA; Terry McNeill at 5901 E. Oak Island Dr. in Oak Island, NC, and Terry Smith at 4226 NC-49 in Harrisburg, NC — were named as the company’s divisional winners representing their different geographic regions. Johnson has been a Food Lion associate for 25 years, the past 14 spent as a store manager.
Produce & Floral Watch are regular features of Produce Business. Please send information on new products, personnel changes, industry, corporate and personal milestones and available literature, along with a high resolution image to: Managing Editor, Produce Business, P.O. Box 810425, Boca Raton, FL 33481-0425 or e-mail us at info@producebusiness.com
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