Food & Food Equipment News

Preview of Fresh Summit Produce Show

Click the image for your first look at Fresh Summit, which will be held on October 19-20 in New Orleans. 

PMA Members Donate $900,000 to Center for Produce Safety

Food safety in the produce industry continues to be top of mind for consumers and industry leaders in 2012. Recognizing that ensuring consumer confidence in produce is crucial to building greater consumption, the Produce Marketing Association has announced the donation of $900,000 to the Center for Produce Safety over the next two years. With this contribution, PMA is continuing to reinvest in the future of its members and is ensuring that all other funds provided to the Center go directly to fund research.

PMA’s Executive Committee approved the donation in late 2011 and the commitment was strongly endorsed by the association’s board last week. Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of PMA made the donation on behalf of PMA in San Diego Wednesday at the start of a CPS meeting attended by industry and government leaders as well as food safety researchers.

“Our Executive Committee decided that PMA’s ongoing investment in CPS really is a show of faith in the future of our industry and simply the right thing to do,” said Rich Dachman, PMA’s Chairman of the Board and Senior Vice President of National Sales at Sysco Corp. “We helped create CPS five years ago to bring together government, industry and researchers so we could find answers to big questions about produce safety. Today PMA and its members make a significant statement that we are moving ahead on the road to continuous improvement in our food safety knowledge and practices.”

Over the past four years, CPS has funded more than 50 research projects with grants of more than $9.2 million from government as well as organizations throughout the produce supply chain. Today’s gift brings PMA’s total contribution to CPS to more than $3 million.

“This gift could not come at a more opportune time for industry and demonstrates the leadership of PMA members,” said Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director, CPS. “Ensuring the health and safety of the consumer can only be enhanced through continued research and process improvements to mitigate any potential produce safety issues that may occur in the future. I could not be more pleased and honored with this generous donation.”

Crunch Pak's DipperZ feature apples, carrots

Sliced-apple specialist Crunch Pak is launching a line of low-calorie produce snacks.

All four offerings in the Cashmere, Wash.-based company’s new DipperZ line will have 80 or fewer calories, according to a Crunch Pak news release.

The single-serving DipperZ include sweet or tart apples with caramel dip; sweet apples with chocolate dip; and baby peeled carrots with ranch dip.

“Produce-based snacks are on the rise, and will likely continue to grow along with the emphasis in the U.S. on eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables,” Tony Freytag, Crunch Pak’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said in the release. “We saw an opportunity gap in the single-serve segment.”

Crunch Pak will showcase the DipperZ, which hapve an estimated 30-day shelf life, at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 14-17 in Atlanta.

New Release Of RedPrairie Warehouse Management Helps Simplify Product Receiving

2010.1 release includes addition of intelligent parsing of GS1/ASN labeling and enhanced supplier item support

 

RedPrairie Corporation, a productivity solutions provider, has enhanced its Warehouse Management solution by streamlining the receiving process for GS1 compliant labeling. Customers who process these labels from their vendors and suppliers will no longer have to discern between ASN and GS1 varieties, and can now define their own barcode templates to support other forms of inbound labels that contain multiple receiving identifiers.

"One of the most time consuming processes within a warehouse is on the receiving front due to the variations of labeling, stack height configurations and product identification challenges that are very much uniquely driven by suppliers," says Scott Zickert, RedPrairie Product Manager for Distribution Products.

“With RedPrairie’s new Warehouse Management release, however, there is no need to indicate whether a product is GS1 or ASN, because the system automatically scans and parses for that data,” Zickert continues. “The result is more efficient receiving, and increased productivity.”

In addition, the new Warehouse Management release allows users to set up override conditions for each of their suppliers and vendors, helping to streamline the inbound receiving process. In the past, suppliers were not offered this level of flexibility. The 2010.1 enhancement enables configuration of items, lot formats, serial numbers types, and default asset types to lessen the amount of time it may take for inbound personnel to determine what type of attributes an item should be associated with during the receipt of non-ASN inventory.

The enhancements will allow customers to receive and support ASN and/or GS1-compliant labeling from their suppliers which in turn will enable partner collaboration and reduced time spent manually identifying product data during receiving.

RedPrairie will be exhibiting at NA 2010 in Cleveland, Oh. in booth #1037.

ABOUT REDPRAIRIE

RedPrairie delivers productivity solutions to help companies around the world in three categories – workforce, inventory and transportation. RedPrairie provides these solutions to manufacturers, distributors and retailers looking to support business strategies that increase revenue, reduce costs and create competitive advantage.

With over 20 global offices and solutions that are installed at more than 34,000 customer sites in over 40 countries, companies trust RedPrairie workforce, inventory and transportation solutions to deliver an increase in productivity – with the flexibility to adapt as business needs change.

At RedPrairie, we understand today’s operational demands and we’re committed to delivering solutions that work. We’re committed to delivering solutions for the real world.

For more information, visit REDPRAIRIE.

Yuan Jaan Announces More People Are Choosing Steamers Over Ovens To Keep Valuable Nutrients In Their Food

2010 is finding that not only for religious reasons but for “health considerations” more and more people are using steamers instead of an oven to cook their food. Steaming vegetables and many other foods help to avoid the loss of nutrients. Because of this trend, many well-known Chinese snacks (Dim-sum) such as bun, siamai, rice cake, dumpling and so on are becoming more popular, easier to make, and are gaining even more attention from western countries.

With a 10cm thermo-insulation layer in the body of Yuan Jaan’s steamer, the steamer can keep the heat well inside and circulates evenly in the chamber. It is equipped with an automatic water-supplied system and patented design cooker. Water boils within 3 minutes and creates a strong vapor which then steams the food, retaining and even accentuating the true taste.

Another advantage of Yuan Jaan’s steamer is that it solves the corrugation or contraction problems for high gluten dough whereas many other manufacturers’ steamers have failed.

Yuan Jaan Stainless Steel Industrial Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of food steamers & warmers. Located on the island of technology – Taiwan, where many famous hi-tech companies are headquartered. Yuan Jaan provides energy-saving steamers which are time saving, labor saving and gas saving.

Yuan Jaan provides turnkey service assisting clients who wish to make Chinese snacks. 

For recipes and more information, visit Yuan Jaan.

PMA Reception At 2010 Fruit Logistica Celebrates Global Produce Community

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will reach out to international members and industry at the Fruit Logistica fresh produce trade fair, Feb. 3-5 in Berlin, Germany. The association will have an expanded presence at the international event as an exhibitor and host of a networking reception.

“PMA is continually upgrading our contacts, information, and business solutions to respond to the need of the global produce and floral industry,” said Nancy Tucker, vice president of global business development. “We have partners and members worldwide, and look forward to welcoming many of them to our reception celebrating the association’s global scope.”

PMA is sending Tucker, Director of Global Business Development Richard Owen, Director of Member Relations Paula Gonzalez and Vice President of Marketing Kelly Koczak to the show in Berlin.

PMA will exhibit in Hall 23, booth C.01. The association will host a reception, “Celebrating PMA’s Global Community,” from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the PMA booth. The event will bring together leaders throughout our global produce and floral community. Beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

“Join us for an opportunity to meet PMA members and potential members, see old friends, forge new contacts, and learn about advancements in PMA initiatives to build and strengthen our industry,” Tucker said.

The reception is presented in conjunction with industry partners KPG Solutions, Inc., Macro Plastics, Purfresh, The Packer and Washington Apple Commission. RSVP for the reception by Feb. 1 to [email protected].

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. 

For more information, visit PMA.

Pinnacle Foods Group Completes Acquisition Of Birds Eye Foods

Combination creates a powerful portfolio of iconic brands with category leadership positions

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (“Pinnacle Foods”), a private equity portfolio company of The Blackstone Group (“Blackstone”), has completed its previously-announced acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye Foods”) from a holding company controlled by Vestar Capital Partners, Pro-Fac Cooperative, and Birds Eye Foods management. The transaction positions Pinnacle Foods as a leader in both the frozen and shelf-stable business segments.

“Birds Eye Foods represents an ideal strategic fit”

“Birds Eye Foods represents an ideal strategic fit,” said Bob Gamgort, CEO of Pinnacle Foods. “We look forward to harnessing the power of the combined brand portfolio to better serve our consumers and customers.”

The $1.3 billion acquisition, announced on November 19, was funded via a combination of new debt financing and a significant equity contribution by affiliates of Blackstone. The debt financing consisted of $850 million of senior secured credit facilities arranged by Barclays Capital, BofA Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, HSBC, and Macquarie Capital, and $300 million of new senior unsecured bonds arranged by Credit Suisse, BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, HSBC, and Macquarie Capital.

Pinnacle Foods was advised by Blackstone Advisory Partners LP, Barclays Capital, BofA Merrill Lynch, and Credit Suisse. Birds Eye Foods was advised by Centerview Partners, JP Morgan, and UBS. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to Pinnacle Foods. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Birds Eye Foods.

About Pinnacle Foods Group LLC and Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

Pinnacle Foods, owned by private equity funds controlled by The Blackstone Group, manufactures and distributes iconic, branded packaged foods that can be found in 80% of U.S. households. The company’s diversified portfolio holds the #1 or #2 position in eight of eleven categories in which it competes, and includes well-known brands such as Duncan Hines® baking mixes and frostings, Vlasic® pickles, peppers and relish, Mrs. Butterworth's® and Log Cabin® syrups, Armour® canned meats, Swanson® and Hungry-Man® frozen dinners and entrees, Van de Kamp's® and Mrs. Paul's® frozen seafood, Aunt Jemima® frozen breakfast, Lender's® bagels, and Celeste® frozen pizza.

Birds Eye Foods is a nationally recognized packaged food company with more than $930 million of total sales and leading consumer brands in frozen vegetables and meals, including Birds Eye®, Birds Eye Steamfresh®, and Birds Eye Voila!®, as well as shelf-stable brands including Comstock® and Wilderness® pie fillings and toppings, Nalley® and Brooks® chili and chili ingredients, and snacks from Tim’s Cascade Snacks®, Snyder of Berlin®, and Husman®.

About The Blackstone Group

The Blackstone Group is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, the companies we advise and the broader global economy. We do this through the commitment of our extraordinary people and flexible capital. Our alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs) and closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.

About Vestar Capital Partners

Vestar Capital Partners is a leading international private equity firm specializing in management buyouts and growth capital investments with $7 billion in assets under management. The firm targets companies in the U.S. and Europe with valuations of $250 million to $3 billion and operations in five key industry sectors: consumer/services, diversified industries, healthcare, media/communication, and financial services. Vestar invests and collaborates with incumbent management teams, family owners or corporations in a creative, flexible and entrepreneurial way to build long-term franchise and enterprise value. Since the firm’s founding in 1988, the Vestar funds have completed more than 65 investments in companies with a total value of more than $30 billion. Vestar has operations in New York, Boston, Denver, Milan, Munich and Paris. 

For more information, visit The Blackstone Group or Vestar Capital.

Industry Survey To Provide Feedback On Produce Traceability Initiative

 

One year after the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) Steering Committee unveiled its action plan to enhance the produce industry’s traceability capability, companies across the produce supply chain have the opportunity to share feedback via a new online survey. All industry members involved in the produce supply chain – from grower to retail and foodservice – are encouraged to participate in the online survey, which can be accessed via a link on www.producetraceability.org. The survey, which is being conducted by Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association, will help the PTI Steering Committee and administering associations assess PTI adoption to date and identify additional support needs.

“The associations developed this survey to collect feedback from the industry on PTI implementation,” said Dan Vache, vice president of supply chain management at United Fresh. “We can use the data to help the industry meet future PTI milestones and thereby improve traceability across the entire supply chain.”

The PTI, administered by Canadian Produce Marketing Association, PMA and United Fresh, is designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures, while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of future tracebacks. The PTI Action Plan, released in 2008, includes a series of seven traceability implementation milestones, with the final milestone to be implemented in 2012.

“Achieving standardized, whole-chain traceability is an important goal for the produce industry and the PTI provides a roadmap for reaching that goal in the most efficient way possible,” said PMA Chief Science Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker.  “The survey will provide valuable feedback on the industry’s educational and informational needs, and issues that may be impacting implementation.”

Participation in the survey is anonymous and only aggregated data will be reported. The deadline for completing the survey is Jan. 4, 2010. Results from the PTI survey will be reported to the PTI Steering Committee and made publicly available via the PTI Web site within the first quarter of 2010.

 

About United Fresh Produce Association

United Fresh is the pre-eminent trade association for the produce industry in managing critical public policy issues; shaping legislative and regulatory action; providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health; and developing educational programs and business opportunities for members to better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh produce.  Founded in 1904, United Fresh represents the interests of member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

For more information, visit United Fresh Produce Association.

Ashman Manufacturing & Distributing Co. Introduces New Pump Program

 

Ashman Manufacturing & Distributing Co. has introduced their new Pump Program. The program is as reliable as the Ashman Manufacturing name.

Distributor pricing or warehouse pricing will be $179.20 per case or $22.40 per ½ gallon container. Regular wholesale on the case is $224.00 or $28.00 per ½ gallon - $56.00 per GAL. The pricing of the new Ashman Manufacturing & Distributing Co. Pump Program matches McCormick’s pump program which has been discontinued. 

The following is a list of the available flavors:

• House Mango Key Lime                                  8 quantity ½ gallon per cs 
• House Citrus Wasabi                                       8 quantity ½ gallon per cs
• House Red Wine Dijon                                    8 quantity ½ gallon per cs 
• House Sweet & Spicy (new flavor)                  8 quantity ½ gallon per cs 

Each product case has 1 pump enclosed which is to be used for that case.  Any additional pumps may be ordered at $1.50 each.

About Ashman Manufacturing & Distributing Co.

Ashman Manufacturing and Distributing Company is celebrating its 20th year in business as a specialty food manufacturer and distributor. In fact, Ashman manufactures over 200 different specialty food products including the Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Sauce Line, the Classic American Specialty Sauce Line, the House Seafood Marinade and Dry Blends Lines as well as many unique restaurant retail concepts for Pierce’s Pitt BBQ Hill Country Barbecue Market (NY), Blue Smoke (NY), Tabla (NY), Union Square Hospitality Group, Rockland.s BBQ and Grilling Company (Washington DC), and for Chili Peppers Restaurant (Outer Banks, North Carolina).

For more information, visit Ashman Manufacturing & Distributing Co.

DELTA TECHNOLOGIES DEFEATS TIME THIEVES!

 

Quality expenditures can be summarized as the cost of implementing a quality program and the cost of rectifying defects. Organizations must balance the two. Going light on prevention will result in higher rectification costs later, but overspending on a quality program impacts margin. What’s an organization to do? And are there ways costs can be trimmed without sacrificing quality?

At the heart of most quality programs is testing. Famed quality guru W. Edwards Deming says, “You cannot inspect quality into the product.” Very true, but testing does have an important role verifying the effectiveness of an implemented quality program. It’s the feedback that any good closed-loop system needs. And the amount of testing performed by fresh produce organizations is increasing.

A recent study conducted by Delta Technology of 10 representative, U.S. fresh produce companies shows the amount of microbiology tests conducted has grown in excess of 500 percent over the last five years. Additionally, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 may compel organizations to increase testing as a means for monitoring required preventive controls. But what is the state of testing programs today, and can they be sustained or even expanded without impacting costs?

The challenge facing many fresh produce organizations is a fragmented sampling program. Programs are typically procedure-based and managed on paper. There is a lack of consistency in the entire supply chain, and even more commonly a gap between the data collected and tools used to decode it. Specifications can be difficult to manage and new regulations will only aggravate the situation. The result is often only partial coverage, leading to a higher risk of rectifying defects after the product has reached the customer.

Wasteful quality costs can be managed in five simple steps:

• Reduce Variability—standardize a sampling program. Variability is the mother of inefficiency. 
• Make the Data Work for the Company—results naturally feed continuous improvement efforts—analyze a way to lower costs.
• Eliminate Paper—the average organization spends $20 in labor to file each paper document. This results in U.S. organizations spending $360 billion annually, turning data from paper documents into something they can use to run their businesses.
• Monitor Expenditures—Delta has learned from the energy sector that actively monitoring usage lowers energy costs 10 to 30 percent. The same is true for quality—monitor spending in real-time.
• Focus on the Company’s Core—On-premises quality applications can burden IT resources, and involve substantial implementation and maintenance costs.

Fortunately, one company has found a solution that addresses each of these areas. Delta Technology’s alert™ is the industry’s preeminent testing management solution. alert, an on-demand software solution, allows companies to enforce standardized processes. alert is equipped with a powerful Analysis Engine and Spend Management module. The alert Software as a Service (SaaS) model allows organizations to focus on core operations, while Delta takes care of managing the servers and software.

Delta Technology invites you to learn more about Cost Savings and to see the alert solution live. Visit Delta Technology or call 919-379-3420.