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🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter!
In today's email:
How Grubhub’s Practices Led to a $25 Million Settlement with the FTC
Trivia: Which Vegetable Was the First to be Grown in Space?
Plenty Shifts Focus to StrawberriesCloses Compton Farm
Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Recent Produce Content from the Web
Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce
Bird In Hand Potato Co.: The Gold Standard for Chefs
Tip of the Day: Curated Produce Packs for Unique Taste Experiences
FOOD DELIVERY
How Grubhub’s Practices Led to a $25 Million Settlement with the FTC
Grubhub has agreed to a $25 million settlement with the FTC and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul over allegations of deceptive practices impacting customers, drivers, and restaurants.
Accusations include misleading delivery fees, false driver pay claims, and unauthorized restaurant listings. The platform advertised low or free delivery, but hidden fees significantly increased costs.
Promised driver earnings of $26 per hour were misleading, with a median rate of $11 in 2023. Grubhub also listed 325,000 restaurants without consent, using these listings to pressure restaurants into partnerships.
The settlement amount was reduced from $140 million due to financial hardship claims. The funds will compensate affected parties, and Grubhub must now disclose fees upfront, simplify subscription cancellations, and provide accurate driver pay information.
FTC Chair Lina Khan highlighted this as part of broader concerns in the gig economy. Grubhub denied wrongdoing but chose settlement to avoid litigation.
This case underscores growing scrutiny of deceptive “junk fees” and sets a precedent for fairer practices in the gig economy.
VERTICAL FARMING
Plenty Shifts Focus to Strawberries, Closes Compton Farm
Plenty, a vertical farming company, has planted its first commercial batch of strawberries at its new Richmond Farm, signaling a strategic shift from leafy greens to strawberries.
The first harvest is expected by early 2025. This decision follows years of development and comes with the closure of Plenty’s Compton leafy greens farm due to rising operational costs, particularly energy prices in California.
The Compton farm, Plenty's first commercial facility, was an innovation hub and engaged the local community through employment and STEM education initiatives.
The company believes focusing on strawberries addresses market demand for a premium product with consistent quality and year-round availability.
Their modular growing system enables flexibility in crop cultivation beyond lettuces, allowing them to meet supply gaps for fresh strawberries.
The strategic shift aims to capitalize on consumer preference for local and sustainable produce while overcoming seasonality challenges.
Though closing Compton marks the end of a chapter, Plenty honors the community's support and contributions.
The Richmond Farm represents a new phase, with a focus on delivering high-quality strawberries and continuing agricultural innovation. The company remains optimistic, viewing this shift as key to future growth and sustainability.
TRIVIA
The first vegetable grown in space was a _____ in October 1995.
NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed the technology to grow _____ in space to feed astronauts on long space voyages and future space colonies.
Which Vegetable Was the First to be Grown in Space? |
🗒️ Peter Condakes Co.’s president has some thoughts about state of industry | Peter Condakes Co., led by President Peter John Condakes, is a fourth-generation family business that has become a staple in New England’s produce industry. Despite increasing challenges such as contamination concerns and fluctuating market conditions, the company remains committed to quality, food safety, and adapting to the evolving needs of consumers. (TheProduceNews.com | Dec 23 2024)
🍐 Global Market Overview: Pears | Pear harvest volumes in 2024 varied across regions, with France and Italy showing recovery, while the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain faced declines due to adverse weather; South Africa increased exports, Germany expanded domestic cultivation, and North America saw historically low yields. (FreshPlaza.com | Dec 20, 2024)
🤖 Industry Executive Offers 4 Predictions For Grocery AI in 2025 | Alex Siskos of Everseen highlights how vision AI is transforming retail operations, predicting broader AI adoption for theft prevention, inventory, and checkout efficiency, including self-checkout enhancements and bulk scanning technology. (ThePacker.com | Dec 20 2024)
🍊 Citrus Big Business in California | California's citrus industry thrives with strong demand for premium and specialty varieties, driven by innovative marketing, extended growing seasons, and quality-focused practices, despite challenges like labor shortages, rising costs, and market saturation. (ProduceBusiness.com | Dec 19 2024)
🔬 How Biostimulants Factor Into the Shift Toward Regenerative Agriculture | Biostimulants, natural products enhancing plant-soil interactions, are transforming agriculture by improving nutrient efficiency, resilience, and soil health, with growing adoption in diverse markets like the U.S., EU, and Brazil, especially for specialty crops and tailored solutions. (GrowingProduce.com | Dec 19 2024)
🧑🌾 Industry Viewpoint: Trends Transforming Agriculture’s Workforce | Workforce development in agriculture is evolving through ethical labor practices, consumer-driven social responsibility, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts, fostering improved worker conditions, operational efficiency, and sustainable progress. (TheProduceNews.com | Dec 19 2024)
ACQUISITIONS
Fresh Express Acquires McEntire Produce to Expand Foodservice Reach
Fresh Express Inc., a leader in value-added salads, has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a fresh-cut processor serving the food service industry since 1938.
This acquisition expands Fresh Express’s reach in the food service sector while enhancing McEntire Produce’s operational capabilities.
A new Foodservice Division under the McEntire name will offer a national solution using Fresh Express’s distribution and manufacturing expertise.
McEntire Produce, based in Columbia, South Carolina, will now benefit from Fresh Express’s six-plant network across the U.S., streamlining supply chains and reducing logistical costs.
Fresh Express President John P. Olivo emphasized the merger’s potential for growth, innovation, and food safety. Carter McEntire, now Vice President of Foodservice, expressed excitement about scaling operations while maintaining quality and customer service.
The integration will merge McEntire’s Simply Clean® wash system with Fresh Express’s RFID-based traceability technology, boosting food safety and consumer trust.
The collaboration also aims to reduce food miles and carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals by optimizing distribution and logistics.
North Inlet Advisors, LLC advised McEntire Produce on the transaction, reflecting a broader trend of industry consolidation for enhanced competitiveness and innovation.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Bird In Hand Potato Co.: The Gold Standard for Chefs
Bird In Hand Potato Co., a division of the esteemed EK Bare & Sons Inc., stands as a dedicated provider of premium potatoes, specifically catering to the nuanced needs of the food service industry.
Building upon a rich legacy of over seven decades within the broader agricultural sector, EK Bare & Sons Inc. has established itself as a trusted name in the industry.
In 2022, the strategic relaunch of Bird-in-Hand Potato Company marked a focused commitment to delivering unparalleled quality directly to independent restaurants and larger chains.
In a recent conversation with Produce Leaders, Paul Holliday, the Sales Director for Bird In Hand Potato Co., provided valuable insights into the company’s core offerings and their unique advantages.
At the heart of their product line is the “premium round white chipping/frying potato in 50lb bags.”
The Bird In Hand Co. 50lb bags
This seemingly simple description encapsulates a product meticulously cultivated and selected for optimal performance in a professional kitchen.
Mr. Holliday elaborated on the specific attributes that set their potatoes apart, stating that they “primarily use the specific varieties of Waneta and Lamoka which are both high gravity and low sugar potatoes.”
This deliberate choice of varietals is not arbitrary; it’s a strategic decision driven by the desire to provide a potato that consistently delivers superior culinary outcomes.
The unique characteristics of the Waneta and Lamoka potatoes translate directly into tangible benefits for restaurants. appearance.
Mr. Holliday aptly summarized these advantages, noting, "Our white potatoes make an excellent fresh-cut french fry because the low sugar content offers a light golden color and the high gravity of the potato creates a crispy exterior with a nice light and fluffy interior."
The advantages of choosing Bird In Hand Potato Co. extend beyond the inherent qualities of their potatoes, encompassing significant benefits within their supply chain.
A cornerstone of their service is the provision of “year round supply of our potatoes so that you can purchase our product continuously without having to use multiple suppliers throughout the year based on the growing seasons.”
Further enhancing the freshness and quality of their product, Bird In Hand Potato Co. implements a system where they "pack and ship direct from our farms ensuring freshness and optimal shelf life.”
This streamlined method minimizes handling and transit time, preserving the potatoes’ inherent quality and extending their usability in the kitchen.
In terms of recent developments, Bird In Hand Potato Co. has demonstrated a proactive approach to growth and improvement.
While acknowledging that "developing our bagged potato division and emerging into the foodservice world still feels very much like a recent innovation for our company," they have actively invested in strengthening their capabilities.
This year, they were "very excited to add 2 new farms to better manage our volume and create even more consistency in our ability to provide year round supply to our foodservice customers."
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TIP OF THE DAY
Create Curated Produce Packs for Unique Taste Experiences
Entice your customers by offering themed produce bundles of unique flavors and new culinary experiences.
Each bundle could feature a combination of common and lesser-known produce items that complement each other in taste or usage. Themes could include "Tropical Paradise," "Sweet and Spicy Combo," or "Savory Citrus Adventure."
Include recipe cards, serving suggestions, and storage tips to make it easy for customers to experiment. For example, a "Sweet and Spicy Combo" might contain mangos, jalapeños, bell peppers, limes, and a recipe for a fresh mango salsa.
These curated bundles appeal to food enthusiasts and curious home cooks looking to explore new tastes and recipes.
Promote them as much as you can, highlighting the unique combinations and potential dishes customers can create.
This strategy not only increases sales of diverse produce but also positions your brand as a go-to source for culinary inspiration and fresh ideas.
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