Judge allows seniority bumping in A&P bankruptcy case
A judge ruled Sept. 1 that A&P can place restrictions on seniority bumping rights for employees at 25 stores set to close in October, but also said workers at those stores should receive more severance than what the company wanted to pay.
While acknowledging the frustration A&P workers are experiencing due to the company not honoring its contract, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain said, “[B]ankruptcy as a whole is about broken promises.”
Nutrition, drought, food safety top issues for WPPC
WASHINGTON — With the childhood nutrition law set to expire Sept. 30, the timing of the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Public Policy Conference, which brings produce industry leaders to Capitol Hill, could not be better.
The Sept. 28-30 meeting marks the 20th anniversary of the WPPC. About 100 produce leaders attended the first conference in 1995, and United Fresh expects nearly 600 leaders to urge action on a range of pressing legislative issues.
Limex Sicar expands sales team
Limex Sicar & Ltd Co., a Colima, Mexico-based grower, packer and shipper of fruit and greenhouse commodities, announced that Dan Edmeier and Eduardo Herbst have joined its staff.
Outstanding quality this year for Jasmine Vineyards’ grapes
Jon Zaninovich, president of Jasmine Vineyards, in Delano, CA, and son of one of the founders of the firm, said the company’s grape crop is early again this year, but despite that, and the drought in California, things are flowing smoothly and quality is outstanding.
New York Apple Association pressing forward with great apple varieties
Every year the New York Apple Association is asked for a report on crop conditions. Jim Allen, president of NYAA, told The Produce News that, given some occasional glitches, the crop tends to stay pretty much the same year after year, but this year and last came with some of those glitches.
“We’ve been growing apples in the Northeast’s cold climates since the first apple tree was planted centuries ago,” said Allen. “During that time our trees have tolerated extremely cold temperatures — in the sub- and sub-zero range.
Haggen sues Albertsons for more than $1 billion in damages
Haggen, a West Coast regional grocer, has filed a lawsuit against Albertsons LLC and Albertsons Holdings LLC seeking more than $1 billion in damages. Among its complaints, Haggen claims that Albertsons illegally accessed Haggen’s confidential data to gain an unfair competitive advantage.
Ready Pac adds to back-to-school options
With the new school year top of mind, Ready Pac Foods has added several on-the-go snack options to its popular Snack Cups and Ready Snax offerings — an ideal option for school lunches and quick and healthy snacking.
United Supermarkets bringing 'next generation' of stores to Lubbock
United Supermarkets reaffirmed its commitment to the Lubbock, TX, community with news that it will open a new location in 2016. According to Ron Bonacci, senior director of marketing, it will showcase a new look and feel for United shoppers, including a larger produce section with extensive organic options.
Construction is expected to start late this fall and is targeted for completion in late summer or early fall 2016, according to Robert Taylor, president of United Supermarkets LLC.
BJ’s names president
BJ’s Wholesale Club announced that Christopher J. Baldwin will take over as president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 8, with oversight of the chain’s business operations, including merchandising, marketing, membership and logistics. He will also sit on the company’s board of directors.
Prior to joining BJ’s, Baldwin was chief executive officer of Hess Retail Corp., which operates gas stations and convenience stores. He also previously worked in leadership roles at Kraft Foods, The Hersey Co. and Procter & Gamble.
New reports shows that organic growing methodology is bee-friendly
An important and timely report released in June by The Organic Center shows that organic farming practices are effective in maintaining the health and population of important crop pollinators — predominantly bees — which have been declining at an alarming rate in the past decade and threatening global food security.