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Fresh Del Monte, Talc Investment Sign Somalia Bananas Deal

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, and Moze Holding Limited, a Talc Investment company, have signed a multi-year partnership for Somalia bananas located in the heart of the previously famed banana belt area. This partnership will not only significantly reduce banana transport times, giving consumers in the Middle East and North Africa access to fresher, lower-cost fruit, but will also aid in Somalia’s economic resurgence.

As part of the agreement, Fresh Del Monte will have operational oversight and train the team on the ground. In return, the global produce distributor will purchase its Somalia bananas supply directly from Moze, the newly established banana farm. The fruit will be sold and marketed under the Fresh Del Monte brand for its markets in the Middle East, with the first Somalia bananas harvest expected in 2024.

“We are pleased to officially announce this partnership, which we believe is a game-changer for the banana industry in the region,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s chairman and CEO. “The move to reestablish banana operations in Somalia makes sense on many accounts – from its strategic location on the Horn of Africa to fulfilling our mission of supplying our consumers with the freshest produce available – all while aiding in the country’s recovery.”

Before the onset of its civil war in the 90s, Somalia was once a main hub for banana exports in Africa to European and Middle East markets, with production reaching its peak in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

“The Moze and Talc teams are delighted to work with a renowned name in agriculture, such as Fresh Del Monte, to revive the banana cultivation farms in Somaliland. This multi-purpose approach will serve the communities in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and the United Arab Emirates. Our intent is to build on this partnership in the near future as we look forward to a fruitful relationship,” said Mohammed Aldhaheri, Moze Holding and Talc Investment chairman.

Currently, bananas to the Middle East come from Central America or the Philippines, with average transit times ranging from 20 to 35 days.

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Tractor Beverage Company Welcomes Asif Khalid as COO

Tractor Beverage Company, exclusive creator of the world’s only certified organic, non-GMO foodservice beverages, has welcomed industry veteran Asif Khalid to its executive team as the company’s first chief operating officer.

Khalid brings a vast wealth of beverage category experience to the company and joins its ranks following a 14-year career at 7-Eleven, where he served as director of store innovation. In addition to this leading role at the convenience store giant, Khalid was also the senior category manager of non-alcoholic beverages, senior product development manager of private brands and regional market operations manager. More recently, he was the founder and CEO of Good Gracious Beverages, a foodservice company committed to revolutionizing restaurant & hospitality beverage offerings with sustainable craft drinks designed to increase margins via product and equipment innovations that reduce footprints and overhead.

“Asif is a transformational leader whose experience in the beverage industry promises to catapult Tractor to new heights,” said Kevin Sherman, Tractor Beverage Company’s CEO. “He’s joining an already successful team, and with the inception of the COO role, I’m confident we will go into 2023 the strongest we’ve ever been, with a high-velocity operating model that will empower our team to deliver an unmatched caliber of service to our pouring partners. I’m eager to see what we can accomplish together as the remainder of this year unfolds.”

Khalid’s work at Good Gracious to both develop brand, vision, and strategy for a new-to-market family of beverages and commercialize product and equipment innovations for alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks alike makes him the ideal choice to boost Tractor’s efforts to disrupt the foodservice beverage industry.

“I am thrilled to join the Tractor leadership team and look forward to bringing my experience to this new role to help build on the brand’s success, innovating in the beverage space while creating more value for our customers, partners, and employees,” said Khalid.

As its new COO, a role created specifically to allow the company to leverage his diverse skills, Khalid will apply his knowledge and passion to the next phase of Tractor’s ongoing growth.

Founded with a mission to create better beverages for all, Tractor Beverage Company is the first and only certified organic, non-GMO full line beverage solution for foodservice. Tractor’s handcrafted drinks feature clean ingredients that deliver on taste, functionality, and an innovative consumer experience. Tractor’s vision is to use its beverage platform to expand organic farm practices—and, in turn, lead the way to a more sustainable and flourishing future for restaurants, consumers and farmers.

Tractor was named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021. For more information, please visit drinktractor.com or follow along on Instagram at @drinktractor.

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ReadyWise Kicks Off Partnership With Drew Brees-Signed Football Giveaway

ReadyWise, a leading manufacturer of emergency food supplies, has signed an exclusive multi-year partnership deal with former professional quarterback Drew Brees. ReadyWise is giving its consumers first access to product launches, exclusive sales and giveaway opportunities to get over a million households prepared in 2023. Now from Feb 1-7, you can get prepared and win a signed football by Brees.

“I want to let everyone know I am teaming up with ReadyWise. To kick off the partnership, we will be giving away a signed football to one lucky winner,” Brees said. “Simply go to www.readywise.com and look for the football icon on various products to get prepared today!”

You can enter the giveaway by purchasing an item on the website with the football icons. Each purchase gives you a chance to win. Look out for awesome discounted deals like the chance to stock up on eggs as the world faces continued price increases and shortages nationwide. No purchase is necessary to win. Please see the full terms and conditions.

Gear up with ReadyWise for all things football as they prepare for the upcoming game on Feb. 12, starting with this giveaway to win a signed football from the legend Drew Brees. This comes as former coach Sean Payton accepts a new head coaching position in Denver, with people wondering whether Russel Wilson and Sean will be able to repeat a similar success story to that of him and Drew.

Follow along as ReadyWise celebrates America’s favorite pastime with emergency preparedness deals to help Americans prepare with the survival basics.

ReadyWise is a rapidly growing food brand offering ready-to-eat meal and snacking solutions serving the preparedness, outdoors and everyday categories. To learn more about ReadyWise, go to www.readywise.com.

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