NewsTo-Jo's New Company VideoOctober 2010: To-Jo has just completed a new corporate video. The HD video tells our story as a 4th Generation Family owned company and also shows you the step by step process involved in producing our mushrooms. Advancing Traceability Efforts October 22, 2009: To-Jo Mushrooms announced today that the company will invest in the SG Systems LLC Traceability & Labeling system to conform to PTI (Produce Traceability Initiative). The system, which consists of Vantage touch screen cerminals and label printers, will enable incoming product to be labeled with information relating to the Lot Number, Product, Sales Order, Country of Orgin, and GTIN information. As the products are shipped the information is linked back to the incoming Lot Number. Vice President of Operations, Mike Wood, following a site visit to FreshPoint Dallas where the system is in operation commented, "SG systems is the right company to invest in to meet our case labeling requirements to address the PTI. They have a consultative approach to problem solving which is important to us when choosing a vendor to provide us with the tightest possible traceability in line with PTI. Their system is simple to us and FreshPoint Dallas is very happy with the product." This installation is the first providing excellent case level traceability. Phase 2 will involve production line portion control to monitor operator productivity and increase weight consistency of our products. Mike Wood commented, "At To-Jo we are commited to staying on the forefront of produce traceability and this system will allow us to do so." Health & Wellness for To-Jo Families October 2009: To-Jo is proud to announce that the company will now extend its offering of the services at its health and wellness center to all family members of To-Jo Mushrooms employees. We understand the importance of providing for one's family and want to have the most positive impact on each and every individual who make up our family here at To-Jo Mushrooms. Pink Your Mushrooms Fall 2009: Starting this fall To-Jo Mushrooms will “Pink” mushroom packages to continue supporting breast cancer research. For each package a donation will be made directly to research on breast cancer and mushrooms at City of Hope in Duarte, CA, one of America’s elite Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Together we can make a difference. We hope you will join us in the quest for the cure by carrying pink mushroom packages proudly in your store. New Employees Todd Kostka
June 23, 2009: Todd Kostka has joined the company in the position of Marketing Analyst. Todd is a recent graduate from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he received a degree from the school’s Academy of Food Marketing. Todd previously held a position at a small out-source marketing firm when he was initially exposed to the world of marketing; outside of the classroom experience. Todd brings new ideas and approaches in the areas of marketing, public relations, and advertising that will be extremely valuable to the company’s success.
Alan Parker
June 1, 2009: To-Jo Fresh Mushrooms, Inc and To-Jo Food Products announced today that Alan Parker has joined the company as Director of Technical Services. Parker is a food microbiologist with more than 30 years of food industry experience, specializing in process validation and risk assessment. He will be responsible for creating and expanding programs in food safety and quality, supporting customer relations, and leading technical teams charged with managing the supply chain, enhancing production processes, and developing new products. This move puts both companies at the forefront of the fresh produce industry, enabling them to better use technology to control and enhance their processes, operations, and finished products.
Best Overall - 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show Awarded Best Overall in Mushroom category
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods April 2009: To-Jo Mushrooms is featured in Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ Refrigerated Foods Report: Corporate Profile. The article describes To-Jo’s new product, On-The-Spot Gourmet. The company’s new value-added mushrooms and innovative packaging transform with refrigerated produce aisle. Mushrooms have recently seen an increase in popularity. On-The-Spot Gourmet reinforces the inherent strength of mushrooms, taste and versatility, in a convenient, microwaveable package. Featured in Fresh Cut magazine February 2009: To-Jo was featured in Fresh Cut magazine’s issue titled A Year for Recognition. The issue highlights the successful release of To-Jo’s On-The-Spot Gourmet and the awards the product has received. The new line took about a year and a half to develop, refining the flavors and the packaging, and at its introduction was available in four flavors: Caramelized Skillet, Kettle Cooked Portabella, Garlic Butter Sauté, and Marinated Button Mushrooms. The product is marketed alongside fresh and other packaged mushrooms in the refrigerated section of retailers’ produce departments and are the only true value-added mushrooms available in the department. EnerNOC November 28, 2008: In an effort to reduce energy usage To-Jo Mushrooms has partnered with EnerNOC, Inc to implement Demand Response; an energy conservation program that reduced stress on the electric power grid during period of high peak demand. Environmental stewardship is a priority at To-Jo and a driving force behind the decision to partner with EnerNOC in their program that conserves energy and makes a positive impact with the community.
Joe D'Amico's Passing January 17, 2009: A respected mushroom industry leader and innovator has died. Joseph J. D’Amico, age 53, passed away after a five year battle with cancer. Joseph started with the family business in 1974 and in 1980 he established To-Jo Mushrooms, named after his two sons Tony and Joe, to pack and distribute fresh mushrooms. Joseph’s legacy is carried on by his two sons that now run the family business. Tony and Joe D’Amico, Jr. have grown To-Jo even further, introducing new products and sustainable programs that retailers are responding to. 2008 Impact Award October 25, 2008: Today seven produce companies were named the industry’s best packaging innovators by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). To-Jo Mushrooms’ On-The-Spot Gourmet with its innovative and sustainable packaging captured the Impact Packaging Award in the Functionality and Technology category. Acquisition of 133 acre site To-Jo mushrooms acquired a 133 acre site located in Elk Township, PA where the company plans to build a new state-of-the-art growing facility. To-Jo Mushrooms Announces Food Safety Advances June 13, 2010 – To-Jo Mushrooms announced today the certification of its packing and processing plants as a Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 Level 2 Food Manufacturer, by the independent certifying body, Steritech, Inc. To-Jo Mushrooms was awarded an Excellent (E) rating of 99.66 %, the highest level of compliance. The SQF standard is the only North American based food safety standard that has been accorded benchmark status by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI), an international accreditation program based in Brussels.
To-Jo’s President Anthony D’Amico, the fourth-generation family leader of To-Jo Mushrooms stated, “The SQF Level 2 certification is a reflection of our commitment to the continuous improvement of our Food Safety and Food Quality Management Systems. This has been a major opportunity for learning and growth of our entire team, and has involved continuing training and education because all of our employees at every level have a major impact on safety, quality and the ultimate satisfaction of our customers. We are extremely proud to join other SQF-certified suppliers who share our commitment to implementing world-class standards for Food Safety and Food Quality.” As a further advancement toward a complete Food Safety Management Program, To-Jo’s Farms and all its principal mushroom suppliers are certified under the Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices (MGAP) program managed by USDA. The MGAP program requires controls at the mushroom farms over product handling, employee hygiene, farm sanitation, pest management and other areas critical to food safety.
To-Jo Mushrooms is a producer/grower of fresh mushrooms including whites, brown and specialty and a processor of value added mushroom products. Distribution to some 28 states of its fresh products is by a company-owned fleet; value added processed products are distributed nationally.
A fourth generation family owned company, To-Jo Mushrooms & its Affiliated Companies are recognized for its commitment to Quality, Innovation and Service while maintaining a legacy of environmental stewardship and food safety. The Company recently was awarded best overall at the 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show, the 2nd year in a row for this award. To-Jo Announces Food Safety Advances June 6, 2011: To-Jo Mushrooms announced today that both its packing and processing plants have attained certification under the SQF 2000 Standard at Level 3, the highest level of compliance. Both To-Jo plants were awarded Excellent (E) ratings by The Steritech Group, a licensed SQF certification body, after scoring over 99.0% on their certification audits. The stringent SQF (Safe Quality Food) standard has been accorded benchmark status by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI), an international accreditation program based in Brussels. To-Jo’s President Anthony D’Amico, the forth-generation family leader of To-Jo Mushrooms stated, “The SQF Level 3 certification is a reflection of our commitment to the continuous improvement of our Food Safety and Food Quality Management Systems. This has been a major opportunity for learning and growth of our entire team, and has involved continuing training and education because all of our employees at every level have a major impact on safety, quality and the ultimate satisfaction of our customers. We are extremely proud to join other SQF-certified suppliers who share our commitment to implementing world-class standards for Food Safety and Food Quality.”
A further indication of the Company complete Food Safety Management Program, To-Jo’s Farms and all its principal mushroom suppliers are certified under the Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices (MGAP) program managed by USDA. The MGAP program requires controls at the mushroom farms over product handling, employee hygiene, farm sanitation, pest management and other areas critical to food safety. To-Jo hires Director of Business Development May 10, 2011: To-Jo Mushrooms, Inc. announced today that Peter Wilder has joined the company as Director of Business Development. In this role, Peter will be responsible for developing national and emerging restaurant chain sales for the company’s lines of fresh and value added mushroom products. Mr. Wilder is no outsider to the food/produce industry. Prior to joining To-Jo, he was with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) as Business Development, Sponsorship and Advertising Sales Manager. In that role, he was instrumental in expanding PMA’s sponsorship and advertising sales through the creation of revenue streams across a portfolio of events working with some of the largest U.S. produce companies. Prior to joining PMA, Wilder spent 15 years as Director of Business Development for the McDonald’s LPGA Championship. “Peter Wilder brings to To-Jo a unique combination of skills and experience in business development. We welcome him to our organization and know he will have a remarkable impact on the development of our national chain account business, said Paul Frederic, To-Jo’s, Senior VP – Sales & Marketing.” To-Jo lauches new QR Code labeling May 6, 2011: To-Jo Mushrooms announced today completion of a new label design for selected fresh mushroom packs that incorporates a Quick Response (QR) Code. Consumers can scan the code with their smartphone and then are immediately redirected to the page to-jo.com/meetyourgrowers where they will find a rotating menu of recipes and an overview of To-Jo and its products either by reading the company's history or watching To-Jo's corporate video. It is the most innovative and cutting edge technolog, enabling both producers and retailers to connect with their customers through their products at store level. To-Jo's President Anthony D'Amico, the fourth-generation family leader of To-Jo Mushrooms stated, "Incorporating the QR code on our labels is an important addition to our Social Media marketing initiative. We have already begun exploring the furture opportunities of the QR code to offer customers even more information in areas such as traceability and promoations; all in the palm of thier hands." Smartphone users are able to download the application to scan these codes for free through their app store. The label was designed by vendor partner East West Label Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. To-Jo Announces New Team Member
April 1, 2010 (Avondale, PA) To-Jo announced today that Matt Lucovich has joined the Company as Director of Sales and Marketing. Matt will be responsible for fresh retail and foodservice sales as well as sales of processed products produced by To-Jo Food Products. Mr. Lucovich is no outsider to the mushroom industry. Prior to joining To-Jo, he was Director of Sales & Marketing for Creekside Mushrooms Ltd. In that role Matt was responsible for the management of Sales, Marketing, Packaging, and Shipping functions. During his 11 year tenure at Creekside, Matt worked in many areas of Creekside’s mushroom operation including growing operations as well as food safety and security functions. In 2005, Matt was named Top 40 under Forty by Produce Business Magazine. Matt and his family will relocate from Pittsburgh, PA and will work in To-Jo’s corporate offices in Avondale. “Matt brings a unique combination of skills and experience in the mushroom industry to To-Jo and we know he will have an immediate impact on the Company’s programs and sales as well as operational areas where he has substantial expertise,” said Paul Frederic, Sr. VP of Sales & Marketing.
Best Overall - 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show January 8, 2010: Awarded Best Overall in Mushroom category for the second consecutive year.
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