CORAL GABLES, FL - The human side of produce—this is how Albert Perez, CEO and Grower Relations, with Continental Fresh LLC describes his personal passion for making a difference, and fueling those in the fresh produce industry to exercise their passions as well. Quite literally.
“In 1983 and 1984, as a high school junior and senior, I went on a high school service trip to the Dominican Republic. I had never really been outside the country and thought that the way I lived in Miami was the way everyone lived. It was an eye-opening experience. I discovered that the way I lived was actually the exception and not the way that the majority of the world lives,” Albert shares with me. “Discovering that 600 million people live without clean water and finding out that I could do something about it prompted me to found LIFO Missions in 1985. Since then, we have focused on helping some of the poorest people improve their living conditions, and consequently, their education, health, and future prospects. For the last 35 years, LIFO volunteers have built aqueducts in poor villages to provide running water in places where it has never been available.”
As Albert tells me, there is something magical that happens when a town receives water for the first time. Once children in a town are freed from having to walk, often barefoot, several kilometers to a stream to bring buckets of water back for their mothers to cook and clean, the world opens up.
“They can go to school, get educated, and get ahead. The health and hygiene of the entire family improves,” he says.
If you can glean anything from this story so far, you know that Albert, and the people that he surrounds himself with, only see challenges as opportunities—and people as the vehicle for change. 10 years ago, Danny Rodriguez—one of the young volunteers that had participated on three consecutive years of Albert’s LIFO trips—said he wanted to do more and asked if Albert could help him start his own organization. That was the birth of BLUE Missions Group which has evolved into a full-time, nationwide effort to create student service trips to assist water and sanitation projects in Latin America.
“What started with one yearly project and a few volunteers has now developed into over 30 projects and 600 volunteers in 2019 and a target of 45 projects and 900 volunteers in 2020,” Albert reflects. “Although BLUE’s focus is to end the global water and sanitation crisis, we also focus heavily on facilitating authentic immersion experiences that motivate today’s youth to go out and change the world. We are molding global citizens who will take on some of the world’s biggest challenges. BLUE volunteers are the future leaders and problem solvers of our generation. “
Albert’s role as the BLUE Missions Group Board or Directors President is to be a cheerleader, mentor, fundraiser, and promoter of this great cause. And boy, does he have an opportunity to share, and it is not too late! Did someone say the Caribbean? Here are the deets:
- Trek to the top of Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, with BLUE Missions to provide families in the Dominican Republic with access to clean water and sanitation.
- Hike 3-days across 27.6 miles of tropical and pine forests to the summit of Pico Duarte, at 10,128 ft. above sea level.
- Travel to a community that BLUE has worked with to overcome the water crisis and spend a few hours connecting with the locals. Then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach.
- There are two scheduled treks that are still open to those who wish to attend: Nov 29 – Dec 4 and Feb 24 – Feb 29.
- Fundraising Commitment: Each hiker commits to raise $250 in addition to the cost of their trip towards water and sanitation projects.
Curious about more or feelin' the call, check out more here.
BLUE Missions will help you with fundraising, providing a personalized website and fundraising kit. You will be required to complete a Fundraising Agreement to participate on the expedition.
“I’ve never been the brightest guy in the room, but I have often times been the most fortunate. Doing the right thing has always brought me great blessings. I’m not about to change that formula now,” Albert expresses.
It goes without saying that this industry has heart. But I will say it again, and time and time again, as long as there are stories like these to tell and opportunities like this to cherish.
IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!
Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see the latest around all growing regions.
EXPECT LETTUCE, CELERY, AND STRAWBERRY VOLUMES TO DROP THIS WEEK
After five straight days of high temperatures in the upper 80°s and into the high 90°s, and low temperatures in the mid 50°s, the coastal California growing regions of Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard experienced a dramatic climatic change over the weekend. Starting this past Saturday, the high temperatures in the region dropped by 15° to 20° and will continue on the cool side through this week. Maximum temperatures in the regions will be in the low to mid 70°s while the minimum temperatures will be in the low 40°s.
I would expect to see a reduction in volumes from these areas. Why is this important? These three growing regions are the major players in lettuces, celery, and strawberries right now, accounting for more than 90 percent of the current production for these three crops. The market on lettuce and strawberries has been soft but we might see a tightening of availability as the temperatures cool this week. Look for market to possibly move upward. If you deal in iceberg lettuce you might also be pulling from the central San Joaquin Valley. Fresno which last week experienced high temperatures in the upper 80°s and low in the mid 60°s will this week see temperatures drop to highs in the low 70°s and minimum temperatures in the low 40°s and a possible mid 30°s. Look for production from this area to drop as well.
DESERT REGIONS AND SJ VALLEY EXPERIENCING COLD NIGHTS–LOOK FOR BELL PEPPERS, BEANS, AND CORN TO TIGHTEN
The Coachella Valley last night saw the minimum temperature drop down into the 30°s. Tonight, the low is forecast to be 45° and then 38° again on Wednesday. These colder nights are expected to last through Friday. In Bakersfield, the minimum temperature last night was 44° and will be in the 30°s by tomorrow night. This region will see these cooler nights through the weekend.
Why is this important? These cooler nightly minimums are 15° to 20° cooler than they were last week. With SJ Valley region being the major player in bell peppers and sweet corn at the moment, look for markets to tighten even more this week. Coachella Valley is coming online with bell peppers, beans, and corn but is still relatively small compared to the current SJ Valley production. Look for production out of Coachella to remain tight until the weather warms back up early next week.
CA CITRUS REGIONS TO SEE NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK
The major San Joaquin Valley citrus growing regions of Visalia, Delano, and Dinuba will see minimum temperatures in the low to mid 30°s tonight through Friday. The coldest night will be Wednesday when temperatures will get down to 32° in some isolated areas around Visalia. These colder temperatures may be good for the upcoming navel crop.
FLORIDA HAS PERFECT WEATHER
The weather in the Sunshine State couldn’t be better with growing areas such as Belle Glade and Immokalee experiencing maximum temperatures in the upper 80°s to low 90°s and minimum temperatures in the 70°s. Look for production out of these regions on bell peppers and vegetables to begin anytime now. They are still a few scattered showers forecast for later in the week but overall the weather is perfect. These warm temperatures will continue for the foreseeable future.
HURRICANE CENTRAL
There is no activity in either the Atlantic or Pacific forecast for the next 48 hours. Everything looks calm at the present time.
Thank you as always for your support. We will be back later this week with another report.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Fresh Del Monte Produce today reported financial results for the third quarter, which ended September 27. The company has leveraged positive trends to focus on stabilizing business and honing in on value-added offerings.
“Positive trends continue for Fresh Del Monte with a strong financial performance in the third quarter of 2019,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our strategic focus on stabilizing our core business, innovating diversification, and transforming Fresh Del Monte to a value-added company has been building throughout 2019."
He continued, noting that, "We are emphasizing value-added margin growth in all product lines, generating momentum with global partnerships, introducing trend-forward products, and opening new state-of-the-art facilities in Mexico and Japan. Our retail store concept in the U.S. will be coming soon. We extended our credit facility to 2024. We believe that these results, coupled with increasing demand for healthy, fresh, and convenient foods, have given Fresh Del Monte a strong competitive advantage in the marketplace and a solid position from which to pursue our vision of inspiring healthy lifestyles.”
Highlights from the company's financial report included:
- Net sales were $1,070.2 million, in line with $1,069.5 million in 2018
- Gross profit was $74.7 million compared with $52.6 million in 2018
- Operating income was $27.1 million compared with operating loss of $11.3 million in 2018
- Adjusted operating income was $25.1 million compared with adjusted operating income of $3.2 million in 2018
- Net income was $18.1 million compared with net loss of $21.5 million in 2018
- Adjusted net income was $16.6 million compared with adjusted net loss of $7.0 million in 2018
Congratulations to Fresh Del Monte Produce on another successful quarter! To see the company’s official press release, and full details of its quarterly, click here.
WASHINGTON, DC - There was more movement on the Mexican tomato front last week, as the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) went before the International Trade Commission (ITC) to testify. FPAA suggested that at the heart of lost market share is a lack of innovation amongst U.S. tomato producers. According to a press release, Lance Jungmeyer, President of FPAA, testified that Mexican growers who have added technology to meet market conditions should not be penalized or accused of injury in the face of the U.S. industry’s failure to adapt.
“The data shows that, since this saga began in 1996, the petitioners have done little to innovate or move their horticultural interests forward,” Jungmeyer said. “With the continued market share decline of their primarily field-grown gassed green tomato product, the FTE companies have largely hitched their wagons to their competitors in Mexico, investing in fields, packinghouses, and strategic partnerships there in order to remain relevant in the marketplace.”
FPAA was quick to defend the interests of U.S. importing companies after the Florida Tomato Exchange recently asked to have the investigation reopened. If no injury was found, the Tomato Suspension Agreement would be removed and there would be free trade without duties. A determination of injury would mean continuation of the Tomato Suspension Agreement. FPAA maintains that importers are working with Mexican growers to provide the product that the market wants and requires.
“Indeed, far from causing injury, the importation and distribution of Mexican tomatoes is one of the only things keeping FTE marketing companies in the game,” Jungmeyer added.
FPAA surveyed its members, who revealed that nearly 25 percent of the tomatoes they sell go toward FTE-affiliated companies. Over the last few years, FTE-affiliated firms have systematically bought up distribution operations all across the United States and transitioned from tomato farming to tomato marketing.
As the great tomato debate continues to develop, keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Running a marathon is no easy task. The completion of the 26.2-mile journey is usually rewarded with copious amounts of electrolytes, a nice frosty pint, or in the marines' case, bananas. Fyffes joined the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) for the seventh consecutive year and passed out bananas to the marathoners on October 27. The banana company has fueled runners with over 200,000 bananas over the course of its long-standing partnership with the MCM since 2012 as part of its #FuelWithFyffes campaign.
“Fuel with Fyffes represents a driving force that fuels and motivates runners as they prepare both physically and mentally to complete their 26.2 mile-long race,” said Marion Tabard, Vice President of Marketing for Fyffes in North America. “After crossing the finish line, the runners fuel with Fyffes again and replenish their bodies with the Fyffes bananas that are given out by the Marines.”
The company was also conscientious; Fyffes collected all banana peels for compost, an initiative Fyffes started in 2014. According to a press release, the banana peels and compostable materials collected from the MCM grounds are donated to the Veteran’s Compost program. As in previous years, bright yellow Fyffes composting bins were placed throughout the Finish Line area, creating a sustainable solution to reducing waste at the event. The banana peels are then handled by Arlington County Waste Management and processed into high-quality organic compost that provides critical micronutrients to soil throughout the DC community.
“Over the years, the composting initiative has become one of the largest composting programs at a single event. We are proud of the impact of this continued partnership as it aligns strongly with our core values and on-going commitment to sustainable practices,” continued Tabard.
Due to the efforts and partnership with Fyffes for the composting program, the MCM has been recognized as a gold-certified event, the highest level awarded by the Council for Responsible Sport, for being socially and environmentally responsible as a world-class running event.
“It’s a great partnership that brings social media energy before the event and composting efforts to benefit the environment after the run,” said Marine Corps Marathon Director Rick Nealis.
With programs for sustainability being more recognized in not just the produce industry but everywhere, how will other companies meet expectations? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger has been chasing growth by expanding into and testing new sectors. The retailer has been dabbling in foodservice, plant-based meat, and new shopping formats, in an effort to remain competitive and innovative. Now, Kroger has partnered up with the holy trinity of delivery services—UPS, FedEx, and USPS—to test a new program that offers its customers more diverse services when shopping.
Dubbed Kroger Package Services (KPS), the new program allows select Kroger locations to accept and safely store packages from major carriers, UPS, FedEx, and USPS, which customers can then pick up later, according to Business Insider. Through the program, customers will also be able to drop off pre-labeled packages or unboxed items to ship anywhere in the U.S., the news source reports. Customers dropping off unlabeled packages will have access to automated kiosks where they can purchase and print their own shipping labels.
"Kroger Package Services is one of several ongoing tests we have in market to further develop our portfolio of seamless customer experiences," a spokesperson said. "The pilot allows us to test and learn in a retail setting, gaining useful insights from both customers and associates."
The retailer plans to test the KPS program in 220 stores this year, according to internal documents the news source reviewed. Kroger plans to capitalize on the growing grocery delivery sector, and has high hopes that the new program will encourage further shopping.
"When customers enter our doors to take advantage of KPS, there is a high likelihood they will purchase additional items in store," a document stated.
What will be the consumer reaction to the new program? AndNowUKnow will deliver updates.
BROOKLYN, NY - What may have started as an affectionate name for loyal grocery followers has turned into an all-out fan following led by the most dedicated customers. You may have heard that “Wegmania” has broken out in the state of New York, as its very first Wegmans location opened up in Brooklyn on Sunday. According to Public Relations Coordinator Valerie Fox, the new Wegmans was met with over 25,000 shoppers staked out front ahead of opening. Despite the rain coming down, some had set-ups similar to that of a football tailgate. So, I just have one question: What would the Wegmaniacs’ mascot look like?
"The Brooklyn store opening was an incredibly exciting day for our family company," Fox said, according to Democrat & Chronicle. "Despite heavy rainfall, hundreds of people lined up around the block before dawn yesterday."
Although we don’t have exact sales figures from the new Wegmans, Fox reported that they broke records, surpassing that of the Alexandria, Virginia, store that opened in 2015. As the doors opened, workers and shoppers alike shuffled through with pure excitement on their faces. At 74,000 square feet, the store usurps the traditional brick and clock tower facade that many Wegmans are known for. Instead, it displays a more modern aesthetic that blends with the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The new Wegmans stocks over 50,000 products, 2,000 of which are organic. It features 300 varieties of cheese as well as an in-house bakery, fresh fish, an olive bar, and a craft beer selection, as well as prepared foods departments that include sushi, Asian cuisine, pizza, and burgers. The whole facility is topped with a second-level dining area to fulfill any Wegmaniac’s wildest dreams.
Congrats to Wegmans on its exciting new location—and hats off to the Wegmans fanatics who helped it break records! Keep reading us at AndNowUKnow for the industry’s most exciting news.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Raley’s is downsizing its pharmaceutical division, citing challenges in the pharmacy space as the driving factor. As a result, the grocer began shuttering 27 of its Raley’s, Bel Air, and Nob Hill pharmacies on October 26th, with closures to be complete by November 5th. Its remaining 69 locations across California and Nevada will continue to operate.
According to a press release, Raley’s selected the closing locations based on relevance and profitability—a strategic business decision that will position the company for continued long-term growth and ongoing success.
Rather than transfer its prescriptions within its own operations, Raley’s will offload those from the closing pharmacies to that of Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and Rite Aid. Impacted patients will receive a notice identifying the specific transfer location and timing.
Impacted pharmacy team members have also been informed, with transition support provided for employees, including pay and benefits for a period of time as well as future employment assistance.
The grocer has disclosed which locations will be closing here.
How will Raley’s long-term growth and ongoing success play out in the grocery retail market? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
CASTROVILLE, CA - I’ve had many successful Friendsgivings and it seems that the trend is catching on among consumers. Even Ocean Mist Farms is getting in on the Friendsgiving action, with the launch of its Friendsgiving Flavor campaign, a fall promotion to elevate the Season & Steam product line. The line includes Sweet Baby Broccoli, artichokes, whole Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts shreds, and Brussels sprouts halves.
“Our fall Friendsgiving Flavor campaign will serve both our retail partners and shoppers by providing content that engages, educates, and ultimately drives foot traffic to stores as the holiday season quickly approaches,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing. “Because Ocean Mist is committed to being a helpful resource for our shoppers, we created a few new fall recipes and recently launched new instructional videos to help shoppers have the best experience with their Season & Steam purchases. And while supporting in-store sales this holiday season is our number one goal, this campaign also serves to increase our national brand reach and build shopper connections in preparation for future campaigns—particularly our upcoming Coachella artichoke season.”
Shoppers will be delighted to hear about the sweepstakes aspect, titled the Friendsgiving Flavor Giveaway, which will run on Instagram from November 1 through November 22. Those who enter will have a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card and free Season & Steam products. Shoppers can find additional information and instructions on how to enter by following @OceanMistFarms on Instagram, a press release noted.
In addition, Ocean Mist is striving to make holiday entertaining less stressful by showcasing unique fall recipes on its new “Fall Feasting” webpage. Shoppers will find “how-to” videos, blog posts inclusive of cooking tips and tricks, and digital cookbooks.
Throughout the campaign, Ocean Mist Farms will partner with Running to the Kitchen, a social media influencer, and will utilize Google advertising and targeted social media advertising to encourage shoppers to purchase Season & Steam items at their local grocery store with the help of the new Destini locator tool found on www.oceanmist.com.
Here's hoping a Friendsgiving is in sight for all those hungry shoppers!
WASHINGTON - As the labor shortage in the produce industry increases, growers and shippers are looking to recruiters, labor contractors, and H-2A guest workers for assistance. Due to these developments, Equitable Food Initiative has put together a free resource to help the fresh produce industry take into account how to best come to fair terms with workers. In doing so, EFI hopes to reduce labor recruitment blind spots that could put growers at risk.
So, how is EFI helping growers and shippers avoid these common hurdles and situations when recruiting workers? The company has created a Responsible Recruitment Scorecard, two detailed questionnaires that will provide a rating indicator along with key areas growers can address to drive continuous improvement across their recruitment processes. One questionnaire is designed to help identify risks that are often associated with the foreign recruitment of workers, and the second is used to determine risks that can be present when working with farm labor contractors.
“These scorecards allow growers to have visibility into what are often invisible risks they take on by using third-party labor providers,” stated Kenton Harmer, Director of Certification and Impact. “As a self-assessment tool, growers use the results internally to determine which recruiters and farm labor contractors are most aligned with the ethos of their business and to build partnerships that further reduce their vulnerabilities around forced labor.”
According to the press release, the number of workers admitted to the United States via the H-2A program rose to nearly 243,000 in 2018, a whopping 46 percent increase since 2016. Because labor recruiters play an important role in identifying a potential workforce for many grower operations, workers are vulnerable to exploitation from corrupt recruiters who are involved in labor trafficking and charge illegal recruitment fees. The produce industry’s 2018 release of the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices created an increased demand for social responsibility, calling for every farmworker to be treated with dignity and respect, and stated that employers must not tolerate modern slavery.
“Responsible recruitment is the right thing to do, and we’ve found that it can also drive business performance,” said Harmer. “Not only does it reduce the legal and commercial risks for the grower, but it can also create an environment for meaningful worker collaboration which results in better quality products and increased company efficiencies.”
The resource is provided at no cost at www.equitablefood.org/scorecard in both English and Spanish. For more improvements and updates in the produce world, keep with us at ANUK.