MONTEREY, CA - I love a mid-week treat, and details on the latest events to help our industry progress fall into that category. It’s time we find out the first of three keynote presentations for the 2018 Organic Grower Summit, which will dive into an international overview of opportunities, challenges, and issues facing the organic growing community and its fresh fruit and vegetable marketplace. Known as the Grower Roundtable, the first presentation will include three organic growers from North America to offer attendees insight into a variety of topics—including labor, regulations, and supply chain issues.
Featured panelists of the Grower Roundtable include:
- Esteban Macias, Crop Protection Manager/Independent Grower, Grupo U
- Robin Graham, Assistant General Manager, Stemilt Ag Services
- John France, Founder, Homegrown Organic Farms
- Moderated by: Scott LaRue, Managing Director, Global Head of Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Piper Jaffrey
“Growing organics requires a full view from beneath the soil all the way to the consumer who buys and eats your product. Information to does that properly is still limited compared to growing conventionally. As it was in the late 80’s when I started, so it is now; knowledge from those that have gone before will always be the foundation of a good organic program,” said France. “Gathering that knowledge usually comes from the source which is the growers themselves, and that is why the Organic Grower Summit is one great source of that needed information.
To this, Graham added his own excitement at the opportunity to share his point of view.
“It’s an honor to be part of the Grower Roundtable and exciting to share my thoughts about the many challenges and opportunities that surround organic farming today,” he said.
Organic growers, producers, and processors will gather together at the second annual event—a collaboration between the California Certified Organic Farms (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN)—for two days of education, information, and networking opportunities with production supply chain and service providers in organics. Further, even more educational components of OGS are available to provide inspiring and engaging sessions with leading industry experts tapped into the production side of organic fresh produce. At these educational opportunities, attendees will learn about an array of subjects—from organic integrity to soil optimization.
Among the scheduled educational sessions are:
- Scaling Up Healthy Soil Practices
- Sustainable Investing in Your Organic Farming Future
- Technology is Not Just for Big Ag
- Candid Conversation with NOSB Board Members
- Managing Organic Production Systems to Promote Plant Health
- Giving Organic Beverages a Shot
- Safeguarding the Organic Brand
The entire event will run from December 12-13 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California. Those wanting to gather insight from the educational opportunities and gain access to the networking opportunities the event offers can register for $499—discounts are available for CCOF members and government and educational members. Registration includes admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, lunch, and the trade show floor. Even more, attendees can get their hands on a ticket for the 2018 CannaBus Tour—which takes place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12th—and the CCOF Foundation Dinner on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
Costco buyers will also be meeting with participating grower attendees looking to utilize the special “Meet the Grower” opportunity the event uniquely offers. In this session, certified organic farms and grower representatives will meet with Costco’s organic produce, dairy, meat, and wine buyers to discuss their operations and products.
The trade show floor is almost sold out—only a few spots remain available, as of today. Booths that will be attending so far include soil amendment, bio-pesticide, seed, packaging, food safety, ag technology, and equipment manufacturers—all ready and eager to network throughout the show with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.
So, what’s your booth number? Give me your digits, baby!
Organic Grower Summit Organic Produce Network California Certified Organic Farmers
BAKERSFIELD, CA - California table grapes are continuing to thrive as the state powers through this landmark season for quality, sizing, and volume. I recently had the chance to speak with Randy Giumarra, Vice President of Sales, Giumarra Vineyards, to learn a bit more about the state of the season.
“Based on estimated numbers, we’ve only just passed the halfway mark on the harvest at Giumarra Vineyards, so we have a significant number of boxes left to harvest,” Randy tells me, before detailing the varieties being harvested. “We have quite the selection right now. We’re picking some ARRA 15 Sweeties, ARRA 32 Mystic Dream, Muscato Amoré Sweet Scarlets, Honeybunch Diamond Scarlet Royals, Autumn Royals, and some huge Red Globes.”
Suffice it to say, Giumarra Vineyards has a variety to fill every need for the mid- and late-season programs.
As we talk about varieties, I ask Randy to fill me in on how the season is in terms of quality, and he’s more than happy to oblige.
“In all honesty, this is a banner year for California table grapes. We have everything you’re looking for in the fruit—a huge crop, big size bunches and berries, and high brix, which leads to great eating quality. Retailers should have them in the front of the produce department all the way through December—they should jump off the shelves into shopping carts!” Randy says.
With 20 percent higher volume anticipated over last year, Randy goes on to explain the state of the market to me, and how retailers can take advantage of this uptick in volume.
“There is no doubt that movement has started picking up here recently, but the table grape industry as whole has some ground to make up,” he says. “Prices are definitely in the promotable range! The talk in recent years has been about new varieties that are better eating, have better yield, and are easier to grow. I feel like we’ve received strong support because of our new variety product mix but also because of the way we harvest our fruit with a heavy emphasis on flavor-profile. It’s pretty straight forward—if you give the consumer a great eating experience, chances are they’re going to come back to the same store and buy another bag and another bag, until it becomes a habit to pick up grapes every time they go shopping.”
In addition to sharing the current state of the grape market, Randy also wished to speak about tariffs and trade.
“I know I speak for most farmers of all commodities when I say we would like to see a resolution to the trade disputes. Between the tariffs levied on our products and the animosity it has created with some government officials in specific countries, there is no doubt that prices and—to a lesser degree, volume—has been affected in certain regions. The sooner there is a fair agreement for all countries involved, the better,” he concludes.
For more updates on fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
TAMPA, FL - Polymer Logistics is adding a vet with experience from several sides of the industry; the company announced this week that it has hired Eric Biddiscombe as the company’s Country Manager, Canada.
“I’m excited to join the world-class team at Polymer Logistics,” said Biddiscombe, in a press release. “The Polymer Logistics culture of customer-first innovation, agility, value, and service is embedded and embraced throughout the organization. I’m looking forward to building partnerships with Canadian businesses, introducing them to our reusable transport and merchandising systems, and working together to delight shoppers and deliver sustainable profitable growth.”
In his new role, Biddiscombe will oversee all aspects of Polymer Logistics’ Canadian business, including retailer and grower development, service, operations, and asset management, for the full range of Polymer Logistics reusable packaging and merchandising systems.
According to the company’s press release, Biddiscombe will report to Fred Heptinstall, CEO, Polymer Logistics North America.
“We are thrilled to have a professional with Eric’s depth and breadth of experience join our leadership team,” said Heptinstall. “He is highly regarded by all sectors of the industry and well-suited to build sustainable partnerships with our customers in Canada as we position ourselves for growth in this important region.”
Biddiscombe joins Polymer Logistics from a stint as Chill Fresh Produce’s Vice President of Canadian Operations. In that capacity, Biddiscombe oversaw the company’s refrigerated produce distribution facility as well as sales across Eastern Canada.
Priorly, Biddiscombe spent 33 years with Loblaw Companies, Limited, serving in leadership roles in supply chain, produce procurement, quality assurance, merchandising, process improvement, and corporate social responsibility.
Additionally, Biddiscombe is an experienced advocate for our industry, having served on the Board of Directors of the CPMA for 9 years. In 2011, Biddiscome was named the Ontario Produce Marketing Association Person of the Year. He was tapped to participate in the Loblaw High Potential Program at the York University Schulich School of Business and completed process improvement methodology training with leaders from Virginia Tech University.
Congratulations, Eric, on your new role from all of us at AndNowUKnow.
BELDING, MI - In response to the growing popularity of the premium branded apple, Smitten® North America is moving into new territory; the brand announced the first-ever Midwestern harvest of Smitten apples this week.
“The growing popularity of this apple at retail has been impressive,” said Don Zornes, North America Marketing Director, in a press release. “Expanding production is a necessary and exciting response to meet that popularity.”
Developed in New Zealand by the Prevar Breeding program, Smitten is a blend of Gala, Braeburn, Fiesta, and Falstaff.
“We fell in love with this apple many years ago and are thrilled to join New Zealand and Washington in producing this extraordinary apple,” said Chris Sandwick, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BelleHarvest—the Midwest licensee for Smitten apples, who will begin marketing the first Michigan-grown Smitten apples in the coming weeks. “We believe it has the eating quality to please even the most cynical snacker.”
According to the company’s press release, the apple variety boasts outstanding flavor and exceptional crunch.
“We’ve only had enough so far to feed friends and family,” added Tony Blattner, President of BelleHarvest and grower of Smitten apples. “Now we have the chance to share this exceptional apple with our retail partners, as well.”
For more on exciting developments and new offerings in our industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General is trying to keep up with the ever-evolving retail chain by recruiting 7,000 new employees—from store managers and assistant store managers to lead sales associates and part- and full-time sales associates, the company is seeking to fill roles to support its retail store operations. In addition to the positions already mentioned, Dollar General is looking for district managers and regional directors.
“Dollar General is proud of its strong track record of supporting the growth and development of our approximately 134,000 employees across our organization,” said Bob Ravener, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. “We continue to make significant investments in employee programs focused on development and benefits. As a rapidly-growing company that has built more than 6,000 new stores and created approximately 50,000 net new jobs in the past decade alone, we believe we provide our employees with a wide range of exciting opportunities to advance within the Company. We look forward to welcoming new candidates to the Dollar General team and helping them achieve their career ambitions.”
According to a press release, now through Sunday, September 23, the company’s stores, spread out throughout 44 states, will interview candidates applying for a position at the energetic, innovative, diverse, and teamwork-driven locations. Hiring information can be found online.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY - LGS Specialty Sales is gearing up for fall festivities by announcing the debut of its new food and lifestyle blog Darling Dish, which offers recipe inspiration and information for items like Darling® Citrus, Suavo Avocado®, and Tiny Tim’s®.
“The blog is an opportunity for us to share our unique story and relationship with farmers around the world,” said President and Founder Luke Sears. “We want to extend the invitation for people to see a behind-the-scenes view of our company's culture and growing operations to cultivate a greater relationship and connect readers to stories from our groves abroad.”
Darling Dish will post recipes and lifestyle content once a week that not only take readers through the groves that grow the flavorful fruits of LGS, but also provide readers sneak peeks at upcoming promotions, new products, and more.
In addition, LGS is also kicking off its first sweepstakes, Squeeze the Day, which will run September through October and will encourage shopper brand advocacy, provide resources to local non-profits, and increase citrus sales. Those who enter will have a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card plus the opportunity to gift $500 to one of four pre-selected charities: Brighter Bites, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Hope Community Service, and Susan G. Komen.
In a press release, LGS notes that it is looking forward to giving back to its loyal shoppers in addition to organizations that align with its core value of fighting hunger and food waste and providing aid to those in need.
Now through December, LGS will also be sending shipments of fresh clementines to classrooms across the U.S. as a means to continue its commitment to support healthy communities. Each month, shoppers can go online and fill out a form for a chance to enter the Clementines For Your Classroom promotion to win two 5 lbs boxes of Darling Clementines®.
For additional information, please visit www.lgssales.com, or follow Darling Clementines’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional recipe inspiration. For more of the latest fresh fruit and veg news, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
WESTLAKE, CA - Dole Food Company has reportedly decided to part ways with its headquarters—at least ownership of its headquarters. The company has reportedly sold its 168,00-square-foot home, located at One Dole Drive in Westlake Village, California, to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for $50 million.
According to a report by the Commercial Observer, One Dole Drive has served as Dole’s home base for more than 20 years. The Hilton Foundation was previously a short-term tenant at the property, and the organization will also continue to own and operate a LEED platinum-certified property just two miles away from the Westlake campus.
Dole will continue to occupy a portion of the campus, presumably as a tenant of the Hilton Foundation.
An unnamed spokesperson for Dole confirmed the sale to the Commercial Observer, stating: “we are very happy the building will be in good hands moving forward.”
Dole’s representative in the transaction, CBRE, issued a statement on the transaction.
“One Dole Drive is a truly unique property,” Mike Longo, CBRE’s Vice President, said. “There is nothing like it in the entire market. Dole Foods has been a great contributor and employer in the City of Westlake. It’s exciting to see that this property will be handed-off to such a distinguished family with an exceptional philanthropic mission.”
No reports have been forthcoming about Dole’s relocation plans—nor its plans to reinvest the proceeds of the sale.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN & ST. LOUIS, MO - SuperValu and Schnuck Markets have announced a new deal, in which the former has agreed to sell 19 of its 36 Shop ‘n Save stores to the latter. By the end of October, each of the 19 stores, many of which are located in the St. Louis, MO, market, will be closed and ready to make their Schnucks-owned debut. As part of the acquisition, Schnucks has agreed to allow SuperValu to serve as the primary supplier for nine of its existing stores located across northern Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
“Since announcing plans to pursue the sale of our Shop ‘n Save banner earlier this Spring, the team has worked diligently and successfully to put this agreement together,” said Mark Gross, SuperValu’s President and CEO. “This transaction is an important step in the continued transformation of our business. Schnucks is an excellent retailer in the St. Louis area, and we’re pleased that these stores will become a part of their operation, including continuing to serve the communities and providing jobs to many of our employees.”
After this acquisition, 17 Shop ‘n Save stores will remain, however, SuperValu noted that if an additional buyer or buyers cannot be found “in the near term,” the stores will be closed later this year. SuperValu’s St. Louis Distribution Center is also expected to close later this year, as it predominantly serves Shop ‘n Save stores.
A complete list of stores, pharmacies, and fuel centers to be sold to Schnucks under this agreement can be found here.
MURRIETA, CA - On the heels of announcing three new organic avocado brands earlier this year, West Pak was more than ready to hit the ground running at Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo. From September 6th through 8th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the organic-focused retail produce event served as the perfect background for all the new products West Pak brought to the table.
“Organics are a rapidly expanding market, so it makes sense that West Pak’s new brands have been well-received by the organic community,” said Eastern Regional Sales Manager Scott Ross, who was exhibiting at Southern Innovations for West Pak Avocado. “Our conventional bagged avocado marketing and sales program is off to a great start, and the organic versions have taken our overall retail offerings to new heights.”
West Pak first unveiled its new retail lines of bagged organic avocados at Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, California, in July. The lines, which are the first branded organic retail offerings for the company, include I Love Avocados Organic, California Gold Organic, and LiL’Cados Organic.
The I Love Avocados Organic line was created to inspiring health-minded people to live a life of wellness, while the California Gold Organic brand presents local-grove avocado goodness from the Golden State. LiL’Cados Organic offer single-serving avocados and appeal to the growing mini-fruit market.
West Pak has become a fully certified and operational organic packing house, according to a press release. The company complies with all organic production and handling requirements, even performing self-audits to ensure that it meets or exceeds all National Organic Program organic guidelines.
And that’s not the last major launch for West Pak this year. The conventional version of LiL’Cados, as well as Viva Avocados, will officially debut at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Orlando on October 18-20, 2018, and the California Gold brand will follow in early 2019.
For more on major product launches and innovation in the produce industry, stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest.
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Last month, the Tom Lange Family of Companies had much to celebrate; the company celebrated the careers of three retiring veteran employees and welcomed four fresh faces into leadership roles.
In Atlanta, the company celebrated the storied 42-year career of Eric Hoffmann, bidding the Vice President of Sales and Board Member farewell will welcoming long-time employee Chase Tatham into the vacated VP role.
Eric started his career in Indianapolis and transferred to Atlanta in 1982 to expand the Tom Lange presence and was instrumental in building the Atlanta team. He will remain on the Tom Lange Company Board of Directors.
Trevor Powell was also promoted to Vice President of Sales for Lange Logistics, operating out of the company’s Atlanta office.
In the company’s Indianapolis office, Rick Harsnett, Vice President of Sales, retired from the Company after 39 years. According to the company’s press release, Rick joined the Indianapolis office in 1979, and under his leadership and direction, the Indianapolis office has grown and prospered.
John Caito, a 21 years plus veteran of the company, has been promoted to Vice President of Sales for the Indianapolis office.
Steve Holdren was promoted from Sales Manager to Vice President of Sales for the company’s Chicago office.
And, in Houston, Barry Rutherford, Account Manager, retired from the Company after 34 years. The company noted that Barry built a reputation based on excellent service and noted that the Houston office will continue his legacy.
“I want to personally thank Eric, Rick, and Barry for all they have accomplished in their distinguished careers,” said President Greg Reinauer. “Your contributions have been instrumental in growing this company and preparing us for the future. This is a very exciting time for our company as we promote four exceptional associates to the role of Vice President. Congratulations to Chase, Trevor, John, and Steve on the next jump in your careers. Your drive and proven leadership will continue to push us to the next level.”
Chairman and CEO Rock Gumpert expressed similar sentiments.
“It seems like only yesterday that Eric and Rick came to work in the Indy office,” said Rock. “Their feisty and fun-loving nature meant there was never a dull moment. The friendship and loyalty of both men has been a gift and an honor. I would like to personally thank each for their tireless contributions to the company.”
Rock also recalled meeting Barry for the first time, saying: “I call him the quiet man because of his calm and dedicated service to the company, his customers, his family, his community, his church, and anyone in need. He is truly one of the great guys! Good luck and enjoy your retirement Eric, Rick and Barry.”
From all of us at ANUK, sincere congratulations to Eric, Rick, and Barry on your retirement—and to Chase, Trevor, John, and Steve on the new roles!