CASTROVILLE, CA - Christopher Vacca, Executive Chef, culinary consultant, menu developer, and an alumnus of The Culinary Institute of America, has partnered up with Ocean Mist® Farms at this year’s PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo, where he will prepare and sample Tuscan Style Braised Baby Artichokes.
“It’s an honor to bring this caliber of chef to an industry event like the annual PMA Foodservice Conference where his experience is so highly valued,” said Diana McClean, Senior Director of Marketing at Ocean Mist Farms. “Chef Chris has always done an incredible job elevating artichokes at the annual Castroville Artichoke Festival, so we’re really looking forward to him sharing insight on foodservice trends with our partners.”
The Executive Chef of Hyatt Carmel Highlands has had his hand in many different ventures, from fine dining and fast‐casual to catering and food trucks; he was also the former Executive Chef at award‐winning Cantinetta Luca in Carmel. Chef Chris’ wealth of experience and knowledge is sure to bring exceptional flavor and attract many of the attendees at this year’s show.
Ocean Mist Farms’ press release also revealed that the company will showcase several of its washed and ready-to-use convenience products specifically designed with foodservice professionals in mind. Products on display will include Brussels Sprouts (whole, halves, and shreds) in 3 and 5 lb bags; Broccoli Florets in 3 lb bags; and Spinach in 1, 2, and 2.5 lb bags.
Be sure to stop by booth #219 at the show to catch Chef Chris in action and to check out Ocean Mist Farms' Baby Artichokes.
For more hot news in the industry, stay tuned with AndNowUKnow.
FRESNO, CA - Ever since the word blockchain hit the produce industry’s newswires, it’s been impossible to turn away from the importance of it. Retailers across the nation have continued to utilize blockchain technology to both differentiate themselves from their competitors and ensure their shoppers are getting the safest and freshest produce possible.
For example, Walmart recently announced its own blockchain-enabled Walmart Food Traceability Initiative, which it has been rolling out for the last 18 months. The retailer has made claims that with this blockchain technology, it is able to perform a complete traceback within minutes—rather than hours or even days.
Ever since that announcement, Famous Software
“Our development team has been working in direct partnership with Walmart and IBM to make sure that our ERP and FIS messaging products satisfy the needs of Walmart’s initiative and communicate seamlessly with the blockchain network,” stated Heather Hammock, President, Famous Software. “Our team has developed a complete on-boarding process that demonstrates how you can use your Famous Software solution to transmit the correct information to Walmart’s blockchain network and achieve compliance."
Additionally, once Walmart made that announcement that it would require both Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) labels and Advanced Ship Notification (ASN) information, Famous Software
As AndNowUKnow continues to follow Famous Software’s journey, we’ll keep you up to date with the latest in software innovations.
MCLEAN, VA - Gladstone Land Corporation announced that it has acquired 3,586 total acres of farmland and facilities in South Florida for total consideration consisting of $54.5 million in cash and 288,303 common units of limited partnership interest in its operating partnership. The OP Units issued were valued at $12.14 per unit, resulting in total consideration of approximately $58.0 million.
“This is an exciting acquisition for us and one that allows us to form a new relationship in Florida,” said David Gladstone, President and CEO of Gladstone Land. “We now own nearly 80,000 acres of farmland that are 100% leased to tenants who we believe to be great tenants. We believe in taking care of the land and water in Florida.”
According to a press release, the acreage has previously been used for vegetable and citrus farming. However, it is currently being used for diversified agricultural purposes, with the primary use being water retention. In connection with the acquisition, Gladstone also entered into an eight-year, triple-net lease with Caulkins Citrus Company.
“We are excited to partner with Gladstone Land on this property and look forward to continuing our management of the Caulkins Water Farm as part of the State of Florida’s comprehensive efforts to improve water quality in South Florida,” said George Caulkins, Managing Partner of Caulkins Citrus. “Given our experience in partnering with South Florida Water Management District to bring our water farm online in a timely and cost-effective manner, we plan to use the capital from this transaction to explore additional land investments in the state to retain and treat water and help eliminate discharges.”
Bill Frisbie, Managing Director of Gladstone Land, added, “We are very pleased to acquire another property in a prime vegetable growing region in South Florida. The majority of the property is currently utilized to retain and prevent water flowing from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal communities, which can have a negative environmental impact. Our tenant, Caulkins Citrus, has a multi-year contract with the South Florida Water Management District, with funding provided by the State of Florida. The property is adjacent to a large organic vegetable farm that we currently own and the Property has the potential to be converted into prime organic farm acreage in the future; however, our objective is to keep using it in its current purpose for as long as the State of Florida desires.”
For the latest in acquisitions, sales, and more, keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow.
SEATTLE, WA - Internet giant Amazon has expanded its reach into Ohio by announcing plans to open two new Ohio fulfillment centers, one in Akron and the other in Rossford. This initiative will create more than 2,500 full-time jobs with comprehensive benefits and opportunities in an industry-leading workplace—not to mention the chance to work alongside Amazon robotics.
“Ohio has been a great place to do business, serve customers and create jobs; as a result, we are thrilled to develop two state-of-the-art fulfillment centers in Akron and Rossford,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment. “We're excited to grow our team in the Buckeye state, which now includes more than 8,500 Amazonians, and be a part of the larger Ohio community.”
According to the press release given by Amazon, each fulfillment center is more than 700,000 square feet and will be used to pick, pack, and ship small items to customers.
Amazon is also investing in its associates by offering continuing education opportunities through Amazon’s upskill programs, such as Career Choice. Whether within the company or outside, Amazon is dedicated to providing and taking care of its associates.
“Amazon continues to demonstrate confidence in the great workforce and e-commerce business climate we have in Ohio,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “I’m pleased to welcome two additional investments from Amazon, which bring thousands of new jobs to Ohio and cutting-edge facilities to Akron and Rossford.”
How will Kroger respond to Amazon's new presence in its home turf? Stay tuned to ANUK for more updates.
IRVINE, CA - Taco Bell is out here proving that dreams do come true. The fast food chain recently announced that it plans to open its own hotel and resort this August, aptly titled: The Bell. Located in Palm Springs, California, it’s sure to be a feast for the senses. Although it was relatively quiet on the sneak peek front, Taco Bell recently released a statement that allowed eager consumers to see what might await them at The Bell, including a few fresh produce-forward goodies.
“Let’s be honest, food is the best part of traveling. A lot of effort and homework goes into finding out the best places to eat near where you are staying. But, with The Bell, we’ve thought of everything for you,” said Executive Chef, Rene Pisciotti. “From welcome beverages to room service build-your-own breakfast tacos and surprises throughout, many of which feature local ingredients like our Horchata-Date Smoothie, we’re curating the ultimate Taco Bell food experience.”
Other menu items include the Avocado Toast-ada, served on local multigrain toast with avocado, breakfast radish, chipotle seasoned sorghum, and diablo puffs; and the Cheddar Club, made with hand-breaded crispy chicken, jalapeño bacon, avocado, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and aioli, served with Nacho Fries.
For those of us who can’t make it to Palm Springs this summer, Taco Bell released a recipe to satiate our hunger: Chip Chilaquiles served with charred tomatillo salsa, Mexican crema, queso fresco, pico, and a fried egg.
Those lucky enough to score a spot at The Bell—although I believe all of the spots are already taken, to my utter sadness—will also have access to all manner of Taco Bell-themed memorabilia as they lounge pool-side.
To learn more about The Bell, click here. And for the latest on how fast casual restaurants are shaking up the produce sector, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
CHICAGO, IL - As one of the longer-standing members of AndNowUKnow’s editorial team, I still think of us as the new kid on the produce block. So it was a great surprise to me when Paul Lightfoot, Founder and CEO of BrightFarms, recently shared his company is actually younger than our own.
At eight years in the business, he revealed that the company is at a pivotal moment in its history.
“For consumers, we are essentially bringing products that are about a week fresher. For retailers, we’re bringing a product that attracts their best consumers, and every retailer into which we’ve gone, we’ve lifted category sales as more people enter the category, buy more than one unit when they’re doing their weekly shopping, and trade up from lower-cost items,” Paul says proudly.
He explains the products BrightFarms offers continue to get more traction as consumers continue looking for healthier and healthier eats.
To hear it all straight from the CEO, watch our brief video above, and don’t forget to tune in for his own signature ‘AndNowUKnow.’ It’s worth it!
SALINAS, CA - This weekend’s PMA Foodservice is already looking to boast quite the turnout of wares and goods, with Church Brothers Farms alone adding to that list with not one, not two, but three new items. Each of Church Brothers Farms’ new foodservice offerings—including Sweet Baby Broccoli, TuscanBaby Romaine, and Sandwich Ready Leaves—will be displayed at the Fresh Ideas Showcase on July 26 and 27.
“Sweet Baby Broccoli is a new vegetable we are now growing for our foodservice customers with the Growers Express commodity farming program we acquired earlier this year,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President Marketing/Product Development. “It is a great addition to our offerings for our foodservice customers who are looking to load as many fresh produce ingredients in one stop as possible.”
With its tender stalks and sweet flavor, Sweet Baby Broccoli, which is available in a 10-pound loose field pack, is a trendy item for menus of all sorts and kinds. And as it makes its debut with Tuscan Baby Romaine and Sandwich Ready Leaves—a hybrid green leaf with Romaine and Iceberg properties that is triple washed and ready-to-use with 100 percent yield and zero waste—Church Brothers Farms is presenting an on-trend front to foodservice operators this season.
“This version of Romaine offers a creative, healthy serving vehicle; think boats and tacos. The shorter leaves create multiple ways to use across menu applications,” Tuggle continued. “Our Sandwich Ready Leaves were developed to frame a burger bun or sandwich with just the right amount of green frill and sweet flavor.”
And that’s not all the grower has going for it at PMA Foodservice. The company is also hosting students from the PMA Center for Growing Talent and a Bocce Ball Tournament on July 24 at 11 am. According to a press release, Church Brother Farms is also co-sponsoring PMA’s main speaker, Ted Allen (host of Chopped), on Friday, July 26, in addition to hosting a Church family annual ranch party at Tom Church’s ranch.
“We plan for the foodservice show all year,” Tuggle concluded. “We love having guests visit our ranches and salad plant to see first-hand the hard work and quality we put into every product year-round.”
For more PMA Foodservice coverage as the show nears, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
PASCO, WA - Without potatoes, what would restaurant menus look like? I’m certain they would be a sad sight, because every foodservice behemoth should count the mighty spud among its offerings. I spoke to Allied Potato’s Matt Hornbuckle, Director of Sales and Marketing, to learn about what the company has to offer those in the foodservice sector.
“Allied Potato is a year-round supplier for a premium Kennebec style frying potato that has consistent frying quality along with consistent supply,” Matt said. “We are new to this space in terms of direct marketing, rolling out our Chipperbec™ brand less than 5 years ago, although we have been a grower of this type of potato for over four generations in the Kern County area.” 
Showcasing its premium frying potato and Chipperbec, which makes delicious fresh-cut French fries and potato chips, the company will also be promoting its 50 lb Chipperbec carton, which is available for purchase at a number of its facilities around the States.
“Chefs demand our potato for its consistent frying characteristics, which replaces some of the other original potato types currently being sold,” Matt shared. “We have been in the space for a long time, but as a supplier and not a marketer. Since my entrance into the company, I have cultivated us into a direct marketing supplier position creating a brand for our potatoes directly to the food service industry.”
In addition, the company recently completed a state-of-the-art packing facility in Pasco, Washington. It also introduced two new farming and packing areas to its program: Quebec, Canada and Morocco.
Lots of exciting things ahead for Allied Potato! Be sure to stop by booth #1316 to learn more about this dynamite company and its Chipperbec brand!
CORAL GABLES, FL - July is quite a month for the fresh produce calendar, and what better way to wrap it up than to spotlight our industry with the curve-setting foodservice business? This is what PMA Foodservice allows, and if there is any company that seems to be consistently ahead of the curve it is Del Monte Fresh.
“PMA Foodservice offers Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. the opportunity to interact with key decision makers in foodservice and share how we can support them in meeting evolving consumer needs,” Dionysios Christou, Vice President Marketing, shares with me as we look to the show. “Today’s consumers demand the very best quality produce and the show enables us to not only introduce and showcase new products but also to highlight our national capabilities and extensive reach across North America. Our ability to deliver quality fresh fruits and vegetables just-in-time ensures our foodservice customers can deliver the very best produce to consumers every time.”
This year, Del Monte Fresh’s new CAULILINI® baby cauliflower florets will make their PMA Foodservice debut. CAULILINI® baby cauliflower spears were introduced under the Mann’s brand at last year’s exposition, and florets will now be available in a 3-count 2-pound pack.
"By working closely with foodservice operators, we have found that offering both cuts allows for creative freedom as well as portion and cost control,” Dionysios explains.
In addition to the new product, Del Monte Fresh will also be showing off some of its latest packaging as it continues to keep ahead of what consumers desire.
“We will also be highlighting our new Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups,” he comments. “Consumers continue to seek out healthy grab-and-go items in both retail and foodservice environments. Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups offer ready-to-eat fruit in packaging that is designed to improve the consumer experience.”
As we reported previously, the new Del Monte® film-sealed fruit cups were created in an effort to rethink the approach to fresh-cut packaging, offering an array of fruit blends and varieties and Dionysios said the team is excited to debut these new developments. Already, it received the 2019 United Fresh New Product Innovation Award for Best New Packaging, and Del Monte Fresh looks forward to showing more of what it can do.
“Our team will continue to highlight our expansive North American distribution footprint that allows us to service national accounts while providing consistent premium-quality produce from coast to coast. We look forward to welcoming attendees to both our Del Monte Fresh Produce booth to learn more about our new products, technologies and services and our Mann Packing booth, where Tony Baker, a local chef and member of the Mann’s Chef Panel, will prepare sample recipes highlighting CAULILINI® baby cauliflower, as well as Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet pineapple and Del Monte® avocado,” Dionysios concludes.
If these products sound as necessary to you as they do to me, be sure to swing by Del Monte Fresh at booth #1214 and Mann Packing at booth #909 at this year’s PMA Foodservice, Saturday, July 27.
CINCINNATI, OH - Will Kroger’s iconic blue logo be receiving a facelift of sorts? After announcing its new partnership with DDB New York, it appears the retailer could be in the process of developing a refreshed brand identity that supports its vision of serving food inspiration and uplift through Restock Kroger and beyond.
"Kroger is excited to partner with DDB New York to uplift our brand," said Mike Donnelly, Kroger's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "At Kroger, we believe that no matter who you are, where you're from, how you shop, or what you like to eat, everyone deserves to have affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This partnership will solidify Kroger's position as a food authority, further proving to all of America that Kroger stands for fresh and quality."
After a historic competitive pitch process, Kroger chose DDB New York as its official first-ever Agency of Record (AOR), according to a press release. Together, the two will work to evolve Kroger’s brand as it continues to make strides toward becoming an omnichannel retailer powered by the four modalities of Store, Delivery, Pickup, and Ship.
"DDB New York stood out for its creativity, passion for our business and industry, and collaborative spirit," said Mandy Rassi, Kroger's Head of Brand Building. "Consumers make 221 food-related decisions a day. A standout brand and narrative will drive more customers to choose Kroger more often via any channel. Kroger and DDB will work together to cut through the 'sea of sameness' that has arisen in grocery retail advertising, thereby supporting our transformation as a company."
DDB will also focus on building upon Kroger’s legacy, expanding its Feed the Human Spirit® concept with an elevated, creative, and strategic marketing approach that will holistically strengthen the grocer’s connection with its shoppers.
"All of us at DDB are humbled and excited to be named Kroger's Agency of Record," said Audrey Melofchik, President of DDB New York, which was named the #2 Network of the Year at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativey. "It is evident that the Kroger team is as eager as we are to work in partnership to bring the retail brand to new heights. There is massive creative potential to be explored within the brand, and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Kroger."
While Kroger and DDB are remaining tight lipped on what exactly they’re working on together, the two will be launching their first project later this year.
For more grocery retail news as it affects the fresh produce industry, be on the lookout for more from AndNowUKnow.