FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Publix is going ham for the Fredericksburg, Virginia, market. In addition to its existing Fredericksburg store, the grocer also recently signed a lease to up its store count in the city to two. Currently, Publix’s only Fredericksburg location is its northernmost location.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Publix signed a lease on Monday, July 1, for a new location at the Embrey Mill Town Center. The store is slated to occupy 48,000 square feet and employ upwards of 130 people.

Late last year, Publix was making moves in other parts of Virginia, including Carytown, Virginia— seemingly fulfilling its plan of opening single-store locations in key cities.

In addition to its conventional format, Publix has also made strides expanding the footprint of its GreenWise Market banner, opening locations in South Carolina, Florida, and more.

Publix’s second Fredericksburg-based store will open in early 2021.

Where else is Publix hoping to plant brick-and-mortar seeds? AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye on all the retailers hoeing, mowing, and tilling across the country.

Publix

NONTHABURI, THAILAND - Everyone’s favorite smelling fruit is once again making waves in Asia for its rare varieties selling at exorbitant prices. You may have read our article back in March about a durian that sold for $1,000 and thought, ‘big whoop, I’ve spent more for less.’ But ladies and gents, that’s small potatoes, because reports have surfaced of a durian fruit that sold for 1.5 million baht ($48,000 USD) at an auction in Thailand.

The durian was hand-selected for its perfect shape, size, and ripeness, and is of the Kanyao variety—one of the rarest in the world because it was almost completely wiped out after a mass flood. This year’s prize durian smashed last year’s record of an 800,000 baht durian that was sold at the King of Durian festival, according to Channel News Asia.

The glamorous auction, which featured models parading the fruit around, showcased several durian varieties, including Monthong, Kanyao, and Kop Med Tao—each sold for more than 300,000 baht (for comparison, whole durian typically sell in Thailand for around 500 baht). After all was said and done, the auction brought in a total of 4.5 million baht in proceeds, which are to be passed back to the farmers and donated to local charities.

''I knew this was a very special durian but I was amazed at how much it sold for. I was expecting one million baht, so for it to sell more is very good,” said Maliwan Han Chai Thai, the Owner of the farm where the prized durian was grown. ''I hope the high bidder enjoys eating the durian. This variety is the tastiest in the world and we will keep growing them.''

All I can say is, for $48,000 that fruit better sing and dance, too.

AndNowUKnow will keep you informed about the wide world of crazy expensive produce.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - Apeel Sciences, known best for its sustainable avocado solution, has announced the appointment of David Nelley to VP of Domestic Buyer Relations. Within this role, he will work to establish new relationships with buyers, while simultaneously saving produce from landfills and helping the planet.

“Apeel is a greater calling for anyone who’s involved in agriculture,” Nelley said. “Not only are we in this for the business opportunity, but everyone throughout the supply chain is a partner in meeting the global challenge of feeding the future sustainably. To me, Apeel is a reason to be positive about the future of produce.”

Raised on a farm in New Zealand, David always had a passion for agriculture that fueled his professional career in produce, which began in 1993 at the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board. After opening sales offices in Seattle and Singapore, David joined the Oppenheimer team in 2001 where he rose to VP of Categories and Global Exports.

According to a press release, Nelley has now dedicated 30 years of his career to moving premium produce around the world. Along the way, he’s worked on making the process more sustainable by educating himself on areas of sustainability, such as improving pack-outs and creating efficiencies.

“David brings a deep perspective of a global produce industry on both the buy- and supply-side of the business that strengthens our organization as we move Apeel into the future and around the world,” stated Gordon Robertson, CRO.

During his tenure at Oppy, Nelley played a pivotal role in developing the premium apple segment in North America. Through his leadership, apples like Braeburn, Pacific Rose, JAZZ™, and Envy™ became household names. Nelley has also built lasting relationships and partnerships with growers in Chile, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and other growing markets around the world.

He holds a bachelor's degree with honors in international management and marketing from Waikato University in Hamilton, New Zealand, and has completed Food Marketing and Agribusiness courses at Portland State and Harvard universities.

Congratulations to David on this new role!

Apeel Sciences

CORONA, CA - They say that you are finding yourself in your 20s, while the 30s are when you really feel comfortable in your own skin. Maybe that’s why Veg-Fresh Farms is kicking of its 30th birthday celebrations with a modern, revamped website.

“We gave our website a refresh this year, which was not only much needed from a website/tech perspective, but bigger picture, it coincides with Veg-Fresh celebrating 30 years of business this year. As the business continues to grow, we recognized the need to make sure our digital footprint was telling the same story that our employees are, and that it is conveying all the capabilities and functionalities that Veg-Fresh provides to our customers and suppliers across both our retail and foodservice divisions,” Carrie Robertson, Marketing Manager, shares.

It’s no secret digital presence is becoming increasingly associated with a company’s overall ability to connect, so Carrie’s words make complete sense.

Looking at the new site, it’s hard to believe that it was in the 1970s that Dino Cancellieri Sr. first started in the produce industry, working for his father’s wholesale produce company, Potato Sales, on the L.A. Terminal Market. The founder of Veg-Fresh Farms eventually became the General Manager, while his cousin, Mark Widder, began working in the produce industry as a teenager alongside him and the rest of the family.

In 1989, the two cousins opened Veg Fresh Farms in Covina, CA. What started as a tomato and onion repacking and distribution business with 30 employees would become much more over the next few decades.

“Over the next 30 years, Dino’s three sons joined the business, ultimately becoming partners themselves, and in the last 10 years, my son, daughter, and son-in-law have also joined the family business and continue to grow the family legacy,” Mark tells me.

Now located in Corona, CA, with a 200,000-square-foot facility that employs over 300 employees, you can see this expansive growth for yourself come PMA Fresh Summit.

“We will be at Organic Produce Summit, FPFC Expo, and PMA FoodService Show this summer, and are excited to be offering facility tours at PMA Fresh Summit,” Mark says.

Seem too far off to think about? Never in the produce industry! Get your calendars set, as October will be here before we know it.

Veg-Fresh Farms

SALINAS, CA - You may think that shining a spotlight on this cruciferous veg is un-caul-ed for, but I’m of the mind that every veggie should have its day. At the third way mark in its California cauliflower season, Ippolito is working hard to ensure consumers see cauliflower as more than just an “old time cooking veg.” I spoke with John Landa, Sales Commodity Manager, to find out more. After high temperatures rocketed past 100 degrees in certain parts of California two weeks ago, eyes turned to the quality of crops coming out of Salinas.

“As a whole, quality has been good but some recent weather events have brought challenges,” John told me. “but quality is improving as we move forward.”

With cauliflower competing with summer favorites like fruits and melons, I asked John what retailers can do to up the consumption of this veg—and how they can get the product into the shopping cart.

“Retailers have an opportunity to guide the customer by demonstrating how this item can blend in and even steal the show with family BBQ’s, lunch time salads, or a light dinner where appetites are curtailed after a long hot day,” he shared. “For example, place cauliflower and your favorite protein on a skewer and roast on the BBQ—quick, easy, fun, and tasty! Another option is cauliflower floret salad with sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, fresh cooked bacon bits, coupled with apple cider vinegar/mayo/sugar mixed dressing. Or, simply roast the cauliflower and add your favorite seasonings: chili/lime, parm/garlic, olive oil/red pepper flakes.”

The amount of options stems from cauliflower’s inherent versatility, making it the perfect candidate for healthy, simple, and creative displays.

For the latest in what’s happening crop-side, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Ippolito International

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Variety, versatility, value, and organic. When I think of Cal-Organic Farms, these words easily come to mind and I must imagine the same words rise in minds of buyers as well. Generating excitement with the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) on the horizon, Cal-Organic is gearing up to showcase its portfolio in full force, with a full line of vegetable offerings including brassicas, lettuces, leafy greens, herbs, and root vegetables. The company will also be highlighting its seasonal organic vegetable programs including its Cal-Organic red, gold, and fingerling potatoes.

“Grimmway and Cal-Organic are dedicated to protecting natural resources and preserving the environment,” Bob Borda, Vice President of Organic Sales, shares with me as we look to the near horizon. “Backed by more than 50 years of farming experience, we grow 100 percent of our organic crops in-house on company land which allows us to achieve the premium quality our customers have come to expect.”

Meeting the expectations of Cal-Organic’s partners is the team’s number one priority and the company is committed to providing them with the highest quality available in the market. As you can expect, Cal-Organic’s business continues to expand across the multitude of retail channels in the market today. From specialty, mainstream, and big-box retailers, customers are finding the need to address demand for organic fresh produce.

So, what is the Cal-Organic team truly looking forward to at this year’s OPS?

“I enjoy the Organic Produce Summit as the casual setting provides opportunities for quality time and productive conversations with top decision makers in the industry,” Bob responds.

And I imagine he speaks for more than not just himself and his team, but an industry in love with the opportunities at the annual OPS in Monterey, California. But don’t just take my word for it. Stop by booth #505 on the trade show floor and ask Bob and the team what Cal-Organic and the OPS show are all about.

Cal-Organic Farms

WASHINGTON, DC - As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the PACA against Coram Deo Farms Inc. The company, operating from Arizona, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to four produce sellers in the amount of $221,564 from July 2017 through March 2018.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

Coram Deo Farms Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,350 PACA claims involving more than $63 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $156 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For further information, contacts, and to read the press release in its entirety, please check out the link here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

BAKERSFIELD, CA - On Tuesday afternoon, an earthquake was recorded in the concentrated growing region of Bakersfield, California, which includes growers like Country Sweet, Anthony Vineyards, Grimmway Farms, Castle Rock Vineyards, and Western-Veg Produce. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the 3.4 earthquake hit at 3:21 p.m.

“Five earthquakes hit our area around the three ’o clock hour. It was something I’ve never felt before,” Nick Martinez, Director of Operations for Country Sweet Produce, shared. “After the last one hit, we sent a couple of our guys out to check the facility and personnel to make sure everyone was okay. The center was about three miles north from us, around the grape-growing area from what I saw in reports, and wouldn’t affect our crops in the ground. Luckily there was no facility damage, but it was an interesting experience!”

The grape region did feel the Earth move, but was lighthearted about the event.

"Our cold storage facility is still standing and ready for business!" Rope Eddy, Ranch Manager at Anthony Vineyards, commented.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the earthquake that occurred at a depth of 4.3 miles was originally reported as a magnitude 3.1 quake, but the USGS upgraded it to a magnitude 3.4 on Wednesday. According to the news source, California and Nevada experience an average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 each year, though there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater in the area in the last 10 days.

Thankfully, this was not what would be considered a large earthquake, and we at ANUK hope that no damage was done to any growers in the area.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - It is with great sadness that Giumarra Vineyards Corporation announces the passing of John Giumarra Jr. on June 30, 2019. Giumarra was renowned in the industry as a talented leader, powerful mentor, and hard worker with a dedication and passion for Giumarra Vineyards and his family. He will always be remembered as one who worked hard, played hard, and who did it all with admirable grace and zest.

“John Jr. was very charismatic and a diverse leader. His skill set included being an attorney, and he also had a vast understanding of marketing and a vision for the future. This was exhibited by the strong breeding program fostered by Giumarra Vineyards and the varieties that are now in the ground. But at the end of the day, what I most admired about John Jr. was his dedication to his family despite a very busy schedule,” said John Corsaro, CEO of the Giumarra Companies.

Giumarra began his career after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford University. He was a Book Review Editor of the Stanford Law Review, and attended UCLA’s Graduate School of Business Administration. After graduating from Stanford Law School, John became an attorney with Rutan & Tucker, LLP in Newport Beach, California, where he practiced until he was asked by his father and uncles to move back to Bakersfield to help with legal matters at their family company, Giumarra Vineyards.

From the beginning of his tenure, John applied his legal education and experience to serve as the company’s in-house counsel. He successfully negotiated many contracts with chain stores, growers, exporters, and licensees on behalf of Giumarra Vineyards and its related entities. He also impacted negotiations within the industry with government officials and foreign governments and helped in the resolution of a historic labor dispute, according to a press release. He was known for being strategic in his thinking and very eloquent both in his speech and writing.

“On behalf of the entire Giumarra and Corsaro families, I want to thank all of our friends and partners in the industry for their incredibly heartfelt outreach of love and support in the wake of my father’s passing. It has been an overwhelming tribute to the man who impacted so many lives and it reinforces how blessed we are to be in this industry. I knew from a young age that my passion was to work with my dad, the man that I admired more so than any other. I am so blessed to have spent my entire career working by his side, learning so much—most importantly to treat every human being with an equal level of respect and to appreciate every day as a gift. His love for life was immeasurable; his energy near endless; his charisma infectious; and his commitment to family, friends, and the success of our industry was his tireless goal. Our family is eternally grateful and we will miss him dearly,” said Randy Giumarra, VP Sales, Giumarra Vineyards Corp.

In addition to Corporate Attorney, Giumarra also became the face of Giumarra Vineyards to the trade, joining his cousin Sal Giumarra, who served as President at the time. In this position, Giumarra worked as a tireless promoter of the Grape King and Arra labels, and even participated in naming the ARRA 15 Sweeties® variety. As a marketer, he formed business relationships with buyers and executives within the industry, forging many long-lasting friendships.

“John Giumarra provided me with many life lessons throughout our 35 year relationship. Among the most cherished memories were numerous firsts in my life. Playing golf for the first time, touring a vineyard, learning everything he imparted about grapes, and a myriad of shared meals that became celebrated events will resonate with me forever,” said Derrick Jenkins, Director of Produce and Floral, Wakefern Food Corp.

In the early 1980’s, Giumarra and his cousins saw the opportunity in the country of Chile and the positive impact that importing Chilean-grown grapes in the off-season could have on the U.S. market. Giumarra signed his first marketing contract with Frucentro S.A. in Chile, a relationship that is still in effect today. Many other agreements followed, and steadfast relationships developed. Working as a team with Don Corsaro, former President and current Chairman of the Giumarra Companies, the Giumarra import program grew to become one of the largest in the industry, with arrivals on both U.S. coasts.

“John's most admirable quality as a person was his ability to make everyone he met feel important, valued, and equal. John's willingness to share his vast knowledge and experience have become personal core tenets and I hope that I adequately expressed my gratitude to him in our relationship for cultivating this value in me. John will be sorely missed as an icon in the produce industry and more importantly in this world as a wonderful man. I am indebted to him as a role model and will do my best to pay homage to his legacy by emulating his character in my own life,” continued Jenkins.

Giumarra also had a passion for all things wine-related, having grown up under his father’s wing on the Giumarra Vineyards Winery. This ultimately led Giumarra to be considered a wine expert and connoisseur. He was also involved in the wine-making process, as well as the sales and marketing of bottled and bulk wine. He became actively involved in the wine industry and was on the wine tasting panel of the Los Angeles Times newspaper for many years. His love for wine and great food led him to serve as Chairman of the Wine Institute from 1992 to 1993, and later to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Institute of America, the premiere culinary teaching institution in the United States. There, he also served as Finance Committee Chairman.

“John will be missed by so many. I will never forget how he taught us all how to treat people, with respect and a smile. In his kind and gentlemanly way, he uniquely encouraged friendships between his growers and customers,” said Tom Kovacevich, Owner/CEO of TM Kovacevich.

In the 1990’s, Giumarra was approached by the Karniel family about the possibility of starting a grape breeding collaboration in California. This led the two families to form Agricultural Research & Development Corporation, which has grown to become one of the premier table grape breeding companies in the world. In this partnership, Giumarra was instrumental in working on the early licensing and contract negotiations for the ARRA™ varieties, and has been an advocate to the trade for Sweeties®, Passion Fire®, Passion Punch®, Mystic Dream®, and Sugar Drop™.

In 2015, Giumarra became the President of Giumarra Vineyards. He also began a program of vineyard rejuvenation and varietal renewal to position Giumarra Vineyards for future success. All of these successes culminated in Giumarra’s greatest legacy: the contributions he made to the table grape industry through his role on various industry boards and committees, including Chairman of the Board of Directors of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, the Board of Directors of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and the Produce Marketing Association.

“John was a champion for the industry. In his role on the commission he made a significant difference to the industry,” said Kathleen Nave, President and CEO of the California Table Grape Commission. “I truly believe that the success the industry has had in exports is due in large part to his leadership. His focus on targeting promotion dollars, on reducing tariffs, on opening new markets…all paved the way for individual shippers to sell theirs grapes into a bigger, better, marketplace. He helped create the patenting and licensing program and was instrumental in helping us sort through legal matters of all kinds. He helped create the health research program and was a big supporter of it and its promise. He never worked on the easy stuff!”

John’s commitment to the industry can be best illustrated by his 33-year tenure of service and leadership with the California Table Grape Commission, where he served terms both as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee Chairman. He also served 23 years as Chair of the Export Committee, sat on the Executive Committee for 27 years, and was a member of the Intellectual Property Committee.

“John has served continuously since 1985 and has led the Export Committee for most of his tenure, shaping the development of a worldwide promotion program. As a member of the Executive and Intellectual Property Committees, John has essentially served as in-house counsel on many issues for many years.” Nave continued. “John was an eloquent spokesperson whether he was advocating for the industry, a political campaign, or a charity. In his ‘spare time’ he helped raise millions of dollars for Cal State University Bakersfield as Chairman of the Annual CSUB Athletics Spring BBQ since its inception in 1972. He had many friends within the industry, including suppliers, customers, as well as competitors, and also within the local community. He considered employees and many suppliers as part of the extended Giumarra Family, or in John’s words, ‘Team Giumarra.’”

In addition to his passion for the industry, Giumarra loved golf and enjoyed the social opportunities it afforded him. He was also a wonderful host, and his dinner parties and celebrations have reached legendary status.

Giumarra is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pamela Giumarra; his five children, John Giumarra III, Randy Giumarra and his wife Barri, Juliana Houchin and husband Clayton, Jillian Houchin and husband Morgan, and Joseph Cristopher Giumarra; and 15 grandchildren.He will be greatly missed by the Giumarra and Corsaro families and the members of Team Giumarra.

A visitation will take place Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a celebration of his life on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 10 a.m. Both will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 900 H St., Bakersfield, CA 93304.

AndNowUKnow offers our deepest condolences to the Giumarra and Corsaro families during this time.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The days are longer, the nights are hotter, and the time has come for melons. I’m not against eating melons any chance I can get, but for those in the know, there’s nothing like a watermelon to really amp up that summer feeling. I spoke with Josh Leichter, General Manager of Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms, to find out what melon-y goodness is in store for the season.

“We are wrapping up the season in Yuma, Arizona, where we are harvesting PureHeart® mini watermelons and Tuscan-Style® Cantaloupe, in addition to our Sugar Daddy® full-size seedless watermelon,” he told me. “We will then move our harvest to the San Joaquin Valley in early July where we will continue the harvest on these core items as well as resume production of the Sunny Gold yellow mini watermelon and our organic offerings on PureHeart minis and Tuscan Style Cantaloupes.”