WASHINGTON - In a complaint filed on June 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleged that Los Angeles, California-based VIP Marketing failed to make full payment promptly in the total amount of $408,983 to three sellers for multiple lots of produce in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Direct from the USDA:

After the complaint was filed, USDA and VIP Marketing Inc. entered into a Consent Decision and Order wherein VIP Marketing Inc. agreed to pay the unpaid produce sellers listed in Appendix A to the Complaint and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $40,000. As a result of VIP Marketing Inc. satisfying the terms of the consent decision and order, the finding that it had committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations was permanently abated without further process, and the case has been closed.

For more information, contact Corey Elliott, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or [email protected].

To read the release in full, click here.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Berry Fresh is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ashley West as its Director of Sales. With over a decade of experience in the berry industry, Ashley brings a proven track record of customer focus and operational excellence. Her expertise and leadership will play a vital role in driving the company’s continued growth and strengthening its position in the market.

“I hit a point in my career where I wanted a new challenge,” says Ashley. “Berry Fresh offers an exciting platform to apply my experience on a large scale and help shape the future of the company. There’s so much opportunity here,” she shares. “The team is incredibly experienced and hardworking, and the focus on quality and customer service is unparalleled. I’m excited to contribute to Berry Fresh’s dynamic environment.”

According to a press release, West started her career in the berry industry in 2011, where she rose through the ranks, gaining experience in sales, grower communication, logistics, and market growth. Through this well-rounded experience, she learned the value of every part of the supply chain and each department’s importance in bringing quality products to customers. By 2018, she was leading her sales department, where she was instrumental in building strong customer relationships.

West is excited to bring her customer-centric approach to Berry Fresh. Her focus will be on fostering strong relationships with current customers, exploring new market opportunities, and enhancing internal processes to support the company’s rapid growth.

Her leadership comes at a pivotal time as Berry Fresh continues to expand its reach in the market through a commitment to top-tier quality, premium varieties, and exceptional customer service. With investment in new genetics and constantly striving to improve its quality offering, Berry Fresh is positioning itself as a strong player in the berry industry.

“Berry Fresh’s combination of quality products, a diverse sourcing portfolio, and a people-first culture set it apart,” she says. “I’m excited to be part of a company with such a strong vision for the future.”

Congratulations to Ashley West on this new role!

REEDLEY, CA - With consumer and market demand supporting the 2024 stonefruit season, the cycle comes to a close marking high volume and high performance. Mountain View Fruit Sales’ (MVFS) Brett Brothers Bo, Chief Financial Officer, and Rob, Sales Manager, were kind enough to look back and ahead with me.

“The 2024 stonefruit season was a successful one with more inventory this year without leading to a cut in prices, thanks to demand remaining strong throughout the season. Stonefruit consumption was high across the nation, which allowed retailers to have successful in-store sales, and consumer confidence was at an all-time high,” Bo shared.

This year MVFS’ stonefruit volume was significantly higher with favorable weather stretching the season, as well as additional acreage the company acquired earlier this year.

“Unlike previous years, California avoided early-season freezes and weather conditions were ideal for growing,” Rob explained. “Our late-season program was particularly strong. We launched the Autumnripe brand this year and, thanks to ideal August and September weather, we were able to extend the nectarine shipping window later than we ever have before. This allowed the team to pack and sell red and black plums into late October, along with a good supply of yellow peaches and nectarines.”

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the team is optimistic about building on this momentum. With the additional acreage and high consumer demand, the Brett brothers conveyed MVFS is in the prime position for further success.

“Weather permitting, we anticipate another strong season with continued demand for our premium stonefruit varieties,” Rob said.

Currently on the citrus front, the colder weather in Central California has allowed for plenty of volume and excellent eating fruit to be harvested. Likewise, as its domestic grape season wraps up, next on the horizon for MVFS is ramping up its import program.

“We are excited by the quality of the grapes making it to market with an increase of boxes available. There is plenty to come as we start off a new season and a new year,” Bo concluded.

With much to look forward to AndNowUKnow is looking forward to a bright, fresh new year!

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• Mendoza Fresh Produce, operating out of Houston, Texas, for failing to pay a $11,440 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Victor Mendoza was listed as the member and manager of the business
• A Z Puchi III Enterprises, operating out of Nogales, Arizona, for failing to pay a $11,580 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Alberto Puchi, III was listed as the sole officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• Rossman Fruit & Veg. Dist., operating out of Brooklyn, New York, for failing to pay a $102,729 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nitzan Rozman was listed as the sole officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• G & S Produce, operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $10,676 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance of the date of the reparation order, Guadalupe Serafin was listed as the sole officer, director, and major stockholder of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

MONTEREY, CA - Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, held its second annual Monterey Holiday Event on December 11 for a larger conversation on creating communities of health through fresh food.

This event highlighted the importance and need of local and national collaboration to help Brighter Bites reach success in changing behavior among children and families through their model of fresh produce and nutrition education.

The event welcomed 100 guests and community leaders who attended the event, including Vic Smith of JV Smith and Companies, Steve Church of Church Brothers, Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms, Jim Loewer of Wonderful Citrus, and Soren Bjorn of Driscoll’s, a press release stated.

“Having recently confirmed our three-year commitment to Brighter Bites in Monterey County and Watsonville, we were thrilled to celebrate the incredible impact of this organization at their Holiday Event in Salinas,” said Soren Bjorn, CEO at Driscoll’s. “This partnership helps serve over 5,000 children and their families, ensuring access to fresh, nutritious food and empowering communities to embrace healthier lifestyles.”

The following local and industry partners sponsored the event and joined the conversation on food insecurity across the country: Taylor Farms, Vic & Karen Smith, Braga Fresh, Tonya Antle, Driscoll's, David and Susan Gill, Honest Engine Films, Hawk Tower, Judie Profeta of the Carmel Realty Company, River Fresh Farms, Monterey Bay Union F.C., Drew-Massa Transportation, and The Don & Barbara Chapin Foundation.

“We are deeply grateful to the produce industry for its unwavering support in helping us further our mission of improving public health. Their commitment to providing access to fresh, nutritious food and financial resources has been instrumental in empowering the communities we serve,” said Lisa Helfman, Founder of Brighter Bites. “Together, we are creating a healthier future, and we couldn’t do this vital work without their partnership.”

Since its founding in 2012, Brighter Bites has provided over 65 million pounds of produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than one million individuals (including teachers) in Austin, Bakersfield, Dallas, Houston, Las Cruces, Phoenix, New York City, Salinas, San Antonio, Southwest Florida, and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.

To learn more about Brighter Bites and ways to partner with the nonprofit, visit brighterbites.org, or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X, or YouTube.

And keep reading ANUK for more fresh-forward updates.

MONTEREY, CA - The 2024 Organic Grower Summit (OGS) once again proved to be a premier gathering for the organic farming community, bringing together growers, industry professionals, and thought leaders for two days of education, innovation, and connection. Held in Monterey, California, this year’s event welcomed hundreds of participants from across the organic agriculture industry.

"The Organic Grower Summit provides a platform for collaboration and learning, uniting stakeholders who are shaping the future of organic farming,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress National Events Director. “This year’s enthusiastic participation underscores the growing interest in sustainable and innovative farming practices.”

The event featured a packed schedule of keynote addresses, educational seminars, and live ag-tech demonstrations, all receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. With 86 percent of seminar participants awarding the program five out of five stars, the educational sessions covered critical topics like soil health, ag technology, and market resiliency, a press release stated.

A major focus of OGS was the increasing importance of regenerative farming practices. Seminar sessions such as “Regenerating Soil Health with Organic Practices” and “Organic, Regenerative, or Both: What Does the Market Want?” attracted packed rooms and sparked valuable discussions among growers and retailers. Esteemed speakers, including Eric Brennan of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Jennifer Lester Moffitt, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, emphasized the role of innovation in building a resilient food system.

The summit also celebrated outstanding achievements in organic farming with the prestigious Grower of the Year Award. This year’s honoree, Dick Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens, was selected for his pioneering contributions to the organic farming industry.

On the bustling trade show floor, leading brands and emerging startups showcased innovative solutions to advance sustainability and efficiency in organic agriculture. The expo provided opportunities to explore new products, network with peers, and gain insights to enhance growers’ operations.

“It’s inspiring to see the organic community come together to share knowledge and celebrate progress,” said Jungmann. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, partners and exhibitors who made this event a success, and we’re already looking forward to an even bigger event in 2025.”

The 2025 Organic Grower Summit is scheduled to return to Monterey, California, from Dec. 3-4, 2025. We hope to see you there!

HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation, the world’s largest food distributor, announced a new partnership with Square to help restaurants of all sizes succeed and work smarter through powerful technology.

“Sysco is committed to helping our customers grow and succeed through innovative programs. This includes finding the right technology for their business that will save them time and money,” said Neil Russell, Chief Administrative Officer at Sysco. “We’re proud to offer Square’s technology suite to Sysco’s customers across North America. As a benefit of enrolling through Sysco, our customers will receive a compelling processing fee rebate and more.”

Sysco supports its restaurant customers with a variety of services and offerings through its Sysco Restaurant Solutions program. The program features best-in-class solutions partners, helping to connect restaurant customers with a variety of tools to help optimize business performance and increase profitability, in categories such as online ordering, website design, and digital marketing and loyalty.

According to a press release, through the partnership with Square, Sysco customers will also receive benefits such as hardware discounts and custom pricing.

“Sysco is one of the most trusted players in the industry, and their commitment to helping restaurants navigate the variety of challenges operators face today makes them an ideal partner,” said Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square. “Working together, we’re confident that we can help more operators find new efficiencies and grow their businesses with Square’s powerful suite of restaurant solutions.”

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest in foodservice, so stay tuned.

OXNARD, CA - Mission Produce™, a world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos and blueberries, has reported its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended October 31, 2024.

“Mission delivered a strong fourth quarter that rounded out an exceptional full year fiscal 2024 performance where we realized $1.23 billion in revenue and generated $107.8 million in adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating the strength of our business model and industry leading positioning,” Steve Barnard, CEO of Mission, stated in a press release. “As previously announced, our Marketing & Distribution segment drove the strong fourth quarter performance, successfully leveraging our global sourcing network amid a sustained higher pricing environment to achieve per-unit margins exceeding our targeted range. The positive impact of our fourth quarter performance combined with our solid operational execution across the fiscal year drove a $64.2 million increase in operating cash flow versus fiscal 2023, further strengthening our capital structure and enhancing our flexibility.”

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Overview:

• Total revenue increased 37 percent to $354.4 million compared to the same period last year
• Net income of $17.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $4.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the same period last year
• Adjusted net income of $19.6 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $7.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the same period last year
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 113 percent to $36.9 million, compared to $17.3 million in the same period last year

Mr. Barnard continued, “Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, we will continue to focus on operational excellence, strategic growth initiatives, and sound capital allocation to drive shareholder value. While we anticipate some pricing moderation as additional supply sources become available, this environment typically supports increased consumption, and we remain well-positioned to capitalize on this growth through our unique capability to provide consistent year-round avocado supply. Beyond avocados, we are also excited about growing our mango program and expanding our presence in blueberries this year, both of which leverage our existing assets and capabilities while providing additional long-term growth opportunities.”

Keep reading ANUK for more industry reports.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Produce Moms® is thrilled to announce Mollie Van Lieu, Vice President of Nutrition and Health at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), as the recipient of The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award for 2024. The award, presented annually honors individuals “doing work that matters the most,” as described by Lori Taylor, CEO of The Produce Moms.

Van Lieu’s dedication to increasing access to fresh produce and improving dietary quality through federal policy has made a lasting impact on communities nationwide. Stated in the press release, her leadership has been particularly transformative in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, where she spearheaded efforts to first triple the fruit and vegetable benefit and then secure permanent funding for this critical initiative.

She was a guest on The Produce Moms Podcast in February with colleague Amy Marshall, and FGS Global’s Jacqlyn Schneider to discuss her work increasing funding for WIC. In this episode we learned that over half of the babies born in America qualify for WIC, making it one of our nation’s most important federal nutrition programs.

“Mollie’s work is a testament to the power of policy in driving change,” said Taylor. “Her contributions to the fresh produce industry and her tireless advocacy for increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables exemplify what it means to be a trailblazer.”

Van Lieu’s work at IFPA focuses on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and advocating for federal policies that improve nutrition, including school meals, SNAP, USDA purchasing programs, and Produce Prescriptions. Her career spans roles in nutrition and education policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts, the National PTA, and on Capitol Hill, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to advancing public health.

“She has been a peer mentor of mine as it relates to activism and public policy work,” added Taylor. “Mollie spearheaded our industry's efforts with WIC, first tripling the fruit and vegetable benefit for WIC and then doing the activism and public affairs work to secure funding to make it a permanent part of WIC. A fully-funded WIC program empowers families to get more fruits and vegetables on every table.”

A proud alumna of Adams County 4-H Dairy and Community Clubs, Van Lieu’s journey from her roots in south-central Pennsylvania to influencing national nutrition policy underscores the profound impact of her leadership.

The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award celebrates individuals like Van Lieu who shape the future of fresh produce through vision, advocacy, and action.

To discover more leaders among the industry, you know where to click!