LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Frieda’s super-hot pepper season has arrived early this year! Peppers like ghost, carolina reaper, and trinidad scorpion are on their way just in time for Memorial Day displays.
“Super-hot peppers have become a cult favorite in recent years,” said Alex Berkley, Sales Manager. “We are seeing their arrival from Holland earlier than last year, which is perfect timing to add them to ‘chill & grill' displays and merchandise with summer favorites like watermelon and refreshing young coconuts, on ice. In fact, according to a recent study by C + R Research in partnership with Frieda’s, 35 percent of shoppers say they are more likely to shop at YOUR store if you sell young coconuts.”
According to a press release, you can entice shoppers to celebrate Memorial Day by adding to your summer displays.
“With Memorial Day serving as the kickoff to the summer grilling season, we encourage retailers to add new grilling favorites to its summer sets, including Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, colored cauliflower, shishito peppers, and graffiti eggplant,” noted Berkley.
For updates on the hot pepper season this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, keep tuning into AndNowUKnow.
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 Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the 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. 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.
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Sunny Fresh Citrus Export and Sales Co. LLC, operating out of Vero Beach, Florida, for failing to pay a $6,384 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jean Marinaro and Robert Marinaro were listed as members of the business.
- Jia Mei Trading Inc., operating out of Norcross, Georgia, for failing to pay a $24,581 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Cheng Huang Zhong was listed as the officer, director, and/or major stockholder of the business.
- Jay Dee Produce LLC, operating out of Baltimore, Maryland, for failing to pay a $9,180 award in favor of a Maryland seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jason Davidson was listed as a member of the business.
- Ever Fresh Global Import LLC, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $1,378 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Hector Olvera Ayon, Rafael Olvera Ayon, and Israel Olvera Ayon were listed as members 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.
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.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - SpartanNash announced preliminary net sales and earnings results for its first quarter 2019. The company noted “challenges in the supply chain, fresh kitchen, and retail operations” and lowered its fiscal 2019 guidance significantly.
Despite challenges, though, SpartanNash's President and Chief Executive Officer, David Staples, noted “significant progress against [the company’s] strategic objectives.”
“We remain focused on achieving our top five objectives for 2019: 1) growing sales in the mid-single digit range; 2) realizing an annual run rate of at least $15 million of earnings improvements through Project One Team over 24 months; 3) strengthening our management team, systems, food processing, and supply chain operations; 4) reducing debt and working capital while lowering financial leverage ratios; and 5) improving adjusted operating earnings and EBITDA,” Staples said in a press release.
SpartanNash lowered its adjusted EPS from continuing operations from $0.33-$0.37 to $0.23-$0.24 for the quarter ending April 20, 2019. And for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2019, the company lowered its adjusted EBITDA from $210-$220 million to $190-$205 million and its adjusted EPS from continuing operations from $1.70-$1.80 to $1.20-$1.50.
Despite significant reductions in its predictions, SpartanNash maintained its prediction that net sales growth would continue in the mid-single digits.
“While we made significant progress against our strategic objectives, challenges in the supply chain, fresh kitchen, and retail operations did not allow us to convert our top line success to the bottom line,” Staples said. “This, along with the ongoing voluntary recall at our fresh cut fruit operations caused us to fall short of our original financial expectations in the first quarter and will impact our fiscal year 2019 outlook. We continue to be pleased with our sales growth and ability to attract new business at our fresh kitchen operations. Our team remains focused on deploying strategies to generate profitability from this growth, despite the historically tight labor markets and higher cost of transportation.”
Despite challenges, Staples affirmed the continuing success of its Project One Team in generating cost savings.
“Our team remains committed to improving our operational execution and financial results as we begin the implementation of initiatives in connection with our company-wide program, Project One Team, and we continue to build out our supply chain leadership,” added Staples. “Project One Team has exceeded our initial expectations and we now estimate the initiative will result in more than $20 million in annual run rate efficiencies and cost reductions when fully implemented over the next 24 months. Additionally, we have made key leadership changes across our organization and engaged a team of outside production experts for our fresh kitchen to improve our execution and best position us for sustainable improvements in our business for the remainder of 2019 and into the future. As we look to the remainder of the fiscal year, we believe our comparisons to the prior year will improve sequentially each quarter.”
To read SpartanNash’s statement in its entirety, click here.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
VALENCIA, CA - Growing up, there was nothing better than enjoying a Saturday morning cartoon marathon while feasting on halved grapefruits. Even though I wasn’t familiar with the term “boujee” in my adolescence, I couldn’t help but feel particularly decadent with a grapefruit in hand. The reason I share this story is in honor of the start of the summer grapefruit season, which Christina Ward, Director of Communications, assured me will have all of North America’s grapefruit consumers feeling bad and boujee.
“While Sunkist grapefruit is available year-round, we are just getting started with our summer grapefruit season,” Christina told me. “This season, we’re seeing an increase in volume of most of our varieties, with summer grapefruit volume coming in with similar numbers to last year’s.”
Sunkist is especially excited for its California Star Ruby and Marsh grapefruit varieties; Sunkist’s California Star Ruby is available now, with the Marsh grapefruit available this summer through October—long live summer! Christina revealed that the company expects both varieties to return strong to the retail scene with the usual high-quality flavor and quality many of us have come to expect from Sunkist.
Because California has experienced a particularly wishy-washy spring, with hot and cold spells seeming to settle into our growing regions interchangeably each week, I had to ask Christina how Sunkist has fared with the wonky weather. But Sunkist is nothing if not one to roll with the punches, so Christina had nothing but positive news.
“To date, the heavy California rainfall has enabled growth with California Star Ruby Grapefruit. As a result, Sunkist is anticipating medium to large-size fruit offerings for our grapefruit varieties, and even our other citrus categories,” Christina said.
All of this just to say: Get ready for summer grapefruit because Sunkist has another great season heading retailers' and consumers' way!
For more crop updates like this, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
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 Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet their contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the 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. 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.
According to a press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- SCC International Inc., operating out of Rio Rico, Arizona, for failing to pay a $4,704 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Sergio Chamberlain was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
- Yuri and Eugene Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $56,645 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nam Yi was listed as the officer, director and/or major stockholder of the business.
- New York Mart Group Inc., operating out of Long Island City, New York, for failing to pay an $87,659 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, NYM Holding Inc., and Deng Long were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.
- TNS Produce Inc., operating out of Alexandria, Virginia, for failing to pay a $21,524 award in favor of a Hawaii seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Susan Nguyen was listed as the officer, director and/or 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.
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.
PLANT CITY, FL - Wish Farms is ready for a berry busy Southeast blackberry season! Growth in the blackberry category has been a focus for Wish Farms' Cane Berry Director Jose Saca since 2016.
“We aligned ourselves with exceptional growers that allow us to provide great tasting varieties like PrimeArk 45, Osage, Ouachita, and Natchez among others,” said Saca. “We are also encouraged by the steady growth in consumer demand. If there are no major weather events, we can expect a good production year with early volume estimates 15-20 percent higher over last season.”
According to the company’s press release, Wish Farms completed a 7,500-square-foot cooler in Shelby, North Carolina, in 2018 to manage its blackberry program in the region. All Wish Farms blackberries will ship from this facility after thorough quality control inspections in this region.
“This southeastern blackberry program is essential to our mission of providing the best tasting berries,” said James Peterson, Vice President of Sales. “We look forward to working with our retail partners this June and throughout the summer to support blackberry ads.”
With the high-quality blueberry crop coming from the region, the blackberry season is expected to align well. Weather in Georgia and North Carolina has been ideal leading up to the season, as stated in the press release. Plants have had favorable chill hours. There have currently been no major weather events or late winter injuries that lead to bud or fruit damage. With the season concluding in September, peak volume is expected around the second to third week of June.
For updates on the blackberry season and anything fresh produce, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
WENATCHEE, WA - A major milestone like a centennial deserves an equally major celebration. Stemilt Growers is getting in on the action at this year’s 100th Apple Blossom Festival on May 4 with the festival’s main event—the Stemilt Growers Grand Parade. The family-owned fruit tree company is proud to join the celebration of Washington’s oldest major festival.
“The Apple Blossom Festival is the community’s way to come together each spring and celebrate the arrival of apple blossoms,” commented Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director. “The festival started with a one-day celebration back in 1919 and has transformed into a two-week celebration that includes a kid’s parade, a food fair, craft fairs, three-on-three basketball tournaments, bike criterium, and ends with the much anticipated and infamous Stemilt Growers Grand Parade.”
Formed to accurately reflect the importance of the apple industry in North Central Washington, the Apple Blossom Festival is an annual event beloved by Washingtonians. Stemilt has been involved in the festival for decades and has sponsored the parade since 2003. The Mathisons, Stemilt’s founding family, participate in the parade every year.
“The Mathisons enjoy supporting the community every year and always partake in the fun,” said Pepperl in the press release. “Tate drives a Stemilt-decorated Polaris; Kyle rode on a 1926 Ford Model-T sporting many of Stemilt’s branded products, and West drove the classic Stemilt Volkswagen Ladybug with former Apple Blossom festival royalty. It’s a family event and fun way to celebrate the new crop beginning.”
In addition to the parade, Stemilt sponsored a 100-year documentary, “A Lot of Fuss About A Parade.” Debuting in April, the documentary captures the history of the festival and the Grand Parade.
“Apple Blossom is a pillar of our community that we are proud to support every year,” Pepperl said. “What a great way to celebrate the beginning of spring and bring a community together to celebrate the things that make our town one-of-a-kind.”
For more news on can’t-miss events, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
AUSTIN, TX - North Texas is about to be one H-E-B richer—and isn’t that what everyone wants? The retailer announced today that it will be opening a new store, H-E-B Hudson Oaks, in its latest commitment to the community of North Texas.
“Our North Texas stores continue to flourish, and the Hudson Oaks store will allow us to answer the long standing call for a store in this community,” stated Leslie Sweet, H-E-B Director of Public Affairs, in a recent press release. “In addition to services like H-E-B Curbside and H-E-B Home Delivery, creating an exciting and complete shopping experience was essential in developing the store’s features.”
The store, located at 100 Hudson Oaks Drive, is designed in a rural Texas style and offers world-class shopping with an emphasis on fresh, quality food options.
Along with H-E-B Curbside and H-E-B Home Delivery, highlights of the new store include:
- A produce section with expanded local and organic selections
- Full-service fresh food departments including bakery, deli, meat, and fish markets
- Expanded seafood and meat sections with specialty products and additional frozen, fresh, and organic options
- Fresh meat market featuring dry-aged beef and natural and prime meats cut in-store by certified meat cutters
- Deli counter featuring fresh hummus, fresh cut cheese, rotisserie chicken, and on-the-go salads and sandwiches
- Cheese shop features a wide selection of unique cheeses from around the world
- Extensive beer and wine selections with sampling stations and pairing suggestions
- Fresh sushi prepared by an in-house sushi chef
For the latest in retail happenings, store openings, and more, keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow.
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 where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.
CHERRIES AND STONEFRUIT MIGHT BE AFFECTED
The southern end of the San Joaquin valley will most likely see some rain today, which may affect the cherry crop and possibly stonefruit. Rain coupled with hot weather in the upper 80°s and 90°s next week has the possibility of causing splitting in the cherries and possible staining in peaches.
As of last night, the Bakersfield area has the highest possibility of rain (100 percent chance of .58”) today while Fresno (100 miles north) has a 50 percent chance of a light rain. These are the areas that have the most crops currently in production.
At the northern end of the valley, the cities of Modesto, Stockton, and Sacramento are not predicted to receive any rain today.
The growers in California are not out of the woods just yet though, as another storm is lining up to hit California next Thursday and Friday, May 16 and 17. As it stands now, next week’s storm has the potential to bring higher rain totals than today’s storm. We will update you again next Tuesday.
If you are a cherry or stonefruit buyer, you might want to keep an eye on the weather out of California the next few days and check with your shippers.
HEAT WAVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The heat wave in Oregon and Washington begins today and will last through Sunday. Yesterday, the region of Wenatchee Valley had a high temperature of 81°. Today, the same region will have a high of 88° and will get to 91°on Saturday. Sunday will be 88° and by Monday things will begin to cool off again. By next Wednesday and Friday, there is a 50 percent chance of rain. This region is getting close to cherry season as well.
HEAVY RAINS HITTING SUMMER GROWING REGIONS OF MATURE GREEN TOMATOES
Summer tomato growing regions of Quincy, Florida, southern Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas are getting hit with some heavy rains at the moment. Rain totals range from 1—3” over the next three days. Quincy and southern Georgia should be close to starting harvest, while other regions will start harvesting sometime next month.
Further south along the peninsula of Florida, these growing regions can expect to see rain on a daily basis now. Belle Glade, for example, can expect to receive rain of .15 to .25” everyday for the next 10 days. Immokalee can expect the same.
Watermelon is currently coming from these regions. Please check the app for further details.
Thanks again, and we'll be back next week with another weather report!
REIDSVILLE, GA - Shuman Farms has renewed its commitment to giving back through its Produce for Kids® program and its RealSweet® brand Vidalia® onion bags, supporting Feeding America as the 2019 Vidalia season begins.
“Working with Feeding America over the past several years has allowed us to not only help children eat healthier, but it has also helped us provide support to those families who face hunger every day,” said John Shuman, President and CEO. “We recognize that hunger hits communities all over the United States and the impact on children is especially tough.”
According to the company’s press release, Shuman founded Produce for Kids in 2002, a cause-marketing organization dedicated to creating a healthier generation and giving back to families across the country. Produce for Kids has raised more than $6.7 million for families and children in need since the program’s inception.
Children’s hospitals were originally supported by Produce for Kids, and the organization started a partnership with Feeding America in 2014.
In agreement with Feeding America, the reports show that “one in six children may not know where they will get their next meal, and more than 12 million kids in the US are facing hunger.” Through Produce for Kids’ in-store and digital campaigns, more than 10 million meals have been provided to those in need. The program was recognized as a Mission Partner of Feeding America in 2018.
With more than 50 produce and other health-conscious brands spreading the message of healthy eating through in-store signage, circular presence, social media, and digital support, Produce for Kids’ campaigns are executed in more than 3,000 stores in 33 states.
In addition to its flagship in-store campaigns, Produce for Kids runs several digital campaigns throughout the year including its Mission for Nutrition program in March and Power Your Lunchbox in August. Produce for Kids will also be celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Healthy Family Project podcast in May.
“Produce for Kids has evolved over the years to become an industry-leading brand that engages with shoppers wherever they are in their path of purchase, both in stores and online,” Shuman explained. “Looking forward to 2019 and beyond, we will continue to evolve our programs to make sure we continue to bring relevant and engaging content to consumers, encouraging them to fill their market baskets with fresh produce while contributing to their communities in a positive way.”
Shuman Farms has also promised to provide 50,000 additional meals to families in need through its Feeding America® brand Vidalia onion packaging starting in June, along with supporting its Produce for Kids program this Vidalia season. According to Feeding America, 22 million children who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year will struggle with hunger. This initiative was designed to help aid the cause.
“We know that summer break can be especially hard for children who struggle with hunger,” Shuman added. “It is our hope that our donation will help to support the wonderful programs Feeding America has to help these families.”
By displaying in-store signage and utilizing the social media toolkit provided by Shuman Farms, retailers who sell the Feeding America RealSweet Vidalia bags can support the initiative and bring awareness to childhood hunger as well.
“This is sustainability at its best, supporting families in need who live and work in the communities where our products are sold,” Shuman continued. “We are blessed to be working with like minded people who want to make a difference as much as we do.”
Shuman Farms started shipping RealSweet® brand Vidalia® onions April 22 and throughout the summer months, plans to have good availability of quality Vidalia onions.
For more news on Shuman Farms and anything fresh produce, keep tuning into AndNowUKnow.