MCLEAN, VA - Gladstone Land made an $8.2 million acquisition of an almond orchard in Merced, California. Of the 761 acres, 742 consist of planted almond trees with five on-site wells supplying irrigation water.
“This is another farm acquisition that will be operated by a premier tenant whom we know well,” commented David Gladstone, President and CEO of Gladstone Land. “This almond orchard is our third acquisition of the quarter, and we continue to have a long list of potential farms to purchase. We look forward to 2019 and believe it will be another good year for us.”
With this acquisition, the company enters into yet another long-term lease agreement with an international agriculture company that currently leases two of its other almond orchards. The newly acquired orchard is nearby to the others currently leased by the premier international tennant, making productive utilization of the land even simpler.
Bill Reimann, Managing Director of Gladstone Lands commented on the latest lease agreement in a recent press release. He explained, “This is especially advantageous to the tenant because both farms can be operated as one."
He continued, "This is another purchase where we acquired only the land, while the tenant retains ownership of the improvements until termination of the lease, at which time the improvements belong to us. We believe this is a low-risk acquisition that will yield a strong cash return.”
With a quarter of heavy acquisition under its belts, and a little black book of farms for future purchase, Gladstone Land will be sitting pretty for the new year. Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in industry acquisitions and innovations.
MIAMI, FL - WP Produce, grower, packer, and shipper of tropical fruits under its Desbry brand, kicked off the 2019 season with year-round availability on a large number of tropical green skin avocado varieties. As many retailers and consumers turn to these varieties as an alternative and addition to Hass avocados, the green skin avocado’s popularity is rising.
"Green skin avocados are currently seeing greater demand due to changes in the Hass market," said Desiree Morales, Vice President of WP Produce. "Consumers, chefs, and the foodservice industry have begun replacing Hass avocados with other varieties. Rather than being used for guacamole, the firmer texture of green skin varieties makes them ideal for salads, smoothies, toast, sushi, and even in soups."
WP Produce noted in a press release that strong partnerships with growers from the Dominican Republic and Florida, as well as a new state-of-the-art packing facility and expansive distribution channels, has allowed the company to become a worldwide distributor of green skin avocados.
"Because we own the land we farm and have strong relationships with our growers, we can ensure a consistent supply of produce throughout the season," said Morales. "Our customers have come to depend on the care we take in selecting and packing our produce."
Due to its diverse growing regions, WP Produce provides a steady supply of high-quality product year-round. The company has farms in the Valdesia and Ocoa regions of the Dominican Republic and partnerships with farmers throughout the Cambita and Puerto Plata regions. In addition, it works with local farmers in Florida.
As its Desbry brand grows in popularity, WP Produce has been educating consumers on the differences between available avocado varieties. It supports the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) and the USDA’s campaign to educate U.S. consumers on the characteristics and benefits of Dominican green skin avocados and increase consumption of the exotic fruit.
"We are very excited for the work being done to promote green skin avocados in the U.S.," said Christopher Gonzalez, Vice President of Sales. "Consumers are becoming more and more interested in exotic, tropical produce, and green skin avocados are really starting to see a surge in popularity, especially with the continued demand for avocados as a whole. Consumers want to try the next big thing in avocados."
Keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow to stay up-to-date on the latest in fresh produce.
ANAHEIM, CA - Fred McConnell, longtime produce industry veteran and Co-Founder of 4Earth Farms, passed away on December 10 after battling an illness. He was 79.
Fred was an industry icon and pioneer, dedicating his entire career to the Southern California produce industry where he built strong and long-lasting friendships, including with his long-time mentor Norman “Buz” Bolstad. Fred also worked alongside industry veterans like Dick Spezzano, Roger Schroeder, Dale Liefer, Norm Park, and Gary Lee, to name a few, according to a press release.
“I have known Fred for over 40 years. We first met when he was a buyer for Vons, and I was a Produce Manager on assignment to the office for new stores and remodels,” Spezzano told ANUK. “We worked together many times, and he was not only the fastest but smartest at the store level. Latter, we reconnected when he was one of Vons' suppliers. He was always honest, had the highest integrity, and was a great friend. I will miss him very much.”
Fred spent the first half of his produce career in the retail sector, primarily with the Vons Company, before moving into the wholesale and growing side of the industry. He then went on to work for the Duda family. He also spent several years at Western Mixers before finally co-founding 4Earth Farms in 1993 with his business partner David Lake. He retired in 2001.
“Fred was passionate. He saw produce as an opportunity to be more than others thought he could be. Fred believed he could outwork anyone and proved it every day,” said Lake. “He believed in me when I was in my early 20’s and took a big risk at 51 years old to start 4Earth Farms—MCL Fresh at the time. He touched many lives in the Southern California produce industry especially in the retail.”
Fred will be missed for his tireless dedication to his family, to his wife Sandra, and to his friends and coworkers.
A celebration of Fred's life will be announced at a later time.
We at AndNowUKnow offer our condolences to those affected by Fred's passing.
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston market is hopping, with the likes of H-E-B, Kroger, Walmart, and Albertsons subsidiary Randalls clammoring for a piece of the North Texas pie. While the larger chains have managed to grab over a quarter percent of the Houston grocery market share each, Randalls operates less than four percent, leading the grocer to consolidate its operations and store network to keep up with the major chains.
This week, Randalls announced it is closing its seventh store in the Houston area and selling it to El Rancho Supermercado. After shuttering this location (at North Fry and Morton Roads) in Katy, the grocery chain will only have its 525 South Fry location left in that market.
According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, Randalls’ Director of Public Relations Connie Yates disclosed that the decision to shut down its latest location came after an extensive analysis of the Randalls store portfolio. Yates also said in an email that no additional stores would be closing at this time.
Last year, Albertsons shut down its Randalls distribution center and office as a means to streamline its operations in North Texas.
Albertsons is a major stakeholder in El Rancho Supermercado, which replaced two additional former Randalls stores in the Houston area.
Will Randalls’ latest shuttered store help the grocery retailer swim in an ever-competitive market? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
UNITED STATES - Science and numbers were never my forte, bringing me into the writing world and leaving the numbers to the experts. So when it comes to things like the delicate and complex practice of tracing back foodborne illness and how much power our industry could have, PMA’s Dr. Bob Whitaker needed to paint the picture.
“The process of investigating an illness outbreak is extremely complex. Firstly, are people getting sick by the same organism?” Dr. Whitaker tells me, explaining that the current average between illness and reporting to the state public health and on to CDC is about 21 days. “Understandably, it becomes very difficult to find those that can recollect with any certainty what they ate three weeks ago. Once you have it down to what food might be responsible and the timing for when consumers got sick, the FDA jumps in to find out where that product may have come from.”
This, Dr. Whitaker explains, is where a big gap in the process continues to exist despite the transparency and traceability efforts implemented over the past decade. And where we might come together to present a united front on food safety throughout the supply chain.
“The problem in tracing back the product is often times at the point of sale. The package isn’t kept and it could be lost before the investigation occurs, so I think the real solution lies in a scannable, permanent electronic record that can be accessed quickly and sorted,” Dr. Whitaker observes.
The story now comes back to the space I think many were afraid it would go when the CDC and FDA issued an advisory to remove romaine lettuce from the market completely last month—yet another cost to suppliers amongst a number of existing initiatives to ensure the safest product possible. Sometimes in the wake of actions to protect the public by the agencies, it can feel that the constant measures our industry is taking with consumers’ safety in mind is lost.
“We have many companies leveraging the information and food safety research we have to prevent contamination, and did before what happened in Yuma or currently in the California areas FDA is currently investigating,” Dr. Whitaker agreed, but said there is certainly room for improvement. “This is a time of revolution on the produce safety front. The science and technology are exploding and we have to use those tools to ensure produce safety. Testing and audits are traditionally important tools but the real opportunities lie in operationally evaluating potential hazards and understanding how we can control those cross contamination points.”
“When you add all the costs, I think it’s time for an updated conversation to make sure we have a modern system to track product backward and forward through the supply chain,” he continues. “Though I would say it’s the supply chain’s responsibility for traceability, it has to go all the way through the point of sale to be effective. The FDA has cited this big hole in the process, meaning when they get to that last step they hit a wall.”
Most of all, more than tools by audits and testing, Dr. Whitaker says it’s participation from everyone in the supply chain, farm to kitchen, that is crucial.
“The good news is a lot of people in the industry are seeing that and really stepping up those actions, now it’s about spreading the word and bringing everyone else to that level,” he assures.
With continued interest in our industry’s future, be sure AndNowUKnow will remain on the lookout for what that next level looks like.
DELTA, OH - As we finish up the last couple of weeks left in 2018, NatureFresh™ Farms is continuing through its third winter growing season at its Delta, Ohio-based facility, including picking, packing, and shipping fresh, flavorful tomatoes.
“Our retail partners within the northeastern region of the United States can now provide high-value Ohio-grown products to their customers when locally-grown food is typically not available. With such an effective arrangement, it wouldn’t surprise me if we add more acreage in Ohio in the future,” said Sales Manager Paul Schockman.
Schockman also noted that the Delta greenhouse has helped NatureFresh Farms offer locally-grown tomatoes during the coldest months of the year when traditional farms are not in operation thanks to features like High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting fixtures, a powerful grow light technology that allows for winter tomato production.
NatureFresh Farms’ Delta greenhouse—which was strategically built on 45 acres in the northwestern region of the Buckeye state to allow for quick transport of products to the company’s North American retail partners—has experienced great success with consistently healthy crops and high fruit yields every season since 2015, according to a press release. And this season is no exception, with the greenhouse grower producing tomatoes-on-the-vine, beefsteak tomatoes, and a wide selection of specialty varieties perfect for retailers looking to keep their shelves stocked all year long.
In addition to sitting on a great location for quick and easy transportation, the Delta greenhouse has also helped the NatureFresh Farms team develop a strong partnership with the Ohio Proud program. This program includes featuring the Ohio Proud sticker on all tomato products grown and packed at the NatureFresh Farms USA location as a means to ensure shoppers are supporting local growers and promoting local agriculture by purchasing Ohio-grown products.
As 2018 wraps up, NatureFresh Farms is looking forward to reaching new heights in 2019 and beyond. To stay up-to-date on the latest in fresh produce as we head into the new year, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES - Over the weekend, heavy snow and ice descended upon North Carolina, Virginia, and southern West Virginia, forcing travel shutdowns and leaving nearly 200,000 without power. A winter storm warning was issued to the three states as more than a foot of snow fell on Saturday and Sunday.
Reports from NBC News stated that by the end of Sunday, parts of North Carolina and Virginia were covered in 18 1/2 inches of snow. Areas in West Virginia and Tennessee reported an approximate 12 inches of snow.
As the storm continues to move southeast, the storm will occur as a mix of ice and rain. This, AccuWeather noted, will not help improve road conditions, as the additional weight of ice and water on top of snow makes it particularly difficult to remove. Officials continue to urge people to stay off of the roads and limit traveling.
In addition to road closures, widespread flight cancellations were issued, resulting in almost 2,000 canceled flights over the weeked. According to a report from Reuters, the storm prompted more than 1,000 flight cancellations at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport alone.
Although there have been no official reports on the status of produce in the areas, AndNowUKnow will be looking out for any produce affected by the snows.
COALDALE, ALBERTA - The Star Group has opened its latest growing and packing facility in Culiacán, Mexico, which includes state-of-the-art packing facilities, text fields, propagation facilities, and greenhouses.
Prepped throughout the fall, the facility is completely functional and the main staple of the new location, the company’s Big Taste roma tomatoes, will first hit the market later this week. They will also be available in bulk format, bags, clams, and a brand-new top-seal package starting this January, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to be shipping Big Taste romas into both Nogales and McAllen,” said Matt Bates, President of Mexico operations for The Star Group. “The crop looks great and the packaging presentation is really striking.”
Throughout the winter season, the Culiacán location will be shipping roma tomatoes, beefsteaks, grape tomatoes, and slicer cucumbers. Despite the severe weather conditions in Mexico, the new facilities and crops are holding their own.
“Our goal was to be able to grow and pack up to the standards of the Big Taste brand,” said Matt. “We are so thrilled with our Culiacán team and their passion to be able to achieve Big Taste right out of the gate.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest facilities and packaging in the industry.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Tumi Produce International Corp., Bronx, N.Y., for failure to pay for produce.
According to a press release, the company failed to pay $563,831 to seven sellers for produce which was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate commerce from October 2016 through May 2017. This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). As a result of these actions, Tumi Produce International Corp. is prohibited from operating in the produce industry until Nov. 19, 2020, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.
The company’s principals, William Bracho and Catherine Bracho, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Nov. 19, 2019, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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 industries.
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.
UNITED STATES - If it ends with the FDA and the CDC, it has to start there. This is what I have been hearing in droves when I ask suppliers in our industry where we fix the faulty system put in place to address foodborne illness, its impact on consumer perception, and its financial repercussions and aftermath. Our hearts go out to all those affected, and this article does not minimize those horrible experiences.
As an advocate for the produce industry, I wanted to see where the challenges and hindrances lie in the policies and procedures enacted by the CDC and FDA to address the E. coli outbreak and in the subsequent announcement advising consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat, serve, or sell any romaine lettuce as it investigates.
In response to the recent industry dialogue after the November 20th advisory that resulted in a purge of the category, industry sources concerned about government repercussions who chose to remain nameless, joined me to open up a dialogue on the issue.
“Best by dates on romaine products are around 16+/- days. Why are we looking for lettuce that's so old? Why did romaine that was consumed at the end of September/early October account for the purge of the category that followed the FDA and CDC’s announcement on November 20th?” as one source told me. “We need to put the right people in the room to make better decisions. Are the right people anywhere near the room? The apparent approach to solve things is by purging. This behavior is very expensive and may become habit-forming. Is purging really the way to reduce government liability? If so, the system is broken.”
At the end of the day, it appears that there are more questions than answers. Speaking with sources from the industry, it would be correct to assume that the early October product harvested at the end of September and end of October would have past its shelf-life and would not even have been a factor. So, should the announcement have been more specific: Consumers, purge your refrigerators, not your businesses.
Sources also tell me that a few lettuce processors knew in advance when the ban was going to be lifted. They started harvesting on the Saturday prior to the announcement that romaine was okay to harvest on Monday, three days before.
“It feels like the current process is a blame game,” another source adds. “Who can get out of the liability the fastest? I think it is time we start concentrating more on blockchain as a tool to streamline the process and bring transparency.”
One industry friend called the tact “A rush to judgment,” resulting in chaos. As they shared, the financial implications are judged by a very weak system put in place. Growers already have to, and mind you want to, jump through so many food safety hoops that protect the health of their own families, consumers at large, and retailers. I don’t know one company that sits on their laurels when it comes to food safety. But the problem is that we all speak the same language as an industry for the most part, but the consumer is bombarded with not only misinformation, but a lack of information at all.
Yes, safety first, always—but why can’t produce industry knowledge of shelf-life, harvesting transitions, and soil help improve the way we breach info to the public?
Where do we balance the “Consumers want safe food, but they want it affordable,” concept? How do we keep produce accessible to all and perfect and imperfect system? Is there a lack in communication with the FDA and CDC and suppliers that could account for this gap? United Fresh shared with us in a recent article how the industry gains information and why potential conflicts of interest limit our ability to help tighten the system. When an announcement is to be made public, depending on how quickly the agencies can work, associations may get a heads up 30 minutes to an hour beforehand, adding that conflict of interest prohibits involving the industry in the federal investigation.
We will continue digging into these questions if, for nothing else, the questions pave a road and create a dialogue for answers.