MONTEREY, CA - This year’s Organic Grower Summit (OGS), brought to you by Organic Produce Network (OPN) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), is offering the opportunity to gain training and educational credit through a series of educational sessions for Certified Crop Advisors and Pesticide Crop Advisors. The former will receive CCA CEU training credit for attending four educational sessions during both days of the Summit, which takes place December 12-13 in Monterey, CA. The latter will be able to complete a two-hour PCA training by attending the “Pesticide Laws & Regulations Training” on Thursday of the event.
“We look forward to sharing information on important regulatory updates for the continued success of organic agriculture,” said Juan Hidalgo, Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner.
The second annual Summit aims to gather organic growers, producers, and processors for educational opportunities, informative sessions, and networking events with organic production supply chain and service providers, according to a press release.
Educational sessions that qualify for CCA CEU credits are the following:
- Scaling Up Healthy Soil Practices (Soil & Water Management CEUs: 1.5)
- Sustainable Investing in Your Organic Farming Future (Professional Development CEUs: 0.5)
- Technology is Not Just for Big Ag (Professional Development CEUs: 0.5)
- Managing Organic Production Systems to Promote Plant Health (Integrated Pest Management CEUs: 0.5)
- Safeguarding the Organic Brand (Professional Development CEUs: 0.5)
The PCA training, which is offered in partnership with Santa Cruz Agricultural Commissioner’s office, is free and also offers two hours of training credits on Pesticide Laws & Regulations.
This is the PCA agenda:
- Intro-County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) staff review of the 2018 season – what CAC inspectors were finding in the field - compliance, non-compliance, areas for attention and improvement (30 minutes)
- Compliance with Pesticide labeling – complying with CA food and Ag Code 12973 and understanding mandatory vs. advisory labeling statements (30 minutes)
- Pesticide Use Near School sites – CA Code of Regulations, Title 3, 6690-6692 – review of the state regulation which has been in effect since January 2018 (60 minutes)
Registration is $499 and is all-inclusive—meaning admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, lunch, and trade show floor. Discounts are available for CCOP members and government and educational members.
The 2018 CannaBus Tour, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, and the CCOP Foundation Dinner, which begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, are both additional opportunities for which attendees are able to purchase tickets. To learn more about these opportunities, visit here.
There is also a Meet the Grower opportunity that the event is putting on with a Costco buyer team. During these meetings, certified organic farmer and grower representatives will be able to meet with Costco organic produce, dairy, meat, and wine buyers about their operations and products.
The tradeshow is nearly sold out, the organization relays, so those wanting to nab an exhibitor slot better work fast. Soil amendment, bio-pesticide, seed, packaging, food safety, ag technology, and equipment manufacturers are all exhibiting at the event. There, they will network with field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.
To hear about more educational and networking opportunities, check back with us at AndNowUKnow.
HOUSTON, TX - Sysco recently announced that Tom Bené, Sysco’s President and CEO, has been elected Chairman of the Board, effective November 16, 2018. In alignment with Sysco’s Board of Directors’ tenure policy, Jackie M. Ward—the current Chairman—will retire after more than 17 years of service, including the last five years as non-executive Chairman.
“I am honored to be chosen to serve as Chairman of Sysco’s board and, on behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at Sysco, I would like to thank and recognize Jackie for her many years of leadership and contributions to Sysco,” said Bené in a press release. “Sysco has an industry-leading position with solid fundamentals and a clear focus on driving performance and delivering disciplined, profitable, and sustainable growth. I look forward to continuing to work with the board and management team to enhance value for all Sysco associates and shareholders.”
Bené joined Sysco in 2013, where he held a variety of roles at the company before being appointed President and CEO. During his time at Sysco, Bené has been responsible for overseeing all of Sysco’s business operations, commercial functions, and supply chain organization. Prior to joining Sysco, Bené held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in marketing, sales, operations, franchise development, and general management during a 23-year career at PepsiCo, which culminated in his role as President of PepsiCo Foodservice.
“After careful deliberation, and taking into account his record of success to date in driving Sysco to achieve its strategic objectives, the board determined that naming Tom to succeed Jackie as chairman was in the best interest of the company and its shareholders,” said Larry Glasscock, Sysco Director and Chair of the Corporate governance and Nominating Committee. “We are confident that Sysco is well-positioned under Tom’s leadership for continued success and value creation.”
Ward’s retirement is part of Sysco’s board succession plan and will be effective on November 16, 2018, immediately following Sysco’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
“It has been a privilege to help contribute to Sysco’s significant growth alongside our talented associates, management team and fellow directors, as we strengthened the company’s position as the global foodservice leader,” said Ward.
Congratulations to Tom on this latest career achievement, and thank you to Jackie for your years of service!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited Forest City Weingart Produce Co., Cleveland, Ohio, for failure to pay for produce.
According to a press release, USDA filed a complaint in November 2017 alleging that Forest City Weingart Produce Co. failed to pay $716,689 to 23 produce sellers from October 2014 to May 2017. The parties subsequently agreed to a Consent Decision and Order finding that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay $716,689 for produce purchases.
As a result of the violations, Forest City Weingart Produce Co. cannot operate in the produce industry until September 21, 2020, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license. Furthermore, the company’s principals, Andrew J. Weingart and James B. Weingart, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until September 21, 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 industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
WOODLAND, CA - New research awards, valued at over $2.6 million, have been given to 13 recipients to address critical questions in specific areas of food safety practices. The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) announced that among this year’s topics are storage, sanitation, agricultural water, co-management, and risk-based field sampling.
“We are proud to announce this slate of awards led by outstanding scientists from around the globe to answer pressing research needs and advance real-world solutions,” said Dave Corsi, VP of Produce and Floral at Wegmans Food Markets. “Funding for the projects comes from a combination of contributions to CPS’ Campaign for Produce Safety and state block-grant funds. We recognize the responsibility CPS has to ensure these funds are managed prudently to provide scientific tools that support fresh produce food safety programs for our customers and industry.”
Corsi’s response is echoed within the industry, as well as lead researchers within academia. Dr. Matthew Stasiewicz, University of Illinois, is a first-time award recipient ready to jump in and find some answers to issues our industry faces.
“We are excited to begin our project to simulate in-field produce sampling to guide risk-based sampling plans,” Stasiewicz shared. "While our team is actively working on developing computational tools to simulate sampling plans and understand field-specific risks, CPS has made it possible for us to partner with industry leaders to apply our models to commercial fields and validate predictions against industry data as well as field-trial data. These partnerships will ensure that our project is a collaboration leading to practical recommendations to improve in-field food safety sampling.”
Here is a list of award winners, according to a press release:
- Ana Allende, PhD, Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS) - CSIC, Spain
- Kay Cooksey, PhD, Clemson University
- Kerry Cooper, PhD, University of Arizona
Illuminating the Role of Whole Genome Sequencing in Produce Safety
- Charles Gerba, PhD, University of Arizona
Development of a Model to Predict the Impact of Sediments on Microbial Irrigation Water Quality
- Emma Hartnett, PhD, Risk Sciences International, Canada
Exploring the Relationship Between Product Testing and Risk
- Renata Ivanek, PhD, Cornell University
- Xiuping Jiang, PhD, Clemson University
- Daniel Karp, PhD, University of California, Davis
Towards a Decision-Support Tool for Identifying and Mitigating On-Farm Risks to Food Safety
- Xiangwu Nou, PhD, USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
- Elliot Ryser, PhD, Michigan State University
- Matthew Stasiewicz, PhD, University of Illinois
Simulation Analysis of In-Field Produce Sampling for Risk-Based Sampling Plan Development
- Laura Strawn, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Boce Zhang, PhD, University of Massachusetts
Non-Fouling Food Contact Surfaces - Prevention of Biofilm and Surface-Mediated Cross-Contamination
“Working together with apple growers from Washington State, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, our team with almost 70 years of combined experience with Listeria and world-class expertise in apply physiology is excided to be able to contribute to the goals of CPS,” shared Dr. Elliot Ryser with Michigan State University. “Through our combined efforts, this 2-year project will provide answers to many important questions, including 1) How long do outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes persist on apples during air and controlled atmosphere storage, 2) Do different Listeria strains have different capabilities for surviving on apples, 3) Does apple waxing increase or decrease Listeria survival, 4) Does Listeria survival on apples differ according to apple variety, growing region, and growing season, and 5) Does Listeria on apples differ between planktonic cells versus biofilm-derived cells?”
The awards were funded by the Center for Produce Safety’s campaign contributors, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Texas Department of Agriculture.
Projects will begin January of 2019.
As we get closer to the end of this year, we, at AndNowUKnow, look forward to seeing how the research and projects funded by these awards will impact our industry and beyond.
LAKELAND, FL - Publix is re-joining forces with Produce for Kids to promote fruits and vegetables and provide healthy options for those who need them most. Today kicks off the duo’s campaign to raise funds for local Feeding America® member food banks.
“At Publix, we want to help our customers meet their health and wellness goals by offering a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in our stores,” said Maria Brous, Media and Community Relations Director for Publix. “We are proud to partner with Produce for Kids on an effort that helps families make better choices to meet their lifestyle needs while supporting our communities.”
Now entering its sixteenth year, the campaign is celebrating more than 3.6 million meals donated (every $1 donated to Feeding America helps secure at least 10 meals on behalf of member food banks) to families in need and more than $546,000 for Feeding America programs that benefit families and children in Publix market areas. The Publix partnership has raised, in total, more than $3.2 million to benefit local charities within the seven-state Publix footprint since 2002, according to a press release.
“Over 16 years, the Publix produce department has worked year over year to raise nearly $3.2 million,” said Trish James, Vice President of Produce for Kids. “Our shared vision has allowed the campaign to educate customers on the value of fresh produce while supporting children and families in the Publix market area.”
The campaign runs through Oct. 24, and Publix shoppers will have access to registered dietitian-approved healthy meal solutions, recipes, and content. The event is supported by six participating fresh fruit and vegetable companies, including the following:
- Avocados From Mexico
- CrunchPak®
- Del Monte® Foods
- Little Bear®
- Marie’s®
- Michigan Apples
Publix customers are encouraged to support these brands by eating more nutritious fruits and vegetables, and can identify them through in-store signage, featuring the Produce for Kids and Feeding America logos, displayed in Publix produce departments.
Signage directs customers to produceforkids.com/publix, which the group said features more than 450 registered dietitian-approved and family-tested recipes, meal planning tools, grocery store-specific campaign details and healthy tips.
Customers are also encouraged to share healthy recipes from their own kitchen and inspiration during the campaign using the hashtag #produceforkids.
The campaign will raise funds for local Feeding America member food banks including: Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Montgomery Area Food Bank, and many more.
LOS ANGELES, CA - As the brand turns to celebrate its decade-long commitment to healthy and delicious snacking, Wonderful Pistachios won’t be shying away from its well-known and full-scale campaigns. The company will be kicking off a new $55 million integrated marketing campaign this November, capitalizing on some of its already proven brand assets.
As part of its new $55 million investment, Wonderful Pistachios is bringing back both “Put a Smile on Your Snackface,” which you may know from commercials starring NFL stars Richard Sherman and Clay Matthews, as well as Ernie the Elephant, voiced by WWE Superstar John Cena. The campaign will be multifaceted, consisting of TV commercials, social media, trade, in-store POS, FSIs, print, and influencer marketing.
When the Wonderful Pistachios brand launched in 2008 with its memorable Get Crackin’ ads, the company entered the conversation of viral advertising and social and internet trends. Former Get Crackin’ “castmates” have included The Jersey Shore’s Snooki, Snoop Dogg, as well as internet sensations PSY, Honey Badger, and Keyboard Cat—all who have helped to share Wonderful Pistachios’s marketing message of fun and unique snacking.
Since 2015, brand awareness jumped from 60 percent to 85 percent and continues to climb.According to a press release, together the “Put a Smile on Your Snackface” and Ernie the Elephant campaigns garnered Wonderful Pistachios 21.8 percent household penetration and a buy rate of 3.4 lbs per household.
Cheers to ten years of iconic marketing, Wonderful Pistachios—you have me already looking forward to Super Bowl commercials.
WASHINGTON, DC - As farmers prepare for their first round of government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout, concerns grow that these checks might not be enough to supplement their income. Farmers are feeling the impact of the Trump administration’s dispute with China and other countries; China has hit back hard with tariffs of its own in response to tariffs imposed by the U.S.
The Trump administration is providing up to $12 billion in emergency relief funds for American farmers, with roughly $6 billion in the first round. The three-pronged plan includes $4.7 billion in payments to corn, cotton, soybean, dairy, pork, and sorghum farmers, according to a report from The Associated Press. The rest is for developing new foreign markets for American-grown commodities and purchasing more than two dozen select products, including certain fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, meat, and dairy.
But as farmers worry that these payouts won’t be enough, some speculate that disappointing aid outcomes might affect how these farmers vote in the upcoming midterms.
"It's pretty obvious that the rural agriculture communities helped elect this administration, but the way things are going I believe farmers are going to have to vote with their checkbook when it comes time," said Kevin Skunes, a corn and soybean grower from Arthur, North Dakota and President of the National Corn Growers Association.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced last month that soybean growers will get the largest checks, at $1.65 per bushel for a total of $3.6 billion. However, many farmers were left confused as to how these calculations were made.
Rob Johnansson, the Agriculture Department’s Chief Economist, explained to The Associated Press that the USDA took into account a number of factors “including the share of production that is exported and the value of trade directly affected by the retaliatory tariffs. The level of damage is not the same for each commodity.”
Since then, the USDA has released a detailed analysis of how the department made its calculations, but the breakdown stunned farmers who say the payments are uneven and worry they won’t be able to keep their farms going.
In a recent C-SPAN interview, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said he understands growers' frustrations.
"Farmers always live in unpredictable times," he said. "They're very resilient, but obviously the longer trade issues go on the longer it bears on them regarding what is the future."
Perdue said checks could start going out as soon as the end of September for crops that have already been harvested and payouts are based on yield.
Will these bailout checks be enough to keep farmers' heads above water? AndNowUKnow will continue to report the latest developments.
AUSTIN, TX & SEATTLE, WA - What’s better than natural and fresh foods? Natural and fresh foods delivered to my doorstep, if you ask lazy ol’ Lillie! Amazon is making its mark on Ann Arbor, Detroit, Jacksonville, Madison, Milwaukee, Omaha, Orlando, St. Louis, Tampa, and Tulsa (where a dear friend of mine lives and, I’m sure, is jumping with glee) by launching delivery of its natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now. In addition to this long list of metropolitan cities that can now rely on the delivery of their fresh foods from the e-tailer, New York City and Seattle will also see an expansion of the service.
Consumers in the newly-added regions can now use the service by shopping through Prime Now. Those opting for the delivery of their fresh foods can take their pick from fresh produce, high quality meat and seafood, and everyday necessities that can be found at Whole Foods Market. After launching earlier this year, the service is now available in 48 cities and is expected to expand its efforts even more.
In addition to Amazon’s handlings in Whole Foods deliveries, the Market, itself, is expanding its own grocery pickup—yet another option for consumers to shop with convenience. Grocery pickup launched last month, according to a press release, and it is now available in Ft. Worth, Kennesaw, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and ANUK’s very own City of Trees: Sacramento. Prime members can place their orders through Prime Now and choose the pickup option. For those of us on a time crunch and needing to pick up in as little as an hour, orders of $35 are free of charge is made for groceries, but there is a mere $4.99 charge for those needing groceries in 30 minutes.
“Prime Now delivery continues to be a hit with our customers, and we’re excited to introduce the service in ten new cities plus more neighborhoods in New York and Seattle,” said Whole Foods Market Executive VP of Operations Christina Minardi. “And for our customer sin Ft. Worth, Kennesaw, and Richmond, we’re thrilled to also offer the option of grocery pickup. Its just another way we’re making it even easier to more customers to enjoy Whole Foods Market’s healthy and organic food.”
For more fresh food findings in our industry, stick with AndNowUKnow.
WENATCHEE, WA - What do craft beers and apples have in common? This might seem a long leap, but it’s more of a hop according to CMI Orchards Vice President of Marketing George Harter. As we enter the dual season of apples and PMA Fresh Summit, he tells me that the numbers support branded apples much like the distinctive brands you’ll find in the adult beverage aisle.
"There might not be as many branded apples as beers, but we are having our own similar explosion because customers want a different taste. We give them that along with packaging that helps stand out in the produce department," George shares. "A big part of it, too, is to tell the story and why the brand stands out. Think about retail and craft beers coming up—we want to sell these apples and bring premium quality and stronger mix of retails to help strengthen their category, much like craft beers."
George describes CMI Orchards’ four tier approach delivering apple category success: "As our customers build their variety and mix, they have the ability to have price points at the conventional and organic core levels, plus—club conventional and club organics. Club organics offer an ultra premium option for customers looking for the best of the best."
This type of varietal mix offers retailers various price points and an extensive selection to help strengthen their apple category.
George says that CMI offers America’s largest selection of premium branded varieties like Ambrosia, Smitten®, Jazz™, Envy™, KIKU®, Kanzi®, and Pacific Rose™. Of the seven CMI-grown branded apples, six are in the top nine and all seven are in the top fourteen in the U.S. domestic market (Nielsen, 52 weeks ending May 26, 2018). He adds that CMI works with sub-licensees Rice Fruit Company and Applewood Orchards Inc. to grow and market KIKU, Applewood to grow and market Kanzi, and works with the Enzafruit alliance to grow and market Jazz, Envy, and Pacific Rose.
"We represent, essentially, all key apples in the branded category," he sums up. "Ambrosia finished number one in the branded apple category, with Jazz at number two, and Envy at number three. And of course, we’re proud that KIKU moved up to number seven and has really moved up in terms of sales. Overall, we’re really excited about the momentum coming out of spring and what we are going into coming into this season."
Not a bad place to be as we approach one of the largest industry events of the calendar year. When I ask George what attendees can expect at this year’s Fresh Summit, he tells me the company has a lot to surprise everyone with.
"Our Daisy Girl Organics™ is the number one organic apple brand in the U.S., and the Ship n’ Shop bin we unveiled last year for the brand has been very successful. It’s easy to build a beautiful display, and now we’ve added new life to it which will fit with our customers private label retail plans," George shares, adding a teaser for us all.
"We also have an exciting promotion coming to enhance and differentiate some of our most popular items we have but can’t discuss just yet. Let’s just say that it will enhance our partnership with our customers and will help enact a plan to help reach consumers on a united level," George expresses.
Try as I might, he told me we will just have to wait until we are even closer to PMA Fresh Summit for more. To see all this for yourself, visit booth #2843, and stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep our eyes peeled for the latest in our countdown to Orlando, Florida.
RICHMOND, VA - Two words: Self-serve. Whether at restaurants, yogurt shops, or grocery stores, there’s something about those two simple words that add some extra fun to eating and shopping. While many retailers now offer meal kits, Kroger is differentiating its offering by expanding its quick meals selection into new self-serve Easy For You meal kits.
Kroger is putting the ladle into its consumers’ hands—literally—and allowing shoppers to select from a variety of in-store, ready-made frozen entrees and side dishes—such as parmarella mac and cheese, prime rib strips with mushrooms and gravy, and chicken and sausage gumbo—to package in a disposable meal kit container and enjoy later.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the kits are sold by weight at $7.99 per pound and need only be cooked for 10-12 minutes.
The new Easy For You meal kits are currently available in the Richmond market, with plans to expand to more locations soon.
Will more retailers bolster their meal kits offering with in-store, self-serve options? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the freshest news relating to produce.