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WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) took contributors of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) to task over a series of recent op-ed pieces (found here and here), which target the FDA and the organic industry. The OTA noted that the articles were “misleading and derogatory attacks,” and the association published a full-page ad in the Journal refuting those claims with facts about the organic industry.
The OTA’s sponsored ad was titled: “Here’s a long list of chemicals you should never have to read.” It featured a comprehensive detailed list of the hundreds of chemicals prohibited in organic production and processing, with a link for readers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture—which oversees the list of substances allowed and prohibited in organic.
“It is the mission of the Organic Trade Association to protect and promote organic, and it is our responsibility to get the facts out. It’s critically important to push back against these attacks,” noted Laura Batcha, CEO of the OTA, in a press release. “Consumers deserve to know the truth. Organic’s strength is its transparency, and organic farmers and businesses work hard every day to uphold the standards of organic and to honor the trust that we’ve earned from consumers everywhere. We will not let these charges go unanswered.”
The WSJ made a number of strident claims in articles published August 5, 2018, and August 31, 2018—claiming, in the former article’s title, that “The Organic Industry is Lying to You.”
“…[W]hen it comes to the $47-billion-a-year organic industry, the FDA gives a complete pass to blatantly false and deceptive advertising claims,” Miller's first op-ed article claimed. The article went on to say: “Giving the organic industry and others a pass to engage in such active deception undermines consumers’ choice, erodes trust in the market, and rigs the game.”
Scott Gotlieb, the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, took to Twitter to offer some “initial thoughts” on organics shortly after the publication of Miller's article. Coincidence? We'll let you decide.
Noting that organics “are in the news,” Gottlieb tweeted: “#FDA is focused on empowering consumers with tools and information to make good food choices consistent with public health recommendations, and encourage development of healthier foods by industry. This also means making sure terms on labels are actionable go.usa.gov/xU7Fy.”
The Journal also subsequently published a letter in which Batcha and the Center for Food Safety's Cameron Harsh contests Miller's claim.
The OTA’s full-page, black-and-white ad was published Wednesday, September 12, in the A section of the Journal’s Capitol-region edition. The association noted that the Wall Street Journal is the largest selling newspaper in the United States.
For more fresh produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - We’re going to party like its our 70th birthday over here at AndNowUKnow because, for Procacci Brothers, it is! The company is celebrating its 70th year of successful business, having started in 1948, due to the guiding principles of providing customers with quality produce and premium service. While the world is ever-changing, Procacci Brothers’ values are steadfast.
“My father taught me those principles from a very early age. He also taught me to align our businesses with partners and stakeholders who share that mindset,” CEO J.M. Procacci said in a press release. “As we mark the 70th anniversary of Dad and Uncle Mike opening the doors to Procacci Brothers, it’s very important that we acknowledge and celebrate our greatest assets—the customers, suppliers, and employees that have been so fundamental to our success. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Over the course of the past year, there has been much change in the Procacci family, according to a press release.
“We lost my Uncle Mike and Dad within a week of each other in November 2017, but not before Dad got to meet his great-granddaughter,” Procacci added. “Within our business operations, my son Joseph III is taking on more responsibility every day in our farming operations, while my daughter Gabby has established herself as a Community Outreach leader for the company. She is the Executive Director of our charity golf tournament, which takes place on October 1st. The future of this company is in great hands with Joseph III and Gabby.”
Moving forward, Procacci Brothers will focus on growth in its Floral Department, Organics Category, GS Direct Store Distribution operation, and FELIZ™ brand of ethnic and tropical items.
As Joseph III and Gabby continue to steer the ship toward more successful ventures, the company seeks to remain steeped in the values that have given it a reputation as a “Leader in the Field.”
Congratulations, Procacci Brothers, on this incredible achievement. Here’s to the next 70!
FISHERS, NY - New York City isn’t the only Big Apple in town. In fact, the entire state of New York is worthy of the name, based on the New York Apple Association’s (NYAA) recent fall harvest estimate. NYAA forecasts New York apple growers will produce 31 million cartons (42 lbs each) of apples this fall, an estimate that is up slightly over last year and on par with the state’s five-year average.
“New York apple lovers know our apples taste great, but what they may not realize is just how big our state industry is in the larger picture,” President Cynthia Haskins said in a company press release. “New York is the second largest apple producing state in the nation, and the largest east of the Mississippi—but that’s not all. Our distinctive flavor gives us a competitive advantage and it is produced by the ideal growing conditions in New York which are unique to our state.”
The association noted that apple production in New York takes place on 41,000 acres spanning the state, where hundreds of varieties are grown. Although a diverse array of these varieties can be found at retail, many are only available at farmers markets. Those varieties found at retail include the New York McIntosh, Empire, Cortland, Honeycrisp, and Gala, as well as new managed varieties like SweeTango® and the two ‘exclusive to New York’ varieties, RubyFrost® and SnapDragon®.
To encourage New Yorkers to enjoy all the apple industry the Empire State has to offer, NYAA maintains a locator map on its website, www.nyapplecountry.com, which finds orchards, you-pick operations and cideries by zip code.
Throughout the autumn season, NYAA will be engaging with customers with pop-up exhibits at Green Markets throughout New York City in September and October. The organization is also sponsoring the Big Apple Crunch, a statewide event involving public schools—and millions of New Yorkers—all biting into a New York Apple at precisely 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 25. NYAA partners with the FarmOn! Foundation to support the event and recently distributed a variety of posters to 780 school districts throughout the state to raise awareness around New York apples and apple products.
For the latest in fresh produce news, keep following AndNowUKnow.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - There’s nothing you can’t do in New York—well, except maybe shop at a cashierless grocery store, but even that’s about to change as Amazon reportedly makes plans to expand its Go stores into New York City. News source The Information broke the news last week after finding online job listings for a store manager, an assistant store manager, a learning and development manager, and a training lead associate for a New York-based Amazon Go store.
While no additional information has been released yet by Amazon, it’s safe to assume the New York stores will offer perishable items, ready-made salads, meals kits, Whole Foods goods, snacks, and more like the Seattle-based Go stores.
Since opening its first Amazon Go location in Seattle, Amazon has also been rumored to be eyeing Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago as other possible cities to expand its brick-and-mortar network.
Will Amazon Go eventually pop up in neighborhoods across the country and become America’s grocery go-to? AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest.
NORTH CAROLINA - The National Weather Service expects Hurricane Florence to touch down on the North Carolina coast this Thursday, September 13th, bringing violent winds and flooding rains to the Tar Heel State. The region is currently in the midst of sweet potato harvest, and we at AndNowUKnow reached out to several growers in the region to learn more about how the storm is expected to impact yield, transportation, and storage—as well as the safety and well-being of our North Carolinian produce pals.
“North Carolina Sweet Potato farmers across the state are working tirelessly to harvest their crops before Hurricane Florence makes her projected landfall along the North Carolina coast later this week. Farmers are working day and night to harvest as much of their crops as they can, along with preparing their facilities and personal property in the potential path of the storm,” Kelly McIver, Executive Director for the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, told me. “Following the storm, the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission will work closely with all of our farmers to access damages. “
As of Tuesday evening, several ports along the Carolina coast, including those in Wilmington and Morehead City, North Carolina, have been closed by the Coast Guard and many residents have evacuated. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings—predicting winds in excess of 90 mph and moderate to high risk of flooding well inland throughout portions of North Carolina and Virginia—and throughout the North East as the storm progresses.
Jeff Thomas, Director of Marketing for Scott Farms, told me that while every precaution was in place, the grower/packer/shipper is taking Hurricane Florence extremely seriously.
“In North Carolina right now we have somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of the total crop harvested, so the next few days are going to be very critical for the North Carolina sweet potato population,” said Jeff. “There’s been a lot of innovation at Scott Farms and expansion that has taken place here over the last several years—with new and improved environmentally controlled facilities, and we’re closely monitoring those. We’ve been through one hurricane in those already with Hurricane Matthew, and came through in good shape; we’re just hoping and praying that everyone is safe throughout the storm.”
Jeff also noted that Scott Farms has taken and is taking every possible step to ensure that its employees are safe and that customers will still be able count on Scott Farms for consistent quality product when the storm subsides.
“We’re taking a ‘hope for the best, expect the worst’ kind of stance. We’ve made all the precautions that we possibly could, and we’re closely monitoring where things go,” added Jeff. “A lot of the preparation is actually put in place prior to planting through our food safety program and our site selection process. We operate offices internationally, as well, and we’ve been in close contact with our other offices. We made some decisions based on the weather early on. As far as our domestic shipping operations, we’re closely monitoring the situation with the storm, right now, to make sure that all of our customers are taken care of.”
Tami Long, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Nash Produce, shared similar thoughts on the subject—noting that the company and its employees were in “wait-and-see mode” as the storm, projected to hit the Carolina coast Thursday, approaches.
“At Nash Produce, our employee’s safety is a top priority,” Tami told me. “We are letting everyone know that the office will be closed definitely on Friday, and possibly Thursday. We need to know more about the direction of the storm before that decision is made.”
While many ports in the region will suspend operation later this week as a precaution, Tami noted that domestic shipping operations are expected to continue—provided weather and safety permits.
“All our overseas shipments have been suspended. The Norfolk, Virginia, port is closing Wednesday at noon. We are still sending out U.S. shipments and plan to continue as long as it is safe for all involved,” said Tami, who noted that secondary effects of the storm—such as power outages—may be the biggest challenges for North Carolinians. “Power outages will be the biggest concern. Nash Produce does have generators to maintain all primary storage units. The generators are being checked and prepped for use.”
Though the tone is one of cautious optimism for many growers this Tuesday, they all noted that the next week will prove crucial for North Carolina’s sweet potato crop and North Carolinians in general. AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop with updates as they occur.
KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - In my house, there is always an occasion for beans. I grew up with them, and the more ways to implement these tasty ingredients, the better! DelFrescoPure® is stepping into production of its newest product in a big way by introducing its EURO BEAN The Gourmet Slicing Bean®.
“Their soft, subtle taste is sure to enhance any dining experiences. Add lemon and salt after boiling for a scrumptious appetizer,” Marketing Manager Fiona McLean tells me. “DelFrescoPure greenhouse-grown EURO BEAN The Gourmet Slicing Bean is ideal in soups, stir-fry, dips, and much more!”
The company started out with one acre of its EURO BEAN production, which has now tripled in size. With expansion of its greenhouse-grown production on the rise, EURO BEANS’ beautiful look are available from February to December.
“We offer two pack sizes: a 12 oz poly bag with easy access zip lock and a 10 lb bulk option,” Fiona expresses. “We are also offering in-store merchandising displays, with infographic cards providing information about how we grow and recipe ideas.”
Speaking of recipes, Fiona dives right into how the company’s newest product offering works great with chefs creating magic in the kitchen.
“This is a great idea for foodservice menu options and offerings,” Fiona explains. “Just picture these long beans in place of other staples on the menu. They are sure to draw lots of attention and keep customers coming back for more because of the appealing look and delicious taste.”
Your retail location can tap into DelFrescoPure’s recipe inspiration here.
For more details on how our industry continues to evolve and offer new and intriguing categories for consumers to enjoy, stick with us at AndNowUKnow!
SANTA PAULA, CA - Sleepy Santa Paula got a little spicy this week when a truck carrying red bell peppers through the Ventura County hamlet upended—spilling its cargo onto the roadway.
Roadways were blocked, according to local affiliate NBC4, with lanes closed at Telegraph and Briggs roads. The spill occurred the evening of Friday September 7th, after the truck reportedly careened into a drainage ditch, flipping its trailer and spilling peppers onto the ditch and motorway.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and road crews worked throughout the night, even employing a crane to remove the upturned trailer.
California Highway Patrol could not confirm to the local news source what caused the spill, and traffic returned to normal the following morning after crews removed the obstructing cargo—un-stuffing the road, so to speak, with peppers.
For more on capsized capsicum, brokedown brassica, and all other forms of produce motorway mishap, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
AUSTIN, TX - I will never say no to a bowl of mac and cheese, especially if I’m told that this particular bowl is good for me. Impossible, you say? Cece’s® Veggie Co. is here to make the impossible possible, with its new product line of shells and cheese made from organic butternut squash. Butternut Shells & Cheese will debut at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, Maryland, from September 13-15 at booth #8110.
“Delivering a full serving of veggie nutrition in every bowl, Cece’s Butternut Shells & Cheese is a game-changer for busy families looking for healthy, organic meal solutions that taste delicious,” Founder Mason Arnold shared. “Anyone who has kids is going to jump for joy when they try the butternut shells. They check all the boxes—healthy, easy, and kiddo-approved. My own kids helped with product development and they can’t get enough of them—it really is easy being cheesy.”
Cece’s butternut version of the classic mac and cheese is gluten-free, with 100% organic butternut squash cut into elbow-style shells. The company noted in its press release that it will offer a dairy-based cheddar cheese sauce and a vegan cheddar “cheez” option, both prepped and ready to heat-and-eat with no additional ingredients required. The vegan Shells & Cheez sauce is the first organic vegan “cheese” sauce for pasta on the market, according to Cece’s.
At Natural Products Expo East, the company will also unveil a new ready-to-eat veggie meal, featuring its award-winning organic zucchini spirals paired with organic marinara sauce in a microwavable tray. Cece’s Zucchini Marinara can be eaten raw or warmed, for a quick, healthy meal on-the-go. Both the Shells & Cheese and the Zucchini Marinara serve two as an entree or four as a side and have an SRP of $5.99.
“We always tout that Cece’s is your own personal sous chef because we’re doing the time-consuming veggie prep and clean up for you with our spiralized and riced veggie options. With our ready-to-eat Zucchini Marinara, you can now toss that sad desk salad or have a stellar side ready to go in two minutes or less,” Arnold said.
Cece’s Veggie Co. is also launching an organic riced cauliflower medley with broccoli, carrots, and green onions to offer a shortcut to paleo-friendly fried rice.
Cece’s Shells & Cheese, Zucchini Marinara, and Veggie Medley will be available in select Whole Foods Market, HEB, Central Market, and Mariano’s stores beginning in September.
For the latest in fresh food remakes, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
ELGIN, MN - It’s officially apple season, and all through the land, apples are hitting retail with new packaging plans. This autumn, Honeybear Brands is debuting all-new colorful cartons, designed to provide retailers with standout display options for Honeycrisp apples, that are sure to brighten up produce aisles.
“This new design direction is entirely retailer driven in two ways. Firstly, we hear all the time from our retail partners that when they open a Honeybear carton, they know they’re getting apples that have been grown, picked, and shipped to the highest quality standards. Our legacy and our history have really helped us establish ourselves as the Gold Standard for growers and packers of Honeycrisp apples,” VP of Sales and Marketing Don Roper said. “Secondly, when so many other apple cartons can be generic and dull, we wanted to give produce managers and their in-store display teams an easy and highly impactful way to add color and fun to their produce aisles that will really engage and draw in their customers.”
The new Honeybear Brands cartons are an homage to the company’s ongoing commitment to gold-standard growing practices, as well as its dedication to providing the very best Honeycrisp apples to consumers. According to a press release, each carton features a bold gold background with the Honeybear centered in a sunburst—a radical departure from the old white and green packaging—for high visibility no matter where it is placed in the produce aisle.
“Our goal is, quite simply, to help give our retail partners a clear advantage over their competition whenever they choose to sell Honeybear apples,” Roper added.
Last season was a successful year for Honeybear Brands, which saw universal sales increase across the company’s portfolio of premium varieities, with Pazazz apples, in particular, hitting a record sales mark. The company also doubled its production capabilities in the Midwest last season, continuing its 25 years of Honeycrisp growing experience.
For more of the latest news pertaining to new marketing efforts, packaging, and retail strategies, keep reading AndNowUKnow.