Fallback FLV:
https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/fallback-videos/ifco_trailer_feb_2017_2.mp4?VersionId=fad8kYaQq7JhlAd.carAOptEtNiHLBcM
KINGSVILLE, ON - Amidst a year of innovation and growth, Mucci Farms has announced it is entering Phase Two of its strawberry farm development, doubling its acreage from 12- to 24-acres to be in operation in the fall of 2017.
"I could not be more excited and proud of our entire team," said Joe Spano, VP of Sales & Marketing, according to a press release. "Creative, forward-thinking, and always bringing change and innovation to the greenhouse industry. Now once again we find ourselves entering a new space for the North American market, instantly setting the bar for the best consumer experience in the strawberry category!"
Boem Berry Farms is adding the extra 12-acres to bring the operation to an impressive 1-million-square-feet. Exclusively growing strawberries in what the company said is the largest controlled environment strawberry farm in North America, Mucci Farms and Dutch Growers Ton Bastiaansen and Joost van Oers trialed together for three years before striking a partnership in January of 2016. Since then, the partners have seen steady growth and increased demand for greenhouse grown strawberries.
"Consumers today are emphasizing healthy eating and are willing to pay for products that have superior flavor, along with high standards for nutrition and food safety," Spano added. "We see a demand for more greenhouse grown strawberries in the market."
Phase Three of the expansion is slated for 2018, and will include state of the art lit culture technology for the Award Winning Smuccies™ brand, marketed by Mucci Farms. The move will allow the company to offer locally-grown strawberries during winter months, under grow lights.
“Like the first 12 acres, the additional 12 will also include the use of diffused glass which provides even sunlight to the crops and reduces stress on the plants,” said George Dekker, Special Projects Manager. “We will continue to incorporate high pressure fogging systems to cool down the greenhouse in the summer and also use the swing gutter system to allow for maximum plants per square meter.”
Currently, Mucci Farms owns over 200 acres of greenhouses, 30 of which are currently growing lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers year-round.
As we've previously reported, innovation has been a focus for Mucci in every facet of the business, with the recent construction of an 85,000-square-foot warehouse expansion with state-of-the-art automation equipment.
“Greenhouse strawberries are grown in an environment that uses 100% of the fertilizer,” says Blake Fischer, Head Strawberry Grower at Mucci Farms. “We can tailor nutrients to exactly what the plant needs, allowing the product to grow exactly as intended with maximum flavor and consistency. Our strawberries are clean, harvested with immense care, and grown in a biologically- and climate-controlled environment.”
The Award Winning Greenhouse Grown Smuccies™ are available and in stores now.
Make sure to check back with AndNowUKnow for all the latest in exciting fresh produce industry developments.
IRVINE, CA - We’re on to you In-N-Out. Better yet, consumers are getting to be, too.
The fast food chain that is steadily growing its presence outside of its California roots has been the cause of some stir, as two YouTubers sought out a lesser known item on the famed “secret menu”: the tomato wrap.
“There is one other way you can order a burger that you might not know about,” the duo says ominously in the video before arriving at an In-N-Out and zeroing in on a receipt charge for a tomato wrap. “And there it is, the tomato wrapped burger.”
Much like the chain’s protein style, which wraps a burger in lettuce instead of bread, two tomato slices on either end of a patty, onion, and cheese rest inside the In-N-Out paper wrapping.
Did you think we wouldn’t find out, In-N-Out?
First lettuce, now tomatoes...the burger chain seems to be looking to test the strength of salad items as the next vehicle for one of America’s favorite food items. Clearly, In-N-Out is more in favor of produce than consumers thought.
The friends seem to have embarked on the venture more to spread the word than for their own love of tomatoes. Despite the fact that they found the flavor overpowering, those in love with the fruit and looking to avoid bread will likely be excited about this alternative.
To watch for yourself, click here.
While the video is still seeking further traction, with just over 800 views and its makers standing at only 32 subscribers, it did gain the attention of trend reporting and news source Refinery 29, which wrote that it was on board with the swap.
We, too, are in favor of this secret item becoming not-so-secret, along with any other produce-pushing efforts the fast food restaurant might be keeping under wraps.
If onion rings are next, AndNowUKnow will be there to inform the industry.
COMMERCE, CA – Smart & Final announced the appointment of a new President for its foodservice-focused Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice division. Derek Jones will assume the executive role, overseeing 60 wholesale stores in six western states—one-stop-shops for large and small foodservice business needs—and reporting directly to Smart & Final President and CEO Dave Hirz.
Jones comes to his new role from SpartanNash Company. During his tenure at the Michigan-based grocery distributor and retailer, Jones served in a number of senior positions, including President, Executive Vice President, Wholesale and Distribution, EVP of Retail Operations, and EVP of Wholesale Operations.
"This is an exciting period of growth for Cash & Carry, and we look forward to Derek's support in delivering great results as we enter a brand new market for the second year in a row," said Hirz in a company press release. "He has the experience and track record to drive our ongoing expansion efforts in key markets, and we're confident he's the right person for this large, important part of our business."
The new Cash & Carry head brings 26 years of retail experience to his new post, with experience in operations, distribution, and supply chain at Unisource Worldwide, Office Depot, Walgreens, and Walmart. Jones has served on the Board of Directors for the National Grocers Association and the Heart of West Michigan United Way.
We at AndNowUKnow congratulate Derek on his new position and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
COACHELLA, CA - Prime Time is focused on healthy people and a healthy planet in all that it does. The company is committed to sustaining and preserving, both through innovative farming, the conversion to solar, technology that reduces waste, fuel consumption, energy, and water usage.
Prime Time does this through pioneering standards in nutrient management, soil preservation, pesticide and emissions control, and water quality.
The company’s water consumption has been reduced by 35 percent through drip irrigation program, with the overall goal to provide flavorful and healthy crops for today, while preserving the land’s resources for tomorrow.
Make sure to check out the video above!
ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods has announced a new Chief Supply Chain Officer in industry veteran Ty Gent, who joins the company with over three decades of experience in the field.
Amongst Gent’s achievements, he has served as Senior Vice President of Operations for PepsiCo Central and South America regions, as well as Senior Vice President of Logistics for PepsiCo North America. As Senior Vice President of Logistics, Gent led the warehouse delivery network for Quaker, Gatorade, and Tropicana, according to a press release. He also led the PepsiCo Transportation network for North America.
“Ty joins us with more than 30 years of supply chain leadership experience,” said company President and CEO Pietro Satriano, who Gent will report to directly. “His reputation for delivering strong customer service, productivity improvements and an outstanding safety record will be instrumental in helping us continue to build a best-in-class supply chain.”
In this new role, Gent will oversee all of US Foods’ warehousing, transportation, and supply chain strategy and operations, as well as its safety programs and real estate. He is a graduate of Kent State University, holding both an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration.
Congratulations to Gent and US Foods on this newest chapter.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Grimmway Farms brought more than just potato salad to its annual company picnic this year. As part of its event held each spring to honor the company’s employees and their families, Grimmway Farms awarded 65 college scholarships, while welcoming more than 10,000 employees and family members to a “Farm to Table” gathering at the Kern County Fair Grounds.
“The picnic is a highlight of our year,” said President and CEO Jeff Huckaby. “Not only do we have a chance to show our appreciation for our dedicated employees, their families, and their great work, we also recognize many of their children by awarding college scholarships. We’re proud to help these young people pursue their academic dreams at colleges and universities across the nation. By investing in them, we are investing in the future success of our company, our industry, and our community.”
The company began its tradition of awarding scholarships in 2005, choosing recipients based on scholastic achievement, according to a press release. Grimmway’s scholarships provide support to students attending both two- and four-year colleges and universities—and are renewable for four years. This year’s recipients will attend a variety of schools, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and the University of Oregon.
To see the footage of the awards picnic, narrated by the company's Director of Safety Joel Sherman, check out the video below.
“This picnic was initiated more than 30 years ago by our founders, Rod and Bob Grimm, who knew that the bedrock of this company’s success is its employees and their families,” continued Huckaby. “That family orientation and tradition is just as strong today as it was at our founding. In a very real way, this annual picnic continues the traditions of the past, appreciates the committed employees of today, and encourages the generations of tomorrow.”
In addition to the scholarship awards, Grimmway brought out all the stops for its picnic festivities. The company provided a variety of food selections, live entertainment, and a raffle for a new car. In total, 500 volunteers, including 250 administrative employees and their families, helped put on the full show.
WASHINGTON, DC – The United Fresh Produce Association announced a slate of new officers and directors this week. The association’s Immediate Past Chairman Brian W. Kocher, President and CEO, Castellini Company, made the announcement. New officers will assume their roles on the United Fresh Produce Association Board of Directors effective at its April 26, 2017 meeting in Hilton Head, SC.
“Our organization thrives on the strength and diversity of the leadership on the United Fresh Board of Directors,” said President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “This slate of new Board members, along with those returning to the Board, will provide a strong representation and leadership of our industry
Susan Reimer-Sifford, Director, Produce and Bakery Purchasing and Distribution for Darden, will ascend to the role of Chairman of the Board. Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms will assume the role of Chairman-Elect. Danny Dumas, Vice President N.A. Sales and Product Management for Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc has been nominated as Secretary-Treasurer. Current United Fresh Chairman of the Board Tony Freytag, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Crunch Pak will more to the position of Immediate Past Chairman and remain on the company’s board and executive committee.
Additionally, the following industry leaders have been nominated to serve as new members of the United Fresh Board for a two-year long term, effective as of its April meeting:
- Jeff Cady, Director of Produce and Floral, Tops Friendly Markets
- Jerry Callahan, Group VP, Produce and Floral, Albertsons
- Michael Castagnetto, VP, Global Sourcing, Robinson Fresh
- Chris Ciruli, COO, Ciruli Brothers
- Michael Cochran, Merchandise Manager, Produce, Walmart
- Mark Girardin, President, North Bay Produce
- Christian Harris, VP Fresh Produce, US Foods
- Jim Hay, North America Regional Business Director, DuPont Crop Protection
- Brian Jenny, VP/GM, Value Added Fresh, Naturipe Farms
- Drew McDonald, VP Quality, Food Safety, and Regulatory, Church Brothers Farms
- Phil Muir, President and CEO, Muir Copper Canyon Farms
- Mark Munger, VP, Sales and Marketing, 4Earth Farms
- Raina Nelson, VP of Sales, Renaissance Food Group
- Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk, CEO, Seald Sweet International
Additionally, several board members will continue to serve on United Fresh’s board. And several members will also conclude their service this term, including: Immediate Past Chairman Brian Kocher, Castellini Company; Bill Brim, Lewis Taylor Farms; Greg Corrigan, Raley's Family of Fine Stores; Suresh DeCosta, Lipman; Fred Heptinstall, Polymer Logistics; Bob Kirch, Caito Foods; Jim Lemke, Robinson Fresh; Gordon Robertson, Sun World International; Michael Spinazzola, Diversified Restaurant Systems; Lisa Strube, Strube Celery & Vegetable Company; Bob Swartwout, Direct Advantage, and Ross Wileman, Mission Produce.
“I’d like to extend a personal thanks to all of the Board members who are concluding their service at this upcoming meeting, including our Immediate Past Chairman Brian Kocher who provided exceptional leadership to our organization during his many years of service,” said Stenzel. “With an industry as diverse and complex as ours, we are grateful to the dedicated members of our Board who have helped navigate the challenges in our industry and further advance our organization. We appreciate the time and service they have dedicated to United and the industry."
Stenzel thanked outgoing board members and highlighted the strengths of the "impressive" new slate of candidates.
“I’d also like to personally thank Brian and Board Development Committee members Brian Kocher, Tony Freytag, Susan Reimer-Sifford, Lisa Strube, John Jackson, Jackie Caplan Wiggins, Shannon Arias, and Brent Scattini for their work this year in nominating an impressive slate of officers and Board members,” said Stenzel. “Their job was to help develop a strong and representative leadership on the Board for the coming years to drive our association forward, and I commend them for developing this strong slate of industry leaders.”
For more, see United Fresh’s announcement in its entirety, here.
COLOGNE, GERMANY – A recent shipment of bananas were bound for more nefarious places than just a standard grocery store. Authorities in Cologne, Germany have uncovered the city's biggest drug seizure to date, uncovering 847 pounds of cocaine in the fruit shipment.
The 384 kilograms of the drug, according to news source RT, was found hidden within 26 cases of bananas that originated from Ecuador. The drugs were packaged in hundreds of one-kilogram (or, roughly 2.2 pounds) packages mixed amongst the fruit.
The bananas, and their odious passengers, were reportedly bound for Hamburg, Germany, before being shipped to a fruit wholesale company in Leverkusen, just north of Cologne. An employee alerted authorities to the haul after discovering the drugs in a storage room.
#PolizeiNRW #Koeln #Leverkusen: Größter Drogenfund in der Kölner Kriminalgeschichte - Infos unter https://t.co/oTp3Tm9DCs pic.twitter.com/m4qRpcnfYt
— Polizei NRW K (@polizei_nrw_k) April 10, 2017
Investigators also discovered another unexpected traveler tucked in the shipment, as a GPS transmitter was soon uncovered in one of the boxes.
“The investigators are currently assuming that the drug traffickers wanted to find the narcotics in large warehouses faster through this device,” said the Prosecutor’s Office for the Cologne Police and Customs Office in a statement online.
Thus far, all the packages have tested positive for cocaine, though the total street value of the seizure has not yet been released.
What strange pairings will fresh fruit and wilted criminals find themselves in next? AndNowUKnow will report.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - I remember the first time I had a kiwifruit—as a skeptical kid highly suspicious of the strange fruit my dad was presenting to me. However, that first tangy, sweet bite delighted me and I've been hooked for life.
These days, kiwifruit is exploding—lining up with several consumer trends towards experimentation with new flavors and an eye towards health. Sarah Deaton, Marketing Manager, North America, of Zespri, joined me to discuss how the grown-for-flavor brand and a leading shipper of kiwifruit in New Zealand is breaking into the U.S. market with its new SunGold variety, innovative retailer program, and consumer marketing campaigns.
"SunGold Kiwifruit is going to change the kiwifruit category," Sarah tells me. "From our focus groups, consumers tell us biting into a SunGold is remniscent of a warm sunny day. It has a sweet tropical flavor, like a cross between a mango and a strawberry. Consumers can't get enough!"
The new yellow, smooth-skinned variety is a product of the companies natural cross-breeding program, and is shaking things up at retail. As Sarah tells me, the company grows for taste to encourage consumption, implementing strict standards so that only the finest kiwifruit is shipped. The company is excited to be able to offer different tasty varieties, like the SunGold, for consumers as the company continues penetrating the U.S. market.
The New Zealand-based company has focused its international vision on the U.S. shores after opening up its Newport Beach, CA, office in 2016. This year, the company is set for a strong season from May through November, doubling growth over last year.
"The fruit and vines are reaching full maturity, and the fruit is exceeding our high taste standards. Our growers are incredibly passionate about producing the best tasting fruit, implementing protocols, and constantly perfecting their craft," Sarah shares. "Everything is tracking well."
For the company's U.S. retail partners, Zespri has devised a comprehensive Regional Marketing Manager program to help launch into the market. These regionally based representatives work hands-on with customers to help build a personalized kiwifruit category program, which you can learn more about here.
One such representative, Susan Noritake, Market Development Manager – West, shares this about the program: "Now is the perfect time to hop on the kiwifruit trend and get behind the driver of that growth, SunGold Kiwifruit. We’re inviting retailers to 'Celebrate the SunGold' through custom marketing programs designed to entice shoppers to try this amazing piece of fruit because we know once they do, they will come back for more.”
Beyond the retail support program, Sarah tells me that Zespri has exciting plans as the company's reach continues to take hold, with an upcoming integrated consumer campaign on deck. Zespri will be targeting certain markets with an extensive digital and social media campaign designed to bring joy, optimism, and excitement to consumers this season.
“Kiwifruit is delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-eat, and it’s our goal to increase consumption through innovative campaigns that highlight the superior taste and enjoyment eating Zespri Kiwifruit brings. Besides the amazing taste, a serving of kiwifruit has three times the vitamin C of an orange, and a slew of other health benefits we want to pass on to the consumer,” Sarah shares about the upcoming promotions.
If Zespri's long past is any indication, the company's future stateside looks to be bright and the brand will continue spreading the joy of kiwifruit for years to come.