BAKERSFIELD, CA - Another season of King Pak® potatoes is on the horizon, and grower Grimmway Farms is well-prepared to share the beautiful, ruby reds, bright golds, and proprietary Avalanche® whites with the world through August. As sole producer of the King Pak brand for nearly 20 years, Grimmway says the key to the company’s success is sending fresh-packed potatoes to market early in the season, as well as never holding the product in storage.
“We’ve received excellent feedback on the quality of our crop and the distinct flavor profile of each variety,” shared Chris Rhodes, Fresh Sales Category Manager. “The darker skin on our reds holds up better than most, and our bright white potatoes offer a nice, round form that many shoppers look for.”
As one of the few producers to start harvesting potatoes this early in the season, Grimmway has a unique advantage in the category. According to a press release, the company seeks optimal growing conditions in order to sustain supply from April to August, migrating its crops to avoid adverse effects of weather and ensure the highest quality product. “We grow in Coachella through the winter, then we move back to Bakersfield in spring before heading to Lancaster for the summer,” explains Rhodes.
Beyond transitioning across growing regions, Grimmway’s King Pak potato program differentiates itself by being fully integrated with the company’s carrot and organic vegetable sales. Seamlessly creating a purchase experience for retailers, this structure allows customers the convenience of one-step ordering and single-stop loading for all of their fresh produce needs.
Grimmway offers early potatoes in a range of pack sizes and flexible shipping options, including 3, 5, and 10-pound retail bags. The company also offers 50-pound bulk cartons filled with A, B, or C sized potatoes. For more information on King Pak potatoes, contact 661-845-9435.
BENTONVILLE, AR – Having established a professional legacy built on a foundation of fresh produce, Sam’s Club’s Senior Produce Buyer has announced his decision to retire. Loren Green will be stepping down after 14 years with the company, and many more within the industry itself.
The company stated that Loren is highly regarded as a produce expert in buying. Over the years, he has accrued a reputation of being firm, but fair, with his suppliers.
Loren first started his fruitful career with Sam’s Club at its parent company Walmart in 2002. Loren first entered in a Replenishment position, and then moved over to Sam’s Club as an Assistant Buyer. From there, Loren quickly worked his way up to the Senior Buyer appointment.
Loren came to Sam’s Club with produce experience that he obtained from a local grocery chain. Loren began there as a Produce Manager, and ended his tenure as a Director over 15 produce departments and 4 floral departments.
Sam’s Club stated that the company wishes Loren the best in his retirement.
We at AndNowUKnow would like to congratulate Loren on this new stage, and also thank him for years of instrumental service to our industry.
BALTIMORE, MD – Dressing and condiment category specialist Tessemae’s Fresh Food Company is making big moves as we round out the first quarter of 2017. In addition to a brand refresh for the company, Tessemae’s has announced it’s taking on the exciting world of the organic produce market. The company’s product portfolio will be expanding to include a new line of creamy salad dressings, a line of condiments, salad toppers, single serve and family style salad kits, veggie trays, and dips—all organic.
“The most important thing to us is how a product tastes, and how it makes us feel,” explained Kristen Dittami, EVP of Research and Development, upon the company's announcment. “It all connects back to our mission of simplifying food to amplify life. That’s what drives our innovation.”
According to a press release, the new brand look was created with the consumer in mind, and is clean and flavor forward. The hand-dipped wax they are perhaps best known for has been replaced with an easy-to-open, color coordinated shrink seal. The new condiment line features fun, playful imagery designed to connect with consumers. The new packaging can be found on shelves now, and Tessemae’s will officially re-launch its website, Tessemaes.com, in April with a new look and improved user experience.
“People are tired of eating science projects. They want clean, fresh, meal solutions,” explained Greg Vetter, CEO. “Tessemae’s is here to enable that clean eating for everyone, everywhere.”
This isn’t Tessemae’s first foray into the world of fresh. In January, Tessemae’s launched single serve salad kits—exclusive to Kroger and Kroger banner stores. Featuring organic grilled chicken, salad greens, Tessemae’s dressing, and a salad topper to add flavor and crunch, these salad kits make for a perfect grab and go meal solution. The salad kit is available in four flavor varieties: Spinach Bacon Ranch, Power Kale Caesar, Sweet Kale Crunch, and Sesame Ginger Greens.
OXNARD, CA – Making a significant stride into the European market, Mission Produce announced today that it has completed the construction of its first Ripe Center in Breda, The Netherlands. The company’s new Ripe Center is its first in Europe, and is strategically located near Rotterdam and Antwerp—the primary ports for importing avocados into Europe.
“The European market is developing rapidly in terms of overall avocado consumption, and is actually growing at a faster rate than North America.” President & CEO Steve Barnard noted in a press release. “Our expectation is that this growth will continue, and the ability to provide ripe fruit to our customer base will position Mission to capitalize on that growth. Mission has long been the leader in ripening in North America. We will be able to extend our deep understanding of the ripening process and technology and provide the same level of service in Europe.”
While the company has been operating in Europe for several years, this latest addition promises to grow Mission's production capabilities throughout the entire year.
“We provide fruit in Europe from three primary countries of origin—Peru, Mexico, and Chile—and our new Ripe Center stages us for expansion regardless of seasonality and origin,” said Vice President of Sales & Marketing Brent Scattini. "Adding the Ripe Center allow us to service our customer’s needs by providing ripe fruit in consistent volume throughout the year.”
Mission has operated a distribution center in Breda, in the Mooy Logistics terminal, since 2012. The company recently expanded the facility to include four, three-tiered ripe rooms with the capacity for 36 pallets each—144 total.
“We have been providing fruit to the European market for over 5 years, both through direct customer imports, as well as through our facility in Breda,” explained Ine Potting, Managing Director. “By adding ripening capacity, we can offer more value-added services to our customer base here.”
Mission’s engineering team oversaw the construction of the company’s new ripe rooms. Using energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technology, the company constructed a three-tier racking system that is the first of its kind in Europe. The extended height of the rooms is intended to increase both capacity and efficiency. The design of the installation and the chosen components meet the demands of the EIA 2015, and will provide the company with an energy savings of 15 percent over standard ripening systems.
For more on facility expansions in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL - I love the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show. And I don’t even mind flying across the country—from California—for just one day on the show floor. The products consistently raise the bar and the buyer-to-supplier ratio keeps the conversations and opportunities flowing. What tantalizing items caught my eye this year? Although I hate to narrow it down, here are a handful of my favorites I hope you too, can enjoy.
SUNSET® Minzano® Pasta Kit
I can’t say it enough—convenience will always contribute to my decision making process at grocery. From a consumer perspective, SUNSET® has a way of remaining at the head of the pack and bringing incredibly delicious and innovative products to market. Take the SUNSET® Minzano® Pasta Kit. This product offers a dual chamber bowl, one side containing Minzano® tomatoes, the other containing pasta, as well as an expertly mixed spice pack…and can feed two in just 15 minutes.
Mann Packing Kale Beet Blend™
I love any product that can drop a “beet.” Pun intended. Mann’s new Kale Beet Blend offers not only golden beets, but a host of other exciting flavor profiles like kale, kohlrabi, and red cabbage—a combination of the company’s Power Blend and Broccoli Slaw. Blend, roast, toss in a salad, add crunch to tacos, take your stir fry up a notch…I just ask one thing: don’t limit yourself.
OPA by Litehouse™ Greek Style Yogurt Dressing
These refrigerated salad dressings (RSD) are more than meets the eye. Anything your consumers can imagine putting a sweet or savory touch on, deserves these dressings. In addition, the variety of flavor profiles can spark creativity on their own. With an original lineup of Avocado Cilantro, Strawberry Poppyseed, Roasted Garlic, Tzatziki Ranch and Curry, Litehouse is also adding new offerings to the program in May which include Feta Dill, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Caesar, and Jalapeño Ranch.
Monterey Mushrooms Organic Specialty Mushroom Package
If there is one word I can leave you with, let it be Umami. Hearty, robust, rich, savory—this word inspires a range of descriptors and can be found by pairing, preparing, and showcasing one of my favorite fresh produce items: mushrooms. Monterey Mushrooms organic specialty mushroom package includes king trumpet, beech, maitake, shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms. And retailers need not balk at the range of varieties since the graphics offer usage ideas, facts, and simple how-to instructions for consumers.
Rockit™ Apple Launcher
Rockit™ apple tube packs really are their own merchandising solution. But this year the program is taking it up a notch. Grown by Borton Fruit and Chelan Fresh, this new and exciting miniature apple variety packs big flavor and a convenient size…and now can offer a destination of its own. The new display unit showcases both the fruit, packaging, and vibrant design of the Rockit™ program. With a petite stature, and distinctively fresh and aromatic crunch, it is always exciting to see how this program evolves.
SUNSET® Mann Packing Litehouse Inc. Monterey Mushrooms Borton Fruit Chelan Fresh
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against J & R Fresh Produce LLC.
According to a USDA press release, the company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to seven produce sellers in the amount of $281,225 from August 2015 through June 2016.
J & R Fresh Produce LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principal could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
MCLEAN, VA - By now, the produce industry might be pretty well acquainted with our friends at Gladstone Land Corporation, a real estate investment trust (REIT), but perhaps not with how the company works to benefit farmers. Namely, allowing farmers to sell a farm to the company in a tax-free transaction and serving as a strategic partner with the farmer after the sale.
If you are like most farm owners, you likely farm the land yourself or lease it to another farmer. Either way your company works, farmland probably ties up a good deal of your money. Gladstone Land has an alternative.
As the company explained to me, Gladstone Land is set up as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) structure, meaning that the company holds its farm assets in its operating partnership. This allows Gladstone Land to acquire farmland from farm sellers in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in its operating partnership, or OP Units. In exchange for land, the seller can receive OP Units, which are then convertible to either cash or shares of Gladstone Land’s common stock, which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market, ticker symbol LAND, after a holding period of one year. What’s the benefit? The initial exchange transaction is tax-free to the seller—thus, any capital gains tax that otherwise would be payable if the seller of the farm was to sell the farmland for cash would be deferred.
If you own a farm in your name, the company assures the exchange is easy. Sign a purchase and sale agreement, choosing to sell for cash, OP Units, or a combination of the two. Next, the title company will handle the actual sale, transferring the farm in the government record books to the operating partnership, and giving you OP Units in the amount you agreed to receive. Again, the beauty of this exchange is that it is not a taxable event for the seller at the time of the transaction.
What else do sellers gain as part of this unique partnership with Gladstone Land?
Deferred Taxes
Yes, I've mentioned this before, but when a farm is sold for cash, capital gains taxes are generally due. If the farm is sold for OP Units, no capital gains taxes are due at the time of the sale.
Having a Real Estate Partner
Gladstone Land becomes your real estate or farmland partner, meaning it wants to keep farmers on the same land for as long as they want to farm it—a big advantage for land owners who want to continue to harvest.
Adding More Land and Acreage for You to Farm
With Gladstone Land as your real estate partner, if you wish to purchase new farmland, you do not have to buy it yourself. The company will buy the farm for you and rent it to you, meaning with just an additional lease, you can now farm additional land without the obligation to invest further.
Flexibility: Sell or Keep OP Units after One Year
Converting OP Units to cash or liquid common stock of Gladstone Land can be a simple solution for those who wish to avoid the hassle of selling a portion of their farm. If you have an emergency, the liquid investment can quickly provide extra cash. Furthermore, you are allowed to select when shares are converted or sold, and thus when the taxes are incurred.
No Mortgage
Your mortgage on the farm has gone away, and you no longer have a personal guarantee on the mortgage. This can be a significant relief to you and your family.
Diversification of Assets
Rather than holding just one farm, an investment in Gladstone Land gives you an interest in a diversified portfolio of properties throughout the U.S. in commonality with all of the other public stockholders of the company. This provides you with a diversified holding, avoiding that “all your eggs in one basket” problem.
Want to learn more details about selling farmland to Gladstone? Visit ir.gladstoneland.com.
VANCOUVER, CANADA – Consumers will soon have premium cherries to fill their hands and tasty dishes, and Oppy is looking to bless them even further with an early start to the season. To bring this to fruition, Oppy has secured a new marketing partnership for North America with Felix Costa & Sons.
“We are really delighted about boosting our cherry program with the Brookside label,” said David Nelley, Vice President of Categories at Oppy. “Fruit grown by Costa is one of the best known cherry lines in Asia, where they have an excellent reputation for quality and flavor. Domestic buyers whose opinion we value have told us they always want more Brookside label cherries.”
The new partners will begin shipping high-quality cherries in Felix Costa & Sons' famed Brookside label during the last week in April, according to a press release. Following the Brookside California season, Oppy will then transition into Orchard View cherries as harvest starts in June.
Brookside cherries are grown by the third generation of the Costa family, as well as affiliated cherry producers that focus on high-quality export cherries. The company maintains a diligent year-round effort in order to keep focused on cultivating superb cherries.
“Once we discovered that we were shipping a high percentage of our cherries to the same overseas customers as Oppy’s partner Orchard View, it made sense to consider working together,” Greg Costa, Partner in Felix Costa & Sons, said. “We spend a great deal of time in the orchards, focusing our efforts on a bigger, firmer, sweeter cherry. Careful orchard management is essential throughout the entire year.”
During the growing season, Costa acquires a thousand miles per week visiting associated orchards throughout California’s cherry-growing districuts to ensure that the fruit destined to bear the Brookside label meets its standards. Costa also chairs the California Cherry Board research committee.
Costa credits the Unitec optical sorter for putting the final polish on Brookside cherry packs. The Unitec was installed in Felix Costa & Sons’ packhouse four years ago.
“We’ve always had great quality, but the sorter establishes a base that makes us more consistent, and makes it easier to be consistent,” Costa continued.
Oppy stated that California cherry season will begin around a week later than last year due to cooler weather and a later boom. Oppy and Felix Costa & Sons will begin with the Brooks variety in late April, which will then be followed by Tulare, Coral Champagne, Garnet, and Bing–which represent the largest percentage of the Brookside label.
Oppy plans to spearhead a successful season with powerful spring cherry promotions, and interactive social media outreach. This outreach will include contests and other features in order to increase Brookside’s exposure in the North American market.
As cherry season ramps up, count on AndNowUKnow for all the latest.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – When you think selflessness in this industry, that sentiment is usually paired with thoughts of the Allen Lund Company (ALC). As we move into 2017, the company is making good on that reputation by continuing its Acts of Kindness from last year.
As Marketing Director Nora Trueblood recently told me, the company launched this new year of opportunites with a team bonding event at its annual Manager’s Meeting. The event was held in La Jolla, California, from February 26 to March 2.
“Our meeting theme this year was Allen's Army, and we were thrilled to team up with Team Bonding again by assembling 24 Military Care kits. The kits were presented to Colleen Cordaro of the San Diego USO," Nora tells me.
This deed counts as ALC’s 1st "official" Act of Kindness for 2017, in what will undoubtedly lead a year ripe with community enrichment by ALC, both in our own industry and communities at large. In 2016, in conjunction with their 40th Anniversary, the company completed 40 Acts of Kindness, which actually finished with 71 Acts.
"We have a great tradition of community service, and look forward to ALC offices across the country continuing Acts throughout 2017 and beyond," Nora continues.
How will the produce industry continue to pay it forward? AndNowUKnow will report.
WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms looks to be boosting its sales team to match continued growth in its volume of fresh berry offerings. Latest to join the ranks is fresh produce veteran Jonathan Sparks, who will be managing existing trading partner accounts as well as developing new business relationships.
The new addition started March 6, according to a recent release, bringing almost 20 years of produce industry experience. He previously worked as Produce Distributor for Drobnick Distributing and with Green Star Produce Marketing in Produce Sales. Most recently, Sparks served as Robinson Fresh’s Berry Category Manager.
California Giant noted Sparks’ experience would bring more strength as the team prepares for the berry season ahead.
“The timing is perfect to add to our team as we launch into the beginning of the Spring and we are very pleased Jonathan wanted to come on board,” said Anthony Gallino, VP of Sales. “He will definitely complement the existing group and provide the extra depth we really need.”
As we previously reported, California Giant also welcomed Foodservice Director Tom Smith in recent weeks, and the company said that Sparks, too, will bolster the team’s strength and provide opportunity for more analysis on current and potential business partnerships.
Over the last several years, California Giant has expanded acreage and growing regions for all berry types, but it said that it has not expanded the sales team until now.
Congratulations to Jonathan and the team on this newest chapter.