YAKIMA, WA - Domex Superfresh Growers® has added to the video series that gives a unique look into the growing side, this time featuring Chief Horticulturist of Kershaw Companies Dave Gleason on being about halfway through the apple harvest.

In this insightful video, Gleason discusses that looking ahead, Fuji, Cripps Pink, and the company’s signature, proprietary apple, the Autumn Glory®, are on the way.

“For us, we want to see an apple that first of all, is very pleasing to the person who eats it. We want an apple that gives a consistent, wonderful and exciting eating experience,” Gleason said. The company noted in a press release that, for Gleason and its growers, raising Autumn Glory trees has been a journey of finding the perfect variety.

“One that works for the growers from farm all the way to the finish line,” Gleason said of Autumn Glory. “We look for a variety that is easy to grow, productive, grows to the right size, is attractive and catches the eye, and an apple that consistently gives the right eating experience.”

Described as a complement to the season’s caramel and cinnamon flavors, delivering the tagline “Experience Autumn All Year.™”

Watch the video for yourself below.

Domex has wrapped up harvesting Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, and Gala apples for the season, and is currently in the midst of picking Red Delicious and Granny Smith.

As for its proprietary variety, the company is in its first stages of harvest now, with shipments to retailers slated for this fall.

Domex concluded that, after watching the Autumn Glory harvest all spring and summer, it is excited to finally share its signature apple with everyone.

Domex Superfresh Growers®

CAMARILLO, CA - Ever since Houweling’s Chairman of the Board, Casey Houweling, visited Impact Ministries in Tactic, Guatemala in 2012, he and the company were moved to action. Meeting Impact Ministries Founders, Les and Rita Peters, who have established six school sites in the country, Casey said he was struck by the opportunity to teach the children about nutrition and healthy eating habits, thus creating the Seeds of Tomorrow Project.

Casey stated, “I realized we could make a difference. From there, my vision for the Seeds of Tomorrow Project was born.”

Since Casey’s powerful visit, and with the help of KUBO Group, industry partners, and donations, Houweling’s spearheaded the construction of a propagation greenhouse. Opened on September 30, 2013, the company says an abundance of vegetables have been added to the daily meal program, as well as a new agriculture program and nutrition and home economic classes in the Impact Ministry schools. 

According to a press release, donations for a new commercial kitchen were raised in December 2015 through a Guatemalan themed Gala fundraiser in Ventura County, CA. Now feeding 1,600 children per day, the program provides high-quality food at $0.40 per meal. 

A former student, Edgar Suc, has now been appointed Head Farmer of the greenhouse, in charge of growing all produce for the meal programs, then selling the extra supplies in the market. Noticing that many of the schools’ students were deficient in iron, Casey pushed for the recent addition of kale to the greenhouse, which Suc has already implemented into meal.

“It is wonderful to see the children eat EVERYTHING we put on their plates,” Les remarked. “For me, seeing hungry children being fed is very emotional. I can’t imagine how they feel. They truly show their gratitude.”

Most recently, both Kubo Group and Houweling’s shipped Tactic’s school sites freight containers filled with school furniture, including desks, chairs, and musical instruments, as well as clothing and toys for the families. The company added that rain Ponchos were also purchased in order to keep the children dry as they walk to and from school each day. “The staff, students and the families receiving these items were very grateful. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to bless these special people,” added Peters.

For more information about Impact Ministries, please visit its website, www.impactministries.ca or www.impactministriesusa.org. Donations can be made to the Seeds of Tomorrow Project online at https://connect.egiving.com/seeds-of-tomorrow/impact-ministries-usa for the U.S., and Canadian donations can be made at http://www.impactministries.ca/donate-1-landing/.

Houweling's

SALINAS, CA - With the holidays coming ever closer, and consumers and retailers alike prepping for cabbage to be at the forefront of their menus, the current market for cabbage has been very active, with possibilities for an even tighter market in the future. 

As Jason Lathos, Manager of Commodities at Church Brothers Farms recently told me, the company has seen an increase in overall demand for supplies on the West Coast, as local crops and crops of the East Coast wind down production. 

“The market has been very active for two weeks,” Jason says. “FOB have hit a high of $18 to $20 with this increase in demand.” 

Jason says that the company has noted a segment-wide demand for cartons, as well as value-added items like shredded and diced Coleslaw. 

This increase in demand has been occurring at the same time as inconsistent weather in the Salinas area. Jason tells me that the crops have been seeing cooler than normal temperatures, which are then followed by a heat spike. These patterns could have an affect on the market on the near horizon.

“Quality remains great, but with the ground temperatures getting colder and the days already getting shorter, there is a forecast of tight supplies for future,” Jason finishes.

As the season progresses, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep a close eye on the market and consumer demand for the segment.  

Church Brothers Farms

POCANTICO, NY - The Musk name–associated with innovative ideas from urban farming methods to Mars missions–is now being added to the debate of where the future of ag is headed.

Kimbal Musk, younger brother of Tesla leader Elon Musk, Co-Founder of farm-to-table restaurant group the Kitchen, and Board Member for Chipotle, Tesla, and SpaceX, sees technological advancement, namely hydroponic farming, as our industry’s next chapter, it seems.

The entrepreneur in food and tech joined renowned Chef, Restaurant Owner, and author Dan Barber on The Next Kale and Quinoa panel at the New York Times Food For Tomorrow Conference 2016 on September 27, in Pocantico, NY.

Musk, who has led ventures to bring farming to children in the city, calls for hydroponic vertical farming technologies, controlled temperatures, artificial lighting, and soil-less nutrition, according to Bloomberg. 

Barber disagreed about our industry's next big moves, believing the roots should stay in the soil.

“It’s not making me hungry,” Barber told the audience at a panel on new food trends, Bloomberg reported, adding that he is often a supporter of crop rotations’ and the soil’s ability to improve flavor. “When Kimbal says you can dial in the flavor and colors you want, I don’t know that I want that kind of power. I’d rather have a region or environment express color and flavor.”

Musk had previously explained that lights inside the containers can be dialed to yield particular flavors, but that the greatest appeal is bringing young people into farming industry.

Barber contended that he doesn't know much about vertical farming, but wants to see more excitement about what goes on underground instead of above.

While the story does conclude with there not being enough containers yet for Musk’s vision to be a reality–he commented that 99.99 percent of products for his restaurants are from soil-grown foods–strong leaders in both tech and food coming together to discuss our industry’s future looks to be a promising start in strengthening the conversation.

SALINAS, CA - Foxy brand fresh produce’s marketing arm, The Nunes Company, Inc., announced the expansion of the Foxy Organic brand with the addition of several new items.

As organic production continues to grow, the company has unveiled organic dandelion greens, fennel, and leeks.

“Based on the increased consumer demand for our organic products, we now have 40 organic produce items available year-round,” said Laura Hastie, Marketing Assistant for The Nunes Company, in a press release. “Foxy is proud to now offer a complete line of organically grown vegetables to complement our existing line of conventionally grown vegetables. Our motto of “One Company, One Stop.” provides our customers with one-stop shopping for all fresh produce needs.”

The Nunes Company added that these latest additions come at the perfect time, all being used in a number of fall seasonal recipes. To help foster that demand, Foxy plans to launch four new recipes over the next few months, including instructional videos and consumer handling tips on both the Foxy website and its social media channels.

The company concluded that it expects continued growth for all organic products as we head into 2017. As that reach continues to spread, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for all the latest on the climbing category.

Foxy Fresh Produce

VALENCIA, CA - With a new citrus season fast-approaching, Sunkist Growers has announced a new lineup of strategy-focused Sales Directors. Lance McMillan has been promoted to Director of North American Sales, while Brian Slagel is now the company’s Director of Strategic Sales.

Having worked in the produce industry for over 18 years, McMillan brings a deep knowledge of packinghouse operations along with a proven track record in sales results to his new role. McMillan spent time previously working in Sunkist-affiliated packinghouses, as well as running his own agricultural marketing business before joining Sunkist in 2002 as Senior Account Manager for National Accounts.

The new Director of North American Sales is a graduate of San Diego State University and, according to a press release, was honored as a Dupont Fellow of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program’s class of 2000. 

Brian Slagel, the prior former Director of North American Sales, is now taking his 25-year produce career into his new position as Director of Strategic Sales. In this role, Slagel is taked with developing and overseeing sales accounts of strategic importance to the company while fostering further growth opportunities, Sunkist said.

Slagel began his career at Sunkist’s Pittsburgh sales office in 1991, shortly after graduating from Pennsylvania State University. After a stint in sales at Dole Citrus, Slagel returned to Sunkist as Manager of the Cleveland sales office in 1997, solidifying his place as a critical part of Sunkist’s sales network expansion and improvement. 

“Sunkist is looking forward to a strong citrus season ahead, and we are pleased to announce these strategic changes to our sales leadership structure,” commented Sunkist Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, John Striff. “Lance McMillan and Brian Slagel are seasoned executives who have a rich history with Sunkist and they bring tremendous value to our organization. We look forward to the contributions and growth opportunities they will both offer Sunkist in these new roles.”

Congrats to both Lance and Brian from AndNowUKnow as they take on their expanded roles in the company!

Sunkist