SACRAMENTO, CA – California citizens will need to watch their water usage even more carefully as the state is letting water agencies enact new penalties on excessive users during times of restricted water use.
"Households that guzzle water—while their neighbors and most other Californians abide by mandatory reductions—will no longer be able to hide and persist in their excess," said State Democratic Senator Jerry Hill of Redwood City, who wrote the measure, according to The Mercury News.
Governor Jerry Brown signed this new water law into being late Monday, which will go into effect on January 1. The law dictates that every retail urban water suppliers with more than 3,000 customers must develop definitive rules establishing “excessive water use,” allowing penalties to follow for the rules being surpassed.
Once these rules are established, water agencies will be able to charge a higher amount to people who use more than their established target, or fine institutions which are using more than their set amount. If a fine is triggered for a water consumer, this new state law mandates that the violator’s name be made public.
Hill reportedly told that The Mercury News that he pushed the bill, called SB 814, after recognizing the disparity between water users who were abusing restrictions, and the lack of incentives for them to cease their practices.
Hill continued to state that prior to the law being signed, users could simply sign a check after being charged the same rate per amount used for water, no matter how much water they were using as penalties and restrictions were only electively developed by water agencies.
Such high tier names which were released by the East Bay Municipal Utility District as excessive water use violators, included Oakland A’s Exec Billy Beane, Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil, and Chevron Vice President George Kirkland.
The new law and the resulting restrictions will be mandatory any time California is declared in a drought emergency by Governor Brown. The state of California has been in an emergency state since January of 2014.
How will this law impact the industry, and what further developments will occur as the state pursues water conservation? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated as the news unfolds.
TEMECULA, CA - With Compac’s Inspectra internal quality sorting system, produce companies can virtually see inside their products to “weed out” those with poor quality. Using safe, non-invasive, near-infrared (NIR) technology, Inspectra calculates grade values that determine the internal properties of the produce, then helps sort it accordingly. One happy customer of Compac’s Insepctra technology is avocado producer Eco Farms, whose former General Manager, Matthew Clark, spoke on the company’s behalf in a recent Compac case study.
Clark shared in an interview on Compac’s technologies that the NIR system has two separate uses.
"One is the every day pack out," Clark explained, adding it allows measuring the dry matter and, with that, the ability to pack a more uniform box.
“The other aspect is for repack. After the product has been rejected or had issues,” Clark continued. “This is a good way of being able to distinguish the fruit that's mixed in pressure or mixed in internal discoloration.”
One of the major benefits of Inspectra’s NIR technology is the fact you can check for internal quality without having to waste or damage the fruit in any way. The demand for avocados in the industry is growing by double digits and the supply is currently growing by single digits, Clark says, making machinery equipment that prevents food waste more important than ever to keep up with customers’ needs.
“These machines allow us to have a second chance with the fruit,” Clark assures.
Want to learn even more about Compac’s Inspectra technology and the benefits it brings its customers? Watch the full case study above, and visit www.compacsort.com.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA – What major changes are coming to the food industry, and how can companies thrive and stay ahead of these shifts? As Southern Innovation approaches at the end of next month, I spoke with educational speaker Richard Worzel to learn that and more about his upcoming involvement with the Southeast Produce Council’s event.
“I’m going to give them [attendees] some perspective of what’s coming at them, the problems that they will encounter if they don’t prepare, and try to talk to them about the things they can do in order to prepare,” Richard divulges, outlining futurist tips and methods of creativity as critical to every successful fresh produce company.
Richard, a leading futurist and best-selling author, will speak at the Symposium on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 9 am (EST). His educational workshop for attendees of the event is titled “The Future of Food.”
Richard says in addition to analyzing changes and the concept of innovation in the industry, as well as its resulting impact on a company, he plans to delve into other industry-wide issues such as the changing genetics of food, how the market is changing, the influence of technology, and the impact of food ingredients.
The Southern Innovations Symposium will take place from September 29 - October 1 at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA.
Want to learn more about which tips Richard plans to highlight during Southern Innovations as necessary for prosperous companies in the industry? Listen to my audio interview above, and visit the Southern Innovations site here.
CARLISLE, PA - With sustainability at the forefront of industry initiatives, Giant Food Stores has announced that its Lewisburg store received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building certification.
“Giant is proud to invest in sustainable retailing technologies to reduce waste and save energy and lessen our environmental impact,” Tom Lenkevich, President of Giant Food, said in a press release. “This includes utilizing green building technologies on newer stores such as Lewisburg, and making existing stores more energy efficient, including replacing open refrigerated food cases with closed doors.”
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED rating system is one of the leading programs for buildings, homes, and communities operating with green technologies.
The chain’s Lewisburg store, which just finished its first year of operation, having opened in August of 2015, operates with the following green technologies:
- LED lighting and skylights to significantly reduce energy needs
- Warm concrete floors instead of tile to reduce cleaning solutions
- Water efficient landscaping and fixtures
- Low-emitting, local, and recycled materials the store’s construction
This is the sixth Giant Food store to achieved LEED certification as the company looks to rise in sustainability, as well as water savings, energy efficiency, and more to reduce its carbon footprint.
CINCINNATI, OH – Kroger may be in moves to expand its portfolio even further into the supermarket realm with new possibilities on the horizon, pending Walgreens upcoming acquisition of Rite Aid, and Kroger's interest in the soon-to-be divested stores.
As Walgreens will need to sell some of Rite Aid’s stores, analysts have marked Kroger as a potential prime bidder given its rumored buying interest in the stores more than a year ago, according to the Cincinnati Business courier.
Walgreens stated that with the acquistion’s close by the end of the year, it was willing to sell up to 1,000 Rite Aid stores. However, experts predict that it will likely only need to sell around half that number.
So just where does Kroger come in? While Kroger is the nation’s fifth-largest pharmacy operation with 2,200 in-store locations, experts are speculating that Kroger could use the purchase of Rite Aid stores even further than just a pharmary expansion to boost its supermarket sales.
The potential purchase could see Kroger using the prime Rite Aid locations to build its own supermarkets in the surrounding area, or branching out further into the urban format trend that Kroger has been investing in.
Walgreens’ parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance reached a deal with the Rite Aid in October of last year to acquire the chain’s 4,600 stores.
Kroger officials have yet to comment on the prospective acquisition of stores.
Will Kroger soon be working up a Rite Aid bid to launch its supermarket chain even further into the nation’s reach? AndNowUKnow will continue to report as the situation develops.
LOS BANOS, CA - As we approach the close of our fifth consecutive summer drought, California growers are looking to another kind of technology to trim on water use.
With the use of drones equipped with state-of-the-art thermal cameras, some growers are monitoring their fields from the sky for things like leaks in irrigation lines and areas that need more attention.
As they become both easier to use and more affordable, NBC News reports that drone technology is becoming more and more of a farm tool in not only California, but also Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Latin America.
“Hook it up to a smartphone. Boom. Take off and you're in business,'' said Ian Smith of San Francisco-based DroneDeploy, an industry leader in drone software development.
More recently, growers can order a commercial-grade drone online for $2,000 and receive it in the mail days later, Smith continued.
While many farmers have not yet exercised the full potential the technology presents, a few spanning from ranchers to fresh produce growers have, and reported the potential of saving enough water to equate hundreds of family households, according to the report.
One thing that may help open the doors a little wider is a change in the rules of the operation for commercial drones.
Yesterday, August 29, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a system to grant exemptions to some rules for those companies who show they can operate drones safely, requiring a written test instead of flying and gaining a $150 license. With an estimated 600,000 drones hitting the skies this year, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta stated that the administration created an environment where emerging technology can be rapidly introduced while protecting the safety of the world’s airspace, according to CBS News.
Brandon Stark, Director of the University of California's Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety, said the change, and emerging technologies, could further attract growers to using drones as tools.
"We're just getting started. The research is still inits infancy,” Stark told NBC, adding that he is seeking drone use that would enable the ag industry to diagnose what ails a plant, such as deficiencies in water, from the sky instead of the field.
We will continue to report as technologies and innovations seek to save water and other resources in the fresh produce industry.
QUERETARO, MX – After achieving a successful First Stage, Agropark has announced that the Second Stage of its integral center for smart greenhouses will begin on September 7, 2016.
The announcement was made by Agropark’s Managing Director, Alberto Amkie. According to a press release, the Second Stage will directly offer 5,000 jobs to the community, and another 2,300 indirect jobs.
Agropark serves as a unique agro industrial park speciailizing in the production of vegetables and flowers with exportation quality. The company announced the Second Stage of its operations in response to the success of its First Stage, satisfying the needs of both its investors and employers.
The First Stage of Agropark resulted in 2,400 jobs and has serviced 11 national and international agricultural companies. The company’s currently 295 hectares will soon boast an additional 528 hectares, transforming Agropark into an Agro Smart Solutions Center.
This expansion will increase the number of greenhouse hectares from 180 to 220 hectares. The remaining 362 hectares coming from the Second Stage will be utilized for warehouses, green areas (parks), and a residential zone of 50 hectares to improve the quality of life for the park’s employees.
Currently, the warehouses at Agropark yield up to 560 tonnes per hectare of tomatoes, and 275 tonnes per hectare of pepper, for each cycle.
The company stated that Agropark is one of the most ambitious agro industrial projects in Mexico and the world, due in part to its comprehensive vision, efficiency, and environmentally responsible technology. Through this cluster of high-tech greenhouses, Agropark stated that is positioning itself to become the first Agro Smart Solutions Center in the American continent.
Agropark, and its resulting concept, was developed by entrepreneurs that believed in the Mexican field and industry talent; showcasing a new vision and commitment to produce high quality products from the country.
In addition to its exportable products, Agropark offers its clients water wells, infrastructure for channeling rainwater, wastewater treatment, paved interior roads, medium power and natural gas distribution, among other details.
As Agropark undergoes its Second Stage, with eyes set on even further growth, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest developments.
GLENNVILLE, GA - Temperatures are beginning to cool and we’re entering the last stretch of 2016, where root vegetables like onions and sweet potatoes will start taking center stage on menus. AndNowUKnow connected with industry expert Delbert Bland, President and Owner of Bland Farms, to reflect on the sweet onion season and forecast what is to come.
“We’ve been blessed. The Vidalia onions have been good this year, and I went down to Peru recently to take a look at the upcoming onion crop to find that it is excellent. Overall, crop has been fantastic,” said Delbert, adding, “The demand is just right. People naturally love Vidalia onions, and what makes the Peruvian onion so great is that it comes from the same seed variety, just grown in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Bland Farms does all of its own growing in Peru, with Georgia personnel doing regular site visits to check in on quality. However, Delbert explains, because the region isn’t too rainy and has consistent weather, the seasons are much more predictable.
"Demand for both sweet potatoes and sweet onions is excellent. Demand continues to trend upwards due to their versatility and nutritional values,” said Jeff Rhoden, Senior Sales Manager at Bland Farms.
Bland Farms is launching into its third year of sweet potato production, slated to harvest the first week of September.
Sweet potatoes have been coming from storage since the 2015 harvest, so the fresh crop will be a welcome addition to the Bland Farms lineup of products.
ATLANTIC OCEAN - Now positioned about 160 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida, the tropical disturbance known as 99L has strengthened to become Tropical Depression Nine, and is still on track to bring stormy weather to parts of Florida. The system may even strengthen further, meteorologists say, becoming a tropical storm as it heads into the Gulf of Mexico.
"As Tropical Depression Nine moves farther away from Cuba, it will be moving into an area more favorable for strengthening,” explained AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski. AccuWeather’s latest report suggests that the storm will make landfall along the western side of central and northern Florida later this week, following to the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas during Labor Day weekend.
As reported by the National Hurricane Center, the depression may bring about 4 to 8 inches of rain over Cuba, with some areas potentially receiving up to 12 inches of rain through Wednesday. As for Florida and including the Florida Keys, rain totals may reach between 3 and 5 inches through Wednesday, with isolated areas seeing as much as 7 inches. Those in the affected areas should prepare for flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center warned.
"Enhanced showers and gusty thunderstorms can be expected, with localized flooding possible along the system's path,” added AccuWeather Meteorologist Ed Vallee.
As the system continues to strengthen into tropical storm territory and beyond, AndNowUKnow will keep you updated, including possible effects on the state’s agriculture.
SAN DIEGO, CA – In a concentrated effort to highlight families cooking nutritious and delicious meals together, Produce for Kids has partnered with Meijer to present a national photo contest through the rock and roll-based nutrition show, Jump with Jill.
“Our goal is to provide simple solutions to help families enjoy home meals more frequently,” said Shari Steinbach, Lead Dietitian and Nutrition Manager for Meijer. “Research has shown that family meals have both health and money-saving benefits.”
The campaign is an extension of Jump with Jill’s live national tour, presented by Meijer, and will recognize family-style cooking with the #FamilyFoodRockstar photo contest. According to a press release, by sharing pictures of themselves shopping, cooking, or preparing meals together, families will have the chance to win a $100 Meijer gift card.
“When families cook at home, the meals tend to be lower in fat and salt, have more fruits and vegetables, and are better portioned,” said Jump with Jill Creator, Jill Jayne. “But the benefits of family meals are beyond just nutritional. The social and emotional connections kids strengthen with their families when they eat together help kids perform better academically, engage less in high risk behaviors, and reduce their risk for obesity and disordered eating. How could we not get behind encouraging families to make time to eat together?”
The contest will run from September 1 – October 4 for residents of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. To enter the contest, consumers need only to follow the below steps:
- Get cooking: Decide on a healthy and delicious dinner using the Produce for Kids and Meijer recipes, available here
- Share a photo: Capture themselves at any stage of meal creation and post to social media with the hashtag #FamilyFoodRockstar
- Stay tuned: Like or follow Jump with Jill on social media to find out if they’ve won a $100 Meijer gift card
This Family Food Rockstar campaign and partnership with Jump with Jill and Meijer, will follow the recent string of Produce for Kids partnerships to educate consumers about healthy eating, while raising funds for kid-centered nonprofits.
Jump with Jill was created by a Registered Dietitian and musician, to give nutritional education through catchy songs and upbeat dance moves to keep kids engaged on the subject of health. Meijer and its 223 supercenters and grocery stores offers consumers a quality and affordable selection of fruits and vegetables to use as a foundation for healthy eating.
For further instructions and requirements, visit the Jump With Jill website here.