WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a recent USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- East and West Gourmet Afghan Food Inc., operating out of Livermore, CA, for failing to pay a $62,121 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Nazifa Sidiq and Billal Sidiq were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
- El Grupo Oso Inc., operating out of Pompano Beach, FL, for failing to pay a $26,224 award in favor of an Arkansas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Greyvi Fuenmayor and Robert A. Weiss were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business.
- Raz Trading LLC, operating out of Jersey City, NJ, for failing to pay a $22,164 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kevin T. Razzoli was listed as a member of the business.
PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.
The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
NEW YORK, NY & HOUSTON, TX - President of Brothers Produce, Brent Erenwert, has been announced as produce industry connection platform, Fruitspot's, new Director of Innovation.
“I am excited to join Fruitspot and look forward to working with the thousands of members who have already signed up and help lay the groundwork for several thousand more to join us,” said Erenwert in a press release. “[CEO] Jose has created a beautiful platform that I feel with my background and experience we can deliver what the industry has been hungry for.”
That background includes more than 18 years in the produce industry, having previously pioneered digital solutions specifically for the industry. Now, while maintaining his role as President of Brothers Produce, Erenwert will use those skills to oversee strategic direction, expansion, and operations of Fruitspot’s online industry network and social platform.
“I am thrilled that Brent will be joining our team,” Jose Baptista, CEO of Fruitspot, commented. “He shares our values and focus on innovation, and he places the same strong emphasis as we do on the user experience and providing real value for the industry. He has shown himself to be an extraordinary leader throughout his career, with a proven track record in both produce and building online networks for the industry.”
The company's technological network and social platform will seek to connect commercial buyers and sellers of fresh products faster, enabling the following to find new partners, manage their contacts, and solve business needs:
- Growers
- Shippers
- Wholesale distributors
- Retailers
- Foodservice companies
Taking place on one free online platform, with on-demand support and troubleshooting service, the company added that it will be available in more than 100 countries as of this month.
ONTARIO, CANADA – Walmart Canada has cut the ribbon on its newest Walmart Supercentre, as well as the innovative layout the company plans to use as a sort of prototype for its future stores.
The new store, located in the city of Guelph, boasts 121,000-square-feet, and emphasizes a new layout and signage to engage consumers in an easy manner. Guelph Today reported that one of the most noticeable additions was a large grocery section, displaying many Ontario-grown products.
“This store just brings a different shopping experience for our customers,” stated Truax to CTV News. “We have more of a contemporary feel, we’ve introduced lots of new organic items into the store, and we’re really trying to appease the customer.”
The new store opened in the vacant space previously held by Target, and will provide jobs for approximately 170 people. This store marks the 406th location for the retailer in Canada. Guelph Today reported that “shoppers were impressed” with the new layout and store format.
The Mayor of Guelph, Cam Guthrie, issued a written statement that he valued the “human-scale” of the store’s layout, which opened up the store’s space, made merchandise more visible, and added brightness to the store.
The city celebrated the opening yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the city’s mayor, and a giant Walmart cake. More festivities are planned for this Saturday.
As Walmart expands its North American reach, and retailers continue to shift strategies and store formats to stay ahead in the competitive market, AndNowUKnow will have the latest.
CHELAN, WA – As the industry gears up for another season flush with pears, Chelan Fresh is looking forward to an exceptional harvest and a variety of consumer-friendly packaging to meet demand.
As Kathryn Grandy, Marketing Manager at Chelan Fresh, recently told me, the company is offering a wide variety of pears this year to provide retailers with plenty of options to enhance the pear-buying experience. Main line varieties will be shipped in new variety specific, high-graphic pouch bags.
“This year, we are growing nine varieties of Organic Asian pears,” Kathryn says of the company’s Organic lineup. “Both our crops for our Organic Anjou and Organic Bosc pears have doubled in size this year.”
Kathryn expects the company’s crop of Organic pears in general to continue its significant increase over the next year. Chelan Fresh growers continue to transition many acres each year to Organic in response to consumer demand for the burgeoning segment.
The company also continues to ramp up production of its Conventional pear varieties as well, offering unique varieties such as Starkrimson and Concorde.
Chelan Fresh has started packing both its Conventional and Organic pears over the past week, and will pick pears through September. The company will offer its consumers pears all the way into spring.
“North Central Washington has the perfect pear-growing climate,” states Kathryn. “Where Honeycrisp grows exceptionally well, so do pears!”
As the season continues and Chelan Fresh begins to pack and ship pears, AndNowUKnow will keep up with the lastest pear-focused news within the industry.
UNION GROVE, NC - The black market continues to seek a piece of the produce industry, with melons looking to be sought after on an international scale.
A number of watermelons and cantaloupes were reportedly stolen last weekend, at some time between 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and 6 a.m. Sunday, July 31, in North Carolina.
The victim is a Union Grove farm in Iredell County, according to news source Statesville Record & Landmark, from whom five varieties of watermelons and cantaloupes were taken.
The specific varieties stolen were not reported. Deputies from the local sheriff's office were called to the scene upon the discovery, but no suspects were listed and the case remains open with the melons still unfound.
This is the latest in a string of reports where produce has been the product of choice for nefarious purposes, as we have previously reported. In recent weeks a man was arrested and charged for stealing 2.66 tons of tomatoes in India, while a “theft ring” was recently exposed after taking approximately $190,000 worth of produce freight for resale.
As we look to push more legitimate means of increased popularity for fresh produce, continue to get all your industry news from AndNowUKnow.
CORONA, CA - As the company’s organic sales continue to exceed expectations and it expands its organic acreage, Veg-Fresh Farms has hired industry veteran Kellie Weaver to join the National Sales Team for the Good Life Organic™ brand.
Weaver joins the Veg-Fresh Farms family after an eight year tenure with Dulcinea. There she was tasked with tailoring marketing and sales programs to meet customer’s needs. Her other industry experience included a role at Ayco Farms, and an Agricultural Business Marketing degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also is a graduate of PMA’s Career Pathways program and participated in the PMA Emerging Leaders Program in 2015.
Category Manager for Good Life Organic™, Anthony Innocenti, shared that Kellie is a welcome addition to the team, which has been working hard to keep up with the growing success of the program.
“The overwhelming positive response we have seen from our new programs, label, and new packaging, has created the necessity for our team to expand,” Innocenti elaborated in a press release. “With the addition on our organic melon, citrus, pineapple, and grape programs we needed someone with Kellie’s sales expertise to present our customers with new items, new programs and fantastic promotional opportunities.”
Dino Cancellieri, a Partner at Veg-Fresh Farms, had more to add about the company’s core philosophies of hiring the right person for the job.
“At Veg-Fresh Farms we pride ourselves on our collaborative team approach, and how each person’s contribution supports our company’s goals and strategic plans, Cancellieri notes. “Coupled with her sales experience and knowledge, she is the right person to join our National Sales Team.”
This hire comes on the heels of the company’s success at the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey last month, which Cancellieri says further supports Veg-Fresh Farms’ expansion of Good Life Organic™ and its commitment to hire new talent.
Looking forward to seeing all the great work Kellie Weaver and Veg-Fresh will do together!
LEAMINGTON, ON - Zing! Healthy Foods™, an entity of Orangeline Farms™, is ready to ship their latest crop of Amazing European Runner Beans. The company was a pioneer in re-introducing these beans to North America in 2013. This year the demand for the beans, twice the length and size of a typical green bean, has been at an all-time high.
“Foodies can delight in these beans since they’re so versatile," mentions Jordan Kniaziew VP, Sales and Marketing for Zing! Healthy Foods™, according to a press release, “they always have a dedicated spot on my BBQ, and I cook them like I would asparagus. A coating of olive oil, lightly seasoned and dusted with some freshly grated parmesan.”
From seed to harvest, the bean stalks only take four weeks to grown over 12’ high, and are available almost year round from Zing! Healthy Foods™. “Our team is excited to get these to market and in homes while continuing the momentum we’ve had in North America,” commented Kniaziew.
The company stated that these beautiful beans pack an enormous amount of health benefits with an impressive list of nutrients. In a typical serving, there is 15% of the daily recommended fiber, making them a great alternative to fibrous smoothies and drinks.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all the latest produce updates and market information.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – The strained working agreement between grocers in Southern California and its unionized workers may be coming to a close as sources are reporting that a tentative agreement was reached yesterday between the groups.
The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that according to United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135, grocery workers and stores have reached a possible agreement that would prevent the strike of thousands of employees in the region.
UFCW stated that the details of the contract would not be released until its members first get an opportunity to review the agreement, and then vote on its contents. Voting is to take place on Monday, August 8, 2016.
The UFCW represents around 47,000 employees of Ralphs and Albertsons, which includes the Vons, Pavilions, and Safeway banners.
“This deal could not have happened without the strength and solidarity of our dedicated members,” wrote UFCW Local 135 in a Facebook post, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ralphs Spokeswoman Kendra Doyel stated that the company had proposed pay increases and changes to pension and health care plans, although she did not expand on the included deal details.
“We remain committed to finding solutions that will be good for our associates and keep Ralphs competitive in the market,” she wrote in an emailed statement, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
As we previously reported, the union authorized a strike last month following prolonged negotiations and proposed terms that neither party could agree to. Workers were seeking fair scheduling practices, living wages, and pension and health care benefits.
As more information unfolds, AndNowUKnow will provide the latest in potential strike or agreement-based news.
BURLINGTON, WA - Fall will be here before we know it, and with it comes crisp cold air, turning both leaves and pumpkins! From painted pumpkins to ornate ornamentals, Bay Baby Produce has it all.
For the company, fall is on the mind year-round as it browses Pinterest looking for what’s new and hot as the team re-creates the latest trends for those of us who may be a little less than crafty.
Pumpkin harvest begins sooner than you think in mid-August, and will ship into stores from September through October. Carving pumpkins typically starts later in the fall, but at Bay Baby Produce the motto is “Save the pumpkin, spare the knife. Paint the pumpkin, give it life.”
How is this accomplished? Through its proprietary painting process that puts vibrant images such as faces, silhouettes and skulls on wee bee and pie-size pumpkins. These unique small pumpkins are perfect for shoppers to grab while back-to-school shopping.
Founder, Michele Youngquist, tells me,“It’s a great way to start your fall decorating. Perfect for your table, counter, porch, or desk.”
While pumpkins themselves are already aesthetically pleasing Bay Baby Produce’s painted pumpkins take the category to an entirely new level. The company’s painting and production process allows for consistent, top quality painted pumpkins. Michele’s advice to retailers, “Get your order in now to get on the production schedule. Having your store set early is a key to a successful fall pumpkin program.”
Bay Baby Produce believes that it’s essential to make decorating easy for the consumer. Its Mixed ½ Pallet Displays come with headers that show customers how to easily mix the long stem ornamentals with painted pumpkins for an eye catching centerpiece. Michele tells me, “What makes our Sparkler, Tiger, and Casper unique is the elegant long stem. When decorating, it adds texture and color.” The Long Stem Ornamental Trio, as coined by Michele, can be sold at the same price. This encourages customers to buy all three instead of just one.
With pumpkins on the brain, get a jump on Bay Baby Produce’s Fall program now, before the crop leaves you behind!
WENATCHEE, WA - Welcome to What's In Store.
Journey with us now to central Washington, where Stemilt Growers is now harvesting its Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines.
In season from mid-July to mid-September, 2016 marks the 8th year Stemilt’s entire crop of peaches and nectarines has been grown and certified organic. With the help of 4th generation family farmers, the Douglas family of Pasco, WA, Stemilt is joining natural farming practices with a great climate of warm days and cool nights to produce large, sweet, and juicy, organic peaches and nectarines that burst with flavor.
Carrying organic peaches and nectarines is a great way for retailers to differentiate themselves, and boost their stonefruit and organic categories during the last weeks of summer. To share the wonderful story of Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines with your shoppers, Stemilt has a variety of merchandising options available–from pop-up bins and grower story signage to recipes, digital assets, and more.
With organic being in high demand throughout the grocery store, especially in the produce aisles, now is the time to share the summer flavors of Stemilt’s Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines with your shoppers!
Thank you for watching What's In Store.