SACRAMENTO, CA – As the industry and the state of California await the fate of the rumored water tunnels running from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, it appears the prospective plan has cleared another hurdle after the most recent ruling by the California Supreme Court.
The courts ruled yesterday that, if enacted, Governor Jerry Brown’s $15.7 billion plan to build the two tunnels would not have to pay landowners rent to access thousands of acres of private property for the project’s preliminary tests, according to news source scpr.org.
State officials argued prior to the ruling that the impending tests would not significantly damage the land, and the state should only be required to compensate those landowners whose land suffered any actual damage or interference. If the state had lost the ruling, it could have added millions of dollars to the Governor’s plan.
The two tunnel project would install four-story high pipes underneath the ground for 35 miles, taking thousands of gallons of water a second from the Delta to cities and farmland in the southern regions of the state.
The testing will require access to around 150 properties, spanning tens of thousands of acres throughout the San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Solano, Sacramento, and Yolo counties, as was listed in court documents according to scpr.org.
Environmental testing for the project would include soil samples and trapping certain animals, while geological testing would include boring holes up to eight inches in diameter, and 205 feet into the earth. After the testing, the holes would be filled. Opponents to the plan are concerned that the testing will destroy land, and disrupt fertilizer and pesticide use.
As the state and its opponents inch closer to a final decision regarding the water tunnels and use of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, AndNowUKnow will have your up-to-the-minute news on this and other water debates.
ZAANDAM, NETHERLANDS - The 13-month-long process of marrying European retailers Ahold and Delhaize is set to come to a close tomorrow, July 23, the companies announced.
Currently, the only thing preventing the $28 billion merger is FTC approval, the last regulatory okay the deal needs, which has not yet been announced. The companies have, however, divested 86 U.S. stores to several established retailers to ease any of the FTC’s concerns, and appear confident that those concerns have been abated.
“Subject to completion of the merger on July 23, 2016, ordinary shares in the combined company, Ahold Delhaize, would begin trading on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Brussels with ticker symbol AD on Monday, July 25, 2016,” both Delhaize and Ahold stated in separate press releases, adding that Ahold Delhaize American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) will trade over-the-counter in the United States.
As the two have approached the end of this month, and likewise the end of the prelude to being one international retail giant, Delhaize’s stock has steadily climbed since June, standing yesterday at +.04% to $28.13 USD per share. According to the company, today, July 22, should be the last trading date of the Delhaize ordinary shares on Euronext Brussels.
If the FTC gives the go-ahead, it would mean the end of a deal just over a year in the making, not to mention a failed attempt to bring the two together back in 2006/2007. As we await news of whether this merger will be made before the month is out, as both Ahold and Delhaize have continually strived for, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Wendy’s attention to berries is garnering national attention, having just been featured in a comprehensive New York Times piece about “the dawn of freshness.”
Included in the feature is the partnership California Giant has with Wendy’s to provide fresh blackberries for its menu.
“Once people see blackberries in a Wendy’s salad, the writing’s on the wall that it’s going to be a new consumer trend and that there’s going to be a higher consumer demand for blackberries moving forward,” Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant, told the New York Times.
As we have reported previously, California Giant’s strawberries have been featured in Wendy’s menu items, and the fast food chain has recently turned its attention to blackberries as well. In turn, as the New York Times noted, the berry company has worked with its growers to meet Wendy’s blackberry requirements and told the publication that “the willingness of its independent growers to adjust their crop for a single customer was unprecedented.”
In the piece, the publication reports that Wendy’s customers may not be aware of all the work that went into getting the fresh, seasonal ingredients for the Wendy’s Summer Berry Chicken Salad, and the number of people behind it.
By featuring the work and the stories behind meeting fresh demand, the “farm” in bringing farm to the fork, that is being brought to the forefront of reading consumers.
To read the full New York Times article, click here.
Continue to read AndNowUKnow as we look to see recognition of fresh produce and the people of our industry on the rise.
NEW YORK - The state of New York has officially issued a drought watch, the first of four levels of state drought advisories ("watch," "warning," "emergency," and “disaster”). This is the first drought watch in the state since 2002.
"While most public water supplies are still generally normal throughout the state, below normal precipitation over the last nine months, low stream flows, and reduced groundwater levels have prompted the need for this action," explained New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos, in a statement. "We are encouraging residents throughout the state to conserve water whenever possible during the coming months."
While there are currently no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place, according to news source The Bradford Era, local public water suppliers may choose to require them depending on what the local need is.
According to the latest report from the National Drought Mitigation Center, nearly one quarter of New York state is in a severe drought and about 47 percent of the state is in either moderate or severe drought.
Other highlights from that report include:
- Nearly 17 million New Yorkers live in areas affected by the drought
- Forty-one percent of New York is in the pre-drought phase of "abnormally dry"
- The only areas that are not dry or in drought are the Mohawk Valley and the northern half of St. Lawrence County
While it is too early to tell how this may affect the state’s fresh produce industry, it's important to note that there may end up being water restrictions in the future if the state increases the drought advisory from “watch,” to one of the higher levels. AndNowUKnow will provide the industry with updates as we continue to look to the state’s water supply.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – As the company continues to take strong steps towards engaging consumers, Southeastern Grocers has debuted the first of its new store concept for the company’s chain of Harveys Supermarket; part of the Southeastern Grocers extensive store remodel program for 2016.
“While our store is undergoing dramatic changes and improvements, our commitment to providing great value and service to our customers will remain our top priority, as we continue to invest in lower prices and new jobs for Charlotte,” stated Ian McLeod, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers.
The new store design debuted this week at a new Harveys location in Charlotte, NC, which was previously the location of the Southeastern Grocer’s banner, BI-LO. The company stated in a press release that the new concept design put a focus on great value, stunning quality food, and service with personality.
The new store featured a wide number of enhancements and changes, which the company stated was also tweaked for the Charlotte community. The Harveys redesign featured the following:
- Refreshed produce department, emphasizing fruits and vegetables from North Carolina farmers
- More than 450 Southern Home products priced “Low and Staying Low” with identifiable markers
- New $1 Zone in the store, featuring more than 650 items
- New hot wing bar
- Locally-made grocery favorites
- Expanded meat department
- “Pick 5” section, featuring more than 75 items with average discount of 25%
In addition to the refreshed facelift, the Harveys store also debuted a new pricing campaign called “Low and Staying Low.” This campaign marks down the products which customers shop for the most, and keeps their prices low for at least six months. The program added 350 products from BI-LO's original Down Down campaign, to offer more than 850 items at a reduced price.
Not only does the redesign mark an uptick in the company’s strategy for consumer-focused design, but the first store to receive this remodel is also the chains first Harveys location in North Carolina.
“Charlotte is a vibrant city that is growing and changing quickly, and we recognized an opportunity to provide a fresh store for this community,” finished McLeod.
The company stated that it hired 40 new associates for the transition from the BI-LO to the newly designed Harvey’s, in addition to retaining the original BI-LO's staff, and kept the rewards program and Southern Home products in the store for consumer familiarity.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the store gifted the first 500 customers with a free 12-pack of soda, a Harveys reusable bag, food samples, and featured a local band.
As Southeastern Grocers continues to revamp its banners under the company’s 2016 remodel program, AndNowUKnow will have the latest in design innovations, and produce’s role within.
LEAMINGTON, ON - Come one, come all, and bring your hogs! As we enter the month of July, Double Diamond Farms is gearing up for the inaugural Hogs for Hospice Motorcycle Rally in support of Leamington Hospital Foundation & Erie Shores Hospice to be held in Leamington, Ontario. The event will take place July 29th through the 31st with a 158 Km ride as one of the many highlights.
As a major sponsor of this first-of-its-kind event open to all in Leamington, Double Diamond will be contributing tickets for veterans and service members for the entire event, which includes entry into the Bret Michaels concert.
You can register for the ride here and snag your concert tickets here!
“Veterans and active military members provide such an invaluable service to Canadians and Americans and we felt that this was a great way to be able to give back to them,” Benji Mastronardi, President/CEO Double Diamond Acres Ltd., shared as he spoke about the importance of the cause and supporting the event. “We hope that everyone considers coming out to this event, whether you are on a motorcycle, checking out the daily concerts and activities, or supporting your friends and family.”
Benji Mastronardi is also one of the five founding members of the event and, along with numerous staff members, will be participating and volunteering throughout the weekend.
And yes, you heard us right, Bret Michaels will be performing live and that is not all that will be getting your motor running. While Bret and the rally will keep attendees busy on Saturday, guests on Friday July 29th will see the BIA of Leamington close the uptown core and host a Friday Night Party to welcome visitors to a showcase of more than 50 merchants and businesses in the area. On Sunday July 31st, the uptown will again be bathed in light as it hosts the Essex-Kent Vintage Motorcycle Group. The Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) who focuses on use, restoration, and interest in older motorcycles will display motorcycles for the new and the seasoned rider.
In addition to Double Diamond paying for entry for veterans and active service members, the company will also be in force with volunteers for the three days of festivities as well as with greenhouse produce for attendees to feast on.
Registration to the organized ride on Saturday July 30th is now available and will take participants along 158 Km of local sights and attractions, including a tour of the Canada’s Southern-most tip inside of Point Pelee National Park. In addition, the first 500 ride registrants will receive $5.00 off the cost of the Bret Michaels concert ticket.
“We feel that this is such an important cause because we have had friends and family affected by life threatening illnesses and the Leamington Hospital Foundation & Erie Shores Hospice are great organizations that provides proper care for people that have been affected,” Chris Mastronardi, President/CEO, shared.
This event brings it all together: produce, philanthropy, a picturesque ride, and of course Bret Michaels. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to support a great cause in a great town.
HAMMONTON, NJ - Like many other great American stories from history, Frank Donio, Inc. originated from humble beginnings. At the rise of the 20th century our founder, Frank Donio, a first generation Italian immigrant, saw an opportunity for success by supplying fresh, locally grown produce to the rising populations of New York City, Northern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Frank began with one unrefrigerated truck, over eighty-five years ago, unknowingly laying the foundations of a family tradition that would continue for generations.
Today, the size and scope of that same company has expanded; growing, sourcing and marketing fruits and vegetables, with offices and relationships throughout all of North and South America, all while maintaining Frank’s original vision to supply communities with quality fresh produce.
Donio’s was built on a reputation of trust and we back our business with our family name. 80 plus years of experience in the production process sets Donio’s apart from the rest. From seed to shelf we cultivate over one thousand acres of Jersey Fresh Blueberries and vegetables. Combining expert market forecasting and longstanding grower relationships ensure a ready supply of product to customers.
Donio’s demands the latest technical and marketing innovations and the highest premium supply of fruits and vegetables, receiving fresh product daily into a climate controlled facility of over 175,000 square feet. Removing field heat on site, through vacuum, forced air and hydrocooling, ensures a longer shelf life and more satisfied customers.
Since Frank’s single truck, Frank Donio, Inc. now runs our own fleet of refrigerated trucks and trailers to ensure freshness during transit. Custom packing orders with ice, so products are delivered safely and on time. Donio’s is there to meet the unique needs of the produce marketplace 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Fresh and on time, from coast to coast.
Years of experience, a strong network of growers, and a vertically integrated business model, guarantee year-round access to a complete line of products. Full line, full time, with quality as our family tradition. At Donio’s, it’s not good enough for your family, unless it’s good enough for ours.
WENATCHEE, WA - Kanzi® apples are hitting the U.S. from the Southern Hemisphere in peak numbers this week. CMI, exclusive importer, announced that Kanzi® will continue to arrive into August to coincide with the final sales months of the Southern Hemisphere import apple season.
“Kanzi® volume increased 104% as more than 4,500 stores nationally jumped on this hot new apple,” Robb Myers, Vice President of Sales for CMI, said in a press release, commenting that a strong domestic Kanzi® program has established the apple with consumers and built demand for this intensely-flavored apple.
Myers said Kanzi® apples imported from New Zealand and Chile help energize category sales for supermarkets at the most challenging part of the apple season.
“This is the time of year where supermarkets are fighting to hold customer transactions in the apple category. Even in summer, apples are important to overall produce department sales because they are the second largest fruit category at retail," Myers said. "We’re seeing something totally new–high quality, branded apples like Kanzi® helping retailers boost consumer transactions at the traditional low point of the apple season in the weeks before our new crop begins to hit the stores.”
The company noted that, according to Nielsen data over the last 52 weeks, “no other apple in the top 30 varieties came close to matching the growth rate of Kanzi®.”
“When customers discover Kanzi® apples, they keep coming back for more,” Myers said. “We see it time and time again. CMI’s import season should overlap nicely with our Washington crop–coming off the trees in September. Getting your customers hooked now will keep them coming back for more throughout the apple season.”
Myers reported that imported Kanzi® are continuing to arrive in the U.S. and are available for a limited time.
BENTON, AR - Walmart has announced that it will be implementing new initiatives in the effort to combat the $29 billion dollars a year lost due to food waste in the United States. The retail giant will now have a new imperfect produce program and change its date labeling system.
“Although food waste has been making headlines in recent months,” explained Frank Yiannas, Vice President of Food Safety, in a blog post on the company website, “Walmart has been doing its part for more than a decade to create a zero waste future by affecting change in the way we do business and throughout our supply chain, especially where fresh produce is concerned.”
No stranger to imperfect produce programs, earlier this year Walmart began selling Spuglies, Russet potatoes that saw visual imperfections due to rough weather in Texas. The company also tested “wonky veg” at its Asda locations in the UK, quickly becoming popular enough for it to offer year-round supply.
“Because customers around the world shop very differently, our team here in the U.S. has been working for months on our first spec for this type of produce,” Yiannas wrote. “We’re exploring the ways to make these items available while providing value to our customers and supporting farmers.”
Also on the agenda for change at Walmart is its labeling system, changing labels from saying things like “best by,” “use by,” and “sell by,” to a standardized date label, “best if used by.” The switch will go into full effect this month and involves thousands of products, the company confirmed.
“I expect the standard labels to have an even bigger impact on waste reduction since many of our suppliers sell products under their own labels outside of Walmart,” Yiannas continues. “This is significant, as the global economic impact of food wastage comes to about $750 billion each year.”
Walmart and Sam’s Club U.S.’s other efforts include an organics recycling program, and a partnership with Ecoscraps, a company that turns food scraps into organic and sustainable lawn materials.
CHICAGO, IL - Produce Alliance is welcoming two new industry veterans, Kirk Massey and Dan Baker, to its team.
Kirk Massey is joining Produce Alliance as a Senior Business Development Director with more than 20 years in the fresh produce industry and an extensive foodservice produce management background. He developed a passion for produce growing up with a family in the restaurant business, and began his career as Executive Chef of a restaurant in Fort Worth, TX.
From there, Massey moved on to become a Sysco sales representative. Following this, Massey gained experience as Director of Client Services managing the produce spend for many prominent national restaurant chains. Massey will bring a vast range of benefits and opportunities to Produce Alliance, LLC.
“Produce Alliance welcomes Kirk. His experience as a consultant and his distribution skills will be an asset to our company. His rare combination of produce knowledge, sales strategy knowledge, and “hands on” dedication will help PA to grow our overall sales force,” said George Melshenker, President of Produce Alliance, according to a press release.
Dan Baker, previously of Freshway Foods and Foodsource/CH Robinson, has joined Produce Alliance to further develop their national food service portfolio, with a focus on processed items. Baker comes with 16 years of produce industry knowledge, gained by obtaining new business and customer acquisition. Thanks to his integrity and passion, Produce Alliance is confident that he will thrive in the organization and with its network of member distributors and growers.
“Dan will be able to bring his processing skills to Produce Alliance. His years of experience on the processing/sales side will bring our customers a clean understanding of the products we carry, the implementation of our products and overall efficiencies of processed items. His knowledge of local versus California processing will help our entire team,” said George Melshenker, President of Produce Alliance, according to the release.
We wish Dan and Kirk the best in their new roles at Produce Alliance!