SEATTLE, WA - After a year and a half of focusing on its current locations, reports have surfaced that AmazonFresh is intending to enter several new markets this year, both in the U.S. and abroad.
The hiatus comes to an end this year, with Boston and the U.K. on the list for AmazonFresh’s newest regions, according to news source Recode.
"[W]e're playing with a lot of different models to see what resonates with consumers and it'll guide our investment decisions going forward," Brian Olsavsky, Amazon Chief Financial Officer, said in response to an analyst's question on Amazon's most recent earnings call, according to the report.
Though a spokeswoman for Amazon declined to comment, sources report growth on the horizon.
Currently, Amazon Fresh is available in the following locations:
- Washington state
- California
- New Jersey
- New York City
- Philadelphia
The U.K. has been in Amazon Fresh’s sights for some time now, with rumors having circulated last August that the service would be introduced in London.
In February of this year, the company struck a deal with regional U.K. supermarket chain Morrisons to distribute both its fresh and frozen products to its Prime customers.
This news comes after we recently reported that Amazon looks to also be opening its second physical location in California, a drive-thru grocery option for consumers that would push it further into the fresh market.
Right now, AmazonFresh is only available to those with a Prime Fresh membership, a $299 subscription that allows shoppers to buy perishables like produce, meat, dairy, and the like online, delivered within the day of the order.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the company as further plans for expansion come to light.
WASHINGTON, DC - Arrow Farms of New York has paid a $15,000 civil penalty for slow pay violations relating to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
To settle a complaint, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Arrow Farms of New York entered into a consent decision in which Arrow Farms of New York agreed to pay a $15,000 civil penalty for failing to make full payment promptly to four sellers in the amount of $69,719, according to a recent USDA press release.
The company’s failure to pay all of the undisputed produce debt described in the complaint until January 2016 constitutes slow payment under PACA. The company satisfied the terms of the consent decision and order on May 11, 2016, and, as a result, the finding of violations has been permanently abated.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.
NORMAN PARK, GA - Convenience and extended shelf-life, a combination that pleases both the consumer and the retailer, is now being offered by Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable in a newly-launched 2lb bag for its yellow squash and zucchini.
Showcasing the produce itself with a transparent front that presents the yellow squash and zucchini for the shoppers to see, these new 2lb Grab & Go bags live up to their name from the packaging handle to help in the kitchen the consumer might need.
On the back of each package is an easy-to-make recipe that makes the product more approachable, and may even add a few extra items to your shopper’s list!
However fashionable the bag may be, it is equally as functional. In-house testing showed that Southern Valley’s new Grab & Go bags extend the shelf-life of its yellow squash and zucchini by up to four times the amount of conventional bulk boxes, with the veggies coming out virtually oxidation-free and tasting freshly-plucked.
The cherry on top? While 2 lbs may be the industry standard, Southern Valley also keeps in mind that it may not be yours. Therefore, the weight of the produce in the new Grab & Go bags can be tailored to the customer’s specific needs.
With the convenience that comes with being able to grab-and-go, extended shelf-life, plus recipes that studies show appeal to millennial shoppers that want to be healthier but are intimidated by food preparation, this is a new offer that is in line with retail needs and consumer trends.
For more information, or to learn where this product is available, please ask for sales at (229) 769-3676, or visit www.southernvalley.us.
If you’d like to see your product in this segment, please send samples to 2020 L Street, Suite 320, Sacramento, CA, 95811.
ST. LOUIS, MO - From its founding in 1993, Sev-Rend Packaging has expanded from its original role as a b2b supplying primarily tags, to grow an expanded portfolio which now includes film, netting, and labels for the produce industry. As Jeff Watkin, Graphic and Marketing Manager at Sev-Rend, recently told me, the company has plans to take that movement even further.
“We’ve really expanded out, especially in our sales force,” Jeff says of the company’s recent team growth. “Now we have regional sales managers which are strategically positioned throughout the United States to focus on specific industries.”
This focus allows Sev-Rend to concentrate on providing a faster turnaround for its customers, as the company manufactures its products right on location. Recently, the company has seen the largest amount of growth in its netting and film offerings. “A thing that we really like to champion on our ourselves and our brand,” adds Jeff, “is that we are a domestic supplier and manufacturing in a field where a lot of manufacturing is done overseas.”
Jeff divulges that company's strategies allow for heightened efficiency, faster lead time, and exceptional quality for Sev-Rend customers. And the company doesn’t plan to stop there.
“We’re very vertically integrated. From substrate development to final product, a lot of it is developed within our plant. It’s been crucial to our growth as a company, because we have our arms around our products so we know how it’s going to react when it gets out into our customer’s hands, which in turn adds to overall speed to market for our customer’s products,” Jeff tells me.
This adds to the company’s concept of a commercialization approach, which allows Sev-Rend to manage all aspects of the product development.
So just how is Sev-Rend planning to continue its company growth and brand expansion?
Sev-Rend is already utilizing a forward-thinking recycling program for all of its waste, which was recently instituted within the past 18 – 24 months. “We’re a green manufacturer, we’re very environmentally conscious and lean in our waste,” Jeff says of the company’s innovative recycling program which is specific to the St. Louis area. “All of our waste is converted back into a pellet which can be converted to alternative fuel sources.”
The company also has some new products in the works which Jeff tells me he can’t disclose quite yet. For the meantime, however, the company is continuing to ramp up its core produce-industry specific products:
- SR Film: Easy to handle design for film bags
- Sof-Net: bag netting specifically developed for packers and growers
- Wineglass tag: tag that attaches to netting of a bag, customizable printing on one or both sides
On top of all this? Excellent customer service. “We pride ourselves on that. Quality, lead-times, and service is what is going to keep Sev-Rend moving forward,” Jeff finishes.
Stay with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on emerging innovative companies in the industry, and to see where Sev-Rend heads next.
ISSAQUAH, WA – Coming up on its Q3 2016 report, analysts predict that company shares could jump as high as eight percent following the finalization of Costco's projected revenue increases, as buyers currently wait on the sidelines.
While the numbers won’t be posted until after closing bell on Wednesday, TheStreet reported the average analyst’s earnings-per-share estimate foresees the company at $1.22 per share on revenue of $27.12 billion, which equates to a year-over-year rise of approximately 4.2 percent and 3.9 percent.
"We view Costco as undervalued on a long-term basis, but prefer to stand pat until after it reports monthly sales results for May and June...” stated Jim Cramer and Jack Mohr of Action Alerts PLUS in a written statement. “Our negative short-term view is balanced by long-term optimism given its myriad catalysts later this year and into next year (card transition and membership fee hike) along with its differentiated business model that will allow it to remain relevant even in this ever-changing consumer environment."
TheStreet reported that although Costco’s retail earnings have been pressured by online consumer shopping this quarter, the company’s earnings are still projected to rise 1.13 percent from last year to $5.33 a share. Costco’s full-year revenue of $120.37 billion would mark a 3.6 percent rise from last year’s period.
Also aiding in the prospective share jump, TheStreet stated that Costco may have limited sellers as well as being a bounce-back candidate. This bounce-back trend has been seen with other retailers’ stock following their earnings quarterly reports.
TheStreet also speculated that there may be traders on the sideline who are waiting to ride Costco’s shares after missing Walmart’s strong reported run last week. TheStreet stated that the focus on this trade will be on the $154 target.
The company’s shares are down 11.65 percent so far this year when compared to a 0.41 percent year-to-date rise in the S&P 500 index, which includes five percent declines over the past three months. Last week, Costco stock closed flat on Friday at $142.69.
As Costco releases its Q3 report this week, stay up-to-the-minute with AndNowUKnow as we report on the retailer’s earning and the affect on its shares.
CAROL STREAM, IL - As the demand for local produce continues to grow at a rapid pace, Blue Book Services and Meister Media Worldwide are collaborating to introduce Local Source, an online and searchable database of over 20,000 produce growers located throughout the United States. This additional service is available to Blue Book members looking to grow a supplier base to source locally-grown produce.
“Demand for local produce throughout the supply chain continues to grow,” explains Jim Carr, President/CEO of Blue Book Services, as he talks about why the company chose to take on its latest task. “We are excited that Local Source is now accessible to meet our members’ needs. This expanded grower database allows businesses to broaden their supply base, fill weather- or seasonal supply-related gaps, and achieve success.”
William J. Miller, II, Vice-Chairman of Meister Media Worldwide also comments on how excited he and the company are about this innovative collaboration. “The adage ‘timing is everything’ is a reality with the launch of Local Source,” adds Miller. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Blue Book Services to provide key information businesses can use to connect with local growers. It is a tremendous opportunity for everyone in the supply chain.”
Fully integrated with Blue Book Online Services, Local Source grower profiles can be searched by:
- Company Name & Location
- Type of Facility
- Food Safety Certifications
- Commodities Grown
- Total Acres Grown
- Contact Information
“The synergy of Meister Media’s richly detailed grower profiles, coupled with the trusted delivery platform of Blue Book Online Services, makes it easy and seamless to find new suppliers based on a company’s specific needs,” says Mark Erickson, Blue Book’s Senior Vice President/CIO. “A list of growers can be developed using key criteria including geographic area, commodities grown, food safety certifications, total acres, and more. To our knowledge, this is the industry’s most comprehensive and feature-driven database of growers, making it a truly unique service our members will come to rely on.”
As the local produce movement continues to move to the forefront of the industry, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep our fingers on the pulse, and to learn more about the new database, visit www.producebluebook.com/local-source-data/.
WENATCHEE, WA - You can see for yourself what peak production of cherry season production looks like at CMI’s new McDougall and Sons Baker Flats facility.
During last season’s peak, the company maneuvered a drone through the “organized chaos” of cherry packing, with everything from close up footage to flyovers.
“It’s such a fast and furious process and we knew customers and consumers would enjoy seeing this unique behind the scenes footage,” Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for CMI said in a press release, commenting that state-of-the-art cherry packing is spectacular to see. “We pushed the drone to get as close to the action as possible showing our magnificent cherry packing operation, from giant waterslides to gleaming stainless machinery and state of the art technology.”
Now you can see for yourself the inner workings in the newly-released video below.
The new 80,000-square-foot Baker Flats facility processes 15 tons of cherries-per-hour, including technological improvements that CMI said supersedes past production by 50 percent.
“Our new Red and Rainier cherry lines exceeded every expectation last season and we’re anticipating even greater performance when we launch the 2016 season next week,” said Bryon McDougall, Operations Manager for the McDougall and Sons facility. “The sizing accuracy and defect sorting is raising the bar on quality and is a true testament to the effectiveness of this new sorting and packing technology.”
The new cherry facility, third in a series of improvements in packing technology by facilities CMI is affiliated with, requires a “virtual army of pickers” to keep supplies of freshly picked cherries available to run across the production line, the company said.
“Using this technology to raise the bar on quality means less shelf shrink for retailers and a better product for consumers to take home,” said McDougall.
All fresh cherries are hand-harvested, however, because of how delicate the fruit is.
Packing cherries across a double shift, thousands of pickers are required to have sufficient fruit to keep the line running. A trained and experienced crew of 30 pickers can harvest about one ton of fresh cherries-per-hour, according to CMI.
“Our goal was to use technology that would allow us to efficiently deliver the best and most consistent quality to our customers,” said Bryon McDougall. “We feel we’ve achieved that goal and will continue to push to exceed it.”
CMI’s Northwest cherries start shipping June 1st, with sales peaking mid-June through early July.
COLOMBIA - Ash showered the skies in central Colombia last weekend, reaching as much as a mile high.
In a series of eruptions from about 2:00 a.m. to almost 6:00 a.m. EDT Sunday, May 22nd, Colombia’s Nevado del Ruiz effectively shut down two airports in the region.
The volcano is about 80 miles west of the capital city Bogota in central Colombia. The New York Times reports that the first eruption, just after 2 a.m., prompted the closure of the La Nubia airport in Manizales, capital of Caldas state. A few hours later, a similar, but stronger eruption forced a regional airport in western Colombia to close down.
The first emission of ash hit over 4,000 feet above the the peak, according to El Colombiano. The second shot even higher, over 7,500 feet.
Nevado del Ruiz has been under close observation by experts and seismologists since 1985, when it caused one of the country’s biggest natural tragedies. The previous eruption triggered an avalanche that wound up in the loss of almost 30,000 people.
Erring on the side of caution, the Colombian Geological Service notified the public that it is closely assessing the situation, and will continue to monitor and report any changes to the volcano’s activity.
AndNowUKnow will continue to track this and any other events in key markets that could affect the produce industry.
PHARR, TX - Another day, another concealed package of over $1 million dollars of narcotics found in a shipment of fresh produce. Last week, agents at the Pharr International Bridge U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office seized 151 pounds of cocaine in a seemingly innocent commercial shipment of mangos.
“Our officers have once again demonstrated great awareness and diligence with the interception of these... outstanding seizures of narcotics at our cargo facility,” shared Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “Balancing the trade facilitation aspect of cargo processing with an enforcement mindset is a function of CBP Field Operations that is accomplished on a daily basis.”
On the evening of May 17, a Customs and Border Protection agency press release explained that a 51-year-old man from Michoacán, Mexico arrived at the border hauling a commercial shipment of fresh mangos. Open inspection, a CBP officer discovered 60 packages of alleged cocaine, valued at nearly $1,165,000.
The man was subsequently arrested, and ultimately turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation.
This seizure comes almost exactly one month following the discovery of 107 pounds of methamphetamine in a mango shipment at Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.
In a world where there will always be narcotics, and a world where there will always be fresh produce, you can be sure that AndNowUKnow will continue to unearth their inevitable illicit mixtures.
SALINAS, CA – Continuing its emphasis on fresh produce and the organic marketplace, Organic Produce Summit announced that Juicero CEO and Founder, Doug Evans, has been added as the final keynote speaker for this year’s upcoming event in Monterey, CA, from July 13-14.
“A core passion and purpose of mine is to drive the demand for organic produce. It’s an honor to be part of this summit with so many esteemed farmers, packers, and industry experts,” said Evans.
A long-time advocate of organics and raw food, Evans has served most recently as the Founder for Juicero, an at-home cold press juicing system.
Along with Evans, the Organic Produce Summit stated in a press release that other presenters for the event are as follows:
- Laura Batcha: President of the Organic Trade Association
- Chad Hagen: Vice President of Consumer Products, SunOpta
- Mark Bittman: Co-Founder of Purple Carrot, former New York Times columnist
As we previously reported, the day-and-a-half long event will mark the first occurrence of the organic fresh produce-centered celebration. The summit reported that exhibit space has already sold out, and confirmed that 45 different retail and buying organizations will attend.
The Organic Trade Association is in the process of finalizing a series of three educational seminar sessions featuring established industry educators and leaders as panelists. The association is planning a fourth session on the e-grocery and organic produce sector, with the following participants:
- Tony Stallone: Vice President of Merchandising, Peapod
- Mike Buffington: IdeoClick
- Thaddeus Barsotti: Co-CEO, Farm Fresh to You
- Kevin Coupe, panel moderator: Founder, The Morning News Beat
The Organic Produce Summit is sponsored by Taylor Farms and Braga Fresh, and includes other major sponsors such as Tomorrow’s Organics, VBZ & Sons, Homegrown Organic Farms, Earthbound Farms, and Driscolls.
To view a list of those attending the event, with coverage through the U.S. and Canada equaling over 23,000 stores, click here.
Stay up-to-the-minute with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on the inaugural event, and other announcements in the organic produce sector.