LOS ANGELES, CA – As the Vision Companies prepare for the upcoming Nogales shipping season, the company has also announced several moves towards growth with new items, expanded grower programs, and improvement standards for the season.
As the company prepares to ship from its fields in Mexico through to Arizona, Bill Vogel, President and CEO of Vision, said he's pleased with the company's operations in Mexico.
“On our recent trip to the Guaymas, MX, area we were really impressed with our grower sophistication regarding farming methods, food safety adherence, and overcoming infestation challenges. Even in this region, there are a number of labor issues needing creative resolution,” stated Vogel in a press release.
Allan Acosta, Vice President of Operations in Arizona, said that the company is also experiencing grower growth deals this season, and expanded items offered under the company’s brand.
"We are excited about the growth of our direct grower deals. Our windows are expanding and we continue adding new items, both conventional and organic, to our portfolio of La Vision products,” said Acosta. “Our enhanced grower programs represent a sustainable long-term benefit for both our U.S. and Canadian customers, and our growers as well.”
Starting in late April, distribution will begin for the following items in Vision’s La Visiõn brand:
- Conventional and Organic Honeydews
- Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Mangos
- Jicama
- Conventional cucumbers
Of these products, 
John Caldwell, VP of Sales in Arizona, said that the company was excited to add the new items to the brand, which have been received well so far by consumers. “We feel that the La Visiõn brand is representative of quality, value, and consistence,” continued Caldwell. “Our strategic plan is continue to grow our market share as we increase our grower direct deals in Mexico.”
For more information on Vision Companies, and products being offered in the upcoming season, click here. Find your market updates, new item announcements, and company profiles here, at AndNowUKnow.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Turmeric, the spice root that is being used in juice bars, on rice, in soups, and more, is a trend that Frieda’s Specialty Produce says continues to rise. Even the Baum+Whiteman report has dubbed it “Spice of the Year” for 2016.
The uses are plentiful enough, Frieda’s President and CEO Karen Caplan tells me, that the company has pushed for an entire day. Using the hashtag #TurmericTuesday, Frieda’s is looking to help showcase what can be done with the root.
“We use #TurmericTuesday to share different ways you can use fresh turmeric every week,” Karen says. “And now Instagrammers are starting to share their recipes with us using that hashtag as well. Inspiring new food experiences for turmeric lovers everywhere… that’s what we do!”
Among the trending items is “golden milk,” according to a Frieda’s release, a turmeric-infused dairy or plant-based milk.
Frieda's notes that consumers are becoming more interested as they learn about the root’s anti-inflammatory properties, often being paired with ginger in recipes. For this, the company suggests that retailers merchandise the pair together, with juicing also being a magnet for growing turmeric lovers.
A consistent supplier of turmeric root, Frieda’s Specialty has supplies from Jamaica and Fiji available in convenient 6-ounce and 8-ounce clamshells, as well as in bulk.
Keep reading AndNowUKnow for all the latest flavor trends that present an opportunity to push produce consumption.
DONNA, TX - With spring already upon us and the demand within the tomato category continuing to grow, vertically-integrated Kingdom Fresh Farms is focusing its efforts on consistently delivering high-quality, nutritious, and flavorful tomatoes with its round, roma, and grape varieties.
The Donna, Texas-based supplier grows in both Torreon, Coahuila, and Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico allowing the company to provide a year-round supply of tomato offerings to retail and foodservice partners.
General Manager, Guillermo Martínez, tells me, “We selected these areas because of their uniqueness in capturing the best weather conditions, availability and quality of water, as well as access to local communities.”
In addition, Guillermo notes that Kingdom Fresh’s growing methods are different in the sense that the team creates a unique growing environment and grafts the best varieties, using only perlite- a hydroponic growing medium - and using the best products to grow strong plants and beautiful tomatoes.
“We also have a unique system to hire workers and employees, hiring only people from the communities where we are established,” he says. “Our goal is to not only help develop the regions we grow in, but the communities as well. This is very important to us, since we do not rely on a migrant workforce. Every day all of our workers go back home to their families.”
Guillermo also adds that Kingdom Fresh has become one of the most reliable, and one of the largest growers of tomatoes from Mexico.
“We have the resources, technology, and team of professionals to deliver consistent, flavorful tomatoes and have the capacity to grow our business as we evolve the program,” he says.
Kingdom Fresh grows more than 540 acres of protected agriculture and manages all steps in the supply chain from seed to market.
CALIFORNIA - Despite reports of winter storms waning and warmth on the way, it seems Mother Nature has a bit more moisture in store for the Golden State.
Storms hit California in the Sierra Nevada and Foothills, as well as the San Joaquin Valley, bringing rain to the north and central regions, and even some sleet and small hail, according to the National Weather Service.
Bakersfield saw as much as eight tenths of an inch of water yesterday, and there is more water on the way as far as southern California, even bringing moisture into northern Arizona, AccuWeather reports.
"Unlike previous systems in recent weeks, this storm is expected to dive much farther south," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said in the report. "The Central Valley and Sierra Nevada will likely have the steadiest rainfall. However, spotty showers will survive the trip into Southern California and farther inland."
The slow-moving storm looks to be making it to Los Angeles and San Diego—areas that did not see as much rain as they had hoped during the peak of this year’s El Niño.
"With almost 90 percent of California in at least moderate drought and almost all of Southern California in extreme drought, even the smallest amount of rain will be helpful at this point," Duffey stated, reporting that most areas of the state can expect just under an inch of rain at least.
The showers are expected to continue through Wednesday in California, with the weather drying up Thursday and into Friday. Some storms will linger at the Intermountain West region at the end of the week, and northern Arizona will see showers into late Wednesday and Thursday.
AndNowUKnow will continue to track the system and any others that may bring some relief to drought-stricken regions.
MONTE VISTA, CO - After an extensive search for a new President and CEO, Farm Fresh Direct has announced it has chosen Potandon veteran Jamey Higham to take the helm. Higham will be filling the role left by former President Jim Knutzon, who will remain at Farm Fresh as CEO until his planned retirement in November to aid in the transition.
“I had a great experience at Potandon, they are a strong company with very good people. But when the opportunity came up with Farm Fresh, it represented a new chapter in my career, certainly with new challenges but also real opportunities,” Jamey explained in a statement. “Jim Knutzon has laid a strong foundation, one which I hope to build upon.”
Jamey most recently held the position of VP of Sales for Potandon Produce, rising up the ranks of the company through several senior management positions, including VP of Foodservice Sales and Director of New Business Development. While Jamey previously took a leap into the automotive world with several management roles in the Ford Division of the Ford Motor Company, he proclaimed "My heart was in produce, and I came back to potatoes.”
Virgil Esperanza, a Farm Fresh grower and current Chairman of the Board, commented on the company’s big development, “Jim Knutzon has been President and CEO since Farm Fresh began, and strategically led us through great growth. When he announced he planned to retire, we knew we had a hard job in front of us to find his replacement.”
Esperanza added, “After many interviews we found Jamey, and we believe he brings the perfect balance of experience, strategic thinking, and people skills needed to continue the growth that Farm Fresh and our members have come to expect. We’re excited to have Jamey join our team.”
Jamey currently sits on the United Fresh Government Relations Council and was a member of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Class of '13.
The company confirmed that Higham and his family plan to relocate to Colorado.
SELAH, WA – Runners of the Boston Marathon were treated to more than just ideal weather conditions with a sundrenched overtone this year. Attendees were also supplied with a tasty selection of apples from Rainier Fruit’s Organic lines.
"We feel that having Rainier apples as the Official Apples of the Boston Marathon was a huge success,” Rainier Fruit's President, Mark Zirkle, told AndNowUKnow. “There are very few other venues where you elicit such a huge number of consumer responses to the apple varieties that, as growers, we see as our future: Organic Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and our very own Lady Alice®.”
To see footage of Rainier Fruit at the event, and learn more about the company’s first sponsorship with the Boston Athletic Association, watch the video below.
The company said that over 70,000 apples were sampled during this year’s event, which marked the 120th occurrence of the marathon. The Boston Athletic Association reported over 30,000 attendees at the event on April 18, equating to roughly over two apples per happy runner.
Zirkle said that the company’s role as an official sponsor of the event was well-matched with the Boston Athletic Association due to the company’s increasing commitment to growing and providing organic apples. These organic products compliment the healthy lifestyles pursued by both Rainier’s customers and runners of the Boston Marathon.
“We left there feeling very good about our commitment. We have planted, and will continue to plant, varieties based on consumer demand, not just because it may be a variety that is easy to grow," finished Zirkle.
As we previously reported, this year’s sponsorship marks a new multi-year partnership with the Boston Athletic Association. This opportunity gives Rainier the chance to sponsor the running market in other events, which Running USA has reported as having grown over 300 percent in the past 20 years.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – The Allen Lund Company has announced that its company CEO Allen Lund and his wife, Kathleen, will receive the Christus Magister Medal from the University of Portland. The University refers to the award as its highest honor, taking place during commencement ceremonies on May 1.
"We are very honored by the Christus Magister Medal that the University of Portland has bestowed on us," said Allen Lund in a statement to the press. "It is very humbling and gratifying to receive the university's highest honor award. The University of Portland family is a group we will always be proud to belong to."
The couple was selected for the medal in recognition of their ongoing contributions to the university, including the establishment of an endowed scholarship, support for the construction of the Beauchamp Center, and the installation of the iconic campus bell tower.
“Although others may be more deserving, we are very humbled to be a part of this great university," concluded Allen.
Congratulations to Allen and Kathleen Lund on being named this year’s Christus Magister Medal recipients. Stay posted with AndNowUKnow for the latest news on award-winning industry leaders.
TEMECULA, CA – Avocado grower-shipper Eco Farms has welcomed category veteran Gahl Crane as its new Sales Director.
As a current member of the Hass Avocado Board and former Managing Director for Green Earth Produce, Crane brings over a decade of unique expertise in avocados to Eco Farms.
“Eco Farms was a natural choice for me,” Crane shared in a statement. “They are experienced, well-respected, have an excellent understanding of the avocado business, and, most importantly, have a very reliable and ever-expanding grower base – much of it their own production.”
In his new position, Crane will report directly to Eco Farms’ Co-Founder and President Steve Taft. He was brought in, the company said, to expand the international presence of its avocado and organic citrus programs, while also enhancing relationships with retailers throughout North America.
“Gahl will immediately bring experience, passion, knowledge, and leadership,” shared CEO Andy Hamilton in a press release. “While leveraging our California heritage and assets, we want to continue to expand our global presence. Gahl possesses proven experience and capabilities to help Steve and the sales team continue that critical growth. Gahl will continue strengthening those important relationships with retailers, foodservice providers, and growers.”
We would like to congratulate Crane on his new role at Eco Farms. Keep reading AndNowUKnow to learn the latest business hires and promotions in the produce industry.
CASTROVILLE, CA – Ocean Mist Farms has announced that it will promote Chris Drew as the company’s Vice President of Operations. Drew has been with Ocean Mist Farms since 2004, and brings 16 years of experience in nursery crops and vegetable production to the new role.
Drew will transfer to his new position from his previous role as Production Manager at Sea Mist Farms, an Ocean Mist-owned entity, where he has served for the past 12 years.
“Chris has a keen understanding of the supply chain,” said Joe Pezzini, CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, in a statement. “He has a team approach to solving complex problems; has leadership and intellectual acumen, and he is a product expert with the proficiency to interact with our customer base. Chris is a strong addition to our senior management team.”
As the newest VP of Operations, Drew will direct post-harvest operations of Ocean Mist Farms products. According to a press release, his new responsibilities will include:
- Cooling and shipping facility management
- Food safety and quality assurance
- Sustainability and value-added operations oversight
- Directing new product and service innovation
Drew obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in crop science from California Polytechnic State University and currently holds an MBA. He will report to Ocean Mist Farms CEO, Joe Pezzini.
Congratulations to Chris Drew and everyone at Ocean Mist Farms. As always, we’ll keep you updated on the latest produce management changes at AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA – When a young boy made his YouTube debut with inconsolable, yet adorably humorous, pleas to his parents to visit a broccoli farm, Tanimura & Antle had the answer in a fun and broccoli-filled day for Max and his family.
“We are so glad that we were able to make Max’s dreams come true,” said Caitlin Antle Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at Tanimura & Antle, in a press release. “Max truly loved touring our broccoli farm and we know we have a broccoli fan for life.”
Max first made internet fame when his father, Chris, posted a video to YouTube of the young boy’s discouraged reaction when he found out that he was really going to a circus, instead of the broccoli farm cover story his parents had given.
With an opportunity to realize his broccoli dreams, T&A offered Max and his family a chance to journey from New Jersey to explore its fields of greens in Salinas, CA. From Max’s first step off the plane to adventures through the farm itself, Max clearly got the trip he was hoping for.
“Max saw our broccoli harvested from the field, and then he captained one of our tractors and helped prepare the fields for future broccoli crops. He really is a broccoli farmer now,” finished Wilson.
In addition to fulfilling a young boy’s vegetable dreams, T&A said that Max’s visit is part of its continued commitment to educating children about farming and food sources as an important part to promoting healthy lifelong eating habits.
To see which part of Max’s trip was his favorite, and to watch all the broccoli entertainments provided by T&A, watch the video above.