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CALIFORNIA - After four years of historic drought conditions in the state of California, both residents and growers alike are constantly on the lookout for good news on the horizon. Now, following a bout of El Niño storms, California has seen some notable improvements as the state’s residents are observing the beginnings of a recovery.
The latest update from the U.S. drought monitor is showing that conditions in a large area of Central California, from around Sacramento to Fresno, have improved in just the past month of rains. As you can see in the images below, conditions as of April 19 are visibly improved from that of March 15.
Under several classifications of drought, D4-Exceptional drought, is the highest. At the start of the current water measurement period for California, beginning in October, 46 percent of the state was rated at D4. This latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor sees that level shrunk down substantially to 21 percent.
According to ABC News 10, that means more than 3 million residents in places like Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, and Tracy have seen improvement with the drought.
While this is definitely an accomplishment worth noting for the state, it's important to realize any long-term drought alleviation is still years down the road. As more information regarding the drought is released, you can count on AndNowUKnow to update you with the latest.
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Apollo Global Management, LLC announced that it has successfully completed the funds affiliated with its previously announced proposed acquisition of The Fresh Market.
The completed funds are for the original $28.50 per share cash tender offer that Apollo made, an approximate $1.36 billion total. The Fresh Market's Board of Directors accepted the offer on March 11th, despite questions being raised around the accuracy of the amount.
As we previously reported, an investigation was launched at the end of March to confirm whether Apollo’s offer undervalues the company, which at least one analyst gave a target price of $44 per share, with the 52-week high of $41.70 per share. Shortly after, stockholders filed a lawsuit, alleging that the sale was flawed.
These actions do not appear to have swayed the two parties, however. With the completed funds, as well as with payment for any tendered shares that are still outstanding, a press release stated that Apollo and The Fresh Market intend to complete the acquisition by merging the retailer with an affiliate of Apollo.
“As a result of the tender offer and the merger, The Fresh Market will become a privately-held, indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Apollo funds and certain other investors, and The Fresh Market's common stock will cease trading on the NASDAQ,” the company stated in the release.
As it currently stands, 32,103,659 shares of The Fresh Market’s common stock, which represent about 68.2 percent of the outstanding shares, have been tendered into the offer and not withdrawn by the April 21, 2016 expiration date. In line with the terms drawn up with that offer, “all such shares (and any additional shares tendered by guaranteed delivery unless actual delivery does not occur) have been irrevocably accepted for payment, which will be made on April 27, 2016.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this and other relevant mergers and acquisitions as they develop.
GRANITE BAY, CA - What started out as a service to market jobs has quickly transformed into an instrumental resource for produce professionals, and fresh produce and related agricultural companies throughout North America as a leading job marketing, executive search, and resume writing service.
Joe Produce is the creation of Rex Lawrence, the Founder and President. When asked about Joe Produce, Lawrence’s passion is obvious:
“Over my 29 years in produce, I have been on both sides of the desk, so to speak, as a hiring manager and a job seeker. For years I thought there was a need to provide a better experience and outcome on both sides. Also, I have an aunt, Marlene Critchfield, who was a leading recruiter in Salinas for years. Prior to her retiring, she spoke with me a few times about being a recruiter. At the time, I was too intent on building my career on the grower-shipper side of the business."
Rex continues, “I finally decided that it was time to put my ideas into action. It wasn’t until six or seven years ago that I started thinking more entrepreneurially outside of traditional produce company roles. That was when the concept of Joe Produce was born.
It’s important that people know that our success goes way beyond me and my wife, Leslie, who is, by the way, an integral part of our success at work and at home. We have an amazing and dedicated team. We are working, growing, and learning together every day."
Rex concludes, “I am humbled by our customers’ appreciation and repeat business. The two best parts of my job are working with people that I love to see every day, and getting to change the lives of people and help companies develop their teams and grow their businesses. I cannot think of a better way to spend my day and make a living. Well, I can, but it’s too late to be a professional tennis player."
Congratulations to Joe Produce and team on reaching this five-year landmark, from all of us here at AndNowUKnow!
PHARR, TX - Officials found more than fresh produce crossing the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge last Friday, April 15th.
While many of us may have been worrying about getting those last-minute taxes filed, the Office of Field Operations (OFO) discovered and seized 107 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a truck stocked with mangos, according to CBS 4 News.
The load arrived at the border hauling fresh mangos with intentions to cross before being halted by officers for a secondary inspection. A more thorough search yielded 38 packages of concealed methamphetamine, which was then seized by officials.
No street value looks to have been included in the bust, however, in a similar case we previously reported that a discovery of almost 30 pounds of the drug was valued at up to $550,000.
The OFO has since referred the case over to Homeland Security Investigations to take over. No arrests or suspects were included in the report.
A large branch of Customs and Border Protection, the OFO is responsible for monitoring border crossings, including anti-terrorism, immigration, trade compliance, agriculture protection, and, of course, anti-smuggling.
EARTH - What began as a kick-start for sustainability has skyrocketed into a 46-year-long movement, drawing eyes to the earth, and the industry that cultivates it. Happy Earth Day!
The celebration, which kicked off in 1970, has made April 22nd a day to promote the strides of retailers and growers alike and to recognize and share their key sustainability initiatives, commuity engagement, and education.
On the growing side, companies like Limoneira, California Giant Berry Farms, and Houweling’s Tomatoes look to incorporate sustainability in every practice.
“Limoneira has been growing sustainably for 122 years, even before the term “sustainability” was coined,” John Chamberlain, the company’s Director of Marketing, shares with me. “We use solar energy to run operations, employ comprehensive water management practices, have a green waste partnership to create mulch for healthier lemon rootstock, use integrated pest management, and are one of the largest providers of farm worker housing in California.”
Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant, tells me that in everything the company does, from drip irrigation, to crop protection tools, to even recycling paper, comes back to a drive to be as sustainable as possible.
When it comes to why this is an initiative everyone in the produce industry should take up, Cindy puts it best. “The bottom line is that we are all responsible for being stewards of the land. Farming and agriculture in California is here for the long haul and we have to ensure that we continue to nurture that.”
And April 22nd provides us with the opportunity to remember that, as Houweling’s Tomatoes’ Chief Marketing Officer, David Bell, tells me, “Earth Day drives awareness on sustainability and the little things we all can do to lessen our impact. The key to impacting lasting change as citizens of Earth, is to live and breathe these little things every day, every month, every year.”
In the retail segment, Earth Day awareness is also spreading fast, with Kroger holding several events today to celebrate cultivating and caring for the land we work with.
"At Kroger, sustainability reflects our heartfelt commitment to our planet, our community, and our people," Jessica Adelman, Kroger's Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs, said in a press release. "Every day in our stores, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and offices, we strive to make a positive difference. We look forward to sharing our commitment with our local community and helping our loyal customers find ways they can make small changes that add up to a big difference."
To draw attention to the day celebrating sustainable practices, the retailer will highlight its ongoing sustainability efforts through multiple in-store practices, including:
- Garden burger samplings incorporating organics
- In-store “meet the farmer” events
- Signage highlighting sustainable areas in grocery, with departments including produce, floral, and dairy
Food Lion also maintains commitment to the cause today through its Food Lion Feeds program, which the company says has committed to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020.
These two retailers are among a growing number that emphasize what John tells me about how vital this initiative is becoming in all areas of produce.
“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to our grocery and foodservice partners, and it’s the right thing to do. We appreciate the work that ANUK does for our industry and you can find easy-peezy, lemon squeezy sustainability tips for Earth Day here,” John tells me.
From all of us here at AndNowUKnow, Happy Earth Day!
Limoneira California Giant Berry Farms Houweling's Tomatoes Kroger Food Lion
MILWAUKEE, WI - Sendik's Food Market has begun a massive celebration this week to commemorate 90 years of retail service to the greater Milwaukee area.
“Sendik’s is truly a family business, and as a family, this 90th anniversary is a milestone that I know would make our founding relatives smile,” Ted Balistreri, Sendik's Co-Owner told local CBS 58. “We’re grateful for the overwhelming support Milwaukee customers have given us these 90 years, and every day, we try to reciprocate that positivity with unparalleled service and the highest-quality foods.”
The company’s long history began when the Balistreri family rooted themselves in Milwaukee way back in 1926, immigrating from Sant’Elia, Sicily. After the family's foray into peddling fruits and vegetables by horse-drawn wagon, the company soon opened produce markets on Oakland and Downer avenues in its flagship city, as told by the company’s website. Before long, grandpa Tom Balistreri’s business was joined by sons Ted and Tom Jr, who took over in the early 1970s. After expanding to include groceries, meat, deli, dairy, bakery, and wine and spirits, the store has been drawing customers from all over Milwaukee and surrounding communities ever since.
To get Sendik’s wide customer base in on the celebration, the company has announced several two-week long campaigns and incentives. From trip giveaways to discounts, Sendik’s programs include the following, according to its website:
- “Incredible deals throughout the store,” including a different deal every day of the celebration
- A chance to win a trip to Italy for two
- Enter to win a getaway to Wisconsin
- Scratch-off tickets at registers to win various prizes (discounts, giftcards, etc.)
- A Sendik’s Express pick up service fee reduced to 90¢
Congrats Sendik’s on 90 excellent years of service to the industry, and stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all the latest happenings!
PARMA, ID – In its ongoing effort to screen pathogens from produce imports, Bayer announced today that it has joined the USDA National Seed Health Accreditation Pilot Program (NSHAPP). Bayer said that it will test all imported breeder, foundation, and commercial seed for cucumbers, melons, and watermelons as part of the pilot program.
“We at Bayer want our customers to know that we are committed to quality in every way,” said Brad Peters, Quality Control Manager at Bayer, in a press release. “Being a part of this pilot means that we are a part of building a better system to minimize phytosanitary risk.”
The USDA launched NSHAPP in response to a detection of foreign pathogens. The goal of the pilot program is to mitigate phytosanitary risk by partnering with the seed industry and developing a voluntary model of testing and screening for seed-transmitted pathogens.
Bayer’s entrance to the NSHAPP dovetails with the company’s recent efforts to stabilize global banana production. In recent years, banana cultivators have come under threat from Panama Disease, which has been transmitted by soil and water to virtually every banana-producing region in the world. Earlier this week, Bayer showcased its portfolio of products and services to combat the disease at the 6th International Banana Congress in Miami, Florida.
"Bayer is committed to supporting growers in their fight against this devastating disease," remarked Rolf Christian Becker, Research and Development Portfolio Manager of Horticulture at Bayer. "We have joined forces with other private and public partners in the Panama Disease Consortium. In addition, our scientists work on the development of new anti-fungal substances that can complement the fight against the disease and prevent further spreading."
Bayer said its additional products and services support banana cultivators worldwide include:
- Holistic root health management systems to combat nematodes and soil-borne pathogens
- In Velum™/Verango™ and BioAct™, chemical pest control substances
- The Food Chain Partnership project to manage contamination risk from the plantation to the pantry
- On-farm consultations from Bayer Crop Specialists
Stay updated on all the latest efforts to safeguard the global food supply by reading AndNowUKnow.
CORONA, CA – Veg-Fresh Farms is introducing its new website as part of the company’s ongoing rebranding effort. The new site, which offers information and assistance for customers, foodservice operators, and retailers, is online today, April 22.
“We have been in business for over 27 years, and it was time to update our brand to reflect the company we have become,” said Veg-Fresh Partner Dino Cancellieri, Sr., in a statement. “The new website offers customers and visitors to the site an opportunity to view the company’s capabilities and product offerings on a deeper level.”
The new website is the latest rebranding effort for the company. In the past two years, Veg-Fresh has moved into a custom 189,000-sq.-ft. facility, introduced new consolidation and cross dock services, sourced additional commodities, developed new product lines, and updated its logo as part of the company’s long-term strategic initiatives.
“We want to share the Veg-Fresh Farms story that will connect customers to the company’s values and let them see the family behind the business,” said Kate Reeb, Director of Marketing for Veg-Fresh Farms. “The new website will illustrate the company’s commitment to its customers, to food safety, to the environment, its growers, and to the consumer.”
In addition to helping promote Veg-Fresh’s new brand identity, the new website will provide training resources, data-driven research for category management, and various resources to help customers grow their businesses.
You can check out all the latest on the new Veg-Fresh site by clicking here, and we’ll always keep you up-to-date on the latest industry developments at AndNowUKnow.
CALIFORNIA - The cauliflower market is living up to its reputation as being a highly-fluctuating category this week, with very high supplies leading to a dip in pricing and a possible supply gap on the way.
“Last week, the market leveled off, then took a pretty quick turn in the downward direction for pricing,” Tami Gutierrez, Vice President of Sales and Cauliflower Commodity Manager for Ippolito International, tells me when I check in with her about the market. “The market is heavy with supply because most of us are bunched up in our fields after all of the warm temps and steady rains over the last month.”
Tami tells me the end result will likely be an upcoming supply gap due to the region cutting all of its product ahead of schedule. While it's too early to tell precisely how long the gap will last, Tami says 10-14 days may be a solid prediction.
Jason Lathos, Commodity Manager for Church Brothers, echoed Tami’s sentiments, explaining, “Cauliflower supplies for the past six months have been a roller coaster. Because cauliflower supplies are driven mostly by weather conditions, they are always hard to forecast.”
We can expect a strong demand upcoming, however, he adds. “Demand overall has been good for the last six months, and there always seems to be a rise in demand when you have holidays. For Easter, the market was very good and we now have Mother’s Day coming in the next few weeks.”
Jason’s prediction is that the market is going to bounce back almost as fast as it went down the last week. “The market may not go back to the $20 range, but my guess is it will be in between today’s market and last Wednesdays—$15.00. It depends on weather and the holiday demand.”
“Our supplies are pretty high on flower right now due to the warmer temperatures we've had that have brought on quite a bit of product, which is pulling volume in from next week and the following week,” says Janelle Seebeck, Commodity Manager for Tanimura & Antle, adding that she expects volumes to fall off quite a bit after next week when I ask her if she sees a gap in the category's future.
Keep watching AndNowUKnow as we follow the hot cauliflower market in May, and all the other moving categories as we head towards summer.