IDAHO FALLS, ID – Potandon Produce reported today that its Arizona potato season is set to begin on Monday, May 9.
“We’ve had excellent red potato demand throughout the winter and we expect that to continue throughout the summer,” said Dick Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sales.
Potandon said in a press release today that the Arizona potato varieties will be available about one week after production begins, and customers will have the option of combining varietal potatoes with russet orders at its full service distribution center in Idaho Falls.
Fresh shipments from Arizona will be available from mid-May until approximately July 4, when production will shift to Texas.
Red potatoes from Arizona will start shipping on the 9th, and Green Giant™ Fresh Klondike Goldust® potatoes are expected to start on the 13th, followed by Green Giant™ Fresh Klondike Gourmet® mini potatoes on the 25th.
To see what’s cropping up in produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
PLEASANTON, CA - Produce and floral industry professionals throughout the region are gearing up for this year’s annual Northern California Fresh Produce and Floral (FPFC) Expo on April 20, and Edge Sales is no different with expectations and on-trend strategies for this year’s event. Lisa Davis, Director of Business Development at Edge, took the time to discuss the company’s upcoming plans for its clients participating in the event.
A successful event requires early planning and careful coordination, Lisa tells me, with budget and booth spaces configured a year prior to the next event. “We have to engage with each of our brands on participating, coordinating product, meetings, set-up and rally the entire Edge team to support,” details Lisa. “We meet several times internally to plan and decorate the Edge Family of brands and how we want to showcase each year.”
This attention to detail extends up to the day prior to the event, when the whole Edge team coalesces and coordinates to gather, store, and set up décor and aesthetics for the actual FPFC show. “It is a team effort to drive the success of the show so suppliers will see a return on investment and want to come back next year,” Lisa says of Edge’s show objective.
Matching this attention to detail from Edge’s standpoint is a push from each supplier to engage the Northern California retailers in attendance. “It is a chance to put their best foot forward and showcase new innovation. This allows the suppliers to have customers taste, feel, and see new products or the introduction to a new brand,” notes Lisa.
For this year, Lisa says that Edge Sales matches FPFC 2016’s current theme of Full Speed Ahead in the company’s plans for its own clients, especially following the final settlings over the Albertsons and Safeway acquisition. “We have restructured our company and added significant resources to align with the new and changing retailer environment to create opportunities and drive sales for our clients and customers,” expands Lisa. “We are fully committed to do whatever is necessary to push forward and are poised for tremendous growth.”
Of the event itself, continues Lisa, is a reoccurring uniqueness that is unpredictable in the way it will unfold each year. This uniqueness and alluring innovation is what continues to bring attendees and Edge itself back to the event. That, and the success stories which flourish after FPFC.
So in the midst of the bustle, glitz, and promotions for this year, what is Lisa looking forward to the most? The lasting dynamic which flourishes between the FPFC retailers and suppliers, and circles around new partnerships and products. This quality time between attendees doesn’t always get to happen outside of the show.
“Sometimes,” finishes Lisa, “the small talk goes a long way.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to cover retailer and supplier updates, and look forward to our coverage of the FPFC event itself!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against World Best Tropical LLC.
The company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment to eight produce sellers in the amount of $341,918 from February 2014 through October 2014.
World Best Tropical LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principal could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Their experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
SALINAS, CA - Today the industry grieves as it learns of the loss of a pioneer of the produce industry.
The Tanimura family announced with sadness that its patriarch, George Tanimura, passed away last Friday, April 15. He went peacefully in his home in Salinas, California, at 100 years old.
While he marked his 100th birthday quietly surrounded by those he loved, more than 600 people joined to honor him and his influence in the farming industry at a milestone centennial celebration in July of 2014.
Born in San Juan Bautista on July 2, 1915, George was the eldest of 12 and learned how to work when he was compelled to quit school and help his father with the family’s small farm after the loss of his mother. In the midst of the Great Depression, George’s father also passed, leaving George responsible for the farm and the family.
George helped to guide his family through a number of historical and economic challenges, including World War II, in which he and members of his family were removed from their farms and placed in internment camps in Poston, Arizona.
Despite the hardships of losing everything, it was during this time George met the love of his life, Masaye Yamauchi, with whom he last year celebrated his 71-year wedding anniversary. She stood by his side through every step, including the saving George and his brothers did to purchase an acre of land in Gilroy after the end of the war which would one day build today’s Tanimura & Antle.
According to his family, George and his brothers successfully created a dynamic and successful farming enterprise through strong bonds of respect, love, and cooperation, before developing a relationship with another produce industry legend, Bud Antle, in 1948.
34 years later, Tanimura & Antle was formed, with George working alongside brothers Charlie, Johnny, Tommy and Bobby, as well as nephews Gary and Keith to join Bud and his sons Rick and Mike.
As Co-Chairmen of the Board and inseparable business partners, George and Bob worked together to make the company a premier agriculture company in the world, becoming an icon to family farming in Salinas Valley.
According to his family, Tanimura & Antle was his life, with topics like lettuce prices, transplant technology, new hydroponic varieties, and any other farming matter dominating every discussion.
He was the recipient of numerous accolades and honors, though he downplayed these accomplishments and avoided any fanfare. But he always participated in every farming innovation in the Salinas Valley, advocating matters such as using technology to reduce water usage.
According to those close to him, all of the Tanimura family looked to George to share his wisdom and, ultimately, make family decisions. Being on the ranch is what brought him happiness, his pride and joy being the Tres Picos Ranch in Huron, California, which he visited at least once a week in season even in the last year. One particular late Tuesday night tradition was to stop in Los Banos for pickled pig’s feet.
All who knew George loved him, and his presence and influence will be greatly missed. His lifelong commitment will live on through the passion and drive he instilled in all around him.
George is survived by his wife Masaye, son, Glenn (Sheila) Tanimura and daughter Leslie (Ken) Morishita, grandchildren Chris (Becky) Tanimura, Erin, Ryan and Kelly Tanimura, and great grandchildren Makenzie, Jaklyn, and Karter Tanimura. He is also survived by his brother Tommy (Hisako) Tanimura; his sister-in-law, Sachi Tanimura, wife of his late brother Johnny and sister Rose Yuki. George was predeceased by Chisato Tanimura, Tame (Masato) Nakano, Charlie (Fumi) Tanimura, Alice (Ben) Sato, Johnny Tanimura, Betty (Kaz) Furusho, Benjamin Tanimura, Hiroko Tanimura, Bobby Tanimura, and Tamotsu Tanimura.
There will be a viewing held Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Struve & Laporte Funeral Chapel located at 41 W San Luis Street, Salinas, CA 93901.
The Funeral/Memorial Service will be held on Sunday April 24, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Buddhist Temple of Salinas, located at 14 California Street, Salinas, CA 93901.
The Tanimura Family has asked that anyone wishing to honor George with a donation to please do so through the Tanimura Family Foundation, P.O. Box 4070, Salinas, CA 93912.
AndNowUKnow extends its sincerest condolences to the Tanimura and Antle families, friends, and all affected by this loss.
BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC – In a surging retail market, Ingles Markets Incorporated reported yesterday a decrease in its stock trends. Yesterday, the company’s stock decreased 2.85 percent, hitting a low worth of $34.82. However, Ingles seems to be recovering from the dip with the current stock at $35.75 as of 10:52 am PST, today.
Yesterday’s downward dip has resulted in what StockCaller has declared a downtrending pattern for the company. Since September 9, 2015, Ingle’s stock has underperformed the S&P500 by 35.17 percent.
So what accounts for the stock volatility? According to a statement by Zacks Investment Research to StockCaller, the retail chain’s primary placement may be to blame, “Ingles’ strategy is to locate its supermarkets primarily in suburban areas, small towns and rural communities, where management believes the market may be underserved by existing supermarkets.”
StockCaller said that if Ingles reaches a low stock price of $31.69, the company will be worth $61.68 million less than it did eight months ago.
For more information and stock specifics on Ingles Markets, click here. Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for continued updates on Ingles, and more retail market trends.
Drone technology and use in ag business is taking off faster than ever. In a new report from RnR Market Research, the agriculture drone industry could reach a height of $3.7 billion by 2022.
The software company DroneDeploy released a separate report revealing that agriculture is the largest commercial drone sector with 2 million acres of worldwide coverage.
These reports dovetail with predictions from The Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International that 80 percent of all drones will be used for agriculture in the near future.
Rising popularity in the ag drone market is creating an ecosystem of companies looking to maximize the productive use of ag drone technology. Currently the second most popular drone manufacturer in the world is AgEagle, focused solely on drones for agricultural applications.
Related software companies like DroneDeploy are creating programs to help monitor field conditions, create fertilization maps, predict yields, and asses crop health using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
“I have found DroneDeploy to be an invaluable tool within my industry. It enables me to map fields and utilize the data in an efficient manner. This system works masterfully, is well supported and cutting edge in the industry,” said Gary Sorrick, General Supervisor at Del Monte, in the DroneDeploy report.
As the industry continues to mature, RnR Market Research predicts a rise in the use of ag drones for purposes beyond imaging. Current developments in ag drones include new technology for precision spraying, pest control, seeding, and remote sensing.
VENTURA, CA – Software consultancy LINKFRESH Inc. announced the addition of 8 new consultants for its Enterprise Resource Planning operations in California and the United Kingdom. LINKFRESH said that the new hires were brought in following 38.5 percent growth in year-on-year group revenue in its delivery service, and a 9.7 percent increase in support services in 2015.
“It’s fantastic to welcome such a wealth of talent from across the world to our global consultancy teams,” said Nikki Scar, Chief Operations Officer, in a press release. “Last year we experienced exceptional growth as a company, and we are looking forward to continuing to press ahead, bringing our specialist software solutions to fresh food organizations globally.”
John Lischefsk has joined LINKFRESH in California as Director of Business Development. Lischefsk has more than 30 years expertise in business and channel development, sales, and product strategy. He previously held positions at Microsoft and Microsoft Dynamics partners, including Columbus Global and Edgewater Fullscope.
Liz Jacobs has come aboard as a Microsoft Dynamics NAV Consultant and will work closely with the company’s expanding United States customer base. Previously, Jacobs worked with Microsoft Dynamics partner Beck Consulting.
Trisha Gregory has become the newest Project Manager in the United States. Gregory brings new expertise in information and business intelligence technologies, and ERP project management.
In the United Kingdom, 5 new consultants have been named and will bring additional Microsoft Dynamics NAV and AX product development and deployment skills to LINKFRESH Inc’s food supply chain ERP solutions. The consultants hired are as follows:
- Antonio Da Silva, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Developer
- Jeff Sergeant, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Consultant
- Sheldon Peacock, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Consultant
- Csaba Kiss, Product Development Consultant
- Krassimir Trendafilnov, AX developer
Congratulations to the new hires, and keep pace with the latest industry employment announcements by reading AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA – TransFresh Corporation said that it has an answer for strawberry growers who are struggling this year with decreased acreage, rising production costs, and ongoing regulatory restraints. To cope with these challenges, TransFresh points to its newest technology, the Tectrol Modified Atmosphere Packaging System.
“Now more than ever, growers, shippers and retailers must protect the quality of their berry products so that every pallet, tray and clamshell achieves the greatest return on investment possible,” said TransFresh Director Rich Macleod in a statement.
To preserve product on the journey from farm to table, TransFresh developed Tectrol, a comprehensive system of containers and pallets that utilize modified or controlled atmosphere to significantly decrease decay during transit and on store shelves.
“The advantage of decreased incidents of decay and decay severity has a direct correlation to revenue potential,” said Macleod. “The financial implications are stunning when you consider the hundreds of thousands of strawberry pallets shipped during the season.”
Macleod pointed to a peer-reviewed joint research study from the University of Florida and University of California at Davis to compare cross-country shipments of California strawberries and problems that can arise during the process.
Researchers found that strawberries transported using the sealed Tectrol pallet cover system, in which CO2 levels were consistently held, demonstrated a significant reduction in decay and better quality on arrival and on-shelf compared to other methods.
More information on shipping procedures and Tectrol technology is available here, which features an online calculator which demonstrates how the product is relevant to users specific finances.
Stay fresh with all the latest developments with AndNowUKnow.
CALGARY, AB - Over the past week, the AndNowUKnow team and I were lucky enough to attend the 91st Annual Convention and Trade Show, and the last in Calgary, Alberta. From April 12 through the 14th, top growers, suppliers, foodservice members, and retailers descended upon the show floor to talk how to innovate the industry and how to get consumers to increase their produce consumption. With over 230 exhibitors and nearly 3,000 attendees from around the world including members of Walmart, Costco, Loblaw, Sobeys, and more, this year’s theme of “Growing Strong” certainly resonated across all sectors of the produce industry.
“CPMA has been serving the produce industry for 91 years, which is a true sign of strength and dedication in this thriving community,” explained Mike Furi, Manager of Procurement and Pricing at The Grocery People Ltd. as he addressed the convention at this year’s Delegate and Companion Breakfast. “The opportunity to come together to communicate and collaborate around the challenges and changes within our industry is made possible by this organization of dedicated staff.”
After kicking off with the Chair’s Welcome Reception at Calgary’s Telus Sparks Science Center, attendees were welcomed Tuesday morning at the Delegate and Companion Breakfast by Keynote Speaker and former star of Canada’s Dragon’s Den, Arlene Dickinson. Arlene shared with the industry a moving and personal account of her journey towards being one of Canada’s most renowned independent marketing communications entrepreneurs, including her life as an immigrant from South Africa and her innovative approach to doing business.
Later that day, guests were met by Lunch Keynote Speaker, Jean Rickli, Global Retail Advisor at consulting firm J.C. Williams Group, who gave a thorough account of the latest global retail concepts and innovation trends. Jean’s presentation included everything from Whole Foods’ Brooklyn location and its partnership with rooftop greenhouse Gotham Greens, to Cru, a Brussels-based food store that uses tablets to provide consumers with transparency about the products they are buying and a cashier-less shopping experience.
No matter who was speaking at CPMA’s numerous educational events this week, the discussion always came full circle back to one question—‘how do we increase produce consumption?’. From the show’s four Learning Lounges featuring knowledge from voices like Costco Canada’s Oleen Smethurst and Loblaw’s Frank Pagliaro, to CPMA’s President himself, Ron Lemaire, driving up international health and increasing sales was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“It’s in our hands and the momentum is moving,” explained CPMA President Ron Lemaire as he talked about increasing produce consumption at Thursday’s Awards Brunch. “We keep talking about our community and being produce ambassadors—its up to us to take it, bring it back home, and drive the bus. We have the power to make change, and with the mechanisms are in place to work with our partners to build the community beyond just produce.”
Among everything happening on the vibrant and productive trade show floor, a slew of prestigious awards were presented at CPMA’s 91st Annual Convention. From exciting new products to inspiring individuals, the lineup of awards included:
Best Booth Award:
- Peak of the Market
The company donated over 300,000 pounds of produce from its in-booth Plinko game.
Best New Product Award:
- Highline Mushrooms’ Mushroom Medleys
Freggie-Approved Product Award:
- Mucci Farms’ Mucci Smuccies Strawberries
Fresh Health Award:
- Delta, BC-based BC Fresh Vegetables
Mary FitzGerald Award:
- Jennifer Harris, Director of Sales and Marketing for Mid Isle Farms
CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Tom Byttynen, Founder of Thomas Fresh
When it comes down to it, I think Longo’s Director of Produce and Floral, Mimmo Franzone, said my thoughts about this year’s CPMA best. “I always have a great time every year I attend CPMA. It was an excellent show and a great way to connect with our partners in the industry,” shared Mimmo. “Well done Calgary, and see you all in Toronto!”
For more on all the happenings at this year’s convention, including our CPMA yearbook, writers’ picks from the floor, and more, keep coming back to your friends at AndNowUKnow.
REIDSVILLE, GA – A peak growing season has made for a big announcement from Shuman Produce, especially for those waiting for Vidalia onion season to begin. Shuman Produce is now shipping Georgia sweet onions under the RealSweet® label, over one week sooner than the official Vidalia ship date of April 25.
“After almost near perfect growing conditions in March, we have sweet onions from Georgia available one week ahead of the official Vidalia onion pack date that will serve as a transitional onion from Texas to Vidalia,” stated John Shuman, President of Shuman Produce, in a press release. “This is not something you can expect every year, but it worked out this year for some of the varieties in the industry."
As consumer demands remain high for the coming Vidalia season, Shuman Produce said that it also plans to launch a Vidalia specific marketing campaign to highlight the company’s traditions in the industry.
“We’re always striving to have the best product that we’re proud to share with our customers, and we’re also strongly rooted in giving back to the community, whether through our sister company, Produce for Kids®, or the many charitable causes we support,” finished Shuman. “Our new marketing campaign speaks to the importance we place on our family, tradition, and organizational culture.”
Featuring historic and current photos of the Shuman family, the marketing campaign will also feature images of the company’s fields and high-tech equipment.
The company expects strong volume from this year’s Vidalia crop over its 2,300 acres, and good promotions for retailers during the season. Shuman Produce also stated that the Georgia sweet onions are adhering to its quality standards.
Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for more market and product updates as we move into Vidalia onion season.