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NEWPORT BEACH, CA - With a new fiscal year came a new Annual Membership Meeting for The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), marking its 80th year of influence with a gathering in Newport Beach, CA. On top of updating members on industry and committee happenings, the event featured the election of the new Board of Directors and Chairman, and Vice Chairman.
Currently made up by 47 men and women from all across California’s fresh fruit industry, CFFA’s Board of Directors elected new officers for the 2016/17 fiscal year.New appointments included Giumarra Vineyards' Vice President of Sales and industry veteran Randy Giumarra, Second Vice Chair for CFFA's 2015/16 fiscal year.
Selected by a committee of past Board Chairs, each officer will serve for a one-year period. According to a press release, the full list of newly elected officers includes:
- FIRST VICE CHAIR: Randy Giumarra, Vice President of Sales at Giumarra Vineyards
- SECOND VICE CHAIR: Kevin Herman, Owner, The Specialty Crop Company
- SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol, Chairman, Pandol Bros., Inc.
- CHAIR: Harold McClarty, President of HMC Farms
The Board also welcomed the following new Directors:
- Melissa Poole of Wonderful Orchards
- Demetri Hronis of Hronis Inc.
- Mike Thurlow of Mountain View Fruit Sales
- Patrick Scully of Scully Packing
The Association also made sure to give thanks to its four exiting Directors:
- Bo Brett of Mountain View Fruit Sales
- Toni Scully of Scully Packing
- Edge Dostal of Fruit Patch Sales
- Ron Frauenheim of Ron Frauenheim Farms
During the meeting, the Association honored long-time board member Ken Enns with the prestigious Mentor’s Award, bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated “exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry and tree fruit communities through their leadership in the industry.” A former CFFA chairman in 1998, Ken has served on its Board for 27 years.
Prior to the Annual Membership Meeting, the Association hosted its Annual Industry Workshop, featuring key note speakers Dr. Victor Davis Hanson, professor and nationally syndicated columnist, and Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director of the Center for Produce Safety (CPS). Dr. Hanson reviewed the national political scene and shared his insight on the current factors impacting California agriculture, exposing the many challenges for the industry to survive. During Fernandez-Fenaroli’s speech, she discussed the importance of food safety and CPS’s mission to provide ready-to-use, science-based solutions to prevent and minimize produce safety vulnerabilities.
SALINAS, CA - The third annual Salinas Valley Ag Technology Summit is just around the corner and the buzz in Salinas, California is that this is an event not-to-be missed.
Co-hosted by The Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers & Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute, the event will take place Wednesday, March 30th from 8:30 – 5:00PM at the Hartnell College Alisal Campus in Salinas.
“This third annual summit is expected to draw the best & brightest from all aspects of Central Coast production agriculture,” Susan M. Pheasant, Ph.D, Director of the Agricultural Business & Technology Institute for Hartnell, tells me. “Having been a part of the team behind organizing the day, I can tell you that some of Salinas’ best minds and innovators will be here to support and engage the ag community. And the event’s energy extends to the state level with an all-day visit by newly appointed CA State Director of USDA Rural Development Janice L. Waddell and keynote by former CA Secretary of Agriculture AG Kawamura. This Ag Tech Summit is for everyone, whether you are a student, a grower, an engineer, a PCA, a designer of apps for ag, or a professor.”
The summit will feature an array of speakers, including multiple tracks of panel presentations on several subjects such as mechanization, soil health, harvest, regulation, crop protection, worker safety, as well as plant genetics & university research. Expect displays, demonstrations and much more. To check out a schedule of featured speakers, please visit www.sv-ag-summit.com.
“The time is right to strengthen ties in innovation & collaboration between the Salinas Valley and Silicon Valley,” Event Chair, Steve McShane, Owner & General Manager of McShane's Nursery & Landscape Supply, tells me. “We're less than 60 miles away and in the near future, we'll be growing much more than commodity vegetables and wine grapes. Leading researchers, businesses and trade organizations in the area are setting a new mark in the global agriculture marketplace, and this event is the perfect place to watch that dialogue unfold.”
More than 45 confirmed vendors, including several modern ag machinery displays, will also be in attendance. Also participating in the lunchtime program will be an amazing panel moderated by local agribusinessman, Dennis Donohue, and including USDA Rural Development State Director Janice Waddell, Hartnell President Willard Lewallen, CSUMB President Ochoa, and Cal Poly Associate Dean of College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Science Richard Cavaletto.
“This is an amazing opportunity for people to connect,” Event Coordinator, Iris Medina, says. “Along with building support and awareness around our community, we also are looking to address preconceptions about what Hartnell College is and what opportunities we offer. The next generation of agricultural leaders should be exposed to more than just the traditional notions of agriculture. We want them to see this as a place where ag and technology not only find a common ground, but can benefit and elevate one another other.”
In addition to the benefits of the day and engaging with the industry, Iris notes that agriculture professionals with PCA, QAL or QC certifications will be awarded six hours for PCAs and five for CCAs, of ongoing education (CE) credits by the Department of Pesticide Regulation for attendance.
Tanimura & Antle will also have an active presense at the event, with Vice President Brian Antle as one of the featured speakers and Caitlin Antle Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director, as one of the speakers and participants.
Caitlin shared with me the excitement around summit and the importance of promoting this type of conversation.
“Tanimura & Antle is excited to be a supporter of the first ever Ag Tech Program in Salinas, the heart of the salad bowl. My cousin, Brian Antle, and I are thrilled to be amongst the other panelists in bringing more community awareness and excitement to the future of our industry,” Caitlin says.
Event admission is free and includes a fabulous BBQ lunch. Registration for the event can be done on-line at: www.eventbrite.com/e/salinas-valley-ag-tech-summit-tickets-22420632716
The event has over 30 sponsors at this point and proceeds will benefit the Hartnell College Agribusiness and Technology Institute. Vendor spaces and sponsorship opportunities are still available. The Salinas Valley Ag Technology Summit was founded in fall of 2014 with the mission of developing a strong community of leading agricultural research, business and education in the Salinas Valley Region.
PHARR, TX - There were more leafy greens than officials bargained for in one broccoli shipment crossing the Pharr International Bridge earlier this week.
On Tuesday, March 22, U.S. Customs Border Patrol (CBP) discovered amongst the broccoli 766 pounds of marijuana, estimated at a street value of about $153,000.
“I commend our frontline officers at our cargo facility for their dedication and commitment towards the CBP mission of helping keep drugs from crossing our border,” Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, commented in a press release.
The Office of Field Operations made the discovery upon secondary inspection of a tractor/trailer hauling a commercial shipment of fresh broccoli from Mexico, according to the CBP. Authorities used a canine team and non-invasive imaging technology to uncover the 661 packages of illegal contraband, seizing the drugs and the vehicle.
“Our ability to analyze all the information presented with commercial importations in conjunction with officer experience, is the basis for accomplishing these type of interceptions,” Solis concluded.
While the CBP did say that the case remains under investigation, nothing was mentioned about whether or not the driver of the truck is being charged.
PLEASANTON, CA - A new release from DeltaTrak® offers possible tracking solutions for import/export operations. Single-use and compact in size, DeltaTrak® says that its FlashLink Mini PDF In-Transit Logger was developed for streamlined ease of use.
“The FlashLink Mini PDF In-Transit Logger is ideal for import/export operations. Receivers don’t have to install software on their local PC and don’t need to purchase additional equipment for downloading,” said President and CEO Frederick Wu in a press release.
DeltaTrak® says that its newest product helps maintain compliance with global food-safety regulations, and provides verification that FSMA and HACCP requirements have been met.
Each logging unit comes equipped with the following tech capacities:
- Built-in USB connector
- On-board software
- Print capabilities
- Easy-to-locate bright green shipping mount
- Peel-away barcode label with attached logging serial number
- 15 or 75-Day models available
DeltaTrak® added that its newest logging technology will help shippers deliver products on time and in good shape. “No matter what country they’re located in, a trip report is at their fingertips in a matter of seconds, ” added Wu.
To find out more about DeltaTrak® and FlashLink Mini PDF In-Transit Logger, visit www.deltatrak.com.
PLANT CITY, FL - Wish Farms successfully saw strawberries become Florida’s star last week during Plant City’s annual Florida Strawberry Festival, attracting over 560,000 visitors and serving as a successful platform for its Rubbermaid FreshWorks™ hashtag campaign.
“We had over 600 entries in just 10 days, as well as tens of thousands of views and engagement across our social media platforms,” Wish Farms Director of Marketing, Amber Maloney, tells me. “Overall it has been a very successful grassroots campaign.”
The theme ‘Snap it. Love it. Share it. Win!’ encouraging consumers to snap a photo enjoying Wish Farms berries for a chance to win $100 + Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ Produce Saver was promoted through several medias, including:
- Event signage
- Flyer distribution
- Video features
- Social posts
Entries were made by posting to Instagram using #ShareTheLoveOfBerries.
The festival set a great stage for Wish Farms’ brand videos, featuring the tradition, labor, and passion that goes into the company’s growing practices, garnering views from more than 4,000 people per show who attended each of the 22 concerts put on during the event, Amber says.
The most successful of the five videos, Hometown Homegrown, received 12,500 views on Facebook during the 11-day festival.
“This was our first user generated content (UGC) campaign,” Amber tells me, explaining that it is becoming a popular marketing strategy for brands across all different industries. “The idea is for brands to tap into their fan/customer base to generate authentic and original content to power their marketing message and improve engagement.”
Amber also explained that Nielson research revealed that 92% of consumers trust online content from friends and family above all other forms of brand messaging, with content from strangers coming in second and still far more than content from brands.
The winners of the photo sweepstakes, #ShareTheLoveOfBerries, were announced March 14th, with the success inspiring a follow up campaign. “We plan to launch a second follow up #ShareTheLoveOfBerries campaign, starting in April, that will run through the month of May promoting our Florida blueberry and California strawberry seasons,” Amber explains.
Wish Farms’ blueberry season is quickly approaching, so stay tuned for more updates as things get under way.
SHIPPENSBURG, PA - Corbin Kelly is giving the term “cabbage patch kid” a whole new meaning, achieving produce feats that many growers spend years trying to cultivate.
The third grader has won statewide recognition by growing a cabbage as large as he is, claiming Pennsylvania’s Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program grand prize of a $1,000 savings bond.
"He grew his cabbage on our family farm, which is located in the town of Burnt Cabins in southern Huntingdon County, about 45 minutes from our home," Corbin’s dad, Michael Kelly, told Penn Live. "My father is a dairy farmer and lives on the farm along with my grandmother."
While the cabbage is visually impressive, Kelly said he and his son didn't weigh the prize produce, and so don't have an official count. It was enough, however, for Corbin to stand out from the 21,985 Pennsylvania third-graders that participated in the contest, and more than 1.5 million in 48 states, according to the report.
And how did he cultivate the giant veggie?
"With good fertile soil – there is no shortage of manure on a dairy farm – and by keeping his plant weed free and watered,” Corbin’s dad said, according to the report. “He also used Miracle-Gro fertilizer on it throughout the year."
The eight-year-old does have a bit of leg up on the novice gardener. Not only does Corbin have a roughly half-acre garden on the Kelly’s farm that he has looked after since he was five, but the family has been farming in the area since 1834, and there are buyers taking notice.
Corbin has now started growing pumpkins for market – nearly 200 of them last summer, Penn Live reports – plus gourds, cantaloupes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, and sweet corn.
With such a portfolio before he has even hit double digits, it’s safe to say that we are looking at the produce industry’s next generation already in the making.
MORGAN HILL, CA – Sakata Seed America has announced a solidified partnership expansion with media great, P. Allen Smith. In addition to the work that Smith currently does with Sakata’s vegetables, veggie and flower fans will now be able to follow Smith’s national television and radio shows, and numerous social media platforms to learn more about growing and decorating with Sakata’s powerful SunPatiens® flower brand.
“Exceptional gardens and landscapes are created with exceptional plants. SunPatiens®, because of their extraordinary genetics, offer a variety of colors and texture that thrive in both sun and shade,” stated Smith. “SunPatiens® are ‘user friendly’ for the home gardener and make even beginners shine like a pro.”
An award-winning designer, gardener, and lifestyle expert himself, Smith is well-versed in the nursery business. Airing on over 590 national stations, Smith’s television programs Garden Home, Garden to Table, and Garden Style cover a range of markets, from outdoor living to cooking and agriculture.
Sakata’s Product Manager for SunPatiens®, Mark Seguin, says that the company is confident in the partnership’s expansion, effective immediately. “Through extensive trialing at Moss Mountain Farm in Little Rock, Arkansas, Allen has been able to select varieties that are not only beautiful, but are easy to grow and offer a great selection of color, texture, and form. Allen recognizes that our award-winning SunPatiens impatiens offer consumers so much,” said Seguin.
According to a press release, Sakata has the first impatiens on the market to be both downy mildew resistant and sun and heat loving, causing the brand's to growth to a household name. Smith plans to expand and hold to the already notable SunPatiens® label, “Easy to grow and with no fuss, they can be relied upon to deliver a ‘wow’ because of their consistent flower power. For big color, beauty and style, SunPatiens® are at the top of my list," said Smith.
To follow P. Allen Smith’s work with Sakata and SunPatiens® click here, or visit sunpatiens.com. More about the partnership will be expounded at Sakata’s CAST display April 9-14 in Salinas, California.
Additionally, Sakata's Senior Director of Sales and Marketing John Nelson announced a sizable donation to the company's partnership with Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) via UC Davis’ Kent J. Bradford Endowment Initiative. The campaign aims to raise $2.5 million towards advancing information on seed issues and technologies.
In a press release, Sakata President-CEO Dave Armstrong said, “A contribution to this cause represents an important piece of our overall investments in the research, education and progress necessary to advance this dynamic trade.”
Learn more about recent contributions and SBC online here.
VALENCIA, CA – Citrus products across the board are seeing a rise in sales, an excellent complement to the current citrus season. According to data recently released by IRI Worldwide, total citrus sales in dollars are up by 8 percent from last year in the December – February period.
Joan Wickham, Director of Communications, said in a press release, “As temperatures rise with the beginning of spring, consumer focus on healthy eating intensifies and retailers can capitalize on health trends with the many varieties of seasonal citrus that are available throughout the spring.”
Sales increases have been especially noted for both the nutrient-rich Cara Cara Navel orange with sales up 12.5 percent by volume from 2015, and florally scented Meyer lemons in an increase of sales by volume of 4.9 percent from last last year.
“Consumers are seeking fresh, bright and delicious foods during the winter months – creating great opportunity for peak season citrus,” added Wickham.
Sunkist suggested that retailers can benefit on this mid-season citrus trend by brushing up on which products are currently moving and available through the season. Unless noted, the following recent harvests are available from Sunkist through May:
- Ojai Pixie tangerines
- Gold Nugget variety mandarins
- Meyer lemons
- Cara Cara Navel oranges
- California Star Ruby grapefruit (through July)
Reach Sunkist at [email protected] for more information on Sunkist nutritional information, point-of-sales materials, and current products.
LAKELAND, FL - Having just entered the Virginia state market early last month, Publix may be already prepared to enter another. The company has hired a retail broker in Washington D.C., raising speculation that the company will be expanding into the territory for the first time.
Sam Hodges, a Principal at real estate broker KLNB Retail, has been picked up as a new representative of Publix, according to the Washington Business Journal. According to the KLNB website, Hodges focus is on both landlord and tenant representation in the Washington-Baltimore market, with prior clients spanning several retailers such as Wegmans, Safeway, Giant Food Stores, Food Lion, and more.
This isn’t the first hint that Publix has been seeking to enter the region, either. The company had a booth at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Mid-Atlantic Dealmaking and Conference event last week at National Harbor, MD. This is the first time Publix has had a presence at the event, which connects landlords with potential retailers, says the Washington Business Journal, reporting that the retailer held several meetings with brokers and other conference goers.
When asked by the news source, Publix Media & Community Relations Manager, Kimberly Reynolds, said the chain is looking to open stores throughout Virginia, but would not confirm any specific stores in the Washington D.C. region.
As more news is released about the company’s regional growth, we will continue to provide you with updates.