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GILROY, CA - Germains Seed Technology is stepping up its interactive game with the launch of its new website to provide global and local customers a resource for gathering information about seed treatments and solutions tailored to particular crops and cultivation processes.
“Germains offers a variety of innovative seed treatments that are all now strategically categorized by conventional and organic. Because we value our customer’s time and are experiencing increased demand for organic seed technologies, the website was designed so that our customers and the growers they serve may search for seed technologies that are appropriate for their cultivation practices or by crop,” Cathy Farr, North America Business Director, said. “Also, we opted to add the goseed@ value calculator so that customers may calculate the potential increase in yield and revenue a grower may experience after applying goseed® technology to their lettuce, carrots, onions or parsnip seed. All of the products and content is current, but we will continue to maintain and add information to the site. Our goal is for the website to become a valuable resource for our customers and a tool for recruiting new employees.”
Check Out the New Site for Yourself Here
According to the company, many growers ask questions like, “What kind of return on investment may I possibly get from seed technology?” A new interactive online “Value Estimator” calculator tool located through the new site, makes it easy for users to estimate potential increase in yields and revenue per acre from products such as goseed® technology when applied to carrots, lettuce, parsnip and or onion seeds.
Currently, the website is divided into two regions, North America and Europe, and the international company has categorized all of its seed technologies into Conventional and Organic. The categories will help users gather information quickly based on cultivation practices. Seed companies, dealers, and growers looking for seed treatments for a particular crop, may now “Search by Species” as well, by entering the crop’s common name, users will find a one-page list of all the technologies available for each species.
Founded in 1871 in Los Angeles, California, Germains Seed Technology develops innovative conventional and organic seed solutions for a number vegetable crops. Specializing in seed Priming, Pelleting, Filmcoating, Disinfection and Plant Health, its team of industry experts are here to work in collaboration with customers to provide seed treatments that are appropriate for particular crops, cultivation practices, and environmental conditions. Germains seed technologies maximize nature’s potential while improving the crop’s performance in the field or greenhouse.
SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS - Just when you thought El Niño was going to stop working its magic on California's snowpack, it looks these past two weeks of storms have been just what the doctor ordered.
According to The Weather Channel, an "atmospheric river" has brought snowfall totals to several feet across the highest elevations of the Sierra Mountain range. The news source estimates that since March 5, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort has seen over 10 feet of snow at its summit, with a total of 125 inches of snow falling in those past 10 days.
Undoubtedly, this has made a substantial impact on the drought-stricken state’s snowpack. In the graphic below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, you can see that current conditions are both wider and deeper than they were prior to March 4.
California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) quantifies snowpack gains using what is called “snow water equivalent,” meaning how much water the snowpack would contain if it was melted down in its entirety. The CDWR now estimates the snow water equivalent in the northern Sierra at 102 percent of the average to date for March 14. Up from 82 percent on March 4, this makes for an overall increase of 20 percent. In the central Sierra, snow water equivalent rose from 81 percent of average on March 4 to 94 percent of average as of March 14. The southern Sierra increased from 70 percent of average to 81 percent.
Roughly one-third of California's drinking water comes from the Sierra snowpack, which later melts in the spring to replenish the state's reservoirs. Keep watching AndNowUKnow for continued updates on the region’s snowpack.
RIO NEGRO VALLEY, ARGENTINA — Organic apple and pear orchard of the Rio Negro Valley in Argentina, Lago Verde, have expanded their line of socially responsible fresh produce to include Fair Trade Certification.
This effort is being brought to fruition through the hard work and congregation of partner importers, Patagonia Organics and Bridges Organics, as well as nonprofit certifier, Fair Trade USA.
“Apples and pears are some of the most widely consumed fruits in the United States, but until now there has never been a Fair Trade Certified option,” said Hannah Freeman, Senior Director of Produce and Floral at Fair Trade USA in a press release. “We’re proud to partner with Lago Verde to bring these products to market, empowering farmworkers to build sustainable livelihoods for their families and communities.”
Family-owned Lago Verde is operated by Hugo Sanchez and his son Nicolas. The company also employs both seasonal and full-time employees, and since the workload has grown, the variety of workers has grown to include a mixture of local and migrant workers from other regions in Argentina and South America.
The company says it committed to improving the individual development and well-being of its workers and the community around them. Over the years, the family-owned business has devoted funds for various needs including schools, healthcare, upgrading homes and religious activities in their local community and nearby native villages.
Furthering this commitment to social responsibility, Lago Verde will help secure better wages, safer work conditions, and the freedom of association for their workers, as well as promoting environmental stewardship. It is the commitment to their workers and local community that has inspired Hugo and his son Nicolas to become Fair Trade Certified, Bridge Produce President Ben Johnson says, adding, “Fair Trade will allow them to further the work they have already begun.”
Each of the 40-pound apples and pears boxes will carry a $1.64 premium, of which 100% will return to the Lago Verde Fair Trade Worker Committee. The company expects these funds to improve not only the workers’ lives, but also to foster empowerment and encourage them to prioritize and oversee projects which hold importance to them.
This is the second Fair Trade program that has been supported by Bridges Produce, who has partnered with Rico Farms to sell Fair Trade row crops from Hermosillo, Mexico.
“Fair Trade is in the spirit of the original organic movement, to create a better world for all stakeholders,” added Johnson.
To learn more about the partnership, contact Bridges Produce at [email protected].
WENATCHEE, WA - CMI has announced that Kanzi® apples are hitting their peak in the next few weeks, with the grower anticipating new record sales in retail performance.
“Kanzi® apples are really turning heads at the retail level,” Robb Myers, Vice President of Sales at CMI, said, adding that the flavor-intense brand has increased sales by 87%. “Over the past year, apple category dollars are down, yet Kanzi® is still driving incredible growth.”
Myers also stated that sales of Kanzi® apples in the U.S. peak between March 15 and May 1, according to a press release, calling it the time for Kanzi®.
“Kanzi® flavor develops in storage so we release it in late winter just as sales momentum in the apple category is beginning to slow," he said. "There is nothing like a new item to invigorate category sales.”
“We’re seeing Kanzi® selling successfully in nearly 3,500 stores nationally,” CMI’s Vice President of Marketing, Steve Lutz, said, adding that Nielsen data shows Kanzi® in the number one dollar growth rate among the 35 best-selling varieties in the U.S. “The next six weeks are prime time for retailers to let their shoppers try this spectacular new apple.”
The timing between Washington State-grown and New Zealand-grown Kanzi® apples is one that allows product to keep coming, with Washington’s season going through the end of April and New Zealand’s imported Kanzi® arriving just in time.
With the peak on the way, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we report on all produce products on the rise in the industry.
HOLLYWOOD, FL - Beautiful Hollywood, Florida was the perfect setting for SEPC’s Produce in Paradise, and everyone felt the heat. My first Southern Exposure since entering the industry, and one that everyone was raving about, the location and festivities did not disappoint. But with such an intimate setting that encouraged many quality conversations, it’s understandable if you didn’t get around to all of the booths.
While alligator sausages, balloons, and hula dancers were definitely distracting, here are some of the items that held my attention:
Mann Packing’ New Culinary Cuts®
These latest launches, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Cauliettes®, and Broccoli Clovers, look exactly like a foodservice-geared item packaged for the family, which then hit me as completely sensible. As someone who loves to cook, but hates the preparation, I can only imagine what it must be like with more mouths to feed than just my own and the temptation to convenience this will bring consumer moms.
Duda Farm Fresh’s Ready to Snack
Are we seeing a trend? Convenience is hot, and Duda’s latest combo of on-the-go packaging and classic produce snacking favorites like celery sticks and peanut butter, as well as newer variations like different flavors of ranch, are perfect for kids, adults, and even seniors.
Yerecic Label’s BackFlip!™
Many packaging strategies include ideas on how to use or store produce in order to push it, but the clamshell (a popular way to package) can be difficult to do this with—until now. I loved Yerecic’s new BackFlip!™ label, which uses both the inside and the outside of the casing to really convey as much of a message as possible. On the outside is one message, and then you flip the lid- it’s like the surprise inside a wonder ball!
Frieda’s Purple Power Breakfast Bowl
If you were not several minutes early to the SEPC luncheon, you may have missed breakfast because there wasn't a seat left in the house. It turned out, however, that starting the show hungry was a blessing in disguise. Frieda’s Purple Power Breakfast Bowl was a delicious solution that made me grateful I hadn’t eaten before hand—not to mention seeing the booth sporting the latest, colorful re-brand that the company just launched last October, which blended with the show’s tropical theme perfectly.
It truly was an intimate, fun event that I was honored to be a part of, and can’t wait to see what is in store for Orlando next year! Keep checking in for more in depth coverage from the floor, coming soon.
NEW YORK, NY - This sentence may sound familiar: Activist investor Starboard Value is now cutting back its stake in Olive Garden parent company Darden Restaurants, for the third time this year, no less.
After selling another 1.3 million shares, Starboard now only owns a fraction of its previous stake—5.2%. The Vista Voice estimates the sale to have netted over $25 million.
As previously mentioned, this is not the first time Starboard has reduced its stake this year. From its all-time-high of 1.6 million-shares, the company cut its stake from 9.1% to 8.1% in January, then down to 6.2% just last month.
Starboard has previously said in a regulatory filing that it intends to remain a large shareholder in Darden, taking advantage of a “significant appreciation” in Darden’s stock. The company’s regulatory filing on the stock sale showed Starboard’s stake currently at 5.2% with about 6.7 million shares.
The “significant appreciation” referred to in the filing is part of the restaurant operator’s turnaround of its poor financial performance in the years prior. After Starboard had overturned Darden’s entire Board of Directors in October of 2014 and placed Starboard CEO Jeffrey Smith as the company’s Chairman, the restaurant operator seemed to completely revamp its poor financial performance in the year prior.
In its most recent quarterly report, Darden beat Wall Street expectations and appointed former Chief Strategy Officer Ricardo Cardenas as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger has announced a new Group Vice President of Retail Operations, promoting Columbus division Operations VP, Mary Ellen Adcock. Effective May 16, Adcock will succeed Marnette Perry, whose retirement was previously announced.
Most recently as Columbus Operations VP, Adcock was an integral part in the leadership behind the region’s stores cutting prices for thousands of items including fresh produce, meat, and natural and organic foods.
Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer assures that Adcock will be a great addition to the company's senior leadership team.
"Mary Ellen brings to her new role a strong track record of success leading teams across our business, including manufacturing, operations, and merchandising,” added McMullen in a press release. “She is the right leader to help shape our vision for store operations as we continue investing to grow."
Adcock began her 17-year career with the company at Country Oven Bakery in Bowling Green, KY in 1999. Since then, she has held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility in Kroger Manufacturing, including Vice President of Deli/Bakery Manufacturing in Kroger's general office in 2009. As of 2014, Adcock was named to her most recent position of Vice President of Merchandising for Kroger Columbus.
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VIDALIA & LAKE PARK, GA - Coggins Farms and Stanley Farms have fused their businesses to create a wide portfolio under the new, aptly named, Generation Farms.
“By operating under one name we will take the next step in building upon the agricultural expertise of our families to meet the rising demand for the high quality, conventional and organic produce for which we are known,” Founding Members Vince Stanley and Mike Coggins said in a press release. “This new era of collaboration and innovation will lead to greater customer satisfaction and opportunities for all members of the Generation Farms team.”
Operations as Generation Farms began March 1, 2016, with emphasis on growing through respect, integrity, growth, happiness, and teamwork – all of which the company names as its core values that have guided both sides for generations.
Generation Farms spans thousands of acres, from northern Florida throughout Georgia, reaching just south of the South Carolina border, making it one of the largest growers of organic produce, as well as grower/processor/shipper of onions and carrots, on the East Coast.
“As we enter this new chapter in our businesses, we are very excited to share it with you, our valued team members,” the founding members continued. “As we work to integrate our operations under Generation Farms, your continued emphasis on delivering flawless customer service and the highest-quality produce shall be more important than ever.”
A peek into the company’s offerings, to name a few, include:
- Sweet potatoes
- Green beans
- Peppers
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Kale
A blended company even in its leadership, Generation Farms added that, in addition to Vince Stanley and Mike Coggins, its management team is made up of other members of the Coggins and Stanley families, as well as an extended team of agricultural industry professionals.
“Employee opportunity, food safety, environmental sustainability, and high-quality produce are and shall remain the keystones of our business and the foundation of our leadership,” Stanley and Coggins said of the operations.
With eyes on a hopeful horizon for success, the company enthusiastically invited members to usher in with them a new chapter to the history of their respective founding farms, and even a new era of innovative farming in the Southeast.