CALIFORNIA & NEVADA - More stats have been revealed about the benefits El Niño has had on California’s drought. According to the Nevada Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), since December 9, Lake Tahoe has gained nearly 28 billion gallons of water.
In total, the NRCS’s numbers reveal that Lake Tahoe gained about 8 inches of elevation compared the December low point. This equaled about 27.6 billion gallons, or, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal, enough water to serve about 85,000 households for a year.
However, there is still a long way to go, experts say. The lake is currently about 11 inches below its natural rim, which is preventing the new water from flowing down the Truckee River to houses and farms in Nevada and California, the Reno Gazette-Journal says.
“Until it gets above the rim… none of it is really useful at least in terms of our water supply and irrigation,” said Jeff Anderson, the NRCS’s Water Supply Specialist.
Forecasts suggest another 1.7 feet of gain will arrive between March 1 and the summer season, when Lake Tahoe typically reaches the annual high point. That gain, as well as what rain the rest of February has to offer, would put Lake Tahoe at about 10 inches above it’s natural rim, according to Chad Blanchard, Federal Water Master for the Truckee and Carson rivers.
The flow of the Truckee River at Farad is expected to be at about 104 percent of normal, according to the forecast, however Blanchard says it's possible that will range between 70 percent and 200 percent, due to how much time life in winter we have to get through.
AUSTIN, TX – Whole Foods Market started off the year with a boost insales, beating the street and setting a record for its first quarter of fiscal 2016.
As we previously reported, CEO John Mackey called 2015 a challenging year and that he couldn’t recall another year where the retailer had received so much negative media coverage. But in looking for a comeback, the chain certainly looks to be off to a good start.
“We delivered record sales of $4.8 billion this quarter and are pleased with the progress we have made on our nine-point plan outlined in November,” Walter Robb, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Whole Foods Market, said, according to the company’s financial report. “We improved our cost structure, stepped up our value efforts, and are excited to announce today the national launch of digital coupons within our mobile app.”
According to CNBC, Whole Foods shares saw a 6 percent boost after-hours.
Highlights for the 16-week first quarter, ended January 17, 2016, included:
- EBITDA were $399 million, or 8.3% of sales
- Diluted earnings per share were $0.46
- Adjusted return on invested capital was 14%
- Produced $232 million in cash flow from operations
- Invested $179 million in capital expenditures
- Returned $45 million in quarterly dividends to shareholders
The company also repurchased $634 million or 21.2 million shares of common stock, and completed its previously announced offering of $1 billion of 5.2% senior notes due 2025 on December 3, 2015.
In looking to the future, Robb said, “We believe we will deliver strong returns to shareholders over the long-term as we improve our price perception, better communicate our higher quality standards and differentiation, and continue to fundamentally evolve our business.”
Ending the quarter with $1.1 billion in total debt and $1.4 billion in total available capital, Whole Foods appears optimistic for what 2016 has to bring.
SALINAS, CA - Ippolito International has expanded its sales team with the addition of two new members, Monica Guidotti and Katie Culver.
Guidotti, who was most recently employed by the Salinas-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods, will now be handling both sales and commodity management of bok choy, napa, beets, kale, endive and escarole. Guidotti has more than 25 years of produce industry experience in outside purchasing and accounting, including additional roles with Ready Pac, Fresh Express, and Sysco.
Culver, who has worked as an Accounting Associate at Ippolito for the past year, has now been promoted to the role of Sales Coordinator. Culver is a 2013 graduate of California State University, Chico.
Ippolito International’s General Manager, Butch Corda, says he and the company are pleased to add Monica and Katie to its sales staff.
“Monica with her experience will help round out our team, and Katie will be learning the ropes from the ground up,” Corda, tells me. “I particularly enjoy mentoring young people in the office and helping them to understand all the variables that come into play in our industry. Between weather, labor and other market factors there is much to learn that cannot be taught in any school room setting.”
For information on Ippolito International and its sales team, visit www.qvproduce.com.
NIXA, MO – Market Fresh Produce is expanding its team with the addition of Carolyn Wall and 30-year industry veteran Edwin Garcia.
As the new Category Manager on the company’s national sourcing team, Edwin Garcia will work with growers across North America and offshore to source the highest quality products for the Market Fresh premium consumer brand, according to a press release. Garcia will be based out of Market Fresh’s Tampa facility.
His work history includes working for several retail and foodservice companies, including Albert’s Organic Produce, Save-A-Lot, U.S. Foodservice, W.S. Lee and Sons, and Sysco Foodservice.
“With his vast experience he will be a strong addition to our Market Fresh team,” said CEO and Owner Steve Phipps.
Carolyn Wall, the most recent hire to the Market Fresh team, has joined the company’s accounting staff at its corporate office in Nixa, MO.
In a press release, the company said that Wall’s 17 years of accounting and payroll experience will be a great asset to the growing Market Fresh team.
Market Fresh recently launched a new line of pre-packaged vegetables, which includes 12 oz. Green Beans, 2 pack Hothouse or Vine Ripe Tomatoes, 2 pack Pappers in a variety of colors, 2 pack Zucchini and Yellow Squash, 3 count Corn on the Cob and Cucumbers, 3 pack Baker Potatoes, Asparagus, Brussel sprouts, and more.
The new line is over wrapped with breathable film to preserve the quality and shelf life of the produce and includes its own individual high graphic tray with a recipe and nutritional facts.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – USDA has filed action against Arrow Farms of New York Inc., a New York-based company, for PACA violations.
The Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency within USDA, alleges in a press release that the company failed to promptly pay $266,876 to six produce sellers from September 2014 through May 2015.
Arrow Farms of New York Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. If USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the industry for two years. In addition, its principals 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.
All interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits must be licensed by USDA under PACA. If any trader violates the act, USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke their license.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its 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.
OVALLE, CHILE - In its first notable earthquake of the year, Chile experienced a 6.3-magnitude shakeup in the central region Tuesday evening, Feb. 9th.
While the waves could be felt as far from the epicenter as Santiago, ABC News reports that no injuries or damage has yet been logged.
As for the Chilean ports, authorities stated that they are not anticipating a tsunami hitting the coast in relation to the earthquake, with no alert issue, and that infrastructure damages were not reported.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at 9:33 p.m. 25 miles west of Ovalle. Followed by a 5.1-magnitude aftershock at 9:47 p.m., buildings shook as far away as Santiago, 202 miles south of the initial location.
Just last September, Chile saw the world’s strongest earthquake, hitting an 8.3 on the Richter Scale and resulting in a tsunami that went as far as Japan.
This earthquake was the magnitude of the aftershock that came a week after that one - conditions the country looks to be well prepared for. However, AndNowUKnow will continue to keep it ear to the ground as we await any information that could affect produce production as a result of this occurrence.
ST. CLOUD, MN - Coborn’s has hired longtime retail produce veteran Tom Williams as the company’s new Director of Produce and Floral Merchandising.
In his most recent role, Williams served as Manager of Corporate Retail Produce and Floral at SpartanNash Company. Prior to that role, he spent 35 years in various leadership positions with Supervalu’s Northern Region, Brookshire Grocery Company, Cub Foods Corporate, H. Brooks and Company, and Upper Lakes Foods.
As Coborn’s new Director of Produce and Floral, Williams will be in charge of developing and leading the implementation of produce and floral merchandising strategies for the company’s separate retail divisions, including Coborn’s, Cash Wise, Marketplace Foods and CobornsDelivers. Williams is tasked with achieving the company’s desired sales and gross profit results, as well as maximizing produce and floral distribution.
Reporting to Vice President of Fresh Merchandising, Emily Coborn, Williams will be accountable for "aggressively leading innovation" in the produce and floral departments to create a shopping experience that reflects each retail divisions’ unique brand promises, according to a press release. Now also responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, Williams will provide direct supervision to the Produce and Floral Retail Supervisors and indirect supervision to Department Managers.
Williams holds a BA in Management from the College of St. Scholastica, and is currently serving on the Retail/Foodservice Board of Directors for United Fresh, as well as being an Appointee for the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee.
ROSEMONT, IL - Foodservice distributor US Foods’ parent company, US Foods Holding Corp., filed a proposal for an initial public offering (IPO) on Feb. 9th.
The company stated that the number of shares and the price range for the offering have not been determined, though Fortune reports that US Foods plans to raise $100 million, speculating that this number is likely to increase as more information comes to light.
US Foods has made a number of strides towards growth recently, including the acquisition of family-owned foodservice distributor Dierks Waukesha and deciding to double the size of its 123,000-square-foot facility in Fife, Washington, both just last December.
As it stands, the company currently pulls in $23 billion in annual revenue, according to Fortune, and plans to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol USFD.
Though the registration statement has been filed with the SEC, it is not yet in effect and will not be open for offers until it is effective, according to a press release.
When available, a copy can be obtained for free from the book-running manager of the IPO. AndNowUKnow will continue to follow and report on this story as it develops further.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed action against Andrews Farming Inc., a Hillsville, Virginia-based company, for PACA violations.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), an agency within USDA, alleges in a press release that Andrews Farming Inc. failed to make payment to 11 produce sellers in the amount of $513,226 from December 2014 through June 2015.
Andrews Farming Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. If USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. In addition, its principals 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.
Under PACA, all interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits must be licensed by USDA. If any trader violates the act, USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke their license.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its 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.
CALIFORNIA – Celery growers are finally starting to see some reprieve after Mother Nature had dealt a bad hand across multiple growing regions in previous months. Prices are now starting to calm down bit by bit each week, and with an uptick in supplies for some shippers, growers say it’s good news for buyers.
Rick Alcocer, Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Senior Vice President of Fresh Sales, tells me that demand for celery has exceeded available supply overall to date. Moving forward, however, he says that we will see a more stable relationship in supply meeting demand and prices settling in the mid-teens.
“Some shippers have returned to normal volume, while those who pushed their crews to harvest as much celery as possible to match demand are still ahead of schedule and light on volume compared to normal,” said Alcocer. “It may take three to four more weeks for some growers/shippers to finally catch up to normal planned harvest.”
This is the second consecutive week of warm temperatures on the west coast, which is helping the plants grow with some sort of normalcy and consistency. Across the board, growers say that quality is meeting expectations.
Castroville, California-based Ocean Mist Farms is currently shipping product out of Coachella and will later transition to Oxnard from March till the first week of June. John Chobanian, Ocean Mist’s Commodity Account Manager, tells me that demand is currently starting to pick back up again after hard freezes in the mid-west and east coast tempered the market.
“Demand has gotten better with the improvement in weather conditions and with prices having adjusted down. Product quality has been exceptional,” said Chobanian. “Even though it has eased up some recently, the market is very strong and has been for quite some time. There does not seem to be an excess of product by any means, so prices should stay relatively strong the next couple weeks.”
Each growing area had a number of weather-related challenges to deal with during the season. Florida, Santa Maria, and Oxnard each had to deal with excessive rain, while Mexico and Yuma was affected by cold weather. That’s a thing of the past though, as Church Brothers’ Commodity Manager, Jason Lathos, explains to me.
“Supplies from all areas look to be in full production,” he says. “With the increase in supplies and overall quality, celery is forecasted to be a great product to promote for the next few weeks.”
As celery shippers start to come off one of the highest and longest celery markets in history, things look to be turning back around slowly but surely. For more updates on the celery market, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.