OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA - The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) awards a Member of Parliament or Senator annually for their support in the produce industry. The award for 2024 Produce Champion this year belongs to Lianne Rood, Member of Parliament (MP).

“Since her election in 2019, MP Rood has been actively engaged in issues important to the fresh fruit and vegetable sector and a strong voice holding the government accountable to supporting issues important to our sector,” said Ron Lemaire, President. “Her own family background in the fresh produce industry has given her a passion and dedication that is evident in her work on the Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-food and her continued efforts in support of Canadian agriculture.”

The CPMA’s podcast, Produce Talks, will feature MP Lianne Rood on an upcoming episode, and she will also be recognized for the award at the CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Montreal next April, a release stated.

“It is a great honor to be given this recognition from the CPMA,” said Rood. “I come from a multigenerational farming family, and I understand the issues that are important to the success of the Canadian produce industry. This is something I am passionate about, and I will continue to champion Canadian agriculture through my role in Parliament.”

Cheers to MP Rood on this important industry recognition!

WASHINGTON, DC - The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) wants to remind agricultural employers and workers of some heat safety best practices, as record temperatures soar nationwide.

“Education and voluntary compliance are vital when it comes to heat safety,” explains Alexandra Martinez, Marketing Associate. “Farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to heat-related health risks and are 35 times more likely to die from heat-related causes compared to other workers. We’re providing simple, executable steps that can help save lives.”

Although a handful of states have heat protection regulations, such as California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, millions of farmworkers are still at risk of unhealthy working conditions and life-threatening heat illnesses in states with no regulations. Furthermore, this failure to implement heat safety measures costs the U.S. economy nearly $100 billion annually.

According to a release, up to 170,000 workers suffer heat stress-related injuries annually, and workplace injuries increase one percent for every one degree Celsius rise in temp. Fatalities due to heat exposure are up to 2,000 per year in the states.

To protect workers, EFI offers tips and covers key topics, such as:

1. Hydration: Encourage workers to drink plenty of water before, during, and after their shifts. Ensure access to cool (below 60 degrees Fahrenheit), potable water
2. Rest Breaks: Schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to allow workers to cool down
3. Protective Clothing: Advise workers to wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. Hats and sunglasses provide additional sun protection
4. Education: Train workers to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and to act immediately by seeking shade, water, and medical attention if necessary

To learn more about how EFI is educating and protecting agricultural employers and workers, this is a link to its toolkit: equitablefood.org/heat.

Employers can protect their workers by adopting comprehensive heat safety practices and enhance their reputation while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Stick with AndNowUKnow as we continue to share industry news and updates all summer long.

UNITED STATES - An update regarding the merger between Kroger and Albertsons occurred yesterday afternoon. Kroger released a list of stores it plans to divest to secure regulatory approval for its proposed merger with Albertsons. This list includes stores, distribution centers, and plants.

According to a report from Bloomberg, citing a memo written by Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen, the companies at the affected locations have now begun to notify staff.

A copy of the store divestiture plan outlined the stores affected and the states in which they reside.

The states most impacted by the divestitures include Washington with 124 stores, Arizona with 101 stores, Colorado with 91 stores, California with 63 stores, and Oregon with 62. The total store count divested is 579 stores across 18 states.

The merger is currently being challenged by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC trial is set for next month.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover the latest on this merger.

WASHINGTON, DC - Fox Packaging proved its skills as a host of prominent industry players when it welcomed the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Fresh Impact Tour program to McAllen, Texas, last May. There, IFPA was able to meet with members to discuss the issues locally and regionally that impact their area.

“At Fox Packaging, we believe that progress thrives on the exchange of knowledge and ideas,” said Lucas Fox, Director of Operations at Fox Packaging. “Hosting industry peers and partners, such as the International Fresh Produce Association, at our facilities is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering innovation. These gatherings are not just meetings; they are incubators for forward-thinking solutions that benefit the entire supply chain. By welcoming collaboration, we are not only participating in the conversation, but also actively contributing to shaping our industry’s future. It is our intention to be a true supply chain partner, and hosting these events allows us to facilitate and engage in the industry we strive to support.”

Industry experts participated in a panel discussion during the event. This included Dante Galeazzi, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Texas International Fresh Produce Association; John Hollay, Director of Workforce Labor at IFPA; and Ed Treacy, Vice President of Supply Chain at IFPA. Local members and nonmembers brought their questions and concerns on issues such as labor, climate-smart ag, and the Farm Bill, a press release stated.

Additional events of the week included meetings and tours of other regional member organizations including Little Bear Produce, which addressed one of its most pressing concerns: limited water supply.

IFPA staff were then able to witness Reveam’s groundbreaking technology shown to improve produce quality, eliminate pathogens and bioburden, and increase shelf-life to reduce food waste.

The Fresh Impact Tour program allows IFPA to meet members where they are and provide an opportunity for all attendees to gain local perspectives and build local networks.

To hear more about Fox Packaging and other industry operators, keep reading ANUK.

KINGSVILLE, ON - While some companies respond to consumer demand, other operations seek to drive it. That is the caliber of dream team that you find in Mastronardi Produce^®. With the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) upon us, the company is debuting its highly anticipated Organic Summer Series Berries for solutions-driven retailers seeking differentiation and sales prowess.

"Mastronardi is known for leading innovation in greenhouse growing and is proud to pioneer the organics category by crafting standout offerings like our Organic Flavor Bombs® and now the launch of the Organic Summer Series,” says Paul Mastronardi, Chief Executive Officer, Mastronardi Produce. “At SUNSET® we develop items that continue to redefine consumer flavor experiences while setting new benchmarks in taste and quality.”

The ingenuity behind this program will bring customers a series including the Summer Magic™ Blackberry, Summer Pop™ Blueberry, Summer Dream™ Raspberry, and Summer Delight™ Strawberry.

According to a press release, these berries promise to elevate the organic berry category with their outstanding taste and vibrant colors. They are grown with expertise under USDA organic growing standards and are Non-GMO Project Verified.

Through the mastery of Mastronardi's proprietary growing techniques, each berry meets the highest standards that consumers expect from the SUNSET® brand and that retailers look to each day.

One of the major hallmarks of Mastronardi’s berry program is the team’s organic strawberries grown in the company’s state-of-the-art Ohio greenhouse. With advanced technology in sustainable and climate-resilient growing, this program thrives. While a tornado’s devastation last year might stop some companies, this greenhouse has been rebuilt in record time, thanks to Havecon Projects. Phase 2 of the greenhouse expansion is currently under development, with increased acreage to meet the high demand.

Today WOW® Strawberries capture over 60 percent of the U.S. market share for greenhouse-grown strawberries, the press release continues.

But let’s not stop with berries. On top of the berry success, SUNSET® has established itself as the leading organic tomato brand in the USA, with nearly 20 percent growth in volume over the past year alone.

Greenhouse-grown On-the-Vine tomatoes account for the fastest-growing segment of the snacking tomato category, the company adds, and SUNSET® is the leader in national supply. Additionally, attendees at OPS will have the chance to learn about the popular BOMBS™ lineup of On-the-Vine Snacking Tomatoes, including Organic Flavor Bombs®.

Make sure to stop by booth #202 at the Organic Produce Summit to visit the Mastronardi Produce team and learn more about the innovative lineup.

KINGSBURG, CA - From produce technology to prize enticements to add some extra fun to your show floor experience, Scattaglia Growers & Shippers (SGS) is ensuring its booth visitors at the Organic Produce Summit (OPS) have a memorable experience.

“We are looking forward to exhibiting at OPS! Our team will be out on the floor and ready to chat about the new technology being utilized in our organic stonefruit program such as the Aweta sizer that focuses on piece-to-piece consistency when it comes to fruit coloring, sizing, and flavor,” Kira Navison, Director of Marketing, recently shared with me.

Not only does the company have a longstanding history of well-developed best practices when it comes to packing and delivering high-quality fruit from steps that start in the soil, SGS values and consistently pursues innovation.

“Clean Works is known to increase the shelf-life of fruit and kill pathogens such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and more. SGS is currently the only company in the United States utilizing this technology for organic stonefruit,” Kira said.

She also teased that there would be a fun giveaway opportunity at OPS and anyone who swings by the booth can enter.

“Don’t miss the chance to enter our giveaway and win a prize!" she added.

To meet those behind SGS’s organic offerings and participate in the chance to win a prize, be sure to add booth #403 to your show floor plans.