SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira is closing out its fiscal 2015 after having focused on growth and expanding its footprint in California citrus.
"Over the past year, we continued to execute on our long-term growth strategy,” Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, according to the financial report. “We formed a development partnership between our company and The Lewis Group, a leading real estate development and investment company, for the development of Harvest at Limoneira. We expect to receive $100 million to $130 million from the joint venture, including the $20 million we have received, over the seven to ten year life of the project. We are also focused on the development of over 40 acres of commercial properties adjacent to project property, which represents an additional opportunity for meaningful cash flows."
Highlights for the fourth quarter report for fiscal 2015 included:
- Fiscal Year 2015 Revenue of $100.3 Million
- FY 2015 EBITDA increase of 10% compared to last year
- Company expectations of an increase in Operating Income for FY 2016
Edwards added that the company made significant progress in its agribusiness during fiscal year 2015, having completed the expansion of its Santa Paula lemon packing house and expecting the new packing facilities to be up and operating in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.
“Our operating cash flows combined with projected future cash flows from real estate development initiatives, are expected to provide the financial flexibility to invest in our business while continuing to pay a quarterly dividend, which we recently raised by 11%," he concluded.
Other details included agribusiness revenue of $12.9 million, compared to $15.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The company noted that the decrease in agribusiness revenue was primarily due to lower lemon sales, which included $11.6 million in lemon sales, compared to $13.8 million of lemon sales during the same period of fiscal year 2014, primarily reflecting lower fresh lemon prices and volume.
“Looking forward, we intend to continue to make investments to expand our agribusiness operations in both California and internationally in order to expand Limoneira's position as a leading global citrus agribusiness," Edwards stated.
For the fiscal year ending October 31, 2016, the company said that it expects to sell between 2.7 million and 3.0 million cartons of fresh lemons at an average price of approximately $22.50 per carton, and expects to sell approximately 8.5 to 9.5 million pounds of avocados at approximately $0.80 per pound.
“We continue to make progress expanding our agribusiness,” said Alex Teague, Senior Vice President. “As we begin fiscal 2016, we will benefit from our expanded and modernized lemon packing house, along with other investments we have made over the past several years. We look forward to capitalizing on opportunities to expand our acreage of productive land, as well as driving organic growth.”
As we previously reported, Limoneira and The Lewis Group have partnered up to engage in the residential development of Harvest at Limoneira (formerly Santa Paula Gateway Project and East Area 1.) Build-out is expected to begin this year, and the company anticipates that Limoneira Lewis Community Builders will begin receiving security deposits from homebuilders for lots sales in mid-2017. The sale of lots is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017.
DELTA, OH – After completing the first phase of its 180-acre greenhouse project in Delta, Ohio, late last year in November, NatureFresh™ Farms is already breaking ground on the next phase.
Phase II will add another 15.30 acres to the greenhouse facility by the middle of this summer, bringing NatureFresh’s total acreage of the new construction to 30 acres.
As we previously reported, the entire project is structured to take place in 12 phases spanning over seven years. It will incorporate High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights, allowing the company to continue growing produce throughout the winter. In addition, the greenhouse facility will also be a neighbor of North Star Blue Scope Steel; both NatureFresh and North Star Blue Scope Steel will partner together to share waste heat and CO2 to help heat the greenhouse while reducing carbon footprints.
“The support for our Ohio project has been overwhelming which has prompted us to start Phase II right away,” Peter Quiring, President, said in a statement.
NatureFresh expects that its first crop of tomatoes from this facility, aptly named OhioRed™, will be ready for picking by mid-February 2016.
After Phase II is complete, the current plan calls for Phase III to begin construction this spring to add another 15.30 acres to the facility. Combined with the company’s Canadian production in Leamington, ON, NatureFresh™ Farms will grow and market 175 acres of its own production, according to a press release.
NatureFresh’s Delta facility will be producing greenhouse vegetables year-round starting next winter.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - Look out all you lovers out there—this February, Frieda’s is providing shoppers with a solution for Valentine’s Day meal displays. Pair Frieda’s newly branded French Style Crêpes with the store’s fresh berry case for a holiday display sure to catch a few impulse buys in the produce department.
The crêpes' new packaging design comes in a fun, young vibe that appeals to home-cooking millennials, but still keeps Baby Boomers from being alienated, Frieda’s says. The package’s attractive branding includes the phrase “Ooh là là,” making these ready-to-eat crêpes are an easy way for shoppers to add a little romance to their Valentine’s Day menus.
Packed in ready-to-display cases, Frieda’s crêpes also come in a self-standing crêpes shipper display of four 12/5oz. cases featuring bright colors and tasty graphics that will catch shoppers’ eyes and draw them right to your Valentine’s Day destination display.
“While crêpes are a perfect complement to fresh berry displays,” the press release explains, “Frieda’s also recommends merchandising them with tropical fruits, such as passion fruit and pomegranate, and specialty citrus, such as mandarins, blood oranges, pink lemons, and Meyer lemons.”
Shelf-stable and ready-to-eat, Frieda’s crêpes are the perfect impulse item for your produce department. Contact Frieda’s to find out more about la crêpe magnifique shipper and très bons products.
ARLINGTON, VA - With the new year comes a new leadership lineup for the National Grocers Association (NGA). The association has announced several staff promotions: Matthew R. Ott as COO, Greg Ferrara as SVP of Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Maggie Lyons as Senior Director of Government Relations, and Laura Strange as Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.
“Each of these individuals has extensive experience in their areas of expertise and provides NGA with immense knowledge that expands beyond the food industry,” explained Peter J. Larkin, NGA President and CEO. “They are great assets to this organization and I look forward to working with each as they continue to grow in their roles and work towards NGA’s goal to strengthen the independent supermarket industry.”
New COO Matthew R. Ott, M.S., CAE, CMP has gained experience overseeing NGA’s membership, business development, partnership, and technology initiatives. In his new role, Ott will add responsibilities in NGA’s office operations and administration. In 2013, Ott was named one of six Association TRENDS Young and Aspiring Professionals and was one of the Association Forum of Chicagoland and USAE’s list of the top 40 Under Forty. Ott has also been recently recognized by BIZNOW as a member of the 2016 Trending 40: Association and Non-Profit Innovators. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire (M.S.) and George Mason University (B.S.), according to a press release.
Greg Ferrara has been promoted to the role of SVP of Government Relations and Public Affairs. Ferrara will now serve as NGA’s chief lobbyist in addition to his previous responsibilities. Joining the NGA in November 2005, Greg brings a wealth of experience in the grocery industry, having managed the operations for his family’s century-old supermarket in New Orleans and working as a corporate project manager for Associated Grocers in Baton Rouge, LA. Ferrara was recognized in 2015 as one of Association TRENDS Leading Lobbyists, the NGA says. Greg holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University New Orleans and is a fellow of the Institute of Politics at Loyola University.
NGA looks to ensure that independent retailers and wholesalers have the opportunity to succeed, acting as the association that represents the grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. To learn more, see the brief video below:
In addtion, Maggie Lyons is the new Senior Director of Government Relations, and will now be charged with the task of taking on an expanded role in managing NGA’s relationship with Congress and federal agencies to advance the organization’s legislative and regulatory priorities. Maggie will also be supervising NGA’s Grocers PAC political giving and fundraising strategy. Lyons came to NGA from her position as Deputy Chief of Staff for a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. Lyons has also worked for a Washington-based think tank and served on the staff of a U.S. Senator, a press release explains. Lyons is a graduate of Elon University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications.
The new Senior Director of Communications and Marketing will now be Laura Strange, who is adding the responsibility of managing marketing for NGA events and programs. Strange joined NGA in the fall of 2013, following her role as Communications Director members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. Strange has also worked in the government affairs department for Yahoo! Inc., and in the communications and marketing division for another trade association. Laura has earned a Master’s degree in Public Relations from George Washington University, and a undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of South Carolina.
Look forward to new moves and initiatives from this crew in 2016 and beyond.
CINCINNATI, OH – Kroger is on another hiring spree this month, looking to fill approximately 700 positions in its Mid-Atlantic Division.
“Kroger is looking for the best and the brightest to join our family of associates,” said Anne Jenkins, Spokesperson for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division. “We hire people who have a passion for helping others and taking care of customers, and people who aspire to work hard, advance, and achieve their goals. A career with Kroger offers competitive wages, flexible schedules, and room for advancements.”
Starting on Friday, January 15, all Kroger stores in western Virginia and West Virginia will host a job fair from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Both part- and full-time openings are available, in positions ranging from produce to deli, bakery, seafood, meat, and management positions under each department.
The retailer has hosted similar hiring events in the past six months, including a job fair to fill 1,200 positions in Indiana, 1,000 in Southern Illinois and Kentucky, as well as another 1,200 in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.
Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division operates 120 stores throughout Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.
SKY CANYON, CA - At West Pak Avocado, after years of analysis, research and forward-thinking investment, we’ve redesigned the way we do Avocados. We proudly invite you to take a look behind the scenes at our ultra-modern, 115,000 square-foot-facility in Murrieta, CA.
Our capabilities now include advanced sorting technologies and premier pack quality, with the latest innovations in harvesting, packing, value add, ripening, and cold storage.
After thorough research of available technologies in produce commodities and industry packaging, West Pak has developed new ways to efficiently pack all case styles of avocados with automated size, color, and blemish and shape-sorting capabilities. In fact, West Pak is the only California avocado packing facility to offer these advanced packing capabilities.
The Produce Traceability Initiative (better known as PTI) is the core of our data transactional process. Through PTI’s sound protocols, all West Pak product-handling parties are captured and recorded to provide accurate, timely, and traceable records regarding dates, bin pickup location, grower, harvesting crew, barcodes, and bin characteristics.
As a part of our re-engineering and expansion, we’ve invested in state-of-the-industry bagging capabilities, offering an assortment of packaging configurations and bagging, delivery and output technologies.
The word is out; the days of “banana room” ripening are over. Significant sales increases require the right kind of equipment to produce consistent “JustRipe!” avocados. Through the development and implementation of consistently managed, state-of-the-art ripening techniques we’ve increased ripening capabilities by 100%.
Premium product deserves premier cold chain management. At West Pak, we increase shelf-life and reduce customer shrink by providing a seamless end-to-end process of technology-driven cold chain management.
Here at West Pak we are doing more.
BURLINGTON, MA - The New England Produce Council, Inc. has announced that it has made two change-ups in leadership by both appointing new President Anthony Sattler and new Director Mark Jewell on the Board of Executives.
“We are very pleased and excited to welcome Anthony as NEPC President and Mark as a Board Member with all of their great experience to the Board of Directors,” Laura Sullivan, Executive Director of the NEPC, said, according to a press release.
Outgoing President Bob McGowan, who served the council multiple terms and whom it said it offered exceptional commitment and dedication, will continue to be involved as an advisor to the Executive Board.
“We are happy to have Bob McGowan remain involved with the organization and, more importantly, our Executive Board,” Sullivan added.
These board appointments will begin at the council’s dinner meeting tomorrow night, January 12th, sponsored by Dole at the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Sattler is currently Vice President of Produce for C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., in charge of sourcing and procurement of fresh produce, and has been with the company for 19 years. Before joining C&S, he was a Produce Buyer, Dairy Category Manager, and Senior Director.
Jewell is the Category Manager Produce for Hannaford Supermarkets and will celebrate 33 years with the business in May. Previously, he was a Category Manager for Fresh Deli, Produce Buyer, Specialist Lead – Retail Operations, Store Manager, and Meat Buyer.
The two gentlemen are coming into their roles with a full agenda. Currently, the NEPC is working on several events, including the Annual Dinner Dance Gala, which will take place at the World Trade Center at the Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA, on Saturday, Feb. 6th. With live entertainment, fine dining, and great people from the produce industry, the event is Rock and Roll themed and, according to the council, one of its best events.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Looking to capture the Millennial eye, more and more chefs are incorporating trendy produce items to diversify their dishes. In United Fresh’s latest Insights for Foodservice report, foodservice operators can discover how produce is making a big impact on restaurant menus and in college and university dining.
The issue reports on menu growth for golden beets, how chefs are incorporating broccolini and arugula to add flavor and texture to their dishes, and how produce plays a starring role in “bowl” trends across multiple foodservice segments, according to a press release.
The full report can be found by clicking the button below. It is available for free to United Fresh members and costs $50 for non-members.
Download Fresh Insights for Foodservice: Winter 2016
In addition, the report looks at produce in college and university dining settings, and includes an interview with United Fresh 2015 Produce Excellence Awards Program winner Chef Bob Patton of Old Dominion University.
“Not only do colleges and universities serve thousands of meals daily, but the positive experiences these students encounter in their dining halls will translate into future demand at retail and foodservice when they begin making household food purchasing decisions,” said Jeff Oberman, United Fresh’s Vice President of Trade Relations and liaison to United’s Retail-Foodservice Board.
Last, but not least, the report includes information on top chain menu trends such as cabbage, salsa, and potatoes, citing menu introductions at chains including Chili’s, Ruby Tuesday, Max & Erma’s, Tony Roma’s, Tropical Smoothie Café, Kona Grill, Granite City Food & Brewery, and Smoothie King.
The report is developed by Datassential, a leading market research firms dedicated to the food industry, using data from its extensive menu database, MenuTrends.
BALTIMORE, MD - After a year that brought us a food waste restaurant, Oddball Organics™, and imperfect produce programs at retailers like Loblaw and Raley’s, “ugly” produce has finally made it to prime time TV.
Evan Lutz brought his company, Hungry Harvest, in front of investors Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, and the rest of the cast of ABC’s Shark Tank to see if they’d put their money into the growing produce trend.
Hungry Harvest is a company that makes its money by taking produce that would otherwise be food waste headed to the landfill, and selling them to a list of subscribers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. at discounts upwards of 20%. Business Insider reports that the boxes of ugly produce range from $15 to $55 a week depending on size, and include leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and even seasoning. On top of that, Lutz and Hungry Harvest donate a meal to the hungry for every bag of produce it delivers.
Lutz explained during "Shark Tank" that he's aiming to solve both the problems of hunger and food waste in the United States. One-sixth of the American population goes hungry, he claims.
Since its founding in May 2014, Lutz claims the company has “rescued” over 300,000 pounds of produce from local farmers and wholesalers, and has donated about 100,000 pounds of that to feed the needy, according to NPR.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that global food wastage was responsible for 3.6 billion tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2007, the most recent year for which data is available. Wasted food also takes nearly 60 cubic miles of water to produce every year.
You can watch the video below, Lutz's application to be on Shark Tank, to learn a little more about the company.
Lutz spoke with NPR about Hungry Harvest, telling the news source that while his company only has 600 subscribers at present, "we're expecting to almost double that within the next week or so" following its big debut on national television.
Did Lutz get the $50,000 investment he asked the sharks for? Turns out Robert Herjavec took the bait and chose to invest $100,000 in exchange for 10 percent of the produce company.
I, for one, hope this stint on the small screen give this hot trend the boost it needs to go global in 2016.
CHICAGO, IL - Roundy’s has filed action against the Chicago grocery chain Dominick’s Finer Foods for more than $563,000 in property taxes.
In a complaint filed to the federal court, Roundy’s states that Dominick's has failed to pay property taxes for three Chicago-area store locations.
Dominick's paid Roundy's the amount owed on one store, according to the Chicago Tribune. Ann Maher, the attorney representing Roundy's, told the publication Friday, however, that the chain still owes on other properties.
"This is simply an issue related to post-closing proration of property taxes on two stores,” Brian Dowling, spokesman for Albertsons, said in regards to the action filed against Dominick’s, according to the report. Albertsons inherited Dominick’s when it merged with Safeway, the chain’s original parent, last year. “We have been working to resolve the matter and will continue to do so."
According to the filing, Dominick's was responsible for the property taxes on the three properties as they accrued per the purchase agreement it enter with Roundy’s for those locations in late 2013.
"Despite repeated demands, Dominick's has failed and refused to pay," the complaint stated.
Roundy’s was recently acquired by Kroger, including its other Chicago chain, urban format Mariano's. 11 of Mariano’s 34 stores are former Dominick’s.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this story as more details come to light.