As a leader in print for the produce industry, our sister publication, The Snack Magazine, looks to keep a finger on the pulse of all up-and-comers and trend setters. Foxy Produce's BroccoLeaf falls in line with the consumer nutrient-dense demands that have us calling the certain greens "superfoods."
Get a closer look at why this item is becoming a buzzword by checking out the full article in The Snack magazine by clicking here, or continue reading the full piece below.
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Up Close: Foxy's BroccoLeaf™
So, what is BroccoLeaf™?
If you ask Foxy Produce, it’s the beginning of a whole new vegetable category and a versatile addition to the organic supergreens evolution. Containing all the wonderful nutrients in broccoli, BroccoLeaf™ - short for broccoli leaves – elevates the eating experience of any dish with a light and sweet flavor and quality.
Significant health attributes include an excellent source of Calcium, Vitamin A, folate, potassium, and delivers an adult daily dose of Vitamin C. BroccoLeaf™ is essential to Foxy Produce because the item promotes the consumption of the whole vegetable while also reducing food waste. And let’s not forget that BroccoLeaf™ is organic, non-GMO certified, and packaged for distribution on the national market.
At present, BroccoLeaf™ is sold by the bunch and in 12 oz. packages in select grocery stores.
Becoming increasingly recognized in both the retail and foodservice circuits, Foxy Produce is confident that this new market veggie is the latest "it" superfood. This upward-trending product can be found on store shelves, as well as menus for food outlets like Chopt Creative Salad Company, New York-based Organic Gemini, and more. To follow this item and others that are pushing produce to the front of the consumer mind, keep an eye on the Snack Magazine the daily editions of AndNowUKnow.
FRESNO, CA – Gerawan Farming has issued a mandatory layoff notice to more than 2,500 employees declaring its intent to close down its table grape operations, effective February 25, 2016.
While Gerawan’s reason behind the decision to exit the table grape business is unclear, Ronald Barsamian, an attorney with Gerawan, said that it was not in any way connected to the heated and long-running union dispute.
“Companies like Gerawan don’t make decisions like this based on labor organizations,” he told the Fresno Bee.
The move will only affect employees who worked in the company’s table grape operations, which, according to the Fresno Bee, include 1,049 grape pickers, 359 packers, 949 pre-harvest workers, and others.
“The table grape operations closure does not affect any of the employees’ employment in other Gerawan farming operations,” Barsamian continued.
Armando Elenes, the National Vice President of the United Farm Workers union, said that while the decision was “disappointing,” the majority of Gerawan’s table grape workers also work in its tree fruit operations, which gives them an opportunity to decide what they will do next season.
“It’s virtually the same work force,” he told the Fresno Bee. “Most of them, when they finish up stone fruit, move over to table grapes. … What this means is that the work season will be about two months shorter for these employees unfortunately. So we want to see if we can negotiate the effects of the decision. That’s where we have to go now.”
It’s also unknown how many acres of vines will be affected, but most of the vineyards will be torn out. Any vineyards that remain will go to the winery instead of table grapes, Barsamian said.
Gerawan, known for being one of the largest growers of tree fruit and grapes in Fresno County, prides itself on the quality of its Red Globe and proprietary Prima® Black Seedless table grapes, calling attention to their “unparalleled, rich flavor” on its company website.
For any further information relating to Gerawan’s decision to exit the table grape business, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
ATLANTA, GA - LINKFRESH continues to enhance the shipping process of the produce industry with its solutions. Ron Myers, Executive Vice President, took the time to share with me the highlights of the company’s products.
“We’re pleased to be sharing our latest solutions with the fresh produce industry this year. We’re showcasing some of our products and enhancements in food safety, traceability, mobile in the field, farm management, quality assurance on the latest releases of Microsoft Dynamics,” Myers explains.
This year, LINKFRESH shared its latest release on the Microsoft Dynamics NAV and AX platforms. Earlier in the year, the company also made a number of enhancements to its farm management application and mobility suite for recording activity on the farm and warehouse management.
Even earlier this week, LINKFRESH announced the addition of several new software enhancements, including catch weight, case management, the incorporation of a global trade item number (GTIN), and enhancements to archiving. Compatible with the already popular LINKFRESH ERP on the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Platform, the new additions offer functionality across mobile platforms.
To see my entire video interview with Ron, check out the 37-second video above.
WENATCHEE, WA - We have had quite a gift this holiday season, with cold temperatures and much needed precipitation and snow gracing the U.S. West Coast. While this may not make a substantial dent in the drought conditions for the Western states, Stemilt Growers is welcoming this ideal winter weather as they look towards a fruitful year.
Earlier this week, a low pressure and cold front related to Ferus pushed into the Pacific Northwest, bringing strong winds and heavy snow to parts of California, Oregon and most importantly for Stemilt - Washington. Marketing Director Roger Pepperl took a few minutes to talk with me about the weather effects on Stemilt’s orchards, and how they are as happy as we are to watch the snow fall.
“Snow protects the roots from deep freezes and severe fluctuations in temperatures which can hurt the trees,” Roger tells me. “The trees get true chill hours during a Washington winter which is one of the many reasons that the cherries are so good.”
Roger also notes that the rest from chill ensures that energy will be in the tree to fuel great fruit production with great flavor and potential good sets of bloom.
“The deep snow will fill our reservoirs that are scattered up on Stemilt Hill and in other cherry locations during periodic melts,” he adds.
The deep snow above these orchards in the foothills and the Cascades they rest against will use this snow to melt in the spring and summer months to replenish creeks that provide water to the land.
“This location is full of some of Stemilt’s favorite cherries - Staccato, Skeena, and some Rainier as well," Roger says. "The snow will no doubt help our apple trees for next year’s fall crop on Stemilt Hill bringing varieties like Pinata, Honeycrisp, and Gala to our retail partners.
While drought conditions continue to persist in the U.S. West, we keep our fingers crossed that Mother Nature’s current mood is a sign of things to come.
MONTVALE, NJ - Court documents have revealed yet another layer of drama to the A&P saga. The bankrupt retailer is now seeking a total of $3.6 million in damages from two separate companies that withdrew their bids for A&P locations.
Both companies involved had withdrawn their bids for different reasons, with one, Shanghai Enterprises, dropping its $928,000 bid, and the other, Ruben Luna, a $2.4 million bid, news source Lohud has confirmed. According to the A&P’s court filing, the retailer hopes for $1.2 million from Shanghai Enterprises and a minimum of $2.4 million from Ruben Luna.
Ruben Luna’s lawyer, Harlan Levine, reportedly sent a letter to A&P lawyers last month saying that one of the reasons his clients didn't want to go through the deal was because the landlord had formally objected to the sale, Lohud writes, and instead wanted too much in exchange for withdrawing the objection.
A&P reports in its filing that Shanghai Enterprises also notified the company it didn't want to go through with the deal, with analysts citing difficulty finding a tenant for the space, which must be operated as a supermarket according to land-use regulations, as a probable reason.
This isn’t the first lawsuit stemming from a botched A&P deal either. Just last month A&P sued real estate broker Lee & Associates for failure to disclose that its $11.8 million purchase of stores was on behalf of a third party. A&P sued Lee & Associates President James Wacht for $1.8 million in damages from Wacht.
For more on this lawsuit as it develops, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
USA - Drone popularity is on the uprise and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is trying to keep up.
No-fly zones, which seek to protect anything from aircrafts, to privacy, to highly-attended events, carry with them strict penalties enforced by law. But while your intentions may not be nefarious, mistakes happen that can result in anything from criminal penalties, to questioning by law enforcement. And now, with mandatory registration for all drones, it will be much easier for the FAA to track unmanned aircrafts in restricted areas.
The issue is such that NASA has put its great minds to the task of discovering a failsafe for drone owners to prevent them from drifting into these no-fly zones.
Tech Times reports that the solution they have created, aptly called “Safeguard,” is a technology that acts as a virtual leash to the drone, and works as a last-ditch effort to prevent you from paying the high price of having your drone flying in the red. According to the report, Safeguard operates individually from the owner to ensure the drone does not go where it legally shouldn’t.
According to the video above, which gives more detail of NASA’s Safeguard technology, your drone will actually lock the pilot out and bring the drone down before it goes where it shouldn’t. But when we say “last-ditch effort,” we mean it. If, for whatever reason, that autopilot intervention doesn’t work, it will actually shut the drone’s motor systems down and drop it.
Hawk Aerial, LLC, offers commercial drone systems, training, and flight operations to help companies use this technology quickly, safely, and efficiently. With products like the Field Hawk, which is specific to ag precision, the company looks to help bring more drones to the agriculture industry.
“Like most commercial drone operators, safety is our #1 priority and we will earnestly support appropriate measures in that regard,” Kevin J. Gould, CEO of Hawk shared with us on this newest measure. “The ‘Virtual Leash’ technology is intriguing, but I’m always concerned about overly restrictive systems that are difficult to implement and go beyond the targeted harm. The FAA has done an incredible job over the years promoting manned aircraft safety through use of education, pilot certification, and procedures – I believe a similar ‘compliance’ approach would be effective in the promotion of drone safety as well.”
A less drastic measure that is usually practiced is through geo-fencing, but that’s not required in all drones and isn't always a guarantee.
Will this be the solution Congress and the FAA are looking for to balance the drone craze with the safety concerns? AndNowUKnow will continue to follow any developments as drones become increasingly more useful for members of the produce industry.
LINDSAY, CA – Roger Griess, an industry veteran of over 20 years, has been appointed as the new Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Suntreat Packing and Shipping Co., investment firm Agriculture Capital Management (ACM) announced on Tuesday.
Al Imbimbo, who passed away unexpectedly in September, previously held the position. Griess will utilize his many years of experience with companies such as Dole Food Company and Sun World International to uphold Suntreat’s commitment to quality and global business development, according to a press release.
“I’ve known Suntreat for many years and have always had a great respect for their people and their products,” said Griess. “With the support of ACM, I look forward to building on what the Griffith family has created both domestically and internationally.”
Suntreat President Mike George said that Griess’ impressive credentials and his domestic and international experience “will be an asset to Suntreat’s future growth.”
Similarly, Tom Avinelis, Co-CEO of ACM, said that he is proud to welcome Roger to the team, along with his extensive background in the produce industry.
“[Roger’s] broad industry experience will help us to further develop ACM’s strategic investments into the future,” said Avinelis.
ACM completed the purchase of Suntreat Packing and Shipping Co., TreeSource Nursery, and Griffith Farms assets from the Griffith Family, on November 13, 2015.
Suntreat is a diverse citrus packing, shipping, sales, and marketing company whose products include SUMO Citrus® and Gold Nugget Mandarins.
With Griess’ hire, the company looks forward to a bright future ahead as we approach the New Year.
Suntreat Packing and Shipping Co. Agriculture Capital Management
BALA CYNWYD, PA – Love Beets is expanding its juice offerings with the launch of a new organic option: its innovative Organic Beet Juice with a Hint of Ginger.
“We’re thrilled to ring in the New Year with this exciting new addition to our product line,” George Shropshire, Vice President of Love Beets, said in a press release. “We have received such positive feedback on our Organic Beet Juice this past year that we wanted to offer consumers another flavor profile without sacrificing the beet-based simplicity that they have come to love.”
Now, the new Organic Beet Juice with a Hint of Ginger is hitting retail shelves, to be available both in stores nationwide and through Love Beet’s online store later this month.
According to the company, the new juice offering has a naturally smooth taste with a ginger kick. Sold in a 14 ounce glass bottle, the appearance purposefully aligns with its new, sleek but fun brand identity.
Like the rest of Love Beets’ juice line, Organic Beet Juice with a Hint of Ginger is:
- Gluten-free
- Offers a 100 percent clean ingredient deck
- Contains no added sugars
The juice also offers several benefits to reach those health-conscious consumers. According to Love Beets, recent scientific studies have found that the nitrates in beet juice can help to improve stamina and endurance, that it can improve overall heart health if drunk daily, and that it has potassium that helps the body recover and rejuvenate.
Not only does the new addition offer versatility, Shropshire added, working as a regular juice drink as well as for smoothies, salad dressings, and marinades, but it is also a promising start to even more “Hint Of” juices. In fact, the company hinted the line could include more innovative and flavorful options in the near future.
Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we reign in the new year and all the innovative products it brings to the fresh produce circuit.
MILLEN, GA - As you may have read in our article yesterday, SEPC’s Southern Exposure conference is shaping up to be yet another impressive event, and the organization has announced even more reasons to make your way to Hollywood, Florida’s Diplomat Resort & Spa from March 3 to 5. NFL coach and FOX Sports Analyst, Jimmy Johnson and first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot Carey Lohrenz will both be speakers at this year’s events.
The General Session Keynote Luncheon on Saturday, March 5, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. will welcome Jimmy Johnson to the stage, who is expected to motivate and encourage attendees through his personal life experiences.
Most commonly known as the architect of the Dallas Cowboys’ consecutive victories in Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII, he is also a former Miami Dolphins coach and current member of FOX NFL SUNDAY.
“We are honored to host Jimmy Johnson as our keynote speaker at Southern Exposure this year,” shared Mark Daniels of Mountain King Potatoes and SEPC President. “Providing our attendees with someone of great integrity and experience to help them grow as leaders in their businesses and within the industry is top of mind for our educational programming goals.”
The stats for Johnson speak for themselves; he was head coach of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Cowboys and head coach of the Miami Dolphins with an 80-64 regular-season record and a 9-4 postseason mark, according to a press release.
Tickets for the General Session Keynote Luncheon can be purchased during the Southern Exposure online registration process.
In addition to the General Session Keynote Luncheon, the ladies of Southern Roots will also be hosting their second annual luncheon on Friday, March 4, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with guest speaker Carey Lohrenz. As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, Lohrenz has excelled at working in fast moving, dynamic environments, where inconsistent execution can generate catastrophic results.
Furthermore, her experience in an all-male environment of fighter aviation and her ability to pass on the lessons learned in her career has allowed her to deliver insight and guidance from a credible platform on women’s leadership Issues, SEPC says.
“The ladies of Southern Roots can’t wait to meet and hear from Carey Lohrenz at Southern Exposure. Although we haven’t all flown a plane at Mach 2, her career experience and involvement in women’s leadership is a perfect fit with what we aim to provide our members with – confidence, integrity and support within their professional as well as personal lives," said Teri Miller of Delhaize, who is also the Southern Roots chairperson and SEPC Vice President.
Lohrenz plans to discuss high performing teams and developing a culture of learning based on best practices of high-reliability organizations, as well as how the processes of planning, briefing, debriefing, and adjusting helps businesses manage risk while becoming a high performing organization.
The Southern Roots Luncheon is complimentary to women who are employed in the produce industry and are registered to attend the conference. Badges will be scanned for entry at the door.
WEST DES MOINES, IA – After first diving into the digital realm earlier this year, Hy-Vee is expanding its online grocery program to all of its 240 stores across eight states.
Hy-Vee Aisles Online, the company’s delivery service, allows customers to shop for their groceries, pay electronically, and choose to pick up their order curbside or have it delivered to their home. The company rolled out the program to more stores after seeing its rapid success in select stores in the Des Moines metro this past April, according to a press release.
“Our customers have been asking for an easy and convenient online shopping experience, and we’re happy to be able to offer that to them,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s Senior Vice President of Merchandising. “We’re very proud of this new service and how it’s been received.”
After customers place an order, an Aisles Online personal shopper hand-selects the products, which can range from fresh produce, meat & seafood, dairy products, prepared foods, and more, and keeps them in a climate-controlled tote until it is delivered.
“We still love seeing our customers in the store, but we believe this is a value-added service for customers during those times when they can’t make it to the store or are pressed for time,” Gosch continued.
Hy-Vee says that both store pickup and home delivery are free with a $100 order. Orders under $100, on the other hand, have a $2.95 fee for pickup and $4.95 fee for delivery.
As we previously reported, several other retailers have already begun growing their own online shopping programs, including Loblaw, Sendik’s, Meijer, H-E-B, and Wal-Mart.
Online grocery shopping is gaining ground amongst many big name retailers, and it looks like it won’t be going away anytime soon. This is one trend to keep an eye out for in the New Year.