LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO - Several Boy Scouts may have caught a love for fresh produce after getting to browse one of Double Diamond’s hydroponic greenhouses in Leamington, Ontario.
On Saturday, November 14, the grower opened its doors to 26 Scouts and 16 Leaders to give a grand tour and answer any questions about greenhouse hydroponic growing.
“It was really great having the Scout’s here at Double Diamond,” Jeremy Stockwell, Director of Procurement and Sales, tells me. “My son is in Scout’s and it really is an amazing program.”
Assistant Scout Master for Troop 255, John Page, shared with the company that he usually brings the boys out for an annual campout at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, a drive that affords a great view of greenhouses. John, who is from Rochester Hills, Michigan, often wondered about the process behind hydroponic growing and thought it might be a great experience for the troop.
A recent winner of several titles at the 9th Annual R.E.A.C.H. Greenhouse Competition in Leamington, and with a vested interest in sustainable agriculture (including passing along its value to the next generation) Double Diamond was happy to help fulfill that curiosity.
“I was really excited to be able to be involved in teaching the next generation about hydroponics,” Jeremy added on being able to contribute to expanding on the knowledge of this particular growing method.
Double Diamond has extended reach in both Canada and the U.S., with locations strategically placed across North America. To stay up to date on how this grower is influencing the industry for the present and future markets, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
AUSTRALIA - Those who like a little produce in their fast food are about to get a lucky break—at least if they happen to live in Australia.
McDonald’s Australia is rolling out its new “loaded fries,” now offering a mouth-watering avocado guacamole and salsa topping for its beloved french fries. The company will also be offering a bacon and cheese variety for those on the more indulgent side of the aisle.
This move comes as McDonald’s is looking to experiment with more diverse product offerings in order to maintain relevance in the Australian market, Business Insider reports.
“By adding guac and salsa, as well as bacon and cheese sauce to our fries, we're following a trend our customers started,” McDonald's Australia Chief Marketing Officer Mark Lollback said. “While our Fries are delicious by themselves, for a long time now Aussies have been experimenting with them, dunking and dipping them in everything from ketchup to our Soft Serve.”
This isn’t the first time McDonald’s has ventured into a more produce-centric territory in markets outside the U.S.. Earlier this year, AndNowUKnow reported on avocado breakfast sandwiches hitting McDonald’s Japan, and McDonald’s Australia’s wilted spinach breakfast bowls and corn fritter with grilled tomatoes.
For all the latest on food trends influencing the industry, keep watching AndNowUKnow.
GRAND CHUTE, WI - A costly project to allow Meijer to open up a new Wisconsin location in 2017 has just received some help from the town it is looking to enter.
The Post Crescent reports that the Town Board of Grand Chute has approved a $950,000 contribution to reimburse Meijer for the relocation of a natural gas pipeline, which will total in about $2 million.
According to the Town Board agenda, “(1)The Town agrees to contribute $950,000 toward the pipeline project, (2) The developer pays for the project in full (estimated total cost of $2.0 million); And, (3) The Town makes its contribution in interest-free installments over 5 to 6 years by paying to Meijer 70% of the annual property tax increment collected.”
The project is reportedly necessary in order to proceed with opening the 193,000-square-foot store. As for how the responsibilities will be split, “the developer” is listed as responsible for paying for:
- All engineering, architectural, and construction costs.
- The installation of building utilities.
- The difference if the property doesn’t generate a minimum of $270,000 in new tax base each year.
In addition to the $950,000 contribution, the town is also listed as responsible for helping Meijer with zoning and permit processes.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow this and other moves Meijer makes as it continues to expand its retail footprint.
ORLANDO, FL - Full Tilt has undergone a digital facelift, having recently launched a brand new website to showcase its ever-growing portfolio, including blog insights and a growing produce client base.
“Design of all kinds, including website design is ever-evolving,” Managing Partner Melinda Goodman stated, according to a press release. “We wanted to showcase our expanded portfolio along with our marketing planning process in a site that not only tells our story but is easy to navigate and has mobile responsive content.”
Recognized by Graphic Design USA for excellence in web design in 2014, Full Tilt looked at this as an opportunity to show the portfolio of its steadily growing business, which has expanded over the past three years as it has helped clients develop strategic marketing programs with a focus on both growth and awareness.
“The new website exercises the same brand process that Full Tilt takes will all clients, focusing first on overall vision, brand message, and determining what key points need to be addressed and who the target audience is,” Managing Partner Heidi McIntyre said. “It was a fun exercise for us to look at ourselves as the client and find our own voice.”
Full Tilt’s portfolio includes helping:
- Professionals
- Growers
- Commodity boards
Full Tilt reports that it has also been developing several value-added partnerships to help share each respective organization’s passion with food and ag, including one with 12-year old Chef Lucas, a cancer-survivor who is giving back to the local community through food trucks.
Groups the company is teaming up with include bloggers, influencers, and the community.
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira Company announced that it has officially completed its previously announced acquisition of 757 acres of lemon, orange and specialty citrus orchards in San Joaquin Valley for a price of $15.1 million.
"We are pleased to complete the acquisition of the orchards that were part of the Sheldon Ranch leases,” said Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira. “We have recently acquired approximately 900 acres of land that was previously leased in the highly productive San Joaquin Valley, and this is expected to generate incremental operating results and cash flows resulting from the elimination of lease expense beginning in fiscal year 2016.”
According to a press release, Limoneira’s acquisition closed on December 2, 2015. The orchards, referred to as the Sheldon Ranch leases, were acquired pursuant to purchase options contained in certain operating leases the company has had since 2012, for approximately 1,000 acres of lemon, orange, specialty citrus and other crops. Lease agreements included base rent of $500 per acre, Limoneira says, and contingent rent of 50% of the operating profit of the leased property as defined in the lease agreements. Total rent expense for fiscal year 2015 on the acquired property is estimated to be approximately $1.0 million and was approximately $1.4 million for fiscal year 2014.
Edwards shared that since Limoneira went public in 2010, the company has acquired approximately 3,300 acres of agricultural property totaling approximately $48.5 million. As Limoneira begins to realize cash flow from its recent real estate development agreements, Edwards says the company will remain focused on capitalizing on strategic and accretive acquisition opportunities to further expand its global agribusiness.
DENVER, CO - Farmland Partners Inc. has announced a new purchase agreement to acquire a 7,400 acre farm in Louisiana for $31.8 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of next year, according to a press release, but is still subject to customary closing conditions.
"Our third largest acquisition agreement to date is comprised of roughly 7,400 contiguous, irrigated acres, nearly all of which have been precision leveled,” said Paul Pittman, CEO of Farmland Partners. "This agreement, which was enabled in part by the structure of our recently announced $197 million Paris, Illinois pending acquisition, demonstrates our ability to consistently put capital to work at good cap rates.”
Concurrently with the land acquisition, Farmland Partners entered into a three-year lease agreement with the seller of the Louisiana farm. The press release explains that the lease agreement will have rental payments based on a percentage of gross farm proceeds, including a minimum cash payment for the use of improvements on the farm. Using conservative assumptions of commodity prices and crop yields, the company explains that it believes the return will be approximately 5.0% annually.
This acquisition comes less than one month after the company acquired 22,300 acres in Illinois for $197 million. In total, Farmland Partners owns or has under contract 253 farms with an aggregate of 104,742 acres (including 130 farms totaling 32,319 acres under contract) in Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
GREENSBORO, NC – The Fresh Market continues to shake things up as it looks to turn the tables on its performance.
In the latest of its big moves, the company terminated its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sean Crane, according to a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on Dec. 2nd.
As we reported recently, the retailer’s new CEO Rick Anicetti discussed a detailed turnaround plan, including further improvements in fresh, reduction in shrink, and investment in store format changes and customer engagement.
Trimming costs has also been mentioned as a necessity to bring the banner back, though details of the context of Crane’s termination have not yet been released, nor has a replacement been announced.
Anicetti and the chain did say previously when announcing a disappointing third quarter report and several store closures that the management team and Board of Directors are “simultaneously moving forward aggressively with a number of initiatives to strengthen the company’s foundation, increase productivity, drive store traffic, and regain operating momentum.”
It appears safe to say that this will not be the last big news Fresh Market will come out with as it continues its transition. AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the company’s changes to keep you up to date on the latest influences in the retail circuit, so stay tuned.
LOS ANGELES, CA - With the recent growth it has experienced, the Vision Companies happily announced that it has also welcomed Matthew Clark to the team as its new Executive Vice President/General Manager.
“With our recent strong growth in sales, imports, and grower direct programs, we were real happy to find someone with Matt’s qualifications. He is the right person for the right time,” Bill Vogel, President of The Vision Companies, detailed according to the company's press release.
Those qualifications include vast experience in international procurement development, as well as operations and full P&L responsibilities. He has held executive and leadership positions with Eco-Farms in Temecula, CA, Brog Produce, and Sierra Nevada LTD where he was Executive Director. Matt also served as General Manager for Exportadora Rucaray SA, in Santiago, Chile and speaks several languages.
“What impressed me the most of the Vision Group was the fine group of people that Bill is working with!” Matt said in the release. “I am looking forward to working closely with all at Vision to help reach its maximum potential.”
According to Vision, Matt will be overseeing all operations at the company in Los Angeles, Arizona, as well as partnering in management of the New Jersey, Florida, and Texas Vision Import Group.
In his new role, Matt will be based in Los Angeles, California.
VALENICA, CA - With Sunkist continuing to push its Meyer lemon program with a wide array of packaging and point-of-sale materials, new data shows that the variety is one of the fastest growing in the citrus category.
According to IRI Worldwide data, Meyer lemon retail sales and volume have increased significantly in the January-February peak season period over the last few years, with sales in U.S. dollars up 51 percent, pounds up 43 percent and units up 29 percent in 2015 compared to 2011.
“The lift in Meyer lemon sales at retail is very exciting – and there is still huge opportunity for this variety,” explained Sunkist Director of Retail Marketing Julie DeWolf. “Moreover, we’ve seen sales increases in bulk and 1-pound bags, demonstrating the room for growth in the category for both offerings.”
Sunkist has been offering retailers several ways to effectively merchandise Meyer lemons to build consumer awareness and drive sales. DeWolf offers that education is critical when it comes to driving demand for specialty items like Meyer lemons.
“Providing flavor profiles, nutrition information, usage tips and recipe ideas definitely piques consumer interest,” she continues. “Sunkist works closely with our customers to produce materials and programs that help build awareness at the point-of-purchase for varieties like Meyer lemons, and the sales results demonstrate the growing demand for this item.”
Meyer lemons have particularly been growing, in the foodservice sector, reports show. According menu data from Technomic, Meyer lemons grew 8 percent on appetizer and dessert menus in the past year and the variety grew 6 percent on fine dining menus.
“While Meyer lemons have been prized by chefs for some time, as consumer familiarity with the variety increases we are also seeing increased Meyer lemon use in the foodservice sector,” commented Joan Wickham, Sunkist Advertising & Public Relations Manager. “The Meyer lemon growth we continue to see in foodservice is encouraging, and we think there is more opportunity, particularly with beverages.”
According to Joan, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) cited gourmet lemonades as the top non-alcoholic beverage trend for this year, marking a promising opportunity for restaurants to capitalize on with Meyer lemons.
Sunkist offers Meyer lemons year-round, with peak supplies during the winter months, the company shared in a press release. Thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin, Meyer lemons are a bit sweeter and less acidic than conventional lemons and have a refreshing herbal scent. A Meyer lemon’s rind can vary from bright yellow to a rich yellow-orange and has a soft, smooth feel.
To learn more about Sunkist® Meyer lemons, visit Sunkist’s new website or contact the Sunkist sales team at [email protected].
SANTA MARIA, CA - Musicians and celebrities were not all that was abuzz at the the American Music Awards®, hosted on Saturday, November 21 at the W Hotel in Hollywood. Tozer Seeds was invited to participate in the luxury gifting suite, where they were able to introduce Kalettes to approximately 100 celebrities.
“We are so honored to have been invited to be a part of the American Music Awards luxury gifting suite, and used this opportunity to increase awareness for Kalettes among the celebrities, who we know are powerful influencers,” Kraig Kuykendall, Sales Manager of Tozer Seeds America—the company behind Kalettes—said in a press release. “Since the event, we’ve already received several requests for Kalettes samples from some of the celebrities and are excited for Kalettes to be a part of American pop culture.”
Among the influential faces to appear at this annual star-studded event and give the Kalettes a try were:
- Cat Cora, Iron Chef on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America”
- Melissa D’Arabian, Chef and Host on the Food Network
- Grammy® award-winning rapper and chef Coolio
- American Music Award performer Kirsten Maldonado of Pentatonix
- Jackson Rathbone, cast member of Twilight
Kalettes, the superfood hybrid that are the product of more than a decade of research by Tozer Seeds, are not genetically modified, but a product of cross-pollinating brussels sprouts with kale through traditional methods.
Tozer Seeds, which has exclusive marketing agreements with select companies to both grow and market Kalettes, expressed great excitement for the opportunity to network with so many influencers on an individual basis to increase public awareness about this nutty but sweet, nutrient-dense veggie.