SACRAMENTO, CA - It was go big or go home for Farm-to-Fork. The California-based initiative set out to beat the world’s largest donation of fruits and vegetables early yesterday morning, setting up camp just down from the Capitol Building at about 5 a.m.
The previous record stood at 25,000 pounds of produce, and that was what the organization was after.
Among many local groups to make a generous donation to both the cause and the record attempt was General Produce, who started off a “BIG day of donation” with 2,000 pounds of potatoes.
“Along the way, local purveyor Premier Mushrooms kicked in 300 pounds of mushrooms!” Linda Luka, Director of Marketing & Communications for General Produce, told me as the donations continued to come in. “We’re on a roll towards the 25,000 pound goal.”
Little did the company, or Farm-to-Fork, know just how well they would succeed in surpassing that goal. After about five hours, the organization transported thousands of fresh fruits and veggies to a Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services cold storage facility to be weighed for the count and stored for immediate distribution.
The tally took several hours, with a representative for the Guinness Book of World Records present to make the official announcement once the numbers were in.
And Farm-to-Fork did not meet its goal -- it shattered it.
“Today Sacramento region showed how amazing they are by donating 170,923.8 pounds to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services!” the organization posted on Facebook. “Thank you for all of your support.”
170,923.8 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. That is a lot of fresh produce to be donated to local banks and families in need of healthy food.
"We are so incredibly grateful to the farmers, grocers, providers, and community members who came together yesterday to set this record," Farm-to-Fork Director Nicole Rogers tells me. "This food drive showcased what Farm-to-Fork is really all about, and that's all of us coming together to harness our incredible agricultural bounty and to share it with everyone. This spirit will continue throughout the month, culminating at the free Farm-to-Fork Festival on Capitol Mall on Sept. 26."
Congratulations to both Farm-to-Fork and the Sacramento community for making this mark in the Guinness World Records for the produce industry.
CARPINTERIA, CA - After sorting through hundreds of entries, Hollandia Produce has chosen the winners of its “A Better Butter Lettuce Recipe Contest,” a national retail and consumer-based campaign aimed at helping both consumers and retailers better understand the versatility of living butter lettuce as a staple recipe ingredient.
"The quality and creativity of these recipes submissions was overwhelming," said Renee Cooper, Marketing Manager for Hollandia Produce. "Choosing the winners was very tough. However, we believe the selected entries best represent the essence of our campaign and best showcase the quality of our produce."
Contestants competed for the $1,000 Grand Prize gift card to Williams-Sonoma and $150, $75, and $50 gift cards respectively for the First-, Second- and Third-Place honors in the categories of Salad/Side, Appetizer, and Main Course.
The Butter Lettuce Contest Winners include:
- Grand Prize:
- Suzanne Clark - Butter Lettuce Wrapped Crab and Halibut with Lettuce Butter Sauce
- Salad/Side Winners:
- First - Josee Lanzi - Deconstructed Salmon Sushi Roll Salad
- Second -Ben Diaz - Crisp Butter Lettuce with Honey Lime Vinaigrette, Bacon, Apples, and Wilted Spinach
- Third - Melanie Terwilliger - Butter Lettuce, Grilled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad with Cornbread Croutons and Fig Preserve Vinaigrette
- Appetizer/Starter Winners
- First - Naylet LaRochelle - Grilled Chicken and Nectarine Pinchos with Butter Lettuce and Cashew Pesto
- Second -Gloria Piantek - Italian Roast Beef Lettuce Wraps with Butter Lettuce Crunch Pesto
- Third - Pamela Braun - Stacked Butter Lettuce Salad with Pears and Taleggio Dressing
- Main Course Winners
- First - Lidia Haddadian - Butter Lettuce Herbed Quinoa & Sunny Side Up Bowls
- Second -Mary McShack - Butter Lettuce Pesto Bacon and Tomato Panini
- Third - Shauna Havey - Spicy Falafel Butter Lettuce Tacos
Hollandia Produce used social media, a contest microsite, and shipped its Live Gourmet® Living Butter Lettuce with a recipe label attached to each clamshell to promote the contest. Six original, chef-created butter lettuce recipes were rotated bi-monthly throughout the contest to show just how living butter lettuce can be prepared as anything from a salad, wrap, sandwich, and to a smoothie.
All of the award-winning recipes and many of the additional submissions will soon be available for download on www.hollandiaproduce.com while some will appear with creator commentary in upcoming blog posts. And coming soon, Hollandia Produce will host similar recipe contest that will feature its Living Upland Cress and Organic Watercress products.
DENVER, CO - On Chipotle’s menu for today? 4,000 new employees. The company has reportedly set up hiring events all across the United States with the goal of growing its workforce by almost 7% in just one day.
Yesterday, September 9th, from 8am to 11am, each Chipotle restaurant turned into a place where thousands took place in open interviews. According to the company’s most recent financial report, Chipotle plans to take its current portfolio of 1,800 locations to more than 2,000 throughout the remainder of 2015.
No experience is required to either apply or be hired. Chipotle’s press release for the event stipulates 13 characteristics that the company is searching for in a candidate. Employees should be “conscientious, respectful, hospitable, high-energy, infectiously enthusiastic, happy, presentable, smart, polite, motivated, ambitious, curious, and honest.”
New hires will be in entry-level positions that earn average pay of $10 an hour and get a 401(K), according to the company. Chipotle also began offering all employees access to paid vacations and tuition reimbursements in July.
PR Director for Chipotle, Chris Arnold, told CNNMoney that the average time an employee goes from entry-level crew to general manager is about 20 months. Arnold also emphasized the fact that Chipotle wants its employees to stick with Chipotle and move on to higher positions.
The typical career path within the company includes kitchen manager (with a company-wide average salary of $33,000 annually), service manager ($36,000), apprentice ($53,000) and general manager ($67,000).
Chipotle currently employs over 60,000 people and says it promoted over 10,000 employees into management roles over the last year.
BELLINGHAM, WA - Among other current changes, Haggen is now reportedly down to one CEO.
Amidst a $1 billion lawsuit with Albertsons and a new Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Seattle Times also reports that it has parted ways with Pacific Southwest CEO Bill Shaner.
Other than stating that Shaner is no longer with the company, and that his last official work day was last Thursday, according to what a Haggen Spokesperson told the Seattle Times, the company has not officially commented on the former CEO’s departure.
For now, it appears the company will retain only its current CEO of the Pacific Northwest Division John Clougher.
Shaner was hired in December of last year for the Pacific Southwest Division of Haggen as it anticipated a huge expansion into two new states when it acquired 146 stores from Albertsons.
As we previously reported, the retail chain has since filed bankruptcy, obtaining commitments for up to $215 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from existing lenders. In a press release announcing the move, as well as allegations listed in Haggen’s lawsuit filing, the chain claims that Albertsons failed to live up to good faith agreements that it would convert the locations in a timely manner, which “ultimately led to Haggen’s failure” and, eventually, the need for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date on this story as it develops further.
SALINAS, CA - Mann Packing is revamping its sales and marketing departments with the addition of Gabriel Gonzales and Kane Palacios.
As the new Data Systems Specialist for Sales Operations, Gonzales will be responsible for managing the company’s product registration process. He will leverage his prior sales planning, data analytics, systems management, and category management experience with Safeway in this new role, having previously managed several categories across the retailer’s entire business. He will report to Craig Grantham, Mann’s Director of Sales Operations.
Palacios, a Salinas native and recent graduate of Yale University, will concentrate his efforts on Mann’s social media channels as the company’s new Marketing Assistant. He will be responsible for assisting in packaging projects, website content management, marketing collateral materials, and provide general support to sales and marketing, according to a press release. Palacios will report to Kim St George, Director of Marketing and Communications.
These new additions will prove pivotal in helping to support the company’s growing business, and Mann Packing is confident that both Gonzales and Palacios will be successful in their roles.
LEAMINGTON, ON – It doesn’t take an experienced chef to bring the heat in the kitchen.
Just ask one of eight young contestants who participated in the first annual Sliced Leamington. In true SUNSET® form, the contest brought innovation and flavor to the Leamington SUNSET® Tomato Festival, engaging contestants as well as attendees.
Hosted and judged by Food Network chef Roger Mooking, chefs between grades 6-12 sliced, diced, and cooked their hearts out at the sold-out event, with a mystery box of ingredients, a full pantry, and just 30 minutes on the clock. Vying for cash prize of $500-$2,000, these young chefs left it all on the table!
Want to see who wowed the judges and sliced their way to the top? Check out the video above!
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira has released the results for its third quarter for the 2015 fiscal year, while simultaneously announcing that it has entered into an agreement with a leading land developer, The Lewis Group of Companies.
"We are excited about the recent progress that we have made with our key business initiatives,” Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira, said in a press release. “We recently announced that we entered into a Contribution Agreement that is expected to facilitate a joint venture with The Lewis Group of Companies, for the development of the Santa Paula Gateway Project.”
The project, which Edwards stated is expected to generate approximately $100 million of net cash flow for Limoneira, is currently slated to be in development over the next seven to ten years.
In addition to this latest move, Limoneira has also entered escrow in San Joaquin Valley to acquire about 900 acres of lemon, orange, and specialty citrus orchards.
"We currently lease this property from the Sheldon family and expect incremental operating results and cash flows resulting from the elimination of profit sharing lease expense beginning in fiscal year 2016,” Edwards said, adding that this demonstrates the success of the company’s execution on its long-term growth and expansion strategy. “As we benefit from cash flow related to our real estate development activities, we plan to make additional investments into our agribusiness growth."
Agribusiness revenue for the company's third quarter of fiscal year 2015 includes $23.9 million in lemon sales, compared to $26.8 million of lemon sales during the same period of fiscal year 2014. Limoneira’s avocado harvest ended in July with a total revenue of $7.1 million on 7.0 million pounds for the 2015 fiscal year, compared to last year’s revenue of $7.3 million on 6.7 million pounds for the same period.
Additional third quarter highlights and notes included:
- Third Quarter Operating Income of $7.8 million and EBITDA of $9.1 million
- The company began renting new farm worker housing units this quarter.
- Revenue was $29.8 million, compared $36.5 million in the third quarter of 2014.
- Agribusiness revenue was $28.5 million, compared to $35.2 million in the third quarter of 2014.
- Rental operations revenue was $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to $1.2 million in the same quarter of last year.
- Real estate development revenue was $34,000 compared to $121,000 in the third quarter last year.
"Our financial results for the third quarter were impacted by the previously discussed shift in the timing of the avocado harvest,” Edwards concluded.
The CEO also stated that the company is currently updating its annual guidance based on its year-to-date results, as well as the outlook for the fourth quarter.
Limoneira expects to earn approximately $5.8 million to $6.3 million in operating income for fiscal year 2015 compared to previous guidance of $8.8 million to $9.3 million.
SAN DIEGO, CA - Following reports of the recent cucumber recall, Partner David Murray of Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce (A&W) affirmed that the company is doing everything in its power to assuage concerns.
All cucumbers sold under A&W’s Limited Edition® label from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 have been voluntarily recalled out of the abundance of caution. A&W has contacted all customers who may have received this product to ensure that it has been removed from all marketing channels.
“On the evening of September 4th, we were informed by the FDA and the California Department of Public Health that indicated that cucumbers sold under our Limited Edition label may be contaminated with Salmonella,” Murray tells us. “We want everyone to understand that as soon as we learned of the situation, all operations at this packing facility and farm were ceased and that we are working non-stop with authorities to determine if, and how, our cucumbers are involved.”
According to an FDA press release, Limited Edition® cucumbers were produced in Baja California and were distributed in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah and reached customers through retail, food service companies, wholesalers, and brokers.
The incident is isolated to cucumbers alone. A&W’s tomatoes, also currently being produced in Baja California, are being shipped out of a completely separate packing facility and a different farming region.
“Andrew and Williamson is a family business,” Murray continued. “We feed the products we grow to our families. That’s why the safety and wellness of consumers is part of every business decision we make. If we have a problem, we will find it, and we will fix it."
The Centers for Disease Control have reported that 285 cases of Salmonella Poona have been reported to date in 27 states, as of September 4, 2015.
These cucumbers, often referred to as a “Slicer” or “American” cucumber, can be found in a black, green, yellow, and craft-colored carton which reads “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.” It is typically sold in a bulk display without any individual packaging or plastic wrapping for retailers. In foodservice, it is typically served as part of a salad.
A&W is making every effort to continue maintaining its high standards of quality and food safety. As the investigation is still ongoing, please stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow the situation.
CASHMERE, WA - Crunch Pak CEO Scott Sargent is leaving the organization after two years in the role. In the interim, former company CEO John Graden will assume responsibility of Crunch Pak’s slicing division, and Tony Freytag, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, for all company branding efforts which includes sales and marketing.
“Working with the team at Crunch Pak has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Sargent said. “I am proud of what we accomplished as we pursued the interests of the company and brought value to our numerous consumers.”
Prior to joining Crunch Pak, Sargent was the Manager of Supply Chain Purchasing for the 1,700-restaurant chain Chick-fil-A. According to a press release, Sargent also worked for the consulting firm, Booz Allen, and Delta Airlines, as well as serving in the Navy with five years of active duty service. Upon leaving Crunch Pak, Sargent says he will first spend time with his family before pursuing other professional opportunities.
Crunch Pak Chairman of the Board Mauro Felizia wished Sargent the best for the future and thanked him for his contributions to the company, adding, “Crunch Pak is a strong, well-established organization and we appreciate Scott’s commitment to the company. We are poised for continued growth and we look forward to writing the next chapter of our innovation story.”
The Board of Directors for the company is already working with Crunch Pak’s senior management team to manage the transition, with the search for a new leader underway.
BELLINGHAM, WA - The Haggen drama has yet to subside, it seems. Today the West Coast retailer announced it had filed voluntarily for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in order to reorganize around its core profitable stores.
“After careful consideration of all alternatives, the company concluded that a reorganization through the Chapter 11 process is the best way for Haggen to preserve value for all stakeholders,” said John Clougher, Chief Executive Officer of Haggen. “The action we are taking today will allow us to continue to serve our customers and communities while providing Haggen with a process to re-align our operations to be positioned for the future.”
Following the filing at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington, Haggen has received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor-in-possession financing from existing lenders to maintain operations and the flow of merchandise to its stores during the sale process.
According to a press release, the company has made customary first-day motions with the Bankruptcy Court intended to support the continuation of its day-to-day operations for customers, employees, vendors and suppliers, and other business partners during the restructuring. Haggen is currently seeking Court approval to continue employee wages and certain benefits and honor certain customer programs. The company expects the Court to address these concerns in the coming days.
Investment bank Sagent Advisors has been chosen to market for sale locations in the five states it operates and to explore market interest for various store locations. Discussions are underway with interested parties to sell many of the company’s remaining assets, Haggen says.
Haggen’s announcement comes on the heels of the company filing a $1 billion lawsuit against grocery chain Albertsons. In December of 2014, Haggen purchased 164 Albertsons locations, multiplying the chain’s standing by more than 10 times. According to allegations by Haggen, Albertsons failed to live up to good faith agreements that it would convert the locations in a timely manner. This “ultimately led to Haggen’s failure,” the company said in a written statement, and ultimately led to the Chapter 11 filing.