UNITED STATES - Who’s up for some friendly Friday competition?
If you think you’re a tomato expert, now’s the chance to prove it. Click the link below to test your knowledge!
Recently published by the Washington Post, this short, educational quiz compiles questions from throughout tomato history including its native location and even the origins of the word “tomato.”
While we’re all down for some peaceful intra-office rivalry, just take care not to end up looking like you just came from the La Tomatina festival in case the competition gets too fierce.
If you've got a few minutes to spare, try taking the quiz and learn a bit more about this versatile, flavorful produce item.
What was your score? Let us know by emailing [email protected]!
VENTURA, CA - LINKFRESH continues to enhance the shipping process of the produce industry with its latest releases. Ron Myers, Executive Vice President, took the time to share with me the advantages of the company’s newest products.
“We have enhanced functionality for traceability and food safety,” Ron tells me, explaining that LINKFRESH just released both its Enterprise product as well as its new Dynamic NAV.
Ron also explained to me that LINKFRESH is certified for Microsoft Dynamics, meaning that it is a produce-focused solution that has met Microsoft’s highest accreditation available for partner solutions.
According to ArecherPoint, this means that:
- The product is Dynamics specific (either ERP, CRM).
- The solution has been tested for integration with the product it is intended to work with.
- The product has been used and is recommended by end users, the Independent Software Vendor’s (ISV) customers.
- It is professionally implemented and systematically supported by the ISV or certified resellers of the ISV.
To see my entire video interview with Ron, check out the 35 second video above.
ONTARIO, CANADA - Though we may only be scratching the surface of what technology can do for the produce industry, advancements continue to be made towards improving the harvest process. And if a certain Canada-based research facility has its way, mushrooms could be next.
The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario says it has developed a robot capable of picking mushrooms autonomously, according to a release. The company believes this could have quite an impact on the industry due to how much the harvesting process depends on hand-picking, as well as training employees to do so correctly.
Cost is always a question when it comes to bigger and better technologies, which the program appears to have kept top of mind. Not only does the center hope to improve the accuracy and dependability of the mushroom harvesting practice, but the affordability of the tech that provides it. According to the release, one of the goals of this technology, besides improving the dependability and accuracy of mushroom harvesting, is making it affordable for the industry growers.
The team’s robot is capable of identifying which mushrooms to pick when, picking those mushrooms, de-stemming them, and dropping them into a store-ready container. While a local mushroom grower has let Vineland access his facility so that they could better understand the mushroom growing and harvesting process, the Centre has stated that it is proceeding cautiously to ensure the quality of the automation. It is, however, reportedly ready to move into the next phase of the process.
Supported through FedDev Ontario, as well as the federal-provincial-territorial initiative Growing Forward 2 supporting Vineland’s in-kind contributions, the team also has a few floral-focused technologies in the works. In the future, it hopes it will expand from working with mushroom and ornamental greenhouse growers, to orchards and vegetable greenhouses as well.
And when the time comes, Vineland’s objective for this mushroom harvesting robot to be licensed and marketed worldwide, funding future research with the intellectual property’s royalties.
MONTVALE, NJ - Following the announcement that nearly 10,000 A&P employees may be laid off come Thanksgiving, the company is now requesting that its Bankruptcy Court approve a $5 million earmark in “incentive pay” to keep some of its top, non-union employees from exiting the floundering retailer.
According to NorthJersey.com, A&P claims in its motion that essential non-union employees are "resigning at an escalating rate," and that it has already lost 54 of its highest ranking employees since it filed for bankruptcy July 19th. Reportedly, both the company’s Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Deli and Bakery have been among those who have already jumped ship.
Under the proposal, which still needs approval from U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Drain, A&P would pay the proposed 495 executive and management employees an extra 4 to 63 percent of their base salary in exchange for them continuing their duties. According to news source Lohud, the employees would receive a round of incentive pay in October, ranging from $10,000 to $125,000 depending on the employee's position. Then, A&P says in their court filings, about half would lose their jobs while the other half would be eligible for a second round of incentive pay if they continue working through December.
In the filing, Christopher McGarry, Chief Restructuring Officer for A&P, continued by saying these key employees have had to do more work and are under "increased doubt and stress" and "are deeply concerned about their job security and possible implications of being terminated."
However, "there has not been material attrition of union associates," McGarry said, adding that union employees working in A&P stores are "incentivized" to continue working to make a good impression on potential future owners. According to Lohud, A&P says that union workers will stay because they have better benefits than non-union ones, and if they were to be included in the program, they would be eligible for "as low as a few hundred dollars.”
John Niccollai, President of UFCW Local 464A in Little Falls, a major representer of A&P workers, said that he didn't know yet what the official union response to the motion would be, but he said retention pay for executives was an area of difficulty during the company’s last bankruptcy filing in 2010. "That was one of the things that really, really upset" store workers who were asked to accept pay and benefits cuts during the previous bankruptcy proceeding, he said.
Niccollai told NorthJersey.com that he personally would prefer that the $5 million go for severance pay for store workers, or to protect full bumping rights, asking the company to, "put the money where it's going to help the people the most.”
A hearing regarding the incentive plan is scheduled for September 11, which also is the deadline A&P set to receive sales bids for many of its stores.
DELTA, BC - Houweling’s Group has just launched a new patent pending recovery technology that it says presents opportunities that extend far beyond indoor growing environments.
The new waste heat and CO2 recovery system has been implemented at the company's Mona, Utah greenhouse farm. The company says it's a unique recovery system that's a "win for sustainable agriculture." It was designed to complement the company's patented Ultra Clima greenhouse.
“I am incredibly proud of this project. It required substantial research, development and testing, not to mention a significant capital investment in the prototype,” Casey Houweling, CEO, said in a press release. “But with the commitment of our team and project partners, what was once an idea and a dream, has become a reality.”
According to the company, this ability to utilize wasted thermal energy is a benefit for any building or operation that requires heat, and the ability to both capture and store thermal energy will further enhance the system’s broad applications.
The Utah farm for which the recovery technology was designed is next to a natural gas power plant, enabling Houweling’s to transfer low-grade heat and CO2 from the industrial stacks with its proprietary technology to distribute heat on demand. In turn, the CO2 is distributed into the greenhouse for plant fertilization.
With over 200 acres of greenhouse farms, this new technology should further assist Houweling’s in its production of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers sustainably.
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira Ranch’s lemons are not only for refreshing their palate. The produce company’s citrus will be the key to the Yamaguchi Salon’s new Lemon Cooler Pedicure.
Starting September 1st, this new spoil will be available to clients, along with the option of a Lemon Drop Martini to be served to them during the treatment. Located in Westlake Village’s Four Seasons Hotel, Yamaguchi Salon is known for a holistic approach and has been voted one of the top salon/spas in America by Conde Nast Traveler.
“Lemons are one of the most versatile items in the produce department,” John Carter, Limoneira’s Director of Global Sales, said in a press release. “Everyone knows that lemons are a great recipe ingredient and enhancer, but they also have many uses in the areas of health, lifestyle and beauty.”
Along with fresh-squeezed Limoneira lemon juice, Yamaguchi’s new Lemon Cooler Pedicure also includes granulated sugar and vodka to rejuvenate and invigorate tired feet.
According to the release, the salon also uses sugar to gently but effectively smooth, exfoliate and hydrate the skin, while lemon juice contains malic and citric acid to help slough off dead cells and uncover the healthier, brighter skin underneath. Aside from adding a twist to the recipient’s beverage, vodka is used in the treatment as a natural antiseptic to help cleanse the feet.
Limoneira’s natural Lemon Hand Lotion and Lemon Balm Hand Cleanser will also be available to both test and purchase in the store. Included with the treatment, guests will also have access to Four Seasons Spa’s sauna, jacuzzi and lounge areas.
Those interested in more information about this treatment or approach can go to fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/spa/salon or call (818) 575-3016.
YAKIMA, WA - Domex Superfresh Growers is getting a little help from Big Bird, Elmo, and others to promote pears and healthy eating habits among kids.
The company is joining the eat brighter!™ campaign to feature Sesame Street characters on a new line of 2 lb. gusseted Superfresh Kids™ themed pear pouch bags.
These new bags, available in both organic and conventional options, feature ripening tips on the back for consumers and include bilingual information for Canadian export requirements. Bartlett, Bosc, Anjou, and Red Pear varieties will be available in separate pouches when the bags debut in supermarkets this fall.
Speaking on the current season, Howard Nager, Vice President of Marketing, said that this year’s pear crop is shaping up nicely with excellent eating quality and flavor.
“Sizing will lean towards smaller fruit which is ideal for the 2 lb. pouches,” he said. “IRI data for the 52-week period ending June 14, 2015 has shown that dollar sales of bagged pears increased 15% over the previous 52-week period and it now represents 9% of dollar sales in the pear category.”
A social media campaign this fall will accompany the company’s pear season. The hashtag #eatpears on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest will give consumers the opportunity to win prizes.
HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND - Former Tesco Chief Executive Officer Philip Clarke has been asked to come in for questioning by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to learn more about the multi-million dollar accounting scandal the retailer has been dealing with.
Clarke, who left Tesco in August last year, will be interviewed under caution, The Guardian reports, meaning that any testimony he gives can be used in evidence in the investigation. Kevin Grace, Tesco’s former Commercial Director, has also been called in.
The SFO kicked off the investigation last October of 2014 following the revelation that the company overstated profits by £326 million (roughly $503 million), with many believing the error was due to maliciously and incorrectly booking payments from suppliers to reach sales target, as we’ve previously reported.
Tesco has so far declined to comment on this newest announcement, but has previously said that it would fully co-operate with the SFO. SFO Director, David Green told Bloomberg that he expects the investigation into Tesco will be resolved by the end of this year.
Clarke joined Tesco as a schoolboy shelf-stacker in 1974 and had risen all the way to CEO in 2011. When Clarke was asked to leave the company last summer, he reportedly was paid £1.2 million ($1.8 million) for loss of office.
Tesco, despite all its corporate restructuring, continues to endure economic hardships. The Guardian reports that the company’s shares have slumped down more than 12% in the past month alone and reported a record annual loss of £6.4 billion ($9.8 million) when it announced it had axed nearly 5,000 head office and UK store management jobs, as well as more than 4,000 roles overseas and at the group’s banking division. A further 2,500 jobs were lost with the closure of 43 Tesco stores earlier this month.
Other Tesco suppliers and Directors including Carl Rogberg, the former UK Finance Director, Laurie McIlwee, the former Group Finance Director, are also believed by The Guardian to have had contact with the SFO earlier this year.
WASHINGTON - Sun Commodities Inc., a Pompano Beach, Florida-based firm, has posted a $75,000 surety bond under PACA regulations.
The bond was posted with the USDA to employ Erick Jarquin, the only Officer of Worldwide Produce & Grocers Inc., based in Doral, Florida. Worldwide Produce & Grocers Inc. was previously found to have committed repeated and flagrant violations of section 2 of PACA, according to a press release from the USDA.
USDA will hold the $75,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct its business according to PACA rules.
Any PACA licensee wishing to employ individuals who have failed to pay a reparation award, or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million.
AURORA, CO - Category Partners has announced retail vet Adam Brohimer as its new Vice President.
“After a long and rewarding career in produce marketing and category management I was ready for a new challenge, and a new opportunity,” Brohimer said. “The industry, the market and the consumer are changing so rapidly that adapting category planning for profitable growth is becoming increasingly difficult. I believe my experiences and Category Partners’ vision will support each other and benefit the produce industry very well.”
As a seasoned retail produce marketing executive, Adam had been Vice President of Fusion Marketing most recently, but also held the position of Account Manager for the Perishables Group Inc.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Adam at his previous position, and more recently competed against him,” said Mac Johnson, President and CEO of Category Partners. He went on to say, “I have always been impressed with his professionalism and ability to resolve issues and address opportunities in this exciting, but very competitive produce industry. We’re extremely excited to have Adam join our team and bring his years of experience to Category Partners.”
According to a press release, Adam graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and has received his MBA from the University of California, Irvine. Adam and his wife Heidi, and son Cade currently reside in Laguna Hills, CA, and say next on their agenda is to sit down for a produce-centric family meal.