WOLCOTT, NY - New York Apple Growers (NYAG) is no more. On paper that is.
Newly-named Crunch Time Apple Growers, the 145 grower member organization stated in a press release that the success of its recent SnapDragon® and RubyFrost® apple varieties launch has necessitated a name change to stand apart with its exclusive apple varieties.
“The success and interest of these new apples has gotten a lot of attention and retailers were confusing us with other similarly named organizations such as New York Apple Sales and New York Apple Association, so we felt it was time to make a change,” Mark Russell, Marketing Committee Chair, said in the release. “We wanted the name to reflect our forward-thinking organization that will continue to bring premium apple varieties to market. In addition, we are now in the process of developing a trade brand presence for the new organizational name as well.”
The organization aligned itself with the Cornell apple breeding program in 2010 to develop a managed release and establish an exclusive licensing agreement in North America for both SnapDragon and RubyFrost. The varieties, according to the organization, are a decade in the making and Cornell’s first to go to market.
The company stated that growers pay royalties on trees purchased, acreage planted and fruit produced, and the income is being used to help support Cornell’s apple breeding program.
Currently, the SnapDragon apple variety is set to launch in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regions this coming October, while the RubyFrost variety is slated to return to stores in January of 2016.
DONNA, TX - Kingdom Fresh Farms plans to more than double its production capabilities by adding approximately 62 acres of hydroponic greenhouses in Tehuacan, central Mexico.
This is Phase 1 of a five year expansion plan that aims to increase volume and allow for the addition of specialty items. The new greenhouses will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to accommodate year-round production and best-in-class food safety, according to a press release.
Dan Edmeier, Vice President of Sales, said that the expansion is a continued step toward better serving Kingdom Fresh’s customers and their needs.
“The additional volume allows us to offer more products on a year-round basis for now and in the future as we grow together,” said Edmeier. “Our customers stress year-round availability and high quality products and we believe the consistency of our tomato program in Puebla is central to our continued growth and success.”
The current expansion will add 250 new jobs and mark Kingdom Fresh as one of the major employers in the area.
Guillermo Martinez, General Manager, remarked upon the outstanding growing conditions the area provides.
“We have several quality growing locations, and Tehuacan is one of our locations where conditions are ideal: great weather, lots of sunlight, excellent water quality, and most importantly, good-hardworking employees,” said Martinez.
Kingdom Fresh Farms specializes in a year-round, full assortment of tomatoes program.
The company grows in multiple regions of Mexico, with headquarters in the centrally located and industrialized region of Torreon, Mexico.
JAMAICA - Six Olympic Gold Medal holder and fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt, owes a lot to chicken nuggets. In fact, during his 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, 1,000 of the McDonald’s staples fueled all three of his gold medal wins, he says. So why now is Usain giving up on his effective runner’s fuel? It’s all for the vegetables, he says.
Now at the age of 28, the Jamaican superstar says he’s finally ready to change how he uses food to fuel his body.
"Food wise, I have to eat a lot more vegetables," he explained to CNN's Amanda Davies. "I have to cut junk food out. I think that's one of the biggest things for me, because I get a lot of urges at late nights, just to eat junk food. For me, that personally is one of the biggest sacrifices."
In his autobiography Faster than Lightning, Usain estimated that he ate 1,000 McDonald's chicken nuggets during his 10 days in Beijing for the Olympics to avoid eating the country’s traditional cuisine. This comes out to a nauseating total of 5,000 calories and 300 grams of fat per day he spent there.
His transition to veggies hasn’t been easy, he said, admitting he sometimes slips into old habits.
"Sometimes you do think about just going out or just not training, or just eating a million hot wings. It's hard sometimes, because you crave it, because you're used to doing a certain thing,” Usain said. "It's hard to just walk away and not slip up sometimes. So it happens, but I try to not make it happen on the regular. I try to just contain myself as much as possible."
Since the switch to a more produce-centric diet, Usain has recorded his fastest time in this season, CNN reports, hitting 9.87 seconds at the Anniversary Games to take the gold medal in the 100m.
Now planning his retirement from the Olympics at Rio 2016, Usain has no doubt this diet will take him to new heights there and in the future.
"Yes, without a doubt [I can break them]. I think—and I've said it every year—if I just could get a season where I just go through with no problems, then I know that I'll be breaking world records easy,” Usain told CNN.
I guess we’ll all get to see the power of produce in action at Rio de Janeiro come 2016.
LOXAHATCHEE, FL - In the next step to expand the company’s leadership team, J&J Family of Farms has appointed industry veteran Tom Travers as its new Chief Operating Officer. Appointed on June 15, Travers is now responsible for overseeing operations, sourcing, sales, and transportation and will have full P&L.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to leverage my experience in the produce industry to support the growth of J&J,” Travers said. “J&J has shown a commitment for future growth and I look forward to working with the entire team as we continue to grow and enhance the reputation of J&J Family of Farms as a premier grower and shipper of high-quality produce.”
According to a press release, Travers brings to J&J a strong resume of produce experience, including his most recent role as the Vice President and General Manager of Harvest Sensations. Travers has also worked as Director of Operations for Cabbage, Inc., General Manager for Eastern Propak, and Director of Operations for Southern Specialties during his time in the produce industry.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Tom’s leadership abilities and experience join our team,” said Lynn Rundle, J&J Family of Farms Chairman of the Board. “Tom Travers is not only a seasoned veteran, he is also a proven and respected leader with exceptional strengths in building teams and driving results.”
Apart from his work in the produce industry, Travers is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Along with his wife, Cheryl, Travers resides in South Florida with their three children.
INDIO, CA - DiMare Indio has announced it has taken an important step towards a year-round lemon program, now shipping lemons from Mexico through its McAllen, TX service center.
“McAllen is strategically located and provides a value-added service that makes us more competitive in eastern markets during the seasonal gap between the coastal and desert growing regions,” says Woody Johnson, General Manager, DiMare California.
DiMare currently has a west coast shipping point in Indio California, but this addition will mark increased shipping for the company outside of the state. According to a press release, McAllen offers a substantial freight savings for both its Midwest and east coast receivers compared to the costs of shipping out of California.
Peak lemon volumes out of McAllen are expected to be available mid-August through mid-October before the California desert deal kicks into high gear, DiMare says. All citrus sales for McAllen will be still be handled through DiMare’s Indio office.
MILWAUKEE, WI - Maglio Companies has announced its excitement to have the endorsement of the National Watermelon Association (NWA) for its latest technology/pouch for the ¼ sliced watermelon program. Last month we reported the company’s win of the 2015 United Fresh Innovation Award for “Best New Packaging,” and following the award, Maglio was approached by the NWA to discuss the characteristics and how it could penetrate the industry.
Bob Morrissey, Executive Director of the NWA describes the purpose of the organization as being dedicated to making a positive difference in the business and lives of its watermelon family. Its focus on increasing food safety awareness and helping growers become more successful are critical elements towards achieving this mission, he says.
Now, looking for innovation that can add value to the crop industry, and ultimately the consumer, Morrissey says in a press release that Maglio’s ready-ripe watermelon pouch fits the bill.
“The ready-ripe watermelon pouch, recently launched and winner of the 2015 Innovation Award for Best New Packaging at United Fresh Produce Association trade show, provides the consumer high-quality sliced watermelon in an attractive, safe, and convenient package,” says Morrissey.
As well as offering extended shelf life of up to 11 days, compared to the traditional one to two days with an overwrap approach, Morrissey says the natural process used to preserve the taste without preservatives is impressive.
“This innovation creates real value for the consumer, while supporting our strategic imperatives," Morrissey continued. “The National Watermelon Association fully endorses the ready-ripe watermelon solution and encourages the retail and foodservice industries and watermelon processors to explore this solution.”
According to a press release, benefits to retailers include the elimination of wet and unsanitary displays, lower labor rates and lower shrink rates with each piece being 100% saleable upon arrival.
LAKELAND, FL - Publix has once again reported an increase in sales and net earnings, marking another positive quarter in 2015.
In the second quarter, Publix reported that its sales increased 6 percent to $8 billion from last year’s $7.5 billion. Net earnings increased 19.5 percent to $482.7 million, compared to $404.1 million in 2014.
“I’m very pleased that our Publix associates delivered excellent results,” Ed Crenshaw, Publix’s CEO, said in a press release. “Unfortunately, these results were not enough to offset challenges in the stock market.”
For the first half of 2015, Publix’s sales were $16.3 billion, a 6.4 percent increase from last year’s $15.3 billion.
Publix’s stock price decreased from $42.10 per share to $42.00 per share.
Other highlights from the quarter include:
- Earnings per share for Q2 2015 increased to $0.62 for 2015, up from $0.52 per share in 2014. For the first half of 2015, earnings per share increased to $1.33, up from $1.15 per share in 2014.
- Comparable store sales for Q2 2015 increased 4.1 percent. For the first half of 2015, comparable store sales increased 4.7 percent.
- Net earnings for the first half of 2015 were $1 billion, compared to $897.8 million in 2014, an increase of 14.9 percent.
Publix currently operates 1,103 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The company is privately owned and operated by its 177,500 employees, with 2014 sales of $30.6 billion.
To view Publix’s Q1 2015 financial results, click here.
Is Publix on the way to beating its 2014 sales record? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this retailer’s financial performance.
SALINAS, CA - In this exclusive interview with Forbes Impact Award winning Brian Antle, Tanimura & Antle's Harvest Manager, he gives us an inside look at the company’s Plant Tape technology.
Check out our video interview above.
“[With Plant Tape] we can do 25 acres in a day using 3 people, compared to the traditional style machine that does just 10 acres with 15 people,” Antle says. “It’s a dramatic increase in efficiency and a reduction in labor.”
With the Plant Tape system, vegetable seedlings can be transplanted from the greenhouse to the field by using strips of biodegradable material. The strips are fed through a tractor-pulled planting device, and have reported to cut at least 10 to 15 percent of the overall work hours for trials with growing romaine and celery for T&A.
“Tanimura & Antle is always looking for new technology and new ways to innovate,” says Scott Grabau, EVP of Tanimura & Antle. “Plant tape fell right into the methodology of the company that wants to continue invest and innovate in new technology.”
Stay tuned as we continue to cover all the latest innovations in agriculture.
ORLANDO, FL - Produce for Kids’ Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™ is helping to kick off the new school year with new resources to help families and elementary school teachers encourage produce consumption among children.
Products from partner companies, including GROW Bananas, Marie’s® Dressings, Crispy Green®, and Pero Family Farms® with additional support provided by Bentology™, will be featured in registered dietitian-approved lunchbox recipe ideas on the Power Your Lunchbox website. These recipes will be promoted regularly throughout the program to more than 80,000 Produce for Kids social media fans and followers.
Trish James, Vice President of Produce for Kids, said that the organization was excited to reach and offer resources to even more families and classrooms across the nation through the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge. “It is so important that a child’s lunchbox is not only packed with food they will eat, but also provides them with the nutrients and energy they need to get through the school day. The Power Your Lunchbox Pledge was designed to help families tackle this universal challenge.”
The Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™ website offers tools and tips for families and classrooms on eating healthier lunches, after-school snacks, and weekday winners with recipes inspired by Eric Carle’s popular literary characters including The Very Hungry Caterpillar™, Brown Bear, The Very Grouchy Ladybug and The Very Busy Spider, according to a press release. The website now also features a complete teacher resource page for teachers in grades K-5 that provides free nutrition-focused downloadable lesson plans, certificates for students, take home materials for families, and the ability to take the pledge as a classroom.
For every online pledge, lunchbox-friendly companies supporting Power Your Lunchbox Pledge will make a collective $1 donation to Feeding America® children’s programs such as Kids Café, Backpack program, and Child Hunger Corps.
In 2014, the campaign raised more than $5,000 for kids’ health and wellness programs across the country.
CHICAGO, IL - dailyServing is helping consumers find a healthy snack that’s perfect for their everyday needs. Meet dailyServing’s snack + drink in one.
The Chicago-based start-up has paired together nutritious snacks and cold-pressed juices in nine separate products to target specific health goals, such as increased energy, sharpened mental focus, and faster muscle recovery.
Designed by health and nutrition experts, each vitamin-rich combination provides additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The full line of vegan-friendly, gluten-free snacks comes tailor-packaged and each product is built to make eating smart an easy choice for consumers.
dailyServing’s cold-pressed juices are 100 percent pure produce and are paired with trend-focused superfoods to provide expert nutritional advice.