CALIFORNIA - If you’ve been in California this week, you know it's been HOT. Now, forecasters are warning that Southern California could also be hit by rain and thunderstorms as soon as this afternoon.
Through the weekend, temperatures are expected to continue between the 90s and 100s, along with a major rise in humidity, the National Weather Service reports. Meanwhile, thunderstorms will be developing over the mountains, deserts, and interior valleys, with some coast and coastal valley locations seeing some of the action.
"Any storms that develop by Thursday will be capable of producing heavy downpours, dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, strong gusty winds, and flash flooding," said the National Weather Service.
The rainfall, however, is not expected to put a substantial dent in the drought, however, said Chris Hintz, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Initially, the thunderstorms will probably not produce a lot of rain,” he said. “They will mainly be isolated and over the mountains. They could produce more fires because of the lightning.”
Many climatologists believe this rain is a direct result of this year’s El Niño conditions, which, according to the National Weather Service’s North American Multi-Model Ensemble forecast, has a greater-than-95-percent chance of a being “strong,” and a greater-than-60-percent chance of the strongest El Niño in recorded North American history.
For the long-term forecast of this season, experts say there's a 50% chance of a wetter-than-average rainy season for the Northern half of the state, where much of the state's water supply is collected. California will need both rain and snow there to have a major effect on the drought.
A typical El Niño generally dumps heavy rain only on Southern California. But the most powerful El Niños on record, 1982-83 and 1997-98, were strong enough to send dramatic storms over Northern California as well.
OXNARD, CA - It's a time of experimental tastes and surprising flavor trends that has a variety of produce categories on the rise. Consumer knowledge and awareness appears to be what unlocks consumption, and Freska is continuously working on new ways to keep them thinking mangos.
“Freska continues to try to come up with inventive ways of increasing mango volume with retailers,” Gary Clevenger, Managing Member and Partner of Freska, tells me.
This year, mango volume out of Mexico was upwards of eight million boxes over last year, according to Gary, and with consumption continuing to grow every year he says that the category looks to be positioned for future growth with promotion and education working to target audiences that have not tried mangos, as well as those that know certain varieties and have been introduced to others.
On the buyside, Freska continues this through displays with its retail partners that have created very encouraging numbers as far as moving the category to bigger levels, Gary tells me. And as for having mangos all year round?
“Having our year round program that supports the mango coming from different regions all supports the consumption and growth of the category,” Gary said. “We look at mangos the way the avocados started out, without much knowledge on how to use or prepare in dishes and then one day it just exploded.”
So how can retailers utilize this growth? By introducing mangos to their shoppers.
“Introducing to the consumer through in-store demo’s and point-of-sale material is best at pushing mangos to the consumer,” Gary stated. “Making bright, large displays can really drive sales and not make the mango relegated to the back of the store - this is the world’s most eaten fruit, and here in the States getting people to try it is the goal.”
And once they do try it, Gary says, they will be return customers.
IMMOKALEE, FL - Ahold USA has officially become the first of America's major grocers to join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW) Fair Food Program. The CIW program was created with the intention of improving the lives of the country's farmworkers.
"Ahold USA's companies are deeply committed to responsible practices throughout their operations and to providing customers with great products at great prices from suppliers who share our dedication to strong ethical standards and fair treatment for workers,” said James McCann, Chief Operating Officer of Ahold USA. “Our companies and our customers care about the welfare of workers in our supply chain, and we believe now is the right time to begin an important new chapter in our partnership with the CIW."
Awarded a Presidential Medal earlier this year for its work in social responsibility, CIW's Fair Food Program has been called "one of the great human rights success stories of our day," by the Washington Post for its protection of the rights of tens of thousands of workers on farms across the East coast.
Ahold USA's support for the Fair Food Program will extend the retailer’s goal to provide responsible product sourcing, the company says, and strengthen the reach, impact and visibility of the CIW's social responsibility efforts. Ahold USA's participation in the program will increase the number of U.S. grocery stores carrying Fair Food tomatoes by approximately 75 percent.
"We are truly proud to welcome Ahold USA into the Fair Food Program and excited about the opportunity to work with an industry leader like Ahold," said Gerardo Reyes of the CIW. "Ahold USA is the first of the country's major grocers to join the program and, as such, not only will its partnership help propel to new heights our efforts to protect farmworkers' rights, but we believe its market leadership will send an invaluable message to the rest of the grocery industry that social responsibility is greatly strengthened when workers, suppliers, and retailers work together toward a more modern, more humane agricultural industry."
As part of this partnership, Ahold USA's companies will:
- Purchase Florida tomatoes only from growers who participate in the CIW's Fair Food Program
- Expand the Fair Food Program's standards to farms of participating growers in other states
- Work with the CIW to ensure timely, periodic inspections, and audits of the participating farms that supply Ahold USA's companies
- Pay a premium on tomatoes purchased from participating growers that growers will pass on to field workers
- Provide additional financial support for the Fair Food Standards Council, CIW's partner in monitoring compliance
- Support the Fair Food Program with expanded marketing and advertising, including in-store displays, online visibility, and education materials
Ahold USA, with nearly 780 supermarkets across 14 states and the District of Columbia and 50 million customers each month, represents one of the largest food retailing groups in the country.
WENATCHEE, WA - With the pear season at an early peak, Stemilt is already showing retailers promotable volumes in late August for its Bartlett, Starkrimson, and more varieties.
Stemilt's Communications Manager Briana Shales joined me for a short interview on how retailers can capitalize on this early pear season. Listen to our interview above, or keep reading for some snippets of our interview below.
"We want retailers to know to get going early for pear promotions especially for the Bartlett and Starkrimson varieties," Brianna says. "It's coming early, it's coming fast, but they'll be better off if they get going with the rest."
Marketed under its Rushing Rivers label, this tells consumers that these pears are grown in the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington's fertile soil. Stemilt says these areas are known throughout the world as some of the best pears available.
Stemilt is merchandising these pears with display bins, to cartons, recipes, and signage that retailers can use to tell the story of Rushing Rivers.
JUPITER, FL - Locus Traxx’s Ray Hoffman is moving up the corporate ladder to Vice President of Operations and Logistics.
Mr. Hoffman was instrumental in overseeing the company’s European joint venture last year as Managing Director of Locus Traxx EU. Over the past five years, his ability to develop employees and wealth of industry knowledge has led to this well-deserved promotion.
David Benjamin, Locus Traxx Worldwide CEO and President, praised Mr. Hoffman for his determination and resourcefulness in a press release.
“In the years that I have had the pleasure to know and work with Ray, he has always exhibited innovative ideas and a tireless work ethic,” he said. “I’m very proud of Ray and I am excited to see the positive changes his leadership brings to Locus Traxx Worldwide.”
Michelle Korte, Vice President of Sales, shared a similar sentiment.
“Ray has a great energy level, which adds to his excellent leadership in customer service, dedication to the company, and our customers,” she said.
Mr. Hoffman’s strong attention to detail is expected to be pivotal in this new role as he takes his team to new heights.
UNITED STATES - In the continued saga of Neil Young versus Monsanto, the rocker has released a short documentary that highlights the alleged crimes of the agrochemical giant. Seeding Fear, as the film is titled, is only 10-minutes long, but packs a punch by telling the story of farmer Michael White, who defied Monsanto in court after being accused of using the company’s copyrighted GM soya beans. He was one of a number of farmers sued by the huge corporation for copyright infringement.
You can watch the full documentary above.
“The film I would like you to see tells the story of a farming family in America, but the same thing is happening around the world,” Young wrote on his Facebook. “It is a story that takes 10 minutes of your time to see. It is a simple human one, telling the heartbreaking story of one man who fought the corporate behemoth Monsanto.”
Young went on to speak about how the company allegedly controls over 90% of soybean and corn growth in America. He says family farms that have been replaced by giant subsidized farms have been fighting the losing battle for 30 years now.
The film followed Young’s recent album The Monsanto Years, which as we’ve previously reported, addressed similar issues with companies like Wal-Mart and Starbucks as well.
On its company blog, Monsanto responded to the documentary, citing a slew of what they refer to as inaccuracies.
“Mr. White is not transparent in describing his actions or the situation. He actually admitted to knowingly planting, producing, saving, cleaning and selling Roundup Ready® soybeans illegally,” said Monsanto Public Affairs Team Member Nick Weber on the blog. “All of this information is available in court documents, Monsanto Company versus Michael White, Wayne White, White’s Seed Cleaning, and White Farms Feed & Seed.”
Neil Young timed the release of the film to coincide with Thursday’s vote in the House of Representatives on a measure to block mandatory labeling on foods made with GM crops, the Guardian reported. The Safe and Accurate Food Labelling Act, as it has been named by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, still passed by 275-150.
Of course, there's always two sides to every story. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more on this evolving feud.
CINCINNATI, OH - Kroger is on an employment spree, this time in Indiana.
As we previously reported, the retailer just recently announced that it was filling positions in Southern Illinois and Kentucky during a one-day job fair. This time, according to the Indy Star, the fair is a three-day event as Kroger looks to fill 1,200 positions in stores throughout the Indianapolis area.
“We need associates at every single store in our Indianapolis division,” John Elliott, Spokesman for Kroger, told the Indy Star.
This is all due to opening several stores in the area, as well as expanding those that already exist, according to the report.
The retailer is hiring for positions across the board, with pay starting off at $10.70 an hour. Jobs openings include:
- Produce
- Utility clerk
- Grocery
- Executive and sous chefs
- Entry-level store management
Kroger also stated that it is looking to hire employees for daytime, evening, weekend and overnight shifts. The job fair event began yesterday, July 28th, and will continue through tomorrow, July 30th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at Castleton Square Mall, Indianapolis, Indiana.
WENATCHEE, WA - CMI has reported that it is experiencing good pear volume, but that hotter-than-normal temperatures the area has experienced throughout the season have affected the size.
As a result, the company is seeing this as an opportunity to expand pear pouch bags and turn a small pear into a strong sell for retailers.
“Our horticulturists tell us that pear size is down one to two sizes from normal,” Steve Castleman, Senior Vice President of Sales for CMI, said in a press release. “It looks like this will put a premium on larger sized pears and increase our supply of fruit that fits our successful pouch bag program.”
According to Steve Lutz, Vice President of Sales for CMI, the company’s Sweet Gourmet Pear™ Pouch bags have been a success with its retail partners this year.
“Nielsen data for the season shows that our 2 lb Sweet Gourmet Pear™ Pouch bags sales increased by 126%, so were really excited about our prospects during the new crop,” Lutz said in the release, stating that the pouch’s success is related to its upscale appearance and strong graphics.
“Bagged pears have historically been packed in low cost poly bags that convey a low quality message to consumers. The beauty of our new pouch bag is the strong appeal it has to consumers looking for both high quality and the convenience of not having to select individual pears. In addition, the bags include an educational component to educate consumers about pear ripening,” Lutz continued.
According to CMI, Nielsen scan data for the just-concluded season shows packaged pears driving category growth in both dollars and volume. While the data reported that pear sales decreased 6% for the September 1, 2014 to May 23, 2015 season, packaged pear dollars increased by 12.7%. A short video about the Sweet Gourmet™ pears can be seen below.
Lutz commented that most pear bags in the past were in three pound bags, but the two pound bag appears to be more of a success.
“The two pound pouch is small enough that it encourages trial by light users because of a lower price point as compared to a three pound unit,” he said. “The experience from our customers is we’re able to drive incremental purchases with the Sweet Gourmet Pear™ pouch bags rather than simply cannibalizing sales of existing products.”
Currently CMI estimates it will be packing Sweet Gourmet™ Bartlett pears beginning August 10th.
CORAL GABLES, FL - Del Monte Fresh released the results of its second quarter for the fiscal 2015 year this morning, stating that it was pleased to report steady results after a few potential speed bumps in the recent quarter.
"We are pleased to report solid second quarter results despite the negative year-over-year exchange rates in Europe and Asia and weather related issues that impacted production for some of our products,” Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Del Monte Fresh Produce, said in a press release. “Our results reflect momentum in our global value-added fresh-cut product line, increased penetration within our existing distribution channels, and flexibility to deliver to markets with the strongest demand.”
The company saw steady net sales compared to this time last year, reflecting $1.134 billion, compared with 2014’s $1.131 billion. As for gross profit, Del Monte Fresh saw a .94% decrease to $114.0 million from 2014’s $121.5 million. According to the company, this was attributable to a combination of lower selling prices in several product lines and an increase in fruit production costs in Del Monte Fresh’s banana and other fresh produce business segments.
Other highlights included:
- Bananas net sales for the second quarter increased 2% to $513.8 million, compared with $505.1 million in 2014.
- Banana volume was 5% higher than 2014’s corresponding period, with unit cost at one percent lower than last year.
- Banana gross profit for the quarter was $44.6 million, compared with $49.9 million in the second quarter of 2014.
- Other fresh produce net sales for the second quarter increased 1% to $523.7 million, compared with $518.2 million in 2014’s corresponding period.
- Gross profit for other fresh produce in the quarter was $54.9 million, a .99% decrease compared with gross profit of $55.7 million in the second quarter of 2014.
Fresh-cut net sales increased 16% and non-tropical net sales both increased 6%, while net sales for melons decreased 8% and tomato net sales decreased seven percent.
Abu-Ghazaleh concluded that the company continued throughout the quarter to capitalize on health and wellness, as well as growing convenience trends in the marketplace with new product initiatives. He added that Del Monte Fresh further invested in its global footprint to increase value-added production.
Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we continue to keep you up to date on the latest financial and industry information.
EDMONTON, AB - The Little Potato Company has announced the launched of its new Little Chef program designed to provide parents and kids the tools and tips to make it easier to cook together while sharing important skills and having fun.
“Over almost 20 years in business, we’ve noticed that as people learn about our little Creamers and their nutritious goodness as a vegetable, the more likely they are to enjoy cooking with and sharing them. We think it’s important to help kids learn about cooking and delicious, healthy food ingredients early so they grow-up with great eating habits, including our Creamers,” said Angela Santiago, CEO and Chief Potato Champion, The Little Potato Company and mother of four.
The program includes a growing collection of “Little Chef Approved” recipes featuring Creamer potatoes, as well as tips for cooking with kids of various ages at www.LittlePotatoes.com/LittleChef. The program will be featured through Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, inviting parents and kids to share the favorite recipes they create together.
According to a press release, research has shown that food preparation and cooking skills impact kids’ and teens’ food choices. When kids have access to fresh, unprocessed foods and learn to prepare them well, they are more likely to feel comfortable buying and cooking these foods as adults.
This fall will see the expansion of this program, offering Little Chefs and their families the opportunity to have fun cooking together, discover the colourful varieties of Creamers, share their cooking experience with others, and win fabulous prizes. You can find all the recipes for the above pictures right here on The Little Chef Program website.
Also this fall and winter, The Little Potato Company is further refining its popular packaging introduced last Fall. The company adds that its also working on a few “twists and tweaks” on its value-added Oven | Grill and Microwave Ready kits to vamp up the bundle Creamers, specialized cooking trays and a variety of savory seasoning packs that consumers love.