SALINAS, CA - Mark your calendars: PMA Foodservice Expo is coming up, and this year Church Brothers will be there showing off the company’s new #ImperfectVeg program.
At the Monterey, CA expo, you’ll be able to stop by Booth #23 and learn more about the #ImperfectVeg program, which advocates selling fresh produce items to foodservice operators that were previously discarded or rotated back into the soil due to not meeting industry standards for cosmetic attributes.
“With education, the #ImperfectVeg may be accepted faster by foodservice customers because the end consumer chooses off a menu description rather than at retail where they buy with their eyes,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing.
Church Brothers announced in a press release that it will be displaying its entire #ImperfectVeg product line at the PMA Foodservice Expo including: direct field-packed Romaine leaves and cauliflower, value-added Broccoli bits, and second crop baby kale, baby chard and clip spinach.
Along with the offerings at PMA Foodservice, on Saturday, July 25, Church Brothers will host an annual private party at the family ranch to thank its customers for their support.
“The family ranch party is part of the Church Brothers’ leadership legacy in the Salinas Valley,” added Tuggle. “Our customers look forward to the party all year, it’s a great time to showcase our products and say thank you for your business.”
This year, Church Brothers will also participate in the PMA Foundation Career Pathways program. “The best way to get produce center of the plate is through education,” Tuggle said, and by hosting students and faculty for a tour of its True Leaf Farms salad processing plant in San Juan Bautista, Church Brothers says this event will give the company a chance to host future produce operators.
COLIMA, MX - Mexico’s Colima volcano, better known as the 'Volcano of Fire,' erupted this past Thursday, and eruptions have continued to intensify since. Mexican officials are now evacuating residents in both Colima and Jalisco in fear that a larger eruption is on its way, reports say.
A more than 7.5-mile area surrounding the volcano was shuttered over fears of a larger eruption, the BBC reports. Explosions have been occurring since Thursday on the volcano’s slopes, and columns of ash have spewed as high as 1.7 miles into the sky.
"The communities in this 12km radius are very small and don't exceed 800 inhabitants. They have all been evacuated," said Luis Felipe Puente, Civil Protection Co-Ordinator for Colima.
Government officials in Colima are calling the activity at Colima “atypical," saying that eruptions of this type and intensity hadn't been seen since the volcano’s largest explosive eruption in 1913, the Associated Press reports.
Authorities are monitoring the volcanic activity “minute by minute,” RT reports, expecting one of three possible scenarios: a slow fading of activity over the next months, the collapse of the volcano’s domes, or a major explosive eruption.
NEWARK, NJ - AeroFarms® broke ground on its new global headquarters.
The beginning of the 69,000 square-foot indoor vertical farm was an event that prompted the appearance of numerous local influencers, including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Newark Councilman Augusto Amador, New Jersey Acting Governor Kim Guadagno, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, and other elected officials and civic leaders.
“Today’s groundbreaking takes us one step closer to addressing the tremendous demand for our locally grown produce that is setting a new culinary standard for freshness and taste,” David Rosenberg, CEO for AeroFarms, said, according to a press release. “We are excited to redefine not only the Garden State but also agriculture overall, and our goal is to increase access to healthier options by working with a wide-range of selling partners from retail to foodservice to farmers markets.”
What is set to be AeroFarms’ new headquarters will also be the world’s largest indoor vertical farm. The company has partnered up with Goldman Sachs, RBH Group, Prudential Financial, the City of Newark, and NJEDA Partner in order to redevelop the former industrial location.
“Partnering with RBH, Goldman Sachs, Prudential, NJEDA, the City of Newark, and the ICC allows us to bring our global headquarters and the world’s largest indoor vertical farm close to where the consumer is, while also creating jobs,” Rosenberg said, adding that the company is happy to build on its deep ties within the Newark Community.
The new corporate headquarters and vertical farm, located on a three-acre industrial site in the center of the Ironbound community in Newark, New Jersey, was designed by the award-winning architectural design firm KSS Architects.
"Today we break ground on an exciting new development that will anchor our “Makers Village” project in the Ironbound neighborhood to compete toe-to-toe with the Brooklyn Navy Yard with a superior cost structure and greater transmodal access, bringing 21st century “maker-type” businesses to Newark and the State of New Jersey,” Ron Beit, Founding Partner and CEO of RBH Group, said, in the release. “We are delighted to bring our elected officials and financial partners together to introduce AeroFarms, a farming and technology leader, to the City of Newark, creating jobs for local residents and greater access to locally grown produce for our city.”
According to AeroFarms, the project is a public private partnership that received public investments from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the City of Newark, as well as New Market Tax Credit allocation from Goldman Sachs, United Fund Advisors and Dudley Venture. Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group and Prudential Financial also led over $30 million in financing for the endeavor.
“Newark is pleased to partner with AeroFarms, RBH Group, Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority on the creation of the world's largest indoor vertical farm,” Mayor Ras J. Baraka stated. “Newark is becoming a destination for high-tech and environmentally-friendly development, and this project in the East Ward will bring jobs and prosperity to our city.”
AeroFarms stated that upon completion of the facility, it will have the capacity to grow up to 2 million pounds per year of baby leafy greens and herbs in an environment that will be controlled, safe, and sanitary facility. It will provide healthy foods to the local community as well as to other markets.
“AeroFarms is a model for successful, sustainable farming offering 75 times more productivity per square foot annually than a traditional field farm while using no pesticides and consuming over 95% less water,” the company stated in the release.
Upon completion of the first phase, the new facility is set to create about 80 new jobs in the local community. The first phase of the new headquarters is set to open by the end of this year.
ANTIGO, WI - Volm Companies has announced the company has sold the very first Volmpack weigher/baggers in the state of Hawaii.
The customer is Aloun Farms, a large vegetable grower/packer located in Kapolei, HI, which is about 25 miles outside Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
Tom Kiss, a Volm Account Manager located in California, sold both a Volmpack M10 High Speed Weigher and Volmpack Vantage Vertical Form-Fill-Seal Bagger to package Aloun's Ewa Sweet Onions.
The Volmpack M10 High Speed Weigher features new upgraded software along with a full color 15” touch screen and an optional router for assistance from remote locations. Volm says that highlights for this product include efficient feed channels, wide bucket scales and high-speed computer with an easy-to-use Windows software program.
Volmpack Vantage Vertical Form-Fill-Seal Bagger includes various feeding tube sizes, that offer multiple package sizes, styles, and shape options based on your product and brand marketing needs. According to Volm’s website, the VP Vantage packaging is ideal for potato packaging, onion, citrus, nuts, and other small non-produce products as well.
Stay tuned as AndNowUKnow continues to report on Volm’s newest products.
SALINAS, CA - Tanimura and Antle’s own Brian Antle took home the Forbes Impact Award in Innovation on behalf of the company yesterday, for its Plant Tape innovation.
The inaugural Forbes AgTech Summit hit the heart of the Salinas Valley on Historic Main Street this past Wednesday and Thursday, to bring together the best and brightest of the Silicon and Salinas Valleys.
"It is truly an honor to accept this Forbes Impact Award for Innovation on behalf of Tanimura & Antle as I believe it recognizes the 50 years of innovation that the Tanimura and Antle familes have brought to the agricultural industry,” Brian said upon accepting the award from Vic Smith, Western Growers Chairman of the Board and President and CEO of JV Smith Companies.
Brian is the Harvest Manager for Tanimura & Antle and the individual spearheading all things Plant Tape as the company continues to work toward full commercialization of the innovation by next year.
The company premiered an exclusive video of the current progress of Plant Tape as well as its continued story of progress and innovation. The video is now available to the public on the company’s website and on Facebook, or you can view it below.
“As the world population continues to grow along with the demand for fresh vegetables, we are faced with a big challenge… how to meet this need with less water, less land, less labor, and more regulation,” Brian added.
Brian also spoke to the company's values of quality, service and innovation. While all of these are great attributes, he noted, it is innovation that he feels is the hardest to achieve and the most rewarding when found.
"To truly be innovative you have to be willing to stick your neck out financially and sometimes endure the ridicule you will receive for a crazy idea. However, these crazy ideas are what get us to the next level,” he laughed.
Brian concluded by saying, "We have come to an interesting crossroads where the ag and tech industries are coming together in an effort to solve some of these problems and innovate for the future.”
That truly was the mindset during the Forbes event this week and one I hope will continue to be cultivated throughout the industry. Congratulations on the award, Brian, can't wait to see what you come up with next.
CHICO, CA - Mooney Farms has launched a healthy new snack line to deliver on both taste and nutrition.
The company’s new Bella Sun Luci snack line combines select spices and California sun-dried tomatoes to create flavors like its BBQ variety and Smokey variety, bringing a fat-free, gluten-free snack that is rich in Lycopene to the grocery shelves.
“The new Bella Sun Luci snack bags unite the much-loved BBQ spice and Smoky flavors with our premium tomatoes, and packs layers of great flavor into every bite,” Mary Mooney said in a press release, commenting that the company made it easier to enjoy both flavors together because it had found that fans of one were frequently fans of the other as well.
The Bella Sun Luci snack bags will be available at a suggested retail price of $2.99 in a 3.5 ounce bag, and can be found nationwide at Safeway banner stores.
ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods’ President and CEO John Lederer is passing the torch to Pietro Satriano, the company announced today.
Satriano, a former Executive Vice President of Loblaw Brands, will take over the President and CEO role on Monday, July 13.
John Lederer gave his thanks to the US Foods team and assured his utmost confidence in Satriano's ability to bring US Foods to new heights.
“It has been a remarkable ride at US Foods and I’m grateful to have led such a talented group of employees,” said Mr. Lederer. “I can say without a doubt that Pietro is absolutely the right person to take this company forward.”
Ed Liddy, Chairman of the US Foods Board of Directors, thanked Mr. Lederer for his guidance in leading the company through its transformation over the past five years, noting that his passion and dedication have been “the driving force in setting the company on its path of becoming a truly great American food company that is perfectly positioned for growth,” he said in a press release.
The announcement comes on the heels of recent reports of the company’s new “Just Taking Off” campaign, which presents a unified, consumer-centric strategy. The campaign includes new technology enhancements, intuitive business solutions, and pushes US Foods’ Food Fanatics program to change the way the industry experiences food and business consultation.
Satriano has been employed at US Foods since 2011. He said that he looks forward to working with the senior leadership at US Foods and that he is honored to be chosen as its new leader.
“Our focus on bringing innovation and differentiation to the foodservice marketplace has given us tremendous momentum,” said Mr. Satriano. “I look forward to working with the senior leadership and all of our employees across the organization to fully realize the potential of our Food. Food People. Easy. strategy.”
Mr. Lederer will continue as an advisor to US Foods and its Board of Directors.
CALIFORNIA - While we experienced a pretty dry winter, one of the hottest months of the year saw some strange fluffy precipitation yesterday in parts of Northern and Central California.
Despite having just reported some mild relief for the Northwest in terms of the summer heat, the Golden State was surprised when the Tioga Pass, located in the Yosemite area, saw a few inches of snow last night.
While the moisture is definitely welcome, it does take a bit of an adjustment. The pass was closed as of about 5:30 p.m. last night, according to CalTrans District 9.
“SR120W Tioga Pass is NOW CLOSED From 4 miles west of Jct 395 to the Yosemite Nat'l Park Entrance Gate, Due to Snow,” the transportation company tweeted at 5:38 p.m., posting updates that it was in the process of opening it back up. The pass was successfully open by 7:45 p.m., with a wish for “safe travels” from CalTrans.
The areas hugging the Sierra Nevadas on the eastern side of the California Central Valley saw only a few inches, but it was enough to turn the heads of California residents. While the Weather Channel reported that we would need a lot more of last night’s weather to bring up the record lows of snow levels in the state, it was enough to stop the presses.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest industry news.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company, Orlando office is promoting Kelly Pulliam to Business Development Specialist.
Pulliam has spent over 20 years in consumer package goods with 10 of those as a Food Brokerage Owner. Eddie Lund, Vice President of Sales and Branch Operations, commended Pulliam for his expertise in transportation.
“Kelly brings a lot of experience to this position,” said Lund. “His transportation knowledge is quite vast which will translate into forming the best solutions for his customers.”
Shaun Leiker, Manager of the Orlando office, noted that the promotion was well deserved and that Pulliam's past experience “provided him a tremendous base of knowledge to start down the path of 3rd party logistics.”
“Due to his hard work and unique perspective I am happy to say that Kelly has earned his promotion to Business Development Specialist,” said Leiker. “I am excited to see what opportunities Kelly is going to bring to ALC next.”
In that same vein, Pulliam stated, “I see Allen Lund as a great company where the opportunities are unlimited.”
Pulliam has been with the Allen Lund Company since 2014.
TEWKSBURY, MA - It’s been one year since Market Basket’s near meltdown, and looking at the company’s financial records it's hard to think it had much of an impact on business. In fact, the company says its on track to record total revenues of about $4.8 billion in 2015, the most in its near one century history.
“Our business model is completely intact, and we’re running the shop with a lot less distractions,” Market Basket’s President and Chief Executive, Arthur T. Demoulas, said in an interview with The Boston Globe.
It is also in expansion mode, opening five new stores in the last year, some with upscale accents such as massive gourmet cheese islands, expanded organic food offerings, and outdoor cafe seating. Two new stores are under construction in Plymouth, MA, and Rochester, NH.
“We certainly see growth in the future—not just those two stores [in Plymouth and Rochester] but other locations we’re in discussions with,” Demoulas continued.
According to The Boston Globe, the company’s strong performance comes despite losing $405 million in sales amid an employee walkout organized last summer in protest of Arthur T. Demoulas’s firing as President and CEO by a board controlled by his first cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas. The walkout hindered the company’s supply chain and left its store shelves empty throughout the New England-area for weeks.
“The whole fiasco last year has done nothing but increase its business,” Kevin Griffin, publisher of the Duxbury-based Griffin Report of Food Marketing told The Boston Globe. “It increased curiosity about the company and strengthened existing customer loyalty.”
After being reinstated and taking control of the company last summer, Demoulas revamped the company’s board of directors, reducing its size from seven to five members. He also appointed directors who share his management philosophy.
“The new board does not disrupt the flow of the company, and it’s working well for the whole organization,” Arthur T. Demoulas said. “You can conduct constructive discussions and talk about positive business issues that move the company forward in a very simple way.”
Overall, sales are up 3 to 4 percent so far in 2015, said David McLean, Operations Manager for the company. In 2014, Market Basket collected about $4.1 billion in sales, even with the six-week shutdown that cost it $405 million. This year, it is projecting total sales of about $4.8 billion, proving that last summer’s disruption did not erode its customer base.
“That was really the great unknown,” McLean said. “We had experienced a 92 to 93 percent loss of sales, so people were asking whether the customers would come back.”
Well, not only did the company's customers come back, but it is seeing a lot of new faces as well.