SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) NCEP/NWS and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society have reported an El Niño advisory, stating that it is strengthening and looks to last throughout the winter.
What does this mean for California? Higher chances for rain, and lots of it.
“I think this is the most promising sign of a wet winter in California in nearly 20 years,” Paul Deanno, KPIX 5 Meteorologist, said, according to a CBS San Francisco report.
According to the advisory, experts are now more than 90 percent sure of El Niño lasting through the autumn season, and 85-90 percent chance of going through the 2015 winter.
While the strength of El Niño doesn’t impact the West Coast summer as strongly as it does in hurricane locations like Mexico, Florida, and Louisiana, it does bring a stronger winter influence that has, in some historic situations, brought too much of a good thing to the California region.
According to CBS, El Niño has been known to bring wind damage, levee breeches, and heavy floods, having doubled normal rainfall amounts twice in recorded history (1982-1983 and 1997-1998 winters).
“Across the contiguous United States, temperature and precipitation impacts associated with El Niño are expected to remain minimal during the Northern Hemisphere summer and increase into the late fall and winter,” the advisory states. “El Niño will likely be a contributor to a below normal Atlantic hurricane season, and above-normal hurricane seasons in both the central and eastern Pacific hurricane basins.”
This report was compiled as a result of numerous models, nearly all showing the same results. The CPC will continue to monitor the situation periodically, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
RICHMOND, VA - After some recent speculation, Lidl has announced that it will spend $202 million to build its U.S. headquarters and a separate new distribution center in Virginia.
“We are excited to take this important step to launch Lidl’s expansion into the United States and look forward to introducing American consumers to a different type of shopping experience,” said Brendan Proctor, the President and CEO of Lidl US.
Lidl will invest $77 million in for its Arlington County-based headquarters and construct a $125 million distribution center and regional headquarters in Spotsylvania County, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said.
This news comes right on the heels of Aldi's announcement that it would open up to 45 new stores in Southern California in a massive $3 billion investment. Both Aldi and Lidl are some of the UK's most competitive grocers, and with this recent slate of expansions it appears that their rivalry is about to heat up in the U.S.
According to the Washington Times, Lidl's expansion will create 500 jobs at the U.S. headquarters and 200 jobs at the Spotsylvania County site.
“Lidl’s investment demonstrates Virginia’s ability to attract companies from all over the globe,” McAuliffe said in a statement.
Lidl had previously said it would launch in the U.S. by 2018. In Europe, Lidl operates nearly 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe.
CHICAGO, IL - Another year has rolled around, and once again, produce industry members came to fill the streets and convention centers of beautiful Chicago. This was my first time in the city of Chicago and at a United Fresh show, and I have to say both made quite a big impression on me.
With over 4,000 attendees registered and 284 exhibitors, this was easily the biggest convention I’ve attended and an excellent place to meet friends, new and old. The large booths, the great products, and not to mention the awesome food samples made for an invigorating atmosphere.
A highlight of the show for me was the opening session address from industry veteran and Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano, who shared his insights on the future trends of the produce industry. In the opening session, Mariano shared about what he referred to as the “great convergence of fun and health.”
“Today’s shopper has unprecedented knowledge and sophistication about their health and the importance of good nutrition, terms like super foods are now part of the lexicon,” Mariano said. “We don’t know just what these foods are, but we know what foods are healthy for what parts of our body. The customer is demanding food that is both good for our bodies and interesting to our health.”
Legendary Coach Iron Mike Ditka also brought down the house with a passionate speech as this year’s keynote speaker with stories of his time working with powerful figures in the NFL.
Most powerfully for me, though, was probably the Women in Produce ceremony honoring Frieda’s CEO Karen Caplan. Men and women from all sectors of the industry came together to share stories of Karen’s achievements and honor the produce powerhouse. Introduced by past winners Teri Miller of Food Lion and Tonya Antle of Earthbound Farms and surrounded by family and friends, Karen and her emotional speech gave us all a sense of the passion and drive that has earned her the success she enjoys today. As both a woman and someone fairly new to the industry, it was inspiring to collect some advice from a figure has influential as Karen.
Thanks for the great atmosphere, the exciting innovations, and a venue for sharing ideas and fresh produce, United Fresh, and stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more from the show.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Giumarra Wenatchee is starting its New Zealand summer imports with apples, pears, and Meyer lemons throughout the season.
“The growing season for New Zealand has been optimal, and our Meyer lemons have good coloring and size,” said Jason Bushong, Division Manager for Giumarra Wenatchee. “We are excited to debut our new Nature’s Partner branded 1-lb. handle bag. This packaging continues to enhance the volume per purchase for many applications in the kitchen and entertaining.”
Meyer lemons are available on both coasts through September. Air shipments are currently available, with vessel shipments due to arrive by the first week of July, according to a press release.
Giumarra Wenatchee will also be importing apples from New Zealand, spearheaded by Lemonade, exclusively grown by Yummy Fruit Co. of New Zealand. The company is introducing the DIVA apple to North American consumers, a high brix, firm, red-colored apple that’s unique to New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay.
Giumarra’s apple lineup also includes Fuji, Gala, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Cripps Pink, and Red Delicious. For pears, Giumarra will offer Comice, Taylor’s Gold, and Angélys varieties.
“We see retail success when sampling our unique varieties, such as with the Lemonade apple and Angélys pear,” said Scott Ross, Eastern Region Business Manager for Giumarra. “Consumers really connect to new flavors of their favorite items.”
Giumarra offers a range of promotional tools for its customers, including point-of-sale materials and in-store event planning.
BATAVIA, IL - Aldi has unveiled more of its plans to expand in the United States, this time detailing the launch of up to 45 new Southern California stores.
Aldi confirmed that it expects to open approximately 25 stores in Southern California by July 2016, with the first of those stores opening in March next year. By the end of 2016, the company will employ more than 1,100 people to work at its Southern California stores, as well as its regional headquarters and warehouse in Moreno Valley, California, according to a press release. Aldi will ultimately create more than 10,000 new jobs at its stores, warehouses, and division offices nationwide.
This aggressive expansion is part of its $3 billion investment to pay for land, facilities, and equipment. Aldi calls its growth in California an “integral part” of a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation.
“We recognize and value the excellent customer experience that our employees at every level deliver each day, and we know that we would not be growing at this accelerated pace without them,” said Jason Hart, CEO. “Our approach to attracting, and, equally as important, retaining the best employees is two-fold.”
Wages for store associates at these Southern California stores will start at $13 per hour, with an opportunity for long-standing associates to earn up to $21 per hour. For Moreno Valley warehouse associates, Aldi says it will offer a starting wage of $19 per hour, with an opportunity for long-standing warehouse associates to earn up to $26 per hour.
“At Aldi, we firmly believe that amazing quality can be affordable, and we are excited to bring our small-format, convenient grocery shopping experience to Southern California,” said Hart.
Bryan Gildenberg, Head of Research for Kantar Retail, explained that California could work well for Aldi, noting that the supermarkets in the state tend to be expensive while “California has an older, low-income population that find the retailer’s simple, midsize stores easy to navigate,” he said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
These expansion plans come at a time when Aldi’s UK rival, Lidl, also announced its intention to enter the U.S. market by 2018. As we reported previously, however, Lidl may enter the U.S. somewhat earlier if its two potential North Carolina sites come to fruition.
Aldi currently operates approximately 1,400 stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast, and employs more than 19,000 people.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track Aldi’s expansion into California.
WASHINGTON - The USDA has lifted reparation sanctions on Limas Produce Inc., a Vernon, California-based company, finding that it has satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release from the USDA, Limas Produce Inc. has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Cecilio Lima was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
In February 2015, Limas Produce Inc. had allegedly failed to pay a $3,126 award in favor of a California seller.
Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, the USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. The USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. USDA experts have also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
MONTREAL, QC - Darren Brown, Corporate Executive Chef at Village Farms, joined AndNowUKnow to share some of his favorite ways to cook and serve some of the company’s latest tomato products.
Roasting, as Darren tells us, helps bloom the flavors of tomatoes on the vine.
“Tomatoes like having that warmth, and it brings out the aromas,” said Darren. "Roasting them brings out the juices, and it’s a really nice way to handle them.”
For the San Marzano tomatoes, Darren likes to roast them aggressively and serve them whole or roast them all the way down and puree them for a homemade tomato paste.
Finally, Darren also discussed Village Farms’ True Rebel Mix, which offers consumers a medley of tomatoes, whether they’re serving a group or looking for a quick snack.
For all that Darren had to say about these exciting products, as well as how he used them to showcase their flavor to consumers, check out the short video above.
In case you missed it, Darren Brown also discussed the company’s new exclusive varietals including the Cabernet Estate Reserve™, the Mini San Marzano™, and Cherry No. 9™ in a previous interview. You can see that interview by clicking here.
YAKIMA, WA - Giro Pack is showcasing the Ultrabag, one of its latest mesh packaging solutions for apples.
“The Ultrabag is popular because it provides superior product visibility and HD graphics; the vast majority of consumers want to quickly see, smell, and touch the fruit in the bag prior to purchasing,” Josh Logsdon, Giro Pack’s Western Marketing and Sales Manager, said in a press release.
The Ultrabag features two different ways to print graphics and three ways to merchandise the bag on the shelf: standing upright, lying horizontal, or portrait, allowing retailers and marketers multiple ways to differentiate their product and catch the eye of the consumers.
The Ultrabag is currently available from most apple marketers in Washington.
SALINAS, CA - Kale, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, all super foods we know and love. Now, Mann Packing has taken these tried-and-true super foods and packed them into the company’s new on-trend Power Blend product. Gina Broccolini, host of Mann’s fun, promotional “Inside the Valley” videos tells us more about this latest product. Check out the video below!
Mann’s Power Blend is shredded and packed into one bag, containing “super food” ingredients of all kinds. The super food name comes from their high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants including foods like kale, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, Napa cabbage, carrots, and broccoli.
The vegetables in Mann’s Power Blend are washed and ready to use, and versatile for multiple uses such as salads, stir-fry, or juicing.
Mann’s Power Blend is available to customers in the U.S. and Canada in 10-ounce bags, with a suggested retail price of $2.49 to $2.79. Mann Packing recommends merchandising with Broccoli Slaw and Rainbow Salad to create a slaw destination for consumers.
AUSTIN, TX - Whole Foods, which announced last month that it would be launching a new store concept focused on millennial shoppers, has finally revealed the name of the new banner: 365 by Whole Foods Market.
The new streamlined, value-focused brand will begin opening in 2016 and will offer convenience and everyday low prices on natural and organic products, according to a press release.
Jeff Turnas, a 20-year Whole Foods Market veteran, has been named as the President of the new chain of stores and will be based out of the company’s headquarters in Austin.
“We are excited to introduce 365 by Whole Foods Market to bring healthy foods to even more communities with a fresh, quality-meets-value shopping experience that’s fun and convenient,” Turnas said in Thursday’s statement. “A modern, streamlined design with innovative technology and a carefully curated product mix will offer an efficient and rewarding way to grocery shop.”
Turnas previously served as President of the company’s North Atlantic Region, and most recently served as President of its U.K. Region.
In the short video posted below, Turnas described the chain as “cool” and “fresh.” He added, “We are not looking at a discount model, we are not looking at a ‘dumbed-down’ version of Whole Foods because we’re never going to sacrifice our Quality Standards.”
In the announcement of the new store concept last month, Walter Robb, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Whole Foods Market, commented that the concept would offer leading standards at value prices.
"[365 by Whole Foods Market] will deliver a convenient, transparent, and values-oriented experience geared toward millennial shoppers, while appealing to anyone looking for high-quality fresh food at great prices,” said Robb.
The new chain will be open 365 days a year, and sell grocery staples, fresh produce, and prepared foods, according to its website.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continued updates on 365 by Whole Foods Market.