SACRAMENTO, CA - California Fresh Fruit Association President Barry Bedwell has commented on Assemblyman Jim Patterson's AB 1389 and its failure to pass the Assembly Employment and Labor Committee.
AB 1389 was originally written as a response to the Agriculture Labor Relations Act, which many believed stripped farmworkers of their rights. For more information on the bill, visit http://www.givethemtheright.org/, but essentially, AB 1389 sought to do the following:
- Require employees to ratify the terms of a contract imposed by a state mediator.
- Ensure employees have the right to attend and participate in state mediation hearings.
- Decertify an election if the certified labor organization abandons the employees for three years.
“It is extremely unfortunate and disappointing that in the face of overwhelming support that the bill failed in the Assembly Employment and Labor Committee on a 5-2 party line vote. This result yesterday was not, sadly, unexpected given the influence of unions on the Democratic members of the committee,” said Bedwell in a press release.
More than 25 agriculture organizations from around the state and 200 individuals wrote letters expressing their support for AB 1389, with only 3 organizations expressing opposition (UFW, AFL-CIO, and CRLA).
“We appreciate the efforts of Assemblyman Patterson, his staff, and the almost 100 farm workers who attended yesterday's hearing to express their support for the bill. The testimony given by the farm workers was powerful and heartfelt but there was clearly a lack of respect and interest in what they had to say from the committee majority.”
Bedwell continued that the California Fresh Fruit Association will continue its efforts to promote common sense improvements to the Agriculture Labor Relations Act, through advocacy and outreach to our State Representatives in Sacramento.
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Steven Finberg, former Chief Operating Officer for Adams Produce, pled guilty this week to playing a part in a scheme to defraud the federal government.
As we previously reported, Finberg and several other executives for the produce company were indicted last year for one count of conspiring to defraud the government and 32 counts of wire fraud. Finberg has since been on a trial for these charges, but the proceedings were reportedly brought to a halt last week when he entered a guilty plea for a lesser charge, according to an AL.com report.
"Steve Finberg was the COO of Adams Produce from 2007-2012,” Finberg’s legal representative firm Sheffield & Lentine said in a statement response to AL.com’s request for comment. “In the early fall of 2011 Mr. Finberg became aware of wrongdoing at Adams and did not immediately report that wrongdoing to the Government. The agreement reached with the Government reflects Mr. Finberg's desire to accept responsibility and put this matter to rest.”
Finberg will be responsible for jointly paying back $481,000, along with the other former Adams executives that have previously pled guilty in the scheme. Those found guilty include:
- David Scott Grinstead, former Adams CEO
- John Stephen Alexander, former CFO for Adams Produce
- David Andrew Kirkland, former Director of Purchasing at Adams
- Michael John O'Brien, former General Manager for the Adams Produce Distribution Center in Pensacola, Fla.
- Christopher Alan Pfahl, former Adams Produce Official
- Stanley Joel Butler, former Purchasing Agent for Adams
According to AL.com, Finberg is expected to pay $75,000 in restitution himself, per his plea bargain, before being sentenced. Because he accepted responsibility, the case’s prosecuters will reportedly recommend he be credited with coming forward and doing so. Currently his sentencing cannot exceed three years in prison, nor can he be fined more than $250,000.
Court records state that Finberg’s arraignment is scheduled for May 26 before U.S. District Court Judge Scott Coogler, located in Tuscaloosa, AL. AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date as he stands in court with a new charge and a new plea, so stay tuned.
WASHINGTON - The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against The Square Group LLC for PACA violations.
The company, operating from California, has allegedly failed to make payment to 32 produce sellers in the amount of $1,190,177 from October 2013 through August 2014, according to a USDA press release.
The Square Group LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, however, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, The Square Group LLC’s principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. The USDA 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.
PHOENIX, AZ - Sprouts Farmers Market has announced that it will open 27 new stores and expand into three states this year.
Doug Sanders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sprouts Farmers Market said, "We remain excited about our new opportunities in 2015, including innovation in our private label, the ongoing testing of our new deli offerings, sales initiatives, and the opening of 27 new stores which includes our expansion into three new states."
The company also has its reported results for its Q1 2015, with net sales reaching $857.5 million, a 19% increase over Q1 2014. Net sales growth has been attributed to strong performance in new stores opened and a 4.8% increase in comparable store sales growth.
"Sprouts continues to be well positioned for today's growing number of health conscious consumers who are looking to eat healthier at affordable prices. In the first quarter, top-line sales growth remained strong for Sprouts, despite a difficult produce season, resulting in 32 consecutive quarters of positive comparable store sales growth," said Sanders.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Net sales of $857.5 million; a 19% increase from the same period in 2014
- Comparable store sales growth of 4.8% and two-year comparable store sales growth of 17.6%
- Net income of $37.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.24
- Adjusted net income of $38.6 million; a 9% increase from the same period in 2014
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.25; a 9% increase from the same period in 2014
- Adjusted EBITDA of $84.3 million; a 9% increase from the same period in 2014
Stay tuned for additional information on the new Sprouts locations.
CASHMERE, WA - Fresh sliced apples specialist Crunch Pak is launching three new items at the United Fresh Expo this year and featuring characters from Disney’s hit film, Frozen.
“Disney’s Frozen characters embody aspirational attributes like friendship, love of family, and loyalty,” said Krista Jones, Director of Brand Marketing and Product Innovation. “Being able to pair these wonderful characters and their stories with fresh produce is a winning combination.”
The new items include:
- DipperZ snack tray featuring the Disney character Olaf from Frozen
- Tart Apple with Salted Caramel DipperZ
- Sweet Apple with Strawberry Greek Yogurt DipperZ
The Disney Frozen movie DipperZ snack tray will feature Olaf on a package that contains carrots and Ranch dip (because he has a carrot nose). The suggested retail price is $0.99 to $1.29; the three new DipperZ products are available to all Crunch Pak customers nationwide.
According to a press release, the relationship between Disney and Crunch Pak is an effort to engage kids who need better choices in the healthy snacks category.
“We want to encourage kids of all ages to eat more fruits and vegetables,” said Jones. “DipperZ are portable; they’re easy to toss into a bag and go; and they make healthy eating fun and appealing.”
The new products will be on display in booth #1832 at this year’s United Fresh Expo.
VALENCIA, CA - When it comes to increasing produce consumption, the ball is in our court. One company that is well aware of that fact is Sunkist Growers.
Sunkist is joining PMA’s Eating by Example initiative to raise employee and industry awareness of the need to increase produce consumption. By pledging to serve and eat more fresh produce at company and industry events, the company hopes to demonstrate leadership in the effort to boost fruit and vegetable consumption.
“As members of the produce industry, we need to be setting an example for all consumers by eating more fruits and vegetables ourselves,” said Sunkist's Manager of Corporate Category Management, Cassie Howard, who is serving on the PMA’s Eating By Example task force.
Conceived by graduates of the PMA Foundation Emerging Leaders Program, the Eating by Example initiative is a fun and non-binding pledge designed to boost industry’s own produce consumption. The initiative offers simple tips on how to add more fruit and vegetables to all different kinds of eating occasions.
“All of us at Sunkist are proud to be part of this initiative to encourage produce consumption among our employees and industry partners in a creative and collaborative way,” added Howard. “Creating widespread behavior change among consumers should start with our industry, so we are stepping up.”
The Eating by Example initiative uses social media to engage participants and demonstrate the impact of #EatingByExample in the workplace.
WASHINGTON - The USDA has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under PACA.
The following businesses and individuals are now restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Cabello Produce Corp of Hidalgo, Texas, for failing to pay an $11,330 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jorge F. Cabello was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- Devine Produce LLC of Cumming, Ga., for failing to pay an $11,240 award in favor of a Georgia seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Scott T. Hart was listed as a member of the business.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. The USDA 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.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - What was that weather rhyme? April showers, May flowers?
Not today in Northern California. Reports circulated and heads turned as unfamiliar shapes fell from the sky.
The Amador, Calaveras, and Sacramento areas saw rainfall at about 5:00 this morning, and we’re as surprised as you are about it.
According to Sacramento-based meteorologist Tamara Berg, elevations above 5,500 feet are seeing about 2 to 5 inches of snowfall today, with enough stick to hold to the ground. While the Sacramento and Central Valley areas aren’t due to see more than light to moderate showers throughout the day, Amador and Calaveras counties are seeing thunder and lightning storms with its rainfall.
Lake Tahoe and the Sierras began to see snowfall in the early hours this morning as well. While the National Weather Service initially reported that the area might see a drop of as much as 10 inches, according to the Reno-Gazette Journal, the final numbers of snowfall have now been trimmed back to about 2 to 4 inches in the Sierra Crest area as the morning has progressed.
Unfortunately the weather anomaly is just that — an anomaly. While weather reports are keeping the “chance of showers” light on their weather signs through the remainder of today, tomorrow and throughout the rest of the weekend California is supposed to dry back up and see temperatures boost back up to the low 80’s.
The wet snap is moving more northbound than west, with Napa and Fairfield areas being hard pressed to see some light rain, so the cold spike should not affect any progress in grapes or cherries as of yet, but stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any updates that could affect the industry.
SALINAS, CA - It’s harvest time for sweet red corn, and this year you’ll be sure to have enough for Labor Day.
Colorful Harvest has begun bringing in the first loads of its Ruby Jewel™ sweet red corn for 2015. This year, the harvest is kicking off a full week earlier than expected, quickly moving this season into high gear.
Ruby Jewel™ sweet red corn is the product of traditional non-GMO plant breeding, and gets its red hue from high levels of antioxidants expressed by the seed variety. The heirloom style red corn reflects the traits of modern sweet corn’s multi-hued ancestors that were blue, green, purple, and even red.
According to a press release, the sweet red corn is available in bulk cartons, as well as the trimmed and windowed 4 ear tray packs. And thanks to an expanded planting schedule, the company expects to have consistent supply from now through Labor Day.
With BBQ season right around the corner, backyard chefs are definitely in for a treat.
SALINAS, CA - Global leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs will be converging on PMA Tech Knowledge in Monterey, California, on May 11-13 as the produce industry continues to look for new innovations and technology that can become catalysts for change.
Tanimura & Antle is one of those driving forces behind the implementation of new technologies in fresh produce, and will be contributing to the innovations of the PMA event. Based in Salinas, California, the company is hosting a reception and demo of its new Plant Tape transplanting technology, along with other T&A innovations that include GPS laser leveling and a tractor called The Eliminator. So, mark your calendars for May 12th from 6:30 to 8:30.
“We are proud to begin showcasing our Plant Tape, a new transplanting device from Spain, with full commercialization slated for next Spring. This is a game changer for fresh produce and we could not think of a better way to debut this soft launch than with the group at PMA,” Caitlin Antle Wilson, Sales and Marketing Director at T&A, tells me. “This will be an exclusive preview of what’s to come, so don’t miss out.”
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 acquired Plant Tape last spring. At that time, the Barcelona, Spain-based company was in the advanced R&D stages of development.
“Acquiring Plant Tape when we did gave us the prime opportunity to begin adapting it for international commercialization,” Caitlin notes.
Now with events like PMA’s Tech Knowledge, these innovations can be showcased front and center for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
Bob Whitaker, PhD, Chief Science & Technology Officer for PMA tells me, “Tech Knowledge is a great opportunity for the produce industry to learn about the emerging technologies that are going to change the landscape of the produce industry over the next five to ten years. But it's more than education, Tech Knowledge is really about connection between entrepreneurs and technology developers and those in the industry that are seeking solutions to challenges they are having in their businesses.”
T&A has been utilizing its own fields to test the technology along with a few select partners in the U.S. and Europe. Ideally, this testing phase will identify other produce items, such as tomatoes, which can be transplanted with the new device.
“While Plant Tape is commercially used now to plant lettuce for T&A, the plan is to adapt this technology and make it available for a wider range of crops,” Caitlin says.
Plant Tape provides a greater density of plants per tray than the standard plug system, which maximizes efficiencies at all levels of an operation; germination, greenhouse, and transportation. Transplanting reduces seed costs and the automated transplanter minimizes the need for labor in the field.
It’s an exciting time for produce and agriculture, and with the population slated to jump from 7 billion to 9 billion people in the next 30 years, a little more efficiency is sure to be a part of the solution.