SAN DIEGO, CA - Inspections for produce at the U.S./Mexican border is hopefully about to speed up thanks to new Mexican weapons legislation that allows both countries to work together in Tijuana.
“Previously, the Mexican constitution did not allow this to happen – this is a historic moment, for sure,” Paola Avila Gorostiza, Vice-President of International Business Affairs at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, according to Fox 5 News.
Allowing American officials to have weapons lifts the final blockade for a Tijuana facility that could significantly expedite the inspection of produce on the border.
“You see that a truck may sometimes take three hours to cross [the border],” José Martín García, Representative for Mexico’s Tax and Customs Administration at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C., said, according to a report from UT San Diego. But last week's new legislation being passed by our southern neighbors will now reportedly allow inspection time per truck to cut down to as little as 25 minutes.
This new inspection facility will allow officials from both sides to inspect tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and other produce shipments from Mexico before being driven over to the U.S. The inspection team-up will reportedly kick off under a voluntary six-month pilot program that will be limited to high-volume and low-risk produce shipments.
According to UT San Diego, the U.S. will still maintain its right to re-inspect any shipment after it crosses, but this can still cut down the process of crossing and hopefully thin out the high-traffic Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Garcia reported that as of now over 200 trucks transport produce through the port on a daily basis.
“If we want increased trade, we cannot continue to run that trade through highly congested ports of entry and highly inefficient ports of entry,” Erik Lee, Executive Director of the North American Research Partnership, told UT San Diego.
Lee added that it is in the interest of American consumers to know what is being transported into the country before items even arrive, which will now be possible.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this developing story.
PLEASANTON, CA - Safeway operator AB Acquisition has reportedly hired bankers to begin planning an initial public offering for later in 2015, according to CNBC.
Sources told CNBC that the expected IPO would raise more than $500 million. This would be Safeway’s third IPO on record.
AB Acquisition is ran by an investor group led by Cerberus Capital Management, which also controls Kimco Realty, Klaff Realty, Lubert-Adler Partners, and Schottenstein Stores.
According to CNBC, a spokesman for Cerberus Capital was not yet available for comment, and Brian Dowling, a spokesman for AB Acquisition, said the company does not "comment on rumors."
As we’ve previously reported, Safeway and Albertsons completed a $9.2 billion merger earlier this year, creating the second largest market share among all U.S. supermarket chains. Reuters reports that Safeway grew from 1,326 stores as of January 3, to over 2,300 stores and 250,000 employees today.
The company's first IPO in 1927 was valued at $226.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the company’s possible IPO.
UNITED STATES - Severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes hit the southern United States on Sunday, ahead of what The Weather Channel is calling a strong upper-level system pushing into the southern Plains.
AccuWeather reports that multiple tornadoes have already been confirmed in Texas. As of 9:00 PM CDT, one tornado was confirmed near Cross Plains, Texas and another near Comanche, Texas.
"Severe thunderstorms will continue to fire across parts of Texas and Oklahoma through Sunday evening. The strongest storms will target northern Texas, including Dallas," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Andy Mussoline said. "The most violent thunderstorms will be capable of producing tornadoes, some large and hail up to softball size."
The Weather Channel is predicting 1-3 inches of rain from the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles to portions of Louisiana through Monday night, with localized flash flooding possible in these areas as well. Among the cities that could see flash flooding through Monday night are Oklahoma City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and New Orleans.
As of 9:00 PM CDT, Tornado watches have been issued for the following areas:
- Central Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth as well as Waco and Stephenville.
- Coastal Texas, including Houston, Galveston, and Freeport.
- North Texas, including Abilene, Childress and Wichita Falls.
- Southwest Oklahoma and the southeastern portion of the Texas panhandle, including Clinton and Altus, Oklahoma.
These storms are expected to last through Monday evening.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continued updates on the latest weather developments.
GREENSBORO, NC - Following a $4.8 million operating loss from its California stores, The Fresh Market is opening new locations closer to its Greensboro, NC base.
"Looking forward, we remain focused on our key growth strategies, including opening new stores in our core markets and continuing to increase shopper frequency,” said Interim CEO Sean Crane in the same release where he announced the company will be exiting California.
According to a report by the Triad Business Journal, The Fresh Market has confirmed plans for one store in West Des Moines, IA, and one in Charlotte, NC. There is also some speculation about a store near Nashville, TN, according to the Nashville Business Journal.
The Fresh Market is expected to anchor a retail development in Hendersonville, TN, making a total of 9 locations in the state.
The confirmation for these stores came within a month of The Fresh Market's announcement that it was pulling out of California. The company reported heavy losses and slower-than-anticipated growth in the state, and made the decision to shift its focus back to the eastern half of the country, according to the Triad Business Journal.
Crane said in March that he expects the retailer to open 19 new stores in 2015. Two are expected in the company's first quarter, more than five in the second quarter, and 11 to 12 in the second half of the year.
Currently, The Fresh Market operates over 170 stores in 27 states, five of which were opened in the company’s Q4 2014.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - San Miguel Global is incorporating a new electronic system of extraction of essential oil for its plant in Famaillá, Argentina at an investment of over $4.5 million.
This will allow San Miguel Global to increase both its production capacity and its processed fruit performance. The extraction offered by this new system offers will equal a 13% increase in the amount of lemon oil per fruit. The new system is also expected to improve the final product quality.
Water will also be saved by this system, according to a press release. The previous technology used 680 water liters per ton, but now only 260 liters per ton are needed. This represents a 61% decrease in the amount of water required for essential oil extraction, due to the technology’s closed circuit that allows for water recirculation.
“We can ensure that the new technology not only will make the process more efficient but also will contribute to the sustainable management of the company,” the company said in the release.
The company expects an increase in exports following the introduction of this new technology, resulting in a $63.5 million per year profit.
LEAMINGTON, ON - While snacking products may appear like a simple arrangement of items organized for the ease of the consumer, Westmoreland-TopLine Farms knows that the concept development is more than just a shot in the dark. With the recent release of TopLine Farms Gourmet Dippers with Ranch to great customer feedback, Jimmy Coppola, Account Marketing Manager, joins me to share the efforts behind the success.
“A lengthy thought process went into this concept,” Jimmy tells me. “We are trying to target the snacking consumer with a convenient product that can go into any lunch and offer a fresh alternative to the typical snacks out there. We feel this item would be great in lunches at schools but also in the workplace for adults as we are all looking for healthy snacking alternatives. We wanted to accentuate the great flavor of our produce with that of Ranch dressing. What does one do with vegetables and ranch dressing? Dip them of course, and thus arose the Gourmet Dippers.”
To start, TopLine Farms will feature its mini cucumbers and cocktail cucumbers and will expand this offering to include sweet mini pepper, sweet grape tomatoes and TopLine Farms’ gourmet medley tomatoes. Adding ranch dressing toTopLine Farms’ gourmet produce was a natural fit.
“As our offerings expand we will continue to expand on this item,” he notes. “We are also toying around with different flavor dips to add to the lineup,” Jimmy notes.
When I ask Jimmy what trends are driving this type of product, he tells me that first and foremost it is convenience. Many snacking innovations have arisen for this need for convenience within the produce industry and related industries with items like bagged salads to packaged produce as well.
“The movement toward balanced lifestyles through safe and healthy food choices is another trend driving products like this. Although we all like to snack on chips or cookies it is not something we should sustain, and thus offering healthier alternatives such as snacking veggies (such as our mini cucumbers, cocktail cucumbers, mini sweet peppers and longline of specialty tomatoes) is something that we feel is only going to continue to grow within the grocery stores,” Jimmy says.
In regards to the Gourmet Dippers’ packaging design, what inspired TopLine Farms the most was the company’s concern for the environment.
“We are looking to create products that are not just healthier for consumers but also healthier for the environment,” Jimmy tells me.
The packaging is 100% recyclable so TopLine Farms feels that they are coming up with something that is not only sustainable as a snack but also for the environment. The company also used brighter eye-catching colors to appeal to the many, and also chose a model that encourages fun… fun snacking.
“We want to give buyers and the consumer more options when it comes to produce. We can offer different solutions for promoting the Gourmet Dippers within the store from free standing displays or POP stands to signage to add some flair to an existing showcases,” Jimmy says.
Consumers do like variety and that is what TopLine Farms offers… and don’t forget the fun.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NatureSweet® has focused this month on promoting its Cherubs® tomatoes to liven up those green plates, and this is anyone’s last chance to get in on the deal.
With a reminder to “Elevate Your Salad,” which comes to a close on Sunday, the company is providing a one dollar off any bagged salad coupon under each label of the Heavenly Salad Tomatoes.
“Cherubs are the ultimate salad topper because of their delicious sweet flavor and small size,” Michael Joergensen, Vice President of Marketing for NatureSweet®, said in a press release. “Our one dollar off coupon this April and countless recipe ideas make Cherubs the perfect springtime addition to fresh and flavorful salads.”
With its tomatoes being greenhouse-grown and available all year around, NatureSweet® provides a money-back guarantee to ensure the quality of its produce. The promotion began the first week of April and came with the company’s recommendation of numerous ways the Cherubs® could be used, including Caesar and spring mix salads, as well as several possible recipes available by clicking here.
In the store, shoppers can grab an easy-to-take NatureSweet Firecracker Salad recipe for free which is available in store displays. This particular recipe is made with:
- NatureSweet® Cherubs®
- Crisp green or yellow beans
- Fresh basil
- Zesty Dijon dressing
Like we said, the time left on the “Elevate Your Salad” promotion is down to just a couple more days. How do you like your salad?
WATSONVILLE, CA – Monterey Mushrooms welcomes Holly Burriesci as the company’s Manager of New Product Development.
Burriesci will be adding her 25 years of successful product development and marketing expertise to Monterey Mushrooms, and is expected to add a new dimension to its fresh-focused mushroom delivery. In her new position, Burriesci is reporting to John Kidder, VP of Product Development, as of January 4th of this year.
Burriesci holds both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering/Food Processing from the University of California at Davis. She comes with a reputation for the development and promotion of natural and organic nutritional supplements, protein and energy drinks, personal care products and anti-aging skin treatments. Her prior positions include nearly 4 years as Director of a company named Mad Science, and nearly 4 years as Director of Product Marketing, Sales Training & Product Development for True Essentials/FHTM.
At Monterey Mushrooms, Burriesci’s responsibilities will include identifying opportunities, overseeing designs, implementation, and launching delectable mushroom product production to keep mushroom fans. Monterey Mushrooms says it particularly wants to focus on customers wishing to reduce meat consumption and increase the quality of their dietary choices.
According to a press release, delicious and healthful mushroom offerings, including stuffed mushrooms and vegetarian mushroom burgers, are a sampling of items Burriesci will be bringing to the produce aisle. Having served as an ambassador for consumer awareness of the impact of product and lifestyle choices for improving both health and quality of life, Burriesci is a “natural” fit for Monterey’s vision of being the best and providing the best products for its customers.
NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, GERMANY - Aldi is reportedly moving further into its U.S. expansion, having celebrated two stores opening in Richmond, Virginia, earlier this week and another on the way.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Germany-based retail store is moving into a city with a well-stocked grocery market. Vendors including Wal-Mart’s Neighborhood Market grocery-only format (also Richmond’s first) which just opened last month, Food Lion, Kroger, and Martin’s Food Markets are among those already in the area.
“We respond to customer demand,” Jeffrey C. Baehr, Vice President of the Aldi’s Frederick, Md., Division, said in the Richmond Times-Dispatch report, commenting that while the company carries fewer items than competing stores in the area at only 1,300 items, “These are the 1,300 best-selling grocery items.”
Aldi carries with it a small-format as far as products with a few key indicators of its German roots, such as encouraging consumers to bring reusable bags when shopping, charging six cents each for its own paper bags (no plastic), as well as storing carts on a rack that requires a 25 cent deposit, which is returned when shoppers bring the cart back.
As for the store merchandise, Richmond reports that 95 percent of what is sold is Aldi’s own brand, carrying a “double guarantee” of replacing food products and refunding consumers if they are not satisfied.
This is reportedly just the beginning. The company also has five other locations in Richmond leased, with plans for each location already submitted. And, as we previously reported, with intentions to have its nearly 1,400 U.S. locations grow to 2,000 in the next three years, the retailer doesn’t appear to be slowing.
UNITED STATES - The California and Northwest Cherry seasons are ramping up, and weather is playing a huge role in this year’s timing and productivity. Cherries are a premium product in produce departments, and with California kicking off the season with light volumes, the market is hot and demand is strong. So, get them while they are available.
“Timing is early this year. Stemilt is about 7 days early in California with Monday, April 25th having fruit for sale. Washington also looks very early with fruit projected to be picked and packed around May 29th to June 1st as potential start dates. This is a good 7 to 9 days early in Washington also,” Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director, Stemilt Growers notes. "I would definitely call the market tight in California with a manageable but promotable Washington deal, at present.”
An early crop isn’t necessarily a bad thing as Mac Riggan, Director of Marketing, Chelan Fresh, tells me. “While the crop is coming in early this year, it will also set us up very well for July 4th promotions and ads. Growing conditions are conducive to producing a high-quality crop. When quality is good, cherries sell,” says Riggan.
Eric Borton, VP of International Sales & Marketing, Borton Fruit, agrees, “So far we have not experienced anything that we expect to affect the quality of the cherries overall. We expect to have excellent quality for Northwest Cherries for the Season. Weather events during harvest can have a big impact on quality, but not at this point.”
Mac does tell me that the warmer weather has caused more blooming to occur in the same window rather than at different times spread throughout the season. This could lead to a more compressed season. But the important thing to remember is quality. “Take advantage of the window of time you have to promote during June and July,” Mac notes.
When it comes to volumes, this year is providing a bit more of a challenge, though quality it still optimal. Last year California had a crop failure with well under 3 million boxes packed in the entire state.
“We may exceed 6 million boxes up to 7 million as a state. Stemilt should have 10 to 12% of that crop. Washington looks to be around 18 million to 20 million boxes,” Roger notes.
Roger shares other challenges that the state has faced in terms of weather and temperature, though it may be too early to tell the effects as of now.
“Although the entire State’s bloom was good and the acreage is there for a big crop, the pollination of the crop suffered in many areas of the state due to cold winds which kept the bees from working to potential. It is really too early to tell as of now as our high elevation (A Half Mile Closer to the Moon program) just started blooming," Roger tells me.
This year, the best time to promote is the week before Memorial Day and even the full 10 days prior. Advertising two weeks prior to July 4th on Dark Sweet and Organic Dark Sweets is also ideal. Rainier Cherries should be advertised the week before July 4th and the week after July 4th.
For Stemilt, Kyles Pick programs for Dark Sweets should be promoted for the 3 weeks after July 4th and the Half Mile Closer to the Moon program for Dark Sweets can be advertised the first two weeks of August this year. The company also has a new variety in California called the Royal Hazel which retailers will definitely be seeing more of in the near future. So, stay tuned for more information to come!
Chelan Fresh will be promoting their Cup o’ Cherries again this year, a fairly new item to the company’s portfolio. Chelan shipped 3,000 cases last year and has 7,000 slated for 2015. The company will also be launching its new 1 lb. clamshell with extra large dark sweet cherries offering size 9.5 and larger. The popular Orondo Ruby variety, a large cherry with great flavor that ships well, will also be available in promotable volumes with harvest beginning as early as June 10th.
Borton is anticipating a strong volume on dark cherries through the complete month of June and carrying through mid-July. They will also be promoting Rainier Cherries by the second week of June through mid-July. Raniers are a great compliment to The Dark Red Cherries.
It’s prime time for Cherries as we move through the Spring and into the Summer. Stay tuned for more as the cherry season progresses.