A century ago, up to 1.5 million Armenians were executed in one of history’s most infamous massacres. Today, we, along with the produce industry’s Armenian American farmers, would like to remember and pay tribute to the countless lives unjustly lost during this horrific genocide.
Many of us are unfamiliar with Armenia and where it’s located. Take a moment to note Armenia’s whereabouts, highlighted in red, on the map below. You can click on the map to enlarge it.
For those who are unaware, today marks the 100th anniversary of the day when the Turkish government began its malicious holy war against the Armenians. During World War I, several hundreds of Armenian intellectuals were arrested and slaughtered, while others were taken from their homes and subjected to forced labor.
Many more men, women, and children were deported, stripped naked, and sent on death marches through the desert without food or water under the sweltering Syrian sun until they perished. Meanwhile, organized Turkish killing squads were ordered by the military to drown, crucify, and burn Armenians alive. By the end of the genocide in 1922, nearly 400,000 Armenians remained in the Ottoman Empire.
“My grandparents came over and the first thing you learn is the genocide and all the family members we lost over those years,” Atomic Torosian, Sales, Crown Jewels Produce Company, tells me. “It’s something you grew up with. It’s terrible what happened, but we should never forget.”
Turkish officials today refuse to acknowledge the term “genocide” in remembrance of this atrocity and purport that the number of lives lost was much smaller than declared. Even the United States does not recognize this event as a genocide.
“I remember the stories my grandparents used to tell me back when I was little, and I have a lot of respect for those Armenians who have lost so much,” Ross Kirkorian, Table Grape Sales Manager at Western Veg Produce says. “It’s important for me to share this same story with my children as well. We should call it what it was – a genocide.”
Together with the Armenian Americans in our industry and throughout our nation, we must honor and recognize those who have been lost during this horrific event. We are fortunate to have so many great Armenian Americans in the produce industry whose grandparents have escaped the genocide and came to this country. We are honored to recognize these Armenian Americans and the produce they grow for us and the world.
EDINBURG, TX - Some growers in South Texas may be down, but they are definitely not out, as recent weather reports have communicated a less than favorable winter and spring for Texas and the Midwest.
Based in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, Jimmy Bassetti, Partner/Owner of J&D Produce, tells us that while there were losses during the early season, the company now has promotable volumes and are committed to delivering consistent quality on the company’s sweet onions.
“We are only about 25 percent of the way into our crop with average to above average yields and with no rejections on our Texas onions to date,” Jimmy tells me. “And the outlook is only improving.”
J&D’s early season varieties were affected by weather with heavy seeding issues, but their current growing regions where they are planting are doing just fine.
It’s true that Texas has had its fair share of losses, he notes. There are so many different variables to consider. “The severity of the damage depends on when you plant, where you plant in the Rio Grande Valley, how heavy or light the soils are, and what variety you chose to plant during that time in the season. All these things come into play.”
“Currently, the onion market is in great shape and volumes look good,” Jimmy notes.
The weather J&D has dodged this past week has left them feeling very fortunate. And while there is the possibility of a day or more of possible thunderstorms, Jimmy tells me that he sees sunny skies up ahead.
LEUVEN, BELGIUM - TOMRA Sorting Food is set to reveal the latest addition to its steam peeling portfolio at Anuga FoodTec this month.
The Odyssey steam peeler is a cost-effective steam peeling solution for seasonal processing companies and emerging markets.
“The Odyssey is a high-quality peeler that is specifically designed for seasonal processors of fruit and vegetables such as potatoes, red beets, pumpkins, celeriac, kohlrabi, papaya, mango and chilies," Eamonn Cullen, Market Unit Manager Peeling for Tomra, said in a press release. "The Odyssey complements the TOMRA Orbit and Eco steam peeler product range, to enable processors to select the correct TOMRA steam peeler for their processing needs.”
Based on the company’s Orbit and Eco steam peelers, the Odyssey reportedly incorporates TOMRA’s control software, an enlarged steam peeling vessel, and a high accuracy weigh hopper to enable customers to process a wide range of vegetables and fruits efficiently. According to a press release, the Odyssey steam peeler comes in a range of vessel sizes to achieve efficient production volumes of between 4000 kg/hour – 40 000 kg/hour (10 000 Lbs./hour – 100 000 Lbs./hour).
Using a steam supply and exhaust arrangement, the Odyssey steam peeler is designed for low maintenance and achieves reduced operating costs. The company says this is an ideal choice for many low-cost processing environments such as those in emerging markets and customers which only produce for 4-6 months each year.
“TOMRA Sorting Food has been designing and supplying superior steam peeling machines for over 40 years. Our relentless focus on improving efficiency, yield and quality of the steam peeling process, while reducing loss, ensures that our steam peelers are unmatched. TOMRA’s steam peelers are installed at leading potato and vegetable processing plants around the world. I’m pleased to see that the confidence in our steam peelers continues, for example, in the last year we have received orders for 42 new steam peelers and upgrades,” says Mr. Cullen.
According to the company, the user interface is made simple to ensure that customers can easily make changes to achieve the correct performance and production volumes.
The Odyssey steam peeler is very easy to operate, is intuitive, and available in multiple languages, Cullen added.
SOUTH AMERICA - After decades of silence, the Calbuco volcano erupted suddenly on Wednesday, April 22.
Located near Puerto Varas, Chile, the remarkable eruption resulted in the evacuation of over 4,000 people, according to Radio Santa Fe (RSF). While the country currently has about 90 active volcanoes, one named Villarrica that just erupted last month, this is reportedly one of the top three most dangerous because it gives little to no warning before going off.
Watch the YouTube video below to see the volcano's erupution:
“This volcano’s behavior is completely different from Villarrica,” commented Mahmud Aleuy, Chile’s Undersecretary of Interior, according to Ryan Dube of the Wall Street Journal. “Calbuco doesn’t provide any warning about when it is going to erupt.”
President of Chile Michelle Bachelet continues to keep the area around the eruption on red alert, according to RSF, after it followed up the first blast on Wednesday with a second eruption on Thursday morning.
While the Director of Agriculture, Carlos Furche, was among the several officials to respond to the current state of emergency, according to the RSF report, nothing official has been released about damages to crops or acreage as of yet. But, according to Reuters, the volcano continues to remain unstable as the clouds of volcanic ash travel northwards toward Argentina.
For now, the local governments appear to be keeping the area clear of people until the coast is clear. So keep checking in while AndNowUKnow continues to follow this developing story.
CARLSBAD, CA - As we’ve previously reported, California has imposed extensive water restrictions for the first time in history, affecting nearly 39 million residents. Some people are now arguing that the controversial method of desalination may be California’s only option left.
A $1 billion dollar desalination plant is set to open in November of this year in Carlsbad, CA. When complete, the desalination plant will provide up to 50 million gallons of water per day, enough water to supply about 112,000 households, according to NBC’s KHQ. And even more importantly, desalination is entirely drought proof. As California's population grows and climate change makes the state's drought more severe, we'll need alternative water sources more than ever.
"Obviously we've done tons in conservation, but we have to have enough water," Sandy Kerl, Deputy General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, told The Desert Sun. "You have to have some base level of water. You can't conserve what you don't have."
One of the major issues of desalination plants, however, is that they can be extremely costly, for both the state and consumers.
Reportedly, the cost of desalination for the state will be double the cost of importing water, due partly to energy expenses. Water shoots through desalination tubes at an estimated rate of 900 pounds per square inch.
Matt O'Malley, the Legal Policy Director for the San Diego Coast Keeper told NBC’s KHQ it's "the most expensive source of water because we're paying more for energy, and that energy is greenhouse gas intense."
In order to finance this venture, some news sources are reporting that water bills may go up as much as $6 per customer.
Another topic brought up by desalination opponents is that the region’s marine life will be either harmed or displaced entirely. This may potentially disrupt the ecosystem on the California coast. According to the Pacific Institute, the majority of desalination plants extract water directly through open water intakes. O'Malley says fish, fish eggs, plankton, larvae and other organisms that are crucial for the survival of marine life have a 100% mortality rate if they get caught in an intake.
“There are no other options,” Robert Sulnick, Executive Director for OC Wise, one of the most vocal proponents of California’s desalination efforts, tells CNBC.
“Climate change is the game changer. Climate change brings California a severe drought that could last up to ten years,” Sulnick continues. “You can’t recycle water that doesn't exist and you can’t capture water that doesn't exist, so we’re really in a quandary.”
Sulnick believes that desalination opponents are drastically overstating the plant's costs. He tells CNBC that energy costs for the plant will be much less than costs would be to import water from the Colorado River.
He says, “When you talk about the impact and the cost, the plant will cost less than a penny for a gallon.”
While it's not yet clear how this method will work for California, it has been a success for millions of people across the world. The planned desalination plant will join more than 17,000 others that are operating in more than 150 countries worldwide.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on California’s drought relief efforts.
QUINCY, MA - Ahold USA is experimenting with a new urban grocery concept, and Center City, PA will be the testing grounds.
“Everything Fresh” is what Ahold will be calling its small store format, and the company will reportedly open eight new locations throughout Center City.
“We chose this location because the diversity of the city and the immediate neighborhood was a great combination – from working professionals to students — to gather great ideas from foodies of all backgrounds,” said Suzi Robinson, Spokeswoman for Everything Fresh. “Prices are very affordable and competitive for the marketplace and location. The neighborhood has been greatly appreciative of our awesome teammates and the convenience.”
The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that these high-end markets will run as large as 10,000 to 20,000 square feet though possibly smaller. The focus will be fresh, organic produce, prepared meals at what Ahold is calling “kickass prices.”
The first Everything Fresh debuted in the city at just over 3,000 square feet last fall.
Robinson said the store has been serving as a “learning lab.”
Robinson continued that the company is exploring future opportunities, but does not have any specifics to share at this point.
KINGSVILLE, ON - Just in time for Earth Day, SUNSET® has announced its acceptance of two new sustainability awards.
The company was presented with two PAC Global Leadership Awards for its new Eco Flavor Bowl™ packaging system and its One Sweet™ Ready-to-Eat snack packs.
“Extensive research goes into our packaging designs,” said Giuseppe Rubino, Director of Packaging at SUNSET®. “Our goal was to give retailers an attractive, new package that increased their sustainable initiatives, while giving consumers a package that creates opportunity snacking. Instead of being in a closed container tucked away, tomatoes are in an open bowl which encourages frequent healthy snacking.”
In 2014, SUNSET® launched the Eco Flavor Bowl™, a new style of clamshell that uses a high graphic and preprinted film to lock in flavor. The bowl boasts holes that allow for venting and easy rinse-through, giving families a way to rinse the product and set out the bowl either for snacking or entertaining.
The Eco Flavor Bowl™ is made from recycled materials and is 100% recyclable. In addition, it uses 20% less packaging than ordinary clamshells.
“SUNSET’s Eco Flavor Bowl™ is a perfect example of a package designed not only with the package’s end of life recovery in mind, but also convenience,” shared PAC President James Downham.
Along with the Eco Flavor Bowl™, SUNSET® took the silver award for Food Waste with its One Sweet™ Ready-to-Eat snack packs. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, around 40% of all food generated for human consumption goes to waste. With the SUNSET® Ready-to-Eat packs, the film is micro-perforated, extending shelf life and helping families get the most out of their produce.
“SUNSET’s One Sweet™ Ready to Eat snack packs are a brilliant example of minimizing packaging and food waste while retaining excellent branding and package integrity,” continued Downham. “I applaud SUNSET® for being the only brand that won recognition in two distinct categories, sustainable packaging and packaging that reduces food waste.”
According to a press release, these and other SUNSET® packages have been designed with the company’s Green Grass Project™ in mind. The project, developed in 1999, outlines SUNSET’s initiatives to contribute to a greener environment.
NEWARK, DE - PMA Foundation’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference is just days away and with the growing popularity of the conference, its no wonder that the 2015 stats reveal an increasingly popular event. Kicking off April 26th, the conference we previously reported on, will be held at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, California.
This year’s outstanding list of industry newcomers, veterans and everyone in between, is comprised of 53% newcomers and 47% of returning guests.
“I find that there are two ways that you can measure the success of an event – the percentage of newcomers and the event’s stickiness," Margi Prueitt laughs. “By stickiness, I mean the amount of people that return to the conference each year. In both aspects I would say that we are incredibly successful with a mix of old and new blood.”Margi is the Executive Director of PMA Foundation for Industry Talent and SVP, Produce Marketing Association…and a driving force behind the event.
“We have a very intimate and diverse group of women from across all sectors of the industry. The attendees will be coming from all over the United States, with the most joining us from California, Arizona, Florida and Washington. We also have attendees from Canada, Mexico and South Africa,” Margi notes.
The roles in the group are also across the board… with guests describing themselves in a host of different areas.
- 60% describe themselves as growers/packers/shippers.
- 30% describe themselves as emerging leaders.
- 48% describe themselves as in middle of their careers.
- 20% describe themselves as executives.
Within these overlapping percentages, more than 10 retailers will be present.
“Some of the feedback we received last year was from the executive attendees, who mentioned that there wasn’t enough content geared to those in executive roles. They also wanted the opportunity to give back and share their expertise and experiences with the industry,” Marji tells me. “We listened and learned.”
This year, 2 sessions have been added to address the executive sweet spot - Overcoming Your Leadership Derailers – Tactics that Get Results and It’s Lonely at the Top – Building a Community of Support. Both seek to address the opportunities and hurdles that women at the top are confronted with, as well as those issues that can be encountered along the way. Also in play is an industry mentoring initiative that will be designed during the conference with participating executives.
“Our goal is to cultivate women in the industry so that there will be more female leadership to promote,” Margi says. “This will be a mentoring pilot we will put in place in the coming year. It’s an exciting time.”
So ladies, get ready to sharpen your business acumen and develop your leadership potential. As a first-timer, I am looking forward to the opportunity and the experience. See you all there.
OXNARD, CA - Agri-bots have been a growing topic, which is why an interesting article by Agricultural Reporter Ilan Brat of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) caught my eye.
To read Ilan Brat's full article for yourself, click here, where he reports that work hours and an increase in work opportunities in Mexico have melded together to create an opening for agri-bots.
“[With workers in short supply] the only way to get more out of the sunshine we have is to elevate the technology,” commented Soren Bjorn, America’s Unit Head for Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc., according to the WSJ report.
According to the report, Driscoll’s largest berry grower, Reiter Affiliated Companies LLC, is actually partly financing the development of the Agrobot, the 14-armed, automated harvester we previously reported on created by Juan Bravo. The current Agrobot reportedly costs about $100,000 with a new one in the works.
To see the Agrobot in action, watch the WSJ Live video below.
Berries are not the only produce growers making the switch. Tanimura & Antle (T&A) Chief Executive Rick Antle told WSJ that the company bought Spanish startup Plant Tape, a system that can transplant vegetable seedlings from the greenhouse to the field by using strips of biodegradable material.
“We don’t have the unlimited labor supply we once did,” Antle said, according to the report.
The strips are fed through a tractor-pulled planting device, and reportedly cut at least 10 to 15 percent of the overall work hours for growing romaine and celery for T&A.
The technology for agriculture appears to be growing as Ilan reports Bravo is working on a technological aid with 60 arms. Could the future human labor in agriculture soon be left to overseeing rather than picking? Perhaps.
To read more from Ilan Brat's Wall Street Journal article, click here.
MONTREAL, QC - Metro Inc. has released its 2015 Q2 financial report and the results are stong. Metro’s profits have grown by 15% over the same quarter last year, and the company’s executives are pleased.
“Our second quarter results were very solid as all our banners contributed to our strong sales performance. We are confident that our strategies, supported by our team's good execution, will continue to sustain our growth going forward in a market that remains very competitive,” stated Eric R. La Flèche, President and Chief Executive Officer in a press release.
Sales in general for the second quarter of 2015 were positive. Revenue from sales totaled $2.7 billion, up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year.
“We have not been able to pass through some of the costs in meat and produce because of competitive realities and consumer reaction … [but] our merchandisers did a good job to manage the mix and focus on other products to keep our sales momentum and deliver our margin while delivering value for our customers,” La Flèche said in a conference call to investors.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Same-store sales were up 4.5%
- Net earnings of $111.6 million, up 15.2%
- Fully diluted net earnings per share of $0.43, up 19.4%
- Declared dividend of $0.117(1) per share, up 16.7%
Keep watching AndNowUKnow for all the latest industry financial news.