NEWARK, DE - If you have yet to include the PMA Foundation’s Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference on your calendars, you might want to bust out a pen and start rearranging your plans for this coming April 26 - 28.
While the conference aims to be a catalyst for the development and participation of women in the industry, you may still ask why you should send your female employees to San Diego for the last weekend of the month.
Executive Director for the PMA Foundation Margi Prueitt took the time to tell us.
“It’s easy to assume the conference is just something nice for women, but it’s important because women bring unique aspects to a leadership team, not better but different from what men bring,” Margi tells me. Referring to a longitudinal study published by McKinsey, which shows leadership teams with at least 30 percent of females have a higher return on investment than those with fewer women, she added, “Diversity of thought makes for better decisions.”
Margi, who was CEO of the Delmarva Peninsula American Red Cross for 20 years, along with numerous other executive roles before joining the PMA Foundation, expressed the importance of the Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference for the advantages it provides from a business aspect. The conference’s purpose is to reinforce and nurture women leaders, not just for the sake of gender, but for the bottom line. “Female minds combined with male minds at the table of leaders will enhance the performance of the business,” she emphasized.
So the question shifts from 'why would you send your female leaders' to 'why wouldn’t you?' Any business can benefit by diversifying its leadership team, and, according to the PMA Foundation, all levels of women can walk away with an enhanced skill set to boost the bottom line.
Margi also emphasized that while all the conference speakers were chosen not only for their speaking abilities, but also for their expertise applicable to specific educational tracks (offered educational sessions) so that women in every role of experience can walk away with improved skills.
“All our speakers are chosen for their ability to present content appropriate to women based on level of experience,” she tells me. “This program is unique and different from anything we or other industry activities do because it is built on competencies. We are growing leadership skills and providing insight and coaching on skills like strategic thinking, communication, building high performance teams, just to name a few. Our sessions are built so when a woman completes a session based off what she wanted to improve, she will walk out with competency for her leadership journey.”
The PMA Foundation’s Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference sets itself apart in another aspect as well; the networking possibilities for those who attend. The event has attendees from the full supply chain and several countries.
The PMA Foundation is especially excited about this because the expanded networking opportunities are in direct response to last years feedback calling for more networking and in-depth connectivity.
“We have a good representation of participation by retailers, along with more long-term and in depth networking,” Margi said, adding that the retail presence shows that the entire supply chain does feel women leaders are important.
The highlight of the three-day-long conference, in Margi’s opinion, is the attendance and opportunity to hear from the keynote speaker, Geena Davis.
“Geena Davis is our major highlight,” Margi tells me, detailing that Davis is a very active leader in gender issues. “She is quite the advocate for women in leadership and making it into those positions.”
While Davis is a very successful actor, she is also an accomplished world-class athlete, a member of the Mensa genius society, and founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media non-profit organization. With plenty to share on the latest research on how women leaders can reach their full potential and optimizing their success, Davis adds the finishing touch on an event current and up-and-coming female leaders won’t want to miss.
So mark your calendars, book your travel plans from April 26-28, and we’ll see you in San Diego, California.
LADERA RANCH, CA - After a rough January and February due to poor weather conditions in southern Mexico, melon volumes are healthy once again. I spoke with Steve Dabich, Dulcinea’s Vice President of Sales about the current melon market and what he believes will be the future of the crop.
“We started in south Mexico, which was a tough start due to rain and other weather conditions. The positive is we now have a healthy crop going in northern Mexico,”
Now with the company harvesting in Guaymas & Hermosillo and planning a domestic deal in Arizona around May 15, Dulcinea hopes to raise volumes by around 10% over prior year on the overall crop size, particularly of its Dulcinea Tuscan cantaloupe & Dulcinea Pureheart watermelons, he tells me.
“The highlight of this year for Dulcinea will be the production of our Dulcinea Tuscan cantaloupe. With conventional cantaloupe consumption down being down year over year, more retailers will be promoting Dulcinea Tuscans for the quality eating experience, consistent flavor high brix.”
Dabich says that the size of Dulcinea’s Personal size Pureheart watermelons “more taste less waste” has been a big selling point in recent years.
He tells me, “Demand is growing year over year for Dulcinea branded produce. More customers prefer a Dulcinea Pureheart vs a conventional full size watermelon. More convenient size helps especially in a smaller household.”
With demand growing and consumers clamoring to get ahold of Dulcinea’s smaller size melons, poor weather is hardly a concern for the melon grower.
FOWLER, CA - Bee Sweet Citrus is giving the children of Fowler a huge gift, and getting a massive dose of karma in return.
The company will present Valley Children’s Healthcare with a $1 million gift during a special employee celebration at its Fowler headquarters. It will help support Valley Children’s new outpatient specialty care center.
“Many of our employees live in Fowler and the neighboring communities, and for them to one day be able to take their kids to see a Valley Children’s specialist right down the street is wonderful,” says Jim Marderosian, President of Bee Sweet Citrus. “I think it’s great for Bee Sweet Citrus and its employees to support the children, parents and community around us with the high level of healthcare Valley Children’s provides. We are happy to be able to support Valley Children’s and look forward to welcoming our new neighbor.”
The employee celebration and check presentation took place yesterday on Wednesday, April 8.
“We thank Mr. Marderosian and Bee Sweet Citrus for making this most generous investment in Valley Children’s and our new center in Fowler,” says Todd Suntrapak, Valley Children’s President and CEO. “This donation will help us continue to improve access for Valley families and allow children get the specialized care they need – closer to home.”
In recognition of Bee Sweet's philanthropic investment in Valley Children’s partnership with Adventist Health/Central Valley Network, the pediatric service area within the Fowler facility will be named in honor of Bee Sweet Citrus.
Last year, Valley Children’s Healthcare and Adventist Health/Central Valley Network purchased property together on the east side of Freeway 99, near the Merced Avenue off-ramp in Fowler. The partnership brings together Valley Children’s expertise in pediatric care with Adventist Health’s expertise in rural and adult healthcare. The multimillion dollar development will improve access to high quality care for families living in rural areas.
Construction begins later this year and the specialty care center will open in 2016.
PORTERVILLE, CA - With double-digit growth in many of Homegrown Organic Farms’ national blueberry accounts, the company has kicked off its blueberry harvest at its southern San Joaquin Valley farms in California. Conditions brought on an earlier harvest this year and Homegrown is slated to transition up to its Central SJV farms as well, this week.
Homegrown’s Marketing Manager Cherie France; Scott Mabs, Chief Executive Officer, and Chad Hansen, Blueberry Category Manager spoke with me about the company’s outlook for the start of the season, how weather is playing a role, and the hot topics in the blueberry category.
“Our sustained warmer winter and shorter spring time weather patterns have contributed to another early start to the California time period as a whole. However, over the past few weeks as nighttime temperatures have cooled we expect to see a reduction in the projected early season volumes,” Cherie tells me.
Homegrown’s Oregon production is projected to begin earlier than normal as well, and California’s projections are pointing toward a more concentrated production peak during mid-May. The company expects to transition to its Oregon farms in late June/early July.
“This experience coupled with the projected earlier start date in Oregon will allow California’s production to flow nicely into the Oregon time period,” Cherie notes. “We’re anticipating another great season with our California and Oregon production.”
Along with Homegrown’s category growth, the company has seen and experienced an increased concern in social responsibility, including food safety, sustainability, and labor, across all fresh produce commodities.
Scott Mabs tells me, “We pride ourselves on the fact that we’ve always been a market leader when it comes to valuing these important issues. Our customers have come to recognize our practices as we continue to spend the time and effort affirming and directing these conversations and establishing our reputation.”
Homegrown achieves this through its Field and Farming Operations, Production Team, QC Team, Food Safety Team, and Marketing Department and telling Homegrown’s stories through the Committed to Caring program.
As berries continue to trend at the top of the snacking categories, Chad Hansen notes that, “Fresh organic blueberries are an extremely hot topic. This is driven by increased consumption, strong consumer demand, excellent industry innovation, sustained high quality, responsible marketing as well as many other contributing factors.”
Homegrown prides themselves on the company’s cutting edge blueberry varietal selection and as well as its high flavor and quality characteristics which not only offer premium shipping quality but high eating features as well.
SANTA PAULA, CA - What you can do when life hands you lemons has gone way past lemonade, and Limoneira intends to educate everyone on how during its Lemonicious Month.
According to John Chamberlain, Director of Marketing, the company is teaming up with Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation to highlight the possibilities of citrus.
"Limoneira Company supplies us with such a beautiful crop and we are grateful for their partnership that has developed over the years of using their product," Susan Mille Hoffman, Vice President of Purchasing for Garden Fresh, said. “Their commitment to freshness fits perfect with our passion to serving our guest the freshest produce.”
Limoneira’s fresh produce will be featured in Souplantation’s Bleu Cheese & Spiced Pecan Lemon Salad, as well as its Tangy Lemon Muffins and Creamy Lemon and Asparagus Pasta. And any foodservice company or restaurant can tap in to this kind of Limoneira promotion, John tells me.
“Limoneira has an annual promotional calendar and we can customize promotions for our food service customers,” he said. “If our food service accounts are interested, they can contact their account reps and ask to be included Limoneira promotions.”
The promotion goes beyond the creative aspect of what can be done with lemons, table top cards will also be featured in the restaurants where the promotions are taking place.
This Lemonicious Month will continue through the end of April in any Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes restaurant. While there anyone who indulges in a Limoneira lemon-featured menu item can be entered to win a new Apple iPad, as well as being featured in a video and press release distributed to thousands.
To qualify:
- Take a picture of your receipt.
- Log on and like Limoneira’s Facebook
- Upload your photo.
So remember, when life gives you lemons, you have many more options than lemonade.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has cited Nogales, AZ-based Al Harrison Company Distributors for failure to pay for produce.
The company failed to pay $690,537 to 12 sellers for 104 lots of produce in a violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. As a result, Al Harrison Company Distributors can no longer operate in the produce industry until March 24, 2017, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principal, Brent Harrison, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 24, 2016, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Another company principal is currently challenging her responsibly connected status.
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.
COLLEGE PARK, MD - This month’s El Niño update arrived from the Climate Predication Center today, and data shows there is a 10% increased chance we will see El Niño continue though the upcoming summer and fall.
That makes El Niño conditions for the summer 70 percent, up from a 60 percent chance last month, and a 60 percent chance it will last through autumn, according to Yahoo News.
El Niño is the phenomenon when ocean waters warm and bring California wet winters.
As we've previously reported, the conditions were officially declared for the year in March.
Conditions are being watched especially closely this year, it seems, due to California’s current drought conditions. According to Sacramento’s News10, El Niño was an integral part of two of the wettest years in California history, 1982-83 and 1997-98, and could theoretically do the same again.
A strong El Niño can alter weather patterns and inject more moisture to developing storms, according to News10. Spring has a typically low success rate for forecasting El NIño, but conditions are currently on track for now.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Retailers asked for it, and Potandon Produce LLC is delivering. The company is bringing back its Mini Potato Display Shipper Program.
According to Potandon, the program was initially developed as a secondary display for the company’s Klondike Gourmet® Mini Potato line, but the shippers reportedly exceeded expectations.
“The mini potato segment of our business has been growing steadily, and this selling unit has proven itself to be a key in establishing new business for Potandon,” Dick Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sales, said.
The compact shippers are cardboard units intended for both convenient storage and a small footprint, according to the release, yet easy to refill and durable enough to last throughout the summer. They are sent out empty in anticipation of the coming summer heat, with a setup time of a few minutes.
Six different varieties of Potandon’s 24 ounce mini potatoes are available, which the company stated can be used to fill a unit.
The shippers will be available this Friday, April 10, just in time for the spring/summer selling seasons for 2015.
SUNBURY, PA - Long-time Chairman of the Board for Weis Markets and industry veteran Robert F. Weis has decided not to run for re-election for his position on the Board of Directors.
Robert has served as chairman as the company for 13 years, initially appointed in April of 2002, and before that worked as employee, officer, or director of the company since 1946.
"We are deeply indebted to Robert for his 69 years of leadership and tireless dedication to our company," Harold G. Graber, Jr., a Director and Secretary of Weis Markets, said in a press release.
Having alluded, according to the release, that his decision was determined by a desire to focus on his health, Weis Markets also stated that Robert will be appointed to the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus to recognize his many years of diligent service to the company.
While he will no longer be an active member of the Board, Robert will continue to serve as an advisor.
Robert’s son, current Vice Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan H. Weis has been elected as the new Chairman in the event he is elected by shareholders as a director. If that follows through, Jonathan’s position will be effective at the annual shareholder meeting.
"My father's contributions to the growth and development of Weis Markets are far too many to detail," Jonathan said in the release. "Throughout the years, I have relied on him for valuable advice, and he has always been available to discuss any detail or issue."
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders is set to take place on April 23. Robert will no longer be nominee for election at that meeting due to his decision, and The Board of Directors has not designated a substitute nominee, according to the release. Because the company’s Board has been narrowed from six to five, as of the Annual Meeting, only five nominees will be present for election.
To continue to follow this story as it develops, as well as all the latest in industry news, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA - Earthbound Farm has announced three culinary-inspired certified organic salad kits, just in time to brighten menus for the spring.
The company's new line features three unique flavors, including Kale Caesar, Sun-Washed Mediterranean Salad, and Garden Party Salad, all available in 9-10 oz. bags. The company is also adding a new blend to the mix. The Half & Half: Baby Spinach & Arugula builds on the popularity of its Half & Half: Spring Mix & Baby Spinach brother. Both these Half & Half blends are available in a 5 oz. clamshell.
All three of Earthbound's new salad kits were developed with the company's Executive Chef Sarah LaCasse. These kits offer unique and bold flavors with tender leaf greens, one-of-a-kind dressings and premium flavorful toppings adding depth and texture. As Classic Salads for the Modern Palate, the salads are familiar, but culinary-inspired organic ingredients and pairings take these kits to the next level contributing three unique flavors to the category.
The Earthbound Farm New Salad Kits' tender leaf lettuces are part of a growing category and offer more nutrition than the more widely available iceberg and romaine-based kits. Brightly colored packaging makes them eye-catching on shelf, and hand-drawn illustrations communicate healthy premium ingredients in a fun and unique way. According to a press release, each Earthbound Farm Salad Kit offers two and a half to three servings as compared to others on-shelf offering only two servings per package.