CASHMERE, WA - Tony Freytag, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Crunch Pak, has been named Chairman-Elect for the United Fresh Produce Association Board of Directors.
This transition will be effective at United Fresh's April 29, 2015 meeting in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association has brought together fresh produce companies across every segment of the supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. According to a press release, Freytag has been a board member of the association since 2011.
Originally from Austin, Texas, Freytag is a graduate of the University of Texas. His 18 year produce career began with Naumes, Inc., of Medford, Oregon, in 1997 where the idea of sliced apples was first introduced. Before joining the industry, Freytag held several management positions specializing in inventory and sales programs for retailers including Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Freytag serves on various produce industry boards in addition to the United Fresh Association and is a member of the Washington Public Facilities District Board of Directors. In 2014 he was named Innovator of the Year by the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance.
DELTA, B.C. - Windset Farms’ BC greenhouse harvesting season is in full-swing, making it the perfect time to partner with Food Banks BC. Providing weekly donations for an entire season, this commitment will provide over 60,000 lbs in fresh, greenhouse-grown cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes.
“Non-perishable food items are the staples of our food banks, however, it is wonderful when our food banks also have the opportunity to give out fresh, local produce,” says Laura Lansink, Executive Director at Food Banks BC.
In the province of British Columbia, 97,400 people are assisted every month; 30,000 of which are children. Food Banks BC also provides an additional 200,000 meals through shelters, soup kitchens and school lunches, according to a press release.
“When I visited a food bank that had received a large donation of tomatoes and cucumbers from Windset Farms, you could see how excited the clients were that received these items in their hamper that day,” Lansink adds.
Windset hopes that its commitment can encourage other food producers and community members to all work together for a hunger-free future. The households receiving assistance rely on the work of the food banks and their volunteers, and even one donation will help put nutritious, healthy fruits and vegetables on more plates.
SALINAS, CA - A gathering of technology, business, and agricultural industries will converge in Salinas Valley, California, in July for Forbes' first-ever “Forbes Reinventing America: The Ag Tech Summit.” The event will address the possibilities of technology and its relationship to produce, as well as food production. One of those familiar with the event, as well as huge supporter of the cause, is Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms, who has just been announced as one of the guest speakers.
From July 8 to 9, 2015, in partnership with SVG Partners and The Steinbeck Innovation Cluster, Forbes will also be welcoming speakers Dr. Robert Fraley, EVP and CTO of Monsanto Neal Gutterson, VP Research of DuPont.
“As the nation’s largest producer of fresh food and a burgeoning ag-tech hub, the city of Salinas is excited to host some of the top leaders and innovators in agriculture and technology this July,” Joe Gunter, Mayor of Salinas, said, according to a press release. “‘The AgTech Summit’ will be an important milestone not only for the Salinas Valley, but also the global ag-tech industry. We believe our tremendous strengths in agriculture and close proximity to Silicon Valley uniquely position our region as a hotbed for this industry.”
Expected to bring a collection of several hundred of the smartest minds in Silicon Valley, as well as those of global agriculture in the Salinas Valley, this invitation-only event is set to tackle some of the world’s most critical challenges including biotech farming, precision farming, and big data's role in feeding a planet of eight billion people.
Exploring topics at the core of vital trends, past speakers from Forbes’ Reinventing America Summits include:
- Harold G. Hamm, Chairman and CEO Continental Resources
- Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company
- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
- Mayor Rahm Emanuel of the City of Chicago
- Sam Zell, Chairman and Founder, Equity Group Investments
- Indiana Governor Mike Pence
- Steve Case, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Revolution
- David Cote, Chairman and CEO, Honeywell
- Russell Stokes, President & CEO, GE Transportation
- North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple
- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder
According to a press release, this is to be a definitive gathering for leaders taking place at an “intersection of technology and agriculture.” Partners and sponsors include Silicon Valley Global Partners, The Steinbeck Innovation Foundation, the City of Salinas and Dole.
COMMERCE, CA - Smart & Final Stores, Inc. has released its intentions to open two Extra! format stores in the Sacramento region in the coming months.
According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the company has plans set for a 28,000 square foot store to open as early as May 20, followed by an almost 27,000 square foot store about 20 miles away in June.
As we previously reported, Smart & Final experienced a strong 2014 that has spurred a continued focus on its Extra! format, which focuses on an emphasized produce and meats department.
“Smart & Final Extra! continues to be the key to our new store growth, and, as planned, we completed twice as many new store openings and conversions to Extra! in 2014 as compared to the prior year,” Dave Hirz, President and CEO of Smart & Final, said in company’s fourth quarter financial report.
With existing Extra! stores in Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, and Rancho Cordova, the company’s count is continuing to grow despite heavy competition in the area as it continues to target the value consumer with a focus on natural and organic items.
For continued updates on this and all other industry news, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.
AUSTIN, TX - You’ve heard it a million times. It’s going to be Austin. And guess what? It was.
Last weekend, we got a chance to check out the sights, sounds, and sweet smells of Austin, TX during the Viva Fresh Produce Expo and not once did I feel homesick.
Below, we compiled a list of some of our favorite places to check out in Austin from the bold and flavorful to the weird and hip. Next time you’re in the city, don’t miss these must-see places.
Franklin Barbecue
Believe the hype. This is truly one of the best barbecue joints in town. The brisket was moist and smoky, the pulled pork savory and tender, the sausages flavorful… I could go on forever. Just a few words of warning: Get there early and be prepared to wait in line. You don’t want to miss out on the ribs.
The Driskill
Built in 1886, this classy, extravagant hotel is full of ambient charm, history, and of course, live entertainment. Situated next to the infamous Sixth Street, The Driskill is next door to some of the most prolific bars and restaurants in downtown Austin. Every room in the hotel has a story to tell, including the supposedly haunted Room 525… I even had my own eerie experience in the business center.
Sixth Street
Words don’t do this street justice. It’s an experience in and of itself. Sixth Street is home to good eats, live music, funky entertainment (midget wrestling, anyone?), and all the bars you could ever ask for, each with their own vibrant and distinct personality. Honorable mentions include:
- The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
- Dine-in cinema by movie lovers, for movie lovers
- The Jackalope
- The Chipotle Bacon Cheeseburger was named one of the Best Burgers in the U.S. by Food Network.
- Recess Arcade Bar
- Old-school arcade games and drinks? I’m in.
Baylor Street Art Wall
All the artistic flavor of Austin in one place. There’s something new to see every day, and it’s the perfect place to leave your mark. Climb the walls, check out the art, and catch an awesome view of the city. In this case, pictures speak louder than words.
Craft Pride
Looking for Texas craft beers? This is the spot to be. Cozy atmosphere, an inviting backyard with regularly rotating food trucks, and craft beers galore. Though we didn’t have enough time to try more than a couple varieties on tap, this is a place I could see myself coming back to on the weekends to conquer the board.
The Contemporary Austin Art Museum
The Contemporary Austin Art Museum brings an eclectic mix of exhibitions and a wide collection of some of Austin’s most engaging visual arts. During our stay, the museum spotlighted Tom Sachs’ Boombox Retrospective, which featured a bodega, roving luna explorers, and a presidential bar/DJ booth, and more, all created using boomboxes from the late 90’s and early 00’s.
The Contemporary Austin Art Museum
Whether it was the world-class barbecue, the live music, the eccentricities of downtown, or all of the above, you could feel the youth and energy of the city wherever you go.
We loved Austin, and we’re looking forward to visiting again!
AUSTIN, TX - If you missed the Viva Fresh Produce Expo last weekend, my condolences. The energetic show was full of life and jam-packed with exhibitors from A-Z debuting and re-introducing some of their latest products to high profile buyers throughout the Southwest U.S. to get them excited about what’s to come. If you were unable to attend this year, check out some of the products that we caught at the show…
Pure Flavor – Living Lettuce
Pure Flavor is stepping foot into the living lettuce category with this all-new product, debuting in five varieties: Boston Green, Boston Red, Green Oak, Red Oak, and Spring Mix, which includes two different types of lettuce in a single growing medium. According to the company, everything from the lettuce to the growing medium is 100% compostable, while the innovative bouquet-shaped packaging is recyclable. Consumers can continue watering the lettuce to keep it fresh and nourished until it is consumed.
J&D Produce – HoneySweet® Onions
During the Virtual Field Tour and on the show floor, J&D Produce presented what it calls the most “eatable” onion anywhere. It says exactly what it is on the tin. Available year-round, this unique, extremely mild onion takes on a pleasant signature sweet flavor that took some attendees, including me, by surprise.
Yerecic Label – Safety Reseal Label
Yerecic Label recently launched its new Safety Reseal label, which helps keep clamshells closed during transit, ensures product safety through tamper evident features, and allows customers to reseal packages to maintain freshness, all while providing companies ample room to feature important product information. With food safety as a number one priority, the new label assures consumers that the product has not been altered or touched during transit from the farm.
Village Farms – Cherry No. 9 Fall in Love Again™ and Cabernet Estate Reserve™
Two of Village Farms’ latest cherry tomatoes were presented on the expo floor, both of which are branded toward consumer demands, wants, and needs. Excellent for snacking, Cherry No. 9 delivers exceptional quality with robust flavor, while the versatile Cabernet Estate Reserve offers a remarkably unique eating experience. During the show, Texas retailers expressed great interest in adding these new Village Farms exclusive varieties to their sku mix. In addition, they meet the value-added consumer demand for Locally Texas Grown product.
Calavo Foods – AvoMayo
Calavo Foods is re-thinking avocados with this new product. AvoMayo is a true mayo that helps consumers get the nutritional benefits of avocado with less bad fats and calories than the leading traditional brands, the company tells us. AvoMayo is currently available in an 18 oz. bottle for retail, but is also available in a foodservice packed 12/24 oz. pouches or 2/1 gallon jugs.
RPE – Bite-sized Potatoes
Packed under its Tasteful Selections label, RPE has introduced six varieties of bite-sized potatoes, including Honey Gold, Ruby Sensation, Sunrise Medley, Golden Temptation, Purple Passion, and White Delights. Honey Gold, in particular, offers a buttery, sweet taste with an attractive gold flesh and is available in 24 oz. 1-bite; 28 oz. 2-bite; and 40 oz. 3-bite poly packages, and 24 oz. 1-bite and 28 oz. 2-bite mesh packages.
If you missed it, we also looked back at some of the highlights from the show. Check it out by clicking here.
For more coverage on the Viva Fresh Produce Expo and our visit in Austin, TX, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA - California Governor Jerry Brown has announced actions that will save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the state's drought response, and invest in new technologies to make California more resilient in drought conditions.
Brown’s Executive Order mandates substantial water reductions for all urban Californians statewide. In his announcement, the governor acknowledged that agriculture has “borne much of the brunt of the drought to date, with hundreds of thousands of fallowed acres, significantly reduced water allocations and thousands of farmworkers laid off.”
Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif said in response to the order, “Through these actions, Governor Brown acknowledges the seriousness of the drought all Californians face. Although much of the population has been relatively unaffected by the natural and man-made causes perpetuating the drought, no one has been more affected than California farmers."
Nassif continued by noting that Western Growers is pleased that the governor has acknowledged the plight of the state’s farmers and the sacrifices they have made by fallowing acres and laying off farmworkers due to the lack of water.
In total, the Executive Order aims to accomplish four things:
Save Water
The State Water Resources Control Board will implement mandatory water reductions in cities and towns across California to reduce water usage by 25 percent. The savings will equal to approximately 1.5 million acre-feet of water over the next nine months, or nearly as much as is currently in Lake Oroville.
Increase Enforcement
Local water agencies will adjust their rate structures to implement conservation pricing and agricultural water users will be required to report more water use information. Water districts will be required to develop water management plans and require the filing of permanent monthly reports of water usage.
Streamline Government Response
The government will be prioritizing and streamlining the permitting process and the process for reviewing water projects in the state.
Invest in New Technologies
The Executive Order will incentivize new technology that will make California more water efficient through new programs administered by the California Energy Commission.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continuing updates on the California drought.
Don Santa never did things the same way as everyone else, calling himself a rebel spirit as he discusses how Woodlands Market came to be in the latest edition of AndNowUKnow’s print publication, The Snack Magazine. Turning a grocery store into an extension of his own home kitchen, Don put a new spin on the grocery experience.
Check out this story in The Snack by clicking here, or read the full article below:
Don Santa, Owner of Woodlands Market - Blind Faith
Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. “I knew three years in, that rooting myself into a career as a stockbroker wasn’t going to be for me,” Don Santa, Owner of Woodlands Market, tells me. “So I took a chance.”
Don took his personal savings, secured a loan, and convinced his father, Larry Santa, to join him in a new venture in the high-end zip codes that make up Marin County, California. The Santa family is deeply embedded in the grocery industry. Having arrived in San Francisco from Italy around the turn of the century, the Santa family looked to establish their roots. By 1910, the Santas had started the grocery store Hyde Street Market, which the family ran in the Nob Hill neighborhood for more than 60 years.
“It was blind faith really, that drove me to revive our family’s grocery history. Now we’re one of the top grossing grocers per square foot in the country,” Don notes.
During the 1960s, the supermarket industry in California began to heat up, pushing smaller independents into the periphery of many competitive communities. Around this time, Larry Santa and his brother moved across the Golden Gate to Marin County, and opened an automotive repair business instead of continuing the family grocery business. The business blossomed for 25 years until they retired in 1983.
Enter Don. “I have always had a bit of the rebel spirit,” he laughs. “Without it, I probably wouldn’t have taken such a risky chance, especially in a place like Marin where the palates, expectations, and demands of the community are at such an elevated level.”
As if the limited amount of real estate available in Marin County, California isn’t enough to keep this grocer on his toes, there is also the 2,000 to 3,000 people a day that come through Woodland’s Market locations and its intimate aisles of local and regional goods.
“We have learned to adapt to a very specific type of consumer with a smaller format grocery store in key locations within the county,” Don notes. “As we strive to ensure that the Woodland’s experience is right, we learn more about our demographics and the shopping styles of higher-end area codes.”
The point is to continuously evolve, he tells me. In the past couple of years, Don has made it his new ambition to rework Woodlands’ brand identity. The logo alone is constantly being revised and improved upon as Don works to revitalize the format and create a familiar and lasting impression within the community, both aesthetically and emotionally.
"I have always had a bit of the rebel spirit."
The company recently expanded to three locations with a rebranding effort in place. Don made a move to rework the flagship Woodlands location with a new full service café, while also expanding in Tiburon and looking to develop the Woodlands farm to offer a truly local and sustainable agricultural program to supplement its current vendor relationships.
“For so many years, Woodland’s has been a local institution in a region without a true town center,” Don tells me. The first location, in Kentfield, is taking on the atmosphere of a town piazza, with a flower shop and café wrapping around the edges of the store itself. Growth in Kentfield has increased as the area around the store has become available, allowing for the location to branch out at an organic pace.
Each step along the way has been piecemeal, but taken with the utmost concern and purpose. “We aren’t looking to evolve for the sake of evolving,” Don tells me. For Don, it’s about creating greater efficiencies that he can then communicate to the consumer. Quality over quantity.
“I’d like to develop Woodland’s in a way that the locations become a hub where people can meet and greet, and are organically drawn to the atmosphere and character of our people. We are trying to replicate the spirit of family in our stores,” Don notes.
From the beginning, it’s been about family for Woodland’s. Family integration and involvement has created a thread that continues to carry throughout the stores and communicates Woodlands’ care and concern for the people. Interaction is huge for Don, who tells me the family is nothing without their staff.
“Woodlands is an extension of our pantry and my family. We are taking what is typically a mundane and, at times, a sterile experience, and elevating it to a place where it feels like we are opening our homes to the community.”
How does someone do that? Textures, lighting, scents, music, people at the door… it’s an ambience that is second to none and drives both the character of Woodlands and the culture.
“My family rolled up their sleeves and decided not to take a day off for the first couple of years,” he laughs. “I think I worked 1,000 straight days once the doors opened. But it’s what I love about this business - being present and involved in the range of operations that make Woodlands tick.”
To paint a picture for you, Don basically slept on a small ledge in his office above the store when Kentfield first opened, allowing him to spend even his sleeping hours at his new venture.
Woodland’s has a bountiful, organic flavor to it, and that has come through Don’s efforts to keep the store simple yet detailed, as well as colorful, eclectic, functional, and streamlined. Don has been involved, along with his sister Joanne, in every inch of the store’s design. From the family photographs of the first generation of Santas in the Bay Area, to the craftsman-like architecture of the building and vibrant, rich landscapes in both paintings and décor… Don has truly brought Marin within the woodwork and wonder of Woodlands Market.
“I took what I call a ‘glorified convenience store’ and attempted to make it a staple throughout Marin County,” Don tells me. “Or rather, a second home.”
“When I started to develop Woodlands in the mid-80’s, the design of stores in the area included big advertisements in the windows and turnstiles that felt like they communicated a sterile and impersonal environment,” he says.
The design of Woodland’s is quite unique, ranging from weather-worn crates spiced up with vintage labels, and harvest-themed décor, to wood rakes, wicker baskets, hanging scales, and stained wood paneling aside locally painted artwork.
The produce spread is also a diverse landscape of local, regional, and international items. “We follow the seasons and the best tasting and best quality fruit,” General Manager and Produce Purveyor, Randy Salinas, says. The company has always steered its ship with a central buying platform for produce.
Randy has been immersed in the produce industry all of his life and has been managing the same department for one company for almost 30 years - Woodlands. He came on before Woodlands was Santa-owned and stayed on when the new owners took over.
Woodlands prides itself on cultivating long-standing relationships with its vendors, understanding the weight of the difference between making a purchase based on price and a purchase based on quality, Randy tells me.
While Randy tries to buy as much produce from local farmers as possible, shoppers will also find produce sourced from all over the world. The mentality is to provide choices for the consumer instead of making the decision for them.
Spot buying is also a key to differentiating the company’s portfolio, which tasks Randy and Don with making that trip to the produce terminal or to the farm and buying the best produce they can find “on the spot.” It has been smooth sailing for Woodlands, with Randy at the helm of the buying team.
Don has had grocery in his blood for generations, but he’s also had great mentors and formed lasting relationships with the retail community over the years. Take Walter Robb and the Whole Foods format for example. Though the two retailers have some markedly similar concepts, Don will be the first one to tell you that they do not necessarily compete in the same circles, regionally.
“I think about what it takes to manage a handful of stores 365 days a year.” Don tells me. “Walter does incredible work, and he has been a great mentor and friend. And yes, while we are all somewhat competitors, we respect each other’s journeys and what each brings to the table. We’ve had different trajectories but relative success.”
That drive and dedication is something that prevails in all parts of his life as one can see in his love for extreme skiing, mountain biking, and all things water. “Now that I have two kids getting involved in their own sports and activities, I have taken on the role of spectator as well. Different seat in the house, but I am enjoying it,” Don tells me.
When I ask him what’s next for Woodlands, he tells me, “We will never stop growing, especially since the demand for our store model has created a niche in Bay Area grocery.”
Woodlands has also branched into the micro-format. The Ross location, a few minutes from Kentfield, is proving to be a successful pilot and possible springboard into more smaller format, quick-and-easy locations. The store features staples like fresh-cut produce and prepared foods as well as a sandwich counter with a range of flavorful and made-to-order delights. The store also offers a friendly haven for students at the elementary school, situated kitty-corner to the destination, with doors always open to after-school explorers.
Don has always strived to make Woodlands a reflection of the diverse landscape and the people of California’s Marin County. With the goal of providing a haven to foodies and fresh food enthusiasts alike, Woodlands is truly welcoming the consumer home. And to think it all started with a need for change and a little bit of blind faith.
PELION, SC - WP Rawl has announced the results from last month's satellite media tour (SMT). The tour featured Nature’s Greens® and brand partner and healthy eating advocate, Monique Coleman.
Filmed in Los Angeles through the power of satellite, Coleman was seen live on many morning shows and news segments throughout the country, all in areas where WP Rawl’s Nature’s Greens line is available. Market coverage ranged from Washington, DC to Texas, Nebraska, Florida and everything in between. In the end, the brand reached over six million viewers, including syndicated shows such as The Daily Buzz, which airs in 149 markets, with additional viewers through online streaming.
“We’re thrilled with the results because one of our ongoing goals is to keep teaching consumers what to do with their leafy greens,” said Ashley Rawl, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Development at WP Rawl. “Some people love them, but others are hesitant or even scared of them. We realized a satellite media tour was a great way to reach a broad audience.”
Coleman, a brand partner since 2014, educated viewers on how a simple salad could be their diet enemy in a segment called “Is Your Salad a High-Calorie Landmine?” She showed them how although they may think they are eating healthy, just adding a few high-calorie ingredients could turn a healthy salad into a 1,200 calorie trap, according to a press release. As a contrast, she taught viewers how to build a healthy alternative using her “perfect salad equation.”
“Basically, three-quarters of your salad is going to include your greens like kale or collards and any other veggies you want to add, like tomatoes, onions and cucumbers,” Coleman shared with viewers. “And one-quarter of your salad is going to be your lean protein: things like chicken or tofu if you are a vegetarian. Top that off with a complex carbohydrate and up to two tablespoons of olive oil or dressing and you’ve got the perfect salad.”
The company says that as a leader in the category, it is invested in continuing to grow the greens category by promoting ideas for increased usage.
UNITED KINGDOM - Three members of a Columbian drug cartel will serve a collective term of 59 years in prison after using a banana shipment to try and smuggle over 100 kilograms of cocaine.
Leonal Hernandez-Gonzalez (37), Oscar Grisales-Cuervo (45), and Daniel Valdes Jaramillo (24) were arrested by London Police after mixing real bananas with fake ones packed with cocaine. According to a Kent Online news report, the product was 98 percent pure cocaine estimated at more than $35 million street value.
“The arrest and conviction of these individuals serves to show that the Metropolitan Police will not tolerate the distribution of Class A drugs, which has such a harmful effect on London’s communities,” local DI Paul Foreman of the special projects team said, according to the report.
In searching the warehouse where the drugs were stashed, the authorities also found about $430,000 in cash, which was linked to Hernandez-Gonzalez.
The three men reportedly used a truck to transport the drug-stuffed produce its original landing site in Dover to Oast Park Trading Estate in Hartlip over a two-day period, though the truck driver was found to not be connected with the network.
Jaramillo received a 15 year sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine, while Hernandez-Gonzalez and Grisales-Cuervo received 22 years each for the same charges.
“These individuals were part of a sophisticated, well-organized, and determined criminal network capable of masterminding and resourcing this complicated international smuggling operation, and sustaining it over a long period,” Foreman reportedly commented.
All three men were found guilty, though not in the same hearings, at Southwark Crown Court in what Foreman said disrupted a well-oiled, large-scale operation.