WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new bill has been proposed by the Republican House to enable those that wish to advertise that their products do not contain any genetic modifications would be able to do so with a “GMO-free” label.
Inspired by the “USDA organic” label, this would mean that you don’t have to label foods with GM organisms, an on-going debate within legislation. This would, instead, be seen as a promotional opportunity for those with conventional products, according to a Great Falls Tribune report, and would be completely voluntary.
"We think this provision not only creates a single national standard, but also creates that accountability and transparency so consumers know what they have in front of them," Kansas Congressman and introducer of the bill Mike Pompeo, told reporters, according to the Great Falls Tribune. "Here, I think, we got a bill that is going to be broadly bipartisan and reflects science and facts."
According Pompeo, this legislation would help provide consistency in labeling, offering clarity to the consumer. Under the proposed legislation, the Agriculture Department would oversee the certification the same way it currently does with organic products. The difference is the USDA’s non-GMO certification would not be required for every food that labels itself as free of genetically modified ingredients as it does with organic foods.
The bill also calls for an increase in FDA review of genetically modified foods. As of right now, food companies must comply with the FDA to claim that foods are free of modifications. According to Mass Live, the goal is that foods the FDA certifies as “GMO-free” would have a special government label paid for by user fees.his would present an opportunity to not influence consumers that purchase foods
This would present an opportunity to avoid influencing consumers that purchase foods approved by the USDA and FDA. While some companies worry that if they are mandated to identify GMO foods in stores, others see this new proposal as a way to circumvent transparency instead of promoting it.
"The most effective way to provide consumers with the full universe of information about their food is through mandatory labeling, nothing less," Andrew Kimbrell of the Center for Food Safety advocacy group said in the Mass Live report.
While opponents of the bill do not feel it meets the requirements of giving consumers all the information they want, Pompeo reportedly remained confident a companion bill would soon be introduced that could make it to the White House this year.
AndNowUKnow will continue to update you on this story as it develops.
SAILSBURY, NC - Aldi has completed its acquisition of Delhaize-owned Bottom Dollar Food stores. All 66 Bottom Dollar locations were purchased for a total of $15 million.
As we’ve previously reported, Delhaize announced in November that it would retire its Bottom Dollar banner, and close all 66 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio, and sell the real estate to Aldi. The stores employed about 2,200 people.
According to local news source NJ.com, 30 former Bottom Dollar locations will be reopened as Aldi stores. The discount grocery store chain has plans to open 650 new stores nationwide by the end of 2018, an investment of $3 billion that is expected to create 10,000 new jobs, the company said.
"While we are excited to pursue opening Aldi stores at 30 of these locations, we will continue working with those communities where we will not be using the sites to ensure a smooth transition," said Jason Hart, CEO of Aldi to NJ.com.
This transaction, which includes the land, buildings and leasehold improvements associated with the Bottom Dollar Food banner, will significantly expand Aldi's presence in the greater Philadelphia, southeast New Jersey, and greater Pittsburgh regions.
The completion of this deal officially marks the end of Delhaize's participation in the U.S. discount retail sector, and is part of its overall strategy to focus on its core operation of traditional retail outlets, the company says.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for continued updates on the evolving retail landscape.
BANNING, CA - Charlie Ortega, the industry veteran of over 30 years, passed away in his Banning, California, home at the age of 90.
Having dedicated his service to several aspects of the industry including Castro and Sons, Northern Produce, West Central, and the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, his presence will be missed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie’s family and friends at this time,” Carissa Mace, President of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, said.
Charlie began his produce career directly in the market with Castro and Sons before dedicating 20 years of his life and passion to Northern Produce, where he was dubbed the nickname “Silver Fox” that followed him.
He closed out his strong career with West Central, where he retired in the early 1990’s.
According to the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, a rosary in Charlie’s honor will be held later today, March 28th, at 10:00 a.m. in the Saint Katerina Tekakwitha Church in Beaumont, California. The graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Resurrection Cemetery in Rosemead, California.
All are welcome to be present at both or either service to pay their respects to Charlie’s memory.
AndNowUKnow would like to offer our sincere condolences to all affected by this loss.
IRVING, TX - The organizers of the second annual Tour de Fresh has announced that sponsorship opportunities are now available. The more than 300-mile ride is scheduled to take place from October 19th to the 22nd of this year.
The collaborative industry cycling event weaves through the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, down to Tennessee and ends in Atlanta, Georgia. Proceeds from the ride go to the Let’s Move Salad Bars To Schools Campaign, raising over $142,000 last year.
“The overwhelming industry support that the 2014 Tour received, plus the thousands of students it benefited, motivate us every day to coordinate and deliver an even more impactful event in 2015,” Cindy Jewell, California Giant Berry Farms Vice President of Marketing, said in a press release. “Once again, the Tour de Fresh will unite fresh produce growers, shippers, packers, and vendors to show that we aren’t just promoting healthier lifestyles, we are working together to make them a reality.”
Last year’s Tour placed more than 40 salad bars in schools across 11 different states including California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The 2015 Tour de Fresh sponsorships offer fresh produce industry companies six months of marketing opportunities, media impressions, and exposure. In accommodation of the event’s growth, new opportunities are available in:
- Support Van Sponsors
- Breakfast Sponsors
- Lunch Sponsors
- Dinner Sponsors
- Finish Line Ceremony Sponsors
- Official Media Sponsor
- Rider Sponsors
Confirmed Premier Sponsors for the event include:
- California Giant Berry Farms
- CHEP
- Tanimura & Antle
- C&S Wholesale Grocers
- TSAMMA
- Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
“Tanimura & Antle is proud to once again sponsor and participate in the Tour de Fresh,” Helena Beckett, Tanimura & Antle Director of Category Management, said in the release. “We continue to support this important industry event because it puts salad bars in schools and helped inspire us to develop an employee wellness program which includes providing participants with salads for lunch once a week. In addition both the team camaraderie and industry publicity we received from participating in the Tour were invaluable.”
This year’s Tour de Fresh goal is to be able to privately finance over 100 new salad bars in school districts across the country.
KANSAS CITY, KS - Price Chopper has long been the grocery store of choice for Kansas City shoppers, but is now making its debut in Iowa.
Price Chopper has acquired five former Dahl's locations, making it the third-largest grocery chain operating in Kansas City.
But entering the new market may be a challenge, according to David Livingston, a grocery industry analyst based in Waukesha, WI.
"They have been successful in Kansas City, but Hy-Vee will have the upper hand on their home turf," he said. "Price Chopper is going to have to compete on price," he said.
One way the company expects to do this is by remodeling each of the new stores, according to The Des Moines Register.
While the specific renovations are still in the works, each location will have some different "twists and services available," said Craig Moore, Chief Executive of DGS Foods, the store’s operators.
The Des Moines Register reports that the new locations have a similar look and feel to Hy-Vee stores, and fall somewhere between specialty markets like Whole Foods and discount stores like Wal-Mart.
"We have a great deal of respect for Price Chopper. And with their stores entering the Des Moines market, it won't change how we do things," said Laura Fulton, Senior Vice President of Hy-Vee's northern region.
Price Chopper's food supplier is Associated Wholesale Grocers. Associated Wholesale Grocers bought the Dahl's stores as part of the company’s bankruptcy settlement.
The former Dahl's stores transforming into Price Choppers will be completed by next week. Each store will close for one day to make changes before reopening. Reopening dates include:
- March 29: 4343 Merle Hay Road
- March 30: 3425 Ingersoll Ave. and 1819 Beaver Ave.
- March 31: 5440 N.W. 86th St., Johnston, and 15500 Hickman Road, Clive
The other 2 stores Dahl's on East Euclid and Fleur Drive will close and reopen as Cash Saver stores.
Welcome to What's In Store. Produce Pro Software is making life simpler with its new Food Safety App. This mobile app works to eliminate the costly paper clutter of traditional food safety filing methods. It also helps to promote employee accountability, while at the same time ensuring the accuracy of vital food safety records.
Every day, thousands of foodservice employees conduct countless food safety tasks. Whether verifying a cooler's temperature or conducting routine safety checks, the Food Safety App ensures that management is kept in the loop. Data entered into the app is automatically made available to managers with employee specific time-stamped verification. Corrective paperwork can be attached directly to the record and stored securely. In the case of an audit, reports are easily printed. Collectively, this gives managers access to their complete food safety records from the convenience of their mobile device.
The Food Safety App also has built-in employee accountability features. By having an employee scan a location barcode when arriving on site, the Food Safety App is able to verify whether the correct employee arrived as scheduled.
Reception for this software has already been strong, building Produce Pro's reputation as an industry leading supplier of mobile software solutions with each new sale. For every problem, Produce Pro continues to work with its partners to deliver an innovative produce software solution. Thank you for watching What's In Store.
WENATCHEE, WA - Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers have announced that Honeycrisp apples from New Zealand will be available beginning in early May.
“We are very excited to bring something special to our customers and to consumers who love the Honeycrisp apple,” Oneonta’s Marketing Director Scott Marboe said.
The crop is grown in the Timaru region of the Canterbury Plains on New Zealand’s south island.
“New Zealand is in a marine climate, and its fruit trees grow somewhat faster, with earlier and heavier yields than in other production areas,” said National Sales Representative Bruce Turner. “Because Timaru is south of Hawkes Bay, another New Zealand apple-growing region, the nights are cooler, which brings on the amazing color in our Honeycrisp.”
Turner continued by saying that growers' expertise and natural growing conditions produce “the perfect blend of sugars and acid, and the crunch and juiciness are terrific. We're seeing better color and more optimal retail sizes than Honeycrisp from other Southern Hemisphere growing areas.”
The apple sizing peaks at 80-88 and is ideal for retail, according to a press release. The New Zealand Honeycrisp will start arriving in bins in late April, and will bear the 'Honeycrisp New Zealand' label.
Marboe included, “We strongly believe in the Honeycrisp apple and the consumer preference for this apple matches our vision. That is one reason we are heavily invested in certain New Zealand growing regions and committed to the long-term, year-round success of the Honeycrisp apple.”
Turner finished by saying, “The deal is in its early years, and volume will continue to grow. Organics are also being considered for the future. Right now, though, this fresh, new crop is bringing exceptional color and flavor to the market.”
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers and New York Apple Sales are the exclusive U.S. marketers for Honeycrisp New Zealand.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - H-E-B has reportedly been quietly collecting acreage in northern Texas, having already secured 16 sites so far.
While the range of land purchases have raised questions about a possible expansion outside of the central market, according to a Dallas News Report, the company’s strategy continues to be that slow and steady wins the race.
“We continue to include D-FW (Dallas-Fort Worth) in our statewide real estate search for future property holdings for the company,” Winell Herron, H-E-B Vice President, said in the report. “For the time being, Central Market will continue to be our primary format and growth vehicle for the D-FW area.”
Herron also emphasized that while advance real estate purchases is a key component of H-E-B’s strategy for offering low in-store prices, not all land purchases meet the requirements for store construction.
But while the company stated that it doesn’t haven’t any current plans to bring stores to the D-FW area, some are not counting them out, according to the Dallas News.
“This market is ready for them,” Karla Smith, Senior Vice President and Partner for the CBRE/UCR, a Dallas-based commercial real estate firm, said in the report. “I anticipate H-E-B will open a few stores in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2016.”
At over a century old, the family-owned and operated company is known for taking its time. AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this story as it develops.
Michele McNeece, National Director of Produce Development for Ippolito was featured in the latest edition of AndNowUKnow’s print publication, The Snack Magazine. McNeece discusses climbing to new heights in both her professional and personal growth.
Check out The Snack article by clicking here, or read the full article below:
Michelle McNeece - Achieving New Heights
Though her love of produce roots her to the land, Michele McNeece is no stranger to achieving new heights. Take summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro for instance. Last year marked a huge year for Michele. Between expanding Ippolito’s Brussels sprouts program and working on new business development, Michele made her way to the top of the coveted peak in Tanzania for a breathtaking look at the world around her. The avid hiker has also summited a few other familiar peaks over the past 12 years, from Mt. Whitney to Mt. Hood.
“I love the thrill and rush of adrenaline I get from pushing myself.”
Michele’s drive translates into every part of her life, whether it be the vast network of Ippolito’s produce offerings or rescuing dogs and providing sanctuary for animals whenever she can.
Michele has been in the produce business for more than 25 years. Her first job and introduction into what she refers to as her "Life's Passion," was at age 18 with Cream of the Crop, a small carrot shipper. Once Michele got a taste of the industry, and the people within it, she was hooked. Michele worked for both Boskovich Farms and Growers Express before making her way to Ippolito International where she was recently named the new National Director of Produce Development. She has been working passionately for the company for the past 7 years.
“I grew up constantly working with, and around, produce and the people involved. It’s helped me discover my work ethic and my motto in life", Michele says.
"Never give up and never take no for an answer.”
“If there is one thing that I have learned during my short time in the industry, it’s that this group of passionate and driven people work hard and play hard.”
Michele calls her produce education Produce 101. “The industry is full of great mentors who were kind enough to share their wisdom and insights with me over the years,” she notes.
Michele took a few moments to sit down and talk life with me - the passion she has for produce, Ippolito’s ever-evolving program, and what it takes to attempt a beast like Mt. Kilimanjaro.
1. What is your advice to up-and-comers?
Listen, listen, listen. Pay attention to your customer's wants and needs. Respect is earned, not given. I have been in this business all my life and there are so many moments lost on the hard of hearing.
Also, it may sound cliché, but live life to the fullest. You never know what’s going to happen… and of course, treat people like you want to be treated.
2. Who, would you say, have been your biggest mentors?
I was extremely fortunate in my life to have individuals who were amazing role models and mentors. They provided me with a path in life and in my career, while being generous enough to share their knowledge and wisdom. First, there was my mother, who was widowed at a very young age and left with four kids to raise all alone. She was my "rock" and instilled independence and a strong work ethic in me and my siblings. Second, there are two men that gave me my start in the produce industry - Joe Boskovich and Dave Adrian. While working as a coordinator at Boskovich Farms, I would sit and listen in amazement at both these men as they bought and sold various commodities. It was at this moment I knew I wanted to learn as much as I could from both of them. It was my dream that one day I would have the opportunity to sit beside them and sell, sell, sell. These two men gave me my chance, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Dreams really do come true. Last, but surely not least, there is my sister Lisa. She personifies the very nature of someone who loves what she does and the people she comes in contact with, both inside and outside of the produce industry. I admire and respect her zest and tenacity for building relationships. She has instilled in me the importance of truly listening to your customer and the need of building trusting and lasting partnerships.
3. How did you find your way to Ippolito?
Butch Corda, my former boss back from my time with Growers Express, called me up one day and asked if I would be interested in laying my roots back in Bakersfield. He has definitely been one of my mentors and an incredible individual to work for. The fit made a lot of sense, and I knew he would allow me to evolve my produce experience. I have now been in new account development for almost seven years and I love every day of it.
4. Let’s talk about Brussels sprouts. Where is all the craze coming from and what’s next for Ippolito’s program?
I wasn’t a big fan of Brussels sprouts when I was a kid because traditionally they have only been boiled and steamed. With the new attention from chefs, foodies, and cooking shows, Brussels sprouts have finally been recognized as a versatile vegetable with a wide range of culinary possibilities. Their health benefits only increase their popularity. They are very high in Vitamin C, A, and B-6, and also have tons of potassium.
Ippolito is the largest fresh Brussels sprout shipper in North America, so I have seen first-hand the explosive growth in the category. We started growing and shipping about 11 years ago when the company opened its Salinas office and now our goal is to keep up with demand. We are investing in new acreage to increase our year-round supply from Mexico, Salinas, and along California’s Central Coast. And it’s not just for Brussels sprouts. We have over 40 other items as well. As fresh produce consumption increases, along with the demand for different flavor profiles in fruit and veg, Ippolito will be adding new items across the board! So stay tuned.
5. Can you tell me about a defining moment in your life?
A defining moment in my life and career happened when I was just getting my bearings in produce. I was told by someone, who I admire and respect, that I would never make it in sales. He told me that I did not have what it takes. All I can say to this person today is thank you, thank you, and thank you. I proved to him that he was wrong. Most importantly, I wanted to prove to myself, that I could do anything I set my mind to.
6. Tell me about Mt. Kilimanjaro, what prompted you to take on the adventure?
I asked myself, from day one, “what have I gotten myself into?” (laughs). I think I have gotten more competitive as I have gotten older, and a lot of that comes in the form of challenging myself. I’d been thinking about doing it since about 2010 and this year I finally said to myself, “Let’s do this.” I’ve always been active, but when I began to train for Mt. Kilimanjaro, I really dedicated myself to running, swimming, spinning, and a lot of hiking to attain that level of “in-shape.” I felt good about where I was physically by the time I left for the hike in June of this year. We did the hike over seven days and summited the beast on the 4th of July. It’s all about making sure you are acclimated every step of the way. You can be in the best shape of your life, but if you don’t acclimate you can run into some major altitude sickness. We never had (knock on wood) any problems. We summited at 19,341 feet, just as the sun was rising. Being above the clouds was amazing and you really feel like you are on top of the world.
With a new role carrying Michele into the New Year, we expect to see great things out of this produce professional… and I imagine a few new heights as well.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has placed a federal quarantine suspending imports of certain fruits and vegetables from the Dominican Republic to prevent any outbreaks of the Medfly (Mediterranean fruit fly) in the U.S. It has also deployed a campaign placing La Serena, Chile, under quarantine after a similar outbreak of the insect.
APHIS has determined that certain produce from the Dominican Republic and La Serena, where discoveries of the insect have been prevalent as of late, pose too much danger to the U.S. agriculture. Though the insect is not normally found in the U.S., except for in Hawaii, the government is wary of the damage it might inflict were it to be brought in by indigenous areas.
“Effective immediately, APHIS is restricting imports of certain fruits and vegetables from the Dominican Republic into the United States to prevent the introduction of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly),” APHIS said, according to Government Security News and Dominican Today. “APHIS is also prohibiting overland in-bond transit movements of these materials south of 39° latitude in the United States. APHIS is taking this action in response to multiple detections of Medfly in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic.”
It is understandable why APHIS would be cautious. According to Government Security News the state of California sustained billions of dollars in damages in 1989 due to a Medfly infestation.
A quarantine of a 7.2 kilometer radius (about 4.5 miles) around La Serena has been put in place to prevent any danger of infestation of the fruit fly in the agriculture around the region.
According to a Cooperativa report, Diego Peralta, Regional Director of Agriculture Coquimbo, said that they are taking all necessary measures to enable producers to continue exporting fruit.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep you up to date as this story develops.