MCLEAN, VA – Gladstone Land Corporation has acquired a 65 acre strawberry farm in Ventura County, California for approximately $6.1 million.
"We are excited to add this trophy property to our portfolio and extend our partnership with a global leader in the berry business, who also farms some of our other properties," said Bill Reiman, Managing Director of the Company.
As we previously reported, Gladstone acquired two other farms in Ventura County with 332 farmable acres for $24.6 million last week.
"We have recently been able to take advantage of a number of great buying opportunities in Ventura County, an area that commands among the highest farmland rents in the country,” Reiman added. “The land in this region continues to experience steady appreciation and produce superior yields, even in times of severe drought or economic downturn. Our California farms have yet to feel any negative impact in value from the drought because we are careful to choose properties with superior water resources and tenants that properly manage those resources."
According to a press release, Gladstone currently owns 32 farms, made up of 8,039 acres in 5 different states valued at approximately $191 million. The majority of its acreage is used to grow row crops like berries and vegetables.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Mike O'Brien is joining Monterey Mushrooms Inc. as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his new position, Mike will oversee sales, marketing, and customer research, working to grow and enhance the company brand as Monterey Mushrooms moves into the future.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work for Monterey Mushrooms,” he shared. “I consider them a world class company. Their values of quality, customer service, innovation, and people are a perfect match.”
"Mike’s unique skills and insight, ranking from extensive retail experience, category management, consumer trends, to leadership qualities will enhance our efforts to accelerate Monterey Mushroom’s growth,” agreed President & CEO Shah Kazemi, who Mike will be reporting to in his new position. “Mike will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”
According to a press release, Mike will be officially assuming his new position as VP of Sales and Marketing on November 10th, 2014.
Prior to signing up with Monterey Mushrooms, Mike worked with distinction at Schnuck Markets for 42 years, the last 14 of which were spent as the retailer's Vice President of Produce and Floral. In addition to his work with Schnucks, he has also served as the Chairman of the Produce for Better Health Foundation in 2007, Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association in 2011, and member of the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee from 2010 to 2011.
Mike has won numerous awards for his service to the industry, including the Donald O. Schnuck Award for Customer Service in 2011 and the inaugural Bob Carey Leadership Award by the Produce Marketing Association in 2012.
He received his education at Lindenwood College and St. Louis University where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA respectively.
Congratulations on this exciting new position, Mike!
WASHINGTON - Two PACA violators in Maspeth, New York have been restricted from operating in the produce industry.
Amersino Marketing Group LLC and Southeast Produce Limited USA have failed to pay a combined $429,031 to at least four sellers for produce which was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate commerce from December 2008 through August 2010, according to a USDA press release.
Both companies can no longer operate in the produce industry until June 18, 2016, at which time they may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principals, Yuqing Wang and Winnie Wang, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until June 18, 2015, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 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.
SALINAS, CA – Mann Packing has redesigned its website to create a user-friendly browsing experience for consumers.
“Our website is an important tool for communicating with consumers and customers,” said Gina Nucci, Director of Healthy Culinary Innovation. “We wanted to create a site that was more user friendly with fresh graphics that showcased our entire product line and delivered value to our foodservice customers.”
The website features new recipes, product information and new content for foodservice customers like product sheets with live links and live weather updates from the company’s four growing regions.
“We know that online searches for recipes can be one of the biggest drivers to a website. Our hope is that chefs and home chefs will go to the site, and bookmark it as a reference and a resource for all their convenient fresh vegetable needs,” said Nucci. “The goal is to get people to visit the site and keep coming back to see new and fresh updates.”
According to a press release, Mann is including the URL on product packages and across its social media tools including Twitter and Facebook.
ESSEN, NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA - It's a common refrain that grocery is among the most competitive markets in the U.S. economy, yet it is within this high pressure industry that Aldi thrives.
“The Aldi model, which they've really perfected over almost 30 years in this country, is really knocking it out of the ballpark,” Jim Hertel, Managing Partner at Willard Bishop shared.
What is the Aldi model? Aldi's approach to the retail game is a two pronged attack on price-point and frills in a concerted effort to deliver the highest quality goods to consumers at the lowest possible price, even if doing so requires the abandonment of many of the bells and whistles one might find at a traditional retailer.
Andrew Wolf, Senior Equity Research Analyst at BB&T Capital Markets commented that Aldi's focus on simple efficiency, something for it was recently named the world's "Most Simple" brand, allowed it to take full advantage of the opportunities presented during the Great Recession of recent years.
“Aldi used the recession,” he explained. “They generated a lot of trials, a lot of people tried the format and found out that it was great to save 40%, and, in fact, the products they were buying were as good, or in some cases better than, the products they were buying in the store. When they got their jobs back or things seemed to get on more solid footing, the question was: 'Why would I go back to paying 40% more?'”
This experience helped entrench Aldi's model into the middle class market, a shift which has generated impressive returns for store growth and sales numbers.
“What's really challenging about Aldi is that it's really more a middle class than a lower third type of concept,” Andrew shared. “I think they see that this is really in the sweet spot of value right now.”
Today, Aldi is among the biggest players in the retail market. AndNowUKnow previously covered its plans for store growth, which include doubling its store base in the UK by 2021 and opening 650 new stores in California between 2013 and 2019.
Congratulations on a terrific performance over the last several years, Aldi!
PELION, SC - The holiday season is heating up for WP Rawl as the demand for popular leafy greens continues to skyrocket. The company has recently begun expanding its growing operations in Bunnell, Florida.
“We are looking forward to having an increased supply to keep up with the demand for our products,” said Ashley Rawl, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The Florida growing operation has been an important part of supporting our customers with a steady supply of product throughout the winter and early spring.”
WP Rawl’s acreage in this particular operation is doubling this season. Plants are in the ground now and will be ready to harvest in December, according to a press release. These crops include conventional collard, kale, cilantro, parsley, beets, mustard, turnip, and organic kale. The number of staff will also increase by 50 percent.
The Florida operation includes a refrigerated storage facility and loading docks, as well as an ice production system within the site. The packing house and fields are all Primus GFS certified.
Congrats on this recent expansion, WP Rawl!
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against Pangea Produce Distributors Inc.
The Florida-based company has allegedly failed to make the payment to three produce sellers totaling $262,199 from October 2010 – December 2013, according to a press release.
Pangea Product Distributors Inc. may request a hearing. If the USDA finds that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years.
Additionally, the principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only after it posts a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Awe Sum Organics has hired Gabe Reyes as its new Financial Controller.
In this newly created role, Gabe will manage all accounting and financial activities and develop procedures to help position Awe Sum for continued growth, according to a press release.
“I’ve worked in Organics for years and look forward to getting back into the organic industry. I’m excited to be a part of the Awe Sum team as we continue to grow and the organic industry expands while consumers learn more about the benefits of a healthy and organic lifestyle,” said Gabe.
Most recently, Gabe gained relevant experience at SunOpta as he managed a divisional accounting and finance team there for almost eight years.
He is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo, CA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance there. He currently resides in Santa Cruz, California, with his wife and two children.
Congratulations on this new position, Gabe!
IRVINE, CA - On Monday, the Western Growers Board of Directors named Vic Smith, President and CEO of JV Smith Companies, as the Chairman of Western Growers.
According to Western Growers, Smith succeeds Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms California. Smith will begin his volunteer leadership responsibilities at the end of this week’s annual meeting.
In 1988, Smith co-founded JV Smith Farms with his father, John B. Smith. Vic is the second generation of his family to join the fresh produce business. His father started Skyview Cooling in Yuma, Arizona in 1970.
In his education, Vic studied economics and business law at the University of Colorado from 1970-1974 and finance at Arizona State University in 1975. He has overseen all of the companies’ farming, packing and cooling operations since 1991, which includes 15,000 acres of vegetable production annually.
The Western Growers Board has also selected Larry Cox, Owner of Lawrence Cox Ranches, Brawley, California, as Senior Vice Chairman; Samuel Duda, Vice President of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., Salinas, California, as Vice Chairman; Garland Reiter, CEO of Reiter Affiliated Companies, Santa Barbara, California, as Secretary; and Carol Chandler, Partner at Chandler Farms, Selma, California, as Treasurer.
Western Growers also welcomed the newest board members:
- Mike Antle, Tanimura and Antle, Salinas, California
- Brian Bertelsen, Cove Ranch Management, Reedley, California
- George Boskovich, III, Boskovich Farms, Oxnard, California
- Howard Roeder, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Monterey, California
- John McPike, Cal Giant, Santa Maria
- Jack Vessey, Vessey and Company Inc., Holtville, California
- Stuart Woolf, Woolf Enterprises, Fresno, California
Congratulations to everyone selected!
YAKIMA, WA - FirstFruits Marketing of Washington is now offering a full line of ultra mesh apple bags. The new bag is unique because of its distinctive graphic display, highlighting the variety and facilitating improved product visibility. Additionally, this ultra mesh has less environmental impact than the standard all plastic or plastic pouch bags, according to a press release.
“We are very excited about our new ultra mesh bags because they will provide outstanding product visibility, a convenient handle for consumers and the ‘stand-up’ visibility that drives consumer impulse buys,” said Keith Matthews, CEO of FirstFruits Marketing of Washington. “The ultra mesh bags will nicely complement our selection of poly and stand-up poly bags.”
The ultra mesh bags will be available in both organic and conventional versions for Opal, Sweetie, Fuji, Jubilee, Gala, Granny and mainline apples.