SOQUEL, CA - SureHarvest is adding 3 new clients to the user base of its sustainability performance management software: SMIS. The reception for this product has already been excellent and now PRO*ACT, the California Cut Flower Commission and the Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board, have signed up to take advantage of the benefits the platform affords.
“We’re honored to partner with these progressive organizations to implement the SMIS platform, which will empower them to manage and grow their industry-leading sustainability programs,” shared Dr. Jeff Dlott, SureHarvest CEO.
PRO*ACT has long been among the leaders for sustainability solutions in the industry. In 2011, PRO*ACT launched Greener Fields Together™, which was the industry's first comprehensive national farm-to-fork sustainability program, according to a press release. Starting this fall, PRO*ACT’s national farm supplier partners will be able to use SMIS in order to complete online surveys about their energy management programs. Using the built in information management and reporting functionality of the SMIS platform, PRO*ACT will be able to leverage this information towards improving the sustainability performance of its operations as well as those of its farm suppliers and over 60 distribution centers.
“The SMIS online platform will help streamline our sustainability efforts and bolster our continued commitment to sustainable agriculture,” says Max Yeater, PRO*ACT's President. “It will also bring value to all our Greener Fields Together value chain partners by storing critical sustainability information that supports our commitment to transparency.”
The Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board, a fellow new SureHarvest client, lists over 650 growers who grow over 99% of the United States hazelnut crop among its members. Beginning this January, the growers and handlers which take part in its Hazelnut Sustainability Program will be able to assess their performance on important sustainability goals in a confidential, efficient manner.
Congratulations on securing these new clients, SureHarvest!
SOLEDAD, CA – Braga Fresh Family Farms is headed back to The Balancing Act®, the award-winning morning show on the Lifetime® Channel, on Monday November 10 at 7:00 am ET/PT.
Rod Braga, President and 3rd generation farmer, and food and lifestyle expert Chadwick Boyd, will return to the show with host Olga Villaverde to discuss organic produce, family traditions, and flavorful and festive recipes to incorporate whole vegetables into meals, according to a press release.
On the show, Braga will be sharing the traditions started by his “Nonnie Josie,” the inspiration for the Josie’s Organics brand, and Boyd will be sharing two specially developed recipes: Grilled Pear and Curly Parsley Crostini, and Roasted Sweet Baby Broccoli with Parmesan Pecan Gremolata. The recipes were inspired by Josie and use farm fresh organic produce.
This show is the 3rd installment of The Balancing Act’s “Paying tribute to America’s farmers” four part series. To check out the first two installments, click here.
In case you miss the show, it will re-air on November 17 at 7:00 am ET/PT.
The following was copied verbatim from a press release:
Salinas, CA (October 28, 2014) – Today, Belli Architectural Group announced David Peartree has become a shareholder in the firm.
David, a LEED accredited professional (LEED AP) architect and board president of the American Institute of Architects Monterey Bay Chapter, joined Belli in 2010 as senior project manager to oversee facilities planning, design and construction for clients in agriculture, wine, government, education, nonprofit and industrial sectors.
Over the past nearly five years with Belli, David has applied his expertise on projects such as the Taylor Farms corporate office in Salinas, Misionero processing facility expansion in Gonzales, Goodwill Industries store in Salinas, Hahn Family Wines culinary center in Soledad, Hartnell College field house in Salinas, Salinas Valley Fair Orradre building modernization in King City, and various elementary and high school projects in Salinas, Santa Cruz and Greenfield.
Lino Belli, president/CEO of Belli Architectural Group and a second generation Salinas Valley architect, welcomed David as a shareholder, saying, “David has earned my utmost respect, as well as the respect and friendship of his coworkers, clients and our community, by consistently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, integrity, and genuine care for everything to which he applies his time and talents. Our community is fortunate David decided to call Monterey County home, and I couldn’t be happier he’s now an owner of the firm.”
David explained why becoming an owner of Belli is important to him, saying, “Belli has a solid reputation for quality, creativity and community service, and it gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and pride to contribute towards growing the firm and carrying on that legacy built by Lino and his father Ray.”
Prior to joining Belli, David was a senior associate with Jesse Bornstein Architecture and a job captain with Killefer Flammang Architects, both of Santa Monica. David holds a bachelor of arts in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He serves as vice president/president-elect of the board for Ag Against Hunger, and chairs the Hartnell College Drafting Curriculum Advisory Committee. David lives in Pacific Grove with his wife, Nicole, and their 4 year-old son, Elliott.
KEENE, NH – C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. has won the competitive bankruptcy auction for Associated Wholesalers Inc. (AWI) with a $288 million bid.
As we previously reported, C&S initially assumed the position of the “stalking horse” or initial bidder with a bid of up to $170 million, depending on various factors.
Mark S. Indelicato of Hahn & Hessen LLP told Law 360 that the price for the cooperative food distributer increased almost 70% to end at $288 million, almost $120 million over the original offer.
According to Indelicato, there were two bidders that went head-to-head at the auction. Though he did not identify C&S’s challenger, Mark stated that the rival may be revealed at the hearing where U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin J. Carey will consider the sale.
In September, AWI filed for chapter 11 protection listing over $200 million in debts. According to Bloomberg, AWI’s White Rose unit has also filed for bankruptcy due to what Chief Restructuring Officer Douglas Booth called “compressed margins and fierce competition.”
Last month, Rick Cohen, Chairman and CEO of C&S, spoke on the potential acquisition saying, “The addition of AWI and White Rose would expand C&S’s footprint and enhance our significant capabilities in servicing independent grocers.”
Among AWI's listed creditors were food giants Tyson, Kellogg, General Mills, ConAgra, Smucker, Nestle, Kraft, and Dannon. According to Bloomberg, AWI owes as much as $100 million in debt to its various creditors.
Will the sale be approved, and will we find out the identity of the rival bidder? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates as we continue to track this story.
VENTURA COUNTY, CA - With day 1 a smashing success, day 2 of the Ventura County Sustainability Exchange kicked off with a series of exciting tours of the fields and facilities of some of the leading growers in the fresh produce industry. Attendees of this exclusive pre-Fresh Summit event were brought into the backyards of San Miguel Produce, Deardorff Family Farms and Houweling's Nursery, getting a personal look at what makes Ventura County a one-stop-shop for sustainably grown produce.
“The leadership that I witnessed during the Ventura County Sustainability Exchange was more than eye-opening; it was inspiring!” said Lori Taylor, the Produce Mom. “I honestly had no idea how much Ventura County contributes to American Agriculture. And everything I saw; from the way these growers treated the planet & their crop to the way they treat the men & women who are part of their team, really just makes me want to shop for their brands in the grocery store.”
The first tour of the day took guests to San Miguel Produce, where the grower put its use of soil moisture recorders on display. San Miguel uses these devices in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of its irrigation systems and better budget its water usage. San Miguel also shared with attendees some of its innovative solutions to the labor challenges facing the industry, including its use of harvesting belts to increase yields by 10% and productivity by 25%. Finally, visitors were introduced to the 600 acres which San Miguel devotes to its organic crops in addition to its acres of conventional crops.
Deardorff was next on the list where VCSE attendees were welcomed by Tom and Scott Deardorff through a video. The two were unable to greet visitors in person as they were currently participating in the Tour De Fresh event. While there, attendees toured LEED certified headquarters for office, cooling and packing operations, as well as the facility's recent addition of 1,368 new solar panels on its roof. This addition will offset 40% of Deardorff's electricity usage, according to a press release.
“They say ‘you have to see it to believe it.’ The VCSE did just that - it brought the industry to Ventura County to SEE the amazing commitment to sustainability and it made BELIEVERS of all the attendees,” Tom Deardorff II, President, shared. “This event was a huge success in both educating the industry and creating valuable relationships across the supply chain. Everyone left fully aware that Ventura County is like no other produce region - it truly is home to the best innovators and dedicated champions of sustainability!”
Houweling’s Nursery was the last stop of the day. CEO Casey Houweling led guests on a tour through the company's history and the challenges growers are confronting today, as well as through its 5 acre solar system and three cogen systems. These systems are the first in the United States which produce electricity, CO2, heat and water all for use at Houweling's 125 acres of greenhouses.
Be sure to also check out part one of our coverage of this exclusive pre-Fresh Summit event!
Congratulations to VCSE and all of its sponsors, Cool Planet, Agromin, Driscoll's, Houweling’s Tomatoes, San Miguel Produce, Deardorff Family Farms, Limoneira, and Calavo, for putting on this exceptional event.
WASHINGTON - Four PACA violators in Texas and Idaho have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
Mercatropic Corp., a McAllen, Texas-based company, has failed to pay a $40,110 award in favor of a California seller. Roberto De La Torre was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business.
Mega Avoconamex USA LLC, a McAllen, Texas-based company, was barred for failing to pay a $3,997 award in favor of a California seller. Miriam Del Carmen, Martinez Castro, and Ivan Domingo Ruiz Ponce were listed as members of the business.
The Best Sun Produce, a Dallas, Texas-based company, failed to pay an $18,021 award in favor of a California seller. Jose A. Rayas and Juan E. Torres were listed as partners of the business.
Blackbird Seven LLC, a Blackfoot, Idaho-based company, was restricted for failing to pay an $105,393 award in favor of an Idaho seller. Scott M. Phillips was listed as a member of the business.
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.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The Allen Lund Company has promoted Nick Mihalopoulos to the position of Controller within the company.
"Nick has a tremendous understanding of the financial reporting process and regularly works with managers on expense analysis and operating efficiencies,” shared Steve Doerfler, CFO. “His attention to detail and technical understanding have enabled him to make a direct impact on the company's bottom line."
Nick has been a valuable asset for Allen Lund and shared how much he has enjoyed the time he has spent with the company to this point.
"Often times you hear companies talk about work and life as two separate components. For me, being at the Allen Lund Company, I see a unity between my work and life," he said. "Everyday is an opportunity to work with great people and support an industry leading service."
According to a press release, Nick began his career with Allen Lund in 2011 after working with PepsiCo. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a dual degree in Finance and Accountancy.
Congratulations on this exciting promotion, Nick!
SAVANNAH, GA – The port of Savannah is currently surging with a new shipping market and rising imports. This port city trails New York City as the No. 2 East Coast container port and ranks No. 4 nationally, according to Bloomberg. Ongoing improvements at the port are continuing to push it forward.
“Not only have we been the fastest-growing port in the U.S. for a decade now,” Curtis Foltz, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority, said at the organization’s annual meeting in September. “But we’re now in a position to grow and become No. 1. Something that was unfathomable a decade ago is something that is at least within our sight.”
Supporting that statement, Bloomberg reports that the Port of Savannah’s September imports rose 21.7% compared to a 7% increase for New York. That being said however, New York still imported nearly twice the cargo.
“It has been widely accepted and time-tested that ships will always move large cargo volumes through New York because of its massive consuming population,” Stan Payne, the former head of the Canaveral Port Authority in Florida and now a shipping consultant, said in an e-mail to Bloomberg. “In the end, if Savannah does overtake New York and New Jersey, and it certainly is within the realm of reasonable possibility, then it will do so because of focus and a political and operating structure that provides it the control to turn that focus into results.”
One of the large selling points for Savannah is the port’s proximity to major expressways like I20 and I95. The port is currently working to deepen its waters to attract larger ships that may come through the expanded Panama Canal as well, according to Bloomberg.
With all of these changes in progress, it will be interesting to see how far the Port of Savannah will grow. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.
MONTEREY, CA – PRO*ACT has named Casey Jarrard and Russ Wingo as the company's new Vice Presidents of Client Development. This newly created department will work closely with key members of PRO*ACT's senior management team and national network of produce distributors in order to grow sales through the creation and management of strategic client relationships. PRO*ACT says its Client Services team will continue to work to grow its relationships with existing clients.
“Casey and Russ will coordinate with our distribution network to identify new business opportunities,” shared Brian Kane, PRO*ACT's Chief Operating Officer. “They both have long-term experience with all different segments of foodservice and retail operations. We’re very excited about the growth of fresh products in the industry and are confident both Casey and Russ will bring valuable solutions to customers with their efforts.”
Jarrard and Wingo's team will focus on a variety of key tasks including:
- Growing new business opportunities with a diverse group of foodservice clients.
- Engaging new customers through the core values of the company's distribution network.
- Developing future strategic business plans.
- Managing contract negotiations with clients and distributors.
- Ensuring competitive advantages through a full evaluation of all value-chain cost components.
- Exploring new and alternative products through collaboration with PRO*ACT's procurement specialists in order to continue meeting new client's needs.
Jarrard, who joined PRO*ACT in 2008 and worked extensively in the company's Client Services Department, spoke excitedly about the new possibilities the promotion affords.
“I’m extremely excited to now be able to concentrate my time, effort and energy to developing new business,” he said. “Our Client Services team can nurture personal relationships with customers and deliver all the benefits that PRO*ACT can provide while Russ and I focus on new growth.”
“I’ve had more than 30 years in the foodservice industry and many of those with produce. I am looking forward to building this new department and helping to ensure the steady growth of PRO*ACT,” Wingo agreed.
In addition to his time with PRO*ACT, Jarrard has experience as Director of National Accounts for Direct Advantage, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for McEntire Produce, and Director of National Accounts for Performance Food Group.
For his part, Wingo worked with Sysco as Vice President of Sales for FreshPoint. Prior to this, he worked as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Produce Alliance and Division Vice President of Sales at PYA-Monarch.
Congratulations on your new positions, Jarrard and Wingo!
NOGALES, AZ – The organizers of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas’ (FPAA) annual Produce Convention have announced a bonus luncheon and learning event for FPAA members and Convention attendees.
According to a press release, the “Moving Social Responsibility Forward – Lessons from Mexico” panel will start at 12:00 pm at the Tubac Golf Resort on Thursday, October 30.
“We are really excited about this year’s event, and the fact that we have a very informative afternoon of educational sessions for attendees. In addition to our timely and very important panel of social responsibility, we are fortunate to have Bruce McEvoy of Seald Sweet, and former Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe to round out the educational component,” says FPAA President, Lance Jungmeyer.
Here is the full line-up of the educational sessions:
12:00-1:30 pm (lunch included)
Moving Social Responsibility Forward - Lessons from Mexico
This first-of-its-kind bonus learning lunch will feature industry representatives who will share personal corporate social responsibility stories and provide insight into the role corporate social responsibility can play in creating a positive brand for Mexico’s fresh fruit and vegetable growers and distributors.
Moderator: Lance Jungmeyer, President, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Panelists: Alicia Martin, Wilson Produce; Juan Laborin, Hermosillo Grape Growers Association (AALPUM), and Representatives from Mexico Calidad Suprema.
2:00-3:00 pm
Building a Global Produce Empire
During his tenure as President and CEO of Seald Sweet, Bruce McEvoy helped transform the citrus cooperative into a global entity, with a series of deals culminating in a merger with Belgium-based UNIVEG Group, resulting in a company with approximately $4 billion in annual sales today. McEvoy, now Director of Global Affairs for Seald Sweet / UNIVEG, will focus on market access issues that are a critical component in global sourcing. In turn, this experience will offer some simple steps to help you build your own global sourcing strategy.
3:10-4:15 pm
How does Arizona Succeed in the Future with Trade and Mexico
Jim Kolbe, Senior Transatlantic Fellow for the German Marshall Fund and former Arizona Congressman, will reflect on his time in Washington, D.C., and present his vision for how Arizona will succeed in the future with trade and Mexico.
The FPAA Convention will be held at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, located a few miles north of Nogales. Companies can still register here.