BARCELONA, SPAIN – A study published by the European Society of Cardiology suggests that an apple a day might do more than just keep the doctor away. The half million person study found that eating fruit on a daily basis reduced the overall risk of death by 32%. That's a number that just jumps off the page and grabs you, underscoring the incredibly important role our industry plays not just in the world economy, but in the daily lives of people everwhere.
According to the European Society of Cardiology, some other arresting results from the study include:
- Up to a 40% reduced risk from dying of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- A 15% decreased risk of developing ischaemic heart disease (IHD)
- A 27% decreased risk of dying from IHD
- A 25% decreased risk of developing ischaemic stroke
- A 40% decreased risk of developing haemorrhagic stroke
"Our data clearly shows that eating fresh fruit can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease and stroke (particularly haemorrhagic stroke),” shared Oxford's Dr Huaidong Du. “And not only that, the more fruit you eat the more your CVD risk goes down. It does suggest that eating more fruit is beneficial compared to less or no fruit."
"Our data shows that eating fresh fruit was associated with lower baseline BP,” Dr. Du continued. “We also found that the beneficial effect of fruit on the risk of CVD was independent of its impact on baseline BP."
As stark as these figures might seem, an earlier study which AndNowUKnow reported on last April suggests that the correlation between a longer life and fresh produce might be even stronger. This study revealed that eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day could reduce a person's risk of death by as much as 42%, while reducing the risk of death from specific diseases like cancer and heart disease by 25% and 31% respectively.
"We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, but the size of the effect is staggering," shared Dr Oyinlola Oyebode of UCL's Department of Epidemiology & Public Health and lead author of the study. "The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age."
Anyone else thinking of ordering a salad for dinner tonight?
GREENSBORO, NC - The Fresh Market held a key conference call with investors last Wednesday, October 9th, 2014. During the call, top level executives reinforced the company's commitment to doubling its store count in the American Southeast as well as a new plan to grow existing store sales through a concerted effort at increasing shopping frequency. Craig Carlock, President and CEO, opened the discussion with a statement conveying his optimism about the future of The Fresh Market.
“We are very well positioned for future growth because we deliver a differentiated shopping experience,” he shared with investors. “In our new markets, we have adjusted our operating procedures and grown our operating margins.”
Chris Miller, Vice President of Strategy and Marketing, shared how recent market research revealed significant opportunities for future growth in The Fresh Market's existing store-base.
“We believe firmly that the best growth opportunity for us is to increase existing customer frequency,” he said. “We learned that, on average, the majority of our customers shop us once per month. In fact, less than 2% of our customers shop us on a weekly basis. One more trip per year across these active customers would equate to a 13% increase in comparative transaction growth.”
Miller explained that a key way to make this transition from a special occasion destination to an everyday stop, lay in better communicating the core The Fresh Market value proposition and story.
The Fresh Market's executives are equally optimistic about the retailer's short-term expansion plans.
“Looking at our core markets, we are also excited about our opportunity to grow,” Carlock said. “Our white space analysis of the Southeast suggests that we can double our store base there because we are experiencing less cannibalization in these markets than previously expected.”
Randy Young, SVP Chief Merchandising & Supply Chain Officer, further explained The Fresh Market's plans going forward. While the retailer does have a multi-regional growth plan in place, its focus would remain principally on the Southeast throughout this process, he shared.
“Our three year plan consists of opening at least 70 new stores, something which should translate into an annual growth rate of 12-15%,” Young said. “Our plan is to leverage our strength in the Southeast by opening at least 50% of our mix in that region alone.”
According to Young, by 2017, The Fresh Market will have 60-65% of all of its stores located in the Southeast.
With such a strong plan in place, I can certainly understand Carlock's optimism about The Fresh Market's future. I look forward to seeing how the company preforms as we move into Winter and the new year.
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY - William R. Mills, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Tops Friendly Markets, has resigned from the company last week as its fiscal third quarter came to a close.
“The company thanks Rick for his many contributions to the success of the company during his tenure as Chief Financial Officer and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors,” said Frank Curci, President and CEO.
David Langless, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as interim CFO, according to the Rochester Business Journal. Mills, who also resigned from the company’s board of directors, will continue to serve as a consultant as needed through the end of 2014.
Mills served as SVP and CFO for Tops since November 2010. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, he served as CFO, SVP, and Treasurer of Weis Markets, Inc. from April 2002 to July 9, 2009. He founded William R. Mills Consulting, which advises owners of small and mid-market companies in connection with value enhancement.
AndNowUKnow wishes William the best of luck in the next stage of his career.
DETROIT, MI – Almost 2,000 school children in the Romulus Community School District will now have better access to fresh produce, thanks to IFCO's generous donation through United Fresh's Let's Move Salad Bars to MIDWEST Schools campaign. In all, IFCO has now donated five salad bars to schools throughout the district.
“IFCO has a long and strong history of corporate social responsibility, particularly in the area of helping to make high quality fresh produce available to school kids,” said Dan Walsh, President of IFCO North America. “We proudly support organizations that promote initiatives impacting the everyday lives of people in the communities we serve, such as United Fresh’s salad bar initiative, Forgotten Harvest, a food bank in the greater Detroit area, and related food safety initiatives.”
“IFCO continues to be an excellent partner in our efforts to increase children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” shared Tom Stenzel, President & CEO of United Fresh Produce Association. “This donation to the Romulus Community Schools is a perfect example of a public-private partnership to educate students in their formative years about the importance of eating fresh produce and establishing healthy eating habits.”
In the end, the real winners in this story were the students, who will now have greater access to the fruits and vegetables which are so key to healthy development. Kathleen Norred, Food Service Director of the Romulus Community Schools, expressed her gratitude to IFCO for its generosity towards the students under her care.
“The students, teachers, administrators and parents in Romulus deeply appreciate the donation of salad bars by IFCO,” she said. “They will help support our goal of ingraining good eating habits starting at a very young age with the hope they will last throughout our student’s lives.”
According to a press release, the following schools will be receiving salad bars during the start of the 2014-2015 school year:
- Romulus Middle School, 716 students
- Cory Pre-School, 95 students
- Wick Elementary School, 383 students
- Romulus Elementary School, 414 students
- Hale Creek Elementary School, 289 students
United Fresh's Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign has donated salad bars to over 3,500 schools, improving the lives of nearly 2 million students. The Let’s Move Salad Bars to MIDWEST Schools is a subcampaign of this movement, designed to focus special attention on schools in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Mississauga, Canada— (September 22, 2014) - FOOD freshly North America, Inc. announced today that their freshness retainers for the shelf-life extension of fresh cut fruits and vegetables has been certified by the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI). OMRI, a non-profit organization, reviews the suitability of substances for use in organic production, processing and handling of food.
Food freshly’s freshness retainers are natural products that maximize the shelf-life of fresh cut produce. The freshness retainers consist of a precise blend of permissible mineral materials, organic acids, and vitamins. These products prevent the fast decay of enzymatic browning, loss of firmness, structure, and taste in the very demanding value added industry.
Benjamin Singh, the President of FOOD freshly North America, Inc., commented, “We are very pleased to receive this certification. With the increasing demand for organic products comes an increasing demand for shelf-life stability. We were asked by our customers to come up with a solution that they can use on their organic products. It took longer than expected, nevertheless our solutions resulted in happy customers. Which in turn pleases us, for not only did we provide solutions to the fresh cut industry, but we were part of the process that supplies consumers with organic products that they deserve.”
“The fresh cut industry has a very difficult task. They have to work extra hard to provide fresh products to retailers, foodservice, and most importantly, the ever increasing demands of the consumer. With the pressure on them, comes the pressure on us, the responsibility to provide them with solutions that will work. They were in need of an organic product, and we were happy to deliver.” Margaret Tomaszewska, Account Executive FOOD freshly North America, Inc.
FOOD freshly North America Inc. along with our Mexican Distributors AERSA will be exhibiting at the Fresh Summit Produce Marketing Association (PMA) October 17- 19 held in Anaheim, California, USA. Booth #4215.
This article was copied verbatim from a press release.
HANTSPORT, NOVA SCOTIA - CKF's acquisition of Earthcycle Packaging in May 2013 is already paying dividends with the announcement that its Earthcycle™ line of agricultural trays are in production at its manufacturing plant in Hantsport, Nova Scotia. This is great news for CKF's long-time client Gourmet Trading, LLC, which will enjoy the first production runs of this key item.
Gourmet Trading, North America’s largest grower-packer of premium asparagus, has been using Earthcycle™ trays in its shipping operations for the last two years. The grower is excited about the prospect of bringing its production much closer to home thanks to CKF.
“We were thrilled when we learned about CKF’s plans to produce in North America,” says Brian Miller, President of Gourmet Trading. “The environmental benefits of the Earthcycle™ line combined with North American manufacturing make it easy for our end consumers to make the sustainable lifestyle choices they are demanding. Also, in buying from CKF, our supply chains are shortened, allowing us to manage our inventory and be sure of product when we need it.”
For its part, CKF is excited about the new opportunities and sustainability advantages Earthcycle™ provides.
“Our decision to invest in the people and the technology to manufacture Earthcycle ™ in Canada further delivers on our sustainability mission,” shared Ian Anderson, President of CKF Inc. “Consumers today have a wider definition of sustainability, one that incorporates socially responsible manufacturing and support of local businesses.”
More than ever before, today's consumers demand that the packaging that accompanies their favorite products be manufactured with the Earth in mind. Thanks to Earthcycle™, CKF and Gourmet Trading are confident that they can stay at the forefront of this trend.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for future updates on CKF, Gourmet Trading, and the produce industry as a whole.
DUBAI, UAE – Customs officers in Dubai seized 171.2 kilograms of cocaine worth over $54 million U.S. dollars (over Dh200 million) in a shipment of fresh bananas.
Gulf News reports that this is one of the biggest seizures of its kind in the UAE over the past five years. The shipment arrived at Dubai’s Port of Jebel Ali from Latin America via Europe, and the drugs were hidden inside of boxes of fresh bananas.
Ahmed Al Kharusi, Director of Customs Intelligence Department at Dubai Customs (DC), said that the successful operation falls within DC’s strategy to combat illicit trafficking, according to Customs Today.
The discovery came as a collective effort where the Customs Intelligence Department collected and assessed intelligence data and conducted filed monitoring with the Jebel Ali Inspection Centre. The shipment was immediately confiscated upon arrival.
Gulf News reports that in an attempt to get around security measures like X-ray screening, k-9 unit inspection and more, the smugglers added extra lead on the container, painted narcotic bags with an organic substance to fool the dogs, changed the shipping route to a European port first and even included ‘sorcery items.’ Yes. You read that right. Sorcery items.
Despite the myriad of tricks to try to smuggle in the drugs, it obviously wasn’t enough to get past customs.
SOLEDAD, CA – Braga Fresh Family Farms announced that its line of Josie’s Organics fresh vegetables are going to be cooled and shipped at Tanimura & Antle’s cooling facility in Yuma, AZ starting in November.
“Tanimura & Antle is one of the most respected leaders in the fresh produce industry,” said Rod Braga, President and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms. “Like us, they’re also 3rd generation farming families with the highest standards for quality and service, so we see this opportunity as a perfect fit for Josie’s Organics, our customers and Tanimura & Antle customers.”
According to a press release, this move will increase convenience to both Braga Fresh and Tanimura & Antle customers by consolidating loads of Josie’s Organics with Tanimura & Antle’s quality conventional program for one-stop logistics and shipping. This will also allow Braga Fresh the opportunity to offer Tanimura & Antle’s service and expertise to existing and new customers.
“Braga and Tanimura & Antle have always been innovative and committed to quality,” said Mike Antle, Executive Vice President and Partner of Tanimura & Antle. “Offering this added convenience is a way for both companies to demonstrate our commitment to premium service and helping our customers."
The Josie’s Organics line of fresh vegetables is certified organic by CCOF and is available year-round.
Don’t miss Braga Fresh Family Farms at Fresh Summit booth 1538 and Tanimura & Antle at Fresh Summit booth 2045.
WASHINGTON - Washington State University, the creator of the Cosmic Crisp apple variety, has officially chosen the 24 growers who will guide the new crop through its inaugural season. According to the Tri-City Herald, over 445 growers entered the lottery which was used to select the 24 lucky winners.
When it hits market, many in the industry predict that the Cosmic Crisp will be able to compete well with the much loved Honeycrisp variety. According to the Tri-City Herald, the Honeycrisp was one of the parent varieties used to create the Cosmic Crisp.
A full list of all 24 winners and the number of trees which they have been given permission to purchase follows below:
- Leah Eddie of Grandview, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Harris Farms of Kennewick, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Jeff Freepons of Prosser, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Mark Hanrahan of Wapato, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Konnowac Orchards LLC of Wapato, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Conor Kilian of Sunnyside, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Dalbir Bains of Oroville, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Brook Besor of Plymouth, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Melissa Mathis of Mesa, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Cowan Orchards Inc. of Leavenworth, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Cox Canyon Vineyards of Ellensburg, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Ross Montierth of Mesa, 3,000-5,000 trees
- Double S Orchards LLC of Wenatchee, W.O, up to 20,000 trees
- Terrace Heights LLC of Yakima, W.O, up to 20,000 trees
- Maple Leaf LLC of Yakima, up to 20,000 trees
- Kludt-Waldron Orchards Inc. of Manson, up to 20,000 trees
- Weasel Ranch LLC of Yakima, up to 20,000 trees
- Mustang Ranch of Othello, up to 20,000 trees
- F. Lorraine Mathison Grantor Trust of Wenatchee, up to 20,000 trees
- Bob Mathison of Wenatchee, up to 20,000 trees
- Stephen van Someren Greve of Wenatchee, up to 20,000 trees
- HLH Properties LLC of Yakima, up to 20,000 trees
- Stemilt World Famous Compost LLC of Wenatchee, up to 20,000 trees
- Lyall Family Farms of Grandview., up to 20,000 trees
WSU officials have shared that they plan to have the first batch of 300,000 trees ready for purchase in Spring 2017. The university will be coordinating with Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute affiliated nurseries in order to build up sufficient supplies of these in-demand trees.
Growers who were not fortunate enough to be selected in the WSU drawing will have the opportunity to purchase Cosmic Crisp trees of their own in 2018-2019. Consumers will be able to buy their first batch of Cosmic Crisps sometime around the year 2019.
Congratulations to those growers selected in the drawing!
IDAHO FALLS, ID – Potandon Produce LLC will be debuting two new varieties at Fresh Summit in Anaheim.
Klondike Royale, a yellow-fleshed potato of French heritage, will be on display. It offers a unique plate presentation because the surface of the skin is adorned with naturally occurring kiss-shaped purple marks. The Klondike Royale is available in a 3lb upright bag and a newly created 5lb poly bag, which will be marketed and merchandised as a complementary item to the Klondike Rose® and Klondike Goldust®, according to a press release.
Smiley’s, a petite yellow-fleshed potato with naturally occurring marks on its surface that resemble smiles, will also be on display. The Smiley potato will be available in a 3lb poly bag in the Green Giant® label that features the Green Giant Sprout® for the first time ever on a fresh potato bag. “The Smiley is a fun potato and very kid-friendly so the Sprout was a natural addition to the packaging,” said VP of Marketing Ralph Schwartz.
The Smiley’s are also going to be available to the trade as a line extension to the Klondike Express family of shelf-stable microwavable bags. “This is one of the fastest growing product lines in our convenience product category and with the additional item, we expect to grow the business both with existing and new customers,” said Dick Thomas, Senior VP of Sales.
Aside from those produce debuts, Potandon will also be offering the first glimpse of its new organic potato packaging, which will be ready in November. The organic line will also kick off the Potandon brand on packaging, along with the new company logo that was introduced earlier this year, according to a press release.
“Innovation is the key to growth in the fresh potato category and our team has really stepped it up over the past year by bringing these new items to market. We encourage people to stop by our booth to see samples of what will be coming in the next few years,” said Co-Chief Operation Officer Mel Davenport.
The different pack sizes will be on display in the new product showcase, located between Hall B and Hall C of the convention center as well as in a grand layout in the Potandon booth #1146 on the main show floor.