LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO - As the produce industry works its way through Fall, TopLine Farms is rounding into the home stretch on another excellent season. Production so far this year is up thanks to excellent weather and the skilled growing team manning the farms at TopLine. Winter production is also currently projected to beat last year's numbers, according to Jimmy Coppola, Account Marketing Manager at TopLine Farms.
“As a family owned, truly grower direct company, TopLine Farms is committed to supplying our customers with the highest quality, fresh greenhouse grown produce all year long,” he shared with me. “We've been able to deliver on that this year, with excellent production coming out of our greenhouses. As we move through Fall and into the Winter season, I'm confident that our partners are going to be extremely pleased with the produce coming out of TopLine.”
With this very strong foundation to work from, TopLine is already looking ahead with expansion plans intended to set the stage for even better seasons in the future.
“We are always working on new varieties of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes in order to stay at the forefront of the market,” Jimmy explained. “With how competitive the produce industry is, it's imperative to always stay on top of your game in the search of the latest innovations to deliver increased yields, cut production costs, and provide the best flavors to our consumers. We've really embraced that philosophy here at TopLine and that's part of what makes us.”
Jimmy shared that TopLine has plans in place to strategically increase acreage over the next several years. Before launching into this initiative, TopLine spent considerable time talking with its retail partners and planning the particulars of this expansion, so as to make sure that once completed, it would maximize the future potential of the grower.
With a season like this under its belt, I can see why TopLine Farms enjoys its current place of success in the North American greenhouse industry. Family-owned and grower direct, this is one company to keep your eye on.
San Francisco, CA (September 30, 2014) For many growers, they see potatoes and onions as classic commodity crops – and consequently over-focus on growing and harvesting their products as inexpensively as possible so that they can sell at lower prices. While that approach may work for some, Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) sees the equation differently. FSN feels that only focusing on squeezing down costs can actually cost retailers more, by short-changing them on quality, innovation and marketing support.
These areas – product quality, innovation and marketing support – are in fact the three pillars that Fresh Solutions Network is using to rise above the competition while helping their retail customers to prosper. FSN believes the best breakthroughs – in products and in business – arrive at the intersection of insights and collaboration, so they work overtime to turn category data into insights and consult with their retail customers to develop innovative products and strategic solutions.
“We think the value proposition for retailers has changed and that many of the ways potato and onion suppliers continue to try to capture market share may be a thing of the past,” stated Kathleen Triou. “They fixate on driving out costs to win business, to the point that their packaging is ineffective and their marketing support is non-existent. Fresh Solutions Network’s approach gives retailers unprecedented access to competitive insights, to collaborative innovation, and ultimately to optimal assortments. For example, we recently collaborated with a regional retailer to strategize an optimized assortment that delivered a 7% sales increase and stole market share from their competition over a six-month pilot program.”
Fresh Solutions Network has reinvented the “supply-and-buy” model by focusing on a direct-supply “dream team”, an invitation-only network of potato and onion growers and shippers with superior products and trustworthy track records who personally own the land, work the soil, and pack the product. Many of the long held ways of buying produce mean retailers may not know where their potatoes and onions are coming from, and that puts quality and accountability at risk. FSN customers always know exactly what product they’re buying and which grower they’re buying it from. FSN members are accountable for quality and service — to each other and to their retail customers —because it is literally their farms that are at stake, not someone else’s.
This text was copied verbatim from a press release.
BELLEVUE, WA - If you’re familiar with “flash sales,” or daily deals at websites like Groupon, you may be surprised to hear that the concept is now coming to the produce industry. Produce Pipeline, a subsidiary of Washington-based produce distributor Pacificpro Inc., has launched a new service this month to provide these flash sales on produce for retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice buyers nationwide.
“The produce market has traditionally been relatively inelastic, which obviously poses a significant problem for an industry with such a highly perishable product,” said Randy Hartmann, Founder of Produce Pipeline and Partner at Pacificpro. “For a variety of reasons, be it geography, marketing capacity, or a dozen other issues, it’s been challenging to move produce quickly on the spot market.”
Produce Pipeline provides suppliers a way to promote and sell products to buyers due to issues relating to excess inventory, market conditions, or shelf life. General information on the commodity, grade, variety, and FOB “deal” price is provided by the producer. The offer is then disseminated via the website and through a frequent e-mail pushed to buyers across the country.
Hartmann notes that Pacificpro has procured and distributed produce for three generations, building well-established relationships with buyers nationwide. “We hear day-after-day from those buyers that they want and will take advantage of flash sales,” he said.
Produce Pipeline gives buyers the flexibility to bring in new inventory at a manageable price point, resulting in better margins, a lower price point for consumers, or both, according to a press release. Buyers will have the same access to information to ensure they’re receiving the highest quality products.
For those interested in having products listed on Produce Pipeline, you may contact the office at 425-885-7200. Buyers interested in signing up for e-mail “flash sales” from Produce Pipeline can subscribe here.
As someone who often takes advantage of flash sales, this opportunity sounds like a big one for the produce industry and buyers.
NEW ZEALAND - Scientists from Auckland and Waikato Universities, Plant and Food Research, and the Robotics Plus company are working on robotic technology that could dramatically ease harvest operations in orchards. Although the technology is still in the prototype stage, Bruce MacDonald, the team's research leader and a robotics specialist at Auckland University, says the results are already promising.
The technology, he explains, is built upon the PhD project of Alistair Scarfe of Robotics Plus. Alistair devised a robot which would be able to aid in kiwi fruit harvesting, and seeing the potential of this design, Bruce is excited to develop it further.
"He's developed a very nice prototype that is able to go through an orchard and pick some kiwifruit, that uses a vision system to identify the kiwifruit, and then picks them and puts them through a system where the fruit can be collected, and it drives its way round the orchard,” Alistair revealed. "What we're going to do is extend that, so it can work under all the different kinds of conditions that can happen in an orchard ...so that the robot can navigate round a whole lot of different kinds of orchards and avoid obstacles and always find its way down the right path and so on."
Could we see these robots operating in apple orchards throughout the country one day? If Bruce's research continues successfully down its current path, the answer could very well be yes.
The culmination of this 4-year, $7.6 million project will be a robot which can not only assist in a grower's harvesting operations, but conduct pollution and spraying work as well. According to the Radio New Zealand News, the funding for this project will come from the New Zealand government's latest round of scientific funding.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more great updates on the latest technology pertinent to the produce industry.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - The WateReuse Association and Research Foundation honored Ocean Mists Farms' unique water reuse partnerships at the 2014 One Water Innovations Gala. Water conservation is an issue near and dear to the Foundation and Ocean Mist Farms alike.
“The WateReuse Association and Research Foundation works to promote water sustainability through research and education,” said Mike McCullough, the Recycled Water Program Assistant with the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency.
Dale Huss, Ocean Mist Farms’ Vice President of Artichoke Production, accepted the award on behalf of his company. He spoke at the Gala about Ocean Mist Farms' commitment to sustainability and conservation.
“The proximity of our ranches to the ocean in California’s Monterey Bay makes water conservation a critical component of Ocean Mist Farms’ field management,” Huss shared. “Sea water intrusion is minimized through the most efficient use of water resources, making Ocean Mist Farms one of the leaders in water conservation for farming practices in the produce industry.”
This is not the first time that Ocean Mist has landed itself in the headlines for its water conservation projects either. Last August, ANUK covered Ocean Mists partnership with John Deere in order to bring the Field Connect, prototype sensor array system to its farms. For more on that story, check out the article here.
In addition to his work with Ocean Mist, Huss is also Chairman of the Water Quality and Operations Committee of the Monterey County Water Recycling Projects and Vice Chair of the Water Quality and Project Operations Committee of the Watsonville Water Recycling Project. Through these positions he strives to guard against the waste or overuse of water during the production process.
According to a press release, the Gala was held on Sunday, Sept. 28 in New Orleans.
Congratulations on this honor, Ocean Mist Farms!
ORLANDO, FL – Darden CEO Clarence Otis will be leaving with a severance package amounting to almost $36 million in cash, stocks and other benefits.
As we previously reported, Otis announced in July that he would be leaving the company, a time when the Red Lobster sale had drawn criticism from many investment analysts and a lawsuit from the hedge fund Starboard Value. He agreed to stay until the end of December or until an appropriate successor was found.
The Institute for Policy Studies reports that Otis’ compensation and the pay for two other top executives let go in the past year will total about $68.4 million.
The Orlando Sentinel breaks it down further saying, Otis will get $2.4 million in salary, plus the $28.2 million he owns in options and stock awards after agreeing to retire from Darden by the end of the year. Adding in another $5.3 million in retirement funds brings his total severance package to just under $36 million.
The Sentinel also reports that Former Chief Operations Officer Andrew Madsen is leaving with about $20.8 million after his resignation in November 2013, and $11.6 million will go to Chief Restaurant Operations Officer David Pickens, who resigned in May.
Rich Jeffers, Darden’s Spokesman, told the Sentinel that the stock-award figures are based on the performance of Darden’s shares, which have increased 14.5% since Otis announced his resignation.
While it is not unusual for executives to leave companies with large severance packages, Robert Jackson, a law professor at Columbia University, said that it was unusual that there is a stipulation to the agreement that bars Otis from doing any work on behalf of Darden without being specifically called on by the company.
With a shareholder’s meeting next week, I will certainly be keeping my eye on Darden Restaurants. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two PACA violators in California have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
Golden State Food Packaging Inc., a Ventura, CA based company, failed to pay a $41,003 award in favor of a California seller. Olvin J. Servellon was listed as an Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business. Humberto Nateras, another principle of Golden State Food Packaging Inc., is challenging his responsibly-connected-status in this case.
Terra Produce LLC, a Los Angeles, CA based company, failed to pay an $18,901 award in favor of a Washington seller. Daniel Garcia was listed as the sole member and major stockholder 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 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.
CHELSEA, Mass. — October 1, 2014 — State Garden Inc., a leading supplier of organic and conventional tender leaf greens, spinach and celery hearts, announced today that it recently launched a new line of conventional cooking greens under its Simple Beginnings label. The packaged cooking greens are offered in 9-ounce bags in three different varieties: Baby Kale, Baby Spinach, and Sauté Blend.
Simple Beginnings Cooking Greens are now available and ready to ship for this year’s cooking greens season.
“We are pleased to add the cooking greens line to our Simple Beginnings brand,” said Stephen Noll, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at State Garden. “We currently offer a 12-ounce Simple Beginnings Savoy Spinach bag as part of the cooking greens segment, and with these additions, we know we have complemented our offerings to meet consumers’ needs. The cooking greens segment has become one of the fastest growing categories on the produce wall and we anticipate even greater growth during the fall and winter seasons.”
Simple Beginnings’ 9-ounce bags of Baby Kale, Baby Spinach, and Sauté Blend cooking greens are sold pre-washed and ready to cook. Every item is produced and packaged abiding by State Garden’s strict quality and food safety standards.
“At State Garden, we continually update our product lines to reflect the latest consumer trends,” said Noll. “Our goal is to always provide fresh, value-added choices that the consumer is looking to purchase.”
State Garden launched the Simple Beginnings brand in October 2013, a line of high quality conventional produce with a focus on making fresh, wholesome eating more accessible.
For more information about carrying Simple Beginnings Cooking Greens or to learn about all of State Garden’s fresh produce offerings, visit www.stategarden.com.
About State Garden
State Garden Inc. is located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and has been in the produce business for more than 75 years. The company is a leading supplier of organic and conventional tender leaf greens, spinach, celery hearts and squash. The company sells under the Olivia’s Organics, Simple Beginnings and Northeast Fresh labels. State Garden only sources produce that is grown in the USA and harvested in the best conditions throughout the calendar year. For more information, visitwww.stategarden.com.
About Simple Beginnings
Simple Beginnings is a State Garden brand offering a variety of fresh, high quality conventional produce items. Launched in October 2013, the Simple Beginnings line includes triple washed tender leaf salads, cooking greens, cut squash and celery hearts. The brand is focused on making wholesome produce simple and accessible to all. For more information, visit www.simplebeginningsproduce.com.
This text was copied verbatim from a press release.
KINGSVILLE, ON - SUNSET® Produce is going pink once again this month in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In partnership with Pink Ribbon Produce, SUNSET is launching its Campari® brand cocktail tomato packs with pink ribbons on specially printed labels to help bring awareness to breast cancer and support research and education.
“We started working with Pink Ribbon Produce shortly after they were established,” said CEO Paul Mastronardi. “Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way, so this is a cause that’s very close to the SUNSET family and we’re proud to continue supporting.”
SUNSET’s contribution to the Pink Ribbon program has since passed a milestone. To date, the company has donated over $100,000 to the program and was also previously awarded at Fresh Summit for its ongoing support, according to a press release. Mastronardi noted that this partnership with Pink Ribbon “helps to educate consumers both in stores and online that healthy habits can reduce the risk of disease.”
Tina Harder, Pink Ribbon Produce Program Manager praised SUNSET for its continued dedication to the cause. “We’re proud to have them on board and applaud their efforts in support of this program,” she said. “They have gone above and beyond with us in the fight against breast cancer.”
Be sure to catch SUNSET’s Pink Ribbon Retailer Appreciation Ceremony at booth #4228 at Fresh Summit this month!
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Procacci Brothers Sales Corporation is expanding its tropical and ethnic produce program and launching a new “Feliz™” premium brand of items.
With this expansion, the company’s operations now include a strategic sourcing office located in Miami, Florida, according to a press release. Javier Alvarado will head the new office. Alvarado has 25 years of experience in tropical and ethnic produce and has a relationship with a network of growers throughout Central America, South America and other tropical growing regions.
Alvarado will also work closely with Procacci’s Philadelphia-based sales team of Mike Barber and Luis De Vore, according to a press release. Barber has over 30 years of experience in the procurement and sales of tropical produce, and De Vore is a recent graduate of the Sustainable Business MBA program at Marylhurst University with 13 years of QC experience.
With this new expansion in place, Procacci Brothers will also be launching Feliz™, its new premium tropical and ethnic produce brand.
De Vore explained that all of the Feliz items will feature distinctive Feliz PLU stickers, which have been designed to show a smiling face with the word “Feliz” making up the eyes of the face.
“That is what we believe our brand will come to mean to our customers. When they’re in the produce department they will see 'Feliz' and experience happiness and peace of mind in knowing that they are purchasing delicious, responsibly-sourced products that they can count on being available, week-after-week,” De Vore said.
The new Feliz brand will include tropical and ethnic items like green plantains, avocados, calabaza, malanga, chayote, yuca, ñame, and many others.