OXNARD, CA - If you are lucky enough to have been short listed for this exclusive, pre-PMA Fresh Summit event, then mark your calendar for beachside accommodations at Embassy Suites, Mandalay Bay Oxnard California, as well as dinners, drinks and a host of networking opportunities with the top tier of fresh produce. Luxury and a wealth of industry knowledge and insights await you in this unforgettable experience.
Along with being pampered by world renowned Chef Jason Collis in Limoneira’s and Calavo’s orchard, guests will also experience the innovative cocktail and beverage insights of Nobu mixologist Brian Leon. This first class, all-inclusive event invites attendees to rub elbows with award-winning companies like Cool Planet along with produce industry trailblazers that include Houweling’s, Driscoll’s, Limoneira, San Miguel Produce, Deardorff Family Farms, Calavo, and Agromin.
Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, tells AndNowUKnow, “It’s great to see the produce industry seek out this kind of collaboration. Ventura County ag has produced some wonderful examples of innovative and sustainable solutions, and this event looks to continue that trend. The lineup of agricultural peers and leaders is truly top-notch, so I’m looking forward to an inspiring exchange.”
The future of farming is here. With an attendee list that is filling fast, the Ventura County Sustainability Exchange is offering to pay for a select group of our industry peers to attend the exclusive 2-day long event. The Exchange promises to showcase innovative solutions to industry challenges such as water, labor, and land prices, while addressing the ROI on sustainability for the company. This is an opportunity you’ll only be able to find in the heart of Ventura County.
Join Dave Corsi, Wegmans’ VP of Produce and Floral, along with a host of other produce industry peers as they experience some of Ventura County’s most sustainable and innovative companies with the goal of addressing the most important aspects of food messaging for customers – the who, what, when, where and why?
Visit Houweling’s 125 acres of green house nursery, as well as Deardorff Family Farms 100,000 square foot LEED Certified building, and Driscoll Farms Water Technology (a new test plot), with plenty of time to make it to PMA Fresh Summit’s opening event. Panel discussions with industry leaders from in and outside the produce industry will also address the latest industry issues in sustainability.
The event coincides with the PMA Fresh Summit expo on October 15th and 16th. Limited spots are available so don’t wait on your chance to check out the hottest pre-PMA ticket in town. Parlay your PMA Fresh Summit!
For more information, you may contact Nikki Rodoni at [email protected]
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – During a customs inspection at a container company in Rotterdam, 175 kilos of cocaine were discovered hidden in a banana shipment.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service reports that the container where the drugs were found was recently discharged from a vessel that came from Colombia. The banana boxes were packed full of cocaine. The Prosecution believes that the drug trafficker’s goal was to return to the container and retrieve the drugs later.
The cocaine had a street value of about €6 million, which is roughly $7.77 million. Since its discovery, all of the cocaine has been destroyed.
AD.nl reports that no arrests have been made so far. Currently, the HARC team, a partnership between Customs, IRS, Port Police and the Public Prosecutor are investigating.
MANHATTAN, NY - A new pricing report by Bloomberg Intelligence reveals that Whole Foods has been successful at repositioning itself as a bargain retail option to increasingly budget-conscious New York shoppers.
The Manhattan-based study examined a basket comprised of 97 different retail items and compared what this hypothetical basket would cost at different grocery locations. Here were the results:
- $391.39 at Whole Foods
- $398.44 from Fresh Direct
- $458.84 at Gristedes
- $347.10 at Fairway Market
According to the report, Food Emporium and D’Agostino were also more expensive than Whole Foods in New York City.
Some might find this surprising, considering Whole Food's reputation as a luxury grocer, but the results of this survey are the result of a deliberate marketing shift on the part of the retailer as it repositions itself in an increasingly competitive market.
Whole Foods has been working over the previous year to combat the perception that it's products are too expensive for the average shopper. According to Bloomberg, it has been lowering its prices, especially on produce, to compete with other retailers expanding into the organics market.
In addition to these pricing cuts, Whole Foods has announced that it will be launching its first ever national marketing campaign this fall. For more on that story check out ANUK's previous article here.
Whole Foods has grown to its current size thanks to excellent marketing, product quality and leadership. It is now counting on these same qualities to carry it successfully into the next stage of the retail game, and based on the results of this pricing survey, it seems to be doing that quite well so far.
CATO, NY - With Vidalia Onion season winding down as we move into early Fall, Bland Farms is making the transition to Peruvian Onions. Although some unseasonably cool summer weather has depressed volumes a bit coming out of Peru, Delbert Bland, President and Owner of Bland Farms, is more than confident that his company will be able to make the transition effectively, ensuring that consumers continue to get the same great quality of produce they have come to count on Bland Farms for.
“Vidalia Onion season may be winding down, but with Peruvian Onions on their way, there shouldn't be any interruption in supply at all,” Delbert explained to me. “Because they come from the same seed as the Vidalia, the flavor profile and texture of the Peruvian Onion is almost identical to its counterpart. This is very important to us, because Bland Farms is dedicated to bringing our retail partners a consistent, great product throughout the growing season.”
Bland Farms is also in the middle of its first ever commercial sweet potato harvest this season. With October 1st pegged as the estimated shipping date for these sweet tubers, Bland is already well underway in the harvest and curing process. Because the sweet potatoes share the same customer base as Bland Farms' Peruvian Onions, Delbert tells me that it will be able to ship out both crops together.
“Between our Peruvian Onions and our new sweet potatoes, I'm excited to see how this season's crop does in the market,” he shared. “If we do well this year, I could certainly see us expanding production in the future.”
If the grower's sweet potatoes meet with anything approaching the kind of success Bland Farms has enjoyed with the rest of its produce, I am sure this will become a necessity sooner rather than later.
IRVINE, CA – The California Avocado Commission, or CAC, is getting ready for the PMA Fresh Summit. The event, which takes place from October 17 through 19, will be in CAC’s “backyard” at the Anaheim Convention Center.
“CAC has participated in PMA’s Fresh Summit for more than 30 years and has experienced the benefits from strengthening connections and making new ones through networking and events,” said Jan DeLyser, CAC Vice President of Marketing. “The California Avocado Commission team is really looking forward to continuing that experience this year in our own backyard.”
At the summit, CAC’s booth will focus on the care and craftsmanship that goes into cultivating California avocados as well as the new California avocado labels, according to a press release. Consumer videos called “A Look Behind the Label” and avocado category data will also be presented.
Additionally, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and author Michelle Dudash, an award-winning nutritionist and Cordon-Bleu-certified chef, will be in the CAC Fresh Summit booth to share delicious and nutritious dishes that highlight California avocados.
“CAC welcomes retailers and other Fresh Summit attendees to visit the California avocado booth to sample delicious avocado dishes, learn about the California avocado ‘fresh to market advantage’ and get a preview of our 2015 plans,” said DeLyser.
Leading up to and during the PMA Fresh Summit, CAC will be active on social media to leverage event activities and connect with California avocado fans.
CAC will be at booth #2438 at PMA Fresh Summit.
SONOMA, CA – The Wonderful variety of pomegranate is off to an early start this season, and Field Supervisors are anticipating a normal volume.
“The early varieties have moved smoothly into the distribution channels and the decks are now cleared for the Wonderful variety. Retailers are finding strong demand for the early varieties, but there are still some retailers who hold heavy promotion until the Wonderful’s arrive,” said Jeff Simonian from Simonian Fruit Company.
Tom Rouse from POM Wonderful, an exclusive shipper of the Wonderful variety, spoke on this variety. “We like the larger size, high color and superior sugar found in this variety. We’ll start shipping the first week of October, with the harvest continuing until early November, if Mother Nature cooperates. We anticipate peaking on 22/30, but will be able to supply promotable quantities of all sizes.”
The Wonderful variety accounts for more than 80% of the pomegranates shipped from California, and orchards from Fresno South are running a week early. The harvest should begin in the last week of September, according to a press release.
Rouse added that “an increasing percentage of their shipments are going out in the very popular self shipper. The stand-alone unit provides incremental profit in previously unused floor space in the produce section, or near the check-out. Pomegranates are a high-impulse purchase item, so it’s important to put them in a high traffic location where shoppers can find them.”
Tom Tjerandsen, Manager of the Sonoma based Pomegranate Council said that, “California is expected to harvest and ship more than six million fresh market boxes of pomegranates this season.” He added that approximately 40% of California’s pomegranates are exported, principally to Canada, Korea and Taiwan. Russia had been a rapidly growing market, but with the continuing help of the MAP program other developing export markets will replace that volume.”
Pomegranates have been increasing in popularity as the foodservice industry continues to find new ways to use them, and the new easy-to-use tray packed in cup arils can be used for salads, mixed drinks and all plate presentations.
SALINAS, CA - Moxxy Marketing is welcoming three new employees to its team to bolster marketing, sales, and brand development: Emily Summers, Angelynn Odom, and Allie Coombs.
“We’re a small but mighty marketing agency,” said Karen Nardozza, Moxxy Principal, according to a press release. “I couldn’t be more delighted with how Emily, Angelynn, and Allie are not just fitting in, but taking us to the next level. Our group is a powerhouse of work, ethic, great ideas, creativity, and top-notch standards. There are a lot of smiles and laughter – both at Moxxy and with our clients.”
As Account Manager, Emily Summers oversees implementation of integrated marketing programs, including brand development and product launches, packaging design, tradeshow and event management, advertising and media placement, video production, web maintenance, social media, and more. Emily was formerly a Marketing Assistant and Operations Assistant at Dole Fresh Vegetables in Monterey, CA. She also previously owned and operated a wedding and event management company in Dallas, TX. Emily currently holds a B.A. in communications and a B.S. in culinary arts from Brigham Young University, and her hobbies include baking and craft projects.
As Design & Production Manager, Angelynn Odom will be responsible for creating logos, brochures, packaging designs, email templates, stationery, websites, ads, all forms of collateral, tradeshow displays, as well as overseeing internal and external resources. Prior to joining Moxxy, Angelynn worked at Full Steam Marketing & Design, and Earthbound Farm and Takigawa Design. She holds a B.S. in communication design at California State University, Monterey Bay. She’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology while enjoying free time with her sons.
Allie Coombs, Moxxy’s new Account Coordinator, will be responsible for supporting principals, Karen Nardozza and Terry Feinberg, and the entire account service team. She assures clients receive top priority attention and friendly service, and agency operations run smoothly and efficiently. She previously performed sales, logistics, and business operations for Fresh Alliance, and was previously a Sales and Merchandising Representative at EuroFresh Farms and NatureSweet. She holds a B.S. in new media communications with a minor in political science from Oregon State University, where she also reported for and helped to produce shows on the campus news station, KBVR. She lives in Carmel with her husband, Matt.
Congrats on your new positions at Moxxy, Emily, Angelynn, and Allie!
NICARAGUA – Property surveys have now begun for the $40 billion Nicaraguan shipping canal which, once completed, would link the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and compete with the Panama Canal for control of the international shipping trade. Approved by the Nicaraguan government last July, this canal would extend 172 miles from the Brito River to the Punto Gorda River. According to Reuters, this would make it three times longer than the 48 mile Panama Canal.
According to the Tico Times, HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment, the company charged with carrying out the project on behalf of the Nicaraguan government, has hired the Changjiang Institute of Survey, Planning, Design and Research to help it carry out the survey.
Because the canal's proposed route would pass through Lake Nicaragua, a key fresh water source for the Nicaraguan people, some have raised concerns about the environmental impact the project would have, as well as the economic effect of displacing the families living region. Despite these concerns however, President Daniel Ortega has stated confidently that the canal project would create enough jobs to more than offset the economic and environment costs of the project. With more than half of the population living below the poverty line, according to The Tico Times, this is a gamble he is willing to take.
Reuters is reporting that the government currently expects the canal to be finished by 2019, with operations beginning in 2020.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for further updates on the progress of the Nicaraguan Canal project.
UNITED STATES – The videos keep coming in. We have 5 industry leaders taking a stand for ALS by taking the #IceBucketChallenge. Watch as these produce leaders brave the cold for a great cause below!
If you want to challenge someone in the industry, click here to send us your video!
Robinson Fresh led by Jim Lemke, Senior Vice President:
Locus Traxx President and CEO, David Benjamin:
PMA led by Bryan Silbermann, CEO:
Ham Produce Company staff:
Legion Logistics led by Tony Coutsoftides, CEO and Co-Owner:
The ALS Association reports that as of August 29th, they have received $100.9 million in donations, compared to the $2.8 million they received in the same time period last year.
The ALS Association’s mission includes providing care services to assist people with ALS and their families and a global research program focused on the discovery of treatments and eventually a cure for the disease.
Stay tuned for more produce industry video challenges. Thank you to those that have donated and we're looking forward to more videos!
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Target's new TargetExpress format will be making its West Coast debut in 2015 with the announcement of two new stores in San Francisco’s Financial District and Berkeley, CA as well as a third Bay Area store whose exact location has yet to be specified by the retailer. These three new stores will mark the first time Target has expanded TargetExpress outside of Minneapolis.
Kamau Witherspoon, Senior Director of Store Operations at Target, is excited about the reception the new stores will receive in the Bay Area.
“From listening to our guests at the two San Francisco City Target stores, we know the smaller format of TargetExpress will fit right into the busy San Francisco Bay Area lifestyle and enable us to cater to each community’s needs,” Witherspoon revealed.
According to a press release, Target has conducted an exhaustive survey of the local communities the TargetExpress stores will be serving. This will allow the retailer to customize the merchandise of each store to ideally suit the people who will be shopping there.
For example, the San Francisco store will feature a large grab-and-go area with sandwiches, salads, breakfast items like yogurt and mid-day snacks to cater to busy commuters who populate the bustling city. The Berkeley location, on the other hand, will focus more heavily on grocery items, like fresh produce, dairy, frozen, snacks and beverages because of the large population of students and families living in the area.
Both TargetExpress stores will feature essentials in home, beauty, and electronics in addition to Target's own featured brand lines. Shoppers will also have access to Target's popular pick-up-in-store and pharmacy services.
According to a press release, the Berkeley and San Francisco locations are expected to open in March 2015. The third location is also expected to open that same year, with an announcement of its proposed location to come in the next several months.