WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four PACA violators in Florida, Texas, and Washington have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
Top Service Brokers, a Miami, FL based company, failed to pay a $13,678 award in favor of a Virginia seller. Bivieti Barrios was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Patel Distributors, a Mission, TX based company, failed to pay a $5,256 award in favor of a New York seller. Farhan Mohammed was listed as a member of the business.
Oziel Trevino, operating as Diversity Produce, a Hidalgo, TX based company, failed to pay a $9,280 award in favor of a Texas seller. Oziel Trevino was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Cry Baby Foods, a Royal City, WA based company, failed to pay a $245,045 award in favor of a North Dakota seller. Kelsee L. Shearer and Aaron K. Shearer were listed as members 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.
KAUAI, HI - U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren has overturned a Hawaii GMO regulatory law, Ordinance 960, on the grounds that it was preempted by state laws. The law which would have gone into effect in early October would have required farming and seed companies to disclose the pesticides used in their operations and created a buffer zone between the fields and homes, medical facilities, schools, parks, public roadways, shorelines and waterways.
Many Hawaiian growers who argued that the Ordinance placed "burdensome and baseless restrictions" on business are applauding this decision. Not all parties are as happy about this turn of events however.
"This issue is far from over," said Gary Hooser, the Kauai Council Member who co-introduced Ordinance 960. "One opinion from one federal magistrate does not settle the issue."
"By denying Kauai's law, the judge undermined efforts to create more transparency and more protections for farmers, workers and families from hazardous pesticides," agreed Paul Towers, Spokesman for the Pesticide Action Network.
According to the Wall Street Journal, over 11,000 acres of farmland have been leased by agribusiness companies for test farms and research facilities on the island of Kauai due to it's excellent year-round growing conditions.
As of this point, no appeal of Judge Kurren's ruling has yet been filed.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist is sponsoring the 78th Annual Monterey County Fair this week with fried artichokes, artichoke sourdough bisque, and a special appearance by the company’s own mascot, Arti the Artichoke. He’ll be meeting fans from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Ag Building and then throughout the fairgrounds.
Meanwhile, Ocean Mist Farms harvest managers, crew supervisors, and the company’s quality assurance team will be demonstrating their expertise at putting together special fair packs for the vegetable commodity judging competition to go up against other locally grown produce, according to a press release.
“We are excited to bring the majority of our local grown vegetables to this year’s Monterey County Fair,” said Hilda Medina, Marketing Event Specialist and Report Analysis. “It’s a great way to demonstrate the quality and commitment we have as a local grower.”
As part of its fair participation, Ocean Mist donates product to the Country Store located in the Ag Building each day of the fair. All Country Store sales proceeds benefit the Monterey County Fair exhibit program and Ag department.
To find out more information about Arti’s appearances and about the fair, check out the links below.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - Imagine if you could suddenly create a chair out of thin-air. It sounds farfetched, but a Switzerland-based startup is making this dream a reality with its new “Chairless Chair.”
A company named Noonee has developed a lightweight mechanical device that allows the user to sit anywhere they choose. You simply wear the device on your legs, and at the press of a button, it locks into place and you can sit down normally. When it’s not activated, you can walk or even run just as you would without it. Noonee claims the device can reduce fatigue, improve productivity by allowing the employee to continuously work with fewer breaks, and remove common causes of accidents and injuries. Just check out the video below to see an animated demonstration of the device in action!
Noonee CTO and co-founder Bryan Anastisiades tells CNN, “In addition to resting your leg muscles, it also provides optimal posture. It keeps your back straight and can reduce the occurrence of bad postures for both healthy workers and those recovering from muscle related injuries.”
The Chairless Chair does not touch the ground directly, which makes it more comfortable to wear. Your bodyweight is directed towards the heel of your shoes which are attached to the device. Though it’s not yet available for public use, the company will be testing it with production line workers at BMW and Audi, according to Forbes. If your company is interested in trying out this technology, you may contact Noonee directly by clicking here.
Keith Gunura, Noonee’s CEO, says he got the idea when he was just 17 years old working in a UK packaging factory. Now, he says, he envisions people using the device in crowded trains, behind the counter in retail, and the usage can extend to farmers picking fruit out on the field, and even surgeons in the operating room, according to CNN. “A chair would be impractical,” he says, “but the Chairless Chair would fit in nicely.”
Improved productivity and posture? I’m all for it. For companies out there who prioritize worker safety, the Chairless Chair looks like it may be an interesting piece of technology to invest in for the future. What do you think? Will this lead to a “Chairolution,” as the company suggests? Let us know by voting on the poll below!
PHILIPPINES - Two Philippine banana plantations were the scene of an armed raid by insurgents from the New People's Army last Saturday. In response to a refusal by the owners of the plantations to pay extortion payments to the NPA, guerrilla soldiers stormed the two sites, setting fire to a crop duster and hanger on one and burning a building, farming equipment and destroying roughly 300 banana plants in the other, according to Business World Online.
“The rebels disarmed the security guards and seized their two shotguns, tied their arms... then proceeded to the hangar and poured gasoline onto the (crop-duster) plane. It took only less than 30 minutes to burn the area,” said Jomar Ascares the police officer investigating the first raid site.
Altogether about 110 NPA soldiers were involved in the fighting, according to Business World Online. Thankfully, no reports of casualties have emerged in the wake of these crimes.
Sadly, this is not the first time that a Philippine banana plantation has been the site of armed violence. Last month, AndNowUKnow reported on the firefight at the Delinanas Banana Plantation when Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters clashed with Philippine troops.
Hopefully however, this story will be the last of its kind that ANUK has to report on for a long time to come.
COACHELLA, CA - Prime Time International is welcoming Eric Meyer, a highly regarded Nogales produce veteran with over twenty years of direct experience, as the company’s new Sales Manager. Eric will be based out of the company’s Nogales, Arizona office in time for the kick-off of the upcoming Mexico import season, according to a press release. He will be responsible for sales and grower communications throughout the year.
“Eric is the exact prototype we have been searching for; we took our time in making this selection and we know we have an excellent and valued addition to our staff,” said Mike Way, Managing Member at Prime Time.
Eric has previously worked for companies in Nogales, including Sun-Fed and Wilson Batiz, and was highly praised for his excellent skills as a communicator. “I am thrilled with this opportunity and look forward to joining one of the true iconic companies in the fresh produce business,” he said.
Eric is a graduate of the University of Arizona and currently resides in Nogales with his family.
Congratulations on joining Prime Time, Eric!
UNITED STATES - After being challenged by Potandon and Allen Lund, our staff at AndNowUKnow was determined to take on the #IceBucketChallenge. Our writer Christofer Oberst, Account Manager Brian LaForce, VP of Sales Whit Grebitus, and myself stepped up to bat and braved the cold to raise money for this great cause.
Watch as the AndNowUKnow team and these other brave produce leaders take on the Ice Bucket Challenge!
If you want to challenge someone in the industry, click here to send us your video!
The AndNowUKnow team:
Cindy Jewell, Director of Marketing, and the California Giant Berry Farms team:
Joe Rubini, President at Rally Logistics:
General Sales Manager, Tim Evans, and the Chelan Fresh team:
This produce star with the National Watermelon Board:
Jordan Kniaziew, VP of Sales and Marketing at Orangeline Farms:
Lori Taylor, the Produce Mom:
The ALS Association reports that as of August 24th, they have received $70.2 million in donations compared to the $2.5 million they received in the same time period last year. Joining existing donors, 1.3 million new donors have also contributed.
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!
Green Giant™ is introducing a popular, low-fat alternative to high calorie vegetable dips and dressings. The company has added eight all-natural hummus flavors; each topped with complementary ingredients to create bold and unique flavor profiles. The new line includes a Classic Hummus with Sesame Seed Topping as well as a Roasted Pine Nut Hummus with Pine Nut and Sundried Tomato and Artichoke Spinach Hummus with Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach.
Try the Mediterranean Hummus with Tapenade Topping for a fresh flavor combination. The full line has something for everyone. Try with carrots, celery, cut cauliflower, cut broccoli or Green Giant Fresh Little Gems. If you’d like to see your product in this video segment, please send samples to 2020 L Street, Suite 320, Sacramento, CA 95811.
UNITED KINGDOM – Bruno Monteyne, an analyst at Bernstein Research, is calling for Tesco’s new Chief Executive, Dave Lewis, to split the retailer into three separate stores: a high-end “Finest” store, the regular Tesco chain and a discount store. According to The Independent, Monteyne believes that a Tesco split would help stop the slow decline of the retailer.
“Splitting themselves into different channels allows them to use different strategies with different customers,” said Monteyne, a former Tesco Executive himself who was most recently the Supply Chain Director at Tesco Asia. “Rip out 20% of the range, have cheaper shelving and cheaper products in the more deprived areas and give customers a better deal. In London, where people want someone behind the counter who knows the difference between a parma ham and a Serrano ham, that requires more investment.”
Lewis is replacing Philip Clarke who stepped down as CEO last month. Since March 2011 when Clarke first took the job of CEO, Tesco's domestic market share has declined 1.3% to 28.9%. According to BBC, like-for-like sales figures over the past month were also down 3.7%, their worst mark in decades. For more on this decline, check out our previous articles by clicking here and here.
Discount grocers like Aldi and Lidl and upscale chains like Waitrose have pressured Tesco from both sides. “By Tesco promising to have the same prices in the most affluent areas as the poorest areas, it’s basically tied its hands behind its back by committing to an uneconomical model,” said Monteyne. “Tesco could probably be cheaper than Aldi in some areas, but national pricing would force them to do the same in Chelsea as well and Chelsea wouldn’t be successful.”
By splitting into three stores, the “Finest” store could compete with Waitrose and other high-end stores and a discount chain could go up against Aldi and Lidl. Monteyne admits that most people in the sector have received his views as radical but he argues that this is exactly what Tesco needs, according to The Independent.
As of 12:57 pm ET, Tesco stock is $0.59 up for a 2.90% increase in the U.S., and its stock is up $2.50 in the UK for a 1.02% increase.
Lewis will be taking over the top spot at Tesco at the start of October. It will definitely be interesting to see if he takes a ‘radical’ approach when the time comes. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest news on this and other retailers.
FOWLER, CA - Bee Sweet Citrus is continuing to ramp up its summer import program at its Fowler, California facility. Mandarins, Lemons, and Navels are imported all summer long from Chile, Peru, and Australia starting in July and finishing through October. Over the last fifteen years, the company has grown to become the largest importer of Chilean citrus on the West Coast.
Every product is handled by hand as it’s brought into the facility with regards to repack, restyle, or reconfigurations. Bee Sweet has the ability and versatility to pack any style that the consumer wishes to use. The company’s strong partnership with its growers in South America and expeditors in Southern California allows fresh citrus to arrive at their facility in 25 days or less. Bee Sweet recognizes the importance of timely arrivals and keeping quality at optimal levels by examining every box before it ships out.
Bee Sweet is passionately committed to its import program and supplying fresh citrus year round to its customers. Navel oranges, lemons and mandarins 12 months out of the year! No other shipper in the country carries all three commodities year round like Bee Sweet. As volume continues to increase, Bee Sweet encourages its customers to provide their continued support to the company and to offer a growing effort to expand the program to greater levels of service. With its seamless ordering process, the company can help give your customers access to citrus items whenever they need it. Bee Sweet can carry you through the summer time.