WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has cited Texas-based Progreso Produce Limited 1 L.P. for failure to pay $3,904,232 to 8 sellers for 760 lots of produce, according to a press release.
Consequently, Progreso Produce will not be able to operate in the produce industry until June 25, 2016, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principal, Curtis H. Deberry, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until June 25, 2015. After this date he may once again be employed in the produce industry, contingent on the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
This latest news comes in the aftermath of Progreso Produce's bankrupcy case, which was filed in October of last year. For more on that story check out ANUK's last article here.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, include sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, and 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.
ANAHEIM, CA - Fresh Origins’ new Herb Crystals® and Flower Crystals® recently won second place in the People’s Choice Awards for Innovative New Products at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo.
The new flavor ingredients add a distinctive finishing touch to culinary creations including salads, entrees, desserts, and even cocktails. The herb and flower crystals stem from a proprietary process that is all natural and only adds sugar or salt to the original flowers or herbs, according to a press release.
“Microgreens and Edible Flowers have always been a niche trade, but one that allows for experimentation and innovation,” said David Sasuga, President of Fresh Origins. “Foodservice is an industry of professionals who want to not just be on trend, but ahead of trends and take risks that make our Herb Crystals and Flower Crystals such an exciting product line.”
These new products are now available in 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz bottles in flavors including Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Fennel Flower, Rose, Hibiscus, Cranberry, and for the holiday season, Pumpkin Spice.
The People’s Choice Awards are decided by thousands of restaurant and foodservice professionals who get the opportunity to see, taste, and discover new culinary innovations from more than 50 companies. It’s no surprise that commercial and foodservice markets have found unique ways to use Fresh Origins’ Microgreens and fresh Edible Flowers in new and exciting ways.
Congratulations on the honor, Fresh Origins!
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Senate has passed new groundwater regulations under Assembly Bill 1739 in a 26-11 vote.
Capital Public Radio reports that the bill would require local governments to set up groundwater management agencies. The agencies would have five years to implement a management plan and 20 years to reach sustainable groundwater levels.
The Sacramento Business Journal reports that during the floor vote on AB1739, Republican lawmakers echoed farming groups concerns that this policy is intrusive and has been rushed without proper vetting.
“A one-size-fit-all approach with the state deciding what’s best just doesn’t work for rural areas of California,” said Sen. Tom Berryhill, a Modesto Republican. “To put together groundwater program in a week is insanity. I just don’t get it.”
Opponents also voiced concerns that this new rule could conflict with existing property rights. California landowners have had unlimited use of their groundwater since the Gold Rush days, according to the Associated Press.
Supporters of the legislation say that over-pumping has led to land subsidence, a major problem that contributes to crumbling infrastructure, and billions of dollars in damage to roads, aqueducts, canals and pipelines.
Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills says, “We even have some canals where the water flows backward because of depressions in the canals’ streambeds. We have a lot at stake.”
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates as this legislation is taken up by the California Assembly.
KEENE, NH – Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly is opening a Piggly Wiggly store in Hartford, Wisconsin, which will add to the supermarket operator’s presence in Milwaukee’s suburbs.
"We are excited to bring Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly to Hartford," Fox Bros. President Pat Fox said to WISN 12 News. "We pride ourselves on having the best customer service possible and to be involved in the community as a good business partner."
This new store will mark the company’s fourth in Washington County and seventh store overall in the state, according to the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.
In Hartford, a community of approximately 14,250 people, Aldi and Wal-Mart already have an established presence, but that does not deter Pat Fox. “We feel very strongly that in every marketplace, especially a pretty decent size marketplace, there’s room for a conventional grocery store,” he said.
There are more than 600 Piggly Wiggly stores serving communities in 17 states. This new store will create 80 to 100 jobs and is expected to open later this year.
TOKYO, JAPAN - $21 can buy you a lot nowadays: a nice steak dinner, a new shirt, an evening of movies and popcorn...and an apple? That might sound outrageous but that's just the cost of business at Tokyo’s Sembikiya fruit shop, according to the Tokyo Times.
Walking inside you'd frankly be forgiven for mistaking it for a jewelry store, considering the fruit is housed in protective glass cases the way Tiffany & Co might display diamond wedding rings.
Just how expensive are these fruits? Check out these prices:
- $212 for a square watermelon
- $69 for a 12-pack of Queen Strawberries
- $159.50 for a pack of cherries ($4/cherry)
- $64 for a box of grapes
- $160 for a Yubari cantaloupe
Interestingly, the origins of the Sembikiya shop were as a discount fruit store, a far cry from its current business structure and pricing model. One day however, the owner's wife came to the realization that Sembikiya had the potential to make much more money billing itself as a high end luxury fruit store.
According to the Tokyo Times, the owners estimate that 80-90% of their products are bought as gifts, part of a Japanese custom in which luxury fruit is a common present for special occasions.
The fruits sold at Sembikiya receive exquisite personalized care throughout the growing process. For example, the cantaloupes sold in the store are grown in specialized greenhouses and are given hats to protect them from sun damage. Each plant is limited to just a single cantaloupe to ensure maximum sweetness and quality.
I know one thing for sure. After reading this story, I'll never look at a fruit salad the same way.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has lifted PACA reparation sanctions on Twin City Produce of Springdale LLC.
The Springdale, Arkansas-based company can now continue operating in the produce industry after applying for and receiving a PACA license. Travis F. Sharum was listed as a member of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee, according to a press release.
Twin City Produce of Springdale was formerly restricted from operating in the produce industry in July 2014 after failing to pay a $7,778 award in favor of a Texas seller. Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly named individuals.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under 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.
MORGAN HILL, CA - As retail and consumer demand increases for quality produce offerings with high flavor profiles, Sakata Seed America is continuing its commitment to seed innovation with the debut of a number of new produce players. The company recently wrapped up its trials in Woodland, California to strong customer and attendee response for its expanded produce line.
On the bell pepper front, Sakata has enhanced its program for West Coast performers. The company has invested in developing a new range of sweet peppers encompassing a number of important segments for the NAFTA markets that include sweet bell, lamuyo and cubanelle. There is a range of options for outdoor and indoor segments as well as excellent rootstock hybrids to support indoor long cycle productions.
“We have focused on addressing adaptability, marketable yield potential, labor friendliness, drying qualities, and improved disease resistances,” Kimberly Nerli, Senior Protected Culture Sales and Western NAFTA Tomato/Pepper Product Development Manager tells us. “The benefits to the grower, consumer and retailer are endless.”
The Double Up variety is a green-to-red bell pepper known for dependable performance in most Western U.S. growing regions, as well as Mexico and Central America. It offers early-mid maturity with high yields of quality fruit and is a dependable performer for multiple seasons.
The Classic variety, is a green-to-red, high-yielding bell presenting outstanding fruit quality, with thick walls and a uniform blocky shape. Classic is widely adapted and offers good heat-set ability. “It approaches greenhouse quality in the open field,” Kimberly tells us.
Additionally, as the melon category continues to grow, Sakata has introduced new Long Shelf Life (LSL) Cantaloupe varieties Infinite Gold and Timeless Gold. Both varieties deliver high brix and firm interior. These LSL melons allow growers to have more flexibility when it comes to harvest timing i.e. when weather permits, as market prices rise, or as labor is more available.
“The Infinite Gold cantaloupe represents the next big thing in cantaloupe for Sakata,” Zachary Wortiska, Area Sales Manager-SJV/Bakersfield and Asst. Melon Product Manager, tells us. “This LSL melon has been bred for strong performance and long shelf life and does not sacrifice great flavor and quality. The retailer’s needs for differentiation in the melon category, have inspired us to invest in varieties like these.”
A third-party sensory analysis panel rated Infinite Gold higher in flavor and quality attributes than the leading competition, he notes. The melon also offers strong vines, high yield potential and uniform size and shape. Timeless Gold, also bred especially for long shelf life, is widely adapted to many growing regions and is a high-yielding variety with strong vines, uniform fruit, firmness and brix.
The lineup isn’t complete yet. Stay tuned for new tomatoes and squash varieties to enhance the Sakata Seed portfolio.
NOGALES, AZ – With the upcoming $244 million expansion of the Mariposa Port of Entry, the Nogales Santa Cruz Port Authority is seeing increased demand for international trade warehouse space and property.
Nohe Garcia is the owner of the La Loma Grande Industrial Park, and he has been developing property for commercial development there. “Within the past 10 months, there is now demand that did not exist before the Nogales warehouse space,” he says. Nohe is currently finishing nine lots with infrastructure on 215 acres of his industrially zoned property.
Southern Arizona commercial land developers and Realtors® say that Mexico’s economic growth and rising global trade in agribusiness, mining, manufacturing and logistics industries through the Mariposa Port of Entry have also led to the increased demand for commercial and industrial space, according to a press release.
Denisse Angulo-Badilla, International Commercial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, has seen a major increase in interest in the commercial space. “Nogales is a hot market,” she observes, “where industry is especially looking for space in the range of 5,000 – 50,000 square feet.” She also notes that more companies have approached her in the past six months than in the previous eight years, according to a press release.
To help meet this increased demand, several Nogales organizations are helping to connect local Realtors® and developers to prospective commercial and industrial industries. “Through the Nogales-Santa Cruz Economic Development Foundation and the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz Count Port Authority, we are positioned to provide assistance to industries looking to find property and commercial space in Nogales, Arizona as a place to do international trade and to benefit from use of our Foreign Trade Zone,” says Nils Urman, representing Nogales Community Development.
Urman is also a member of the City of Nogales' economic development and tourism advisory board and a board member of the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz County Economic Development Foundation. "With the increase in Mexican maquilas due to the 'nearshoring' trends to move operations from China to Mexico - which in Nogales, Sonora now employs about 34,000 people and includes more than 100 plants - we are becoming a 'logistics cluster' to support our port of entry. We, as a public-private partnership, are positioned to support the growing international trade industry in our region,” he added.
With all of the expansion that the port is currently experiencing, this is definitely one I will be keeping my eye on.
FIREBAUGH, CA – Ruby Fresh JEWELS Grab-N-Go Pomegranate Aril cups have been named among the 20 finalists for the 2014 PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging.
According to a press release, this is the second consecutive year in which Ruby Fresh has been honored with this distinction for its innovative packaging designs. In 2013, the grower's Salad Jewels were also nominated for the PMA Impact Awards.
“Not only are we honored to be one of 20 finalists in the Excellence in Packaging program, but this makes us that much more excited to show off our new JEWELS product line at this year’s PMA,” says David Anthony, Domestic Sales for Ruby Fresh. “Convenience was such an important factor when we began designing our newest product line.”
The new Ruby Fresh JEWELS come in convenient 4 oz. and 5.3 oz. Grab-N-Go sizes and are available in 2-packs and 4-packs. The grower says that they're the perfect choice for the the busy, but health conscious, customer on-the-go.
According to a press release, the packaging has been a big hit because the functional cup is in an eye-catching sleeve, allowing for the easy display of product information without blocking the customers view of the product. Furthermore, each cup has a resealable lid to ensure product freshness even after multiple uses and a sleeve that is complete with finger-grabs.
Congratulations on the nomination, Ruby Fresh!
ONTARIO, CA - Pro's Ranch Market has announced that it will be undergoing a name change to Los Altos Ranch Market. According to AZ Central, the name change will go into effect starting Wednesday, September 3rd after the Labor Day weekend, and Los Altos is confident that the new name is the first step towards many good years to come for the retailer.
Last May, AndNowUKnow covered how Pro's Ranch Market had been forced to file for bankruptcy because of an anticipated $7,229,773 in PACA violations.
Now however, Pro's Ranch Market is under new ownership after being acquired for $55 million last February by a partnership between California-based Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Market, and the new owners are confident that they have the right vision to lead the retailer forward.
According to AZ Central, the Los Altos Ranch Market name was born from a crowd-sourcing effort in which the retailer reached out for feedback from both customers and employees.
To celebrate the new name, the retailer will be launching a 6 week long celebration, which will include parking lot festivities, grocery discounts, and concerts. In addition, the retailer has announced that the first 300 shoppers to visit Los Altos Ranch market locations on September 3rd will receive a free bag of groceries with their purchase.
Congratulations on the new name, Los Altos Ranch Market! Here's to many good years ahead!