ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board (NMB) is working closely with key members of the food industry to have more mangos added to foodservice menus.
“Educating the foodservice industry on how simple and fun it is to cook with mangos is key to increasing mango usage in foodservice,” said Megan Mckenna, Director of Marketing at the NMB. “We want to inspire chefs, and consequently consumers, to try mangos in new and exciting ways; mango flavor and texture complement many menu options, the possibilities are endless!”
The NMB has been working on several fronts to promote mango consumption with much success. Its encouragement to food service publications to feature fresh mango products and mango recipes in their Q1 issues resulted in over two million impressions.
The NMB speaks frequently with restaurant chefs about the viability of incorporating mangos into their menus and dishes. As a result of their efforts On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina permanently added Mango Chicken Salad to the menus at its 160 locations. It also puts on in-kitchen demos at restaurant chains across America, such as Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes and California Pizza Kitchen, allowing them to personally showcase the versatility of the mango product.
Another promotions done by the NMB was its Mangover Your Menu Recipe Contest which awarded a grand prize of $1,500 to the person who developed the best mango themed dish. Chef Michael Garahan, chef consultant and child nutrition advocate, won with his Shrimp & Mango Gumbo.
The NMB also plans on attending the The Flavor Experience Conference and Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Executive Conference to further promote the use of mango products in food.
Keep your eyes open for mangos on a menu near you.
ST. LOUIS, MO - Monsanto is looking to bring America's farms into the age of big data, using technology they acquired in the takeover of The Climate Corporation, a weather mapping firm previously owned by two former Google employees. This wave of innovation however has many farmers and industry leaders questioning the wisdom of integrating farms and big data, raising concerns about whether Monsanto can be trusted to be a responsible steward of this new information.
It starts with FieldScripts, Monsanto's crop analysis database which pairs billions of files of data on seed types and crop yields with historical weather patterns. In much the same way a baseball team's hitting coach might look at weather conditions and a variety of statistics to give his slugger a boost at game time, FieldScripts converts Monsanto's wealth of data into highly specific recommendations on which crops a farmer should plant, in which plots of land, in order to enhance crop yields, according to the Economist. FieldScripts can even specify the exact depth and spacing requirements at which a seed should be planted in order to maximize productivity.
Robert Franley, one of the original developers behind Monsanto's first controversial batch of genetically modified seeds, calls FieldScripts technology “another potential transformation of the company.”
Monsanto is then able to load this data gathered by FieldScripts into their Precision Planting seed drills through a simple iPad app in order to ensure the proper implementation of FieldScript's highly specific recommendations.
So far farmers in only Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Minnesota are able to purchase access to the technology, but already those making use of Monsanto's technology testify that it has increased crop yields by roughly 5% over the previous two years.
Kip Tom for example, a 58 year old farmer working out of Indiana, remarked to Wall Street Journal reporters that after testing Monsanto technology on his farm for the previous 3 years he “would not plant 1 acre without it.”
Not all farmers are as comfortable as Mr. Tom with the implications of Prescriptive Planting however. The American Farm Bureau Federation and many of its members worry about how to define ownership of what many farmers consider highly personal data on their livelihoods and homes.
As Jerry Demmer, a 61-year-old farmer in Minnesota, argues “It's our data...[but] I'm not sure how we're going to protect that.”
There are also concerns that Monsanto could use their FieldScripts technology as an excuse to raise seed prices as they did after the introduction of genetically modified seeds, technology which greatly contributed to the 166% inflation-adjusted price increase of seed since 2005.
Regardless of the controversy of the technology, Monsanto will have to work quickly to secure a hold on emerging Prescriptive Planting market however. A partnership between Du Pont and John Deer as well as the Land O'Lakes farm supply co-op are both working furiously to get their own Precision Planting technologies to market. For now all we can say is that the future of planting in America is beckoning.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for further updates on this developing story.
SACRAMENTO,CA - Last week, the CGTFL hosted its June Board of Directors quarterly meeting in Sacramento with another round of rave reviews and hot topics. The event’s discussions included California water issues (groundwater management, future water supply/availability); AB 1522 – Employment: paid sick days; Heat Illness proposed standard proposed revisions; legislative update on the status of AB 1897 labor contracting: client liability; and an informational update on DLSE interpretation of non-productive time requirements.
The League held a legislative reception, followed by a dinner, on the evening prior to Thursday's Board meeting, at Esquire Grill restaurant. Members of the Board of Directors, as well as League guests, were joined by more than 35 legislators and regulators, including Cal/EPA Secretary Matt Rodriguez and Undersecretary Gordon Burns; Agricultural Labor Relations Board Chair William Gould and Board members Cathryn Rivera Hernandez and Genevieve Shiroma, as well as General Counsel Sylvia Torres-Guillen; Republican Assembly Leader Connie Conway; and State Water Resources Control Board member Dorene "Dee Dee" D'Adamo.
The meeting on Thursday, led by Chairman David Jackson, included the approval of the following companies: trial grower member High & Mighty Farms; and associate members Coldwell Solar, Inc., Shandon Valley Transport Solutions, Best Label Company, Inc., Keystone Fruit & Vegetable Company and Compac Sorting Equipment, Inc.
In addition, the League's 2013/14 FY audited financials were approved by the Board and are available upon request from the board. For any questions in regards to the League's Board of Directors meeting, please contact Director of Membership Megan Jacobsen. [email protected]
Congrats on another successful meeting of industry leaders!
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Wal-Mart Canada has appointed Dirk Van den Berghe as President and CEO. Van den Berghe will begin this role August 1st and will report to Shelley Broader who was promoted to President and CEO of Wal-Mart’s EMEA Region, according to a press release.
"We're very pleased Dirk will be leading Wal-Mart Canada as we celebrate 20 amazing years of saving Canadians money so they can live better," said Ms. Broader. "Under Dirk's leadership, Delhaize has been successful in several countries, and his vast experience will allow us to strengthen our growing food business in Canada and complements our highly-successful general merchandise operation. One of Wal-Mart's greatest strengths is having exceptional leaders to drive our continued growth, and Dirk is a prime example of this talent."
Van den Berghe is bringing 30 years of international experience across Europe, Asia and the United States. He was previously CEO of Delhaize Group’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations.
"Wal-Mart Canada is a remarkable and intensely customer-focused business with a track record of growth and performance," said Mr. Van den Berghe. "I'm honoured to have the privilege to lead this dynamic business and team and serve our customers through Wal-Mart's nearly 400 stores in Canada and its online business walmart.ca. I look forward to working with our 95,000 fantastic Canadian associates to continue to build on this success."
Adding to his international retail background, Van den Berghe has two decades of experience teaching international business at universities across Europe, Asia and the U.S. and more than a decade of experience as an international trade commissioner for the Government of Belgium, according to a press release.
Congratulations on the new role Dirk!
Temkin International is showcasing its value-added packaging, specifically the company’s Ultra Clear Pouch bags. These pouches are often referred to Grab & Go pouch bags because they come with optional zippers or reinforced fold-over handles. Temkin provides custom printing on these pouches with the ability to register matte varnish.
The best part about Temkin’s Ultra Clear Pouch bags, is that the company uses patented C.A.P technology licensed from Windham Packaging. With this technology, Temkin is seeing its customers gain a substantial increase to the shelf life of their produce, while maintaining great shelf presentation. The esthetics of the packaging may get the customer to purchase the produce the first time, but the controlled atmosphere technology makes sure that the customer enjoys the freshest possible product with an extended best-by-date.
These bags, offer exceptional clarity and are run with anti-fog technology. Temkin offers custom sizes from 2 oz. bags all the way to 5 lb. bags. Other items of interest continue to be the company’s multi-compartment bags, rear weld bags, and registered macro or laser microperforation on printed rollstock. Temkin produces it’s packaging at the headquarters in Payson, UT. Temkin also has facilities in Miami, FL and Toronto ON, where the company warehouses and ships products from as well.
If you’d like to see your product in this video segment, please send samples to 2020 L Street, Suite 320, Sacramento, CA 95811.
CINCINNATI, OH - Once again Kroger came out of the gate strong yesterday with the release of their financial report for 2014's first fiscal quarter. With reported net earnings of $501 million, identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 4.6% and excellent sales growth, Mike Schlotman, Kroger's Chief Financial Executive Officer, was understandably pleased with Kroger's performance.
“We continue to see outstanding, double-digit identical sales growth in our Natural Foods department. Our Produce and General Merchandise departments also posted strong ID sales growth, and Kroger’s pharmacy department continued its strong performance,” he shared with investors over a company conference call.
Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chief Executive Officer, credits increasing customer confidence in the economy for at least part of this impressive sales growth.
“We see growing positive indicators in shopping behavior – our customers have exhibited less cautious spending behavior, for example. Consistent with the rise in the Consumer Confidence Index in May, our own customer research tells us that more customers perceive the economy to be in recovery,” McMullen explained.
Q1, Kroger's 42nd consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth, was also notable because it was the first fiscal period in which Harris Teeter was included in Kroger's financial reports after their recent merger.
“Our merger with Harris Teeter is going exceptionally well. We are learning a lot from Harris Teeter associates and our business is performing well. We are even more excited about Harris Teeter’s people and the opportunities today than we were when we first merged. Across the company, our associates’ remarkably consistent execution continues to generate consistently remarkable results for our shareholders. We will continue building on this resilient foundation to grow aggressively into the future,” said Mike Ellis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kroger.
Kroger's capital investment was up $69 million compared to 2013's first fiscal quarter, from $640 million to $709 million, according to a press release. Return on invested capital, measured on a rolling four quarters 52-week basis, was similarly strong, holding at a consistent 13.5%. Furthermore, due to the strength of their financial position, Kroger returned over $1.9 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends over the course of the previous 4 fiscal quarters.
Congratulations on the strong quarter Kroger!
LOS ANGELES, CA - Dale Firman and Alan Pollack of Coosemans Los Angeles and Coosemans LA Shipping have created an environment which facilitates employee retention through opportunities for growth.
Firman explains, “Word gets out where the opportunities exist. Because of our reputation as innovators and as fair and creative business people, a lot of highly qualified individuals approach us for jobs.” Once someone is hired, Firman says, “I like to challenge each employee to go out and face their fears—this makes them grow. There’s no reprimand for failing. That’s what builds confidence and in turn, the business. You learn from ordeals—I’m still learning, every day.”
Tony Ramirez started with their warehouse over 20 years ago, leaving at one point in order to open his own auto mechanic business. He missed the Coosemans environment however and returned after two years and has been working with their sales department ever since.
Similarly, Yolanda Ochoa worked her way up from answering phones during the graveyard shift to a key member of the Coosemans sales team and liaison for human resources.
“The owners—Alan, Bob and Dale—make this a good place to work. As a result, 90% of our employees have been here 10 years or more,” Ochoa says.
When it comes to hiring, Dale Firman sums it up this way: “I like to surround myself with smart individuals and I think Coosemans LA Shipping has been successful in large part because of our people. Their tenure builds confidence and makes us stronger. I love to hear great ideas from anyone, whether it’s one of the guys in the warehouse or the receptionist.”
A fixture on the LA Wholesale Produce Market since 1982, Coosemans have been leaders in the sourcing of uncommon specialty produce for the local market and throughout North America.
CHINA - Arguing that it would ‘restrict competition,’ China surprised American and European business leaders on Wednesday by blocking the formation of P3 between Maersk, Mediterranian Shipping Co. and CMA CGM.
“The surprise here is that China has not approved this plan even after regulators in the U.S. and Eurpoean Union have given it the go-ahead,” said Lawrence Li, China Transportation Analyst at UOB Kay-Hain Investment Consulting in Shanghai.
P3 was a plan that would have created a global alliance between the world’s three biggest shipping lines, allowing them to share vessels among common shipping lanes, according to Bloomberg.
“If there had been a Chinese partner in this I do think it could have gone through,” said Susan K. Ross, who heads up international trade at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles. “China wants a global position in a shipping just as in every industry.”
Maersk said it’s considering options on how to cut costs and address overcapacity in the freighter market after Chinese regulators unexpectedly blocked the formation of a global shipping alliance.
“We have different tools in our toolbox to activate,” Vincent Clerc, the Chief Trade and Marketing Officer at Maersk Line, told Bloomberg Television. “We have to look more at how we operate the fleet, at the speed of services.”
Maersk, the largest of these liners, saw its stock fall 5.3% Wednesday to a two year low in response to the surprising move. Industry competitors also saw their share prices fall in the wake of the decision. China Cosco Holdings fell by 1.3%, Nippon Yusen K.K. by 2% and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by 1.6%, according to Bloomberg.
On Thursday, however, Bloomberg reported that shares began to recoup some of their loses. Maersk rose by 2.4%, China Cosco Holdings by 0.7%, Mippon Yusen K.K. by 1% and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by 2.1%.
Despite the steep drop in stock prices, Maersk’s CEO Andersen remains optimistic about the company’s future earnings, saying “P3 would have been nice but it’s not a must have,” he said. “Maersk is in a very strong position. We are very competitive and making very good profits.”
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more information as this story develops.
WASHINGTON, DC - The USDA issued sanctions against 4 produce businesses who have failed to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
These businesses and individual are currently barred from doing business in the produce industry.
McAllen, Texas based Pina Rica USA LLC, which failed to pay a $43,956 award in favor of a Georgia seller. Fernando Arellano Nunez and Karina Bautista Cadena were listed as business members at the time of the reparation order.
Fort Myers, Florida based Deleon Produce Sales Inc., which failed to pay a $17,136 award in favor of a Florida seller. Mary C. Deleon and Arnold A. Deleon were listed as the business's officers, directors, and/or major stockholders at the time of the order's issuance.
Orlando, Florida based H & H Wholesale Produce Inc., which failed to pay a $57,397 award in favor of a Florida seller. Hassan Hamdan was listed as the business's officer, director, and major stockholder at the time of the order's issuance.
Youngstown, Ohio based Boardman Vegetable Co. which failed to pay a $10,005 award in favor of an Idaho seller. John R. Campolito was listed as the business's officer, director, and major stockholder at the time of the order's issuance.
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.
EL SEGUNDO, CA - Fresh & Easy is launching a full-scale marketing campaign to reintroduce its brand to consumers. The hope is that 'a new kind of market' will take hold as the intitiative takes off.
“Our goal with this marketing campaign is to welcome shoppers to see the new Fresh & Easy,” said Mike Evans, Fresh & Easy’s Head of Marketing. “We set out to make our stores and our brand fresher, easier and more relevant to modern consumers who are looking for healthy, convenient options.”
Fresh & Easy will be using radio, outdoor, digital and social media to spread the message that they are anytime, anyway, anywhere solution for healthy, fast, budget-friendly food, according to a press release. Check out the video below for the latest video in the campaign.
The campaign is centered on Five Pillars that make Fresh & Easy stand out for modern consumers.
- Affordable Organics
- Handmade in our Kitchen
- Delivered Fresh Daily
- No Hidden Unpronounceables
- Meal Solutions
Fresh & Easy has been under new ownership since last November.