WASHINGTON, DC - Journeying to Washington, DC on November 29th and 30th, nineteen organic farmer members of the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Farmers Advisory Council, the largest coalition in the United States of organic farmers and organic farming organizations, will talk with lawmakers and policy officials about organic priorities in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Coordinated by the OTA’s Farmers Advisory Council, the event will bring in farmers from across the country and from a variety of fields including specialty crop growers, dairy farmers, and egg and livestock producers.
Based on more than 500 responses to a comprehensive farm bill survey conducted by the OTA in early 2017, the association has identified three top priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill: promoting a healthy organic marketplace, ensuring that organic farmers continue to be successful, and expanding organic production.
The Farmers Advisory Council represents over 8,000 certified organic farmers nationwide, and member organizations who have endorsed OTA’s Farm Bill Priority Platform include California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Georgia Organics, Organic Egg Farmers of America, Montana Organic Association, Oregon Tilth Certified Organic, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, and Tilth Alliance of Washington.
For more news on the future of organics within our industry, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited K & A Produce, operating out of Staten Island, New York, for failure to pay for produce.
According to a USDA press release, the company failed to pay $199,937 to eight sellers for 48 lots of produce which was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate commerce from November 2014 through July 2015. This is in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). As a result of these actions, K & A Produce cannot operate in the produce industry until Sept. 1, 2019, at which time they may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principals, Rodin R. Diaz and Kevin Diaz, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until September 1, 2018, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,400 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,500 callers with issues valued at approximately $151 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
NOGALES, AZ - L&M is movin’ and grovin’ in its new and expanded Nogales facility. The added space yields 33,000-square-feet of cold storage, which includes eight ripening rooms for mature green tomatoes, and over 9,000-square-feet of office space. Now the company can service up to 24 loads at a time. Further, the company is celebrating in-and-out service year-round, on top of consolidation services for all of its customers.
“Our transition into a bigger facility will give us the ability to receive, store and deliver our produce at its peak," said John McDaniel, Sales & Operations Director – Mexican Vegetables, "Increasing our operation space gives us the capability to offer our customers faster and more efficient service, as well as consolidation and in and out services.”
Melons, zucchini, yellow squash, hard squash, eggplant, and bell peppers are currently being shipped, but mature green tomatoes are going to be made available in December, while cucumbers are available year-round. The company is adding a Culiacan, Mexico, location for its eggplant and hard squash productions.
The growing and shipping company’s well-known fresh vegetables, potatoes, and onions are now being produced in its newest facility, which is located at 1450 W. La Quinta Rd. The larger warehouse facility joins all of the company’s other locations in being Primus certified.
As the Nogales season gearing up to be here before we know it, AndNowUKnow will keep our eyes peeled for the latest fresh produce industry news.
TORONTO, CANADA – Loblaw Companies Limited is taking a page out of Prime’s play books and introducing a new fee-based subscription pilot program to boost online sales and encourage repeat shopping.
According to the company’s press release, the new program—PC® Insiders— is tailored to the growing number of its customers who are shopping both in person and online.
"We are working hard to meet the changing needs of Canadians through the combined reach of our digital properties and retail network," said Galen G. Weston, Chairman and CEO. "Together with our customers, we are excited to see where this program might take us next."
The digital, loyalty-based program will initially be targeted towards select PC Plus loyalty members who are also President's Choice Financial Mastercard cardholders—with the program expected to expand in 2018. The program charges a fee of $9.99 monthly or $99 a year for a variety of savings and amenities throughout Loblaw’s banners.
"Our customers are looking for new ways to save time and money as they shop both in our stores and on our e-commerce sites," said Weston. "Many Canadians, in particular busy parents, find themselves shopping several of our brands, both online and in person. PC® Insiders is our next step in making that whole experience easier and more rewarding."
According to Loblaw, the program offers perks across a wide range of Loblaw's in-store and e-commerce products, brands, and services. Targeting benefits that matter most to busy families—value that saves them money on what they already buy every day, convenience that suits their busy lives, and the opportunity to treat themselves and their families from time to time—Loblaw has bundled a variety of opportunities to accommodate Canadian shoppers’ changing needs.
As part of the pilot program, subscribers will receive the following benefits when using their PC Financial Mastercard:
- 20% back in PC points on the essentials that families need, including diapers, infant formula, and all PC Organics products in-store and online
- 20% back in PC points on all Joe Fresh products in-store and online at joefresh.com
- 20x the PC points every day when customers shop online at beautyBOUTIQUE.ca
- Free Click & Collect pick-up service at nearly 200 locations
- Free shipping on all beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and joefresh.com purchases
- $99 PC travel credit once a year when booking a trip on pctravel.ca (annual subscriptions only)
The PC Insiders program launched Monday November 20th, 2017, and is currently available to select PC Plus loyalty members who are also President's Choice Financial Mastercard cardholders in Ontario and British Columbia, with a waiting list available online. The program will become more widely available in 2018 when Loblaw combines its pre-existing PC Plus and Shoppers Optimum loyalty programs—which currently have 8 million and 11 million members respectively—into a single PC Optimum loyalty program.
YAKIMA, WA – Apple harvest is finally over on the Domex Superfresh Growers® home front, and not a minute too soon. The company’s 2017 season has been a long ride, and it is ready to commend the dogged determination exemplified by all its workers.
“We picked the apples. We put the bags on. It’s a big deal! We’ve been picking for well over 60 days—since back in the middle of August up until the middle of November. It’s been a long season,” said Dave Gleason, Chief Horticulturalist, in the video update, as he stands amongst various shades of golden-leafed trees.
It’s not all work without play in the orchards; the company knows when to throw a hat in the air and cheer when a hard day’s—or several months’—work is finished. After about three months of picking, Gleason and the team gathered to celebrate the end of a productive and successful season, and nothing says a good time like delicious food with great folks!
“It’s a celebration. We’re just so glad to be done. People did a good job, and we picked some beautiful apples. At the same time, like I say, this is a season of change. Things don’t stop; they don’t really slow down. We’re in the middle of preparing ground for next spring and putting posts and trellis systems together and making plans and getting ready to prune the trees and shape them for next year’s crop.”
After such a long season, some much deserved partying with friends, family, and co-workers to applaud tireless picking efforts is just the ticket to kick off the holiday season.
Want to hear all about the celebratory feast straight from Gleason himself? Check out the video here:
Way to go, Superfresh! We at AndNowUKnow are happy for you and celebrating the end of another successful apple harvest!
WATSONVILLE, CA – After sitting fallow without crop for three years, the wait is over! A portion of California Giant’s Watsonville, California, farming property has finally transitioned into an organic strawberry field. In honor of the new ground, a 3rd grade class joined the berry grower in planting the first crop.
“We really want to be a good neighbor and the best way to do that is to invite your neighbor over and get to know each other,” said Bill Moncovich, President and CEO, who invited Ohlone School, located right across the street, to be part of planting the first crop.
On November 21st, Rich Uto, the farmer on the property, hosted twenty 3rd graders, excited to learn more about their neighbor. During their visit, they helped plant the first organic strawberries on the property, with each student placing a name tag next to their individual plant in order to witness the growing process.
“It was such a rewarding experience to share with these kids that have been watching this ground since kindergarten, and now be part of a new crop. We will take care of their plants and bring the students back to check on them in March,” said Uto in a press release.
While the students wait patiently for spring to arrive, each of the 3rd graders were able to take a potted strawberry plant back to school to grow and nurture through the winter.
California Giant has been transitioning ground throughout the state near schools and days cares for some time now. The 15-acre plot is part of a larger organic program for the company and is expected to bear fruit by early spring 2018 when the students will be invited back to share in the first harvest and taste the crop they helped to plant.
For more produce industry news like this, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – With bowls staking a place as one of the hottest food trends of the year—some even calling 2017 “The Year of Food Bowls”—Side Delights® jumps on the bandwagon with its popular blogger influencer marketing program that challenged participants to create recipes for “Potato Power Bowls” featuring Side Delights Steamables™ potatoes.
“Side Delights Steamables are triple-washed microwaveable in the bag, and ready to eat in 8 minutes—which is exactly the convenience that millennials and other busy shoppers are seeking,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO, in a press release. “This program leverages a popular trend to show food bloggers, home cooks, and food influencers one more way to enjoy Side Delights Steamables, and encourages them to share their recipes through social media channels, driving shoppers into the store.”
With past challenges including the #MashItOrSmashIt mashed potatoes recipe program and the #PotatoSaladRedux potato salad recipe program, this year’s #PotatoPowerBowl tapped into the growing popularity of bowls and asked participants to post their recipes on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the challenge hashtag.
Participants were challenged to create one-bowl meal recipes with any form of potatoes as the base—mashed, smashed, hash brown, diced, fries, scalloped–layered with protein, more vegetables, and whatever else inspired them. Some of the most creative recipes included the Savory Potato Breakfast Bowl, the classic Twice Baked Potato Bowl, and the Nacho Potato Power Bowl, just in time for Super Bowl entertaining.
For a complete list of the recipes and photos, check out the Side Delights website.
For more news on the comings and goings of the produce industry, stay up-to-date with AndNowUKnow.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Just announced reports are suggesting that retail giant Ahold Delhaize may be scaling back its small- and urban-format banner Bfresh in favor of a reevaluated strategy. According to Philly.com, Ahold Delhaize is suspending plans for three Philadelphia-area Bfresh stores, as well as shuttering its small-format Everything Fresh store that had been in operation since 2014.
“The decision to close the Everything Fresh store was a difficult one, but the location was always considered a learning lab and we intend to use those learnings going forward,” Sr. Director of External Communications and Public Affairs Chris Brand told Philly.com in an email statement on Monday.
Citing two people with knowledge of the company’s plans, who wish to remain unnamed, Philly.com said the retailer will still be experimenting with the already-purchased Philadelphia real estate, but is “rethinking its concept for those locations.” Prior to the announcement, Ahold Delhaize had planned to open a Bfresh store in three separate locations in Philadelphia. When asked for comment, Brand said options for those sites are “being evaluated.”
Also this week, the retailer is shuttering a Bfresh store in Brighton, MA—one of three Boston-area locations, according to WCVB-5. The source reported that another Ahold Delhaize banner, Stop & Shop, will be integrating Bfresh markets into their brand.
“As part of our brand-centric strategy, Stop & Shop plans to develop new, small store format opportunities,” Mark McGowan, Stop & Shop President, commented in the report. “Fresh Formats was specifically created to develop and test format opportunities to understand what works and what doesn’t work in urban and other small store locations.
Will Ahold Delhaize continue to usher in its small-format plans under the more-established Stop & Shop brand, or try its hand with Bfresh in a new location? As more information filters out, AndNowUKnow will report.
PHARR, TX – It’s a bad day to be a drug smuggler. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) located $2,465,404 worth of heroin and marijuana packed into commercial trailers. While not all of the smuggled substances accompanied produce items, the majority did, with a whopping $2,406,321 of that initial total nestled in with tomatoes and broccoli. The busts took place over the course of three consecutive days.
“Thorough inspections performed by our CBP officers lead to the uncovering of smuggling attempts as part of keeping our homeland safe as these recent interceptions clearly illustrate,” said Interim Port Director Donna Sifford, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry, in a press release on CBP's website. “These three consecutive seizures reflect an exceptional job performed by our officers at the Pharr cargo facility.”
The most recent discovery came about on November 14th on the Pharr International Bridge when CBP officers came across a white 2014 Kenworth tractor trailer with tomatoes in tow. Non-intrusive imaging (NII) and a canine team were used in the second phase of inspection, when officers extracted 54.23 pounds of alleged heroin tucked into 90 packages with an estimated street value of $2,169,326.
This produce-masked drug smuggling attempt came after a non-produce-related November 13th endeavor and just days after another vegetable-veiled November 12th pursuit. On the 12th, a blue 1997 Freightliner tractor trailer hauling broccoli treked the same bridge Pharr International Bridge while smuggling $236,995 worth of alleged marijuana within 1,372 packages. The extracted substances were discovered by the same NII and canine team efforts as the November 14th attempt.
CBP’s OFO has kept the packages and the alleged drugs they held within them for investigations to be undergone by special agents in Homeland Security. The weather might be cooling down, but CBP is hot on drug smuggling trails.
Stay with us at AndNowUKnow to hear more about what is happening in our industry!
SACRAMENTO, CA – Whether you’re spending time with the family, celebrating a raucous Friendsgiving, or tearing into a festive spread, ANUK wants to see how you celebrate Thanksgiving and find out what you’re grateful for this season. So, submit your holiday photos, and be featured in our annual #ANUKThanksgiving Yearbook!
You can submit two different ways: either post your pictures on Instagram with the hashtag #ANUKThanksgiving to have your most memorable moments featured as part of our Yearbook, or send your Thanksgiving-themed photos by emailing us directly at [email protected].
Whether it's escaping the frenzied season by taking a vacation and eating out, tearing into a cranberry-topped turkey, or polishing off the fourth slice of pumpkin pie, we want to feature you and your families: the individuals that make our industry so amazing.
So, enjoy some time off, celebrate with friends and family, and think of ANUK when documenting your revels. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Safe travels!