SALINAS, CA - While the weather in California has been cooling down this week, the warmer-than-expected summer has caused the need for a little restrategizing—just ask some growers in the state’s Salinas Valley. While Mother Nature can at times be challenging, Salinas Valley growers are continuing to provide quality product with practices in place to avoid unnecessary losses of product and to mitigate the issues caused by the recent heat wave in California. I spoke with Duda Farm Fresh Foods and D’Arrigo Brothers to get a few insights on their current programs in Salinas.
“Last week’s heat wave did cause a lot of issues that had to be dealt with. Harvest crews were left with little to no options other than to work shorter hours to avoid mid-day temperatures, and keep unwanted heat illness issues at bay. With reduced work hours came lowered daily totals of harvested product leaving the fields,” Martin W. Jefferson, Duda’s Production Manager for Northern California tells me.
For the retail and foodservice community, Martin reminds me that although this summer and last week’s heat wave have created multiple challenges, some resulting in a fluctuating supply, Duda is prepared and will continue to do its best at producing, shipping the best vegetables available.
Even though the heat wave was a major challenge, Duda’s team of harvest managers and growers did an excellent job of staying on top of fields and avoiding unnecessary losses of product from heat related issues.
“At times like these, the communication between our growers, PCA’s, harvest managers and sales personnel is more critical than ever. Product maturity, irrigation and inputs, harvest efficiency, and demand are a sample of all the items that have to be recognized and prioritized in order to deliver a high quality product that makes customers happy and still contributes to the bottom line,” Martin adds.
On D’Arrigo’s front, John Scherpinski, Director of Sales for D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of CA, echos the same challenges with harvesting hours. “The heat in the Salinas Valley from last week really set the company’s crews back in regards to harvest capabilities. Most days our crews stopped work after 6-7 hours when the temperature continued to increase,” he tells me.
The shortage of harvest hours and supplies were compounded when this occurred 4 to 5 days in a row for D’Arrigo. Currently, D’Arrigo’s lettuce volumes are really tight followed by romaine and romaine heart supplies. Although quality defects from the heat seem to be minimal, the selection and grading processes in the field are slowing crews as well.
“These setbacks have drastically affected the industry since we cannot keep up with demand,” John says. “Markets have the potential to continue to rise through the month of September. The North West finished their local season a bit earlier than normal and the East Coast seems to be right on their heels.”
Processors seem to be light in supplies as well and looking for additional supplies to support their programs. “This is just adding to the demand in our marketplace,” he adds.
Despite a few setbacks with the weather last week, however, it looks to be cooling down in the Salinas Valley this week. California saw record rains and cooler than expected temperatures earlier this week, granting some relief to the state's growers. We're looking forward to seeing how this cooler weather will help mitigate some of the region's issues.
CHILE - Last night, Chile experienced a powerful earthquake with an epicenter near the northern capital of Illapel.
Hitting 8.4 on the Richter Scale, the Chilean fruit industry is assessing the impact the earthquake had on northern and central production areas, according to a Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) press release.
Ronald Brown, Chairman of the ASOEX Board, gave his thoughts on the matter and noted that there seems to be no impact on Chile's fruit industry.
“There does not seem to be any impact on the fruit industry and the coming cherry and blueberry seasons should begin without any major interruption,” Ronald Bown, Chairman of the ASOEX Board, said in the release. “Chile is well prepared for these types of seismic events, and growers and exporters will continue to make every effort to meet previously established shipping goals. At the same time, as an industry, we would like to send our deepest condolences to the families of those compatriots who have lost their lives in this earthquake."
Though there appears to be no impact on the fruit production, the association did caution that it is too early to report a positive long-term analysis of the shake up.
The Coquimbo northern port has not yet confirmed if its infrastructure was affected or not, but no damages came in for the following agricultural branches:
- Packing sheds
- Transportation links
- Cold storage facilities
As we reported previously, the 8.4 scale magnitude earthquake also necessitated a tsunami warning by the Chilean authorities. The L.A. Times reported that the ripples of that tsunami did, in fact, reach the Southern California coast. Aside from causing foot-high tide fluctuations, however, no damages or flooding were reported.
BELLINGHAM, WA - After filing for Chapter 11 protection last week, Haggen is now seeking approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to explore selling the company and its assets, including stores.
If approved, Haggen would pay more than $1 million to hire investment banking firm Sagent Advisors to seek options for a potential sale, Oregon Live reports.
The request, filed Wednesday, says, “[Haggen has] retained Sagent in connection with these Chapter 11 cases to provide investment banking services to Haggen with respect to a potential sale of Haggen or substantially all of its assets,” according to Oregon Live.
On September 8 last week, Haggen filed voluntarily for Chapter 11 in order to reorganize around its core profitable stores. The retailer subsequently received commitments for up to $215 million in debtor-in-possession financing from existing lenders to maintain operations and the flow of merchandise to its stores during the sale process.
Haggen has previously engaged with Sagent to market for sale “some locations in the five states it operates and to explore market interest for various store locations,” according to a press release.
In this latest filing, Haggen says it would pay Sagent $1.25 million for its services (or $30,000 per store, or a small percentage of the sale price, whichever is greater), along with an additional $50,000 a month.
“Sagent is needed … to assist with negotiations, to provide expert advice and testimony regarding financial matters related to transactions … and to enable the debtors (Haggen) to discharge their duties as debtors and debtors-in-possession.”
Records indicate that Haggen has paid Sagent more than $4.4 million since November.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue our coverage of Haggen’s potential sale.
MONTEREY, CA - Among the busy atmosphere of the PMA Foodservice Expo, Sunkist's Joan Wickham took the time to tell AndNowUKnow about the two lemons being showcased to foodservice customers.
“We’re really excited to be talking to our foodservice customer about Meyer lemons,” Joan tells me, explaining that the cross between oranges and lemons comes out a little sweeter than your standard lemon. “This makes it a really exciting product, especially in the foodservice arena.”
While at the show, Sunkist was showing the versatility of Meyer lemons’ flavor, showing off both a cocktail and a savory bite.
“We’re really showing Meyer lemons can be used in beverages and also savory dishes, too,” Joan tells me.
The company’s booth was showcasing Zebra lemons as well, also known as pink lemons, with an attention-grabbing skin and a pink interior.
“[Zebra lemons] are definitely a chef favorite and we’re thrilled to be showing them here today,” Joan added.
To see both these lemons, as well as what Sunkist was whipping up to show them off, watch our full interview in the brief video above.
SANTIAGO, CHILE - Wednesday night saw another earthquake hit Chile near the capital of Santiago, with authorities warning that possible tsunamis may occur in the coming hours.
Early reports show the earthquake’s magnitude as 8.3 on the Richter scale, and while there were no immediate reports on any injuries or damage, communications in the area were disrupted.
Following the quake, Chilean authorities issued a tsunami alert for the entire coast of Chile, warning that waves could hit the coast as early as 11 p.m. Wednesday night. U.S. officials also posted an alert for Hawaii, with the National Weather Service predicting a potential tsunami threat reaching the state by 2:30 a.m Thursday morning.
U.S. officials said the quake struck just offshore in the Pacific at 7:54 p.m. and was centered about 141 miles north-northwest of Santiago. U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was 4.8 miles below the surface.
Chile is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, CBS News reports. The Nazca tectonic plate right off the coast of the country plunges beneath the South American plate, pushing the area near the Andes mountain range.
So far, there has been no reports of agricultural damage, but AndNowUKnow will keep you updated as more information pours in.
IRVINE, CA - The tally is in for the California Avocado Commission’s (CAC) 2015 Supermarket Registered Dietitian (SRD) California Fresh Sandwiches recipe contest.
More than 350 influential SRDs, as well as retail-employed nutrition professionals, to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for an original “California Fresh Sandwich” from May 15th to June 15th.
The Commission announced its congratulations to the following winners:
- Giant Eagle’s Molly Ault
- HAC Retail’s Alyson Fendrick
- Hy-Vee’s April Graff, Shannon Muhs, Stephanie Rupp and Brian Scheil
- Kroger Co.’s Allison Kuhn and Molly McBride
- Redner’s Markets’ Meredith Mensigner
- Raley’s Patty Mastracco
According to CAC’s announcement of finalists, winning recipes included:
Portabella Mushroom with Avocado Sandwich
A sandwich combining the fresh California fruit with rich portabellas to make a vegetarian favorite.
California Savory Summer Sandwich
A vegetarian sandwich served on toasted flaxseed bread with grilled tofu, California avocado, sun dried tomato, lettuce and a lemon-herb marinade.
Kickin’ Chicken and Avocado Sandwich
A spicy sandwich featuring a buffalo-style hot sauce, cooled down with a ranch-flavored creamy fresh California avocado spread.
California Avocado Breakfast Wrap
A warm whole wheat tortilla wrapped around scrambled eggs, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, olives and fresh California avocados.
Grilled Flatbread Sandwich with Chicken, Avocado and Fresh Peaches
Described as a “playful combination” of two fruits atop chicken on a grilled flatbread.
The 2015 Supermarket Registered Dietitian (SRD) California Fresh Sandwiches recipe contest successfully reached its goal of providing several original variations to incorporating California avocados into a healthy, but delicious, lifestyle.
LAKELAND, FL - Shipt, an on-demand grocery delivery service similar to Instacart, is expanding its service in Atlanta with Publix, starting today on September 17.
Using a mobile app, consumers can select from a range of groceries available from their local Publix store, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and other perishable items, and have them delivered to their home.
This news comes on the heels of similar stories this month, namely Target’s recently announced pilot program with Instacart, as well as Whole Foods’ successful (and highly produce-centric) one-year anniversary with Instacart.
In the past, Publix experimented with other online grocery shopping services, such as Publix Direct in South Florida and Publix Curbside in Atlanta’s Toco Hills. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), however, both services failed to make an impact in their respective communities and were subsequently shut down.
Available in the greater Atlanta metro area, including downtown, Buckhead, and the majority of the northern metro area including Alpharetta, Marietta, and Roswell, the AJC reports that Shipt’s shoppers are trained on how to pick quality produce and are directed to communicate with customers to ensure orders are completed accurately and delivered within an hour.
Members receive unlimited grocery deliveries for $99 annually, or $14 monthly. One of the perks for being a Shipt member includes free delivery for orders above $35. There is a $7 delivery charge for all orders, regardless of your membership status.
Shipt is not affiliated with Publix.
If you’re in the area for this year’s upcoming PMA Fresh Summit, Shipt might be an interesting app to check out. For more information, check out Shipt’s website.
LOS ANGELES, CA - It turns out that California’s rain this week was more substantial than forecasters first thought, with downpours hitting record levels for the city of Los Angeles, for one.
Downtown Los Angeles saw an impressive 2.39 inches, breaking a record for rainfall for the date and marking the second-wettest 24-hour period on record for September, National Weather Service Meteorologist Robbie Munroe said. Forecasters previously predicted the region would not get more than 1 inch of the wet stuff.
The storm, which partly developed due to the aftermath of Hurricane Linda, brought the most rain in a calendar day in more than four years, the National Weather Service said. The Washington Post has also reported that Tuesday was the wettest day of 2015 in Southern California thus far.
Monroe explained to ABC News that while the wet weather was not expected to relieve the state's drought, it could be a harbinger of El Niño, which may bring heavy rain to Southern California this winter.
"El Niño increases your odds for getting more energetic storms, but you can't really attribute it to any specific storm," he said. "But a rainfall like this means we're heading in the right direction."
ABC News reports that San Bernadino County and beyond to Orange and San Diego also got hit with heavy rains. In San Bernardino County, Yucaipa Ridge received 5.4 inches of rain.
Keep following AndNowUKnow for more weather updates, and to see what’s in store for California’s drought conditions.
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA - The ALC Logistics division of the Allen Lund Company is currently expanding its Transportation Management Software (TMS) with new hires and more.
Two have joined the Allen Lund Company’s TMS division, Ian Fisher as Implementation and Customer Support and Greg Au as Business Development Specialist.
"Our TMS product is making great gains in the shipping community, especially in transportation of perishable products," Kenny Lund, Vice President of Support Operations for Allen Lund Company, said in a press release. "Greg brings extensive sales knowledge, and Ian used our TMS in a previous work life so his knowledge of the product is first hand. They are great additions to the team as we continue our fast paced growth."
Au holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from the California State University of Los Angeles, while Fisher comes to the team from Califia Farms and is currently studying at Royal Holloway University for a B.A. degree.
The company is also growing the division with increased installations, as well as expanding customized transportation solutions for ALC Logistics shipping customers.
As we previously reported, there is over $1.5 billion in freight spend running through Allen Lund Company’s TMS Systems, making the software’s benefits like automatically sending information like carrier report cards and real-time information about product in transit extremely beneficial.
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to explore food trends and the factors behind growth in the fast food sector, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service has created the Food Access Research Atlas, a detailed map that explores what "influences food choices and diet quality."
According to the USDA's website, the atlas currently features over 211 indicators—such as proximity to grocery stores and restaurants and food prices—of the food environment across the county, state, and regional levels.
The atlas can be used to explore things like which counties and states have the best access to grocery stores, where food deserts are most prevalent, and the growth of fast food restaurants across the country. The data has shown several cities that have had a 50 percent increase in fast food restaurant outlets between 2007 and 2012.
The publication Eater went in-depth in the USDA’s new tool, finding cities that saw drastic changes in the number of fast food eateries. These include Custer, ID which saw a 200 percent increase (a jump from two restaurants to six), and La Salle, TX which witnessed a 133 percent increase (from three restaurants to seven). While the percentages are quite high, the actual number of restaurants are fairly average. San Diego, CA only saw a seven percent increase in fast food restaurants, Eater reports, but the number jumped from 2,367 restaurants to 2,536. Even places with larger populations like Los Angeles, a city which in parts has been under a moratorium on new fast food restaurants since 2008, has seen a nearly 6.5 percent increase.
In particular, both the Midwest and West have seen the number of fast food restaurants dramatically decrease. Multiple cities across South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Idaho have seen a 50 percent or greater drop in fast food restaurants, Eater has found. The city of Sagachue, CO saw a 100 percent decrease in fast food restaurants between 2007 and 2012 dropping from two to zero.
With this new information available on food choices and quality, will we be better able to tackle the problem of food deserts in our communities? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover this growing issue.