VISALIA, CA - Melon season is starting to kick into gear in Bakersfield, California, with promotable volumes for the foreseeable future. Growers are encouraging retailers to promote the category through the end of the summer.
Despite the earlier season and triple digit heat in California, quality is looking as fantastic as ever across the board for melons.
“We’re just getting started here in Bakersfield,” said Derrick Daniell, Owner at Visalia, California-based Double D Sales. “All the melons are looking very good, and brix are anywhere from 10-14 with good pressure. Overall, the quality looks very good so far.”
In addition to the Bakersfield deal, supplies are continuing to move steadily out of California’s Coachella and Imperial Valleys, Nogales, AZ, and Mexico as well. There is no shortage of volume in sight.
The underwhelming market in Mexico and fluctuating prices aren’t stopping Daniell, who anticipates that the lower-than-average prices in Bakersfield may increase to a more normal level sooner than later, for this time of year.
“Things are starting out on the cheap side, but it might work out so it’s in the $0.16 - $0.18 range for watermelons by the Fourth of July pull,” said Daniell.
According to the USDA, 24-inch bins of red flesh seedless watermelons out of the Imperial Valley and Central and Western Arizona were $0.12 - $0.14 on 35, 40, and 60 count as of June 14, 2015.
For Mexico crossings through Nogales, AZ, prices were $0.06 - $0.09 on approx. 35 count and 45 count, and $0.06 - $0.08 on approx. 60 count.
For cantaloupes out of the Imperial Valley, California, and Central and Western Arizona, prices were $10.00 - $12.95 for size 9s, $10.00 - $12.95 for 12s, and $6.95 - $8.00 for 15s as of June 12, 2015. Currently, production is on the tight side.
“The cooler weather in the Western U.S. has had a big effect on movement, and with the quality we’ve seen so far, I’m hoping for a productive season,” said Daniell.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as continue tracking the current state of the melon market.
VINELAND, NJ - Dandrea Produce Inc. has officially received a Letter of Intent from the Montreal, Quebec-based Routhier family of Courchesne Larose Ltd. to acquire 50 percent of the grower and importer company.
“Our family could not be happier with the terms of the agreement offered by the Routhier family,” Frank Dandrea, President of Dandrea Produce, said in a press release. “The negotiations with Courchesne were seamless and exceedingly pleasant. Our synergistic strategies with them enable us to now service the entire eastern seaboard, including Canada. Courchesne Larose is a tremendously respected company and their association with Dandrea Produce will enrich us globally.”
Courchesne Larose is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the family, having company roots that date back to 1918.
“The passion of Dandrea Produce mirrors our family’s long tradition in Canada,” Michel Routhier stated proudly. “Dandrea shares our vision for a vertically integrated, field to table farming model.”
Dandrea Produce is similarly operated, having been established in 1917 and currently owned and operated by the fourth generation of the family. Its business of 150 employees will now partner with Courchesne Larose’s over 400 employees, located worldwide.
According to the release, each has unique, strategic alliances with growers around the world and builds meaningful relationships with their partners.
“Our family’s investments nationally and internationally have always been examined by these questions: How can we better serve our customers? How can we eliminate excess costs? How can we add value to our retail partners? Courchesne Larose unequivocally helps us on our mission to achieve our joint ideals worldwide,” Dandrea stated.
This new group of companies is projected to generate more than $600 million in annual revenues.
“We have been looking long and hard for a partner who could enhance our global presence and Dandrea is that partner,” Routhier said.
The companies are confident that the partnership will enhance Dandrea’s capabilities to expand their procurement base, as well as streamlining its vessel shipments and have better control over its product on a worldwide scale.
SOUTH KOREA - Tesco's South Korea chain, Homeplus, is wearing a $6 billion price tag, and a South Korea-based snack making company announced on Monday that it may be willing to pay it.
"Our stores are serviced by three Distribution Centres, the largest of which, the Hamahn Fresh Distribution Centre, is the largest fresh distribution centre in Asia processing more than 40 million boxes per year," Tesco states on the Homeplus branch of its website.
According to a Reuters report, Orion Corp., a maker of confectionery and snacks based in South Korea, is considering making a bid to Tesco but has not made any decisions. The company did receive a memorandum of information about the sale of the retailer’s Homeplus unit, but has not pursued making a formal offer.
Tesco has hired HSBC, according to Reuters, to explore the sale of its South Korean chain. Homeplus is a discount retail, currently one of the largest retailers in the country at more than 400 stores, according to the BBC. This makes the chain Tesco’s largest outside of the United Kingdom.
The retailer announced it was selling the unit earlier this month, having approached a number of private equity firms including:
- KKR & Co
- Carlyle Group
- CVC Capital Partners
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep you up to date on this developing story.
COLLEGE PARK, GA - Riding the superfood trend wave, Chick-fil-A is introducing a new kale-based menu item that has both consumers and industry members talking.
Starting last month in Southwest Florida, chicken sandwich fans were able to get a break from the typical fried foods Chick-fil-A is known for, and try the new 80-calorie Superfood Salad, which includes a blend of kale, broccolini, roasted-nuts, and a maple vinaigrette.
This healthy trial item, as well as the slightly less healthy additions of the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich and a loaded baked potato side dish, will be available through July, with customer feedback helping to determine whether the dishes are added to menus at Chick-fil-A's over 1,900 restaurants across the country. Will consumers respond well to this latest addition? The company's competitors might be an indication that they will. As we've previously reported, this addition comes on the heels of other chains like McDonald's and Starbucks joining the kale craze with similar menu items of their own.
According to a press release, the trial items will be available at Chick-fil-A locations across Florida.
Stay tuned as AndNowUKnow continues to follow produce trends across the fast food industry.
ROSEMONT, IL - There are good suppliers in the industry, and there are great suppliers.
Reinhart Foodservice has distinguished Rema Foods as one of the greats, declaring them as its 2015 Supplier of the Year. Citing Rema Foods’ commitment to quality, food safety, and innovation, as well as the value Rema Foods brings to Reinhart and its customers, Rema was among a long lineup of supplier honorees announced at Reinhart’s annual Traditions Sales & Merchandising Conference on June 2nd.
"At Reinhart, our supplier partners are key to our business and to the success of our customers," said Jeff King, Reinhart’s President and Chief Operating Officer. "We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built with so many strong manufacturers over the years. By engaging and collaborating with our supplier partners on a daily basis, we’re able to develop valuable, long-standing relationships with our customers."
According to a press release, Reinhart’s Supplier of the Year Awards were presented to winners in eight categories and for five specific departments, with three overall winners. Winners were selected by a vote by Reinhart’s leadership and were selected based on key performance metrics and alignment with Reinhart’s business strategy.
The full list of recipients is as follows:
Category Awards
- Grocery – Rema Foods, Inc.
- Produce – Capital City Fruit
- Beverage – Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee
- Frozen Foods – Lamb Weston
- Center of the Plate – John Morrell & Company
- Seafood – Tampa Bay Fisheries
- Non-Foods – Fabri-Kal Corp
- Dairy – Foremost Farms USA
Departmental Awards
- Logistics Support – Schreiber Foods
- Business Friendliness – Beaver Street Fisheries
- FSQA – McCain Foods
- Marketing Partner – US Chemicals & Plastics
- Division Sales Support – John Morrell & Company
Overall Awards
- Exclusive Brands – Co-winners: Schreiber Foods & Ventura Foods
- Manufacturer Brand – Lamb Weston
- Supplier of the Year – Rema Foods, Inc.
King shared that Reinhart created its annual Supplier Awards to celebrate and recognize its partners who have truly embraced its customer-first focus over the last year and congratulated all the winners.
CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist Farms is welcoming two new employees to the team at its Castroville headquarters: Janelle Wong as the new Operations Controller and Gladys Valenzuela-Corzo as the new Human Resources Director.
Jonelle Wong will leverage her more than fifteen years of accounting, financial, and administration experience relating to agricultural operations and foodservice to further strengthen operations at Ocean Mist Farms. According to a press release, she was most recently the Controller at Danna Farms, a Plumas Lake, California-based company.
Valenzuela-Corzo, the former Human Resources Director at Growers Transplanting/Rocket Farms, will also carry several years of experience to this new position with Ocean Mist Farms.
Join us in welcoming these two new employees to the Ocean Mist Farms team!
WASHINGTON - The USDA announced that G & J Fresh Produce LLC satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to the USDA, the McAllen, Texas-based company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Josue De La Fuente and Gisela Munoz were listed as members of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
As we've previously reported, the USDA filed action against G & J Fresh Produce for failure to pay a $5,922 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, the USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. The USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. USDA experts have also assisted more than 7,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $110 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.
NEWARK, DE - After a succesful year of partnering with the eat brighter!™ movement, PMA, Sesame Workshop, the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) have agreed to extend the program through 2018. With the help of nearly 60 industry members, the program has achieved positive metrics and increased participation across the industry, making the extension an obvious next step.
“We've been tracking the movement's early adopters who have been in market for approximately six months. These participants are self-reporting positive sales lifts of 1 to 2 percent on eat brighter!™ branded items,” said Kevin Fiori, PMA's Board of Directors Chairman. “We're all anticipating the impact on sales through the movement and early results - a 1 to 2 percent increase in sales thus far - sends a positive signal that we will continue to track over time.”
Since PMA’s first impact survey in 2014, 30 more companies have reported that they're supplying product in market. According to PMA, nearly 60 companies, representing over 130 commodities, have signed onto the movement, with more than 30,000 retail stores accepting eat brighter!™ branded product. The movement has also expanded into Mexico, allowing produce marketers, retailers, school foodservice, and promotional organizations who sell product in the country to participate as well.
PMA has also announced that it will develop a variety of tools with Paragon Design as the program evolves. Some of these updates include a new, user-friendly website, a step-by-step tutorial, an updated toolkit that features guidelines for packaging, point-of-sale, and more. The updated toolkit includes digital ads, press releases, sell sheets, webpages, retail circulars, coloring and activity sheets, and the assets for Plaza Sésamo for the consumer market in Mexico.
For more information on the movement and how to get involved, please visit pma.com/eatbrighter.
BANCROFT, WI - Tasteful Selections™ is launching a new retail campaign, dubbed #RescuedMoments.
The promotional campaign encourages consumers to spend more quality time with family by creating time-saving recipes with useful cooking tips.
POS materials, including Tasteful Selections bins with #RescuedMoments recipe tear pads, will promote the brand’s quick cook times, fantastic flavors, and consistent quality in every bag, according to a press release. Retail stores in select markets will feature brand ambassadors engaging with shoppers through product information, coupons, recipe cards, and more.
Tasteful Selections’ chef partners, Michelin Star Chef Joey Elenterio and kid-Chef Jack Witherspoon will endorse the campaign via 12 upcoming recipe and tip videos, hosted on TastefulSelections.com/RescuedMoments. The page will feature monthly meal planning calendars, which incorporates content from food and mom bloggers.
Check out one of #RescuedMoments recipe videos with Chef Elenterio below!
Rounding up the campaign is a new sweepstakes and several giveaways on social media. The grand prize winner of the #RescuedMoments Sweepstakes will win a trip to Chef Elenterio’s new restaurant, Cadence, in San Francisco. Two additional winners will receive kitchen cookware.
The #RescuedMoments campaign will continue from now through September.
MEXICO - The hurricane warning for Tropical Storm Carlos, about 180 miles southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico, has lifted, but a watch continues to remain in effect along the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Until about 10 a.m. central time this morning, a hurricane warning was in effect east of Lazaro Cardenas, including Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo and Acapulco.
According to The Weather Channel, Carlos brought 30 mph winds to Acapulco, Mexico, with a peak of wind speed of 43 mph, and a hurricane watch continues west of Putno San Telmo to Playa Perula, including Manzanillo. A tropical storm warning is also in effect from Lazaro Cardenas to Punta San Telmo.
Carlos appears to have weakened since it was named last Thursday, having formed as a Tropical Depression Three-E, and is moving slowly parallel with the Mexican Pacific coast instead of touching the land. According to the report, however, Carlos’s small wind field would bring stronger core winds from the storm to land.
For now it looks like Carlos may shift to the north-northwest, which could move toward the Jalisco and Nayarit state coastline by Wednesday, going into early Thursday. While the Weather Channel reports that if Carlos does restrengthen it’s not expected to be significant. Rainfall is expected through late Wednesday that could total from 6 to 10 inches in southwest Mexico and locally higher amounts of up to 15 inches. This amount of water could bring dangerous flash-floods and mudslides, particularly in mountain terrain.
According to The Weather Channel, Tropical Storm Carlos is the second earliest third hurricane occurrence on record for the eastern Pacific, making this a busy beginning to the hurricane season.