WASHINGTON - The USDA has suspended Pittsgrove, New Jersey-based ABI Imports Inc.’s Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) license for failing to make its records available for review.
According to a USDA press release, ABI Imports Inc. refused to allow inspection of its records as part of an ongoing investigation under PACA, and its PACA license was suspended as a result of the refusal. The suspension will remain in place until the records are made available. During the suspension, ABI Imports Inc. may not operate subject to PACA, according to the release.
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.
CHICAGO, IL - If the produce show you decided to skip out on this year was United Fresh, you have a lot of catching up to do! This year’s Chicago conference was filled with product debuts from companies across the board, as well as the retail buyers there to scope out the best-of-the-best. While this is not a full list of all the amazing products we saw at United, this will definitely help get you up to speed…
Robinson Fresh — Glory Foods Power Essence Blends
Robinson Fresh’s Glory Foods brand has introduced a new line of nutrient-rich green blends called Power Essence. These superfood blends come in 3 varieties, including a kale, spinach and chard variety, a kale and Brussels sprout variety, and a kale, collard, and turnip variety. According to the company, these blends include fresh greens, that when combined give consumers a boost of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
SUNSET® — Flavor Bombs Cherry Tomatoes
A winner of United Fresh’s New Product Award for Best New Vegetable Product, these are some of the newest offerings from the multi-faceted company. According to SUNSET®, this multi-award winning cherry tomato is greenhouse grown with seed exclusively sourced from the south of France.
Naturipe Farms — “On-the-Go” Fresh Blueberry Mix
Also a winner of a United Fresh New Product Award, this time for Best New Fruit Product, Naturipe has introduced two new “Ready to Eat” fresh fruit snacks. Available in Mango/Blueberry and Grape/Blueberry, both new combinations, as well as the company’s core blueberry snacks, look great on the shelf, and have fun, high graphic packaging. According to the company, these new fresh blueberry blends comes in two convenient sizes: single serve and trios.
RAAW Foods — RAAW Juices
Lucky enough to have our booth right across from theirs, we were able to get up-close-and-personal with RAAW Juices’ flavor creations. RAAW offers a host of 100% pure fruit and vegetable juice blends in 9 flavor combinations, including Very Berry Wheatgrass, Better Beets, Strawberry Purple Carrot, and Pineapple Cucumber. According to the company, RAAW Juices contain no added sugars, no preservatives, no artificial dyes or flavoring, and no water. Each product is also Gluten Free, Non-GMO Verified, Kosher, and Vegan.
NatureSweet Tomatoes — Jubilees
With the company’s new Jubilees, NatureSweet is seeking to make a better sandwich tomato. The product is one of the first of its kind with a “best if used by date,” making it appealing to those with product waste concerns. With a brix of over 5.8 and sizes between 70g – 90g, the company touts Jubilees as superior in flavor, and the perfect size for one sandwich.
We also took a look back at some of the highlights from the show floor in a previous article. Check it out by clicking here, and stay tuned for even more from this year’s show.
FOWLER, CA - Jim Marderosian, President of Bee Sweet Citrus, confirmed today that the company is going solar.
“Bee Sweet Citrus is committed to reducing our carbon footprint,” said Marderosian. “Logically, going solar was the next step as we continue to be a leader in sustainability.”
Picket Solar, a Fresno, California-based company, will facilitate Bee Sweet’s energy shift and will install a high-tech, 2.4 Megawatt solar system to offset the company’s current use of electricity.
“Bee Sweet Citrus is a leader in the citrus industry, and reducing our carbon footprint is one of our main priorities,” said Marderosian. “It is our goal to not only provide the world with fresh, delicious citrus, but to be an environmental steward as well.”
Water conservation, the use of electric forklifts, and utilizing recyclable packaging materials are just some of the many other ways Bee Sweet Citrus has continued to practice environmental sustainability, according to a press release. This new solar system is the next step forward in the company’s efforts to be a high-yielding, environmentally-conscious agribusiness.
EPHRATA, PA - Four Seasons Produce is a busy place to be a part of in recent days, announcing its new warehouse expansion plan and the launching of a new website.
“We’re thrilled to have an updated online presence that matches the quality of our people, operations and facilities,” said Ron Carkoski, President and CEO of The Four Seasons Family of Companies. “As the company heads towards its 40th year, the new site is built to be easily maintained and changed so it will stay fresh for customers, associates and the trade. It fits our vision of ‘Driving Healthy Distribution.’”
The company’s latest expansion project adds 1,628 pallet spaces of multi-temp refrigerated storage, as well as the addition of an updated railcar siding to the state-of-the-art distribution facility originally built in 2004. These additions bring the total area of the facility to 287,375 square feet and the dock has gained almost 30% more doors and space for receiving, inspecting, and shipping fresh produce.
“It comes down to serving our customers. What we’re most excited about with this addition is the improved flow and efficiency to help us turn the dock fast and keep outbound deliveries on time,” said Jason Hollinger, General Manager of Four Seasons Produce, Inc.
According to a press release, Sunrise Transport, the fleet serving the Four Seasons Family of Companies, has also added 4,000 square feet on to their truck garage which maintains over 120 tractor trailers and straight trucks that make deliveries in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
In addition to the warehouse expansion, Four Seasons Produce has redesigned their website, www.fsproduce.com. The site is now mobile responsive and crafted to help potential customers and employees quickly learn more about the produce distributor. Four Season’s current independent retailer, natural food store and wholesale customers will find valuable content such as weekly market updates, information about the organic and conventional products and brands offered, as well as grower profiles for local and regional farms.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) NCEP/NWS and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society have reported an El Niño advisory, stating that it is strengthening and looks to last throughout the winter.
What does this mean for California? Higher chances for rain, and lots of it.
“I think this is the most promising sign of a wet winter in California in nearly 20 years,” Paul Deanno, KPIX 5 Meteorologist, said, according to a CBS San Francisco report.
According to the advisory, experts are now more than 90 percent sure of El Niño lasting through the autumn season, and 85-90 percent chance of going through the 2015 winter.
While the strength of El Niño doesn’t impact the West Coast summer as strongly as it does in hurricane locations like Mexico, Florida, and Louisiana, it does bring a stronger winter influence that has, in some historic situations, brought too much of a good thing to the California region.
According to CBS, El Niño has been known to bring wind damage, levee breeches, and heavy floods, having doubled normal rainfall amounts twice in recorded history (1982-1983 and 1997-1998 winters).
“Across the contiguous United States, temperature and precipitation impacts associated with El Niño are expected to remain minimal during the Northern Hemisphere summer and increase into the late fall and winter,” the advisory states. “El Niño will likely be a contributor to a below normal Atlantic hurricane season, and above-normal hurricane seasons in both the central and eastern Pacific hurricane basins.”
This report was compiled as a result of numerous models, nearly all showing the same results. The CPC will continue to monitor the situation periodically, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
RICHMOND, VA - After some recent speculation, Lidl has announced that it will spend $202 million to build its U.S. headquarters and a separate new distribution center in Virginia.
“We are excited to take this important step to launch Lidl’s expansion into the United States and look forward to introducing American consumers to a different type of shopping experience,” said Brendan Proctor, the President and CEO of Lidl US.
Lidl will invest $77 million in for its Arlington County-based headquarters and construct a $125 million distribution center and regional headquarters in Spotsylvania County, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said.
This news comes right on the heels of Aldi's announcement that it would open up to 45 new stores in Southern California in a massive $3 billion investment. Both Aldi and Lidl are some of the UK's most competitive grocers, and with this recent slate of expansions it appears that their rivalry is about to heat up in the U.S.
According to the Washington Times, Lidl's expansion will create 500 jobs at the U.S. headquarters and 200 jobs at the Spotsylvania County site.
“Lidl’s investment demonstrates Virginia’s ability to attract companies from all over the globe,” McAuliffe said in a statement.
Lidl had previously said it would launch in the U.S. by 2018. In Europe, Lidl operates nearly 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe.
CHICAGO, IL - Another year has rolled around, and once again, produce industry members came to fill the streets and convention centers of beautiful Chicago. This was my first time in the city of Chicago and at a United Fresh show, and I have to say both made quite a big impression on me.
With over 4,000 attendees registered and 284 exhibitors, this was easily the biggest convention I’ve attended and an excellent place to meet friends, new and old. The large booths, the great products, and not to mention the awesome food samples made for an invigorating atmosphere.
A highlight of the show for me was the opening session address from industry veteran and Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano, who shared his insights on the future trends of the produce industry. In the opening session, Mariano shared about what he referred to as the “great convergence of fun and health.”
“Today’s shopper has unprecedented knowledge and sophistication about their health and the importance of good nutrition, terms like super foods are now part of the lexicon,” Mariano said. “We don’t know just what these foods are, but we know what foods are healthy for what parts of our body. The customer is demanding food that is both good for our bodies and interesting to our health.”
Legendary Coach Iron Mike Ditka also brought down the house with a passionate speech as this year’s keynote speaker with stories of his time working with powerful figures in the NFL.
Most powerfully for me, though, was probably the Women in Produce ceremony honoring Frieda’s CEO Karen Caplan. Men and women from all sectors of the industry came together to share stories of Karen’s achievements and honor the produce powerhouse. Introduced by past winners Teri Miller of Food Lion and Tonya Antle of Earthbound Farms and surrounded by family and friends, Karen and her emotional speech gave us all a sense of the passion and drive that has earned her the success she enjoys today. As both a woman and someone fairly new to the industry, it was inspiring to collect some advice from a figure has influential as Karen.
Thanks for the great atmosphere, the exciting innovations, and a venue for sharing ideas and fresh produce, United Fresh, and stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more from the show.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Giumarra Wenatchee is starting its New Zealand summer imports with apples, pears, and Meyer lemons throughout the season.
“The growing season for New Zealand has been optimal, and our Meyer lemons have good coloring and size,” said Jason Bushong, Division Manager for Giumarra Wenatchee. “We are excited to debut our new Nature’s Partner branded 1-lb. handle bag. This packaging continues to enhance the volume per purchase for many applications in the kitchen and entertaining.”
Meyer lemons are available on both coasts through September. Air shipments are currently available, with vessel shipments due to arrive by the first week of July, according to a press release.
Giumarra Wenatchee will also be importing apples from New Zealand, spearheaded by Lemonade, exclusively grown by Yummy Fruit Co. of New Zealand. The company is introducing the DIVA apple to North American consumers, a high brix, firm, red-colored apple that’s unique to New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay.
Giumarra’s apple lineup also includes Fuji, Gala, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Cripps Pink, and Red Delicious. For pears, Giumarra will offer Comice, Taylor’s Gold, and Angélys varieties.
“We see retail success when sampling our unique varieties, such as with the Lemonade apple and Angélys pear,” said Scott Ross, Eastern Region Business Manager for Giumarra. “Consumers really connect to new flavors of their favorite items.”
Giumarra offers a range of promotional tools for its customers, including point-of-sale materials and in-store event planning.
BATAVIA, IL - Aldi has unveiled more of its plans to expand in the United States, this time detailing the launch of up to 45 new Southern California stores.
Aldi confirmed that it expects to open approximately 25 stores in Southern California by July 2016, with the first of those stores opening in March next year. By the end of 2016, the company will employ more than 1,100 people to work at its Southern California stores, as well as its regional headquarters and warehouse in Moreno Valley, California, according to a press release. Aldi will ultimately create more than 10,000 new jobs at its stores, warehouses, and division offices nationwide.
This aggressive expansion is part of its $3 billion investment to pay for land, facilities, and equipment. Aldi calls its growth in California an “integral part” of a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation.
“We recognize and value the excellent customer experience that our employees at every level deliver each day, and we know that we would not be growing at this accelerated pace without them,” said Jason Hart, CEO. “Our approach to attracting, and, equally as important, retaining the best employees is two-fold.”
Wages for store associates at these Southern California stores will start at $13 per hour, with an opportunity for long-standing associates to earn up to $21 per hour. For Moreno Valley warehouse associates, Aldi says it will offer a starting wage of $19 per hour, with an opportunity for long-standing warehouse associates to earn up to $26 per hour.
“At Aldi, we firmly believe that amazing quality can be affordable, and we are excited to bring our small-format, convenient grocery shopping experience to Southern California,” said Hart.
Bryan Gildenberg, Head of Research for Kantar Retail, explained that California could work well for Aldi, noting that the supermarkets in the state tend to be expensive while “California has an older, low-income population that find the retailer’s simple, midsize stores easy to navigate,” he said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
These expansion plans come at a time when Aldi’s UK rival, Lidl, also announced its intention to enter the U.S. market by 2018. As we reported previously, however, Lidl may enter the U.S. somewhat earlier if its two potential North Carolina sites come to fruition.
Aldi currently operates approximately 1,400 stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast, and employs more than 19,000 people.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track Aldi’s expansion into California.
WASHINGTON - The USDA has lifted reparation sanctions on Limas Produce Inc., a Vernon, California-based company, finding that it has satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a press release from the USDA, Limas Produce Inc. has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Cecilio Lima was listed as the Officer, Director, and major stockholder of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
In February 2015, Limas Produce Inc. had allegedly failed to pay a $3,126 award in favor of a California 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.