Douglas Kling, Chief Marketing Officer for Village Farms, sits down with AndNowUKnow to discuss all things tomato. For consumers looking for variety and high flavor, grab and go snacking or family packs with value-added, Village Farms offers exciting tomato options.
The company also holds a strong commitment to the environment. Village Farms is water conservation friendly and has close to a zero percent carbon footprint. The company also just bought part of a power operation in Vancouver to take methane from a landfill and turn it into food-grade CO2 to go back into the greenhouse and come out as oxygen.
For the past five years, Village Farms has worked on developing a customized hierarchy that breaks down consumer pull that represents 82% of the retail fresh market in the U.S., which allows the company to track the insights and best plant and grow to meet consumer needs. To share this information with its retail partners, the company will be releasing three-minute YouTube videos featuring its insights each quarter of 2015.
Check out the video above for this exclusive look.
SANTA PAULA, CA – Limoneira is hoping to connect with a younger audience and promote clean energy with a new video that mixes fun with science. The video features a Limoneira sheep rapping about solar power and the company’s commitment to clean energy.
"Sustainability is an important topic, but we wanted something a bit more light hearted that could connect with a younger audience as well," said John Chamberlain, Limoniera’s Director of Marketing. "We felt that this video allowed us to bridge that gap and cover a serious topic, but in a fun way that everyone could enjoy."
In addition to this latest marketing innovation, Limoneira regularily strives to teach children about the produce industry and what goes into growing the food that they all enjoy every day. John shared with AndNowUKnow that Limoneira regularily partners with local schools to give school kids the opportunity to tour Limoneira's facilities in order to teach them a bit more about its day-to-day operations.
“Every year hundreds of kids tour our ranch, learning where their food comes from, getting a close up look of our solar orchard, and even meeting Limoniera's sheep first hand," he shared. "They love the tours and it really helps us as a business connect with the kids on a personal level."
In 2008, Limoneira completed two state-of-the-art solar projects, according to the company’s website. The first is located at the company headquarters in Santa Paula, CA. It is a 5.5-acre photovoltaic orchard that generates a full megawatt of electricity. Representing one-third of the company’s total use, this clean and sustainable energy powers the lemon-packing house and storage facility.
In the Tulare County town of Ducor, about 150 miles north of Santa Paula, Limoneira installed four smaller solar arrays that together generate another full megawatt of electricity to power 250-horsepower motors that pump deep well water into reservoirs for the reservoirs for the irrigation of 1,000 agricultural acres.
Make sure the check out the video above!
BURLINGTON, MA - Gates-based Wegmans Food Markets is expanding again, annoucing plans to build 10 new stores throughout states in the East Coast over the next several years. The first of the new locations will open in Burlington, MA in the Fall of 2014, followed by 9 more locations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
These latest expansion plans are the result of countless requests by American shoppers throughout the Northeast.
"Each year, thousands of people who have visited our store for the first time, or moved to a place without Wegmans, write asking that we build a store in their town," Wegmans reveals on its website. "Today, we have stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts...There are other sites we are working on, but are not at liberty to disclose as yet."
For Linda Horton Bacon, a loyal Wegmans shopper who has been working for much of the last 6 years to bring a store closer to her home in Wilmington, Delaware, this annoucement is a dream come true. Her "We Want Wegmans in Wilmington" Facebook page has garnered quite a bit of support from the local community, with as many as 200 members, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
"Six years ago we had no hope of having a Wegmans close by, now we do," she said. "While we may not have had any influence on Wegmans choosing a site closer to us, we at least have each other to share the excitement with!!!!"
Company spokesperson Jo Natale shared with the Democrat and Chronicle that Wegmans is currently planning on keeping its expansion limited to the Northeast because it does not want to risk overextending its distribution network at this point in time. Opening stores in Chicago or St. Louis could strain Wegmans' suppliers of milk, exotic cheese, and a variety of other products, a key foundation of the company's success.
In New England however there are big plans in store over the coming years. Wegmans' has been thriving ever since it expanded out of New York state back in 1993 and with customers coming in droves there's no sign of this grocery chain putting on the breaks anytime soon.
SALINAS, CA - Coastline Family Farms has promoted Linda Kivlehan to Sales Manager from Retail Sales Manager.
“I am excited to take on this role,” said Mrs. Kivlehan. “Coastline Family Farms is well-positioned for growth and I am enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. I look forward to my role in this position and being a part of our smart-growth strategy.”
“Linda has been an integral part of Coastline Family Farms for thirteen years. She has worked her way through our organization in several different roles while always maintaining a professional approach and ‘get it done’ attitude. During the last few years she has taken on the role of retail sales manager and once again has done an excellent job,” said Mr. Phil Adrian, Vice President. “We are delighted to see Linda grow and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her expanded role.”
In this new position, Linda will be responsible for managing all day-to-day sales activities for the Company, according to a press release. She will direct sales, implement strategies and support activities to ensure long-term growth, operational consistency and enhanced customer experiences.
Congratulations on the promotion, Linda!
WASHINGTON D.C - Reedley, CA based Dayka & Hackett LLC has posted a $250,000 surety bond in order to employ previous PACA violator Jerald Downs. Downs was once the sole officer of Market 52, a Kingsburg, CA based company which was found to have committed 'repeated and flagrant' violations of Section 2 of PACA regulations.
According to a press release, any PACA licensee wishing to hire individuals who have failed to pay a reparation award or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
The USDA will hold the $250,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that Dayka & Hackett will be able to pay for the produce it purchases and conduct its business according to PACA rules.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The USDA has cited Forest Park, Georgia-based company La Merced Produce LLC for failure to pay $4,351,483 to 13 sellers for 391 lots of produce, according to a press release.
Consequently, La Merced Produce can no longer operate in the produce industry until June 16, 2016, at which time it may reapply for a PACA license.
The company’s principals, Alejandro Gonzalez and Hugo Gonzalez, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until June 16, 2015, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, include sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, and 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.
QINGDAO, CHINA - Lantao, one of the premier fruit import companies in China, has annouced the grand opening of its newest fruit import distribution facility. This new factory located in the Qingdao region of China, will be Lanatao's 7th such factory in the country.
“Qingdao is an attractive market for us for a number of reasons” said John Wang, CEO of Lantao. “With [a] nearly 100 million population, Shandong is one of China’s most populated provinces as well as one of the most affluent. In addition, as a port city, we can import fruit from North American, South America, South Africa and Australia directly to Qingdao, reducing our transit time and cost as compared to the normal channel through South China and trucking it north.”
According to a press release, local produce officials are excited about what the new distribution facility could do to stimulate growth in the community.
“Having an established importer like Lantao will draw business to the market not only from Qingdao but from other areas in Shandong including the capital city, Jinan," said Liu Yin Xiang, President of the Qingdao International Agricultural Products Market.
Jim Provost, President of I Love Produce and close business associate of Wang, was also on site for the grand opening. He spoke excitedly over how the new facility could expand the two company's joint trade of organic vegetables, ginger, and garlic between Shandong and North America.
“Qingdao is the port and gateway for all of the produce we ship from China to North America," he said. “So, it is only fitting that we have now opened a Qingdao distribution facility that will allow us to bring premium fruit from the United Stated and the world to the people of Shandong.”
According to a press release, I Love Produce has recently made headlines itself, having donated $13,440 to a Peruvian school, the ANTONIO RAYMONDI secondary school, as part of the New Ginger Harvest Celebration.
"Because of the remoteness of the area, the school lacks many of the resources we take for granted. Our aim is to form a lasting relationship with the school so we can make a difference to their kids on a long-term basis," Provost said.
Congratulations Lantao on the grand opening!
CALIFORNIA - Retailers, get ready to promote! San Joaquin Valley grape growers are continuing to meet demand with good flavor, sugar content, and supply for the foreseeable future in spite of California’s July heatwave.
Sun World International, in particular, finished strong in Coachella with good yields and high demand for its proprietary varieties in the export market, leading to steady market pricing. For the most part, however, California’s high temperatures have had a hand in affecting harvest timing. Nevertheless, the heat has brought on more volume faster than last year.
“Weather has been a factor in accelerating the harvest and we’ve seen earlier starts in the season,” Gordon Robertson, Sun World's Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, tells AndNowUKnow. “The question is whether or not this trend will continue as we move into the fall pushing the late season crop harvest up, or will the harvest timing normalize.”
Sun World is currently experiencing an exceptionally strong SUPERIOR SEEDLESS® crop and expects supplies to be available through July into the first week of August with promotional volumes available through that time. Quality on MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® seedless black grapes has also been incredibly good and promotable volumes are available through September.
Anthony Stetson, Columbine Vineyards’ Sales Manager, tells us that the company’s fruit is coming through well without much heat damage and the company currently has good volume and movement. Columbine is currently starting its new proprietary green seedless Milano grapes and expects good yield and high demand. It is also opening a new cold storage facility within the oncoming weeks that should greatly enhance production.
Speaking with Nick Dulcich, Sunlight International’s Owner and Director of Sales, he says the company’s grapes are continuing to meet flavor and sugar standards with enough volume to meet demand. For Sunlight, Nick tells us that the company is expecting strong performance from its new proprietary green seedless grape variety, Green Emerald, as well as record shipments and good demand globally.
Overall, it appears that most San Joaquin Valley growers are overcoming California’s spate of high temperatures. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for further updates on the continuing grape season.
ORLANDO, FL - Monday proved to be a day of big news for Darden Restaurants, beginning with the finalization of the $2.1 billion sale of its Red Lobster franchise, and ending with the annoucement that longtime CEO Clarence Otis will be stepping down in the coming months.
The market reacted favorably to the release of this news, with Darden's stock rising $1.88 or 4.19% in after hours trading in the immediate wake of the news.
In a press release, Otis told investors, "I am proud to have been a part of Darden's significant growth and expansion, which has enabled us to reach new consumer segments and markets and create significant long-term shareholder value. With the Red Lobster sale complete and progress on our Olive Garden brand renaissance and other strategic priorities underway, this is the right time for me to step down."
Otis will be leaving Darden during a particularily tumultuous period in the company's history. The Red Lobster sale has drawn criticism from many investment analysts and most recently a lawsuit from the hedge fund Starboard Value. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Starboard Value has been among the most ardent critics of Darden's recent course of action, most recently claiming that Darden has been 'hiding' records related to the Red Lobster sale.
“Darden should not be allowed to hide information regarding a deal of this magnitude which has had such negative consequences for its shareholders,” read Starboard’s lawsuit.
Darden officials categorically deny these charges by Starboard, stating that "Darden has sought, through good-faith negotiations with Starboard, to address the issues raised by its demand, including the need to protect the confidentiality of Darden’s books and records. Though we have been unable to reach an agreement with Starboard thus far, we are open to continuing these discussions."
To learn more about the Darden's Red Lobster sale, check out ANUK's previous article on the topic here.
According to USA Today, Otis will remain with Darden through the end of December or until an appropriate successor is found, whichever comes first.
AndNowUKnow would like to wish Clarence the best as he embarks on this next phase in his professional life.
MCLEAN, VA – Gladstone Land Corporation continues adding to its diverse portfolio of farmland with the acquisition of 390 acres of farmland in the San Joaquin Valley and Oxnard, California for $12.7 million.
The newly acquired 322-acre farm in San Joaquin Valley is located in Arvin, California and was purchased for $5.8 million. Gladstone has assumed the in-place lease on this property, which will expire in October 2015. The company has also entered into a nine-year, follow-on-lease agreement with a new tenant, Underwood Ranches. Underwood Ranches is the exclusive grower of red jalapeño peppers for Sriracha hot sauce, according to a press release.
"We are privileged to partner with such an esteemed grower and add another large vegetable farm to our portfolio," said Bill Reiman, Managing Director for the Company. "This acquisition is our first in the southern San Joaquin Valley, an area known for its diverse agriculture. This region is home to many large agribusiness firms, and we are excited to become local landowners. There is tremendous growth potential for us in this region, and we look forward to many more opportunities. This farm has been farmed for many years and has a good water supply already in place."
For the Oxnard acquisition, the company has acquired 68 acres of strawberry farmland for $6.9 million. It signed a three-year lease that escalates annually with a major international grower, according to a press release. The property has water on site and has been farmed for row crop fruits and vegetables.
"We are very excited to add such a premium, high-value strawberry farm to our portfolio. Opportunities to acquire properties like this one are very rare, especially with such a large and reputable tenant that has been farming the ground for years. The value and income growth potential of this farm is unique in the industry, and we believe we will benefit from this acquisition for many years to come. This transaction falls in line with others that we have done with this tenant, a global leader in the berry business. This is another example of a strategic partnership working to achieve our respective goals," said Bill Reiman, Managing Director for the Company.
In a press release, Gladstone Chairman David Gladstone says that the company still has a large backlog of farms it is seeking to acquire and hopes to acquire more as the summer continues. Click on the following links to read our previous article on Gladstone land acquisitions in Florida and Watsonville, CA.
Gladstone Land invests in farmland located in major agricultural markets in the United States that it leases to corporate and independent farmers and currently owns 6,829 acres on 28 farms in 5 different states across the U.S.