OXNARD & SANTA MARIA, CA - Bobalu has reported Santa Maria is setting up nicely for a great peak fall season in the next few weeks. The grower is thankful to see the weather cooperating and is very happy with the current fruit size, color, and firmness it’s seeing so far from the strawberries.

“We like what we see with the new Salma variety and currently have plans to increase acreage next year if all goes well,” Bobalu shared in an update. “The fruit looks and tastes great, and the plants are very healthy. The plants and leaves are definitely larger than those of the Portola, but so far we haven’t seen any issues stemming from that difference.”

While peak season is on the horizon in Santa Maria, the volume is still lower overall than expected, with the word ‘peak’ due to a shorter season and fewer acres than the grower has during the summer peak. The update stated how the company looks forward to welcoming the fall crop beginning soon in Oxnard, and to covering its program retailers, ensuring that demand is fulfilled first.

The Oxnard fall harvest is expected to begin mid-to-late October and will help carry Bobalu into the busy holiday season.

When you’re looking for more crop updates, you know where to click!

NASHVILLE, TN - The shows produced by Southeast Produce Council are always known for their warmth and networking opportunities, and this year’s Southern Innovations was no different. With hundreds of buyers in attendance and over 200 companies exhibiting, the show floor was a hustle and bustle of business meetings, impromptu discussions, and countless laughs.

"Southern Innovations was a No.1 hit on both the country and rock charts! We started out a little bit country and ended up with a whole lot of rock 'n' roll! We felt the weekend had something for everyone, beginning with the valuable data from our What's New? report featuring our new 360 view from the consumer, retailer, and shipper perspectives," shared David Sherrod, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southeast Produce Council. "Our Good Seeds and Southern Roots programs are delivering on making us better people as we go through this world we call produce. The feeling around the event was truly inspirational and uplifting."

The show kicked off for many at the Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 12, before attendees dived into educational sessions and networking opportunities such as the association’s Southern Roots Women’s Luncheon and the Good Seeds MENtor program on Friday.

"Dan’l Mackey Almy and Megan Zweig delivered phenomenal insights on the Enneagram at the Southern Roots luncheon,’ said Kristin Yerecic Scott, SEPC's incoming Board Chair and Yerecic Label's Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Administration. "They taught us critical insights about the growth, stressors, virtues, passions, and so much more relative to our Enneagram personality types."

As someone who knows their Enneagram type intimately—hello fellow 9's!—I can imagine the takeaways from this networking event.

The excitement throughout the show was palpable, a feeling that Jeff Cady, Vice President of Produce and Floral for Northeast Shared Services, said was tough to shake.

"The Southern Innovations show again exceeded expectations," Jeff told me. "Every year attendance is going up and the positive vibes are multiplying. It was great visiting with existing partners as well as getting to know new potential suppliers. Every vendor I asked echoed my sentiment that this show is becoming a can't-miss event!"

Attendees were also given top-notch information regarding the state of the industry due to the fourth edition of its What’s New? consumer research educational session.

"Southern Innovations offers a perfect platform to showcase our new products and supply chain innovation at Westfalia," shared Raina Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA. "We also gain invaluable insights on new and emerging consumer trends through the SEPC’s What’s New? report. We always have a great time with our retail and foodservice partners and learn their perspective on innovation as well. It is an event we look forward to every year!"

To learn more from this educational session, click here for additional info.

David Sherrod also spoke to the importance of this session.

“The produce industry is delivering and delivering big,” he shared in a release. “The fourth edition of our research found that more consumers eat fresh produce daily and this growth corresponds to a 2.6 percent increase in fresh produce pounds in the latest Circana data. Fresh produce is the strongest of the perimeter departments and the study identified many more opportunities for produce growth in years to come.”

Gary Baker, Senior Director of Fresh for Merchant Distributors and SEPC Treasurer and Conference Chairman, added his thoughts.

"SEPC's Southern Innovations event this year was exceptional. Attendees gained valuable insights into the latest developments in the produce industry, featuring such notable speakers as Anne-Marie Roerink and Ben Watson, who discussed the importance of authenticity and discovering one's identity at our Good Seed MENtor Program," Baker noted. The event was further enhanced by an impressive vendor showcase at the expo and concluded with a vibrant 80’s-themed celebration at the Chairman's Dinner Dance."

As attendees wandered the show floor on Friday, they were also able to take a peek at the Wall of Innovations showcase and see what companies—and competitors—are up to.

The hunger to deliver solutions could be felt across both sides, as retailers and suppliers rubbed shoulders and discussed challenges of the day.

Returning from the whirlwind of the show floor, some reflected on the importance of such an event. Mike Roberts of Harps Food Stores was one of them.

"SEPC's Southern Innovations 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, was a hit! From the Welcome Reception to the SEPC University Educational Session roundtable featuring Anne-Marie Roerink and the What’s New? presentation to the packed show floor," Roberts said. "Over 200 booths with hundreds of buyers in attendance – it was the place to be this past week! The atmosphere is so relaxed, and the membership is like a family which makes for a great experience for everyone in attendance! Capping off the event was some fun with golf, a local tour, and sporting clay shooting; then crowning the day was a great throwback to the 80’s at the Chairman’s Dinner Dance with Foreigner, Journey, and Asia performing! It was an amazing way to wrap up a great week!"

The final day began with the Founders Memorial Golf Tournament as well as the Martin Eubanks Sporting Clays Classic.

The winners are as follows:

Founders Memorial Golf Tournament

• 1^st Place: Dan Acevedo, Frank Perri, Dax Cooke, and Logan Hamburg
• 2^nd Place: Dug Schwalls, Chandler Grimes, Caleb Medders, and Tomas Gonzales
• 3^rd Place: Dave Yeager, Dustin Blank, Adam Litch, Andrew Scott
• Longest Drive: Tara Utrup, Darrell Allen
• Closest to the Pin: Jeff Bailey, Kevin Keough, Michael Gatz (not pictured), Brandon Parker
• Most Honest: David Sherrod, Tracy Edenfield

Martin Eubanks Sporting Clays Classic

• 1^st Place: Mike Chirico, George Uribe, Allan Napolitano, Michael Napolitano, and Mark Pandol
• 2^nd Place: Jimmy Alderman, Jesse Taylor, Devin Vaishville, Melissa McCormick, and BJ McCormick
• 3^rd Place: Austin Farrow, Molly Edenfield Farrow, Kelly Stainner, Scott Butler, Justin Johnson, and Richard Johnson
• Highest Individual Score: Mark Pandol

"From SEPC’s original fall conference, it is nice to see how much the show has evolved—while still maintaining that intimacy we know and love from SEPC!" Sabrina Pokomandy, Account Manager for Highline Mushrooms, shared with me. "The show format gives grower/shippers quality time with the retailers, and the retailers make the time to spend valuable minutes at each booth. Plus, the educational content is great!

As we gear up for the next round of trade show coverage, stick with AndNowUKnow!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DoorDash has announced a major grocery partnership with H Mart, one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in the United States, significantly expanding its delivery services. This collaboration introduces on-demand delivery from over 75 H Mart locations, offering new opportunities for retailers to reach a broader consumer base through the DoorDash platform.

This new partnership allows consumers to access an extensive selection of products, from Korean Banchan and premium meats to popular ramen noodles and Asian snacks.

Since launching its on-demand grocery delivery service in 2020, DoorDash has significantly broadened its grocery selection, adding top national and local brands to its platform. According to a press release, this growth aligns with the increasing consumer demand for convenience in grocery shopping.

The H Mart deal is part of DoorDash’s broader strategy to diversify its offerings beyond restaurant delivery. The company has also announced two other major partnerships with Mattress Firm and Aveda, further expanding its reach into new categories. Additionally, DoorDash has enhanced its grocery delivery options in Canada with new partners, including Healthy Planet, Sungiven Foods, Supermarché PA, Nature’s Emporium, and Lina’s Italian Market.

To celebrate the new partnership, now through October 15, consumers can enjoy 50 percent off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $35) with promo code HMART50 at all participating H Mart locations (terms and conditions apply).

The addition of H Mart and other new partners highlights DoorDash’s dedication to expanding on-demand delivery. With over 115,000 non-restaurant retailers on its platform, DoorDash is setting the benchmark for delivery convenience and offering retailers a powerful tool for customer reach and growth.

Keep reading ANUK as we bring you more updates.

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• My Ark Farm Corp., doing business as Pat’s Farms, operating out of Merrick, New York, for failing to pay a $12,489 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Awilda Diaz was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• Edy’s Produce, operating out of Seven Springs, North Carolina, for failing to pay an $8,894 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Edy Velasquez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business
• Jaspo, operating out of Bellevue, Washington, for failing to pay a $135,934 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Koji Suzuki was listed as the officer, director, and, major stockholder of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. 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.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.