NOGALES, AZ - As suppliers and buyers of fresh produce, we know and understand the important role that fruits and vegetables play in living a healthy lifestyle. Further emphasizing the impact that these categories have, Divine Flavor has teamed up with the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) to spread awareness about how table grapes can play a pivotal role in a plant-based diet that could reduce the risk of cancer. Together, the duo will further advocate for the popular category and showcase to shoppers how to incorporate table grapes into their everyday meals.
“Table grapes are extremely versatile fruits which greatly contribute to a cancer protective diet,” said Michael DuPuis, Public Relations Manager for Divine Flavor. “Besides being sweet and delicious, grapes contain so many health benefits such as powerful antioxidants like polyphenols and resveratrol. Our partnership with the American Institute for Cancer Research was important for us because their vision coincides with our mission of educating consumers about healthy foods.”
Throughout the past three decades, AICR has funded research that has helped develop further understanding of the link between lifestyle and cancer.
According to a press release, the organization has contributed more than $110 million to support hundreds of studies conducted at universities, hospitals, and research centers across North, South, and Central America. Now, AICR and Divine Flavor will continue to highlight the relationship between healthy eating and cancer prevention.
“AICR wants to raise awareness about the link between cancer risk and lifestyle choices, and eating a healthy, plant-based diet is one of those factors that people can control,” said Jodi Street, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the American Institute for Cancer Research. “We are grateful for our partnership with Divine Flavor to help us promote healthy eating through this campaign.”
To help consumers work more fresh produce, and table grapes, into their diets, Divine Flavor will be showcasing a variety of recipes on its website in addition to working with registered dietitian nutritionist Liz Weiss. In partnership with AICR, the grower is also urging shoppers to follow AICR’s 10 Cancer Prevention Recommendations to reduce their overall cancer risk and have a healthy survivorship during and after cancer treatment.
“Through AICR and registered dietitian nutritionist, Liz Weiss at Liz’s Healthy Table, we were able to get very creative with some of our high-flavored varieties and prepare some very delicious recipes consumers could use and be excited about,” continued DuPuis. “As a supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables, Divine Flavor is proud to offer not only high-quality and delicious products for our customers, but also products which contribute to their overall well-being.”
Divine Flavor is currently in the middle of it is table grape season which is anticipated to run into the first weeks of July. Specializing in over 20 commercial varieties of table grapes, including its popular Cotton Candy™ grapes, Jellyberries™, and Gummyberries™, the supplier has the perfect lineup to encourage consumers to stock up on table grapes to improve their health.
As more partnerships showcasing the power of fresh produce come to fruition, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Stephen Press, Sharon Press, and Francis Manzo are not responsibly connected to Farmer Jacks Produce LLC, operating out of Middlesex, New Jersey. This is an update to a previous citation.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
Farmer Jacks Produce LLC violated the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay a reparation award in the amount of $11,031 in March 2021. As a result, USDA imposed sanctions on the business, including requiring that all principals may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
USDA made an initial determination that Nasser Nasser, Helen G. Mejia, Stephen Press, Sharon Press, and Francis Manzo were responsibly connected to Farmer Jacks Produce LLC and subject to sanctions. Stephen Press, Sharon Press, and Francis Manzo contested this initial determination, and USDA has now determined that they were not responsibly connected to Farmer Jacks Produce LLC at the time of the violation.
As a result, Stephen Press, Sharon Press, and Francis Manzo may be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
For more information, and to read the press release in its entirety, click here.
YERINGTON, NV - This just in! Peri & Sons Farms’ new Earthbag is raising the bar for consumer onion packaging! Our year-round onion program keeps getting better, and with the addition of these stellar organic onions in an earthly package, our products are sure to fly off the shelves.
Here’s What’s in Store.
With a history of saying “NO” to the status quo and seeking to continually innovate, Peri & Sons Farms is supporting new emerging packaging technologies, not only because they appeal to today's eco-conscious consumer, but because it’s the right thing to do.
This unique 100 percent paper and bamboo mesh bag is biodegradable and compostable and features no plastic. It’s the type of responsible produce packaging that will delight shoppers today and protect the earth tomorrow. Our eco-friendly pack displays beautifully, and its functional, light-weight design enhances freshness, shelf-life, and safety, all while reducing our impact on the planet.
Truly diversifying your retail displays, we offer a full variety of organic onions in this 3 lb format. Buyers can decorate the produce aisle with organic White, Red, Yellow, or Combo onion packs.
These onions are Premium Certified USDA Organic, with a UPC that ensures an accurate organic ring at the register every time. All our onion products are farmed sustainably, and these packs further support zero-waste initiatives and encourage increased consumer recycling.
And, not only will these bags capture the eyes of home cooks, but they will draw in those of younger consumers with a kid-friendly presentation.
To learn more about our Earthbag product offering, please contact Peri & Sons Farms’ sales team today.
Thank you for watching What’s in Store.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that Martinez Fresh Produce has satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $47,803 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.
Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:
The Dallas, Texas, company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Arturo Martinez Isguerra was listed as the member and manager of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
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.
Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individual.
For contact information, and to read the press release in its entirety, click here.
OCEANSIDE, CA - Nothing screams summer like the addition of fresh, flavorful tomatoes decorating the produce aisles and my plate. Ramping up for a highly anticipated season, Oppy has revealed the arrival of its pole-grown Oceanside Pole label tomatoes. With summer festivities approaching, the company expects the season’s first vine-ripened Roma and round tomatoes to make their appearance by the Fourth of July, just in time for retailers to capitalize on sales.
“Our team harvests each acre 18–20 times throughout the season to ensure each tomato is carefully hand-picked at its best,” said Director of Sales and Strategy Mark Smith. “In many cases, we pack, ship, and deliver to our customers within 24 hours. Because of our central location and efficiency, we only harvest tomatoes when ready. That translates to high brix levels, exceptional flavor, and an extended shelf life that you can only expect from the Oceanside Pole label.”
As of right now, over one million poles sit across 750 acres of land in Oceanside, California, preparing to deliver the first yield of Oceanside Pole tomatoes. According to a press release, this year, 2.2 million cases of rounds and 1.1 million cases of Romas will be shipped throughout the U.S. and Canada, with preferred ripeness for consumer needs.
To bolster this season’s success, team members have been walking the fields each day to monitor the health and development of each plant. Additionally, upgraded packing lines have been put in place to ensure even greater precision when it comes to harvesting the crops, ensuring that Oppy is prepared to meet the foodservice and retail demands with the best possible quality. Food safety and traceability have also been top-of-mind for the company.
Oceanside Pole also prides itself on playing a supportive role in the local community, including its pledge to hire military veterans from neighboring Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton. The brand is also collaborating on an internship program that provides civilian work experience for soldiers leaving the military.
The brand’s vine-ripened tomatoes will be peaking in September and October and will be finishing at the beginning of December. Oceanside Pole packs in 22 lbs two layers, 25 lb volume fill, 15 lb single layer, RPCs, and 5 lb club packs.
Offer this high-quality brand in your stores this summer and watch your shoppers come in droves to fill their baskets—I know I might be one of them.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Float up to the clouds with us as the industry embarks on a search for ANUK’s apple logo geniously hidden on the cover of our June issue of The Snack. A dreamy prize of $100 cash awaits those who come out on top, and we have grape expectations for both the buy- and supply-sides.
Within the pages of our June issue, you’ll find an inside look at some of our industry’s leaders and how they are innovating through relationships and vision. Sit back, kick up your feet, and grab your copy—digital or print—but don’t start turning the pages until you’ve tracked down that little apple.
Haven’t received your hard copy yet? No worries! You can find the hidden apple logo by viewing our digital cover here. Once you find it, be sure to take a smiling photo of yourself with your finger pointing at the logo.
The criteria for winning is as follows:
- Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
- And your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
Once you’ve discovered it, send your selfie over to us at [email protected] to join the running for the $100 cash prize! If your photo lands in our inbox ahead of everyone else’s, you could join the winners’ circle, along with some other quick produce pros, including:
- Wylie Bird of Jacobs Farm del Cabo (reigning supply-side champion)
- Betty Tomao of The Save Mart Companies (reigning buy-side champion)
- Dustin Meloche of Nature Fresh Farms
- Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- Doug Groendyke Harvest Hope Food Bank’s
- Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos of D’Arrigo California
- Osmerlin Garcia of Nature Fresh Farms
- Monina Knox of Sprouts Farmers Market
Be sure to get ready for the competition next round, and click here to subscribe to The Snack (valued at $129 per year).
Already making plans for how you’ll spend that $100? Get searching!
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently imposed sanctions on five 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:
- Blanca Medina, doing business as Medina’s Vegetables, operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $55,465 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Blanca Medina was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Acoca & Co. Inc., operating out of Brooklyn, New York, for failing to pay a $33,840 award in favor of a Massachusetts seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Lavi Hagay was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
- David Lopez, doing business as Texas Best Produce, operating out of Helotes, Texas, for failing to pay a $47,880 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, David M. Lopez was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- Sergio Ibarra, doing business as Triple G Produce, operating out of McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $4,716 award in favor of a Texas seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Sergio A. Ibarra was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
- MT Produce Corporation, operating out of Washington, D.C., for failing to pay a $63,141 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Michael Thomas 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 the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
For more information, and to read the press release in its entirety, click here.
SANTA PAULA, CA - As this week draws to a close, so too does Kevin Manion's time as Chief Financial Officer with Calavo Growers. He recently announced his departure from the company effective July 16, 2021. As he exits, Farha Aslam, a financial expert serving as a member of the Board of Directors, will step in as interim CFO as Calavo searches for a successor. Following Manion’s departure, he will stay on as a consultant to the company to ensure a smooth transition.
Aslam currenly serves on Calavo’s audit, compensation, and sustainability committees as part of the Board of Directors. According to a press release, she is also Founder and Managing Partner at Crescent House Capital, an investment and strategic advisory firm focusing on agriculture, energy, and food processing industries.
Prior to founding Crescent House Capital, Aslam was Managing Director at Stephens Inc., where she led the company’s food and agribusiness equity research team, building a top-tier research franchise that spanned the grain, ethanol, protein, and packaged food sectors. She also held the role of Vice President at Merrill Lynch and Risk Management Advisor at UBS.
James E. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer commented on Manion’s departure and Aslam’s interim role as his successor.
“On behalf of Calavo, I want to thank Kevin for his contributions to our team. He played an integral role in developing and implementing our operational and financial strategy. We wish him well in his future endeavors,” he said. "Given Farha’s knowledge of our business, financial acumen, and industry expertise, our deep and experienced finance team will have a strong and steady hand to lead them as we continue our search for a new CFO."
Cheers to both Aslam and Manion as they start down these new paths!
SACRAMENTO, CA - Just yesterday, California regulators updated workplace pandemic rules for those who are vaccinated against COVID-19. California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) ruled in a 5—1 vote that ended most mask rules for vaccinated people in the state. Governor Newsom issued an executive order waiving the ruling's usual 10-day legal review. The new rules will take effect as soon as they are filed with the Secretary of State.
The new ruling states that fully vaccinated people will not need to wear masks, except in locations where they are required for everyone—such as mass transit or classrooms. These new rules apply in nearly every workforce across the Golden State, such as offices, factories, and retailers. Farmworkers were not noted in the news source.
The adoption of these rules is intended to help protect workers while businesses resume near-normal activity.
Physical distancing will also no longer be in effect except during potential future outbreaks. According to a report from KCRA, vaccinated workers will not need to be tested or quarantine unless they show symptoms.
For employers, they need to document that the workers no longer wearing masks are vaccinated. However, it is up to the employer on how they wish to make that information known. Either an employee can self-report that status or be made to show proof of their vaccination. Employers can also decide on whether or not they wish to keep mask-wearing in effect.
A recent joint statement from the California Labor Secretary, Julie Su, and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Dee Dee Myers, noted May's employment data for the state.
“California has reopened, and we're ready to roar back. Nine out of 11 sectors added jobs in May, including Leisure and Hospitality, which created more than 50,000 new jobs for the fourth consecutive month,” said Myers.
While the state's officials are seeing the numbers rise, we wonder how quickly that will impact the shortages we have heard of for our industry throughout the state.
AndNowUKnow will continue to keep an eye out for the latest in California policy that affects the workforce.
NEWARK, DE - As in-person events make their return in full swing, an anticipated industry event is gearing up to take place. Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has announced that registration is officially open for this year’s Fresh Summit, which will occur in-person in New Orleans, Louisiana. This event, now in its 72nd year, will be among the first opportunities for the global produce and floral industries to reunite following the pandemic.
The Fresh Summit 2021 event will run from Thursday, October 28 through Saturday, October 30, and will feature three days of content and two additional days to explore the expo floor, a press release explained.
Cathy Burns will host the State of the Industry session on the first day, followed by Daymond John, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FUBU and star of ABC’s Shark Tank, who will lead a keynote that afternoon focused on marketing strategies and tips for building a successful brand.
Friday will feature a fast-paced discussion surrounding the future of the industry, in addition to a big reveal from Cathy Burns and United Fresh’s Tom Stenzel at the end of the session. On Saturday, Center for Growing Talent will host its Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast, featuring a keynote and Q&A from Golden Globe, SAG, and Emmy Award winning actress, Laura Linney. This breakfast requires a separate registration, so click here if you don’t want to miss out.
To finish off the event, the Fresh Summit will offer various opportunities for industry professionals to reconnect, network, and enjoy the time together, including the popular Retail Tours and the Fresh Summit Halloween Masquerade. Following the masquerade, companies can get their teams together and run the Center for Growing Talent 5K Fundraiser, which supports the organization’s student career programs. This event also requires a separate registration, so click here if you’re looking forward to that runner’s high.
To register for the PMA Fresh Summit 2021, click here.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest and greatest opportunities in our industry, so keep clicking back.