WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently imposed sanctions on Versa Marketing Inc. (d.b.a. Versa), in Fresno, California, for failing to meet its contractual obligations to the sellers of produce it purchased. These sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA. By issuing these penalties, the USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

Versa failed to pay $792,939 to three sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from February 2018 to August 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. Versa cannot operate in the produce industry until April 23, 2022, and then only after it applies for and is issued a new PACA license by the USDA.

The company’s principal, Alfred Goularte, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until April 23, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

The USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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.

The PACA Division, which is a part of AMS’ Fair Trade Practices Program, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry.

In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,800 callers with issues valued at approximately $148 million. These are just two examples of how the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For more information and to read the press release in its entirety, please visit the link here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

MONTEREY, CA - Can you smell the green in the air? No, not just the scent of summertime freshness, but the scent of cash flowing in. Organic fresh produce sales and volume continue their double-digit growth trend year over year, with this year's May sales and volume increasing by a whopping 16 percent. This insight was brought to the industry exclusively from the May 2020 Organic Produce Performance Report, released by Organic Produce Network and Category Partners.

“We continue to see the strength of organic fresh produce at retail and how consumers show no indications of shifting purchases away from organic fruit and vegetables,” said Matt Seeley, CEO of the Organic Produce Network.

March and April similarly saw trends of elevated sales of organic fresh produce, especially since consumers were continuing at-home eating. According to a press release, this trend resulted in May 2020 organic fresh produce sales that topped $662 million.

“Of the top 15 organic volume growth categories, nine were vegetables," added Steve Lutz, Senior Vice President, Insights and Innovation at Category Partners. “Large volume increases in products like organic cauliflower, celery, herbs, mushrooms, and broccoli continue to reflect a shift in consumer home food preparation habits since the beginning of the pandemic in March.”

Overall, organic sales in May increased by 16.3 percent in dollars, and 16.2 percent in volume from May of 2019, while conventional produce dollars increased by 18 percent and volume was up 15.5 percent, the press release went on to explain.

Bananas continue to be the dominant category for volume growth, larger than the combined power of the next two categories, apples and carrots. Per the report, the top three categories—bananas, carrots, and apples, respectively—share a common trait: retail prices for organic options are priced relatively close to the conventional counterpart.

A broader trend also reflected in the report is consumer purchases of organic ingredient products.

How will the industry continue to see organics rise? AndNowUKnow will be on the scent.

Organic Produce Network Category Partners

GERMANY - Lidl is one tour de force grocer. With expansion plans cropping up right and left, the retailer is quickly making moves across the pond and in the States. This time, Lidl’s parent company Schwarz Gruppe announced that it acquired Real.de, one of the largest online platforms in Germany.

“Real.de is an essential component for our future offering,” stated Rolf Schumann, Chief Digitalization Officer of the Schwarz Gruppe. “The combination of brick-and-mortar business and online trading will open up additional opportunities for us. This will also offer new advantages for our customers.”

As one of the largest online platforms in Germany, Real.de will help advance Schwarz Gruppe's standing in the e-commerce market.

According to a report from Ecommerce News Europe, this transaction will bolster Schwarz Gruppe’s digital business and expand the group’s offering for both its customers and trading partners in Germany and abroad.

As digital becomes the space in which retailers go to bat, how will this new acquisition increase Lidl’s competitive edge? AndNowUKnow will keep reporting.

Lidl

MORGAN HILL, CA - The global seed breeder continues its reach around the globe, this time setting its sights in Israel. Sakata Seed America announced the acquisition of the blocky bell pepper breeding program from Danziger “Dan” Seeds Ltd of Israel. The acquisition, which includes several existing commercial varieties in the market, will enable Sakata’s global, world-class breeder network to combine Danziger’s genetics with existing Sakata blocky bell pepper advancements and bring more outstanding products to market.

“We’re very excited to tap into this resource to better serve the blocky bell pepper market, not only in USMCA, but globally, as well,” stated Bryan Zingel, Senior Sweet Pepper Product Manager for Sakata. “Danziger has an exceptional breeding program and commercial variety portfolio focused on the Mexico mid-tech market, as well as U.S. growers utilizing high tunnel and shade cover growing practices.”

The purchase entitles Sakata to all existing assets of Danziger’s blocky bell pepper breeding program and will further solidify Sakata’s prominent position in the global pepper market.

According to a press release, Danziger developed its blocky bell pepper varieties using fast-track computational breeding technology from seed breeding specialist, Equinom Ltd., an ag-tech seed innovator that integrates cutting-edge technology with data-driven breeding methodology. The technology enables the company to breed non-GMO varieties with high levels of accuracy and efficiency.

“Here at Danziger, we are very happy that our pepper varieties are now in the hands of Sakata, as we are convinced that Sakata will do a great job in maximizing the potential of our breeding program and varieties to create value for Sakata, the pepper growers, and consumers around the world,” Micha Danziger, CEO of Danziger Seeds, commented.

Sakata’s Senior Director of Research and Development, Jeff Zischke, played a key role in the company’s strategic acquisition of the program.

“Sakata has a global network that can expand and amplify this blocky bell pepper program worldwide,” Zischke stated. “We look forward to advancing these exceptional genetics to build a more comprehensive pepper program for the global market.”

Sakata Seed America will call upon its extensive network of global affiliates to continue to develop the program to its fullest potential and increase its reach. All existing Danziger commercial varieties will be made available to the industry via Sakata Seed America, effective immediately.

For more acquisitions, expansions, and innovations in the fresh produce industry, keep checking back to ANUK.

Sakata Seed America

WOODRIDGE, IL - Produce Pro Software is introducing a new tool suite for processing, packouts, and production management. With our innovative business and technology solutions, we aim to help our produce industry partners achieve goals and adapt to future growth opportunities, and our newest solution is no exception. In fact, the Production Planning tools do all the leg work so that our customers can focus on optimization and service.

Here’s What’s in Store with Produce Pro Software…

Production planning is all about visibility and control. The produce industry always needs to know what’s in demand, what’s in the works, and how production lines are performing. Whether you and your operation run just one line or many, Produce Pro Software’s Production Planning tool can empower your leads and supervisors with robust analysis at every level.

Production Planning offers our customers the ability to optimize production opportunities each day; adjust plan quantities; manage resources, demand requirements, and regular and contingent labor with ease; and track real-time progress, completion statuses, and other performance metrics. Our new tool suite also features powerful reporting capabilities, both on-screen and in scheduled reports, that can help you analyze past production for future needs.

With production tools at your fingertips, there’s no problem too big or too small for Produce Pro Software and its fleet of solutions.

Thank you for watching What’s in Store.

Produce Pro Software

WAYNE, IL - The world needs more Mark Clausens. This is the sentiment shared by many as they celebrate the life of a fresh produce industry veteran and advocate who left us too soon. With gratitude and appreciation for the gifts he brought to those in his life as a true industry professional and mentor to many, we honor Mark with this tribute.

Mark W. Clausen of Wayne, Illinois, (formerly of Burr Ridge), left us on October 19, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. He was 55 when he passed away.

Mark began his journey in this life in August of 1964, born to Rose Marie (neé Nowicki) and William Clausen. The Clausens were longtime residents of Mt. Prospect and were very involved with community events. Mark was a 1982 honors graduate from Forest View High School, playing in the symphonic, marching, and jazz bands. He earned a Bachelor's degree in marketing from DePaul University.

Hired straight from graduation by PMI Marketers, Mark entered the company’s executive training program. Through his gift of gab and comedic storytelling, Mark quickly rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Acosta's Fresh Foods Program. Mark’s loved ones share that Mark was well known in the food wholesale supply business and his long term professional relationships were a source of great pride to him.

After leaving Acosta, he became President of MicroTek, a technology education company. He was always the deal maker, always with many irons in the fire, and always using the phrase, "You know I'm in the business."

Another source of great pride for Mark was his children. He is survived by his son Will and daughter Gabrielle, his beloved fiancé and long-time partner Jaime Begley, brothers Mike Lewens (Liz) and Bill Lewens (Kelly), step-father John Flaherty and his eight children (Mark's step-siblings), and countless friends.

Mark was an extraordinarily generous man who enjoyed traveling the world with Jaime, VIP access to rock concerts, relaxing with Jaime and their four dogs in their backyard, and playing Petanque (which Mark mastered quickly) at their country club. He was an avid collector of military memorabilia, many fabulous motorcars, and played a most impressive drum set.

Mark’s Celebration of Life Memorial happened Friday, October 25, 2019, at the Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Mark’s two favorite charities: REGAP of Illinois to help out the retired greyhounds, which were such a big part of Mark’s family, and Boys’ Town of Nebraska. Mark and his late father were big believers in the mission of Boys’ Town. He would always say, "There’s no such thing as a bad boy.”

Mark is missed deeply by his friends and family. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who knew Mark and were touched by his passion and love.

CHICAGO, IL - Hazel Technologies' success is set in stone—stonefruit that is! After beginning its research in the category over two years ago, the ground-breaking industry partner is already making headway with new innovations to help growers, packers, shippers, and retailers protect the quality of their fresh produce.

I chatted with Patrick Flynn, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, to find out what’s next for Hazel Technologies as it continues to make a name for itself as a leading technology and packaging provider in the fresh produce industry.

“In addition to our Hazel™ post-harvest line of products, we’re working on developing exciting new pre-harvest quality technologies and, last week, we announced the launch of our Hazel™ Trex pre-harvest quality technology with Zespri, the largest kiwifruit distributor in the world, with over 4,200 growers worldwide. Any technology that helps growers, packers, and retailers have the best possible quality and the lowest possible amount of waste is a technology we are interested in providing,” Patrick shared with me. “We’re also investing in technologies further down the supply chain in order to expand the work we do with retailers. The big selling point with retailers is that over 150 suppliers globally are already using Hazel Tech® and seeing great results, so most retailers have many suppliers already using Hazel.”

One goal of Hazel Tech products is to improve the end-consumers' eating experience—which Patrick noted aligns with retailers’ goals as well. This, in addition to Hazel Tech’s emphasis on ease-of-use and investing in academic research, further differentiates the company as a key partner, especially to those looking to enhance the quality of stonefruit and other fresh produce categories.

The USDA is one of many industry leaders standing alongside Hazel Tech as it continues to make headway in the stonefruit category. In fact, the USDA helps to fund the company’s solutions, which Patrick revealed many growers advocated for because of how integral and functional Hazel Tech products are for the supply-side.

“A lot of the solutions on the market are more complex to implement. Hazel Tech, on the other hand, is about as simple as can be,” Patrick said. “The only thing that is simpler would be not doing anything. But, if you’re a grower or retailer, and you’ve decided quality is a priority, our products are true game-changers, and it’s about as simple and easy as you can get.”

One of the reasons why Hazel Tech has achieved such great results is an emphasis on academic research.

“We began our presence in the stonefruit category and other categories by conducting trials with universities like UC Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell. We did our first trial with UC Davis in the summer of 2018 that examined the effect of our packaging on apricots from Washington, particularly looking out for quality and color retention, firmness, and shrink over a period of time,” Patrick explained. “Once we saw the results, that was when things started picking up for us in the stonefruit category. We began talking to growers and packers of stonefruit and building out new partnerships.”

With new innovations, partnerships, and ground-breaking research results coming down the pipeline, there’s no doubt that Hazel Technologies continues to be one to watch in the fresh produce industry. For more updates like this, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Hazel Technologies

STELLARTON, NS - This April, Empire-owned Sobeys launched its new e-commerce Voilà division. As the future of online grocery home delivery continues to trend upwards, the company is now expanding this service to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The platform has a freshness guarantee and products at affordable prices with no hidden fees, delivered straight to consumers’ doors in convenient one-hour delivery windows. Starting today, shoppers in Vaughan will be able to order online through Voilà. Service across the GTA will follow in the coming weeks.

“Voilà by Sobeys is the future of online grocery retail in Canada, and now it’s here,” said Michael Medline, President and CEO of Empire. “Ocado’s technology gives us the best e-commerce platform in the country—there’s nothing like it in North America. We can’t wait to share Voilà with our customers in the GTA this summer and across Canada in the future.”

According to a press release, Voilà is powered by Ocado Group’s industry-leading technology and fills orders through its state-of-the-art automated Customer Fulfillment Centre (CFC) in Vaughan, Ontario. Robots assemble orders efficiently and safely, resulting in minimal product handling, while Voilà teammates safely deliver orders directly to the customer’s home.

Voilà is the first and only grocery retailer to offer Farm Boy and Well.ca products through its online home delivery service. Voilà customers will be able to shop for thousands of fresh produce and grocery products from Sobeys, alongside customer favorites from Farm Boy and health, wellness, baby, pet, and beauty products from Well.ca.

“Canadians deserve a better way to shop for groceries online,” said Sarah Joyce, SVP, E-commerce of Empire. “Because Voilà delivers customers’ orders directly from an automated warehouse, we have tremendous control over the freshness and quality of our products and the reliability of our deliveries. Our teammates are ready to provide best-in-class service to our customers.”

At capacity, Voilà by Sobeys will bring approximately 1,500 jobs to the area, including operations, delivery, and customer service teammates. A second CFC is currently being built in Montreal to bring Voilà par IGA to major cities in the province of Quebec as well as Ottawa.

Keep an eye out for our latest reports as we wait to find out where this innovative service will touch down next.

Empire Company

NEWARK, DE - Foodservice: Delivered, the Produce Marketing Association’s answer to the virtual call of trade shows, is already just around the corner. Slated for July 20-24, this free event will offer all of the insights, business connections, and solutions of past trade shows—just in a new format.

“PMA is eager to reconnect growers, business solution providers, chefs, menu planners, foodservice distributors, and foodservice providers of all types,” said Lauren M. Scott, Chief Marketing Officer. “By being bold, working together across the supply chain, and by exploring new ways to incorporate the Joy of Fresh™ produce into foodservice, we can help revitalize the foodservice industry and the communities they serve.”

The event features an enticing menu of activities that attendees can access, a press release noted.

PMA’s Foodservice: Delivered virtual event is designed around a “restaurant week” theme. The menu board will include a:

• Chef’s Menu of main session feature topics each day. Topics include: operator leadership, consumer insights, menu development, global trends, and innovating for the future. During these main sessions, participants will enrich their perspective through learnings from foodservice industry leaders

• Tasting Menu break-out sessions will feature short, interactive experiences where participants can get a taste of topics tailored to the unique needs and interests of various sectors in foodservice. PMA and our guest speakers will tackle pressing issues, challenges, and how produce suppliers and business solution providers can help
• Solutions Sampling features products and services to help buyers across the supply chain solve their top challenges, which include menu, delivery, labor, innovation, and supply chain challenges. Foodservice suppliers will showcase their products, services, and solutions to Foodservice: Delivered registrants through video demos and a comprehensive online listing where buyers can connect with them directly to learn more
• Chef’s Table will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how produce can bring foodservice to life. Participants will explore products, services, and ideas. Suppliers are encouraged to apply to take part in these sessions, designed to provide attendees an insider’s look at how the produce industry makes it all happen. Ideas include virtual farm tours, a look into the supply chain, chef demos of on-trend ways to use produce, innovative uses for products, handling tips, or other interactive activities to help menu developers and purchasers learn more about produce from farm to menus
• Mixers are virtual networking opportunities that will provide an opportunity for Foodservice: Delivered guests to connect with one another across the globe in a relaxed, social way
• Sourcing Meetings will enable participants to develop partnerships that advance their business

More details on each restaurant week feature of PMA’s Foodservice: Delivered will be released in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover the latest.

Produce Marketing Association

IRELAND - Another innocent shipment of fresh fruit was caught up in crime over the weekend as officials at the Rosslare Europort in Ireland discovered cannabis amongst a load of melons and oranges.

According to Today FM, 5.5 million euros (upward of $6.19 million USD) worth of the drug was concealed within the fruit containers. The shipment reportedly arrived from Spain and was selected for a random check.

The trailer arrived unaccompanied when officials decided to X-Ray the contents, uncovering 277 kilos (around 610.68 pounds) of cannabis.

The news source noted that the investigation as to who is responsible is still open.

For the freshest news in the industry, stick with us here at AndNowUKnow.