UNITED STATES - This week, the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is celebrating an exciting milestone: its first-ever research project, Agriculture Water Treatment - Southwest Region. To kick off the project in style, CPS awarded the project $200,000, which will be used to fund the study of the effectiveness of various agricultural water treatments. The University of Arizona’s Channah Rock— (Ph.D.) Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, and a Water Quality Specialist with UA's Cooperative Extension at the Maricopa Agricultural Center—will lead the project. This is the fifth research award she has received from CPS since 2011.

"This project is groundbreaking for CPS and for the fresh produce industry, as we take the first step toward finding solutions to help our industry address the critical issue of safe ag water treatments," said Dave Corsi, Chair of CPS's Board of Directors and Vice President of Produce and Floral for Wegmans Food Markets. "This is also just the beginning—this project sets a precedent for future CPS awards to fund research in this area."

Along with heralding CPS’s entry into researching and solving the safety of water applied to fresh produce crops, this ag water research award by CPS reflects strategic changes made by the organization in 2018 that reflect where fresh produce safety is headed. Specifically, CPS updated its mission to "fund science, find solutions, and fuel change” and revamped its research program to do the following:

• Be more flexible and responsive
• Update rapid response research capability to fund urgent topics in addition to research tracks focusing on ag water solutions,
• Challenge awards to find tools which help growers solve for animal intrusion,
• Increase CPS's annual research funding of ongoing produce safety topics, such as preventive controls and interventions.

As part of these changes, the one-year-long project will examine the effectiveness of antimicrobial ag water treatments in the Southwest region of the U.S., recognizing that there may be regional and/or site-specific variations for effectively treating water.

"Growers have access to a myriad of options for water treatment, with limited guidance to help them be successful," said Rock, "Our goal is to develop scientific data that will inform growers on how to use ag water treatments more effectively and confidently."

Specifically, Rock and her team will evaluate three treatment options: peracetic acid, calcium hypochlorite, and ultraviolet light. At the request of CPS, the project will be mindful of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Rule requirements for treating ag production water, to ensure that resulting industry guidance will be FSMA-compliant, according to a press release. CPS is also establishing an industry advisory committee to inform and support the research team.

In addition to CPS’s monetary contribution, regionally-sourced produce safety stakeholders, including produce industry, academia, local and federal government, and technology service providers, will match the award equally.

For more of the freshest, safest, and greatest produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Center for Produce Safety

ANAHEIM, CA - When the ANUK team is in Orange County, California, it only makes sense to talk about citrus till our heart’s content. To accomplish this, we swung by Vision Import Group’s booth at PMA Fresh Summit to pick the brain of Tony Mitchell, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, and find out all that there is to find on the importer’s latest citrus programs.

“We’re here promoting our retail bag line,” Tony shared with me. “We have wonderful products: It’s a 2 lb Mr. Squeeze Lemon and 2 lb Mojito Limes. People are looking to more convenient type items, and these products are an easy way to go in and grab a bag.”

On top of the insane convenience the Mr. Squeeze Lemons and Mojito Limes bags offer consumers, Tony also revealed that the product has maximum staying power both in and outside of refrigeration. This eliminates the worry of shrink at both the retail and consumer level.

Vision Import Group adds another layer of convenience to its lemon and lime programs with its 52-week availability.

“We do a lot of Spanish lemons. We do a lot of Argentine lemons. We also have a very beautiful organic Mexican lemon, so we’re very proud of what we do,” Tony continued, emphasizing the variety Vision Import Group offers its customers within its 52-week programs. “Limes are 52 weeks out of Mexico into Texas. We have a lot of programs we can offer, and we’re ready to sell.”

To hear more from the citrus expert himself, check out our interview with Tony above. And for more exclusive produce news, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.

Vision Import Group

LEAMINGTON, ON - NatureFresh Farms’ 20-year anniversary celebration brought about more than just confetti and champagne pops earlier this month. On November 8th, the company threw an anniversary event that marked this major milestone, along with the announcement of an exciting addition of a Group Retirement Plan to its existing benefits plan.

“The 20th anniversary celebration gave us the perfect opportunity to express our appreciation to our employees by announcing the extension of their current benefits plan, which now includes the Group Retirement Plan,” shared John Ketler, General Manager. “NatureFresh Farms’ most valuable asset is its employees, and we want to help provide for our amazing team.”

The special event was organized at NatureFresh’s Phase 3 facility where 270 employees gathered to commemorate the company’s 20 years of success. With everyone in high spirits and enjoying the afternoon event, Ketler and CEO Peter Quiring took the opportunity to extend their gratitude to the employees. Noting their hard work and dedication over the last 20 years in business, the two announced that NatureFresh Farms will now be offering its employees a Group Retirement Plan.

The Group Retirement Plan allows employees to conveniently contribute to the plan through payroll deductions before tax is calculated. The amount is then matched by NatureFresh Farms, allowing employees to save more for their retirement and receive immediate tax relief from those savings. The company hopes this new benefit will help existing employees plan for their future, while also acting as an incentive to attract new hires.

Within its 20 years of innovation and growth, NatureFresh Farms has had many accomplishments, according to a press release. It recently rolled out a 32-acre expansion, which brought its total family-owned facilities to 200 acres, advancing operations to year-round growing in Leamington. NatureFresh has taken significant steps to further integrate sustainability within its operations, exemplified this year by the successful introduction of its new compostable cucumber trays.

NatureFresh Farms aims to continue providing quality greenhouse-grown vegetables through its advancements in sustainable technology, and is looking forward to another 20 years of offering retailers and consumers consistency in supply, quality, and flavor.

Here’s to 20 years for NatureFresh Farms! To keep up with all the latest news in the industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

NatureFresh Farms

AUSTIN, TX - The natural food retail scene has been trending upward for some time now—the success of companies like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts Farmers Market are concrete proof. There are profits to be made by investing in food providers that can offer the sorts of natural foods that consumers seek out. Moberly Natural Crush, LLC, a natural food company specializing in soybean meal and oil, has received a boost from Whole Foods’ leadership, as Scott Allshouse, the retailer’s President of the Mid-Atlantic Region, will be taking his place on Moberley Natural Crush’s (MNC) Board of Directors.

“The natural food industry was built on the backs of small, start-up food companies like Moberly Natural Crush,” said Allshouse. “It’s not that much different from how Whole Foods got started, and I look forward to helping MNC reach its full potential. There is a lot of growth opportunities in this part of the supply chain.”

Having spent his entire career in grocery retail operations, Allshouse was a key executive who helped transform Whole Foods from a regional grocer to one of the world’s largest natural food and organic retailer, according to Moberly Monitor-Index. Since 2012, Allshouse, in his current role, has been responsible for over 13,000 team members across seven states, and he has a company-wide position as a member of the Whole Foods Leadership Team, the news source reports. He started with the retailer as a New Jersey Store Team Leader and quickly transitioned into regional operational positions, before assuming the role of President of the South Region in 2004.

“Scott Allshouse provides us the highest level of connectivity to the natural food industry,” Pat Conners, one of the Founders of MNC, commented. “Since 2000, Scott has been on the front line of shaping and implementing some of the strictest natural food standards, and he has played a prominent leadership role in making Whole Foods the industry leader.”

Allshouse will help forward MNC’s strategic growth plan in his new role as a Director, and has plans to foster relationships with Missouri farmers.

Moberly Natural Crush is in a state of growth, and is in its phase two equity drive, with plans to raise $5 million to purchase equipment necessary for operating its soybean processing facility in Moberley’s industrial park.

With this kind of star power on its team, what is in store for Moberly Natural Crush? AndNowUKnow will report.

Moberly Natural Crush Whole Foods Market

MILWAUKEE, WI - Kroger and Ocado are making headway on their 20 distribution centers, with the sixth one officially in play. This week, the partners named Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, as the home for their next Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC).

"Kroger is incredibly excited to construct one of our industry-leading Customer Fulfillment Centers in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, in relationship with Ocado to bring fresh food to our customers faster than ever before," said Robert Clark, Kroger's Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Sourcing. "Through our strategic partnership, we are engineering a model for the region, leveraging advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to redefine the customer experience for our customers in Wisconsin and Illinois."

According to a press release, the Pleasant Prairie CFC will measure 350,000 square feet and is expected to create up to 400 new jobs. The facility will also serve customers in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northwest Indiana.

"We are excited to bring Kroger and Ocado's latest automated warehouse to Pleasant Prairie. As this site develops and goes live, it will be instrumental in delivering fantastic grocery experiences and exciting job opportunities to households across Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond," said Luke Jensen, CEO of Ocado Solutions. "Today's announcement marks another big milestone on the road to developing a seamless fulfilment ecosystem for Kroger customers across the United States. Ocado's proven technology will allow Kroger to achieve the lowest cost-to-serve in the market, combined with the best freshness, accuracy, and service."

Thus far, Georgia, Ohio, Texas, and Florida have all been chosen to house CFCs, with some states, like Ohio, even housing two. All of the distribution centers are part of Kroger’s and Ocado’s plan to bolster the supply chain and stay on top of consumer demand.

"This project expands Kroger's commitment to continued investment in Wisconsin and Illinois. With this cutting-edge technology, Kroger is confident our partnership with Ocado will play an integral role in the continued commerce growth of this dynamic region," added Michael Marx, Kroger Roundy's President. "This transformative fulfillment center will create local jobs and accelerate Kroger's ability to expand our products and services to a larger footprint, providing customers with anything, anytime, anywhere."

While Kroger didn’t disclose the specificities of when it will be breaking ground and opening the doors on its CFC in Wisconsin, it did note that the facility will be operational 24 months after the project begins construction.

AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest in fresh produce news.

Kroger

MYERS, FL - Plant Breeders are the rocket scientists of the produce industry. Without their expertise, we would not have the chance to enjoy such a wide variety of high-quality fruits and veg. A well-known industry plant breeder, Brian Just, was recently nabbed by Sakata Seed America as its new Sweet Pepper Lead and Senior Plant Breeder. Just brings over 15 years of sweet pepper breeding to the role, previously working with companies like Seminis, Monsanto, and Bayer. He joins an already robust team of passionate personnel leading Sakata’s sweet pepper program. With the addition of Just, Sakata will continue to build a strong sweet pepper program at the forefront of innovation and quality.

“I am very excited to join a company with a reputation like Sakata’s. It takes pride in what it does and invests in the future of our industry. I believe the success of a breeding program is driven by the creativity and the vision of the breeding group and the support of the wider commercial team. I look forward to what we can accomplish together,” stated Just in a press release.

Just boasts 19 issued germplasm and trait patents with several industry-leading products worldwide in the sweet pepper category. His work in markets including the U.S., Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, Europe, and Israel will help Sakata solidify and expand its role as a global leader in the sweet pepper segment and beyond.

“Brian is well-known and greatly respected in the industry for his influential work driving breeding efforts forward in a highly collaborative way. We are excited to welcome Brian and look forward to his contributions to the team as we continue to strive to breed and produce the best genetics in the market,” said Jeff Zischke, Senior Director of Research and Development.

Brian Just obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004 and holds a Master’s Degree in Plant Breeding from Cornell University.

Congratulations to Sakata Seed America and Brian Just on this exciting opportunity!

Sakata Seed America

KLAMMOTH, OR - As one of the oldest crops cultivated across the world, potatoes are a fundamental life force that is essential to so much of what we consume. Maybe I’ve developed potato brain in anticipation of Thanksgiving, but I can’t seem to get the spuds off of my mind. I tapped Anthony Innocenti, Co-Founder of LIV Organic, to satisfy my curiosity about the category. He reported that the company is currently packing Oregon-grown organic russets, reds, and yellow potatoes, both in bulk and bagged, in anticipation of the potato-centric festivities.

“We are ready for the holiday season without a doubt,” Anthony told me. “We chose to postpone harvesting a few weeks to let the first fields that get harvested really cure to prevent any ‘skinning’ on all potatoes. Since then, we have been adding extra packing crews to meet the holiday demand and ship 7 days a week.”

Because LIV Organic’s supply is well-positioned for the holidays, the grower took extra care to meet increased demand with the highest quality possible.

“We’re seeing steady volumes, but with demand pretty high, we should expect to see prices rise after the holidays for excellent quality product,” said Anthony. “Quality has been really good this year, and we have monitored very closely with extra levels of added quality control.”

While the company has done just about all it can to prepare for another successful potato season, the factor of weather is always something to consider for farmers.

“We’re expecting volume that’s pretty close to the same volume as last year, maybe a little less with the weather issues we had in the beginning of the harvesting season,” Anthony said. “It was abnormally cold last month right before the harvest began.”

Despite the cold winter weather looming over LIV Organic’s potato crops, it is well positioned to fulfill its mission: to produce high-quality product with incrementable growth to ensure the longevity of farming for years to come.

To see how other category growers are faring in the face of a busy holiday season, keep checking back with us at ANUK.

LIV Organic

IRWINDALE, CA - If there’s anything that I have learned in my short time in the produce biz, it’s that ‘fresh’ and ‘new products’ are key buttons to be hitting. So when Bonduelle Fresh Americas announced that it was releasing a bevvy of new fresh products, the flashing lightbulb in my head went off. Seven new products have hit the shelves, and it’s time for me to do some taste testing.

“The extension of the Bonduelle brand with the new Bonduelle Fresh Picked™ Gourmet Entrée Salads was the perfect opportunity to take what we’re known for—fresh, convenient salads on-the-go—and take it up a notch to appeal to a consumer looking for something beyond the familiar,” said Vice President of Marketing Priscila Stanton. “We wanted to challenge the status quo of prepared salads to bring a bit of indulgence to our recipes with premium ingredients you won’t find in other ready-to-eat salads, such as Manzanilla Spanish green olives, shaved aged parmesan, or crispy cornbread crumble.”

Marked by premium ingredients and a nod to time-tested recipes, these Gourmet Entrée Salads elevate the category in ready-to-eat and customizable options that crosses the spectrum of flavors and textures while still maintaining the optimum freshness consumers crave in a packaged salad. Additionally, the square bowl features the Fresh Air Seal™ process, which extends the shelf life of the salads without preservatives, so they stay fresher longer, allowing health-conscious shoppers the confidence to stock up for the week in just one grocery trip.

According to the press release, the Fresh Picked Gourmet Entrée Salads are now available in the produce aisle of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and Pavilions stores on the West Coast with plans to expand distribution nationally. The salads are available in five varieties:

• Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips
• Spanish Inspired Chef Salad with Smoked Ham
• Sonora Inspired Salad with Seasoned Grilled Chicken
• Steak & Bleu Chopped Salad
• Apple Walnut Baby Greens Salad with Quinoa

Not only is BFA expanding its Bonduelle brand, but it’s also expanding its Ready Pac Foods brand, too. Two new Ready Pac Foods Bistro^® salads are joining the line-up in the form of the Slider and Reuben salads.

“We are always looking for new ways for people to eat healthier, and that means extending our ever-popular Bistro Salad line with exciting flavors and ingredients,” commented Stanton on the Ready Pac line. “Our two new salad recipes allow consumers to enjoy a delicious, indulgent slider or a Rueben in a healthier and guilt-free way.”

With a name like Slider or Reuben, one should expect some sliders or beef involved, and BFA didn’t disappoint—mouthwatering mini charbroiled burger patties are included in the package, sitting on a bed of crisp iceberg and romaine lettuce and topped with grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese, dill pickle-flavored croutons, and Thousand Island dressing. Meanwhile, the Reuben Salad features uncured corned beef, shredded swiss cheese, and sauerkraut-flavored pumpernickel rye croutons. The Bistro salad is also served with red cabbage, iceberg and romaine lettuce, and dressed with Thousand Island dressing. These salads are now available at local grocery stores, including Wegmans and H-E-B.

As more companies come up with more fresh and new products, ANUK will keep you up-to-date.

Bonduelle Fresh Americas Ready Pac Foods

BRAMPTON, CANADA - In retail, it's not enough to do something great and then rest on your laurels. To take your place as one of the "Big Dogs," constant innovation must be a top priority. One of Canada's Biggest Dogs, Loblaws, is doing just that—pushing ahead with its growth plan that includes its valuable PC Express service.

“We continue to enhance PC Express processes like our picking app designed to increase efficiency, accuracy, and job satisfaction of our in-store team,” Sarah Davis, President, said in a recent earnings call. “We are now building an in-store automated picking area that turns 12,000 square feet of less productive space into a high-tech order fulfillment area dedicated to PC Express orders.”

The retailer will reportedly partner with Takeoff Technologies to funnel online grocery orders through the automated warehouse, according to news source mobile syrup. The pilot will make picking up high-velocity items automated, helping Loblaws’ in-store staff fill more orders faster and more efficiently.

PC Express is aimed at in-store pickup, but the retailer continues to test out other uses. Loblaws recently unveiled a new PC Express pickup point in an urban Toronto building, Davis said in the call, a space where the retailer can offer consumers a full grocery store. The new innovations have elicited a stronger-than-expected consumer response.

Western Canada is the region where Loblaws has the highest penetration of PC Express, and so it has invested in renovations for seven of its PC Express locations to expand for the amount of volume. The retailer is also toying with the idea of having an automated picking facilities in one of its stores.

What other innovations does Loblaws have up its sleeve? You can find the full transcript of the call here. And keep reading AndNowUKnow for updates.

Loblaws

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Trader Joe’s is a retailer that can’t be stopped—literally. Continuing to be unconventional and successful at the same time, the grocer won an exemption last week from San Francisco’s ban on chain stores. According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, a Trader Joe’s in Hayes Valley was approved by the city’s Board of Supervisors. This ban, the news source noted, is meant to prohibit what the city deems “format retailers” from moving in on smaller, locally-owned shops.

“The sameness of formula retail outlets, while providing clear branding for consumers, counters the general direction of certain land use controls and general plan policies, which value unique community character and therefore need controls, in certain areas, to maintain neighborhood individuality,” the Planning Department’s website stated.

San Francisco’s Planning Code notes that these formula retail chains are any establishment with 11 or more locations currently in operation. Given that Trader Joe’s—with its 488+ store units—definitely fits the bill, the question remained how it received an exemption from the ban.

“Hayes Valley is a thriving shopping district, but people forget that the median household income on the north side of Fulton is $24,041, and over one-third of the residents that live there live below the poverty line,” Supervisor Vallie Brown, whose district includes Hayes Valley, told the Chronicle. “It’s important to bring in a grocery store that’s affordable and offers fresh, organic food.”

Trader Joe’s: the (not so) little chain that could.

For all of your industry and retail updates, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Trader Joe's