WASHINGTON, DC - Fall is here, November has begun, and daylight savings has ended, signaling the ‘Winter is coming’ vibe and the end of the 2019 year. As the new year approaches, what better way to look forward to 2020 than the FreshStart Conference? Already gaining ground as an experience to remember, United Fresh Produce Association is enticing attendees with its latest drop in events and guest speakers: Sharon Olson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Y-Pulse®.

Y-Pulse is a food-focused youth marketing research firm dedicated to young consumer eating habits and trends. Olson will present during the 2020 FreshStart Conference’s education workshops taking place Wednesday, January 15. She will provide insight into the minds of kids and the strategies of the foodservice professionals who feed them, as it relates to food, nutrition, promotion, and marketing.

“Today’s digitally-connected generation has a lot of information at their fingertips, making them savvy consumers and household influencers, especially when it comes to their food choices,” said Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association. “With more kids and families dining away from home, Sharon’s insights will help attendees draw connections to translate trends into meaningful business opportunities.”

According to the press release, attendees will hear from a reaction panel of foodservice operators that are making it easier for parents and children to choose fresh produce when dining. Whether produce is part of the main entrée, a side dish, or a fresh-focused kids’ menu, more restaurants are looking for ways to attract health-conscious parents and to show children that fresh fruits and vegetables can be tasty and healthy.

As a recipient of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Sparkplug Award and two awards from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS), Olson has over 35 years of marketing experience for the foodservice industry. She was also awarded a Child Nutrition Showcase award by the School Nutrition Association for groundbreaking original research on Vending Trends in School Foodservice. It sounds like Olson is the perfect person for the job to educate companies and attendees next year at the FreshStart Conference.

The annual event will take place January 14-16, 2020, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Proceedings are expected to include the Growing Up Fresh golf tournament, the Bids for Kids silent and live auction, and the Gala Dinner. United Fresh will also hold all of its committee, council, and board meetings at the conference, which are open to all members to observe.

Stay tuned with us here at ANUK as we bring you more updates as they come.

United Fresh Produce Association

MCLEAN, VA - Back in August, Gladstone Land completed phase one of its acquisition of a large pistachio orchard in Coalinga, California. The details may have slipped your mind, considering that the company also snapped up 413 acres of California berry farmland in September, followed by a Napa Vineyard acquisition that same week. This morning, the company announced that phase two of its pistachio orchard acquisition was complete. In this second phase, Gladstone acquired 1,100 gross acres of farmland for $37 million.

“This completes our $70 million purchase of nearly 2,000 acres of pistachio trees that are just reaching prime production, and represents a great example of our ability to do larger and more complex acquisitions,” said Bill Reiman, Managing Director. “We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with our new tenant.”

According to a press release, this newly-acquired farm consists of 1,040 planted acres of mature pistachio trees. In the first phase, Gladstone acquired 1,000 acres of the land for $33 million. The purchase of this orchard also includes an eight-year, triple-net lease agreement with RTS Agri Business and Canoas Creek Pistachios.

“We have now acquired more than $250 million worth of farmland so far in 2019,” said David Gladstone, President and CEO. “This has been a record year for us so far, and it’s not over yet. Pistachio and almond prices have remained strong, and increased trade wars have had little impact on their overall demand. The addition of these crop types has increased the diversification within our farmland holdings and has provided a strong source of additional income to our already-existing portfolio of farmland primarily growing fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Congratulations to Gladstone Land on yet another successful acquisition!

Gladstone Land

TUALATIN, OR - When news dropped in May that the Oregon-based grocer, Basics Market, would be opening its third store, locals were understandably excited. But, with the retailer’s continued expansion and impressive new store, other retailers will soon take notice of the up-and-comer. Basics Market will be bringing its fresh-focused model to Tulatin, Oregon, this month. The regional grocer's format and natural foods focus is similar to larger retailers like that of Whole Foods, and with such strong local support, Basics Market may be poised for a significant presence in the Oregon market.

“Thousands of people pass by this location as they go about their busy lives. Our hope is that this store will be an oasis of meal inspiration and delicious ingredients, making it easier for people to get dinner on the table with foods they trust,” said Fernando Divina, President of Basics Market.

Divinia and Michael Wolff, Vice President of Operations, have helped to grow Basics Market since the beginning and continue to work closely with many local partners, including farmers, ranchers, food producers, and the Oregon healthcare community to develop Basics’ market model. Basics Market caters to its customers by forming partnerships directly with local producers to provide high-quality products at lower prices, while preserving nutrition and minimizing distribution costs and waste. The retailer designs its stores to have a small-format layout, where shoppers can find ingredients organized by delicious recipes that were developed by award-winning chefs and vetted by staff nutritionists for optimal health, according to a press release.

The new Tulatin store will feature seasonally-rotating meal stations, cooking demos, and nutrition classes, along with a wide range of unique features.

Some of these features include:

• A Discovery Kitchen classroom with state-of-the-art cooking facilities and a full schedule of free classes, including hands-on workshops, interactive demonstrations, and nutrition classes, taught by Basics Market’s culinary and nutrition mentors
• Fresh, seasonal produce is delivered daily to ensure peak nutrition
• Organic, locally-made brands from Basics Market’s founder, Chuck Eggert, including Lulubelle’s milk products and Gwendolyn’s Organic Eggs
• A bar and bottle shop featuring a selection of regional wines, craft beers, and creative libations to be added in November

The grocer’s first location opened in Portland on campus at the Faubion School, and a second store was opened last year in Northeast Portland. Following the opening of the Tulatin location, Basics Market has a fourth store planned to open in Portland’s Pearl District this winter.

Will Basics Market’s expansion in the increasingly-popular Oregon market encourage other, larger retailers to make a move? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.

Basics Market

SALINAS, CA - One company that is always making moves is foodservice giant Sysco—and, quite literally this year, a move is on the books. The company has just transitioned into its new Sysco produce office in Salinas, California, in order to establish a presence in the downtown area, which helps to make the region’s team feel like a bigger part of the community.


“We are constantly looking for ways to improve work-life balance,” Vice President of Produce Julie Olivarria tells me, adding that the team had been in their old building for more than 15 years, and the area had grown congested over time. “The new office is a more central location that shortens the commute for the majority of our associates. The new building also allows us the ability to offer a few more amenities than were available to us at the former building. With so many businesses nearby, it offers the team flexibility in walking to lunch or to run errands rather than having to drive. Not to mention, it was great for the city of Salinas to improve a building that was long in need of it.”

Situated in a prime downtown Salinas location, the 19,000 square-foot, fully re-modeled building with a full-size basketball court, workout room, showers, and lots of meeting space, is now as much a destination as it is a workspace. Sysco partnered with a local investor and worked together to improve the building both inside and out.

“Salinas is one of the largest growing areas for several commodities,” Julie shares. “Being this close to the source, it is not uncommon for suppliers to bring new items to us and for our entire team to get a first glance at them. It is a very exciting time!”

Sysco will be celebrating the move this fall with a Grand Opening on Friday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Joe Gunter, the Mayor of Salinas, and Brian Todd, the company's Senior Vice President from its Sysco Corporate office in Houston, Texas.

Congrats to the entire Sysco produce team on the move and the new digs! Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow as we bring you more from the innovative foodservice company in the year ahead.

Sysco

ANAHEIM, CA - Fresh Summit is just an event that keeps on giving! After wandering through all the stalls, booths, and smells, I found my way at the Oppy booth where Angie Hanson, National Brand Activation Manager for Envy™ and Jazz™ apples for Turners & Growers Global and Oppy, greeted attendees with all smiles and energy.

“We’re really excited! Envy just started shipping recently, and it’s a big season for us because we have a lot of volume coming online out of Washington,” Angie starts. “We’re going to be up about 50 percent year-over-year, and in the next six years, we will be up about 150 percent versus this year.”

With such high sales, Oppy is positioned to have a strong 365-day program in the very near future. Envy boasts a high Brix, great quality, and it’s eating fantastically. All this led to Envy boasting another great perk.

“We also did some great independent research this spring that validated our apple is preferred for flavor, texture, appearance—really just overall likeability,” continues Angie. “It delivers the ideal eating experience for an apple, and we tested versus the Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp^®, Gala, and Fuji.”

As Envy gains momentum and popularity, the variety is poised to drive year-over-year category gains in dollars and volumes. Retailers can cash in on this opportunity with 2 lb bag options for both Envy and Jazz, conventionally and organically. The bag programs this year feature rich colors and see-through window to showcase the luscious colors of the apple as well as shipper units and tote bags.

Scroll back up to watch the full video featuring Angie herself, and keep in touch with us at AndNowUKnow.

Oppy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - H-E-B is curbing its next-door-neighbor woes from the start by building a new location right next to one of its current locations. Plot twist: the older location is actually closing down. Guess we won't be seeing any “Neighbors” shenanigans arise.

“We are excited to bring a new H-E-B store to Kerrville, the city where it all started for our company,” said Julie Bedingfield, H-E-B Public Affairs Manager. “With an enhanced in-store experience and commitment to top-quality service and selection, this new store allows us to continue to serve the growing needs of our customers and provide the community with the best we have to offer.”

According to its press release, the company is already constructing the new, 106,000-square-foot facility on Main Street in Kerrville, Texas. As for the older, 79,000-square-foot location, which opened in 1984, the store will close upon the opening of the new one.

The new location will have an expansive product assortment and several convenient services. It will also offer fresh, quality food options and innovative services that allow customers to choose how they shop, pay for, and receive their products. Some new highlights and updated departments from the store include:

• H-E-B Curbside service allows customers to create a shopping list online and pick up their order at the store
• Home Delivery
• 22 check stands featuring several self-checkout registers for quick customer service
• Meal Simple area with options for quick and simple meal planning
• Showtime Kitchen featuring live demos and daily samplings using quick and easy recipes that can be made at home
• Expanded frozen department

H-E-B will introduce design elements that complement the look and feel of the surrounding neighborhood and the Hill Country community, incorporating metal shed roofs and limestone materials. The limestone used for the store honors the company’s second location for its store, which opened in 1911 at the rock Masonic Building on Earl Garrett Street in Kerrville. To pay homage to the company’s roots, part of the design element will include a decorative facade that resembles the retailer’s original store, which was located in the 800 block of Main Street and opened in 1905 as C.C. Butt Grocery Store. The Curbside logo on the store will include a Model T, which is a nod to the early days of H-E-B grocery delivery.

While it’s not the official location of the original store, a Texas state historical marker dedicated in 2016 stands at the current Main St. store property that commemorates H-E-B’s humble beginnings in Kerrville.

As more updates unfold surrounding the new location, AndNowUKnow will keep you informed.

H-E-B

WASHINGTON, DC - As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has restricted three produce businesses, imposing sanctions after each company failed to meet their contractual obligations to produce sellers and pay reparation awards issued under the PACA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

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. 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.

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

• Farm Fresh Packers LLC, operating out of Pompano Beach, Florida, for failing to pay a $120,947 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Miranda M. Pfaff was listed as a member of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Jeff Pfaff. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.

• Ciaccio Produce Company LLC, operating out of Brighton, Michigan, for failing to pay a $29,447 award in favor of a Michigan seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Anthony S. Gelardi III was listed as a member of the business.

• Martinez Fresh Produce LLC, operating out of Dallas, Texas, for failing to pay a $24,669 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Arturo Martinez Isguerra was listed as a member 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.

The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, 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, 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 USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

For more information, contacts, and to read the full press release, please click here.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

REEDLEY, CA - The produce industry lost longtime member Dean Thonesen last week after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Thonesen passed away October 29.

Mr. Thonesen served on the California Fresh Fruit Association’s Board of Directors from 2002 to 2019. In 2008, he joined the association's Executive Committee and remained there into this year.

The CFFA noted in an announcement that, throughout the years, he was a familiar face at many association activities and functions, known for constantly showing integrity and passion for the industry.

In addition, the CFFA touted Mr. Thonesen’s leadership and positive influence, stating that his direction helped steer the organization through countless challenges.

“Dean was a fantastic ambassador for the California fresh fruit industry. He was an active member on our Board of Directors and a trusted advisor to Association leadership,” Ian LeMay, President of CFFA, shared with our team. “He was always a calm voice and a friendly smile in any room he walked into, the kind of person that made coming to work worthwhile, and his presence will be sorely missed.”

Mr. Thonesen is survived by his wife Mary, son Greg, family, and friends.

A visitation has been set for Friday, November 8, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Reedley, California, and a celebration of Mr. Thonesen’s life will take place on Saturday, November 9. The location for the Saturday event is yet to be determined, but will be followed by a lunch at the Kingsburg Gun Club.

Our team at AndNowUKnow joins the CFFA in sending thoughts and prayers out to all those affected by the loss.

SALINAS, CA - What makes our industry so great? I could list several reasons, but one that stands at the forefront is our resilience and compassion in the face of adversity. D’Arrigo California and J. McFarland Wines showcased both of these qualities during their 2nd Annual Sip, Bite, and Turn up the Pink event to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

The idea for the event originally began between D’Arrigo California’s Director of Marketing and Culinary, Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos, and Stephanie McFarland, Owner of McFarland Wines. Both companies are supporters of the BCRF.

“We have the BCRF pink ribbon logo on our Andy Boy commodities (that are wrapped or have a tag) which include iceberg lettuce, shrink wrap broccoli, cauliflower, romaine hearts, broccoli rabe, and sweet baby broccoli. In addition, we have the BCRF logo on all our Andy Boy promotional items and cartons to raise awareness and underscore that the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables help maintain a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle,” stated Pizarro-Villalobos.

According to a press release, D’Arrigo California has been a proud supporter of the BCRF since 1999 and has donated over $1.85 million to the foundation.

“J. McFarland Wines is pleased to join D’Arrigo California in their support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Sip, Bite, and Turn up the Pink event held at D’Arrigo California headquarters was a great success and took place in October to honor breast cancer awareness month and survivors. We would like to thank all who joined us in the fight against breast cancer that evening to raise funds,” said McFarland.

J. McFarland also has a pink ribbon on the label of its Prismatic White Wine Blend that launched in 2016. With the new label, J. McFarland began to contribute 10 percent of the wine sales to BCRF.

J. McFarland, Tondré, Morgan, Scheid, Mid Life Crisis, and Odonata were six local wineries that poured at the event. The wines were paired with gourmet bites prepared by Chef Jason Giles of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Chef Esteban Jimenez of Rancho Cielo, Luigi’sRestaurant, Star Market, Gourmet Olive Oils from Trio Carmel and Dona Esther’s Restaurant. The evening finished with pink ribbon cookies donated by Royal Deli and Bakery. Guests also enjoyed a paint session lead by Daphnee Parachini, owner of Roaring Mice Paint Studio.

“I am thrilled to announce that we had over 100 guests in attendance and raised over $5,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” concluded Pizarro-Villalobos. “We look forward to next year’s event in October 2020 to continue to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.”

The event was supported by City Council Member Steve McShane and Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo. Both elected officials presented a Certificate of Recognition to congratulate D’Arrigo California and John D’Arrigo, President, CEO, and Cairman of the Board, for his continued contributions to increase awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Thank you to D’Arrigo California for continuing to be such an example to the industry!

D'Arrigo California

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO - Can someone say R&D heaven? SUNSET^® Mastronardi is pulling out all the stops again this year and most recently with an addition to its Bombs™ family with the coveted Honey Bombs™. The sweet-like-honey golden snacking tomato follows the success of Flavor Bombs® and Sugar Bombs™. I had the great opportunity to chat with Dean Taylor, Vice President of Business Development, at this year's PMA Fresh Summit to discover all the company has in store with its explosive family of products.

“They have a crunch like no other and a great apple-like flavor,” Dean shared with me. “They are very unique; beautiful; fun; crunchy; and a really, really enjoyable tomato. The snacking tomato is seeing explosive growth right now and is about 35 percent of the total tomato category.”

In the next few years, SUNSET expects the market share to increase up to a whopping 50 percent. Consumers crave sweet things, and if you ask me, a healthy treat that has an indulgent flavor to boot is the perfect combination of elements for a successful product.

To hear more about it from the man himself, watch our exclusive video above! And don’t forget to stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all of the post-Fresh Summit content and the great news to come!

Mastronardi Produce (SUNSET)