Introduction of Farm Workforce Modernization Act



NORTH AMERICA - New labor legislation is beginning to take form, with the introduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. On Wednesday, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan bill, which would provide legal status for long-term agricultural workers, make improvements to the H-2A visa program, and ensure security by requiring that agricultural employers participate in the E-Verify program.

Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association“I want to thank Chairwoman Lofgren and Congressman Dan Newhouse for their leadership in introducing this bill. Joined by a broad, bipartisan group of legislators, these two members have reached an agreement that will reform our immigration system for generations to come,” said Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association. “More work is needed to improve this legislation, but in a time where Washington can’t seem to agree on anything, these members have stepped forward and recognized that the challenge of immigration reform is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem, it is an American problem, and we need to fix it.”

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill, could provide legal status to long-time farm workers

Many in the produce industry stand in favor of the new legislation and consider it to be an important step forward toward addressing the challenges faced by the fresh produce industry with regards to labor availability.

Tom Nassif, President and CEO, Western Growers“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses two critical needs for American agriculture—to retain existing, experienced workers, and to ensure a reliable future flow of guest workers,” Western Growers President and CEO, Tom Nassif, commented. “Furthermore, after a satisfactory transition period, the bill includes E-Verify for agricultural employers, demonstrating the commitment our industry has made toward a long-term labor solution.”

Nassif expressed gratitude to the two Representatives proposing the bill for addressing the current agricultural labor crisis in a bipartisan manner and putting focus on the needs of those in the industry.

“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has the resounding support of the agriculture community and contains principles that have historically received backing on both sides of the aisle. We, along with our Congressional champions and partners in the Agriculture Workforce Coalition, commit ourselves to moving the Farm Workforce Modernization Act forward this legislative session,” Nassif said in a press release, which can be read in its entirety here.

California Citrus Mutual was supportive of the legislation as well, seeing the move as a step toward securing a legal workforce now and in the future, while also providing security and stability to its employees.

Casey Creamer, President, California Citrus Mutual"This legislation is critical to the sustainability of the fresh produce industry and our continued ability to grow fresh and healthy citrus products in California,” said Casey Creamer, President of California Citrus Mutual, in a press release. “The existing system is out-of-date and does not meet the needs of employers or employees. We must put aside political differences and create a reasonable solution. California Citrus Mutual remains committed to working with our partners, Representative Lofgren, and members of Congress to resolve outstanding concerns and reach a deal that can supported in the United States Senate and signed by the President.”

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this legislation as it unfolds.

United Fresh Produce Association Western Growers

California Citrus Mutual


ANUK's Animals With Pumpkins Highlights



THE ANIMAL KINGDOM - The C in Kayla Mackenzie Webb stands for Cat, as in capital-S capital-C Scaredy-Cat. Ever since I was yay high, I’ve fled from all things that go bump in the night. A friend to fiends? An acquaintance to apparitions? A bud to the Babadook? No, no, and no. I prefer to get chummy with all things cutesy tootsie, which means ghouls that say “hellOO!” instead of “Boo!”

If spooky szn™ hasn’t always been up your alley for a similar reason, then you’ve clicked to the right article! This Halloween, we’re forgoing tricks to give you, beloved ANUK readers, a real treat! All October long, we’ve been probing the newswire for festive pumpkin news that really tugs at our heartstrings and what we’ve come up with is a list of our favorite gourd-themed stories starring none other than the cuddly wuddlies of the animal kingdom!

Without further ado, in no particular order, here are some pumpkin stories that will make you saw “Aw!” instead of “AH!” this fine Hallows-Eve morning.

It’s Freakin' Bats!

Full disclosure, I’m sobbing because of this series of photos from a zoo in Kiev. I never knew I needed a photo of a coven of turtles hosting a séance around a jack-o-lantern, but now it’s my wallpaper. Also, unpopular opinion: But bats are amazing and wonderful creatures that should be loved and revered rather than treated like vermin—especially the one posing with the orange veg like it’s serving face on a cover of Vogue. Also, the elephant-to-pumpkin ratio!? Be still my heart.

The Cutest Thief to Ever Exist in the History of Heists

This adorable bear followed the smell of Halloween spirit all the way to someone’s front porch, where a pumpkin ripe for the picking awaited. Not wasting any time, the bear tumbles the gourd down the steps and to—I’m assuming, based off of my limited bear knowledge—its cave. Listen, this bear can pilfer from my porch anytime.

The Photoshoot to End All Photoshoots

If this is what National Geographic photographers get to shoot all day then sign me the heck up! The heavens—or hell, since its Halloween!—aligned for Swedish photographer Geert Weggen, who managed to capture two tiny squirrels playing with none other than a jack-o-lantern. One picture even depicts one of the little fluffers donning the lantern as a helmet—presumably because he’s about to ride into battle on a trusty skeleton steed. (Steed not pictured!)

Big or Small, All Cats Are The Same

I can’t get behind owning any sort of wildlife as a pet…but carve my pumpkin and call me a jack-o-lantern (runner-up: dissect my cadaver and call me a corpse), I’m a hypocrite: I think this big ol’ fella would get along great with my housecats. The North Carolina sanctuary resident was caught on camera treating a pumpkin like its tinier relatives treat toy mice. Don’t worry, the wailing you hear isn’t what’s haunting your attic—it’s just me in my orange chair at the ANUK office.


I hope you’re donning a grin as garish as a carved gourd because we sure are after this news-trip!

If you happen to be participating in today’s great holiday—whether that be by playing with pumpkins like our above mentioned furry friends or dressed up as a furry friend yourself—be sure to send a photo of you and the team to [email protected] to be featured in our annual Halloween yearbook.

May you have a happy, safe, and, most importantly, cute Halloween, produce industry friends! We’ll see you next year!


Wakefern Food Corp Adds Nicholas Markets to Its Cooperative



KEASBEY, NJ - Something about the word “acquisition” makes our ears perk up over here at ANUK. That’s why we’re eager to get the news out about Wakefern Food Corp.’s most recent move. The company reeled in New Jersey-based Nicholas Markets, owned by the Maniaci Family, making it the 51st family to join Wakefern’s cooperative.

Joeseph S. Colalillo, Chairman and CEO, Wakefern Food Corp.“We are excited to welcome another member into our Wakefern family,” stated Joseph Colalillo, Chairman and CEO. “Nicholas Markets is a strong addition to our cooperative. David and his associates are deeply committed to serving their communities and providing exceptional quality and fresh prepared foods to their customers.”

According to a press release, Nicholas Markets operates four stores in North Haledon, Cedar Grove, Colonia, and the Township of Washington, NJ, under the Foodtown banner. After the deal is finalized, the stores will be rebranded as The Fresh Grocer, a Wakefern trademark. Currently there are nine The Fresh Grocer stores, with eight stores located in the greater Philadelphia area and one in Wilmington, Deleware.

Joe Sheridan, President and COO, Wakefern Food Corp.“Adding Nicholas Markets stores to The Fresh Grocer banner strengthens Wakefern’s competitive position in northern New Jersey,” said Joe Sheridan, Wakefern President and COO. “Membership in our cooperative allows independent operators to maintain their entrepreneurial spirit while benefiting from the scale and services Wakefern offers. We look forward to welcoming the Maniaci family to Wakefern.”

The Maniaci family has been part of the Allegiance Retail Services, LLC cooperative, operating Nicholas Markets as Foodtown. You could say it’s a family affair, as Nicholas Markets was founded in 1943 by Rocco and Nicholas Maniaci, grandfather and father of David Maniaci, who is the current President and CEO.

Wakefern Food Corp acquired New Jersey-based Nicholas Markets, owned by the Maniaci Family, making it the 51st family to join Wakefern’s cooperative

“The competitive landscape in New Jersey has grown fierce in recent years,” said Maniaci. “I believe Wakefern’s deep roots in the state will help me navigate this and other challenges facing the supermarket industry. I leave the Foodtown cooperative at a time when it is strong and thriving. It has seen significant growth to its membership base and store count over the past decade.”

Will Wakefern be nabbing more acquisitions? For more on industry updates, stay plugged into AndNowUKnow.

Wakefern Food Corp.


The Little Potato Company's Christa Wagner Talks New Line, New Flavor, and Openness to Partnerships



ANAHEIM, CA - With year-over-year debuts in the produce industry, I have to pause and remember the wonder behind it. Most research and development results are anywhere from two to five years in the making, a fact that has me astonished at every unveiling. So when an entire line, or multiple new additions to separate lines, are announced all at once, it is a cause for wonder.

The Little Potato Company did all of the above, introducing not only its new Easy Sides line of nearly ready-to-eat potatoes, but also a new flavor to its Microwave Ready line.

Christa Wagner, Director of Advertising and Promotions, The Little Potato Company“We have a really robust marketing team, and we have a lot of great programs built around creating more usage for Creamer potatoes and making parents lives easier,” Christa Wagner, Director of Advertising and Promotions, recently shared with me. “Our Microwave Ready line has been wildly successful because you can cook it in five minutes, and this new Lemon & Garden Herb Microwave Ready kit flavor is refreshing. It’s zesty, it’s light, and lemon is such a natural complement to potatoes.”

The Easy Sides line takes this one step further, bringing convenience and flavor exploration to the next level.

“What is driving our Easy Sides is, of course, the constant need for convenience. Today’s consumer is super busy, dinner continues to be a challenge every single day, so we looked at how we can help them get dinner on the table,” Christa said.

The Little Potato Company introduced its new Easy Sides line of nearly ready-to-eat potatoes as well as a new flavor to its Microwave Ready line.

Easy Sides certainly meets that need in that they are pre-seasoned and are available in the following four flavors:

  • Onion and Garlic
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper
  • Paprika and Bell Pepper
  • Sweet Bell and Onion

They are also pre-cut and pre-cooked, as well, responding to research found about consumers and their spuds.

“We found that people just don’t know what to do with potatoes. They also find potatoes, in general, can be complicated and take too much time,” Christa explained. “So, we decided with Easy Sides to take all of that complication out. You just open up the package, put it in a hot pan on your stove top, and you have sizzle-crispy potatoes in seven minutes.”

It all circles back to getting the word out that potatoes are more versatile and fun than consumers might think, and The Little Potato Company is having a great time showing them just that.

“We get to make potatoes fun and playful, and we enjoy doing it! Everyone loves them, but there are a lot of myths that go with potatoes that we have to bust, but it has helped us to really grow,” Christa said.

One of the many avenues in which that growth is taking place is through partnerships, and The Little Potato Company is excited to be as versatile as the category it represents.

Based on research about consumer preferences, the potatoes are pre-cut and pre-cooked

We are a growing brand and, as a potato brand, we recognize that most people eat potatoes with something else. So, we would love to partner with another company that would accompany a Little potato, be on top of a potato, or have a potato in it!” she laughed. “Anything in which our two brands or ingredients complement each other, we would love to talk about and explore.”

Most recently, the company worked on a cross-promotion with Litehouse refrigerated dressings, an experience that resulted in fantastic consumer redemption and positive returns for all involved. As for retailers in need of some inspiration, the team has your back there as well.

“We have holiday promotions, a football and a summer sizzle program, and we are still growing. If you don’t know about this, please reach out to us—we are excited to partner with more retailers in helping to create more of a scene around Little potatoes, especially as Thanksgiving and the holidays approach,” Christa said.

Easy Sides are now available across the U.S. and in Canada, with more and more regions popping up in distribution every day. As we continue to report on the latest and greatest in our industry, keep following AndNowUKnow.

Little Potato Company


Imperfect Foods Rebrands and Launches in NYC



NEW YORK, NY - In today’s market, consumers have more choices than ever before. The brick-and-mortar retail space continues to evolve, and online grocers have also broken into the mainstream, so what can companies do to stand out amongst heavy competition? Imperfect Foods (née Imperfect Produce) has taken its wildly successful produce-centric business model and expanded it to include other pantry and grocery items—a shrewd move considering the rebranding is likely to secure further brand loyalty by offering customers a one-stop shop. Building on its current momentum, Imperfect Foods has also hit a major milestone, recently launching its services in New York City for the first time.

Reilly Brock, Content Manager, Imperfect Foods"We're thrilled to officially rebrand to Imperfect Foods and hit the ground running in New York. New York is the epicenter of food and culture, and we're excited to work with the community here to tackle inefficiencies in the food system while providing quality groceries to customers' doors,” Reilly Brock, Content Manager, told me. “Now, having rolled out expanded grocery, dairy, and protein options, Imperfect is excited to start this new chapter and give consumers from coast-to-coast an accessible way to save more on all their groceries while fighting food waste."

Ever since its inception as Imperfect Produce in 2015, the company has been delivering “ugly”—but perfectly delicious—produce straight to consumers in an effort to tackle the industry-wide food waste issue. About 40 percent of all food sourced goes uneaten, and 33 percent of food that is grown is either unharvested or left behind in the fields because growers aren’t sure of what to do with produce that doesn’t meet standard aesthetic requirements, according to the company. For Imperfect Foods, these statistics were a call to action, and since the company launched, it has recovered 80 million pounds of food that would have otherwise been wasted.

Imperfect Foods has taken its wildly successful produce-centric business model and expanded it to include other pantry and grocery items

However, as Imperfect Foods continued to evolve, it became clear that produce was not the only category of food that has a waste problem. All too often, shelf-stable and grocery items don’t make it out of the warehouse due to changes in labeling and design, inefficiencies in the supply chain, and inconsistencies with date labels. This was an opportunity for the company to continue expanding and add to its stable of consumer offerings, as well as make a dent in a problem affecting the entire industry. Today, Imperfect Foods has branched out beyond produce to offer items like grains, nuts, dairy, protein, beverages, and more.

The company is not only expanding its product offerings, it is expanding into new markets as well, including the rich customer base of New York City. Residents of the city will now have access to Imperfect Foods’ affordable grocery subscription boxes, so they can save money, save time, and do good. The NYC market is more than just lucrative, it is a concentrated region of consumers who could make a significant dent in the amount of food waste the city produces. Imperfect Foods estimates that if just 2,500 NYC residents sign up, the community would recover 26,450 pounds of produce each week, and over one million pounds of produce per year.

Imperfect Foods has recovered 80 million pounds of food that would have otherwise been wasted

Launching brands in new cities can be tricky, but Imperfect Foods has put real effort into respecting and enriching its new community. The company will be partnering with Mast Brothers and Brooklyn Delhi, both NYC natives, to provide its new customers local products and support New York food producers. Imperfect Foods is also looking to bolster its new community with charitable efforts. Since the beginning, the company has donated over three million pounds of food to over 117 food banks and nonprofit partners, and as part of its NYC launch, Imperfect Foods will be partnering with New York-based organization, Edible Schoolyard, to continue fighting food waste while supporting the community.

With expanded offerings beyond produce and taking bold steps into new markets, Imperfect Foods might have hit on a winning combination—produce producers, take note. AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the evolution of the industry.

Imperfect Foods


Braga Fresh Acquires Processing Facility in Gonzales, California



SOLEDAD, CA - Growth is not only a vision for Braga Fresh, it is a well thought out mission and strategic plan as the company looks to the rest of 2019 with excitement. The company and Pure Pacific Organics, LLC—an affiliated company of Pacific International Marketing—have announced an agreement regarding the sale of the Pure Pacific processing facility in Gonzales, California, to Braga Fresh.

Rod Braga, President and CEO, Braga Fresh"We have been a longstanding grower for Pacific, and we are honored to build on that relationship with having the opportunity to co-pack for them,” Rod Braga, President and CEO of Braga Fresh, said. "We are excited to join this new facility with our current location in Salinas, California, to meet our future growth needs."

Braga Fresh and Pure Pacific Organics, LLC have announced an agreement regarding the sale of the Pure Pacific processing facility in Gonzales, California, to Braga Fresh

The value-added and leafy greens pioneer is looking forward to welcoming Pure Pacific's employees to the Braga Fresh team and working toward a common vision with Pure Pacific's customers as well.

Dave Johnson, President, Pacific International Marketing"It's important for us to make sure we continue to provide the best service to our customers and to make sure our employees are taken care of,” Dave Johnson, President of Pacific International Marketing.

Congrats to Braga Fresh on the recent acquisition and the exciting road ahead as we close out an epic 2019!

Braga Fresh


USDA Files Action Against National Produce Sales Inc. in Illinois for Alleged PACA Violations



WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against National Produce Sales Inc. The company, operating from Illinois, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to seven produce sellers in the amount of $820,456 from January 2016 through February 2018.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

National Produce Sales Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

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


PRO*ACT Hosts 280 Attendees from 90 Companies at Culinary Summit



MONTEREY, CA - In late September, PRO*ACT threw the 1st annual Culinary Summit at the Monterey Conference Center. Distribution partners and culinary innovators gathered for educational field tours, fresh produce innovation, exceptional meals, and a keynote presentation from Michelin-starred restaurateur, James Beard award-winning chef, and TV host Rick Bayless.

Brian Denton, Director of Marketing, PRO*ACT“Our role in simplifying and streamlining the supply chain from seed to fork starts in the fields and reaches all the way to the kitchen—this event is a natural extension of our goal to inspire creative ways to use fresh produce,” said Brian Denton, PRO*ACT’s Director of Marketing. “Our Colorful Plates culinary-focused website and podcast continues to connect many of our suppliers and customers; it starts with having the right people together, and fostering the right dialogue."

According to a press release, D’Arrigo, Driscoll's, Mann Packing, and Taylor Farms showed attendees around during their field tours, which included serving food that was harvested that day.

Scott Horton, Vice President of Foodservice, Taylor Farms“Any time we can have people seeing our fields and process, it’s great, especially when it includes those who are serving our product every day,” Taylor Farms' Vice President of Foodservice Scott Horton shared.

The meals served featured products from some of the 40 suppliers that participated in the event, including a welcome dinner at the Barns at Cooper Molera, with local wineries and chef stations showcasing produce with creative flair, including Mission avocado ravioli, Grimmway carrot fritters, filet mignon with J.C. Watson’s yellow onion polenta, and New York Cheesecake topped with Rainier’s organic blueberries.

Not only were attendees served amazing dishes, they were also privy to learning about varietals; taste profiles; and new methods of prepping, cooking, and serving fresh fruits and vegetables through demonstrations from leading suppliers who brought their culinary teams. Highlights included cake decorating with Sunkist’s Meyer Lemon-infused icing, a fresh take on bahn mi featuring Mission Avocados, Rainier’s Lady Alice apple Gouda sandwiches, and HMC’s grape salsa.

Jim Ebersold, Senior Manager of Sourcing, Ted's Montana Grill“Walking the fields, meeting with suppliers, and learning with our Head of Culinary was great. It allowed us to have the kinds of conversations that moves the Ted’s Montana Grill menu forward!” shared Ted’s Montana Grill Senior Manager of Sourcing Jim Ebersold.

Mike Turner, SVP of Culinary, Walk-OnWalk-On’s SVP of Culinary Mike Turner added: “This event exceeded our expectations as Walk-On’s was able to learn together as a team and find ways to do business better together with PRO*ACT and our suppliers.”

With all this fresh produce flying around, what else could be the cherry on top than having another celebrity visit? Top Chef Judge, award-winning author, and restaurateur Hugh Acheson shared his take on menu trends in another keynote session, followed by demonstrations on pickling fresh produce and culinary sessions with Avocados From Mexico and Idaho Potato Commission.

Brian Kane, COO, PRO*ACT“The enthusiasm we received from suppliers, customers, and distributors was overwhelming,” noted PRO*ACT COO Brian Kane. “We learned from each other and are looking forward to continuing to connect the supply chain in meaningful ways—including through the Culinary Summit.”

With 280 participants from 90 companies in attendance, culinary knowledge swarming, and fresh produce abounding, it sounds like the Culinary Summit was a smashing success. Will we see it again next year? We here at ANUK sure hope so.

PRO*ACT USA


Brighter Bites Gets Support From Walmart



HOUSTON, TX - They say that not all heroes wear capes. In the case of Brighter Bites, this is especially true. The nonprofit organization creates healthy communities by providing low-income families with fresh produce and nutrition education. The Walmart Foundation also removed its cape recently, pledging $4 million to support local organizations working on the ground in Texas to fight food insecurity. $1.3 million of those funds is slated to boost Brighter Bites’ efforts. This alliance will allow Brighter Bites to reach more communities within its six cities, expand programming to a seventh city, and build the internal capacity required to support this growth.

Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer, Brighter Bites“The Walmart Foundation’s support of Brighter Bites allows us to build larger communities of fresh food in the cities where we operate, pursuing our mission without missing a beat,” said Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman.

Walmart began its philanthropic journey in 2010 when the Foundation publicly committed over $2 billion in grants and in-kind food donations to organizations that fight hunger. In 2015, it committed to help provide 4 billion meals to those facing food insecurity by 2020. The Brighter Bites grant will factor into those 4 billion meals, focusing on produce distribution and nutrition education programming. Through the programs, parents will learn which healthy foods their kids will stomach, as well as gain access to recipe cards and tip sheets that come with the produce each week.

Julie Gehrki, Vice President of Philanthropy, Walmart“Food insecurity is an issue that far too many families face every day, and we know the best way to make a difference is by using our strengths and engaging local organizations with deep roots in communities we serve,” said Julie Gehrki, Vice President of Philanthropy at Walmart. “Brighter Bites has a proven track record of making a strong, measurable impact and it’s our hope that through this work we can ensure that families have access to healthy, nutritious food.”

Walmart has announced a $4 million—nearly $1.3 million of which will go to Brighter Bites—commitment to support local organizations in fighting food insecurity

Brighter Bites experiences elevated success in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, and Southwest Florida. For the 2019-20 academic year, it will enroll more than 100,000 individuals from approximately 30,000 families whose children attend 100 schools, early childhood centers, and after school programs across all six cities. That’s a 23 percent increase in the number of school sites receiving programming and more than a 100 percent uptick in the number of families impacted compared to previous years.

Each week families and teachers receive two bags containing approximately 50 servings of eight to 12 different fresh produce items along with the nutritional educational materials. Since launching in 2012, Brighter Bites has distributed more than 23 million pounds of produce and hundreds of thousands of nutrition education materials to 275,000 individuals through schools, after school programs, and summer camps. The organization uses a simple formula for introducing healthy lifestyles to families: produce distribution, nutrition education, and a fun food experience that includes weekly recipes.

For the 2019-20 academic year, Brighter Bites will enroll more than 100,000 people, supporting 30,000 families at nearly 100 schools, childhood centers, and after school programs

Brighter Bites measures the outcomes of its program to determine impact. Research shows that its model provides consistent opportunities for children and their families to practice healthier behaviors in school and at home:

  • Over the 2018-19 school year, 98 percent of Brighter Bites parents reported their family ate more fruits and vegetables while participating in the Brighter Bites program.
  • Of those, 96 percent said they maintained that increased level of consumption after Brighter Bites ended.

Children and parents participating in Brighter Bites reported a:

  • Significant increase in serving more fruits and vegetables as snacks
  • Two-fold increase in cooking meals from scratch, and a significant increase in eating meals together and serving more produce as part of those meals
  • Two-fold increase in using nutrition labels to guide grocery purchases
  • Significant decrease in added sugars consumed among children

Hats off to Brighter Bites and the Walmart Foundation! For more heartfelt industry news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

Brighter Bites Walmart Foundation


Law Enforcement Bulldozes Arvin Hemp Field



ARVIN, CA - As veteran and legacy industry members explore the possibilities of hemp, Kern County growers paid a high price while specificities of an arena that is the proverbial Wild West of today's industry slowly come to light.

Following investigation of a purported hemp field, law enforcement officials bulldozed the field based on test results that showed the plants were marijuana, according to those familiar with the investigation.

According to Bakersfield.com, two individuals involved in the production of the crop in Kern County reported that law enforcement arrived over the weekend to knock down the plants that were determined to be marijuana.

Federal law allows qualified researchers to grow and possess hemp that tests positive for marijuana on the condition that they do not process or sell it, and must also register with local authorities to report where the plant is growing and post signs indicating that the crop is industrial hemp.

Through a federal investigation, it was determined that the Arvin Hemp Field contained plants that were marijuana

Lance Dalton, a hemp entrepreneur from the Bay Area said he was informed by law enforcement that some of the hemp fields being destroyed had been under contract by a local hemp researcher who had not registered some local acreage. Dalton commented that over two dozen samples that were tested came up “hot,” meaning the samples tested above the 0.3-percent federal limit for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, the news source reports.

Dalton commented that some of the tested plants had results as high as seven percent, adding, “that’s basically marijuana.”

As a consultant for a San Francisco-based company that processes hemp into CBD, Dalton said the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) is working on the investigation with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and the FBI. Both of the collaborating agencies referred to calls last week about the potential destruction of purported hemp plants near Arvin to the KCSO. The Sheriff’s Office had last week reported that the investigation is a “pretty, pretty big investigation,” the news source reports. Spokespeople for the DFW and FBI could not be reached for comment.

Some of the plants tested hot, containing 0.3 to 7 percent THC, which is over the federal limit

Pete Belluomini, a Bakersfield-area grower who has worked with a registered hemp researcher, reported that local law enforcement has tested some of the crop that he was contracted to grow “and determined (the plants) were over the legal limits and they asked that they be destroyed.” Belluomini confirmed that over the weekend, some local fields were cleared out with additional acreages cleared on Monday.

This investigation could be a potential setback to Kern County’s efforts to promote the cultivation of industrial hemp. With more than 7,000 registered acres in cultivation, the County has positioned itself as a leading producer of California-grown hemp, according to Bakersfield.com. Hemp has become more valuable in recent years because the plant’s natural oil is used to produce CBD. The news source also reports that Kern County officials support growing the crop because the plant can be cross-pollinated with marijuana in a way that lowers the potency of psychoactive substance.

As of Monday, the KCSO declined to comment on the results of the crop destruction, commenting that it was unable to talk about what the agency had called an active investigation of hemp in the Arvin area.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for all your agricultural updates.