UNITED STATES AND MEXICO - Earlier in July of this year, Texas passed a bill—Texas House Bill 2155—that would speed up the inspection of trucks carrying fresh produce over the Texas-Mexico border. Recently, officials from both countries are working together to expand a joint pilot inspection program that would also reduce wait times for ag products at the border, although it is currently unclear if these two programs are connected.

"The backup at the Texas border is affecting more than just people—it affects goods, including agricultural products," said Sid Miller, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. "We've got to keep our cross-border trade healthy and moving."

According to a press release from Mexico’s Department of National Service of Health, Safety, and Agrifood Quality (SENASICA), this program has already been implemented at Port Laredo’s Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, where the wait times have been reduced by 3.5 hours. FreightWaves also reported that the pilot program has been a partnership among U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, (SADER) and Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT).

"The program consists of transports that have the American security certification of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), which cross Mexican customs without inspection, through the Free and Secure Trade (FAST), which allows the border crossing to decrease on average 3.5 hours," the SENASICA release noted. "Through the pilot program from Jan. 11 to Aug. 25, more than 23,000 tons of food (86 percent vegetables and 14 percent meats) have entered the U.S. through the FAST lane at Colombia bridge, Nuevo León, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas, in an average time of 1.5 to two hours, compared to the five or seven hours they register during a normal crossing.”

How will this program continue to benefit our industry? AndNowUKnow will report the latest.

NASHVILLE, TN – Steve Robinson may be newer to the produce industry, but one thing is for sure: He has a deep understanding of why fresh ingredients are the stepping stones of all great food. This year, the Southeastern Produce Council (SEPC) invited Steve to participate in the Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo as Keynote Speaker. I sat down to ask him some questions about the event, but wound up being charmed by his concise explanation of the produce category’s importance (the Southern accent was an added bonus).

“The event is valuable because it challenges a few paradigms about the role of not only the ingredients, but the role of brands, in creating more valuable products for consumers and helping them not only enjoy better food but have a better experience,” Steve told me.

Formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Chick-fil-A, Steve’s background in foodservice gives him a unique perspective on the upcoming Southern Innovations Expo. With that in mind, I asked him why he believes people should attend the event.

“I think the advantage is to help people understand that all brands are different. They all have different niches in the marketplace and are all trying to create different images and experiences. Ingredients have the potential to help build a brand and fulfill brand promises,” explained Steve. “In the case of Chick-fil-A, our overall commitment was to create flavorful food with high-quality ingredients. Backing up from that, it meant we had to have a supply chain of high-quality, fresh produce. It was just as much about delivering our brand expectations as it was making food.”

If you ask me, those are the words of a man deeply rooted in the movement to improve food safety, quality, and of course, taste. At the close of our discussion, I asked Steve if he could give us any teasers as to what he will speak about at the event. To which he laughed and divulged a topic of his speech.

“If you don't have the right culture, you'll never have a great brand, and you're probably never going to partner with a great brand,” he said.

Congratulations to Steve Robinson on the honor of being Keynote Speaker at this year’s Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo. Keep checking in with us at AndNowUKnow for more updates as the event draws nearer.

Southeast Produce Council

TEMPLE, PA - With another long Labor Day weekend behind us, it’s time to start packing for the Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo taking place in Nashville, Tennessee, Sept. 12-14. Produce and foodservice industry professionals will put their heads together in an informative and innovative exhibition. I gave a shout to a mushroom grower showcasing at the event, Giorgio Fresh, to find out what attendees should know going in.

“We’ve long been known for innovation in the industry and worked hard to bring innovation straight to the consumer,” said Greg Sagan, EVP Sales and Marketing. “Our firm commitment to lead the category with innovative products leads us to actively invest in R&D and consumer insights to bring new ways for consumers to enjoy the nutritious and delicious benefits of umami-packed mushrooms.”

Giorgio plans to exhibit mushrooms of many varieties at Southern Innovations: white organics, brown organics, and organic exotics, which includes oysters, shiitake, beech, and trumpet. The company sees great value in showcasing its high-quality products at such an impactful industry event.

“It will give us a chance to connect with our customers and showcase our ongoing commitment to innovation and the industry,” Greg explained.

Us ANUK’ers can’t wait to see what’s in store for the upcoming Southern Innovations Expo. Stop by booth #320 to check out the Giorgio booth at Southern Innovations, and stick with us to hear from other companies like it!

Giorgio Fresh

NAPERVILLE, IL - Our industry is all about partnership, and there is a new one that is showcasing the continued demand for organic, natural, and fresh foods. KeHE Distributors announced this week that it was awarded primary distribution for Rockville, Maryland-based MOM’s Organic Market (MOMs).

“We are dedicated to serving our customers and operating in a highly sustainable manner that protects and restores the environment,” said Scott Nash, Founder and CEO of MOM’s. “In KeHE we have found a Certified B Corp partner that shares our values and has adopted verifiable commitments to serve its stakeholder groups, the less fortunate and to protect the environment.”

MOM’s Organic Market has established itself as one of the premier natural and organic food retailers in the nation since Nash founded it in 1987, always valuing community and health. We even took a deep dive into the company’s history and commitment to all things fresh and organic in our sister publication The Snack Magazine.

“MOM’s success is rooted in bringing the latest and best natural, organic, and fresh products to market for our customers, KeHE’s partnership is absolutely critical in this effort,” Lisa de Lima, VP Grocery at MOM’s, said of the pairing.

The contract is a multi-year agreement, according to a press release. In it, KeHE is to supply all natural, organic, and specialty products for MOMs’ growing network, currently a chain of 19 organic grocery stores spanning several states.

“MOM’s is one of a handful of natural food merchants that ‘set the standard’ for excellence and authenticity in organic grocery retailing,” shared Gene Carter, COO of KeHE. “Our companies share common values, a passion for healthy food and a commitment to sustainable practices. We are honored MOM’s has chosen KeHE as their primary distribution partner.”

MOM’s reach currently includes:

• Maryland
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• The District of Columbia

KeHE said it is aligned with MOMs’ commitment to innovate and plans to increase its service to the retailer’s business through its new state-of-the-art distribution center in North East, Maryland.

As we continue to follow key strategic partnerships, AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop on the latest.

KeHE Distributors MOM's Organic Market

IRVINE, CA - Western Growers recently announced that its President and CEO, Tom Nassif, was the recipient of the 2019 Award of Honor for his innovative approach to addressing key issues confronting agriculture and unprecedented influence in shaping the fresh produce industry. This award is the highest recognition of industry achievement, and Nassif’s dedication to not only the industry but to the farmers and laborers makes him a winner.

“Each and every day, I am reminded why it’s such a privilege to fight for our food heroes. Our farmers and farmworkers are some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, and their drive and dedication to feeding the world never ceases to motivate me,” said Nassif. “Advocating for the industry for the past two decades has been a true honor, and I am humbled to receive this prestigious award.”

Nassif’s passion for protecting the long-term viability of farms in California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico has directly resulted in laws and programs that will have a lasting impact on the industry, according to the press release.

“I met Tom Nassif in 1971, during the contentious labor battles in the Yuma area,” said Gary Pasquinelli, Co-Owner and CEO of Pasquinelli Produce Company. “When we hired Tom, we knew we had a good man. He possesses a rare skill set and has brought a remarkable degree of professionalism to the job. His commitment to the job and his integrity are unmatched.”

Before his tenure in 2002 with Western Growers, Nassif started off in law specializing in agricultural labor. He was one of the first attorneys to try a case before the Agricultural Labor Relations Board where he represented the Imperial Valley Vegetable Growers Association. Nassif has served as a DLA Piper partner and was one of the driving forces in bringing the immigration bill in 2013 to life. After taking the helm of Western Growers, Nassif helped pass the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act as part of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill. He also played a vital role in the successful implementation of specialty crop provisions in the Farm Bill.

“He has ‘raised the bar’ for performance and accountability for all of us in our industry,” said Vic Smith, President and CEO of JV Smith Companies. “The successes we have had over the last 18 years are directly attributable to his and his team’s efforts. We have been very fortunate to have him as our leader.”

Additionally, Nassif helped navigate the industry through the tumultuous 2006 spinach E. coli outbreak, which led the creation of the industry’s first self-regulating food safety regime—the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Nassif has also been involved in the launch of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology—a premier agtech incubator—and the AgSharks® Competition.

“It has been my good fortune to be involved in this industry with a person of his caliber. Under his leadership, this organization has done a wonderful job of developing additional products and services that have brought great value to our membership. He has built some great programs from food safety to technology that set our association apart. I don’t think there is anyone who has done any more than he has,” said Ratto Bros. President Ron Ratto, who led the selection committee for the 2019 Award of Honor recipient.

Nassif’s achievements and service to the industry will be recognized at the Award of Honor Dinner at Western Growers’ Annual Meeting in Maui, Hawaii, on November 12, 2019. There, Nassif will be honored by his peers, friends, and family. To attend the ceremony, visit www.wgannualmeeting.com.

Congratulations to Tom Nassif, from all of us at ANUK!

Western Growers

SANTA MONICA, CA - Today we received word that US Foods will participate in inTEAM's Nourish to Flourish (N2F) Data Sharing and Analytics Initiative as part of an 18-month pilot program that started this July. This joint effort is intended to yield more healthy food sales for the youngest grades in U.S. schools. US Foods’ Harold Fowler, Director of Health Systems, will join the N2F Advisory Group to help monitor the process and refine data standards, along with Premier’s Stacy Lofton, Director of Food and Nutrition Support.

“Our members can benefit from using Premier and US Foods’ integrated menu planning with pre- and post-costing, production records, inventory, and business analysis tools to better manage the supply chain and reduce waste,” said Lofton.

School foodservice operators will benefit from less paperwork due to electronic sharing of data and analytics among school operators, state agencies, distributors, and hundreds of K-12 suppliers. Tens of thousands of K-12 product specification data records are now being published in real time to a single unified N2F database. The integration of Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) data will help suppliers develop, refine, and market products for this sector and ultimately enhance the school meals experience for the schools and the students.

“Accurate menu planning forecasts will enable us to produce and deliver the right product to the right place at the right time,” stated Andrew Williams, Advisory Group member and Senior Financial Analyst for Tyson Foods. “Data collection and analytics designed for K-12 that includes trade and consumer feedback is essential for us to best serve specialized K-12 market needs.”

According to a press release, inTEAM will provide prototype menu planning and production records software developed in collaboration with stakeholders at no cost to pilot participants. Open source data standards for industrywide use will also be published at the end of the pilot period.

“This is why the NDC and the Urban School Food Alliance convened the first stakeholders’ meeting over two years ago,” added Scott Dissinger of the National Dairy Council. “We envisioned innovation would occur when each work group’s initiatives mature with industry support to discover and implement best practices. The Data Sharing & Analytics Initiative does just that.”

Don’t forget to keep checking in with ANUK for the latest and greatest industry news.

US Foods Premier inTEAM

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - GreenFruit Avocados is expanding its reach into Colombia in a big way. Throughout 2018 and 2019, the company has planted over 450 acres of the Hass variety in Colombia, with additional plans to build out that acreage in 2020. I spoke with Brian Gomez, President, to learn more about GreenFruit’s growing practices, upcoming packing house, and more, and how these plans further its commitment to offering its foodservice and retail partners more options.

“Currently, we have adapted the same growing practices we mastered in Mexico for more than three generations,” Brian explained to me. “Additionally, 50 percent of our crop will be organic and Bio-Dynamic certified, which we feel is important for our retail partners.”

Working alongside a consortium of local growers, GreenFruit is helping those in the region develop their groves. Throughout this process, GreenFruit has cultivated deep relationships, which provides the grower, packer, and shipper to market this fruit in the United States.

As GreenFruit leans into expanding both its footprint and its distribution capabilities, I asked Brian how this state-of-the-art packing house will help support these plans.

“The packing house will help us expand into emerging markets where we are seeing the biggest growth happen. We will also help growers in Colombia by giving them the option of letting us market their fruit under our GreenFruit brand,” Brian remarked. “The packing house will allow us to supply our retail and foodservice programs year-round.”

Given that Colombia is the newest country to gain access into the United States over the last few years, the industry is relatively new. A few months ago, Brian shared that GreenFruit brought in Hass Colombian avocados from neighboring growers whose trees were a little over six years old. After sending the fruit to foodservice and retail partners, the positive feedback was immediate.

“Colombian avocados are an ideal investment for GreenFruit since we want to give our customers an alternative country of origin that will soon be able to supply the global markets 52 weeks out of the year. We are the grower, we are the packer, and we are the marketer, which for us is the best model to have in these growing years of the avocado industry,” Brian concluded.

For the latest on what’s happening in the ever-exciting world of avocados, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

GreenFruit Avocados

NASHVILLE, TN - It’s time to #flavorUP. This is the resounding message that arrived on my plate when I asked Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Office for Pure Flavor®, what the team’s vision is for SEPC’s Southern Innovations Organics and Foodservice Expo. With an innovative and colorful company like Pure Flavor, I am far from surprised and always intrigued.

“Our campaigns this year have been straight to the point; the message of #flavorUP is to infuse fresh flavors into everything you eat,” Chris tells me, adding that as a vegetable grower that contributes to healthy lifestyles, Pure Flavor has been very successful this year in honing its message across key regions throughout the U.S. to further build its brand. “In doing so, we are increasing consumption across key segments and are experiencing a positive lift with all of our items.”

For the company, it is all about consistency, quality, year-round availability, and bringing a complete line of greenhouse vegetables—most importantly organics and foodservice items—to Southern Innovations and the buying crowd.

“Our company continues to increase its organic product offering year over year. This past spring, we launched Canadian-grown Organic TOV’s as well as Canadian-grown Organic. At Southern Innovations, Pure Flavor® will be launching Organic Sangria Medley Tomatoes. Bursting with a medley of flavors, colors, types, and sizes, these candy-like organic sweet-snacking tomatoes are great sprinkled over a summer salad,” Chris shares with me. “Much like a box of holiday chocolates, with every color and flavor you can think of, the Sangria Medley Tomato provides a unique eating experience. The product will be grown year-round and will be available starting this fall.”

Pure Flavor’s Organic Aurora Mini Sweet Peppers will also be available starting this fall.

As a vertically-integrated greenhouse vegetable grower with facilities and a family of growers strategically located throughout Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, Pure Flavor has the ability to ship year-round to meet the increasing needs of retail and foodservice partners. Along with a number of foodservice focused items on top of organics, Pure Flavor is excited to be attending the show for the first time.

“With an interesting mix of both organics and foodservice, this will give us the opportunity to network with key accounts that are trying to grow their business,” Chris says. “Our investment in the Southeast has been a significant one with the construction of our new greenhouse complex in Fort Valley, Georgia. With Phase 1 complete, and about to start another growing season shortly, we continue to build awareness for regionally-grown product during periods of the year where product sometimes traveled significant miles to get to store shelves.”

Under the Georgia Grown brand, Pure Flavor has been able to deliver fresher product faster so that consumers can enjoy locally grown product including Tomatoes on The Vine, Luna Sweets Red Cocktail Tomatoes, Juno Bites Red Grape Tomatoes, and Sweet Red Cherry Tomatoes on The Vine.

Check out Southern Innovations booth #316 for the full spread in response to this Pure Flavor teaser. I hope everyone enjoys another great show by SEPC!

Pure Flavor

IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!

Today I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see the latest around all growing regions.

HEAT WAVE TO HIT CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND

San Joaquin Valley

The cooler weather in the San Joaquin Valley will continue through tomorrow with maximum temperatures in the mid 80°s. Starting Thursday, temperatures will begin to warm day over day reaching a peak of 101° on Saturday in the cities of Fresno and Bakersfield. The northern end of the valley near Modesto and Sacramento will reach 99° on Saturday.

On Monday, the heatwave will break and maximum temperatures will be back down into the mid 80°s for the remainder of the week. These cooler temperatures are about 10° below normal for early September.

Coastal Regions

Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will all see much higher temperatures this weekend. These three regions, which are currently experiencing normal high temperatures in the low to mid 70°s, will see temperatures jump 10-15° Thursday through Saturday. Friday will be the hottest day of the heat wave with Salinas reaching 88° while Oxnard and Santa Maria will peak out at 85°. Maybe a bump in production?

MICHIGAN TO SEE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES IN LAST THREE WEEKS

Could we see a rise in volume of bell peppers?

Temperatures in Michigan will jump 10-15° today, getting into the upper 80°s with an isolated 90° temperature in the Southwestern part of the state. These warmer temperatures will last through Thursday. Could this lead to more volume of certain crops such as bell peppers toward the end of the week?

Temperatures will be back into the 70°s on Friday and by next Monday will see some low 80°s by early next week.

COOLER TEMPERATURES AND RAIN TO AFFECT BLUEBERRIES IN OREGON?

The storm we talked about coming to Oregon this week has brought cooler temperatures and some light rain. Maximum temperatures yesterday and today were only in the upper 60°s. High temperatures will warm again on Thursday and Friday into the 80°s but another cool form will come through starting Saturday, bringing cooler maximum temperatures back into the 60°s and daily chances of rain.

Could these cooler temperatures and rain slow down the berry harvest? Please check with shippers.

NEW JERSEY TO EXPERIENCE BEAUTFUL WEATHER THROUGH AT LEAST NEXT WEEK

New Jersey will experience its own little heatwave this week as temperatures continue to rise reaching a peak of 89° on Thursday. Temperatures will cool a bit over the weekend, but will remain in the mid 80°s all next week with minimum temperatures in the mid 60°s. There is a slight chance of rain this Thursday.

These warm temperatures will remain through at least next week.

HURRICANE UPDATE

There is a disturbance in the Pacific several hundred miles off the coast of Mexico due South of the state of Oaxaca. Currently the disturbance is not affecting any land and is moving in a West-Northwest direction. We will update you on Friday.

In the Atlantic, there are several disturbances out east of the Caribbean, but none are being predicted to turn into a Tropical Storm or Hurricane.

Thank you as always! We will be back later this week with another report.

Weathermelon

SOUTH AFRICA - Early on Sunday morning an intelligence-driven, multi-integrated operation by the Ports of Entry team in South Africa uncovered a staggering amount of cocaine hidden amongst a shipment of bananas from Ecuador. Two containers were suspected of containing narcotics, which was quickly proven true when officials removed paneling from a banana fridge. The discovery was estimated to be worth over five million dollars USD (85M South African rand).

"The suspected containers were on board a vessel that had docked in Port Elizabeth at the Ngqura Port. The team, which included Customs Investigations, the K9 unit, and SAPS Border Police, were duly activated and the process initiated to trace and secure the two containers,” Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale told IOL. "The inter-agency teams worked together and ensured that the targeted containers were removed to the container depot, and upon opening the containers it was found that the contents were bananas as described on the bill of loading. The bill also indicated that the container was destined for Cape Town."

He went on to explain that the banana cartons were thoroughly searched inside and outside of the container, and while inspecting a rear refrigeration unit, a hidden compartment was discovered.

"Upon removing some of the paneling, the team discovered packages wrapped in brown tape. The paneling was removed and a total of 40 packages, which tested positive for cocaine, were discovered in both the containers,” Mogale said. “Further profiling was conducted and it was discovered that there were another two containers that were linked to the product type and packaging methodology on the same vessel. The team immediately decided to secure the containers."

The team’s sniffer dog alerted them to further inspect the rear refrigeration paneling in the remaining containers. The paneling was consequently removed, revealing another 45 bricks wrapped in brown packaging tape that also tested positive for cocaine.

"There was an estimated weight of 45 kilograms in both containers. A total of 85 bricks with an approximate weight of 85 kilograms and an estimated street value of R85 million were seized," continued Mogale. “High levels of collaboration between stakeholders at the port have once again paid off. There have been breakthroughs made as a result of the ongoing proactive fight against crime, especially the proliferation of drugs coming into and through the port. Investigations are continuing."

Thanks to South African law enforcement, yet another hidden shipment of drugs was uncovered. For all instances of drugs disguised as produce, stay with us at AndNowUKnow.