WALTHAM, MA - Ever since Amazon threw its hat into the retail ring, the industry has been even more on its toes. However, news of a fresh retail chain’s expansion may be just what the doctor ordered in terms of taking on the big-name e-tailer. Alltown Fresh™, a fresh convenience market, recently celebrated its first store opening in Connecticut.

"There is not one ingredient that we haven't put effort into. At Alltown Fresh, we give our guests the ability to watch our team members as they crack an egg and cook it, take fresh bread and toast it—and top it off with a little bit of avocado. We want to be known as a restaurant and a marketplace farm stand—and ultimately don't want to be doing the same thing everyone else is doing in the convenience store space," said Eric Slifka, CEO of Global Partners LP, Alltown Fresh’s parent company. "We truly believe our guests shouldn't have to sacrifice healthy foods for convenience, and we're excited to introduce this efficient, fresh approach to the people of Connecticut starting with our Waterbury location."

The store itself, according to a press release, is a sleek farmstand-style market featuring healthy, fresh food and beverage choices made to order. The entire concept is aimed at making consumers’ lives easier by offering them a unique assortment of healthy, fresh food and beverages. Many of the store’s items are organic, natural, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian. There are also multiple locally-sourced alternatives. The market also features gas/diesel, a cafe, bean-to-cup coffee, outdoor seating, groceries and more to make life easier for local communities. Housed in just 4,780 square feet, this market is small but mighty.

How will this fresh market stack up against AmazonGo’s? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.

Alltown Fresh

YAKIMA, WA - Washington State University's world-class tree fruit breeding program is launching its highly buzzed-about new branded apple: the Cosmic Crisp®. The program partnered with six out-of-this-world influencers to help boost consumer engagement with the product. Partners include Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. (Retired Astronaut and International Space Station Commander), Lauren Ko (Pie Artist), Dan Koommoo (Farm-to-Table Chef), Nicole Marte (Middle School Science Teacher), Chantea McIntyre (Lifestyle Blogger), and Lori Taylor (fresh produce Advocate and Influencer).

“The goal is to offer our ambassadors an authentic harvest experience and immersive education about this truly groundbreaking apple,” explained Kathryn Grandy, Director of Marketing for Proprietary Variety Management and Manager of the consumer launch. “We are laying the groundwork for them to each tell the Cosmic Crisp story in a way that is meaningful to their audience and reinforces our differentiated brand.”

These produce musketeers will connect consumers to the product through their social media platforms, building brand awareness and engagement. Additionally, a press release reported that the chosen six will embark on an exclusive tour and private events in late September. Influencers were chosen based on their background’s alignment with the core pillars embodied by the Cosmic Crisp: EAT, encompassing the taste, texture, and other key attributes; PLAY, encouraging the exploration of food; COOK, using recipes, baking, or coming up with unique applications; and INSPIRE, supporting STEM, dreams, and aspirations.

A closer look at the Ambassadors:

Leroy Chiao

Leroy Chiao is a former NASA Astronaut and International Space Station Commander. In addition to his human spaceflight experience, he has spent his time in business, consulting, and speaking, and as a STEM education advocate, specifically with his organization OneOrbit™. Chiao’s passion and drive, paired with his down-to-Earth personality, embody the Cosmic Crisp INSPIRE pillar and program goals. Additional collaboration with astronaut talent management, marketing agency, and National Astronaut day founders, uniphi space agency, a division of uniphi good, LLC, will further elevate the campaign.

Lauren Ko

Lauren Ko is a Writer, Artist, and self-taught Baker rooted in San Diego and now based out of Seattle, Washington. Her inspiring pie designs have been featured in publications such as Vogue, O Magazine, and Buzzfeed, catching the attention of nearly 300,000 fans on Instagram. Her creativity, appreciation for clean and simple applications of fruit in baking, and overall success story are what allow her to embody the COOK pillar of the Cosmic Crisp program.

Dan and Mollie Koommoo

Dan Koommoo is the Executive Chef and Owner of Crafted in Yakima, Washington. Dan and his wife Mollie opened Crafted with the belief that food should come from the source; their menu highlights locally sourced ingredients and celebrates the importance of community and family. Koommoo’s commitment to featuring fresh, local ingredients makes him an easy fit for the COOK pillar.

Nicole Marte

Nicole Marte is a 6th grade Earth and Space Science Teacher in Georgia. She documents her adventures as a Middle School Teacher on her website and social platforms. Followers can expect to find classroom experiments and decorations with a bit of reality mixed in. Her supportive mindset and humble attitude make her a great fit for the Cosmic Crisp PLAY pillar.

Chantea McIntyre

Chantea McIntyre is a mom, a wife, a Blogger, and a friend. Her journey to find inspiration and share with others is documented on her blog and Instagram. She covers everything from motherhood and fashion to lifestyle and travel. Along the way, you’ll also meet her husband and four amazing kids. McIntyre’s story and passion to connect is what makes her fit with Cosmic Crisp’s INSPIRE pillar.

Lori Taylor

Lori Taylor's passion for serving the fresh produce industry is the foundation for The Produce Mom, a blog and brand that educates consumers on how to select, store, and serve fresh produce through various platforms. After spending 10 years working in the agriculture industry, Taylor launched The Produce Moms to help produce companies become better acquainted with their consumers and inspire families to enjoy more fruits and vegetables. Taylor’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle and open communication fits perfectly within the Cosmic Crisp EAT pillar.

AndNowUKnow is so excited for the release of Cosmic Crisp apples, even moreso that we get to follow six iconic influencers as they encourage engagement with the product. Stick with us for more from the Cosmic Crisp team.

Cosmic Crisp®

OXNARD, CA - When looking into what it means to have been around for more than 70 years, I saw black-and-white photos, post-World War II reports, and a world of radio and actual newspapers. It’s hard to imagine the Westfalia Fruit Group beginning in this era and remaining committed to responsible agribusiness to the present. Not only has it done this, though, but the team remains passionate about the quality of its produce and the environment where it is grown or processed—an environment that continues to expand.

“Westfalia Fruit’s avocado estates are operated in all major regions, including southern Africa, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and California in the USA,” shares Angela Tallant, Director of Sales at Westfalia Fruit Americas, based in Oxnard, California.

As we discuss Westfalia Fruit’s long history and its world-wide expansion in both foodservice and retail, one aspect we fall on of the company’s extensive stewardship practices is that of the upcoming World Avocado Congress.

“Westfalia Fruit played an instrumental role in establishing the first-ever World Avocado Congress (WAC) event, which was hosted in South Africa in 1987, and has continued to actively support and promote industry collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the implementation of sustainability best practices,” Angela explains.

The WAC brings together some of the industry’s greatest leaders and experts. As Angela puts it, if you have a passion for the avocado industry, this is your opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals, hear about recent international research, and more. All of which is up Westfalia Fruit’s alley.

“Westfalia Fruit is responsible for breeding world-leading rootstocks like Dusa® that are Phytophthora-tolerant, and thus a more sustainable solution than the constant use of chemicals. The breeding of new varieties that provide a greater yield is also an innovation that Westfalia Fruit has shared with the industry,” Angela says.

And the team happens to be expanding itself in the very country WAC is coming to this year, seemingly shining a light on the future of avocado growth.

“We are excited WAC is coming to Colombia, where we have recently built our second packhouse in this country. We are entering into the time of the year where California season will end and Peru will stop shipping fruit into the U.S., and Mexico is the only origin of fruit to supply U.S. demand. And it, too, is in the midst of a seasonal transition at this time,” she shares.

Angela explains that, at times, Mexico’s summer crop does not have enough fruit to stretch out into the next crop, some seasons prompting a gap in supply. During this time, markets can become volatile, with a number of contributing factors.

“The groves that are certified to ship into the U.S. have trees that are still young, however, in time, Colombia will be in its peak season during this crop transition and will be a secondary origin that can feed the U.S. demand. Product can arrive within seven days of harvest, so the origin can react quickly to offer relief during times of short supply or rising prices in the avocado market,” Angela explains. “The fruit is excellent quality, as it is grown in ideal climate and soil for avocados, similar to those in Mexico.”

Another source Westfalia Fruit is currently investigating is South Africa, where Tallant says shipments to the U.S. could potentially start next year, if the necessary phytosanitary and regulatory approvals are received.

“We are looking into the possibility of shipping avocados from South Africa to the United States as soon as 2020. U.S. demand continues to increase each year and, as a group, Westfalia Fruit is trying to stay ahead of the curve to ensure sufficient supplies to meet the growing demand, while also diversifying our sources,” she concludes.

We’ll certainly be keeping our eye on this and other moves for growth within the produce industry at AndNowUKnow.

Westfalia Fruit Group

WATSONVILLE, CA - Over the course of the last year, the ANUK team has been following along with Costco’s foray into the Chinese market—but we haven’t been the only produce-forward team doing so! California Giant Berry Farms has been following along as well and even has partnered with the big-box retailer so that fresh California Giant berries were on display when Costco opened the doors to its first China warehouse club location.

“We were honored that Costco chose California Giant Berry Farms to pack, ship, and deliver fresh strawberries for their new Shanghai grand opening,” said Joe Barsi, COO for California Giant Berry Farms. “One of California Giant’s strategic pillars is Working Together. A lot of dedicated employees within California Giant and Costco worked together behind the scenes so that Costco could offer fresh California strawberries to their members. We stepped up to the challenge, and I’m confident their members enjoyed the berries.”

The first-ever Costco location officially opened on Monday. Prior to that, California Giant prepared various inspections, phytosanitary certificates, logistical processes, and documentation with the Santa Maria Ag Commission and USDA before exporting 90 crates of fresh strawberries—with excellent quality, of course!—to Shanghai, according to a press release

“Today marks a banner day in which our partner California Giant assisted Costco Wholesale in navigating through the rigors of testing protocol to successfully launch the opening of Costco's first warehouse club in China,” said Frank Padilla, Vice President, GMM Produce and Meat at Costco Wholesale. “We’re grateful to be able to offer high quality California strawberries to our Chinese members with the assistance of California Giant.”

In order to meet the deadline of Costco’s opening date, California Giant combined the strength of its teams, including its sales, operations, and field teams, to harvest, pack, and ship its latest Santa Maria fall crop to Shanghai over the weekend.

“It takes a village,” added Juanita Delgado, Office Coordinator and Southern Region Food Safety Coordinator for California Giant. “We always strive to execute for our partners and deliver the best quality and consistency that we can. When our partners at Costco asked for berries for their first China warehouse grand opening—we were eager and excited to accept the challenge. Communication was key, and both the California Giant and Costco teams worked seamlessly together, despite some logistical hurdles, to ensure berries arrived in Shanghai with quality and flavor reflective of our standards.”

The press release also noted that exports are not new to the international berry company, with California Giant even looking to expand its venture in the future. As we patiently wait for how this venture unfolds, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow for the latest and greatest produce partnerships happening around the globe!

California Giant Berry Farms

LAKELAND, FL - Publix has been a busy bee with growth on the mind, recently doubling down on its Southern U.S. expansion plan, expanding new concepts, and investing in a $400 million distribution facility. But now, the grocer has set its sights inward, improving its operations and leadership with several new promotions set to go into effect September 1.

“Developing talented leaders is important to our future success, especially as we continue to grow,” said CEO and President, Todd Jones, in a press release. “I am proud of our ability to continue to perpetuate our Publix culture of promotion from within.”

Alison Midili Smith has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Human Resources, where she will be responsible for the strategic oversight of human resources, media and community relations, and customer care and social media. Midili Smith joined Publix in 1995 as a part-time intern in the human resources department, and was hired as Manager of Selection Systems just one year later. In 1999, she was promoted to Director of Employment and Staffing, and then Director of Organizational Development in 2004. Midili Smith was promoted yet again in 2013 to the role of Vice President of Talent and Organizational Development, and was named Vice President of Human Resources in 2016. Prior to her meteoric rise at Publix, Midili Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emory University, and a master’s and doctorate in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of South Florida.

Also in the human resources department, Marcy Benton has been promoted to Vice President of Talent Management. Benton will report to Midili Smith and will be responsible for associate relations, associate services, policies and procedures, diversity, recruiting, and selection and performance management. She started at Publix in 1992 as an Expense Accounting Clerk and joined human resources in 1995. After holding various positions in the department, Benton was promoted to Manager of Associate Diversity in 2001. In 2013, she was promoted to her current position of Director of Retail Associate Relations. Before kicking off her career at Publix, Benton earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida, and a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. She was also a recipient of Publix’s George W. Jenkins and President’s awards.

Woody Rayburn has been announced to fill the new position of Vice President of Real Estate Assets. In the new role, he will be responsible for managing Publix’s growing shopping center portfolio and leveraging and acquiring assets as investments for the company. Rayburn began his career at Publix in 1993 as Manager of Business Analysis. He was promoted to Asset Manager in 2000, and then in 2003 was again promoted, this time to his current position as Director of Real Estate Assets. Before starting his time at Publix, Rayburn earned a Bachelor’s of business administration in accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He was also a recipient of Publix’s President’s Award.

Congratulations to Alison Midili Smith, Marcy Benton, and Woody Rayburn on their exciting and well-deserved new promotions!

Publix

LAKELAND, FL - Foodservice professionals can say goodbye to dreary wash stations with many thanks to the food safety specialist SmartWash Solutions™. One of the leading technology solutions provider in the industry, JBT Corporation, is particularly thankful since it formed a European alliance with SmartWash. This partnership was developed to support the industry using the combination of science, technology, and engineering to fresh-cut produce processors throughout Europe.

“The components of our patented SmartWash solution help to alleviate the challenges associated with fresh-cut produce, comprising a high level of pathogen control that allows us to mitigate the risk of cross contamination and in the process reduce the probability of outbreaks occurring,” said Ewoud Buter, General Manager of SmartWash BV. “The wash water used in fresh-cut processing can get extremely dirty, due to soils and other contaminants entering the system.”

This movement all began when the company patented its SmartWash delivers Pinpoint Process Control™, launched in the U.S. as of 2009. Buter explained the importance of chlorine in this equation, saying this powerful anti-microbial weapon is the base of all the company’s washes. The system mitigates cross contamination while also improving food safety. Now used by over 50 percent of fresh-cut produce users in the U.S., the company began expansion towards Europe with the opening of SmartWash Solutions BV in the Netherlands.

“Through our alliance with JBT, we will be able to make many more people in the industry aware of the benefits of SmartWash by leveraging the resources of JBT worldwide,” said Buter.

SmartWash provides a solution to industry professionals working in wet and cold environments that often arise from fresh-cut processing. Its partnership with JBT will aid in encouraging cost-effective labor, efficiency of wash systems, and increased process control.

"Food safety is a mega-trend that will transform the marketplace over the next generation,” said Carlos Fernandez, JBT's Executive Vice President and President of Liquid Foods. “We're thrilled to partner with SmartWash Solutions and offer this breakthrough to our customers.”

SmartWash systems are now estimated to process five billion lbs worth of fresh-cut produce in the U.S. every year, in addition to significant volumes in Canada, Australia, China, and Spain. Keep an eye out for more produce industry news coming to you from AndNowUKnow.

SmartWash JBT

SALEM, OR - NORPAC Foods, a grower-owned produce cooperative founded in 1924, has announced it is forming an asset purchase agreement with Oregon Potato Company (OPC) under which OPC will acquire nearly all of NORPAC’s assets. To facilitate a free and clear sale, NORPAC has initiated proceedings under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

"NORPAC is pleased to have found a partner who shares our vision and will ensure the best possible future for our growers, employees, customers, and partners," said Shawn Campbell, CEO of NORPAC. "Our business operations will continue as normal through the bankruptcy process. Our 2,700 employees will continue to receive their wages and benefits, our vendors and suppliers will be paid in the ordinary course of business going forward, and our customers can continue to rely on us for unparalleled produce and products thanks to our family of farmers."

According to a press release, the transaction is expected to be swift, closing within 60 to 90 days, during which time current NORPAC management will continue to oversee operations supported by debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing provided by CoBank. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, federal regulatory, and Bankruptcy Court approvals.

"We intend to work as quickly as possible through the forthcoming process,” commented Frank Tiegs, President of Oregon Potato Company. “We are excited about bringing the growers, employees, partners, and various assets of NORPAC together with our family of companies. The combined businesses will enhance the offerings and service to customers across all business channels."

For more produce industry acquisition news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

NORPAC Foods, Inc. Oregon Potato Company

EDINBURG, TX - Who doesn’t love the perfect onion to compliment their dish? Well, definitely some. My sister, for example, will sort out every onion no matter how small we mince. Onions aren’t palatable for everyone. J&D Produce saw the tragedy in this and set out to create a mild-tasting sweet onion for everyone to enjoy. We sat down with Jeff Brechler to find out more about J&D’s HoneySweet® onion program.

“Folks are migrating from other states to Texas and are being introduced to the HoneySweet for the first time. They comment on the flavor, and how they have never tasted an onion so mild. Even if they’re not an onion lover, when a recipe calls for an onion, this is their go-to,” said Jeff.

The low pungency of HoneySweet onions is due in large part to the extensive testing carried out by J&D.

“We focus our testing efforts on the pungency of an onion, we’re not too concerned about sugar content,” Jeff boasted. “The industry classifies a sweet onion as testing between a 1 and 5 with 5 being hot and our HoneySweets are consistently testing between 1.5 to 2.5.”

But how do I get my sister to give this onion a try?

“The trick is getting new consumers to taste it for the first time. Once they do, they’re hooked. Our goal is to continue introducing the HoneySweet onion to new customers and expanding our reach," Jeff said. "If we promote the flavor as well as overall health and wellness of eating fruits and veg, we’ll be better for it.”

The company is invested in its home state, as Texas’ soil content is teeming with nutrients that promote growth of fruits and vegetables. J&D, along with Viva Fresh Board member and company President James Bassetti, is a fierce advocate for health, wellness, and taste in the produce industry, providing the company solid ground on which to stand.

New to J&D’s program is the availability of organic onions year-round. The company has organic certification in all producing areas, now with the addition of Peru. New to the program this year will be Peruvian organic onions. With this in mind, we asked Jeff what the current state of the HoneySweet onion program is.

“The Peruvian crop is progressing nicely and we anticipate seeing arrivals in the first ten days of October,” replied Jeff. “The Vidalia crop went a little bit longer than what initially anticipated, so we’re just now getting through and seeing a full transition from Vidalia to New Mexico.”

With organics on the rise, J&D is continuously working towards consistency in the market. According to Jeff, the company measures its growth in acres, and that has doubled in the past few years since it began the organic HoneySweet onion program. There’s no guarantee how retailers will allocate space for organic products, but J&D is working with its retail partners to extend the three- to four-month offering period to ten to twelve months.

“Not everyone is on an organic program in retail. It becomes a regional and time thing, there’s different thought processes on which item to devote space to and for how long to carry that item,” Jeff added.

Despite the market’s rise and fall, HoneySweet onions maintain their consistency by using the same seed variety for each crop. The size, shape, and taste are all essential components of the product’s unique makeup.

We, at AndNowUKnow, marvel at the innovation of this product. I know one thing’s for sure: my sister will reconsider onions. Stick with us for more produce news coming your way.

Little Bear Produce

IRVINE, CA - This past Sunday, the G-7 summit was held in France, where President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reached a possible trade deal. American farmers have expressed an overall approval on the matter, especially Western Growers' President and CEO Tom Nassif.

“Western Growers is extremely pleased to learn of the deal in principle between the U.S. and Japan, the third-largest market for American agricultural products. We are encouraged that the agreement will lead to substantial reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers to access to the Japanese market, which will level the playing field for U.S. farmers, in particular, producers of fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts,” Nassif stated in Western Growers’ press release.

According to Kyodo News, Trump and Abe met on Sunday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France and agreed in principle on the bilateral trade deal and to step up remaining work to sign it in September.

“We applaud the efforts of President Trump, Prime Minister Abe, and trade representatives from both countries to secure a mutually beneficial deal that will result in significant export opportunities for Western Growers members and the broader agricultural industry,” continued Nassif.

Kyodo News further stated that Japan also decided during the Abe-Trump meeting to purchase around 2.5 million tons of excess corn in the United States as the U.S.-China trade dispute has taken a toll on such farmers, according to government sources.

Nassif also commented that “the anticipated reductions in tariffs and SPS barriers will result in true market gains and much needed economic relief for an industry that has already been caught in the crosshairs of trade wars on other fronts.”

Abe said negotiators will continue to fine-tune the language, but the two leaders said they hoped to sign the agreement in New York in late September when the U.N. General Assembly meets. There was no mention of whether Congress would have a role in approving the agreement. The possible deal could open Japanese markets to $7 billion in U.S. goods, according to Roll Call.

“Tariff equity for U.S. fresh produce is one of our most important international trade priorities, with Japanese tariffs on American agricultural products reaching as high as 35 percent for some commodities,” commented Nariff. “Of equal importance is the need for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) reforms, as Japan’s current SPS regulatory regime prohibits many high-quality U.S. fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts from entering the Japanese market.”

How will this new deal further affect both growers and consumers? ANUK will continue to report.

Western Growers

IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!

After some time away, I am back bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.

Here are a few of the regions to be aware of...

EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING TO THE NORTHWEST

Parts of Oregon and Washington can expect excessive heat today and tomorrow. In Oregon, the entire length of the Willamette Valley from Eugene in the South up to Portland in the North will see high temperatures today and tomorrow in the upper 90°s, with some isolated 100° temperatures. These temperatures are about 10° above Monday’s highs. This valley is a big player in the berry markets this time of year and these warm temperatures might cause a bump in production.

The Wenatchee and Yakima Valleys of Washington will also see high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90°s this week. Items coming from these regions may see a small spike in production as well. Temperatures in Washington will cool off on Sunday of this week.

EXCESSIVE HEAT CONTINUES IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

The latest heat wave to hit the SJ Valley, which started Sunday, will continue through tomorrow. Maximum temperatures up and down the valley are ranging from 103° to 106° depending on the day and location. Possible bump in production on items coming from this area? Please check with shippers.

LATE WINTER HEAT WAVE IN CHILE

Major Chilean fruit growing regions are currently experiencing a late winter heat wave. The high temperatures are ranging from the upper 70°s to the mid 80°s and lows in the mid 50°s. Today will be the peak of the heat wave that started late last week and will continue through tomorrow. These temperatures are 15°-20° above normal for this time of year. By the weekend, highs will be back down in the 60°s and minimums in the low 40°s. Could these temperature swings have any effect on upcoming tree fruit blossoms?

HURRICANE CENTER UPDATE

The main concern now is Tropical Storm Dorian, which is just off the northern coast of South America, making its way west toward Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic where it should hit sometime Thursday morning. There is about a 90 percent chance of the storm forming a cyclone. Rains along the way will range from 3” to 9”. If the storm makes it way through the island of Hispaniola intact, then there may be a chance it makes landfall somewhere in Florida this weekend. We will have an update for you on Friday.

Thank you as always! We'll be back on Friday with another report.

Weathermelon