OXNARD, CA – Making a significant stride into the European market, Mission Produce announced today that it has completed the construction of its first Ripe Center in Breda, The Netherlands. The company’s new Ripe Center is its first in Europe, and is strategically located near Rotterdam and Antwerp—the primary ports for importing avocados into Europe.

“The European market is developing rapidly in terms of overall avocado consumption, and is actually growing at a faster rate than North America.” President & CEO Steve Barnard noted in a press release. “Our expectation is that this growth will continue, and the ability to provide ripe fruit to our customer base will position Mission to capitalize on that growth. Mission has long been the leader in ripening in North America. We will be able to extend our deep understanding of the ripening process and technology and provide the same level of service in Europe.”

While the company has been operating in Europe for several years, this latest addition promises to grow Mission's production capabilities throughout the entire year.

“We provide fruit in Europe from three primary countries of origin—Peru, Mexico, and Chile—and our new Ripe Center stages us for expansion regardless of seasonality and origin,” said Vice President of Sales & Marketing Brent Scattini. "Adding the Ripe Center allow us to service our customer’s needs by providing ripe fruit in consistent volume throughout the year.”

Mission has operated a distribution center in Breda, in the Mooy Logistics terminal, since 2012. The company recently expanded the facility to include four, three-tiered ripe rooms with the capacity for 36 pallets each—144 total.

“We have been providing fruit to the European market for over 5 years, both through direct customer imports, as well as through our facility in Breda,” explained Ine Potting, Managing Director. “By adding ripening capacity, we can offer more value-added services to our customer base here.”

Mission’s engineering team oversaw the construction of the company’s new ripe rooms. Using energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technology, the company constructed a three-tier racking system that is the first of its kind in Europe. The extended height of the rooms is intended to increase both capacity and efficiency. The design of the installation and the chosen components meet the demands of the EIA 2015, and will provide the company with an energy savings of 15 percent over standard ripening systems.

For more on facility expansions in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Mission Produce

ORLANDO, FL - I love the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show. And I don’t even mind flying across the country—from California—for just one day on the show floor. The products consistently raise the bar and the buyer-to-supplier ratio keeps the conversations and opportunities flowing. What tantalizing items caught my eye this year? Although I hate to narrow it down, here are a handful of my favorites I hope you too, can enjoy.

SUNSET® Minzano® Pasta Kit

I can’t say it enough—convenience will always contribute to my decision making process at grocery. From a consumer perspective, SUNSET® has a way of remaining at the head of the pack and bringing incredibly delicious and innovative products to market. Take the SUNSET® Minzano® Pasta Kit. This product offers a dual chamber bowl, one side containing Minzano® tomatoes, the other containing pasta, as well as an expertly mixed spice pack…and can feed two in just 15 minutes.

Mann Packing Kale Beet Blend™

I love any product that can drop a “beet.” Pun intended. Mann’s new Kale Beet Blend offers not only golden beets, but a host of other exciting flavor profiles like kale, kohlrabi, and red cabbage—a combination of the company’s Power Blend and Broccoli Slaw. Blend, roast, toss in a salad, add crunch to tacos, take your stir fry up a notch…I just ask one thing: don’t limit yourself.

OPA by Litehouse™ Greek Style Yogurt Dressing

These refrigerated salad dressings (RSD) are more than meets the eye. Anything your consumers can imagine putting a sweet or savory touch on, deserves these dressings. In addition, the variety of flavor profiles can spark creativity on their own. With an original lineup of Avocado Cilantro, Strawberry Poppyseed, Roasted Garlic, Tzatziki Ranch and Curry, Litehouse is also adding new offerings to the program in May which include Feta Dill, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Caesar, and Jalapeño Ranch.

Monterey Mushrooms Organic Specialty Mushroom Package

If there is one word I can leave you with, let it be Umami. Hearty, robust, rich, savory—this word inspires a range of descriptors and can be found by pairing, preparing, and showcasing one of my favorite fresh produce items: mushrooms. Monterey Mushrooms organic specialty mushroom package includes king trumpet, beech, maitake, shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms. And retailers need not balk at the range of varieties since the graphics offer usage ideas, facts, and simple how-to instructions for consumers.

Rockit™ Apple Launcher

Rockit™ apple tube packs really are their own merchandising solution. But this year the program is taking it up a notch. Grown by Borton Fruit and Chelan Fresh, this new and exciting miniature apple variety packs big flavor and a convenient size…and now can offer a destination of its own. The new display unit showcases both the fruit, packaging, and vibrant design of the Rockit™ program. With a petite stature, and distinctively fresh and aromatic crunch, it is always exciting to see how this program evolves.

SUNSET® Mann Packing  Litehouse Inc. Monterey Mushrooms Borton Fruit Chelan Fresh

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against J & R Fresh Produce LLC.

According to a USDA press release, the company, operating from Florida, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to seven produce sellers in the amount of $281,225 from August 2015 through June 2016.

J & R Fresh Produce LLC 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 for two years. Furthermore, its principal could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

MCLEAN, VA - By now, the produce industry might be pretty well acquainted with our friends at Gladstone Land Corporation, a real estate investment trust (REIT), but perhaps not with how the company works to benefit farmers. Namely, allowing farmers to sell a farm to the company in a tax-free transaction and serving as a strategic partner with the farmer after the sale.

If you are like most farm owners, you likely farm the land yourself or lease it to another farmer. Either way your company works, farmland probably ties up a good deal of your money. Gladstone Land has an alternative.

As the company explained to me, Gladstone Land is set up as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT) structure, meaning that the company holds its farm assets in its operating partnership. This allows Gladstone Land to acquire farmland from farm sellers in exchange for units of limited partnership interest in its operating partnership, or OP Units. In exchange for land, the seller can receive OP Units, which are then convertible to either cash or shares of Gladstone Land’s common stock, which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market, ticker symbol LAND, after a holding period of one year. What’s the benefit? The initial exchange transaction is tax-free to the seller—thus, any capital gains tax that otherwise would be payable if the seller of the farm was to sell the farmland for cash would be deferred. 

If you own a farm in your name, the company assures the exchange is easy. Sign a purchase and sale agreement, choosing to sell for cash, OP Units, or a combination of the two. Next, the title company will handle the actual sale, transferring the farm in the government record books to the operating partnership, and giving you OP Units in the amount you agreed to receive. Again, the beauty of this exchange is that it is not a taxable event for the seller at the time of the transaction.

What else do sellers gain as part of this unique partnership with Gladstone Land?

Deferred Taxes

Yes, I've mentioned this before, but when a farm is sold for cash, capital gains taxes are generally due. If the farm is sold for OP Units, no capital gains taxes are due at the time of the sale.

Having a Real Estate Partner

Gladstone Land becomes your real estate or farmland partner, meaning it wants to keep farmers on the same land for as long as they want to farm it—a big advantage for land owners who want to continue to harvest.

Adding More Land and Acreage for You to Farm

With Gladstone Land as your real estate partner, if you wish to purchase new farmland, you do not have to buy it yourself. The company will buy the farm for you and rent it to you, meaning with just an additional lease, you can now farm additional land without the obligation to invest further.

Flexibility: Sell or Keep OP Units after One Year

Converting OP Units to cash or liquid common stock of Gladstone Land can be a simple solution for those who wish to avoid the hassle of selling a portion of their farm. If you have an emergency, the liquid investment can quickly provide extra cash. Furthermore, you are allowed to select when shares are converted or sold, and thus when the taxes are incurred.

No Mortgage

Your mortgage on the farm has gone away, and you no longer have a personal guarantee on the mortgage. This can be a significant relief to you and your family.

Diversification of Assets

Rather than holding just one farm, an investment in Gladstone Land gives you an interest in a diversified portfolio of properties throughout the U.S. in commonality with all of the other public stockholders of the company. This provides you with a diversified holding, avoiding that “all your eggs in one basket” problem.

Want to learn more details about selling farmland to Gladstone? Visit ir.gladstoneland.com.

Gladstone Land Corporation

VANCOUVER, CANADA – Consumers will soon have premium cherries to fill their hands and tasty dishes, and Oppy is looking to bless them even further with an early start to the season. To bring this to fruition, Oppy has secured a new marketing partnership for North America with Felix Costa & Sons.

“We are really delighted about boosting our cherry program with the Brookside label,” said David Nelley, Vice President of Categories at Oppy. “Fruit grown by Costa is one of the best known cherry lines in Asia, where they have an excellent reputation for quality and flavor. Domestic buyers whose opinion we value have told us they always want more Brookside label cherries.”

The new partners will begin shipping high-quality cherries in Felix Costa & Sons' famed Brookside label during the last week in April, according to a press release. Following the Brookside California season, Oppy will then transition into Orchard View cherries as harvest starts in June.Brookside cherries are grown by the third generation of the Costa family, as well as affiliated cherry producers that focus on high-quality export cherries. The company maintains a diligent year-round effort in order to keep focused on cultivating superb cherries.

“Once we discovered that we were shipping a high percentage of our cherries to the same overseas customers as Oppy’s partner Orchard View, it made sense to consider working together,” Greg Costa, Partner in Felix Costa & Sons, said. “We spend a great deal of time in the orchards, focusing our efforts on a bigger, firmer, sweeter cherry. Careful orchard management is essential throughout the entire year.” 

During the growing season, Costa acquires a thousand miles per week visiting associated orchards throughout California’s cherry-growing districuts to ensure that the fruit destined to bear the Brookside label meets its standards. Costa also chairs the California Cherry Board research committee. 

Costa credits the Unitec optical sorter for putting the final polish on Brookside cherry packs. The Unitec was installed in Felix Costa & Sons’ packhouse four years ago.“We’ve always had great quality, but the sorter establishes a base that makes us more consistent, and makes it easier to be consistent,” Costa continued.

Oppy stated that California cherry season will begin around a week later than last year due to cooler weather and a later boom. Oppy and Felix Costa & Sons will begin with the Brooks variety in late April, which will then be followed by Tulare, Coral Champagne, Garnet, and Bing–which represent the largest percentage of the Brookside label. 

Oppy plans to spearhead a successful season with powerful spring cherry promotions, and interactive social media outreach. This outreach will include contests and other features in order to increase Brookside’s exposure in the North American market.

As cherry season ramps up, count on AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

Oppy

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA – When you think selflessness in this industry, that sentiment is usually paired with thoughts of the Allen Lund Company (ALC). As we move into 2017, the company is making good on that reputation by continuing its Acts of Kindness from last year.

As Marketing Director Nora Trueblood recently told me, the company launched this new year of opportunites with a team bonding event at its annual Manager’s Meeting. The event was held in La Jolla, California, from February 26 to March 2.

“Our meeting theme this year was Allen's Army, and we were thrilled to team up with Team Bonding again by assembling 24 Military Care kits. The kits were presented to Colleen Cordaro of the San Diego USO," Nora tells me.

This deed counts as ALC’s 1st "official" Act of Kindness for 2017, in what will undoubtedly lead a year ripe with community enrichment by ALC, both in our own industry and communities at large. In 2016, in conjunction with their 40th Anniversary, the company completed 40 Acts of Kindness, which actually finished with 71 Acts.

"We have a great tradition of community service, and look forward to ALC offices across the country continuing Acts throughout 2017 and beyond," Nora continues.

WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms looks to be boosting its sales team to match continued growth in its volume of fresh berry offerings. Latest to join the ranks is fresh produce veteran Jonathan Sparks, who will be managing existing trading partner accounts as well as developing new business relationships.

The new addition started March 6, according to a recent release, bringing almost 20 years of produce industry experience. He previously worked as Produce Distributor for Drobnick Distributing and with Green Star Produce Marketing in Produce Sales. Most recently, Sparks served as Robinson Fresh’s Berry Category Manager.

California Giant noted Sparks’ experience would bring more strength as the team prepares for the berry season ahead.

“The timing is perfect to add to our team as we launch into the beginning of the Spring and we are very pleased Jonathan wanted to come on board,” said Anthony Gallino, VP of Sales. “He will definitely complement the existing group and provide the extra depth we really need.”

As we previously reported, California Giant also welcomed Foodservice Director Tom Smith in recent weeks, and the company said that Sparks, too, will bolster the team’s strength and provide opportunity for more analysis on current and potential business partnerships.

Over the last several years, California Giant has expanded acreage and growing regions for all berry types, but it said that it has not expanded the sales team until now.

Congratulations to Jonathan and the team on this newest chapter.

California Giant Berry Farms

COLLETON COUNTY, SC – The crew of a cabbage truck found themselves in the proverbial hot water last week, when the truck crashed into a bridge, slid down an embankment—striking several trees—and then came to rest in a swamp.

If that wasn’t enough, the contents of the truck became dislodged and trapped the two men under its cargo—mounds and mounds of cabbage.

"The front of the trailer failed, propelling the load of cabbage onto the cab, destroying the truck and trapping the two occupants," Colleton County Fire and Rescue (CCFR) officials told local CBS affiliate Live 5 News.

A South Carolina Transport Police Officer came across the wreck shortly after it occurred, on the Northbound lanes of I-95, but he was only able to extricate the passenger from the wreckage. Subsequent responders worked to free the other occupant trapped beneath a truckload of cabbage.

"Firefighter-Paramedics deployed ladders to reach the second the occupant who was trapped approximately 15 feet above the ground," CCFR officials said. "Crews dug through mounts [sic] of cabbage, then used hand tools to free the driver. He was extricated with the use of a stokes basket."

Both of the people inside the truck suffered injuries and were immediately transported to Colleton Medical Center. The SC Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

SEATTLE, WA - New permit documents revealed by tech site GeekWire name “AmazonFresh Pickup” as the e-commerce giant’s latest grocery concept. Evidence collected by the source even suggests these new brick-and-mortar locations will be open soon. 

According to the permit filings, Amazon gained approval from the city of Seattle to install signs that read “AmazonFresh Pickup” for stores in both Seattle’s Ballard and SoDo neighborhoods this week. The filings also show the entrances of the stores will be adorned with signs greeting to each neighborhood, for example, “HELLO BALLARD,” and “HELLO, SODO,” as well as messages such as, “Shop online. Pick up here,” and “Relax while we load your groceries.”

Permit records also cite www.amazon.com/pickup as a possible future web address for shopping for the store online shopping. Currently, the address redirects to a blank white page. 

Additional information that GeekWire pulled from Amazon’s permits include:

• Each store includes an awning for drivers to park under
• Each store includes a brick-and-mortar store where employees put orders together
• Customers will schedule a specific 15-minute to two-hour pick up window when ordering online
• Peak time slots will sell out, helping manage traffic flow 
• Customers can drive into a designated parking area where purchases will be delivered 
• Alternatively, customers can walk into the retail area to pick up their items
• Customers will also be able to walk into the retail room to place orders on a tablet
• Walk in customers will have their products delivered to them in the retail room
• Permitting information uncovered last year said hours of operation are expected to be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
• At peak time, there will be approximately 15 employees working on site
• Three to five employees will be dedicated to bringing orders out to parked cars
• About a quarter of all trips are expected to occur between 5 and 7:30 p.m
• The average wait time is expected to be about five minutes

Amazon has yet to comment on the existence of these stores, but the “Amazon” and “AmazonFresh” names have appeared in permit documents several times, GeekWire confirms. As we’ve reported previously, this is not Amazon’s first foray into brick and mortar retail. Dubbed Amazon Go, the company’s previously announced physical store has shoppers scan their mobile device upon entering the store, take items off the shelf, and walk out the door with no other steps. 

No word yet on when these stores will open their doors to consumers and other prying eyes, but  AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.

AmazonFresh

MONTEREY, CA – The Agricultural Personnel Management Association (APMA) recently concluded its 37^th APMA Annual Forum. The event, held over three days at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, addressed topics in human resources, labor, and safety, and was attended by nearly 270 participants from California and Arizona.

According to a press release, the forum featured workshops addressing current issues impacting agricultural businesses in human resources, safety, and employment and labor law. The event opened with welcoming remarks from APMA President and General Manager for RAMCO Enterprises Julio Sanchez.

The opening keynote—“What is the Future of California Agriculture”—was presented by Robert Roy, President and General Counsel of Ventura County Agricultural Association.

The event also featured an address by Bob Gray, past President and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation—who spoke at the 37^th Annual APMA dinner and shared valuable insights on the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. And evening festivities also honored the 7th graduating class of the Human Resource Professional in Agriculture (HRPA™) Program—the only HR certification program specific to agriculture.

Rob Trice, CEO and Founder of The Mixing Bowl & Better Food Ventures, closed the event with a keynote on innovation and technology and their potential impact on food and agriculture.

For more on important events in the produce industry, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Agricultural Personnel Management Association