SAN DIEGO, CA- Organics Unlimited wrapped up 2016 with an impressive commitment to its sustainability and charitable initiatives. Beyond its decade-long, $2 million dollar program, the GROW Fund, which invests in communities surrounding its farms in Mexico and Ecuador, the company announced it made substantial donations to San Diego food banks.

“If our organic bananas are too ripe to distribute to grocery store customers in perfect condition, I would rather donate that product to those who need it instead of risk the product not reaching customers in time,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, President of Organics Unlimited and GROW, according to a press release. “We are able to help families with food insecurity by providing them healthy, organic bananas, and at the same time we are minimizing the amount of wasted product. Our partnerships with local San Diego food banks help us stay committed to being a sustainable company that gives back to our communities.”

In 2016, Organics Unlimited donated healthy organic bananas to both the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Feeding America San Diego. When shipments of organic bananas arrive at the Organics Unlimited warehouse in San Diego, boxes of fruit can sometimes be imperfect for distribution to retail customers but perfect for immediate distribution and enjoyment to beneficiaries of local food banks.

In addition to product donations to food banks, the GROW Fund, a nonprofit program developed by Organics Unlimited, allows the organic banana company to provide funds to organizations such as Children International, Project Amigo, Environmental Health Coalition and more. Over the past decade, through retailer and distributor support, GROW organic banana purchases have raised over $2 million in aid for communities near Organics Unlimited banana farms in Mexico and Ecuador. According to the website, these funds empower children and adults in these communities by providing educational, medical, and economic support. A percentage derived from the purchase of each box of GROW organic bananas is earmarked for the GROW Fund.

The company grows bananas and operates its business with sustainability in mind by caring for the environment as well as the communities near its growing operations. As previously reported, GROW by Organics Unlimited has supported Produce for Kids since 2014 in the nonprofit’s efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles.

How else will the fresh produce industry be able to positively impact communities around the world? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

Organics Unlimited

NOGALES, AZ- The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) Spring Policy Summit has been lauded for its high-quality content, with last years interactive Table Top Food Safety Exercise leaving a lasting impression on attendees. Which is why the FPAA plans to bring it back again this year in a session touching on the Foreign Supplier Verification Program part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, facilitated by Domenic Veneziano, former Director of Import Operations for FDA and now President of Veneziano Consulting.

“It is part of our mission to provide expertise to help the industry members succeed, therefore when it comes to food safety regulations and new requirements we want to stay proactive and lead in knowledge. With this in mind we are excited to bring speakers like Veneziano to work with us closely and in this interactive manner,” said Lance Jungmeyer , President of FPAA, according to a press release.

This activity was developed for the industry to have a better understanding of the procedures followed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when suspicions of food contamination appear. The event will include other food safety topics as well as the dynamics of trade in the U.S., customs innovations with spotlight on Nogales, changes in the Trusted Trader Programs, and a discussion on where and how Public Private Partnerships could benefit the trade of goods.

“We have seen how this event in the past has shape the trade as it is today, we are certain that the discussions that will take place during the event will transcend to solid improvements to the industry. It’s for this reason that we urge the participation of not only our members, but all those that have vested interests in the trade with Mexico,” said Jungmeyer.

This is a two-day event that will take place on February 28 and March 1 at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa in Tubac, Arizona.

More information about the Spring Policy Summit can be found at www.freshfrommexico.com.

For the latest on all fresh produce industry events, make sure to check back with AndNowUKnow.

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas

LEAMINGTON, ON- With New Year’s resolutions in the air, and companies looking to set a pace that will carry them throughout 2017, I checked in with one company helping to innovate the greenhouse-category, to see what some of the key initiatives were as we look toward the year ahead.

Chris Veillon, Director of Marketing for NatureFresh™ Farms joined me to discuss the company’s locally-grown program in 2017, and how brand consistency is not just a vision but a standard.

Q: Why is local such an important concept and element to the program?

Chris Veillon: Many use the word “local” very loosely. Does local mean within 100 miles? 200 miles? 450 miles? A 20-minute drive? To each their own in many respects, but we see our Ohio grown tomatoes as local to the region, especially during the winter months. Ohio grown, let alone Midwest grown snacking tomatoes, are rare! In using the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture “Ohio Proud” moniker on our packaging and in our messaging, we are telling consumers that they can have confidence in supporting Ohio grown tomatoes that are endorsed by the state.

Q: How does promoting Ohio-grown products at retail, for purchase by the end-consumer, benefit the state?

CV: Buying products that are built or grown in the state helps create jobs and ensure economic activity in the region but also raises awareness for agriculture and food production in the state. We believe that a “grown in Ohio” message will resonate with consumers in the Midwest. On top of that, we have seen immediate traction with this initiative when we launched our OhioRed™ tomato program in February 2016. One of the key drivers in a Ohio grown message is that the product is coming from the same grower week-in, week-out, regardless of the season. We may not ship hundreds of thousands of cases a month, but what we do is ensure that when someone picks up a resealable container of TOMZ™ Red Cherry or Red Grape Tomatoes in Cleveland or Columbus or Chicago or Rochester, they know that is grown in Ohio by a grower that they can trust.

Q: What does brand consistency mean to NatureFresh™?

CV: Brand consistency is not about matching the colors of the label or making sure it sure it is shipped in the right box. It is about delivering a product that meets the highest standards we can attain with our varieties. We want to ensure that each and every time a consumer walks in to a grocery store that they always get our best.

Our new product innovation is driving us forward. Not only are we using technology to build better greenhouses but developing growing strategies that ensure we are using the right processes for all of our facilities, regardless of the product. Delivering the same product to the same retailer from the same farm week-in, week-out, regardless of the season, ensures consumers know where it is grown and who it is grown by.

Q: Can you talk to me about one of your most successful initiatives to-date?

CV: Our strategic marketing efforts are focused on our core message, “We Are The Grower.” We are being overly transparent in how we grow and all that we do as one of the largest vertically integrated greenhouse companies in North America.

Through our #GreenInTheCity tour over the last 2 years, we have been tremendously successful in sharing our story about how we grow as we prepared to unveil our Ohio project. Now that we have begun picking and shipping, those consumer whom we interacted with are now purchasing Ohio grown tomatoes. Why? Because they understand who grows them, how they are grown, and feel empowered by the information they have received. Our investment in sharing our message at the grassroots level will help strengthen our position in the marketplace.

Q: So, Chris, what’s next?

CV: Planning is already underway for 2017! We strive to provide the best possible eating experience in all that we grow. Our Ohio tomato program provides consistency throughout the winter months which has never been done before. NatureFresh™ Farms is focused on delivering products that we are proud of. Our growing strategy might be a little different than most who focus on yield and boxes shipped. While we are focused on that too, what we do first and foremost is to ensure quality comes first. We leave our product on the vine a little bit longer to ensure maximum flavor. With significantly less miles to travel from our Ohio greenhouses to a local or regional distribution center, you can bet consumers will enjoy our Ohio grown tomatoes. Healthy doesn’t have to be hard; we just want to make sure it is flavorful.

 To read more on NatureFresh™ Farms new product development and expansion efforts, check out a Q&A I recently did with Chris here!

Hello 2017! With more to come from the greenhouse category and a year ripe with initiatives, growth, and innovation – stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep you informed throughout 2017.

NatureFresh Farms

HOUSTON, TX – With January well underway, we in the produce industry are champing at the bit to know just what trends will drive sales in 2017. Thankfully, Sysco has read not just the tea leaves, but a variety of informative sources, and in the January edition of the Sysco SHAPE Newsletter, is offering up ten trends set to take the industry by storm in 2017.

It’s a Tasty World After All

According to a company press release, the foodservice giant expects ethnic and global dishes to continue to thrive in 2017, with veggie-loaded world cuisine dishes making their way onto menus and into kitchens. “People are embracing flavors farther eastward in the Mediterranean and Middle East,” said Chef John Griffiths in the AF & Co. 2017 Trends Report. “I expect to see a further incorporation of Turkish and Middle Eastern spice combinations and dishes.”

Southern Pride

Food from the South is on the rise, with traditional southern fare like biscuits and fried chicken gaining ground with chefs, restauranteurs, and consumers alike. Sysco notes, though, that the often-heavy cuisine needs to be supplemented with healthy options like collard greens. As Sharon Olson of the Culinary Visions Panel in Chicago noted: “It has to be delicious and healthful.”

Breakfast Bonanza

Breakfast is still a promising avenue for growth in foodservice, according to Sysco, and in 2017, we can expect consumers to take the on-trend foods into their home kitchens, too. “Think breakfast sandwiches on dinner menus and Michelin-starred restaurants doling out egg sandwiches paired with exceptional latte art in the morning,” said Andrew Freeman & Co. in its 2017 Trends Report. Expect consumers to eye omelet additions like chives and mushrooms, and healthy alternatives like bananas, strawberries, and grapefruit, too.

Consumer’s Choice

Millennials and Gen Zers will continue to look to veg-centric cuisines from around the world to inform their eating habits. “If there is any economic uncertainty, consumers may once again turn to comfort food favorites,” predicted Amy Myrdal Miller, Founder and President of Farmer's Daughter Consulting. For older diners in the Midwest, that may mean a return to dishes like mashed potatoes and for younger diners a warm bowl of veggie-loaded ramen or curry.

Fermenting Flavors

2017 is expected to take this age-old, on-trend technique to new heights. Expect foods like black beans, cabbage, garlic, peppers, and cucumbers—foods that lend themselves to pickling and fermentation—to take off.

Validating the Veggie

Root-to-leaf is expected to surmount farm-to-table and nose-to-tail as the preeminent movement in food prep. Previously underused or discarded parts of vegetables, like beet and radish greens and carrot tops are set to become more and more frequently-utilized ingredients. “We're seeing a lot more chefs get creative with vegetables,” noted Matthew Britt, Chef Instructor at Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts in Providence, Rhode Island, in a Sysco release.

Balancing the Plate

“The category is taking hold quickly,” according to Scott Allmendinger, Director of Consulting for the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. The rise demand for veggies is rearranging restaurants’ plating strategies and turning consumers on to more nutritious, varied options at home. The emerging “plant forward” movement recommends more real estate be allotted for veggies on the plate. 

Bowled Over

Bowls will continue to trend in 2017, according to Sysco. Expect healthy stir fry options to put fruits and veggies front and center with consumers looking for quick, convenient, healthy, and increasingly-multi-cultural bowl options.

Turning Sour

The in-house pickling trend in restaurants is becoming increasingly an in-house pickling trend for individuals in their own homes. Expect food and beverages with sour components to perk up dishes in the same way peppers and hot ingredients have done in recent years. Chefs will find more and more uses for preserved and pickled vegetables in recipes, like curry flavored with pickled blueberries, and we can expect the trend to carry over with consumers stocking their shelves. The mantra, Allmendinger predicts, will be “how sour can you go.”

Super Shakes

Perhaps the counter-weight to these fresh veggie trends, Sysco is also tipping the rise of the “Freakshake”—an over the top milkshake topped with ice cream, sweet sauces, and mountains of whipped cream, cake, cookies, donuts, and candies. Expect the Freakshake to send remorseful consumers to the gym and, perhaps, the produce aisle the next day.

Are the foodservice provider’s prognostications on point? Check back in with AndNowUKnow throughout the year to see.

Sysco

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is testing the introduction of an app designed to streamline the shopping process and eliminates long lines at the checkout counter of its busy retail outlets. But is the concept uncannily familiar?

According to tech news source Phone Arena, the retailer’s Walmart Scan & Go app—which is also currently available at the company’s Sam’s Club locations—allows shoppers to bypass the checkout line, pay for goods with your phone, and exit the store hassle free.

The app, available for iOS or Android devices, allows consumers to scan an item’s UPC code as they take products from the shelf and deposit them in their cart. Upon completing their shopping, customers can check out with a familiar ecommerce-style cart on their phones, generate a receipt on their mobile device, and show the receipt to the greeter/security guard at the door.

The app is currently being tested at only one store—Walmart #5260 in Rogers, Arkansas, but the technology is scalable, and it may not be long until the retailer implements Scan & Go checkout at all its locations.

As we previously reported, last month, Amazon unveiled a very similar concept—a flagship Amazon Go grocery store—and the internet basically lost its mind. The online retailer's new format works like this: Upon entering the store, shoppers will scan their mobile QR code from the Amazon Go app at a turnstile. Shoppers then can peruse the location’s selection of value-added prepared items and grocery staples, taking items off the shelf and walking out the door with no other steps.

Amazon has yet to open its flagship Go location in Seattle. And while Amazon Go's checkout process is more streamlined, the advantage Walmart may have over the online retailer is a preexisting infrastructure of over 4,000 stores in the U.S., and more than 11,500 total in 27 countries around the world.

Will Walmart’s potentially-large scale implementation of the app thwart Amazon’s grocery designs? For updates as the occur, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Walmart Amazon

TAMAULIPAS, MX – Keeping with its mantra “Your Direct Link to the Grower,” Vision Import Group, one of two Vision Companies along with Vision Produce Co., is making connectivity a priority and visiting its lemon growers in important growing regions in Mexico.

“Visiting Citrosel S.A. de C.V. grower Miguel Rivera’s packing shed and fields help us connect and understand his business,” said Raul Millan, Executive Vice President of Vision Import Group, according to a press release. “These connections help fuel our passion for produce and that trickles down to our sales team and customers.”

The company imports quality fruit from the Tamaulipas area from April to January each year. In order to fill gaps in production, Vision Import Group also sources Spanish lemons.

“In order to fill customers’ needs year round, we have a highly successful Spanish Lemon program that is available during Mexico’s gap in production,” said Donald Souther, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, noting that the company’s exceptional commitment to both its growers and customers.

The Vision Companies market Mojito, Havana, and Mr. Squeeze limes and lemons throughout the United States, in addition to Van Gogh mangos and other fresh produce offerings. Vision Import Group’s sister company Vision Produce Co. also sells limes under the Bonito, Tropic Star, and Logger brands. 

Vision Import Group

CASTROVILLE, CA – While the winter may bring thoughts of cold weather and a restful pause to some of us, the cold season has others on the tips of their toes as they continue to ramp up their seasonal offerings.

As Artichoke Commodity Manager Bob Polovneff recently told me, Ocean Mist Farms is focusing on harvesting premium artichokes from its winter growing regions in Baja Mexico, and Coachella and Oxnard, California.

“We are in production for all sizes right now, and have excellent quality coming out of the field,” Bob elaborates on what retailers can expect to spruce up their shelves. “The rains in the past month have accelerated harvest times by three to four weeks, and product quality is fantastic.”

Though artichoke demand falls a bit after the entertainment heavy holiday season, Ocean Mist Farms is able to satisfy the demand for artichokes as consumers continue to look for warm and toasty veg options.

“If shoppers are looking for healthy eating options, you can’t beat an artichoke! The winter artichokes offer an excellent eating experience and our Season & Steam microwaveable bag makes meal preparation very simple,” says Diana McClean, Marketing Director.

PACIFIC GROVE, CA - Can’t wait until the 2017 EcoFarm Conference to soak up all that knowledge on organics? The Organic Trade Association (OTA) will host a Pre-Conference Organic Produce Meeting Series in Pacific Grove, California, on Wednesday January 25th at the Asolimar Conference Grounds prior to the big event. Get ready for two sessions covering some of the sector’s hottest issues.

First, a morning session from 10 to noon will give organic celery growers in California the opportunity to address what the OTA refers to as an urgent need to develop an organic substitute to the currently allowed use of non-organic celery powder to cure organic processed meats such as organic bacon and sausage. The session will be led by OTA's Celery Powder Working Group.

After lunch, an afternoon session from 2:00 to 4:30 pm will provide an informative and solution-oriented conversation covering a wide array of critical topics for the organic produce sector. According to a press release, topics covered will include the following:

• Container Production and Hydroponics
• Farm Bill Priorities
• Transitional Certification 
• The proposed GRO Organic Checkoff
• Organic Seed Usage Requirements

There is no cost to attend the pre-conference meetings, and a separate lunch from noon to 2 pm is available for $18 per person. Register today at this link, and be sure to attend the 2017 EcoFarm Conference from January 25th to the 27th.

Any questions can be directed to OTA’s Events and Projects Manager Tracy Campany at [email protected].

Organic Trade Association

AUSTIN, TX - As the rumor mill continues to turn with regard to a Whole Foods' potential buyer, skeptics are wondering if Co-Founder John Mackey will even entertain prospective suitors as he looks to protect the artisan, organic legacy he has built for Whole Foods.

As we previously reported, word on the street in recent months suggests that Kroger is one buyer eyeing the company. Maybe they have already tried and failed? Maybe not.

With that in mind, we reached out to sources close to ANUK to ask the question: Will Whole Foods sell?

To begin responding to the question, Whole Foods has begun actively consolidating shippers, and minimizing its local sourcing program, as industry friends recently shared with us; a move that makes Whole Foods more attractive to potential buyers like Kroger. Some see the match-up as too fractured of a fit to work well in the long-haul. So, what does this mean?

Marriage Made in Heaven? Or Not?

In a nutshell, it only makes sense for certain national chains to acquire a more artisan-driven retailer, like Whole Foods. The philosophies must align.

Mackey may be looking for a company that shares in the same model and vision that he built. Whole Foods demands a different focus than most national retailers, we are told, and you have to appreciate the cost Whole Foods is willing to incur to keep its mission alive.

Others echo this sentiment as well, noting that Whole Foods is in the business of raising awareness, promoting planet generosity, and paying it forward. Other companies have different perspectives and are in the business of retail more than social consciousness–where Mackey grounds his vision for Whole Foods.

In addition, some sources shared with us that some prospective suitors are too aggressive, and Mackey’s end-game is essentially to protect his legacy and founding principles. Yet others argue that some large national chains have successfully purchased other banners, over the years, and have managed to keep their differentiating attributes within their respective markets and/or channels, while at the same time benefiting from their system and economies of scale.

Another interesting thought to come to the table from some of our industry friends is that Amazon would not be a too far-fetched candidate for Whole Foods. A company like Amazon can embrace what Whole Foods has done with its mission and values, potentially more so than other retailers who are profit-driven. So many large scale retailers are trying to find ways to increase profits by driving prices down and decreasing service levels, and Amazon could surface as an option simply because it is different from the pack.

If Whole Foods wants to talk legacy, then it may be beneficial for them to have that conversation with a less traditional retail corporation, sources add. Amazon wants to expand its footprint in grocery, the company is progressive, tech-driven, and has the kind of money to invest in a move like this.

En Garde – Poison Pill

While some people think that a Kroger acquisition of Whole Foods is imminent, others are saying that Mackey could use a poison pill in his back pocket if pushed by a large national train that does not share the same values. Now that he has full control of the company with the elimination of its current leadership structure, and with whispers of a mass exodus from the company ensuing, the future looks more uncertain than ever.

So, what is a poison pill? It is a mechanism used by public companies to prevent hostile takeovers. A company targeted for a takeover utilizes the poison pill strategy to make shares of the company’s stock look unattractive or less desirable to the acquiring firm.

According to Investopedia, there are two types of poison pills:

1. A “flip-in” permits shareholders, except for the acquirer, to purchase additional shares at a discount. This provides investors with instantaneous profits. Using this type of poison pill also dilutes shares held by the acquiring company, making the takeover attempt more expensive and more difficult.
2. A “flip-over” enables stockholders to purchase the acquirer’s shares after the merger at a discounted rate. For example, a shareholder may gain the right to buy the stock of its acquirer, in subsequent mergers, at a two-for-one rate.

While it is obvious to many players that Whole Foods is being prepped for sale, it might be some time before this all shakes out.

So, what’s next as the Whole Foods’ rumor mill plays out? We will keep you posted here at AndNowUKnow.

Whole Foods

BATAVIA, IL - Aldi US has announced that it’s extending its reach with more offerings in fresh produce, organics, and bolstering its online fresh resources.

“At Aldi, we want our customers to know we are dedicated to making living healthier not only attainable, but affordable, too,” said Aldi's Director of Marketing, Liz Ruggles. “In addition to providing high-quality groceries at the lowest possible prices, we developed these new resources to help our shoppers achieve their goals in health and wellness.”

The additions launch this month and are slated to continue through March, according to a press release, with fresh produce expansions including:

• Organic bananas
• Organic apples
• Organic tomatoes
• Organic avocados
• Organic salad mixes

The company offering customers fresh online resources at ALDI.us/hellohealthy to help them say “hello, healthy” in the New Year, visitors can find new resources each week, including weekly meal plans, new recipes, and more for multiple eating styles.

“It’s the time of year when everyone is thinking about making a fresh start and resolving to eat better, and I’m so excited that Aldi is offering these resources to help introduce better-for-you foods, whether it’s a new fruit or vegetable, or a smarter way of preparing a favorite recipe,” said Sally Kuzemchak, Registered Dietitian, Author and Aldi Advisory Council Member. “And, many people don’t realize that Aldi carries several dietitian-recommended products–at a fraction of the cost compared to other grocery retailers.”

This change includes a number of modifications to be a healthier food provider, such as removal of added MSG, certified synthetic colors, and other additives, and new product lines.

Aldi operates more than 1,600 stores in 35 states, serving more than 36 million customers each month.

Aldi US