CALIFORNIA - I have been boarding for almost 20 years, and in recent years it has been rare that we see snow pre-Thanksgiving. Most fall holidays it is avoiding rocks, traversing the dry patches, making sure to grind or strip my board—but this year California has been blessed over a foot of snow before we even hit Halloween. 

“We’re expecting six to 12 inches of snow around the passes, which is quite a bit, and it’s an early-season storm, so it might catch a lot of people off-guard,” explained Travis Wilson, Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Sunday saw the accumulating snow affecting both Highway 50 and Interstate 80, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM, KCRA 3 News. CalTrans also had their work cut out for them as we head into ski season. Several crashes on I-80 on Donner Summit in Placer County closed lanes in both directions from Kingvale Road to Donner Lake Road for a few hours, according to the California Highway Patrol, putting chain controls in effect. 

This weekend’s snowfall is a great jump-start for the Sierra snowpack, Wilson says, one of the  crucial factor in easing the state’s pervasive drought. According to the LA Times, the northern Sierra region is currently at 360 percent of average for precipitation levels. 

While the snowfall totals from over the weekend are still being counted, forecasters predicted accumulations of up to 10 inches above 6,000 feet, with more than a foot at the mountain peaks. 

And what about for Halloween night? KCRA 3’s Futurecast shows the potential for more rain Monday evening as many hope to go trick-or-treating. The source says that Monday could see about 1/4 inch of rain possibly starting about 5 PM.

Either way, this recent influx of snow is great news for snow lovers and California ag alike, and if this weekend was any indication of what the rest of the season will look like, strap on your snowboards and get ready for a wet and wild winter.

YAKIMA, WA - Something wicked came into the orchards of Domex Superfresh Growers as it releases its latest Orchard Update, featuring Chief Horticulturist Dave Gleason.

“One of the projects we are proud of is how much we use integrated pest management (IPM) in managing our orchards and keeping our fruit clean,” describes Gleason of the soft approach IPM is a soft approach to pest management, including the use of good bugs such as spiders, to fight off pests."

And, strangely, some of the helpful spiders seem to have reached impressive sizes in Domex’s orchards. “Spiders are a great benefit to our orchards; they eat the pests that feast on our apples. It is exciting to have their help in our orchard!” Gleason commented in the video, with his own friendly spider in the frame.

Gleason also introduces a new face to Domex’s Orchard Update team: Farm Special Operations Flor Maldonado.

Maldonado explained that another project Superfresh Growers has in the works is increasing the use of platforms, explaining, “Platforms increase efficiency and worker safety. We are starting to plan for the future and are looking at the layout of the trees.”

A method the company is using to increase the use of platforms is installing trellis systems and planting high-density orchards. “In the future, we will fully do away with the use of ladders in the fields and fully utilize platforms, which helps us with thinning, pruning, tree training, and picking,” Maldonado concluded.

To learn more about the developments in the orchard over the October month, watch the full video above.

Domex Superfresh Growers

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against ABL Farms Inc.

According to a USDA press release, the company, operating from Georgia, allegedly failed to make payment to 18 produce sellers in the amount of $2,600,701 from May 2015 through September, 2015.

ABL Farms Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the 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.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce companies operating subject to PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. All oversight of actions related to PACA are conducted by AMS, an agency within the USDA. PACA establishes a code of good business conduct for the produce industry. Under it, all interstate traders in fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables must be licensed by the USDA. The USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke a trader’s license for violating the act.

In the past three years, the 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 the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

MEDIA, PA ­- Looking to harness faster precooling results, longer shelf-life, and increased savings, Global Cooling Inc. has announced a new version of its Jet-Ready Precoolers. The company has unveiled a portable forced air Jet Ready Precooler. 

“The necessity of quality precooling is often overlooked,” said Global Cooling Founder and President, Jim Still. “The Jet Precooler addresses that head on with unmatched efficiency.”

The new Jet Precooler is a forced air cooling tunnel which provides its users with greater air flow and shorter precooling times than a farm-built cooler. The company stated in a press release that the faster a user precools the more net weight is saved.

The Jet-Ready also boasts the new and improved features:  

• Carboline coating
• NSF-approved for potable water
• Dial thermometer

Global Cooling also stated that further positive results can be garnered from faster precooling such as prolonged shelf-life, greater weight, and user savings in regards to time, energy, and money.

“You literally just plug it in and you’re good to go,” said Cameron White, Sales at Fresh Start Produce, who uses Jets to precool bell peppers and cucumbers in Florida.

Global Cooling stated that it helps its customers transition from old precoolers they’ve been using for many years to a new Jet which can help growers and packers cool product twice as fast as legacy units.

Pairing greater airflow with greater flexibility, Jets are added to existing cooling systems which can then be transferred with ease to different locations. Units arrive preassembled, fully-wired, tested, and ready to use.

The company stated that its Jet units are also suited for heating, reheating, thawing, tempering, and drying. 

“Stop letting your profits evaporate,” finished Still. “Start precooling faster with a Jet Precooler.”

Global Cooling offers its customers even further precooling options with its full line of products, including the Jet-Ready, Jet-Heavy Duty, and Jet-Ripe portable precoolers. The company also has Rapid-Cool 2 and 3-tier high pallet racked precoolers, as well. All products are manufactured in the company’s factory at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Business Park.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 1-844-858-4621.

Global Cooling Inc.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Monarch Fresh Produce LLC satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a USDA press release, the Pharr, Texas-based company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Jason N. Stros, who was listed as a member of the business, may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

As we had previously reported, Monarch Fresh Produce recieved sanctions for allegedly failing to pay a $6,574 award in favor of an Illinois seller.

USDA is required to impose sanctions on a business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

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.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service

MEXICO - Want an update on the Mexican cantaloupe and watermelon season in just 60 seconds? In this short new video from Mas Melons and Grapes, President Miguel A. Suarez takes us on a tour of the company’s operations in Caborca and Hermosillo, and shows an inside look from field to facility.

“Honeydews are off to a great start this season,” the video’s narrator says as Miguel inspects the Caborca melons firsthand. “Crops are looking very healthy this season—no damage from the nearby hurricane in early September.”

After a quick look at the company’s sorting facility, the viewer is then whisked away to Hermosillo, where Miguel is ready to check out the company’s watermelon operation, just planted in the first week of October.

What else did Miguel have to show us as we look towards this winter season and beyond? Watch Mas Melon’s 60 second video above for even more details on the company’s latest happenings.

Mas Melons and Grapes

PLEASANTON, CA – The Safeway banner is continuing to expand its California footprint, this time with a Northern California focus. The Albertsons banner announced that it will be purchasing G&G Supermarkets in Sonoma County, California. 

“We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to bringing these locations into the Northern California Safeway family,” said Safeway in a statement according to the North Bay Business Journal. “[We] are working together to ensure a smooth transition for store employees and customers.”

Safeway has reportedly agreed to hire 250 G&G employees at the stores, which will be converted to the Safeway name. G&G CEO Teejay Lowe stated that Safeway has also agreed to employ G&G’s team at the same compensation or better, and also will provide team members with new opportunities. 

G&G Supermarkets have been a family-owned grocery business noted in Sonoma County since 1963, with a 96,000-square-foot store in Santa Rosa, and 55,000-square-foot store in Petaluma. Lowe stated that the sale of the local chain was due in part to the age of the owners, which includes his father Robert Gong and three uncles.

“It’s a good time for them to retire,” Lowe said, according to the North Bay Business Journal. “They’ve been serving Sonoma County for 53 years. It’s a good time for them to enjoy the holidays.” 

Safeway asserted that the two locations will each close for a short period of time once the deal has been finalized in order to make the transition. The company expects this to be sometime in December. G&G Supermarkets workers were informed on Thursday of the sale.

Lowe also indicated that the deal met all the company’s requirements and is one that his entire family supports. Lowe did not state what part he would play in the new ownership.

The terms of the sale have not been disclosed by either party. Safeway has two pre-existing locations in both Santa Rosa and Petaluma. As we recently reported, Safeway has been making moves in the competitive Bay Area market with plans for three new stores.

As Safeway and other buy-side banners continue to take new locations under their wings, AndNowUKnow will continue to have the latest on acquisitions and their impact.  

Safeway

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Cold-pressed juicing system company Juicero just moved up Jeff Dunn, former President of Coca-Cola North America, to lead the business as CEO.

Dunn has been involved with the company since its inception, having been a member of the board from the get-go. Aside from his leadership experience with Coca-Cola, he has also served as President of Campbell Soup Company’s Campbell Fresh division.

"In a short period of time, Juicero has poised itself to reinvent not only the premium juice category, but more broadly the future of fresh food," Dunn said, according to San Francisco Business Times. "Since launching a mere six months ago, Doug and his senior executive team have built a strong foundation and are on the cusp of significant growth."

Doug Evans, Founder of the company, will remain Chairman of the Board, with Dunn stepping in as CEO officially on Oct. 31.

"Because of his deep experience building fresh produce and beverage businesses, Jeff is the ideal leader to execute the next phase of our ambitious vision," Evans said in a statement.

Evans, who has previously stated that a core passion of his is to help drive demand for organic produce, was recently a keynote speaker for the inaugural Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, CA, where he spoke on advocating not only organics, but raw foods in general.

The presentation came shortly after Juicero’s own public debut earlier this year after operating quietly for several years. Business Times reports that over this time, the company raised $100 million in capital to produce its high-end, wifi-connected juicer. Dunn stated that, at present, the company is doing well and showing "strong early revenue and monthly growth."

We at AndNowUKnow can’t wait to see where this latest move takes the company next.

Juicero

YAKIMA, WA – Bringing its appreciation for hard work and commitment to a new realm, Domex Superfresh Growers has announced that it has undertaken a new sponsorship. The company will be sponsoring Alpine Ski Racer Virginia Wade in the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games.

“Sponsoring Virginia on her Olympic journey aligns with the Superfresh culture, which is about working hard, and being the best you can be,” said Robert Kershaw, President of Domex Superfresh Growers. “We prioritize healthy employees, encouraging lunch-hour exercise with trained fitness professionals. The Kershaw family also has a deep history of supporting children through Children’s Village, meeting the needs of children who require special health care needs, and Madison House Youth Center, which offers an after-school and summer safe haven for Yakima youth.”

The company described the accomplished skier as vivacious, bubbly, and a determined athelete. Virginia will turn 16 this week on October 27, 2016, and is a younger athlete in the games. Virginia will represent one of two Washington women competing for the U.S. in this World Game, and will compete in the giant slalom and super-G courses.

Virginia has won multiple medals for the Skihawks Racing Team in Snoqualmie Pass in Washington, and was ultimately chosen to join the U.S. Women’s Alpine Racing Team for the World Special Olympics for her noted accomplishments. According to a press release, the next Special Olympics World Winter Games will take place in Austria in 2017. 

“I will ski on the high mountains. I take the chair lift to the top of the race. My type of skiing is downhill, slalom, and giant slalom. I don’t really know the difference between them,” wrote Virginia in an article she penned about what she is looking forward to the most at the World Games. “I start at the top of the mountain and race around poles to the finish lines at the bottom of the mountain. If I do really well, I’ll win a gold medal. I have a bunch of medals from competing in Special Olympics events. Wish me luck!"

Domex will follow Virginia on her world journey and help her prepare for the World Games from purchasing new gear, to Virginia’s practices with the team this December, through to the final competition of March next year. 

“Virginia has always worked hard to do her best, but ultimately, her goal is to have a good time,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, Marketing Coordinator for Domex Superfresh Growers. “I’ve known Virginia for over ten-years, and it’s been a true joy watching her grow into the smart, strong, and beautiful young woman she is today. I remember skiing with her when she was just seven-years old. If she made a mistake she would just laugh it off and keep going. The glass is always half-full for Virginia.” 

Virginia is currently a freshman at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, WA. You can join Domex in following Virginia’s journey to the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 by watching the official trailer here, or checking out Facebook. 

Good luck and speedy racing, Virginia!

Domex Superfresh Growers®