PHOENIX, AZ – As more companies realize the lasting values of implementing healthy practices and commitments in upcoming generations across the globe, Sprouts has also turned its eyes towards bolstering the health and prolonged habits of future consumers by partnering with Vitamin Angels to support the proper nourishment of children. 

“The Sprouts team is humbled to have the opportunity to partner with Vitamin Angels to improve the lives of so many children around the world,” said Diana Lucas, Vice President of Vitamins and Body Care at Sprouts. “Our shoppers come to Sprouts with their healthy journey in mind, and this partnership allows them to make a significant difference in the journeys of those in need.”

Sprouts has already donated more than $540,000 to the non-profit in order to help 2.1 million children, according to a recent press release. The company intends to continue its investment to benefit 2.4 million more undernourished children through the following two in-store campaigns: 

• July 27 – August 31: Customer purchases of any product tagged with an angel will result in 25 cents being donated to Vitamin Angels, which is the amount needed to give a child vitamins for a year. 
• October register round-up: Consumers can opt to have their final totals rounded up to the nearest dollar, or make an additional donation of $1, $5, or $10. 

All proceeds garnered from these nationwide campaigns will go to Vitamin Angels.

“Sprouts has been a terrific partner for Vitamin Angels because they believe in our program and have been out in the field with us. From these experiences, they’re able to inspire thousands of team members and shoppers to take part in change,” said Howard Schiffer, President and Founder of Vitamin Angels. “Having partners who believe and are committed to helping us provide a solution to malnutrition on a long-term basis is critical.” 

Earlier this year, Sprouts visited Ttio Grande, Peru, with Vitamin Angels to learn firsthand the drastic impact its donations towards vitamin A, prenatal vitamins, and children’s multivitamins can have on the health and wellness of undernourished youth. 

Sprouts emphasized that undernutrition is the number one cause of preventable deaths in children, according to The Lancet. Essential nutritents, especially that of vitamin A, is critical for the immune system to ward off disease.

Through this partnership, Sprouts and Vitamin Angels can keep focus on helping children attain good health in order to lead meaningful and productive lives.

As the industry continues to commit to the health and habits of tomorrow’s consumers, AndNowUKnow will have the latest in this lasting trend.

Sprouts

MONTEREY, CA - Starting out in the gray, brisk fog and ending in the warm sun, it was all smiles as riders came into the finish line of the final day of the third Tour de Fresh.

Nearly 200 miles, flat tires, hills, and honking cars, not to mention the “mud, sweat, and tears” of the sport of cycling, brought together a group of more than 50 members of the produce industry as they stood on stage and heard that they had successfully raised $157,312.

Not only is this the most any one Tour de Fresh ride has raised, but it means about 57 salad bars for U.S. schools.

“Our goal is to increase kids’ produce consumption,” Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, Vice President of Nutrition & Health with United Fresh, said as she thanked the riders for all they had done to help meet that goal. “We know when they have a salad bar that happens, and influences their lives.”

It is a big dent to be made in the 300 schools still on the list looking for salad bars, a key move in ensuring the future health of children.

Sam Farr, member of both the House Appropriations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, commented that beginning with health in childhood is where our national focus should be.

“I thank you, you are the first responders to turn America’s health,” Farr told the riders. “And to do it in such a fun way, you are my congressional heroes.”

Many turned out to both speak and listen to the gratitude expressed for all those involved, including Kenneth Lawrence, Executive Director of the Learning for Life Charter School, who thanked the Tour de Fresh for the salad bar his school will receive.

Donate to Place Salad Bars in Schools!

To wrap everything up with the camaraderie that has held this team together so tightly, Church Brothers Farms invited everyone back to the family ranch for some music, food, and fun.

“I just thought this would be a great way to finish,” Jeff told guests as he welcomed everyone to enjoy the beautiful view. “I love the Tour de Fresh, it’s officially my favorite week of the year.”

And for a group of people who had ridden through much of the northern California coast, they had no problem dancing the night away as Church Brothers Farms’ Drew McDonald and Evolution Fresh’s Brian Jameson struck up their band and invited anyone willing to come up and sing.

But it’s not over yet. While it was bitter-sweet tie-up to an amazing event, donations can still be made to get even more salad bars to those waiting schools. Ever since riding in yesterday afternoon, the Tour de Fresh has raised almost $2,500 more, bringing the latest total to $159,992. Don’t miss the chance to push that limit as far as it can go, and help raise the bar for the next Tour de Fresh!

You can find out even more about it by visiting California Giant Berry Farms at PMA Foodservice Expo on Sunday, July 31, booth #238.

Tour de Fresh

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Phoenix, Arizona-based Sun Produce Specialties LLC, has complied with the terms of a consent decision and order finding that the company violated section 8(b) of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and revoking the company’s PACA license for unlawful employment of Ricardo B. Bombella, an individual under PACA employment restrictions. 

According to a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division press release, the finding and revocation were held in abeyance so long as the company paid a civil penalty of $20,000 by no later than July 29, 2016. The company has subsequently paid the civil penalty in full along with the finding and license revocation were permanently abated and the case was closed.

The 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. 

During the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. 

USDA AMS 

PHARR, TX - SmartCold, a company from the Triple H family, is continuing in its efforts to stay at the forefront of cold chain logistic solutions with the recent renewal of its Primus GFS certification as the company begins its second year of operations.

“We are committed to offering the best solutions to our clients, and to that end, consistently updating our certifications is important because we want to be a trustworthy part of their value chain.” Jesús Claudio Zazueta, Operations Manager, said while announcing the renewal of the certification.    

SmartCold is located in Pharr, TX, which offers a strategic point along the U.S.-Mexico border along with a host of services that include use of cold storage facilities, to inventory management, and office spaces.

The innovative company upholds its status as an industry leader in efficiency as well as food safety and traceability, with its comprehensive, up-to-date certifications, cutting-edge warehouse management systems, real-time information, and the latest technology in cold storage.

So what’s next for SmartCold? The company has future plans that include expanding its operation with a multiphase project. According to a press release, the warehouse expansion project is part of the second phase and is designed to add 13,200-square-feet of additional and cold storage capacity to an existing 22,000-square-foot warehouse facility built in 2014.

Primus GFS is a private certification scheme, which comprises Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), in compliance with FDA-USDA regulations.

Congratulations to SmartCold by Triple H, on this latest certification, and upcoming expansion!

Smart Cold by Triple H

LOS ANGELES, CA - Blake Lee, former Regional Produce Buyer for Sprout’s Farmers Market’s Midwestern and Southeastern, has left his role and joined Bristol Farms/Lazy Acre Market as a Produce Buyer, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Lee has spent the past eight years at Sprouts, in various produce positions. He began his tenure at the Phoenix, AZ-based retailer as Produce Manager in 2008, and rose to his role as Regional Buyer in 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile. Lee was also a Produce Manager at Henry’s Farmers Market, before it was merged with Sprouts in 2013.

In a job posting by Bristol Farms/Lazy Acre Market, the company says its Produce Buyers, and presumably Lee, are responsible for planning, developing, and implementing brand strategies, pricing strategies, and merchandising/marketing programs related to the produce department.

Bristol Farms, and its sister store, Lazy Acre Market, are gourmet retailers that focus on specialty and natural foods. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the company operates 15 stores under the Bristol name, and two under the Lazy acre name.

Sources reports that his position is effective this Monday, August 1. AndNowUKnow wishes Lee the best of luck at Bristol and beyond!

Bristol Farms

FRESNO, CA - The fresh produce industry showed up in Fresno in full force yesterday, ready for the sixth annual installment of the Fresno Food Expo. AndNowUknow was on the floor as well, spotting new showcased products across every segment and meeting new friends along the way.

Showcasing the offerings of the Central Valley, the Expo boasted a fresh mix of 132 food growers, manufacturers, and processors to deepen their existing or budding relationships with the nearly 950 national and global-level retail, foodservice, and distribution buyers in attendance.

I spotted Paul Huckabay from Duda Farm Fresh Foods, who told me that the company was excited to attend in order to reach out to a new regional segment. "We find great value in supporting local shows," Paul told me from Duda's colorful citrus booth. "And connecting with new retailers on all levels." 

The floor kicked off with an opening statement from Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, who heralded the show, amongst several cheers, as truly representing the Central Valley as one of the food capitols of the world.  

New varieties and well-honed classics overran the floor as the flavor profile of the region stood out amongst the booths. From several selections of innovative grape varieties, like that of AMC North America's, to The Lochinvar Company's packaging innovations for the pro-longed life of fresh produce, the Central Valley community gave buyers plenty of new considerations in addition to steady foundations for new and lasting relationships. 

"Fresno Food Expo is a great venue to feature our versatile product lines, which are our organic fresh and freeze dried produce," Cherie France, Marketing Manager at Homegrown Organic Farms, told me as we discussed the company's versatile offerings for the show and its expectations for the event. "We're looking forward to coming back next year!" 

Exhibitors from a majority of booths displayed their products, new and old, and told me they were keeping their heads turned toward strengthening local relationships with foodservice and retailers, while still looking to new ground for international distribution and export opportunities.

“The international buyers really love the fact that they get to meet the owners behind each company, as they don’t get that experience at other trade shows,” said Alicia Rios, Director, California Centers for International Trade Development, in a press release. “It helps them to better understand the processes behind their products and allows them to connect on a deeper level.”

Celebrity chef and author Simon Majumdar, could also be seen bobbing through the crowd, visiting booths to establish connections and experience regional taste; calling the Central Valley a "hidden gem" and a "chef's haven."

As the floor came to a close for an exhibitor break, and attendees geared up for the consumer-focused follow-up portion, Expolicious, retailers and growers mingled with the satisfaction of another successful event; AndNowUKnow included.

Make sure to stay tuned for our upcoming Fresno Food Expo Yearbook! 

NORFOLK, NE and KANSAS CITY, KS - This has been a busy year of mergers, acquisitions, divestures and more, and as we move toward August, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) and Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative, Inc. (AFM) are revealing that they have reached an agreement to combine the two distribution businesses. The members of both cooperatives going forward would be members of a larger AWG.

“This exciting endeavor is exactly what we need to allow our retailers to compete, grow and be profitable,” Martin Arter, President and CEO of AFM, stated. “The synergies between our joint cooperatives will help our retailers thrive. Our members benefit with a substantially lower cost of goods. Much credit is due to the vision of both AWG’s and AFM’s Board of Directors to see the possibilities of what we could become.”

Retailer-owned cooperative AWG’s supplying members operate over 3,000 stores in 30 states, according to a press release, while AFM is a retailer-owned cooperative supplying members that operate more than 800 stores across 15 states.

The President and CEO of AWG, David Smith, also responded to the great benefits that this alliance will have for both companies. 

Speaking of this excitement about joining forces and combining the two cooperatives, Smith said, “Expanding our collective distribution areas into several new adjoining states and adding over 800 new member stores will make our unified cooperatives stronger together, leveraging not only the additional scale and buying power but also employing and implementing the best practices of each that have been developed over the 80 to 90 years that our respective cooperatives have been in business. Combining our distribution center networks and support infrastructure will allow us to more effectively serve our growing numbers of independent member-retailers. This unified business will further strengthen our relationship with the vendor community, reduce operating expenses and subsequent cost of goods, and enhance our ability to support and serve our growing membership.”

The alliance was unanimously approved by the board of directors of both AWG and AFM. While still subject to certain conditions, including the approval by AFM shareholders, it is expected to close in 2016. 

AWG AFM

SANTA PAULA, CA - In my opinion, every produce item should have their own designated day, week, or month, and in the case of Limoniera, lemons are snagging a spot this summer. While every day is lemon day at Limoneira Ranch, this August will host some delicious, zesty dessert days to celebrate the popular citrus item.

Looking for a little inspiration? Check out Registered Dietitian, Spokesperson for Limoneira Citrus4Life™, and the Founder of Healthy Grocery Girl®, Megan Roosevelt, shares her go-to tips and recipes here. You can also check out the great ideas below from Limoneira and Megan!

Lemon Meringue Day – August 15

Both sweet and tart, there are many ways to interpret lemon meringue. It can be a pie, cookies, tarts, cheesecakes and more, but one of Limoneira’s favorite ways to enjoy lemon meringue is in the form of homemade ice cream!

Lemonade Day – August 20

Lemonade day is a great way to get creative with the kids! This cool, refreshing summer treat is easy to make and remake with different combinations of fruits. Create your own recipe or find some inspiration online!

Other special lemon dessert days on the horizon include:

Lemon Crème Pie Day – November 29

Rich, smooth and bursting with lemony goodness, lemon crème pies are easy to make and can be made with just a few, simple ingredients.

Lemon Cupcake Day – December 15

On lemon cupcake day, create and enjoy as many varieties of delightful, beautiful and bright lemon cupcakes as you care for! A few of Limoneira’s favorite cupcakes include limoncello cupcakes, honey lemon cupcakes, lemon poppyseed cupcakes, lemon drop cupcakes, and the classic lemon cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Want to learn more about how the world of citrus can make your world healthier, happier and brighter? Visit Limoneira at PMA Foodservice Booth 329 this weekend in Monterey, California.

Limoneira

FRESNO, CA – Alyson Dias will be joining the the California Table Grape Commission as the Director of Advertising and Digital Media. She will handle the commission’s global brand message development, and oversee its use throughout the organization’s communication tools.

Dias is joining the commission after working at Fresno-based Duncan Enterprises for 13 years, most recently as the Director of Marketing Communications, where she primarily focused on digital campaign development. She has also been a speaker at California State University, Fresno, on topics related to digital marketing. Dias earned a Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication & Journalism and a Masters of Business Administration from California State University, Fresno.

“We are very excited to welcome Alyson to the team,” said Kathleen Nave, President of the California Table Grape Commission, in a press release. “Alyson brings to the commission more than a decade of experience in consumer engagement with a focus on curating the kind of compelling stories that will support continued industry growth.”

Dias will now be focused on coordinating teams in consumer and trade campaign development, advertising, and digital media. She will also direct the advertising program for the U.S. and Canada.

California Table Grape Commission

NEW YORK - Former Long Island banana importer Thomas Hoey Jr. has found even more trouble with the legal system after being convicted of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from employees earlier this year. A judge has added 5.5 more years to his already 12-year sentence, blasting him as as "selfish," "un-reformed" and "dangerous."

As we reported in March, prosecutors charged Hoey of stealing upwards of $750,000 from the pension accounts of those who worked for his company and using the money for his own personal uses, including travel, luxury meals, and other lavish expenses. Prosecutors report that Hoey took trips to England, Spain, Mexico and Aruba, spent large sums on fine dining and concerts, and stayed in luxury hotels in Manhattan and Long Island, according to Reuters.

"You were born if not on third base then on first base," Judge Paul Engelmayer told Hoey when imposing sentence, the NY Daily News reports. "I have no confidence, none, that you will turn over a new leaf. Simply put, the public will benefit by your being in prison."

Hoey Jr., the former head of produce distributor Long Island Banana Corp., was ordered to pay $650,936 in restitution, $763,000 in forfeiture, and a $400 special assessment. 

"I want to apologize to the court, your honor, the prosecutors, my employees, and my family. I never intended to cheat anybody. I had hoped to repay (the pensions)," Hoey explained.

Prior to this ruling, Hoey was sentenced to the 12 years in prison for a prior drug related charge, and another 16 months on domestic violence counts in 2015.