PACIFICA, CA - Yesterday morning, one of the biggest groups to ever participate in the Tour de Fresh took off from Napa to tackle hills, curves, and highways. A support crew consisting of mechanics, medical support, and volunteers follow as our peers in produce pedal toward the California coast for the first 55 of the almost 200 mile ride.

Donate to Put Salad Bars in Schools!

I follow to watch in awe as just about every face I saw in October returns to push their bodies to the limit to provide produce to millions of U.S. children.

It’s a reunion among friends, as much as a fight for fresh produce in schools, and the passion and camaraderie is in every mile we all cross.

The growth of the Tour de Fresh, just in the limited time that I have had the chance to be apart of it, is inspiring in itself. The support crew files in, on the lookout for any who need anything from assistance to water. The mechanics respond quickly to a flat. Even the pit stops, which were once just a short break of power bars and water, have evolved into a team up of industry members to support our riders.

The riders, too, have changed! The varying levels of experience never fail to impress, from returning industry members and routine cyclists like Jeff Church, Jennifer Kalich, and Raina Nelson, to first-time riders like Jenn Lavardera and Greg Vetter, who only began riding in recent months as they trained specifically for Tour de Fresh.

And even after grueling 100+ degree heat, everyone gathered last night to celebrate, clink a few drinks, and hop on for another day, with different terrain but the same unifying cause.

I can’t wait to see what adventures this second leg, and beyond, has in store. Please join me in wishing our riders luck and safe travels, and donate to help them reach their goals! Already we stand close to the goal, with $152,627 raised as of this morning to put salad bars in schools, but every dollar counts as we strive for $175,000.

Tour de Fresh

CASTROVILLE, CA – Ocean Mist Farms is gearing up for a sizzling artichoke season this year, and has tips for retailers to boost their sales with promotional help.

“Our production has stabilized to a consistent year-round supply and the data points show that August is great potential time period for creative promotions that will drive sales,” said Diana McClean, Director of Marketing. 

According to a press release, the company was able to pinpoint August as especially opportunity-filled, based on research performed on promotions and their relation to summer sales for artichokes. 

Ocean Mist Farms stated that according to Nielsen data, Perishables Group FreshFacts®, summer sales of artichokes have experienced steady year over year growth between four and five percent.

“There is a lot of competition for attention in the produce department during the summer months” McClean continued. “But research shows retailers can increase sales with creative promotions.” 

Ocean Mist Farms stated that the company is looking to contribute to retailers’ artichoke sales by developing innovative uses and recipes for the vegetable this summer such as grilled artichokes and artichoke ice pops.

The company is also highlighting its Season & Steam Package as a reduced heat option for users to heat up artichokes without warming up their kitchens.

As the summer heats up, and companies continue to provide innovative solutions to boost summertime sales, AndNowUKnow will have the latest industry insights.

Ocean Mist Farms

CHICAGO, IL – As the industry convened to showcase the newest in eye-catching innovations and high-quality products at this year’s United Fresh, NatureFresh Farms™ had its own branded offering to unveil at the event in the TOMZ™ Snacking Tomato line. 

Launched at the show, Director of Marketing Chris Veillon took a step away from the stirring floor to give me some insight on the branded line, and how the company is looking to expand its portfolio possibilities.

“We’re taking TOMZ™ tomatoes in a whole new direction,” Chris tells me of the line. “What that means is we’re cover all aspects of all snacking.” 

The TOMZ™ brand includes the following versatile varieties: 

• Red grape
• Orange grape
• Yellow grape 
• Cherry on the vine 
• Mixed snacking 
• Mixed grape 
• Sweet cocktail 

Chris also tells me that the company utilizes a year-round supply to emphasize consumer confidence and return purchases with the premium line. 

Want to find out more about this award-winning branded line? Watch our exclusive video above!

NatureFresh™ Farms

IRVINE, CA – To launch its avocado reach even further throughout consumers, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has announced that it has commissioned its influencer program to third-party advocates. 

CAC Vice President of Marketing, Jan DeLyser, stated in a press release that CAC’s influencer program had already reached more than 12 million consumers this season as of April. With this new team of communications advocates, the company is looking to utilize chefs, popular bloggers, and registered dietitian ambassadors to up the number of consumers loving California avocados. 

“Being a California native myself, I love promoting California avocados, and seek to incorporate them on our Dos Caminos menus whenever possible,” stated Chef Ivy Stark from New York City, who has been an advocate for several years. “Their rich nutty flavor is impossible to replicate and this year, we’re promoting a summer 'Guactailing' menu at our locations, pairing different delicious California avocado guacamoles with cocktails from our menu.”

CAC’s blogger partners will use their influence on target consumers to deliver recipes, usage ideas, origin details, and availability information for avocados. The Association stated that the cultivated messaging will aim to highlight the versatility of California avocados. 

“I love working with the California Avocado Commission! They genuinely want to educate consumers about the benefits of eating avocados and provide wonderful resources like recipes and tips,” divulged Green Lite Bites blogger Roni Noone. Noone also contributes to CAC’s The Scoop blog. “It makes me happy knowing I'm helping to support California farmers and they make it easy! California avocados are always the freshest and highest quality avocados I can find.” 

CAC’s appointed blogger ambassadors will especially emphasize when California avocados are in season. The company stated that this is one of the key roles of this particular ambassador type.

"My entire family looks forward to the California avocado season each year. Their flavor, their creamy texture, and their health benefits are all reasons why they're favorites in our house,” asserted Blogger Dara Michalski of Cookin’ Canuck. “To be in such a unique position to be able to create recipes with them is so inspiring and exciting for me as a home cook and recipe developer." 

The Association also plans to distribute third-party advocate recipes developed by registered dietitians to highlight healthy-eating habits and provide consumers with more avocado nutrition information. This distribution will occur in the following CAC mediums, with more to follow:

• Website
• Email newsletters
• Recipe booklets
• Social Media 
  
  

"There is so much noise about nutrition out there and consumers are confused about which foods they should eat. Being able to highlight the nutrition diversity and health benefits of California avocados is one of my favorite parts of being a registered dietitian ambassador for the California Avocado Commission,” said Katie Ferraro, a California Registered Dietitian and frequent guest on local television programs.

As CAC continues to conceptualize new ways to put California avocados in the forefront of consumer interest, stay with AndNowUKnow for the latest in marketing and program innovations.

California Avocado Commission

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago is about to get a whole lot more Whole Foods distribution power. Yesterday, the city’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel helped break ground on a new distribution center that will potentially serve as many as 70 different Whole Foods stores in the Midwest and Canada.

“We are thrilled to begin construction of our new distribution center,” Whole Foods Market Midwest Regional Vice President, Bobby Turner said in a press release. “We’ve grown so much since opening our first Midwest store in Chicago in 1993 and as our growth continues, this distribution center helps us continue our mission of providing access to fresh, healthy foods and supporting the communities where we do business.”

The facility, which is to open in 2018, is said to be able to employ about 150 people, and will be approximately 140,000-square-feet. Chicago provided an $8 million tax increment to bring these jobs to the city, according to local news source ABC7. The new distribution is replacing a former facility in northwest Indiana.

“To be able to say that we actually got a company from Indiana to come here to the city of Chicago is huge,” Chicago’s 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale was quoted as saying.

Whole Foods will be announcing its third quarter earnings report today, the company said, so stay tuned for more updates on the company’s growing presence in the Midwest and beyond.

Whole Foods Market

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed that Excell Prod. Inc. has satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a USDA press release, the Los Angeles, CA-based company has met its obligations and is now free to operate in the produce industry. Wing Tsan, who was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business, may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee, the department reports.

As we’ve previously reported, Excell Prod., Inc., was originally restricted for failing to pay a $15,526 award in favor of a California seller.

USDA is required to suspend the license of 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.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. USDA will only reinstate the license of a business to an active status if all reparation awards are satisfied and if the license is not terminated.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service

PLANT CITY, FL - Joining the fight against foodborne illnesses and disease outbreaks within the produce industry, Wish Farms is committing to donate $100,000 to the Center for Produce Safety (CPS). CPS operates with the goal of narrowing any gaps in knowledge in order to prevent future devastating foodborne illness events. 

“Foodborne illnesses not only pose a threat to the masses, but to the entire marketplace. When a product is recalled, it causes a ripple effect costing the farmer all the way to the grocery store. It is imperative consumers are kept safe,” Wish Farms Owner, Gary Wishnatzki explained, as someone who understands that ongoing food safety research is crucial. “The Center for Produce Safety facilitates important research benefitting the entire produce industry. By supporting the effort it solidifies Wish Farms’ commitment to food safety.”

Wish Farms’ agreement sees it committing to donating $20,000 annually over the next five years. According to a press release, the money will go towards funding the following: 

• Various research projects
• Soil amendments
• Water irrigation
• Animal intrusion
• Wash water sanitation
• Pathogen transfer from food contact surfaces

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“We thank Wish Farms for this generous leadership contribution to the Campaign for Produce Safety, especially after the success of CPS's annual Research Symposium,” added Tim York, Chair of CPS Board of Directors and President of Markon Cooperative. “By investing in safeguarding and improving the safety of fresh produce, Wish Farms and other campaign donors are also investing in consumers' confidence that we have their best interests at heart.”

The company believes this investment will assist produce companies, and others along the supply chain, to better understand and control cross-contamination risks and protect public health. And on top of that new knowledge base, the Center for Produce Safety also plans to help young, rising scientists work closely with senior investigators and scientists to inspire them to continue specializing in produce safety research. 

Here’s to Wish Farms, the Center for Produce Safety, and advancing food safety in the industry!

Wish Farms Center for Produce Safety

VANCOUVER, CANADA – With its eyes on company growth, and the global expansion of its footprint, The Oppenheimer Group has announced two executive appointments in the promotions of Eric Coty and Walt Breeden.

Eric Coty was promoted to Executive Director, South American Imports, to oversee the company’s procurement strategies for all South American grown produce. Coty first joined the company more than two decades ago in QC, moving up through various sales positions in Oppy before being appointed to his most recent position, West Coast Director of Sales, in 2012. 

“Eric’s excellent relationships with growers, alongside his understanding of the nuances of our customer base and excellent results with key Oppy accounts position him for success in the new role,” said Doug Grant, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “As Executive Director, South American Imports, Eric will ensure a consistent methodology across all categories for planning, procurement, programs, communication, and coordination with our base of South American growers.”

According to a press release, Coty will work closely with Oppy sales teams, grower relations staff, and grower partners to ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce for North American consumers. Coty will also work with Oppy’s Executive Category Directors for the following:

• Berries
• Grapes
• Stonefruit
• Apples
• Pears
• Kiwifruit
• Mangos
• Citrus

To replace Coty’s role, the company stated that Walt Breeden has been appointed as Vice President Sales, Canada and U.S. West Coast. Breeden is based in Vancouver, Canada, and has worked for Oppy for almost 30 years in various roles in the sales department. Breeden specializes in customer relations and building opportunities for the full range of Oppy’s offerings, and is also the star of the company’s monthly “What’s Fresh at Oppy” social media video.

Oppy stated that Breeden’s efforts willbe supported by Director of Sales, Canada, Steve Young, who was promoted to his position in April of this year. Young is directly responsible for sales activity in Oppy’s Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto offices. This supportive appointment will ensure Oppy’s Canadian business remains focused on strategic growth. 

“Walt and Steve will do a great job assuring the needs of our Western U.S. and Canadian customers are covered,” said David Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We are excited to bring Eric’s expertise closer to our South American grower base. These moves truly strengthen Oppy’s ability to tend to our growers’ interests while innovating and delivering the best possible solutions to our customers.” 

The company stated that in other supportive and strategic appointments in the company, Tampa Sales Manager, Carl Immenhausen, will retain responsibility for strategic and tactical management of Oppy’s South American air program. Newark Sales Manager, Bill Poulos, will continue to function in his role as Director of Import Grapes and Stonefruit.

Congratulations to Eric Coty and Walt Breeden on their new chapters with Oppy!

Oppy 

CHILE - Monday saw a 6.2-magnitude earthquake strike the coast of Chile’s northern region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake authority reported that the quake’s epicenter was 41 miles west-northwest of Diego de Almagro and hit about 1:26 PM EDT.

While there are currently no reports of notable damage to infrastructure or indications of casualties, Chile’s emergency services office announced, there have been reports of dust storms caused by the quake in the country’s Atacama Desert. Currently, there is no tsunami alert, although the country is not unfamiliar with the occurrence following large earthquakes.

In 2010, a 8.8-magnitude quake caused a tsunami that destroyed huge portions of Chile’s infrastructure, hindering the country’s economic functions, including fresh produce growing. During the month of July, Chile grows categories like apples, avocados, and some citrus varieties.

When more information about the quake’s impact on fresh produce production is released, count on AndNowUKnow for continued updates.

CINCINNATI, OH – Kroger may have just gotten a leg up in the ever-shifting competitive nature of the buy-side industry as analyst and Vice President at Goldman Sachs, Stephen Tanal, has just upgraded the retailer’s stock from Neutral to Buy. 

Tanal upgraded Kroger’s rating in a report covering food retailers with a Neutral grading, according to Benzinga.com. Tanal stated that Kroger’s long-term outlooks were promising given Kroger’s “entrenched, multi-local dominant positioning, driving local economies of scale across the U.S.” 

In addition to the upgraded rating, Tanal added Kroger’s stock to the analyst’s Conviction List, with an assigned price target of $42, signifiying a projected growth of 17 percent. 

Tanal recommended companies like Kroger in his report, as it primarily serves “low population density areas that are better insulated from competitive intrusion.” 

Tanal also noted that as Kroger has no international footprint, the company should remain unaffected by global shifts and uncertainties. Kroger stock, according to the analyst, already shows reflections of success in terms of taking shares from its competitors.

This upgrade is not the first for the company, as TheStreet also reported that Hilliard Lyons upgraded Kroger’s stock to Buy from Neutral just last month. 

Could Kroger be making considerable moves ahead of its competition in the tight U.S. retail markets?

As Kroger and other retailers continue to strengthen their revenue growth and retail strategies, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on financial shifts and the subsequent leaders in the buy-side industry.

Kroger