WATSONVILLE, CA - The countdown to PMA Foodservice 2016 is on, and as the excitement grows around this annual event, Monterey Mushrooms is announcing some new changes to its internal sales and marketing team.

Veteran Sales Manager Sandy Malouff-Quintana has been promoted to a newly created Sales Manager position, in which she will oversee national foodservice accounts at Monterey Mushrooms. Sandy has been selling mushrooms for most of her life and will now be tasked with leading Monterey's efforts in meeting the needs of the company’s foodservice customers and aligning its businesses to increase mushroom consumption. With a focus on building relationships and developing value-added products and packaging, she is eager to learn about what Monterey can do to be a better partner.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside all food service operators in an effort to grow fresh mushroom sales,” Sandy tells us. “My intention is to create new and innovative promotional approaches as a means to increase total case sales."

Monterey Mushrooms is also continuing with its commitment to help increase mushroom consumption through marketing campaigns centered around nutrition and easy recipe ideas, by actively promoting a summer grilling campaign to keep mushrooms top-of-mind during the summer months. In the fall, the company will help promote mushrooms through unique, and common, pairing ideas.

“To help meet our customers’ needs during the busiest time of the year for mushrooms- Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays - we’re increasing the square footage at our facility in San Miguel,” Mike O'Brien, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, tells me. “Our San Miguel team, located in central Mexico, consists of more than 600 members with one common goal: providing consistent quality & supply to our customers.”

Over the last few years, Monterey Mushrooms has invested significant capital in people, training, technology and capacity expansion, making San Miguel as one of the most advanced facilities in North America. The company’s supply capabilities include multiple days a week in Whites, Browns, Oysters, for bulk or prepack.

Mushrooms are definitely one of my favorite produce items. I’ll take them chopped and added into the ingredients of a hamburger patty, sliced into an omelet, sautéed over a nice rib eye, or featured as a main ingredient in a rich porter. Yes, you heard me… And with PMA Foodservice just around the corner, I recommend you mark Monterey Mushrooms booth #425 on your list of stops, because the team will be featuring a company-made Portabella Porter to whet your palate!

See you all next weekend in beautiful Monterey, California!

Monterey Mushrooms

YAKIMA, WA - With the launch of its July Orchard Update last week on July 22nd, Domex Superfresh Growers is shifting its focus to its crop of apples and pears as the last cherries are packed up.

“Those first three weeks are when cell division occurs,” Lauren Brandt, Horticulturist for Domex, commented, stating that those first 20 days after bloom is the most critical period for determining apple size.

A recent addition to the team after having graduated from Washington State University with a major in Fruit and Vegetable Management, Brandt zeroes in on the science of an apple for her first Orchard update, which can be seen below.

“Cell division is one of the most important factors because it determines how many cells the apple will have," Brandt adds. "Later on, those cells will grow to be much larger, but the apple won’t gain any additional cells after those first three weeks.” The sizing, according to the company, is “huge.” With the vow that treefruit is in her DNA, Brandt reported excitement for the coming 2016 harvest.

Domex’s Chief Horticulturist, Dave Gleason, attributed both the fruit size and exceptional fruit quality to perfect weather, calling this some of the best summer weather the company has seen in a long time. With the season on track to harvest several days earlier than this time last year for most apple and pear varieties, Domex reported picking Bartlett pears early this week, with Gala apples soon to follow.

From Autumn Glory™ to Granny Smith, and everything in between, the company stated that retailers and consumers can expect high quality fruit from the 2016 harvest.

Domex Superfresh Growers®

PHARR, TX – In continued efforts to maintain the clean reputation of mangos, authorities at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted a shipment of the fruit that contained over five tons of marijuana. 

“This is an extraordinary seizure; our officers did a tremendous job in the interception of these narcotics. Smugglers are getting very creative with their smuggling attempts, but our officers remain vigilant and committed to our CBP mission,” said Port Director Efrain Solis Jr., Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. 

Authorities intercepted a tractor trailer hauling the load after it was referred to a non-intrusive imaging inspection at the cargo facility, according to a recent press release. After utilizing the skills of a canine team, officers uncovered approximately 10,566 pounds of the drug. 

Hidden amongst the innocent mango shipment was 19,584 bundles of marijuana. Authorities stated that the drugs carry an estimated street value of $2,111,222.

The 32-year-old driver, hailing from Reynosa, Mexico, was arrested upon the discovery and transferred to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. Authorities stated that this arrest should send a strong signal to criminal organizations.

As we’ve recently reported, this lawless detention involving mangos is not the first for this particular set of authorities, as the Pharr International Bridge is not unaffected by the role of fruit and vegetable shipments containing illicit passengers.

Will criminal masterminds be thwarted by this latest arrest? Will mangos remain unhindered by a seedier underside to shipping? Stay with AndNowUKnow for your mango-focused news.

FOWLER, CA - The 2016 import season has been off to a strong start, according to Bee Sweet Citrus.

For the last decade and a half, Bee Sweet Citrus has been building relationships with international citrus growers in Chile and Peru. Its Quality Control team sees that all imported products are certified and audited in food safety, social accountability, and sustainability.

Joe Berberian, Sales Manager at Bee Sweet, noted according to a press release, “Through our import program, we’ve able to provide our consumers with a variety of products. So far, the 2016 summer import program has proven to be strong in terms of volume and consumer demand.”

Between May and October, Bee Sweet Citrus receives imported Clementines, Navel Oranges, Cara Caras, Minneolas, and lemons. Additionally, the Bee Sweet Citrus sales team handles all import clearance, logistics, inventory, and conducts weekly market analysis calls with their international partners.

“All imported product, once off-loaded at the port, is trucked straight to our facility where it’s re-graded to ensure the highest quality,” said Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Anders Skooglund. “Additionally, we offer our customers the ability to repack and reconfigure the fruit to any specific pack style that they may want during these months.”

Stay tuned with AndNowUKnow to keep up with the freshest produce industry import news!

Bee Sweet Citrus

MONTEREY, CA - Menus are looking to be a whole lot brighter this season, thanks in part to the now trending zestiness of Sunkist fresh citrus. Using the over 40 citrus varieties that Sunkist is promoting, attendees to the company’s booth at this year's PMA Foodservice in Monterey will be able to see all the versatile ways chefs are diving into the citrus craze.

“Consumers are craving bold flavors on menus, while also seeking healthier options – creating a powerful opportunity for the produce industry, and citrus in particular,” explained Joan Wickham, Sunkist Director of Communications. “Sunkist is looking forward to highlighting citrus culinary trends at this year’s PMA Foodservice conference.”

Those who stop by booth #130 at this weekend’s conference will be able to sample a Grilled Sunkist® Meyer Lemonade from Chef Robert Danhi, featuring specialty lemon variety Meyer lemons. A quickly growing product as far as consumer demand, Meyer lemons are said to be a cross between a Mandarin orange and lemon, making it sweeter and less acidic than its conventional counterparts. Not only will this beverage bounce off the trend of Meyer lemon usage, but Sunkist says the use of charred citrus is also heating up on menus throughtout the country. The company cites foodservice publication, Flavor & The Menu, who included grilled citrus as one of the top ten trends for 2016.

“As consumers seek distinctive fresh flavors, demand is growing for specialty citrus varieties like Meyer lemons in the foodservice sector,” Wickham continued. “Creative preparations, like charring, add depth and richness to citrus that can elevate garnishes, beverages and more.”

Also on display at the trade show will be Sunkist’s new 1-pound Meyer lemon and Zebra® (pink variegated) lemon pouch bags. The smaller, more convenient pack size will allow operators to start small and experiment with specialty varieties.

“The versatility of lemons makes this category a culinary favorite,” added Wickham. “In addition to specialty lemon varieties, Sunkist is pleased to offer conventional and organic lemons year-round to meet growing foodservice demand.”

Stop by booth #130 this weekend to learn even more about Sunkist’s citrus for foodservice, or for those of you who can’t make the show, visit http://foodservice.sunkist.com.

Sunkist Growers

SALINAS, CA - Church Brothers Farms has a full itinerary of participation for PMA Foodservice, kicking off with Jeff Church, Vice President of Sales, Chuck Church, Media Manager, and Drew McDonald, Vice President of Food Safety, rejoining the Tour de Fresh tomorrow morning.

Not only are all three men returning riders, with Jeff having ridden in all three events and both Drew and Chuck the last two, but Team Church will be welcoming all Tour de Fresh participants to the Church Brothers’ family ranch in celebration after the ride.

“The family ranch party tradition is part of the Church Brothers’ legacy in the Salinas Valley,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing, according to a press release. “Our customers and trade partners look forward to it all year; we use the opportunity to showcase our products and say thank you for your support.”

Donate to Tour de Fresh now!

After the Tour de Fresh, Church Brothers Farms has a full sequence of PMA Foodservice events slated, including: 

• Hosting more than 36 field and plant tours during the week
• Hosting the annual Church Brothers Farms’ Ranch Party on Sunday, July 31
• Broadcasting the Wendy’s commercial featuring company founders Tom and Steve Church

Since the Wendy’s commercial was launched earlier this month, it has been viewed more than 3,500 times.

On the show floor, Church Brothers Farms will be showcasing its new organic Tender-leaf product, Kale Color Crunch, and Baby Kale Medley blends, as well as its full line of foodservice-focused commodities and value-added packs.

To see all this and more, be sure to stop by booth 214 this weekend. And to follow the more than 50 industry members riding in the third Tour de Fresh, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow.

Church Brothers Farms Tour de Fresh

ZAANDAM, NETHERLANDS – Completing its expected merger over the weekend, Dutch supermarket chain Ahold and Belgium’s Delhaize have finally combined to form one bolstered retail chain; Ahold Delhaize. 

“Our strong e-commerce businesses and 22 great, local brands each share a passion for delivering great food, value, and innovation for customers, and for making a difference in their local communities,” stated Dick Boer, CEO of Ahold Delhaize. “I want to thank associates for their dedication and focus and for the great work that has positioned Ahold Delhaize to move ahead with significant momentum." 

According to Yahoo Finance UK, the newest retail entity, merged on July 24, is a leader in both the supermarket realm and e-commerce with 6,500 stores in 11 countries.

Launching its new brand, Ahold Delhaize has debuted a new logo, which combines the Ahold crown with the Delhaize lion. The company's new website is also live and features an announcement of the completed of the merger with an online video, viewable below. 

"Today is the start of an important new chapter and a unique opportunity to deliver even more for customers and communities, associates and shareholders,” finished Boer. “Building on common values, complementary operations and proud legacies of success, we move forward with leading positions particularly on the United States East Coast, and in Europe."

Dutch News reported that Ahold Delhaize already debuted on the Amsterdam and Brussels stock exchanges under the ticker symbol AD, rising 1% to €21.93 in early trading on Euronext Amsterdam. The company's estimated sales after the merger are projected to be €50 billion a year (or roughly $54 billion) two thirds of which comes from the U.S. market.

Dick Boer, Ahold’s Chief Executive, will serve as CEO of the new company, with the former Delhaize CEO, Franz Muller, appointed as Deputy Chairman and Chief Integration Officer. 

The first combined financial reportings of the combined supermarket chain will be presented on November 17 for 2016’s Q3. The companies’ Q2 and first half of 2016 results will be reported individually for each merged company as the deal was completed after the end of the reporting periods.

As more news is released on this formidable merger, and its financial ripples make its way to U.S. markets, AndNowUKnow will continue to have the latest.

Ahold Delhaize

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• PNL Produce LLC, operating out of Miami, FL, for failing to pay a $7,013 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Paul N. Lazecki was listed as a member of the business.
• FMP Farms & Distributor Inc., operating out of Nogales, AZ, for failing to pay a $16,906 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Jose Vasquez was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.
• United Commodities USA Inc., operating out of Bakersfield, CA, for failing to pay a $262,863 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Kent D. Lancaster and Bruce A. Oettel were listed as the officers, directors, and major stockholders of the business.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. 

The USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed 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, the 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 the USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service

TORONTO, ONTARIO – As the company continues to strive towards its goal of making the fresh produce department a consumer destination within independent grocers, Gambles Produce has announced a new merchandising bin for its Go Fresh line of products. 

“The goal of this new bin design is to catch the consumer’s attention and provide a single merchandising source that will display various products in one easy to access location on the retail floor,” stated John Rigitano, Key Accounts Manager for Gambles. “Not only will this free-standing display help our products stand out in the produce section, but it also helps to reduce merchandising labour in the store.” 

The new and uniquely designed bin will feature high-graphic images of the company's line of packaged products, including tomatoes, peppers, and carrots. Gambles stated in a press release that the large, colorful images of the produce on the innovative bins were developed with retailers in mind. 

“This new bin will allow any retailer the ability to use it for any variety of Go Fresh products, and will be ideal for high volume promotions of our various retail consumer packs,” finished Rigitano.

Gambles’ Go Fresh bins will be able to display up to four items at a time, with special promotions for the company’s Go Fresh 1 lb tomatoes on the vine, 4-pack mini bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and 6 count mini cucumbers. 

The bins will launch for retailers starting in August of this year.

AndNowUKnow will continue to have the latest in merchandising innovations and opportunities for the buy-side industry.

Gambles Produce