CALIFORNIA & MEXICO - As temperatures heat up, so shall the melon category it seems. Currently a steady market, SunFed’s VP of Sales N.A., Craig Slate, Country Sweet Produce’s Commodity Sales Manager, Nick Martinez, and Western Veg Pro’s Head of Melon Sales, Dylan Lym, took the time to share with me how the market is shaping up as we head into summer.

"Watermelon supplies and quality have been better this year versus last,” Craig tells me. “Plants and fruit set look very good, indicating excellent fruit quality and sizing going forward.”

As we move into the time of year where consumers become “watermelon hungry,” Craig adds that he expects demand to continue to be strong. “We are moving into the time of year where consumers are hungry for watermelon.”

“Our spring crops are winding down, with our summer crop of MelonHeads® and seedless watermelon production moving into our summer growing region,” Craig says.

Over at Western Veg, Dylan also says that quality is looking good throughout all regions, with expectations for it to remain that way.

“Central Florida and Nogales are beginning to slow down, but Arizona, California, Northern Florida, and Georgia are all starting within the next week, so I expect supply to remain steady through the month of June,” Dylan tells me of what he anticipates in the coming weeks, adding that the biggest challenge as of late is some poor weather around the country.

“Luckily, the country is heating up and we should see an increase in demand over the next couple of weeks,” Dylan says.

This is good news for both the melons and the consumers. Dylan adds that, as weather around the country continues to improve, he expects movement to continue to pick up as we approach the 4th of July.

In California, Country Sweet Produce is seeing consistent volume for organic seedless mini-melons, with early summer weather playing a major factor in producing an exceptional melon for the upcoming holiday.

“The demand for California Watermelons is definitely on the rise for the 4th of July holiday,” Nick shares. “The consumers are excited for the ruby red flesh and sweet flavor that California Watermelons consistently provide year after year.”

When it comes to what the retail side should know about Country Sweet’s program, Nick tells me, “At CSP, we have decades of experience in variety selection, along with the ideal climate for growing the perfect watermelon. Cool springs, warm summers, and the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley combined with the Bako Sweet brand make watermelons that the consumers will remember."

Country Sweet currently expects that Organic Regular size and Mini watermelons will start June 20th and go through the week of July 25th, he says. “Volume is good and we expect good movement through the end of July.”

Are you summer-ready? Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on all current markets through the summer season and beyond.

Country Sweet Produce SunFed Western Veg Pro

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - California’s Westlands Water District is coming under fire from federal litigators this month for a $1.4 million loan to one of its executives to purchase a riverfront home. Described as “a little Enron accounting,” according to the Los Angeles Daily News, the loan has earned Westlands “a rare federal penalty” of more than $100,000.

Now unpaid for nine years, the loan was reportedly for the district’s former Deputy General Manager, Jason Peltier. The loan’s value has since risen to $1.57 million with a 0.84 percent annual interest rate.

While this deal is allowed under the agency’s salary rules, such lax loan details raised red flags for federal officials. The real issue here, the Daily News reports, is whether Peltier and Westlands were compliant with set laws that mandate disclosure of the use of public funds.

Under California law, public officials are required to file financial disclosure forms annually, including public loans. Peltier reported that he had begun disclosing the loan in his most recent annual filings, although his reports through 2015 make no mention of the outstanding loan.

“Show me the statute that allows this,” added Peter Detwiler to the news source, retired consultant for the California Senate’s local government finance sector. “Where else could you borrow $1.6 million dollars for 0.84 percent? Who wouldn’t want a real-estate deal like that?”

Terms for the deal initially required Peltier to repay the money within a year, the 2007 housing crash persuaded the district into allowing greater flexibility. Records show Peltier signed repeated one-year loan extensions, and in 2012, he and Westlands revamped their agreement giving him until 2021 to pay off the loan. The filing shows Peltier made monthly payments of about $5,000 from January 2013 to February 2015.

Westlands first became the subject of federal scrutiny this March, when federal regulators imposed a $125,000 penalty. The Securities and Exchange Commission has since concluded that Westlands misled bond investors about its financial condition.

CARPINTERIA, CA – Recognizing one of the company’s newest retail and foodservice products, Hollandia Produce and its Live Gourmet Living Baby Romaine have been nominated for Best New Vegetable Product for United Fresh’s Produce Innovation Award. 

“As the leader of innovation for the Living Lettuce and Greens category, Hollandia prides itself on introducing items that are different from what you see in stores today,” stated Brian Cook, Vice President of Sales. “Our latest item, Living Baby Romaine Leaves is completely different than the Romaine Hearts and field Romaine you see currently on the shelf.”

Hollandia stated in a press release, that when compared to other varieties, the younger romaine boasts a longer lasting freshness, richer green hues, a crunchier texture, and sweeter flavor. The Live Gourmet Living Baby Romaine also features the following benefits and characteristics:

• Heartless romaine that contains only dark, nutrient-dense leaves
• Sold with roots intact
• No bitterness
• Rich in Vitamins A, C, and K
• Contains protein
• Non-GMO verified 

The product is sold as individual heads packaged in single or two-pack counts, in micro-perforated flow wrap bags. The company said that each head of lettuce is ideal for one or two-person servings, and sold in these “perfect portions” to minimize waste. The Living Baby Romaine also upholds the company’s commitment to using all-natural ingredients. 

“The product reduces food waste and provides highly nutritional leaves, sized appropriately for exciting consumer uses like lettuce wraps and salads. We’ve had a wonderful consumer response to this item and look forward to giving the Romaine category a new look,” finished Cook.

As a nominee for the award, Hollandia and the Living Baby Romaine Lettuce will be displayed along with other Produce Innovation Awards at the United Fresh Membership Booth in this year’s upcoming event in Chicago. Atteendees can vote for their favorite innovative product on Tuesday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 22. Winners will be determined by number of total votes received by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with the winners announced an hour later.

Visit Hollandia Produce at booth #1711, and keep your cursor over AndNowUKnow as we continue to update you on United Fresh and other industry news.

Hollandia Produce

WASHINGTON, DC - From its beginnings a graduate thesis for Georgetown University, BlueCart is now a full-functioning ordering platform between suppliers and buyers for the fresh produce industry, and the best part is, it’s free. 

As BlueCart Co-Founder Konstantin Zvereff recently told me, the service was born from a need to fix the broken communications channel between suppliers and their buyers. 

“We essentially said, let’s develop a white label solution for every single supplier in the industry, regardless of if they are large or small,” Konstantin says, as we talk about the drive behind his and business partner Jagmohan Bansal’s operations. “We want to enable buyers and sellers to communicate through it, and enable sellers to manage and control their own infrastructure.”

Konstantin and his team are more focused on an integrated industry where all placed and received orders are organized in one app, for all involved parties.

“It doesn’t seem groundbreaking to us, but when you talk to a supplier there’s not a singular produce app that’s tailored to the sales rep. So we’re providing new sales opportunities, while increasing efficiency as well,” Konstantin says.

But the benefits go even further, as Konstantin continues to explain. Suppliers using the app have reported leaner inventories, less wasted produce and perishables, and increased reaction times. 

But perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of BlueCart, is that it is completely free software. After spending three years working with farmers in rural Africa, Konstantin witnessed first-hand the use of technology as a barrier between small and large suppliers. 

This experience found Konstantin wanting to impact the U.S. markets with opportunity. “Technology has to be a tool to enable the market,” asserts Konstantin. “Not to prevent people from entering it. Everyone should have access to that.”

BlueCart develops its services purely from user feedback, and pointedly stays away from spreadsheet buying or price comparisons. The app can be downloaded for iOS, Android, or desktop, and is able to function offline and remotely. 

Konstantin said that users of the app only have more integration and sales opportunities to look forward to as the company surges forward, such as a mass messaging feature that would allow for suppliers to send out notifications and potential sales offers to every buyer. 

“Features like this let the platform cater to the buyers needs through a centralized platform, whether it’s getting that repeat business, or offloading product,” finishes Konstantin.

Learn more about BlueCart and its suite of supplier-focused softwares here, and keep turning to AndNowUKnow as we report on innovative technology within the industry.

BlueCart

SAN ANTONIO, TX - H-E-B is giving its Central Market store in Houston a $10 million facelift, adding 10,000-square-feet to the location and emphasizing grocery and fresh growth.

The enhancements come with additions to the produce department that will expand it by one third, according to the Houston Chronicle, as well as a larger specialty grocery area offering more international selections and a bigger dairy department.

The changes are not only in line with a rising demand for international flavors, but the first major remodel the location will have seen since its opening 15 years ago.

"This will be an important restaging of the store for the future. It's been 15 years since we've invested significant capital,” Stephen Butt, H-E-B Senior VP of the Central Market Division, told the Houston Chronicle. “We want to stay current with products, but also keep the brand current in a competitive market."

Other additions and modifications in the renovation include:

• Changes to the appearance to “brighten” the interior of the market
• A new atrium at the entrance, complete with vaulted ceilings and skylight
• A single-lane-access checkout area

The store will continue to operate through the construction, which is expected to be finished next spring. Butt called the Houston store one of the strongest of the nine Central Markets in Texas, so it will be interesting to see if this emphasis on fresh spreads to other locations as the retailer continues to make moves to set itself apart from the rest.

H-E-B

GERMANY - What is a Friday without another installment in the epic ongoing battle between cats and cucumbers?

This time the cats are taking over all of grocery and, according to this German-made video, they win; save for the area which the cucumbers are holding down. Watch at your own risk below:

The video is actually a quirky advertisement for low prices at the German supermarket Netto, showcasing that everyone, feline and human, is made happy by markdowns.

While shopping for items you would expect cats to go for, like one in particular who just can’t seem to handle all the options tuna presents and even the option for vegetarian-friendly mice snacks, the produce aisle gets a special spotlight.

And, of course, cucumbers inevitably wreak havoc for the furry shoppers.

View post on imgur.com

Featuring other popular cat-related internet sensations like grumpy-faced cat and jazz paws cat, not a single stereotype was missed.

Enjoy a little Friday amusement and, if you find yourself wondering how the addition of a few cats can help your ad campaign, note that the two-day old video has already garnered nearly 2 million views.

SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira has released its financial information for the second quarter of 2016, with a reported increase in lemon volume and revenue, and further updates on its joint venture with The Lewis Group.

The company’s Q2 ended on April 30, 2016, with agribusiness revenue at $25.9 million, down from last year’s $26.9 million, which Limoneira stated was due to lower avocado sales after a later harvest. Lemon sales within that initial agribusiness number were at $20.8 million, up from last year’s $18.8 million.

"Our second quarter results reflect higher prices and volume of fresh lemons sold, which were offset by the timing of avocado shipments moving into the third quarter compared to shipments occurring in the second quarter of last year," stated Harold Edwards, President and CEO.

The company stated in a press release that the higher number of lemon sales were due to both higher prices and a higher volume of lemons sold compared to the last fiscal year period. Limoneira disclosed that about 780,000 cartons of lemons were sold at an average price of $22.44 per carton; this is about 69,000 more lemons sold than in 2015, and at about $0.50 higher price per carton.

Avocado sales were down $2.9 million to $1.2 million as reported in the 2016 Q2, which the company stated were the result of decreased prices and volumes of avocados compared to last year.

Other highlights included in the report are as follows, as compared to 2015’s Q2:

• Total revenue was at $27.4 million, down from $28.3 million
• Specialty citrus and other crops were at $1.3 million, down from $1.4 million
• Cost and expenses were $25.2 million, up from $24.1 million
• Operating income was $2.2 million, down from $4.1 million
• EBITDA was $3.4 million, down from $5.0 million
• First six months of 2016: revenue was $52.4 million, down from $56.3 million

Limoneira also stated that the company plans to engage in residential development, Harvest at Limoneira, with its partner The Lewis Group. Previously, the project was known as Santa Paula Gateway Project and East Area 1. The company expects to receive 25% to 80% of the net cash flow, based on milestones provided in the operating agreement. Development grading on the project is expected to begin in early 2017. During 2016’s Q2, the company contributed $0.5 million to the project, and another $0.5 million in May. 

Mr. Edwards continued, "We are excited to be working with the Lewis organization on the Harvest at Limoneira project. It is rewarding to be making progress on the development and we expect to begin selling lots at the end of 2017."

AndNowUKnow will continue to provide the latest squeeze of news on industry financials and development projects.

Limoneira

COLIMA, MEXICO - With the mission of becoming a regional, national, and international leader in marketing and distributing organic bananas, Coliman is ramping up in 2016 with its goal to actively expand its reach in North America. The vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper, was founded by Mr. Custodio Aguilar in 1963 and is now lead by Mr. Jorge Aguilar (President) and Jorge Angel Aguilar Jr. (CEO), who bring 53 years of growing experience to retail partners. Currently, the company exports organic bananas to many countries including the USA, UK, Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan. 

“Coliman is a family-owned and operated company and we take great pride in that aspect of the business. When Mr. Custodio Aguilar decided to establish the first operations in Colima, he knew that the land was ideal for tropical farming and offered the best climate for producing bananas and for creating a foundation for the family. In 2010 Mr. Jorge Aguilar transitioned the farm to organic and by 2014 all banana production was certified organic," Jorge Angel Aguilar Jr, Corporate CEO, tells me as we discuss the company’s evolution and vision moving forward. 

Global GAP, Primus GFS, Organic and Fair Trade Certified, the company is also working on its Rain Forest Alliance certification in 2016. Coliman grows 100% its own organic production in the Tecoman, Colima, Mexico, which is ideal for organic banana production. In addition, the company’s transport time to the southern U.S. border in Nogales, AZ, is 60 hours and to McAllen, TX, travel time is around 36 hours max, the company notes, giving Coliman efficient access to both the East and West Coast from its growing operations. To ensure that the organic bananas travel well, Coliman pre-cools all of its fruit within one hour of being harvested and uses Biotempak on all shipments and/or customer specified temp-recorder. 

“Pre-cooling the fruit as soon as possible after harvest reduces respiration, minimizes water loss, which is the key to maximizing shelf-life and weight, preserving curb appeal and flavor,” Jorge Jr. adds. “Control is the number one objective for our drivers and managers, and is executed through our modern refrigerated transportation methods. We also pack to customer specs and can tailor programs to our retail partners’ needs.” 

As the company looks to continued growth in 2016, Coliman is ensuring it remains committed to being socially responsible company. Coliman has been recognized five years in a row (2012-2016) by Mexican Center for Philanthropy for these efforts. The company has also been recipients of the Mexico Agri-food National Award in 2014 by the President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto. In 2015, Coliman was recognized by the Mexican Department of Labor as a Child Labor Free company.

As Coliman continues to innovate in the increasingly competitive fresh produce environment, stay tuned as we bring you more on the company’s passionate pursuit of excellence in organic banana production.

Coliman Group

SOQUEL, CA - McDill Associates, the produce industry-centric strategic marketing agency, is now officially certified as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC). 

“The NWBOC Certification provides a marketing opportunity for our agency to participate in new outreach programs and RFPs while supporting clients in the fresh market and beyond who need diversity among their vendors,” says Melissa McDill, President and Creative Director. “We’re proud to represent McDill with this distinctive certification and look forward to taking new avenues to grow our business,” she continued.

NWBOC’s was the first national certifier of Women Business Enterprises, according to a press release, with over 700 public and private sector individuals participating in establishing the standards and procedures of its certification review. This certification program is a way to streamline the certification process, thereby increasing the ability of women business owners to compete for contracts at a national level. 

So why become NWBOC certified as a Woman Owned Small Business? According to the organization’s website, “many large corporations now understand that it makes good business sense to spend dollars with women-owned vendor firms. Corporate management knows it is good for the public relations and for their local communities, but most importantly for the value they get from the dollars spent with women-owned companies.” 

Lisa Hansen, Director of Business Development for McDill Associates adds, “Honestly, we’ve always said we need to work even harder than other firms because we’ve always had a mostly female executive team. As the target consumer for many of our clients, we believe that our representation is invaluable to the strategy and design behind our work.”

McDill will be launching a company blog this summer, but you can learn more on what it means to be NWBOC certified and how the agency has evolved, in the video interview with Melissa McDill above.

McDill Associates

IRVING, TX – To further engage customers and drive forth their promotional efforts, California Giant Berry Farms, Crunch Pak, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Natural Delights Medjool Dates, and SUNSET^® have teamed up together to form the Summer Snacking Sweepstakes.

Under this partnership, consumers can download a free recipe e-book for the summer season and enter for the chance to win a $5,000 vacation. 

“We loved collaborating with all of these amazing fresh produce brands, including creating a special recipe with Natural Delights to bring celery and Medjool dates together for a healthy, sweet and salty summer snack,” said Nichole Towell, Director of Marketing, Duda Farm Fresh Foods. “Co-partnerships have been instrumental in the way we stay relevant and engage with consumers – they want to know how to use a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables together, and we’ve definitely given them that inspiration.”

Consumers can enter the sweepstakes and download the e-book on each of the brand partners’ websites. Additionally, each partner will develop recipes and other consumer content pieces based on consumer feedback, provided by each opt-in form from the sweepstakes.

“We’re always looking to improve the content we deliver to our fans, and these types of partnerships give us a lot of insight from a wide variety of consumers,” added Daniela Ferro, Communications Coordinator, Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET®.

Data collected from the promotional opportunity will be used to further engage consumers based on their dietary preferences, retail shopping habits, and demographics. The brands said in a press release that this strategy has been proven successful in the past.

“We partnered with other complementary fresh produce brands as part of our enriched marketing efforts to fully engage and stay relevant with consumers throughout the year,” said Tony Freytag, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Crunch Pak. “It’s been wonderful to pair fresh fruit like California Giant Berries with our Crunch Pak apples to create fresh, new ways to enjoy fruit during the season.”

Consumers can expect the following recipes through the promotion from the brands:

• Berry Bruschetta
• Apple and Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
• Celery Sriracha Salsa
• Avocado Caprese Salad with Medjool Date Glaze
• Sweet Pepper Mini Bites

The brands said that the Summer Snacking Sweepstakes will offer opportunities for its consumers to engage more personally with each fresh produce company. Each website and corresponding social media platform will promote the partnership through July 5, 2016. Recipes and the e-book are available on each website now.

AndNowUKnow will continue to supply the latest in industry marketing strategies.

SUNSET® Produce California Giant Berry Farms Crunch Pak Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Duda Farm Fresh Foods