BOISE, ID – As the retailer moves closer towards going public, Albertsons Companies has filed an amended S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition to updating its finances to help secure its initial public offering (IPO), Albertsons proposed to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ABS.

“For fiscal 2015, we generated net sales of $58.7 billion, Adjusted EBITDA of $2.7 billion and free cash flow, which we define as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, of $1.7 billion,” the company said in a recent statement about its finances. “In addition to realizing increased sales, profitability, and free cash flow through the implementation of our operating playbook, we expect synergies from the Safeway acquisition to enhance our profitability and free cash flow over the next few years.”

Albertsons stated that the prices for its 65.31 million shares are expected to be in the range of $23 to $26, which if taken at the maximum price, would make the entire offering valued at roughly $1.953 billion. For an additional 9.796 million shares, the company said that it would have an overallotment option. 

The net proceeds from Albertsons’ IPO will be used towards fees and expenses that are related to the offering, to repay certain debt, and for general corporate offerings. 

The underwrites for Albertsons upcoming IPO are as follows:

As Albertsons continues to take steps towards finalizing its IPO, stay in sync with AndNowUKnow as we report on the company’s announcements and its affect on the chain.

Albertsons

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - In a partnership with The Produce Mom, Josie’s Organics has published an eBook titled, “Science Fair and STEM Project Guide” for use by teachers, parents, child educators, and students grades 3-8.

Filled with experimental projects using fruits and vegetables, the eBook helps students explore different areas of science. STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, represents a popular basis of learning where academic concepts are studied through hands-on lessons.

“When Cathy Burns and Bryan Silbermann encouraged PMA members to get involved with schools during the 2015 State of the Industry address at Fresh Summit, I knew one way to deliver upon this would be through our partnership with The Produce Mom,” said Karen Nardozza, who handles marketing for Josie’s Organics and Braga Fresh Family Farms. “The eBook is a great compliment to the recent salad bar donation Braga Fresh Family Farms made to Soledad High School. Josie’s Organics is honored to present The Produce Mom’s ‘Science Fair and STEM Project Guide’ – it will benefit many households, summer camps, and classrooms.” 

The eBook is available free at TheProduceMom.com/Science-Fair-and-Stem-Projects, and offers 15 different projects that use fruits and vegetables in a fun format. Ranging from germinating radish seeds, to dehydrating fruit, testing the PH levels of fruits and vegetables, and determining the water content in melons, the projects can be modified according to each student’s interests and abilities.

All projects offer the following: 

• A supply list
• Follow the scientific method
• Include step-by-step instructions
• Does not include conclusion to encourage experimentation
• Discusses topics like biological science, chemistry, physical science, and physics

“As a mother of two elementary school students, I know how popular STEM learning is among children, parents, and educators,” explained Lori Taylor, President of The Produce Mom in a statement. “Josie’s Organics and all brands of The Produce Mom Family are committed to helping children learn about fruits and vegetables so they’re more likely to try them and incorporate them into a healthy diet from a young age. This eBook is a great way to introduce kids to a variety of fruits and vegetables beyond the cafeteria or lunchbox. It’s incredibly rewarding to launch The Produce Mom’s new eBook series with a resource that connects fresh produce to science education.”

Courtesy of Josie’s Organics, the eBook also includes several videos about sustainability and farming organically, as well as useful tips to help choose, store, prepare, and learn more about fresh vegetables.

To see the eBook from Josie's Organics and The Produce Mom for yourself, click here.

Josie’s Organics The Produce Mom

LOS ANGELES, CA - Despite the controversy it has risen, a plan from the Los Angeles-based Cadiz Inc. to pump billions of gallons of water from a Mojave Desert aquifer to be sold in California still stands.

California’s 4th District Court of Appeal determined, after six rulings, to uphold state environmental reviews earlier this week.

The plan would include pumping as much as 16.3 billion gallons, or “as much as 50,000 acre-feet of groundwater,” to be exact, each year for the next five decades, The Desert Sun reports. The pump would go through 34,000 acres of desert Cadiz owns along Route 66 in both the Cadiz and Fenner valleys, and would be sold to Southern California districts.

But the company’s property is close to the Mojave National Preserve and surrounded by the newly-created Mojave Trails National Monument, causing some concerns for the environment.

Cadiz has been running its wells to irrigate almost 2,000 acres of farmland growing lemons, grapes, and other crops, while attempting to gain approval for the project. 

It hit a snag last October when it proposed to build a pipeline next to a railroad line to carry the water to the Colorado River Aqueduct with the Federal Bureau of Land Management, declaring that authorizing the pipeline would go beyond the rights originally granted to the railroad.

“This project has met every test,” Scott Slater, Cadiz’s President and CEO and Partner at water firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, commented, according to The Desert Sun. 

While the company argues its offer would provide needed water to a population of about 400,000 people, groups argue that this could cause damage to the environment.

“The reality is they haven’t even started the appropriate process,” said David Lamfrom, Director of the California Desert Program of the National Parks Conservation Association. According to the report, opposers like Lamfrom expect a thorough environmental review to be carried out under the National Environmental Policy Act before moving forward. “For them to use that railroad right-of-way, they would need to go through a federal process.”

In Congress, 15 California members have been listed as supporters of the Cadiz Water Project, while a group of 23 members of Congress from western states raised concerns with the 43-mile pipeline.

While those opposed say drawing down the aquifer would threaten springs and wildlife in surrounding areas, the court ruled against appeals by several groups. 

Both sides in the dispute have enlisted researchers to study the environmental impacts and the natural rate of groundwater recharge, each coming to different conclusions.

While this latest development may be taken as progress by Cadiz, the case looks to be far from closed. We will continue to follow the situation as it unfolds.

WASHINGTON D.C. & NEWARK, DE - Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, Russ Mounce, and Chairman of the United Fresh Produce Association, Brian Kocher, sent out a letter informing members of a new initiative they have joined together on.

“In late 2015, the Boards of Directors of PMA and United Fresh formed a Joint Committee on Responsible Labor Practices,” the two Chairmen wrote. “The committee's charge is to evaluate appropriate labor practices across the produce and floral supply chain, potentially leading to an industry-wide, global approach to responsible labor practices and consistent expectations among trading partners and the public.”

Brian Kocher, COO of Castellini Group of companies, will lead on behalf of PMA, Co-Chairing with Walmart’s Senior Director for Responsible Sourcing, Wesley Wilson, on behalf of United Fresh.

Once final, the two associations plan to publicize the entire list of members. At its launch, the list is made up of 16 participants, evenly divided between produce suppliers and buyers, while respective staff CEOs Tom Stenzel of United Fresh and Bryan Silbermann of PMA lead the project.

“We want our members to know that this will not be a short process or an easy one. But, we believe this is a critical discussion we need to have as an industry. We anticipate this will be the beginning of a continuing dialogue with our members, the broader global produce industry and other stakeholders,” the Chairmen wrote, emphasizing that this is an important issue for the industry and that transparency is an increasing interest for stakeholders.

Also keeping in mind that multiple perspectives are critical to bringing consensus, and the wide range of diversity between different commodities in the industry, PMA and United Fresh want to meet with grower organizations, labor employers, and others serving different aspects of the supply chain to understand specific views.

“With foundational work behind it, the committee has now issued a Request for Proposals aimed at engaging a consultant with expertise in this field to help support the committee's outreach and work products,” the two said of the next step.

With a decision on the consultant is expected by June, a meeting is scheduled for later that month to review and approve a work plan for the selected consultant.

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for the latest strides in important industry initiatives for labor and beyond.

PMA United Fresh

BENSON, NC – Export sales of sweet potatoes continue to rise as the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission (NCSPC) reports an increase in consumer consumption. The dollar value of shipments for this year is currently tracking at 30 percent ahead of last year’s record which surpassed the $100 million mark for the first time. 

The NCSPC credits this boost in part to its recent investments in exporting to European markets. The commission stated that even though the sweet potato is not a part of the traditional European diet, there has been a 400 percent sales increase of the root vegetable since 2009, and a 30 percent increase since 2015 alone. 

“Introducing sweet potatoes to Europe gave us an opportunity to build our story for this ‘exotic’ vegetable,” said Kelly McIver, Executive Director, in a recent press release. “We executed an integrated campaign that reached the trade, media, and consumers to make NC sweet potatoes part of their diet." 

Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ International Trade office, the NCSPC cultivated a series of educational and promotional campaigns to highlight the sweet flavor, versatility, and nutritional benefits of the sweet potato to Europeans. 

The NCSPC said that through its campaigns, the U.K. market is learning how to prepare and enjoy sweet potoatoes, and integrated them into their regularly prepared and holiday meals. 

The U.K. receives over half of its sweet potato exports from North Carolina, followed by shipments received from the Netherlands and Canada. Exporters from Belgium and Germany have also seen a rise in exports, with new markets emerging from Norway.

The NCSPC reported a 60 percent hike to 7.5 pounds in per capita sweet potato consumption in the U.S from 2009 to 2014. North Carolina currently leads this consumption hike where about half of all domestic sweet potatoes are growing, according to UDSA data. 

As American produce continues to make a leap into European and overseas markets, stay with AndNowUKnow as we keep you updated.

The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission

ST. LOUIS, MO - News hit the streets that Bayer and BASF SE could be looking to buy Mosanto, effectively boosting its shares this morning.

Up as much as $100.33 per share as of 9:30 a.m. EDT, a boost of about 12 percent, Reuters reported that interest in the seed producer, worth upwards of $44 billion, showcased a drive for further consolidation in the seed sector.

News of those interested in the Monsanto acquisition was released this morning, with Bloomberg reporting that people close to the deal stated that Bayer has discussed how to finance the acquisition including potential asset sales. Bayer is valued at about $96 billion.

Likewise, The Street Insider reported almost simultaneously that BASF SE was also exploring a buyout of the company.

While the information was just made available recently, and all three parties have declined to comment on it, Reuters reports that parties who wished to remain anonymous noted that both Bayer and BASF have been exploring a combination with Monsanto for several months, but valuation concerns have made a deal elusive.

After hitting its $100+ per share peak, Monsanto eased back down to a strong 8.49% uptick of $98.01 as of 1:36 p.m. EDT.

On the other hand, both Bayer and BASF saw a slip, with Bayer down 4.5 percent to $94.91 as of 5:30 p.m. ETR and BASF down 1 percent as of 5:10 p.m. ETR.

While it is still too early to tell if any of these talks will come into fruition, it would be Monsanto’s next step in trying to be a more consolidated seed resource for the ag industry.

As we reported previously, Monsanto fought strongly to acquire European-based Syngenta before the company eventually went with a $43 billion deal with Chem China.

AndNowUKnow will continue to follow this story as it develops further.

Monsanto Bayer BASF

UNITED STATES - Much to my delight, Beyoncé has graced me with yet another reason to talk about her involvement with the produce industry. While last week, the artist and entrepreneur invested in produce-based startup, WTRMLN WTR, it seems that Beyoncé inadvertently got herself involved in another category—lemonade.

When Beyoncé released her visual album “Lemonade” at the end of April, consumers were bombarded by a slew of reviews, articles, and gossip, but they were also bombarded by thirst. It seems, by just merely uttering the title, “Lemonade,” Beyoncé suddenly motivated hundreds to go out and quench their cravings with the refreshing, citrus-filled beverage. 

The Huffington Post spoke with Natalie Sexton, Director of Marketing at Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company and fresh juice industry expert, who said that since Queen Bey’s album was released, the company has doubled its sales of natural lemonade, lemonade tea, and strawberry lemonade.  

“People are drinking lemonade and posting pictures with #Beyoncé,” Sexton explained to the website. “You can’t drink lemonade these days without thinking of her.” 

HuffPo also rounded up Matt McLean, CEO of Uncle Matt’s Juice, to comment on the recent Bey-inspired boost in business. “Sales are increasing,” he told the source. “We’re up about 20 percent. I don’t know if that’s due to Beyoncé or the heat. Maybe it’s Beyoncé.”

As reported by Market Watch, lemonade sales have been less-than-stellar since 2004, falling about 24 percent due to consumer awareness about overly sweetened drinks. But Matt Barry, a researcher at Euromonitor International, says the star may just have the power to bring the industry back into the spotlight. “Beyoncé has done it before, and she could do it again,“ he’s quoted as saying.

As I think fondly on the lemonade that’s currently occupying my refrigerator and my iTunes library, I can’t help but think Barry may be on to something with that theory.

IRVINE, CA - Urban Produce, a Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) grower, will begin licensing its patented High Density Vertical Growing System (HDVGS).

“The interest in licensing our growing technology has been encouraging and a blessing,” Ed Horton, President & CEO of Urban Produce, commented in a release. “In the past six months, we’ve had agricultural leaders from three different countries visit our facility.”

The company’s flagship vertical farm in Irvine, CA, which it assures is the first of many, was founded in 2013 and efficiently grows organic produce in a controlled environment. Urban Produce said that its unique technology allows organic produce to be grown year-round, while conserving water by creating its own filtered water through atmospheric water generation (AWG).

“The demand for organic, locally-grown, non-GMO produce has never been greater. Our patented High Density Vertical Growing System presents a sustainable solution for urban cities worldwide by radically changing the way produce is grown, transported, and consumed,” Horton added. “Imagine cities, corporate campuses, master-planned communities, cruise ships, and military bases growing their own local, organic, non-GMO produce in the dead of winter.”

Named one of the industry’s leading innovators by USA Today, Urban Produce’s new licensing model will have a footprint of approximately 3,800-square-feet. With each growing unit synced with an AWG producing ample water daily, the company said it can produce thousands of pounds annually, depending on what is grown.

With rising possibilities and assurances of more growth in the works, keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we watch them unfold.

Urban Produce LLC

CHICAGO, IL - The United Fresh Produce Association’s annual trade show is fast-approaching, where it touts the start of innovation in the produce industry.

“United Fresh is a great opportunity to see what’s new and different,” Bill Pool, Manager of Produce Safety at Wegmans Food Markets, commented on the show, according to the association’s website.

And now the finalists have been chosen for the show’s 2016 Produce Innovation Awards, effectively placing them in the running to hold a title as a leader in “new and different” for the industry.

The award is available in five categories, naming a record total of 48 finalists:

• Best New Fruit Product
• Best New Vegetable Product
• Best New Packing/Processing Equipment
• Best New Food Safety Solution
• Best New Packaging

“New products and innovations contribute substantially to the fresh and fresh-cut produce industry’s success,” United Fresh said on its site. “Leading companies contribute to the industry’s economic growth through the development, manufacturing, and marketing of new and innovative products.”

And soon you will have a say as to who gets the coveted title. To see the complete list of finalists, click here.

The show takes place June 21st and 22nd in Chicago, IL, where all 49 products, packaging, and innovations will be on display. Who will you choose?

The AndNowUKnow team will see you there!

United Fresh

GILROY, CA - An unlikely new contender has just entered into the locally-sourced produce arena. McDonald’s has started using garlic from Gilroy, CA, for a new item in four of its San Jose-area locations in the state—“Gilroy Garlic Fries.” Not only that, McDonald’s also announced it had entirely sold out of the garlicky new menu item in the first week it was made available. 

Our #WorldFamousFries meet #GilroyGarlic only in the Bay Area! Try them at four South Bay restaurants today! pic.twitter.com/J7O4PSdEXJ

— McDonald's Bay Area (@McD_BayArea) May 3, 2016

So how did the fast food giant become an advocate of the now-trending farm-to-table food culture? “The garlic fries are part of a trend at McDonald’s to experiment with regional flavors and food on its menu,” the company explained in a press release.

The company continued, “The new fries are made-to-order in McDonald’s kitchens where restaurant employees toss French fries in stainless steel bowls with a purée mix that includes ingredients, such as chopped Gilroy garlic and olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley, and a pinch of salt.” 

Gilroy, as many Californians and garlic growers are probably familiar with, is known as the “The Garlic Capital of the World,” and is about two hours south of San Francisco. McDonald's has previously said if the Gilroy Garlic Fries succeeded in their trial, the item may be rolled out into all of the chain's Bay Area locations. 

Our #GilroyGarlicFries were such a hit that we have a temporary shortage of supplies. We'll keep you updated on their return in a few weeks!

— McDonald's Bay Area (@McD_BayArea) May 7, 2016

Will McDonald’s be venturing into even more locally-grown produce opportunities? Santa Clara Strawberry Shakes, anyone? Rest assured, AndNowUKnow will be the first to alert you if it does.

McDonald's