WACHAU, AUSTRIA - One company is making sure that something other than rain pours this April, promoting apricots in the process.

Family-owned Bainoli’s Apricot Liquer is distilled from apricots that are overripe, pitted, and then mashed, comprising 60% of the final product at the end of the two-year-long process and adding a tasty twist to the stonefruit category.

“Hand-selected apricots are de-stoned, pressed and processed into apricot juice, providing the base product for Bailoni Apricot Liqueur,” the company said in a press release, which described April as going hand-in-hand with apricots for the Wachau, Austria region.

“The apricot blossoming every April is a feast for the eyes for every visitor to the Wachau. The fruits are fully ripened by the end of July, when they are harvested,” the company explained in the release, to which they then become a spirit with 40% alc/vol described as having a full and fruity apricot aroma, exceptionally rich in apricot flavor, according to the website.

And the U.S. can enjoy this clever way to consume produce.

Bailoni Apricot Liqueurs can be found in specialty spirit and wine shops in most key U.S. markets, with more information available at www.hpsepicurean.com.

Cheers!

Bailoni

LOS ANGELES, CA - With Giumarra Nogales currently shipping expanded volumes of its Sonoran watermelon crop, it was a prime opportunity to host Bob Morrissey, Executive Director of the National Watermelon Association, on a tour of the growing, harvesting, and packing operations of its watermelon partner, Videxport.

“Mexico is such a significant part of our watermelon business in the United States, and it was important for me to visit the western side of Mexico,” explained Morrissey. “I consider this trip to be a major part of my educational tour in learning about the industry.” 

In order to offer its Mexican watermelon program in both spring and fall, with a move toward 52-week availability, Giumarra has been trialling watermelon crops in several areas of Mexico. According to a press release, the company markets Nature’s Partner®-brand watermelon grown in the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Colima, and Michoacán. Sonora represents the largest producer of Nature’s Partner watermelons, with more than 50 percent of the total annual crop, the company says. 

“We felt it was essential to host Bob [Morrissey], as well as our domestic melon partner, Art Perry of Perry & Sons, in Mexico so they could experience firsthand the sophistication of Videxport’s growing operation and worker welfare programs,” says John Corsaro, CEO of the Giumarra Companies in a statement.

Giumarra’s watermelon partner, Videxport, has been Fair Trade Certified™ by Fair Trade USA as of 2012 and has practiced its own internal social responsibility program since its founding in 1999. The collective care taken by Videxport employees to harvest and pack a high-quality product for the North American market was noted Morrissey, adding that both workers and management took meticulous care of their farm and investment. 

“It was the cleanest farm I’ve ever seen from a weed perspective,” added Morrissey. “Videxport represents a major investment in the land and its people. It was impressive to see a family of three generations all working in concert with one another. It’s clear the Videxport family owners are very committed to taking care of their employees, with the Fair Trade program front and center. As a result of the tour and hospitality from the ranch owners, their family is now a welcomed part of our watermelon family.”

Most recently, Videxport’s worker welfare developments include an on-site health care center and improved employee housing. These, along with education, childcare, and counseling, are no-cost for workers. The application of all funding by Fair Trade premiums is voted on by a worker council annually.

Giumarra Nogales Videxport

VALENCIA, CA – The annual CPMA convention approaches soon from April 12-14, and Sunkist said that it has quite the showcase planned to highlight its seasonal citrus at the trade show next week.

“With so many delicious, nutrient-rich citrus varieties in season now, we are excited to share the season’s best with our trade customers at this year’s CPMA show in Calgary,” said Sunkist’s Director of Communications, Joan Wickham, in a press release. 

Visitors to booth 425, will be able to sample the following Sunkist in-season citrus varieties: 

• Cara Cara Navel oranges (available through May)
• Gold Nugget variety mandarins
• Navel oranges
• Ojai Pixie tangerines
• Sunkist Smiles_® mandarins
• Meyer lemons 

“Convenience, flavor and nutrition continue to drive the easy-peel category’s popularity at retail,” said Sunkist Director of Retail Marketing, Julie DeWolf. “Sunkist offers highly customizable point-of-sale materials to help retailers share benefits and usage ideas for citrus, and these are particularly helpful in driving sales of specialty varieties like Gold Nugget variety mandarins and Ojai Pixie tangerines."

CPMA attendees will also be treated to a wide selection of dishes created by Sunkist Chef Jill Davie, said the company, highlighting the varied flavors of Sunkist’s current citrus.

“As the weather gets warmer, consumers are looking for healthy foods to celebrate spring and freshen up their routine," continued Wickham. "Retailers can capitalize on this demand by promoting the distinct flavors, nutrition profiles and versatility of springtime citrus.”

Dishes curated and on display by the Sunkist chef are as follows:

• Orange Chicken with Noodles and Peanut Sauce, using Navel oranges
• Basil Shrimp Cakes with a Sunkist Meyer Lemonaise Sauce and Cucumber Slaw
• Meyer Lemon cocktail with bourbon

Sunkist said that beverages being served at its booth are a juice made from California Star Ruby grapefruit, and the well-recognized iced drink, Meyer Lemon Snow Drop. 

In addition to the samples and culinary creations, Sunkist said that it will have a variety of fresh point-of sale materials and merchandising ideas, for both consumers and buyers.

“Consumers are constantly seeking information in the produce department, and the uniqueness and relative newness of these varieties should be communicated to drive purchase intent,” finished DeWolf.

Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow for CPMA and produce coverage in the coming weeks!

Sunkist CPMA

AUSTIN, TX - Earlier this week, 365 by Whole Foods Market™ announced the opening date for its highly-anticipated first location, choosing May 25th for its Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles debut. Designed to accompany the Whole Foods brand by bringing fresh, healthy food to a younger, maybe less-affluent demographic, 365 has hopes to streamline and curate its products specifically to maximize that target market.

As reported by the Washington Post, Jeff Turnas, President of 365 by Whole Foods Markets, said he and his team have “looked and turned over every stone to find efficiencies…. We’re not putting as much capital into these stores as we would a traditional Whole Foods.”

This means taking steps to lay out the stores to reduce work and stocking times, and creating cheaper, simply designed displays—all in an effort to keep product pricing down. Even providing fewer product options is on the agenda for these stores that are expected to be only about 30,000-square-feet, compared to the 40,000 to 50,000-square-feet that is typical for a Whole Foods.

“Rather than 50 or 60 olive oils, we’re going to have 10,” Turnas said about his strategy to streamline the company’s stock of products. “But they’re going to be well-represented from around the world and [different] price points.”

Another big key difference is an emphasis on “prepared foods” and foodservice opportunities. The Washingon post reports that Turnas refers to 365’s program as “a little more get-it-yourself, self-serve” than what you see in a traditional Whole Foods. 365 is also introducing a program called “Friends of 365,” in which it will give other retailers or foodservice companies their own independent retail spaces inside of various locations.

“We’ve really dedicated ourselves to partnering with like-minded companies that are doing new and interesting things in their respective field to bring a truly unique shopping experience that complements our thoughtfully curated selection of foods,” Turnas added in a press release.

The first store in Silver Lake will include a 1,245-square-foot vegan fast-casual restaurant called Chloe, a 396-square-foot Allegro Coffee Company bar that will serve craft coffee and beer, and a self-serve kiosk called TeaBot that allows shoppers to mix up to three of 18 different teas and herbal ingredients. Shoppers will also be able to order online and get delivery services through Instacart, the company says.

As Whole Foods plans to open two additional 365 locations in 2016, and another 10 in 2017, the company looks to be trying to take on a significant part of the retail space in the near future. As more information on the developing chain in released, be sure to check back with AndNowUKnow for the latest.

365 by Whole Foods Market Whole Foods Market

CASTROVILLE, CA - At the annual Produce for Better Health (PBH) conference in Scottsdale, AZ, Ocean Mist Farms was given the prestigious Role Model award. Accepted on behalf of the company by Director of Marketing Diana McClean, the award is a way to recognize organizations that help emphasize the need to increase produce consumption and better the nation’s health.

“Ocean Mist Farms is both inspired and very honored to be recognized by the Produce for Better Health in this way for our efforts to communicate the value of emphasizing fresh vegetables on the plate,” Ocean Mist Farms’ Director of Marketing Diana McClean tells me on receiving the award. She described how motivating it is to work with such a group as the Produce for Better Health.

The award was presented at the annual PBH awards luncheon by CEO & President, Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka. Pivonka commented on her excitement in a press release that this year’s conference, “continues to grow each year, not only in terms of total attendees, but also through the topics of our educational sessions, the quality of our speakers, and through our retail attendees.”

Ocean Mist Farms has been a strong part of the charge to increase consumption for artichokes and other produce items, taking an instructional role in teaching consumers how to prepare the category easily and deliciously. To that end, Ocean Mist recently released its Season & Steam Ready-to-Cook line, allowing users to pre-season their produce to taste, and then steam cook to completion by microwave.

To learn more about the work Ocean Mist is doing to get healthy foods in front of consumers, visit OceanMist.com, and continue checking in with AndNowUKnow for all the latest industry happenings.

Ocean Mist Farms

TAMPA, FL – IFCO has announced two well-seasoned industry names to its leadership board in Fortunato Martinez and Craig Kelly.

“Fortunato Martinez and Craig Kelly are talented and experienced leaders who will help us serve our customers better, faster and more completely than ever before and I am certain they will have an immediate, tangible and long-lasting impact on IFCO’s fresh food business,” said Daniel Walsh, President of IFCO North America, in a press release.

Fortunato Martinez will join IFCO as Vice President of Commodity Management, and is tasked with overseeing the entire IFCO supply chain development team and commodity managers. Martinez has worked as an IFCO consultant since 2012, and has experience managing grape and citrus commodities in Chile.

The company also noted that Martinez also supported business development in a multitude of Latin American countries and commodities. 

IFCO said that Martinez brings decades-worth of experience to its company, citing Martinez’s past experience in general management and business development during a 16-year career with Chiquita Brands in Latin and North America. IFCO stated Martinez’s educational qualifications are as follows:

• Bachelor’s Degree, Mechanical Engineering, from Monterrey Technological Institute in Monterrey, Mexico
• Master’s Degree, Business Administration, from Monterrey Technological Institute in Monterrey, Mexico
• Master’s Degree, International Management, from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona
• Master’s Degree, Transportation & Logistics, from European University in Antwerp, Belgium 

Craig Kelly has been appointed to IFCO as its Vice President of Growers Sales. Kelly’s range of management will extend from the U.S., to Mexico and Canada as well.

Kelly initially joined IFCO in 2013, serving as Director of Grower Sales. IFCO stated that Kelly is an experienced sales figure in the North American produce industry, previously serving in crucial roles at ZAPF Creation, Evenflow, and Kraft.

Prior to working for IFCO, Kelly operated as Director of Sales at CHEP, a sister company to IFCO, also owned by Brambles, Ltd. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania, and remains a member of several industry and professional organizations. 

“I am delighted to welcome these two fresh food supply chain experts to the IFCO team,” finished Walsh. 

Congratulations to both on their new positions, and continue to count on AndNowUKnow for your leadership shakeups and relevant industry news.

IFCO

CALIFORNIA - Thanks to a slightly off transition from Yuma to Salinas and increased mildew on the California coast, the spinach market is definitely on the move. We’re looking at a small gap in production, growers tell me, but the tight markets should be back starting to get back on track with Salinas growing starting back up as soon as possible.

“Supplies seem to be light all around,” says Brittany Trebino, Spinach Commodity Manager for Ippolitio, when I ask her about the recent spike in spinach market. “We finished harvesting in Yuma last weekend, but Salinas didn’t transition exactly like we expected and left about a week gap. We’re hoping we are able to jump in Saturday and harvest, and I definitely see the spinach market continuing to be active as demand exceeds supply!”

Russ Widerburg, Sales Manager at Boskovich Farms also notes that northern growers have seen a small gap, with growers like Boskovich in the Southern district seeing lighter supplies due to growing days working to get back on schedule.

“We've had multiple plantings being harvested ahead of schedule, and now things are getting back to normal, hence causing a shortage and in the supply chain,” Russ tells me. “There's also been a bit of mildew up and down the coast that has lessened yields. Market as of April 6th is in the mid-teens, and seems to be climbing.”

At Lakeside Organic Gardens, Sales Manager Brian Peixoto also noted that increased mildew has held back spinach supply, noting that mildew always makes the category a tough product to grow.

“Mildew is lowering the supply on multiple varieties of spinach,” adds Brian. “This is causing production to be way down. Demand, however, is the same if not higher, so the market is driven up, and will stay there as many shippers are very low on supply.”

Diana McClean, Marketing Manager at Ocean Mist Farms also notes that the fluctuations in spinach pricing are due to lowered supply from this year’s high-profile weather fluctuations, causing varying growing conditions nationwide.

With most growers telling me that production will be returning back to its normal conditions in the coming week or two, supplies should be back on the rise soon. For more on the spinach market as the season continues and other categories throughout the industry, keep watching AndNowUKnow.

Ippolito Boskovich Farms Lakeside Organic Gardens Ocean Mist Farms

MCLEAN, VA - Gladstone Land Corp. is once again on the move, this time looking to expand on its portfolio as well as its acreage with the purchase of more than 400 acres in Fresno County, California.

"We are pleased to purchase our first pistachio farm and enter into a lease agreement with another highly-respected operator," David Gladstone, President and CEO of the company, said in a press release. "This farm allows us to further diversify our portfolio by crop type, which we believe will help reduce risks.”

The 453 acres purchased for approximately $15.5 million (about $34,200 per acre) is of planted pistachio trees ranging from 5 to 19 years old. Already in production, Gladstone will be receiving rent payments, both fixed cash rents and crop share cash payments based on revenues, immediately.

"We are excited to announce another acquisition that continues to diversify our high-value agricultural portfolio," Bill Reiman, Gladstone's Managing Director for the Western United States, stated in the release, calling the land young and healthy. "Adding the first pistachio orchard to our portfolio and one of California's premier nut growers as a tenant shows our dedication towards broadening our exposure to high-value crops and our ability to source great properties.”

Additionally, Gladstone added that it entered into a leaseback agreement with the seller for a 10-year, triple-net lease that includes one 5-year extension option consisting of a fixed cash rent component. The agreement also includes a variable rent component based on the gross crop revenues earned on the property.

The farm includes three wells, two of which are new, according to Reiman, who added that both the immediate and long-term production potential of the acreage should be tremendous.

As of this morning at 9:37 a.m. Pacific, Gladstone Land’s stock was up 1.64%.

As for the company’s projected performance for 2016, Gladstone was optimistic.

“We are looking forward to a strong performance in 2016 for our company after purchasing more than $41 million in new farms so far this year,” Gladstone said, expressing enthusiasm for this latest market. “Our board will meet later this month to review our projections and vote on our next quarterly distribution payments, so please stay tuned, and eat more pistachios!"

Are there more big land purchases for Gladstone in the future? AndNowUKnow will continue to report as the company seeks further growth throughout fiscal 2016 and beyond.

Gladstone Land Corp.