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.

VIDALIA, GA- With the packing date of April 25th quickly approaching next month, the Vidalia® Onion Committee is gearing up with promotional campaigns and initiatives across the board. Susan Waters, Executive Director, of the Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) joined me to discuss the latest and greatest and how retailers and suppliers can take advantage this season.

Back by popular demand, the VOC is continuing the “V” campaign this year with V*Inspired which highlights the versatility and benefits of Vidalia onions. 

“The V*Inspired messaging will feature an authentic voice that highlights the growers, our new spokeswoman Whitney Miller, and a 12-year old chef with an inspirational story,” Susan tells me.  “We’ll be featuring the growers and the growing process on our social media sites to educate consumers on where and how Vidalia onions are grown. The growers will share their passion for growing these premium sweet onions and share what makes them unique.”

New spokesperson, Whitney Miller, is an author and blogger who was the youngest contestant and winner of Fox’s first America’s Masterchef. Whitney has authored the cookbook Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm (Rodale), and most recently her New Southern Table (Harper Collins Christian Publishing). The young chef has had her recipes featured in the Masterchef and Ultimate Masterchef cookbooks. In addition, Whitney is a food writer with magazine articles in Flavors (Atlanta), Taste of Home, and Southern Living to name a few.

“Whitney will be making guest appearances on the Vidalia Onion Committee’s social media sites, develop a series of southern recipes with a modern twist and highlight Vidalia onions on her blog,” Susan adds. “She will also be featured on our graphic bin wrap for retailers and her recipes will be included on a Point of Sale (POS) tear-off pad that retailers can use on the bin or on the shelf.”

As part of the V*Inspired messaging, the VOC has teamed up with a 12-year old aspiring chef, Chef Lucas Hobbs, from Minneapolis, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January, 2015. 

“Lucas is now in remission but during his hospital stay he became inspired by the movie Chef, and The Food Network. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked Lucas for his wish, he requested a food truck to feed the doctors, nurses who cared for him, along with the pediatric cancer patients,” Susan says.

Chef Lucas’ Minneapolis food truck events gained national attention while helping to feed thousands in 2015. In addition to hospital personnel and patients, trucks visited the local police station and a homeless shelter. Lucas also appeared on the Rachel Ray Show and various regional and national news outlets. In addition, Sallie Mae awarded him a $10,000 scholarship. 

To further rally around the cause, the VOC has teamed up with the National Turkey Federation to host food truck events in key cities where funds raised will benefit the Chef Lucas Food non-profit organization. The organization’s goal is to do good with food that is served to pediatric cancer patients and their families, via restaurants and chef-designed meal kits for creating delicious means at home.

Along with the multitude of POS materials available online at the retail section of VidaliaOnion.org., the VOC is also offering Dietitian Tool Kits for the first time. 

“The VOC will be offering resources for supermarket dietitians that will include nutritional recipes, nutritional information, sample blog and social media posts. The kits are designed to give dietitians all the tools they need to communicate to their shoppers,” Susan notes.

Last year the VOC surveyed retailers across the U.S. and as part of this study, the retailers surveyed requested more information on best merchandising practices for produce managers. 

“This year, we’re combining sales data research with merchandising tips to create a training guide for produce managers in our Retail Merchandising Guide,” she adds.

When I ask Susan how Vidalia onions can help to diversify the produce department and affect sales, she tells me that according to Nielsen Perishables Group, sweet onions represent the largest shares of total onion dollar sales (35%) followed by yellow onions (33%). While in season, Vidalia onions drive the sweet onion category representing 62% of sweet onion dollar sales (22% of total onion dollar sales).

“Because Vidalia onions are such a well-known brand, the start of the season has become a springtime event for the produce department.  Retailers build large displays to announce the start of the season with high-graphic bins and secondary displays. This not only drives Vidalia onion sales but also increases sales for the onion category,” Susan says.

Keep an eye out on more from the VOC and the Vidalia onion season on AndNowUKnow!

Vidalia Onion Committee

HOLLYWOOD, FL - Despite the bustle of the Southern Explosure show floor, Stu Monaghan, Sales Director at Seald Sweet, took some time to give insight into the company's fast-approaching grape and citrus programs.

“We’ve got our own staff in place in each of the locations, our own Q.C. [quality control],” Stu tells me, explaining that Seald Sweet moves through Peru, Chile, and Mexcio as the grape season progresses, operating out of Nogales, AZ. “We bring [products] into our own facilities, so we’re integrated from top to bottom.”

Stu details that the company's Southern Hemisphere portfolio includes not only grapes, clementines and navels as well.

The company is currently looking at the following dates for its citrus production:

• Clementines: May thru October
• Navals: First of July thru November

For more details on Seald Sweet’s citrus and grape programs, watch the brief video interview above.

Seald Sweet

SALINAS, CA – In conjunction with the company’s attendance at the upcoming CPMA show in Calgary, Mann Packing has announced its plans to highlight three of the newest additions to its Culinary Cuts® line.

“We are always excited during the lead up to CPMA, especially when we’re going to highlight innovative new products like Mann’s Culinary Cuts,” said Ben Alviano, National Business Manager for Mann’s in Canada, in a press release.

The fresh-cut vegetables newest to the line, and to be featured at the annual convention, are as follows:

• Shaved Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliettes®
• Broccoli Clovers

The cut vegetable variations on Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and finely chopped cauliflower are currently being shipped as new products across Canada. The new products join Sweet Potato Ribbons and Butternut Squash Zig Zags on the Culinary Cuts® line.

Attendees of the CPMA trade show in Calgary, Alberta, taking place next week from April 12 – 14, can see the new product showcase at Mann Packing’s trade show booth #622.

Mann Packing said that it has also continued its ongoing support of CPMA’s Half Your Plate initiative, support present since the initiative's creation. “Mann’s is very proud of our longstanding partnership with CPMA, and the tremendous progress of the Half Your Plate initiative,” disclosed Alviano. 

Half Your Plate is dedicated to further empowering Canadians to eat a wider variety and quantity of fruits and veggies, said Mann Packing. The company also stated that it features the initiative’s logo on the bags of its Sugar Snap Peas. More information on Half Your Plate can be found here.

Stay in step with AndNowUKnow as we release continuous coverage on the upcoming CPMA event and announcements.

CPMA Mann Packing

MEXICO CITY, MX - Popocatépetl, one of the 14 active volcanos in the Mexico City region, erupted lava and rock earlier this week after days of activity.

An ash cloud more than a mile high lingered after the volcano erupted violently late Sunday evening, showering the base and immediate area with rock and rubble, according to a UPI report.

As we reported recently, Popocatépetl awoke spewing ash with a more minor eruption last week, March 28th, after two years of inactivity. The volcano remains, however, one of the more active in North America.

As a result, the local authorities have been on alert, with a blockade more than seven miles in diameter in place around Popocatépetl to keep locals away.

To watch the volcano in action, see the video below:

The area’s alert level since the initial activity has risen from the first degree to the second out of three, UPI reports, but hasn’t escalated to the final degree despite the latest and largest eruption.

It did, however, destroy a large dome of lava that formed in January, and falling ash may affect nearby towns.

There has not been any reports that travel in the region has been affected, good news as Popocatépetl is just 43 miles southeast of busy transport hub Mexico City.

AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the volcano’s activity and any news of its effect on produce in the region, so stay tuned.