VANCOUVER, B.C. - Village Farms is returning to the 4th Annual Ag Con in Las Vegas, Nevada, participating in each year consecutively since the event’s initial launch.

This year’s Ag Con will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center both today, April 5th, and tomorrow, April 6th.

“I am pleased to have been asked to again be part of this seminal conference that seeks to further the stakeholder relationships in an amazing growth industry,” Michael A. DeGiglio, President and CEO, commented in a press release. Speaking at an ‘Ask Me Anything’ open forum, DeGiglio will lend more than thirty years of industry expertise to conference attendees.

Village Farms’ Corporate Chef Darren Brown will join DeGiglio for the Con to speak on a panel of contributors called, “What do Produce Buyers Wish to see from Indoor Growers?”

“Considering global food resources are in decline and populations are on the rise, we have to be constantly looking to innovative ways to adapt and I'm intrigued at the potential for indoor agriculture to be one of the key solutions for our food supply for future generations,” Chef Brown said.

This year’s Ag Con features exhibitors in all facets of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), according to Village Farms, as well as a full conference agenda.

Indoor Ag Con host events about indoor agriculture using hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic technologies to grow all kinds of crops is in a variety of ways, including:

• Greenhouses
• Warehouses
• Containers

Uniting farmers, growers, chefs, technology geeks, suppliers, investors, and advocates, this is sure to be an enlightening and entertaining event.

Village FarmsIndoor Agriculture Conference

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – National produce marketer, Amerifresh, has announced long-serving industry veteran Jim Richter as its new President and CEO.

“Jim has proven success in all of the areas we know are important to help drive Amerifresh’s business forward, we are excited to have him join the SGA Family of Companies,” said Slade Stewart, Services Group of America (SGA) Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, in a recent press release.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of SGA, Amerifresh cited Richter’s industry experience with large grocery and retail chains as paramount to his placement within its company. Stewart said that Richter’s breadth of experience supports the company’s model for providing high quality produce in a demanding industry.

A 32-year veteran of the industry, Richter has held previous leadership roles in store operations, produce, and perishables at big name companies such as HEB, Marsh Supermarkets, and Randalls/Tom Thumb. Most recently, Richter served as CEO for Wilcox. Richter also served 10 years on Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Boards, for Exposition and as Convention Chairman.

“His ability to provide exceptional customer service, build teams and coach Associates is a great fit with our culture,” finished Stewart.

From all of us at AndNowUKnow, congratulations to Jim Richter on the new position.

Amerifresh Services Group of America

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The second annual Viva Fresh was one for the books, breaking its premier record of 800+ attendees by almost double and offering an easy-to-navigate setting to browse—perfect for noticing what’s new around the industry.

While there was so much to take in and a lot of fun moments that stood out, here are some of the items that made their mark on my first Viva Fresh experience.

Hollandia’s Living Baby Romaine

Just launched last month, this new addition to the live gourmet pipeline comes with roots attached to keep it as fresh as possible when it reaches its final destination - the hands of the consumer. The key focus, which you can see by the clear packaging’s note of “more taste, less waste,” was to ensure that there is as much leaf and little stock for better eating.

Mucci Top Seal Packaging

The recognized Top Seal from Mucci instantly caught my eye and my aesthetic appeal on the floor. The necessary messaging looks clear, crisp, and fun, while still leaving plenty of room to actually see the product and let the tomatoes speak for themselves.

Apio’s New Asian Sesame and Southwest Vegetable Salads

After having just heard Dr. Drew Ramsey speak about the importance of the superfoods, this is a new launch that drew the eye. Not only does it keep a well-rounded diet of plants by incorporating several greens dubbed with the power of “superfood,” but the number on the package even conveys how many different superfoods are in each item. By the numbers displayed on these latest additions to the Eat Smart line, both the Asian Sesame and the Southwest pack quite a punch.

Love Beets’ New Smoky-BBQ Shredded Beets

Now I know we were in Texas, where barbecue is the way of almost all preparation, but this was not an item that had occurred to me before trying it at Love Beets’ booth. Not only was it memorable, it was also unique to me as far as both flavor and texture, making the list of things that stood out on the floor.

U Gottabee Nutz

Was it the name? Was it the tiki-decorated packaging? Or perhaps the on-trend flavors? Whichever you choose, this struck me as a fun way to shake up the nut category. The colorful scheme and the promise of more flavors to come made it easy to believe this could stand out to consumers in a store for snacking or as an addition to their salads.

 Thank you to all who helped make this such a memorable show, and I can’t wait to see you again (and meet those who missed out) in Austin, Texas next year for the third annual Viva Fresh Expo.

Check in with AndNowUKnow for more coverage from the show floor, including another round of first-hand picks to come.

Viva Fresh

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a press release issued by the the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the department has announced its citation of Sun Produce Specialties LLC, Phoenix, Ariz., for unlawful employment of an individual under PACA employment restrictions after being given notice by the USDA that the company was not permitted to employ that individual without USDA-approval and the posting of a surety bond.

According to a press release, USDA and Sun Produce Specialties entered into a consent decision and order finding that the company violated section 8(b) of PACA and revoking the company’s PACA license. However, the finding and revocation are in abeyance so long as the company pays a civil penalty of $20,000 no later than July 29, 2016. If the company satisfies the terms of the consent decision and order, the finding of violation and license revocation will be permanently abated without further process and the case will be closed.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. 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, 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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

SANTA PAULA, CA – It’s no secret that lemons are a key part of many kitchen and DIY beauty routines – but did you know they can lend a hand with sustainability too? With Earth Day rapidly approaching, Limoneira is putting its focus for springtime on making life simpler without investing in chemicals or expensive tools. Limoneira, along with Healthy Grocery Girl® Megan Roosevelt conferred with their team of opinion leaders to bring you ten great ways you can make your home life a bit more sustainable – with lemons! 

Watch Limoneira and Megan’s Earth Day video above, and check out the company’s list of ten tips below for all the best sustainability tips using lemons! 

1. No Pesticides: Keep bugs and pest out of your kitchen without putting harmful pesticides or chemicals near your food and appliances. Apply lemon juice to thresholds, windowsills, floors and cracks where bugs might get in – and then follow up with small bits of lemon peels scattered outside any outdoor entrances.
2. Cleaner Produce: You can use lemons as a natural disinfectant to clean any pesticides from the skins of your other fruits and veggies. Plus, your produce will leave with a lemony scent.
3. Garbage Freshener: If your garbage can is getting a little ripe for your tastes, save leftover lemon peels and toss them in the base of every fresh bag. Repeat every couple of weeks for best results. 
4. DIY Humidifier Cleaner: It’s easy to clean your home humidifier, says Limoneira in its press release. Simply pour 3 to 4 capfuls of fresh lemon juice in the water in your humidifier to clean, with the added effect of a fresh scent!
5. No More Dry Cleaning: Scrub the stained areas on your shirts with equal parts lemon juice and water for a fresh and easy fix. You can also soak your delicates in lemon juice and baking soda for 30 minutes before washing as a natural alternative to chlorine bleach, the company notes.
6. Revitalize Wilting Produce: Add lemon juice to a bowl of cold water, then add soggy lettuce and refrigerate for one hour. Dry the leaves completely and use as desired. Lemon juice can also be used to keep cauliflower white during cooking, and to keep guacamole from going brown.
7. Fresher Fridge-Air: If your fridge is retaining too many smells, dabbing lemon juice on a re-usable sponge and leaving it in the fridge overnight can help.
8. Weeds Be Gone: Lemon juice helps banish weeds from your garden! Limoneira suggests filling a spray bottle with 5 parts lemon, 2 parts water and dousing the weeds until well-coated. The weeds should shrivel within days, according to a press release.
9. Litter Box Woes: Instead of pricey deodorizers for your cat’s litter box, put lemon halves in a bowl flesh side up and leave the bowl in the same box as your litter room (or bathroom)! 
10. Household Cleaner: Create a useful all-purpose cleaner for your kitchen and bathroom by combining equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Note however, do not use on wood. For wood polish, mix 1 cup olive oil and ½ a cup of lemon juice and try testing a spot first.

For more tips, tricks, recipes and other ways to incorporate citrus into your every day life, visit Lemons For Life and the company’s Pinterest page. Limoneira can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

Limoneira

BENTONVILLE, AR - Former executive head and instrumental Walmart leader Tom Coughlin passed away last week at the age of 66.

Although a direct cause of death has not yet been given, Coughlin had been in the intensive care unit for the past several weeks. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Coughlin was reported to have suffered from several ailments over the past ten years.

Current Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon, announced Coughlin’s passing in an executive-wide email on Friday, WSJ reported.

“Like me, many of you worked with Tom over his more than 26 years with the company,” McMillon wrote. “I know firsthand how much he loved our associates and this company.”

After joining Walmart in 1978, Coughlin worked his way up to Vice Chairman of the company while playing a key role in the retail chain's growth to over 3,000 stores just in the U.S., expanding to other countries all over the world and becoming the giant it is today.

Although he was involved in a 2006 settlement for wire fraud and tax-evasion accusations for a misappropriation of some $500,000 worth of Wal-Mart funds, WSJ reported that Coughlin’s retail legacy remains.

In fact, close friends and colleagues of Coughlin still looked to him for professional advice long after he retired from Walmart in 2005. He is remembered as a tall man at 6’4”, and a loyal and hardworking leader. 

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Coughlin is survived by his wife, Cynthia, three children, Kelly, Thomas, and Michael Coughlin, one brother, four sisters, and one grandson. No services have been announced.

AndNowUKnow offers its condolences to all those affected by this loss.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Access Fresh LLC satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

According to a recent USDA press release, the Carmel, CA, company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license.

Cabbage Head LLC, Richard M. Downey, and Daniel J. Lord were listed as members of the business and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.

Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.

In the past three years, 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 USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Agricultural Marketing Service

CALIFORNIA - Cherries are a premium product at retail, and a most promising impulse buy. With the California season kicking off earlier than usual this year, Stemilt Growers is promoting the upcoming opportunities for retailers and the huge potential for new dollars in the produce department.

Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Communications Manager, tells me that the warm weather experienced in early February has brought California’s cherry season on early, which is far from a bad thing. 

“As the winter weather winds down, consumers are looking for spring fruit items to light-up produce departments, and cherries are right around the corner,” Brianna says. “If you haven’t started planning retail promotions, now is the time to start, as this early window allows for more promotional opportunities throughout the California and Northwest cherry seasons.”

Stemilt will begin shipping around April 22nd with light volumes to start. By the end of April, volumes will ramp up and make for good supplies shipping the first three weeks of May.

“Typically California’s peak promotion window is around Memorial Day, but this year retailers should shift their ad calendars to respond to the earlier California cherry season. We are encouraging Mother’s Day cherry promotions,” Brianna adds, as we discuss the strong market and pricing ahead. “We expect excellent demand throughout the California season as cherries remain a highly desired item at retail.”

Brianna notes that there could be more cherries in April than the company, or state, has ever seen before. New emerging varieties like Coral Champagne and the Royal family are fueling the early volumes from Stemilt.

“The weather has been ideal lately in California for growing cherries, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and nights in the 40s. Fruit is sizing nicely and Corals and Royal varieties in particular are looking very good on the tree,” Brianna says.

Stemilt will also be offering Brooks and Tulare in the early timeframe, with Bings coming later from the northern growing district near Stockton.

“Stemilt has the longest cherry season of anyone in the nation with supplies running from late April until early September typically,” she adds.

“Last year was record-early for Washington in May, but this year it looks like we will have a great spread between crops.  Washington may run a week or so behind last year, which could signal a slight gap in supply. We are excited to kick off the new cherry season in a few weeks and look forward to a long season of high-quality cherries that will boost the produce department,” Brianna says.

All Stemilt’s California cherries are marketed under the company’s World Famous Cherries label.

Stemilt Growers