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 

KINGSVILLE, ON - For World Autism Day this past April 2nd, Melanie Mastronardi presented a check for $5,641 to Autism Ontario - Windsor Essex Chapter on behalf of Mastronardi Produce’s employees.

“We are very proud to support such a worthwhile cause,” commented Melanie Mastronardi in a press release. “Autism affects many families in our community, and we feel it is so important to bring awareness to this amazing program.”

The company’s employees recently came together to raise funds for the charity, which supports local educational programs, therapy and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mastronardi employees will also be participating in a local Autism Awareness Walk/Run, which will be taking place Sunday, April 10th at Seacliff Park in Leamington.

“Our local program relies on the support and generosity of companies like Mastronardi Produce,” added Livia Congi, Chapter and Program Manager for Autism Ontario Windsor Essex. “We’re so grateful for our continued partnership.”

To learn more about how you can get involved with the upcoming Autism Awareness Walk/Run in Leamington, visit autismontario.com.

Mastronardi Produce

CASTROVILLE, CA – Ocean Mist has announced a new contender to its Season & Steam product line-up, with ready-to-cook artichokes.

“Some people are intimidated by eating artichokes,” Diana McClean, Director of Marketing, said in a press release. “The Season & Steam bag takes all the fear out of the process with home cooks easily making perfectly cooked artichokes in seven minutes.”

Ocean Mist said that its newest addition is similar to the convenience that customers have come to expect in the Season & Steam line. All in the same bag, users can pre-season their artichokes to taste, and then steam cook to completion by microwave.

“Artichokes are what we’re known for but they are a highly fibrous vegetable and take longer to cook so we’ve perfected the offering,” continued McClean.

Ocean Mist launched its Season & Steam line in 2012 with variations of Brussels sprouts, and expanded to Kalettes^® in 2015. Ocean Mist said that its line of resealable and pre-season cooking bags is an exclusive convenience that the company looks forward to adding artichokes to.

Season & Steam artichokes are available now, nationwide. Ocean Mist plans to support the item launch with media relations and other activities, more on which can be found detailed here.

Count on continued industry and new-line product coverage at AndNowUKnow.

Ocean Mist

IMMOKALEE, FL - Produce industry veteran and retired FreshPoint CEO, Brian Sturgeon, has just joined Lipman Family Farms’ Board of Directors.

“Brian is an exceptional leader and strategic thinker, and we are fortunate to add him to our board,” Kent Shoemaker, CEO of Lipman, commented in a press release. “I’m confident he will be a tremendous asset for our company and I look forward to his insight.”

Sturgeon brings a host of experience to this latest position, with more than 20 years of leadership and executive experience in the produce industry. 

In addition to his role leading FreshPoint as CEO, specialty produce distributor of Sysco Corporation, Sturgeon worked with the company since 1990. Under his leadership, Sturgeon led a team credited with the cultural transformation of FreshPoint from a privately held company to a subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company as it grew through acquisitions and integrations of about 20 privately held companies.

Brian and his wife, Lynn, have two grown children and two grandchildren, according to Lipman. Though permanently living in Dallas, they split their time between Texas and Florida.

Congratulations to both he and Lipman on this next move in the company’s growth.

Lipman Produce

LONDON, ENGLAND - For those of you tracking the stock market, you may have noticed a certain British online grocer getting a big boost this week. Rumors that Ocado may be partnering with Publix for online grocery sales in the U.S. sent Ocado’s stock up nearly 30 points over the weekend, topping out at 326.70 on London’s stock exchange as of 4:55 PM GMT+1. 

According to news source Telegraph, Ocado has been struggling to maintain investor support following the online retailer’s failure to live up to its promise of sealing a deal with an international retailer by the end of 2015. Now, having reportedly hired international consultancy agency Mace to advise it on its American debut, Ocado is garnering investor’s trust that a deal will be penned soon. 

So who is the front-runner for a U.S. deal? Analysts have put one company at the top of their lists—Publix, exciting the retail community and shareholders alike. Publix, which has 1,111 store locations, previously had its groceries sourced by U.S. app company Shipt to deliver in South Florida, but the service has struggled to keep up with demand, Telegaph reports.

“We gave a deadline with the best intentions... but we realize we were over-optimistic about getting a deal done by the end of the year,” said Ocado’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Steiner in early February, explaining that Ocado was still in multiple discussions with prospective international partners regarding licensing its technology. Stiener added that it's “a big strategic decision” for them, stating "We expect to sign multiple deals in multiple territories in the medium term.”

Valued at $18 billion, Publix is one of the largest U.S. grocery chains, and currently serves Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. Publix has yet to comment on the rumors.

Publix Ocado

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against James H. Paxson & Sons Inc., according to a USDA press release.

The company, operating from Pennsylvania, allegedly failed to make payments to 13 produce sellers in the amount of $739,474 from February, 2011 through October, 2012.

James H. Paxson & Sons Inc. will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

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

Agricultural Marketing Service

PHARR, TX – As part of its commitment in continuing to provide fresh, greenhouse grown produce for its customers, Red Sun Farms is again expanding its cutting-edge Pharr, Texas cold storage facility by another 24,000 square feet.

This is now the third expansion for the building since it first opened in 2011. When it was first built, the facility boasted 18,000 square feet of cold storage space and later grew to 42,000 square feet in 2014. When this phase of construction is complete – sometime in September 2016 – the facility will be 66,000 square feet total.

The expansion in Pharr will help with the demand for shorter travel times, direct store shipments, and full transparency, according to a press release.

“Our facility has been recognized as one of the most effective and state-of-the-art cold storage facilities in Pharr, Texas,” Carlos Visconti, Red Sun Farms’ COO, tells us. “Truly, we are expanding for our retail partners. This expansion will enable us to increase our direct shipment capabilities and will ultimately result in fresher produce on their shelves.”

Red Sun Farms is a vertically integrated North American greenhouse grower. The vertical integration gives its customers complete control over every step in the supply chain, according to a press release.

“We have been very successful with our shipments since we started in Phase 1,” Visconti continued. “We are big believers in providing directly to our customers. This translates into a fresher product and a longer shelf life. Consumers really see and appreciate the freshness of our greenhouse grown products, and we are happy to continue providing them with the same great quality they have come to know and love.” 

2016 marks the third year in which Red Sun Farms is offering its Organic Series of greenhouse grown produce from Mexico, USA, and Canada. The company also offers traditional greenhouse grown tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

Red Sun Farms

NEW YORK, NY – Mere days away, this year’s BITE event, hosted by Baldor Food on April 6, is poised to stand as its biggest yet. With over 100 vendors booked, a grand hall of sampled bites, industry speakers and programs, and an after-party to complete the conference, check out the planned details (and free ticket information) below .

Grand Tasting Hall 

• 12:00 – 5:00 pm
• Featuring: over 100 farmers and partners to showcase quality and innovative products

Main Stage Presentation I 

• 1:00 – 1:45 pm
• Delicious Ambitions: A Personal Business Adventure
• Featuring: Claus Meyer (Noma, Entreprenuer and Philanthropist)

Main Stage Presentation II

• 2:00 – 2:45 pm
• Tastemakers: How Instagram is Changing the Way We Dine 
• Featuring Social Media Moguls: Alexa Mehraban (EatingNYC), Alison Roman (BuzzFeed), and Julia Sherman (Salad for President)

Main Stage Presentation III

• 3:00 – 3:45 pm
• Innovation in the Restaurant Industry: Challenges and Opportunities 
• Featuring: Richard Corraine (Chief Development Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group)

Main Stage Presentation IV

• 4:00 – 4:45 pm
• Industry Throwdown: Fine Dining vs. Casual 
• Feauturing: Will Guidara (Partner, Make It Nice Hospitality), Ahmass Fakahany (CEO, Altamarea Group), John Fraser (Chef/Owner; Dovetail, Narcissa, Nix)

After Party 

• 5:00 – 8:00 pm
• Cocktails: served from Featherweight mixologists
• Small bites: available from Jeremiah Stone of Wildair, and Ryan Hardy of Charlie Bird
• Featuring: Txikito, Pasquale Jones, Wildair Dizengoff, Babu Ji, Michael Laiskonis, Speedy Romeo, Lucky Bee, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, Island Creek Oysters

Baldor is offering free tickets to the event, available here. Catch the main event at The Waterfront, and the after party at adjacent venue, La Venue.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for more exciting events and leading produce showcases.

Baldor Food