SALINAS, CA - Ever dreamed of walking the red carpet with some of Salinas’ finest? For one night only, the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation is treating 250 people to a night they won’t soon forget, and it all goes to a good cause supporting the increase of produce consumption among kids.

Experience everything there is to love about Salinas and the produce industry. Great food, great music, and great friends all in one intimate venue. For the skeptics out there, this event is hardly going to break the bank. Dinner, wine tasting, a silent auction, and a live concert are included in the price of one ticket ($85.00). At that price, it’s a steal.

The stars of the show will be Doug Ranno, a long time song writer who has strong ties to the fresh produce industry, and his band, The Harvesting Crew. Get a taste of California country mixed with Nashville and a hint of Delta blues while feasting on an incredible dinner and tossing back a couple glasses of wine. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself drooling at the sight of a fruit or vegetable shaped guitar either.

Not your style? Don’t sweat it. Everyone is here to support bringing healthy food and salad bars to kids in Monterey County Schools, and this opportunity won’t last long.

“We are all very excited about this fun-filled evening and expect the event to sell out quickly,” Susan Marscellas, the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation Director, said in a press release. “Doug and some of the members of his band have strong ties to the agriculture industry and they wanted to give back and make a difference.”

To further support the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation, guests can also bid on two unique, custom-made Musical Harvest guitars donated by Doug Ranno. Now you can really rock out and help benefit Samz School of Music and Guitars not Guns – two local Salinas and Monterey County 501c3 nonprofit organizations that aim to give kids the opportunity of music in their lives.

What are you waiting for? Invite a few friends and come down to the Corral de Tierra Country Club Theater at 81 Corral de Tierra Road in Salinas on February 20^th for “Concert at Corral” – GUITARS, OLD CARS FOR SALAD BARS. Time is quickly running out!

You can buy tickets by clicking the link below:

Buy Tickets Here

Grower-Shipper Association Foundation

WENATCHEE, WA – February is a month full of heart in more ways than one. Of course there is Valentine’s Day, but it’s also American Heart Month, promoting awareness and conscious heart health.

Oneonta proposes a way to pay tribute to both with its “Love Your Heart” campaign, promoting “Starr Ranch” red apples and “Red Diamond” red pears, according to a press release.

Teaming up with USA Apples for the 28-day event, both companies will be publishing tips and facts via their Facebook and Twitter pages regarding fresh fruit and the part it plays in maintaining a healthy heart.

With 130 calories per large apple and void of fat, sodium or cholesterol,  apples are a prime source of vitamin C and fiber.

Not to be outdone, pears carry their own weight (or lack thereof) in nutritional value. With 100 calories per serving, they are a good source of vitamin C, an equally fit alternative for fiber and are free of sodium, fat, and cholesterol.

USA Apples released information from its “28 Days of Apples,” run, detailing the nutritional benefits and values of an apple a day, including results from a study conducted by Ohio State University. Some findings included that researchers “found that eating an apple for four weeks lowered blood levels of oxidized LDL by 40 percent.” LDL is the unhealthy cholesterol that has been linked to heart disease.

Tidbits like these are what will be made available to customers and health-conscious readers throughout the month.

Oneonta

AUSTRALIA - Science is continuing to find ways to aid farmers autonomously and, in this case, robotically.

Measured farm surveillance, plant growth, and alerts for pests that grow or crawl can now be provided clearly without having to go a single step down crop rows. Professor Salah Sukkarieh of the University of Sydney, a lead researcher on robotics, has successfully tested his team’s latest project, Ladybird.

"Ladybird focuses on broad acre agriculture and is solar-electric powered,” Sukkarieh said, according to Gizmag. “It has an array of sensors for detecting vegetable growth and pest species, either plant or animal.”

Named after actual ladybirds, which eat the usual pests that are the bane of gardeners and farmers alike, this farm aid moves autonomously through crops at about 3 miles per hour. Though it can’t hop around harmlessly like its namesake, it has all-spinning wheels that the makers assure will allow the Ladybird to move through crops with minimal disruption and energy, providing maximum assistance.

"The robot was able to drive fully autonomously up and down rows and from one row to the next, while gathering sensor data,” Sukkarieh said, referring to the robot’s test in Cowra, North Whales where it was able to run three days after a single charge of its batteries.

Already awarded as Researcher of the Year in 2014 by the Australian Vegetable Industry for his work on the robot, Sukkarieh is not stopping until he can bring a robot that will not only measure and assist with farm knowledge, but help with harvesting as well.

“She also has a robotic arm for the purposes of removing weeds as well as the potential for autonomous harvesting," says Professor Sukkarieh.

While bringing more technology into an industry traditionally run by hand remains a controversial topic, Sukkarieh’s team continues to work towards raising his ultimate goal for the Ladybird from science fiction.

This little robot may yet prove to be the perfect farm hand, wanted or not.

University of Sydney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target will open 15 stores in 2015, including three distinct store formats: eight TargetExpress locations, one CityTarget and six general merchandise stores.

According to a press release, Target’s strategic store growth is focused on reaching customers in urban centers while offering new experiences through formats like TargetExpress and CityTarget, while also focusing on merchandising layouts and innovations in its general merchandise stores.

“Our store growth looks different today than it did five years ago, driven by guests’ expectations for ease and personalization in their shopping experience. Smaller formats like TargetExpress and CityTarget offer customized assortments and services to meet the needs of guests who are increasingly moving into urban centers,” said Tina Tyler, EVP and Chief Stores Officer, Target.

She continues, “In our general merchandise stores, we’re embracing a test and learn philosophy, innovating with layouts and experiences and bringing digital and bricks and mortar together like never before.”

With digital technology in mind, Target has hired former Tesco executive Mike McNamara as its new Chief Information Officer. He will replace Bob DeRodes, who is retiring. McNamara will report to Target Chairman and CEO, Brian Cornell.

“Technology is critical for Target’s future success. So finding the right leader for this role was one of my absolute top priorities,” Cornell said. “Mike has been a driving force for technology innovation throughout his career. He’s got a stellar track record, and I’m excited to see how he’ll help our team continue to push new innovations that enhance the shopping experience for Target guests, both online and in stores.”

As for the new stores, Target plans to bring two TargetExpress stores to the greater Washington, D.C. area and one to Chicago, in addition to the previously announced openings in San Francisco, San Diego and St. Paul, Minnesota locations.  These stores are the retailer’s newest and smallest format at approximately 20,000 square feet. Beyond 2015, Target hopes to expand this format across select major markets.

Here are all of the stores that Target is opening in 2015:

• TargetExpress
  • San Francisco, California – March
  • Berkeley, California – March
  • St. Paul, Minnesota – July
  • San Diego, California – October
  • Four additional locations that are to be determined
• CityTarget
• Boston, Massachusetts – July
• General Merchandise
• Westwood, Massachusetts – March
• Maui-Kahului, Hawaii – March
• Oahu-Kailua, Hawaii – March
• Lake Bluff, Illinois – July
• Fort Worth, Texas – October
• San Diego, California – October

With this renewed push on smaller format stores coupled with Target’s exit from Canada, 2015 should serve as a pivotal year for this retailer.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates in the ever-evolving retail landscape.

Target

DENVER, CO – Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has announced its Q4 2014 results. Though the fast casual chain saw a revenue increase of 26.7% to $1.07 billion, 35% of that total went to rising food costs due to avocado, dairy and meat price increases. 

“We continue to make significant progress on our important journey to change the way people think about and eat fast food,” said Steve Ells, Chairman and Co-CEO of Chipotle. “Consumer trends are changing, which we believe is a great result of people becoming more discerning about where their food comes from, how it was raised, and how their meal was prepared.”

Other highlights from the report include:

• Restaurant level operating margin was 26.6%, an increase of 100 basis points
• Net income was $121.2 million, an increase of 52.3%
• Diluted earnings per share was $3.84, and increase of 51.8%
• Comparable restaurant sales increase of 16.1%
• 60 new restaurants, bringing the total to 1,783

Ells added, “The continued loyalty we see from our customers as well as third party research, and the growing number of concepts imitating Chipotle, all point to the relevance of our vision and the impact we are having on food culture. We are delighted to see that this vision, a very lofty goal, is becoming a reality.”

These gains, however, did not prove to be enough to meet Wall Street’s very high expectations. The company’s stock fell more than 5% in after hours trading yesterday, despite these high gains.

This could be due in part to the rising cost of foods. According to the financial release, food costs were 35% of revenue, an increase of 110 basis points due primarily to higher avocado, dairy and beef costs, partially offset by the benefit from the menu price increases.

CNBC reports that Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung said in a conference call that the chain is also considering increasing the prices of some of its entrees but still wants its prices to remain accessible.

“We don’t have any plans for across the board menu increases in 2015,” but the chain is considering a targeted price increase for steak and possibly its barbacoa product, Hartung added.

Even with this dip in stocks, Chipotle is going full steam ahead for 2015. The chain is expecting to open between 190 to 205 new restaurants and forecasts low to mid-single digit comparable restaurant sales increases. 

Chipotle

NEW YORK CITY, NY - At the end of last year Queen B and Jay-Z were reported to be dabbling with a vegan diet via a 22-day cleanse, but now it looks like the singer is dangerously in love according to the PR Newswire.

Beyonce joined husband Jay-Z in early December as he announced that he was going to try “going plant-based” the day before his 44th birthday.

“This all began a few months back when a good friend and vegan challenged me to embrace a “plant-based breakfast” every day. It was surprisingly easier on me than I thought…” Jay-Z wrote on his blog, stating that the serendipity of a 22-day challenge coming before the big 44 prompted him to give it a shot. In fact, the detail that Beyonce was joining him was a minor footnote in the announcement.

So is dropping dairy and meats a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare? The singer has apparently put a ring on the vegan lifestyle, and is now making it easier for everyone else to join her.

Beyonce has teamed up with her trainer, physiologist and nutritionist Marco Borges, to make going vegan easy as clicking a button and answering your door.

"I am humbled by this incredible partnership and excited to share the many benefits of a whole-foods plant-based diet," Borges said, according to PR Newswire. "We all know the importance and value of eating plant-based foods but often times find ourselves trapped in a series of bad habits that sabotage optimum wellness. The Vegan Meal Delivery program makes it easier to reset your habits with healthy and delicious plant-based foods."

"All you have to do is try," Beyonce said. "If I can do it, anyone can."

The plan is the exact same challenge she and her hubby did. Each plate is 100 percent plant-based, and according to the website the meals dispel the rumors that veganism does not meet all nutritional needs.

For three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) you pay about $9.24 a meal, or just under $28 a day. With just lunch and dinner it’s about $10.89 a meal ($21.78 a day), and going vegan for only one meal a day (either lunch or dinner) it is 14.85 a day.

The crux of these challenges is that they last the same amount of time it takes to make or break a habit, recalibrating your daily approach for better or worse. Have you been thinking about going Vegan for a few days? 5? 7? Photograph your meals for us and maybe we’ll feature you! Send the pictures to [email protected], or post them on Instagram and tag us @andnowuknow.

 22-Day Challenge

SELAH, WA - Once again, Rainier Fruit Company is bringing back its Lady Alice® brand apple. 

Lady Alice® apples are one of the most eagerly anticipated apples of the season, according to a press release. Regional apple varieties tend to disappear from store shelves in the winter months, leaving apple lovers to look for a replacement. Rainier hopes to have Lady Alice® to fill that niche with its mid-winter release. The Lady Alice® will return to market in February in response to peak consumer interest. 

“It has been incredible to witness the market’s reception of Lady Alice® and the resulting growth. We have worked diligently over the past several years to better understand the unique characteristics of this apple — from growing and packing to storing and shipping,” said Mark Zirkle, President of Rainier Fruit Company and Primary Grower of Lady Alice®. “Each year’s crop is an improvement from the last, and this is substantiated by the increasing demand.”

According to a press release, sales dollars of Rising Star varieties are consistently outperforming the Mainline and Declining segments on a dollar basis, indicating that consumers are willing to pay a premium for exceptional fruit.

Discovered as a chance seedling in the orchards of eastern Washington, production of this apple has increased over time in response to consumer demand. Lady Alice® will be available February through May at many major and independent grocery retailers.

Rainier Fruit Company

TORONTO, ON - Total Produce of Dublin, Ireland has agreed to purchase a 50% share in Gambles Ontario Produce, a distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“This partnership with Total Produce will enable us to grow strategically to the benefit of our growers and customers,” said Jeff Hughes, President at Gambles Produce. “We will continue to operate autonomously but will have the support of Total Produce and their global affiliations alongside us.”

Gambles Produce is a leading fresh produce distribution company that services customers throughout eastern Canada, according to a press release. It operates out of two facilities; the Ontario Food Terminal Market and a 65,000 square foot distribution centre in Toronto. Its comprehensive delivery-based system services independent retail, wholesale, and foodservice operators throughout the Ontario on a daily basis.

Total Produce is one of Europe’s premier fresh produce providers. It grows, sources, imports, packages, distributes, and markets over 200 lines of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Total Produce distributes 300 million cartons of fresh produce to the retail, wholesale, foodservice and processing sectors across Europe and North America annually and employs more than 4,000 people in over 100 locations across 20 different countries.

This acquisition is just one in an effort to expand Total Produce’s North American reach. Its introduction to this continental market was in 2013, with the acquisition of shares in the Oppenheimer Group, based in Vancouver, BC.

“We see this as a great opportunity for our team to continue to learn, develop and explore new opportunities to collaborate with other produce professionals around the world,” Gambles Vice President of Sales, Tom Kioussis, said. “This will provide our team with opportunities to share new and innovative best-in class operating practices.” 

“Our day-to-day interactions with our customers and growers will not change,” says Hughes. “We will remain the same ‘Gambles’ that our friends in the industry know and enjoy doing business with. If anything, our relationships should only strengthen with new synergies we have with Total Produce.”

It will be “business as usual,” says Hughes. He believes the industry will be able to expect the same high quality experience they have always had with Gambles Produce.

Total Produce 

Gambles Ontario Produce

PHOENIX, AZ – Is Sprouts Farmers Market looking to enter the Florida market? Sources say yes.

Real estate brokers and developers are telling the Tampa Bay Business Journal that the Phoenix-based retailer is actively seeking sites in the Tampa Bay region.

Real estate sources say that Sprouts is telling them that it is interested in multiple stores in the market and would like to have stores open there by 2016 or 2017.

A Spokeswoman from Sprouts tells the Business Journal that there is currently no news to share on Florida locations, but noted, however, that the retailer has already announced the states it will enter in 2015 which are Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri. 

“The Southeast is a priority given our recent success in Atlanta, but beyond that it’s too far out to project any potential openings in other states,” said Donna Egan, Corporate Communications Director.

The Business Journal notes that Tampa Bay is a growing retail market. While Publix and Wal-Mart control the majority of the market share, several specialty grocers have expanded there in the last few years, including Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s, Lucky’s and Earth Fare.

Is Sprouts going to be the next grocer to join this list? For now, we will have to wait and see. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.

Sprouts Farmers Market

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attention California pear growers! A new pear cultivar called Gem has been jointly released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University, Michigan State University, and Clemson University.

Gem combines high yields with excellent appearance, fruit quality, and long storage potential, according to the USDA. The new cultivar is resistant to fire blight and isn't prone to brown discoloration, called "superficial scald," that affects some pear varieties. The source of Gem's fire blight resistance is the cultivar 'Barseck'.

Horticulturist Richard Bell, at the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia, and his colleagues describe Gem in the March 2014 issue of HortScience. The Kearneysville location also evaluated Gem for fruit quality, fire blight resistance and productivity in replicated trials.

Gem requires at least 3 weeks of cold storage before normal fruit softening, but it will last for at least 28 weeks in cold storage without core breakdown or superficial scald. The fruit can also be eaten immediately after harvest without softening, as it has a crisp, juicy texture. Its flavor is sweet and mildly aromatic. Sensory panelists described Gem as similar in appearance, flavor, and purchase intent to the Bartlett pear.

Gem is recommended as a fresh-market pear for both commercial and home orchards. While budwood of Gem is limited, genetic material of this release will be deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System, where it will be available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of the new cultivar.

USDA