CALIFORNIA - California enjoyed some much needed rainfall this week, as the usual fall weather systems delivered a healthy dose of water to land across the state.

Although the week's weather will not have an impact on the drought as a whole, it has been encouraging news that the Sierra is already cold enough for snow to fall. According to the SF Gate, snow is currently expected between elevations of 5,500 feet and 7,000 feet. Temperatures on the mountain hit a low of 26 degrees on Sunday, and temperatures of 29 and 28 degrees are expected on Monday and Tuesday respectively. These snows are vital to rebuilding California's snowpack which has been severly diniminshed over the course of the drought. The weekend's snow on its own will not make a significant impact, but we can hope that it is the sign of better things to come from the approaching winter.

The industry hopes that the occurrence of a winter El Niño will also help to re-establish the California snowpack. Provided that cold weather on the mountaintop coincides with the rains El Nino could bring to California, it could give a much needed boost to snowfall on the mountain. While El Niño is expected to be weak this year if it does materilize, a probability which weather forcasters currently peg at 58%, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it could still do some good for California's agricultural community. 

Regarding rainfall, the Bay Area was soaked in more than an inch of water on Wednesday. A second weather system brought more rain on Thursday and a third continued the trend on Friday. The SF Gate did note that while none of these systems are particularly strong, taken together they can add up. Rainfall was also experienced in the rest of California, including LA County, Sonoma County and Sacramento County.

“Any rain is not bad news,” said National Weather Service Forecaster Steve Anderson.

We can only hope that this latest California weather is the sign of more things to come. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more weather updates.

WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt Growers is tapping into the latest trend of blending and juicing with its new FreshBlenders™ product line.

Favorite sweet or tart Stemilt apples are packaged up into a resealable 5-pound grab-and-go value bag. The fruit inside each bag is ideal for blends.  FreshBlenders™ can easily be promoted alongside other key smoothie and juice items, capitalizing on the value offering it provides to consumers who buy lots of fresh produce each week. Perfect for using at home in juice and smoothie recipe creations, this offering is sure to build impulse purchases and drive sales to your apple category.

If you’d like to see your product in this video segment, please send samples to 2020 L Street, Suite 320, Sacramento, CA 95811.

Stemilt Growers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Obama unveiled his immigration reform plans to the country on Thursday night, announcing three new steps he will take to increase accountability. These actions include:

• Cracking down on illegal immigration at the border
• Additional resources for law enforcement personnel will increase the chances that anyone attempting to cross the border illegally will be caught and sent back
• Deporting felons, not families
• Only those who threaten national security and public safety will be deported
• Anyone suspected of terrorism, violent criminals, gang members, and recent border crossers are placed at the top of the deportation priority list
• Holding accountable certain undocumented immigrants by requiring they pass a background check and pay taxes
• Those who register with the government, have lived in the U.S. for more than five years, have children who are American citizens or illegal residents, have passed a criminal background check, and are willing to pay their fair share of taxes, may temporarily stay in the country without fear of deportation for three years at a time
• Legal status can be renewed, administration officials say, but this does not open the door to citizenship or allow access to federal health care benefits, according to ABC News

Administration officials also state that the President’s actions will extend legal status to “DREAMers,” or those who came to the U.S. at a young age, so long as they entered the country before January 1, 2010 and meet specific education and public safety criteria, regardless of how old they are today.

During his speech, Obama fired back at his critics, emphasizing that this plan is not amnesty. “What I’m describing is accountability,” he said. “A common sense, middle-ground approach. If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you’re a criminal, you’ll be deported. If you plan to enter the U.S. illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up.”

“The actions I’m taking are not only lawful, they’re the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half century,” Obama continued.

Barry Bedwell, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, tells AndNowUKnow, “While the President’s speech was correct on many valid and pertinent points, and was certainly heartfelt, the stark reality is that meaningful immigration reform must properly come from the legislative process as he eluded.”

Prior to the announcement Thursday, United Fresh issued a statement saying, “While this Executive Order may provide some minimal relief or help for agriculture, it doesn’t address any long-term solutions which can only be done through congressional action.”

Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers, shared a similar sentiment, noting that agriculture must remain a top priority to achieve meaningful reform legislation. “The value of agricultural workers to our country’s economy and food production system must be recognized with a path to legal status that acknowledges their past service and ongoing importance to this industry.”

Several Republicans and Democrats have already questioned Obama’s actions, criticizing his move to bypass Congress.

In a statement, House Speaker John Boehner proclaimed, “The president has said before that ‘he’s not king’ and he’s ‘not an emperor,’ but he sure is acting like one. And he’s doing it at a time when the American people want nothing more than for us to work together.”

ABC News reports that Senator Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, said, “I am as frustrated as anyone that Congress is not doing its job, but the President shouldn’t make such significant policy changes on his own.”

In response to congressional inaction on reform, Obama said, “And to those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill.”

Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions will benefit nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants, as well as “help secure the border and ensure that everyone plays by the same rule,” according to a press release issued by the White House.  

Obama now plans to travel to Las Vegas on Friday to promote his plans for immigration reform. In closing, the President emphasized that “we are and always will be a nation of immigrants,” and also that scripture tells us, “We shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger. We were strangers once, too.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track how these actions will affect the industry.

White House

ESSEN, NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA - Aldi is currently mulling over the possibility of entering the potent Chinese retail market. According to Reuters, the German discount grocery chain is looking for new areas for growth outside of its traditional mature markets. With China still largely untapped by outside retail chains, the country must present a tantalizing possibility. Consultancy Planet Retail is reporting, however, that if Aldi does decide to expand into China, it does not expect the retailer to do so until 2018 at the earliest.

"Aldi thinks in decades rather than years, so the general conditions and the long-term outlook with higher single-digit growth rates in real terms look promising (in China)," said Matthias Queck, Research Director at Planet Retail.

The rumors began when the German monthly, Manager Magazin, reported that Aldi's controlling families had decided in February 2013 that it was worth looking into the possibility of Chinese expansion. In such a case, Aldi Sued would be responsible for entering the Chinese market while Aldi Nord would decide on two additional countries to enter afterward No time frame was specified, however.

Aldi Sued has not yet reached a decision regarding this possible venture, according to Reuters. If any decision is reached, however, you can count on AndNowUKnow to bring you the news. Stay tuned.

Aldi

KINGSVILLE, ON - When it comes to corporate culture, Red Sun Farms knows a thing or two about setting the bar and taking its personal and professional achievements to the next level.  The company was recently recognized as one of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures for having a culture that has impacted its performance. 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures program.

“We know that success isn’t just about us as a company; it is about promoting the well-being of our industry as a whole.  That care and concern is communicated all they way down to each individual at Red Sun. Creating and sustaining a corporate culture where the individual thrives as much as the company allows us a strong foundation to continually build upon,” Jim DiMenna, President and CEO of Red Sun Farms, tells me. “We also know that staying informed and giving our employees a voice in all aspects of the trade, keeps us on top of the game.”

The award was created by executive search firm Waterstone Human Capital to distinguish great workplaces where culture impacts performance. The winning organizations are selected by a panel of experts based on six measurement criteria, according to a press release: 

• Vision and leadership
• Recruitment and hiring for fit
• Cultural alignment and measurement
• Retention, rewards and recognition
• Organizational performance
• Corporate social responsibility

“It’s all about the people here at Red Sun,” Jim notes.  “Our culture allows us to run a good, solid company, which is translated into delivering a good, solid, quality product.”

Congratulations, Red Sun Farms!

Red Sun Farms

IDAHO FALLS, ID – Potandon Produce is partnering with Personal Best Performance to sponsor the Idaho Falls Race to Feed the Hungry.

“Idaho Falls has been home to Potandon Produce since the company was founded.  It’s a great place to work and we are honored to be part of a great event which truly helps local families,” said Ralph Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Innovation.

Every Thanksgiving Day, runners and walkers take time to join together as a community to raise awareness and money for the food bank.

The event, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, is the largest monetary contributor to the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank, according to a press release.  Aside from sponsoring the event, Potandon Produce also makes a donation directly to the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank.

Earlier this month, Michael Hays from Personal Best Performance joined Tom the Turkey at the Potandon office for a check presentation and a meet and greet.

It is always great to see companies in the industry supporting a great cause!

Potandon Produce

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – C.H. Robinson has partnered with Twin Cities NBC affiliate KARE 11 in order to hold its annual one-day food and fund drive, the KARE 11 Food Fight.

This unique, creative event pits KARE 11's four anchors, Belinda Jensen, Julie Nelson, Eric Perkins and Randy Shaver, against each other to see who can raise the most food to benefit Second Harvest Heartland, a foundation dedicated to fighting hunger in Minnesota.

“The Food Fight is a creative, fun, and festive way for local residents and companies to give back to their own community,” said Angie Freeman, Vice President of Human Resources at C.H. Robinson. “Each donation, large or small, allows us to take another step forward in preventing hunger, especially during the holiday season.”

As co-creators of the KARE 11 Food Fight, C.H. Robinson will both be providing vital staff for the fundraiser as well as transporting all donations to Second Harvest Heartland. In all, the company will be donating over 200 volunteer hours and more than 25,000 pounds of food for the event, according to a press release.

Preventing hunger and providing food assistance are top priorities of the C.H. Robinson Foundation, and the Food Fight has been a powerful force for good towards both of these goals. 2013's Food Fight raised more than 860,000 pounds of food and C.H. Robinson is looking forward to an equally strong showing this year.

From 7:30 am to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 25th, community members are encouraged to bring food or cash donations to drop-off locations at Whole Foods in Maple Grove, Byerly’s in Minnetonka, Cub Foods in Eagan, and Kowalski’s in Woodbury. Online donations can also be made through Second Harvest Heartland's website. C.H. Robinson and KARE 11 will be providing special guests and fun activities at each of the sites in order to encourage community participation. People can follow the events on Twitter through the hashtags: #KARE11FoodFight, #TeamBel, #TeamJulie, #TeamPerk, and #TeamRandy.

All donations from this event will go towards supporting Second Harvest Heartland, a foundation which supports over 530,000 individuals annually. For every 1.2 pounds of food donated, Second Harvest Heartland is able provide one meal to those Minnesotans experiencing the stress of hunger.

Great work on this important cause, C.H. Robinson!

C.H. Robinson

Second Harvest Heartland

NEW KENSINGTON, PA - Art Yerecic, President of Yerecic Label, was honored with the Converter of the Year award at the 2014 Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) Annual Meeting. The award celebrates and honors those who have made significant contributions to the converting industry.

“Much of Yerecic Label’s success can be attributed to the industries we serve,” said Art Yerecic. “Our concentration on the perishables industries keeps us focused on constantly learning about our customer’s customer and how to create effective labels for them.”

Art’s focus on implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles helped shape Yerecic Label into the company it is today. By applying lean principles, Yerecic Label created a cellular production and office environment that meets the needs of the perishables supply chain, according to a press release.

For an inside look at Yerecic Label’s expertise and passion for the perishables industry, check out the video below:

“It’s important for us to have an outward focus and always be looking at trends affecting customers,” said Rich Thoma, VP of Sales and Marketing. “The deep involvement with the industries we service and our customers is a real advantage for us.”

In addition to the Converter of the Year award, Yerecic Label also received TLMI’s Environmental Leadership award due to the company’s achievements in TLMI’s L.I.F.E. program, as well as an award for Outstanding Print Quality in Water-based Specialty Print by the Flint Group at its international label print quality competition.

Yerecic Label actively participates in original consumer research for the retail perishable industries to ultimately drive sales for customers by utilizing key findings in their label designs.

Congratulations on achieving this great honor, Art!

Yerecic Label

OTTAWA, CANADA - Whole Foods' Co-CEO Walter Robb has his eye on Canada. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal's Paul Vieira, he explained that the retailer has plans to open over 80 new stores over the next two years, bringing Whole Food's Canadian store base close to 100.

“Our efforts in Canada are part of the effort to grow,” Robb explained. “We think the opportunity for fresh, healthy foods is larger now that it’s ever been. And we intend to grow as fast as we have ever grown — 40 new stores next year, 42-44 for the following year. That’s 10% square footage growth on top of 15 million square feet of retail we already have. People have said maybe we should stop our growth. I said, No, we are not going to do that because our strategy is working. There’s no reason to stop. There’s every reason to keep going.”

Whole Foods has just finished the construction of its 10th Canadian location in Ottawa. According to the Wall Street Journal, Robb was on-site for the launch of this 41,000 square foot establishment, where he shared with Vieira his company's secret to its impressive growth.

“We price to every market that we serve every time we open a store,” he shared. “We are running a number of initiatives, particularly with perishable items, in the U.S. with some success right now. I would invite you to go and compare and see what we’ve done. We have worked hard on the pricing on this store, and to be competitive in Ottawa.”

“This is a dance between price, value and quality,” Robb continued. “It’s a constant dance. We don’t all sell the same stuff. Part of our thing is to be relevant on price so that we can also bring the quality to the marketplace. We are not endeavoring to be in a race to the bottom, but a new top in quality.”

Just having posted record total sales of $3.3 billion along with EBITDA of $296 million, or 9.1% of sales, Robb's strategy certainly seems to be an effective one. I look forward to watching how Whole Foods continues to evolve and and grow its presence in North America.

Whole Foods 

FISHERS, NY – The New York state apple industry held an apple tasting fundraiser that raised $10,001 for the American Cancer Society®’s (ACS) Central New York Region, bringing the New York Apple Association's (NYAA) total contributions to $129,000.11 since the year 2000. The funds were raised through sales of New York state apples, cider and applesauce at the Great New York State Fair held August 21 – September 1.

Thousands of fairgoers visited the NYAA booth this year to purchase a refreshing snack.  NYAA donated apples and cider, which were provided respectively by Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva and Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette, according to a press release.  Mott’s also donated applesauce.

“On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I thank New York Apple Association for its continued support of our mission,” said Bruce Hathaway with the American Cancer Society Eastern Division in Syracuse, N.Y. “Taking a bite of a fresh, crunchy apple is a treat, and the visitors to our booth at the New York State Fair could take that bite knowing they were not only helping their health, but helping the mission of the American Cancer Society. From providing direct services to patients and families across New York to funding a groundbreaking research program, NYAA is a true partner in helping us finish the fight.”

“We are glad to have this opportunity to help fight cancer in our local community, while also raising awareness of apples’ cancer-fighting potential,” said NYAA President Jim Allen.

NYAA Consulting Dietitian Linda Quinn, MS, RD, CDN also appeared at the fair.  She noted that current research suggests that eating apples and apple nutrients may help fight a range of cancers.

Great job raising money for this important cause, NYAA!

New York Apple Association