IMMOKALEE, FL – Lipman Produce is focused on developing new tasty breeds of tomato varieties. 

The company employs three breeders and eight veteran scientists with more than 124 years of combined experience in R&D and hybrid seed production.

“At Lipman, we have the R&D process down to a science – but my favorite part remains tasting a delicious, juicy red tomato that my R&D team bred,” said Mark Barineau, Ph.D., Director of Breeding.  Barineau began the company’s R&D department in 2004 and has overseen the commercialization of over 30 tomato hybrids, according to a press release.

Over the past 10 years, Lipman has commercialized over 30 tomato varieties.  Crimson Queen and Ripe Bites are two of the most recent.  An advanced selection and testing process guarantees that every new hybrid is optimized for flavor, color, uniform shape and size.  The R&D department also focuses on nutritional value, prolonged shelf life and increased disease resistance.

To achieve the desired characteristics, the company grows all of its tomatoes outdoors as non-GMO hybrids that are planted in various climates and conditions to optimize fruit quality and nutrition, according to a press release.

The research team is located in Estero, Florida, and Lipman recently opened a lab in Manteca, California to enhance the West Coast product line.  Veteran farmers assist in the process with extensive trials that identify different varieties to be grown in specific regions using seasonal variables like rain, soils and heat.

“Before we’re ready to roll out a new variety, we invite our customers to tour our facilities and sample the ‘fruits’ of our labor,” Barineau added.  The company uses consumer feedback to make adjustments and deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

If you are at Fresh Summit, make sure to stop by Lipman’s booth #474 and learn more.

Lipman Produce

The following text was copied verbatim from a press release:

Westport, CT (Oct. 16, 2014) – Oh…delicious, creamy guacamole. This healthy offering is no longer considered a specialty or ethnic food. Guacamole has gone mainstream.

Oxidative browning has always been the main detractor to this popular dip. Once prepared, there is very little time to enjoy guacamole before color changes begin. NatureSeal’s scientists have been working diligently to combat this problem and they have literally come up with the solution.

NatureSeal GU-3S is the answer to the unsightly dilemma of discoloration that has plagued guacamole. This combination of vitamins, minerals and organic acids will inhibit the browning of fresh avocado pulp used to make guacamole, without any flavor changes.

The dry powder can be added directly into guacamole and it will stay fresh and appetizing for up to 8 hours in ambient temperature. Now, once a container of guacamole is opened, it will last through the entire event. No more throwing away unappetizing, browned guacamole. Under refrigeration, guacamole with GU-3S added will maintain its fresh qualities for up to two weeks.

NatureSeal will be highlighting this fresh new concept at the PMA in Anaheim October 18 and 19.

Stop by booth 2455 and see and taste for yourself!

NatureSeal

DELANO, CA – Paramount Citrus, is expanding its Wonderful Halos brand with a new partnership with Mulholland Citrus, the third largest grower and packer of mandarins. Going forward, Paramount Citrus will be acting as the exclusive sales agent for Mulholland Citrus’ mandarins, consolidating the company's volume under Wonderful Halos in order to expand the category.

“We are focused on working with other like-minded quality farmers to grow the overall mandarin category within the citrus industry,” said David Krause, President of Paramount Citrus. “Working closely with the highly experienced citrus growers at Mulholland Citrus is a logical next step to reinforce the transformation of mandarins into one of America’s most popular produce items.”

“At Mulholland Citrus, we share the same values and a similar vision as Paramount Citrus to expand the market for mandarins and use the power of a well-known brand like Wonderful Halos to reach an ever-increasing number of consumers,” agreed Tom Mulholland, Owner of Mulholland Citrus. “Both of our companies are strongly rooted in California agriculture, and we believe we can help each other give America a healthy alternative as the perfect snack.”

Together with partner Fowler Packaging, Mulholland Citrus is committed to growing and packing quality mandarins for Paramount, helping to maintain the superior taste, quality, freshness and consistency that retailers and consumers alike have come to expect from Wonderful Halos.

With its season lasting from November to April, Wonderful Halos is among the fastest-growing produce brands sold in American supermarkets, according to a press release. Paramount is committed to continuing to grow this booming brand and the mandarine category as a whole, having announced a plan to spend a record $100 million in marketing between 2013 and 2018 to this end.

The company has in fact already invested heavily in marketing and brand awareness-building through an integrated, national campaign intended to market the “pure goodness” of mandarins to the public. Demand has accordingly grown exponentially over the previous few years. Now thanks to its new partnership with Mulholland Citrus, Paramount Citrus will have the expanded supply to meet it.

Congratulations on this exciting new partnership, Paramount Citrus and Mulholland Citrus!

Paramount Citrus

Mulholland Citrus

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Supervalu Inc has released its second quarter financial results for fiscal year 2015.

The company saw net sales of $4.02 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $31 million, $0.11 per diluted share.

"Midway through fiscal 2015, I am encouraged with the progress we have made across the business,” said President and CEO Sam Duncan. “The investments we have made at Save-A-Lot continue to drive sales and our Retail Food stores recorded their third consecutive quarter of positive identical store sales.”

Duncan continued, “The addition of the Rainbow stores this past quarter is a positive for our Independent Business and we are encouraged by the early results.”

Q2 net sales were $4.02 billion compared to $3.95 billion last year, a 1.8% increase.  Identical store sales in the Save-A-Lot network were positive 6.5%, and for corporate stores in the Save-A-Lot network were 8.2% positive, according to a press release.  For the Retail Food segment, identical store sales were positive 0.4%.

Gross profit for Q2 fell 0.4% from $576 million last year to $572 million this quarter.  The company attributes this decrease in gross profit rate to lower fees earned under the TSA, predominantly related to the one-year transition fee earned where $18 million were recognized under the second quarter of fiscal 2014, according to a press release.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep an eye on Supervalu’s performance as the fiscal year continues.

Supervalu

IRVINE, CA – Urban Produce is opening its first patented “en motion” High Density Vertical Growing System (HDVGS) this week. A key component of this facility is its PACLINE I-BEAM overhead conveyor system. Urban Produce is excited about this system's ability to meet its need for a durable and safe, yet robust system, capable of transporting the maximum number of growing trays and plant material within the space of roughly 1/8 of an acre.

The PACLINE conveyor system used by the facility is able to have each carrier hold 24 x 2 plant trays, stacked vertically. Carriers were closely packed on 24” c-c and all supports were floor mounted and fabricated to adhere to the rigid seismic regulations and inspection requirements in California, according to a press release.

Urban Produce shares that its patented system uses advanced hydroponic technology to provide a cheaper, more efficient alternative to traditional growing methods. It is confident that its produce will compete competitively with these crops and provide consumers with a product that is both fresher and more nutritious.

Congratulations on the opening of this new facility, Urban Produce!

Urban Produce

ANAHEIM, CA – Fresh Summit has arrived, and PMAtv is giving you the inside scoop.  Focusing on Global Connections, Science & Technology, Industry Talent and Floral, this year’s expo is bringing industry leaders from all sectors together to look at the future of the industry from farm to consumer to everything in between.   Make sure to check out this episode of PMAtv above!

PMA

MEXICO - Controladora Comercial Mexicana (Comerci) is rumored to be closing in on a deal with Grupo Comercial Chedraui to sell the majority of its 200 retail locations for over $4 billion dollars to the rival company. While nothing has been finalized as of yet, a deal of this magnitude between Mexico's 4th-largest supermarket by market capitalization and its 3rd largest supermarket could have dramatic ramifications on the Mexican retail industry, and by extension the North American produce industry which trades heavily with it.

According to Bloomberg, sources have reported that under the current structure of the deal, Comerci would maintain ownership of the real estate and would lease it to Chedraui. Chedraui would use its own brand name on the stores it purchases.

News of this deal comes just under two months after Comerci's sale of its Restaurantes California and Beer Factory eateries to Grupo Gigante SAB for $80 million. With a price tag north of $4 billion, this new deal would easily dwarf its predecessor. Comerci is reportedly pushing Chedraui to fund the deal in cash.

Bloomberg notes that any deal of this magnitude would require regulatory approval from the Mexican government. Over the past month Comerci shares have risen 1.9%, while Chedraui’s have dropped 7%.

Neither company has as of yet issued an official statement about these negotiations.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for future updates on this sale agreement and the Mexican retail industry as a whole.

Controladora Comercial Mexicana

Grupo Comercial Chedraui

LOS ANGELES, CA – 4Earth Farms is currently harvesting and shipping its first major crop from its new Kalettes™ program. Due to the high demand surrounding this new produce offering, 4Earth Farms expanded the acreage devoted to its Kalettes™ earlier this year. It is now in the midst of reaping the benefits of that expansion.

“Here at 4Earth we constantly strive to bring new and unique items to the marketplace while maintaining the highest of quality standards for our customers. Our testing of Kalettes™ crops began over 18 months ago, leading to our increased growing acreage following customer demand that far exceeded our expectations,” said Mark Munger, VP Sales & Marketing at 4Earth Farms. “We are thrilled to finally have the product on shelves and available in significant supplies to retail and foodservice across the US.”

According to a press release, Kalettes™, a cross between Russian Red Kale and Brussels sprouts with a light, peppery taste, are easy prep items which can be sautéed, roasted, or eaten raw with excellent results. Because of the immense popularity kale and Brussels sprouts have enjoyed in recent years, the excitement surrounding Kalettes™ has been very encouraging for 4Earth Farms.

“The response to Kalettes™ has been overwhelmingly positive and we are excited to be at the forefront of their availability to the market,” Munger said.

4Earth Farms will be offering Kalettes™ year-round from its farms along the Baja-Mexico peninsula. They will be offered in a 6oz size for retailers as well as a 3lb bag for foodservice use. In order to help support sales the grower will be providing its retail partners with POS support materials which answer many of the common questions consumers might have about this new product.

“With any new offering comes the task of educating customers on aspects of the product they may be unfamiliar with,” Mark Munger explained. “Making Kalettes™ POS materials available is our way of helping consumers get the information they want quickly and easily right there in the store.”

4Earth Farms shares that it has sample packs and pricing information available for any interested retail parties.

Congratulations on the start of this exciting harvest season, 4Earth Farms!

4Earth Farms

AUSTIN, TX – Whole Foods has rolled out its new “good,” “better” or “best” produce ranking system based on supplier farming practices to nearly 400 stores in the U.S. and Canada.  AndNowUKnow previously covered the initial announcement of this program last year.

“After three years of research and planning, Responsibly Grown is the result of our collaboration with suppliers, scientists and issue experts to continue our strong commitment to organic, while embracing additional important topics and growing practices in agriculture today,” said Matt Rogers, Global Produce Coordinator at Whole Foods Market. “We are excited to broaden the conversation to recognize additional growing practices and drive more transparency in the industry.”

To receive a “good” ranking, the lowest of the three tiers, a farm must take 16 major steps to protect air, soil, water, and human health, according to a press release.  Growers must also comply with the Responsibly Grown pesticide policy, which restricts growers to using only U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered pesticides, regardless of the country of origin.

The full list of prohibited and restricted pesticides can be found on the Responsibly Grown website.

Now how will this affect growers and suppliers?  To be ranked, suppliers will have to submit compliance information online.  If that application is flagged for any reason, the company may be asked for additional documentation or on-site audits before ranking. 

According to a press release, a “better” rating indicates advanced performance and a “best” rating indicates exceptional, industry-leading performance in a scoring system covering multiple topics in each of these key categories:

• Pest management (e.g. using beneficial insects to control pests)
• Farmworker welfare (e.g. providing protective equipment for workers)
• Water conservation and protection (e.g. using efficient irrigation techniques)
• Enhancing soil health (e.g. adding compost to soil; planting cover crops)
• Ecosystems and biodiversity (e.g. planting wildflowers to restore natural bee habitat for pollinator protection)
• Waste reduction (e.g. recycling plastics used in the field)
• Air, energy and climate (e.g. solar panels for renewable energy)

The ranking system will rate hundreds of products with key suppliers, which will be about 50% of its produce nationwide.

The Tennessean quotes Rogers as saying that this program shouldn’t result in higher prices for shoppers because they will feel better about what they’re buying. 

It will certainly be interesting to see how sales and profits trend for Whole Foods with the roll out of this ranking system, and what affect it will have on suppliers.  Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest updates.

Whole Foods

CAMARILLO, CA – Houweling’s Tomatoes has been honored with a 2014 Cool Planet Award (Agriculture Sector) in recognition of its efforts in sustainability relating to energy conservation and efficiency.

“Houweling’s commitment to sustainability is rooted in the values established by Casey Houweling, our CEO.  As a company, we believe sustainability must integrate environmental stewardship, with practical, commercially viable solutions that enhance our ability to grow and harvest fresh, flavorful, nutritious tomatoes,” said company CMO, David Bell.

The award recognizes Southern California Edison business customers for demonstrating exemplary leadership in energy and carbon management, according to a press release.  Highlights from Houweling’s nomination include a 6.6 million kWh energy efficiency savings since 2010 and its 13.2 MW heat-and-power cogeneration installation in Camarillo, CA.

“I’m proud of our team and what this award represents.  Taking a leadership position in sustainability is not without risks, headaches and challenges, but I believe it is the right thing to do,” said CEO Casey Houweling.  “As business leaders, we need to continue to push forward, innovate and invest in projects that allow us to do more with fewer resources.”

Aside from the Cool Planet Award, the company was also a recipient of the California Energy Solutions Center (ESC) Partnership Award for Innovative Energy Solutions during the ESC Technology and Market Assessment Forum.

Houweling’s commitment to sustainability and conservation is only matched by its commitment to flavor.  In the last 3 years, the company has partnered with seed companies and conducted trials over 100 new varieties.

According to a press release, those partnerships have led to the launch of new products like Houweling’s Signature Medley Snacking Tomatoes, Signature Heirloom Tomatoes and the decision to move 100% of its grape tomato acreage to a higher flavor, lesser yielding variety.

“In a competitive market with rising cost pressures, it is not easy to make a decision to take 10% less yield, but I firmly believe delivering a consistent, premium eating experience will ensure Houweling’s Tomatoes long-term success,” said Houweling.

Make sure to stop by booth #4532 at PMA Fresh Summit to check out this company’s latest.

Congratulations on these honors, Houweling’s!

Houweling’s Tomatoes