SALISBURY, NC – Food Lion has remodeled 31 stores in the greater Wilmington, N.C. market as part of the grocer’s new “Easy, Fresh and Affordable… You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day” strategy.

“Since announcing our new strategy, we’ve been doing a lot across the Food Lion chain to create positive change. We’re proud to continue that momentum by launching the first market of enhanced stores that bring all the elements of our new strategy to life to make shopping easier for customers,” said Beth Newlands Campbell, President of Food Lion. 

The new format has expanded the selection in stores with thousands of new items with a dedicated Gluten Free section and a wide selection of quality fresh produce and meat that carries a Double-Your-Money-Back guarantee, according to a press release.

“Our customers told us that they want a grocery experience where it’s easy to shop, easy to save and easy to figure out what is for dinner tonight. In these enhanced stores, we’ve worked to deliver just that. We invite our customers and the Wilmington community to come out and experience grocery shopping reimagined at Food Lion and let us know what you think about our new stores,” she added.

To celebrate the launch of the new format stores, Food Lion is giving away $10 gift cards to the first 50 customers at each of the 31 locations every day from Wednesday, August 20 through Saturday, Aug 23, according to a press release.

“Despite offering low prices and great opportunities to save in our stores every day, we know that there are still many people in our local communities struggling with hunger. We want our customers and communities to know they can count on Food Lion to be their partner in eliminating the choices families are forced to make when they’re hungry, like choosing between dinner and rent or gasoline and buying groceries,” added Newlands Campbell. 

Food Lion has also celebrated the launch of the 31 stores by donating 150,000 meals valuing $31,000 to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina and 27 local feeding agencies in the Wilmington, N.C. region.

Food Lion will continue to roll out storewide enhancements in the market over time with the launch of additional 45 remodeled stores in the greater Greenville, N.C. market in November.

Food Lion

NEW MEXICO – The state of New Mexico is launching a “New Mexico Certified Chile” trademark to protect its chile from foreign competitors by putting it in the same protective status as Idaho potatoes or Florida oranges.

The Spokeman-Review reports that Governor Susana Martinez, members of the New Mexico Chile Association and other officials unveiled the program before a packed room of chile aficionados on Tuesday.

“Whether you prefer red, green or Christmas (a mix of both), you want to know that your chile was grown in New Mexico by farmers with generations of experience, in rich soil and the kind of intense sunlight that makes this flavorful food,” she said.

This program builds on an existing law that makes it illegal to advertise any products as New Mexico chile unless it is grown in the state.

KOB4 News reports that foreign competitors are known to flood American markets with lower quality and less expensive chile and even falsely label it as grown in New Mexico.  Farmers say that these false claims take money away and weaken the overall reputation of the New Mexico product.

Chile farmers in New Mexico are currently seeing a robust harvest with farm workers hauling the state’s famous green chile by the ton.

“We did have some rain but we just had luck on our side,” said Glen Duggins, a local chile farmer.  “Every time it rained, we needed the water, and it hasn’t hurt us.  The chile is just beautiful – the mild, the hot, the extra hot – looks like a bumper crop!" 

The chile industry has a strong impact on New Mexico’s economy.  It supports more than 4,000 jobs in that state and has an economic impact of more than $400 million, according to KOB4 News.  New Mexico is hoping this trademark will protect and enhance the industry.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Winn-Dixie and BI-LO’s parent company, BI-LO Holdings LLC, has decided not to pursue its initial public offering that it filed for in 2013 under the name Southeastern Grocers LLC.

The company did not specify a reason for withdrawing its IPO in its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this week, and BI-LO Holdings spokesman Brian Wright said via email to the Jacksonville Daily Record that the company doesn’t comment on these matters.

When speaking about the reasons the company withdrew its IPO, Francis Gaskins, Research Director at Equities.com, tells Reuters, “With not very exciting topline revenue and growing losses…it’s over leveraged.  They don’t have the numbers that investors are interested in.”

The New York Times reports that Winn-Dixie filed for bankruptcy in 2005, emerging a year later. In addition, BI-LO spent a year in Chapter 11 protection from 2009 to 2010.  In 2011, BI-LO Holdings purchased Winn-Dixie and joined the two brands, and moved its headquarters to Florida.

In September of 2013, Southeastern Grocers filed for an IPO of up to $500 million and stated that it was looking to repay debts and build working capital, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Jacksonville Daily Record reports that after expanding this year with the acquisition of a group of stores from the Delhaize Group, BI-LO Holdings currently operates 830 supermarkets in eight Southeastern states under the Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie and Harveys names.

BI-LO Holdings

Winn-Dixie

BI-LO

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced yesterday that farmers in Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Camden and Cape May counties could still apply for disaster assistance.

On May 22, 2014, a storm brought excessive rain, flooding, high winds and hail that damaged crops, according to a press release.  The USDA determined that there were sufficient production losses from the storm to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation.

This distinction makes farmers in the six counties eligible to be considered for assistance from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) as long as eligibility requirements are met. 

In order to be designated a primary natural disaster area, a county must have sustained a 30% or greater production loss to a single crop due to the disaster.  Farmers in the eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans, according to a press release.  FSA considers each loan application on its own merits.

Farmers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for details.  To find a local office, click here. 

NJ Department of Agriculture 

IDAHO FALLS, ID – Kingston Cross Dock & Cold Storage has named 30 year industry veteran Brian Osborne as the new facility General Manager. According to a press release, in his new position Brian will be focusing on upgrading Kingston's coolers, software, and food safety systems, in addition to working closely in business development and improving customer service practices.

Having held multiple senior level sales and management positions with other leading produce companies, such as Southern Specialties and Carb Americas, David Kingston, CEO of Kingston Companies, is confident that he has found the right man for the job in Brian.

“Brian has an excellent reputation and a broad wealth of knowledge in cold storage, operations, and the industry in general,” he shared. “With the growth we have experienced at Kingston Cross Dock this year, Brian’s skill set are a perfect fit to ensure our operations and general customer service continue to improve.”

Osborne said he was excited to continue working with Kingston in his new role.

“With the upgrades we’re making, I am excited for the upcoming season,” he said. “Kingston has made great strides this summer with solid investments in the facility and its people. With the team and facility improving each day, we are set for another great season at KCD.”

He also added, “I want to thank the solid team around me at KCD. They have welcomed me into the fold and embraced the new developments underway.”

According to a press release, Brian began his career with the Pompano State Farmers Market in 1980 after serving for 4 years with the USMC.

Congratulations on the promotion, Brian!

Kingston Cross Dock & Cold Storage

LADERA RANCH, CA - Dulcinea/Pacific Trellis Fruit Manager John McGuian has announced that he will be parting ways with the company at the end of August.

A Pacific Trellis company representative thanked John for his commitment to the company and his many years of service:

“John, a 25 year veteran of the produce industry, has been a great asset to the company since his joining. He was of great assistance to us on this latest acquisition, helping us to transition it from a public company structure to a more market and grower focused operation.”

John shared similar feelings about his time with the company in a press release.

“I have had the great fortune to work for outstanding organizations and help get them positioned for success for the future. I know that the team will do great things with Dulcinea Farms going forward, and I wish them all the success in the world.”

While Pacific Trellis and Dulcinea Farms will no doubt miss him, John leaves it in a position of strength. According to a press release, Pacific Trellis is experiencing its best yield ever in Mexico and a similarly great harvest in Arizona. Although, like many in the produce industry, it has felt the pressure of the water crisis in California, its harvest in the San Joaquin Valley has also been strong with increases in both yield and acreage.

In light of this success, Pacific Trellis Fruit has created a new position for Research and Development, naming former Syngenta employee Paul Collazo to the job. Pacific Trellis is confident Paul's work will help them maintain its advantage with both its existing and new proprietary melon varieties.

Pacific Trellis has also decided to retain 8 year Dulcinea Farms veteran Steve Dabich as Director of Sales.

“I look forward to the continued expansion in the years to come as the premier branded melon supplier in the industry,” he said.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any further updates on the future activities of this exciting grower.  

Pacific Trellis Fruit

Dulcinea Farms

ALEXANDRIA, VA - The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is making a huge impact in the lives of disabled children with a summer camp for softball lovers who have suffered a limb amputation in their young lives. The produce industry has a proud tradition of generosity and giving back to worthy causes. After reading about this organization, I frankly could not imagine a cause more worthy of the industry's attention.

The camp brings together 20 kids aged 8-12 each summer for a life-changing experience in which the focus for once isn't on their limitations or disabilities, but on bonding together as a team and playing the game they love. What makes the camp special is that during the whole experience, the campers are surrounded by friends and teammates just like them. Even the instructors are amputees, veterans of America's military who have lost a limb in service to their country.

The testimonials from the parents of former attendees reveal the incredible impact this camp has on the lives of these kids.

“We are forever indebted to you for providing our son Ryan the opportunity to attend the first WWAST Kids Camp. The experience was life-changing for him. For years to come, Ryan will have awesome memories of feeling "special" but yet no different than anyone else!” Peter and Deirdre Fitzpatrick shared after their son attended the camp in 2013.

Linda Flood's daughter's experience echoed this sentiment.

“Annie has not stopped talking about the camp, how fun it was, and how much it meant to her to be surrounded by people that truly understand her journey,” she said. “She was inspired to say the least by the stories of all the people around her - kids and adults. It was a life changing camp for Annie, and I will never be able to express my gratitude for all you have done for these kids.”

I highly recommend watching this HBO Sports clip on the camp if you'd like to see first-hand just how much it means to these campers.

If you're anything like me, after watching something like that you're probably thinking: What can I do to help?

There is a donation page set up on the Wounded Warrior Softball Team's website. Its sponsorship list shows that organizations as diverse as the American Postal Workers Union to the Louisville Slugger bat manufacturing company are proud supporters of this great cause. I would love nothing more than for the produce industry join these ranks in support of these amazing ballplayers.

Click here to Donate to the Wounded Warrior Softball Team.  

Wounded Warrior Softball Team

SANTA MARIA, CA – Tozer Seeds has entered into exclusive marketing agreements with six companies to grow and market Kalettes™. 

The companies included are: 4Earth Farms, Classic Salads, Mann Packing, Ocean Mist Farms, Southern Specialties and WP Rawl.  Also in the agreement, Kalettes seeds are sold by Johnny’s Select Seeds to small farmers and home growers, according to a press release.

“Our collective goal is to successfully launch Kalettes in the retail and food service channels in the U.S. and Canada and build a strong awareness among consumers.  By working together, the joint marketing efforts of Tozer and these companies will be able to reach the consumer more effectively,” stated Kraig Kuykendall, Sales Manager of Tozer Seeds America.  “We have been very pleased with the incredible response to Kalettes and predict it will be very successful.”

According to a press release, Tozer Seeds made the decision to enter into this agreement to create a consistent name and brand identity for Kalettes.  Tozer and these companies have also committed to joint public relations efforts, consumer and trade advertising and providing recipes, cooking tips and other content to support the brand.

The companies growing are subject to strict product specifications and quality controls like sizing, color and condition.  Tozer Seeds has applied for a PLU code under the name “kale sprouts,” which will be available to any grower of the kale and Brussels sprouts hybrid, according to a press release.

If you’d like to learn more about what you can do with Kalettes, check out our latest edition of The Snack magazine here. 

Kalettes are now available in very limited quantities, and distribution will continue to increase through the fall and winter with the upcoming production increases.  For product information, click here.

Tozer Seeds

4Earth Farms

Classic Salads

Mann Packing

Ocean Mist Farms

Southern Specialties

WP Rawl

SANTA PAULA, CA – Limoneira Company has invested $1.75 million for a 35% interest in “Rosales S.A.,” a citrus packing, marketing and sales operation in La Serena, Chile.  This marks the company’s first international business investment.

Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "With its favorable climate for lemons and other citrus, we have been looking for the right opportunity to enter the Chilean agriculture market for some time and are very pleased with our partnership with Rosales. Our investment in Rosales is consistent with our long-term strategy to expand our agribusiness internationally as a global, year round supplier of lemons.”

Edwards added, “Our business will benefit from our increased packing capacity following our Rosales investment, as well as our recently announced acquisition of Marlin packing house in Yuma, Arizona, and the expansion of our packing facility in Santa Paula, which will be completed next fiscal year. Our team also continues to evaluate strategic opportunities to acquire additional agribusiness acreage in both domestic and international markets."

La Serena is located in a coastal region of northern Chile and is a major citrus and avocado growing area of the country.  Rosales primarily packs and sells lemons and sells its produce into Asian, European and Chilean markets.  With this investment, Limoneira will handle Rosales’ lemon sales to Asian markets, according to a press release.

Alex Teague, Senior Vice President, stated, "We are excited about our first international business investment. Our management team has a long-standing relationship with Rosales, and we look forward to working with them more closely following our investment. Along with expanding our participation in the growing global lemon business, this investment also enables Limoneira to better evaluate future potential investment opportunities in Chile's vast, productive agricultural properties."

Limoneira made the investment through its wholly owned Chilean subsidiary, Limoneira Chile SpA.

Limoneira

NEW YORK CITY, NY - In closing at 1,981.60 at the end of Tuesday's trading session, the S&P 500 sat within 6 points of its record high. The market has only increased since, rising an additional 4.11 points as of 1:23pm EST to 1985.71. With the way it is currently moving, the market's previous record set on July 23rd at 1987.01 could soon be history.

The Dow Jones has made impressive gains in the past week as well, rising 49.15 points so far during Wednesday morning trading to 16,968.74, less than 32 points from the 17,000 threshold.

A major source of these market gains stem from Tuesday's announcement from the Commerce Department that construction on new U.S. homes had jumped 15.7% in July and that June's construction declines were smaller than previously stated.

“I think investors will be encouraged to an extent by the revisions in the data,” said Andrew Wilkinson, Chief Market Analyst at Interactive Brokers. He also said that the recent reduction in geopolitical tensions “just gives added impetus to the bulls.”

What however does this market boom mean for the produce industry?

It means that confidence in the economy is high. The stock market is one of the best proxies for economic confidence available to analysts and business professionals and a bull market is often closely tied with forward looking optimism about the state of the economy and individual finances.

A market confidence study published by Value Walk on August 14 in the middle of the S&P's rise, revealed that 56% of industry professionals reported high or very high confidence in the market, while only 18% reported weak or very weak confidence.

This is excellent news for the produce industry, because a confident consumer is much more likely to be willing to spend at the retail aisle. In addition rising market confidence has historically led to easier lending practices from banks for business, meaning increased access to financing for America's growers and retailers.

In addition to the gains of the housing market, these recent market moves are also likely a positive nod towards the many Q2 earnings statements that have peppered produce headlines over the course of the past several weeks.

AndNowUKnow has covered the release of the earnings numbers from major industry players such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Loblaw, WhiteWave Foods, Limoneira, and many others, performances that likely played an important part in shaping the market we are currently enjoying.

Whether the S&P eventually breaks into new territory during the rest of the week's trading is something that we can only wait to find out about. But it is certainly reassuring to see this trend taking over as we move closer to the important back-to-school season.

Stay tuned to ANUK for any future updates on the stock market and its implications for the industry.