WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two PACA violators in Florida and New Jersey have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.

Manatee Logistics Inc., a Palmetto, FL based company, failed to pay a $5,600 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. Donald Croslyn was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

Watermelons Inc., a Howell NJ based company, failed to pay a $19,318 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. Charles F. Pagano was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.

USDA

LEAMINGTON, ON - Mucci Farms has been named as a finalist for the 2014 PMA Impact Awards in Excellence in Packaging.

In total, 56 companies entered 67 products.  20 of those submissions have been selected as program finalists, according to a press release.  Mucci Farms has three products that made it:

• The New Pint – Innovative Top-Seal/Re-Sealable Package
• Terreno™ Tomatoes – Custom Lidded TRAY
• cutecumbers™ Stand-up, Re-sealable Bag

“Packaging today needs to entice the consumer by jumping off the shelf with vibrant colors and graphics.  Consumers need to be reassured they are making smart choices.  Mucci Farms packaging demonstrates product usage, educates consumer with nutritional information and environmental benefits, reassures consumer with NON GMO certification logo and directs consumer to further resources with QR technology,” said Emily Murracas, Mucci Farms’ Marketing Director.

Mucci Farms will be at PMA FRESH SUMMIT in Anaheim at booth #4440 displaying these innovations and its full line up of new products.

Mucci Farms

GILROY, CA – 49er fans are gearing up for the start of football season and Christopher Ranch is ready to welcome them though a partnership with the new Levi's stadium which will make garlic fries made from Christopher Ranch Garlic a fixture on gameday.

“As a lifelong 49er’s fan and seasoned ticket holder, I am thrilled they have chosen Christopher Ranch garlic in various food items at the new stadium,” said Bill Christopher, Christopher Ranch's Owner and Managing Partner. “Using our fresh garlic on the new garlic fries is something I can’t wait to enjoy.”

According to a press release, Christopher Ranch will be supplying Levi Stadium' foodservice partner, Centerplate, with two kinds of high quality garlic: freshly peeled cloves and roasted garlic cloves. Centerplate's Gary J. Prell even toured the Ranch in order to shoot a promotional video for the partnership in which he talks about Levi Stadium's commitment to sourcing its products from local growers like Christopher Ranch.

I know I'll be certainly checking out those garlic fries come kickoff. After all, what could possibly be better than football and fresh, hot garlic fries?  

Christopher Ranch

CALIFORNIA - California legislators from both houses have finally agreed to compromise on a $7.5 billion water bond late Wednesday evening, just mere hours before the state secretary began printing election voter guidelines.

The plan now includes $2.7 billion total for water storage, such as dams and reservoirs, and an additional $50 million for groundwater cleanup, $50 million more for river restoration and water recycling, $30 million more for statewide water management projects, and $20 million more for clean drinking water, according to San Jose Mercury News.

Barry Bedwell, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, said in a statement, “We believe the proposed water bond is a good agreement for California Fresh Fruit Association members and California agriculture, providing real additional water for the years to come.”

Support from both Republicans and Democrats was overwhelming for the proposal as well.

“We hit the sweet spot when it comes to a balance between the various water needs of California – between storage, groundwater, clean drinking water, and the whole host of other investments that are in this bond,” said State Senate Democratic Leader Darrell Steinberg, Los Angeles Times reports.

“It was real critical to get a bond that actually helped fund two reservoirs,” said State Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, according to the Fresno Bee. “We’ve had a lot of bonds in the last 15 years that haven’t had any storage, so we finally have a water bond that has water in it.”

The new measure now replaces the previous $11.1 billion bond that was originally written in 2009. Lawmakers were naturally concerned that the high price would draw criticism from voters, and had subsequently postponed a statewide vote twice.

Furthermore, a number of advocates have wondered if the new water bond proposal would block bond money from being used on Governor Jerry Brown’s multi-billion dollar plan to build twin tunnels underneath the San Joaquin River Delta to pump water from northern California to southern farms and cities.

Democratic State Senator Lois Wolk assures, however, that the measure is “tunnel neutral” and has sufficient safeguards, though it is still unknown if there will be further amendments to appease certain unpersuaded environmental groups, according to San Jose Mercury News.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we look forward to the hopeful passage of the measure in the upcoming November election.

Woot Froot is introducing new fresh cut pears, peaches and nectarines along with destemmed grapes and multi-pack medleys just in time for back to school.  These 3 oz packs offer new and additional choices for school foodservice professionals.  They are available at retail for single serve purchase, or in multipacks of 5 of the medley kits that include 6 single serve bags including 2 bags of apples, 2 bags of grapes and 2 bags of pears offering diversity in the lunch bag. 

All products have a 21 day shelf life and are available in foodservice packs or at retail stores including Target and Walmart.  The Woot Froot name and brand was designed to capture the essence and culture of the product and the company.  It’s new, exciting and fun.  Fresh food should taste great and it’s fun to have healthy food available on-to go.  In fact, the brand is taking on a life of its own with the “Wootie” fans who even share pictures of themselves with Woot Froot for “Woot Froot Wednesdays.”

Woot Froot

WEST COAST, U.S. - With the ongoing threat of strike or work slowdown at West Coast ports, Fitch Ratings says that cargo may already be being diverted to other distribution methods, setting the stage for broad economic impacts and potentially leading to permanent changes. 

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers are currently working without a contact and could strike at any time. Fitch does note however that recent ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association negotiations are amicable with cargo moving through West Coast ports without incident since the contract expired on June 30.

As we previously reported, Retailers and economists across the country certainly hope for a speedy resolution of this conflict which threatens to further disrupt an already fragile U.S. economy. This is because any closure of America's western ports, especially those at Seattle, Los Angeles, and Long Beach, California could have dire economic consequences. According to a study by the Interindustry Forecasting Project at the University of Maryland, the results of even a 5-day shut-down would be estimated to reduce GDP by $1.9 billion a day, disrupt 73,000 jobs, and reduce the purchasing power of the average American household by $81. These costs would only grow with the length of the strike.

To read our previous article on the negotiations, click here.

MarineNews reports that though a long-term strike is not likely, some shippers may be diverting their cargo to avoid potential problems.  Last week, DP World Vancouver, a terminal at the Vancouver port seeing diversions of West Coast cargo, stopped receiving U.S.-bound containers destined for rail transfers at its Centerm terminal, reporting a shortage of rail cars.

Any potential labor action is expected to be short if it occurs.  MarineNews reports that the size of the impact of the action is likely to motivate President Obama to invoke the emergency provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any updates on this ongoing situation.  

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Frieda's Stokes Purple® Sweet Potatoes is returning for a 3rd season and on the heels of last years sellout crop, its growers are expecting big things again for 2014.

“We sold out of our entire crop last year in late January—not one single sweet potato left behind for both conventional crop and our organic pilot program! So we planted a lot more this year, so we can have year-round supply,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s Inc. “These tubers are extremely popular with shoppers for their gorgeous color and well-balanced flavor. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts find Stokes Purple® to be the perfect fuel for their healthy lifestyle, and they stock up on them.”

According to a press release, Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes have a lush purple skin and a deep purple flesh. They are high in antioxidants, putting it in the same class as popular superfoods like açai, blueberry, and purple corn. In addition the sweet potatoes are non-GMO and have a very low value on the glycemic index, making it a big hit with consumers following the popular Paleo or clean-eating diets.

Both conventional and organic varieties of Organic Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes will be available to retailers. A new addition for this season is a 12/3lb bag shipping option in addition to last year's 15lb and 40lb bulk cartons.

According to a press release, Frieda's will be supporting its sweet potatoes with holiday promotions extensive product information, high resolution images, and a comprehensive recipe database.

Now that sounds like a 'sweet' deal to me!

Frieda's Inc

MONTREAL, QC – Metro Inc. announced sales at its supermarkets growing in what the company called an “intensely competitive” environment.

“We are satisfied with our third quarter results achieved in an environment that remains challenging,” said Metro CEO Eric La Fleche in a statement.

Sales were up 1.4% to $3.62 million from $3.57 million year-over-year.  The Times Colonist reports that this increase was helped by the reorganization of the company’s Ontario stores.  Also, sales in the first 40 weeks of fiscal 2014 totaled $8.88 million versus $8.79 million in 2013, which is an increase of 1%.

Shares in the company closed down $1.79, or 2.5%, to $69.51 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

RBC Dominion Securities analsyst Irene Nattel said Metro’s results were in line with expectations.  “Overall we would say management’s tone was better than prior quarters as MRU (Metro) strategies are gaining traction and relative performance is improving as well,” she wrote after the company’s quarterly earnings call.

Metro is Canada’s third-largest supermarket chain. It faced increased competition from Loblaws, Sobeys, as well as Target and Wal-Mart expansions.

Metro Inc.

TEWKSBURY, MA - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick offered Market Basket shoppers a ray of hope on Wednesday, saying that a deal between the retailer and its former President and CEO Arthur T. Demoulas may be close at hand.

Having spoken with Arthur T. Demoulas, Market Basket Board Chairman Keith Cowan, and Arthur S. Demoulas, Patrick said that “I can report that I have spoken with the chair of the board, I have spoken with Arthur T. Demoulas, and I think everybody is interested in a sale. My understanding is they either have an understanding or are very close to a price."

He went on to urge Market Basket employees not to wait for a deal to return to their posts, saying that all parties would be greatly benefited by life returning to normal.

"Frankly, my greatest concern right now is with the people who work for Market Basket, the associates," Patrick said. "They have it entirely within their power to stabilize the company by going back to work, and I hope that they can see a way to do that while the buyer and seller work out the final terms of the transaction ... I think it's important for the workers to understand, the associates to understand, that they can go right back to work, and they would do a service to the people served by Market Basket, all the customers, the communities in which the shops operate, by doing so."

The Board of Directors responded warmly to the Governor's statement, saying “Today, we applaud Governor Patrick’s statement encouraging all Associates to return to work as soon as possible.”

According to NECN News however, Market Basket's employees, firm supporters of Arthur T. Demoulas, have not seemed to respond in kind.

"We will go back to work when Arthur T. Demoulas goes back to work with full authority or when the deal is in place to sell him the company. We will not go back to work when the Governor, the Board or any other entity tells us to,” read a post on the pro-Arthur T. Demoulas blog, “We Are Market Basket.”

Here at ANUK we certainly hope for a speedy and amicable solution to the crisis that has paralyzed Market Basket's operations over the past months. Whether that wish will be granted is something that only time can tell.   

Market Basket

SCHENECTADY, NY - Price Chopper has announced the promotion of Sean Weiss as the retailer's new Director of Business Intelligence and Pricing. According to a press release, Sean will now be responsible responsible for Price Chopper's analytics, business planning, systems integration, budget preparation, consumer insights and new store marketing. He will report directly to Glen Bradley, Price Chopper's Vice President of Marketing Analytics.

“Sean’s experience and expertise in analytics and consumer insights provide an excellent base for his newly expanded role,” Glen told ANUK.

Sean has been working with Price Chopper since 2002, working in finance, accounting, and marketing, before finding a home as Manager of Business Intelligence. According to a press release, he is a graduate of Union Graduate College and Hartwich College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management as well as a Masters degree.

Congratulations on the promotion Sean!

Price Chopper