UNITED KINGDOM – A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that organic crops contain up to 60% more antioxidants than conventionally grown ones.

Newcastle University led a team of international experts in this study.  They analyzed 343 peer-reviewed studies on the compositional differences between organic and conventional crops.  A press release from Newcastle University said that the team discovered a change to eating organic fruit, vegetables and cereals or foods made from them provide additional antioxidants equivalent to eating between 1-2 extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The study also shows significantly lower levels of toxic heavy metals in organic crops.  Cadmium, one of only three metal contaminants which the European Commission has set maximum permitted contamination levels in food, has almost 50% lower levels in organic crops.

Newcastle University’s Professor Carlo Leifert, who led the study, says, “This study demonstrates that choosing food produced according to organic standards can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.  This constitutes an important addition to the information currently available to consumers which until now has been confusing and in many cases is conflicting.”

The researchers also found pesticide residues were three to four times less likely in organic foods.  Charles Benbrook, a Washington State University researcher and the lone American co-author of the study, said, “This study is telling a powerful story of how organic plant-based foods are nutritionally superior and deliver bona fide health benefits.”

The Newcastle release also states that these results contradict those of a 2009 UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) commissioned study that found no substantial differences or significant nutritional benefits from organic food.  The FSA study made its conclusions on only 46 publications about crops, meat and dairy, while Newcastle based its data from 343 peer-reviewed publications on composition differences between organic and conventional crops.

Professor Leifert, Professor of Ecological Agriculture at Newcastle University, said, “The main difference between the two studies is time.  Research in this area has been slow to take off the ground and we have far more data available to us now than five years ago.”

Additionally, Dr. Gavin Stewart, a Lecturer in Evidence Synthesis and the meta-analysis expert in the Newcastle team, added, “The much larger evidence base available in this synthesis allowed us to use more appropriate statistical methods to draw more definitive conclusitions regarding the differences between organic and conventional crops.”

The authors of this study welcome the continued public and scientific debate on this important subject. The entire database generated and used for this analysis is freely available on the Newcastle University website for the benefit of other experts and interested members of the public.

UNITED STATES - Telekensis and mind reading sound more like something out of the Jetsons than the modern retail market, but some exciting new technologies from companies like Neurosky and Emotiv are already making it a reality, one with some incredible possible retail applications.

Tan Le, Emotiv's CEO, showcased what her company's new tech could do in a interview since posted online. Even with the technology in its infancy, you can watch her move a toy car with nothing but her mind.

"I actually imagine a blue cube," she explained when asked about the thought process behind moving this toy car. "I imagine moving this little cube into the distance. That trigger is sent to the car and it drives it forward."

What does a toy car have to do with retail? Instead of a car imagine an employee navigating an unmanned forklift through a warehouse, or a grower plowing their field with a riderless, thought-powered farm plow. Imagine a customer needing assistance reaching something on a high-up shelf and a manager, from the other end of the store, effortlessly assisting them within seconds. Telekenetic-like techology, if advanced to this state, and Tan Le is very confident that this is possible, promises to increase worker safety, boost efficiency, and lead to ever better levels of customer support and satisfaction.

Emotiv isn't the only company on the market for thought-powered tech however. Applications are already being developed for Google's latest rollout, Google Glass, which are able to actually read customer's brainwaves, and assess their level of concentration or interest by analyzing them. MindRDR is one such app that harnesses this kind of tech to allow Google Glass wearers to take pictures with nothing but their thoughts.

Imagine now for a second a Google Glass wearer walking though a supermarket and pausing next to a pumpkin display. It's near Thanksgiving and the pumpkins catch their eye. A retail oriented Google Glass app could hone in on this brain activity and perhaps prompt the wearer with a store promotion for the product they might not know about, or perhaps a personalized savings deal, or even a pumpkin pie recipie that could further incentive a purchase. The possibilities are truly endless.

To learn more about where the industry could be going with these types of technologies be sure to stay tuned to ANUK. We'll keep you updated.

SOLEDAD, CA – Braga Fresh Family Farms has launched a website for its Josie’s Organics brand of USDA certified organic vegetables.

Check out the new Josie’s Organics website by clicking here.

The new site features quick and unique recipes, nutritional facts and product tips, kids’ activities, stories and photos of Josie Braga’s family and their almost 90 years of farming history, where to buy and much more, according to a press release.  The site can be accessed by tablet, mobile phone or computer.

Moxxy Marketing developed the site and used the signature Josie’s Organics blue polka dots throughout to create a vibrant background.  Moxxy tapped food and lifestyle expert Chadwick Boyd to create ten new recipes inspired by President and Farmer Rod Braga’s grandmother, “Nonnie” Josie, according to a press release.

“For more than two decades I’ve worked with celebrity chefs and premium retailers, but helping families eat healthy foods is the most rewarding work of all,” Boyd said. “The Braga family story—based on three generations of sustainable farming with Nonnie Josie at the heart of the home, keeping everyone well fed and putting wholesome fresh vegetables on the table—excites me to share these modern recipes inspired by her spirit.”

The recipes also include a per-serving nutritional analysis of important vitamins and nutrients, and the recipe section on the site offers key-word search and browse-by-vegetable options.

Rod Braga said, “Times have changed since Nonnie Josie prepared our meals, but families still need wholesome, fresh food and time together. With recipes, meal ideas, nutrition information, and preparation tips, the goal of the Josie’s Organics website is to make planning and preparing healthy meals easier. Plus, the site allows consumers to get to know our family, who has been growing vegetables sustainably for nearly 90 years, and why that will always be important to us.”

Josie's Organics

Braga Fresh Family Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Three PACA violators in Arkansas and Texas have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.

Twin City Produce of Springdale, a Springdale, AR based company, failed to pay a $7,778 award in favor of a Texas seller. Travis F. Sharum was listed as a member of the business.

Freshpack Distribution, a McAllen, TX based company, failed to pay a $129,324 award in favor of a Colorado seller. Virginio R. Moreno was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.

Sun Belt Commodities Inc., a Houston, TX based company, failed to pay a $10,158 award in favor of an Arizona seller. James C. Lai 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

IRVINE, CA – The California Avocado Commission (CAC) celebrated “California Avocado Month” in June as part of its early season marketing by partnering with artisan chefs across the U.S. to add California avocados to the menu.  The public relations program generated consumer media coverage and showcased the versatility of California avocados in different dishes to promote menu placement at restaurants.

“The Commission continues to tap into the creativity of artisan chefs to encourage new uses for California avocados,” said Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing for CAC. “These chefs put together some awesome menus highlighting California avocado versatility throughout CAC’s California Avocado Month program in June.”

Well-known chefs across the U.S. participated in the promotion and featured California avocado specials in their restaurants, according to a press release.  Seattle chef Eric Tanaka ran month-long specials at three Tom Douglas properties.  His featured dish was Grilled and Chilled Rhode Island Squid, California Avocado, Lemon, Radish, Pea Vine and Squid Ink Aioli.

Carol Wallack of Sola, CAC’s artisan chef partner in Chicago, featured a special of Unagi atop Sushi Rise, Drizzled with Sweet Soy-Sake BBQ Sauce, accompanied by a California Avocado and Banana Puree.  Across New York, New Jersey and Florida, Chef Ivy Stark featured her own spin on guacamole with California Avocado.

Other artisan chef partners who participated include Bruce Auden from San Antonio; Trey Foshee from San Diego; Philadelphia’s Mitch Presnky; Kent Rathbun from Dallas/Houston/Austin/Plano, and Oregon-based Lisa Schroeder.

Chef Schroeder’s restaurant, Mother's Bistro & Bar in Portland, Ore., was the site of a California Avocado Month artisan chef media dinner. Fifteen local food media attended the dinner, including representatives from The Portland Mercury and Oregon Public Broadcasting. Guests enjoyed a meal full of California avocado that kicked off with appetizers and Lucy Brennan’s Avocado Daiquiri. After enjoying a Butter Leaf Salad with California Avocado, Green Onion and Lemon Vinaigrette, attendees were served the chef’s Grilled Chicken Breast Topped with Sautéed Onions, Sliced California Avocado and Fresh Tomato Salsa along with one of her signature side dishes, California Avocado and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese.

During the meal Chef Schroeder demonstrated one of the appetizers – California Avocado, Pink Grapefruit and Dungeness Crab Cocktail – while providing facts about California avocados. Avocados also were the key ingredient in the dessert, a California Avocado Lime Pie.

The California Avocado Commission will continue to generate awareness about the versatility and uses of the California avocado.

California Avocado Commission

MCMINNVILLE, OR – HBF International, formerly Hurst’s Berry Farm, has expanded its sales force with the addition of four new members to the team.

Jessica Menke has been hired to Domestic Sales.  She started with HBF International in early 2011 as a sales assistant, according to a press release.  The experience she gained assisting the sales force with orders, customer service and truck transportation has made her an asset to the team.

Phillip Moreland has been hired to Domestic/Food Service Sales.  Previously, he worked as Director of Sales for Sunnyside Packing Company.  Phillip will work out of the HBF International California office and will take on the additional growth of HBF’s domestic and food service sales.

Barry Foley has been hired to Export Sales.  He is an industry veteran with a career going back to 1986.  Barry has held a variety of roles in the produce industry including managing his own export brokerage business for eight years, according to a press release.  He will be working with and growing the export program.

Hollie Spivey has been hired as a Sales Assistant.  She has 13 years of experience in ag-related business.  Hollie worked at Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises for six years.  She will be the go-to person in the sales department to assist the team in putting in orders, doing sales support and follow-ups.  She will also arrange truck transportation for the entire domestic berry output.

HBF hopes that this expanded sales force will be able to deliver even more high-quality berries from the world’s top growers to market.

Congratulations Jessica, Phillip, Barry and Hollie!

HBF International

CHEROKEE COUNTY, SC - This past weekend, karma came knocking for James Lawhorne - the man behind the bankrupted Tennessee Valley tomato company, Cypress Creek Organic Farms, as well as a string of felonies as long as the list of the states he committed them in. Lawhorne has been on the run for almost a year now, but was finally apprehended by South Carolinian authorities in Cherokee County after he was found to be driving under the influences and possessing an open container.

The DUI and open container violations are just the latest in a slew of crimes James Lawhorne has committed over his life. Under the alias Paul Rodger, he was indicted for 10 counts of bank fraud in 1987. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay over $34,000 in restitution payments to his former investors. More recently, he fled Alabama in order to avoid paying $228,000 in damages to Alabama investors which they were awarded in a civil lawsuit. He is also wanted in Tennessee, where there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest, issued after he failed to appear for court. He has been on the run ever since, at least until now.

Lawhorne will be held in a South Carolinian jail until he can be extradited to Tennessee to answer for his crimes. According to reporters at the Waff 48, he must first pay back the $1,400 dollar bond levied against him for his DUI charge before he can be extradited. Regardless, Tennessee prosecutors and Lawhorne's many defrauded investors can take solace in the fact that justice is finally in sight.

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Frieda’s Specialty Produce has debuted its new season of “Specialty Produce 101” videos on its YouTube channel.  The videos highlight specialty produce and are uploaded monthly.

Check out the latest installment below:

For more, check out Frieda's Youtube channel by clicking here.

“With marketing trends leaning more toward mobile, it is important to us that we have easy to access, short videos for shoppers to watch on the fly,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s.

Each new video is about a minute and a half and keeps the quirky charm of the previous seasons while clocking in at about half the length, according to a press release.

According to Caplan, shoppers are not the only group that benefits from these new, shorter videos.  “Many of our retail clients use our videos to train their produce managers,” she said.  “The shorter form of the videos is much more time efficient.”

Alex Jackson, Account Manager and Caplan’s daughter, is featured in the videos and showcases usage tips, interesting facts and recipe ideas.  The videos are all produced in-house in Frieda’s test kitchen.

Frieda's Specialty Produce

WENATCHEE, WA – It's prime time for jumbo-sized apricots in Washington state and with its “All Eyes on Apricots” promotion, Stemilt is making sure everyone knows. Stemilt's growers have a great harvest on their hands this season, and they're excited to share this with consumers and retailers over the next two weeks of their promotion.

“Apricots are a heritage item at Stemilt, and the quality of the 2014 crop is one of the finest we’ve seen in years,” said Stemilt Marketing Director Roger Pepperl. “They’re tree-ripened and come from great locales like Tri Cities and growers like the Douglas family, who have farmed fruit for four generations. Warm days produce apricots with balanced sugars and acids while cool nights give them their classic vibrant orange color and beautiful pink-red blush.”

Stemilt hopes that its promotional campaign will drive up hype for its summer apricots, helping retailers to move them off the shelves and into shopper's carts, boosting sales all around.

“Now is the time to make sure all eyes are on apricots in your produce department. It’s the peak season for Stemilt’s premium quality, dessert flavored, and healthy apricots. The next two weeks are key for using apricots to drive sales in order to boost your stone fruit category,” said Pepperl to Stemilt's retail partners.

In addition to being delicious, apricots have long been valued for their excellent nutritional profiles. In particular they are a great source of vitamin A, an essential component to maintaining good vision and overall eye health.

“Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, with 13% of the daily recommended value in just one apricot. They also contain vitamins C, E, and carotenoids which protect the retina, the part of the eye with the sharpest vision. Our 'All Eyes on Apricots' promotion is a great way to call attention to Stemilt apricots at your stores during their peak season and promote health, a topic that consumers care a lot about,” Pepperl elaborated. 

According to a press release, Stemilt's main apricot varieties are Rival and Perfection. They will be packing most of their jumbo-sized apricots in panta packs, allowing for quick-build displays at the retail level. Stemilt has also created a 11x7 point-of-sale sign for the  “All Eyes on Apricots” promotion, highlighting the nutritional benefits of apricots as well as display contests and demos that retailers can take advantage of.

 Stemilt

PLANT CITY, FL – Monday morning Wish Farms announced that long time produce veteran Chuck Hollenkamp will be stepping down from his current role as Executive VP of Fresh Sales in order to transition to a new seasonal role with the Wish Farms' grower relations team. As an adviser to the grower relations team, he will be focusing largely on his company's deals with Florida strawberry and Kirby cucumber growers.

“Chuck has been with us for almost 30 years and has become a part of our family,” President of Wish Farms Gary Wishnatzki said. “His field experience and established grower relationships will transition nicely into his new seasonal role. We are grateful he will remain a part of our team.”

With Hollenkamp leaving, James Peterson will now be stepping up to head the Wish Farms sales department.

Hollenkamp first signed on with Wish Farms in 1985 as a warehouse manager. He would wear many different hats during his career with the company, eventually finding a home in sales. According to a press release, Wishnatzki considers Hollenkamp's expertise to have been essential to Wish Farms' growth into one of the leading berry marketers in the industry.

AndNowUKnow would like to wish Chuck the best in his new role with Wish Farms.

Wish Farms