SALINAS, CA - Salinas and Silicon Valley are joining hands to bring the revolutionary applications of big data to America's farms, and the result could mean expanding harvests, higher yields, and big, big profits. This union however is born as much from necessity as from dreams of dollars.

According to Nobel laureate, Norman Borlaug, there is a desperate need for a larger food supply to meet the growing demands of a booming global population. Borlaug put it in stark terms to Forbes writers: “In the next 40 years, farmers will have to grow as much food as they have in the last 10,000 years — combined.”

This, however, is where big data comes in. “Like many industries today, the agriculture industry is being transformed by the use of data, in all its variety,” said Deborah Magid, Director of Software Strategy in IBM's Venture Capital Group. “Data is everywhere, and over the next few years, innovative new uses of information in all aspects of farming — from yield optimization, to food safety and quality, to distribution, to water management, fertilizer management, connected vehicles and even whole new methods of growing food — will be adopted. It’s already happening.”

The list of companies jumping on-board this “Smart Farm” revolution is an impressive one and includes industry titans such as Dole Foods, Chiquita, Driscoll Berries, Taylor Farms, Ocean Mist Farms, JV Smith and Tanimura & Antle. Many have already been impressed by the results, even if the technology in use is still in its infancy in relation to where it could be in the next decade.

Brian Kocher, Chiquita’s Chief Operating Officer, told Forbes, “We have experienced substantial changes in growing conditions over the last years. It is clear that time-tested agricultural practices are no longer sufficient for an expanding population and we must be smarter and more efficient using increasingly scarce resources such as water. The intersection of agricultural and technical science is rapidly improving yields and efficiencies, and we believe the initiatives to link agricultural innovators with technology innovators will yield substantial benefits for both the population and the planet.”

There's big money at stake in this business. Research from the International Data Corporation, estimates that the 'Internet of Things' could grow from a $1.9 trillion industry in 2013 to a $7.1 trillion industry by 2020 (note: According to Forbes, the IDC “defines the Internet of Things as a network of networks of uniquely identifiable endpoints...that communicate without human interaction using IP connectivity...). Even bigger however are the number of lives at stake. Just remember Borlaug's quote, and remember that by 2050 Earth's farmers will be tasked with feeding a population expected to exceed 9 billion.

It's an immense task, but with the help of big data, Salinas stands ready.  

Peter Quiring, Nature Fresh Farms President and Owner, joins AndNowUKnow to discuss recycling, traceability, and its greenhouses. 

In terms of recycling, Nature Fresh grows in coconut fiber for one year and then sells it to be used in potted plant mix and recycles its water for sterilization and reuse. It also uses bees for pollination and good bugs to fight bad bugs instead of using pesticides.

The company also has a labor tracking system to track information like who picked what at what time and where.  That information is uploaded daily and is available in the bar code on the case level for traceability. 

The greenhouses provide more than enough light in the summer and daytime, but to counter times without much sun, the company is currently making advancements in lighting.  It uses lighting in the wintertime and at night, both times when electricity is more available.

Nature Fresh Farms

AUSTIN, TX - The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) announced that it will be hosting the inaugural VIVA Fresh Conference and Expo this coming March. Under a “Gateway to the Americas” theme, fresh produce from the Southwestern United States and Mexico will be front and center throughout the event.

“We’re incredibly excited to debut this new international conference that will showcase the high quality, variety, and availability of fresh produce from Texas, the Southwestern US and Mexico,” commented TIPA President & CEO, Bret Erickson.

“Imported products continue to grow in volume and distribution,” elaborated TIPA Chairman Dante Galeazzi of Crescent Fruit & Vegetable and the Expo Committee Chair. “We believe that the topics and opportunities we will provide at Viva Fresh as it relates to the growth and expansion of produce from Mexico, transportation issues and upcoming trade regulations specifically for this region will make this conference unique to other trade shows and create the international draw that is missing from the ‘regional’ shows available today.”

Attendees of the VIVA Fresh Expo will have the opportunity to network with fellow growers and retailers on both sides of the border, go on virtual tours of farms and facilities in Texas and Mexico, and learn about merchandizing trends and nutrition during a supermarket dietician symposium. Most of all, TIPA hopes that the conference will help to foster stronger trade connections between the United States and Mexico.

“Connecting buyers with Southwestern US and Mexican producers is a key objective of VIVA Fresh,” Erickson said. “The conference committees will be working directly with retailers and foodservice companies, who are invited to attend for free, to ensure greater participation.”

According to a press release, the VIVA Fresh Conference and Expo will be held from March 26th-28th, 2015 at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas. Those interested in learning more can visit the VIVA Fresh Expo website which will launch this August.

TIPA

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Peri & Sons Farms and The Produce Mom are calling on onion (and all fruit and vegetable) lovers to join the Bloomin’ BBQ Onion Scavenger Hunt. 

“Onions are one of my favorite ingredients to include in summer meals. With more than 30 years’ experience in growing onions from their family-farms in Yerington, Nevada, the team at Peri & Sons Farms has collected some great recipes. I hope my followers enjoy trying them and participating in this fun way to find new ways to use onions,” said Lori Taylor, The Produce Mom.

To join the hunt, participants must follow three steps:

• Follow The Produce Mom on Pinterest
• Follow Peri & Sons Farms on Pinterest
• Find the link on The Produce Mom’s Facebook page and pin a recipe that works great on the grill, a recipe that your kids will love, and a recipe that you would take to a potluck.

“Summer is the perfect time to test new recipes like the low-fat Bloomin’ BBQ Onion,” said Teri Gibson, Director, Marketing & CRM, Peri & Sons Farms. “This alternative to the deep-fried version is simple to make, even easier to grill and kids love dipping the onion 'petals' into a variety of healthy sauces. We’re excited for consumers to try this and some of our other favorite onion dishes.”

The three winners of the contest, which takes place July 9-18, will be randomly selected to receive a prize pack, according to a press release.  The prize includes a $50 Visa gift card, grilling utensil set, Peri & Sons Farm USB drive and a pink ribbon Sweetie Sweet apron and cap.

The Produce Mom

Peri & Sons

CARROLLTON, TX - CMI's imported Club Apple brand apples are flying off the shelves this summer, and retailers are taking notice. According to a recent study by the Nielsen Perishables Group, both sales and volume numbers for import apple brands were up as of June 1^st.

Robb Myers, Director of Sales and Imports at CMI, backed up these findings, observing that the supermarket volume numbers of KIKU® brand apples doubled during May. Kanzi®, Koru, Sweet Tango, Pacific Rose, and Ambrosia^TM figures are also rising.

“International production from our southern hemisphere club variety partners continues to grow and we’re seeing it payoff in terms of greater supermarket sales during the summer months,” Myers said.

Myers went on to explain that the key driver of this growth was improved supermarket distribution. “Winning retailers are allocating more shelf space to club varieties and brands just like they have for summer Navels,” he said. “In the past we saw some club apple brands suffer during summer as retailers cut back distribution and shelf space to make room for seasonal products like stone fruit, melons and grapes. That’s really changed. On KIKU® brand alone, U.S. retail distribution increased by over 50%.”

Myers also notes that the increased domestic storage and production of Gala and Fuji apples, the traditional focus of Southern hemisphere growers, has further incentivized a shift to club brands like KIKU and Kanzi apples.

Retailers should be excited about this recent trend because “these club apple brands are a great incremental sales driver for supermarkets,” said Myers. “Apple consumers are loyal and when they see fresh products in the stores, it energizes the category at precisely the right time in the summer when retailers need it.”

According to a press release, CMI's imported Ambrosia apples and its Golden Bosc pears will be available through the end of July. KIKU®, Kanzi, and Cripps Pink apples will be available till the end of August.

CMI

TEWKSBURY, MA - If Arthur S. Demoulas had hoped that July would bring some relief from the constant controversy that has surrounded his company's business since the firing of his cousin Arthur T. Demoulas, former CEO and President of Market Basket, this week's events surely squashed it. 75 Market Basket corporate employees met at the company's headquarters last Tuesday to speak with new COO Felicia Thornton and CAO James Gooch. Led by Market Basket's Supervisor of Operations Joe Schmidt, they informed them that they would be demanding the reinstatement of Arthur T. Demoulas, and would be breaking off communication with senior management until this was done.

"There have been questions in the last two weeks regarding costs, benefits to employees and obviously the loss of senior management," Schmidt said. "In the best interest of customers, a mandate was provided to the board to reinstate Arthur T. Demoulas as CEO."

He went on to say that "it's evident the current direction of the company has caused great concern among customers and employees. The co-CEOs have been told employees at our corporate office will no longer be in communication with them until Arthur T. Demoulas is reinstated."

Their message is one which resonates with many other Market Basket employees who fear for their future without the leadership of the much loved former CEO.

"This company has been successful because of the philosophies of Arthur T. Demoulas," said Joe Amaral, North Andover Market Basket Store Director. "We've grown because of him and we'd like it to remain that way. The majority of employees and management feel that way."

According to the Eagle-Tribune, so far neither the Board of Directors nor Thornton and Gooch have responded to the protestors' mandate. Schmidt says he expects he hear back soon however.

To read more about the ouster of Arthur T. Demoulas, check out our previous article on the leadership change here.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for any further updates on this developing story. 

Market Basket

SILOAM SPRINGS, AK – Allens Inc, the canned vegetable company, is changing its name to reflect new ownership and management.  Effective immediately, Allens' new name will be Sager Creek Vegetable Company, according to a press release.

“Sager Creek is a beautiful resource that runs through our hometown of Siloam Springs, Ark,” said Chris Kiser, CEO.  “Our company was founded in this region in 1926, and this place has nurtured and helped sustain our business.  Our new name reflects our history and better positions us to strengthen our brands in the marketplace.”

The company stated that even with this transition, its product names will remain the same.

Sager Creek Acquisitions Corp. acquired the company in February of this year, and Kiser became CEO in March, according to a press release.  The company employs more than 1,000 people in Arkansas, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

Sager Creek Vegetable Company

CINCINNATI, OH – Total Quality Logistics (TQL) has named Rescue Bank® as its June recipient of a $1,000 donation from the TQL ‘Moves that Matter’ program.

Rescue Bank provides food supplies to animal rescue and rehabilitation groups.  Its network of regional affiliates receive truckload donations of pet food and then distribute pallet quantities to qualified groups, according to a press release.  This program also allows rescue organizations to transfer part of their food budget to other services.

“Our goal with this program is to encourage everyone who works in the transportation industry to take pride in the valuable work they do and shine a light on the many people and organizations working for the greater good in our communities,” said TQL Executive Vice President, Kerry Byrne.

‘Moves that Matter’ is open to all TQL employees, customers, and carriers who help a recognized 501(c) (3) organization transport freight.  To nominate a non-profit organization for a $1,000 donation in TQL’s ‘Moves that Matter’ program, click here.

For more information on the creation of the ‘Moves that Matter’ program, check out our previous article by clicking here.

Total Quality Logistics 

TWIN CITIES, MN - Supervalu is shaking things up in the Twin Cities with the commencement of its conversion of the 18 Rainbow stores that it aquired from Roundy's last May in a $65 million sale.

To read more about the Roundy's/Supervalu sale, check out the article ANUK previously posted on the topic here.

Supervalu will be undertaking this project with the support of a team of four other Twin Cities-based independent retailers: Jerry’s Enterprises, Haug Enterprises, Lund Food Holdings and Radermacher Enterprises,

“I am very pleased that we are now adding these 18 stores to SUPERVALU's distribution network and that we are expanding our supplier relationship with a group of very strong independents and longtime customers of our Independent Business segment. We expect these fine retailers will serve the Twin Cities better than ever with an expanded store base,” said Sam Duncan, Supervalu President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each of these independent retailers, along with Cub, are longtime grocers who know this market and their customers and are actively involved in their stores and communities.”

Supervalu will be converting 10 of the 18 locations into Cub Food stores and two others into Byerly's. The final 6 locations will remain Rainbow stores.

The Minneapolis, St. Paul, and St. Louis Park locations reopened for business on July 9th, after 5 days of rennovations. According to a press release, the remaining stores are expected to be finished over a two week timetable.

Supervalu