WASHINGTON, D.C. - Export International Inc., a Gresham, Oregon-based company, has posted a $90,000 surety agreement with the USDA to employ Michael Aker, a former PACA violator.

Aker was the only officer and a stockholder of Pacific Rim Onion Inc., a Salem, Oregon-based company, which was found to have committed repeated and flagrant PACA violations, according to a press release.

USDA will hold the $90,000 cash surety agreement for four years, providing assurance to the industry that the company will be able to pay for produce purchased and to conduct its business according to PACA rules.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Any PACA licensee looking to employ someone who has previously failed to pay a reparation award, or has been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.

Agricultural Marketing Service

MEXICO – Beginning July 7, Mexico will once again allow U.S. potato growers to begin limited exports into that country. Western Growers reports that this decision will only allow potatoes to be shipped within a 26-kilometer radius of the border. This agreement comes after the June 10 border closure that halted U.S. potato exports entirely.

As previously reported by AndNowUKnow, the Mexico Potato Growers Association, otherwise known as Conpapa, filed a lawsuit against Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture to put a halt to all exports and imports of U.S. potatoes into the country.  This reopening of the border is seen as an interim measure that will be in place until Mexico addresses all of the legal challenges that originally closed the border.

For more information on the border closing, please visit our previous story by clicking here.

The 26-kilometer radius is nothing new to U.S. potato exporters.  Prior to May 19 of this year, U.S. growers were only allowed to ship into that limited area, according to Western Growers.  That restriction was temporarily lifted until the June lawsuit that closed the borders entirely.

So the main question left is, when might Mexico allow full exports beyond a 26-kilometer radius?  The legal challenges are expected to last 9 to 10 months.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we stay on top of this story as it develops.

Western Growers

PLEASANTON, CA - FoodLink and iTradeNetwork are coming together as a single company. iTradeNetwork’s parent company Roper Industries has purchased FoodLink Holdings, which will be merged and branded as iTradeNetwork.  The effective date for the acquisition is July 1, 2014.

iTradeNetwork will be working over the next several months to fully integrate its teams and operations, according to the company. In the meantime, iTradeNetwork assures that there will be no disruption to current service levels and it will be working diligently to ensure service remains consistent and reliable throughout the merging process. The current FoodLink offices in Los Gatos and Pune will remain open.

Both FoodLink and iTradeNetwork ensure that current contract terms and pricing will remain in place as the two companies develop a single, rationalized pricing model. Current Service Level Agreements will also remain in place, and customers are advised to continue using their established avenues for obtaining Technical Support or other assistance.

iTradeNetwork is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution provider to the global food and beverage supply chain that will bring FoodLink’s strengths in warehouse management, food safety and traceability solutions into its fold. Combining the resources of the companies will allow iTradeNetwork to better serve the broader needs of the combined customer base while further enhancing its efforts to increase customer value and efficiencies. The merger will create the industry’s largest end-to-end supply chain data, commerce, and traceability company, according to Julie Petersen, Strategic Projects at iTrade Network/Roper Industries.

“The combined business will provide unmatched value to every participant in the food supply chain and move ITN closer to our vision of creating a fully transparent and frictionless supply chain from farm to fork,” said Joe Bergara, Group Vice President of Roper Industries and President of iTradeNetwork.

Some key facts of the combined organization include:

• 10,000 customers
• The world’s largest transacting and collaboration network of food and beverage suppliers
• $300 billion in annual trade volume
• 600 million purchase orders per year
• Labeling and tracking greater than 10% of all shipped cases of fresh produce in the U.S.
• More than 100 million produce items per year feature FoodLink QR codes and item-specific consumer-labels in stores
• More than 10 million prepared meals daily

Congratulations to iTradeNetwork and FoodLink as you move forward in the fresh food industry.

iTradeNetwork

FoodLink

SALINAS, CA - Tanimura & Antle celebrated the birthday of one of the company’s influential members this past weekend: George Tanimura.  600 guests gathered together to honor this industry veteran who has been an integral part of the company’s evolution, helping to bring together two of the most reputable families in our industry.

Those who attended will remember the sight of the skydivers plunging 8,000 feet as they coated the sky in smoke trails and colorful banners, just as they will remember the sounds of the Taiko Drummers who filled the celebration with music. Most of all however they will remember George himself, a man who profoundly influenced the industry he was a part of his entire life.

“We are so humbled to be celebrating the life and legacy of such an incredible man,” said Mike Antle, Senior Vice President and Partner. “George has been an invaluable mentor to three generations of the Antle family, as well as, to countless others at T&A. His generosity with his knowledgeable life experiences will be with us all forever.”

George was born July 2, 1915 and began learning his family's iceberg lettuce business by thinning the crop as a grammar school student. At 16 years old, his father passed away, leaving George with the responsibility for the family and its farm. Despite the many ensuing challenges life presented him in leading his family through the Great Depression and internment along with many fellow Japanese-Americans during WWII, George perservered and was eventually able to save up enough to purchase an acre of land.

From those humble origins he grew his family's business and by the 1950’s, they were harvesting more than 200 acres of iceberg lettuce exclusively for Bud Antle. Over the years, the families formed a strong, cohesive bond which ultimately culminated in their 1982 partnership and the creation of Tanimura & Antle. 

George is also credited with introducing eco-friendly drip irrigation into a substantial portion of the land that Tanimura & Antle farms.

A man widely respected by his colleagues, George has established a reputation for integrity and humility. When asked to reflect on the enormity of his career and his influence on the industry, he answered in a manner all too familiar to those who know him: "It doesn’t matter, I’m just a farmer."

According to a press release, George is not taking his hands off the reins yet and continues to hold many important Director and Officer positons within his family's business. He is committed to monitoring the company’s farming methods and always looking for new ways to improve them. 

Happy Birthday, George, on your 100th birthday!

Tanimura & Antle

SANTA PAULA, CA - During hot summer days, Limoneira is encouraging consumers searching for a refreshing drink or new summertime recipes to look to its Limoneira Pink Lemons for inspiration. Their vibrant pink interior and striped to rose blushed exterior make for a colorful, attractive look that complements perfectly with the unique taste of the lemon.

“The possibilities are endless for the visually intriguing and versatile fruit. On the retail level, these are a stand-out item for produce departments especially as we get into the spring and summer months,” said John Chamberlain, Director of Marketing.

The Limoneira homepage features a variety of great recipes for lemon-loving consumers to try out in their home kitchens or for summer barbeques, such as a Salmon with Pink Lemon Cilantro Butter dish and Vegan Pink Lemon Muffins.

In order to promote their lemons this year, Limoneira is launching a new element to its Pink Lemon campaign: Sink the Pink in the Drink. The company has partnered with the World Bunco Association for an upcoming contest designed to increase consumption of the company’s unique pink lemons while highlighting the popular Bunco trend.

In order to participate, people can ‘like’ Limoneira’s Facebook page from now until August 31st to enter to win Parker the Pink Parrot and a Pink Party Bunco set, according to a press release. As the popularity of Bunco continues to grow in the mainstream, pink lemons can become the perfect way to add a twist to your traditional refreshments.

Limoneira

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four PACA violators in California, Florida, and Texas have been restricted from operating in the produce industry.

BC Cosmos Inc., a Diamond Bar, California-based company, has failed to pay a $113,224 award in favor of a Washington seller. Jingying Qi was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

Aladdin Farms Inc., a Tavares, Florida-based company, has failed to pay a $5,761 award in favor of a Michigan seller. Archie J. Sagers Sr. was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

Del Valle Produce Inc., a McAllen, Texas-based company, has failed to pay a $44,766 award in favor of a Texas seller. Hugo Perez was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

Valdemar Espinoza, doing business as Espinoza Produce, also a McAllen, Texas-based company, has failed to pay a $6,420 award in favor of a Texas seller. Valdemar G. Espinoza was listed as the sole proprietor 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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

POMPANO BEACH, FL – This July marks the tenth year that Southern Specialties, Inc. has shipped blueberries from British Columbia.

“This bountiful Canadian growing region is an excellent source of high quality blueberries that round out our company’s summer berry offerings.  Southern Specialties will then transition its blueberry program to Argentina as part of our year round berry supplies,” said Geno Valdes, Vice President of Sales for the company.

The berries ship from Abbotsford, B.C. and the company’s Pompano Beach, Florida warehouse, according to a press release.  Southern Selects brand blueberries are available from this region from July through September.  Seasonal varieties include Duke, Blue Crop and Elliots.

Seasonally available Adelita variety raspberries and premium blackberries are also available and compliment Southern Specialties’ blueberry program. They are available under the Southern Selects and other labels.

Southern Specialties 

ORLANDO, FL - Darden Restaurants is investing $40 million to remodel Olive Garden locations across the United States in a push to give Olive Garden a fresh, new look capable of attracting a younger generation of diners. When all is said and done, 75 of Olive Garden's 800 nationwide locations will feature this major upgrade to its dining area, bar, and counter-tops. In addition, Olive Garden will be unveiling a new logo for its restaurants and a new set of menu selections to go with it. Altogether Darden hopes the changes will lend a sense of newness to a franchise that has gone a long time without a remodel.

"Quite frankly, we let the brand go too long without [a] major update,” Jay Spenchian, Darden's Executive Vice President of Marketing told the Orlando Sentinel. “We don't like to brag, but our restaurants still offer tremendous value, and this is going to refresh that and bring in new customers. We are already thrilled with the reaction we're seeing."

Considering that Olive Garden sales will make up 60% of Darden's total sales numbers now that it is finalizing it's $2.1 billion sale of Red Lobster, Darden badly needs a good return on its investment in order to avoid financial troubles in the future. 

"Darden's success is really dependent on Olive Garden's success,'' said Mark Kalinowski, an analyst for Janney Montgomery Scott. "They needed to do something. The concept of Olive Garden is behind the times. It still offers good value, but it's getting lost in the changing market.''

The new Olive Garden menu will have 20 new items for customers to choose from, including low calorie items and cheaper, under $10 choices for the modern consumer who is increasingly more health and budget focused than ever before. It will also be hopping on-board the growing list of restaurants offering an online takeout option for customers to take advantage of.

So far the returns look promising. Darden President Gene Lee noted increased sales numbers after the Fort Walton Beach Olive Garden was remodeled, according to the Orlando Sentinel. With only two of the remodels completed however, Olive Garden still has plenty of work to do before anyone will be able to get a sense on how successful the overall plan was.

In the mean time you can count on AndNowUKnow to keep you informed of any updates to this story as they occur.  

Darden Restaurants

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

Health America Fresh Foods Inc., a Salinas, California-based company, has failed to pay a $125,194 award in favor of a California seller. Vince C. Fratangelo was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

James D. King, doing business as J D King, a Lecanto, Florida-based company, has failed to pay a $21,394 award in favor of a South Carolina seller. James D. King was listed as the sole proprietor 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.

Agricultural Marketing Service