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SALINAS, CA – Bob Antle, Tanimura & Antle’s Board Co-Chairman, has received yet another honor.  At the 76^th annual Grower-Shipper golf tournament and gala events, Bob was awarded the Association’s E.E. “Gene” Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture.

Bob is credited with several major industry initiatives like wrapping fresh vegetables in the field, developing distribution centers for the introduction of wrapped lettuce and other source packaged fruits and vegetables, and the production of crop transplants.  Let's take a brief look at the history and legacy of this influential industry leader.

Bob began working on his father’s lettuce farm as a loader in 1949 while he was a student.  His first job after graduating from Stanford was directing the Company’s carrot business “Antle Carrots.”  Over time, he worked his way into Sales and Marketing and eventually became the General Sales Manager.

In 1966, he relocated to the East Coast to develop the House of Bud, a wholesaler of fruits and vegetables, according to a press release.  Bob led the House of Bud to open facilities in New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Brussells, Belgium.

When his father unexpectedly passed away at the age of 58, Bob followed in his father’s footsteps and took on the role of CEO for all Antle activities.  Under his leadership, he merged the Bud Antle companies with Castle & Cooke, Inc. (now Dole Foods Company, Inc.) and joined its senior management, serving on its Board of Directors until he helped form Tanimura & Antle in 1982.

According to a press release,  Bob is Co-Chairman of the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute, President of Southern Arizona Ranch Company, LLC, President of Pinnacalitos Chalone, LP, past president of the President’s Council, at California State University Monterey Bay, and Founding President of Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc. In March 2005, he was appointed to the California State Senate Commission: Agricultural Worker Housing and Health. 

For a more detailed look at the life and legacy of this industry leader, be sure to pick up our upcoming edition of The Snack for an exclusive interview with the man himself – Bob Antle.

Tanimura & Antle 

 

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OREGON, U.S.A. - The ears of politicos in Oregon perked up when a poll of Oregon residents conducted for Oregon Public Broadcasting (EarthFix) by DHM Research showed that 77% of the 400 residents questioned supported labeling of GMO foods. These results are particularly important because this November, Oregon will likely be voting on a law that would require GMO foods to carry labels identifying them as such to consumers. Looking at the numbers, this looks like an easy victory in the making for labeling supporters. But is it? DHM Research Director John Horvick would say no.

Horvick told the Portland Tribune that early support in public opinion polls does not necessarily translate into electoral success.

“We now have two states — Washington last year and California the year before – where they saw polling numbers like this, not that far before an election, and then saw things change quickly,” Horvick said.

In Washington's case early polling data showed that 69% of residents supported the proposed labeling law. A poll conducted the same year by YouGov of 1,000 Americans backed up these findings, revealing that 82% of respondents supported labeling of GMO products. When the November election arrived however, the initiative failed to pass, receiving support from only 45% of voters.

Horvick credits large contributions to anti-labeling campaigns from industry giants Monsanto and Syngenta for the loss, but Katie Fast, Vice President of Public Policy of the Oregon Farm Bureau, told EarthFix that the question isn't so simple.

Fast says that they opposed a similar Oregon initiative in 2002 because labeling laws would just needlessly increase costs for farmers and food processors, and thereby for consumers at the checkout counter.

“This is 100 percent safe technology,” she said. “You won’t be able to find a credible, peer-reviewed study that says there’s health impacts or environmental impacts.”

What will happen come election time in Oregon will be something we will have to wait to see. No matter what happens however you can count on AndNowUKnow to keep you updated.  

 

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LOVELAND, OH - This coming September, produce industry leaders will be grabbing their drivers and heading to the Oasis Golf Club in picturesque Loveland, Ohio to honor the memory of longtime industry leader Tip Murphy and raise money for a good cause. Proceeds from the Tip Murphy Golf Tournament will be used to bring more fresh produce choices to children across America, a cause near and dear to United Fresh.

“We are honored that the founders of the Tip Murphy Golf Tournament reached out to our Foundation to serve as the ‘Host Partner’ for the 2014 event,” said Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association. “Tip was a great man who passed before his time and we welcome the opportunity to remember Tip’s legacy while raising funds to support programs and activities that benefit the next generation of produce consumers.”

Volume :

Welcome to Behind the Greens. California Giant Berry Farms is bringing consumers one step closer to the farm with item level traceability now offered on the company’s strawberry clamshells.

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Each package presents a code on the bottom of the clamshell that literally tells the consumer where those berries were grown and packed. California Giant knows how important it is for consumers to know ‘where’ berries come from, but now the Watsonville, California-based grower can tell strawberry lovers specifically where ‘their’ berries came from. The company offers the very popular one-pound clamshell and also features the larger family packs of 2, 3 and 4 pound containers as well.

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Along with offering a daily window onto the ranch for the consumer, the new item level traceability also presents a way to work with the company’s trade customers in the event of a food safety crisis. These codes will assist with tracking back to the farm in the unlikely event of a recall or food safety incident involving California Giant.

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Currently, the company is harvesting all along the coast of California from Oxnard up to Watsonville. Consumers will mainly see berries from Santa Maria, Salinas and Watsonville throughout the summer and into the fall. Quality and flavor is great this year and we expect volume to be ample for consumer promotions all summer long. Thank you for watching Behind the Greens.

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ASPEN, CO - This past June, Avocados from Peru made an impressive debut at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Influential members of the food industry were captivated by Avocados from Peru's full-color, rolling billboard, positioned on top of a luxury liner bus all to remind onlookers that Peruvian Avocados are in peak season and available across the United States.

“This prestigious event was the perfect atmosphere to launch our summer programming, and was the first time any avocado commission has utilized a 45-foot bus at this event to showcase their brand,” said Xavier Equihua, CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC). “We look forward to participating at the Classic again next year in an even a bigger format!” 

According to a press release, Avocados from Peru also collaborated with the Peru Trade Commission to put on the “The Avocados from Peru Project.” At the event, renowned Peruvian Chef Ricardo Zarate put on a culinary demonstration in which avocados were front and center, featuring dishes such as Avocado Pan Con Tuna, Tacu Tacu Avocado Nigiri, Avocado, Sea Urchin Omelet Croquette, and a unique avocado cocktail.

Congratulations on the impressive first showing Avocados from Peru!

Avocados from Peru

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NEW YORK CITY, NY - Yesterday, ANUK reported on how the growing partnership between Silicon Valley technologies and Salinas' agriculture giants could dramatically increase the potential of the nation's farms. Today, we'll be giving you a look at Verizon's “Wireless Farming” technology, just one potential application of big data analysis. This technology harnesses Verizon's vast wireless network to beam data from specialized devices which can be implanted into tractors, farming equipment, or weather stations to centralized computer terminals. What does this mean for farmers? Verizon says it can provide real time, farm specific analysis, sent straight to your iPad or mobile device when you need it.

“Across the region, Verizon's wireless technologies are changing the landscape of agriculture which is helping farmers maximize yields, conserve natural resources, and increase operation efficiencies,” said Kim Spale, a Solutions Architect with Verizon.

This technology has already been used to create a wireless guidance system for farm equipment, which according to Verizon Manager Steven Bonitz “saves farmers time and labor costs...and is so accurate it actually increases the farmer's usable acreage.”

New Boundary Technologies collaborated with Verizon to use Verizon's wireless weather stations to create a centralized system capable of giving farmers weather analysis specifically tailored to their individual farms.

“Wireless Farmers” will be able to use these services to know the scientifically best time to plant, irrigate, and harvest their crops in order to maximize yields, and their profits.

Is this just the beginning? 

To learn more about the potential of big data, check out our previous article on the subject here.

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AUSTIN, TX - Construction crews, get ready. Whole Foods announced yesterday plans to substantially expand its offices in downtown Austin, as it works towards its long term goal of building up a corporate campus around its company headquarters. These current plans have been long in the making, and are the result of Whole Foods' acquisition of the 524 Lamar shopping center last May and its 2013 purchase of an additional property at 1009 West Sixth Street.

“It has long been our goal to maintain our downtown Austin presence long-term by creating a campus centered around our flagship store,” Whole Foods Executive Vice President of Growth and Business Development Jim Sud told the American-Statesman. “We believe the properties across the street will allow us to do this, while keeping us deeply rooted in the part of town we have always called home.”

Jamil Alam, a Managing Principal with Endeavor Real Estate Group, one of the groups representing Whole Foods in their expansion efforts, believes that the expansion is great news for Downtown Austin's economy. “Many of the office tenants and residents in downtown refer to the Whole Foods store as a primary factor in their decision to office or reside in downtown. Whole Foods decision to double-down on their headquarters at 5th (at) Lamar not only signifies their long term commitment to downtown Austin, but is an indication of how exciting and vibrant downtown Austin has become,” he said.

According to Sud, Whole Foods has long outgrown its current headquarters, which currently houses 800 workers. The expansion increases this capacity by roughly 2,000 personnel, giving Whole Foods some much needed flexibility as it grows over the next 5-7 years. If all goes according to plan, Sud envisions Whole Foods making full use of this new space.

Whole Foods

 

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NEW ZEALAND - Zespri is continuing to build its brand this summer by focusing on educating and building awareness of Zespri Kiwifruit, particularly Zespri’s health benefits, consistent quality, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and growing quality kiwifruit.

Currently selling in 53 countries across the world, Zespri is launching its new SunGold variety around the world this season. Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit is a deliciously sweet and juicy proprietary variety, with a light golden flesh and sweet taste, with a hint of tanginess. SunGold is an attractive, larger kiwifruit with a delicate texture inside and a smooth skin outside.

“Zespri has a strong commitment to research and development.  This is a key part of what makes Zespri a leader in the produce industry,” Senior Marketing Manager, Michele Hoard, tells us. “All fruit labels on our Organic Zespri Kiwifruit are now fully compostable, which is an exciting part of our commitment to sustainability.”

Zespri notes that people are catching on to the convenient ‘Cut and Scoop’ method of eating kiwifruit. “Cut the kiwifruit in half with a knife and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. It’s an ideal snack and such a unique flavor,” Hoard says.

Hoard tells us that some of the challenges they face in the kiwifruit category are competing with local items. This can push kiwifruit to the back of the department. We know that when kiwifruit is cross-merchandised with berries or displayed in the front of the produce department sales increase up to 200 percent. “In the North American market, it can be difficult to locate the kiwifruit in the produce department. Supermarkets often stick kiwifruit at the back of the department without any point of sale material to identify it.”

Her suggestion to retailers, “Try merchandising the fruit front and center by the berries because it suggests to consumers to put kiwifruit in summer fruit salads, in fruit tarts, fruit pies, among other recipes.” 

Zespri

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FRESNO, CA - Baloian Farms is gearing up for greater expansion with the completion of its recently renovated packing facility. Key improvements include the enclosure and cooling of approximately 42,000 square feet of the existing facility. These upgrades are meant to increase product quality and reduce the potential risk of contamination, as well as improve employee comfort.

“Not only do we take pride in pampering our products, we also take great pride in the way we treat our employees,” said Jeremy Lane, Baloian Sales Manager. “Creating a positive working environment for our employees that yields the quality we are known for is a win-win for everybody.”

The upgrades come just in time for Baloian’s local mini-sweet, baby bell, and green and red pepper season, as well as all repack and value-added packing operations.

According to a press release, the new enclosure allows for the addition of expanded cold storage, as well as processing areas that could be used if Baloian Farms pursued certifications for ready to eat products. Lane remarked that the facility “keeps us on our path of growth and innovation and we’re excited about the possibilities.”

Baloian Farms

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WEST DES MOINES, IA – Hy-Vee is taking a step into the Twin Cities by opening its first store there.

Finance & Commerce reports that the Iowa-based grocery chain has a tentative deal for an 80,000 to 90,000-sqaure-foot store on a former Kmart site.  The New Hope City Council approved the deal to sell 13.3 acres to Hy-Vee.  The site will also feature a 3,000 square-foot gas station, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

“Our commitment to excellent customer service, health and wellness, and culinary expertise is unlike anything in the market to date,” Hy-Vee Chairman, President and CEO Randy Edeker said in a statement. “Minnesota and its residents have long been important partners, and we are proud to extend that partnership into the Twin Cities area.”

Currently, Hy-Vee’s closest store to the Twin Cities is in Faribault, MN and is about 60 miles from the new proposed location.

The Business Journal also reports that Hy-Vee is already in talks for more stores in the Twin Cities. 

Hy-Vee