JAPAN - If you thought Pak N Save’s mistakenly priced $100 watermelon was expensive enough, just wait till you see these Densuke watermelons!

The rare, black skinned watermelon sold at an auction for 350,000 yen, or more than a whopping $3,000 U.S. – the highest selling among a batch of around 240 Densuke watermelons! The variety, known for its circular form, distinct black rind, and crisp, sweet flesh, is grown in the town of Toma in Japan’s northernmost Hokkaido island, according to The Telegraph.

Satoshi Ogino, a fruit and vegetable broker, was the lucky bidder. He told Kyodo news that he bid in order to “provide encouragement to the efforts of the farmers.”

Is it time to start growing these Densuke melons yourself?! Well, maybe. A farmers’ cooperative based in Toma expects to ship around 70,000 Densuke watermelons this year at a much more “reasonable price” of around 5,000 yen, or approximately $49 U.S. Yikes.  

Unfortunately, this year’s Densuke watermelon didn’t beat the record for 2008, when the 17-pound melon sold for 650,000 yen, or $6,100 U.S., according to Los Angeles Times.

Fruit has long been considered a luxury item in Japan, and it’s not rare to see them go for exorbitant prices. In fact, a pair of Yubari cantaloupes were sold for $23,500 in Japan! Telegraph also reports that everyday supermarket fruits are expensive, with single apples selling for as high as $4 a pop.

And make no mistake, that’s not a pricing error. Check out our previous story on Pak N Save’s $100 watermelon below…

Click here to read: Pak N Save’s 100 Dollar Watermelon

Now…how can I get my hands on one of these Densuke watermelons? Preferably without having to pay thousands of dollars.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Supreme Court unanimously awarded POM Wonderful LLC a victory today.  It can continue its fall advertising lawsuit against Coca-Cola Co. concerning a juice blend offered by the Coke’s Minute Maid brand.

“Competitors who manufacture or distribute products have detailed knowledge regarding how consumers rely upon certain sales and marketing strategies,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. “Their awareness of unfair competition practices may be far more immediate and accurate than that of agency rulemakers and regulators.”

The decision was 8-0 with Justice Stephen Breyer recusing himself.  In it, the court agreed that POM Wonderful could sue its competitor under the federal Lanham Act that permits civil action against anyone who “misrepresents the nature, characteristics or qualities” of the goods being sold, according to McClatchy DC News.

POM claimed Coca-Cola unfairly captured pomegranate juice sales by marketing a pomegranate-blueberry flavored juice blend from its Minute Maid unit that contains little actual pomegranate or blueberry. Instead, the juice is 99.4% apple and grape juices, according to Wall Street Journal’s Brent Kendall. 

“If Lanham Act claims were to be precluded then commercial interests, and indirectly the public at large, could be left with less effective protection in the food and beverage labeling realm than in many other, less regulated industries,” Kennedy wrote.

POM filed a suit in 2008, and a lower appellate court rejected it, concluding that the federal Food and Drug Administration had effectively pre-empted labeling oversight. With today’s decision, the Supreme Court says otherwise.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on any further details on POM Wonderful's lawsuit against Coca-Cola.

POM Wonderful

CHICAGO, IL – The United Fresh Produce Association announced the donation of salad bars to 200 Midwest schools through its multi-year Let’s Move Salad Bars to Midwest Schools campaign at the United Fresh 2014 Convention in Chicago.  The schools spread across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“We are at a pivotal moment in school nutrition," said United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel.  “Our industry is committed to helping schools serve a wide variety of fresh fruits and I’m thrilled to see so many produce industry leaders and businesses step forward to support the salad bar campaign.  This is truly a transformational program, making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids.”

It is estimated that 100,000 Midwest students in both urban and rural school districts will benefit from the access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetable as school lunch every day, according to a press release. 

“Our philosophy is to provide our students with fresh produce every day. We believe salad bars are teaching our students about the importance of eating healthy, that fruits and vegetables are delicious and should be part of every meal,” said Bertrand Weber, Director, Culinary and Nutrition Services for the Minneapolis Public Schools.  “We currently have salad bars in 31 of our 62 Minneapolis Public Schools and our goal is to expand our salad bar program to more schools.  Let’s Move Salad Bars to MIDWEST Schools is helping us accomplish that goal.”

Sherri Matuszky, School Foodservice Director, Wethersfield Community Unified School District #230 in Kewanee, IL, said that the salad bars have become an important addition to their school meal program, and stated that she has received very positive feedback from students, staff and parents.

United Fresh

Mark Seguin, Sakata's Global Vegetative Marketing Manager, joins AndNowUKnow to discuss the company's All-Weather Petunia!® SuperCal®. The plant specialists at Sakata have combined the best qualities of petunias and calibrachoa into the unique SuperCal. Seguin tells us that this unique series delivers better heat tolerance than both petunia and calibrachoa, and is frost and rain resistant. 

This year, Sakata is introducing three new colors. Cherry has been improved for a fuller, more rounded habit; Grape; and Salmon Glow, whose colors react to different environments and changes accordingly to different temperatures. 

Check out this behind the scenes video to see how Sakata's SuperCal provides superior performance in the garden. 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - At Target’s annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, shareholders voted to re-elect all 10 board members, a move that continues the current search for a new CEO. Shareholders also supported the company in an advisory vote on executive pay.

The vote comes after a prominent advisory firm called on shareholders to throw out a majority of the candidates for their handling of last year’s data breach, according to Wall Street Journal.

In response to that breach, Target appointed Brad Maiorino as its first ever Chief Information Security Officer.  Maiorino comes from General Motors where he was that company's chief information security and information technology risk officer  Prior to that, he was the chief information security officer at General Electric. He will report to Bob DeRodes, executive vice president and chief information officer at Target.

"Having led this critical function at two of the country's largest companies, Brad is widely recognized as one of the nation's top leaders in the complex, evolving areas of information security and risk," said DeRodes. "As an organization, we have made a commitment to our guests and our team that Target will be a retail leader in information security and protection. We believe Brad is the right person to lead that charge."

Maiorino will join Target effective June 16^th and will be responsible for Target’s information security and technology risk strategy.  He will help ensure that the company, its guests and team member are protected from both external and internal information security threats.

During the meeting, John Mulligan, Target’s interim CEO, spoke of the challenges the company has faced, including the security breach, a money-losing expansion into Canada and a lack of new shoppers.  

"Fortunately, we have the resources and technology to move beyond these challenges," said Mulligan." Target is a great company, whose best days are ahead."

Roxanne Austin, the company’s interim chairwoman, added, “We need to aggressively move Target forward.”

Target did not meet its own expectations, but it did return a 53-cent dividend to shareholders, representing a 21% increase.  It also had a larger growth spurt and opened 19 U.S. stores and 24 in Canada, according to the Dallas Business Journal.  Target plans to improve its security, sales and customer experience.

At the meeting, the management team outlined the company's top priorities.  They plan to increase traffic by bringing in new merchandise and having more promotions and exclusive items from national brands, improve Canadian store performance and shift investment from square footage to technology and supply chain.

In after hours trading, Target shares went up $0.22 to $57.08, an approximate 0.39% increase.

Will Target rebuild its customer base?  When will it find a new CEO?  Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to find out.

Target

SALINAS, CA - What do moms love most about Mann Packing’s new Family Favorites™ line? Gina Broccolini takes you inside the valley to find out…

Not only can Mann’s pre-packaged, ready-to-eat veggies save you time and money, they also have the power to turn you into a superhero! Okay, maybe not literally…but because they’re quick and easy, you might just feel like one. 

The company’s new package design also helps differentiate its full line of fresh-cut vegetables from the competition with distinct imagery, product photography, and colors, and they stand out on the shelf at store-level.

Check out this fun video from Mann Packing to see more on the company’s new Family Favorites™ line!

Mann Packing

LOS ANGELES, CA - Giumarra Nogales has successfully completed its first load of watermelons delivered by railroad by working with Nogales-based Pacific Brokerage. This marks the first time in decades produce grown in Mexico was shipped via train, according to a press release.

“Although our delivery had a few challenges, we feel the overall success of the trip demonstrates that watermelons are sturdy enough to handle rail shipment, and it may be a viable option for us in the future,” said Gil Munguia, Division Manager of Giumarra Nogales.Giumarra’s Cesar Pacheco, Sales Manager, worked with J.B. Manson of Pacific Brokerage for over three years to find a railroad company that expressed interest in the project. Their efforts found traction with the state of Arizona’s “Arizona/Mexico Commission” and the Port of Tucson. Subsequently, Union Pacific and CSX Corporation have agreed to participate in a pilot program with Giumarra.“With the success of our first run, we hope to push skepticism to the side and grab the attention of the railroads for future projects,” said Pacheco. “We can move one ton of cargo more than 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel using rail. We believe this will help minimize the carbon footprint of long-haul shipping.”

Currently, Giumarra is planning to ship honeydew melons, winter squash, and cucumbers within the rail pilot program. The next shipment planned is headed for Chicago, Illinois on a 64-foot railcar.

Giumarra

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

Sunkist Repackers LLC (not affiliated with Sunkist Growers Inc.), a Coconut Creek, Florida-based company, has failed to pay a $13,533 award in favor of a Michigan seller. William J. Nupp and Sunkist Products LLC were listed as members of the business.

All Points Produce Inc., a Sparks, Georgia-based company, has failed to pay a $75,288 award in favor of a Florida seller. Patti A. McMillan and Quentin C. McMillan were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders 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

RICHARDSON, TX and JUPITER, FL - Locus Traxx and SC-integrity, Inc. (LoJack SCI) announced a partnership to advance and bolster supply chain and cargo shipment security and efficiency. 

“Our strategic vision to grow through partnerships with leading companies such as LoJack SCI is important to our mission.  The talent and market reach that our partners bring to the operation strengthen our offerings and deliver great value to our customers,” said David Benjamin, Locus Traxx Worldwide CEO.

Together, the organizations will release a series of bundled tracking and information solutions based on the Locus “SmartTraxx^TM  Go” tracking technology, according to a press release.  This alliance will take advantage of the SC-integrity, Inc. “SC-iOn” and the “Locus Traxx’ Oversight” web portals to deliver integrity services and comprehensive security for their clients.

LoJack SCI CEO, Ted Wlazlowski added, “We couldn't be happier with this collaboration. This venture will allow both Locus Traxx and LoJack SCI to support the latest generation of communication and geo-localization technologies, while continuing to provide high value service to our customers.  Our market is ready for the flexibility and ease in providing a disposable tracking solution; and, together with Locus Traxx, we intend to exceed expectations for reliable, low cost visibility and control.”

Food is a leading target for theft, and the industry receives increasing regulatory pressures from the FDA.  Locus Traxx will provide information to and through the LoJack SCI sponsored Supply Chain-ISAC to give participants the ability to obtain an extremely beneficial view of potential risk or efficiency opportunities in the food, cold chain, and produce markets. 

Locus Traxx

LoJack SCI

WENATCHEE, WA - Garrett Joeckel has been hired by Columbia Marketing International (CMI) as the new Production and Sales Analyst. 

“I am looking forward to working with the diverse manifest that CMI has in its arsenal as well as the unique branded apples that CMI packs and sells,” Joeckel said.  “I am eager to dive into the fine details surrounding the CMI warehouses that make us stand out as a preferred supplier to our many diverse customers. 

In this role, Garrett will work with CMI’s sales and marketing staff as well as its member warehouses to effectively meet customer needs and maximize grower returns. He will also develop short and long term production and sales plans including metrics and schedules as well as work closely with the CMI warehouses to provide a more in-depth forecast for CMI’s sales and marketing teams, according to a press release.

“Garrett brings a wealth of production planning knowledge and experience to the CMI family,” said Bob Mast, President of CMI.  “With both Garrett’s understanding of the inner workings of a fruit packing warehouse as well as his production planning experience on the sales side, he has a keen understanding and appreciation for the complexities and challenges of matching up production to customer demands.  We are confident that Garrett will take our forward planning to the next level assisting CMI to consistently improve our service to our customers and packing facilities.”

Garrett graduated form Western Washington University in 2007 with a B.S. in Operations Management and has 7 years of experience in the Northwest Agricultural arena.  He has worked both in warehouse and sales operation. 

Congratulations, Garrett!

CMI