As Certified Greenhouse Farmers expands its network of controlled environment growers of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other greenhouse vegetables, the trade association is partnering with Grupo PM, which will serve as the organization’s marketing arm to Mexican growers.

Grupo PM is a Mexico-based marketing agency specializing in agricultural products, and will help expand Certified Greenhouse Farmers’ presence in Mexico in numerous ways: identifying growers who abide by the same high standards of food safety, social responsibility and environmental performance as the association; promoting the association and its value to controlled environment growers; explaining and helping facilitate the association’s auditing process to Mexican growers; and communicating directly with Certified Greenhouse Farmers members in Mexico.

“Certified Greenhouse Farmers has a strong commitment to protecting the integrity of the greenhouse growing process,” said Monica Moreno, Grupo PM’s new projects impulse manager. “Through our almost 23-year history in Mexico, we have established excellent relationships with controlled environment growers who share in this commitment and see value in the Certified Greenhouse seal.”

Certified Greenhouse Farmers President Ed Beckman said all members must meet the trade association’s strict definition for controlled environment greenhouse growing, and undergo a rigorous, independent third-party audit against the association’s certification standard. Among the items audited are structural and environmental controls, water resource management, Integrated Pest Management procedures, plant nutrition management, ecosystem management and integrated waste management.

“Our members represent the ‘best of the best’ in quality, food safety and environmental performance for controlled environment greenhouse growers,” said Beckman. “Through our partnership with Grupo PM, we are able to have an in-country representative of the association, serving both as a liaison to our Mexican growers and also as a marketing arm to other growers who share our goal of producing the highest quality controlled environment greenhouseproducts on the market.”

Grupo PM is a marketing agency specializing in generic agricultural marketing; its main goal is to identify business opportunities for agricultural products and create communication strategies that will build success stories, and forge the future of farmers, processors, manufacturers, packers, and other organizations, from the very origin of their products to their final destination.

Certified Greenhouse Farmers’ mission is to protect the greenhouse growing process. Comprised of growers from throughout North American, the organization is the voice of certified greenhouse growers, and educates trade and consumer audiences about the value of Certified Greenhouse products, which are grown in a controlled environment. Through its rigorous audits and controls, Certified Greenhouse Farmers produces the “best of the best” in consistent product quality, food safety and environmental performance. For more information, visit CertifiedGreenhouse.org

Publication date: 5/24/2013

FreshPlaza.com

LANDOVER, Md. — Ahold’s Giant-Landover chain is constructing a Peapod grocery pickup facility and gas station in Chevy Chase, Md.

The facility, expected to be open in late summer, would be the third dedicated pick-up-point, or PUP, in Giant’s trade area, an Ahold spokeswoman said.

Ahold is expanding such locations throughout its network, citing encouraging results of an initial test last year. In addition to existing sites in Columbia and Clarksville, Md., and the new site in Chevy Chase, Giant is at work on “several others,” the spokeswoman said, but declined to identify sites or opening dates.

Pickup sites allow Ahold to reduce delivery costs on Peapod orders by delivering to a central location with drive-up service.

Supermarket News

With respect to 2012, volumes will definitely be bigger and the quality is excellent. “The season started one week early because of the good weather. The Italian season (in Puglia) is expected to start around mid-July, even though some produce from Sicily will be available in June.”

 
The main sales channel for seedless grapes is retail, which prefers 10x500g punnets and which will concentrate on Sugraone (white) and Flame (red) grapes. Traditional markets prefer the produce loose in 4.5 kg 30×40 packets.

Publication date: 5/24/2013

FreshPlaza.com

ANAHEIM, Calif. — 99 Ranch Market will open a Filipino barbecue at its store here this weekend.

The barbecue, called Ranch Ihaw Ihaw, will be part of the store’s hot deli department. Meals will include grilled fish, deep fried pork and chicken with side dishes like fried noodles and rice. Customers can also order party trays.

99 Ranch Market suggests customer order from Ranch Ihaw Ihaw for their Memorial Day celebrations. The retailer notes that Filipino food contains elements of Malay, Spanish, Chinese and American cuisine.

Supermarket News

Jack Wallace, co-owner of G&D Wallace Inc./Wallace Farms in Burlington, WA, said agricultural producers in the region will deal with the effects of a bridge collapse on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River on Thursday as they would any other problem thrown their way.

“Farmers are used to dealing with obstacles. It’s going to make it more difficult,” Wallace told The Produce News the morning of May 25. “We can work around it.” The company grows and markets conventional red, white, gold and purple potatoes as well as organic red and russet potatoes in the Skagit Valley.

The bridge collapsed on May 24, sending cars and people into the river. Rescue efforts began immediately, and three people were sent to area hospitals for treatment. There were no fatalities.

Wallace said the company will begin strategic planning to ensure product can move in the most timely manner possible. “The trucks are going to have to wait in traffic,” he commented about rerouting. “But it’s not going to add hours and hours [to transit times]. We’ll be able to work around it today. And we’ll be able to work around it this fall.”

In addition to logistics considerations, Wallace said the situation will be complicated by the fact that there are restrictions placed on drivers as to how many hours they can be behind the wheel.

According to Wallace, eyewitnesses reported that a semi struck a girder at the top of the bridge, causing the collapse. “I’m surprised that one truck impact can bring a bridge down,” he stated. At a press conference early Friday morning, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said the vehicle was oversized and overweight.

Wallace said it is important that for transportation agencies to ensure that infrastructure is safe. “If this bridge had an Achilles’ heel, that’s something that needs to be look at,” he commented. “Bridges need to be safe.”

The Produce News | Today’s Headlines

Stone fruit producers and exporters are looking forward to the return of good weather in central and northern Europe so that consumption can increase.

The campaign has not been easy so far in terms of quality and production volumes, as the heavy rains which fell in the producing areas of Lleida and Fraga are leading to huge shortages and serious quality problems in the cherries.

“At the moment we are selling 30% fewer cherries than last year around the same date, mainly because of cracking problems caused by the rains,” explains Francesc Pena, Commercial Director of SAT BEPA. “Nevertheless, in a few days we will start the harvest of more productive varieties with a better resistance to water which will hopefully bring us back to our normal volumes,” he points out.

According to Francesc, the market is flooded with bad quality cherries, mainly from Spain and France, where prices have hit rock bottom. “Cherries have a higher water content than normal and it is difficult to maintain the quality beyond Perpignan, France,” affirms Francesc. Consequently, as a result of the shortages in Belgium and the Netherlands, good quality cherries reach very high prices in varieties such as the Grace Star, Folfer or the Prime Giant, which have better organoleptic qualities, more firmness and a Brix of around 20 degrees.

“Under the OLIMPFRUIT and AFRODITA brands, our exports go mainly to France, Belgium and the Netherlands, where we ship cherries ripened on the tree, with very dark and uniform colours, focusing on those markets’ consumer trends and preferences. While the Netherlands demands calibres between 24 and 26, Belgium and France offer better prices for larger calibres, between 28 and 30.”

Additionally, SAT BEPA is working at the moment in the thinning of peach and flat peach trees; a much more demanding task this year, as rains have led to stone cracking, which causes the fruit to open. However, “this will not be a problem, as we can still discard the spoiled fruit, although it gives us extra work,” he explains. From 15 June, we hope to begin with platerines, a product in which we have deposited our hopes.”

While consumer trends indicate that flat peaches are gaining ground on peaches, Francesc believes that the rapid increase in the fruit’s cultivation could lead to oversupply problems in the near future. “For now the European market is absorbing the entire production, but if nothing changes we could face oversupply problems in just 3 years. It is the right time for us to start looking for export markers farther away,” he concludes.

Publication date: 5/24/2013

FreshPlaza.com

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble here said Thursday that Alan George “A.G.” Lafley has rejoined the company as chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

He succeeds Robert A. “Bob” McDonald, who P&G said is retiring from the company on June 30 after 33 years. Lafley joined Procter & Gamble in 1977 and was president and CEO from 2000 to 2009.

“A.G.’s track record and his depth of experience at P&G make him uniquely qualified to lead the company forward at this important time,” said board director Jim McNerney. “The board expects A.G. to further improve results, implement the current productivity plan, and facilitate an ongoing succession process. The board is confident that he will continue improving P&G’s performance.”

McDonald joined P&G in 1980 and was president and CEO from 2009 to 2013.

“It has been a privilege to work with the people of Procter & Gamble to serve consumers around the world,” he said in a statement. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident in the company’s future.”

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The growing and packaging team at Mucci Farms continue to develop and bring new items to the market place. The new VeroTM high flavor Middy Cluster is the first item to come out of the new high-tech greenhouses.  The taste is a throwback to grandmother’s garden.

Vero – premium on the vine tomatoes

With its rich, red colour and superior flavour, our VEROTM Premium On-The-Vine Tomatoes are a top choice for gourmands and foodies alike. They are smaller in size than traditional on-the-vine tomatoes. This tomato is available in 500 gram cluster packaged in a pre-printed recyclable tray with flow wrap, a QR code will link consumers to recipes database on website

Terreno™ – Naturally Brown Tomatoes
 
Derived from the Italian word for “earthly”, Terreno™ Tomatoes are grown using natural growing methods and contain no GMO’s.

Curio – gourmet tomatoes

It’s timeless, rich and intense taste is reminiscent of the finest of those “Old Fashioned” tomato flavours.

Sweet TO THE PointTM – mini pointed peppers

Smaller than Bella Sweets™, Sweet TO THE Point™ Peppers are a handy-sized cocktail snack. The Sweet TO THE PointTM package is an addition to and compliments the current line of bellasweetsTM and Mini Cucumbers.

For more information contact:
Joe Spano
Mucci International Marketing 
Tel: +1 519-326-8881
Email: jspano@muccifarms.com

Publication date: 5/24/2013

FreshPlaza.com

BRUSSELS — Delhaize Group has reportedly engaged an investment bank to assist in the possible sale of its Sweetbay and Harveys banners in the U.S.

A Reuters report Friday, citing two anonymous sources, said investment banking firm Lazard was handling inquiries. When asked about a potential sales of the banners at the company’s annual meeting this week, Pierre Olivier Beckers, Delhaize’s chief executive officer, was quoted as saying, “This is a question on the table at the moment.”

A Sweetbay spokeswoman told The Tampa Tribune, “It is business as usual, and we expect that to continue under the Delhaize Group ownership or someone else.”

Harveys, under the Food Lion division, operates 73 stores, mainly in Georgia. Sweetbay, under Delhaize’s Hannaford division, operates 72 stores in Florida. Earlier this year Delhaize shuttered 33 money-losing Sweetbay stores in a move some observers felt could prepare the remainder for a sale.

“While we don’t comment on market rumors or speculation, we continually review our portfolio, as appropriate,” a Delhaize spokeswoman told SN Friday. 

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June Jo Lee, a self-described ethnographer, told a crowd at the United Fresh Produce Association convention that “food culture” is the basis for all food trends, and the future looks bright for fresh produce.

In fact, she said that most of the important trends have increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as their major component. Before delving into those trends, Lee explained the kind of work she does and how it relates to the industry.

As a vice president of strategic insights for The Hartman Group, she interviews consumers about their feelings for food. She also goes to their homes and watches them plan and cook meals, and explores their pantry. This in depth knowledge allows her to opine on how food and eating is evolving in the United States.

Lee said that the biggest change affecting food purchases and consumption in the United States is that there has been a shift from a cooking culture to an eating culture.

In a cooking culture, only the preparer of meals is involved with the food that the family eats. In an eating culture, everyone gets involved.

She said everyone is participating, with talking about food quickly becoming a favorite pastime of a large percentage of the population. In fact, when visiting homes Lee finds that consumers either have a sports channel or a Food Network channel playing the background.

As this shift has occurred, Americans have also “outsourced” the preparation of that food. A full 77 percent of all home-eating occasions in the United States involve food that was brought prepared in one fashion or another. Only 23 percent can be called cooking from scratch. Typically those types of meals involve a couple eating together or dinner parties.

Family dining increasingly includes at least a portion of the meal being bought in a prepared state. She said “cooking” often involves “assembling components” rather than preparing the dinner ingredients from scratch.

Lee explained that this is one reason Americans have a love affair with Trader Joe’s, which exemplifies that type of food preparation process.  

Another factor in this process is the modern American’s aversion to meal planning. It is also considered the biggest impediment to online grocery shopping. To shop online consumers need to plan their meals in advance and most just don’t want to do that.

In 62 percent of the eating occasions, the decision of what to eat has been made within the hour of the meal. One in 10 cooked meals is consumed within an hour of purchasing the ingredients.

Americans are also eating more throughout the day and are spreading their calories among more meals. Lee said after-dinner snacking has dramatically increased and before-breakfast snacking is also on the rise.

Among the most important food trend is a much greater concern of what we put in our bodies, she said. Whether it is interest in gluten-free, probiotics for digestions, smoothies or a vegan diet, Americans are playing closer attention to what they eat.

Lee said this should naturally lead to more fruit and vegetable consumption. For example, when looking for gluten-free ingredients, those inclined typically start in the produce department, as they do for most of the other trends.

“Fresh fast food” is another trend resonating with consumers. Lee said consumers still want fast food but not the typical fast food. They want items that are fresh such as the vegetable-laden dishes that populate Asian cooking.

She said a new book called Vegan Before 6 epitomizes the views of a growing number of people. The book urges consuming a plant-based diet all day and splurging for dinner. This obviously appeals to consumers who want to eat healthier but have not adopted a vegan lifestyle.

Lee said these are all food trends that tend to come from the middle class or the upper class. They are not an indication of current consumption habits of the total population.

The Produce News | Today’s Headlines

Last week, Almeria made its first shipments of Piel de Sapo and yellow melons to the European markets. Although the campaign started with good prices, these are now on a falling trend.

“We started with delays last week as a result of the rains in April and early March. Prices were high due to the low volumes and to the expectation motivated by the delays; however, things are different now, because not only is the market better supplied, but demand has also fallen because of the weather in Europe,” explains Rubén Trigo, manager of Melones Trigo. “We need sunshine.”

Melon prices stand at 0.70 to 1.00 Euro, depending on the export market.

“It is practically the only melon consumed in Spain; however, we are noticing an increase in demand in other European countries, not only because of their organoleptic qualities, but also due to their long shelf life.”

Based in the town of Villaconejos, Melones Trigo ships its melons and watermelons under the VILLAMEJOR brand, both to the domestic and the export market, which mainly includes France and the Netherlands, although the Italian and German markets may also open soon. The production is certified by GlobalGAP and packed on site by Melones Trigo.

“Our current goal, taking into account the economic context, is to maintain and gain a stronger foothold in the markets where we are already present,” he concludes. 

Publication date: 5/24/2013

FreshPlaza.com

New Zealand Kiwifruit Grower’s President, Neil Treblico, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon John Key, in which he sets out the industry’s support of the current industry structure, with Zespri as its marketer.

A group of kiwifruit postharvest operators have sent a second letter to the government, also voicing their support for the current arrangement. The group features representatives from EastPack Limited, Gisborne Kiwifruit Trust, Aongetete Coolstores, DMS Progrowers, Trevelyan’s, Apata Ltd, Aerocool Ltd, Mainland Kiwi, OPAC, Te Awanui Hukapak, Western Orchards, G6 Kiwi Ltd, Auckland Pack & Cool, and Mount Pack & Cool, LD Packers, Riverlock Orchard Pack and Coolstore.

There are concerns that the recent issues involving Zespri’s double invoice system for exports to China, could result in a change in the kiwifruit industry’s marketing processes. Currently Zespri is exclusively authorised to promote the fruit abroad; a cohesive and successful arrangement embraced by the vast majority of industry insiders. Despite this there are murmurs of discontent emanating from certain minority quarters within the industry and it is in response to these that the letters have been penned.

Neil Treblico begins his letter emphasising the success of the current arrangement, saying, “As this country’s kiwifruit grower representative body, NZKGI can assure you that growers overwhelmingly support the current industry structure and Zespri as its marketer. Zespri’s historical issues in a single market do not diminish growers’ support for the single desk selling model.”

He says the Chinese market is of utmost important to the industry, which cannot afford to let trade there slip. Commerce with China, he says, will best be served via the status quo. “Despite the historical issues, Zespri’s business in China grew to over $ 100m in 2012, and growers know the future market potential is huge. This market’s potential value will be unlocked by the leverage and scale we achieve though our single inventory approach.”

The postharvest operators concur with this view, stating in their own correspondence, “We know the success of our individual organisations rely upon the New Zealand kiwifruit industry being able to achieve the scale and long-term commitment to build a leading global brand like Zespri, which enables our industry to compete in a very competitive international fruit trading environment. Without this structure, the returns we receive from offshore markets would be severely compromised.”

The operators point out that some of them are Zespri growers and shareholders which, they state, positions them perfectly to be able to hold the marketer to account, reasoning that industrial interests are better served in this fashion than by replacing the single inventory approach for one which may prove less suitable. Mr Treblico finished his letter by indicating that the stability and sustainability of trade is an essential element in paving the path to industrial disease recovery. “…growers are heartened by the continued increase in sales into growth markets such as China. These new markets have a vital part to play as growers battle to overcome and
recover from the effects of the vine disease Psa.”

To read Neil Treblico’s letter to the Prime Minister click here.

To read the postharvest operators’ letter click here.

Publication date: 5/24/2013
Author: Ben Littler
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

FreshPlaza.com

The nation’s largest organic nut butter maker was the first food manufacturer to be shut down by new U.S. Food and Drug Administration powers in November 2012, after its products were shown to have sickened at least 42 people in 20 states with Salmonella Bredeney. Those powers were granted under the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in January 2011.

The Salmonella contamination also prompted the recall of hundreds of products, including Trader Joe’s peanut butter, Justin’s Organic peanut butter, and Newman’s Own peanut butter cookies.

The company finally received permission to restart operations at its Portales, NM facility last week. It may resume full-scale production by next week.

Food Safety News

Fresh Fruit Portal

The final rule, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday, might mean Canada and Mexico can begin imposing retaliatory tariffs. The American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, and the North American Meat Association all wanted USDA to work out a “sequencing agreement” with Canada and Mexico to avoid triggering retaliatory action.

With or without retaliatory tariffs, AMI’s Mark Dopp says the new rule is “more costly, complex and burdensome” than what it replaces.  And he says our trading partners have made it clear that the new rule is “no fix,” and shows a reckless disregard for trade relations.

A sequencing  agreement would have allowed time for WTO to review the meat labeling changes. Canada alone is set to impose retaliatory tariffs costing U.S. producers more than $ 1 billion a year.

“USDA remains confident that these changes will improve the overall operation of the program and also bring the mandatory COOL requirements into compliance with U.S. international trade obligations,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

According to USDA, the final rule modifies the labeling provisions for muscle-cut covered commodities to require the origin designations to include information about each of the production steps, such as where an animal was born, where it was raised, and where it was slaughtered. The rule removes the allowance for commingling of muscle cuts.

Thursday was the deadline for the U.S. to comply with a June 2012 decision by the WTO Appellate Body that confirmed an earlier WTO panel decision finding that certain aspects of the COOL law discriminated against livestock imports from Canada and Mexico. The U.S was required by the WTO Appellate Body to bring COOL into compliance with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Some farm and consumer groups hailed the USDA action. “We are very pleased that the USDA has decided to stand strong and keep COOL,” said National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson. “The decision to bring the law into compliance with the WTO’s ruling is a win-win situation for all interested parities.”

Johnson applauded USDA for taking a “proactive approach” and not allowing COOL to be watered down by process. Likewise the consumer-oriented group Food & Water Watch hailed USDA for a rule “that makes sensible changes for labeling requirements for meat.”

F&WW said there is a growing interest among consumers in knowing where their food comes from. The group also says the changes should satisfy the WTO. The largest producer-only cattle trade association in the U.S., the Billings, MT-based Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) agrees.

“USDA’s final rule is right on the mark,” said R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz, adding, “We are pleased that USDA did not weaken COOL in response to the WTO’s attack on our domestic food labeling program.”

“By requiring the locations where each production step occurs to be listed on the label, the final COOL rule addresses the WTO’s criticism by requiring all the information collected from cattle suppliers to be transmitted to consumers,” Schultz explained.

Schultz said the final COOL rule also ensures that labels are accurate by putting an end to the industry practice of using a multi-country label on meat derived exclusively from animals born, raised, and slaughtered in the United States when a meatpacker comingles any amount of foreign product during a production day.

“By correcting this huge loophole, the final rule restores the credibility of our labeling program and provides consumers with accurate origin information,” Schultz said.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard explained that COOL is necessary to facilitate competition for U.S. cattle and provide choices for U.S. consumers.

“Without COOL it is the meatpacker and not the consumer that decides from what country cattle will be sourced to satisfy consumer demand for beef. Only with COOL can consumers trigger a demand signal for cattle sourced from U.S. farmers and ranchers, which they can do simply by consistently choosing to purchase a USA product,” concluded Bullard.

The final COOL rule is being published in the Federal Register today (May 24, 2013). It became effective yesterday. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for implementation, administration and enforcement of the COOL law and regulations. Country of origin labeling is required for various food products, including fruits, vegetables, fish, shellfish, and meats. AMS will be conducting education and outreach programs on the COOL rule changes.

According to USDA, more than 3,800 retailer reviews have been conducted since the COOL law took effect on May 16, 2009 and about 98 have been found to be in compliance.

Only the rules for meat were challenged by Canada and Mexico at the WTO.

Food Safety News

Fresh Fruit Portal

According to a report by AgriPulse, Merrigan made the remarks at CropLife America’s National Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. She told the audience that the FSMA regulations being developed have “the potential to transform, disrupt, improve and potentially destroy some operations.”

“It’s really big,” she said. “It could really change agriculture and certain parts of our industry more than you realize.”

“No one gets a pass on food safety, but sometimes I worry about the bureaucracy not always being as creative as they might be in achieving the same level of food safety at small and medium size operations,” she said.

Merrigan made the comments after telling the audience that she believes the push for labeling GMOs is “not going to go away.”

She was also asked why she decided to leave USDA. According to the report, “Merrigan did not answer directly but said there has been ‘a mass exodus of deputies across the federal government. We’re a big club. I do believe it’s the hardest job in the federal government. There’s a lot of pressure there.’”

Food Safety News

Fresh Fruit Portal