California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Vegetables West Magazine

  • Connecting the Watermelon Industry with Retail and Foodservice Buyers

    The new National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) Watermelon Supplier Database is the perfect platform to connect retail and foodservice buyers with suppliers as the summer season takes off for America’s favorite melon.

    Each year the NWPB staff promote watermelon to retail and foodservice audiences, both in-person and digitally. When a contact asks where they can get watermelon, this new database with help connect the dots. The new Watermelon Supplier Database is based on the new watermelon.org in the Industry, Retail and Foodservice sections and at watermelon.org/supplierdatabase, so all interested groups can easily access the database.

    The Board is still working to populate the database so if a member of the watermelon industry is interested, please visit watermelon.org/supplierdatabase. Multiple roles in the industry are encouraged to be a part of the database including wholesalers, growers, importers, brokers, processors, seed, transportation companies and more.

    Please reach out to supplierdatabase@watermelon.org with any questions.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25%), a source of Vitamin B6 (8%), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 15.6 pounds in 2019. Watermelon consumption in the United States was approximately 5.1 billion pounds in 2019. The United States exported an additional 321.2 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org. 

  • Brighter Bites Announces Upcoming Three-Part Webinar Series

    Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces its upcoming three-part webinar series which will provide more insight and information on the program impact with its followers, supporters, and potential friends.

    Brighter Bites’ first ever webinar series entitled, “Brighter Bites: Our Not-So-Secret Formula”, aims to educate its audience on the Brighter Bites mission, organization’s impact, the ways you can join the movement, and much more. Over the course of the three-part series, attendees will hear a word from the Brighter Bites Founder, Lisa Helfman, testimonials from partners, research and data from Co-Founder, Dr. Shreela Sharma, and stories from inside the schools from a panel of educators.

    “We’re so excited to spread the word and educate our audience about our life behind-the-scenes at Brighter Bites through our first-ever webinar series,” said Melissa McDonald, Director of Development at Brighter Bites. “We’re grateful for our team, donors, and volunteers for making this possible and to be able to share exciting announcements about our future initiatives in the communities we serve.”

    Brighter Bites: Our Not-So-Secret Formula

    • Tuesday, August 22 11:30am-12:00pm CST: Fill the Plate
    • Wednesday, August 23 11:30am-12:00pm CST: Educate
    • Thursday, August 24 11:30am-12:00pm CST: Make it Great

     

    “This webinar allows us to provide our followers, supporters, and potential new friends with insight into the impact of this program,” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites. “You’ll hear more about how the program operates through strong partnerships, how the formula really works in creating healthy change in families, and how the program is changing nutrition education in schools. Brighter Bites works, and we are excited to give you a closer look into the change we’re making in lives across the country.”

    To learn more about the Brighter Bites: Our Not-So-Secret Formula webinar series, see here or contactdevelopment@brighterbites.org.

    To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor through product or financial donations contact Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Amy Priebe, at amy.priebe@brighterbites.org.

    About Brighter Bites:

    Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food with the goal of changing behavior among children and their families to achieve long-term health. Brighter Bites is an evidence-based, multi-component elementary school, preschool, and summer camp program that utilizes reliable access to fruits and vegetables, nutrition education, and consistent exposure to recipes and messages that feature fresh food. Since 2012, Brighter Bites has provided over 50 million pounds of produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than 500,000 individuals (including teachers) in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, Southwest Florida, Salinas, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and San Antonio. To learn more about Brighter Bites visit www.brighterbites.org.

  • Canada Reimplements Temporary Import Requirements for US Romaine Lettuce

    Canada will once again implement additional temporary import requirements for U.S. origin romaine lettuce for Fall 2023. The additional requirements will be in effect from September 28, 2023 to December 20, 2023. As with previous years’ requirements, Canada will require imported romaine lettuce and/or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce originating from the Salinas Valley counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito to have a negative test for E. coli O157:H7 or a Proof of Origin for romaine and/or salad mixes from other U.S. growing regions.

    Since 2019, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented additional import requirements during the Fall period for U.S. romaine lettuce. Specific testing requirements for E. coli O157:H7 have been implemented since 2020 for romaine lettuce originating from the Salinas Valley counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. CFIA is once again implementing requirements for Fall 2023 during the time period of September 28, 2023 to December 20, 2023.

    Market Impact

    Since 2019, the implementation of additional import requirements for U.S. romaine lettuce during the final quarter of the year has acted as a market disruptor, with Canadian importers and U.S. exporters challenged to implement the new requirements. In November 2019, CFIA issued a notice that imports of romaine lettuce from the United States must not come from lettuce harvested from the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. In October 2020, CFIA’s import requirements permitted imports from the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito with the completion of a negative E. coli O157:H7 test. These additional import requirements resulted in logistical challenges around sampling and diagnostic capacity, consumers and wholesalers reported higher prices, and were periodically challenged to source product. With potential threats to a consistent supply, wholesalers began seeking out additional suppliers.

    Prior to 2019, the five-year average of fresh lettuce imports into Canada in Q4 was 51,640 MT, with the U.S. market share reaching 99 percent, 62 percent of which came from California. During the past four years, when additional import requirements were in effect, the average Q4 imports were 47,350 MT. During this time, the U.S. market share was down slightly averaging 94 percent with California dropping to 53 percent market share. The average Q4 volume from Mexico almost quadrupled in the 2019-2022 compared to 2014-2018, increasing from one to five percent. Imports of Mexican romaine to Canada in Q4 may be particularly advantaged if additional import requirements for U.S. origin romaine lettuce continue to be burdensome for importers.

    Fall 2023 Requirements

    During this time, imports to Canada of U.S. romaine lettuce are required to be accompanied by a Proof of Origin confirming that any romaine lettuce and/or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce do not originate from the Salinas Valley counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito. Should the romaine lettuce and/or salad mixes containing romaine lettuce originating from the Salinas Valley counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito then CFIA requires testing for E. coli O157:H7 to confirm it is not detected in order for product to be import eligible. Importers will have a temporary condition on their Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license for these requirements.

    The requirements remain similar to the 2022 requirements. For imports originating from the counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Benito, importers must provide for a protocol in their preventive control plan outlining how they will implement the required sampling and testing. Each shipment must also have the completed attestation declaring that the appropriate sampling and testing was completed and E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in the shipment (Form CFIA/ACIA 5961). The official Certificate of Analysis for testing must also be included with each shipment.

    CFIA provides for two approaches to fulfill the sampling requirements:

    1) Finished-product sampling: sampling and testing is to be conducted before product is imported to Canada but is completed after all post-processing and handling steps are finished. A sampling lot is defined as 1 type or product of a size no larger than 1 truckload (maximum 20,400 kg/45,000 lbs). Each sampling lot must have a total sample weight of 1,500 g comprised of 60 randomized individual sample units of 25 g.

    2) Pre-harvest sampling: field sampling may be completed no more than 7 d prior to harvest. A sampling lot is defined as a 2 acre field or less. CFIA requires the field to be a homogenous romaine lettuce crop subjected to homogenous agricultural conditions. A total sample weight of 1,500 g comprised of 60 randomized individual sample units of 25 g must be taken from each sample lot. This option is primarily designed to accommodate field-packed product.

    The CFIA website provides for additional details on sampling requirements and testing requirements, including accepted methodologies and laboratory accreditation requirements, which are required.  — By Alexandrea Watters, USDA Foreign Ag Service

  • Pathway Risk Assessments and Potential Regulatory Options for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)

    USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a Stakeholder Registry announcement to solicit public comment on two pathway risk assessments and three potential regulatory policy options for Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in fresh tomato and pepper fruit for consumption and plant propagative material (including seeds).

    To safeguard U.S. agriculture against the introduction of the virus into the United States, APHIS issued a Federal Order effective on November 22, 2019, to restrict the importation of tomato and pepper fruit and plant propagative material, such as plants intended for planting, plant parts and cuttings, and seeds. On June 3, 2020, APHIS amended the Federal Order to clarify the requirements for fruit, specifically requiring an additional declaration for tomatoes and/or pepper fruit from countries that already must provide a phytosanitary certificate for these commodities. All other requirements remained unchanged.

    The distribution of ToBRFV is rapidly changing across the world and given numerous detections of the virus in the United States over the past several years, APHIS is reevaluating the Agency’s policies for regulating fresh tomato and pepper fruit for consumption and plant propagative material (including seeds) for ToBRFV.

    APHIS developed pathway risk assessments to update and inform its policy decisions related to the virus. APHIS drafted the following documents: (1) a tomato and pepper fruit for consumption pathway risk assessment, (2) a propagative plant materials pathway risk assessment, and (3) a document that describes three potential regulatory responses considering the pathway risk assessments.

    APHIS is seeking scientific information that would provide a greater understanding of the distribution of ToBRFV in the United States and of best management practices, including the development of resistant tomato varieties for this virus. APHIS is also seeking information about the economic impacts of the potential regulatory options.

    APHIS is considering three regulatory policy options:

    1. Continue to regulate Tomato brown rugose fruit virus as a quarantine pest but remove those import restrictions for tomato and pepper fruit for consumption. APHIS would continue to regulate propagative materials, including plants and seed, as described in the existing import Federal Order. APHIS would continue to take action on domestic detections of the virus in seeds and other propagative material.
    2. Categorize Tomato brown rugose fruit virus as a non-quarantine pest and rescind the import Federal Order. This action would remove all import restrictions for this virus for fruit for consumption and for propagative materials. APHIS would no longer take action on domestic detections of the virus.
    3. Continue to regulate Tomato brown rugose fruit virus as a quarantine pest and implement the requirements in the existing import Federal Order without change. APHIS would continue to take action on domestic detections of the virus in fruit, seeds and other propagative material for consumption.

    APHIS will accept public feedback for 30 days following the publication of the documents on the Stakeholder Risk Assessment Consultation web page: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/risk-assessment-consultation. APHIS will consider all comments received by August 30, 2023.

    The current ToBRFV Federal Order is available on APHIS’ website here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/federal-import-orders/. If you have any questions, please direct them to PPQPRAComments@usda.gov; please indicate ToBRFV in the subject line.

  • Opportunities for Fruit & Vegetable Exports to Malaysia

    Malaysia was the 26th-largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2022, totaling nearly $1.1 billion in value, and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exports of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts, and more have many opportunities to supply the Malaysian food processing sector, which depends on imports for key ingredients and inputs, and in doing so reach consumers across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.

    Macroeconomic Perspective

    Malaysia has a diverse and open economy with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita that is among the highest in Southeast Asia at $12,360 in 2022. Malaysia is currently considered an upper-middle income country by the World Bank (countries with gross national income per capita between $4,466 and $13,845) but is expected to become a high-income country within the next few years. According to the International Monetary Fund, Malaysia’s real GDP growth has been mostly between 4 and 5 percent in recent years, apart from major shifts between 2020 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With an estimated population of 34 million in 2022, Malaysia is the 43rd-most-populous country in the world and the 6th-most-populous member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

    Agricultural Trade and the Food Processing Industry

    Malaysia is the 26th-largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products, with exports valued at nearly $1.1 billion in 2022. The United States was Malaysia’s eighth-largest supplier, accounting for 5.6 percent of total agricultural imports. The mix of U.S. products is diverse, ranging from bulk products such as soybeans, wheat, and cotton to consumer-oriented products such as dairy, tree nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

    U.S. Agricultural Exports to Malaysia
    Value in Millions, U.S. Dollars

    The Malaysian food processing sector accounts for around 10 percent of total domestic manufacturing output and supplies in both the internal and export markets. To serve its consumers domestically and abroad, the Malaysian food processing industry depends on imported ingredients. The manufacturing of dairy products, wheat flour-based products, processed fruit and vegetables, and various specialty foods and beverages rely heavily on imports. The United States is an important supplier of many of these ingredients, and prospects are strong because of the size and growth of Malaysian food processing. Because Malaysia is a regional supplier of processed foods, U.S. food and beverage processing ingredients can reach consumers in Malaysia, throughout Southeast Asia, and beyond.

    The U.S. agricultural products that have high potential to expand in the Malaysian market for use in food processing include: dairy products; fresh and processed potatoes; food-grade soy products; processed fruit and juices; and tree nuts.

    Tree Nuts

    Malaysia imported $196 million of tree nuts from all suppliers in 2022, down from $204 million in 2021. The United States exported $32.4 million to Malaysia in 2022 and was the second-largest supplier behind Indonesia, holding 19 percent market share. Shelled almonds made up 68 percent of U.S. tree nut exports to Malaysia, with $22.2 million exported there in 2022. Other top products include in-shell pistachios ($3.5 million), shelled walnuts ($3.4 million), and in-shell almonds ($1.6 million). The United States holds a very high market share in Malaysia for imported shelled almonds, at nearly 85 percent, and a high market share for shelled walnuts (64 percent) and in-shell pistachios (48 percent). According to Euromonitor International, sales of nuts, seeds, and trail mixes in Malaysia have increased 4.5 percent annually, on average, since 2018, and this growth rate is forecast to increase during the next 5 years. Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts are common ingredients in nut mixes, and U.S. exports have good prospects because of the current market share for these tree nuts.

    Trade Policy

    Malaysia is a member of ASEAN and is thus part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area along with its neighbors Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. As part of ASEAN, it has free trade agreements (FTAs) with Australia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Malaysia is a party to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Malaysia also has seven bilateral FTAs with countries including Australia, the PRC, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Türkiye. For information on trade policy and regulations relevant to the export of food processing ingredients to Malaysia, see FAS’s most recent Malaysia: Food Processing Ingredients GAIN report.

    Conclusion

    Due to its expanding food processing industry, Malaysia is a major prospect for the export of food and beverage ingredients and is a significant export destination for U.S. agricultural products. The Malaysian food processing sector, which depends on imports for essential ingredients and inputs, has many opportunities to benefit from U.S. exports of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts, processed food and beverages, snacks, and more. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. Given that Malaysia is a key regional supplier of processed foods, U.S. food and beverage ingredients can effectively reach consumers not only within Malaysia but also throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

  • USDA Expands Crop Insurance Coverage Options for Specialty Crops  

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its insurance coverage options for specialty crops and other actual production history (APH) crop programs. Through its Risk Management Agency (RMA), it will expand the availability of enterprise units to crops where they were previously unavailable, giving agricultural producers greater options to manage their risk.

    An enterprise unit allows a producer to insure all acres of the insured crop in the county together, as opposed to other unit structures that separate the acreage for insurance. Enterprise units are attractive to producers due to lower premium rates offered to recognize the lower risk associated with the geographic diversification. In general, the larger the enterprise unit, the lesser the risk, and the greater the enterprise unit discount.

    “We want to make sure we are giving the nation’s agricultural producers the strongest risk management tools possible – and one of those is flexibility,” said Marcia Bunger, Administrator for the Risk Management Agency. “This expansion of enterprise units gives producers more choices for how they can protect their operations and themselves best. That is our ultimate goal.”

    This furthers RMA’s efforts to improve and expand the insurance program for specialty crops as required by the 2018 Farm Bill. Moreover, this expansion also meets producer requests for enterprise units for other APH crop insurance programs. The initial set of targeted crops can enjoy this new option when it becomes effective on June 30, 2023. RMA plans to expand to dozens more specialty and other APH crop programs with these benefits in the coming months.

    “This expansion of enterprise units provides more producers the same options for discounted insurance coverage as row crops,” Bunger added.

    The following crops will have enterprise units available beginning with the 2024 crop year:

    • Alfalfa seed
    • Cultivated wild rice
    • Forage production
    • Mint*
    • Onions*
    • Potatoes* (Enterprise units will be available in California for the 2025 crop year)

    *Specialty Crop

    More Information

    Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting your RMA Regional Office.

  • California Grower Concerns for Bees & Monarchs being Listed as Endangered Species

    Native California bees and monarch butterflies may soon be listed as endangered species.  While California farmers, and almond growers in particular, want to take care of and protect these important pollinators, listing them as endangered could prove problematic for farming as we know it. Watch this interview with Josette Lewis from the Almond Board of California as she explains.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • National Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest Call for Entries

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) invites all retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries to submit entries to their 15th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest.  More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to top entrants, including $5,000 for the grand prize for winner. The second place winner will receive $2,500, third place will receive $1,000 and three honorable mentions will each receive $500. An additional incentive of a $15 gift card will be awarded to the first 25 entries.

    Additional prizes will be awarded thanks to a continued partnership with Tajín® for the 2023 season. The first 100 entries that include watermelon and Tajín seasonings in their in-store display submissions or in their mixed merchandising tactics in social, digital, print and web marketing will each receive a $20 Amazon digital gift card.

    NWPB’s partnership with Tajín will add to the chance for incentives for stores to enter and will increase the reach of the contest while offering retailers a great cross-merchandising opportunity. Fresh watermelons and Tajín – a chili/lime seasoning — are a perfect complement, as the flavor profile of watermelons combined with the ‘zing’ of Tajín creates a new eating experience for many consumers.

    “We couldn’t be more thrilled to ‘add a little zing’ to our contest with Tajín,” said Juliemar Rosado, Director of Retail and International Marketing. “Watermelons and Tajín lend themselves to many flavors and cuisines. Cross-merchandising promotions are always a great opportunity to showcase more than one item AND the benefits of both.”

    “We have partnered with the NWPB for several years,” stated Eric Patrick, Partnership Brand Manager. “Consumers always love the experience, and we look forward to seeing the creative merchandising and marketing efforts that retailers big and small will create this year. Watermelons and Tajín are a delicious combination, and these joint efforts create a ton of interest in both products.”

    The contest began in July to honor National Watermelon Month and runs throughout the month of August and is used by NWPB to encourage and identify retailers who are showcasing watermelon’s benefits including happiness, health, value and versatility.

    To enter a promotion, retailers can submit their entry and photos, links, screenshots, etc., online, via email or postal mail. All entries must be submitted/postmarked by midnight Eastern on September 15, 2023. Visit: http://watermelon.org/Retailers/Retail-Contest for more information, including official contest rules and entry form, or email NWPB at retail@watermelon.org.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 700 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    A serving of nutrient-dense watermelon provides an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was nearly 15.5 pounds in 2022. Watermelon consumption in the United States was nearly 5.2 billion pounds in 2022. The United States exported an additional 328 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

    About Tajín Seasonings

    Industrias Tajín is a 100% Mexican company, leader in Mexico and United States markets in chili powder, and one of the most important in the production and commercialization of products derived from chili worldwide. It has presence in more than 65 countries around the world. It was founded in 1985, surprising consumers with the perfect blend of lime, chili, and sea salt. In 1993, Tajín exports to the United States for the first time and Tajin International Corporation is established in Houston, TX, from where all the commercial activity of the brand in the U.S. is managed. The brand arrived in the Central American and European markets in 2006.

    Last year’s (2022) Contest Winners

  • California Strawberry Commission Fills Two Key Positions

    The California Strawberry Commission (CSC) is announcing two key hires to advance the industry through research and communications.

    Dr. William “Bill” Turechek joins the CSC as the new Vice President of Research. Bill joins the CSC after serving since 2006 as a Research Plant Pathologist at the USDA-ARS Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida, where he worked on epidemiology and management of strawberry and vegetable diseases.

    Dr. Turechek has over 100 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters, has raised tens of millions of dollars in extramural funding, and has served as senior editor for the journals Plant Disease and Phytopathology. His areas of expertise include plant disease epidemiology, disease management, and statistics, with an emphasis on diseases that occur in strawberry and annual vegetable production.

    “We are excited to have Dr. Turechek join the California Strawberry Commission and utilize his expertise to aid the 400+ family-owned strawberry farming operations in California,” said Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission President.

    “I am honored to join the California Strawberry Commission and I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the many growers, shippers, and processors in the California strawberry industry. As the Vice President of Research, one of my primary goals is to work closely with the industry to identify key research needs, and then make it happen. In leading the Commission’s research efforts, I hope to empower California strawberry growers with the latest research and data to help them make the informed decisions that will advance strawberry farming in California” said Dr. William Turechek, California Strawberry Commission Vice President of Research.

    The California Strawberry Commission also recently named Jeff Cardinale as the new Director of Communications.

    Among his duties, Cardinale will lead positive marketing message campaigns highlighting the importance of the California strawberries and the industry itself to the local communities where strawberries are grown as well as to local, state, and national stakeholders. Cardinale will also handle media relations and crisis communications. Cardinale led the commission’s response to the January and March flooding events.

    Jeff Cardinale Joins the CSC as Director of Communications

    “On behalf of the 400+ California strawberry growers, shippers, and processors, I am excited to join the California Strawberry Commission. There are incredible stories to tell about the California strawberry industry, from the remarkable opportunities for field workers becoming farm owners, to the fact that 97 cents of every California strawberry dollar goes right back into the community. These are just a few of the many great things happening in the California strawberry industry and I look forward to showcasing those stories,” said Jeff Cardinale, California Strawberry Commission Director of Communications.

    “We are delighted to have Jeff on board. He brings nearly 10 years of agriculture communications experience as well as extensive work in proactive and crisis communications. The commission is confident Jeff will serve the industry well,” said Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission President.

    Dr. Bill Turechek joins the CSC as Vice President, Research

    Prior to his work in agricultural communications, Cardinale served as the Public Information Officer for the Fresno Police Department. Cardinale also has more than 15 years experience in television news management where he won six Emmy Awards for Best Newscast.

    As part of the marketing and media relations campaigns, Cardinale plans to introduce new ways of reaching the media, as well as the local strawberry farming communities to stay engaged with the industry.

     

  • Win $250,000 in AgSharks Pitch Competition

    Western Growers and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2023 AgSharks Competition, a unique event where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live audience of the world’s largest specialty crop producers to win a $250,000 minimum investment. Impact-driven entrepreneurs and startups developing technologies that promote a more healthy and sustainable food and agriculture system can apply for the AgSharks Competition by clicking here. Applications close on July 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

    “As our partnership with S2G Ventures to host the AgSharks competition at the Western Growers Annual Meeting enters its sixth year, we look forward to finding finalists who can bring real-world technology solutions to solve the issues impacting the specialty crop community,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “2022 AgSharks winner NutJobs earned a record $6 million equity investment – and this year we invite entrepreneurs to apply who have a similar bold vision.”

    Three startups will be selected to pitch their solutions to a panel of growers, shippers, processors and venture capitalists in front of more than 300 fresh produce farmers and industry leaders during the WG Annual Meeting in Kauai on Nov. 12-15, 2023. The AgSharks finalists will be the only presenting startups featured on stage. In addition to potential investment capital, the winner(s) will receive international recognition, mentoring from S2G and WG, potential access to farm acreage to pilot their technologies and access to WG’s expansive network of leading fresh produce companies.

    “It takes an ecosystem of stakeholders working together to unlock better outcomes for consumers and producers,” said Audre Kapacinskas, Principal, S2G Ventures. “Western Growers has been a tremendous partner, serving as a bridge between growers, innovators and investors to accelerate innovation in agriculture. As an investor, we bring capital to the table, and having an open dialogue with growers allows us to have a better understanding of industry needs and how we might work together to meaningfully move the needle on innovation in agriculture. We look forward to collaborating again this year.”

    AgSharks was first held in 2017; during last year’s competition AgSharks winner NutJobs received a record $6 million equity investment offer. Nutjobs transforms nutshell waste into bio-benign plastic alternative products that are compostable.

    Past AgSharks winners Hazel Technologies and Burro have since brought their products from development to market. Hazel Technologies has raised over $87.8 million in funding over six rounds and is advancing the industry with sachets that extend the shelf life of fresh produce by as much as three times. Burro raised a $10.9 million Series A round in September 2021 led by S2G Ventures and Toyota Ventures and continues to help solve farmers’ labor woes with the expansion of its fleet of autonomous robots to farms across the West.

    About Western Growers:

    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook.

    About S2G Ventures:

    S2G Ventures, the direct investment team of Builders Vision, partners with entrepreneurs who are working on solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges across the food, agriculture, oceans, and clean energy markets. We provide capital, mentorship and value-added resources to companies pursuing innovative market-based solutions that generate positive social, environmental and financial returns. We provide our partners with flexible capital solutions that can range from seed and venture funding through growth equity to debt and infrastructure financing. For more information about S2G, visit s2gventures.com, read our insights, or connect with us on LinkedIn.