FreshA Publication of the Fresh Produce & FloralDigest Council December 2019/January 2020 FPFC APPRENTICES HOLIDAY AUCTION MILLENNIALS TOUR AND LUNCHEON ARE VENTURA COUNTY PHOTOS & THANK YOUS VALUABLE SHOPPERS 2020 DINNER DANCE VENUE CHANGE OFFERS “URBAN LIGHTS” Tucson, AZ Tucson, Permit No. 271 No. Permit PAID U.S. Postage U.S. Presorted Standard Presorted FreshA Publication of the Fresh Digest Produce & Floral Council Fresh Digest Tim Linden Editor Dana Davis Heather Gray Advertising Design/Layout Features In Every Issue FRESH PRODUCE & FLORAL COUNCIL 2019 Board of Directors 2020 FPFC DINNER DANCE VENUE CHANGE OFFERS 8 “URBAN LIGHTS” OFFICERS Andrew Bivens Editor’s View Westlake Produce Company FPFC APPRENTICE PROGRAM Chairman of the Board 4 BY TIM LINDEN Brian Cook APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Pete’s 10 FOR 7TH CLASS Chairman Elect Sean McClure Professional Produce APPRENTICES Treasurer/Secretary TOUR Executive Notes Alfonso Cano 6 Lucky 11 VENTURA COUNTY BY BRIAN COOK Immediate Past Chairman PAST CHAIR REPRESENTATIVES Harland Heath MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Heath & Lejeune, Inc. CERRITOS, CA Honorary Past Chairman 14 Council News Roger Schroeder PHOTOS & THANK YOUS Honorary Past Chairman 7 FPFC HIGHLIGHTS Connie Stukenberg California Avocado Commission ORGANIC Past Chairman SALES GROWTH 19 EXPECTED TO CLIMB DIRECTORS Mike Casazza TEAM PRODUCE FreshSource, LLC Greg Corrigan WALKS United Vegetable Growers 20 FOR HOPE Rick Cruz Pavilions Don Gann MORE CONSUMER-FOCUSED Vo l u m e 4 7 , N u m b e r 6 Stater Bros. Markets EFFORTS NEEDED, Scott Leimkuhler 21 December 2019 / January 2020 Progressive Produce, LLC SAYS PMA EXEC Kori Martin The Oppenheimer Group MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Fresh Digest (ISSN-1522-0982) is Jeffrey McLellan published bimonthly for $15 of FPFC Credit Consulting CERRITOS, CA Lynnie Nojadera 22 PHOTOS & THANK YOUS membership dues; $25 for annual sub- Quebec Distributing Co. scription for non-members by Fresh Kristen Reid MIXTEC Group MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Produce & Floral Council; 2400 E. Sheryl Salazar Katella Avenue, Suite 330, Anaheim Albertsons/Vons PLEASANTON, CA Michael Schutt 26 PHOTOS & THANK YOUS CA 92806. Periodicals postage paid Raley’s Supermarkets at Anaheim, CA, and at additional Dannie Timblin Melissa’s World Variety Produce MILLENNIALS mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send Paige Venable ARE address changes to Fresh Digest, 2400 Vallarta Supermarkets 30 E. Katella Avenue, Suite 330, Anaheim Bob Waldusky VALUABLE SHOPPERS Fresh Gourmet Company, LLC CA 92806. Fresh Digest | 3 EDITOR’S VIEW By Tim Linden Ag Can Lead the Way heard some very good news ide (CO2) in the environment is cover crops, no-till farming and less at the recent Organic Grower directly impacting the climate. Ex- chemical inputs – increases the rate Summit. Agriculture can and is treme heat and cold temperatures at which CO2 can be sucked from Ileading the way in finding solu- are causing devastating weather the environment and carbon can tions for some of the world’s thorni- events year in and year out. For naturally be pumped into the soil. est problem. High on that list are the length of the history of the More carbon in the soil means bet- climate change and the reduction in universe, the amount of CO2 in the ter water retention, more nutritious the use of plastic. Several speakers atmosphere fluctuated up and down crops, less flooding and greater spoke of both innovative technol- in a relatively narrow band with 250 yields. ogy and old-fashioned techniques parts per million (ppm) being the Some forward-thinking people as solutions to these problems. high water mark. In the past 250 are hoping to use carbon taxes to Plant-based polymers to cre- years that number has been setting entice farmers to adopt these prac- ate water bottles, clamshells, crop new records every year. Measure- tices. They figure a $15 to $20 per covers and a whole host of other ments show that this year it jumped acre subsidy will do the trick. While products that are currently petro- 3.5 ppm to more than 411 ppm. that probably wouldn’t convince leum based is not a pipe dream but The Paris Agreement, signed by too many specialty crop growers to a reality. Hemp is being touted 185 countries, was and is designed change their farming practices, it is as a miracle crop with its fibrous to stop the amount of CO2 from an incentive to the field crop grow- output able to be manufactured increasing. If achieved – and that’s ers and rangeland farmers in the into a strong, flexible and biode- a big if -- that’s a great first step, United States where $40 per acre gradable polymer. It’s going to take but not enough. Something has to is the average profit. Thirteen mil- time for the supply chain to catch be done to pull some of the CO2 lion acres of farmland have already up with this developed technology out of the environment and get that signed up for the program once it but the solution is there. There are ppm number back down into the has been implemented. other plant-based options as well, 200s. Trees and plants do just that. It’s a great feeling to imagine including corrugated packaging Photosynthesis naturally sucks that we can “grow” ourselves out that imitates plastic in its func- CO2 from the air and sequesters of the problem on the backs of tionality but not in its damage to carbon in the ground while releasing farmers. If there is ever a group the environment. Imagine the day the oxygen. up to the task, it is those who toil when you can shred these products Very long range, scientists in the dirt. And by the way, while and throw them in your garden and believe the oceans and massive we are all waiting for these types of watch your plants flourish. amounts of seaweed can be a big program to take root, you can be Even more promising is the part of the solution, but that piece a small part of the solution in your direct role agriculture can play hasn’t been figured out yet. own backyard by planting a tree. in slowing and reversing climate Researchers have found that Each tree removes about 10-50 change. The world is in agreement returning to old-fashioned farming pounds of CO2annually from the that the amount of carbon diox- techniques -- including the use of atmosphere. 4 | December 2019 / January 2020 Executive Notes By Brian Cook So Much to be Thankful For or those of you who are switched jobs from selling plastic much gratitude for the FPFC. Not wondering, “Who is this guy extrusions and injection moldings just for me but for all those with Fopening up for this issue of to sales for a printing company. I whom it has touched so lovingly. I the Fresh Digest?”, let me ad- eagerly looked through produce am super excited about the founda- dress. My name is Brian Cook rags for inspiration, like our very tion it is giving to the apprentices of and I am the president of Pete’s, own Fresh Digest, and continued to today and past years. a hydroponic lettuce grower with see his name pop up and his quotes Like all smart businesses, there greenhouses in Carpinteria and in articles. I thought this guy must is a time of assessment. I am Oxnard, CA. I owe my career to know a thing or two, so I looked him extremely excited as we look for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council up and gave him a call. He agreed to a new executive director that will and to those whom I met along the meet with this young, new-to-the- work with the FPFC Board and our way. As incoming Chairman of the business kid over lunch at Macaroni members for a successful future. Board, I am excited for the oppor- Grill in Arcadia. It was there that Change is so crucial to stay relevant tunity to give back to an association Dick insisted I get involved with the and we are progressing to a bright I love so much. Let me tell you a industry like volunteering at the future. There is a lot of work to be little about my story, which is not FPFC. done and with 2020 upon us we unique, but echoed across many in With learnings from Dick in are excited about the opportunity our produce space. hand, I moved forward and began to of change and keeping the FPFC As most are aware, the FPFC is meet some of the biggest-hearted events as must-attend experiences. primarily known for the network- individuals I have ever met who As chairman, I will be working ing around luncheons, celebrating also became true friends. Rick with the board and committees to the excitement of the New Year at Cruz, Kent Kuwata, and the Raley’s assure the right resources are in the annual Dinner Dance (Pro- boys (Greg Corrigan and Mike place, but as members we also have duce Prom), and the eagerness to Schutt) were some of the first and our roles to take advantage of these close a deal or, even better, start a most influential Angels in my life. great events and opportunities. new friendship at The FPFC Expo. Perimeter Sales & Marketing knew I am excited for this year and to It was the combination of these the importance of the FPFC and contribute to our future. I encour- events that really boosted my pushed me to get involved as well. age you to take advantage of all the career as I met some Angels early in There are so many others that I am FPFC has to offer by volunteer- my career through the FPFC.