🌱 Oppy's CEO John Anderson on Produce Innovation

🌱 Good morning, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

In today's email:

• Mucci Farms Grows Bigger with Greenhill Produce Deal

• Heat-Proof Apples: New Varieties for a Warming World

• Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web

• Thousands of Acres of Produce Destroyed by DANA Flooding in Spain

• Oppy: Connecting Growers & Consumers for Over 165 Years

• Tip of the Day: Showcase Your Produce Certifications & Quality Standards

GREENHOUSE AGRICULTURE

Mucci Farms Expands North American Presence with Greenhill Produce Acquisition

Mucci Farms has acquired Greenhill Produce, a 150-acre greenhouse in Ontario, expanding its operations to over 650 acres across Canada and the U.S., making it the largest greenhouse operator in North America.

Known for premium bell peppers, Greenhill enhances Mucci’s capacity to supply sustainably grown produce. The move aligns with Mucci’s focus on innovation and consistent supply for retail and wholesale markets.

Greenhill, founded in 2000, is recognized for advanced robotics and quality standards.

Mucci Farms CEO Bert Mucci praised Greenhill’s alignment with their values, while Greenhill VP Justin Geertsema expressed confidence in Mucci’s stewardship.

The acquisition is part of Cox Farms’ broader strategy to lead in sustainable agriculture, employing 2,500 people and nearing $1 billion in revenue.

Headquartered in Kingsville, Ontario, Mucci Farms grows a diverse range of produce and plans to maintain Greenhill’s bell pepper production while exploring market-driven diversification.

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INNOVATION

Climate-Resilient Apples: New Varieties Bred to Withstand Heat

Climate change is disrupting traditional apple farming, with rising temperatures causing issues like browning, blistering, and premature fruit drop, reducing yields.

To combat these challenges, Chris Walsh, an emeritus professor at the University of Maryland, has dedicated decades to breeding heat- and disease-resistant apple varieties.

Walsh’s efforts began after observing that traditional apple varieties failed to thrive in Maryland’s increasingly hot and humid conditions.

His team developed two climate-resilient strains, MD-TAP1 and MD-TAP2, which are heat-tolerant, resistant to bacterial diseases, and require minimal pruning.

These varieties, a red and a yellow apple, are expected to receive marketable names once licensed by nurseries.

Farmers in the U.S. and globally have expressed strong interest in these apples, which represent a significant step toward sustainable agriculture.

As they reach markets, these resilient apples may offer a tasty solution to the agricultural challenges posed by a warming planet.

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🥕 Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H9: Organic Carrots | Grimmway Farms has recalled multiple brands of organic whole and baby carrots due to an E. coli outbreak linked to their products. Consumers should check their refrigerators and dispose of any recalled carrots to prevent illness. (FDA.gov | Nov 17, 2024)

🧑‍🌾 U.S. Ag, Food Industry Groups Express Concerns about Trump’s Proposed Mass Deportation Plans | U.S. agriculture groups warn that Trump’s deportation plans could cause severe labor shortages and disrupt food supply. They predict increased reliance on imports, higher prices, and rural economic instability. (ThePacker.com | Nov 15, 2024)

🥭 Global Market Overview: Mangoes | North America and Europe are importing South American mangoes, mainly smaller-sized Kents from Peru. South Africa and Senegal face lower yields, while Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt had successful seasons; Europe is cautious of a Peruvian influx. (FreshPlaza.com | Nov 15, 2024)

💻 Growmentum, Greenhouse Grower’s 2024 Technology of the Year | Named 2024 Technology of the Year, Growmentum enables greenhouses to track tasks and optimize labor. This platform helps boost efficiency and cut costs in greenhouse operations. (GreenhouseGrower.com | Nov 15, 2024)

📈 Aldi Kicks off Expansion and Renovation at Corporate Campus | ALDI is expanding its Batavia, IL headquarters with a new 56,000-sf building and renovated offices. The project, led by A M King, focuses on sustainability and enhanced employee collaboration. (ProduceBluebook.com | Nov 15, 2024)

🍓 New Varieties Help Florida Strawberry Growers | Florida strawberry growers are recovering from hurricanes with resilience. New disease-resistant varieties, Ember and Encore, are expected to boost yields despite recent flooding. (FruitGrowersNews.com | Nov 14, 2024)

🫑 Demand for Organic Peppers Growing | Demand for organic peppers is growing, driven by year-round promotions and convenient packaging like Fox’s Fresh Mesh bags. Industry experts see strong prospects as consumers prioritize health and freshness. (ProduceBusiness.com | Nov 11, 2024)

EUROPE

Thousands of Acres of Produce Destroyed by DANA Flooding in Spain

Spain's recent DANA storm has devastated its agriculture sector, with torrential rains flooding fields and destroying crops, especially in Valencia, a key region for European produce.

Over 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of crops, including citrus, persimmons, and vegetables, are lost, threatening supply chains and causing potential shortages of staples like oranges and tomatoes in Europe.

Valencia recorded nearly 500 mm (19.3 inches) of rain in just eight hours, surpassing annual averages in many areas.

Submerged fields delay replanting and could reduce yields in future seasons.

Preliminary estimates suggest insurance losses of €70-140 million ($76-152 million), but total economic losses are expected to be higher as growers decide whether to replant.

The flooding follows a summer of drought, illustrating climate change's impact on agriculture with extreme weather swings.

Recovery efforts will demand significant investment in infrastructure, relief measures, and support for affected farmers, as Europe braces for higher produce prices.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Oppy: Connecting Growers & Consumers for Over 165 Years

Oppy, a Vancouver-based fresh produce company founded in 1858, has grown into a global leader in the industry, handling approximately 50 million boxes of fruits and vegetables annually.

The company sources over 100 varieties of produce from 27 countries and serves more than 1,300 retailers worldwide.

Under the leadership of John Anderson (Chair, CEO, and Managing Partner), Oppy operates as a fully integrated company providing services across the entire supply chain, including growing advice, financing, logistics, quality assurance, and marketing.

Their global presence across all continents ensures the year-round availability of most products.

The company is known for introducing various produce items to North America, including Granny Smith apples and different varieties of kiwifruit.

Their portfolio includes well-known brands such as Ocean Spray, Zespri, and Blue Diamond Almonds, with whom they recently partnered to launch a new line of almond products for the produce aisle.

Innovation remains central to Oppy's strategy. They recently introduced two exclusive blueberry varieties: Pink Cosmo (featuring a unique pink hue) and Hunkaberry (notable for its large size over 18mm).

The company also maintains an Innovation Council to evaluate and implement business improvements.

Sustainability plays a crucial role in Oppy's operations. The company has made significant strides in environmental initiatives, including the launch of a 100% home compostable avocado pack that decomposes in 12 weeks.

They've successfully reduced their climate impact from 282,484 to 242,107 tons of CO2 in 2023.

Their commitment to sustainability extends to implementing regenerative agriculture practices, testing new technologies like BloomX for pollination, and partnering with organizations to reduce food waste.

The company's excellence has been recognized through various awards, including being named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for the 23rd time and maintaining Platinum Club status for 17 consecutive years.

Their influence was recently showcased at the 2024 IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta, where they launched their Blue Diamond partnership.

Beyond business operations, Oppy maintains a strong commitment to community involvement, encouraging employee participation in charitable initiatives and volunteer work.

Through their in-house logistics company, Oppy Transport, they ensure quality and freshness throughout their supply chain, solidifying their position as a leader in the fresh produce industry.

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TIP OF THE DAY

Showcase Your Produce Certifications & Quality Standards

You might not believe how many great produce brands miss the chance to showcase their certifications and quality standards.

These symbols, organic, non-GMO, fair trade, etc, are powerful indicators of your brand’s commitment to quality, safety, and ethics.

Display them proudly on your packaging, booth signage, and anywhere else you connect with buyers.

When customers see these marks, it reassures them of your brand’s value and reliability.

And don’t stop there, make sure your website highlights these quality standards, too.

Showing certifications online broadens your credibility beyond trade shows and packaging, letting potential buyers know your commitment to excellence is front and center.

With every touchpoint, you’re reinforcing trust and making it easy for people to choose your brand.

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