UNFI buys Pacific Organic Produce

01/02/2013 1:02:16 PM
Coral Beach

Pacific Organic Produce founder Greg Holtzman will continue to lead the San Francisco-based operation with partner Steve Akagaki as it moves forward as part of the United Natural Foods Inc. organization.

Holtzman said Pacific Organic became part of the publicly held UNFI in August and is now operating under the Albert’s Organics umbrella of suppliers of fresh organic produce. As of early January, operational and logistical details were still being worked out, Holtzman said.

“We are excited and proud to be part of a $5.4 billion company that will continue to grow and support our vendor base and increase our product supply,” Holtzman said Dec. 31, adding that being part of the UNFI organization will help Pacific Organic meet the growing demands of its customers.

Holtzman Headquartered in Providence, R.I., UNFI distributes natural, organic and specialty foods and related products, including organic produce, through corporate several divisions. Albert’s Organics, Bridgeport, N.J., is the organic produce division leader for UNFI.

In its first quarter report for fiscal year 2013, which ended Oct. 27, UNFI reported adjusted net income of $22.8 million, a 17.8% increase over adjusted net income for its first quarter of fiscal 2012, according to its financial report.

Holtzman founded Pacific Organic Produce almost 20 years ago. The company launched the Purity Organic label about 15 years ago. He said his goal has always been to market fresh organic produce at reasonable prices. Pacific Organic sells and markets organic apples, oranges, avocados, mangoes and other commodities from growing partners in the U.S. and Latin America.

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Congratulations to my Friend Greg Holtzman. Greg exemplifies the best in our industry- an example for the new generation in the produce business to follow. UNFI acquired a first-class produce company staffed with people who have a track record of produce professionalism and honesty. Under the Albert’s Organic umbrella, Greg and Steve will be able to led Pacific Organic to higher levels.

Where does Greg Holtzman stand on the issue of testing organic produce? It's wonderful to see such mergers and acquisitions taking place in the organic industry. But unless we back up for a moment and tighten up what it means for produce to be certified organic, we're headed for disaster.

Does Mr. Holtzman support the idea of testing all organic farms and processing facilities at least once a year (at a cost of just $125 per test) rather than relying on record-keeping and record-checking, or is he happy with the current proposal before the USDA NOP to merely spot test domestic organic businesses while leaving suppliers in countries like China un-tested?

Where does Mischa Popoff stand on the issue of sharing conflicts of interest when making comments on websites? Guess who runs his own testing business and is trying to drum up interest and business in his own endeavour? Testing doesnt prove a thing. Its the importance of building soil that makes organic agriculture so important.