Georgia

Pure Flavor to Expand its Georgia Greenhouse Operations

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:55:43 GMT

Pure Flavor, a greenhouse grower of fruits and vegetables, says it’s investing in the future of fresh produce with a 25-acre expansion of its Southern Flavor Farms greenhouse in Georgia. The Leamington, Ontario-based grower says the move strengthens the company’s ability to provide retailers and consumers with consistent access to fresh, flavorful and high-quality vegetables year-round.

The 25-acre expansion marks Phase 2 of Pure Flavor’s presence in Georgia. Construction is underway now, and production from the new expansion is expected for summer 2026, the company says. With an additional 25 acres planned for Phase 3, the company is looking to lay the foundation for future growth to meet increasing demand.

“With the 25-acre expansion next summer, Pure Flavor will have a total of 50 acres in Georgia once Phase 2 is complete,” says Mike Glass, director of sales for Pure Flavor. “With Phase 3, which is already planned, we anticipate reaching 75 acres in the state. Georgia’s strategic location, climate and infrastructure make it an ideal long-term growth hub, and we continuously evaluate opportunities to meet growing demand for fresh, premium produce.”

The new facility will feature advanced controlled environment agriculture systems designed to optimize crop growth while minimizing environmental impact. Pure Flavor says every decision in this expansion is intentional, from selecting locations to implementing advanced growing technologies. This methodical approach ensures that each investment strengthens its long-term ability to provide consistent, premium vegetables across North America.

Pure Flavor is a greenhouse grower of tomatoes and other vegetables.

(Photo courtesy of Pure Flavor)

Georgia on a Greenhouse Grower’s Mind

Pure Flavor says Georgia has become a key part of its growth strategy.

“Georgia offers a unique combination of benefits for greenhouse growing,” Glass says. “The climate allows for consistent year-round production, while the state’s transportation infrastructure and proximity to major southeastern markets enable quick, efficient delivery to retailers and consumers. Its location supports our goal of providing high-quality, locally grown produce while maintaining flexibility to respond to demand. These factors collectively make Georgia a cornerstone in our expansion strategy.”

Pure Flavor says the Georgia expansion will provide retailers with a dependable source of premium produce that meets growing shopper demand for locally grown food, while also helping them differentiate their offerings in a competitive category.

“This expansion allows retailers to plan with confidence, knowing they have a reliable source of high-quality produce grown locally, year-round,” Glass says. “By sourcing locally, it not only ensures freshness and peak flavor, but also supports inventory stability, reduces supply uncertainty, and helps retailers consistently meet shopper expectations.”

Looking Ahead

Given the increasing demand for greenhouse-grown produce, Pure Flavor continues to look at opportunities for strategic expansion.

“While Georgia is currently our primary growth hub in the U.S., we continually explore opportunities for expansion in other states where climate, infrastructure and proximity to key markets support our goal of delivering fresh, flavorful and responsibly grown vegetables,” Glass says. “Any future U.S. expansion will be guided by our strategic focus on quality, innovation, and market responsiveness.”

Glass says Pure Flavor has strategically located greenhouse operations across North America to provide consistent, premium vegetables year-round. And while the greenhouse grower doesn’t disclose exact acreages by location publicly, it says its “portfolio includes key operations in Canada, Georgia and other U.S. locations, allowing us to balance production, logistics and market demand efficiently.”

Specialty Crop Organizations Push for AEWR Transparency

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:00:31 GMT

Specialty crop groups in five states have come together to file a freedom of information request with the USDA to better understand how the agency calculates the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) that determines the minimum wages in each state for the H-2A guestworker program.

The effort is led by the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) and the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), whose members have faced sharp increases in AEWR in the last few years.

Chris Butts, executive vice president of GFVGA, says Georgia growers have seen a total of 31% in increases in AEWR during the last three years. And Michelle Grainger, executive director of NCSC, says growers in her state have seen an 18% rise in AEWR in the last three years.

“Any way you look at it and slice it, this has been a very challenging situation, and as our growers are continually faced with economic pressures for all their other input costs, to have over 40% of their balance sheets tied up in labor and not be able to know what that labor cost is going to be until mid-November, it’s hard to run a business that way as their first workers typically arrive in early February to the farm,” she says. “To not have transparency of how the [AEWR] algorithm is utilized to create a budget on what feels like very arbitrary rates that are sprinkled across the nation at different regions that don’t even make sense. Enough is enough.”

Butts says changes to Georgia’s immigration policy in the 2010s means specialty crop growers in the state utilize the H-2A program exclusively to meet labor needs.

“In the southeast, there is no fruit and vegetable production without the H-2A program because there is no other labor pool there,” he says. “A Vidalia onion is touched by hand six times during the planting through the harvest — the same for blueberry production, citrus production. Our growing industries are reliant on [H-2A labor], and until we develop technology for mechanization and automation to help our workers become efficient, we’re relying on this program.”

Granger agrees, noting sweetpotatoes are a labor-intensive crop, so mechanization is not a possibility for her growers.

“Any sweetpotato grower cannot have fresh sweetpotatoes on the market without hand-harvesting,” she says. “We also utilize labor to transplant. The crop that we have is labor-intensive from the moment we start growing seed, whether that be in the greenhouse or in a bedding field, to the moment it almost hits the truck on a case that’s going retail, food service, a consumer’s plate, etc.”

So far, the organizations that have signed on to the coalition include:

Alabama Farmers Federation
Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association
Blue Ridge Apple Growers Association
Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Berry Exchange
Georgia Farm Bureau
Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
Georgia Green Industry Association
Georgia Peach Council
Georgia Pecan Growers Association
Georgia Watermelon Association
International Fresh Produce Association
National Council of Agricultural Employers
North Carolina Apple Growers Association
North Carolina Chamber
North Carolina Christmas Tree Association
North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Growers Association
North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association
North Carolina Strawberry Association
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
North Carolina Tomato Growers Association
North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association
North Carolina Watermelon Association
Michigan Asparagus Association
South Carolina Farm Bureau
South Carolina Peach Council
South Carolina Small Fruit Growers Association
Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina

Granger and Butts say the coalition has communicated with representatives in Washington, D.C., to voice concerns about the rising AEWR rate and possibilities for ag labor reform. Granger says the diversity of the specialty crops helps drive home the need for changes.

“Our elected officials, regardless of what side of the aisle they may sit on, appreciate the value of agriculture and they appreciate that North Carolina is a state that has a lot of specialty crops,” she says. “Our coalition, when we filed — it has since grown — it was 30 organizations representing five states and 13 unique different crops, as well as eight different state and national member advocacy groups. That diversity really excited our representatives in Congress, because it gave them something more to talk about.”

Granger says a great way for those in the fresh produce industry to help communicate the coalition’s concerns is quite simple. Communicate with elected officials and community members about the vital role that agriculture has in this country.

“There’s a lot of people that we interact with, who don’t quite grasp how reliant we are on labor,” she says. “Not all of these people are not that terribly far removed from agriculture. I’m constantly amazed, but I patiently provide information and education on how uneducated the American consumer is today about what it takes to have fresh food, quality food, safe food and affordable food on their plate. It doesn’t magically just show up at the grocery store.”

Butts says another way for those in the fresh produce industry can help elevate this cause is to get involved.

“If they’re not a member of that state or local organization that signs on the support coalition, join your organization and support them,” he says. “Then ask your regional organization, ‘What are you doing for these efforts, and how can we participate?’”

Explore you-pick farms with Georgia Grown's new map

Fri, 23 May 2025 18:41:51 GMT

The Georgia Department of Agriculture plans to continue its retail promotion with IGA supermarkets this summer and has released its 2025 Georgia Grown You-Pick Agritourism Map, said Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the department of agriculture.

The IGA promotion highlights Georgia Grown fruits and vegetables that are in season throughout the state.

“It’s a great opportunity to educate shoppers on what’s local, what’s fresh and what’s uniquely Georgia Grown,” Kulinski said.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program was created to connect consumers with locally grown and produced agricultural products while helping farmers and agribusinesses thrive, says Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing.

(Photo courtesy of Georgia Grown)

The department also has kicked off the second year of its peach promotion in partnership with the Kroger Co.

“This program will run across hundreds of stores throughout the Midwest, expanding awareness of Georgia peaches beyond our borders and creating a special market for Georgia peaches,” Kulinski said.

The new Georgia Grown You-Pick Agritourism Map is touted as “your ultimate guide to fresh, hands-on farm adventures across the state.” The map highlights more than 30 Georgia Grown member farms where visitors can “pick their own produce, savor seasonal flavors and connect with the land.”

“Georgia fruits and vegetables are known for their exceptional quality, thanks to our unique climate, generous growing season and generations of farming expertise,” Kulinski said.

Georgia spring and summer crops yield good news

Thu, 22 May 2025 21:08:01 GMT

More than 30 kinds of fruits and vegetables are produced in Georgia each year, and growers are sharing positive reports on the latest harvests.

“We are expecting a very good crop across all of our spring and summer fruits and vegetables,” said Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. “Blueberries and peaches all look good in early spring, and we’re hoping for a great season with watermelons and sweet corn as well.”

Corbett Brothers Farms

Lake Park, Ga.-based Corbett Brothers Farms LLC offered watermelon and sweet corn for the first time last year and will bring them back this summer, said Justin Corbett, a partner in the company with his brother, Jared. Both products performed well, he said, and will start up for summer on May 20. They’ll be available until July 4.

The company has already started harvesting squash, cucumbers, bell pepper and specialty peppers and will launch an eggplant program on May 20. The summer season will end around the Fourth of July, and the fall season will kick off in early September with the same commodities.

This growing season in Georgia has been unusually dry, Corbett said.

“We haven’t had much measurable rain for the last month or so,” he said. But with drip irrigation, the company is able to manage its water successfully.

Temperatures have been moderate for the area, too.

“It’s about 85 degrees — perfect growing conditions right now,” Corbett said May 7.

“I’m expecting exceptional quality on everything,” he said, adding that volume should be normal this season.

Troy Bland, CEO of Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms, checks out some the company’s Vidalia sweet onions. Although there were a few chilly days and even a light snowfall during the winter, the Vidalia sweet onion crop bounced back, and the company ended up with a great harvest, he says.

(Photo courtesy of Bland Farms)

Bland Farms

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms finished its Vidalia onion harvest in early May and was planting Sand Candy sweetpotatoes in Georgia and North Carolina, said CEO Troy Bland.

“We are pleased to be able to offer sweetpotatoes year round, especially as there has been a shortage,” he said.

Although there were a few chilly days and even a light snowfall this winter, the Vidalia sweet onion crop bounced back, and the company ended up with a great harvest, he said. The firm had a bumper crop last year, but this season will be more typical.

When the Vidalia sweet onion season ends in August, Bland Farms will transition to its Peru premium sweet onion program, which will last through February. Then, the sweet onion deal will move to Mexico.

The company also sources sweet onions from Nevada and California.

“We continue to offer promotable volumes of sweet onions year round,” Bland said.

Bland Farms offers organic as well as conventionally grown sweet onions and added a laser weeder to its organic Vidalia sweet onion fields, he said.

“We are testing out two units that help eliminate weeds faster, cut down on labor and promote faster growth,” Bland said. “It’s just another way we’re investing in sustainability, which is a core value for the company.”

As part of its Vidalia promotion, Bland Farms launched its Savor Summer’s Sweetest Moments campaign to build brand awareness and celebrate the season.

The company gave away VIP tickets to see country music singer Clint Black at the Vidalia Onion Festival and has even more in mind, including fresh summer recipes, a curated sweet summer playlist and engaging social media content, he said.

And to support its retail partners and their marketing efforts, Bland Farms developed a retail toolkit, complete with images and ready-to-use social media content.

“We’re continuing to expand and enhance this resource so they can easily incorporate it into their advertising and social channels,” Bland said.

Workers put up Vidalia sweet onions for Shuman Farms, Reidsville, Ga. The company will ship Vidalia onions in its RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh bags through Labor Day, says John Shuman, president and CEO.

(Photo courtesy of Shuman Farms)

Shuman Farms

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms, will ship Vidalia onions in its RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh bags through Labor Day, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“Despite weather challenges during the growing period, our crop looks good with good quality and size profiles,” Shuman said. “We are encouraging our retailer partners to support the season both bag and bulk promotions.”

Shuman Farms plans to continue to build on the momentum the company has created over the past four years through its Shuman Farms University initiative, Shuman said.

“Educating our retailer partners’ produce teams about Vidalia onions has been a priority for us, and this year we’re refreshing our digital content and resources to take that to the next level,” he said.

Educational-focused initiatives have included its lunch-and-learns, Vidalia 101 content and an interactive Vidalia quiz. All are designed to enhance produce team knowledge of the sweet onion category and Vidalia onions, Shuman said.

“Our refreshed program for 2025 takes edutainment to the next level by making the content more accessible, engaging and fun,” he added.

Shuman Farms also works closely
with its retail partners to develop customized marketing programs, in-store promotions and digital content that are intended to help drive category sales, according to Shuman.

“We’re also looking forward to leveraging our expanded infrastructure following our Generation Farms acquisition (in 2023), which has given us the ability to increase our storage, packing capacity and overall efficiency,” he said.

Modern Ag Alliance celebrates signing of GA pesticide liability bill

Mon, 12 May 2025 21:36:33 GMT

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed Senate Bill 144 into law , which changes the way liability is treated on pesticide use in the state. This move was celebrated by the Modern Ag Alliance, which called it a pivotal victory for Georgia farmers. The group pointed out the bill had bipartisan support in the Georgia Senate (42-12) and House (101-58) and made Georgia the second state after North Dakota to have similar legislation dealing with pesticide liability.

“This is a momentous win for Georgia’s farmers and the agricultural economy,” Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance, said in a news release.

“Thanks to Governor Kemp and the Georgia Legislature, farmers now have greater clarity that the tools they need to maintain our food supply will remain available, and agriculture can continue to thrive as Georgia’s leading industry. This new law adds to the growing momentum for other states to adopt similar legislation and reassert a fundamental principle: science-based crop protection labels are the law.”

Modern Ag Alliance said the signing of the bill into law was made possible by the strong support of Georgia’s agricultural community. According to the group’s Ag Insights Survey, 72% of Georgians, including 94% of farmers, favor science-based policies for crop protection tools.

“This is a major victory for Georgia’s top industry: agriculture,” said Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. “By reinforcing science-based regulations for crop protection products, this law provides Georgia’s farmers and agribusiness with the certainty they need to remain competitive and contribute to a strong food and fiber supply chain. We appreciate Governor Kemp and the Georgia Legislature for prioritizing policies that benefit Georgia farmers, agribusinesses and consumers alike.”

Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall added, “Georgia farmers now have greater confidence that crop protection regulations will remain consistent and rooted in sound science. This law safeguards growers’ access to essential inputs for food production and helps sustain Georgia’s agricultural economy. We appreciate the Georgia General Assembly’s leadership and Governor Kemp’s commitment to supporting our state’s farmers.”

Agricultural leaders also highlighted the consumer benefits of the legislation.

“This law allows farmers to sustain their operations with low input costs, keeping fresh, locally grown produce available without further food price increases,” said Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “Georgia growers work hard to meet demand despite unpredictable challenges, and we applaud Governor Kemp and the Georgia Legislature for supporting policies that allow growers to continue delivering high-quality food to consumers.”

Vidalia onions headed for shelves April 15

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:10:45 GMT

The Vidalia onion season is set to begin, as Georgia’s agriculture commissioner and the Vidalia Onion Committee say the sweet onions will start shipping to grocery stores April 15.

“I’m excited to announce, in coordination with the Vidalia Onion Committee, that April 15 is the official pack date for this year’s Vidalia onion season,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a news release. “Georgia’s world-famous Vidalia onions are coming to a store near you very soon, and we are thrilled that professional chefs, home cooks and consumers across the globe will soon be enjoying the incredible, sweet flavor of our Georgia Grown Vidalia onions.”

Vidalia onions, prized for their sweetness and versatility, are available for a limited time each year from April through early September. Consumers eagerly anticipate the arrival of these seasonal favorites, which have become a staple in kitchens throughout the U.S., the release said. The annual pack date is carefully determined based on soil and weather conditions during the growing season, ensuring that only the highest-quality onions reach consumers.

This year, the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel conducted an in-depth review before recommending the pack date that Harper subsequently approved.

Vidalia onions thrive in a unique growing region spanning 20 counties in south Georgia. Their sought-after flavor results from a delicate balance of specific weather patterns and soil conditions found exclusively in this area, creating an optimal environment for their growth.

“For the upcoming 2025 season, we have 10,000 acres of Vidalia onions planted in the production region,” said Vidalia Onion Committee Chairman Cliff Riner. “Our farmers are dedicated to sustaining this tradition, and it’s evident that consumer demand for Vidalia onions remains strong. We look forward to another successful season defined by quality and flavor.”

Farmers hand-plant, harvest and cure Vidalia onions with care to ensure each onion meets stringent quality standards, the release said. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 established the official growing region and trademarked the term Vidalia onion, ensuring that only onions grown within this designated area can bear the name. Each year, Vidalia onions are harvested and packed for sale only after the official pack date for peak freshness.

Vidalia onion growers have worked to ensure a successful season, even after facing numerous weather challenges throughout the growing period, the release said.

“It was unexpected that our crop would endure a tropical storm, a hurricane, floods and even 6 inches of snow — but that is exactly what happened,” said VOC Executive Director Shane Curry. “Despite these unpredictable conditions, our crop has managed to withstand the challenges with only minor damage. We are eager to provide our consumers with the high-quality Vidalia onions they look forward to each year.”

As the countdown begins, consumers and retailers alike can prepare for the arrival of Vidalia onions, an ingredient that embodies the spirit of Georgia and elevates culinary experiences across the country, the release said. Whether sliced in salads, grilled as a side dish or caramelized for a savory topping, Vidalia onions can add a touch of sweetness to meals all season long.

Your next read: Onion outlook — Growers share insights on Vidalia crop

Onion outlook: Growers share insights on Vidalia crop

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:53:29 GMT

Vidalia onion acreage should remain steady this year with nearly 10,000 acres in production, according to the Vidalia, Ga.-based Vidalia Onion Committee.

“The crop has faced some weather-related issues, such as Hurricane Helene, and we had between 5 and 6 inches of snowfall, which is not typical for our area,” said Chelsea Blaxton, VOC office manager. “However, growers report that the onions are improving daily, and expectations remain optimistic for an average season in terms of both yield and quality.”

In 2024, 6.5 million 40-pound boxes were collected thanks to optimal weather and exceptional yields, VOC reported. That was up from 4.3 million boxes in 2023, when the onions endured freezing temperatures and reduced acreage.

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms is ready to start shipping Vidalia onions as soon as the official pack date is announced by the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, said Sloan Lott, director of sales. ( On March 26, the pack date was announced as being April 15 .)

“This year’s crop will be a bit smaller in size and volume due to some colder, rainy weather during the growing season,” he said. “However, it’s shaping up to be a solid crop nonetheless and will be in line with a typical season.”

Growers generally ship Vidalias through Labor Day.

Lott said he expected prices to remain similar to last year.

“With a more typical crop size and steady demand, pricing should remain stable, ensuring consistency for both retailers and consumers,” he said.

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms has doubled its bagged onion production over the past five years, says Sloan Lott, director of sales.

(Photo courtesy of Bland Farms)

Glenville-based G&R Farms will be ready to start shipping Vidalia onions in mid-April, said CEO Blake Dasher.

“The crop is progressing well, and everything is lining up for a smooth launch,” he said in mid-March. “Due to careful field management, we expect to have plenty of high-quality Vidalias ready for the market, right on time.”

The size and quality of this year’s Vidalia onion crop are looking excellent, he added.

“Jumbo Vidalias remain the most popular size, and approximately 75% of our inventory is expected to fall into this category.”

Medium-sized Vidalias will be the primary focus for packaged Vidalias.

G&R was able to cope with weather challenges, including Hurricane Helene and freezing temperatures, Dasher said.

“Through strategic field management, we were able to minimize weather-related damage,” he said. “In areas affected by early-season setbacks, we took proactive measures to reseed, allowing for a successful recovery.”

Glenville, Ga.-based G&R Farms will be ready to start shipping Vidalia onions in mid-April, says CEO Blake Dasher. “The crop is progressing well, and everything is lining up for a smooth launch,” he said in mid-March. The size and quality of this year’s Vidalia onion crop are looking excellent, he adds.

(Photo courtesy of G&R Farms)

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms will continue to invest in its infrastructure, marketing and sustainability efforts during 2025, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“With the expansion of our operations following the Generation Farms acquisition, we are now better positioned than ever to serve our customers with quality, consistency and reliability,” he said.

The acquisition in 2024 has given the company the ability to increase its storage, packing capacity and overall efficiency, he said.

Shuman Farms also aims to educate retailers and consumers about Vidalia onions through its Shuman Farms University initiative.

“This year we’re refreshing our digital content and resources to take that to the next level,” he said.

Shoppers love Vidalia onions, but they need to know when they’re in season and how to use them, Shuman said.

“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in digital content, recipe development and in-store signage that makes it easier for consumers to incorporate Vidalia onions into their meals,” he said.

Expanding retail promotions, secondary display, and cross-merchandising strategies also presents an opportunity to increase basket size and drive repeat purchases, Shuman added.

When it comes to packaging, many grower-shippers have seen a shift in consumer preference for bagged onions versus bulk.

In fact, Bland Farms has doubled its bagged onion production over the past five years, Lott said.

“Bland Farms is well equipped to deliver exactly what today’s consumers want,” he said. “What used to be four baggers under the grader is now eight, running full throttle.”

G&R Farms offers a variety of consumer packaging options to meet the needs of both retailers and shoppers, Dasher said.

“For retailers, we provide bags, cartons and bins, offering flexibility in how Vidalia onions are displayed and sold,” he said. “For consumers, Vidalias are available in both bulk and bagged options.”

There also is a demand for organic Vidalia onions and grower-shippers are filling that consumer need.

“Consumers are increasingly conscious about their food, seeking information on sourcing and pesticide use,” Lott said. “We’ve always made it our goal to deliver what the customers want and keep up with that demand, so as a company we are committed to continuing to offer organics and grow our production as needed.”

The company has about 120 acres dedicated to organic Vidalia sweet onions that are packed in Bland Farms Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions bags, boxes and bins, he said.

Organic onions account for about 10% of the overall business at G&R Farms, Dasher said.

“While organic Vidalias remain a smaller segment of our total production, we are seeing steady but modest growth in this category,” he said.

Your next read: Vidalia Onions headed for shelves April 15

Vidalia Onion Committee launching new website

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:04:34 GMT

The Vidalia, Ga.-based Vidalia Onion Committee is launching a new, user-friendly website at vidaliaonion.org dedicated to providing consumers with valuable information about Vidalia onions, said Chelsea Blaxton, office manager.

The website will include recipes, storage and handling tips, nutritional information and insights into the history and production of Vidalia onions.

The committee also is expanding its digital presence with a behind-the-scenes look at the Vidalia onion industry that will include interviews with Vidalia onion growers and provide “a transparent and engaging look into the industry,” Blaxton said.

A retail and foodservice kit is in the works that will provide insights on handling, storage and menu applications to maximize Vidalia onions’ use in retail and foodservice settings, she said.

Farmer Welcomes Sesame Street to Promote Agriculture

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:04:46 GMT

When Sesame Street knocked, Casey Cox threw open the door on her Georgia farm and charged toward an opportunity to take American agriculture to a new audience. The classic children’s television series, with viewership reaching dizzying heights, was asking, and Cox was readily answering. “Yes. Absolutely. We’ll make it work and get it done—no matter what.”

In early 2019, Sesame Street began preparing a segment partially focused on an iconic food with a hallowed place in every American pantry: peanut butter. Cox, always on the alert for a chance to champion agriculture and educate the public—particularly kids—didn’t blink at a shot to take the farm-to-table message directly from her rows to 150 million children across the planet: “There was no way I was going to miss out on telling millions of kids about where food truly comes from.”

“Make it Happen”

Cox, 29, a sixth-generation farmer at Longleaf Ridge Farms in Camilla, Ga., grows sweet corn (spring and fall) and peanuts on sandy ground, along with field corn and soybeans on the level land of Mitchell County. Outpacing row crops, Cox has more acreage in timber production and timber preservation, adding to the timeless, pristine appearance of a property that rubs against the stunning beauty of the Flint River. It’s a unique ecological environment dictated by the Flint, a flow Cox considers part of the lifeblood of her farm, and in many ways, the winding river knows her name: “It’s a special part of our family and it’s a part of our lives,” Cox explains. “I’ve grown up on the Flint River, and whether I’m in it or walking beside it, it’s the way I recharge.”

Prior to full-time devotion at Longleaf, Cox led the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District for six years, and learned the media ropes, going from local television spots to RFD-TV’s FarmHer series to a season one appearance on Netflix’s Rotten . Each interaction was an opportunity, Cox emphasizes: “I never imagined being in the spotlight, especially on camera, but I am grateful for every opportunity to cast the agriculture industry in a positive light.”

In 2019, Sesame Street , as part of its Foodie Truck segment—helmed by the classic presence of Cookie Monster—began planning a feature on peanut butter. A hired crew ( Film Captive Productions ) out of Atlanta contacted the Georgia Peanut Commission , in search of a spotlight farmer. Since returning home to south Georgia, Cox had become very involved in advocating for the peanut industry, including participating in the Peanut Leadership Academy . Due to her past experience, Cox was tapped for the Sesame Street role, and after the production team watched a bit of GoPro footage of Cox at Longleaf, the questions were over: Sesame Street had found its farmer. “It was certainly different, and out of my comfort zone,” Cox explains, “but I was all in right from the start.”

However, there was a slight problem, or more accurately, a sizable problem: There wasn’t a peanut plant in sight. Filming was set for February—a month when fields are bare and far removed from May planting. Cox began a tristate, all-hands-on-deck hunt at USDA research facilities, University of Georgia, University of Florida, and Auburn University, in search of a token peanut plant. “It was Sesame Street,” Cox recalls with a grin. “We were going to make it happen no matter what.” (A single potted peanut plant was obtained, but never made it on camera.)

(Farm Journal)

Fortunately, a few months prior during the fall, the National Peanut Board had filmed three farm families at harvest for a promotional video, including the Cox operation . Translation: Sesame Street had access to Cox’s B-roll footage.

The film crew shot Cox on a tractor, and then spliced the video with B-roll to make up for the disparities. The crew then filmed processing in a peanut butter factory with Cox performing the voiceover. All told, despite the hurdle of February production, the finished product was seamless and included in episode 12 of season 49 .

“Best Opportunities”

Cox maintains the highest praise for the Sesame Street crew: “I commend Sesame Street because they were a total pleasure to work with, and the Foodie Truck series is a brilliant concept and great way to reach children with where their food comes from. As an agriculture industry, we need to seize every opportunity to broaden our platform and reach more people. Working with an iconic partner like Sesame Street was an invaluable opportunity.”

As media windows open for other farmers, what is Cox’s advice? “Never be afraid to get uncomfortable because one door may open another. As a farmer, you know more about your subject than you realize because it is your life, and people want to hear from you.”

“You never know where your efforts might lead to next,” Cox concludes. “I never imagined I’d be on Sesame Street, but how can I top it? That experience has been one of the best opportunities of my life to promote agriculture.”

For more, see:

Grizzly Hell: USDA Worker Survives Epic Bear Attack

Rat Hunting with the Dogs of War, Farming’s Greatest Show on Legs

Misfit Tractors a Money Saver for Arkansas Farmer

Predator Tractor Unleashed on Farmland by Ag’s True Maverick

Government Cameras Hidden on Private Property? Welcome to Open Fields

Farmland Detective Finds Youngest Civil War Soldier’s Grave?

Descent Into Hell: Farmer Escapes Corn Tomb Death

Evil Grain: The Wild Tale of History’s Biggest Crop Insurance Scam

A Skeptical Farmer’s Monster Message on Profitability

Farmer Refuses to Roll, Rips Lid Off IRS Behavior

Killing Hogzilla: Hunting a Monster Wild Pig

Shattered Taboo: Death of a Farm and Resurrection of a Farmer

Frozen Dinosaur: Farmer Finds Huge Alligator Snapping Turtle Under Ice

Breaking Bad: Chasing the Wildest Con Artist in Farming History

In the Blood: Hunting Deer Antlers with a Legendary Shed Whisperer

Corn Maverick: Cracking the Mystery of 60-Inch Rows

Blood And Dirt: A Farmer’s 30-Year Fight With The Feds

Against All Odds: Farmer Survives Epic Ordeal

Agriculture’s Darkest Fraud Hidden Under Dirt and Lies

Positive outlook persists among Georgia growers despite bad weather

Mon, 22 May 2023 13:50:41 GMT

Weather challenges had an effect on some of the early spring/summer produce coming out of Georgia, but growers remain optimistic for a good season.

Vidalia sweet onions, peaches, watermelons, blueberries, blackberries, leafy greens, spinach and broccoli are some of the items available from Georgia during the summer months.

“We’re having a bad peach season so far,” Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, said in early May.

A late frost and mild temperatures that limited chill hours will limit peach production this year, especially early in the season.

“Hopefully the later varieties will catch on,” he said.

Some blueberries also were affected, but most seem to have recovered.

“We’ll have quite a good volume of blueberries,” Kulinski said.

Expect to see more citrus coming out of the Peach State starting in November.

“We’ve had major investments in citrus production,” he said.

Many satsuma trees have been planted, and they’ll come online over the next few years.

A cold spell in December affected the entire Vidalia sweet onion industry, said Troy Bland, CEO at Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms LLC.

“Some of our Vidalia sweet onion plant stands took a hit,” he said. “But they recovered nicely.”

Shipping started April 17 — the official start of Vidalia season.

The company grows Vidalia sweet onions, Peru sweet onions and Sand Candy brand sweet potatoes.

“This year’s crop is beautiful, and our sizing is pretty normal,” Bland said. “And while we don’t have a huge crop this year, the supply and flavor are excellent.”

Baker Farms LLC, Norman Park, Ga., expects its volume to increase this year despite temperamental weather.

“We are fortunate in the area of southwest Georgia, where we can and do operate year-round, except in extreme conditions,” said Heath Wetherington, director of operations.

The company sells bulk greens and bagged, triple-washed greens, such as collards, turnips, mustard, kale and cabbage. Baker Farms also offers specialty greens, such as cilantro, spinach, broccoli and chards, seasonally.

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms will ship Vidalia sweet onions from Georgia under two brand names — RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh — throughout the Vidalia season, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“We are also shipping our RealSweet Rubies, a sweet red onion grown in the same sandy soils as our Vidalias,” he said.

In conjunction with its growing program, Shuman Farms has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, especially in its home state of Georgia, Shuman added. The company has implemented a number of environmentally friendly practices, he said.

Kulinski said volume overall in Georgia this year should be up compared to last year.

“We’ve got great producers who know how to grow wonderful product,” he said.

Labor challenges

But as volume increases, labor has become one of Georgia producers’ biggest concerns, Kulinski said. Finding enough workers, meeting rising wage requirements and “navigating the H-2A process,” can be difficult.

“There are workers who have worked on farms in Georgia for generations, and we have difficulty getting them to the farms and navigating the bureaucratic paperwork of the H-2A program,” he said.

Labor can be problematic at Bland Farms, Bland said.

“We anticipate for what’s ahead and prepare as best we can,” he said. “We have been working with the H-2A guest worker program for over 20 years and are able to fill some of the gaps in our labor pool.”

Baker Farms has participated in the H-2A program for more than 25 years and is “fortunate to have the same crews of Baker-trained workers returning each year,” Wetherington said.

But he added that the state’s 9.5% mandated minimum wage increase “is a challenge and perhaps gives Mexico sources an advantage in pricing.”

Inflation impact

Inflation is another challenge Georgia grower-shippers face.

“Inflation has impacted the cost of fuel, labor, cardboard — pretty much everything,” said Bland, who added that pallets that used to cost about $7 each now cost more than $15.

“This is a cost that we do not pass on to our retailers,” he said.

Freight costs also have increased dramatically over the past two years, he said.

“We expect these challenges to continue for the immediate future and do what we can to offset them without passing the increases down to customers,” Bland said.

Inflation has boosted the cost of all inputs, Wetherington said. But he added that, “The increases seem to be settling more now.”

Shuman Farms unveils renovated packing facility, big messaging to consumers

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 11:00:30 GMT

Shuman Farms is wrapping up an extensive renovation of its packing facility in Cobbtown, Ga., says John Shuman, president and CEO.

“Upgrades and changes to our repack room, including the installation of a new grader, will increase productivity and efficiency, which will positively impact our ability to service our customers,” he said.

All renovations will be completed ahead of the season, and the first trucks of Vidalia sweet onions will be ready to roll out April 17.

This year’s Vidalia sweet onion crop looks to be of good quality with a variety of sizing available, Shuman said.

“Consumers wait eight months for the start of Vidalia season, and we encourage our retailer partners to build on that excitement in their produce departments by creating show-stopping displays welcoming their customers to the start of the season,” he said.

At retail, Vidalia onions work well with many other items in the department and provide a great opportunity to drive sales of other categories as well.

“For example, when consumers have Vidalia onions in their basket, they are six times more likely to purchase peppers, five times more likely to purchase mushrooms and squash, four times more likely to purchase potatoes and tomatoes and three times more likely to purchase fresh beef,” Shuman said.

“The quickest and easiest way to drive Vidalia onion and overall produce department basket size is with cross-merchandising,” he added.

Marketing plan

Shuman Farms offers messaging, POS materials and social media content for the 2023 season that will inspire consumers with recipes that include Vidalia onions from the marketer, Shuman said.

“Whether you’re having a cookout, grilling during the week or enjoying a spring celebration with your family, you can’t go wrong when you start your dish with Vidalia onions from Shuman Farms,” he said.

Shuman said the marketer has noticed that comfort foods with a healthy twist is a huge trending food topic for 2023.

“The health benefits of Vidalia onions and their versatility of flavor make them the perfect item for any classic dish,” he said. “Our most Googled recipe from our website is our Homemade Vidalia Onion Dressing, and we’re excited to share more healthy recipes with our consumers for every occasion.”

Vidalia crop coming on strong after Christmas cold

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:56:43 GMT

Vidalia onion plants endured a cold snap around Christmas, but the crop has looked good the past couple of months, said Vidalia Onion Committee Chairman Cliff Riner, the crop production manager for G&R Farms , Glennville, Ga.

For the industry as a whole, the consensus is that Vidalia onions suffered about a 25% stand loss across the board because of the December cold, Riner said. Onion fields planted closer to Christmas suffered most from the cold, he said.

“On the positive side, we have had good weather after Christmas, so the growth has been pretty good,” he said.

About 5% of Vidalia sweet onions are organic, he said.

After a couple of problem-free years, the weather challenges this year are a reminder of how tough onions can be to grow, Riner said.

“That’s the thing I want consumers to realize, is [Vidalia sweet onions] are hard to grow,” he said. “[They] don’t just happen and fall off the store shelf.”

Starting soon

The committee established a pack date of April 17 this year. Harvest is expected from April through about mid-May, Riner said, and Vidalia onions should be marketed through the late summer.

Some Vidalia onions planted in December near the time of the cold spell had started to recover in mid-March, he said. Those plants should deliver medium to large-medium onions for the market, he said.

The majority of Vidalia sweet onions have been historically planted between Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, in recent years more growers are wrapping up planting by Dec. 10-15, with some smaller growers finishing planting by early December. Varieties, efficiencies and labor availability have contributed to the smaller planting window.

“It’s been a good thing that we have been able to tighten our window in ways to have more quality and consistency in harvest,” Riner said.

While there were some reports of downy mildew in the production region, Riner said growers have a better understanding of how to combat the disease than they did a decade ago.

Related news: Vidalia onion 2023 pack date set for April 17

Ramping up

Riner said most major marketers will try to fulfill the demand for Vidalia sweet onions through the summer, but the shorter crop could make that a challenge.

“Our goal every year is to get to the first of September for Labor Day [demand],” he said. Whether that happens this year depends on the harvest, he said.

Early summer promotions of Vidalia onions will be well supplied, he said, while late summer promotion opportunities are expected to be fewer.

Some producers may see their supplies dwindling by mid to late July, he said.

Trending higher

The sweet onion category has continued to expand, Riner said, and Vidalia sweet onions have been a big driver of that increase.

More and more consumers from every demographic category are using Vidalia onions, he said.

The Vidalia Onion Committee was finalizing several promotions for this year in March, including a potential partnership with marketers of premium Angus beef. One strategy for the committee is to develop long-term partnerships with premium brands that are nationally recognized, Riner said.

The committee also is looking at soon teaming up with meal kit providers, he said. In its work with retailers, the committee will also bring awareness of Vidalia onions to consumers through promotions, messaging and advertising.

Changes

Riner said there is a greater focus on precision agriculture among Vidalia onion growers.

Because of more precise monitoring of crop needs, growers can apply just the right amount of fertilizer needed by the plants. As a result, there has been a reduction in fertilizer used, he said.

“The inflationary measures have driven us to look at each acre, each plant,” he said.

Looking ahead, Riner believes the industry can become more involved in using onions for value-added applications. That could increase return to growers and reduce food waste, he said.

TV series to feature Vidalia onions and growers

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 20:31:40 GMT

The story of Vidalia onions comes to national television in a two-part special airing in April.

The special is set for April 12 and April 19 at 10 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. EDT on the RFD-TV Network series “Where The Food Comes From,” according to a news release.

“People ask me all the time when we travel, ‘Is Vidalia a real place, or just the name of an onion?’ I’m very proud to show them just how real it is” producer and host Chip Carter said in the release.

Carter, a Georgian himself, has long been a fan of the trademarked crop. In fact, his tribute song “Sweet Vidalia” is featured in the episodes.

“It’s not about the onion, though,” Carter said. “It’s about the people, the place — and most of all, the spirit of a very special place.”

More information about Vidalia onion season and the TV series, including bonus clips and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show, is available at WhereTheFoodComesFrom.com .

“Where The Food Comes From” will tell the story behind the Vidalia onion and spotlight growers, including John Shuman of Shuman Farms, Aries Haygood of A&M Farm and Bo Herndon of Herndon Family Farms — all of whom have earned Vidalia Grower of the Year honors. The show also visits the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, where new varieties are tried and tested, the release said.

“It’s all in the soil,” UGA Extension Agent Chris Tyson said in the release. “It’s sandy enough to leach out some of the hotter elements. And it’s low in sulfur, which lets the sweetness shine through.”

“Where The Food Comes From,” now in its fourth season on RFD-TV and heading into national distribution and syndication, travels the country telling stories of food and farming with 56 half-hour episodes produced to-date.

Spotted lanternfly found in Georgia

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:30:51 GMT

The Georgia Department of Agriculture said the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the presence of spotted lanternfly in the state .

The invasive pest was first found in the U.S. in Berks County, Pa., and has been confirmed in 17 states, including Tennessee and North Carolina. With the APHIS identification, Georgia becomes the 18th state.

“We urge anyone who sees the spotted lanternfly in their area to document it, report it and kill it,” Tyler Harper, Georgia agriculture commissioner, said in a news release. “Controlling the spread of the spotted lanternfly is our best strategy for safeguarding Georgia’s agriculture industry, and we are asking for the public’s help in this effort.”

Inspectors from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s protection division said the first sighting occurred Oct. 22 in Fulton County and that entomologists from the University of Georgia confirmed the identification of the specimen before sending it in to APHIS for final confirmation.

Spotted lanternfly is native to Asia and feeds on a variety of plants and crops including grapes, hops and stone fruit (peaches and plums). Adult insects weaken plants through feeding and secrete honeydew, a sticky sugary substance that encourages the growth of sooty mold, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Mike Evans, director of department’s plant protection division, said the rapid spread of spotted lanternfly in the U.S. is partly due to human movement. Adult females lay eggs on almost any surface including tires, RVs, vehicles, chairs, etc. Evans encourages the inspection of equipment, vehicles and other items for egg masses and the reporting of any spotted lanternflies so growers can prepare.

“We do have insecticides that control it, but it’s going to be a problem for some of our stone fruit growers, grape growers,” Evans said in the release. “We cannot eradicate it — it’s too wide of a host range and too widespread — but other states have taken messages of ‘if you see it, take a picture of it, kill it and then report it,’ and we’re going to do something very similar.”

Wild, wet weather batters some of Georgia’s crops

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:36:29 GMT

A warm winter and rainy spring with a few hail storms and tornadoes have put a damper on some of Georgia’s crops, which peak in marketable volume mid-May to mid-June.

The wild, wet weather could mean as much as 20% of the Vidalia onion crop will be lost, said Bob Stafford, manager of the Vidalia Onion Committee .

“But it’s hard to tell right now,” Stafford said April 27, while harvest was underway since April 16 shipping began.

“They sat in the water for awhile. It did stop the sizing, but we’re still going to have a marketable amount.”

At Baker Farms at Norman Park in southwestern Georgia, two to three inches of rain have fallen every week for several weeks on the farm’s kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, collards, turnip roots, beet roots, chard, cilantro, cabbage and broccoli, said Heath Wetherington, director of operations.

But Baker Farms grows year-round and benefits from warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, helping crops avoid deep freezes in winter and droughts in summer.

Some crops came in early during “extremely warm” temperatures in January and February, but the heavy rains in February made the younger plants sit still for awhile.

“What I’m seeing in our fields is a split season,” Wetherington said. He expects volume to remain the same as previous years.

A&M Farms, Lyons, Ga., will have a 15% to 20% reduction in yield of Vidalia onions, said owner Aries Haygood. He’s also president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee.

Related content: Rain, hail take out some of the Vidalia onion crop

“I think what I see is probably a good snapshot for the industry,” Haygood said.

“It’s been a challenging year. Our crop is not as big as it has been in the past, and then you throw in the coronavirus — you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Haygood said his farm received back-to-back heavy rains during growing season, which kept the ground saturated while onions were trying to bulb, creating size issues and more seed stems. Also, heavy rain on growing onions leads to more disease, such as center rot.

Expect more medium-sized Vidalia onions this season, Haygood and Stafford said.

Hail at the start of April at Generation Farms , Vidalia, Ga., damaged a few fields, causing a loss of about 85 acres, or 10% of the Vidalia onion crop, said Lauren Dees, sales and marketing manager.

Rainfall delayed harvest several times at Bland Farms, Glennville, Ga., said Delbert Bland, president and owner.

Like other Vidalia onion growers, Bland’s acreage hasn’t increased this year, but volume is good because more onions are being grown on less land.

However, John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms , Reidsville, Ga., said the Vidalia onion industry will see lower yields per acre compared to the past three to four years, as well as a smaller size profile.

“This year, we experienced record rainfall throughout the winter along with warmer temperatures, which has put a tremendous amount of stress on the crop,” Shuman said. “However, we will still have a markable crop; the quality is sound.”

The extra-wet spring has caused trouble getting into the fields and more disease, but overall, crops look like they’re doing OK, agreed Charles Hall, executive director of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

Related content on Georgia Produce

Corbett Bros. Farms , Lake Park, Ga., part of the Grower Network, had some tornado damage in mid- to late April, said Eric Bolesta, Grower Network salesman. The farm, situated in the southern-central part of Georgia close to the Florida border, produces cabbage, cucumbers, bell peppers, eggplants, hot peppers and citrus.

On April 23, a storm with hail and tornadoes damaged blueberries during harvest, and one farm in the southwest lost parts of a squash field from a tornado the week before, Hall said.

“What percentage of the crop it got, we don’t know yet. These were the early crops,” Hall said about highbush blueberries, adding that he wasn’t sure if the later season variety, rabbiteye, was hurt as well. “But we haven’t had a good blueberry crop in awhile.”

Late freezes in 2017, 2018 and 2019, plus hurricanes Irma and Michael, tore into the crop.

“We’ve just had a lot of Mother Nature problems down here,” Hall said.

By farm gate value, blueberries are the biggest Georgia fruit crop, followed by the state’s official fruit, the peach.

Most other crops, such as squash and cucumbers, come in April, but peppers in start early to mid-May.

There don’t seem to be any major shifts in crop acreage from last year.

Related content on V idlia Onions

Atlanta’s farmers market is pulling out all the stops

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:36:58 GMT

The Atlanta State Farmers Market is so much more than the name might imply.

Yes, in the shed area, the general public wanders booths laden with fresh fruits and vegetables from area farmers.

But on the rolling 150 acres in the Atlanta suburb of Forest Hills, Ga., this place is also a major marketing hub and distribution point for fresh produce in the Southeast and throughout the country.

The new entry sign says it better: Atlanta/Clayton County Produce Terminal and Market.

About 50 companies handle wholesale retail, foodservice and nursery business, as well as direct-to-consumer foot traffic.

ATLANTA MARKET TERMINAL

The property is divided into two parts; the traditional farmers market to the west and the wholesale distributor warehouses with loading docks and refrigerated semi-trucks to the east.

After more than three years of construction, Collins Bros. Co. moved into an almost 80,000-square-foot additional facility on market property in April.

“It is the biggest one-time addition to the wholesale market since it was built in the 50s. We are very thankful to have it and proud to say they are in the building and operating,” said Paul Thompson, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Since COVID-19 pandemic closures walloped much of the foodservice business, leaders have been working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to find ways to make it through this health and economic crisis.

“We saw foodservice just completely die overnight,” said Jeff Howard, markets manager.

Many businesses redirected the focus from foodservice to retail as much as possible.

Supply hasn’t been a problem, however.

“During this whole pandemic, we have not seen shortages. The sheds here remain full,” Howard said.

Also, the shed area’s farmers market, where goods are sold directly to consumers on foot, has picked up considerably during the pandemic.

“People like to get outdoors and shop,” Howard said. “I’m seeing more and more sales to individuals.”

PLAN AHEAD

The department’s marketing and communication teams have helped farmers connect directly with consumers in several ways, especially online and with a new Georgia Grown To-Go program.

The program is basically a farmers market drive-through at higher volume, Thompson said.

“As this pandemic hit, we were able to learn some lessons from some of the things that were happening with the food chain and the distribution in South Florida, and saw some of those things occurring and were able to make some plans, to have some ideas in the works,” Thompson said.

The department’s marketing and communications teams spread the word about what companies were doing online and what kind of markets were transitioning to touchless.

Thompson said he’s seeing greater interest in Georgia Grown Products and local farmers markets.

“With more consumers staying home and wanting fresh produce, the awareness of how the food supply chain works is growing,” Thompson said.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

The pandemic is affecting everyone in different ways, said Eva Moghaddam, owner, president and CEO of All Seasons Fresh Produce at the market.

The company’s foodservice sales dropped to 30% of what they had been, but by June 17, sales had returned to 70% of previous levels, said Matthew Moghaddam, general manager and chief financial officer.

“I am learning from this event every day,” Eva Moghaddam said. “I can say the most destructive part of the pandemic is the constant confusion and getting stalled with your past ideas. I always want to provide, or make it easier, for every family to find healthier food options.”

As the state reopens, the Moghaddams said they’re handling operations on a day-by-day basis without looking too far ahead.

“That’s all we can do, and hope it gets better. And it’s not looking good, as far as the numbers of people getting sick,” Matthew Moghaddam said.

At Nickey Gregory at the Forest Park market, staff shifted focus to retail sales to get through the challenging months for foodservice customers after restaurants, offices, schools and entertainment centers closed to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But by June 17, demand was finally picking up, especially with Georgia being one of the first states to re-open its public spaces, said Andrew Scott, director of business development and marketing.

“It’s nice to have restaurants open and people getting back to work after quarantining,” Scott said.

Also at the market, Athena Farms, a full-service foodservice distributor of fresh produce and other items, lost about 75% of its business overnight, said Robert Poole, senior sales manager.

About 15% of the company’s customers were from nursing homes or other kinds of eldercare facilities, so those didn’t shut down, he said. But the other customers were hotels, restaurants and catering companies.

“We’re slowly, slowly inching back to normal, but we kind of have to see what the next three months hold. We’ll see,” Poole said.

“After all the protests, if there isn’t a spike, we should go back to normal. All we can do is take one day at a time and keep plugging away.”

RETAIL

Retail produce sales are up, as well as home delivery meals, Scott said.

Comparing 2020 and 2019 Shelby Market Shares data for Georgia (Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Rome) shows that Publix took over the No. 1 position from Kroger within the past year :

Publix: 140 stores, 33.6% share;
Kroger: 115 stores: 25.2% share;
Walmart Supercenter: 81 stores, 17.1% share;
Ingles: 35 stores, 6.6% share;
Food Depot: 24 stores, 3.4% share; and
Whole Foods: 9 stores, 2.4% share.

2019 Shelby Market Shares data showed that Kroger was the clear retail market leader, with 151 stores and a 30.5% share of the retail grocery market.

FOODSERVICE

“Even though there was a severe downturn with the hotel and restaurant industry, things are slowly coming back. There may be a little thinning of the herd, if you will,” said David Collins, who runs

Collins Bros. Produce Co. with his brothers at the Atlanta State Farmers Market.

“Maybe those that remain will get stronger or healthier. It’s not going to be what it was overnight.”

Collins’ foodservice customers initially expected foodservice business drop to 20%, but it dropped 70-80%, he said.

So, they shifted employees from foodservice to fill in the gaps in the retail division and also collaborated with other companies in the distribution community to help each other out.

And then Collins Bros. received the biggest award in the state from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families food box program.

USDA FOOD BOXES

On June 1, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited the three companies at the Forest Park market that won contracts:

Athena Farms received $1.3 million for fresh fruits and vegetables boxes, as well as $495,000 for dairy products;
Collins Bros. received $7.3 million for a fresh produce box; and
Nickey Gregory received $1.7 million for fresh produce boxes.

Also, Atlanta-based Federation of Southern Cooperatives received $480,000.

Poole said everyone at Athena Farms is “incredibly grateful” for the USDA box program, and they’re anticipating another round.

“That really saved our butt. We’ve been in business 25 years, so this would be the first time we’d have had to do a really significant cut to our workforce, and I’m not sure if we would’ve survived,” Poole said.

“It’s helped us employ a lot of people, and we’re reaching a lot of people who need help. And when you see people’s faces, the grateful look on their face to receive a box that feeds a family of four, we just feel really, really good about this,” Collins said.

Using its new, almost 80,000 square-foot facility on the market meant for the Phoenix Wholesale Foodservice division, Collins Bros. created about 385,000 Farmers to Families food boxes by June 17, and was 90% complete on the contract, he said.

Nickey Gregory also appreciated the help during the health and economic crisis.

“The USDA program has been a nice shot in the arm for us with our sales being down the past few months,” Scott said.

The company is delivering the boxes to 12 food banks across Georgia, Florida and North Carolina and also partnering with local counties to deliver more boxes to residences, he said.

Atlanta market terminal makes room for the new

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:36:54 GMT

A few of the large wholesalers and distributors at the Atlanta State Farmers Market, Forest Park, Ga., have expanded by adding or moving into new spaces on the property.

The expansions have had a ripple effect, opening up other spaces for other companies to expand, said Jeff Howard, markets manager.

“It’s growth. That’s what it is. It’s growth,” Howard said.

“We’re on 150 acres and we’re limited to where we can go, so you have to tear down something and rebuild it bigger and better and more readily available and readily usable for the 21st century.”

Close to a quarter of the market, which was built in the 1950s, was torn down for the Phoenix Wholesale Foodservice division of Collins Bros. Produce Co . to have a new, almost 80,000-square-foot facility, said David Collins, who runs the company with his brothers.

They moved into the new space near the end of April, he said.

“We think it’s bright, clean, open and a lot easier to clean. It’s a better vessel for ingress and egress of product; it’s streamlined. It’s better material, better design,” Collins said.

“At the end of the day, it’s going to do a better job.”

In Building T, the new facility has motion-detector lighting, extra wall barriers and about 25 cross docks to receive on one side and load on the other.

There are flexible door enclosures so the dock wraps itself around the refrigerated trucks to keep the cold air from escaping while the trucks are being loaded or unloaded.

Refrigerated rooms come with six temperature zones, including a freezer with extra insulation.

“We got the advice of our air conditioning mechanical engineers and they over-spec’ed it with the best refrigeration equipment available today to keep the cold chain process where it should be,” Collins said.

Collins Bros. still has its previous 60,000-square-foot facility, which it uses for retail, plus an off-site location.

“Much like other markets in the Southeast, our market was getting a little old and tired, and we were investing a lot of money in keeping it clean and(maintained). There comes a time where it’s better to tear it down and start over. And I don’t say that easily,” Collins said.

The company had outgrown its previous digs for a long time, he said.

“It’s been encouraging. I have to give a lot of commendations to the state for their partnership on this,” he said.

“They were really good to work with all the way through. Gary Black and his whole team doing a tremendous job. This is just one of the attributes of some of their good work.”

Nickey Gregory Co . moved into a new warehouse, from Building N to M, in February, which doubled its space, said Andrew Scott, director of business development and marketing.

The company’s Family Fresh Foods processing division is in its second year, doing fresh-cut produce for its customer base and other foodservice companies, he said.

Also at the market, All Seasons Fresh Produce almost doubled its space in Building P to about 24,000 square feet, moving in at the end of March, said Matthew Moghaddam, general manager and chief financial officer.

The company added four more temperature zones, and all business is conducted on one floor.

“Now it’s much better. There’s more space for staging and storage, more office space, and it’s more comfortable and easier access to the office,” Moghaddam said.

Related:
Georgia expands organic, local, greenhouse options
Atlanta’s farmers market is pulling out all the stops
Georgia agriculture market experts discuss state of Atlanta market

Georgia Grown thinks thrifty, launches drive-through markets

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:36:54 GMT

What’s the latest on the Atlanta fresh produce market? Watch Paul Thompson, director of marketing for Georgia Department of Agriculture (top left, then clockwise); Amy Sowder, Northeast editor of The Packer; Jeff Howard, markets manager for the State Farmers Market; and Terrell Davis, media specialist for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, discuss things at bit.ly/Georgia-update.

When you ask what’s happening at his company, Andrew Scott, director of business development and marketing at Nickey Gregory, based at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, Ga., says it’s been all about his state’s produce.

“‘Georgia Grown’ is what’s been going on for us the past couple of months,” Scott said.

In June, many commodities are in season as the southern Georgia growing cycle winds down and heads north. Then, Scott anticipates the fall season in Georgia.

The Georgia Grown program is doing more than ever, even in tight times.

As part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Buy Georgia Grown, Now More Than Ever campaign, Georgia Grown is partnering with local governments to connect produce growers directly to consumers in highly populated areas.

Called Georgia Grown To-Go, it’s a series of pop-up markets, primarily in metro Atlanta, where consumers buy fresh produce directly from farmers with limited contact, drive-through service.

It’s been helpful for the state’s farmers who have surplus produce that would’ve gone to foodservice customers, said Paul Thompson, director of marketing for the agriculture department.

“We’ve been able to help to move some of that produce and bring some notice to what’s in our backyard with the growers in other parts of the state that aren’t in Atlanta,” Thompson said.

With refrigerated tractor-trailer trucks at the ready and a line of consumers in cars ready to be loaded, this is larger-scale than a traditional farmers market.

The Georgia Grown program has never done anything like this at this volume, he said.

Local governments and nonprofits had enabled four such pop-up, drive-through markets by June 17, and there are few more planned before a break, and then the To-Go program may resume for the fall harvest.

The growers have told Thompson it’s a helpful program, another revenue source and marketing tool.

“It’s their chance to get out in front of their community ... to tell their story of who they are and where this stuff is coming from,” Thompson said.

Shoppers can select their boxes of produce online at georgiagrowntogo.com.

Each box variety includes a description from the farm, such as this blurb about a box of Georgia Grown sweet corn:

“My name is Casey Cox, and I’m a sixth-generation farmer near Camilla, Ga. On our family farm, Longleaf Ridge Farms, we grow sweet corn, peanuts, field corn, soybeans and timber. We are excited to participate in the Gwinnett Georgia Grown To-Go market and bring some of our delicious Georgia Grown sweet corn to our Georgia neighbors!”

Shoppers can also donate a box to a neighbor or local charity.

“It’s just been nice to get great feedback from folks that feel that they’re part of a larger purpose. They feel well-received,” said Terrell Davis, media specialist with the department.

Meanwhile, the department is continuing to encourage large grocery chains to source local produce and promote its availability in marketing strategies.

For example, some Publix store managers have reinstalled their Georgia Grown marketing materials the department provided last year, Thompson said.

“Due to the economic ripples caused by COVID-19 and safety restrictions, the Georgia Grown marketing strategy has adjusted to become nimble with marketing spend and personal safety,” Thompson said.

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SEPC: No 2020 Southern Innovations

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:35 GMT

The Southeast Produce Council , Millen, Ga., has cancelled Southern Innovations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event was scheduled for Sept. 16-19 in Savannah, Ga.

David Sherrod, SEPC president and CEO, said the decision was made with a “heavy heart.”

“Our sincere desire was to provide a beacon of shining a light for an in-person event to provide hope and healing for our industry and country,” Sherrod said in a news release. “However, we recognize that the current environment is not allowing for Southern Innovations to occur as planned.

“We have exciting efforts underway to connect our SEPC members in new and unique ways, and we are focused on delivering an incredible Southern Exposure in Spring of 2021,” he said in the release.

The SEPC plans to launch a platform to provide membership and industry resources, “to create the rich values of face-to-face experiences” provided by the council, according to the release.

“Four months ago, we started praying that the world would be back to normal soon and that we would be able to gather back up as a family in Savannah for our annual Southern Innovations event,” Brandon Parker, SEPC board chairman, said in the release. “Even the best-laid plans just sometimes do not work out.”

Registration for Southern Exposure, scheduled for Feb. 25-27, is set to open in mid-September.

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G&R Farms hires Jon Dorminey as director of operations

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:48:33 GMT

Vidalia onion grower G&R Farms has hired Jon Dorminey as director of operations.

Dorminey’s background is in education, according to a news release, and his most recent position was vice president of the Georgia Independent School Association, where he was responsible for all athletic components.

Before that, Dorminey was the head of Pinewood Christian Academy and Robert Toombs Christian Academy.

Walt Dasher, vice president of G&R Farms, said he has known Dorminey “for a long time.”

“With his exceptional organizational and managerial skills, he’ll be an asset to our organization,” Dasher said in the release, “As part of our strategic planning process, we’re making many positive changes as we strive to develop the most consistent, sustainable and sweet tasting product on the market.”

Dorminey received a degree in sports management from Georgia Southern University in 1996 later received an MBA from Georgia Southwestern State University, while also serving as a graduate assistant basketball coach, according to the release.

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Growing America’s Farmers hits 5-year anniversary

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:27:45 GMT

Vidalia onion grower G&R Farms, Glennville, Ga., is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Growing America’s Farmers, the non-profit started by G&R’s co-owner, Walt Dasher.

The Dasher family started Growing America’s Farmers with the support of the National Future Farmers of America program, due to concerns about the number of young people who are choosing farming.

“This caused me great concern because we all know that a lack of farmers could create a myriad of problems for our country,” Dasher said in a news release. “Can you imagine if we experienced a food supply shortage in the United States and had to depend on foreign countries to feed our families?”

The non-profit foundation, funded through retail partners, is seeing scholarship recipients return to family farms with new ideas about technology and growing practices, according to the release. The scholarships allow students to meet college goals and help improve family farms.

“I am sincerely honored and humbled in being selected for the 2018 Ohio FFA Growing America’s Farmers scholarship,” scholarship recipient Alex Kutz said in the release. “This scholarship will give me the opportunity to launch my educational career, while easing the financial burden.”

Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation, said in the release that supporters such as G&R Farms and their customers “help sustain the future of agriculture and help achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.”

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Highbush blueberry study shows direct, indirect value of industry

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:41:58 GMT

U.S. highbush blueberry growers generate more than $4.7 billion in annual economic impact, accounting for more than $12.7 million flowing into the U.S. economy every day, according to a study commissioned by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council .

There are 12,739 blueberry farms in the U.S., according to Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

“Behind every farm are growers who not only tend a truly remarkable superfruit, but also stimulate business activity, create thousands of jobs and contribute mightily to the economy,” Cronquist said in the release.

The study also showed benefits of the U.S. blueberry industry, relating to:

Jobs: U.S. highbush blueberry growers create and sustain more than 44,535 full-time equivalent jobs as a result of their business activities;
Labor income: Dollars going to wages generate nearly $1.8 billion in labor income;
Indirect business taxes: Every year, more than $145 million in indirect business taxes (not including income tax) are generated by the growers.
“It is clear that blueberry growers play a significant role in strengthening the economic climate of the U.S.,” Cronquist said in the release. “Their activities are diffused throughout the economy, touching nearly every aspect of life throughout the country.”

In blueberry-producing states, the study reports the industry’s economic impacts (in millions and jobs created):

Michigan: $530.4/6,600 jobs;
Georgia: $521.8/4,140 jobs;
California: $458.6/4,240 jobs;
Washington: $464.4/4,450 jobs; and
Oregon: $353.5/3,505 jobs.

The study was conducted in April by Dennis Tootelian, emeritus professor of marketing and the former director of the Center for Small Business in College of Business Administration at California State University.

The full study is available at ushbc.org .

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Georgia produce industry testifies about effects of imports

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:12:44 GMT

Georgia produce growers, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and other groups recently testified to federal agencies that domestic growers face a “staggering increase” of produce from Mexico.

The testimony was heard Aug. 20 during an online forum in front of officials from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer’s office, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It followed an Aug. 13 hearing that mostly featured comments from Florida elected officials and growers.

The hearings were scheduled by the USTR after attempts by U.S. groups and growers to include seasonal produce protections in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement failed. The USMCA became official July 1; Lighthizer has said he’ll address the issue within 60 days of its implementation.

Bill Brim, president of Lewis Taylor Farms, Tifton, Ga., which produces fruits and vegetables on 5,500 acres, expressed concern for the future.

“Despite our 71‐year history, and despite the support of our dedicated employees, our future is in serious jeopardy,” he said, according to a release from the Georgia association. “Quickly rising imports, primarily from Mexico, are on the verge of putting us out of business. We are experiencing a rapid destruction of the Southeastern fruit and vegetable production sector by reason of imports.”

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black talked about the “health of farms and reminded USTR that dysfunctional trade can be life-threatening to every American farmer,” according to the release.

“As a fifth-generation farmer I feel certain that due to these unfair practices I will be the last generation of farmers in my family,” Sam Watson of Chill C Farms, Moultrie, testified, according to the release.

Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, asked the USTR to use every import relief tool available.
Hall asked that every import relief tool available be utilized to allow southeastern growers to compete fairly.

“Over the past twenty years, imports of fresh produce from Mexico have grown tremendously,” Hall testified. “The pattern has now shifted from undercutting our growers financial and competitive health, to threatening our industry’s very survival.”

Related stories:

U.S. growers testify that Mexico trade practices harm them

Hearings set on trade practices that affect Florida, other states

UPDATED: No big changes anticipated with start of USMCA

How COVID-19 is affecting Georgia’s labor

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:28:22 GMT

Labor is a top concern when it comes to the effects of the new coronavirus on Georgia’s produce industry — besides worker safety and customer demand.

Growers heard that the consulates were closing mid-March in countries where they source their H-2A seasonal agricultural guestworkers, barring anyone from entering the U.S. to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Charles Hall, executive director of Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

And May is a peak harvesting month for many Georgia growers.

But eventually, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Department of Homeland Security made special arrangements to bring in H-2A workers.

“The labor situation is beginning to work itself out,” Hall said April 26.

Related content: Georgia produce growers focus on retail, new strategies

Workers who had been in the H-2A visa program before didn’t have to go through lengthy interviews, while people who were new to the program did.

“It was almost like a TSA checkpoint,” Hall said. “Most workers did get in on time, but there are still some problems with several growers waiting on workers.”

Overall, enough workers got in to harvest the crops, he said.

Paying the workers at least 75% of their contracts is yet another challenge, however, for companies that lost a huge chunk of business because of foodservice shut-downs.

“If (a contract) is for eight weeks of pay and at four weeks, you can’t sell any more crops, you’ve got more problems to deal with,” Hall said, “and then maybe they can’t get back into Mexico because they close the border, maybe, or border issues either way.”

Bland Farms , Glennville, Ga., was able to get its desired number of workers and is following many Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, said Delbert Bland, president and owner.

Bland Farms precautions for H-2A workers include:

Taking worker temperatures every morning;
Spacing workers as close to six feet apart as possible while still getting the job done;
Arranging for groceries to be supplied to the workers to limit their outside contact;
Isolating workers into groups of 20 to limit exposure in case any one person tests positive; and
Providing special equipment and staff to disinfect their living quarters and work spaces.

Related content: Wild, wet weather batters some of Georgia’s crops

Shuman Farms , Reidsville, Ga., is also adhering to government and Produce Marketing Association recommendations as much as possible, “especially where it pertains to housing and transportation to ensure we have a safe working environment, providing the safest product for our consumers,” said John Shuman, president and CEO.

Shuman Farms precautions include assigning an employee, with proper disposal gloves and N95 respirator, to serve drinking water to crew members from the communal water receptacle.

Another employee is responsible for sanitizing the portable restrooms and handwashing stations throughout the day. Also, they’re sanitizing inside and outside employee transportation vehicles after pickup and dropoff.

Heath Wetherington, director of operations for Baker Farms , Norman Park, Ga., said what this nation is facing is unknown, but Georgia’s fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers aren’t stopping.

“We’re not backing up. We’re not slowing down,” Wetherington said.

“We’re doing everything in our power to make sure the food will be there, and people can rest easy that there’s going to be food, whether it’s on your kitchen table or a restaurant’s kitchen table.

“There’s going to be food somewhere, somehow. We’re gonna have it.”

Stay up to date on Georgia produce news.

Georgia-based firm wins big federal contract

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:51:10 GMT

Atlanta-based Royal Food Service Co . has been awarded a maximum $465 million contract to supply for fresh fruits and vegetables to Georgia military and school customers by the Philadelphia-based Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support.

The fixed-price contract, with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity provisions, was a competitive contract. Two other unidentified firms vied for the contract beside Royal Food Service, according to a news release.

The five-year contract, with no option periods, includes Army and Navy facilities and schools in Georgia, according to the release. The contract concludes May 6, 2025, according to the release.

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Baker Farms delays construction of new cooler

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:36:23 GMT

Baker Farms , Norman Park, Ga., planned to begin construction in February on a new cooler to provide 30% more capactiy overall, but the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed those plans.

The cooler will have a receiving end and loading docks, said Heath Wetherington, director of operations.

“We’ll just to see how things are going to shake out,” he said. “Right now, our must-begin date would be middle of June to first of July. We’re sitting on go.”

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Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers offers online activities for kids

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:17:27 GMT

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is consolidating its resources for children, educating them on fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Because of the pandemic, we have periodically developed lesson plans for teachers, two-minute videos on where your strawberries are grown, and more,” said Charles Hall, association executive director.

People will be able to find the link on the committee’s website, www.vidaliaonion.org , starting early or mid-May, he said.

The resources are “to help parents looking for something for their child to do,” Hall said, such as an activity book for first-, second- and third-graders.

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How COVID-19 is affecting Georgia’s labor
Georgia produce growers focus on retail, new strategies
Wild, wet weather batters some of Georgia’s crops