On May 30, Limoneira Company announced that John Caragliano will join its global sales team.  He will be based in Limoneira's new Swedesboro, New Jersey office and warehouse.  John will focus on the Eastern US and Eastern Canada for both California/Arizona citrus as well as imported citrus from Chile, South Africa, and Mexico. Caragliano comes from Chiquita Brands where he was Director of Sales.

 

"We are very excited to have John join the Limoneira team. His proven customer and cross functional experience will help our company achieve its next level of growth" said John Carter, Limoneira Director of Global Sales.  "John has a great reputation and will represent us well in the marketplace".

 

"As our One World of Citrus platform continues to grow, John's expertise and relationships will further our quality of service to our mainline customers as well as expand new niche markets throughout the Eastern US and Canada" said Alex Teague, Limoneira's Chief Operating Officer. "With increasing volume from our Chilean, South African and Mexican operations, John's role is key for our success."

 

"Limoneira has been a leader in the citrus industry for 124 years" says Caragliano. "They have a deep history, a growing global supply network, and are recognized as a leader in food safety and sustainability. I'm excited to be a part of their growth plans and moving their integrated supply chain model forward".     

 

Dan Bissett has also joined Limoneira's sales management team and will be based at the Company's headquarters. Dan joins us from Primex Farms where he was responsible for grower relations.  Dan is a seasoned executive with managerial proficiency in facilities, farming and packing practices.

June is here, and is bringing an endless array of summertime festivities with it. Between Father's Day, summer weddings and graduation parties, Limoneira spokesperson Megan Roosevelt has put together an easy and festive selection of recipes and home décor ideas to kick off the summer season in style - with lemons, of course.

 

For a helpful demonstration, you can watch Megan create the recipes below here on the  Limoneira YouTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe - videos with more wonderful tips not detailed will be added to the channel each Friday throughout the month. 

 

Limoneira has also linked with additional global chefs and mixologists, nutritionists, and beauty lifestyle and green cleaning experts that share their knowledge with the customers of our grocery and food service partners around the world. Their biographies can be found on Limoneira's website.

 

Take a look at some great new examples below.

 

Meyer Lemon Salmon & Veggie Kebabs

Because what is summer without BBQ?  This easy and healthy treat is perfect for that Father's Day dinner.

The Packer is one of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry's leading source for news, information and analysis and has been reporting every week on the produce industry since 1893. It's a division of Farm Journal Media , another legendary media conglomerate begun 140 years ago. 

Packer Editor Chris Crawford reached out to Limoneira for an update:

 

(Chris Crawford): What types of citrus do you offer in the summer?

(LMNR): Limoneira's California summer offering consists of classic lemons, Meyer lemons, pink lemons and our proprietary seedless lemons.  Additionally, we are offering our summertime Valencias.

 

Our One World of Citrus™ platform rounds out our summer offering with lemons and navels from our international operations.

 

(CC) Any changes in production?

 

(LMNR): Weather has not been a factor in our California summer citrus production.  However, in South Africa, the weather has wreaked havoc on navel production and has caused split ends.  Chile has received much needed rain, and this has delayed some harvesting, it hasn't been a major problem.

 

(CC): How do you predict this summer will be different or similar to last season for you?  

 

(LMNR): For lemons, we are anticipating lower supply from California. This coupled with rising consumption will cause us to increase our deliveries from our international networks.

 

(CC): What are you seeing with the easy-peelers -- category growth, trends, supply?  

 

(LMNR): Easy-peelers continue to grow into a crowded space.  Our offerings out of South Africa and Chile are niche supplies that help supplement our customer's needs.

 

(CC): What consumer trends are you seeing with summer citrus? Last year this story included organic, misfits and citrus in meal delivery kits.

 

(LMNR): Sustainability continues to be an important issue with consumers as does producing in responsible ways. Millennials are especially embracing this, and our Citrus Misfit's™ program continues to be popular.

 

(CC): Any new marketing promotions you have planned for the 2017 summer? Please describe.

 

(LMNR): We offer complimentary and value-added promotions for our grocery and food service partners including:

 

• Promotional videos for their shoppers and guests from Megan Roosevelt, Founder of Healthy Grocery Girls and Limoneira Citrus for Life Spokesperson
• One million consumers geographically deployed for their initiatives
• National blogger network
• Opinion leaders in Health, Beauty, Culinary, Green Cleaning
• Robust social marketing
• In-store/unit merchandising

  

Our Editorial calendar for the summer includes great tips for our Grocery Retail and Foodservice Partners. Our new Tasti-Tuesdays ™ short form videos are creative and fun and are getting a lot of play with our customers. Content for summer months follows:

 

June

Graduation means accomplishment and perhaps additional skill attainment. In June, we look at the changing world of agriculture and careers that are possible in feeding the world. We also celebrate Dad's for Father's Day with Citrus BBQ and other tips.

 

July

Summer offers infinite possibilities for in-nature pursuits. BBQs, al fresco dining, hikes and bike-rides are just a few ways to enjoy the season, and we offer easy, delicious ways that citrus can add to the fun.

 

August

This month we celebrate Global International Youth Month and three great lemon holidays:  National Lemonade Day, National Lemon Juice Day and for our pie passionate friends, Lemon Meringue Day. Lemon Up!

 

September

Mom has a lot on her plate in her role as chief Household Officer-We make it easy for her this month with some great tips for easy/tasty/nutritious kid's lunches.

 

(CC): How do you recommend retailers promote summer citrus in their produce departments this season? Cross-merchandising, promos, etc.?

 

(LMNR): Cross Merchandising is great and can increase basket rings. Consumers are time pressed, and they are looking for items that are easy, quick and different. Recipes that resonate with them are important.

 

(CC): Any trends you're seeing in food-service/consumer meals for summer dishes?   

 

(LMNR): Meal kits have been popular and you're  seeing retailers offer versions. We follow Technomic closely. International flavor combinations continue to make in-roads.  Also, aging populations continue to embrace food as medicine. Kale is now mainstream-We have a great Spicy Sautéed Lemon Kale recipe.

Ari Bokovza loves Limoneira lemons and uses them in his exciting menus at Claudette in New York City.

 

Inspired by the soulful cooking and teachings of his Tunisian grandmother, Chef Ari's style celebrates the rich flavors of the Mediterranean and Provence while maintaining a respect for individual ingredients. During the course of his professional life, Bokovza has worked in some of New York City's most renowned restaurants including Union Square Cafe, Picholine and The Modern, where, during his three-year tenure as chef de cuisine, the restaurant was awarded three stars from The New York Times.

Chef Ari Bokovza's menu at Claudette focuses on local produce, seafood and North African aromatics found in the Provençal kitchen. If you're in NYC we encourage you to stop for a tasty respite. Tell him Limoneira sent you! www.claudettenyc.com

After years of hard work and diligence, this year's latest crop of graduates will soon sprout wings and fly. 

We wish you all well and continued success.