|
|
|
|
| |
|
Limoneira Company Announces Formation of Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC to Develop Harvest at Limoneira, Formerly Santa Paula Gateway Project
 On November 10th Limoneira Company (the "Company" or "Limoneira") (NASDAQ: LMNR) announced the formation of Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC, a development partnership between the Limoneira Company and The Lewis Group of Companies ("The Lewis Group"), Limoneira received $18 million ($16.8 million net of transaction expenses) upon the establishment of the partnership in addition to $2 million the Company received from The Lewis Group in September 2015, in anticipation of the formation of the partnership. Limoneira Lewis Community Builders, LLC is a 50%/50% partnership between Limoneira and The Lewis Group that will engage in the residential development of the Harvest at Limoneira (formerly Santa Paula Gateway Project and East Area 1).
Limoneira expects to receive 25% to 80% of the net cash flow of the project, based on cash flow milestones provided in the partnership agreement, which is estimated to aggregate approximately 70% of total net cash flows to Limoneira, including the initial $20 million distribution, and the balance of net cash flows to the Lewis Group over the estimated seven to ten year life of the project.
The Lewis Group and Limoneira both have significant experience in residential development. The Lewis Group, based in Upland, California, is a multi-generational company with a longstanding successful track record in home building and master planned community development in the Western United States. Founded in 1955, The Lewis Group's focus is on land development, master planned community development, and income property development, including commercial centers, industrial and apartments. Limoneira, founded in 1893, has been involved in community development in the cities of Santa Paula and Ventura since its inception. Past real estate development projects include McKevett Heights (1920's), The Blanchard Development (1950's), Hillsborough (1980's) and Vista Point (1990's) in Santa Paula and Limco Del Mar in Ventura (1970's).
Harvest at Limoneira includes the development of a 500 acre master planned community with approximately 1,500 residential units. The build-out of lots is expected to begin in 2016. Limoneira Lewis Community Builders anticipates receiving security deposits from homebuilders for lots sales in mid-2017, and the sale of lots is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017. Several homebuilders are expected to participate in home construction at Harvest at Limoneira. The diversity and price points of housing types will provide opportunities to a wide buyer profile. Home prices are estimated to range from $300,000 to $750,000.
Previously stated projected cash flow for Limoneira over the seven to ten year life of the project of approximately $100 million is based on an average home price of $480,000. Limoneira estimates that each $50,000 increase in the median home price for the project will result in approximately $20 million to $30 million of additional net cash flow for Limoneira over the life of the project. The median home price in Ventura County is currently $516,400.
The Limoneira Lewis Community Builders project does not include any commercial property development. Limoneira retains all commercial property in the Santa Paula Gateway Project, which consists of 15 acres, or 150,000 buildable square feet, in East Area 1, and 25 owned acres plus 8 acres optioned, or 350,000 buildable square feet, in East Area 2. Limoneira expects to commence infrastructure development for commercial property in the Santa Paula Gateway Project in 2017.
|
|
Limoneira Participates In Crop Circles Pop-Up Farmers Market In Baltimore Maryland
 On Saturday, November 21st, Limoneira participated in Crop Circles, A Pop up Farmers market held at the New Hope Academy in Baltimore Maryland. The event was organized by Renaissance Food Group. Results are still being tallied but it was expected that over 20,000 lbs of free produce would be distributed at the event.
Crop Circles is a national event designed to bring fresh fruit and vegetables and an awareness of living a healthy life to food deserts across America. This is the third event of its kind, following successful events in Compton, California and Englewood, Illinois. All attendees received free tote bags to fill with a variety of fruit and vegetables. In addition to the free produce, the event included a variety of booths featuring wellness-based companies. In a press release, Jim Catchot, RFG Company President said "As Americans shift their focus towards the importance of a fresh and healthy lifestyle, we are finding that too many communities are still under served without access to daily fruit and vegetables. "Crop Circles is working towards a goal of educating, empowering, and equipping residents of the communities we serve with these great events." Limoneira donated a half pallet of lemons and the transportation for getting them to the Baltimore event and also donated free lemons to the earlier events.
|
 John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and The Baltimore Food Policy Initiative Report
This past June, a new report by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF), in collaboration with the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative, found that one in four of the city's residents live in so-called food deserts with limited access to healthy foods. Neighborhoods with food deserts have higher rates of diseases linked to unhealthy diets, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Overall mortality rates are also higher in these areas. While not the only factor impacting these outcomes, food deserts can be a significant contributor, the researchers say.
The report found that 34 percent of African Americans live in food deserts, compared to only eight percent of white residents. Children are also disproportionately affected, with 30 percent of Baltimore City's school-aged children living in food deserts.
|
|
|
|
December 15th - National Lemon Cupcake Day
While yellow or chocolate cupcakes grab all the glory, lemon cupcakes are a refreshing surprise at holiday parties, potlucks, and bake sales alike. And while they may not be standard Christmas fare, lemon cupcakes will be a hit item at annual gatherings. You can tell your friends that you made them in recognition of National Lemon Cupcake Day. Admittedly, there's no real verification naming this a national holiday. In the scheme of things it doesn't really matter that there's no historic information proclaiming today a national holiday. It's just a day for cupcake lovers who enjoy the tart, pucker-up zing of lemon to come together and eat their fill. Since it's also the holiday season, why not use National Lemon Cupcake Day as an excuse to whip up a batch of your own cupcakes and share them with the people you love? For a simple and delicious recipe
click here.
|
|
Limoneira Featured In Canadian Grocer
This month Limoneira will participate in Canadian Grocer's Fresh Report devoted entirely to the produce category. Canadian Grocer is the original and most influential publication among key decision-makers in the grocery industry in Canada and the publication is distributed monthly to approximately 74,000 readers, 90% of which are C-Level Executives-91% of grocery retailers say Canadian Grocer is their preferred grocery industry magazine. The publication has been nominated for 12 Kenneth R. Wilson awards and has was two gold and a silver award which are the most influential awards in Canada for business magazine excellence.
|
Limoneira Participates In Progressive Grocer's Top Women In Grocery Event
A new slate of 300 women hailing from some of the most admired organizations in the U.S. supermarket industry were honored in November in Orlando, Florida as 2015 Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer, the nation's leading supermarket industry trade media brand.
Now in its ninth year, PG's Top Women in Grocery awards program recognizes the integral role women play across all areas of the dynamic retail food industry within the retailer and supplier communities in three sectors: Senior-Level Executives, Rising Stars and Store Managers.
"Long before formal movements were established to encourage and empower women to lean in and step up, Top Women in Grocery served as a tenacious catalyst trumpeting the fact that in an increasingly competitive marketplace, female decision-makers are an inherent, advantageous asset that progressive organizations are astutely aware can't be ignored," said Meg Major, PG's Chief Content Editor.
All recipients received gifts including information on Limoneira and the Company's sustainability initiatives.
|
Grocer Customers To Receive Holiday Cocktail Recipes From Limoneira Global Mixology Opinion Leaders
This holiday season, retail grocery shoppers will receive colorful inserts offering lemon recipes for festive holiday drinks (cocktails and non-alcoholic versions) from Limoneira global mixologists. Each week a new mixologist will be highlighted along with Megan Roosevelt, Healthy Grocery Girl®.
Megan Roosevelt is an internationally published author, cooking show host and producer as well as a nutrition expert for regional and national television and magazines.
I love these cocktails for the holidays says Megan. They're fun and festive and the lemons add zip for this cheerful season".
Our talented mixologists are highlighted below and their recipes can be found by
clicking here.
 Timothy Thiel - Atlanta
Corporate Mixologist at Rays in Atlanta Georgia and winner of Limoneira's Mix It Up Contest in Atlanta.
Drink - Pitmaster Sour
 Regina Schauerte - San Francisco
Cala is the hot new restaurant in San Francisco's Haye's Valley Neighborhood owned by Mexico superstar chef Gabriela Cámara. Talented Schauerte formerly from Blackbird was tapped by Cámara to run the bar.
Drink - Abromby
 Erin Hayes - Chicago
Erin Hayes is one of several women shaking up the cocktail scene in Chicago. She's a mixology force to be reckoned with in the city of the big shoulders and her tweets (Erin Hayes @theminxologist) are an excellent source of delicious concoctions as well as providing a lot of great knowledge of Chicago's culinary world.
Drink - Lemon Mint Muddle
 Antonio Lai - Hong Kong
Hong Kong native Antonio Lai has traveled the globe to work as a bartender, cadging knowledge and techniques along the way before returning home as the inspiration and co-owner of Quinary, Origin, and The Envoy, three cocktail lounges in the expensive and prestigious Mid-Levels residential area. Lai has worked in Beijing, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, London and Paris.
Drink - Lemon Smoke
 Walter Pintus - London
Following extensive experience at some of the world's best hotels and resorts such as One Aldwych, the Ritz and the Grand Hotel Villa D'Este, Walter Pintus became head bartender at the Connaught where he captivates customers with extraordinary creations.
Drink - Lemon Rose
|
Limoneira Natural Skin Care Products At DermaLuv Skin Care In Calabasas
Limoneira's Natural Skin Care products can now be found at DermaLuv Skin Care in Calabasas.
Owner Eydie Anne Livingston has developed a tasteful spa and caters to area celebrities and says "It all began when she started modeling at 17-she's been featured in music videos, national commercials and documentaries, posters and billboards. During this time she became interested in the beauty industry and decided to gain educational experience. She graduated from the Newberry School of Beauty and has received credentials from a number of organizations specializing in skin care.
Keeping her family's and her own skin healthy, young and radiant is her passion and she helps her clients do the same. She loves Limoneira's natural skin care products and at a recent party in November, so did her clients. You can watch a short video of the event
here.
|
|
Limoneira Featured In 805 Living
 This holiday season, Limoneira's Orchard Fresh Gift Baskets and Natural Skin Care products are just what Santa has in mind to please friends and family. OFGB feature the best of California citrus, sustainably grown for 122 years. Limoneira's Natural skin care products feature the skin enhancing properties of lemons and avocados (known to promote skin metabolism). Many of our skin care products have been combined with Limoneira lemons and avocados and unique items for gift sets that are sure to please. For more information and to order, please visit www.limoneiralifestyles.com.
805 Living provides the perfect editorial vehicle to communicate Limoneira's unique characteristics and products. 805 Living is a high-end regional lifestyle magazine that combines the best of both worlds: the quality and style of a national publication with smart, locally relevant editorial. The publication's focus highlights the vibrant communities of western Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties and their readers depend on 805 Living for its exciting mix of home design, fashion, entertaining, health and wellness, recreation, shopping, dining out, cooking, wines and spirits, family, events, travel, and, most important, the extraordinary people who call this unique region of Southern California home.
|
|
Windfall Farms Update
 Three phases of vineyard plantings in Windfall Farms rich soil are in process that will total over 400 acres. Windfall Farms is blessed with mild temperature, significant water and great conditions for growing excellent varietals.
The latest planting consists of 60 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 acres of Petite Sirah, 20 acres of Grenache Blanc. Thus total acreage for Windfall to date is 160 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 acres of Petite Sirah and 20 acres of Grenache Blanc.
At the 2013 Cabs of Distinction Event held at Windfall Farms, six celebrated wine makers and Wine Enthusiast Magazine discussed the elements that distinguish Paso Robles Cabernet. They described the style of wines made from Cabernet in the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) as brighter in flavor, naturally high in acidity and with tamer but rich tannins compared to wines from the state's standard bearer for high quality Cabernet- Napa Valley. The defining characteristics of the Paso Robles terroir are the high diurnal temperature variance (as much as 50°F) and very limited soil nutrients in the generally calcareous, high-pH soil that controls the natural vigor of Cabernet vines. These factors help explain how a region with summer temperatures frequently hitting 100°F can produce vibrant wines that don't need acidification. It was also felt that ripeness could be achieved every year.
These celebrated winemakers noted that when Cabernet Sauvignon achieves ripeness, it is truly fantastic and felt that the soils in Paso Robles are very different compared to much of California. The clay provides richness; the calcareous composition provides natural acidity. Furthermore, it was explained that it was possible to achieve all the ripeness needed without adding acid. A low level of rainfall in Paso compared to Sonoma and Napa counties is also an advantage. The opportunity here is that moisture doesn't need to be dried out of the soil. Some of the wine makers pointed out that Napa's growing conditions are not always ideal, and said that if Robert Mondavi would have built his winery in 1966 in Paso Robles instead of Napa, this would be the most famous wine region in California.
|
|
United Nations International Year Of The Soils
 The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Soils to Combat Desertification. The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.
The specific objectives of the IYS 2015 included raising full awareness among civil society and decision makers about the profound importance of soil for human life; educate the public about the crucial role soil plays in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development and support effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources.
Limoneira has long known about the importance of maintaining healthy soil and the company's farming and harvesting professionals institute sustainable soil practices into all aspects of operations. Dan Galbraith, Limoneira's Director of Northern Operations and Gus Gunderson, Director of Southern Operations mentions a few examples.
Erosion control - Implementing a series of soil stabilizers in areas where erosion/cutting is (add a comma) or potentially will take place. Limoneira teams use the same principle that the Army Corps of Engineers used to stabilize Ellsworth Barranca from the effects of sand and gravel mining in the Santa Clara river bed. Where they used coupled steel columns driven in the ground to precise depths and distance from one stabilizer to the next, Limoneira uses rock. When the proper depth and spacing between stabilizers is achieved, the soil contained between the stabilizers will not cut.
Soil Amendments are utilized including gypsum, sulfuric acid, spreadable sulfurs, Ag lime, and plant compost to help with soil chemistry (pH). Soils in some of our areas are impacted by lime which creates a high soil pH. Citrus prefers a neutral or slightly acid soil pH that makes other nutrients in the soil more available. Water quality also impacts soil condition. Well water in many cases is high in sodium. Sodium has a negative effect on soil structure and affects a plant's ability to extract water. Without the use of soil amendments (gypsum & sulfuric acid), the soils would become unproductive. Soil amendments improve soil chemistry (pH).
|
|
Limoneira Participates In Food Share's Annual Can-Tree Collection
 From December 4th through 6th, Food Share's 4th annual CAN-TREE Collection will take place at The Collection in Ventura County. Streets in the retail complex are filled with trees made from cans that local businesses and organizations have come together to build. The generosity turns into a wonderful feel good event and the atmosphere throughout the weekend is one of tremendous gratitude. It's the perfect way to share with our less fortunate neighbors.
About Food Share
FOOD Share innovatively and efficiently gathers and distributes food, serving those in need. Our dedicated volunteers and staff fight hunger with compassion and commitment to ensure that people have access to nutritious food. FOOD Share responds to community emergencies quickly and effectively. FOOD Share embraces the diversity of Ventura County and builds partnerships by involving the entire community to fight hunger and its causes. Education and public awareness are keys to finding solutions.
FOOD Share distributes millions of pounds of healthy food every year both through their own programs such as FOOD Share and Friends mobile pantry, Senior Brown Bag Program, and Kids' Farmers' Market, as well as through distribution via their partner agencies.
|
|
Limoneira Winner's Block
This month our lucky winner is Leslie Borger from Kansas City. As our monthly winner, Leslie has won a Limoneira Orchard Fresh or Lifestlyes Gift.
Congratulations Leslie!!!
For your chance to win, make sure you're on our mailing list to be entered into our monthly drawing. To join click here or visit our website at www.Limoneira.com.
Be sure to check out our other contests and drawings for additional changes to win prizes. |
|
|
| |
|
