Whole Foods shareholders approve Amazon deal
Source: Sustainable Food News
Shareholders of Whole Foods Market, Inc. on Wednesday morning voted to approve the company's $13.7 billion in cash acquisition by online retail giant Amazon.com Inc.
John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of the Austin, Texas-based organic and natural grocery chain of 465 stores, who stands to gain nearly $9 million in the transaction, will continue to run the company after the deal closes, expected by the end of the year but contingent on the approval of antitrust regulators.
The proposed acquisition, which was first announced in June, would have Amazon paying Whole Foods' shareholders $42 per share.
Whole Foods' stock was trading Wednesday at $41.71 just after the vote. The shares have a 52-week range between $27.67 and $43.84. Whole Foods has a market cap of $13.4 billion.
Seattle-based Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), with $136 billion in annual sales, said the deal to acquire the world's largest organic and natural grocery chain for $42 per share, a 27 percent premium on WFM's closing stock price Thursday, includes the net debt of WFM, which has $15.8 billion in annual sales.
Amazon said Austin, Texas-based WFM (NASDAQ:WFM), which was the first national certified-organic grocer, will continue to operate from its headquarters and its stores in North America and Britain will remain under the Whole Foods Market brand.
Under the terms of the deal, WFM would be obligated to pay a $400 million fee if it terminates the merger agreement, according to a securities filing.
Organic Grower Summit Announces Second Educational Intensive Session: “Sustainable Investing in Your Organic Farming Future”
A second intensive educational session has been finalized for the annual Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, CA. “Sustainable Investing in Your Farming Future” will dive deep into the strategic and financial challenges growers, shippers and other fresh food producers, especially those with multi-generational ownership, face.
Read More
What's the Difference?
Organic fresh produce is one of the most wholesome, healthy foods you can consume.
The word "organic" refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed.
Read MoreAttendee Registration Now Open for 2nd Annual Organic Grower Summit
General attendee registration is now open for the Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 12-13 in Monterey, CA. A joint-production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together the entire organic growing and production chain as well as service providers and supply chain partners for two days of information, education and networking opportunities.
Read More
Organic Is…
The USDA has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards.
Read MoreOrganic Grower Summit Announces First Education Intensive Session
The first of two intensive educational sessions has been finalized for the second annual Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, CA. “Scaling Up Healthy Soil Practices” will dive deep into the benefits and usage of bio fertilizers and soil amendments, current research as well as the issues and opportunities to enhance organic farm operations.
Read MoreAttendee Registration Now Open for Inaugural Organic Grower Summit
General attendee registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 13-14 in Monterey, CA. A joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.
Read More
Do Organic and Natural Mean the Same?
According to the National Society for Nutrition, there is no clear definition for the term "natural".
Read MorePlanning Underway for Educational Sessions at Organic Grower Summit
A combination of in-depth intensive educational sessions and a series of broader discussions providing relevant and timely information for organic growers headline the agenda of the second annual Organic Grower Summit this coming December 12-13 in Monterey, CA.
Read MoreFirst Quarter Organic Fresh Produce Sales Start Strong in 2018
Organic fresh produce sales started the year strong with eight percent dollar and volume growth compared to the first quarter of 2017, according to the Organic Produce Network (OPN). Organic packaged salads remain the category driver, responsible for 19 percent of all organic fresh produce sales. Behind packaged salad sales were organic berries and apples, with the three categories making up 40 percent of all organic fresh produce sales for the quarter.
Read MoreWal-Mart, Kroger and Meijer, Fresh Produce Leaders featured at Organic Produce Summit 2018 | Retailer Roundtable
Fresh produce leaders from three of the nations’ largest and most recognized grocery operations have been confirmed as panelists for the Retailer Roundtable at the third annual The Organic Produce Summit, on July 11-12 in Monterey, CA.
Read More
Save the Date: Second Annual Organic Grower Summit Coming to Monterey, December 12-13, 2018
The Organic Produce Network (OPN) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) are again teaming up to host the second annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS) on December 12 -13, 2018 at the renovated Monterey Convention Center in downtown Monterey, CA.
Read MoreExhibitor Registration Now Open for Organic Grower Summit 2018
Exhibitor booth registration is now open for the Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 12-13, 2018, in Monterey, California. Organic supply chain partners and service providers are encouraged to sign up for a booth at the second annual OGS, which features two days of information, education, and networking opportunities with organic growers.
Read MoreAlbertsons’ Geoff White, O Organic Brand President, Confirmed as Keynote Speaker at OPS 2018
Geoff White, President of Albertson’s Own Brands, including the bestselling O organic brand, has been announced as the third keynote presenter at the Organic Produce Summit 2018, this coming July in Monterey, CA.
Read MoreCampbell Fresh President and Best-Selling Author Confirmed as Keynote Speakers at Organic Produce Summit
The president of one of the worlds most recognized consumer fresh brands and a thought-provoking best-selling author have been confirmed as keynote presenters at Organic Produce Summit 2018, this coming July in Monterey, CA.
Read MoreAttendee Registration For Organic Produce Summit 2018 Opens Today
Monterey, CA (January 8, 2018) - General attendee registration for the third annual Organic Produce Summit will open on Monday, January 8 on the OPS website (www.organicproducesummit.com). Special “Early Bird” pricing is available during the month of January for the only event dedicated exclusively to bringing together organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors with retailers and buying organizations across North America.
Read MoreSold Out Organic Grower Summit Extols the Importance of Keeping the Organic Brand Strong
Monterey, CA (December 18, 2017) — Underscoring the vibrancy of opportunities in organic produce, the first ever Organic Grower Summit (OGS) presented by CCOF and the Organic Produce Network (OPN), was an energetic, sold-out event with more than 800 attendees. Growers large and small joined other organic industry leaders and entrepreneurs in underscoring the need for strong, well-enforced standards as essential to the continued growth of consumer demand for fresh organic products.
Read MoreOrganic Fresh Produce Sales Top $1 Billion in Q3
Salinas, CA (November 8, 2017) - Organic fresh produce sales reached $1.16 billion for the third quarter of 2017, an eight percent increase in dollars and 10 percent rise in volume from the previous year, according to the Organic Produce Network (OPN).
Partnering with Nielsen, OPN’s review of third quarter organic fresh produce sales at retail stores across the country shows dollar sales of organic fresh vegetables were $576 million while organic fresh fruit sales were $408 million. The remaining time $173 million organic fresh sales are “other produce items”, which includes organic herbs/seasonings, beverages and dressings. Collectively, organic fresh fruits and vegetables represented 10.2 percent of all produce dollars at the end of the third quarter.
Read MoreSun Basket COO Don Barnett to keynote at OGS; Event nearly sold-out, with limited attendee registration still available.
Monterey, CA (October 31, 2017) - Sun Basket COO Don Barnett has been confirmed as the final keynote presenter at the upcoming Organic Grower Summit (OGS) in Monterey, CA. Sun Basket is a leading nationwide delivery service that provides recipes and pre-portioned organic ingredients for home-cooked meals. Barnett has over 25 years of fresh produce experience and was previously the co-founder/partner and CFO of NewStar Fresh Foods, Organicgirl Produce, and Pessagno Winery.
Read MoreEducational Sessions Finalized for Organic Grower Summit; Keynotes to Feature Grower Roundtable
Monterey, CA (October 4, 2017) - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) has finalized the educational component of its inaugural event, with a series of inspiring and engaging sessions focused on the production side of organic fresh produce. Additionally, a Grower Roundtable will be one of three keynote presentations, rounding out an impactful and insightful exchange of ideas and information between OGS attendees.
Read MoreAttendee Registration Now Open for Inaugural Organic Grower Summit
Monterey, CA (July 25, 2017) - General attendee registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 13-14 in Monterey, CA. A joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.
Read MoreWestern Growers Named Technology Sponsor for Inaugural Organic Grower Summit
Monterey, CA (August, 15, 2017) - The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) has announced Western Growers will serve as the Ag Technology sponsor for this year's inaugural event. As the Ag Technology sponsor, Western Growers will help coordinate the attendance of technology companies as exhibitors, and help facilitate elements of the technology area at the event.
Read MoreCostco Sponsoring "Meet the Farmer" At Organic Grower Summit 2017; Exhibit Area Sold-Out for First Ever Event
Monterey, CA (September 12, 2017) — The largest retailer of organic food sales in the United States announced their commitment to participating in the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS) this coming December 13-14, in Monterey, CA. Costco, with annual fresh produce sales of $4 billion, will sponsor a half-day event providing certified organic farmers and growers the opportunity to meet with Costco buyers.
Read MoreThe Food Institute: U.S. Organic Sector Stronger Than Ever
Monterey, CA (May 26, 2017) - The U.S. organic sector gained new market share in 2016 and shattered previous records, according to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) 2017 Organic Industry Survey. The $43 billion in organic food sales marked the first time the American organic food market has broken through the $40 billion mark. While the overall food market was stagnant with a growth rate of just 0.6%, organic food sales increased by 8.4% or $3.3 billion. Organic food now accounts for more than 5.3% of total food sales in the nation, a new milestone.
Read MoreSustainable Food News: Berries Drive 19% Jump in Organic Fresh Fruit Retail Sales
Read More
Opportunity to Connect with Organic Producers at Organic Grower Summit 2017
Booth Registration now Open for Inaugural Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, CA.
Read MoreOrganic Produce Network Continues Growth with Launch of Website, Weekly E-newsletter and New Staff
SALINAS, CA (March 15, 2017)—The Organic Produce Network (OPN) continues to grow their presence with the launch of its website, weekly e-newsletter and a new addition to their staff.
Read MoreNatural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc Launches Fundraiser for Organic Farmers Association
Read More
Organic Industry "Reality Check" Revealed by Organic Produce Network Co-Founder Tonya Antle, at Natural Products Expo West 2017
SALINAS, CA—(March 6, 2017)-Organic fresh produce is a bright spot in today’s fractured food system and economy, according to organic industry pioneer, Tonya Antle. Antle, co-founder of the newly-formed Organic Produce Network, will unveil trends in the multi-billion dollar organic fresh produce industry as a panelist at the Organic Trade Association’s "Organic Innovations Conversation," part of Natural Products Expo West’s gargantuan trade show on Friday, March 10 at 12:45 pm.
Moderated by industry expert and OTA Executive Director and CEO Laura Batcha, the predictably provocative conversation with Antle and nine other organic industry innovators, includes a collection of fast-paced presentations on what’s next in organics from thought-leaders, entrepreneurs and trend spotters. Natural Products Expo West is the preeminent show for spotting trends in the food and CPG industry. In 2016, the event brought together an inspired community of industry members and more than 3,000 exhibitors and 77,000 attendees.
Read MoreOrganic Grower Summit Coming to Monterey
Monterey, CA (March 1st, 2017) — The Organic Produce Network (OPN) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) are teaming up to host the first-ever Organic Grower Summit (OGS) in Monterey, California on December 13 -14, 2017.
The OGS will bring together the entire organic production chain as well as service and supply partners at one informative event. Organic growers, producers and handlers from fresh produce, dairy, meat and grain sectors will have the opportunity to network and learn with suppliers, service providers, packaging and technology companies, equipment manufacturers and other companies critical to their success.
“CCOF growers look forward to this rare opportunity to network with each other and with other organic sector leaders and innovators,” says CCOF CEO Cathy Calfo, “Growers are key to meeting the demand for organic products and grower-driven events like this summit are important to their success.”
Read MoreNew Organic Produce Network (OPN) to Start Connecting the Organic Fresh Produce Industry in 2017
Salinas, CA – (January 8, 2017) –Responding to double-digit growth in the fastest growing retail food category, a pair of produce industry veterans have announced the formation of a new company to connect facets of the organic produce community through education, information and live events.
Matt Seeley, former vice president of marketing for The Nunes Company, and Tonya Antle, former vice president of organic sales for Earthbound Farm have teamed to develop The Organic Produce Network (OPN).
OPN is being designed as the voice and go-to resource for all things related to organic produce. The company’s mission is to inform and educate through a strong digital presence with an emphasis on original content, and complemented by engaging live events which bring together various components of the organic food community.
Read MorePlanning Underway for Educational Sessions at the Organic Grower Summit 2017
Salinas, CA (May 30, 2017) - Panels at the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS) will include a range of topics designed to inform and engage organic growers, farmers and producers, and their service and supply chain partners. Farm soil management, environmentally sustainable packaging, advances in agricultural technology and discussion with elected state and federal officials on key issues facing agriculture are among topics that will be addressed by an illustrious line of speakers at OGS, December 13-14 in Monterey, CA
Read More