JANUARY 2018
2018 AMERICAN PIS
You Don’t Want to Miss This! Join more than 800 pistachio growers, processors, suppliers and experts at the largest conference and trade show for the pistachio industry worldwide. This 3-day event is packed with educational production seminars covering the top issues facing the pistachio industry, countless networking opportunities, and the latest products and services available for pistachio production, storage, and distribution.
Be part of this select group of pistachio powered individuals.
March 5 – 7, 2018 in Palm Desert, California at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
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S TA C H I O I N D U S T R Y
SAN FRANCISCO 49ER
RONNIE LOTT MAKE YOUR HOTEL
RESERVATIONS
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THE CONFERENCE
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REGISTER FOR
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Annual American Pistachio Conference March 5 - 7, 2018 Palm Desert , California
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APG WANTS YO
Are you interested in learning more about the pis
Becoming a leader in the industry and within APG Applications for the 8th annual APG Leadership Program (LeadOn) are now available! We encourage APG members to engage in this year-long education and training program. The program consists of leadership training and education seminars led by APG and industry leaders. Participants will receive a firsthand look of how the Committees/Board operate and prepare participants for possible APG Committees/Board selection. The program consists of leadership training and industry education seminars that cover such topics as pistachio industry overview, orchard management, environmental stewardship, sustainability, food quality and safety, processing, marketing and nutrition, global trade and technical issues, leadership training, government relations, and board governance and committees.
For more information about this program, contact Dianna Short at (559) 475-0475 or email at dshort@americanpistachios.org.
Download LeadOn’s program description Download the LeadOn’s program application Learn more about LeadOn Program
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EUROPEAN SNACKING ON THE RISE Byline: Euromonitor 2017 Conventional snacks, such as confectionery, are in decline in favor of savory and dairy snacks. That was the reality of packaged food in 2017, but following the consumer backlash against sugar, consumers wanted to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The need to know which ingredients are used in snacks has become ever more important with connected consumers. Snack brands claiming the use of simpler/fewer ingredients have been very successful as they are strongly associated with trust and being better for one’s health. Packaged-goods companies have started to respond to what has been dubbed
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the backlash against sugar. With increased pressure from lobbyists and governments for people to eat and live healthier, consumers are slowly changing their approach to eating—moving away from (reduced) sugar and fatty products to more wholesome foods—alongside being more active.
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While the demand for indulgent food and drinks will not change overnight, and will remain prominent, health-positioned snacks are outperforming traditional snacks, and their share will increase substantially by 2020. Not only manufacturers but also retailers have come under scrutiny for being the gatekeepers to the types of foods consumers are able to buy. Checkouts are known to generate substantial revenue from impulse purchases such as chocolate bars, sweets and other sugary snacks, while consumers wait in line to pay for their groceries. In the U.K., retailers have voluntarily started to ban the sale of sugary snacks at their checkouts, and have instead replaced them with snacks such as fruit and nut bars, protein bars, dried fruit and other snacks that are deemed healthier. As a result, a great number of new products have been launched in snacking formats, such as nut and trail mixes, cheese snacks and protein balls, to name a few, which benefit greatly from this new point of sale.
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As a result, a great number of new products have been launched in snacking formats, such as nut and trail mixes, cheese snacks and protein balls, to name a few, which benefit greatly from this new point of sale.
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Contributed by George Smith, APG European Representative 7
NEW RESEARCH EARNS PISTA Three recent studies are giving pistachio lovers new reasons to reach for a handful of nuts—especially pistachios—while at work. Adding to an increasing volume of research about the health benefits of pistachios, one study and a national survey in the U.S. suggest a snack of pistachios might boost brain power and concentration levels at work. And for anyone reluctant to add nut calories to their daily routine, a French study showed that adding a daily pistachio snack to an existing diet is not likely to cause weight gain. In fact, eating pistachios could add important nutrients that may be missing in the diet.
Pistachios helped office workers stay focused until lunchtime.
In a national survey, 1,000 American office workers, who skipped breakfast, consumed a snack of 42 grams (1 ½ serving size) of pistachios between 9am and 11am. Ninety-two percent of the participants said they were “distracted from their tasks at work due to hunger before lunch.” Eighty percent said they usually became hungry in the mornings, and often or daily thought about food. The midmorning snack of pistachios proved to be just what they needed to power through the morning. Ninety-two percent of the participants reported the pistachio snack helped improve their concentration at work as stated in the study, “somewhat or greatly.”
Dr. Mike Roussell
According to Dr. Mike Roussell, “Pistachios are an ideal midmorning or midafternoon snack because of their unique nutrient package that not only promotes feelings of fullness and satiation but newer studies show that it also can promote an optimal mental state and more focus at work.” Read More... American Pistachio Growers is spreading the news to consumers around the globe with the social media campaign “Crunch-Time.” The social media posts, appearing at 10 am and 2 pm, remind consumers that it’s time for a healthy snack of pistachios, while sending messages about how smart snacking on pistachios can help to curb cravings, prevent overeating and fuel the brain. The campaign kicked-off in January.
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ACHIOS “SUPERFOOD” STATUS Pistachios may have a role in improved brain function. Being alert and successful during the workday starts with a good sleep the night before. Loma Linda University (LLU) researchers found that eating nuts on a regular basis enhances brainwave frequencies associated with cognition, learning, memory, recall and other key brain functions.1 While the research studied multiple nuts, pistachios produced the greatest gamma wave response, which is critical for enhancing cognitive processing, information retention, learning, and perception. Read More...
A daily snack may help maintain a trim waist and add nutrients. A recent study conducted by the Institut Paul Bocuse in the foodie capitol of Lyon, France, uncovered positive results.2 During a four-week period, French women were divided into two groups. One group snacked on a protein biscuit; the second consumed roasted pistachios (California origin). While the participants’ weight did not change for either group, the pistachio group trended toward a reduction in waist size after four weeks. Body fat measurements remained stable in the pistachio snackers but rose slightly in the control group. Unlike the “healthy protein biscuit” snack, those who ate pistachios for four weeks increased their consumption of important nutrients, such as thiamin, vitamin B6, copper and potassium. Read More...
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Study finds consuming nuts strengthens beneficial brainwave frequencies. Loma Linda University Health News. https://news.llu.edu/research/study-finds-consuming-nuts-strengthens-beneficial-brainwave-frequencies Berk, L., Lohman, E., Bains, G. et al. Nuts and brain health: Nuts increase EEG power spectral density for delta frequency (1-3Hz) and gamma frequency (31-40 Hz) associated with deep meditation, empathy, healing, as well as neural synchronization, enhanced cognitive processing, recall, and memory—all beneficial for brain health. The FASEBJ., 31(1) Supplement 636.24 2017. 9
APG GOV RELATION APG HIRES ROB NASH AS DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
New position signals APG commitment to industry advocacy efforts internationally Following an exhaustive search, APG in October hired Rob Nash as its full time Director of Government Relations. Rob is based out of the APG headquarters in Fresno, and is traveling extensively to ensure grower interests are well represented at meetings, hearings and with legislators, regulators and staffers who can affect your business. “I’m pleased to bring my experience to the pistachio industry, where so much is needed in regard to the elimination of barriers to trade, water rights, immigration reform, and other issues that can have long term impact on the success of our family farms,” said Rob Nash. “Together with our consultants in Sacramento and DC and our Government Policies and Partnerships Committee, we have an obligation to secure the future of the pistachio industry through our direct involvement in the US and in export markets.” Prior to working at APG, Rob worked in the California State Senate as a policy advisor for Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa). He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctorate and Capitol Certificate in Public Law & Policy from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
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Rob Nash
VERNMENT NS REPORT California Ag Notches Victories in Hard Fought Tax Reform Debates In the final weeks of 2017, Congress passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The sweeping tax overhaul contains several provisions of keen importance to APG members: The Interest Charge – Domestic International Sales Corporation (IC-DISC) was retained. Earlier versions of the bill eliminated the program, but strong lobbying efforts, including those from the agricultural community, helped to keep the IC-DISC program intact. Cash method of accounting was preserved, and the multitude of taxpayers and farming C corporations, who can use the cash method of accounting, was expanded. Estate Tax was saved, and the “Death Tax” exemption increased to approximately $11 million per individual, $22 million per couple, and it is indexed. For a more comprehensive report on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and how it will affect your business interests, Read more... APG Government Relations Continued on Page 12.
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APG GOV RELATION APG Joins 2018 Water Bond Coalition
APG is part of a collaborative effort to place a water bond on the November 2018 ballot that will invest nearly $9 billion in California’s water infrastructure. Recognizing the incredible benefit this investment will provide to the agricultural community, APG contributed financially to the signature-gathering effort and has been an active participant in the Water Bond Steering Committee, which directs the activities of the bond effort. It is anticipated that the required number of signatures to qualify for the November 2018 ballot will be gathered by the end of January, which is very promising news. The measure is sponsored by a diverse coalition that includes conservation, agricultural, water and civic organizations, and also includes funding for Friant-Kern Canal restoration and Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation, among other important projects. Look for updates on the bond as the process moves forward. For specific information on what the water bond will fund, visit www.waterbond.org, specifically the section titled, “Benefits to agriculture.”
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VERNMENT NS REPORT REMINDER 2017 Pistachio Acreage Surveys are Due
The Pistachio Acreage Survey is critical to maintaining pertinent grower information and accurate acreage figures for the industry. Forms were distributed to all growers by the Administrate Committee for Pistachios (the Federal Marketing Order). APG reminds all members to complete and return surveys. All individual data is kept confidential by the Federal Marketing Order. For more information, contact the Administrative Committee for Pistachios at 559-255-6480 or info@acpistachios.org.
APG Stands with Coalition of Powerful Influencers in Support of Temperance Flat Reservoir Project
On December 13, the California Water Commission heard presentations regarding eleven water-related projects from across California. Project managers requested to further critical projects via Proposition 1 (2014) Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). Together with an impressive coalition of state legislators, county supervisors, water districts, and agriculture representatives, Rob Nash testified before the Commission, advocating for funding the Temperance Flat Reservoir Project. In his comments, Rob aligned APG and its membership with the presentation and preceding comments in support of this vital project. The Commission will have final decisions on funding later in 2018. With Nash at the helm of its Government Affairs Program, APG continues to fight to protect your business interests now and for generations to come.
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FSMA PRODUCE SAFETY RULE C January 28, 2018 was the first compliance date for large farms under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. A large farm is one that has more than $500,000 in average annual produce sales during the previous three-year period. As a reminder, farms are required to have at least one designated supervisor who has been trained in accordance with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. There's a Pistachio Produce Safety Alliance training in Visalia on February 9th. The cost is only $30.00 per person.
Produce Safety Alliance Pistachio Grower Training Course February 9 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visalia Convention Center - Mineral King Room 303 E. Acequia Visalia, CA 93291 $30.00 Per Person
REGISTER Hosted by
Produce Safety Alliance, California Pistachios, UC Davis Food Science and Technology and WRC
Who Should Attend
Pistachio growers who must meet the requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
The PSA Grower Training Course* is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in ยง 112.22(c): "At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration." *If you have already taken the PSA Grower Training Course and have received a certificate you DO NOT need to take this course.
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COMPLIANCE IS HAPPENING NOW What to Expect at the PSA Pistachio Grower Training Course The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven required modules tailored to the pistachio grower: Introduction to Produce Safety Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training Soil Amendments Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water) Postharvest Handling and Sanitation How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan In addition to learning about the best produce safety practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module.
The trainers will specifically discuss how these requirements impact pistachio production. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and pistachio production questions. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and
submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course. This version of the course was partially developed under a grant from the California Pistachio Research Board and the registration costs have been subsidized by the CPRB.
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IT’S NOT A PARTY WITHOUT
HOLIDAY COCKTAIL SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN To celebrate the holidays, APG asked the best mixologists from around the world to create cocktail recipes that would pair perfectly with pistachios. The news was shared with the media through press releases, and the recipes were shared with consumers through a social media campaign, “It’s Not a Party without Pistachios.” To date, more than 90 million consumers have been reached by the social media campaign. APG plans to promote the cocktail recipes throughout the year, during various holidays.
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NUTRITION CONFERENCES SINU Nutrition Conference in Italy In Italy, APG sponsored the annual conference of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU), in November, with an exhibit and seminar. At the seminar, gynecologist Niccolò Giovannini presented the results of the gestational diabetes study. In the booth, nutrition experts Martina Donegani and Giorgio Donegani (President of Food Education in Italy) spoke with visitors and distributed samples, pistachio nutrition kits and literature. More than 105 nutrition professionals signed up to receive more information about the health benefits of pistachios. More than 500 nutrition professionals attend this annual event.
JFN FRENCH NUTRITION DAYS IN FRANCE APG participated at the French Nutrition Days in France, December 12-15. The health benefits of pistachios for women with gestational diabetes were shared with French dietitians and healthcare professionals. Nutrition expert, Raphael Gruman, shared the news about the study with booth visitors. APG also sponsored a presentation with Anestis Dougkas, nutrition researcher at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France. He presented the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings of research that measured the effects of pistachio consumption on body weight and composition, satiety, as well as energy and nutrient intake. Over 2,000 health professionals attended the conference.
Anestis Dougkas
Nutrition Researcher at the Institut Paul Bocuse Lyon, France 18
Nutrition Conference and Media Event in China On November 12, 2017, APG sponsored a World Diabetes Day Conference in partnership with the China Diabetes Association in Beijing. The theme of the conference was “Women and Diabetes —We Have the Right to a Healthy Future.” Dr. Sheng Ge presented the latest research findings on pistachios and gestational diabetes. Over 250 nutrition professionals and diabetes patients participated. Immediately following the nutrition conference, a media event was held with Dr. Sheng Ge, where she shared the results of the study with more than 50 journalists from influential local media outlets. Dr. Chris Brelecki, Deputy Director of Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing; Dr. Rong Ya Zhang, famous gynecologist from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Mr. Jing Ren Li, General Secretary of China Diabetes Association, all spoke and asked the journalists to spread the healthy attributes of American pistachios to Chinese consumers.
Nutrition Seminar in South Korea APG held a nutrition seminar to share the breakthrough findings about the benefits of pistachios for women with gestational diabetes. Journalists from ten of South Korean’s leading health publications, along with more than 300 pregnant women, attended the event. Dr. Jung Ji Hoon, a gynecologist affiliated with Hana Hospital, shared the gestational research study’s results, spoke about the nutrition and health benefits of pistachios, and recommended American pistachios as part of the diet for pregnant women.
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JOURNALIST EVENTS In October, APG hosted desk-side interviews for three of China’s leading magazines: Mum and Baby Talk, Family Baby and Popular Science with Dr. Ge. She spoke about APG’s
landmark study findings that showed eating pistachios could help women with gestational diabetes manage their blood sugar level. To date, news about the study has been viewed by more than 7.4 billion Chinese consumers.
In December, APG held a "Healthy Food Choice, Healthy Lifestyle” media event in Shanghai.
Mr. Tyler Babcock, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai; Mr. Wang Xufeng, a famous nutritionist and Dr. Sheng Ge talked about the health benefits of American pistachios as well as the results from the latest gestational research study to more than fifty journalists.
Dr. Sheng Ge Director of Clinical Nutrition at the Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
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This press event resulted in fifty-seven media placements, including print, TV broadcasting and online digital videos.
In France, APG held a journalist event with nutrition expert, Jennette Higgs,
where she shared the results of APG’s gestational diabetes study.
Jennette Higgs Nutrition Expert
APG also partnered with France’s top online health and medical publication, JIM.fr. For five consecutive days, the news about the benefits of pistachios for gestational diabetes was published on the front page of each of JIM.fr online news sites including: JIM.fr – Pharmacists; JIM.fr – Midwifes; JIM.fr – Médicine; and JIM.fr – Gynécologistes. As a result, news about the study was viewed by more than 979,000 health professionals.
In Spain, APG held a journalist event with Dr. Nieves Palacios. In Dr. Palacios’ presentation, “Temptations vs. “Superfoods,” she spoke about the nutritional benefits that make pistachios a “superfood,” and food-swapping unhealthy snacks for healthful snacks, such as pistachios. Eight journalists from key health and fitness publications attended the event.
Dr. Nieves Palacios 21
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