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Full-Text Articles in Business

Bonipak Produce Inc., Steven Partie, Grant Copeland, David Minney Jun 2017

Bonipak Produce Inc., Steven Partie, Grant Copeland, David Minney

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Bonipak grows, packs and ships fresh produce. As the 10th largest (by acreage) agricultural firm in the western US, it supplies a wide range of produce to national chain retailers such as Costco, Safeway, Kroger and Loblaw. The case discusses Bonipak’s Seed to Sale approach, in which they aim to satisfy their buyers, who demand consist, high quality produce for the final retail customer. Bonipak has dealt with issues including labor and water, and has worked with sustainability, in terms of “farming with the future in mind”.


Mission Produce, Davis Cracknell, Kendall Moore, Salvador Lopez Jun 2017

Mission Produce, Davis Cracknell, Kendall Moore, Salvador Lopez

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Mission Produce's founding, growth and expansion into oversea's markets is discussed. In particular, Mission Produce's ripening centers are presented as an innovation in avocado marketing.


Panorama Meats/Western Grassfed Beef: Better Beef, Better You, Kelsey King, Gretchen Montague, Jasmine Singh, Danielle Wood Dec 2016

Panorama Meats/Western Grassfed Beef: Better Beef, Better You, Kelsey King, Gretchen Montague, Jasmine Singh, Danielle Wood

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Western Grasslands, Inc. started in 2001, to process and market grass-fed beef. Grass fed, though about only 1% of the US beef market, is a quickly growing market. Today, WGI markets its Panorama meat through Whole Foods and other grass-fed brands on-line.


Case Study: Double J Dairy, Jay Tevelde, Chris Reeves, Holden Smith, Bradley Braun Dec 2016

Case Study: Double J Dairy, Jay Tevelde, Chris Reeves, Holden Smith, Bradley Braun

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The case presents the history and current operations of the Double J Dairy, a large scale (milking about 4,300 cows) dairy farm in the Central Valley of California. The case discusses continuing issues with water, labor and environmental regulations.


Underwood Ranches And Huy Fong Foods: An Exclusive Relationship, Kelsey Wright, Baylie Duncan, Sierra Withrow, Bryce Yoshimoto Dec 2016

Underwood Ranches And Huy Fong Foods: An Exclusive Relationship, Kelsey Wright, Baylie Duncan, Sierra Withrow, Bryce Yoshimoto

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The case presents Underwood Ranches, a 3rd generation farm founded in 1867, and Huy Fong Foods, a hot sauce producer know for Sriracha. Underwood was wondering if they would go under when they approached Huy Fong, a hot sauce company named after the boat on which its found escaped Vietnam. The result was a sole supplier to an innovative specialty food producer.


Grocery Outlet Bargain Market Ii, Bryan Berry, Jack Brown, Ryan Stojanovich Dec 2016

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market Ii, Bryan Berry, Jack Brown, Ryan Stojanovich

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The US food retail sector is discussed, and how Grocery Bargain Markets fits within that sector. Growth and expansion plans are discussed, with emphasis on the growing Hispanic market in the Los Angeles area.


Tolosa Vineyards, Adam Cox, Thomas Niland, Jonny Pottorff, Morgan Brahms Dec 2016

Tolosa Vineyards, Adam Cox, Thomas Niland, Jonny Pottorff, Morgan Brahms

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The case presents the history of Tolosa Vineyards and its place in the US wine industry. In particular, the case discusses how wineries replaced cattle in the Edna Valley outside San Luis Obispo, CA, and how a small (under 25,000 cases annually) winery can position its wines and marketing, with a change from distribution to hospitality.


Target: The Epic Search For Equilibrium, Delaney Ainsworth, Jonathan Galvez, Austin Ketchersid, Carson Stone Dec 2016

Target: The Epic Search For Equilibrium, Delaney Ainsworth, Jonathan Galvez, Austin Ketchersid, Carson Stone

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Target's expansion into food retailing is discussed, along with market share of competitors and future growth plans.


Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Mitchell Comstock, Michael Maggipinto, Brendan Mcintosh, Lukas Oswald Jun 2016

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Mitchell Comstock, Michael Maggipinto, Brendan Mcintosh, Lukas Oswald

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The history of Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is presented, from its start selling government surplus canned goods in San Francisco, to its present 299 stores concentrated mostly on the west coast, but with 18 stores in Pennsylvania. The case discusses two of Grocery Outlet’s distinguishing traits: opportunistic buying and independent operators. Challenges, competition and future opportunities are presented.


Fernjo Farms Case Study, Michelle Cheda, Luis Trujillo, Lauren Ott, Andrew Lucchesi Jun 2016

Fernjo Farms Case Study, Michelle Cheda, Luis Trujillo, Lauren Ott, Andrew Lucchesi

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The history of Fernjo Farms is similar by many California dairy farms. It was started by a Portuguese immigrant from the Azores in the 1920s, who milked someone else’s cows for decades before he had saved enough to start his own farm. Today, Fernjo Farms milks 3,500 cows on three operations, and is expanding into permanent crops such as almonds and pistachios. The case explores the California dairy industry and challenges such as labor and regulations. Given current dairy costs and returns, Fernjo Dairy is considering other enterprises or moving.


Dewey Farms, Jeff Brown, Nick Vandendriesse, Joey Thomas, Lucas Zender Jun 2016

Dewey Farms, Jeff Brown, Nick Vandendriesse, Joey Thomas, Lucas Zender

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Dewey Farms is a 150 year old family farming operation, located 12 miles east of Sacramento, CA. Their primary crop is pistachios, 90% of which they sell though Paramount Farms, one of the largest farm operations in the world. The case discusses the pros and cons of contracting with Paramount, and the options Dewey Farms has for the future.


Grocery Outlet Bargain Market I, Mitchell Comstock, Michael Maggipinto, Brendan Mcintosh, Lukas Oswald Jun 2016

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market I, Mitchell Comstock, Michael Maggipinto, Brendan Mcintosh, Lukas Oswald

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Grocery Outlet Bargain Markets has grown from a single store in San Francisco, offering low cost government surplus canned goods to 100 stores and over $1 billion in sales. The chain focuses on opportunistic buying of over runs and discontinued stock, which allows it charge low prices.


Dohi Farms, Christopher Callahan, Bryan Jimenez, Greg Moxley Jun 2016

Dohi Farms, Christopher Callahan, Bryan Jimenez, Greg Moxley

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Dohi Farms is a two-generation family farm in the Central Coast of California, a major vegetable and specialty crop producing region for the US market. Major issues Dohi Farms contends with include water availability and quality, labor and changing markets.


Farming: From The Ground Up, Brock Becker, Max Burt, Michael Gardner Mar 2016

Farming: From The Ground Up, Brock Becker, Max Burt, Michael Gardner

Case Studies in Agribusiness

With half of all current farmers expected to retire within 10 years and entry-level farmers decreasing 30% since 1987, it appears we need to encourage new, entry-level farmers. This case study tracks how a young farmer started his business and the decisions and issues he dealt with along the way. Decisions discussed include whether to rent or lease land, and possible crop-share arrangements, offering custom operations as a way generate revenue and obtain equipment, crop selection and using labor contractors versus in-house labor.


Beach Hut Deli Case Study, Chris Mangiola, Seth Sobottka, Lauren Yien, Megan Fox Mar 2016

Beach Hut Deli Case Study, Chris Mangiola, Seth Sobottka, Lauren Yien, Megan Fox

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Beach Hut Deli Case Study describes the origin, development and growth of a quick service restaurant in Granite Bay, CA, which has now expanded to 35 locations in California, Reno, and Las Vegas with plans to expand into the Pacific Northwest. The case discusses in-house and external marketing, menu development and franchising options and issues.


Just Desserts, Daniel Dentoni, Eric Griffen, Jimmy Pallios, Zane Westmoreland Mar 2016

Just Desserts, Daniel Dentoni, Eric Griffen, Jimmy Pallios, Zane Westmoreland

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Just Desserts started at a San Francisco café in 1974 with a premium line of hand-crafted desserts. It moved to Oakland in 2001 to increase its production, only to bankrupt in 2003. It was saved by a group of investors who hired professional, experienced manage, with Michael Mendez becoming CEO in 2012. Mendez moved into organics, revamped packaging, and has grown the company.


Talley Farms Fresh Harvest: Excellence In Everything, Brandon Berguia, Emily Ormonde, Erin Van Grouw, Lance Van Grouw Mar 2016

Talley Farms Fresh Harvest: Excellence In Everything, Brandon Berguia, Emily Ormonde, Erin Van Grouw, Lance Van Grouw

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Talley Farms is a 3rd generation produce farm in the California Central Coast. Always looking for new ways to add value to their operations, they decided to see about community supported agriculture (CSA), an idea brought to the US from Switzerland and Japan in the 1980s. A CSA has subscribers who sign up to receive a box of produce on a regular basis. Decisions for Talley included what to put in the box, how to deliver it, sources of produce and how to market.


Bolthouse Farms Case Study, Garret Powell, Brett Banducci, Anna Greene Dec 2015

Bolthouse Farms Case Study, Garret Powell, Brett Banducci, Anna Greene

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The history, growth and current operations of Bolthouse Farms is presented, with a discussion of carrot growing, processing and marketing.


Kiler Ridge Olive Oil Farm, David Ayala, Martin Andersen, Rudy Raimondi Dec 2015

Kiler Ridge Olive Oil Farm, David Ayala, Martin Andersen, Rudy Raimondi

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Gregg Bone, a Cal Tech trained engineer, is a serial entrepreneur who has started 13 successful businesses, mostly in the tech industry. After a bicycle trip through Tuscany, his wife Audrey wanted to plant 40 olive trees in their backyard, which Gregg thought would be an expensive hobby. Better to plant 835 trees on a 58 acre property near Paso Robles, CA, in 2010. Five years later Gregg modified and installed an Italian olive mill for his own olives and as a custom crush operation. As a craft olive oil business, they marketing similarly to how neighboring wineries market their …


Headstart Nursery: Rooted In Quality, Luis Alonzo, Michael Joyce, Clinton Loomis, Doug Kaplan Jun 2015

Headstart Nursery: Rooted In Quality, Luis Alonzo, Michael Joyce, Clinton Loomis, Doug Kaplan

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Growers can more efficiently use their land if they grow from transplants than from seed. Headstart Nursery started in 1979 to supply Christopher Ranch, well-known for their garlic products, with bell pepper transplants. Since then, Headstart expanded their transplant line to other Salinas Valley crops and even flowers. Transplants are labor intensive; Headstart has been innovative with their human resource management policies and practices.


Driscoll's: The Global Brandje, Jesus Morales, Edgar Lopez, Noah Lilien, Jack Stradley Jun 2015

Driscoll's: The Global Brandje, Jesus Morales, Edgar Lopez, Noah Lilien, Jack Stradley

Case Studies in Agribusiness

With a mission “to continually delight berry consumers”, Driscoll’s is the arguably the world’s largest berry company. They started as strawberry breeders, expanded in raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, and have been leaders in packaging and marketing of berries. They do not grow berries for market, but develop the nursery stock, which they provide to their growers, and market the output. They also provide theirs growers with advice and guidance on issues ranging from sustainable growing practices to labor management.


House Of Bread Case Study, Audrey Butler, Danica Cramer Danica Cramer, Mackenzie Thesman, Alicia Warren Jun 2015

House Of Bread Case Study, Audrey Butler, Danica Cramer Danica Cramer, Mackenzie Thesman, Alicia Warren

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Sheila McCann became bored with her public defender job and decided to open her own business. She made a list what she wanted from a business and came to open House of Bread. She uses high quality ingredients and stresses the craft nature of her small batch baking. With her San Luis Obispo store running well, she looked for where else she would like to live and settled on Truckee, CA, known for its outdoor activities. With this new store she is exploring franchising.


Shanley Farms: Premium Produce That People Care About, Maggie Andrada, Bryce D’ Arelli, Melissa Gurvis Jun 2015

Shanley Farms: Premium Produce That People Care About, Maggie Andrada, Bryce D’ Arelli, Melissa Gurvis

Case Studies in Agribusiness

When Jim Shanley retired from an executive position with a large commodity and feed company, he bought avocado farms in Morro Bay and Visalia. He soon expanded into Finger Limes and innovative marketing of his avocados.


Head Start Nursery: Rooted In Quality, Luis Alonzo, Michael Joyce, Clinton Loomis, Doug Kaplan Jun 2015

Head Start Nursery: Rooted In Quality, Luis Alonzo, Michael Joyce, Clinton Loomis, Doug Kaplan

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Headstart Nursery started as a supplier of bell pepper transplants to Christopher Ranch, a large produce company in Gilroy, CA. Their first season was so successful they decided to expand their offerings to other produce transplants and even flowers. Today they are a large transplant supplier of both conventional and organic produce.


Driscoll's: The Global Brand, Jesus Morales, Edgar Lopez, Noah Lilien, Jack Stradley Jun 2015

Driscoll's: The Global Brand, Jesus Morales, Edgar Lopez, Noah Lilien, Jack Stradley

Case Studies in Agribusiness

How Driscoll's grew to become the world's largest berry marketer is presented.


Firestone-Walker Brewing Company, Joe Hare, John Fitche, John Mazzilli Mar 2015

Firestone-Walker Brewing Company, Joe Hare, John Fitche, John Mazzilli

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Starting in 1996, Firestone-Walker Brewing Company grew to become the 16th largest craft brewer in the U.S. by 2013. Much of their success can be attributed to taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Their “805” brand is an example of many factors coming together to the company’s benefit.


Re:Find Distillery, Ronald Cain, Kasey Urman, Taylor Frias Dec 2014

Re:Find Distillery, Ronald Cain, Kasey Urman, Taylor Frias

Case Studies in Agribusiness

When Alex and Monica Villicana started their winery in 2002, they had no intention of starting a distillery. But in order to have the right ratio of skins to juice they had to bleed off and dispose juice. Trying to find a use for the excess juice, they distilled it into vodka and gin. Much to their surprise, they quickly sold out. The case discusses licensing and technical issues of starting a distrillery.


Lagunitas Brewing Company, Maria Camozzi, Kelsey Guttchen, Amy Robertson Dec 2014

Lagunitas Brewing Company, Maria Camozzi, Kelsey Guttchen, Amy Robertson

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The story of Lagunitas Beer is presented, from its start as a hobby for the founder Tony Magee to its current production of over 600,000 barrels per year, making it the 5th largest craft brewer in the US in 2013. To add perspective, a brief history of beer and the emergence of craft beer is included.


La Baguette Case Study, Logan Smith, Christina Willman, Joe Brunello Dec 2014

La Baguette Case Study, Logan Smith, Christina Willman, Joe Brunello

Case Studies in Agribusiness

La Baguette is a bakery/deli/coffee shop with two company-owned stores and one franchise. Starting as a retail bakery, it expanded into coffee, deli sandwiches, catering services and custom orders. The owners are considering several expansion options.


Mollydooker Wines: Supply Chain Analysis, Jacob Mix, Marianne Gera, Navreen Thandi Dec 2014

Mollydooker Wines: Supply Chain Analysis, Jacob Mix, Marianne Gera, Navreen Thandi

Case Studies in Agribusiness

MollyDooker (Australian slang for a left-handed boxer) exports 90-95% of its 70,000 case production of ultra-luxury wine (retail $185/bottle) to the US. Currently they have distributors handling the logistics for them. This study evaluates the pros and cons of MollyDooker running their own warehousing and shipping facility. It concludes that MollyDooker should continue to pay others to handle their wine.