| ReadyWise, a leading manufacturer of emergency food supplies, has signed an exclusive multi-year partnership deal with former professional quarterback Drew Brees. ReadyWise is giving its consumers first access to product launches, exclusive sales and giveaway opportunities to get over a million households prepared in 2023. Now from Feb 1-7, you can get prepared and win a signed football by Brees.
“I want to let everyone know I am teaming up with ReadyWise. To kick off the partnership, we will be giving away a signed football to one lucky winner,” Brees said. “Simply go to www.readywise.com and look for the football icon on various products to get prepared today!” You can enter the giveaway by purchasing an item on the website with the football icons. Each purchase gives you a chance to win. Look out for awesome discounted deals like the chance to stock up on eggs as the world faces continued price increases and shortages nationwide. No purchase is necessary to win. Please see the full terms and conditions. Gear up with ReadyWise for all things football as they prepare for the upcoming game on Feb. 12, starting with this giveaway to win a signed football from the legend Drew Brees. This comes as former coach Sean Payton accepts a new head coaching position in Denver, with people wondering whether Russel Wilson and Sean will be able to repeat a similar success story to that of him and Drew. Follow along as ReadyWise celebrates America’s favorite pastime with emergency preparedness deals to help Americans prepare with the survival basics. ReadyWise is a rapidly growing food brand offering ready-to-eat meal and snacking solutions serving the preparedness, outdoors and everyday categories. To learn more about ReadyWise, go to www.readywise.com. For more news of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News. |
USDA Posts Farm Service Agency Loan Interest Rates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced loan interest rates for February 2023, which are effective Feb. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.
For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including veterans, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers
Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for February 2023 are as follows:
- Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 4.750 percent
- Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 4.750 percent
- Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 2.750 percent
- Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500 percent
- Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750 percent
FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.
To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.
Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation and are administered by FSA.
- Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.750 percent
- Farm Storage Facility Loans:
- Three-year loan terms: 4.000 percent
- Five-year loan terms: 3.750 percent
- Seven-year loan terms: 3.750 percent
- Ten-year loan terms: 3.625 percent
- Twelve-year loan terms: 3.750 percent
- Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 3.875 percent
Pandemic and Disaster Support
FSA broadened the use of the Disaster Set Aside, normally used in the wake of natural disasters, to allow farmers with USDA farm loans who are affected by COVID-19, and are determined eligible, to have their next payment set aside. Because of the pandemic’s continued impacts, producers can apply for a second DSA for COVID-19 or a second DSA for a natural disaster for producers with an initial DSA for COVID-19.
The set-aside payment’s due date is moved to the final maturity date of the loan or extended up to 12 months in the case of an annual operating loan. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. Use of the expanded DSA program can help to improve a borrower’s cashflow in the current production cycle.
FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.
Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Producers
On Aug. 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. It is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities that USDA serves. Section 22006 of the IRA provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. USDA has allocated up to $1.3 billion for initial steps to help these distressed borrowers. This includes both automatic and case-by-case assistance. For more information producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.
Producers can explore available options on all FSA loan options at fsa.usda.gov or by contacting their local USDA Service Center.
José Sánchez Peñate Dairy, Coffee, Bakery Equipment for Sale
Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring and investment firm, is offering for immediate sale by private treaty machinery and equipment from four plants in the Canary Islands formerly leased by the firm to the Spanish food products manufacturer and distributor José Sánchez Peñate.
José Sánchez Peñate primarily produced dairy products from two plants in Tenerife, Spain, and manufactured and supplied coffee and bakery products from two plants in Gran Canaria. The complete plant and available machinery equipment are as follows:
- Milk plant, including preparation, mixing, sterilization, cooling, packaging and palletizing systems.
- Yoghurt plant, including raw material reception, pasteurization of milk, mixing station, pasteurization of yoghurt, addition of starter, fermentation, packaging, palletizing, cooling and storage.
- Coffee plant, including raw materials reception, recipe preparation, roasting, milling, packing of coffee beans for restaurants or ground coffee, packaging, palletizing and storage.
- Bakery plant, including raw materials reception, kneading machines, forming machines, cutting and boarding, fermentation area, baking and cooling, packaging and palletizing.
“This unprecedented food manufacturing plant sale is already generating global interest and is an amazing opportunity to acquire machinery and equipment worth millions of euros,” said Duncan Ainscough, managing director, commercial & industrial at Gordon Brothers. “With over €95 billion of assets appraised and disposed in the food and beverage industry, we are a trusted partner with a deep understanding of this sector and a strong history in maximizing asset value for companies in Spain and throughout Europe.”
The machinery and equipment is installed and inspections are available by appointment only. To view the full list of available assets, visit Gordon Brothers’ website: www.gordonbrothers.com/JSP.
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