VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands of United States dollars, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise noted)
11 | DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN AND GROUP RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN |
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan established pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain dollar limits, employees may contribute a percentage of their salaries to the plan, and the Company will match a portion of each employee’s contribution. This plan is in effect for U.S.-based employees only. The expense pertaining to this plan was $125 for 2019, $133 for 2018 and $138 for 2017.
The Company also sponsors a group registered retirement savings plan established pursuant to the Capital Accumulation Plan guidelines and applicable legislation. Subject to certain dollar limits, employees may contribute a percentage of their salaries to the plan, and the Company will match a portion of each employee’s contribution. This plan is in effect for Canada-based employees only. The expense pertaining to this plan was $11 for 2019, $9 for 2018 and $16 for 2017.
12 | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES |
On February 13, 2019, the Company announced that Pure Sunfarms had entered into a credit agreement with Bank of Montreal, as agent and lead lender, and Farm Credit Canada, as lender, in respect of a CA$20 million securednon-revolver term loan (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures on February 7, 2022, is secured by the Delta 3 facility, and contains customary financial and restrictive covenants. The Company is not a party to the Credit Facility but has provided a limited guarantee in the amount of CA$10 million in connection with the Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had amounts due from its joint venture, Pure Sunfarms, totaling $4,610 and $1,079, respectively. The December 31, 2019 amount due from joint venture primarily relates to an equity contribution of CA$5,940 (US$4,494) to Pure Sunfarms made by the Company, on November 19, 2019 when Emerald failed to make a required escrow equity payment to Pure Sunfarms on November 1, 2019. Emerald disputed the Company’s additional November equity contribution, as well as the cancellation of 5.94 million common shares of Pure Sunfarms that related to the failure to pay the CA$5,940 equity contribution. In an effort to narrow the issues in dispute and accelerate the resolution of this shareholder dispute, which occurred on March 6, 2020 with the Settlement Agreement, Village Farms unwound its November equity contribution in January with Pure Sunfarms providing Village Farms with a CA$5,940 refund. For the calendar year end December 31, 2019 this was recorded as part of the amount due from Joint Venture. The balance of the 2019 and December 31, 2018 amount due from joint venture arenon-interest bearing and due on demand.
On July 5, 2018, the Company entered into a Shareholder Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Pure Sunfarms, whereby, as of December 31, 2019, the Company contributed CA$13,000 (US$9,959) in the form of a demand loan to Pure Sunfarms. Effective January 1, 2019, the loan amounts bear simple interest at the rate of 6.2% per annum, calculated semi-annually. Interest will accrue and be payable upon demand being made by both Shareholders (see note 12).
On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a Grid Loan Agreement (the “Grid Loan”) with VF Hemp, whereby, as of December 31, 2019, the Company had contributed approximately $13,323 in the form a grid loan to VF Hemp. The Grid Loan has a maturity date of March 25, 2022, and bears simple interest at the rate of 8% per annum, calculated monthly.
Under the terms of the AVGG Hemp Joint Venture Agreement, the Company agreed to lend approximately US$5 million to AVGG Hemp forstart-up costs and working capital. The loan bore simple interest at the rate of 8% per annum, calculated monthly. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had loaned AVGG Hemp approximately $1,184. Immediately following AVGG Hemp’s fourth quarter harvest, all of the hemp was destroyed by a severe windstorm. As a result of the loss, the Company wrote off its $1,184 loan to AVGG Hemp.
Amounts due from the joint ventures, including interest, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and included in the statements financial position:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | |
Pure Sunfarms | | $ | 15,418 | | | $ | 10,873 | |
VF Hemp | | | 10,865 | | | | — | |
AVGG Hemp | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 26,283 | | | $ | 10,873 | |
| | | | | | | | |
One of the Company’s employees is related to a member of the Company’s executive management team and received approximately $110, $115 and $101 in salary and benefits during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Included in other assets as of December 31, 2018 is a $64 promissory note that represents the unpaid amount the Company advanced to an employee in connection with a relocation at the request of the Company. The promissory note was paid in full June 10, 2019.
The components of the provision for (recovery of) income tax for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | |
| | Current | | | Deferred | | | Total | |
Federal | | $ | — | | | $ | (5,922 | ) | | $ | (5,922 | ) |
State | | | 8 | | | | (751 | ) | | | (743 | ) |
Foreign | | | (19 | ) | | | 818 | | | | 799 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (11 | ) | | $ | (5,855 | ) | | $ | 5,866 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
F-21