The parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent practicable and not detrimental to the commercial activities of the parties (including the timing thereof), to consolidate the resolution of any Disputed Items hereunder.
Any person who is required to attend any meeting referred to in this Paragraph 7 shall have the right to attend by means of conference call or other telecommunication device or means that permits each individual participating therein to hear and speak to each other participant therein.
reject Raw Products based upon the annual crop agreements, and any disputes concerning acceptance or rejection shall be subject to arbitration pursuant to Paragraph 19(b).
9.Force Majeure; Other Failure or Potential Failure to Deliver.
(a) In the event the performance of any part of this Agreement by either party is prevented or delayed by act of God, war, terrorism, civil insurrection, fire, flood, storm, strike, lockout or by law, regulation or order of federal, state or local authority or by any other cause beyond the control of either party, then such performance, to the extent that it is so prevented or delayed, shall be excused.
(b)If Pro-Fac invokes the provisions of force majeure pursuant to this Paragraph 9, Pro-Fac may reduce the quantity of the affected categories of Raw Products supplied to Allens pursuant to the Raw Product Plan for the applicable year. In the event that Pro-Fac fails to deliver the amount of any Raw Products specified in the Raw Product Plan or if in any particular case Allens reasonably concludes, due to anticipated crop yields, growing conditions, any anticipatory breach of any annual crop agreement or other factors indicating that any Pro-Fac member is likely to fail to deliver the amount of Raw Products specified in the Raw Product Plan, Allens shall have the right, at its option, to purchase additional quantities of such Raw Products from alternative sources without regard to Paragraphs 3 and 4.
10.Bypassed Crops.Raw Products fit for harvesting and suitable for processing under the provisions of the Raw Product Plan which are not harvested at the direction of Allens or its designee shall be referred to as “Bypassed Crops.” Sharing of the economic impact of Bypassed Crops among Allens, Pro-Fac members and contract growers of the applicable Covered Crop shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the annual crop agreement for purchase of the affected Covered Crop. All determinations made with respect to Bypassed Crops, including, without limitation, expected yields, costs not incurred for harvest and allocation among affected Pro-Fac members, shall be made by Allens in good faith in a manner consistent with the past custom and practice of the parties to the Prior Agreement.
11.Failure to Deliver.Pro-Fac acknowledges that, in order to process properly the maximum quantities of Raw Products for inclusion in its processed food products, it is essential that Allens not only be supplied with the Raw Products hereunder, but that Allens receive such Raw Products, to the extent not affected by circumstances owing to force majeure, in a timely manner consistent with the applicable Raw Product Plan. Pro-Fac further acknowledges that Allens will suffer damages if Pro-Fac or its members fail to deliver the quantity of Raw Products in a timely manner as specified in the applicable Raw Product Plan. Accordingly, Pro-Fac hereby assigns to Allens, as a third party beneficiary, all rights and powers that Pro-Fac may have under any General Marketing Agreement or Annual Crop Agreement and any other right to seek redress in the event that any Pro-Fac member fails to perform its obligations to deliver crops to Allens as contemplated hereby. To the extent that Allens may not directly take any action described above to redress any such breach, Pro-Fac hereby agrees to take such action in its own right as requested and directed by Allens to seek redress for any such breach for the benefit of Allens. To the extent that such redress involves an offset against or reduction of the amount payable by Pro-Fac to any member, then such amount will be treated as an Allens Reimbursable Expense hereunder. Pro-Fac hereby grants to Allens its power of attorney to take such action and to do all things necessary or desirable in Pro-Fac’s name, place and stead for any purpose in connection with the matters contemplated by this Paragraph 11.
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12.Adulteration or Misbranding. Pro-Fac guarantees that no articles of food delivered by it to Allens during the period in which this contract is effective will be adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of June 25, 1938, as amended, or within the meaning of any state food and drug law, the adulteration and misbranding provisions of which are identical with or substantially the same as those found in the federal Act, and goods will not be produced or shipped in violation of Section 404 or 301(d) (21 USCS §§ 331(d), 344) of the federal Act. Pro-Fac, however, does not guarantee against goods becoming adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the Act or Acts after delivery to Allens by reasons or causes beyond the control of Pro-Fac.
13.Title and Risk of Loss. Title and risk of loss to the Raw Products shall pass from Pro-Fac to Allens upon acceptance of delivery of such Raw Products by Allens or its designee at a site specified by Allens. All products delivered to Allens pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be delivered free and clear of all liens and adverse claims, other than Permitted Liens. “Permitted Liens” shall mean (i) liens arising due to the operation of law with respect to Raw Products delivered hereunder for amounts that are not yet due and payable and (ii) liens on Raw Products in favor of creditors to individual Pro-Fac members, provided that notice of all such liens, as well as any specific requirements of the lienholder with respect to control of proceeds, is provided to Allens before harvest. In addition, Pro-Fac agrees that upon receipt of payment from Allens with respect to any crops subject to any statutory lien, Pro-Fac or its designee shall promptly make payment to the applicable Pro-Fac member from whom such crops were received consistent with the payment terms applicable to such crops.
14.Compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act. Pro-Fac agrees that all of the crops delivered pursuant to this Agreement will be produced and delivered in compliance with all applicable standards of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended.
15.Compliance with FIFRA and Food Quality Protection Act. Pro-Fac agrees that its members have not used and will not use any pesticide or other product in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, or the Food Quality Protection Act, as amended, in connection with planting, growing, harvesting or delivering any Raw Products.
16.Term and Termination.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and, unless terminated earlier as provided herein, shall continue through the 2011 growing season.
(b)Without prejudice to any other rights either party may have under this Agreement, applicable law or rule of equity, either party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement in the event:
(i)the other party commits a material breach of any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement and such breach is not remedied within sixty (60) days after the aggrieved party has delivered notice of such breach to the other party; or
(ii)the other party becomes insolvent within the meaning of any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
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(c)Allens may terminate this Agreement, with respect to any particular Raw Products to be delivered to Allens hereunder, if an attachment, execution or foreclosure of any lien is levied against such Raw Products and such attachment, execution or lien foreclosure is not remedied within ten (10) days after Allens has sent written notice of such event to Pro-Fac or such action otherwise impairs, in any material respect, the ability of Allens to either take title, free and clear of all liens, other than Permitted Liens, to any such Raw Products or use such Raw Products.
(d)A party may terminate this Agreement in connection with a Change of Control of such party. “Change of Control” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions, including any sale, transfer or issuance by securities sale, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or otherwise, that results, directly or indirectly, in a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the party, or the current owners of the party and their affiliates ceasing to possess, directly or indirectly, the power to elect a majority of the party’s board of directors.
(e)In the event that this Agreement is terminated as provided in Paragraph 16(b) or Paragraph 16(d) above, such termination shall not affect any obligation with respect to the delivery of crops pursuant to a then-effective Raw Product Plan or payment for such crops hereunder.
17.Assignment.
Allens shall have the right to assign this Agreement in whole or in part in connection with the sale of all or part of its business, and upon such assignment shall be released from all obligations relating to the portion of this Agreement that has been assigned, provided that the assignee of this Agreement or the relevant portion thereof is (i) the person who acquires the business of Allens or the relevant portion of the business of Allens or (ii) any other person if such person’s financial ability to perform the assigned obligations is reasonably acceptable to Pro-Fac. Pro-Fac shall have the right to assign this Agreement upon the latter of the sale or other disposition of Pro-Fac’s equity investment in Birds Eye Holdings LLC and a decision by the board of directors of Pro-Fac to liquidate and dissolve provided the assignee is a person whose financial ability to perform the assigned obligations is reasonably acceptable to Allens.
18.Audit. During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, both parties to this Agreement shall, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, be given access to the pertinent books and records, management personnel and outside accountants of the other party in order to verify the accuracy of costs, fees or expenses reported by such other party in connection with the performance of the obligations under this Agreement, crop deliveries, offsets, adjustments and similar matters and for other purposes reasonably related to the performance of the parties under this Agreement. In exercising its right under this Section 18, each party shall endeavor to minimize the disruption to the business and activities of the other.
19.Disagreements.
(a) In the event that Pro-Fac and Allens have an unresolved disagreement relating to the application or interpretation of this Agreement or regarding whether any determination made by a party was made in a manner that complies with the process and procedures set forth in this Agreement, then either party shall have the right to invoke the
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disagreement resolution procedures set forth in this Paragraph 19. Other than with respect to matters addressed in Paragraph 7(d) hereof, promptly upon notice of such invocation, Pro-Fac and Allens shall each designate a senior executive who shall be charged with full authority to resolve the disagreement in cooperation with the other. Such executives shall meet as promptly as possible (and in any event within ten (10) days) to discuss, consider and otherwise attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the designated executives resolve such disagreement, their resolution shall be set forth in a writing executed by each executive and such resolution shall be binding on the parties. Should the designated executives fail to resolve the disagreement within five (5) days following their initial meeting, then the dispute may be submitted directly to non-binding mediation upon written demand therefore delivered by either party to the other pursuant to Paragraph 19(b) below.
(b)Each mediation shall be conducted before one mediator, who shall be selected as follows: one representative shall be selected by each of Pro-Fac and Allens within two (2) days in the case of a Crop Sensitive Dispute (defined below) and five (5) days in all other cases following either party invoking the provisions of this Paragraph 19(b), and such representatives shall, within a period of two (2) days in the case of a Crop Sensitive Dispute and five (5) days in all other cases, agree mutually upon a mediator, provided that if either party fails to select a representative within such two-day period, then the representative timely selected by the other party shall serve as the mediator. Neither of the representatives selected by the parties, nor the mediator selected by such representatives, shall have any previous affiliation with either party. With respect to any mediation regarding a disagreement arising under any of Paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 of this Agreement (“Crop Sensitive Disputes”), the mediator shall be a person who has substantial experience and expertise in the agricultural industry, including with respect to matters related to planning and managing farming, harvesting and processing of crops. For disagreements arising under any other paragraph of this Agreement, the mediator shall have the requisite experience and expertise concerning the subject matter of the dispute, as well as the requisite legal knowledge pertaining thereto, to conduct and conclude the mediator in accordance with the terms hereof. Within three (3) days in the case of Crop Sensitive Disputes and within ten (10) days for all other disputes following the selection of a mediator, and subject to the terms hereof, such mediator shall establish the rules and procedures for the proceeding and commence the mediation, provided that such rules and procedures will be consistent with the terms and objectives of this Agreement and an expeditious resolution of the matter. Any mediation commenced hereunder shall be conducted in Rochester, New York. No discovery shall be permitted. The mediator shall hear evidence (whether oral or written) presented by each party and shall seek to resolve each of the issues identified by the parties. The mediator shall render a non-binding resolution and award on each issue as expeditiously as possible, and in any event within three (3) days in the case of Crop Sensitive Disputes (other than those arising under Paragraph 6(d)) and within fifteen (15) days for all other disputes after the hearing. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with any mediation hereunder and shall share equally the fees and expenses of the mediator (and those of the representatives charged with selecting the mediator, if any), provided that if the mediator determines that either party has acted in bad faith or in a grossly commercially unreasonable manner then the mediator shall be free to allocate between the parties the fees and expenses of the mediator and of the parties as they shall determine. The parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the costs of any mediation hereunder and, to the extent practicable and not detrimental
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to the commercial activities of the parties (including the timing thereof), to consolidate disagreements arising hereunder to avoid multiple proceedings.
(c)In the event either party rejects the mediator’s non-binding resolution and award, then either party shall thereafter be entitled to pursue any available legal procedure to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Mediation shall not be a prerequisite to legal action to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
20.Indemnification. Each party hereto agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the other party harmless against all claims, complaints, losses, costs, expenses, damages or fees (including all attorneys’ fees) arising from or associated with any failure of such party to comply with the terms, undertakings or commitments set forth in this Agreement and the other agreements relating hereto. Each party waives any claim, or right to seek indemnification, for consequential damages. If the indemnifying party shall so request, the indemnified party agrees to cooperate with the indemnifying party and its counsel in contesting any claim which the indemnifying party elects to contest or, if appropriate, in making any counterclaim against the person asserting the claim, or any cross-complaint against any person. The indemnifying party shall reimburse the indemnified party for any expenses incurred by it in so cooperating. The indemnifying party shall not settle any claim, other than a claim solely for money damages, without the consent of the indemnified party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
21.Confidentiality.
(a) During the term of this Agreement, and for five (5) years thereafter, Pro-Fac and Allens and each of their respective affiliates and each of their employees, consultants and directors will maintain the confidentiality of any Confidential Information received from the other under this Agreement in the same manner as such party maintains the confidentiality of its own confidential information. As defined herein, “Confidential Information” shall mean the information, observations and data concerning the business or affairs of Pro-Fac and Allens and their respective subsidiaries obtained by the other party as a result of the interactions and communications contemplated in this Agreement (including the audit rights under Paragraph 18), the Prior Agreement and related agreements. The following information shall not be considered Confidential Information hereunder:
�� (i) information in the public domain at the time of disclosure;
(ii) information that was known or otherwise available to the receiving party prior to its disclosure by the disclosing party; and
(iii) information that has been independently developed without the benefit of any reference to any disclosure hereunder by any party.
(b)Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, a party may disclose Confidential Information of the other party if required by applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement and/or court order,provided that the disclosing party promptly notifies the other party of its notice of any such requirement and provides the other party a reasonable opportunity to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or to waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
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22.Merchant Status; Licensed Farm Product Dealer. Pro-Fac hereby represents and warrants (i) that it is a merchant with respect to the Raw Products sold and delivered to Allens, and (ii) that the Pro-Fac members are merchants with respect to the Raw Products delivered to Allens pursuant to this Agreement. The parties hereby agree that under this Agreement (i) notwithstanding the method of transportation or delivery, Pro-Fac, not Pro-Fac’s members, will sell and deliver Raw Products to Allens; and (ii) Allens will buy and receive Raw Products from Pro-Fac, not Pro-Fac’s members. Pro-Fac hereby represents that it will make all commercially reasonable efforts to become, and to continue to be during the term of this Agreement, a licensed farm product dealer with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
23.Notices. All notices, requests, demands or other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery if delivered personally, upon receipt by the sender of a confirmation of receipt by the receiving party if sent by facsimile, one day following dispatch if sent by overnight courier, fees prepaid, or five days following mailing, postage prepaid, as follows:
If to Pro-Fac:
Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc.
590 Willow Brook Office Park
Fairport, NY 14450
Attn: Stephen R. Wright
Facsimile: (585) 218-4241
with a copy to (which shall constitute notice) to:
Harris Beach PLLC
99 Garnsey Road
Pittsford, NY 14534
Attn: David M. Mehalick
Facsimile (585) 419-8817
If to Allens:
Allens, Inc.
303 East Main
Siloam Springs, AK 72761
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Attn: Josh Allen
Facsimile: (479) 524-6150
With a copy (which shall constitute notice) to:
Allens, Inc.
303 East Main
Siloam Springs, AK 72761
Attn: James Phillips
Facsimile: (479) 524-2990
24.Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of, the parties with respect to its subject matter including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement. This Agreement may only be modified by a writing signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties.
25.No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give any person, other than the parties hereto and such permitted successors and assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.
26.Agreement Jointly Drafted. Both parties acknowledge that they have jointly drafted and negotiated all provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement was not drafted solely by either party. This agreement shall not be interpreted strictly for or against either party.
27.Section Headings. Section, Paragraph and other headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
28.Severability. Each provision of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever in a particular jurisdiction, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of such term or provision in any other jurisdiction or the validity of the remainder of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.
29.Counterpart Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts so executed shall be deemed to be an original, shall be construed together and shall constitute one Agreement.
30.Time of Essence. Time is expressly declared to be the essence of this Agreement.
31.Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REFERENCE
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TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAWS PRINCIPLES OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAWS OTHER THAN THOSE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. VENUE FOR ALL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK. EACH PARTY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY MATTER RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first above written.
| ALLENS, INC. By: /s/ James W. Phillips Name: James W. Phillips Title:Vice President Corporate Services PRO-FAC COOPERATIVE, INC. By: /s/ Stephen R. Wright (4/17/2007) Name: Stephen R. Wright Title: General Manager and CEO | |
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