Galas are already coming off the trees, and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is looking for a great apple season and promotable crop. “Weather has been pretty good this growing season,” said National Marketing Representative Dan Wohlford. “We’ve had good temperatures and precipitation at the right time for the most part. There were a couple of hail events in July that affected a small amount of fruit. However, there is a market for that, too, and we don’t anticipate any real issues.”

Monsoonal flows, which began in July, were well-received by Colorado residents and agricultural producers. But the rainfall was not enough to overcome extreme drought conditions and improve water supplies.

Craig Cotten, district engineer with the Colorado State Engineer’s office, provided The Produce News with a detailed snapshot of conditions experienced in the San Luis Valley this production season.

AMC Direct, an importer of fresh produce based in Glassboro, NJ, along with sister companies AMC Fazio and AMC Canada, is set to launch new brand assets in next month before the PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Exposition in New Orleans. All three companies are members of the Spain-based AMC Group.

Publix Super Markets Inc. and Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent company of the BI-LO and Winn-Dixie grocery store chains, have entered into an agreement under which Publix is expected to purchase seven BI-LO-branded stores in North and South Carolina.

Publix continues to look at aggressive growth in the North Carolina market, and the acquisition will allow the company to further enhance its footprint in the company’s Charlotte Division. 

Domex Superfresh Growers, located in Yakima, WA, recently launched its revamped website to engage consumers. “It will now act as the hub for all outbound marketing strategy,” said Vice President of Marketing Howard Nager. “Using a proprietary social data analysis tool, we are discovering and actively engaging in conversations with consumers related to the products that we grow.”

Senate agriculture committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow will kick off the Washington Public Policy Conference, delivering the keynote address at the opening general session breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 1. In her role as chair of the Senate agriculture committee, Stabenow plays a pivotal role in shaping U.S. agricultural policies. Stabenow will discuss the public policy opportunities and challenges facing the produce industry, including the status of the farm bill and comprehensive immigration reform.