Pandol Bros. Inc. has launched its new rinse-and-serve grape packaging nationwide after the completion of a controlled in-market test this past June.

Pandol Bros., based in Delano, CA, worked in close partnership with two prominent regional retail chains to test a full range of requirements including product positioning, merchandising, in-store communications and package handling.

The retailers provided critical feedback regarding all aspects of a go-to- market strategy and even helped define best practices regarding point-of- sale tactics.

Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. in Salinas, CA, has completed the purchase of River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC, also based in Salinas.

River Ranch processes and distributes salads, salad kits and cut vegetables under private brand and "River Ranch" brands, and spinach under the “Popeye” brand. It also distributes cut vegetable snacks and commodity vegetable products to customers throughout North America. River Ranch operates salad and vegetable processing and cooling operations in Salinas and El Centro, CA.

The new Philadelphia produce market will not open before the first of the year.

That is a reality that Philadelphia Fresh Food Terminal Corp. executives Jimmy Storey, president, and Louis Penza, vice president, shared in an Aug. 18 conference call with The Produce News.

"We've been kind of told it's been pushed back to the first of the year, but no one is going to officially say it," said Mr. Penza. "Call it a 'well-grounded rumor.'"

Fairtrade-certified summer citrus from South Africa was featured in 16 Food Emporium stores in Manhattan the third week of August.

This promotion was organized by importer Fisher Capespan, based in Gloucester City, NJ. Fisher Capespan President Marc Solomon and South African citrus grower Gerrit van der Merwe presided over samplings of the Fairtrade fruit Aug. 16 in an upscale Food Emporium that is within the foundation of Manhattan's 59th Street Bridge.

Andy Gustavson, produce manager for Ben Lomond Market in Ben Lomond, CA, and produce supervisor for sister store Scotts Valley Market, told The Produce News Aug. 3 that organic slicing tomatoes out of Baja California, Mexico, were selling well.

As of the week of Aug. 2, Ben Lomond Market had those organic slicing tomatoes on ad at 99 cents per pound. Tomatoes out of Baja California eat well, he said.

Warm weather in Quebec has been both a blessing and a curse for Quebec growers this season.

A warmer than normal spring enabled many growers to plant a week to two weeks earlier than normal.