Indiana Grown launches program to support local veterans
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Indiana Grown initiative announced the Indiana Grown Homegrown By Heroes program, which gives Hoosiers a new, tangible way to support local veterans with an agriculture business. Gov. Mike Pence will attend the announcement at the Indiana War Memorial and will be joined by Lt. Gov.
Crown Jewels returning to summer melon deal
Crown Jewels Produce Co. LLC is resuming its summer melon deal after sitting out last season’s crop.
Company principals Rob Mathias, president, and Atomic Torosian have been involved with cantaloupe and honeydew sales for their entire careers, and both are excited to be back in the West Side summer melon deal, which will kick off in early July.
Mann Packing introduces new Brussels sprouts items
Mann Packing has introduced two new iceless Brussels sprouts products. Trimmed or shaved, the sprouts are now offered in specialized foodservice packs, delivering a more manageable quantity without the mess that comes with iced product.
J&J Family of Farms continues to grow
J&J Family of Farms continues to grow with new additions to the sales force: Scott Wilkins and David Arias, who will report to Kohl Brown, vice president of sales.
Completion of Phillips Mushroom Farms Warwick, MD facility will help the company meet growing demand
Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that he is eagerly anticipating another successful Southern Exposure event in 2016. The company will exhibit at booth No. 406.
“We continue to feature our organic line of mushrooms,” said Donovan. “Demand has intensified in recent years, and we are increasing production to keep up with demand.”
Watermelons see greatest tonnage growth in Nogales
Nogales, az — Watermelon imports through Nogales rose 23 percent in two years.
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, here, in February released a report it consolidated from more recent figures from U.S. Customs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The three-year comparison was for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Freshway Foods to introduce new salads at Southern Exposure
Freshway Foods will introduce its new spring and summer line of deli salads at the upcoming Southern Exposure food show. The new salads feature bold flavors and on-trend ingredients, including ancient grains, plant-based protein and dark leafy greens.
FPFC meets in Northern California
On Feb. 25 more than 200 members of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council and guests met in Pleasanton, CA, for a luncheon meeting that featured Fusion Marketing President Steven Muro discussing retail trends. Muro said the way fresh produce is retailed is already changing and definitely includes Internet purchasing by consumers and home delivery.
Three more fall ill in Listeria outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported three more illnesses caused by a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to packaged salads produced at Dole's Springfield, OH, processing facility. Two of the illnesses were reported in Ohio, and the third was reported in Missouri. The most recent illness was diagnosed Jan. 31.
All 18 people in the United States who have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria were hospitalized, including one person from Michigan who died as a result of listerosis.
Shelley Valdivia responsibly connected to PACA violations at Al Harrison Co. Distributors
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has found Shelley S. Harrison, now known as Shelley Valdivia, responsibly connected to Al Harrison Co. Distributors in Nogales, AZ. In April 2015 the company was cited for failure to pay $690,537 to 12 sellers for 104 lots of produce, a violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.