PACA actions filed against M&M, Arrow Farms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed administrative actions under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against M&M Produce Inc. and Arrow Farms of New York Inc.
M&M Produce, operating from Connecticut, allegedly failed to make full payment to 46 produce sellers in the amount of $2.87 million from May 2014 through March 2015.
Arrow Farms, operating in New York, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to six produce sellers in the amount of $266,876 from September 2014 through May 2015.
VOC names grower of the year and Hall of Fame recipient at annual banquet
The Vidalia Onion Committee hosted its annual awards banquet Feb. 6 at the Hawks Point Golf Club in Vidalia, GA. The committee named the grower of the year and inducted a new member to the Hall of Fame. Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Commissioner Gary Black also spoke at the event.
Top avocado-producing countries unite to launch World Avocado Organization
In an unprecedented move during Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany, the world’s top avocado-producing countries have united to create the first global avocado entity, the World Avocado Organization.
Greg Bryan joins Lineage Logistics
Lineage Logistics LLC, a temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics company backed by Bay Grove Capital LLC, has named Greg Bryan as its senior vice president of transportation solutions. In this position, Bryan will assume responsibility for all aspects of Lineage’s transportation and international logistics operations and will report directly to Greg Lehmkuhl, president and chief executive officer.
Key Food acquires SuperFresh banner
Key Food Stores Co-Operative Inc., a supermarket co-operative with 217 stores that are primarily member-owned, has acquired the “SuperFresh” banner name and related intellectual property assets from the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.
Key Food is planning to open several stores under the SuperFresh banner in the near future, the first of which may be as early as this month.
CBS Farms adds Santa Maria to berry lineup
To improve its spring supply situation in strawberries, Watsonville, CA-based CBS Farms LLC has added a deal in the Santa Maria district this year.
Charlie Staka, who wears the title of director of sales but has moved to the operations side of the business, said the new acreage “will give us more consistent supplies in the April/May time slot.”
Ciruli mangos to hit full volume in late March
In the third week of March, the Mexican mango deal for Ciruli Bros., LLC, will be in full swing, according to Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of the Rio Rico-based firm.
The Vision Cos. attribute spurts in mango movement to El Niño
The current El Niño Southern Oscillation, commonly referred to as ENSO, weather cycle of warm and cold temperatures is taking a toll on many fresh produce categories, including mangos.
On Feb. 19, Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group in River Edge, NJ, and a partner in the Vision Cos., told The Produce News that the first shipment of mangos from Mexico had just arrived.
Demand for sweet potatoes keeps N.C. superstars Nash Produce busy
There’s no question 2015 was a busy year for Nash Produce of Nashville, NC. The continued increase in consumer demand for sweet potatoes led to an increase in acreage and doubling the company’s storage facilities, and there’s no end in sight to the growth curve.
Nash has a network of growers across North Carolina, ensuring ample volume and a guaranteed supply regardless of growing conditions or problems in any one area.
The company has also seen a huge increase in demand for value-added products like microwave-ready individual servings and 1.5-pound steamable bags.
Sun Pacific launches Vintage Sweets heirloom Navel oranges
Sun Pacific, a leading grower-packer-shipper of citrus, best known for its popular Cuties easy-peel mandarin oranges, is now shipping its new Vintage Sweets heirloom Navel oranges.