Fresh Fruit Cuts appoints Melissa Blake as director of sales and marketing
Fresh Fruit Cuts, processors of stone fruit, pears and grapes under the Woot Froot label, has named Melissa Blake as director of sales and marketing. Blake will be responsible for marketing, external communications and for driving sales of Woot Froot by adding diversity and variety into the value-added segment.
Allen Lund Co. celebrating 40th anniversary in 2016
Allen Lund, short on money but long on talent and the work ethic, launched his company in 1976 with a modest goal of making ends meet. This month, the Allen Lund Co. Inc., headquartered in La Canada, CA, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with about three dozen offices affiliated with the firm and revenues of more than $450 million per year
It’s a very familiar story in the fresh produce industry. “I’m living the American dream,” Lund told The Produce News in early January. “Where else can you achieve this?”
Publix expands to seventh state
Publix Super Markets Inc. has signed two leases for stores in Virginia, crossing yet another state line. Virginia will mark the company's seventh state of operation. Publix is looking ahead to aggressive growth within the state, as well as its current operating areas of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Salmonella risk prompts Braga Organic Farms to issue recall
Braga Organic Farms announced the voluntary recall of pistachios due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recalled nuts were distributed in retail stores in California, Oregon and Washington, and they were distributed through online sales nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
Aliens, Scott Baio star in AFM’s 2016 Super Bowl ad
Avocados from Mexico, whose 2015 Super Bowl ad spot received critical acclaim from media pundits, is returning to the Big Game lineup again in 2016.
Hollandia taps industry veteran as VP of sales
Hollandia Produce L.P., a leading purveyor of hydroponically greenhouse grown lettuce and leafy greens, announced that veteran produce executive Brian Cook has joined the company as vice president of sales.
Total Produce acquires 65 percent stake in Progressive Produce
Progressive Produce, based in Los Angeles, announced that 65 percent of its equity has been acquired by Dublin-based Total Produce PLC, a leading European fresh produce provider.
Growing, sourcing, importing, packaging, distributing and marketing over 200 lines of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, the Total Produce group distributes over 300 million cartons of fresh produce to the retail, wholesale, foodservice and processing sectors across Europe and North America annually.
PRO*ACT names Greener Fields Together grant program winners
Greener Fields Together, the sustainability and local produce initiative created by PRO*ACT, has announced winners of the first Cultivating Change grant program. Cultivating Change is committed to supporting local farms financially to improve their ability to produce, market and distribute fresh produce.
Wisconsin potato group promoting Harley in retail contest
Early campaign work is under way by the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association to give away its 2015 Fat Bob Harley-Davidson in October 2016. This October will be the association’s “Wisconsin Potatopalooza month,” according to Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education. The association is headquartered in Antigo, WI.