Water tops list of concerns in 2016 for California tree fruits
Members of the California Fresh Fruit Association were surveyed in December about the upcoming year, and the association announced its Top Ten Issues for 2016 based on those responses.
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.
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. Additionally, seven people in Canada have been infected with the same outbreak strain of Listeria, including one person who died; however, it has not been determined if Listeria contributed to the cause of death.
Kroger subsidiary donates 4.6 million pounds of fresh food, $4 million
With the majority of its charitable giving targeted at local communities, Kroger's Food 4 Less/Foods Co announced that it donated more than $4 million to various non-profit organization in its marketing areas in California and Chicago as well as 4.6 million pounds of fresh food to its Feeding America partner agencies in 2015.
Polymer delivers first wood grain RPC shipments into Walmart
Three leading produce companies, Grimmway Enterprises Inc., Pure Hothouse Foods Inc. and Calavo Growers Inc., shipped the first truckloads of product in new wood grain reusable plastic containers from Polymer Logistics to Walmart distribution centers this month. Classic Yam is also supporting the initiative by being the first sweet potato grower to ship in wood grain containers. The first product in the new RPCs is expected to arrive at Walmart stores this week.
Texas produce industry names five to hall of fame
The Texas International Produce Association named five produce industry leaders to its Hall of Fame this week. The TIPA Hall of Fame has been a “proud tradition since 1988, recognizing people who have made exceptional contributions to the industry,” Bret Erickson, TIPA president and chief executive officer, said in a press release.
CPAC chooses first six salad bar recipients; USPB matches each donor 1 for 1
Since accepting the U.S. Potato Board “Salad Bar Challenge” initiative last April, the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee has chosen the first six of its 10 planned salad bars in state and regional schools, according to CPAC Assistant Director Linda Weyers.
Business is good for R.A.M Produce, despite high markets
Although the weather this winter has certainly brought along some challenges for produce companies across the country, Michael Badalament, sales associate for R.A.M. Produce Distributors LLC, said business is still booming on the Detroit Produce Terminal Market.
“We’ve been impacted with higher pricing and lack of availability, but we still bring in the product to better service our customers,” he told The Produce News on Jan. 11. “The market is what the market is.”
In the Trenches: Consumers reshaping produce merchandising philosophies
Did you ever watch people shop in a supermarket? I often do it to learn about consumer buying habits. Try it some time and you will get a worthwhile education. People head directly over to specific sections in the produce department with one thing in mind — to get what they want and get out fast.
Pennsylvania mushroom industry rebounding from blizzard
Pennsylvania mushroom growers are recovering from a massive blizzard Jan. 22-23 that resulted in major disruptions in the Northeast.
The blizzard, Jonas, dumped 20-30 inches of snow across Pennsylvania, affecting deliveries, harvesting and packing operations. According to growers, roofs collapsed under the weight of the snow and personnel were not able to get to work, so fresh mushrooms couldn’t be harvested.
The storm resulting in state of emergency declarations in 10 states, including Pennsylvania, which banned empty trucks from being on the roads.