‘Seed to Plate’ is a Spice World mantra
“Seed to plate” is a mantra that Spice World, a leading grower and distributor of garlic, ginger and a wide assortment of other herbs and spices, lays claim to, and it backs it up by providing full traceability.
The Orlando, FL-based company, founded 67 years ago, became certified organic and began distributing its organic line over a decade ago. Since then, its organic line has grown continually.
Christopher Ranch says domestic garlic may face challenges this year
Patsy Ross, marketing director for Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, said that although the company typically increases its organic acreage every year, this year it will be cutting its domestic organic garlic program short.
“This is due to the unusual weather patterns experienced in California,” said Ross. “We may not have domestic garlic for the full year, and there may be some gaps between growing regions.”
Good desert weather flips veg market as supplies increase
On Jan. 15, the Washington Post ran a story on the front page of its Style section headlined, “Cauliflower is so hot right now you may not be able to afford it — or find it.”
That same day, cauliflower from the California and Arizona’s winter vegetable districts was being sold at below break-even prices.
Florida strawberries flourish at retail thanks to strong industry rapport; season should last through March
The relationship between the Florida strawberry industry and retail has always been a resounding win-win. Growers know they’ll have a market for their crop; retailers know they’ll have promotable volumes of a popular crop across four (and sometimes five, as is the case this year) major holiday periods. That’s why some 80 percent to 90 percent of all Florida strawberries wind up in retail produce departments.
Delhaize continues to benefit from Easy, Fresh & Affordable initiative
Delhaize had a strong 2015, with store operations in the United States benefiting from its Easy, Fresh & Affordable program, a multi-year initiative launched in May 2014 that aims to make shopping easier for Food Lion customers at the company's more than 1,100 stores, while keeping the low prices customers expect.
San Luis Valley acreage remains stable, organics see increase
Overall potato acreage in Colorado’s San Luis Valley has remained relatively stable in recent years, with a 4-5 percent fluctuation depending on rotation. But one notable aspect of that acreage is the increase in certified organic acres, which in 2015 made up slightly less than 8 percent of the total.
El Niño resulting in smaller but sweeter Golden papayas from Brazil
North America’s premier papaya importer is reporting an unusually large volume of small Golden papayas, which is a result of the current El Niño conditions in Brazil.
Retail View: Varied reasons cited for Walmart closings
Industry experts offered several possible explanations for the announced closing of 269 Walmart stores worldwide, but no one seemed to be overly worried about the move, especially concerning the U.S. stores.
Westmoreland ramps up offerings of U.S.-grown produce
Westmoreland Sales, based in Leamington, ON, is now offering U.S.-grown seedless cucumbers from Pennsylvania and will soon offer tomatoes-on-the-vine from greenhouses in New York. Both items will be marketed under the TopLine Farms label.
New Jersey Agricultural Society to host annual gala
The New Jersey Agricultural Society will host its annual dinner gala on March 18 at the Hamilton Manor in Hamilton, NJ. Nearly 250 guests usually attend the event, which is the society's most successful fundraiser and an honored tradition of the agricultural community and supporters.