A needed season for Riveridge
“Prices are at levels where we all are able to make a living,” Don Armock said of the Michigan apple deal on Dec. 18. “We need years like this because you’ve got to offset the years, like last year, when you give back some.”
A variety of factors made this a great shipping year for Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc., which is owned by Armock.
Trucco set to begin Biodynamic kiwifruit season with new packaging
AJ Trucco Inc., a year-round distributor of fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts, announced the arrival of its Demeter-certified Biodynamic kiwifruit from Italy. Biodynamic kiwifruit is an addition to Trucco’s KiwiStar kiwifruit line, which already includes green, gold and organic kiwifruit.
Walmart Express banner dropped as part of 269-store closing
Walmart Stores Inc. announced plans to close 154 locations in the United States and an additional 115 globally. Of the 154 U.S. locations, 102 are Walmart Express stores, the company's small format, which had been in pilot since 2011. Walmart said it will focus on strengthening Supercenters, optimizing Neighborhood Markets, growing the e-commerce business and expanding Pickup services for customers.
Opal Apple’s Youth Make a Difference initiative kicks off this month
FirstFruits Marketing, growers of the Opal apple, is seeking applications from nonprofit organizations to benefit from Opal sales as part of the Youth Make a Difference initiative, a campaign designed to provide financial support to causes led by youth ages 6 to 25.
Hy-Vee promotes Jay Marshall, names board of directors
Hy-Vee Inc.'s Randy Edeker, chairman, chief executive officer and president, recently announced a new executive promotion, the 2016 board of directors, the 2015 Hy-Vee Hall of Fame honorees and award recipients of two newly established Chairman’s Awards at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.
Houweling’s expands account management team
Houweling’s U.S. account management team has grown with the hiring of Nic Vallejo. Additionally, Jeremiah Hunsaker has been promoted; the two join industry veteran RJ Deakins.
Digital Marketing: 2016 to offer a new level of connection
At the start of every year, analysts attempt to predict new marketing trends that will reshape the produce industry. As we’ve seen in the past, most of these trends are the same year-over-year. This year, I suggest focusing not on predictions but on what produce marketers should be leveraging for success in 2016.
Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo celebrates 30 years
Jacobs Farm was a successful organic farming operation in 1985 when longtime organic farmers and owners of the company, Larry Jacobs and Sandra Belin, were confident in their vision for their next venture. They encountered a community of struggling, subsistence-level farmers in Mexico, and the Del Cabo cooperative was conceived.
Today, 30 years since its launching, the unique Del Cabo business model continues to provide opportunities through funding, training and market access.
Organics Unlimited committed to high quality and social responsibility
Organics Unlimited, headquartered in San Diego, CA, has grown organic produce since it was founded in 2000. It is particularly well known today as a grower and packer of organic bananas and other tropical fruits. But the family of Mayra Velazquez de Leon, co-founder, president and chief executive officer, has been growing bananas for four generations.
FreshPro Food Distributors’ hallmark is high quality
FreshPro Food Distributors in West Caldwell, NJ, is a full line distributor and fresh cut processor, which is certified to process and repack organics. Its organic history dates back to the 1980s.
Company President Floyd Avillo said it carries almost 200 organic SKUs daily.
“We offer a full line of whatever is available as long as it meets our quality specifications,” said Avillo. “We source from all major growing areas, and we emphasize local organic when available by partnering with many local organic growers.”