David Duvall joins Western Growers
Western Growers announced the recent hire of David Duvall, who will join the insurance services team as program development director. In this role, Duvall will be responsible for developing association-based property and casualty solutions for our members.
NatureFresh Farms breaks ground For Phase II in Ohio
With the first crop of OhioRed tomatoes to be picked in late February, NatureFresh Farms has announced that the company has broken ground on Phase II of its Delta, OH, greenhouse facility.
Allegiance announces grand opening of Foodtown of Howard Beach
Allegiance Retail Services LLC has announced and congratulated its newest member, Fahmi Shehadeh, on the grand opening of the brand new Foodtown of Howard Beach, NY. The store is located in the new Linden Center Shopping Plaza on 79th Street in Howard Beach, Queens.
Northern red potato breeding programs promoted at Potato Expo
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association is promoting the potato breeding programs of four universities at Potato Expo 2016.
Ted Kreis, the association’s marketing director said his group will have a booth at the Jan. 12-14 event in Las Vegas. There, coordinated breeding programs of North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin will be showcased.
Red River Valley growers will be on hand at the show, Kreis said.
Honeybear Brands brings more Pazazz to the apple market
Honeybear Brands, based in Elgin, MN, is kicking off the New Year with a major launch of its winter apple variety, Pazazz, by making it available in more than 300 stores nationwide.
“This will be our biggest rollout to date with Pazazz with large product displays and product demonstrations in over 300 stores in 30 markets throughout North America and Canada,” Don Roper, vice president of Honeybear Marketing, told The Produce News on Jan. 4.
Lakeside Organic Gardens donates $2 million toward education programs
Dick Peixoto’s dream of having an educational facility to showcase organic farming is closer to becoming a reality. He and the Peixoto family have contributed $2 million dollars to the development of an organic and sustainable agriculture learning center. This center will be a resource for people interested in starting an organic farm, learning about organic farming or those just interested in seeing how their food is grown organically. The facility, which is still in the planning stages, will incorporate education, history, techniques and future innovations of organic farming.
Save-A-Lot to focus on fresh, exploring separation from Supervalu
Supervalu Inc. has filed documents with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission to explore the possible spin-off of its Save-A-Lot business into a separate, publicly traded company.
NEPC names new president and board member
New England Produce Council Inc. announced the appointment of Anthony Sattler as NEPC president and Mark Jewell as a director on the NEPC board.
"NEPC greatly appreciates all the time and hard work that Bob McGowan (Northeast Produce Sales) has offered the council as the New England Produce Council Inc. president for multiple terms," the council said in a press release. "His commitment and dedication to the organization has been exceptional. The council anticipates Bob McGowan remaining involved as an advisor to the executive board."
Fruit Logistica has finger on the pulse of fresh produce
Some 65,000 trade visitors from 135 countries will come together at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in early February to meet and make contact with potential and existing business partners to negotiate deals and learn about the latest developments and innovations in the fresh produce business.
Produce groups expect nutrition issues to dominate agenda on Capitol Hill in 2016
WASHINGTON — School meal changes will be one of the hot topics on Capitol Hill this year as lawmakers will focus on only a handful of priorities for the produce industry before election year politics takes over by summer’s end.
“Whatever gets done in Congress will get done in the next six months,” said Robert Guenther, senior vice president for public police at United Fresh Produce Association.