Giumarra expects Chilean blueberries to pick up soon
The Chilean fruit import season brings excitement to all who deal in the product, including Giumarra Cos., headquartered in Los Angeles.
The Giumarra Cos. is a produce marketing firm comprising independent sales teams, each unique in product offering yet bound by a common thread of uncompromising service to its customers and growers.
Tom Richardson, vice president of global development for the company, said it was importing Chilean blueberries in mid-December.
Chile Country Council Chairman Miguel Allamand recognized at council meeting
Outgoing Produce Marketing Association Chile Country Council Chairman Miguel Allamand of Exportadora Subsole was recognized Dec. 3 at the council meeting in Santiago.
In a press release, PMA stated that the council and incoming Chairman Christian Corssen of Compania Frutera Santa Maria S.A. praised Allamand for his role and contribution as chairman over the past four years.
Apple packaging options expanding into new territory
Packaging for nearly every fresh produce item has undergone innovations and even revelations in recent years. And so it’s no surprise that apples are also being packaged in new ways.
Brief research shows new, emerging and popular fresh apple packaging includes totes, clamshells, foam nets, baguettes, consumer-sized boxes, individually wrapped, sealed and resealable pouches and insert liners, among others.
United Fresh honoring Antles with Lifetime Achievement Award
Rick and Tonya Antle, who rose to prominence in the fresh produce industry along different paths, are being honored together Jan. 12 with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the United Fresh Produce Association’s Midwinter Leadership Forum in La Quinta, CA.
New Dietary Guidelines shine light on fruits, vegetables in healthy diet
WASHINGTON—The Obama administration today released the much-anticipated 2015-20 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that include fruits and vegetables at the top of the list for a healthy diet.
Issued every five years, the guidelines not only provide the latest scientifically supported dietary advice, they often shape government policies on a range of food issues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health & Human Services released the recommendations along with an updated MyPlate MyWins program.
CAC debuts new logo, expects 392.5 million-pound crop
In preparation for the 2016 California avocado season, the California Avocado Commission unveiled a new logo that will be used throughout its marketing campaign. The logo art ties directly to the California label that many avocado handlers have been using for the California avocados they pack.
El Niño a welcome sight in California
The El Niño weather pattern has arrived on the West Coast, and it is a welcome sight for those in agriculture who have been dealing with historic drought conditions for several years.
On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the forecasting division of the National Weather Service predicted that as many as 15 inches of rain could drench California over the following 16 days. While that was an upper-end prediction for the rainiest of sites, it was good news nonetheless.
Red potato prices battling against a variety of factors
For a variety of reasons, “prices are low” for Red River Valley red potato shippers, noted Ted Kreis, the marketing director of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association.
“It just seems there are a lot of potatoes coming down from Canada. We have a large crop and the exchange rate is difficult, with a weak dollar,” Kreis said.
Canada’s potato export volumes “are way ahead of last year. Especially for the East Coast and Midwest states. These are our key markets.”
Paul Dolan: Associated Potato is outlasting the season’s challenges
There is reason for optimism as Red River Valley red potato shippers begin a new year, according to Paul Dolan.
Dolan, who manages Associated Potato Growers Inc. in Grand Forks, ND, said on Dec. 18, “The East Coast markets are opening more after receiving a lot of potatoes from Eastern Canada.”
Weather causes smaller sized tree fruit to start the Chilean season
Summit Produce Inc., headquartered in Fresno, CA, is the commercial arm of Gesex, which is recognized as a specialist in the production, packaging and sale of fresh high-quality fruit originating from the Southern Hemisphere. Summit Produce manages the label and brings promotable volume of high-quality fruits to the U.S. market.
Victor Arriagada, general manager of Summit Produce, explained that Gesex’s goal is to have maximum integration from the farms to the final customer.