Duda Farm Fresh Foods looking forward to strong fall Florida vegetable season
Welcoming in a strong fall vegetable season is a complimentary match to Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ 90th year anniversary in 2016.
Nichole Towell, director of marketing for the Oviedo, FL-based company said it is currently planning a celebration event to mark the occasion, with details to come later.
She noted that supplies of the Duda Farm Fresh’s Florida crops — across all commodity items — are available in promotable quantities this year.
Ocean Mist Farms opens expanded Coachella facility
Ocean Mist Farms opened its expanded cooler facility in Coachella, CA, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Ocean Mist Farms has operated in Coachella since 1988 and has expanded its produce cooling and distribution facility twice during that time. The latest expansion, which has been more than two years in planning and execution, is a result of increased business.
Florida orange crop down nearly 30 percent from 2014-15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its estimate of the 2015-16 Florida orange crop to 69 million boxes, nearly 30 percent below last year’s crop of 96.7 million boxes.
"The lower estimate is a reflection of the times and the challenges our growers face," Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in a press release. "We knew this year's crop was going to be the lowest in years but this is a bit surprising."
IGA doubles footprint in New Brunswick
IGA and Les Marchés Tradition supermarkets welcomed 11 new food stores into their ranks. With all banners combined (IGA, Les Marchés Tradition, Marché Bonichoix, Omni, and several convenience stores) there are 20 active stores in New Brunswick.
Sanctions imposed on PACA violators in Texas and Idaho
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on two produce businesses, JD Rodriguez Produce Inc. and B. Sayers Inc., for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
Dole Food executives settle with shareholders in fraud case
Dole Food Co. executives agreed Monday to settle a landmark case involving investor fraud and award shareholders $114 million.
A Delaware judge had found Dole CEO David Murdock and Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel C. Michael Carter liable for driving down the company’s market value so Murdock could take the fruit and vegetable firm private in 2013 in the $1.2 billion deal.
The judge found Murdock and Carter provided misleading information that deprived stockholders of their ability to consider the buyout fairly and potentially vote it down.
Frank’s Distributing is expanding in many ways
Expansion in growing regions, commodity mix, shipping seasons and facilities characterize Frank’s Distributing of Produce, LLC. The growth has been led by Montie McGovern, co-director of operations.
Frank’s headquarters will be in Rio Rico until moving in December 2016 to a new office and modern 65,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse on Gold Hill Road in Nogales, said the firm’s sales manager, Ricardo Roiz.
DNE expects promotable volumes of red grapefruit
In the early stages of the Florida grapefruit season, DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, was anticipating very good supplies of promotable volumes of bagged red grapefruit this season.
Sun World's new business to focus on licensing, technology and international opportunities
Sun World International LLC announced the formation of Sun World Innovations, a new entity to shepherd and drive growth of its fruit breeding and variety development, licensing, international investments and agriculture technology pursuits.
Gelson’s mourns former president Robert (Bob) Stiles
Robert (Bob) Stiles, who served as president of Gelson’s from 1996 to 2011, died Thursday, Nov. 26. Mr. Stiles worked at the company for over 51 years.