EFI names Jennifer Pelayo manager of business development
Equitable Food Initiative has named Jennifer Pelayo as its manager of business development. Pelayo has managed sales and marketing in the produce industry for 15 years.
Texas rain disrupts harvesting but no lasting impact on citrus
The Texas citrus season got off to a very good start in October and even significant rainfall and flooding in many parts of the state failed to dampen the enthusiasm for this season.
“We have had a very strong orange market,” said Trent Bishop, vice president of sales for Lone Star Citrus Growers. “We are in a demand-exceeds-supply situation.”
Rainier satisfies with flavor-rich apples
The apple program at Rainier Fruit Co. is sweet, juicy and continuing to grow on all fronts. “This season, Washington product feels like it is moving through retail at a very brisk rate,” said Andy Tudor, director of business development. “I believe the reason is we are delivering a better, more consistent eating experience.”
Retail demand prompts early launch of KIKU apples
Riding the success of the recently completed import season, U.S. growers of KIKU brand apples announced this week that packing of new crop apples started early to respond to rising retail demand.
Smart & Final continues to focus on expansion
While its acquisition of 32 Haggen stores is still awaiting court approval, Smart & Final expects to open the converted stores in 2016. The company's 2016 store development plans also include an additional six to eight new Smart & Final Extra! stores and three to five new Cash & Carry stores.
Wm. Rosenstein & Sons acquires majority portion of Bartolotta Produce
Wm. Rosenstein & Sons, a wholesale produce distributor based in Scranton, PA, has purchased 80 percent of Torrington, CT-based Bartolotta Inc. The transaction was completed in April.
Half Your Plate message goes from the classroom to the legislature
Half Your Plate Ambassador Chef Michael Smith spent Oct. 28 in Toronto talking about Half Your Plate with everyone from grade 4-5 students to the Ontario Legislature and Premier Kathleen Wynne.
Metro program focusing on fruits and veggies to combat childhood obesity
For the fourth edition of its Green Apple School Program, Canadian retailer Metro is putting a focus on preventing obesity among young students through projects aimed at increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
NFL great Fred Stokes teams up with Vidalia
Fred Stokes spent 10 years terrorizing NFL quarterbacks as a hard-charging defensive end out of Georgia Southern University. Now he's teamed up with the Vidalia Onion Committee to help spread the word about the world's most famous onion — and to make some great sausage.
Ready Pac launches new salad kits with grilled chicken
Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has launched a new premium line of protein-packed salads with grilled chicken. The all-new Bistro Salad Kits with Grilled Chicken are a multi-serve salad kit with more than 30 grams of protein.