Everybody needs a (spuddy) buddy
Everybody needs a buddy, as our Maggie Giuffrida found out from the Idaho Potato Commission. Armand Lobato provided the lowdown on all the marketing materials the commission has available — including its irresistible Spuddy Buddy mascot.
Dole execs' $148M fraud penalty 'conservative'
David H. Murdock, Dole Food Co. Inc.'s chief executive officer, and C. Michael Carter, former president and chief operating officer, have been ordered to pay shareholders more than $148 million for efforts to drive down the market price as well as fraud during the negotiations for Murdock's 2013 buyout of the company.
"Although facially large, the award is conservative relative to what the evidence could support," Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster said in the decision.
N.C. Sweet Potato Commission's new executive director
Kelly McIver has been named the executive director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, following the retirement announcement earlier this year by longtime director Sue (Sweet Sue) Johnson-Langdon.
SpartanNash holds 2015 Holiday Expo
MINNEAPOLIS — Michigan-based SpartanNash held its 2015 Holiday Expo, here, Aug. 26-27 at the downtown convention center for its vendors, independent retailers and corporate stores. Hundreds of exhibitors showcased new products, offered expo specials and networked with grocery store representatives, while attendees took advantage of the exclusive show offerings and placed orders.
WPVGA works to make Wisconsin the top in-state potato
For the last 20 years, the primary goal of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association has been to make Wisconsin the largest source for potatoes sold in Wisconsin. Tamas Houlihan, the association’s executive director, said, “We are getting very close” to accomplishing that goal.
Instacart expands into Indianapolis
Instacart’s on-demand grocery delivery service has begun in Indianapolis, the company's 17th market. Indianapolis customers can order groceries and other items from Whole Foods Market, Marsh Supermarkets, Georgetown Market and Costco stores and have them delivered straight to their door in as little as one hour.
"There were many factors that made Indianapolis a great place for us to bring our service," Apoorva Mehta, founder and chief executive officer at Instacart, said in a statement.
Oppy strengthens Canadian sales
Produce industry veteran Todd Plaxton joined Oppy’s Calgary sales team in July, bringing more than 10 years of fresh produce experience and about three decades of expertise in food marketing and distribution to his sales representative role.
Target pushing technology for truckers
Paul Kazan, president of Target Interstate Systems Inc. in New York envisions a day in the not-so-distant future when all brokers, truckers and their customers in the fresh produce industry can use a common website to track loads and shipments.
The idea is further along than one might think as the website already exists: www.producelogistics.com. “If we can bring everyone together on that one site, customers could log into that one place and follow their shipments,” Kazan said.
Personal touches, industry knowledge drive business at Allen Lund
Attention to the smallest detail translates to superior third-party logistics services at Allen Lund Co. “Our reputation is the best in the industry,” Vice President Kenny Lund told The Produce News. “We’re here to get the product moved and moved well.”
The company is headquartered in La Cañada, CA, and provides its customers with one-stop transportation solutions including transportation, logistics and software services. Allen Lund has nationwide offices and employs over 400 people.
Green Giant Fresh gives back through Box Tops for Education
Green Giant Fresh, the only produce brand featuring Box Tops for Education, contributes every day to K-8 schools across America through its participation in the Box Tops For Education program. The company passed the million-dollar milestone in 2014 and currently is at a total contribution of over $1.3 million.