A&P sends layoff notice to 22,000 in NY and NJ
More than 22,000 A&P employees in New York and New Jersey have been given notice that they could be out of work by Thanksgiving.
Veteran retailer Alain Paré honored at QPMA convention
QUEBEC CITY — Retail veteran Alain Paré was honored with a Pillar of the Industry in Quebec Award Aug. 22 during the closing banquet of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association’s 68th annual convention, held here in this historic city along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River.
Monte Package offers variety of packing options for grower-shippers
RIVERSIDE, MI — Whether produce merchandisers prefer the colorful grab-and-go zipper-closure display bag look or a throwback wooden basket promoting locally grown fruits and vegetables, Monte Package Co.
California Giant celebrates back to school with a fresh start
California Giant Berry Farms just launched an exciting twist to its back-to-school promotion this year called Fresh Start to support its commitment to the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools program.
Fresh Express launches new Chopped and Gourmet Cafe Kits
Fresh Express announced the addition of new and updated salad kits to meet continued growing demand for delicious healthier eating options. Both of brand's two new Gourmet Café Kits include Greek yogurt, as does one of its two new Chopped Kits.
Washington apple producers set to harvest third-largest crop
This season Washington's apple producers are slated to harvest their third-largest crop. According to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, 125.2 million standard 40-pound boxes of fresh apples are expected to be harvested. While this would be down approximately 10.5 percent from the 2014 record crop of 140 million boxes, it is just behind the state's second-largest harvest of 128.3 million boxes marketed during the 2012-13 season.
J&J Family of Farms hires director of farming
J&J Family of Farms has hired Richard (Dick) Bowman to fill the newly created position of director of farming.
Rice Fruit Co.’s new storage facility increases its volume to 2.5 million bushels annually
Ever-growing, expanding and evolving, Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, has made yet another milestone with its new controlled atmosphere storage facility.
John Rice, vice president, told The Produce News that the facility, which will be in operation this fall, will hold an additional 10 controlled atmosphere rooms.
Winkel of Greg Orchards cites need for ag labor solution
BENTON HARBOR, MI — Southwest Michigan is “truly a garden spot” within a state already known for its large commercial production of fruits and vegetables. Thus, here, with a wide diversity of crops, agricultural labor is of great concern to growers, said Barry Winkel, partner and general manager of Greg Orchards & Produce Inc.
Summer transportation rates lower than usual
The supply-and-demand curve for transportation tilted in the direction of supply this summer and truck rates have been significantly lower than those of a year ago.