I Love Produce says 2015 North American garlic market will be very strong
Garlic consumption has quadrupled in the United States since 1980, and now it stands at two-and-a-half pounds per capita — and demand continues to grow annually.
In years of normal weather patterns, around 24,000 to 26,000 acres of garlic are planted in the United States, with the strongest concentration in California.
Spice World acknowledges challenges to California garlic production
Agriculture can often be very challenging, and this year has begun unfolding with many obstacles in California, where drought conditions have forced changes in the areas that Spice World normally plants garlic. The drought also affected the amount of garlic the company planted.
Headquartered in Orlando, FL, Spice World is a leading producer and distributor of garlic and a long list of other herbs and spices. It distributes its products throughout North America and it ships to many offshore countries.
Impact of Free Trade Agreement a win-win
Peru is an important trade partner with the United States in the area of fresh asparagus, and the relationship has been favorable for both countries. “Year-round availability of fresh asparagus from Peru has allowed U.S. consumers in large geographic portions of the country to gain access to asparagus at times when supply would simply not exist from U.S. growers,” said Priscilla Lleras-Bush, coordinator of the Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association.
Stellar Distributing’s biggest fig season to be followed by shipments from Mexico
Stellar Distributing is in its fourth season shipping Tiger figs, and the production and enthusiasm for the striped skin and bright red flesh of this new fig keep growing.
The sweeter, honey-like taste has been a hit with fig fans, but is also attracting consumers who haven’t traditionally purchased figs, according to Kurt Cappelluti, sales manager at the Madera, CA-based company.
Van Solkema set to roll out new Brussels sprouts pouch
BYRON CENTER, MI — Van Solkema Produce Inc., based here, was set to introduce a new Brussels sprouts pouch bag on Aug. 12. Tim Van Solkema, chief operating officer of the firm, said the resealable, clear and high-graphics bags are very popular and will be a large boost to the firm’s Brussels sprouts business.
Tim’s brother, Todd Van Solkema, who is the firm’s chief executive officer, said the firm’s packaging line “has had steady growth.”
Pouch sales “are going real well,” he said. “When you have growth, you have growing pains. But we find a way to work through it.”
Celery producer Crispheart Produce celebrates 75th anniversary
HUDSONVILLE, MI — Gene Talsma’s father, William Talsma, launched Crispheart Produce Inc. in 1940, making this the firm’s 75th anniversary.
“I bought the company from him,” Talsma said, adding that his sons Randy and Derick are in line to eventually own the firm. Talsma has worked full time for the company since he graduated from high school in 1960.
He notes that his “Crispheart” celery and celery heart brand is one of the commodity’s most recognized brands nationally.
Good Foods Group celebrates expansion of Wisconsin facility
Good Foods Group, a producer and marketer of guacamole and cold-pressed juices based in Pleasant Prairie, WI, celebrated the expansion of its plant in Pleasant Prairie, WI, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 22.
The expansion adds 40,000 square feet to its facility in the LakeView Corporate Park.
E. Miedema thriving with summertime vegetable deal
BYRON CENTER, MI — Sweet corn shipping is in full swing for E. Miedema & Sons Inc., based here. The firm is growing, packing and shipping 1,600 acres of vegetables this summer. Sweet corn acreage for the firm will be between 600 and 700 acres, according to Dave Miedema, the third-generation head of the family farm.
E. Miedema, which ships “Buck Creek” brand, produces about half as much cabbage and fall squash acreage as sweet corn. Cabbage shipping began June 20 and will run until Nov. 1. Fall squash shipping began Aug. 5 and is expected to end at Thanksgiving.
Mike Pirrone Produce offering abundant cucumber supply
CAPAC, MI — Hot sunshine fueled vegetable maturity in the vegetable fields scattered around this quaint southeast Michigan farm town in the last week of July. Varied crops, including zucchini, yellow squash and Bell peppers, which had been slow to mature thus far under much damper, cooler conditions, were suddenly moving toward a nice maturity.
Henry DeBlouw V, president of Mike Pirrone Produce, was pleased as he drove from field to field on July 27. DeBlouw expects a particularly abundant cucumber crop, which runs until mid-August.
FPFC's City Of Hope Luncheon
More than 300 produce industry professionals packed the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel Aug.