Fitzgerald elected FPIA president
Ed Fitzgerald, the assistant vice president of OHL International, has been elected as president of the Fresh Produce Import Alliance, which is a “virtual group” of importers and customs brokers who are mostly on the Atlantic seaboard.
The alliance was formed in 2012. “My responsibility is to be on the forefront in communication with U.S. Customs, USDA and FDA,” Fitzgerald said.
Robinson Fresh to feature fresh tropicals
Robinson Fresh will capitalize on the breezy nature of summer by featuring freshly-prepared samples of a delicious recipe that blends comfort-food qualities with the flair of fresh tropicals. “Tropicals have a more dominant space than ever, and we see this as a continued area of growth for foodservice,” said Sales and Marketing Manager Lara Grossman. “Pairing tropical produce with more familiar foods is an intelligent way to introduce the fresh flavors into the American palate.”
Gold Coast Packing to launch new Superfood Salad at PMA Foodservice show
Superfoods are, by definition, nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. This category of food is found in nature. Typically they are calorie sparse and nutrient dense, meaning they pack a lot of punch for their weight as far as goodness goes. And they are outstanding sources of anti-oxidants and essential nutrients. The human body requires these nutrients, but it cannot produce them.
Sunkist promotes fresh citrus trends at the PMA Foodservice conference
As health and nutrition become increasingly important to consumers, menus across the foodservice landscape are focusing on fresh produce trends, presenting many opportunities for bright, zesty citrus flavors in dishes and beverages. Offering over 40 varieties of premium citrus, Sunkist is pleased to showcase fresh citrus trends in foodservice at Booth No.
OHL business is ‘all good’
PHILADELPHIA — “We are doing really well. Here, it’s all good,” said Edward Fitzgerald, senior director of import operations for OHL International. “2014 was a very profitable year.
“We have expanded in our push for the group to handle new commodities like vegetables,” he said.
Seatrade a reefer service leader
With ongoing investments into new ships, Seatrade Group “is invested into the next 30 years,” noted Howard Posner, the general manager of the refrigerated shipping company based in Tampa, FL. “We are heavily invested into the business. That is for sure.” This effort will boost the international trade.
“For us, business continues to grow,” Posner said. “We have new ships on line.” Four will be launched in 2016 and two more are coming in 2017.
Holt’s strong summer season
Breakbulk refrigerated cargo ships bearing South African citrus imports for the 2015 season were first received at the Gloucester Terminal on June 17. The South African fruit is expected to be received through October.
Containerized citrus from Uruguay was received into the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal on June 3 and will end in August.
Holt Logistics caters to produce on Delaware River
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ — Holt Logistics Corp. is deeply involved in maritime services along the Delaware River. Holt’s primary focus is serving international produce exporters. With more than 27 million cubic feet of refrigerated storage and 1.3 million square feet of dry space the firm provides corporate service to marine terminal and logistics center operators.
The best of times for the port of Wilmington
WILMINGTON, DE — These may be the best days in a long history of success for the port of Wilmington, DE, which was founded in 1923.
To discuss this success, Tom Keefer met with The Produce News just days before his June 30 retirement as the port’s deputy executive director.
Keefer said that in 2014, the port of Wilmington handled 6.1 million tons of cargo, which was likely the most in its history.
Fresh produce accounts for about 40 percent of the tonnage passing through the port.
Veracruz-to-Philadelphia trade route progress has slowed
PHILADELPHIA — A direct sea trade route between the port of Veracruz, Mexico, and Philadelphia is inevitable.
The timeline for this reality has been extended beyond the hopes of a year ago.
It is matter of time, according to Lawrence (Larry) Antonucci Jr., president of Ship Philly First, a non-profit, membership organization of private business owners who operate port-related companies in the Delaware Valley.
At a July 16-18, 2014, trade conference in Veracruz, a port partnership document was signed to create trade between the ports of Veracruz and Philadelphia.