Alvin Nathel, retired executive of Nathel & Nathel, dead at age 83
Alvin Nathel, age 83, of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Jericho, NY, died on May 31, 2015.
Until his retirement in 1992, Nathel was a principal at Nathel & Nathel, a leading produce distributor located on the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the Bronx, NY.
Blendability and Topability continue to drive mushroom demand
Mushroom demand has skyrocketed since the Mushroom Council launched the Blendability campaign a couple of years ago.
Ciruli Bros. pleased with needed ongoing mango promotion
TUBAC, AZ — “Now we are seeing record-breaking imports, with combined volume from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexican and, in mid-May, Haiti,” said mango marketer Chris Ciruli.
Ciruli, who is chief operating office of Ciruli Bros. LLC in nearby Rio Rico, AZ, sat with The Produce News May 3 in a short break during a Boys & Girls Club fundraising event that he organized at the Tubac Golf Resort.
R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce/Flaim Farms expecting ‘great season’
VINELAND, NJ — Like other growers in the area, R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce/Flaim Farms is looking at a late start for its spring vegetable season, but the family-owned business is used to the occasional curve in the road.
“We had a very cold February and March, with a lot of rain, so that set us back about 14 days on the start of our leaf items,” Ryan Flaim, a fourth-generation member of the company, said May 6. “But we’re getting back to a normal schedule and everything should start picking up next week. We expect to have a great season.”
Sbrocco sponsors Sussman 3-on-3 basketball tournament
CHERRY HILL, NJ — Sbrocco International Inc. was the event sponsor of the 10th annual Sussman 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, held here May 30-31.
Meijer-Produce for Kids partnership
The Produce for Kids campaign with Meijer launched May 31 and will raise funds to bring the nutrition education program, Jump with Jill, to local schools in the Meijer area. The Produce for Kids campaign offers Meijer shoppers in-store and online meal solutions, recipes and tips for families looking to embrace healthier eating habits.
Star chefs highlight PMA Foodservice Conference
More than 1,800 attendees are expected to convene in Monterey, CA, July 24-26 to network and discuss emerging trends facing the fresh produce and foodservice industries. The PMA Foodservice Conference, now in its 34rd year, is completely focused on fresh produce in foodservice.
Titan Farms' ribbon-cutting ceremony
RIDGE SPRING, SC — More than 250 local dignitaries and VIPs as well as peach growers and suppliers attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $6.5 million renovation and new packingline for Titan Farms here on May 28.
HLB Specialties’ grower Caliman now Fairtrade certified
HLB Specialties, a leading North American papaya importer based in Pompano Beach, FL, announced that its main supplier of Golden papayas, Caliman Agrícola, has been awarded a Fairtrade certificate by FLOCERT.
Caliman is one the world’s largest papaya growers and with more than 35 years of experience, it has set many standards for the papaya industry, including being the oldest Brazilian papaya grower with the Fairtrade certificate.
CAC focused on domestic avocados for Fourth of July
With 117.6 million pounds of avocados to be consumed for Fourth of July activities, the celebration of Independence Day is expected to be the second-largest avocado-consumption event of 2015.