The times have caught up with Goodness Greeness
CHICAGO — Robert (Bob) Scaman Jr. admits that when he named his company “Goodness Greeness” 24 years ago, he didn’t foresee how relevant the name would become.
In 1991, Scaman’s “concept was to build a market around the distribution of certified organic produce.” At that time, he added, “certified organics didn’t exist in this part of the country. In 2002 the USDA defined organics.”
J.L. Gonzalez heavily involved in Mexican produce
CHICAGO — Dominating one end of the Chicago International Produce Market is the full-service produce house J.L. Gonzalez Produce Inc. The company’s predominant brand is “Don Hugo,” which is for Mexican produce shipped through Edinburg, TX.
“This facility is nothing compared to what we have in Edinburg,” Jose Gonzalez II said, pointing to his cavernous Chicago facility. The firm has various produce supply connections in Mexico. Its Chicago offerings include 10 modern banana-ripening rooms.
Vision Cos.’ goal of better overall Mexican mango quality realized
Bill Vogel, president of The Vision Cos., which is comprised of both Vision Import Group, headquartered in Hackensack, NJ, and Vision Produce Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, said that Mexico is a difficult mango program to navigate.
“Matching what they have to what is needed in the marketplace is a challenge,” said Vogel. “However, we have been developing grower direct arrangements there for a number of years, and are now fortunate to have some real high-quality relationships with partners for the growing and packing for our ‘Van Gogh’ brand of mangos.”
Wohlford: Cherry harvesting window will be compressed
Dan Wohlford, national marketing representative for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, said the harvesting window for the 2015 Northwest cherry crop will be compressed. “A warm spring brought on cherry blooms about a month earlier than the average for the last 15 years,” he told The Produce News. “However, May weather patterns have adjusted the start date to a little closer to normal, but still much earlier than previous years. The warm spring also brought trees to bloom at the same time across all growing regions.
Borton anticipating robust cherry marketing season
Even though cherry volume from the Pacific Northwest is expected to be down by about 15 percent this season, Eric Borton, vice president of international sales and marketing at Borton & Sons Inc., said prospects in 2015 are exciting.
Marketing season will be energetic for CMI, retailers
Columbia Marketing International encourages retailers to prepare for a high-energy marketing window this cherry season.
Moonlight, passion make for remarkable cherry season at Stemilt
Each cherry season, Stemilt Growers LLC takes advantage of opportunities to distinguish itself. “Our Kyle’s Pick and Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherry programs continue to be a huge success at retail,” said Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl. “Kyle’s Pick cherries will be available throughout July this year and are based on selecting premium cherries for a pack.
Tudor: Retailers should brace for rapid cherry movement
Andy Tudor, director of business development for Rainier Fruit Co., encourages retailers to strike while the fire is hot during the 2015 cherry season. “The mild spring weather has generated the most above-average degree growing days we can remember in recent history,” he told The Produce News. “This has moved our estimated harvest dates forward. There has been some winter damage noted, mostly in some of the later districts.
Nager: Northwest cherry crop will be fast-tracked
Looking at movement for the 2015 cherry crop from the Pacific Northwest, Howard Nager, vice president of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers, said the message is clear.
Lapins, ideal for high elevations, still king at Hood River Cherry Co.
Hood River Cherry Co. is committed to producing the finest cherries possible. “Growing cherries at high elevation is difficult,” said President and Owner Brad Fowler. “There’s a lot more to it than just planting trees and waiting for them to grow. But, if you can do it, these are the best-tasting cherries of all.”
The company’s overall cherry production will continue on a growth track for the next seven years as young trees grow and come into bearing. “However, due to an early freeze last November, our 2015 crop will be about the same as our 2014 crop,” Fowler said.