Haggen donating 1 million pounds of food to local food banks
Continuing a long history of giving back to the communities it serves, Haggen Pacific Southwest is donating more than 1 million pounds of food to local food banks from the 100 new stores the West Coast regional grocery chain is converting throughout California, Arizona and Nevada this spring. Haggen’s donation represents more than 833,333 meals to help feed the hungry.
Mann Packing introduces Golden Roasteez
Mann Packing, a leader in ready-to-use fresh vegetables, is introducing a new item for foodservice operators: Golden Roasteez fresh-cut golden beets.
Allegiance, Foodtown name new president
Allegiance Retail Services LLC and Foodtown Inc. announced that John Derderian has been named the new president of the companies, effective June 1.
David Peri receives Outstanding Agriculturalist Award
David Peri, president of Peri & Sons Farms, has been named the 2015 Nevada Outstanding Agriculturalist Award winner by the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.
Florida company launches single-ear corn pack
Next Level Fresh LLC, based in Belle Glade, FL, announced the launch of its “Fresh Life Harvest” whole ear sweet corn pack, complete with a chili pepper-lime seasoning.
Zespri SunGold seeing excellent reception, Oppy category manager says
After the first loads arrived on April 30, volume of Zespri kiwifruit from New Zealand picked up considerably, said Steve Woodyear-Smith, Oppenheimer category manager for tropicals.
With a background that includes 10 years with Zespri International, Woodyear-Smith oversees pineapple and mango procurement and marketing initiatives in addition to kiwifruit. He told The Produce News in early May that movement had started to “crank up at Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Miami and Vancouver, and we’re seeing good volumes of Green and SunGold and reasonable volumes of organics.”
New Titan Farms sales team takes the field
Together the five new sales team members, with their leader, Daryl Johnston, vice president of sales, have 60 years’ experience in produce sales. Most have been on the job since April 1, and none more than a month. They all live in or near Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC. “I told them I wanted boots in the ground where the tree roots are,” said Johnston. He will keep his hand in with a sales cubicle in the center of the new offices, amid other team members.
New Apio salad kits to capitalize on federal dietary recommendations
New federal dietary guidelines recommending less meat and the ongoing consumer quest for healthy meal options are driving retail sales of alternative protein sources. Apio Inc. is at the forefront of the plant-based protein movement with three new single-serve Plant-Powered Protein Salad Kits — BBQ Ranch, Super Caesar and Yogurt Curry — available in June from Eat Smart.
Instacart delivers for Whole Foods, Winn-Dixie, BJ's and Costco in Miami
Instacart expanded delivery service to Miami, its 16th city, covering most of the metro area. Customers can order from Whole Foods Market, Costco, Winn-Dixie and BJ'S Wholesale Club as well as Petco stores and have everything delivered by Instacart in as little as one hour. Instacart customers do not need a Costco or BJ's membership to shop from those stores.