CPMA elects new directors at 2015 Annual General Meeting
CPMA announced the election of its new board of directors at the Annual General Meeting, which serves to update members on CPMA’s activities and reiterate strategic goals. Both CPMA Past Chair Bernadette Hamel and Ron Lemaire, president, provided reports outlining the past activities and future plans of the association.
Consumers love to sing the blues
Consumers love blueberries, and the industry is only too happy to support this love affair.
A 2014 study commissioned by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Commission provides a detailed explanation about the exploding growth of the blueberry industry.
Generation Next: Nicole Palumbo finds success and happiness in family business
Nicole Palumbo had plans other than to join her family business when she graduated from the University of Miami in 2013 with a bachelor of science degree, double majoring in public relations and sports administration.
Today, at age 24, she is happily working for the business and her father, Joe Palumbo, founder of Top Banana, located at Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY.
Association provides industry, non-industry members with unifying banner
The first annual meeting held by the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is now a matter of history. But it underscores the important role the organization is playing to unify agricultural producers and bring nonagricultural entities into the mix.
Adrian Card, who works as an agent with Colorado State University Extension in Boulder County, serves as a partner on the association’s board of directors. He said 260 people attended the annual meeting, held in Denver on Feb. 25. The annual meeting preceded the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture.
Tudor Ranch continues to double up on sales effort
Last season, Tudor Ranch Inc. in Mecca, CA, added the sales team of Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons to the longtime relationship it has held with Unifrutti of America Inc. It worked so well that the same model will be used this year.
Berries buck trend showing slight declines in fruit consumption
Although the consumption of fresh fruit has shown a 2 percent decline in the past five years, berry consumption has bucked the trend and shown increases among demographic groups studied by the fresh fruit industry.
California figs season under way, good volume by June
The California fig crop did not begin its season this year quite as early as last year’s record setter, but it is early nonetheless.
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers’ cherry season to kick off soon
The first shipments of sweet Northwest cherries from Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers are set to hit retail, though not quite as early as first expected. The season should kick off in late May or early June, with fruit shipping through the first week of August, a much earlier finish than in years past.
Trader Joe’s named consumer favorite, ALDI the value leader, ShopRite tops for promotions
Trader Joe’s continues to build a loyal following with its diverse grocery selection and exceptionally friendly service. A study of more than 7,200 consumers by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions, found that Trader Joe’s is the favorite U.S. grocery retailer for the third year in a row. Publix ranked a close second and ALDI was third.
Florida orange crop estimate drops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said its estimate of the 2014-15 Florida orange crop decreased 5.6 million boxes to 96.4 million. During the 2013-14 season, Florida produced 104 million boxes of oranges.
Early-mid varieties increased slightly to 47.4 million boxes while Valencia oranges dipped 6 million boxes to 49 million.