Grupo Alta celebrates 25th anniversary while anticipating a huge 2016
As Grupo Alta celebrates its 25th anniversary, the present looks great and the future looks even brighter.
Speaking with The Produce News on April 2 was Carlos Bon Jr., a Grupo Alta partner. Grupo Alta is based in Hermosillo, Sonora, and its marketing arm, Divine Flavor, LLC, operates from a brand new distribution center in Nogales. Divine Flavor also has sales offices in San Diego, CA, and McAllen, TX.
Michael Brody joins Weis Markets
Weis Markets, headquartered in Sunbury, PA, announced in a news release that Michael Brody, AIFD, has joined its company as corporate lead floral designer and he will help develop and oversee Weis Markets’ full-service floral design and arrangement business.
Master Nursery Garden Centers moves gathering to Cultivate ‘15
Master Nursery Garden Centers and AmericanHort jointly announced in a news release that Master Nursery Garden Centers will begin hosting its eastern region gathering (formally know as the Conclave) this year at Cultivate ’15 in Columbus, Ohio, July 11-14.
“We are moving our membership meeting to Cultivate because it’s an all-inclusive event that will provide business-building education and access to the largest variety of plants and products that our members need,” said Gerry Docksteader, vice president of operations at MNGC in Vacaville, CA, in the release.
Horticultural Research Institute offers $20,000 in scholarships
The Horticultural Research Institute announced in a news release that it is accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. The scholarships are made possible by seven special HRI endowment funds that aid students who are seeking a lifelong career in horticulture and are available as follows:
• The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow Jr. Scholarship (one $3,000 scholarship available).
• The Usrey Family Scholarship (one $1,000 scholarship available).
IFTEX 2015 slated for June 3-5 in Kenya
The fourth edition of the International Floriculture Trade Expo will be held at the Shree Visa Oshwal Community Center in Parklands Nairobi, Kenya, June 3-5.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all three days. The industry-wide, international event serves all segments of the floriculture chain from breeders, propagators and growers to cargo shippers and suppliers to the trade.
FNGLA’s annual convention meets June 12-13; Industry Award winners named
The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association’s sixty-third annual convention will meet June 12-13 and according to the organization’s website, “it’s a time each year for FNGLA members and industry friends to celebrate the past year of success while welcoming FNGLA’s new leadership taking office.”
Efficacy of a bleach-based product for cut flowers in supermarkets
Most consumers are familiar with common household bleach containing sodium hypochlorite, such as Clorox. Another common but more stable form of bleach is called calcium hypochlorite, often referred to as swimming pool chlorine. A third but less familiar form of bleach is potassium hypochlorite. Nevertheless, all three forms of bleach have the same active ingredient, hypochlorous acid.
A potassium form of bleach called FloraFresh is being sold to supermarkets for use in buckets and vases to hold, display, and sell cut flowers.
UC Davis student awarded 2015 AFE Ecke Scholarship
Daniel Klittich, a doctoral candidate at the University of California Davis has been awarded the 2015 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship through the American Floral Endowment, according to a news release. The merit-based scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr., who made contributions to the advancement of the floriculture industry.
It is given to M.S. or Ph.D. students studying horticulture or a related field, who intend to pursue a career as a researcher, scientist or educator.
Landon Donovan to keynote Southern California FPFC Expo
Landon Donovan, retired L.A. Galaxy soccer star, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Southern California Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo on July 14 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. The breakfast program will feature a moderated question and answer session between Donovan and L.A. Galaxy reporter Kelli Tennant, according to a news release.
PMA Fresh Connections: Floral slated for July 9
In a couple of months, floral members from across the supply chain (and nation — the world even) will get together to discuss emerging trends, challenges and opportunities that are of importance to the industry. Importers, exporters, retailers, breeders — you name it, they’ll be here — right in my backyard, Miami, FL.
The event, which is the first of its kind in the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Connections series, is designed for floral professionals, by floral professionals. The agenda was crafted with our specific, complex industry needs in mind.