Frieda’s Inc. celebrates 53 years of excellence
Frieda’s Inc., which markets approximately 600 specialty items during the course of a year, reached a milestone on April 2.
“We just celebrated our 53rd company anniversary today, which makes us the first specialty produce company in the U.S.,” said Karen Caplan, president and chief executive officer.
“Actually, some people say our founder, Frieda Caplan, invented the category,” she continued.
United Fresh president test
CERRITOS, CA — Nearly 300 produce professionals packed the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, here, April 22 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Southern California Membership Luncheon.
Featured speaker Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, spoke about the important role fruits and vegetables play in today's society. Stenzel's speech concentrated on produce industry topics ranging from labor and drought to the impact that salad bars in schools are achieving in an effort to curb child obesity.
United Fresh president test
CERRITOS, CA — Nearly 300 produce professionals packed the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, here, April 22 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Southern California Membership Luncheon.
Featured speaker Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, spoke about the important role fruits and vegetables play in today's society. Stenzel's speech concentrated on produce industry topics ranging from labor and drought to the impact that salad bars in schools are achieving in an effort to curb child obesity.
United Fresh president addresses FPFC membership at April 22 luncheon
CERRITOS, CA — Nearly 300 produce professionals packed the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, here, April 22 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Southern California Membership Luncheon.
‘Sweet’ is the key word for new marketing order in Georgia
Georgia produce growers approved a new marketing order that will help promote a variety of products grown in the state. It takes effect May 1 and will last for three years.
“A number of states have these,” said Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black. “Georgia law allows growers to have a referendum and vote and assess themselves a fee, which is used to promote the product, like the National Dairy Marketing Order did when creating the ‘Got Milk’ campaign to promote milk.”
Worldwide Shuman Produce domain starts at home in Vidalia
John Shuman grew up in the same Vidalia onion fields, then tended by his father Buck, that he now farms in Reidsville, GA.
Although he’s regularly on the go checking in on farming operations elsewhere and meeting with customers as the president of Shuman Produce, Shuman still follows in the footsteps of his father, who was inducted into the Vidalia Growers Hall of Fame in 2013.
Herndon to have promotable crop of high-quality Vidalias through August
Herndon Family Farms, based in Lyons, GA, started harvesting its “Vidalia’s Finest” onion crop the second full week of April and looks to have promotable volumes of high-quality product that should carry through August.
While the Vidalia season did not officially begin until April 27, the crop itself was early and growers could pack and ship onions providing USDA inspections were performed.
‘V is for Vidalia’ campaign gains tractions as onion season kicks off
Following up on last year’s successful run, the Vidalia Onion Committee is again making its “V is for Vidalia” campaign the centerpiece of this year’s marketing efforts, with ever-increasing focus on social media and audience interaction.
Bland looks forward to ‘normal’ season with great quality, volume
The 2015 Vidalia onion crop is shaping up to be “normal,” which is welcomed news on the heels of three topsy-turvy seasons that saw wild fluctuations in volume and markets. That means retailers can plan with confidence for ample supply and excellent quality coming out of the region through August.
“We would take a normal year and be thankful for it,” said Delbert Bland, owner of Bland Farms LLC in Glennville, GA.
Bland started harvesting the week of April 6, shipped its first onions April 10, “and we’ve shipped very heavy since then,” Bland said.
Farm Fresh doubling Napa deal
Farm Fresh Produce Inc. has increased its Napa cabbage production this spring to 80 acres, according Steven Ceccarelli, owner of the company.
This is continues an upward trend on North Carolina Napa production for the firm, which is based in Faison, NC.
On April 21, Ceccarelli said the Napa harvest would begin May 7 and run until the first week of June.
“We’ve been dodging big rains and so far, so good,” he said. “The fields are nice, lively and well.”