Publix continues to expand in N.C.
Publix Super Markets Inc. and Lowes Foods LLC have announced the companies have entered into an agreement under which Publix is expected to purchase two closed and vacant Lowes Foods stores in North Carolina. The transaction is projected to close later in April.
Vision Produce's Phoenix facility goes solar
This April, Vision Produce Co. is installing a solar power generation system at its produce distribution center in Phoenix, which also includes offices for its Arizona sales and operational staff. It is expected to supply 59 percent of the electricity Vision Produce consumes in Phoenix every year.
Weis names Brent Mertes regional VP
Weis Markets has promoted Brent Mertes, formerly with Safeway, to regional vice president. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of 51 stores located in south central Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.
Frieda’s Angelcot season set for mid-June
Frieda’s Specialty Produce’s exclusive Angelcots, which it describes as “heavenly white apricots,” are only available for three weeks starting in mid-June. This specialty hybrid of Moroccan and Iranian apricot varieties is grown in Northern California and packed in 16/one-pound clamshells.
CPMA's record-breaking show in Montreal
With almost 300 exhibitors occupying 525 exhibit spaces at the Palais de congrès de Montréal in Montreal, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s 90th annual convention and trade show April 15-17 was the largest gathering of its kind yet.
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Western vegetable harvest shifts to the coast
Like clockwork, it’s April, so the Salinas and Santa Maria valleys on California’s coast are the main suppliers of many of the nation’s vegetable row crops, including Iceberg lettuce, all the mixed and specialty lettuces, cauliflower, broccoli and celery.
“Huron has finished up, the desert is done — everybody is happy to get back to Santa Maria and Salinas,” said Denny Donovan, sales manager of Fresh Kist Produce LLC, which has offices in both Santa Maria and Salinas.
Retail View: Haggen continues Vons, Albertsons conversions
Since February Haggen has converted about one-third of the Safeway and Albertsons stores it acquired in December to the Haggen brand.
Giorgio Fresh touts success of Shiitake mushrooms
According to recent research released in a market forecast report prepared by Research and Markets, globally, the Shiitake mushroom market was projected to be the fastest growing segment of mushrooms from 2014 to 2019.
Bill Litvin, senior vice president of sales and national account manager for Giorgio Fresh, headquartered in Temple, PA, said with this forecast in site, the company is now paying close attention to domestic, regional and local sales growth for this segment to track the trend and be prepared to meet consumer and customer demands.
Southern Selects specialty produce exceeding consumer trends
There are categories in the specialty fresh produce industry that are showing real strength today. And Pompano Beach-headquartered Southern Specialties is on top of them.
Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for the Pompano Beach-based company, told The Produce News that the trends continue to evolve in several different directions.
“We’re seeing an ongoing increase in the demand for convenience, nutrition and flavor,” explained Eagle.
California apricots should hit the market by end of April
Warm winter and spring weather has produced a California apricot crop that is a bit earlier than usual, with the industry expecting some shipments before the end of the month. But that same weather situation, with fewer than ideal chilling hours, has also led to a lighter crop on the trees.