Blueberries running steadily for Southern Specialties
Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, is moving blueberries steadily this season. Geno Valdes, vice president of sales and marketing for the company, said that the Florida movement marks the start of the domestic season.
Peri & Sons Farms launches ‘eat brighter!’ onion packs
Nevada-based Peri & Sons Farms is embracing the national movement to ‘eat brighter!’ by offering consumers a "Sesame Street" branded package of premium onions beginning in May 2015.
Martin’s to launch small-format banner
Martin’s Super Markets, headquartered in South Bend, IN, will open its newest store, a Martin’s Express, on May 7 in Goshen, IN. It will be the company’s 22nd store; however, the 26,200-square-foot location will be Martin's first execution of a new smaller format.
Voting opens for Opal’s Youth Make a Difference initiative
Public voting is now open for Opal Apple’s Youth Make a Difference initiative, a campaign designed to provide financial support to causes led by youth ages 6 to 25. Voters are being asked to help select charities to receive up to a combined $150,000 in funds at www.opalapples.com.
Freska kicks off mango season with Disney designs
This month Freska Produce International LLC is launching fresh mangos featuring beloved Disney characters on display-ready boxes, stickers and in a mango recipe and activity eBook. Four varieties of Mexican mangos — Tommy Atkins, Kents, Keitts and Ataulfos — will be available at grocery retailers nationwide now through August.
Ray Ortega joins Braga Fresh
Soledad, CA-based Braga Fresh announced the hire of Ray Ortega as senior sales manager.
In the Trenches: Calif. drought puts focus on produce buying, merchandising
The devastating drought is extremely serious for the California farming industry, as limited water results in limited produce for the market.
Freshway Foods launches its new website
Freshway Foods has launched a redesigned website. The new website features more in-depth information about the company’s products and services, as well as useful reference information about fresh produce. The URL of the site — www.freshwayfoods.com — has not changed.
National Watermelon Association has eye to the future
The National Watermelon Association believes the future success of the industry lies in developing the talent and interest of its younger members.
In fact, NWA is so passionate about this belief that it is gearing its five-year plan around building value for members of Generation Y.
Northampton Growers anticipating strong bump in business
The short cold snap that swept across Florida in February did have some negative effect on field crops, but according to Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers Produce Sales Inc., headquartered in Cheriton, VA, by April 1 the new crop will be shipping and is expected to be high quality and with good volumes.
“Squash had some issues because the cold shortens — or weakens — the shelf life,” said Cullen. “Peppers had some bloom effect. We were somewhat limited to local sales on these items.