Index continues promoting AvoBuddies
Launched last season, Index Fresh Inc. is finding continued success with its AvoBuddies offering, a kid- and family-friendly retail pack of avocados.
West Pak continues to expand, adds forward-distribution center
As avocado consumption continues to increase in the United States, West Pak Avocado Inc., a grower, packer and shipper headquartered in Murrieta, CA, continues to look at ways to enlarge its U.S. footprint.
United Fresh announces new board of directors
The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the slate of new officers and directors nominated to serve on its board of directors, effective April 29 at its meeting in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
Ascending to chairman of the board is Brian W. Kocher, interim chief executive officer of Chiquita in Charlotte, NC. Kocher currently serves as chairman-elect of the United Fresh board.
Nominated as chairman-elect is Tony Freytag, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Crunch Pak Sliced Apples in Cashmere, WA.
Sun continues to shine on Pompano Beach produce despite rough winter
While the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported no major losses or damage to crops this winter, many companies based in Pompano Beach, FL, sited that the brutal cold temperatures experienced throughout much of the Northeast in January and February did have an impact on business.
Nature Fresh Farms takes eat brighter! message to schools
After a successful program launch at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event in late February, Nature Fresh Farms is taking the eat brighter! message to local schools.
EPC backs hunger relief effort
The Eastern Produce Council and its Women’s Leadership Committee are offering an opportunity for the industry to become involved in hunger relief at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 from 6-8 p.m.
Group says magazine’s guide on produce buying is misleading
WASHINGTON — The popular magazine Consumer Reports released a new shoppers’ guide March 19 that ranks the pesticide residues on 48 fruits and vegetables, but the latest list is misleading to consumers because both organic and conventional produce are safe, according to the Alliance for Food & Farming.
15th annual World Floral Expo
The 2015 World Floral Expo filled the Los Angeles Convention Center with beautiful blooms March 11-13 and brought together all segments of the floral chain, from importers to retail florists.
A guide to merchandising avocados at retail for best results
It is no secret that avocado sales have skyrocketed in the past decade. In the 1990s, it was not unusual for total annual U.S. consumption to be around the 500 million-pound mark. In 2006, U.S. consumption topped the one billion-pound mark for the first time. In 2015, experts are saying that more than two billion pounds will be consumed by U.S. households when the final numbers are tallied.
HLB seeing challenging situation with papayas
For HLB Specialties, a tropical produce supplier based in Pompano Beach, FL, weather during the first two months of the year has presented challenges for its core item of papayas.
Homero Levy de Barros, president of HLB Specialties, said his company ships both the large and small papaya varieties, which it sources from Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala.
He said two recent hurricanes in Hawaii have wiped out up to 50 percent of the papaya production on that island state.