Marketing Plus hires Kaysha Rajani as creative services manager
Kaysha Rajani joins Marketing Plus as creative services manager to help continue its success as a full-service creative marketing agency that represents several leaders in the produce industry.
Brooks handles full range of tropical items
“Brooks Tropicals grows the ‘who’s-who’ of tropical produce items,” said Mary Ostlund, marketing director for the Homestead, FL-based tropical produce grower-shipper. “Tropicals are growing at such a strong rate, and we closely watch for the next sky-rocketing fruit. The fun is that everyone knows more tropicals will go mainstream in the future.”
Brooks Tropicals’ Caribbean Red papayas are available year round, as are the majority of its other tropical items.
ProPapaya members increasing production to meet the growing demand
Mexican papayas are grown in 21 states across Mexico, but three — Chiapas, Veracruz and Oaxaca — represent 55 percent of the total output. Other papaya-producing states include Colima, Guerrero and Michoacan, which combined represent 23 percent of Mexico’s production.
Gustavo Garcia Cuevas, president of the National Papaya Board of Mexico, commonly referred to as ProPapaya, said these states are also in a growing trend.
Caribbean Fruit Connection seeks diverse growing partners
Handlers for Caribbean Fruit Connection Corp. operate from a Primus Lab-certified facility. This gives the Medley, FL-based CFC the flexibility to focus on building its supply chain and expanding its customer base.
“In 2013 we returned to our old model of receiving and distributing product with a third party doing our handling,” explained Brenda Leighton, vice president of CFC. “Forming a strategic arrangement with Gourmet Logistics, who was our immediate neighbor, provided a seamless change.”
Strawberry acreage down, volume similar to 2014 crop
The total California strawberry acreage reported for 2015 is 37,438, which represents about a 3 percent decrease from last year, but that may not result in less volume.
Newer varieties tend to yield better than older varieties, and weather factors can easily affect volume by much more than 5 percent. Because of the mild winter and relatively dry spring, California growing conditions have been very good and no one will be surprised if total volume approaches or tops last year’s number of about 192 million trays.
Near-perfect crop has Vidalia set up for strong season
Shorter sweet onion supplies out of Mexico and Texas and consistency issues in both deals have the Vidalia onion deal set up for a promising season that could begin for some growers as early as the second week of April.
United’s Guenther calls for ‘trade equilibrium,’ urges Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority
WASHINGTON — Congress must reinstate “trade equilibrium” by enacting Trade Promotion Authority to quickly pass new trade agreements, so U.S. fruit and vegetable companies can break down the growing number of non-tariff trade barriers, Robert Guenther, United Fresh Produce Association’s senior vice president for public policy, testified March 18 on Capitol Hill.
With shipments to the United States tripling in recent years, U.S. trade policies need to be put exports on an even keel, Guenther told members of a House Agriculture Committee.
John Vena Inc. names sales and marketing coordinator
Emily K. Kohlhas has joined John Vena Inc. as the company’s first sales and marketing coordinator. Kohlhas is a transplant from Philadelphia’s dynamic sustainable food movement and brings more than five years of experience in customer service and communications to the firm.
Kroger names president of Columbus division
The Kroger Co. named Joe Grieshaber president of its Columbus division, replacing Bruce Macaulay, who is retiring after 42 years with the company. Grieshaber's successor will be named at a later date.
"Joe is an accomplished leader with a diverse background and expertise in our fresh departments," Mike Ellis, Kroger's president and chief operating officer, said in a press release. "His strong values and engagement with our associates will ensure continued growth and success in our Columbus division. We are looking forward to Joe's continued leadership."
PBH meets for annual conference
The Produce for Better Health Foundation held its annual conference, ‘The Consumer Connection,” March 16-18 at the Valley Ho Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.