Quality of Murakami’s Spanish Sweets remains excellent, Kitamura says
Though onion market conditions were less than optimal in late January, Murakami Produce General Manager Grant Kitamura said his Ontario, OR-based company continues to provide its customers with excellent quality in Spanish Sweets, and he said business has remained brisk.
“Our product is very well-received,” Kitamura said, adding that the operation has good supplies and is handling its long-term commitments.
Village Farms’ ‘Heavenly Villagio Marzano’ tomato continues to increase in demand
Douglas Kling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Village Farms LP, headquartered in Heathrow, FL, told The Produce News that the company will continue to feature its exclusive “Heavenly Villagio Marzano,” tomato, an authentic mini San Marzano tomato which is exclusive to Village Farms, at the 2015 Southern Exposure Conference & Expo at the Caribe Royale All Suite Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 26-28.
Produce associations form alliance on social responsibility
Fresh produce industry leaders from the United States and Mexico met Feb. 11 in Mexico City to formalize the International Fruit & Vegetable Alliance for Social Responsibility, also known by its Spanish acronym AHIFORES. As a demonstration of support for the new organization, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture Enrique Martinez y Martinez hosted the members of the alliance and appointed Under Secretary of Agriculture Jesus Aguilar as his liaison with the organization.
Potandon Produce welcomes Glen Reynolds to its staff
Potandon Produce LLC, an industry leader in fresh potato marketing, hired Glen Reynolds as a director of business development.
Reynolds comes to Potandon bringing a wealth of experience in both the fresh potato industry and retail sales and marketing. Additionally he has extensive experience in strategic planning, merchandising and is focused on logistics and supply chain efficiencies.
Plot thickens in West Coast ports dispute
As a response to intermittent work slowdowns during labor negotiations at West Coast ports, the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping lines and terminal operators, is refusing to pay overtime to longshoremen this holiday weekend. The move effectively closes the ports for four out of five days, beginning Thursday, Feb. 12 (Lincoln’s birthday, which is a port holiday) and continuing through the weekend.
The move is the association’s response to what it claims are union work stoppages and slowdowns that have caused crippling delays and devastating economic losses.
Kwik Lok owner dies at 76
The fresh produce industry is mourning the loss of Jerre Paxton, owner and president of Kwik Lok Corp., who died from an apparent heart attack Jan. 25 in Seattle, where he had gone to attend simulcast racing at Emerald Downs. He was 76.
Mr. Paxton assumed leadership of Kwik Lok, headquartered in Yakima, WA, in 1968 following the retirement of his father, Floyd. The company is an innovator in the field of bag closures, and the locks are easily visible in fresh produce departments today.
California avocado season starts strong, 327 million pounds expected
California avocado season is getting under way, and the California Avocado Commission has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for its fiscal year 2014-15. CAC also announced that Timothy Spann has returned to the commission staff and now serves as research program director.
TPIE award winners shine
Each year a variety of awards are presented at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, FL. According to the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, the show’s producers, a judging committee walked the floor on the first day of the show and chose the outstanding booths from among the exhibitors.
The 2015 Best of the Show booth was awarded to United Nursery in Homestead, FL, and the Most Unusual Plant Specimen Award was given to Deroose Plants in Apopka, FL, for its bromeliad Vriesea “Naomi.”
Waste not, want not – OASIS Floral Foam biodegrades
As we begin 2015, one of the food top trends reported by the National Restaurant Federation is sustainability, and this will certainly affect the grocery aisle. So how does this make its way to the floral department? Waste reduction, sustainability and social responsibility are all terms that are considered throughout store operations and important to consumers when making purchases.
Start your prom planning in February
According to Dan Fisher at Fitz Design, a distributor of floral jewelry and accessories, florists can significantly increase their prom sales if they start going after it in February, as stated in a news release. He suggested that floral departments take the following steps this month.
• Find out prom dates for schools in your area and who serves on the committees in charge.
• Contact administrators and prom committee members at each school and ask if you can sell on-site.