Orange County expanding northward in the face of urbanization
There was a time that strawberry fields dotted Orange County, the geographic region that gave Orange County Produce LLC in Irvine, CA, its name.
Urbanization, however, has taken over and Orange County Produce now sees much of its strawberry production come from Ventura County, about 90 miles north of the firm’s headquarters.
“We are now up to about 600 acres in the Oxnard area [in Ventura County],” said Matt Kawamura, director of sales and co-owner of the firm.
Eclipse expands strawberry acreage against the tide
Eclipse Berry Farms LLC, which has its sales office in Los Angeles and its production in three coastal California districts to the north, has expanded its acreage this year significantly, though the industry is in more of a holding pattern.
Unified Grocers names winner of Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award
Newport Avenue Market, which offers shoppers both mainstream and specialty grocery options, was recently awarded the Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award from Unified Grocers. This is the 10th year that Unified Grocers has presented the award to an outstanding independent retailer and the first time this award has been given to a single store. Rudy and Debbie Dory and their daughter, Lauren Johnson, owners of Newport Avenue Market, accepted the award at a special awards dinner in Los Angeles.
Lil Snappers kid-sized fruits go pink in combo bag
Stemilt and Sunkist have brought two kid-favorite fruit varieties together in the newest offering from the Lil Snappers line.
Duda’s new ‘Ready-to-Eat Radish’ product line hitting stores now
Duda Farm Fresh Foods, headquartered in Oviedo, FL, has a new Ready-to-Eat Radish product line that started hitting stores in the Northeast and West Coast in January.
“We saw an opportunity to innovate in the radish category by offering new forms with compelling product benefits,” said Nichole Towell, director of marketing.
New York Apple Sales to continue promotion of ‘KORU Plumac’ apple variety
John Cushing, vice president of sales for New York Apple Sales Inc., headquartered in Glenmont, NY, told The Produce News that the company has attended and exhibited at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event since its inception.
Domex delivers on Super Bowl wager
Howard Nager, vice president of marketing at Domex Superfresh Growers, delivered a box of fresh Autumn Glory Apples to Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito (R-MA) in her Boston office Friday, Feb. 6. The special delivery was in honor of a friendly wager between Lt. Gov. Polito and Washington state Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (D-WA) on the outcome of Super Bowl XLIX.
'Kanzi' brand apples now available
CMI has announced that "Kanzi" brand apples are now available. Each year Kanzi apples are held in storage and released in February, timed to coincide with dwindling supplies of local apple varieties and when retailers are hungry for a new products.
Mushroom industry gathers for 23rd North American Mushroom Conference
The mushroom industry held the 23rd North American Mushroom Conference Jan. 22-24 at the Intercontinental Resort & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The mushroom farm community, currently embracing the success and preparing for the strong sales potential of the meat and mushroom blend, had much to celebrate and share throughout the conference.
Wholesum Family Farms says organic Mexican veg markets on the rise
NOGALES, AZ — As February rolled around, organic Mexican vegetable markets were “coming off,” Steve LeFevre, sales manager for Wholesum Family Farms, based here, told The Produce News Jan. 30. The movement had been “backed up by high prices. This will take a couple of weeks to settle,” he indicated.In mid-January, organic Mexican vegetable supplies were down and demand pushed high prices for all products in this category except for red Bell peppers.