SuperValu to host second national sales show
Following the success of its inaugural national sales show in 2014, SuperValu Inc. will host the 2015 National Expo this August in St. Paul, MN. year’s show will have an expanded emphasis on fresh departments and products.
This year’s event will take place Aug. 11-13 at the RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul and is open to the more than 2,000 independent retail customers served by SuperValu, as well as hundreds of vendors and industry professionals.
NWA convention reflects association’s eye toward the future
The National Watermelon Association’s annual convention will be held Feb. 16-19 in La Quinta, CA, with an underlying theme of planning for the future for the industry and the association.
“Our keynote speaker is Sarah Sladek, and she is probably the foremost global expert on Generations X, Y and Z,” Bob Morrissey, executive director of the NWA, told The Produce News. “We are very excited to have her speak and to remain on for a couple of months as a consultant for the association.”
‘I Love 5 to 10 Servings a Day’ recognized for leadership in Quebec
The Quebec Produce Marketing Association was honored with a DUX Award for its “Eating better, one serving at a time” communications campaign at a Jan. 21 ceremony in Montreal.
Bill Zentner named director of ratings at Blue Book Services
Bill Zentner has been promoted to director of ratings at Blue Book Services, succeeding Ken Schultz as the leader of Blue Book’s ratings division. He will report to Jim Carr, chief executive officer and president.
Oneonta provides strategies to lift apple, pear sales during winter
Retailers wanting insights about additional ways to boost apple and pear sales during the winter months can discuss strategies with Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers at Booth No. 911. The company is headquartered in Wenatchee, WA and is one of the premier tree fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest.
Tater Man pulling sweet potato supplies from North Carolina and Mississippi
“We have totally cleaned up at our Georgia and Alabama facilities,” Jason Bell, managing member of Tater Man, headquartered in Sydney, FL, said on Jan. 28. “We are currently pulling exclusively out of North Carolina and Mississippi. These programs will last until we start harvesting again in 2015.”
RBest’s Hines says organic diets are a big consumer trend currently
“Organic diets are a big consumer trend right now,” said Jasmine Hines, director of marketing and advertising for RBest Produce Inc., headquartered in Port Washington, NY. “Everyone is looking into healthier habits, and with that we’ve noticed an increase in the demand of organic produce.”
RBest imports produce from all over the world, with a strong focus on well-known top-quality brands.
International Vine conference convenes in Hermosillo
HERMOSILLO, SONORA — The prelude to the second annual International Vine Symposium was a Feb. 4 tour of Grupo Alta plantations to the north of Hermosillo. Formal technical production sessions were scheduled for Feb. 5-6 in Hermosillo and a closing tour on Feb. 7.
Wegmans rated No. 1 for corporate reputation
Wegmans Food Markets, a family-owned supermarket chain with 85 stores in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region, reached the top spot for corporate reputation among the 100 most visible companies, according to the 16th annual Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study. Other ranked retailers included Publix Supermarkets (eighth), Whole Foods Market (21), the Kroger Co. (32), Meijer's (39), Aldi (44) and Safeway (67).
OPMA president announces plans to retire
Ian MacKenzie, president of the Ontario Produce Marketing Association, has announced that he plans to retire at the end of this year.
MacKenzie has been with the OPMA since 1994, leaving briefly in 1998 to become general manager of the Ontario Apple Marketing Commission, but returning to OPMA in 2002.