FPFC meets in Southern California
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council held one of its regular bi-monthly luncheon meetings at the Sheraton in Cerritos, CA. Close to 300 people enjoyed the networking event, which featured journalist Gustavo Arellano as the keynote speaker. Arellano, who writes the nationally syndicated "Ask a Mexican" column, discussed the growing Latino influence in Southern California.
New Jersey holds 100th State Agricultural Convention
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Agricultural interests across the Garden State were gathered at the Tropicana Casino & Resort here Feb. 3-5 for a true milestone: New Jersey's 100th State Agricultural Convention. This was also the fourth year that the convention co-located with the annual conventions of the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Blueberry Association.
Oneonta's Love Your Heart! apple and pear campaign
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers has the perfect way to promote Valentine's Day and American Heart Month at the same time. The company's “Love Your Heart!” campaign featuring “Red Diamond” brand Red Anjou pears and “Starr Ranch” brand Red Delicious apples.
Andrews Bros. sources the best produce from around the world
“One reason for the outstanding optimism we have for our business today is in the availability of products from around the world,” said Jeff Abrash, president and owner of Andrews Bros. Inc., located on the Detroit Produce Terminal. “Sourcing the best produce and passing it on to customers at a fair price is our founding principle, and we do it seven days a week.”
It’s also why the company enjoys the highly regarded reputation it has. Every staff member works hard for both customers and suppliers.
Phillips Mushroom’s customers more interested than ever in organics
“Organic sales continue to grow,” Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News.
“And the increases are substantial. Our customers are more interested in promoting and selling organics than ever in the past because they’re seeing growth and demand in this segment of produce. We at Phillips Mushroom Farms are continuing to grow our organic line to meet this great demand.”
IOM says latest science supports adding white potatoes to WIC vouchers
WASHINGTON — Potato growers joined Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in praising a new report released Feb. 3 by the Institute of Medicine that recommended the U.S. Department of Agriculture reinstate white potatoes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
Last year, USDA finalized changes to the WIC package and increased access to fruit and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy based on the latest science.
Nogales shippers squeezed by radically different weather patterns
NOGALES, AZ — As the Midwest and Northeast endured one blizzard after the next in late January and early February, it was 90 degrees on Feb. 3 in the vegetable fields of Culiacan, noted Bobby Astengo, a partner in Healthy Trends Produce Co. LLC, located here in Nogales, which also experienced a stretch of warm weather.
Avocados from Mexico scores big with Super Bowl ad
During the second quarter of last Sunday’s Super Bowl, Avocados from Mexico shared the limelight with Budweiser, Coca Cola, Doritos and several other of the world’s most famous brands as it aired a 30-second commercial touting the avocado and its use in guacamole.
Carter to head video effort at The Produce News
The Produce News has named Southeastern Editor Chip Carter to head up the company’s newly established in-house video production program, which will launch in late February from the upcoming Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, FL, in late February.
Over the past three decades, Carter has periodically worked in broadcast, commercial and Internet video for PBS, CBS, AOL, MovieFone, Nintendo, SEGA, the St. Pete/Clearwater Convention & Visitors Bureau and numerous others.
Binational committee formed to open U.S. market for South African avocados
Executives representing the top Hass avocado companies in the United States and South Africa announced during Fruit Logistica in Berlin the establishment of the U.S.-South Africa Avocado Committee.
The committee’s primary purpose is to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to obtain the necessary approvals to allow for the exportation of Hass avocados from South Africa into the United States.