Solid year for Delhaize America
The Delhaize Group saw revenue growth during the four quarter of 2014, and the company announced positive numbers for 2014 as a whole. Frans Muller, president and chief executive officer, also noted that in 2015 the company will be focused on continuing to roll out the Easy, Fresh & Affordable strategy at Food Lion.
Easy, Fresh & Affordable is a multi-year initiative to make shopping easier for Food Lion customers at the company's more than 1,100 stores, while keeping the low prices customers expect.
Driscoll’s to advance global fresh berry growth
Driscoll’s, one of the world’s largest distributors of fresh berries, announced changes in the organization to further advance its global business strategy. Building on Driscoll’s industry leadership in food-safety standards, Keith Refsnider will now have overall responsibility for the development of Driscoll’s global food-safety standards as the global food safety program director.
FPFC kicks off 50th year with dinner-dance
Close to 500 people helped the Fresh Produce & Floral Council begin the year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, Saturday night, Jan. 24, at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, CA.
Chiquita names new executives
Chiquita, which was recently acquired by Cutrale-Safra, has named two new executives: Andrew J. Biles will take on the role of CEO of Chiquita bananas and pineapples; and Darcilo Santos was named chief financial officer. The new announcement comes on the heels of news that the company will be closing its Charlotte, NC, headquarters.
Kingston hires CFO, further positioning itself for growth
Kingston Cos., the parent company of Kingston Fresh, has hired Cory Wengreen, a seasoned financial executive within the food industry, as the company’s chief financial officer.
Fresno Food Expo returning to celebrate bounty of SJV for fifth year
California’s San Joaquin Valley, known as the largest food producing region in the world, continues to flourish as top growers and manufacturers come together once again to celebrate the region’s rich agricultural industry at the largest regional food show in the nation, the Fresno Food Expo.
Aspen has ‘good, healthy balance’ with Mexico trade
Although shipments to Mexico reverted to the 26-kilometer zone in July 2014, Aspen Produce continues to see steady potato movement to receivers there, according to Sales Agent Michele Peterson and farm Operations Manager Jed Ellithorpe.
“It’s a good, healthy balance for us,” Peterson said of the volume going to Mexico. She said that russets and reds both are well-received by Mexican consumers.
Orange forecast revised for season
On Jan. 12, the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its national forecast for orange production. “The United States all orange forecast for the 2014-15 season is 6.72 million tons, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 1 percent from the 2013-14 final utilization,” NASS reported.
G.O. Fresh names Scott Johnson VP of sales and marketing
G.O. Fresh, a processor of fresh fruits and vegetables to the food service industry based in Minneapolis, MN, announced Scott Johnson as its vice president of sales and marketing.
Johnson brings over 35 years of industry experience to G.O. Fresh, most recently serving as regional sales manager at Fresh Connect.
“His customer relations, industry knowledge and unique experience in fresh cuts to the foodservice industry, makes him the perfect choice to head the G.O. Fresh sales team,” a company press release stated.
N.J. agricultural convention set for Feb. 3-5
TRENTON, NJ — The 100th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention & Trade Show will be held Feb. 3-5 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is hosting the convention in cooperation with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey and Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.