Hass Avocado Board elects new board officers
The Hass Avocado Board recently elected a new slate of officers for the next year. James Johnson, producer, was chosen as chairman of the board; Bob Schaar, producer, will be vice-chairman; Mike Parr, importer, will be secretary; and Chris Henry, importer, will be treasurer.
Cucumbers identified as likely cause of E. coli outbreak at Jimmy John’s
Colorado officials say one lot of cucumbers traced to a farm in Mexico is likely the cause of an E. coli outbreak of patrons who ate at three Jimmy John’s locations in the Denver metropolitan area in 2013.
The sandwich chain is being blamed for the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak during October 2013 that involved at least nine people. All nine patrons recalled eating cucumbers, and disease investigators suspected tomatoes and lettuce but found there was no common lot shipped to all three restaurants.
California Giant launches consumer promotion centered on baking
Just in time for holiday baking season California Giant Berry Farms launched an "All About Pies" national consumer promotion featuring its fresh blueberries and blackberries.
Mexico launches anti-dumping probe on U.S. apples
WASHINGTON — Mexico's Economy Secretariat has launched an anti-dumping investigation on U.S. apples in response to a petition filed by fruit growers alleging U.S. apples entered the Mexican market at below fair market rate, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA's notice says Mexico initiated the antidumping duty investigation on Dec. 4 on U.S. fresh apples shipped from January to December 2013.
Avocados from Mexico spices up football season with Guac Fiesta
Avocados from Mexico is partnering with Old El Paso during the prime football season and leading up to the Super Bowl with its Guac Fiesta campaign. Launching nationwide and running from Dec. 16, 2014 to Feb.
Honeybear Brands gears up to launch new apple variety this holiday season
With the holidays fast approaching, Honeybear Brands — the marketing division of Wescott Agri-Products, a grower, producer and distributor of premium apples and pears — is gearing up to bring consumers a new apple variety, as well as its classic fan favorites.
“We were the first company growing Honeycrisp in Washington state over 20 years ago and you can still expect the best Honeycrisp from our company throughout the holiday season,” said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for the Elgin, MN-based company.
Giorgio Fresh prepping for business crunch that the winter holidays present
“We see that each market we service has different consumer demands based on a variety of options for holiday meals,” said Bill Litvin, vice president of sales and national account manager for Giorgio Fresh, headquartered in Temple, PA. “Historically, we have seen an overall increase in mushroom product sales throughout the winter holidays as consumers see mushrooms as a prominent side dish to complement their holiday meals.”
NWPB restructures following departure of Gordon Hunt
The National Watermelon Promotion Board announced that Gordon Hunt, director of marketing and communications, has left the organization after a 10-year tenure with watermelon and a career in produce to take a position as managing director of a new Southeast Asian-oriented company. This change prompted the NWPB to rebalance its resources and implement a significant restructuring.
Fairway Market founder announces retirement
Howard Glickberg, who took his grandfather's fruit and vegetable stand on 74th and Broadway in New York City and built it into the iconic Fairway Market, with 15 locations across the tri-state New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region, will retire from the company effective immediately.
The announcement was made by Jack Murphy, Fairway Market's chief executive officer, who added that Glickberg would remain on the company's board.
White House announces departure of Sam Kass
Sam Kass, executive director of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, is stepping down from his position at the White House as of the end of December. In addition to his role with Let's Move!, Kass was the first-ever White House senior policy advisor on nutrition and personal chef to the First Family.
Kass will remain engaged with the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative and the continuing effort to advance childhood nutrition. His successor will be named in the new year.