Fresh produce flowing freely into Southeastern U.S. ports
In 2013 fresh produce was permitted to arrive into Florida ports for the first time in several decades under a pilot program agreed to by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was a great success and today fresh fruits and vegetables are flowing freely from offshore countries.
Specialty crop grant earmarked by IEOOC for export market expansion
A $40,000 specialty crop grant from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture is being used by the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee's export committee to seek additional outlets for Spanish Sweets in foreign markets.
Potandon Produce a key sponsor for the Race to Feed the Hungry
The Idaho Falls Race to Feed the Hungry is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and Potandon Produce is partnering with Personal Best Performance, the event sponsor. As the largest monetary contributor to the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank, this event is critical to helping local Idaho families in times of need.
The Perishable Specialist now clearing Chilean produce strong and steady
“Fresh produce doesn’t wait for a holiday to pass before it gets on its way to its destination,” said Ana Ramos, co-owner with her husband, Frank, of the Perishable Specialist Inc., headquartered in Miami. “Delivering perishables to their destination in the best possible condition means that they must move as quickly and efficiently as humanly possible — and that’s what we mean to accomplish every day of the year.”
Gourmet Trading’s Chilean blueberry program will increase to fill growing demand
Gourmet Trading Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, handles conventional and organic blueberries out of Chile. The company is also a leading supplier of other year-round quality fruits and vegetables.
Chloé Varennes, marketing manager for the company, said that conventional blueberries from Chile will run from November through April this season. Its organic blueberry program runs from November to February.
Customized Brokers are experts at what they do
Nelly Yunta, vice president of Customized Brokers, headquartered in Miami, said that because the company specializes in fresh produce, a streamlined process is essential in the services it offers.
“Produce doesn’t have time to sit at ports so we work seven days a week to consolidate where possible, reduce paperwork and coordinate with truckers to ensure that products get to their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Yunta.
Golden Desert growing slowly deliberately
RIO RICO, AZ — Hot peppers and soft squash are on the expanding new product list of Golden Desert Produce LLC, which is located here. The hot peppers will be available from March through May.
The soft squash, available from December through February, will be yellow squash and zucchini, said Gabriel (Gabe) Nunez, Golden Desert’s managing member and sales manager. The firm is shipping “Golden Desert” and other squash brands.
Wholesum focused on shoring up vegetable segments
NOGALES, AZ — Eggplant is the current focus in the effort of Wholesum Family Farms Inc., to move to year-round shipping programs.
Ricardo Crisantes Sr., vice president of sales and marketing for the company, which is based here, said that eggplant is currently the “biggest gap” in the firm’s year-round vegetable vision. Wholesum is creating nine acres of a poly greenhouse to have eggplant from May until November. This will complement Wholesum’s current availability from December to May.
Del Campo Supreme rolls out new products
Del Campo Supreme Inc. has introduced two new packaged vegetable products.
Jimmy Munguia said the firm is offering new sweet baby Bell peppers in consumer bags, and a “T’mates” brand consumer-boxed cocktail tomato-on-vine.
SunFed delves into consumer branding
RIO RICO, AZ — A slow roll out toward consumer packaging and labeling is under way by SunFed Produce, LLC. The process began in October with new packages and brands displayed at the PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim.
Central to the efforts are the creative talents of Brett Burdsal, who was hired in August as SunFed’s director of marketing.