Colorado russet quality excellent, says RPE’s Tonso
Potatoes are shipping from facilities across the country, and the russets grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley are “one of the better quality crops out of the continental U.S.,” according to David Tonso, manager of the RPE facility located near Monte Vista.
“Quality is excellent,” Tonso told The Produce News on Nov. 14. “The potatoes are just as good as last year with a better size profile.”
Adding to the enthusiasm for 2014’s season is the fact that “demand is crazy” in the run-up to the holidays, he said.
Associated Potato Growers experiencing ‘OK’ season
Despite several challenges, the fall red potato shipping for Associated Potato Growers Inc., is “going OK,” said Paul Dolan, manager of the Grand Forks, ND-based grower-packer-shipper.
“In the last couple of weeks” movement has picked up, he said Nov. 17. “Demand has picked up some.” But prices “are just OK. They are below last year by a couple of bucks, probably. We had to get down there to compete with russets.”
GloriAnn contributes nearly $40,000 in charitable donations
As the holiday season approaches, GloriAnn Farms and partner Five Crowns Marketing are getting into the giving spirit. After two months of promotions, GloriAnn Farms announced this year’s charitable contributions totaled just shy of $40,000. For the third year in a row, donations were made to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.
Santa Barbara Farms sticks with three core commodities
Iceberg lettuce, celery and cauliflower are the three core items that have kept California-based Santa Barbara Farms thriving since Ron Berghoefer opened the doors of his company in 1997. Previously, Berghoefer had managed another company’s local deal.
The company, which is headquartered in Lompoc about an hour’s drive north of Santa Barbara, has built its business around year-round supplies of these three commodities.
Iceberg lettuce is the firm’s top-volume item, and is joined by cauliflower and celery on the sales sheet.
Volumes of the ‘Kiku’ apple are up considerably at Rice Fruit Co.
“Our volume of the ‘Kiku’ club variety is up considerably this year,” John Rice, president of Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, told The Produce News. “We are getting close to our marketing quota, which means that we have a nice supply of this outstanding apple variety this season. Under our licensing agreement, we’re permitted to sell 100,000 packed boxes annually, and this year we are up to about 75,000.”
Whole Foods names Bill Jordan its Rocky Mountain region president
Whole Foods Market has named Bill Jordan its president of the Rocky Mountain region, effective immediately.
North America continues to be the largest market for Chile
If a retailer is selling blueberries, grapes or stone fruit — such as peaches, plums and nectarines — during the winter months, chances are the fruit is from Chile, said Karen Brux, managing director of the San Carlos, CA-based Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, North America. “As the largest fruit exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile exports more than 800,000 tons of fruit to the U.S. annually, and over half of that is supplied during our winter months. Consumers expect their retailers to have year-round supplies of their favorite fruits, and Chile makes it possible.”
Oppy's Anderson earns lifetime achievement award
At the 17th annual Friend of Chile Awards Luncheon, the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia honored accomplished business leaders, including John Anderson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Oppenheimer Group, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sunkist's Citrus Hack video series
Sunkist has developed a video series called Sunkist Citrus Hacks to inspire consumers to get creative this citrus season.
"The videos are a spin-off of 'life hacks' — the popular clever life solutions that have garnered so much online traction," said Joan Wickham, Sunkist advertising and public relations manager. "Sunkist Citrus Hacks teach tips and tricks that can help make enjoying citrus easy and, of course, fun.
Will Obama's immigration reform package serve as a catalyst for legislation?
WASHINGTON — President Obama announced sweeping new executive actions on immigration reform Thursday that will likely set up the White House for a battle with the Republican-controlled Congress, but the produce industry hopes it will serve as a catalyst for a legislative fix.
During his prime-time televised speech, Obama criticized the House for failing to hold a vote on the Senate-passed bill, which he called a compromise.