Annual fundraiser for Ag Against Hunger raises over $14,000
Ag Against Hunger coordinates an annual fundraiser called the "New York Express" every October, and this year a truckload of donated Iceberg lettuce, celery and cauliflower from Salinas, CA, was sold at Hunt's Point in New York City, raising $14,034 for the Salinas-based non-profit.
D’Ottavio and Oakes: Product ‘absolutely beautiful’ for new venture’s first harvest
When Vineland, NJ-based M. D’Ottavio Produce Inc. and Immokalee, FL-based Oakes Farms announced at the end of September that they would be working together for the 2014-15 Florida produce season, farming over 600 acres in Immokalee, they obviously could not predict the exact harvest dates of their first crops or how those crops would look.
Now they can.
Two of the principal executives in both companies provided exactly that information, and more, in exclusive interview Oct. 30 with The Produce News.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods touts Florida advantage — faster, fresher, fewer food miles
“As a multi-regional, multi-state business with production and shipping locations in Florida, California, Arizona and Michigan, Duda Farm Fresh Foods can provide its customers in the Midwest, Southeast and Eastern markets with the fastest delivery, freshest quality produce and fewest food miles traveled,” said Eastern vegetable sales manager for the company, Jason Bedsole. “Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Florida advantage is a win-win situation for its customers, produce consumers and for the environment.”
Brooks Tropicals’ produce items keep company busy and customers satisfied throughout the fall season
“We’re past our summer peak, but we will have normal volumes of our popular ‘SlimCado’ avocados through January,” Bill Brindle, vice president of sales and marketing for Brooks Tropicals, headquartered in Homestead, FL, said in late October. “The quality and sizing continue to be excellent.”
Peter Leifermann, director of sales for the company added, “Passion fruit is coming on strong. Our volumes will triple in November and then double in December.
COI members test high percentage of Treasure Valley onion acres
The number of onion production acres in the Treasure Valley being tested for members of Certified Onions Inc. is a strong indicator of just how seriously food-safety concerns are taken.
“We have an estimated 20,500 acres in the valley,” President Kay Riley, who is also general manager of Snake River Produce Co. in Nyssa, OR, told The Produce News. “They’ve tested 86 percent of this acreage.”
Yuma lemons could be perfect complement for desert veggies
It’s that time of the year when buyers send their trucks down to the California and Arizona desert looking for fall and winter vegetables to fill wet racks back home.
Getting to-and-fro; the best and safest ways in New York City
The Javits Center is located at the far west side of Manhattan, with the West Side Highway and Hudson River at its back. It is several “long blocks” (as New York City folk tend to refer to the east-west avenues) from midtown and most hotels. If you like to walk, you’ll enjoy the sprint.
A.J. Trucco out in front with newly updated ‘KiwiStar’ kiwi fruit relaunch
“We are very excited to be exhibiting at the New York Produce Show again this year,” said Nick Pacia, president of A.J. Trucco, commonly referred to as “Trucco,” located at Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY. “We’ll be at Booth Nos. 413-417 this year at the show. Trucco is thrilled to announce the relaunch of its ‘KiwiStar’ brand. ‘KiwiStar’ has been on the market for almost 15 years, and has recently undergone a complete rebranding with an updated logo, a new design and innovative packaging.”
Kurt Zuhlke & Associates to showcase full line of recycled PETE packaging at the New York Produce Show
Kurt Zuhlke, owner and president of Kurt Zuhlke & Associates, headquartered in Bangor, PA, will be exhibiting at the New York Produce Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center North Hall on Dec. 2-4. He will be at the company’s booth to personally greet customers and prospective customers at the event.
“Our line of recycled ‘PETE’ [polyethylene terephthalate] containers is a big hit with retailers today,” said Zuhlke. “They are assured when they see the ‘PETE’ emblem on our packages that they are getting precisely what consumers today are demanding; true recycled ‘PETE.’”
Baldor Specialty Foods says post-Thanksgiving timing is good for the New York Produce Show
“The New York Produce Show is a great way to have one-on-one time with customers all in one place,” said Bryan Patmore, sales executive for Baldor Specialty Foods, headquartered in the Bronx, NY. “It also provides us with an opportunity to meet with shippers to discuss logistic solutions.”
Patmore added that the post-Thanksgiving timing is a good time to hold the show, noting that the holiday time is always a good time to be in New York City, making it a win-win situation for everyone.