Former legislator gives update on global trade at FPAA convention
TUBAC, AZ — Jim Kolbe, a national leader supporting global trade, spoke Oct. 30 on that topic during an educational session at the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas 45th annual convention.
USDA appoints new board members to the National Mango Board
Agriculture Secretary Tom J. Vilsack has appointed six members to serve the National Mango Board. The appointees include four new members and two returning members, who will serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2017.
The new board members are domestic producer Philip W. Barton of Pescadero, CA, along with importers Greg Golden of Mullica, NJ, Michael Shawn Allen of Sugar Land, TX, and Joella Shiba of San Diego, CA. Also appointed were foreign producers Enrique Sanchez Ramirez of Nayarit, Mexico, and Oscar Orrantia Morla of Guayas, Ecuador.
West Pak scales up across all areas to help customers grow avocado sales
As the Mexican avocado season moves into its peak production period with a significant volume increase anticipated in the U.S. market for 2014-15, West Pak Avocados Inc. in Murrieta, CA, which has its own sourcing team in Mexico as well as its own packinghouse and distribution facilities, is positioned to enjoy the benefits of that growth in helping customers boost their avocado category sales.
Paramount to put $20 million behind top-selling ‘Halos’ Mandarins again
When Paramount Citrus Cooperative in Delano, CA, launched “Wonderful Halos” as a new brand last year, “we committed the largest marketing campaign to date in the citrus industry — a record $100 million in the brand’s first five years, with $20 million spent the first year,” Jasmine Hodari, vice president of marketing for Paramount Citrus, said in a written statement to The Produce News.
“In just our first year, we became the No. 1 selling Mandarin brand,” she said.
Wonderful Sweet Scarletts now available in stores nationwide
The makers of Wonderful Pistachios, POM Wonderful and Wonderful Halos are bringing its newest and sweetest sensation — Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Texas red grapefruits — to produce aisles nationwide.
Western Growers meets in Las Vegas
The Western Growers Association held its 89th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas Nov. 2-5. 2014 Chairman of the Board Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms California passed the gavel to incoming chairman Vic Smith of JV Smith Cos.
Smith assumes chairmanship of Western Growers Association, Pasquinelli honored
LAS VEGAS, NV — Vic Smith of JV Smith Cos. in Yuma, AZ, was elected chairman the board for the next year at the 89th Western Growers Annual Meeting, held here Nov. 2-5.
Other highlights of the event including Gary Pasquinelli of Pasquinelli Produce Co. being presented with the group's prestigious Award of Honor, and outgoing Chairman of the Board Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms California Inc. in Salinas, CA, challenging grower-shippers to be more collaborative and stop beating each other up over a nickel.
Delhaize sells Bottom Dollar to Aldi
Delhaize Group has signed an agreement with ALDI Inc. to sell its Bottom Dollar Food´s 66 store locations in the greater Philadelphia and greater Pittsburgh markets for approximately $15 million and includes the assumption of associated lease liabilities. The transaction is expected to result in an asset impairment and other charges for Delhaize Group of approximately $180 million.
Nature Fresh Farms brings living greenhouse to Royal Winter Fair
Build it and they will come has long been known as a motivational statement to generate new ideas. But for Nature Fresh Farms, building a mobile micro greenhouse and taking it to the general public has proven to be a consumer education success.
The Fresh Market expands its reach in Texas
The Fresh Market Inc. will expand its presence next month with a new store in Dallas, marking the company’s fifth store in the state of Texas.