Roundy’s George Hurst honored as 2014 Mango Retailer of the Year
The National Mango Board has honored George Hurst of Roundy’s Supermarkets as its 2014 Mango Retailer of the Year. Each year, the NMB selects four Model Mango Retailers, one from each region of the United States. All of these retailers are honored for their dedication to supporting the growth of the mango category. The winner was announced at the NMB’s Mango Industry Reception on Oct. 18 during PMA Fresh Summit.
Freshway Foods drivers inducted into Million Mile Club
Freshway Foods announced that three of the its drivers have been inducted into the company’s Million Mile Club, which recognizes drivers who have achieved 1 million safe driving miles with the company.
Walmart Canada launches Half Your Plate program
Walmart Canada has joined Half Your Plate, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's healthy eating campaign designed to get Canadians of all ages to eat more fruits and veggies to improve their health.
Chiquita terminates Fyffes merger, in discussion with Cutrale/Safra Group
Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced that its shareholders have not approved the revised transaction agreement with Fyffes plc. In early March, the two companies announced plans for a $1 billion merger, but at this point the transaction agreement has been terminated.
Chiquita now expects to enter into discussions with the Cutrale/Safra Group regarding a revised offer to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Chiquita for $14.50 per in cash. This is an increase from the previously rejected offers of $13 and $14 per share.
CAC announced retail contest winners at PMA Fresh Summit
At the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, held Oct. 17-19 in Anaheim, CA, the California Avocado Commission announced the retailer winners from its 2014 5-Star Performance Program.
CAC also hosted supermarket registered dietitians as part of the Produce for Better Health Foundation program, held a brunch for retailers and highlighted the significance of the California avocado label.
Maine Farmers Exchange wrapped up beautiful harvest
“We experienced a bit of a delayed planting period in both Maine and New Brunswick due to some rain,” Bob Davis, president of Maine Farmers Exchange, headquartered in Presque Isle, ME, told The Produce News. “But the summer growing season was very good. Some areas of Maine had a little dryer weather than others, but here in the [Aroostook] county we got more rain than anyone.”
Lone Star focuses on service
There are some things Trent Bishop, sales manager of Lone Star Citrus Groves in Mission, TX, and one of the company’s founders, just can’t control. One of those is the disposition of his competitors.
Community-Suffolk has gone super high-tech with new system
Tommy Piazza, partner, corporate clerk and executive in charge of potatoes for Community-Suffolk Inc., located at the Boston Market Terminal in Everett, MA, announced to The Produce News that the company has successfully implemented a new computer system referred to as an information technology infrastructure.
IPC launches new national television commercial
For the past two years, the Idaho Potato Commission's national television commercial has featured the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck and a perplexed potato farmer who can't seem to keep tabs on it and its fun-loving Tater Team.
Homegrown Organic Farms is back to ‘normal’ year in citrus after 2013 freeze
“We are really optimistic and excited about the upcoming crop because we are back to a ‘normal’ year,” following a shortened crop in 2013, said Craig Morris, a salesman at Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA.
“Last year as we came into the season we had a borderline crop failure with regard to Navels” due to a freeze on Dec. 5 and for several nights following. That created “a difficult situation,” he said.
“As it turned out, in the end of the year it wasn’t nearly as bad as we thought.” But the industry did not have enough supplies to meet customer demand.