FPFC plans 50th anniversary celebration
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council, which will be celebrating its 50th year in 2015, has revealed a new 50th anniversary logo that it will use throughout 2015, beginning with the annual dinner dance.
State Garden introduces new line of conventional cooking greens
State Garden Inc., a leading supplier of organic and conventional tender leaf greens, spinach and celery hearts based in Chelsea, MA, recently launched a new line of conventional cooking greens under its "Simple Beginnings" label. The packaged cooking greens are offered in nine-ounce bags in three different varieties: Baby Kale, Baby Spinach and Sauté Blend.
Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission excited about crop, new varieties, strong demand
“The weather in Louisiana has been great for this year’s sweet potato crop,” Rene Simon, executive director of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission, headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, told The Produce News in mid-August. “Overall it’s been a really good growing season for our producers.”
He said that the crop was planted a little late due to cool and wet weather, so bedding was delayed a little.
Alonzo reassures industry committee USDA audits will harmonize with FSMA standards
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture audits that verify produce meet Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices will be modified to meet the new food-safety standards coming from the Food & Drug Administration, a top USDA official reassured the Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee at a Sept. 29 meeting.
Benny’s Farm Fresh Distributing hires Brian Weiner
Brian Weiner joined the sales and procurement team at Benny’s Farm Fresh Distributing Co. He will be handling a full-line of commodities for the Chicago-based company.
Prior to joining Benny’s, Weiner worked for Get Fresh Produce in Bartlett, IL, for a little over a year. He has been working in the produce industry for 20 years.
MountainKing Potatoes rolls out bold, new display units to boost impulse sales, complement ad features
Texas-based MountainKing Potatoes has taken another step toward helping retailers boost impulse sales, reduce in-store labor and complement ad features with new, high-graphic display units including large bins for high-volume promotions, easy-to-install display wraps and smaller, yet attractive display-ready stack boxes.
Frieda’s purple snow peas creating color splash in produce departments
This summer, Frieda’s Specialty Produce once again solidified its reputation as an innovator in the distribution of more than 600 exotic fruits, gourmet vegetables and unique companion items with the introduction of purple snow peas from Guatemala.
“A friend brought them to the attention of Frieda’s,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Karen Caplan. “It’s a great color contrast.”
SunRain brings new and improved potato varieties to Potandon, other producers
Bringing to market new flavorful and unique potato varieties is a major focus of Idaho Falls, ID-based Potandon Produce LLC, and in pursuit of that objective, the company formed a subsidiary, SunRain Varieties LLC, also in Idaho Falls, “to do our seed production and hold all our varieties and also do grower seed for our production farms,” according to Melvin Davenport, president of SunRain and co-chief executive officer of Potandon.
Since its founding, SunRain has broadened its scope and now makes many of its potato varieties available to other producers as well.
Carl Victor Fields scholarship awards top $2.2 million
Ten years ago, Monterey Mushrooms renamed its scholastic achievement program the Carl Victor Fields Scholarship Awards in honor of the late Carl Fields, recognizing his passionate dedication and commitment to helping our youth.
PBH to host supermarket dietitians at PMA Fresh Summit
For the third consecutive year, the Produce for Better Health Foundation will host over 20 supermarket dietitians for a three-day educational and networking program, coinciding with PMA's Fresh Summit Oct. 17-19 in Anaheim, CA.