Scotlynn partners with Canadian Tire for pumpkin program
The Scotlynn Group has been investigating alternative sales channels for its products, testing some items in a number of new locations. This year, the company will be selling pumpkins at several Ontario Canadian Tire stores, using a guaranteed sales program for the first time.
Noting the company has always focused on retail and foodservice, Scotlynn Value Chain, Inc. Executive Vice President Savvas Tsoukalas pointed out that the modern retail landscape is changing, as businesses broaden the range of items being offered.
Koornneef Produce reaps benefits of new products
According to company President Fred Koornneef, Koornneef Produce continues to enjoy steady growth in 2014. He named spreading knowledge of the business and a new complete packing line as key factors driving that growth.
The company specializes in greenhouse vegetables and local tender fruit. The packing line packages mini-cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers under the Koornneef and private label brands. Koornneef Produce has also added some well-received new products this summer.
WaudWare’s expertise in traceability drives growth
Brampton-based WaudWare is celebrating 25 years of steady growth in the software development field. The company has two flagship products focused on the produce industry: Produce Industry Control System and Produce Industry Control System for the Web. The comprehensive software offers everything necessary to run a business and is particularly adept at handling traceability and case labeling requirements. According to company President F. Charles Waud, that expertise is paying off for the business.
Ontario Produce Marketing Association growing membership
Ontario Produce Marketing Association has had a busy year engaging with regulatory issues, diversifying its Produce Made Simple website, delivering Quality Assurance Training seminars and collaborating with other regional associations on its “New Fast Food” posters. All the activity paid off as the association’s membership grew again in 2014.
Halton Healthcare Services receives OGVG’s first Local Food Week award
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers recently announced that Halton Healthcare Services/Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital site received the first OGVG Local Food Week award.
HHS is a multi-site healthcare organization and is comprised of three hospitals serving the communities of Milton, Oakville, Clarkson and Halton Hills in Ontario, Canada.
CPMA looks ahead to 2020 in semi-annual board meeting
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association held its semi-annual board meeting in Ottawa in mid-September, allowing participants to take a strategic look at where the organization is in terms of its current five-year plan and look ahead to the 2020 plan.
The event took place over three days and yielded some interesting results, including a change to the convention format.
U.S. threatens to revoke Canada’s Preferred Status under PACA
Tensions between Canada and the United States are growing over the issue of Canada’s lack of protection for American suppliers in the event of buyer insolvency.
Canadian companies exporting to the U.S. currently have the same rights as U.S. companies under the U.S. Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Trust, but according to a Fresh Produce Alliance press release, if reciprocal measures are not soon introduced in Canada, that special status may be revoked.
Connie Stukenberg rejoins California Avocado Commission as retail marketing director
Produce veteran Connie Stukenberg has returned to the California Avocado Commission staff full-time as retail marketing director. Stukenberg, who had worked on CAC’s merchandising staff from 2000 to 2009, then continued her affiliation with the commission as part of her own business consultancy, CS Sales & Marketing for Results, rejoined the CAC staff effective Aug. 31.
Central American Produce continues with new label
As Central American Produce Inc. shifts from its Mexican mango deal to the Ecuadorian deal, it is also continuing its label shift to the more descriptive “CAPCO” brand.
Sabine Henry, who is involved in tropical sales for the Pompano Beach, FL-based firm, said it began the shift from the “Mayan Pride” label to “CAPCO” to better identify the company name. CAPCO is an acronym for Central American Produce Co. and can represent all of the firm’s mangos, which it will do at some point in the future.
Generation Next: Ruiz Sales’ Rick Salinas strives to provide top-notch service
As the grandson of a farmer and son of two teachers, a strong sense of service was instilled in 25-year-old Ricardo (Rick) Salinas at a very young age — and it’s a quality he brings with him to the workplace every day.
Although Salinas admits he “accidentally” fell into the produce industry, he is certainly thankful he did. As the food-safety and technical coordinator at Pharr, TX-based Ruiz Sales, Salinas has found his passion and purpose through providing customers with the safest, freshest, best-tasting produce.