Setton Farms introduces Pistachio Chewy Bites in two-pack format
Setton International Foods Inc., a family-owned company based in Commack, NY, offers more than 1,000 different products, including nuts, dried fruit, edible seeds and other snack items marketed under the “Setton Farms” brand. In 1995, Setton acquired a state-of-the-art pistachio processing and packaging plant in Terra Bella, CA, and formed Setton Pistachios of Terra Bella Inc., which has become the second largest processor of pistachios in the United States.
Pacific AgPack opening Kennett Square warehouse
Pacific AgPack, headquartered in Watsonville, CA, is set to open its new warehouse in Kennett Square, PA, on Oct. 9. “We’re very excited to be in the area,” President Dave Baum told The Produce News. “The expansion into the Kennett Square location will support the local mushroom growers.”
Pure Flavor Bell peppers out of this world, on International Space Station
Pure Flavor has provided greenhouse-grown Bell peppers for the crew members of the International Space Station. These peppers will be part of the fresh food supply delivered on the Space X-4 cargo flight.
On Sept. 21, Space X-4 began its cargo flight from Cape Canaveral, FL, to bring supplies to ISS, including a list of highly nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables.
Atlanta State Farmers Market a hidden jewel for consumers
FOREST PARK, GA — Off I -75 highway in Forest Park, GA, is a unique stop: the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
Bring your walking shoes as it covers 150 acres and is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. It features a garden center, wholesale and retail activities, and is a major marketing hub and distribution point for fresh produce in the Southeast and throughout the country.
The Atlanta Market never closes. “It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Paul Thompson, manager at the market.
San Miguel announces expansion plans, including partnership with Herndon Farms in Georgia
San Miguel Produce Inc. announced a two-phase expansion of new and expanded growing-processing operations in both the east and west.
The Oxnard, CA-based company said its national retail and foodservice growth of nutrient-dense, specialty greens has made it necessary to expand its growing and processing operations two-fold to provide a comprehensive and strategic, farm-fresh, grower-direct, value-added greens program to meet the demand of its customer base.
Garden Cut launches new branding and label design
"Garden Cut," a brand of Indianapolis Fruit Co., has launched a new branding and label design for its pre-cut and ready-to-use products in retail stores. A new "To Go Snack" line of produce-based products has also been released during the launch. Starting Sept. 22, the newly branded Garden Cut products sold throughout the Midwest were available in hundreds of grocery stores.
Food Lion partners with Charlotte Hornets for hunger relief
The Charlotte Hornets have teamed up with Food Lion on a multi-year, multi-faceted partnership that establishes Food Lion Feeds as the official hunger-relief partner of the Charlotte Hornets. The two organizations tipped off the partnership at Highland Renaissance Academy in Charlotte, NC, by distributing more than 9,500 meals to 300 school families with the help of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina's mobile food pantry.
Organic heirloom apple season begins at Frieda's
Frieda's Organic Heirloom Apples are now available from Frieda's Specialty Produce. These 15 varieties of organic heirloom apples are available in short bursts throughout the season. Due to the short season and limited availability, most retailers and distributors pre-book theirs months in advance.
Watson reflects on time with mangos as new NMB exec joins team
Earlier this month, the National Mango Board named Manuel Michel to be the next executive director of the marketing and research commodity group. By any measure, he has big shoes to fill.
Michel, who most recently provided regulatory oversight to several federal government commodity programs as a marketing order specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Order & Agreement Division, will become the board’s second executive director, replacing William Watson, who has been the top staff member of the board since its inception almost a decade ago.
Baldor D.C. off to a strong start and expanding rapidly
Baldor Specialty Foods, headquartered in the Bronx, NY, officially opened its Jessup, MD, distribution facility in February of this year.
Bill Hodge, general manager of the facility, told The Produce News that business has been very positive since its start.
“We are enjoying a tremendous amount of growth, our product mix is strong and we have the ability to hold inventory,” said Hodge. “Our customers are being satisfied in a timely fashion.”