Normal California kiwifruit crop expected as light Chilean season wraps up
The board of directors of the California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee, in a meeting July 23, approved an estimate for the total volume of California kiwifruit expected to be marketed from the 2014 harvest in the range of 6.8 million to 7 million seven-pound tray equivalents.
In context, that would be considered “a normal production year,” according to Nick Matteis, assistant director of the committee.
FDA rolls out four food-safety proposals under the Food Safety Modernization Act
WASHINGTON — Early this morning, the Food & Drug Administration released four rewrites of the Food Safety Modernization Act rules, including some critical water quality and testing changes advocated by the industry to make produce safety regulations more workable.
Stakeholders will have 75 days to dig deep into hundreds of pages of regulations on produce safety, preventive controls for human and animal food, and the new Foreign Supplier Verification Program for importers.
Fall mangos will be sourced largely from Brazil and Ecuador
With Mexico ending a bit early, Brazil and then Ecuador will be the main sources for mango supplies for the last third of the 2014 calendar year.
Typically, Mexico lasts well into September overlapping the Brazilian deal, which usually gets underway in August and has an eight- to 10-week shipping window before greater volume from Ecuador hits the market in late October and early November.
But this year cold August weather from Mexico to South America resulted in an early end to the Mexican deal and a late start for Brazil.
California date harvest running one to two weeks early with good quality
“The crop is starting early this year,” said Lori Cooper, manager of the California Date Administrative Committee in Indio, CA, in an interview with The Produce News Sept. 3. It is running anywhere from seven days to 14 days ahead of normal, “depending on where you are in the valley.”
L&M hires Craig Barnes, promotes Donna Feltrup
L&M’s Washington state team announced the hire of Craig Barnes as sales specialist and the promotion of Donna Feltrup to the position of sales manager on Sept. 9.
Barnes brings experience in wholesale and domestic retail sales, along with specific expertise in export sales to the L&M team. He was previously with Rainier Fruit and has been in the produce industry since 2010.
Stellar kiwifruit ready to roll in early October
Stellar Distributing Inc. anticipates beginning its California kiwifruit harvest around Oct. 3 with an ending date in early November.
The company, headquartered in Madera, CA, provides its customers with a mix of fruit that includes kiwi, limes, grapes, figs, pomegranates, persimmons and chestnuts.
Western Fresh waits for ‘proper sugars’ to ensure great-tasting kiwifruit
As with many commodities, the California kiwifruit season is running early this year. But Chris Kragie, deciduous fruit manager at Western Fresh Marketing in Madera, CA, is of the opinion that some shippers are pushing to get the fruit off the vines and in the market before it is really ready.
Retailers respond to ‘eat brighter!’ with resounding support
More than 40 retailers — representing more than 19,000 stores across the United States and Canada — support the ‘eat brighter!’ movement, and the fresh produce marketing initiative is growing both in support and offerings.
Current foodservice trends are indicators for future retail mango movement
Jose Rossignoli, category general manager at Robinson Fresh, said future trends for mango movement at retail can be anticipated based upon current trends in the foodservice sector.
Bi-Lo banners partner with Katie's Krops and Radio Disney
This fall BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores have joined Katie’s Krops to inspire parents and children to lead healthier lifestyles by eating more fresh produce. From Sept. 10 to Oct.