Jack Brown Produce adds to staff
Jack Brown Produce recently added three new members to its professional staff: Maria Rivera has been named export sales manager; Tom Labbe has been appointed domestic sales manager; and Scott VanHouten will be responsible for logistics.
National Mango Board appeals to the processed mango industry
The National Mango Board hosted a free webinar about a month ago in an effort to familiarize importers of processed mangos with the group.
Vision Import Group specializes in year-round mango sourcing
Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group, headquartered in River Edge, NJ, explained to The Produce News about how the company’s mango program is organized so that it has year-round supplies of high-quality mangos.
The company sources from Central American and South American countries as well as Mexico.
“We are currently transitioning from northern Mexico, which is wrapping up with the Keitt variety,” said Cohen. “Brazil started about a month ago with arrivals exclusively into Northeast ports.”
Southern Specialties looking forward to increase in its fall volume
Though there is a gap in mango supplies headed to the United States in September, Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties expects its fall volume to be up as much as 20-30 percent this year.
“If you stop growing, you start dying,” quipped Martin Maldonado, a tropical fruit specialist for the firm.
Repeating what everyone else in the industry is saying, Maldonado said low volume and poor quality at the end of the Mexican deal has combined with a slow start from Brazil to produce the September gap.
Del Monte Fresh hosting third annual 'Go Bananas! Halloween Costume Giveaway'
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. is hosting its third annual "Go Bananas! Halloween Costume Giveaway" in an effort to encourage healthy eating and living during the Halloween holiday and to promote Del Monte premium bananas as alternatives to traditional Halloween treats.
Continental Fresh continues niche programs
Albert Perez, managing partner of Continental Fresh LLC, based in Coconut Grove, FL, said he has built the firm’s business by putting together several niche deals from various South American and Central American suppliers.
One such deal is with the “Suemi” brand of mangos from Brazil, while another involves cucumbers, watermelons and hard squashes from Honduras.
Early conclusion of Mexican deal leaves gap for Splendid
Splendid Products LLC of Burlingame, CA, is one of the leaders in the late-season Mexican mango crop, and then it plays a relatively minor role as production shifts to Brazilian product. It isn’t until Ecuador starts to ship that the company gets back in the deal in a major way.
Quebec Produce Marketing Association leaders highlight issues and successes
With a new structure in place, the last year saw a change of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association’s mission, stepping away from a focus on building the business network — as its strength has become apparent — and moving toward issues management and particularly government and public relations. The association implemented changes to ensure that top-priority issues are tabled appropriately.
Christmas again — naturally
Every year there are distinct and subtle changes in what the consumer will gravitate toward when decorating their homes for the holidays. This year, the change is less subtle and, in fact, it is more pronounced.
As we have seen throughout 2014, natural and organic looks continue to dominate demand in the decorative hard goods sector. Christmas will be no different. Not only will this be evident in the types of product sold this season, but in the colors as well. It appears that more muted tones will be popular, putting flashy and glittery looks on the back burner.
Potted poinsettias: Reinventing a timeless classic for savvy customers
The food industry calls it “pedestrian” when popular dishes become commonplace. Talented chefs then deconstruct, reinvent and re-name them, and suddenly the dish is popular again. They create a new trend, and sales increase. The floral industry is much like the food industry; trends come and go, but the classics remain, even if they must be reinvented every few years. The floral industry, particularly mass-market, has reached a point with poinsettias where it is time for a makeover.