Wade Whitfield, former CEO of the California Iceberg Lettuce Commission, dies at 82
In early August, Wade Whitfield, who had a distinguished career in the agricultural promotion industry, died peacefully after several years of failing health.
Mr. Whitfield was born Sept. 8, 1931, in Newellton, LA, but grew up in Hughson, CA, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. He graduated from Hughson High School, and joined the Navy in 1951, serving for four years during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1955 and came back to the San Joaquin Valley where he became a grower or cling peaches, which mostly are processed for canning.
Local PMA Fresh Summit ideal for California Avocado Commission
The California Avocado Commission is putting plans in place for the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit that will be held in CAC’s “backyard” at the Anaheim Convention Center Oct. 17-19. With the venue so close to California avocado groves, CAC expects many local growers to attend the show and will have a grower in its booth to answer attendee questions about the growing practices of the fruit.
Veracruz-Philly ocean service is 'in the red zone'
"When you have a band of stubborn, bull-headed, determined entrepreneurs, they make things happen," said Fred Sorbello, who recently stepped down from his role as president of Ship Philly First.
Such a position is quickly driving a direct refrigerated ocean freight service between Veracruz, Mexico, and the Philadelphia port community.
Donio looks to double cranberry volume this fall
HAMMONTON, NJ — For the 2014 New Jersey fall produce deal, Frank Donio Inc. will be offering its usual extensive lineup of items as in years past, but the big news is that the company is looking to handle twice the volume of fresh cranberries than it did last year.
The company, a longtime distributor of a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables from both domestic and offshore sources, has handled a small volume of fresh cranberries in the past, but last year it handled what company President David Arena termed “major volume” of the popular red berries.
Durand-Wayland names VP of business development
LaGrange, GA-based Durand-Wayland Inc. announced Mark Adamczyk as vice president of business development.
In his new role, Adamczyk will primarily be responsible for supporting the Durand sales team and the company's desire to grow the business through the introduction of technology offerings, assistance on packinghouse and dealer initiatives and the identification of new market opportunities for Durand's broad line of proven packinghouse equipment.
AMHPAC convention looks toward future of Mexican protected agricultural production
Focused upon strengthening and sustaining its thriving industry, the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture, commonly known by the Spanish acronym AMHPAC, held its seventh annual convention.
More than 330 participants attended the Aug. 28-29 meeting, which was held in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, on the Gulf of California about 15 miles northeast of the famous resort town of Cabo San Lucas.
A Sept. 3 press release indicated that convention participants came from five countries, while domestic attendees came from 20 Mexican states.
Eastern Propak evolves to one of the premier repackers in tri-state area
Jeff Danner, general manager of Eastern Propak LLC in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News that the company is one of premier repackers in the tri-state area today. The company handles domestic and a long and growing list of imported fruits and vegetables.
“Our growth in the past five to six years has been nothing short of dramatic,” said Danner. “As a result, we have made multiple expansions to our facility to accommodate the additional business.”
He noted its growth is due to the increase in demand for the services the company offers.
Bland Farms planning smooth transition from Vidalia storage to Peruvian sweet program
Despite a late start to the season, the first Peruvian sweet onions from Glennville, GA-based Bland Farms LLC are already making their way to the U.S. market and the company believes it can transition smoothly from the end of its Vidalia storage deal into the Peruvian fresh market with little or no gap.
Shuman Produce Peruvian sweet onion deal has grown into significant part of program
In the late 1990s, Reidsville, GA-based Shuman Produce Inc. dipped a toe in the Peruvian sweet onion market, looking to expand on the success it had found with its Vidalia sweets. What began as a test drive, soon grew into a significant part of the program and Shuman has become one of the larger Peruvian sweet grower-shippers in the United States.
Fresh Insights: What every produce industry consultant and supervisor needs to know
From the moment you decide to enter the world of produce, you are being evaluated by someone. The boss, client, company and the customer all have a stake in your performance.
What is that individual’s opinion of you? Perhaps you are one of the brazen souls who believe it does not matter what others think of you. Nothing could be further from the truth. The future of the organization you represent hangs on the spirit you bring to it.