Union Pacific Railroad Welcome Reception
Industry members gathered at the Union Pacific Railroad Welcome Reception, which was held on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Idaho Grower Shipper Association convention in Sun Valley, ID. This is the association's 86th annual convention.
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Lindsay Martinez joins Houweling’s marketing department
Houweling’s Tomatoes has added Lindsay Martinez to its marketing department in the newly created position of brand manager. Martinez brings 20 years of experience in the produce industry to the job. She was previously the director of marketing for Boskovich Farms in Oxnard, CA.
Michigan Apple Committee rolling out several promotions
The Michigan Apple Committee will have “a great promotion this fall for all of the major retailers,” according to Diane Smith, the executive director of the organization, which is based in Lansing, MI.
Pink Lady apples coming on for Riveridge
By 2016, Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc., headquartered in Sparta, MI, will be a supplier of Pink Lady apples.
Don Armock, president and partner of Riveridge, said Aug. 12, “We and our partners have started planting a strain of Pink Lady that matures three weeks earlier than the standard.”
The earlier strain apparently has all of the positive characteristics that have quickly brought Pink Lady to accounting for what Armock said is seven percent of national apple sales.
QPMA convention ushers in positive change
The Quebec Produce Marketing Association held its 67th annual convention in scenic Charlevoix, Québec, at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu Aug. 21-24. Under the umbrella theme “People at the Heart of the Industry,” over 500 guests attended the banquet and attendees enjoyed networking events, business sessions, meetings and motivational speeches.
Simonian Fruit Co.’s pomegranates begin shipping Sept. 1
With fresh pomegranates expected to harvest about seven to 10 days earlier than normal this year, Simonian Fruit Co. plans to ship early-season varieties starting Sept. 1. Shipping under the "SIMCO" brand, Simonian is one of the more experienced pomegranate grower-shippers in the industry, with more than 35 years of handling the autumn fruit.
The first variety to ship will be the Urbanekgranate, a proprietary variety to Simonian. Other early season varieties include Smith and Early Wonderful. These will be followed by the most popular variety, Wonderfuls, later in the season.
Potato Commission extends Big Idaho Potato Truck tour two more years
The Idaho Potato Commission’s Big Idaho Potato Truck Tour has been so successful in generating favorable publicity for Idaho potatoes across the country during its first three years that the commission has decided to extend the campaign for another two years.
That announcement was made by Commission President Frank Muir in a presentation at a breakfast meeting Thursday, Aug. 28, during the 86th annual convention of the Idaho Grower Shippers Association in Sun Valley, ID.
Dole introduces Salad Companions just-add-lettuce solutions
Dole Salad Companions, a line of natural, just-add-lettuce salad solutions providing a total-recipe option in an all-in-one-package, gives consumers everything they need to turn their favorite, freshest greens into an exciting flavorful salad.
Michigan Apple Committee announces official crop estimate for 2014
Michigan’s apple growers will harvest approximately 28.74 million bushels of apples this year, according to the official crop estimate announced Aug. 22 at the USApple Outlook meeting in Chicago. This estimate is in line with the 2013 crop, which was a record size crop of 30 million bushels.
Lemmon: organics no longer a produce sidebar today
Chris Lemmon, organic sales manager at Robinson Fresh, said the organic category is alive and thriving.
“From a national perspective, organics are continuing to trend well as retailers become more expansive in their approach to this category,” he said. “In fact, fresh produce items account for 92 percent of organic food sales [according to the Organic Trade Association]. Previously, organic offerings were somewhat of a sidebar section in the produce department.”