Mastronardi Produce helps children by leading through example
Children and parents continue to benefit from the high level of commitment Mastronardi Produce Ltd. embraces when it comes to healthful eating and lifestyles. “As a family company, we believe in the importance of healthy lifestyles and leading by example,” Paul Mastronardi, the company’s president and chief executive officer, told The Produce News. “Our goal is to share our passion for flavor with families everywhere and to encourage healthy living through the consumption of fresh, greenhouse-grown produce.
Weather takes toll on 2014 Rocky Ford cantaloupe volume
Despite some recent hail storms and difficult spring weather in southwestern Colorado, Rocky Ford cantaloupe producers are expecting to harvest an overall volume of the signature fruit that is comparable to last season.
Uruguay citrus joins Oppy lineup
Sweet citrus snacks are abundant now at Oppy, as the marketer adds fruit from Uruguay to its summer offerings.
California growers expect large crop of quality grapes, despite challenges
It is not easy being a farmer anywhere, and it has certainly not been easy in recent years to be a grape grower in California in the face of a plethora of challenges, ranging from drought exacerbated by government-imposed limitations on agricultural water use to rising labor costs and a maze of ever-intensifying regulatory pressures.
Yet thus far, California grape growers have been able to meet the challenges and turn out ever-increasing volumes of high-quality grapes in an expanding array of varieties.
Cub Foods and Robinson Fresh team up for world-record attempt
Records are meant to be broken, which is why Cub Foods and Robinson Fresh have teamed up to top the Guinness World Record for largest fruit display.
Sun World-Farm Star Living partnership
Sun World, a grower, marketer and breeder of fresh fruit, announced its partnership with Farm Star Living, a national lifestyle brand that celebrates American farming, farm-fresh foods and the farm-to-table food movement.
“We are thrilled to have Sun World onboard as Farm Star Living’s exclusive grape sponsor," Farm Star Living Founder Mary Blackmon said in a press release. "You truly can taste the difference in their grape varieties and we’re excited to help educate consumers about that difference."
Fresno Food Expo new date a huge success
The 2014 Fresno Food Expo, held on Thursday, July 24, featured 126 food and beverage companies from the Joaquin Valley. Participants had the opportunity to meet with 700 pre-qualified regional, national and international foodservice and retail buyers, restaurant chefs and institutions, as well as more than 1,000 members of the public looking to support local business.
Jodi Carkner joins Awe Sum Organics
Santa Cruz, CA-based Awe Sum Organics announced that Jodi Carkner joined its team on July 21.
Prior to joining Awe Sum Organics, Carkner worked with CF Fresh for 10 years where she focused on export sales of organic produce. Most recently, she worked for Northwest Farm Credit Service helping farmers secure funding.
Basciani starts new blackberry farm
Fred Recchiuti, general manager of Basciani Mushroom Farms in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News that the company has begun a new venture into producing blackberries.
“We haul berries for some other companies,” explained Recchiuti. “Over time we’ve learned about berry programs, including that there is an import gap on blackberries in July and August. We decided to start a small blackberry farm to help fill this gap.”
Taylor Fresh and Green Giant Fresh launch national promotion
Taylor Farms Retail and Green Giant are shining a spotlight on value-added fresh-cut vegetables this summer. The national promotion features 55-cent instant redeemable coupons for select Green Giant Fresh cut vegetables and QR codes to enter into an exciting summer sweepstakes.