Naturipe builds berry-processing facility in Southeast
MBG Marketing held a grand opening ceremony for its new fresh and value-added blueberry facility July 16 in Alma, GA. There were more than 250 people in attendance between MBG and Naturipe staff, grower-members, business and community leaders, and local and state dignitaries, including Peggy Murphy, mayor of Alma, and Georgia State House Representative Chad Nimmer.
Stop & Shop celebrating local produce through various events
With summer in full swing and fresh fruits and vegetables in season, Stop & Shop is telling its customers that there is no better time to stock up and enjoy locally grown produce.
In partnership with more than 41 farmers, an array of farm fresh produce grown within nearby communities can now be found at all Stop & Shop stores. Among the popular local produce items that are currently in season and available at Stop & Shop include corn, tomatoes, green beans, mushrooms, squash, blueberries, cucumbers and green peppers.
Danner named president of Premier Produce
Scott Danner, a produce industry veteran who recently left Liberty Fruit in Kansas City, KS, after a 10-year stint, was named president of Pembroke Park, FL-based Premier Produce.
Study shows traditional grocery stores receive high marks in brand equity
The 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend (EQ) study, which measures brand equity for more than 1,500 brands across 170 categories, finds traditional grocery store brands rank highest overall in three of the four regions surveyed. The EQ index examines three key factors of brand equity: familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.
Bland Farms sweet potatoes join Vidalia Brands lineup along with new value-added sweet onion products
Delbert Bland is an onions and potatoes kind of guy; wife and business partner Sandra Bland is the dreamer of the two, thinking of new ways to put what her husband grows and markets to use.
And while Bland Farms LLC of Glennville, GA, has become a famous name in the onion world, its subsidiary Vidalia Brands is shaking things up on the value-added and processed side, with a lineup including condiments, dressings, dips, toppings, frozen items, potato chips and snack foods.
Robinson Fresh to discuss rebranding, foodservice innovations
Representatives from C.H. Robinson and the company’s newly rebranded produce division, Robinson Fresh, will talk about innovations in the foodservice arena during this year’s Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo at Booth No. 75.
Ruby Fresh to unveil new Jewels pomegranate arils cup line
Fresh off the production line, Ruby Fresh announced an entire new line of Ruby Fresh Jewels Pomegranate Aril cups, available in four- and 5.3-ounce grab-and-go snack cups in a handy two- and four-pack. The line will make its debut at the PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA
Atlanta’s Nickey Gregory Co. hires industry veteran Andrew Scott
Produce industry veteran Andrew Scott has joined The Nickey Gregory Co. LLC, headquartered in Forest Park, GA, as vice president of marketing and business development.
Nickey Gregory Co. has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, adding a second warehouse in Miami, a dedicated tomato operation in College Park, GA, and multiple expansions of its headquarters on the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
Veracruz-Philadelphia seaport alliance is suddenly on a fast track
A July 16-18 trade meeting to develop a weekly, direct ocean shipping line between the seaports of Veracruz, Mexico, and Philadelphia exceeded the expectations of many involved. This service might begin as early as the first quarter of 2015, according to Fred Sorbello, who recently stepped down from his role as president of Ship Philly First.
Ahead of apple harvest, N.Y. apple group launches consumer website
With start of the 2014 New York state apple harvest just weeks away, New York state apple fans have a great new source for apple information at their fingertips: NYAppleCountry.com.