Retail View: Online sales small, but future could be bright
CHICAGO — It is difficult to gauge the effect online grocery sales might have on the nation’s brick-and-mortar retailers.
On the one hand, sales are projected to almost double in the next few years. On the other hand, that will represent only 3 percent market share by 2017.
Yet it is hard to discount the impact knowing that both Amazon and Google have set their sights on changing the way America buys groceries.
Fresh From the Start touting advantages of Maine broccoli
With this year’s Maine broccoli season set to begin in mid-July, Fresh From the Start LLC is eager to offer its clients high-quality product that offers advantages over that which is sourced from the West Coast.
Boris Manz joins Curry Fruit Chile SA
Curry Fruit Chile SA, based in Santiago, Chile, announced Boris Manz as its new general manager on June 30.
David Arena: New Jersey peaches are running a little late this year
The unusually severe and cold winter of 2013-14 set back the timing of many crops throughout a number of areas in the eastern United States, including New Jersey. Most vegetables in the state started a week or two later than usual this spring, and it looks like peaches will see a late start as well.
“We’re definitely on the later side of what we traditionally would be seeing,” David Arena, president of Frank Donio Inc. in Hammonton, NJ, told The Produce News June 30.
United Marketing Exchange under new ownership, Laughing Goat stores to open
DELTA, CO — The recent change of ownership at Hi-Quality Packing and its marketing arm, United Marketing Exchange, brings with it an expanded direction, according to company President Joe Davis and Chief Executive Officer-Chief Operating Officer Mike Gibson.
San Luis Valley 2014 spud acreage increased, fingerlings on the rise
ALAMOSA, CO — With potato acreage up 8.5 percent over 2013’s numbers, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee Executive Director Jim Ehrlich responded optimistically when asked recently about the 2014 San Luis Valley crop.
Lemons and avocados enjoying strong markets
In Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, lemons and avocados often compete for the same ground, and many growers produce both crops. For a good portion of the spring and early summer, those two crops also competed as to which had the higher f.o.b. prices. But as the summer wears on, both markets are expected to come off their highs, though they should remain strong relative to previous years.
Ambrosia test shows how consumers access information
Understanding how consumers utilize package information to access Web and digital information are key questions CMI is attempting to answer via a new test of the "Ambrosia" brand apple pouch bag.
Baloian Farms continues growth momentum
As a leader in West Coast pepper production, Baloian Farms has recently completed improvements to its packing facility. The facilities were completed just in time for its local mini-sweet, baby Bell, green pepper, red pepper season, as well as all repack and value-added packing operations.
Retailers can bank on bumper S.C. peach crop: Eubanks
COLUMBIA, SC — Supermarket produce departments can bank on an excellent volume of quality South Carolina peaches this summer, despite a cold snap that damaged early-season peaches in the state, said Martin Eubanks, South Carolina assistant commissioner of agriculture.