Progressive Produce expands in asparagus, organics and ‘Hollywood Fries’ potatoes
“There are a lot of exciting things happening right now” at Progressive Produce Corp. in Los Angeles, Vice President Jack Gyben told The Produce News. Among them is “the fact that we bought the asparagus business from Mission Produce and dramatically expanded our asparagus business.”
The company has also more than doubled its organic business over the past year and has, for the fourth year in a row, doubled its sales of “Hollywood Fries” potatoes, according to Gyben.
L.A. port truckers strike; dock worker talks on hold
Some drivers for three of the largest drayage companies serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach began “an indefinite strike” on Monday, July 7, as dock worker officials took a three-day hiatus in their negotiations with West Coast port officials on a new labor contract.
The effect of the trucker strike on the movement of cargo around the port complex of the adjacent Long Beach and Los Angeles ports was initially minimal, but the threat grew larger Wednesday morning after the drivers set up picket lines outside two of the main port terminals.
Unified Grocers names new VP of logistics
Unified Grocers Inc. announced that Vic Versino has joined the company as vice president of logistics. He joins the company from DVD rental kiosk company Redbox, where he was vice president of logistics and inventory, responsible for streamlining and automating distribution operations. Previously, Versino held logistics leadership positions with Supervalu, Kellogg and Martin Brower/McDonald's.
Peru a key asparagus supplier to the U.S. market
The Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association has released its 2014-15 category management plan outline for fresh Peruvian asparagus. It noted that fresh asparagus continues to be a high-volume U.S. import, with over 403 million pounds imported into the U.S. and consumed throughout the United States, according to the Department of Commerce. Peru remains to be a key supplier to the U.S. market, representing over 47 percent of the import supply and over 45 percent of the total U.S.
Capespan North America launches ClemGems
Capespan North America, a leader in supplying deciduous and citrus fruit year-round to North American retailers, club stores and wholesalers, announced the launch of ClemGem, the brand name for the company’s clementines and other easy-peeling soft citrus products.
Professional Produce adds organics, completes food-safety initiative
Professional Produce, located in the Los Angeles suburb of Vernon, CA, recently hired John McCormick, and is planning on handling organics, in addition to conventional produce, said President Ted Kaplan in an interview with The Produce News.
The organic program, which the company was “just starting,” will include citrus and “a few other items,” Kaplan added.
Prior to joining Professional Produce, McCormick worked for Muranaka Farms. Before that, he was with Ralph’s Grocery Stores for around 30 years.
Great West hires Todd Smith, adds melon and pineapple programs
Great West Produce Inc., a long-established distributor specializing in leafy greens and other vegetables in Commerce, CA, has diversified in recent years into other commodities.
Last fall, the company added a pineapple program and a melon program, and also hired Todd Smith to head up sales on the new melon and pineapple programs, according to Sean Villa, president of Great West Produce.
Smith is a 30-year produce veteran who was previously commodity manager for melons at Valley Fruit and Produce in Los Angeles.
Fresno Food Expo set to showcase San Joaquin Valley July 24
The San Joaquin Valley is buzzing with activity as one of the world's biggest produce supplying regions picks, packs and ships fruits and vegetables around the globe. The San Joaquin Valley represents over 69 percent of the commodities in California and is home to seven of California's top 10 agricultural producing counties.
Mexican border zone open for U.S. potatoes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service expected to recommence issuing phytosanitary certificates effective July 7 for U.S. potato exports to cities within a 26-kilometer zone along the U.S.-Mexico border after receiving confirmation from SAGARPA, the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, that exports to that zone will be allowed.
Ready Pac raising awareness about organic spinach sustainability
Ready Pac Foods Inc. sponsored a symposium on the sustainability of organic spinach, hosted by The United Vegetable Growers Cooperative. The event was held June 24 in Seaside, CA, and spotlighted the growing threat of Downey Mildew to organic spinach yields to help raise awareness within the industry and among fresh-cut produce consumers.