Watermelon Night begins and ends with watermelon; helps home team snap losing streak
CHARLESTON, SC — In a game that began and ended with watermelon, the Charleston RiverDogs snapped an eight-game losing streak July 5 at Riley Park here by defeating the Rome, GA, Braves, 9-1 in South Atlantic League action. Watermelon Night, an annual event at "The Joe," featured the South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; a representative of the 2014 South Carolina Watermelon Queen; a watermelon-eating contest for youngsters; the ubiquitous RiverDogs mascots, Charlie T. RiverDog and Chelsea; a South Carolina Ghostbusters performance; and watermelon slices for fans.
Watermelon Night a success
CHARLESTON, SC — In a game that began and ended with watermelon, the Charleston RiverDogs snapped an eight-game losing streak July 5 at Riley Park here by defeating the Rome, GA, Braves, 9-1 in South Atlantic League action.
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Oceanside Pole vine-ripe season starts strong
The Oceanside Pole tomato season arrived right on schedule, just in time for consumers to enjoy the tomatoes during the Fourth of July weekend.
First shipments of the vine-ripes rolled away from Oceanside, CA, on June 27, following an excellent growing season for Southern California tomato producer Harry Singh Jr.
Michael Lacey named Market Fresh's national director of business development
Nixa, MO-based Market Fresh announced Michael Lacey as its national director of business development.
Fifth generation twin brothers prepare to take the lead at Buurma Farms
A fifth generation of the Buurma family is stepping up to eventually take over Buurma Farms, Inc., located in Gregory, MI, and Willard, OH.
Loren Buurma, company treasurer, told The Produce News that company president, Rick Buurma, plans to retire in five years. Bruce Buurma is first vice president of the operation.
This natural progression in time and family business has put the spotlight onto the next generation, which happens to be twin brothers, Dustin and Derek Buurma.
Van Solkema’s MI crop is strong, despite being late
BYRON CENTER, MI — The Michigan vegetable deal for Van Solkema Produce Inc. is progressing well, according to Todd Van Solkema, chief executive officer of the family business, located here.
The crops “are all about two weeks late,” Van Solkema told The Produce News the first week of June. He said Michigan cabbage shipments would begin about June 20. Squash harvest was expected to begin in mid-June. Radish shipments for Van Solkema started on May 28.
Living butter lettuce and upland cress are Hollandia’s main focus for foodservice
When Hollandia Produce LP in Carpinteria, CA, works with customers in the foodservice community, “we are mostly talking about white tablecloth establishments,” said Vince Choate, director of marketing, in an interview with The Produce News, June 24. “Most of the foodservice business we do generally serves that particular niche within the foodservice sector.”
The company’s “two entry points” with those establishments are “our flagship product, which is the living butter lettuce, and our Upland Cress product,” he said.
Southern Specialties growing and shipping fabulous specialty tomatoes
“Southern Specialties is growing and shipping fabulous specialty tomatoes that are perfect for all summer tomato recipes,” said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for the Pompano Beach, FL-based grower, importer and shipper of high-quality specialty produce. “Chefs can create unsurpassed dishes with a selection of our heirloom, baby heirloom, teardrops and yellow beef tomatoes.”
Continuity of supply, consistent quality and food safety are keys for Prime Time peppers
Foodservice is an important sector for Prime Time International in Coachella, CA, which specializes in colored bell peppers and mini-sweet peppers. The company has been exhibiting at the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA, “for maybe a dozen years or so,” said Mike Aiton, Marketing Manager of Prime Time Sales LLC. “For our business and for the type of people we see there and the things we are trying to accomplish, it has been a great show for us.”
Supreme Cuts looking forward to foodservice show
MAHWAH, NJ — As it has for many years, Supreme Cuts is very much looking forward to the Produce Marketing Association’s annual Foodservice Conference & Expo, scheduled this year for July 25-27 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.