Papen Farms’ crops looking great, despite cold winter
“The past cold winter has most growers in the East running at least a little late,” Richard Papen, sales manager of Papen Farms Inc. in Dover, DE, told The Produce News in late May.
“But the weather has been good this spring and if it warms up in the coming few weeks, we won’t be too late. And the crop quality is looking real decent,” he added.
Growers need good crops in order to keep their heads above water today. Papen pointed out that the cost of everything related to production, packaging and trucking has increased.
Organics continue double digit growth
While organic products in the marketplace continue to experience double digit growth, they still only represent a small percentage of overall business, meaning there is much room for more growth.
That was the take away message delivered by a trio of speakers at a workshop sessions during the United Fresh Produce Association convention in Chicago, June 10-12.
Stemilt organic stone fruit line a national signature program
Stemilt Growers LLC has taken great pains to farm stone fruit for flavor and is proud of the fact that all its peaches and nectarines are organic. “This is a signature organic program in the U.S. for soft fruit,” Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl told The Produce News. “We have been organic for six years now, and it reflects in the balance and great flavors the fruit possess.”
Sixty percent of the company’s apricots are organic. “This organic supply is very popular, and we anticipate great demand for our product due to the quality and organic certification.”
Saven Corp. will have Oso Sweet onions from Central California through mid-August
Saven Corp. in Savannah, GA, specializes in flat sweet yellow onions marketed under the “Oso Sweet” brand for the retail market. The company is in the sweet onion business year-round, with U.S. production on the East Coast for eastern markets, the West Coast for western markets, and offshore to extend the season to 52 weeks a year.
Whatever the source, “we want to make sure our customers know that when they buy an ‘Oso Sweet,’ each and every onion is going to be just what they expect,” said President Brian Kastick.
Stemilt’s premium apricot season under way in Washington
Apricot season is under way for Stemilt Growers, one of Washington’s leading apricot grower-shippers. The company started harvesting and packing apricots in central Washington earlier this week, which is a week ahead of last year’s timing. Not only is Stemilt a state leader in apricot volume, but it also has a strong organic presence centered on growing fruit for flavor.
Gem Tomato says weather is now perfect for producing high-quality tomatoes
Gary Margolis, owner and president of Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales Inc., headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, told The Produce News that the company’s tomato crops in Michigan got a late start because of the unseasonably cool weather in early spring.
“We were delayed and concerned,” said Margolis. “But once we started moving and got the plants into the ground, the weather turned to what is perfect for growing conditions. The crops are catching up nicely now and we believe we’ll be on schedule.”
Value-added radishes prove successful for Miedema
A specialist in the fresh radish business, Miedema Produce Inc. in Byron Center, MI, is in its second season of marketing two fresh pre-cut radish products.
Todd Miedema, director of marketing for the firm, said the two “For You”-brand items are “Radish MatchStixx”-brand and “Radish Chips.”
Northampton Growers expects nice volumes and great quality, despite late start due to weather
“It was simply too cold and wet in the spring to get plants in the ground on time in Michigan this year,” said Calvert Cullen, president of Cheriton, VA-based Northampton Growers Produce Sales Inc., in mid-June. “Everything is planted now, and we’re now getting some really good weather there. We expect things to pick up quickly and that we’ll have nice volumes and great quality in Michigan this year. We will start harvesting around July 4, which is about 10 days later than normal.”
Duda’s Michigan crops running behind due to earlier weather conditions
“We are currently growing celery, corn and radishes at our Michigan operations,” said Brent Klamer, assistant manager of Michigan operations for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, headquartered in Oviedo, FL.
“All crops are running slightly behind schedule by about one week due to rain and cool weather in May,” he continued. “But they all look like once they begin they will be very good quality. Celery is the least affected because it is transplanted and the plants get a head start in the nursery.”
Rainy spring weather doesn’t dampen enthusiasm at Turek Farms
Weather during the past few summers has been challenging for farmers, and Jason Turek, partner at Turek Farms in Kings Ferry, NY, said 2014 is no exception. “The temps have been seasonal, but it’s still wet,” he told The Produce News in mid-June. And he offered a further perspective. “There was still ice on Lake Erie in April.”
Turek takes things in stride. “As farmers, we’re never happy,” he chuckled. The situation hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm, however. “We are hoping for a warm, long summer,” he added.