IFCO hits milestone: ships 1 billion RPCs annually
IFCO achieved a significant milestone this fiscal year: 1 billion annual reusable plastic container (RPC) shipments from producers to retail locations throughout the world. The record number represents more than 20 years of growth for IFCO RPCs and confirms the benefits retailers and grower-shippers continue to see from IFCO solutions.
Mann launches Snap Pea Sensations kits
Mann Packing is launching Snap Pea Sensations, proprietary vegetable kits developed in response to the popularity of complete kits and the growth of Mann’s signature sugar snap peas.
Illiana melon growers target 100 percent food-safety certification
The Illiana Watermelon Association, which represents grower-shippers from Illinois and Indiana, launched a strong educational program to ensure that its membership was prepared for future food-safety expectations.
Brad Johnston, chairmen of the association, along with many other individuals, helped lead Illiana’s effort with a weeklong seminar in March 2013. Those grower-shippers in attendance who did not already have a food-safety program were trained in the 2013 season. Many firms who were already certified also participated in that March program.
Ben B. Schwartz welcomes newest member to corporate fold
The unbridled enthusiasm of the young has a way of rubbing off on everyone at Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc. and that includes Chief Operating Officer Nate Stone. “This is a great place to work,” he told The Produce News.
After more than a century in the fresh produce business, the work environment at the company has just the right balance of a work-hard, play-hard philosophy to keep things interesting.
SPC holding charity golf tournament
BRASELTON, GA — The Southeast Produce Council's board of directors met Wednesday morning, June 17, at Chateau Elan, here, to conduct business, as SPC members arrived to take part in a silent auction that evening and to participate the following day in the inaugural SPC Charity Golf Classic, all in the name of charity.
Lipman acquires The Produce Exchange
Lipman, a leading North American field tomato grower based in Immokalee, FL, has acquired The Produce Exchange, a leading grower and distributor of quality produce. With operations in Washington, California and Arizona, TPE joins Lipman's national network of farming, packing, processing and repacking.
Kale-Brussels sprouts hybrid to hit stores this fall
A new vegetable will enter produce departments this fall: Kalettes, a green and purple offspring of Brussels sprouts and kale. The flavor of Kalettes can be described as sweet and nutty, combining the best traits of each of its parent vegetables.
Chris Nelson, Mixtec CEO, retiring
Chris Nelson, president and chief executive officer of Mixtec Group, an executive search firm in the produce industry, has announced his retirement from the company. Nelson will be succeeded by Jerry Butt, who will assume the role of president and CEO effective June 30.
Yuma Lettuce Days to sprout down on the farm
Yuma Lettuce Days will sprout up "down on the farm" in 2015. The annual feastival that celebrates the area's agricultural abundance will take place Feb. 28 and March 1 at the University of Arizona's Yuma Agricultural Center, a working research farm in the Yuma Valley just west of town.
Onion contracting can be good sales strategy, Owyhee Produce says
As the 2014 Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion shipping season draws closer and the industry looks forward to volume and excellent quality out of the Treasure Valley, some sellers and buyers have already planned for consistent availability by contracting supplies ahead of time.