Tom Consalo expects good crop of New Jersey blueberries
VINELAND, NJ — At the end of May, Tom Consalo, vice president of The Freshwave LLC, was looking forward to the start of the New Jersey blueberry season.
Berries from the southern United States were showing good quality and strong volume, and barring any unforeseen weather problems, he expected a smooth transition to berries from the Garden State.
Sunny Valley’s ‘Duke’ blueberries expected to be as big, plump, sweet and juicy as ever this season
“An accurate assessment of New Jersey’s blueberry crop is that it’s on track for a great season,” Bob Von Rohr, director of customer relations for Sunny Valley International, headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News on May 26. “The weather has been favorable for producing an excellent and full crop. Timing of movements on the East Coast appears to be about five to seven days later than last season, which had a normal start.”
Von Rohr also noted that early indications are that growers will have a good supply of labor for harvesting this season.
A.J. Trucco adding New Jersey blueberries to its line as part of its goal to offer them year round
“We have been importing and distributing Chilean blueberries for the past few years,” said Nick Pacia, vice president of A.J. Trucco Inc., located on the Hunts Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY.
“This year for the first time we are delighted to announce that we will be offering domestic New Jersey blueberries under our own private label — ‘A.J. Trucco,’” he added.
The company also imports blueberries from Argentina. The newly added New Jersey program is a part of the company’s goal to offer the item year round.
Pleasantdale’s John Galaida looking forward to Jersey blues
HAMMONTON, NJ — New Jersey blueberries should begin “a few days” later than historical norms, and volume should be “better than average,” according to John Galaida, general manager of Pleasantdale Farms, here.
“I’m thinking of June 19 that we would start, and volume would begin four to five days later,” Galaida told The Produce News Wednesday morning, May 28, at his office here in the southern part of New Jersey. “That would be a few days later” than an average start to the season.
David Sherrod taking new leadership role at the Southeast Produce Council
David Sherrod, a well-known member of the produce industry both for his many years with Apio Inc. and for his work with the Southeast Produce Council, is making some important changes in his professional career and taking on some bold, new challenges in the next couple of weeks.
Fourth of July marketing a huge boost for California avocado sales
Promoting California avocado consumption for Fourth of July is a major initiative for the California Avocado Commission, which for the third year is providing marketing support to associate American summer holidays and California avocados. The latest consumption projection for the Fourth of July is 104.7 million pounds of avocados, which may surpass both the Super Bowl and Cinco de Mayo events in 2014.
Harnden's new company a creative resource for produce companies
Carrie Smith Harnden recently started a new company called Harvest Creations, which serves as a creative resource for produce companies, focusing on website design, package design and POS signage.
Associated Potato Growers' Jim LeQuire dies suddenly
James (JD) LeQuire, a sales representative at Associated Potato Growers Inc. in Grand Forks, ND, died from an apparent heart attack in Grand Forks on June 1. He was 66.
Paul Dolan, the manager of Associated Potato Growers, told The Produce News, “He will be dearly missed by all of the employees at Associated and by the growers and everybody else that knew him. He was the kind of guy that was full of life and loved people.”
Domex Superfresh Growers cherry volume sees jump in 2014
Domex Superfresh Growers anticipates good volumes of quality cherries for Independence Day retail promotions. “We are in-step with the industry numbers and will see an increase of approximately 40 percent over last year,” said Vice President of Marketing Howard Nager, who added that industry estimates are placing cherry volume for the Pacific Northwest at approximately 20 million boxes.
Muller expanding national business
LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Working nationally in the produce business from this scenic town north of Chicago is Muller Trading Co. Inc.
Sarah Miller, Muller’s chief operating officer, said, “We buy and sell all over the country.” The firm serves wholesale customers that are located throughout the nation, but Muller has a strong clientele in Texas.
Beyond that, most of the customers are in the eastern half of the country. Work is under way to strengthen the western customer base.