Piazza Produce expands product line
Major restaurant chains are all advertising based on special low-price offerings to attract customers, according to Pete Piazza, president of Piazza Produce Inc. in Indianapolis.
In challenging economic times, such promotions are a natural extension of aggressive competition, in the view of this veteran foodservice industry supplier.
Ray & Mascari in growth phase
A new tomato repacking facility in Lakeland, FL, has very positively expanded the operations of Indianapolis-based Ray & Mascari Inc.
Owner Rocky Ray said June 1 that eight months after the Florida facility was opened “it is starting to come into its own. It’s just getting up and going.” There were learning experiences and “trial-and-error” tests that have now cleared hurdles.
The 15,000-square-foot facility in early June was shipping five loads of tomatoes a week. Ray said the Indianapolis facility ships as many as 40 tomato truckloads a week.
Benny Hall & Sons wrapping up great Florida potato movement; heading to the Eastern Shore
“We plan to start movement on June 28 on the Eastern Shore, about a week to 10 days later than normal,” Benny Hall Sr., owner of Benny Hall & Sons Inc. in Temperanceville, VA, told The Produce News in late May.
“The wet and cold spring made for a hard planting,” he continued. “We struggled through it, however, and now the crop is catching up nicely. We expect the quality and volumes to be excellent this year.”
Laurel Farmers’ Auction Market moving into new age to better service customers
“This year we plan to start on June 11, working Wednesdays and Fridays only until July 2,” Calvin Musser, market manager for Laurel Farmers’ Auction Market in Laurel, DE, told The Produce News.
“Then, on July 7, we move to a six-day-a-week operation until approximately Sept. 5. Product is running a little late along the entire East Coast due to the cool and wet spring,” Musser added.
Thomas E. Moore says potato crop is catching up with good weather
“Our Eastern Shore potato harvesting in Cape Charles, VA, will start on about June 24 and will run for its normal month to six-week program,” Tom Cullen, vice president of Thomas E. Moore in Dover, DE, told The Produce News in late May.
Warming trend gives Cambridge growers chance to play catchup
The effects of delayed planting are being mitigated as growers see temperatures warming up for this year’s Eastern Shore potato deal. “Heat has caused the crop to catch up,” said Kenneth Gad, vice president of Cambridge Farms Inc. in Boston, MA. “I’m looking for it to be a high-quality crop with normal yields. The size profile will be fine.”
Cambridge markets reds, whites, yellows and russets. Production typically begins in late June and continues into August.
Dublin Farms proud to announce PTI compliance
“We are proud to announce that our PTI [Produce Traceability Initiative] system was installed this year,” David Hickman, vice president of Dublin Farms Inc. in Horntown, VA, told The Produce News. “The barcode system gives the GPS location of the field where every potato was actually grown, improving traceability on our products and keeping us on the leading edge of food safety.”
In 2010, the company was certified Good Agriculture Practices and it has recertified every year. In 2013, it was certified under the new GAP Harmonized audit.
Eagle Eye Grape Guys expects 25 percent increase in San Joaquin Valley volume
“We are pleased with how the year is laying out,” said Shaun Ricks, vice president of Eagle Eye Grape Guys LLC in Visalia, CA, a subsidiary of Eagle Eye Produce Co. in Idaho Falls, ID. “We feel we will be up about 25 percent from last year” in San Joaquin Valley grapes for the 2014 season.
The company will have new acreage I production this year in several varieties, including several new varieties. Much of that will be in mid and late season varieties. However, The Grape Guys will also see increases in two varieties for the early season.
Fruit Royale to have Summer Royals, Flames and Princess for early season
With an anticipated start date the week of June 23 for the start of the company’s grape harvest in the San Joaquin Valley, Fruit Royale Inc. in Delano, CA, Louie Galvan, a partner in the company, expected a smooth transition from its Mexican grape program, with no major gaps despite the Mexican season winding down earlier than usual.
Volume increases for Anthony Vineyards will include more Flames for early season
Anthony Vineyards Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, will have volume increases in several grape varieties in the San Joaquin Valley this year. Most of those varieties are mid-season and late-season varieties; however, “we have an increase in Flame acreage that will be affecting us in July,” said John Harley, vice president of sales and marketing.