Diversification positions Kingston for future growth
The family-owned Kingston Fresh has deep roots in agriculture, dating back to the 1970s when Dave Kingston, chief executive officer, transformed the former Hurley Produce into a budding success in the produce industry.
Tony Taviano joins B&B Imports
Cincinnati-based importer B&B Imports recently hired Tony Taviano to manage its new brokerage office in Visalia, CA.
B&B Imports, a sister company of Dave’s Specialty Imports, has served a number of retail and wholesale customers since 1996, and has played a supportive role in the success of Dave’s Specialty Imports.
Mexican exporters meet with Philly importers to discuss weekly liner service
Driven by Mexico’s expanding economy, 10 major fruit exporters from Mexico toured the Philadelphia Port complex and one of the nation’s largest produce-storage and packing facilities in Vineland, NJ. The exporters also met in small groups with 15 importers from the Philadelphia region — speed-dating style — in an effort to find the right business match for their perishable products.
Consumer study reveals top grocery stores
Trader Joe’s continues to deliver a grocery experience that leaves shoppers wanting more. A study of more than 6,200 consumers by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions, found that Trader Joe’s is North America’s favorite grocery retailer based on satisfaction. Publix and ALDI were ranked second and third.
Northwest cherries expected to hit 20 million-box mark
It won’t be long before cherry producers in the Pacific Northwest are picking and grinning. This year’s harvest is expected to ramp up early, and favorable conditions during the growing season are expected to translate to fruit of exceptional quality and flavor. Producers couldn’t be happier.
Kingston Fresh names new sales manager
Kingston Fresh has promoted Christie Sommers to the position of sales manager for the company's Idaho Falls, ID, sales office. Sommers has been with Kingston for over 16 years and most recently held the title of senior key account manager.
David Cook set to retire after 44 years in produce
David Cook, a fixture in sales of California strawberries, tomatoes and celery, is set to retire in June after 44 years in the produce industry.
"Everybody knows David," Tom Deardorff II, president of Deardorff Family Farms, where Cook spent the last 32 years of his career, said in a press release. "Whenever I am at events for United Fresh, PMA, WGA or other trade groups, people always ask about David. And when the trade press wants information about California produce, they call David."
Michigan apples finishing and ready to bloom
BENTON HARBOR, MI — For Greg Orchards & Produce Inc., located here, the 2013 apple storage deal was coming to an end by late May.
On May 13, Barry Winkel, partner and general manager, said, “We’ve been packing 10 hour days and for the last few Saturdays. But I can’t complain. We had the biggest year we ever had.”
Stellar to talk figs and kiwi at United Fresh convention
As May was winding down, Kurt Cappelluti of Stellar Distributing could hardly wait to get to the United Fresh Produce Association convention in Chicago a couple of weeks later.
“I’ll be talking Tiger figs and our other four varieties, as well as kiwifruit,” he said in late May. “Both of these items are hot — about as hot as I have seen them in my 28 years in this business.”
Fresh Insights: Employee development an investment in success
In today’s economy, companies are cutting costs and employee training and development programs are some of the first expenses to get cut. That is a big mistake.