Locally grown produce is key at Nicholas Markets
COLONIA, NJ — Locally grown fresh produce is a key item at Nicholas Markets, a three-store chain of supermarkets operating under the Foodtown banner in northern New Jersey.
The stores are located in Cedar Grove, North Haledon and here in Colonia. The Produce News visited the Colonia store in mid-May and saw first-hand how the company emphasizes the locally grown concept.
School nutrition, white potato amendments get green light at Senate Committee markup
WASHINGTON — A Senate committee voted May 22 on a compromise amendment that would help schools adjust to new nutrition standards but without allowing schools to opt out of the new standards that require more fruits and vegetables in school meals.
The latest vote comes just two days after a House subcommittee voted to grant the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture authority to hand out waivers if schools can demonstrate hardship in meeting the revamped nutrition standards. The issue has become a powder keg on Capitol Hill during the debate over USDA's fiscal 2015 spending measure.
Albertsons, Boise State announce stadium agreement
Albertson's LLC has committed $12.5 million over 15 years to Boise State University for the naming rights to the school's famous stadium.
The agreement secures Albertsons Stadium through 2028, subject to approval by the Idaho State Board of Education on June 18. This is a first for both Boise State's stadium and for Albertsons.
U.S. potato groups see opening of Mexico as great opportunity
The U.S. Potato Board and the National Potato Council announced jointly that effective May 19, "the Mexican government has implemented its final rule to allow U.S. fresh potatoes to enter all of Mexico. This action is part of a bilateral agreement that facilitates trade in fresh potatoes between the two countries."
For nearly a decade, fresh potatoes from the United States have been permitted into Mexico only along a 26-kilometer zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. They are now permitted in all cities in Mexico with populations of 100,000 or greater.
Produce Alliance expects continued growth, offshore expansion
CHICAGO — “I am very proud of the success we have had over the last six years,” said Joe Collier, partner and executive vice president of distribution and business development of Produce Alliance.
The Produce News recently interviewed Collier in the company’s office in a revitalized part of downtown Chicago.
“We continue to grow with the model that fits us. We have hired a significant amount of good, young talent in the last few years. That has helped shape us,” Collier said.
Anthony Marano Co. adds new organic department
CHICAGO — A new organic department is now part of Anthony Marano Co.
Strube looking forward to another 100 years of success
CHICAGO — “The last nine months have been very good,” Robert (Rob) Strube III said of Strube Celery & Vegetable Co., based here.
It was last summer that Strube and other fourth-generation members of the Strube family established a new business plan. Rob Strube, one of four directors of the company, became the firm’s new president. The other three directors are Rob’s cousin TJ Fleming, the new director of sales and marketing; Lisa Strube, the director of finance and administration and a longtime employee; and Sue Hunter, who heads Strube’s human resources.
Infinite Herbs expands facility
In recent months, the Chicago packing facility and warehouse of Infinite Herbs & Specialties has been moved to a location that is 3,000 square feet larger in order to handle expanding business, according to Camilo Peñalosa, the firm’s vice president of business development.
The firm also has distribution facilities in Miami and Boston.
Peñalosa indicated the Chicago operation is extending its reach to Kansas in the west and into Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Infinite Herbs has added an Indiana greenhouse micro-green supplier to expand its offerings.
Vega family business still expanding 60 years later
CHICAGO — A third-generation produce family is thriving on the Chicago International Produce Market.
Jose (Pepe) L. Vega said his father, Francisco Vega, entered the produce business as a grower in Mexico in the 1950s. In 1972 Francisco opened La Hacienda on Chicago’s old South Water Street Market. La Hacienda was a vendor of Mexican produce and Mexican canned foods.
In 2004, La Hacienda became La Galera Produce, which has enjoyed strong growth on the relatively new Chicago produce terminal.
EveryDay ethnic products and good service drive business
CHICAGO — “Ethnic items are our specialty. That is what we do and what we do well,” said Steve Chmelovsky Sr., the president and chief executive officer of EveryDay Fresh Produce Inc., located on the Chicago International Produce Market. In its product mix, “we are nicely positioned. We did that from the start,” when Chmelovsky founded the company 11 years ago. “Things are going very well.”