Dietz & Kolodenko pleased to see summer fruit begin
CHICAGO — After a record-breaking cold winter, the owner of a Chicago fruit house is especially pleased to see summer’s arrival.
Nick Gaglione, who owns Dietz & Kolodenko Co., a few weeks ago said, “It was a very hard winter for our customers, who had a lack of business. It was a long cold winter, even for Chicago. Now we’re starting to see summer fruit.” Chilean fruit was finishing and Gaglione anticipated the arrival of California summer fruit. “We are a fruit house,” so the summer is a key time for the firm.
Produce Pro continues to grow as a result of its diverse offerings
WOODRIDGE, IL — Over the last 24 years, a company that started as a produce industry accounting software supplier learned and spread its wings to become a preferred perishable software solution.
Marc Hatfield, Produce Pro’s national sales manager, said that Produce Pro now provides software for the complete produce operation, such as inventory management, traceability, pricing, routing, sales order entry, repacking, processing, picking, packing, receiving, reporting and related realms.
Heartland Produce Co. enjoys wide retail business
KENOSHA, WI — Chicago-area independent retail grocery strength is being capitalized upon by Heartland Produce Co., situated in a new industrial park, here, a few miles west of the scenic shores of Lake Michigan.
Heartland has operated from Wisconsin since 1994, according to third-generation family member Ryan Dietz, director of business development. His father, Bill Dietz Jr., heads the company, which operates from an 80,000-square-foot warehouse.
Vidalia onions featured in Applebee's new farm-to-table menu item
The Vidalia Onion Committee and Applebee's have partnered to bring consumers a unique summer dish that boasts Georgia pride and farm-fresh flavor with the introduction of the new Grilled Vidalia Onion Sirloin, part of Applebee's new summer menu.
Jocelyn Gerard joins Stemilt's marketing team
Wenatchee, WA-based Stemilt Growers recently added Jocelyn Gerard to its marketing team.
In her new position as regional merchandising manager, Gerard will be based out of the company’s Chicago office and will work directly with partner customers to develop marketing programs for Stemilt’s range of fresh fruit products.
Giumarra imports will satisfy domestic customers
Conditions have combined in a perfect-storm manner, leading to a quality pipfruit season for Giumarra Wenatchee [WA]. “Weather patterns were positive this season, aiding in producing high soluble solids and good coloring,” Sales Manager Jason Bushong said. “The conditions in New Zealand were very good this season, producing large fruit which is very favorable for the U.S. market.”
The company’s apple manifest includes Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Royal Gala.
Sweet Clover on track for Walla Walla Sweets and NW onion season
Kicking off with Walla Walla Sweet Salad Onions in May, Sweet Clover Produce in Walla Walla, WA, is moving full-swing into the 2014 Northwest onion season with mature Walla Walla Sweets in mid-June, followed by reds, whites, yellows and additional sweets in July.
Labor concerns loom for Michigan asparagus industry
Frost damage in west-central Michigan's asparagus crop is minor compared to that industry's labor concerns for the year.
John Bakker, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, indicated that there was significant frost damage to his industry's crop on the evening of May 16.
Coast Tropical’s Isabel Freeland: Low-ball players upset price stability
For Isabel Freeland, vice president at Coast Tropical in San Diego, it’s a matter of economics.
“We are holding the line. You just can’t sell a box of mangos that cheap,” she said. “There are people out there selling at any price — and that doesn’t help.”
Freeland was speaking of the mango market, which was around $3 per carton for the early part of May with some sales lower. She said just the carton and the transportation added up to $3 so there is no way a shipper should be able to be at a price less than that. “We just don’t understand it.”
Ciruli: Mexican mango production moderate through the summer
TUBAC, AZ — Year-to-date on May 5, the Mexican mango industry was 1.5 million boxes behind 2013. But, mango shipper Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of Ciruli Bros. LLC, located in Rio Rico, AZ, indicated that by May 15 Mexico’s mango production would have gained steam as the deal moved from southern states toward the north. While the gap from last year will never be closed, there will be greater production this summer, he said.