Renovation of S. Katzman Produce Hunts Point units completed just in time for its typical busy spring and summer seasons
Following a temporary move to adjacent offices at Hunts Point Produce Market, S. Katzman Produce Inc. didn’t miss a beat getting back to business. The fast move was caused by water and smoke damage to the company’s facility when a fire broke out at Mendez International Tropical Foods, located next to S. Katzman, last November.
LD Logistics’ Dichter says trucking costs high and expected to go higher
“Fuel prices aren’t higher this year, but rates have been strong the entire year,” Lance Dichter, president of LD Logistics, headquartered at Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, NY, told The Produce News. “This is primarily due to the shortage of trucks combined with stronger demand. We’ve seen rates get into high numbers much earlier this season. Prices peaked in April by about 20 percent higher than normal.”
Jerry Porricelli Produce: A steadfast wholesale firm with a strong background
“We are celebrating our 15th anniversary in business,” Ciro Porricelli, vice president of Jerry Porricelli Produce, which is located on the Hunts Point Produce Market, told The Produce News.
“But our family has several generations of experience in the produce industry. I named the business after my grandfather. My father, Angelo, took the company over from my grandfather. Dad turned 91 this year, and he still helps out in the office every day.”
Exp Group’s success based on handling every detail from grower to customer
Exp Group LLC, in North Bergen, NJ, is a leading grower, shipper and supplier of tropical products to the New York and surrounding areas. The company’s line is very strong on processed bananas.
“Bananas and plantains are our biggest items,” said Emil Serafino, vice president of the company. “We have numerous ripening rooms and we continue to add new rooms over time.”
The Exp Group uses numerous labels on its wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables.
R Best Produce continues on a strong growth curve since relocating to new facility last fall
“Primarily through our sister company, El Sol, located in Miami, FL, we are able to procure tropical produce directly,” said Jasmine Hines, director of marketing and advertising for R Best Produce Inc., headquartered in Port Washington, NY. “With El Sol we are constantly looking to provide a wider variety of tropical and specialty items.
“In addition, R Best is constantly expanding within the organic produce trend by working with companies such as Earthbound, Organic Girl, Driscoll’s, Dole and Cal-Organic to supply more organic options for our customers,” she added.
Divine Flavor pursues good-tasting grapes to regain category share
HERMOSILLIO, SONORA, MEXICO — "For 30 years, grapes have grown cheaper, not sweeter," notes Mexican grape grower, packer, shipper and exporter, Carlos Bon, a partner in Grupo Alta, based here, and its marketing arm, Divine Flavor LLC.
Chelan Fresh cherry season to kick off week of June 10, Orondo volume up
With the start of 2014's cherry season just weeks away, enthusiasm is running high at Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA.
According to Marketing Director Mac Riggan, early shipments will start June 10, and the season is expected to run through mid-August.
Inaugural year at Bloxom good for Magnaghi
Bryon Magnaghi said his first year as sales manager at F.C. Bloxom Co. has been successful. The company is headquartered in Seattle, WA, and Magnaghi is manning the office in Walla, Walla, WA. He brings more than three decades of experience in the produce industry and has developed a broad range of contacts over the years.
F.C. Bloxom began selling produce more than 75 years ago, starting with apple growing operations in Washington’s Yakima Valley.
Northampton Growers: Carolinas running late as is most of East Coast
Weather conditions not conducive to growing fresh produce on what is Mother Nature’s normal pattern seems to have followed growers up the East Coast since the season got underway. The Carolinas have been hammered with rain since around April 1.
On May 6, Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers, headquartered in Cheriton, VA, said the region had received as much as three to four inches of rain nearly every day since early April, which is highly unusual this time of year.
FPAA elects board members, chairman and chair-elect, honors member of the year
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas held its annual membership meeting on May 6 in Nogales, AZ. This year’s meeting had several significant highlights: Walter Ram, vice president for food safety of The Giumarra Cos., received the FPAA Member of the Year Award; eight distributor board directors and two associate board directors were elected by the membership; Matt Mandel of SunFed stepped into his role as chairman of the FPAA; and Gonzalo Avila of Malena Produce Inc. was elected chairman-elect.