Gene Coughlin newest sales executive at Sunlight International
Sunlight International, the marketing arm of California grape grower Jakov P. Dulcich & Sons, announced a new member of its sales team: Industry veteran Gene Coughlin will join Sunlight as its newest sales executive.
Wish Farms' consumer program features recipe videos
Wish Farms is offering a year-round supply of conventional and organic strawberries and blueberries. With the Florida strawberry season completed, focus has turned to the California strawberry season and Florida blueberry season.
Wish Farms grows strawberries in Salinas and Santa Maria. This will be the first year of growing organic strawberries in California.
California blueberry crop shows volume uptick
California blueberry growers are tickled pink as they ramp up production for their 2014 season. Alexander Ott, executive director of the California Blueberry Commission, places volume in the neighborhood of 54 million pounds. "That's slightly higher than last year," he told The Produce News.
HLB Specialties celebrating 25 years in business
HLB Specialties has made its mark in the produce industry as a papaya specialist and distributor of other tropical produce items, but achieving that status was a process — and not an easy one at that.
HLB Specialties, based in Pompano Beach, FL, was founded by Homero Levy De Barros and is celebrating 25 years in business. He credits the success of his company to a willingness to take chances.
“We like challenges, and we don’t shy away from them,” Levy de Barros said. “I think that is what separates us from other companies.”
Washington asparagus growers off to a strong start
Washington asparagus growers have begun their 2014 season with a bang. "We had our first grower start the asparagus harvest on March 31, Alan Schreiber, executive director of the Washington Asparagus Commission, told The Produce News in mid-April. "We're off to a strong start."
Weis Markets investing $101 million in growth program
Weis Markets announced it would invest $101 million in its growth program in 2014. At the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Jonathan Weis, president and chief executive officer, briefed shareholders on the company’s plans and its results.
Apio launches 'Eat Smart' stir fry kits
Apio Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Landec Corp. and a leading national producer of fresh-cut vegetable products, has unveiled two new stir fry kits — the "Eat Smart" Shanghai Blend Stir Fry Kit and the "Eat Smart" Kale & Red Chard Stir Fry Kit.
Rebecca Burnworth joins Azzule Systems as PrimusGFS technical manager
Azzule Systems, headquartered in Santa Maria, CA, has announced that Rebecca Burnworth joined its team as technical manager for the PrimusGFS food-safety auditing scheme.
In February 2014, PrimusGFS released a new version of the audit when re-benchmarked to the Global Food Safety Initiative 6th Edition Guidance document. As a technical manager for PrimusGFS, Burnworth will be involved with the requirements of transitioning to this new 2.1 version of PrimusGFS, and then with ongoing development and expansion of the PrimusGFS auditing scheme.
'Snoboy' brand returning to marketplace
The famous "Snoboy" brand of fresh produce is returning to the retail marketplace after an absence of several years.
Amerifresh, owner of the "Snoboy" brand, announced the reintroduction at the recent National Grocers Association annual show.
Continuing tradition, South Carolina hosts April EPC meeting
PATERSON, NJ — South Carolina hosted the Eastern Produce Council's April 22 dinner meeting, the 43rd time the state has done so. "We thank them for their continued support," EPC President Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce, floral, seafood and meat at Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Markets, said in his introductory remarks at the meeting, held here at The Brownstone.