Vignolo Farms and Top Brass Marketing announce new solar array
Vignolo Farms and Top Brass Marketing announced the completion of a one-megawatt solar energy system with REC Solar. The new solar array system will offset 75 percent of power needs for its cold storage facility while significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
The installation of the solar energy system is the capstone in the farm's comprehensive sustainability portfolio, which includes on-site recycling of growing materials, drip irrigation to preserve water and composting to enrich crops and reduce waste.
Shaw’s honors The One Fund with fundraising campaign
Shaw’s and Star Market announced that all 155 of their stores throughout New England will be collecting donations from customers to benefit The One Fund in honor of the organization’s one-year anniversary of providing assistance to survivors whose lives were changed by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon in 2013.
West Pak relies on key relationships to keep avocados moving
The California avocado industry as a whole is expecting a lighter crop this year following two heavier crop years in 2013 and 2012.
Southern Specialties expects smooth specialty pepper transition from Florida northward
In mid-March, Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News that the company’s Florida specialty variety pepper programs will run into May.
“Our specialty pepper lineup includes Anaheims, Cherry Hots, Cubanelles, Finger Hots, Hungarian Wax, Jalapenos, Long Hots, Poblanos and Serrano varieties,” said Eagle. “All our specialty peppers are packed in one-half bushels and in five- and ten-pound bushels, and are sold under our popular ‘Southern Selects’ brand name.”
GloriAnn Farms transitioning to California sweet corn
GloriAnn Farms is gearing up for its much-anticipated California sweet corn season. Over the next few days, the company’s sweet corn supply will begin transitioning to California, just as the Mexico growing regions begin to wind down.
Morada Produce: Solid grower base in every cherry growing district
In its California cherry program, Morada Produce Co. LP in Stockton, CA, is “fortunate” to have “a good solid grower base in every major growing district” throughout the state, according to Michael Jameson, who handles export sales for the company.
That provides the benefit of assuring a steady supply of fruit throughout the season.
For the early part of the California cherry season, “we have a lot of our own tonnage” from company orchards in the Bakersfield-Arvin-Shafter area, Jameson said. “We also have a number of outside growers in that region,” he said.
Consumer group calls on FTC to block Albertsons-Safeway merger
The national consumer group Food & Water Watch released extensive comments highlighting the damaging effects of the proposed Albertsons-Safeway supermarket merger on consumers and farmers. The group estimated that increased retail grocery concentration in the 44 markets where the two chains currently compete could increase consumer grocery prices between $900 million and $2 billion every year.
Grower Direct expects early start, hopes for full Bing crop in north
It was too early to know for sure, but as of the beginning of April, Grower Direct Marketing LLC in Stockton, CA, exclusive sales agent for O-G Packing Co., was hoping for “a full, promotable crop” of Bing cherries out of the Linden-Lodi area in the northern San Joaquin Valley of California, according to Jim Hanson, managing partner of Grower Direct.
“From all indications at this point, it looks like a nice full crop,” he said April 1. “I don’t think anybody is frowning on the Bing crop. They are probably pretty encouraged by what they have seen so far. At least we are.”
Spudmobile in the works for Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers
The much-anticipated traveling billboard for Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable industry, also known as the Spudmobile, is now well on its way to completion as the growers announce their partnership with two Wisconsin-based companies to finish the interior and exterior elements of the project.
CGS Premier in New Berlin and Cineviz in Green Bay both have extensive experience taking everyday vehicles and turning them into unique promotional tools that are fun and educational for those who go through them.
Keith Connell offers Yuma watermelons this summer
For a successful season, watermelon growers need to be in the market for the summer holidays, according to Mike Meyer, watermelon salesman for Keith Connell, Inc., in Stillwell, KS. “If you’re late or don’t hit peak demand, it really messes you up,” he said.
This spring, as usual, Keith Connell is planning to be in the market for the coming Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays.