Big Chuy working with new, modern Mexican packing sheds
NOGALES, AZ — The operations of longtime watermelon specialist Big Chuy Distributors & Sons Inc., moved a step forward this spring.
Chuy Lopez, Jr., the general manager of the firm, indicated that three of his Mexican shippers this spring are operating new state-of-the-art watermelon packing sheds.
“This will make it easier with sizing and weighing,” Lopez said.
Big Chuy will handle the same volume of seedless and mini-sized watermelons as last year, he indicated.
Midwest Best Produce to ship watermelons in early May
Midwest Best Produce, which this year has already begun shipping watermelons produced offshore, as well as shipping Mexican watermelons, is expecting to begin its Florida and Texas watermelon deals the first week of May.
Dan Pupillo Jr., president of the firm, which is based on the St. Louis Produce Market, said his Florida deal will be followed by Georgia and Missouri.
Missouri will begin about June 25 if the weather goes as expected, Pupillo added.
California avocado industry launches on-fruit branding program
The California Avocado Commission has launched an exciting on-fruit branding program that will clearly identify California avocados as from California and provide close linkage to CAC’s marketing campaign. Several avocado handlers will be applying the new California avocado labels to their fruit this season.
Southern Specialties is working from the ground up
“Our growing areas are highly diversified which enables us to offer a diverse menu of specialty products to our customers,” said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL. “We believe that it’s important to work from the ground up, and as a grower, importer, processor and shipper of specialty products we can bring these high quality items to our customers year-round.”
Babe Farms’ commitment to conservation a company hallmark
“Babé Farms grows a year-round variety of specialty vegetables including a spectrum of baby carrots, beets, specialty radishes, baby cauliflower, Romanesco, organic kales, specialty salads and a variety of specialty root vegetables,” said Ande Manos, marketing and new business development director for the Santa Maria, CA-based grower and shipper.
Allegiance Retail Services announces board of managers
Allegiance Retail Services LLC, a retailer-owned cooperative that provides marketing, advertising, technological and operational support as well as a full line of "Foodtown" private-label products, has announced the election of its board of managers at the company’s annual membership meeting, which was held at the Allegiance Headquarters facility, in Iselin, NJ, on March 18.
Elected to the Allegiance board of managers were Nicholas D’Agostino III, John Estevez, Christopher Evans, Daniel Katz, David Maniaci, Esmail Mobarak, Louis Scaduto Jr., John Shakoor and Michael Stolarz.
Atlas offering California dates certified Kosher for Passover
Atlas Produce & Distribution Inc., a grower-shipper of California-grown premium dates, is excited to continue to offer fruit certified Kosher for Passover.
"All our dates are Kosher year-round, but we take it a step further this time of year with Kosher for Passover certification," Robert Dobrzanski, president of Atlas Produce, said in a press release. "The fact that our Medjools are Kosher for Passover certified give consumers a sweet healthy treat to enjoy."
This year Passover takes place April 14-22.
USDA's Florida orange forecast continues to drop
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly forecast of the 2013-14 Florida orange crop decreased to 110 million boxes, a drop from the previous projection of 114 million. The drop can be attributed to a reduction in Valencias — from 61 million boxes to 57 million.
Linda V. Moore joins Marrone Bio Innovations
Davis, CA-based Marrone Bio Innovations, a global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products, recently hired Linda V. Moore to fill the newly created general counsel position.
Strawberry deal falters, blueberries in the pink at Wish Farms
As is true for other producers in the Florida strawberry deal, Gary Wishnatzki, chief executive officer for Wish Farms, said the season was disappointing. “The strawberry season was not too good for many growers,” he told The Produce News. “Everyone was crying the blues.”
Wish Farms is located in the heart of strawberry country in Plant City, FL. In addition to strawberries, the company grows and markets seasonal mixed vegetables as well as blueberries.