Honeybear bringing fresh Chilean Honeycrisp apples to U.S. markets
Key retailers and their quality-conscious apple customers now have a chance to get their hands on this spring’s ultimate Honeycrisp apple. Available the last week of April from Honeybear Marketing, a division of Wescott Agri Products, the Chilean Honeycrisp is the result of almost 10 years of meticulous planning and fastidious growing efforts in the carefully selected Southern Hemisphere microclimate.
Mission to hold third annual charity golf tournament
Mission Produce Inc., based in Oxnard, CA, will hold its third annual charity golf tournament April 24 at Moorpark Country Club.
There are 188 participants in this year's event, and the day includes golf, lunch, dinner, a silent auction and raffle. Proceeds will benefit local county charitable organizations. Last year's tournament raised over $20,000 for Ventura County Food Share.
NMB to host ripening webinar for retailers and importers
The National Mango Board — in conjunction with the department of plant science at the University of California-Davis — will be hosting a free mango-ripening webinar on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The webinar will discuss why mango ripening is important to the U.S. consumer and how to utilize the NMB’s new Mango Handling & Ripening Protocol.
Domex Superfresh Growers' orchard tech
Domex Superfresh Growers continues to innovate with use of GPS-equipped tractors as technology moves from the drawing board to the orchard. Use of GPS allows the tractor to create a planting line within an inch of accuracy. A specialized plant platform pulled behind the tractor opens the ground so trees can be planted within the trench created. Holes are then closed up using small blades and rolling drums.
Brett Lamar joins Market Fresh Produce
Market Fresh Produce, based in Nixa, MO, announced the addition of Brett Lamar to its corporate staff on March 25.
In his new position as VMI/transportation specialist, Lamar will be in charge of timely and accurate fulfillment of daily replenishment from customers. He will also handle logistics for the company.
Del Rey Avocado expects good volume of California fruit May through August
With the total volume of the Hass avocado crop expected to come in around 300 million pounds this year, down from around 500 million pounds in 2013, “one of the things you have to really be concerned about is the expectation that the California market is going to be short of fruit,” said Robert (Bob) Lucy, president of Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc. in Fallbrook, CA, in an interview with The Produce News March 19.
Business is booming for Scotlynn Sweet Pac Growers
Bryan Biederman, an owner of Scotlynn Sweet Pac Growers LLC in Belle Glade, FL, said business continues to boom since the company opened its doors two years ago. “We’re very thankful for the support we’ve received, and very optimistic about our future,” he told The Produce News.
EPC members gather for annual dinner dance
WOODLAND PARK, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council held its annual dinner dance Saturday, April 5, here, returning to the Westmount Country Club after last year’s event was moved to the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, NJ.
The council presented charitable contributions totaling $15,000 to three organizations: Lead New York Program, Tomorrows Children's Fund and New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger.
SunFed names Cassius chief innovation officer
SunFed, a Rio Rico, AZ-based distributor and importer of vegetables, has appointed Mark Cassius chief innovation officer.
Brookshire Bros. completes 25-store acquisition
Brookshire Bros., a Lufkin, TX-based supermarket retailer, has acquired the assets of David's Supermarkets, a grocery chain based in Grandview, TX. Of the 25 David's stores, nine will operate under the David's Supermarkets or David's Express banners, one will remain Pecan Foods and the remaining 15 will operate as Brookshire Bros.
David's Supermarkets was formerly owned by the Waldrip family, which operated stores throughout north-central Texas for 50 years.