Veg shippers look for some silver linings in the clouds
It’s been a tough winter for Western vegetable shippers but several cold fronts going through California as producers shift from the desert to both Central and Coastal California just might make for a strong spring marketing period.
Joe Ange, assistant purchasing director for Markon Cooperative Inc., Salinas, CA, told The Produce News on Tuesday, April 1, “We are seeing a few higher quotes for forward pricing.”
Dole launches six new salad kits and blends
Dole Fresh Vegetables of Monterey, CA, today announced the addition of six new salad kits and blends: two additions to the DOLE All Natural Chopped Salad line introduced last year; a new addition to Dole’s line of Caesar salad kits; and an entirely new line of super greens.
Whole Foods Market acquires four New Frontiers Natural Marketplace stores
New Frontiers Natural Marketplace and Whole Foods Market Inc. announced that Whole Foods Market will purchase four stores from New Frontiers.
Fresh Insights: Building a brand requires healthy roots
Consistent quality, supply and service over time are keys to building a true brand. When these healthy brand “roots” are in place, consumers begin to view a brand positively, enabling the brand to roll out new offerings. A brand’s growth happens because of healthy roots, including quality, supply and service.
It’s easy to make a comparison with how healthy tree rootstock is used by fruit and nut growers to establish superior orchards.
IPO’s second Global Conference
The Second meeting of the International Pineapple Organization Global Pineapple Conference March 19-20, hosted by the Port Tampa Bay and sponsored by Ports America & CSX Railroad, was an opportunity to showcase the expansion plans and the interest by Port Tampa Bay and its partners. Among the Port Tampa Bay’s plans is a multimodal refrigerated Rail Trans shipment project that is currently in its design stage.
Successful South African citrus export program heads into 15th year
Representatives committed to the success of South Africa’s summer citrus export program to the United States gathered in the heart of one of South Africa’s citrus-growing regions in late March. The annual planning session included growers, exporters, U.S.-based importers, shipping partners, receivers and service providers, and government representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, as well as Vangile Titi-Msumza, South Africa Minister of Agriculture to the U.S., and Erica Barks- Ruggles, the U.S.
FPFC board approves 2014 charitable contributions
The board of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council has approved charitable contributions for 2014 totaling $24,200.
The largest contribution was made to United's Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative. The council's $11,300 donation will provide for four salad bars to be installed in California schools. Contributions the FPFC made in 2012 and 2013 provided for 16 salad bars.
Eclipse Berry Farms is in strawberries year-round
With production in Mexico and three California districts, Eclipse Berry Farms LLC in Los Angeles is in the strawberry business every day of the year, according to Suart Gilfenbain, a salesman with the company.
In California, Eclipse grows strawberries in Oxnard, Santa Maria and Watsonville. The Santa Maria program, which consists of 300 acres of Albion and Monterey strawberries, is new this year.
Oso Sweet supports veterans, military families with special Vidalia promotion
This May, The Oso Sweet Co. is partnering with Vidalia onion grower Stanley Farms to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.
Rain and snow welcomed in California, but drought situation remains dire
Northern California received significant amounts of much-needed rainfall during the last week of March and first day of April, with Central California receiving smaller amounts. The central and northern Sierra Mountains received significant snowfall as well.
With California in its third year of what has been called the worst drought in a century, and with many farms already facing severe water cuts and dropping water tables, growers welcomed the rain and snow, but while it will improve the water situation somewhat in the state, it won’t come close to making up the shortfall.