Green Earth Produce handles avocados from California, four exporting countries
Green Earth Produce Trading Inc. in Los Angeles, which opened in March 2012, is the avocado division of Green Earth Produce Trading Inc. in Gloucester City, NJ. Gahl Crane, an avocado industry veteran who was previously with Fisher-Capespan and prior to that with Prime Produce, was brought in at that time as director, to open and manage the division which is, according to Crane, “its own headquarters for avocado operations.
The New Jersey operation handles primarily grapes, citrus, apples and pears, he said.
Almond growers vote to continue marketing order
In an overwhelming show of confidence in the Almond Board of California, the state's almond growers once again voted in favor of continuing the federal marketing order for California almonds. Federal Marketing Order 981 requires the continuance referendum to take place every five years.
Voting in the referendum took place from Feb. 18 through March 7; growers who produced almonds within the state of California between Aug. 1, 2012, and July 31, 2013, were eligible to vote.
Lighter California Hass avocado crop will mean more compressed shipping season
Hass avocado trees tend to be alternate bearing, so after a 505 million-pound crop in 2013, one of the larger harvests on record, it is no surprise that the 2014 California avocado crop is expected to be significantly smaller. What is, perhaps, surprising is that last year's California crop was not lighter, inasmuch as the prior year's crop was also extremely large, making two big crop years in a row.
RedLine Solutions extends technical support hours
RedLine Solutions, a leader in produce traceability and inventory solutions, announced the extension of technical support hours to better serve the central time zone. The offering of technical assistance availability in the central time zone means that customers can benefit from getting live support from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.
Produce industry re-thinks GOP contributions over immigration reform
WASHINGTON — Produce companies are getting so frustrated over congressional inaction on immigration reform that they may be rethinking plans to contribute to Republican campaigns.
Agriculture groups are beginning to loudly criticize House Republicans for not moving on immigration reform at a time when the opportunity for legislation appears to be slipping away.
New Jersey Agricultural Society holds annual gala
MONROE, NJ — The New Jersey Agricultural Society drew a large crowd to its annual gala, held this year Friday evening, March 28, at the Forsgate Country Club, here.
Mother’s Day — time to go for the gold
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, and it’s traditionally an extremely busy floral holiday. According to an IPSOS - Insight Floral Trends Consumer Tracking Study, a third of adults buy flowers or plants as gifts for Mother’s Day, and it accounts for 25 percent of yearly floral holiday dollars.
There is optimism among some supermarket floral executives hoping that Mother’s Day, along with the other spring holidays, will erase their year-to-date sales deficits.
Hortiflorexpo IPM 2014 slated for Beijing
China’s largest international horticultural trade show, Hortiflorexpo IPM, will be held April 23-26 at the Beijing Exhibition Center. Sponsored by the China Flower Association, Hortiflorexpo IPM features floriculture, horticulture and the newest innovations, products and services for the entire gardening industry.
The China Flower Association has partnered with Messe Essen Germany since 2012 for this joint fair. Top florists from Germany will demonstrate the newest trends in floral design during the show.
California drought affecting flower growers thorughout the state
The effect of the California drought on flower growers differs widely in the various growing regions of the Golden State. Much of Northern California is in a state of water emergency and Southern California is essentially a desert area that needs its water transported in from miles away. Flower farms in those two areas of the state have been more adversely affected than those along the Central Coast.
‘Connect and Grow’ at FPFC North Expo
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Northern California Expo is set for April 9 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA.
The theme of the expo is “Connect and Grow.” Anticipated attendance is over 1,500 professionals from across all sectors of the fresh produce and floral industry, Carissa Mace, FPFC president, said.