Wholesum Family Farms adds organic mangos to the mix
NOGALES, AZ — Typically an organic vegetable grower-packer-shipper, including as many as 65 loads of fresh organic mangos in its program gives a nice mix to the portfolio of Wholesum Family Farms, Inc., based here. Among the complementary aspects — mangos are shipped at the same 48- to 55-degree temperature range of Wholesum’s tomatoes and other vegetables.
Kingston ‘Sugar Pine’ supplies lining up nicely for spring promotions
Kingston Fresh, a distributor of potatoes, onions, pineapples, grapes, mangos and melons sourced from farms in the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America, announced that supplies of its Costa Rican MD2 variety golden pineapple program — the Kingston “Sugar Pine” — are lining up nicely to meet peak demand for spring promotions.
Potandon Produce announces key employee promotions
Potandon Produce LLC has promoted several key employees as part of a sales reorganization.
Bernie Pavlock was promoted to director of business development, responsible for growing the category with existing customers and bringing new business on board. Pavlock is a 1993 graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, holding a bachelor's degree in business management, and he has compiled 20 years of industry experience. His former position was sales manager with Potandon.
Dole announces salad recall
Due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes, Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of bagged salad. This precautionary recall is due to one sample of Dole Italian salad that yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Dole is coordinating closely with regulatory officials, and no illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
Food safety, bi-national cooperation key topics at fourth annual ATPC
TUBAC, AZ — About 200 produce professionals gathered at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, here, March 12-13 for the fourth annual America Trades Produce Conference, where they participating in an exchange of ideas and networking opportunities designed to facilitate the flow of fruits and vegetables across the southern border of the United States.
Demand skyrockets for Nature Fresh Farms’ Heritage heirloom tomatoes
Leamington-based Nature Fresh Farms continues to see tremendous growth in its Heritage heirloom tomato specialty category.
Yellow, green, brown, orange and purple are amongst the rainbow of colors that can be found in its heirloom pack. Available from April through early December, the Nature Fresh season will start with the great-tasting and beautiful Heritage heirloom tomatoes.
“Demand continues to skyrocket for these gems and we continue to see tremendous growth in this specialty category,” said Ray Wowryk, director of business development for Nature Fresh Farms.
2014 CPMA Convention & Trade Show highlights
The 2014 CPMA Convention and Trade Show will take place April 2-4 in Vancouver, BC, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Below are some of the highlights of this year’s show. For more details and the full schedule, visit CPMA.ca.
Tuesday, April 1 & Wednesday, April 2:
The convention kicks off on Tuesday, April 1 with the Directors and New Members’ Reception, followed on Wednesday, April 2 with the Retail Tour, CPMA Members Annual General Meeting and Chair’s Welcome Reception.
Thursday, April 3:
Calgary PMA education initiatives promote brand awareness
Promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables has been a key message across the produce industry, and the Calgary Produce Marketing Association has been busy doing just that.
The association’s focus is to increase brand awareness through a robust education initiative in the schools and community. This year, Calgary PMA supported several successful school-based healthy eating programs.
Christopher Ranch to feature its bi-lingual labels needed for Canadian customers at CPMA
Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, is taking its wide range of high-quality products across the U.S.-Canada border with correct bi-lingual labels, which it will feature at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver, BC, on April 2-4.
“Christopher Ranch will be at Booth No.101 at the event,” said Patsy Ross, vice president of marketing. “We will be represented there by Rich Pirozzoli, sales representative, and Jeff Stokes, vice president of sales for our company.”
Wegmans donation helps educate kids from farm to fork
Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has donated $550,000 to Explore & More Children’s Museum, and with that, puts the Wegmans name on the From Farm To Fork educational play zone, as well as the Galley cooking area. In addition, The Wegman Family Charitable Foundation has donated $500,000 to support the new museum’s rooftop garden.