FPFC goes to the races
In what has become its most popular event of the year, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council attracted more than 750 participants to its annual Day at the Races activity on Saturday, March 8 at the famous Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, CA.
This family-friendly event featured fun, activities, food and mingling for the whole family. Kids could play in the grassy infield area as adults tried their luck at picking the ponies.
Cool weather delays start of Texas deal, new Vidalia ship date could extend season
The Texas onion deal will be a little late out of the gate this season but growers will get some help extending that season with a new later start date for Vidalia onion growers.
Chiquita and Fyffes announce $1 billion merger
Chiquita Brands International Inc. and Fyffes plc announced that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Chiquita will combine with Fyffes to form ChiquitaFyffes. The agreement creates a global banana and fresh produce company with approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenues. Chiquita and Fyffes plan to complete the transaction before the end of 2014.
Ed Lonergan, Chiquita's chief executive officer, will serve as chairman; David McCann, executive chairman of Fyffes, will become CEO of the combined company.
Experts say Florida’s blueberry production may reach 25 million pounds
Twenty years ago, there was virtually no commercial production of blueberries in the state of Florida, except for U-pick farms and berries grown for local markets. This year, some experts said Florida’s blueberry production may reach 25 million pounds, putting the state in the ranks of other leading producers like North Carolina, Georgia, California and Oregon.
Grimmway uses social media for consumer touch points
The tie-in over the past year with “The Biggest Loser” television show continues to pay dividends for Grimmway Farms and create touch points with consumers, though the show’s finale aired in early February.
Port strikes and heavy rain have affected blueberry movement
Nelly Yunta, vice president of sales, marketing and customer care, liner and logistics business groups for Crowley Maritime Corporation in Jacksonville, FL, and vice president of Customized Brokers, the customs brokerage and consulting division located in Miami, told The Produce News that the port strikes in South America are definitely affecting exports this season.
Sweet potatoes get Latin flair in restaurant recipe contest
The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission announced the winners of the "Savor Your Sweets" recipe contest, a promotion with independent restaurant operators in the Southeast inviting chefs and consumers to look at sweet potatoes in new ways.
The winners, Cuban Sweet Potato Tacos and Sweet Potato Rice Pudding, aren't typical sweet potato dishes, but Taqueria del Sol and The Kings Kitchen pushed contemporary thinking into new areas.
Sally Erickson named Ready Pac Foods CFO
Ready Pac Foods Inc. hired Sally Erickson as its new chief financial officer. In her new position, Erickson will oversee the direction of the company’s financial goals and objectives. She will report directly to Tony Sarsam, Ready Pac’s chief executive officer.
Key Food opens newest location
Key Food Stores Co-operative Inc., a chain of independently owned and operated grocery stores, announced the grand opening of its newest location at 2711 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY. A grand opening ceremony was held the morning of March 7.
"We are so proud to welcome the newest Key Food into our supermarket family," Chief Executive Officer Dean Janeway said in a press release. "This community deserves a high-quality shopping experience, and [store owner] Miguel Luna has done a great job remodeling this store."
Safeway and Albertsons announce $9 billion merger
Safeway Inc. and Albertsons announced a definitive agreement under which AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertsons, will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway for $40 a share, totaling $9 billion.
The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the board of directors of Safeway. It will create a diversified network that includes over 2,400 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 20 manufacturing plants with over 250,000 dedicated and loyal employees. No store closures are expected as a result of this transaction.