Fresh Thyme announces 23 stores in aggressive Midwest rollout
Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets, a new specialty grocer featuring healthy and organic value-priced offerings, announced the Midwest chain will open over 60 new stores and create approximately 5,000 new jobs throughout the Midwest over the next five years.
The company’s first market will open in Mt. Prospect, IL, this spring, followed by eight more grand openings throughout the remainder of this year.
New director of marketing communications at Produce for Kids
Produce for Kids, a philanthropically based organization that raises funds for local children’s non-profit organizations and brings the produce industry together to educate consumers about healthy eating with fresh produce, has named Amanda Keefer as its new director of marketing communications.
PMA Foundation Tip Murphy Scholarship winners announced
The Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent has recently announced the third annual Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence recipients for 2013. Tony Harmon of Nathel International and Juliette King of Nielsen Perishables Group were selected by the PMA Foundation and the Scholarship Selection Committee. The scholarship is part of the PMA Foundation’s initiative to establish a workforce with the diverse skills necessary to meet the complex demands of business.
AYCO hires Chase as VP of sales and marketing
Ayco Farms has hired Dale Chase as executive vice president of sales and marketing with the objective of transforming the company’s current retail dynamic and diversifying retail sales and foodservice programs.
Chase is tasked with leading and directing the sales department in an effort to enhance buyer relations, strengthen category management support and expand business solutions.
Central American Produce reporting strong demand increases in hard squashes
In mid-January, Michael Warren, president of Central American Produce in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News that the company was currently importing papaya, green onions, leeks, radicchio and bunched radishes from Guatemala.
“Our okra program from Honduras is also running,” said Warren. “Cantaloupes, honeydew melons, seedless watermelons, specialty melons, butternut squash, spaghetti squash and acorn squash are coming in from both Guatemala and Honduras.”
Central American is also moving pineapples from Costa Rica.
Sweet potato industry continues health promotion ties
Having just returned from his association’s 52nd annual U.S. Sweet Potato Convention, on Jan. 24 Charlie Walker, the executive secretary of the U.S. Sweet Potato Council Inc., reported his board’s decisions on promotions for the coming year.
The meeting was held Jan. 19-22 in New Orleans.
Walker, whose office is in Columbia, SC, reported that his board has elected to continue its participation of the American Heart Association’s “Heart-Check Mark” campaign.
Hy-Vee expands health focus with Kids Fit Initiative
Kids of all ages and skill levels will have additional opportunities to participate in events making up the new Hy-Vee Kids Fit program, which supports wellness and the fight against childhood obesity.
Hy-Vee’s goal in creating this fun, accessible and fitness-friendly initiative is to help fight childhood obesity one community at a time, getting children and families active and outdoors. Whether a child is new to exercise or is training for the triathlon, Hy-Vee Kids Fit has an event for every skill level.
American Pistachio Growers hoping California drought doesn't sink marketing plans
Richard Matoian, executive director of American Pistachio Growers, said the pistachio industry was set to reach 1 billion pounds of nuts between 2018 and 2020 until the current extreme drought situation struck California. Experts are calling it 400-year drought and the highest 2.5-year cycle since 1895.
T&A supports Yuma Lettuce Days Festival
For the fourth consecutive year Tanimura & Antle will support Yuma Lettuce Days, which celebrates the Yuma, AZ, agricultural industry through interactive displays and culinary demonstrations. This year's event will be held March 1-2 at the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.
The Tanimura and Antle families have a long history of supporting agriculture education and childhood nutrition initiatives in the communities where they have farming operations and a strong employee presence.