Del Monte announces retail display contest winner of Gold for Gold promotion
Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. held its “Gold for Gold” pineapple promotion Oct. 28 through Nov. 29, 2013. The consumer promotion encouraged U.S. and Canadian grocery shoppers to enjoy Del Monte Gold extra sweet pineapples and participate in a sweepstakes to win a total of 31 ounces of 24 carat gold.
Steady Florida orange forecast a relief
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly forecast of the 2013-14 Florida orange crop released Monday stayed at 115 million boxes: Early-mid orange varieties held steady at 54 million boxes, and Valencia oranges remained at 61 million boxes.
Wonderful Sweet Scarletts bring sweet taste of Texas to the Midwest
The growers of Wonderful Pistachios, POM Wonderful and most recently Wonderful Halos are making winter sweet for families in the Midwest with new Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Texas red grapefruit.
SuperValu to host its first national sales expo
With grocers from across the country gathered for the 2014 National Grocer’s Association Show this week, SuperValu Inc. announced it will host its first national sales expo, Sales 4 All Seasons, this summer.
The three-day event, which will be held Aug. 12-14 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul, MN, will bring together all of SuperValu’s former regional shows into one major sales and education event.
NWA ready for spectacular 100th birthday celebration
It’s fitting that the National Watermelon Association will celebrate its 100th birthday in the state where it all began in 1914 — Georgia.
One hundred years ago, a group of watermelon growers met in Atlanta for an organizational meeting about the best ways to get their crop to market. Exactly a century later, their descendants will return to celebrate the unimagined success of the NWA.
Southern Specialties in full swing with offshore programs
“We currently have good volumes of asparagus from the Caborca region of Mexico,” said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, a leading grower, importer and distributor of specialty produce, in an interview with The Produce News Jan. 21. “We’re loading the asparagus in San Luis, Mexico. Promotional volumes will be available in February and March.”
Caborca is both a municipality and a municipal seat in the Mexican state of Sonora.
Anthony Wright joins Del Mar's sales team
Del Mar, based in Westley, CA, added Anthony Wright to its sales team.
In his new position at Del Mar, Wright is responsible for selling cantaloupes, honeydews, hami melons, Roma tomatoes and apricots.
Wright first got involved in the produce industry through the help of his brother, Brian Wright, who also works at Del Mar. Prior to joining the company, Wright worked for three years at Denair Lumber in Riverbank, CA, and for 13 years at Keith Brown Building Materials in Empire, CA.
Wright currently resides in Modesto, CA, with his wife and their newborn child.
Fresh Solutions Network president and CEO to start consulting company
The Fresh Solutions Network LLC board of directors announced that Sherrie L. Terry, president and chief executive officer, will be leaving the company, effective March 1, to establish an independent consulting company.
Fresh Insights: Can Voice of Customer tools increase produce sales online?
Your customer is sitting on her couch on Sunday afternoon. The fridge is empty and the pantry is bare. Any other Sunday, she would jump in the car and drive to your store, but not today. Her spouse is out of town, she hurt her back and the kids are in need of a nap.
Today, she is going to place her first online grocery order. She jumps on Facebook and asks friends if they have recommendations for grocers with online ordering and home delivery. With three suggestions in hand, she starts browsing grocery stores to place an online order, including the store where she always shops.
Foodservice Forum: CIA helps foodservice operators increase the amount of fresh produce on plates
“There are multiple ways the Culinary Institute of America works together with its produce industry partners to increase the use of fresh produce on foodservice menus,” Susan Renke, director of corporate relations and strategic initiatives for the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA, told The Produce News.