Georgia Pecan Commission establishes Center for Pecan Innovation
The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans, also known as the Georgia Pecan Commission, announced the establishment of the Center for Pecan Innovation to find new uses for pecans.
Kingston Fresh adds Chilean grapes to its portfolio
Kingston Fresh announced the addition of Chilean grapes to its growing imports portfolio. The Idaho Falls, ID-based company is scheduled to receive its first arrivals in early February into the Philadelphia ports, which positions it to service key customers on the Eastern Seaboard and Midwest markets.
Ram Produce success based on a team with many years of experience
“We have a great group of highly talented people here, and they keep their finger pressed tightly on the pulse of what’s going on when it comes to supplies,” Mike Badalament, sales associate for Ram Produce Distributors LLC, located at the Detroit Terminal Market, told The Produce News in mid-January. “When there are problems in Florida, California or any other areas we source from, we’re fully in the know and take the necessary steps to insure that we have high-quality product for our customers.”
Christopher Ranch continually increasing its organic production to meet demand
Christopher Ranch, a name known for high-quality garlic and other specialty products, is a family-owned-and-operated grower, packer, marketer and shipper that was founded over 50 years in Gilroy, CA. In 1997 the company introduced its organic line.
Patsy Ross, vice president of marketing for the company, said the strongest selling products in its organics line are garlic in bulk and peeled form.
Steve Circle joins Main Street Produce after 23 years with Sunrise Growers
Steve Circle, sales director at Sunrise Growers Inc. in Placentia, CA, will be leaving Sunrise and joining Main Street Produce Inc. in Santa Maria as director of strawberry marketing and sales. "He is going to work here starting in February," Main Street's President Paul Allen told The Produce News.
Mann's lettuce varieties served in Super Bowl hospitality suites
Two new lettuce varieties from Mann Packing Co. — Scarlett Butter and Honey Gems — are selling well and were served in the hospitality suites at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, during the Super Bowl.
Avocados From Mexico names new chief
Alvaro Luque, who was previously vice president of marketing of Mission Foods, has been named president of Avocados From Mexico, the industry organization responsible for promoting Mexican avocados within the United States.
Avocados From Mexico was formed last year as the combined marketing arm of two Mexican avocado organizations — MHAIA and APEAM. MAHIA is the organization representing U.S. importers of Mexican avocados while APEAM represents growers of Mexican avocados.
N.C. Sweet Potato Commission to unveil new retail promotion for Sweet Potato Month
The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services will unveil a new retail promotion across the state in February in honor of Sweet Potato Month.
The promotion, 52 Ways to Love Sweet Potatoes, will highlight the versatility and nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes. Components of the program include in-store displays, a branded website and a social media contest for consumers.
The promotion will take place in February at 155 Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Ingles stores in North Carolina.
Abate Fetel pears promoted at New York City event
Anna Weiss and Charlotte Cutler of Race-West Co.European Flavors, which supports promotional efforts for European produce in other countries, offered the first sampling of the newly introdu
Crunch Pak headed to the Super Bowl
Employees at Crunch Pak showed their support for their favorite team when the entire company of more than 500 staff donned 12th Man t-shirts.