Baloian Farms increases packing efficiency and speed with new mini pepper equipment
As a leader in West Coast pepper product, Baloian Farms has recently expanded its production possibilities with a new line of equipment designed to process mini peppers.
The new equipment, purchased in the spring of 2013, can serve multiple purposes — its main position will be for packing mini sweet peppers, but will also work for packing baby Bells and hot chilies as well.
Ryan Debuskey joins Columbine Vineyards
Columbine Vineyards, based in Delano, CA, announced the hire of Ryan Debuskey to its sales department on Jan. 15.
Debuskey comes to Columbine with over 15 years experience in the table grape industry.
In his new role, Debuskey will help further develop the company’s growing portfolio of domestic and export accounts.
To announce personnel changes at your company, please contact Assistant Editor Maggie Giuffrida at 201/986-7990, ext. 110, or [email protected]. Photos are encouraged.
Canadian, U.S. Organic Trade Association branches head to BioFach
The Organic Trade Association is the North American membership-based trade association whose mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. It is the leading voice for organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states.
Welcomed rain in Rio Grande Valley has citrus season hopping at Lone Star Citrus Growers at midway point
Some substantial and much-needed rain in the Rio Grande Valley have perked up the Texas citrus crop and has made for a busy first half of the season, said Trent Bishop, vice president of sales at Lone Star Citrus Growers in Mission, TX.
“It has been a good season for us in Texas so far,” Bishop said. “We’ve had some timely rains, the quality of the fruit is really nice, the support from the retail sector has been consistent, and we’ve been able to maintain a nice market.”
Sunkist Growers launches national 'Peel Away the Pounds' promotion with 'The Biggest Loser'
Sunkist Growers is kicking off 2014 with a promotion to help consumers "peel away the pounds."
Teaming up with NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser," Sunkist is launching a national sweepstakes offering consumers a chance to win one of two trips to The Biggest Loser Resort, an award-winning immersive weight-loss program with locations in Chicago, Ivins, UT, Malibu, CA, and Niagara, NY.
Pink Lady America offers Valentine’s Day challenge
Knowing there may be some risk in looking like a spoilsport, the folks at Pink Lady America are defying tradition by asking those giving not-so-healthy gifts on Valentine’s Day to instead consider more nutritious alternatives.
Federal research funding will target citrus psyllid and HLB disease
A package of $20 million in research funding approved by Congress for the benefit of the U.S. citrus industry will largely be used to help find a cure for Huanglongbing — a devastating vector-carried disease now endemic in Florida — and to help develop biological controls to keep the Asian citrus psyllid, which can spread the disease, from ever reaching endemic proportions in California.
Oneonta and Columbia Reach see increased efficiency, QC in new line
Columbia Reach Pack, part of the Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers group of grower-packers, began packing on its newly installed line in mid-January, according to Scott Marboe, marketing director for Wenatchee, WA-based Oneonta.
Columbia Reach, located in Yakima, WA, began marketing through Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers more than a decade ago, and Marboe said apples produced by the operation are sorted and packed by state-of-the-art equipment.
2014 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — The 2014 Tropical Plant Exhibition, billed as America's largest tropical plant show, drew about 6,000 visitors to the Broward County Convention Center, here, Jan. 22-24, where 400 exhibitors in 800 booths created an indoor garden of tropical plants covering 200,000 square feet.
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association promoting potatoes on many fronts
Dana Rady credits the Wisconsin potato industry leadership for a long list of recent marketing advances.
Rady, the director of promotion, communication and consumer education for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, based in Antigo, WI, recently reviewed this marketing program with The Produce News.