Heritage: A long and eventful path for Sanfillipo Produce
The Sanfillipo Produce story begins in 1899 in Porto Empedocle, Sicily, a former Greek colony founded two millennia earlier and named for a Greek philosopher.
Today, the scenic, southwestern port city is a tourist destination. In the late 1800s, however, Porto Empedocle was a poor, remote town — one where Salvatore Sanfillipo was struggling to provide for his wife Vincenza and their two sons.
Generation Next: A passion for produce runs in the family for HLB’s Sam Barthel
After a summer excursion backpacking across Europe, followed by a brief experimentation with East Coast winters, 24-year-old Sam Barthel realized that home is indeed where the heart is, and her heart was back in Florida with her family.
Ben B. Schwartz & Sons reports greenhouse produce stronger than ever
Ben B. Schwartz opened its doors in 1906, and has been evolving and growing ever since. When the railroad built a terminal market in Detroit in the late 1920s, the company received the first load that was ever delivered there.
Being known as a full-line house of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables isn’t new to the company, but what is booming is the greenhouse product that is flowing through its doors.
“Greenhouse produce is in higher demand than ever,” said Nate Stone, chief operating officer for company, which is located on the Detroit Terminal Market.
In the Trenches: Produce managers need capable assistants
There is a supermarket I visit periodically to say hello to the produce manager. We often spend a few minutes discussing product and other produce topics. This particular produce manager operates a superior department and has many unique skills accompanied by a very aggressive enthusiasm in building sales.
One early afternoon I dropped into the store to pay a visit and was very disappointed to see that a few problems existed. It was obvious that the produce department was in trouble that day, as it was not in its best condition.
Food Lion tailgate sweepstakes offers truck full of groceries to winner
Food Lion is offering customers a chance to win multiple prizes through its Ultimate Tailgate Sweepstakes, including a new truck, a 55-inch television and gaming system, and Food Lion gift cards.
Now through Feb. 4, customers who use their personal MVP card and purchase at least four participating products will automatically be entered for a chance to win. A complete list of participating products is available in stores and online at http://www.foodlion.com.
Hollandia's living lettuce and living cress non-GMO verified
Hollandia Produce LP, the grower of "Live Gourmet" and "Grower Pete’s" brands announced that all of its living lettuce and living cress products are now Non-GMO Project Verified.
E.W. Brandt & Sons expands, rebrands as RemBrandt Masterpiece Fruit
Yakima Valley fruit company E.W. Brandt & Sons is expanding its operations and re-launching its brand as "RemBrandt Masterpiece Fruit."
Bland Farms adds sweet potatoes to product line
Bland Farms, a sweet onion category leader, plans to turn heads at the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure with the release of its newest fresh produce product offering for 2014, sweet potatoes.
To date, Bland Farms has been strictly a grower, packer and shipper of sweet onions and sweet onion products, but plans to offer a sweet potato program to customers in 2014, viewing Southern Exposure as the perfect setting from which to share the news.
L&M celebrates 50 years in business crediting an outstanding staff
L&M Cos. kicked off its 50th anniversary a little early. Although the company was founded Jan. 10, 1964, by Joe McGee, who serves as chairman, it cut a cake to share with customers and friends at the 2013 PMA Fresh Summit last October.
Worley & McCullough attains GlobalGAP certification
Going into its third year of aligned sales through Wada Farms Marketing of Idaho, Colorado’s Worley & McCullough Inc. continues to keep pace with food-safety certification as movement of its russet-based volume stays steady.
According to Erin Cooper, grower relations/food-safety officer at the fourth- and fifth-generation family-owned operation near Monte Vista, CO, Worley & McCullough set its sights on reaching GlobalGAP compliance for the warehouse as well as “all growers who run their potatoes through the packing shed.”