Armock says Jonagold apple is the company’s favorite variety
While he doesn’t want to discourage the purchase of other varieties, Don Armock, president and partner in Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc., based in Sparta, MI, admitted that his personal favorite apple variety is Jonagold. “It’s the favorite of people in our packing plant too. I think that says a lot,” he said. The 2013 Jonagold crop in Michigan had an especially good flavor, he added.
United Vegetable Growers Cooperative names CEO
The United Vegetable Growers Cooperative recently announced the hiring of its first full-time chief executive officer, Eric Schwartz.
Schwartz is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in fresh, processed and frozen vegetables and fruit, and frozen meals. He also brings a depth of experience in branded and private label products in both domestic and international settings.
Malena expects return to normal volume out of West Mexico
The 2013-14 shipping season out of the West Mexico states of Sonora and Sinaloa started slower than normal, and with lighter-than-usual volume, but weekly volumes are expected to return to normal by mid-January, according to Gonzalo Avila, chief executive officer of Malena Produce.
The Produce News spoke with Avila in late-December following his return from a tour of the production areas in Mexico, mainly in southern Sonora and the Culiacan area of Sinaloa.
Martin’s Super Market reopens after store shooting
A Martin’s Super Market in Elkhart, IN, reopened today at noon, less than two days after a shooting in the store took the lives of three people: Krystle Dikes, a store employee; Rachelle Godfread, a customer; and the gunman.
LD Logistics chugging along
As the firm gets closer to its 10th anniversary, LD Logistics LLC, based in Bronx, NY, continues to hone its offerings and concentrate its business.
“We no longer have any satellite offices,” said Lance Dichter, who wears the general manager title for the company. “We have concentrated all of our business under one roof, which works better for us.”
Target Interstate Systems adapting to technology changes
For Paul Kazan, who founded Target Interstate Systems Inc. in the Bronx, NY, more than 30 years ago, there is nothing like picking up the phone and talking to a customer or a truck driver.
“I like the personal touch. With a text or an email they don’t hear the tone of your voice and you don’t know exactly how you come off,” he said.
National Mango Board offering culinary education materials
The National Mango Board recently announced the release of its new education materials for culinary students, culinary instructors and professional chefs.
The NMB works closely with foodservice professionals, chefs and operators to encourage the use of fresh mango in dishes at restaurant chains across the United States. "The Fresh Mango-The Basics for Foodservice" video and Fresh Mango Curriculum cover the product essentials from how mangos grow to how to maximize menu versatility — everything operators need to create fresh, delicious and healthful menu items with fresh mango.
Jonathan’s Sprouts a little piece of heavenly farming on earth
Barbara and Bob Sanderson began Jonathan’s Sprouts Inc. in Rochester, MA, in March 1976. Since then the company has built its reputation through continued personal contact with its customers, standing steadfastly behind its quality products and offering support and education.
Liz Reilley, director of marketing and sales, said the company grows only organically, and added, “Bob and Barbara are credited in New England with helping to create organic departments within produce departments over the years.
Wisconsin potato market is very strong
The movement of Wisconsin’s storage potato crop “is really good. The quality is excellent,” said Tamas Houlihan, director of communications for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, based in Antigo, WI.
The yields of the crop harvested in 2013 were a little lower than the 2012 crop. But sales in the last two weeks of December 2013 were 18 percent over the same period in 2012. “Prices a quite a bit higher. In some cases they’re double last year,” he said.
Rocky Produce continues to grow its berry programs
Dominic Russo, buyer and sales associate for Rocky Produce Inc., located on the Detroit Produce Terminal, told The Produce News that the Polar Vortex in early January added to what was already a strange couple of weeks.
“We had a holiday in the middle of the week, worked for two days and then had a weekend,” said Russo. “The next week was the same routine, and then just as things were getting back to normal the storm hit, so things were off track for a few weeks.”