Associated Potato Growers’ red potato volume up this season
Red potato prices in the New Year are expected to hold, according to Paul Dolan, manager of Associated Potato Growers Inc., located in Grand Forks, ND.
A key wildcard in early 2014 pricing for the Red River Valley shippers will be the oncoming Florida red potato deal. Dolan noted, “A short supply of seed may help that situation.”
Red potatoes shipped from Canada and Wisconsin also figure into the overall marketing scenario.
Dolan added, “We are down a little in the valley as a whole.”
U.S. 'KIKU' brand apples sales up by over 175 percent
"KIKU" brand apples have become one of the hottest new items for retailers in their supermarket apple section. According to retail data from Nielsen Perishables Group, for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 23, 2013 (compared to the same period one year earlier) dollar sales for KIKU apples jumped by over 229 percent. During the same period, volume increased by nearly 192 percent.
Pear Bureau Northwest announces nationwide display contest
The Pear Bureau Northwest has introduced a new display contest that is open to retailers of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada in February and March.
SUPERVALU chairman resigns, replacement named
SUPERVALU Inc. announced that Gerald Storch, an experienced retail executive, has been elected as the company’s new chair of its board of directors. The appointment comes after Robert Miller, who served as chairman of SUPERVALU’s board of directors since March 2013, announced he would resign his chairman position to focus on other demands.
C&K's CEO leaving at month’s end, corporate staff reduced
Greg Sandeno, president and chief executive officer of C&K Market Inc., will be leaving the company, effective Jan. 31. This announcement came one week after the company laid off about half of its corporate staff members in Brookings and Medford, OR.
Sage Fruit Co. showing solid apple movement
Chuck Sinks, president of Sage Fruit Co. LLC, said he is pleased with apple movement this season. “All varieties are moving well through the first pick and right up to the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays,” he told The Produce News.
“Christmas and Thanksgiving always bring a good spike in apple and pear sales, as holiday baking starts up, and retailers begin building fruit baskets with apples and pears as a main building component,” he said.
U.S. Apple Association coming off of record-setting year with even bigger plans for 2014
“Overall the country’s apple crop is looking good in quality and size this year,” said Wendy Brannen, director of consumer health and public relations for U.S. Apple Association in Vienna, VA. “Reports are that we’re looking at 243 million bushels, which is off only a few percentage points from the August estimate. We see this as a typical year for U.S. apple production.”
Raul Garnica joins Braga Fresh Family Farms
Soledad, CA-based Braga Fresh Family Farms announced the addition of RAUL GARNICA to its team on Jan. 7. Garnica will serve as vice president of harvest.
Forrence Orchards continues to be bullish on the Honeycrisp apple variety
Peter Forrence, one of three cousins who owns Forrence Orchards in Peru, NY, told The Produce News in mid-December that the McIntosh, Cortland and Honeycrisp are, respectively, the three top apples that the company produces. However, the firm, which benefits from its nearly two centuries of growing experience, also produces several other varieties.
Oneonta to celebrate Chinese New Year in style with Fuji apples and Red Anjou pears
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, which begins with 24 days of celebration starting Jan. 31, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, has developed a health-centered promotion for the Year of the Horse.