Sterling Hill Farms' marketing plan on track
Although it is the newest grower-packer-shipper of premium potatoes in Washington’s Skagit Valley, Sterling Hill Farms hit the ground running this year. Partners Norm Nelson Jr., Jim Nelson and Tony Wisdom opened their doors for business on March 1. The vertically integrated company, headquartered in Burlington, WA, grows, packs, ships and markets premium-quality conventional reds, yellows and whites.
Combined efforts in Chile yield PMA Fruittrade Latin America
The Produce Marketing Association, Fedefruta, Chile’s Fruit Growers Federation and Yentzen Group announced a partnership to bring together the fresh produce supply chain at the inaugural PMA Fruittrade Latin America, an international convention and exposition to be held Nov. 12-13, 2014 in Santiago, Chile.
Farm bill, immigration reform top produce industry issues for 2014
WASHINGTON -- After Congress acted on few legislative priorities last year, produce industry advocates are hoping for a 2014 farm bill agreement this month and cautiously optimistic lawmakers may begin addressing the broken immigration issue in the first half of 2014.
Stakeholders may get a first glimpse at the farm bill conference report as early as the second week of January, when the House and Senate conference committee is expected to hold meetings on the five-year bill.
Del Rey Avocado enters blueberry business with Peruvian imports
Del Rey Avocado Co. Inc. in Fallbrook, CA, has diversified its offerings this winter from its core offerings of avocados by taking on a blueberry deal out of Peru. Shipments started in October and were expected to continue through January, according to President Bob Lucy.
Stemilt kicks off 50th year with anniversary box
Stemilt Growers is kicking off its 50th year with the introduction of a retro anniversary carton for apples.
A white box adorned with the Stemilt logo and ladybug was originally designed by Stemilt's late founder Tom Mathison and used for many years to distinguish the brand at retail and other worldwide markets.
Wada Farms Marketing keeps spuds flowing in consistent fashion
Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC, located in Idaho Falls, ID, works to provide its customers with steady movement of potatoes. “We are always running pretty consistently during the entire year,” Kevin Stanger, senior vice president sales and marketing, told The Produce News. “It will have its normal seasonality where we run a bit harder for holiday business and slow down a bit during the mid and late summertime. But overall we’re running every week.”
Southern Specialties now offering Fair Trade-certified French beans under 'Today's Gourmet' label
Southern Specialties, a Pompano Beach, FL-based distributor of a full line of specialty produce items, announced it has started shipping Fair Trade-certified French beans under its "Today's Gourmet" label.
Stemilt’s Piñata bursting with sales for retailers
Retailers who came on board with the Piñata apple variety are seeing the fruits of their labors rewarded. “Piñata has been in unbelievable demand, and the hard work retailers have done in past seasons is returning extra sales to them,” said Roger Pepperl, director of marketing for Stemilt Growers LLC in Wenatchee, WA. “We are having our big push on Piñata starting Jan. 1, but have sold thousands of cases already.”
The Piñata’s success story mirrors a positive image for the company’s fleshy apple manifest, comprised of both conventional and organic product.
Sun Coast Sales and Sun Coast Texas to become Sun Coasts Farms
Sun Coast Farming, Sun Coast Sales and Sun Coast Texas will start the year with a new name: Sun Coast Farms LLC .
According to Sonny Smith, owner of the company, the change is designed to take advantage of the synergies of the three entities, and a new logo and additional brands are planned as well.
C&S Wholesale Grocers names Mark Verdi president
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. announced the appointment of Mark Verdi, an experienced global finance and operations executive, as president, a new position at the C&S. Verdi will assume his responsibilities March 1.
A native of Springfield, VT, Verdi joins C&S from Bain Capital, where he was a managing director and co-head of the private investment firm’s Global Portfolio Group, which works with the management teams of the businesses it owns to define and execute growth strategies, enhance their operations and improve organizational effectiveness.