Kevin Yost named president of Earthbound Farm
The WhiteWave Foods Co. announced that Kevin C. Yost will join WhiteWave’s newly acquired Earthbound Farm business as president, effective immediately. Charlie Sweat, previously chief executive officer of Earthbound Farm, will move into an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition. The rest of the Earthbound Farm management team will continue to serve in their current roles.
California Giant celebrates new year with new acreage, challenges
As 2013 came to a close, California Giant Berry Farms was already into the 2014 fresh berry season on many fronts. With multiple growing regions and berry types, harvest seasons overlap, resulting in no real end or beginning to berry season each year. However, the new year will result in increased berry volume over 2013 and additional acreage.
Potandon Produce offers on-pack coupons for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Potandon Produce is teaming up with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on its upcoming release of its new animated comedy, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.
Schnucks buys Columbia Centre Market Place in Illinois
Leaders of St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. joined with Joseph (Joe) Koppeis to announce the Schnucks purchase of Columbia Centre Market Place Inc., a Koppeis family enterprise in Columbia, IL.
“In this, our 75th anniversary year, we are thankful to area customers whose support has enabled us to expand into new areas,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Scott Schnuck. “Schnucks remains committed to introducing more customers to our distinctive combination of quality, value and service.”
Hess Bros. apple crop up about 20 percent over 10-year average
On Dec. 17, Fred Hess, co-owner of Hess Bros. Fruit Co. in Lancaster, PA, told The Produce News that the company’s crop condition at the current time was basically where he expected it to be.
“We still have quite a lot of fruit to get through,” said Hess. “We will pack all through the summer, which is exactly what we like to do. We’ll be packing this crop right up until we start harvesting the next one.”
Stephen Colbert making Super Bowl debut with Wonderful Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios announced that Stephen Colbert, Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," will star in two Super Bowl spots for the nation's leading pistachio grower. This will be Wonderful Pistachios' second consecutive Super Bowl appearance and will kick-off a new, full-year agreement with Colbert under the campaign theme, "Get Crackin', America."
General Produce founder Hiram Folds dies
Hiram Folds, founder of Atlanta-based produce distributor General Produce Inc., died Jan. 5 of undisclosed causes. He was 84.
Mr. Folds came up in hard times in Depression-era Milstead, GA. He lost his father at an early age and went to work part time on the Atlanta State Farmers Market, loading trucks and cutting bananas for the Georgia-Tennessee Produce Co. at 50 cents an hour.
Chefs to earn top honors for produce excellence at United Fresh 2014
United Fresh has opened the nomination period for the 2014 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards program, which honors the foodservice industry’s most innovative produce performers.
The program, sponsored by PRO*ACT LLC since its launch in 2008, has honored more than 30 different chefs and foodservice operators for their exceptional work in incorporating fresh produce in menu development, proper food safety and handling, engaging in community outreach and building an overall positive dining experience with fresh produce as a centerpiece.
WhiteWave completes acquisition of Earthbound Farm
The WhiteWave Foods Co., a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company in North America and Europe, completed its previously announced acquisition of Earthbound Farm for approximately $600 million in cash.
Gourmet Trading Co.'s L.A. headquarters moves into new facility
Gourmet Trading Co., a distributor of fresh asparagus and blueberries, is moving its Los Angeles headquarters and warehouse to a newly renovated 53,000-square-foot facility located in Redondo Beach, CA.
The company looks forward to continuing to provide its customers with high-quality fresh green, white and purple asparagus, and blueberries from the new location with expanded loading capacity, advanced precooling infrastructure and the addition of clean rooms for future value-added programs.