USDA rolls out new coordinated group to combat citrus greening
WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Dec. 12 a new coordinated effort to contain and combat citrus greening, while calling on Congress to reauthorize the farm bill that pumps funds into urgently needed research programs.
Stephanie Sanchez joins Market Fresh Produce
Market Fresh Produce, based in Nixa, MO, added STEPHANIE SANCHEZ to its business development team at its tomato repacking facility in Florida.
Sanchez has a strong sales background with proven results. Most recently, she was a territory sales representative at G&K Services.
Gourmet Trading kicked off Chile season in November with organic blueberries
Ogranic blueberries led the way for Gourmet Trading Co.’s Chile deal, with shipments beginning in early November.
“Gourmet Trading Company handles conventional and organic blueberries out of Chile,” said Luciano Fiszman, procurement manager for the Los Angeles-based firm, a leading supplier of year round high-quality fruits and vegetables. “We will also have some Chilean asparagus this season.”
Duda Farm Fresh Foods very pleased with quality and color of citrus
Sam Jones is the senior manager of domestic citrus operations for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, headquartered in Oviedo, FL. He said that the Florida citrus season started about two weeks later than last season.
“We are very pleased with the quality and color of the citrus fruits,” said Jones. “We have been challenged this early season with the small size structure of grapefruit and tangerines.”
Overall, Jones said that shipments are down from last season due to a later start, which translates into a later-maturing crop.
Weeklong freeze puts California citrus crops in jeopardy
Temperatures in citrus-growing areas in California’s San Joaquin Valley once again dipped to potentially damaging levels the night of Dec. 10 and early morning of Dec. 11. That made seven nights out of eight that temperatures were low enough to cause concern, and the cumulative effect, in spite of frost-protection measures, could now mean that there is some fairly extensive damage.
Elections held for PEI Potato Board
GARY LINKLETTER was re-elected chairman of the P.E.I. Potato Board at the group’s Dec. 5 board of directors meeting. Linkletter is currently serving his second three-year term representing the tablestock sector for the Summerside District. He is a partner in Linkletter Farms, a family farm operation that grows seed, table and processing potatoes.
Heeren Bros. announces ribbon cutting for $22 million facility
Heeren Bros. Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 11. to celebrate the opening of its new $22 million state-of-the-art facility in Alpine Township, MI, and state legislators, township officials, contractors, vendors and neighbors toured Heeren's new 178,000-square-foot facility.
Jim Bair to take the helm as president and CEO for U.S. Apple Association
On the first workday of the new year, James (Jim) Bair will step into his newly appointed position as president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Apple Association, headquartered in Vienna, VA.
Florida strawberry industry looks to new varieties to maintain identity
About 90 years ago, farmers around Plant City, FL, located midway between Tampa and Orlando, discovered that the sandy soil within a 30-mile radius produced exceptional strawberries. An industry was born and in short order Florida was providing 95 percent of the U.S. winter strawberry supply.
NY Produce Show kicks off
The opening cocktail reception of the 2013 New York Produce Show & Conference drew a large and enthusiastic crowd Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, at the New York Hilton, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The trade show floor opened up Wednesday, Dec. 11.
{2jtoolbox gallery id:45}