FPFC holds holiday auction for charity
At its December luncheon meeting, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council held its annual holiday auction and raised more than $116,000 for charity. The designated charity this year was Caterina’s Club, a private Southern California organization that serves nightly meals to 300 underprivileged kids who would otherwise do without a real dinner. The event was held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Sheraton Hotel in Cerritos, CA.
Michelle L. Allen-Ziegler joins Rock-Tenn
Norcross, GA-based Rock-Tenn Co. recently hired MICHELLE L. ALLEN-ZIEGLER as its corporate business manager.
Red River Valley business strong; yellow potato production is doubled
“Business is good. No one is complaining about it being slow,” Ted Kreis said of Red River Valley potato shippers on Nov. 15.
Kreis is the marketing director for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, which is located in East Grand Forks, MN.
“Demand for red potatoes is good throughout the country,” he added. “Prices are ok but they could be better. There are a lot of red potatoes on the market. Wisconsin yields are high. Idaho grew more potatoes. All of the U.S. has got to be up for red potato production.”
Shuman Peruvian program thriving; new mandatory ship date bodes well for Vidalia deal
Shuman Produce Inc. of Reidsville, GA, has seen its Peruvian onion deal grow in the last few years to become one of the industry’s largest, and the company also grows in California, Idaho, Texas, Chile and Mexico. But the Vidalia is still the crown jewel of the company’s program, and President John Shuman believes the new mandatory ship date established recently by the Georgia Department of Agriculture will make his program and the industry stronger.
Potandon Produce announces key employee promotions
Potandon Produce LLC, based in Idaho Falls, ID, announced the promotion of two veteran employees, Ralph Schwartz and Barbara Keckler.
HAB study researches shoppers’ path-to-purchase of avocados
The avocado category continues to deliver impressive retail growth. Last year, retail volume exceeded 1.1 billion units and retail sales topped $1.2 billion. Hass avocados continue to dominate and drive this category with a 94 percent dollar share for all avocados.
Southern Specialties enthusiastic about this season’s offshore programs
In the 23 years since its founding by Chief Executive Officer and President Robert Colescott, Southern Specialties’ unwavering insistence on quality and unparalleled customer service has led the company to become one of the United States’ leading growers and distributors of premium specialty produce. Its customers include the finest retail, foodservice and wholesale club companies in the U.S. and Canada. The company focuses strongly on its offshore programs, consisting of a wide range of high-quality specialty produce offered in numerous pack sizes and value-added convenience packaging.
Twin Cities flourishing for produce industry
MINNEAPOLIS — The produce business is strong in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, according to produce distributors there.
Brent Beckman, the director of sales and marketing for G.O. Fresh, a Minneapolis-based fresh produce pre-cutting firm, said restaurant sales in the Twin Cities “are picking up again” after slowing several years ago with the economic downturn.
“Really, business is rebounding quite nicely,” said Marylou Owens, owner and chief operating officer of G.O. Fresh.
Wedge Community Co-op grocery store thriving
MINNEAPOLIS — Amid artsy boutiques in an eclectic neighborhood here is a grocery store run by the Wedge Community Co-op. Shoppers walk directly into a well-stocked, clean, attractive, colorful produce department managed by Dean Schladweiler. The department offers around 250 SKUs.
Since the store opened in 2008, produce sales have grown 3 percent to 5 percent a year in “a very steady trend,” Schladweiler said.
Local produce is featured. When the U.S. northlands are frozen, Wedge supports smaller family farms from California and other corners of the world.
H. Brooks developing in several ways
NEW BRIGHTON, MN — H. Brooks & Co. LLC is continuing a focus on food safety and innovation. “It is a continuation of what we do,” said Phillip Brooks, chief executive officer of the firm, based here. “Our emphasis is how to help people who work with us through the supply chain to sell more products that are healthy, taste great and are food-safe.” Brooks said these three factors are all critical points of emphasis for his firm.