75 members of Congress ask FDA to re-propose FSMA rules
WASHINGTON — Capitol Hill is weighing in on the need to repropose food safety rules as 75 members of Congress sent a letter to the Food & Drug Administration warning that farms and processors will suffer and some businesses may close if there's no opportunity to comment on revamped food-safety rules before they become final.
Matthew Schuler of 'The Voice' has close ties to produce industry
If you’re a fan of NBC’s "The Voice," it should come as no surprise to you that 20-year-old gospel singer and Yardley, PA-native Matthew Schuler is the son of a minister, especially after his soulful and moving rendition of “Hallelujah,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 on iTunes shortly after he performed it live during the Nov. 11 show.
What may come as a surprise to you, however, is that Schuler’s chops have some pretty close ties to the produce industry.
Vegetable market softens, good volume expected through holidays
Vegetable producers in the West have had a very good run this fall with strong demand outstripping supplies, but moving forward supply and demand are expected to be in sync and prices have come off considerably.
Nick Pappas, who is on the sales desk for Salinas, CA-based Bengard Ranch Inc., told The Produce News Nov. 25 that good supplies were available on basically all vegetables for the Thanksgiving push and the same is expected throughout December, assuming the weather cooperates.
Chile excels as world leader in fresh production and exports
Anyone who deals in or is even mildly familiar with the amount of fresh produce that is imported into North America every year from Chile understands the importance of the partnerships that are maintained by these annual movements.
Mastronardi Produce achieves Fair Trade-certified status
Mastronardi Produce announced that it is now offering a variety of fair trade certified products.
"Sunset Campari" brand cocktail tomatoes, "One Sweet" peppers, "Kumato" tomatoes and sweet Bell peppers are among the products that have become Fair Trade certified. These products are now available year-round to consumers across North America.
SenaReider relaunches under new ownership
Interlex Communications, a San Antonio, TX-based advocacy marketing firm, acquired SenaReider, a 33-year-old ad agency, and relaunched it with a new brand identity, new leadership and a new website.
Earlier this year, Interlex purchased SenaReider from original owner and co-founder Lou Sena and has since spun SenaReider off to grow independently under the leadership of Heather Ruiz, who also co-founded Interlex and served as its creative director since 1995.
Meuers Law Firm promotes Nurenberg and De Falco
Meuers Law Firm, one of the leading law firms in the country providing legal services to the produce industry, announced the advancement of two attorneys, Steven E. Nurenberg and Steven M. De Falco, to member status with the firm.
Nurenberg brings more than 20 years of experience to every case he handles. According to a press release, his analytical skills afford him the ability to recognize an approach that may not have been considered, and to view an issue from all sides.
Boskovich to debut new cilantro pack
Some time around early December, Oxnard, CA-based Boskovich Farms Inc. is expected to introduce a new two-ounce gusseted bag of cilantro, designed to stand upright on the produce department shelf.
On Nov. 1, Lindsay Martinez, the firm’s director of marketing, said, “We are pretty close. The bag has been approved so I think we should be in the stores in about a month.”
Wish Farms experiencing growth in blueberry market share
The blueberry season is hitting its stride at Wish Farms. “Right now, we’re getting in a pretty good amount of Argentinean blueberries,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Wishnatzki in early November. “Chilean blueberries will be coming in a couple of weeks.”
Leonard Batti joins Taylor Farms
Industry veteran Leonard Batti has joined Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. as president of Taylor Farms Florida, based in Orlando, FL.
Founded by Bruce Taylor and others in 1995, Taylor Fresh Foods is the largest processor of fresh fruits and vegetables for the foodservice, retail and deli sector of the industry in North America, Batti told The Produce News.
Before joining Taylor Farms, Batti most recently was executive vice president and a principal at The Mixtec Group, a premier executive search firm for the produce industry, headquartered in Glendale, CA.