WCCPF and importer step up as mentors for South African students
South Africa's Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum and Seald Sweet International partnered to provide mentoring, career counseling and professional connections to students from two South African universities.
Ken Corbett Farms creates new logo, website and steps up marketing
Lake Park, GA-based Ken Corbett Farms — a grower of Bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, specialty peppers and eggplant, as well as row crops — has recently created a new logo and company website.
“We created a logo that really emphasizes our proud family farming heritage and our major crops,” Ken Corbett, owner and president, said in a press release.
Edinburg Citrus Association hires Ashlynn Biel
ASHLYNN BIEL joined Edinburg Citrus Association, based in Edinburg, TX, in late October.
In her new position at Edinburg Citrus, Biel will be responsible for handling the marketing for the company, as well as working in the sales department.
In the Trenches: Check your competition regularly
Toward the end of October, I took a 1,426-mile driving trip to visit retail clients in Arizona and California. During my trek, I saw a variety of supermarkets whether they were of a client, their competition, or just a common grocery store while passing through a lonely desert town.
Prior to visiting a retail client, I normally like to check out their competition first. This allows me to observe anything and everything they are doing to draw customers into their stores. No two supermarkets operate with the same programs.
Western Growers leaders Nassif and Giclas honored with Golden Checkmark Award
Two leaders from Western Growers were honored with the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement’s Golden Checkmark Award during the organization’s 88th annual meeting and convention being held in Honolulu.
Management team acquires Tops
Tops Friendly Markets has been acquired by members of the company’s executive management team. The transaction is subject to certain customary closing conditions, but the company expects it will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Van Solkema Produce introduces new zipper-pouch packaging
NEW ORLEANS — Van Solkema Produce Inc., based in Byron Center, MI, introduced its new packaged fresh produce line at the PMA Fresh Summit. The “Oh Boy!” brand pouched bag is designed to merchandise a wide variety of produce items, including sweet cherries, green beans, mini sweet peppers, mixed squashes, Brussels sprouts and tomatoes.
Todd Van Solkema said the zipper seal on the bag preserves freshness and gives the varied products a long shelf life.
FPFC donates to typhoon relief in the Philippines
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council has made a contribution of $10,000 through The Philippines Red Cross to support relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
Thousands of Filipinos were killed during the storm and millions have been left homeless and without food.
WA apple crop volume downgraded following feedback from growers
The Nov. 1 storage report for Washington apples was released was officially released Nov. 7. Data were based upon recently received grower feedback. According to the report, figures for this season’s crop were revised to a projected 113.2 million boxes. “Some folks are still picking later varieties, and so this figure is based partly on an estimate,” said Jon DeVaney, executive director of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association. “Adjustments often happen in our December report as final harvest numbers come in.”
Farm Fresh Produce expanding its export line
For Farm Fresh Produce Inc., which is based in Faison, NC, sweet potato production and sales were the basis for domestic growth and international market development. The firm has expanded its fresh produce export offerings, but sweet potatoes will remain its core business.
Farm Fresh ships between 800 and 900 40-foot containers of sweet potatoes a year. About 600 of these containers are exported. The firm has a large network of growers who pack the “Farm Fresh” brand, and all Farm Fresh products are GlobalGAP-certified.