Kroger raises $3.2 million for USO in 2013
The Kroger Co. contributed $3.2 million to the USO in 2013.The funds were raised through the company's Honoring Our Heroes sales event in May and customer contributions collected at check stands through the summer and fall.
Though drought continues, Texan water situation dramatically improved heading into heart of season
Four months of near-to-above-average rainfall has brought desperately needed drought relief to the Lone Star State, but Texas voters took a stand at the polls Nov. 5 that should eventually provide even more benefit.
Texas voters approved a proposition that will let the state dip into its "rainy day fund" to the tune of some $2 billion, amending the state constitution to fund future water planning projects, primarily through low-cost loans.
Western Growers Association gathers in Honolulu
The Western Growers Association has gathered in Honolulu this week for its 88th Annual Meeting. Being held at the Sheraton Waikiki, it runs through Wednesday, Nov. 13. On Monday, Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms was elected chairman of the board for the next 12 months. Early highlights have included a discussion of politics by California Rep. Darrell Issa at the Political Action Committee luncheon.
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Significant sustainability gains for Greener Fields Together partners
D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California, Mission Produce, Grimmway Farms and Rainier Fruit Co. have all made significant sustainability improvements that have strengthened the companies, their products and decreased their consumption of natural resources.
NMB’s annual industry outreach webinar
The National Mango Board will host a virtual industry outreach meeting via webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. (EST). During the webinar, NMB staff will navigate through the industry section of mango.org, highlighting the various resources and tools available to better support mango industry members and grow the mango business.
Mexican component is ‘huge’ part of Calavo’s avocado business
As a California-based year-round supplier of avocados, Calavo Growers Inc. in Santa Paula, CA, as with many California avocado companies, relies heavily on imported fruit to meet the growing demand from its customers, particularly during times of the year when domestically produced avocados are out of season or in light supply.
Mexico accounts for two-thirds of avocado volume for Mission and U.S.
The importance of Mexico as a supplier of avocados to the U.S. market is enormous. As demand for avocados in the United States has grown, Mexico’s exports to the United States have kept pace, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the total volume in the market.
The Mexican program is similarly important for Mission Produce in Oxnard, CA, which has long had its own packinghouse in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico and last year added a second packinghouse in the avocado grove-covered hills of the state of Michoacán.
'Wonderful Halos' Mandarins launch
"Wonderful Halos" Mandarins, a palm-sized sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel fruit, launched Nov. 11.
Grown exclusively in California, "Halos" Mandarins are filled with “pure goodness,” are non-GMO and perfect for kids of all ages, the company said in a press release.
Potato industry rolls out new commodity-specific food-safety guidelines
The National Potato Council unveiled a new commodity-specific food-safety guide that NPC President John Keeling says will help maintain the commodity's safety record for those growers who follow the new template.
"We have a very good food-safety record," Keeling said, announcing the new, 67-page commodity-specific food-safety guidelines for the production, harvest, storage and packing of potatoes, during a Nov. 8 webinar.
Mastronardi's SUNSET ONE SWEET line featured on ‘The Biggest Loser’
Mastronardi Produce’s SUNSET ONE SWEET line will be featured on NBC's “The Biggest Loser” as part of a contestant challenge airing Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. EST.