13-year-old Chef Eliana wins Tasty Award
Kid Chef Eliana de Las Casas, a 13-year-old culinary prodigy, is a Taste Award honoree, a recipient of an award for Special Achievement in the Outstanding Kids category for her role as host of “Cool Kids Cook,” her weekly Web radio show on the VoiceAmerica Kids network.
Workers vote in potential landmark Gerawan case
Workers at Gerawan Farming Inc. in Reedley, CA, were finally given the chance to decertify the United Farm Workers as their contract bargaining agent in a potentially landmark election held Tuesday, Nov. 5.
It may well be weeks before the results of the election are known, but the outcome could have huge significance.
Beachside introduces convenient celery sticks and hearts for the holidays
Beachside Produce LLC is preparing for a successful holiday season in 2013 by adding celery sticks and hearts to its lineup this fall.
Celery sticks are available in a variety of convenient pack options, and celery hearts and a new 8x3 full stalk will be offered as well.
Peak shipping season approaches for Hadley Date Gardens
With the 2013 California date harvest nearly complete for Medjool dates and in full swing for Deglets, “we are going into our peak shipping season,” said Albert Keck, president of Hadley Date Gardens Inc. in Thermal, CA, in an interview with The Produce News Oct. 17. “We are shipping briskly,” and so far, the product was moving out as fast as it was coming in.
Atlas Produce introduces new airtight date packaging
Atlas Produce & Distribution Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, producer of California-grown Medjool dates, has introduced a new style of packaging for its “Caramel Naturel” brand date products, according to Robert Dobrzanski, president of the company.
The new packaging is an air-tight clamshell that “extends the shelf life of the product, so that the consumer is happy with what they buy,” Dobrzanski said. Made by Safe T Fresh, the containers are also tamper resistant. “We have those in the eight-ounce, 12-ounce and one-pound” sizes as well as in a two-pound size, he said.
Texas’ Loop Fresh Produce and partner Allen Lund celebrating first year of successful partnership
Loop Fresh Produce in McAllen, TX, and Los Angeles-based transportation partner the Allen Lund Co. are celebrating the first anniversary of a successful Rio Grande Valley partnership.
Malena Produce crosses product at McAllen from Guanajuato and Sinaloa
Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales, AZ, is a diversified shipper and distributor of vegetables from Mexico best known for its eggplant but also handling an assortment of other commodities. Founded in the 1950s, the family business has traditionally crossed its products into the United States at Nogales.
Three years ago, however, Malena began going through McAllen, TX, with some of its products, according to Chief Executive Officer Gonzalo Avila.
Winter vegetable deal gets started with great markets
Cauliflower prices have been through the roof and most Western vegetables have had a very good fall season, with growers and shippers alike looking forward to the winter vegetable deal as they anticipate strong pricing will remain the order of the day for at least a while.
"Pepper prices haven't been through the roof," deadpanned Mike Aiton, "but they are on the second floor."
Washington gets early jump on potato movement
The 2013 season ramped up early for Washington's potato producers. "Year to date, shipments have been running a little ahead of schedule compared to recent years," said Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission. "Most of this is due to early season movement in July and August when potato supplies were very short across the country."
Chilean Citrus Committee targets Hispanic shoppers with Tajin seasoning partnership
Sales of citrus from Chile heated up as a result of joint promotions with Tajín, a tangy, spicy seasoning powder that many Hispanic consumers sprinkle on top of fresh produce. The Chilean Citrus Committee partnered with Tajín on 35 demos in two major retail chains with a strong Hispanic customer base.