Nassif, conservative leaders participate in lobbying blitz for immigration reform
WASHINGTON -- Western Growers Association's top executive joined a handful of leaders Oct. 29, here, in a panel discussion on immigration reform as part of an all-out push to gather enforcement, faith-based and business leaders to call on the U.S. House to pass reform this year.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce organized more than 600 conservative leaders from nearly 40 states to visit more than 100 Capitol Hill offices, all part of "Americans for Reform: Immigration Reform for our Economy, Faith and Security."
Fresherized Foods launches new bean dips
Treating consumers to tasty new avocado-enriched snack, the maker of "Wholly Guacamole" brand is adding bean dips to its line of pre-packaged dips, which also includes "Wholly Salsa" products.
Cauliflower leads active vegetable markets
While much better than normal pricing remains for many vegetable items from the West, only cauliflower seems to be commanding the stratospheric prices of mid-October.
"There just still isn't much flower around," said Mark Sergent, chief executive officer of S&S Marketing & Sales Inc., a buying broker and distributor based in Salinas, CA.
He said the leaf lettuce items came off their $20-plus markets, though most items were still returning better than a $10 bill on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Johnston Farms finds Satsuma popularity growing due to high flavor
Johnston Farms in Edison, CA, which grows several varieties of Mandarins in addition to Navel oranges, packed mainly under the company’s “Blue Jay” brand, is finding that its Satsuma Mandarins are continuing to grow in popularity.
Dennis Johnston, a partner in the company, attributes that growing popularity to the high flavor of the variety.
Paramount Citrus moves into new citrus season with major expansions
This summer, Paramount Citrus Cooperative in Delano, CA, announced two major expansions in its citrus program.
As reported previously in The Produce News, three weeks after disclosing that it had ended its joint venture with Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative in Pasadena, CA, to market Mandarins under the “Cuties” brand, Paramount announced in a press release June 10 “the launch of a new premium California Mandarin brand, ‘Wonderful Halos,’ and revealed plans to spend a record $100 million over the next five years” to promote and market the new brand.
Paul Mastronardi named Ontario's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Paul Mastronardi, president and chief executive officer of Mastronardi Produce, based in Kingsville, ON, has been named Ontario's 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Food & Beverage category.
Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 20th year of honoring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business.
Giumarra adds organic winter squash to its Fair Trade lineup
Giumarra announced the expansion of its line of Fair Trade-certified fresh produce with the addition of USDA-certified organic and conventional acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash.
The squash are grown in Mexico and will be available from November through March to meet consumer demand for the winter holidays.
Scott Grinstead sentenced to 16 months in Adams case
Scott David Grinstead, the former chief executive officer of Adams Produce Co. in Birmingham, AL, was sentenced to 16 months in prison Oct. 29, which was significantly less than sentencing guidelines.
Birmingham attorney William Athanas told The Produce News Oct. 30 that as part of the proposal in which the former CEO pleaded guilty to fraud and other charges, Grinstead paid almost double restitution to the estate of Adams Produce during the bankruptcy proceedings for that company.
United Fresh announces second annual marketing and merchandising conference
The United Fresh Produce Association announced that its second annual Retail Produce Marketing & Merchandising Conference will be held June 12-13 in Chicago, immediately following the United Fresh and FMI Retail Connect shows.
The conference will be hosted by United's Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council, the association's volunteer leadership group consisting of more than 30 marketing experts across the produce and retail industry.
Vidalia Onion Committee taps former assistant for top spot
NEW ORLEANS -- Susan Waters, executive assistant to the Vidalia Onion Committee since 2009, has been named the organization's new executive director after a six-month search.
Waters replaces Wendy Brannen, who held the post for eight years before departing to become director of consumer health and public relations for the U.S. Apple Association earlier this year.