Kings rebrands store
Kings Food Markets held a grand re-opening ceremony Oct. 25 at its location in Cresskill, NJ, which is the second-largest of the 25 outlets located in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. It is also the 10th to undergo a rebranding.
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Almond Board study determines strongest influencers of health-related choices
For the past several years, the Almond Board of California has targeted dieticians and nurse practitioners in the United States with their health messaging, "based on research showing these were the two groups of health professionals most likely to provide dietary advice to consumers," according to an article in a recent edition of the board's newsletter, "Outlook."
However, a new in-depth quantitative study looked not at who was most likely to provide advice but whose advice consumers were most likely to find credible, the article stated.
Peter Condakes Co.’s food-safety, traceability initiatives paying off with new customers
Peter Condakes Co. Inc. has locations at both the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, and at the Boston Market Terminal in Everett, MA.
Peter John Condakes, president of the company, told The Produce News that the two terminal markets are just “a stone’s throw” apart.
“But when tossed, that stone crosses over the town borders and county lines,” said Condakes.
The 110-plus-year-old company continues to carry all of the major conventional commodities except potatoes, onions and watermelons.
Fifth-generation ‘potato head’ joins Cambridge Farms operation
Ken Gad, owner of Cambridge Farms in South Easton, ME, proudly announced to The Produce News that his oldest son, 25-year-old, Jay Gad, joined the company in April as the director of business development.
“Jay is our fifth-generation ‘potato head,’ and is aggressively seeking long-term programs as well as developing new marketing partners,” said Gad. “He is also developing ways to make our company more attractive to the industry that will give new customers a reason to join our program.”
Ready Pac names new CEO
Ready Pac Foods Inc. announced Oct. 22 that Tony Sarsam will serve as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. The hiring of Sarsam concludes a thorough search process that began earlier this year following the announcement of the retirement of Ready Pac's former CEO, Michael Solomon.
California Navel crop volume is down from last year, but earlier, with larger sizes
It has, in general, been a very good growing season for California citrus, according to industry sources, and that is creating good quality crops with exceptional flavor characteristics.
In the Navels, the crop volume is expected to be down from last year and down a bit from the average of the last several years, but with larger fruit sizes than a year ago and earlier-than-normal maturity.
Meijer reduced carbon footprint by nearly 60 percent in three years
Midwest retailer Meijer operates one of the largest all-clean diesel fleets in North America. As part of its ongoing green initiatives, the Grand Rapids, MI-based retailer’s fleet utilized innovative technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 60 percent since it first began implementing the U.S.
Baloian Farms introduces new squash product
Baloian Farms recently introduced a value-added new product in the fresh veg category featuring yellow and green squash with a seasoning packet included. The new product is expected to drive a higher margin and new sales in the vegetable category year-round.
Produce industry veterans join Mann Packing
Mann Packing Co. recently hired two experienced produce industry professionals in sales and marketing roles to help manage the company’s continued growth. Lori Bigras joined the company as a marketing manager, and Larry Narwold joined as Southeast regional sales manager, foodservice.
Mexican avocado imports may go later into spring with strong volume
Total exports of Hass avocados from Mexico into the United States in 2012-13 were a record 517,896 metric tons, up 40 percent from the prior crop year, which in turn topped the previous year by 26 percent, according to APEAM, the association of growers and exporting packers in the Mexican state of Michoacan.