John Cerasuolo Co. in full swing with produce from all growing regions
“We’re pretty much in full swing now, with at least a little product coming from about everywhere,” Ken Cavallaro, treasurer of John Cerasuolo Co. Inc., located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, told The Produce News. “The Northeast will peter out completely soon, and we’ll start working with Southeast, Mexico and California suppliers.
“We are moving our basic lineup of vegetables currently,” he continued. “As always, we handle a full line of vegetables from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.”
Kevin Severns elected California Citrus Mutual chairman
Sanger, CA, citrus grower and General Manager of Orange Cove — Sanger Citrus Association Kevin Severns was unanimously elected to serve as the 2013-14 California Citrus Mutual board chairman.
Grant J. Hunt Co. offering California orange bag featuring Tajín seasonings
NEW ORLEANS — The Grant J. Hunt Co., headquartered in Oakland, CA, introduced a four-pound bag of California oranges complete with Tajín seasoning. The new item debuted at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit convention, here.
The bag will be available year round and will feature California Navel or Valencia oranges, depending upon the season
Turbana partners with One Laptop Per Child organization
Turbana, a leading supplier of bananas and vegetables from Colombia, has partnered with the One Laptop Per Child organization to bring rugged, durable laptops to remote impoverished area. The goal is to provide access to knowledge that can change lives.
Find out more about the program in this video.
Michael Schutt of Raley's honored as 2013 Mango Retailer of the Year
The National Mango Board has honored Michael Schutt of Raley's as its 2013 Mango Retailer of the Year. Finalists for the award, also known as Mango Model Retailers, were Keith Durham of Brookshire's, Dick McKellogg of Lowes Foods and Tom Eynon of Giant Eagle.
These individuals and their companies were recognized at the NMB's Mango Industry Reception Oct. 19 at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention in New Orleans.
Fox Solutions of McAllen, TX, partners with machinery market leader NEWTEC to expand firm’s product line
A well-known player in the fresh produce packing equipment industry, Fox Solutions made a major move Oct. 9 to increase its market share and expand its already extensive product line with the addition of the NEWTEC line of state-of-the-art fresh produce packing equipment.
Fox already represents well-known brands like Haith, Verbruggen, H-tech, JMC, Saclark and ABV. The addition of the NEWTEC line will expand those offerings dramatically.
Itaueira sees great interest in its new fresh-cut melons
NEW ORLEANS — Itaueira Farms, a Brazilian producer of premium-quality Canary melons marketed under the "REI" brand, launched a fresh-cut version of the melon at the recent Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention, here, and company officials were delighted with the reaction from the trade.
China will eventually become net importer
NEW ORLEANS -- Though China is the world's top producer of both fruits and vegetables, and it is a formidable competitor in many different commodities, it will eventually become a net importer of fresh produce as its middle class continues to increase in size and demands higher value items.
That was the theme of a workshop session during the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention, held here.
Produce for Kids, DonorsChoose.org a win for children and communities
Produce for Kids, a philanthropic organization bringing the produce industry and consumers together to provide an education platform to promote healthy eating and help raise funds for children’s nonprofit organizations, has entered its second Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign on firm footing.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Donors-
Community-Suffolk: Spikes and dips in several commodities recently
Tommy Piazza, clerk of corporation for Community-Suffolk Inc., located at the Boston Market Terminal in Everett, MA, told The Produce News that for the entire last year the potato market was in low single digits.
“At the end of the season the remaining stored potatoes melted down, so there was a tremendous spike in the end,” he said. “When the market is overloaded, it’s not good for growers, receivers, packers, customers or anyone else.