Marketing efforts help Georgia peaches wrap up a very sweet season despite rainy weather
When people think of Georgia, they think of peaches. And while the Peach State has not been the nation's top producer in many years volume-wise, when it comes to quality and name recognition, Georgia still earns its nickname. And this year's Georgia peach season looks like it may have been one for the record books.
Sun World grants producer rights to Central American and South American companies
Sun World International LLC has appointed two companies in Central American and South American agriculture as grape producer-marketer licensees.
Camposol S.A. of Peru and Grupo Alta of Sonora Mexico have been granted rights to produce Sun World grape varieties in their respective countries, to distribute and market their fruit and to use Sun World's brands in the marketplace, David Marguleas, executive vice president of the Bakersfield, CA-based company, said in a press release.
Despite government shutdown, WPPC stays on message about key issues
WASHINGTON -- "We're in uncharted waters and we don't see a way out of this," Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of United Fresh Produce Association, said when he took the podium the morning of Oct. 1, referring to the first day of an historic government shutdown.
Fresh & Easy files for bankruptcy protection
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of its plans to sell its stores to the Yucaipa Cos.
Fresh & Easy declared assets between $100 million and $500 million, but debt of $500 million to $1 billion.
The filing "is simply the next step in the restructuring process to sell the business to The Yucaipa Companies and will have no impact on our customers shopping experience," said Brendan Wonnacott of Fresh & Easy. "It’s business as usual as we continue the transition to new ownership."
United Fresh and FMI to co-locate conventions in Chicago for next three years
The chief executive officers for the United Fresh Produce Association and the Food Marketing Institute announced a plan to hold their conventions jointly in Chicago during the month of June for at least the next three years.
The two organizations have co-located their conventions before, and United Fresh President Tom Stenzel said the partnership will help United Fresh get past the typical buy-sell relationship that occurs at conventions and move toward a top-to-top connection, referring to the top level retail executives that typically attend the FMI show.
Turbana partners with Price Chopper for healthy eating and breast cancer research campaign
Turbana Corp. is partnering again this fall with its retail partner, Price Chopper, for the Pink Ribbon Produce campaign to educate consumers on healthy eating habits and living active lifestyles while also raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness.
Texas citrus industry thriving despite lingering drought, competition and ever-present greening threat
It is amazing that Texas growers can produce premium citrus in the heart of the second-worst drought in state history, but this season's crop promises to be on-target in terms of quality and volume as the season ramps up in October.
Stellar Distributing launches kids’ kiwifruit program
Stellar Distributing of Madera, CA, is a leading importer of Italian and Chilean kiwifruit with conventional and organic California kiwifruit. Now they’ve added a kids’ kiwifruit program to promote healthy eating among children.
Although current year is lighter, Western Fresh volume is trending upward
The 2013 California kiwifruit crop “looks to be down from last year, probably about 10 to 15 percent,” both for the company and for the industry, Chris Kragie, deciduous fruit manager at Madera, CA-based Western Fresh Marketing, said in an interview with The Produce News Sept. 13.
Sunkist to preview of 2013-14 citrus season at PMA Fresh Summit
Sunkist Growers, based in Sherman Oaks, CA, is ushering in its 2013-14 citrus season at PMA Fresh Summit, promoting its full line of offerings at the trade show in New Orleans.