Walmart, PMA join effort to create new Global Food Traceability Center
WASHINGTON — There had never been a public or private entity that brings together the agri-food sector to focus exclusively on food traceability issues until today, when a coalition of industry trade associations, along with the Food & Drug Administration, joined together to create the Global Food Traceability Center.
Potatoes and salad on the menu at September EPC meeting
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council returned from its summer hiatus Sept. 10 with a meeting at the Manor, here, sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission and Dole Fresh Vegetables.
Following a cocktail hour that allowed friends and business associates to reconnect, the sponsors gave interactive presentations that engaged the gathering of produce professionals in attendance.
EPC returns from summer hiatus
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council returned from its summer hiatus Sept. 10 with a meeting at the Manor, here, sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission and Dole Fresh Vegetables. Also in attendance at the meeting were the members of the Eastern Produce Council's new Women's Leadership Committee, which held its first meeting prior to the EPC dinner.
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Daniel F. (Bud) Roche, Roche Bros. co-founder, dies at 85
Daniel F. (Bud) Roche, retired co-founder and chairman of the board of Roche Bros. and Sudbury Farms Supermarkets, as well as founder of Hans Kissle Salad Co., died Sept. 4. Mr. Roche, a veteran sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corp., was 85 at the time of his death.
Rick and Ed Roche, Mr. Roche's nephews and the current owners of Roche Bros., announced his death to employees in a statement: “With deep sadness, we regret to personally inform you of the passing of our dear uncle, Bud Roche. His loss is immeasurable to our family and our company.
GlobalGAP offers LocalGAP for emerging local markets
Consumers worldwide are demanding quality foods that are produced safely and sustainably. Retailers around the world are rising to meet the challenge by demanding certification from their producers, but they face a tricky situation when working with emerging producers that may not be able to achieve GlobalGAP certification — and producers without certification for their products have difficulties accessing local and regional markets.
Christopher Ranch increases organic acreage every year in its effort to keep up with the growing demand
Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, is a leading producer of garlic, shallots and numerous other specialty items. Patsy Ross, vice president of marketing for the company, said the grower and packer has produced organic garlic since 1997.
Phillips feeling ‘dramatic increase’ in the demand for organic mushrooms
Kevin Donovan, national sales manager for Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, PA, told The Produce News that the company is experiencing a dramatic increase in the demand for organic mushrooms. It has produced an organic line for about 12 years.
Record shipments for California grapes
The month of August has seen record shipments for grapes from California, posting week-ending totals of over 4 million boxes three weeks in a row.
“The crop is moving at what could be a record-setting pace,” Kathleen Nave, president of the commission, said in a press release. According to USDA data, more than 28 million boxes of California table grapes have been shipped through Aug. 23. The 2013 year-to-date total is 3 percent ahead of last year, which saw a record-high season total volume that surpassed the 100 million 19-pound box equivalent mark for the first time in history.
Ready Pac hires new marketing director
Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has hired Barbara Moreno as its new marketing director of salad, snacking and vegetables. Reporting directly to Barb Dan, Ready Pac’s senior vice president of marketing, Moreno brings over 20 years of food marketing and sales experience in consumer packaged goods, both domestic and international.
Ahold USA announces leadership departure
Ahold USA announced the departure of Anthony Hucker as its Giant Landover division president, effective Sept. 13. Hucker decided to resign from the company for an unnamed opportunity.