Homegrown offers organic pomegranates, persimmons and Crimson grapes in its fall lineup
Organic pomegranates, organic persimmons and one variety of organic grape constitute the major fall fruit varieties offered by Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA.
“We will be starting pomegranates right around the end of August or the first of September,” said President Scott Mabs in an interview with The Produce News Aug. 6. “We start off with the Smith variety and the Foothill, then it looks like we will move into the Wonderfuls sometime around the first week of October this year.”
New FSMA import provisions explored during United Fresh webinar
WASHINGTON — Importers of certain fresh produce exempted from the Food & Drug Administration's new produce-safety proposal are not off the hook from complying with the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, cautioned Brian Pendleton, senior policy adviser at the FDA, during a United Fresh Produce Association-sponsored webinar held Sept. 3.
This was just one of many wide-ranging questions Pendleton and Charlotte Christin, another FDA senior policy adviser, fielded during a 90-minute webinar on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act rules proposed on July 26.
New quality assurance manager brings 30 years of experience to Coastline
Coastline, a year-round grower-shipper of fresh vegetables, is proud to announce that Cisco Martinez has joined the company as its quality assurance manager.
Lakeside’s owner, Dick Peixoto, is passionate about organic farming
Dick Peixoto, owner and sole grower of Lakeside Organic Gardens, headquartered in Watsonville, CA, said, “We love what we do, and we think it shows.”
Peixoto has been farming since he was 16 years old. He says he loves what he does and he would never dream of stepping out of the field and into an office. He brought organic produce to the market for the first time in 1996, and for him it was a dream come true. He began by successfully conquering the challenge of converting more than 1,000 acres to certified organic land.
Kern Ridge making inroads in organic carrot market
Though the firm has been selling organic carrots for more than a half dozen years, Kern Ridge Growers LLC Account Representative Chris Smotherman said “it is still a relatively new item for us and we’re still trying to get our brand known.”
Delhaize appoints new CEO, Roland Smith resigns
Delhaize Group, a Belgian international food retailer, has appointed Frans Muller as chief executive officer, effective Nov. 8. The company also announced that Roland Smith is resigning today from his role as CEO of Delhaize America.
Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will remain available to advise the new CEO until year-end and continue to serve on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter. In order to ensure a seamless transition, Muller will join the company on Oct. 14, prior to assuming the role of CEO.
Chelan Fresh growers picking at prime time
Mac Riggin, director of marketing for Chelan Fresh Marketing, said conditions bode well for a good quality crop this season. “We have good harvest weather now,” he said at the end of August. “You can kind of feel the fall in the air.”
Chelan Fresh has been moving fresh tree fruit since 2004. Serving as a link between growers and retailers, Chelan Fresh represents more than 419 growers from its headquarters in Chelan, WA.
Okray: potatoes are perfect
PLOVER, WI — “I honestly believe this is true: Potatoes are absolutely the best food,” said Dick Okray. “I have never seen a product that is so perfect. Every man, woman and child in this country should include potatoes in their diet.”
Such is the enthusiasm Okray feels for his avocation and occupation.
Okray is in his second six-year term serving on the United States Potato Board. He is also the secretary-treasurer of Okray Family Farms Inc., headquartered on a sprawling packing and warehouse complex in Plover.
Okray Family Farms celebrating its 108th year in business
PLOVER, WI — Okray Family Farms Inc., is 108 years old this year, said family owner Mike Finnessy. “We’ve had five generations over the 100 years. Hopefully, we’ll keep going. We buy land every year.”
The firm produces 8,000 acres of crops on its own land. Fresh market potatoes account for 1,800 acres of that total. The firm also ships potatoes produced by other growers.
Okray Family Farms produces 3,000 acres of sweet corn for the processing market, as well as snap beans and peas for processors. Okray also grows field corn and soybeans.
Alsum Farms & Produce has seen tremendous growth
FRIESLAND, WI — Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc., located in a sparkling new 200,000-square-foot office, packinghouse and warehousing facility here, has seen remarkable expansion into many parts of the produce industry.
Heidi Randall, marketing manager for the firm, is very proud to describe the company’s success, which has been led by her father, Larry Alsum. Also in the family business is Larry’s other daughter, Wendy Alsum, who is the firm’s financial analyst.