Green Earth Produce participates in microbrewery avocado fest featuring avocado ale
Angel City Brewery & Public House, a craft brewery located in downtown Los Angeles, just one-and-a-half miles from the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market, held an avocado festival Aug. 24 to introduce a new light brew, avocado ale, created by Angel City brewer Dieter Foerstner.
A guacamole-inspired beer, the avocado ale is Angel City's 100th batch in 2013.
Growers pleased about Wisconsin potato crop quality
PLOVER, WI — As September digging swings into full tilt, Wisconsin's potato crop is expected to be of very high quality.
At Okray Family Farms Inc., located here, President Mike Finnessy said Wisconsin's potato crop this year "looks like much higher quality. Last year there was a high percentage of culls. There was a lot of grade-out. This year we have a very good quality crop and the yields are equal to or better than last year."
Fresh-cut produce goes back to school for Wegmans
Noting an increase in consumers' snacking habits, Wegmans Food Markets has introduced its healthy line of “Fresh Cut Snacks” in all Wegmans stores for the back-to-school season.
Shuman Produce Peruvian deal has grown from a handful of containers to a top position in the industry
Looking for a product that could equal its hallmark Vidalia onions in quality, taste and appearance, Shuman Produce Inc. of Reidsville, GA started its Peruvian program in 1998, importing just a handful of containers. Now Shuman has become one of the nation’s leading players in the Peruvian deal.
D’Arrigo looking forward to strong apple movement
Matthew D’Arrigo, vice president of D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc., located at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market, told The Produce News that last year’s New York apple deal was “unique.”
“Most growers in the state suffered some serious weather events that shortened the crop by about 50 percent,” D’Arrigo said. “The usual promotions, especially on local apples, were severely limited. Growers pretty much felt like they were in second gear throughout the season.
Misionero promoting new lettuce product
Misionero Vegetables, based in Gonzales, CA, introduced Lettuce Stackers — what it refers to as "the perfect size lettuce leaf" — at the Foodservice Produce Marketing Association in July.
The seed variety for Lettuce Stackers was selected for its user-friendly leaf size and its crisp, crunchy texture.
Publix expanding presence in North Carolina
Publix Super Markets Inc. has announced plans to grow its presence in North Carolina with the addition of two new stores. Publix will enter the Winston-Salem market and add a third location in Mecklenburg County.
“We continue to deliver on our promise of serving the great state of North Carolina by adding yet another county to our market area,” Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations director, said in a press release. “We are more than your community grocer – we are your neighbors and look forward to sharing the Publix spirit with you.”
Riveridge implements system to improve Honeycrisp packs
Saying the reputation of the Michigan Honeycrisp apple is too important to pack it like any other apple, Riveridge Produce LLC and its six Michigan packinghouses have implemented a 10-point protocol to ensure high-quality carton packs.
Apple industry says 243.3 million bushels on tap for 2013
CHICAGO — U.S. apple industry leaders forecast that the 2013 U.S. apple crop will be 243.3 million bushels.
These "outlook forecast" numbers were announced Aug. 23 by three regional apple industry spokesmen, representing the culmination of the 2013 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, held Aug. 22-23 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, here.
Those reporting the outlook forecasts were Don Kelly, speaking on behalf of growers in the western United States; Mike Rothwell, who represented the Midwest; and Phil Glaize, who represented Eastern growers.
Peruvian onion program comes into its own in year four for Vidalia experts LG Herndon Jr Farms
Herndon Farms of Lyons, GA is best-known as an industry leader in the Vidalia onion market, but its Peruvian deal — now in its fourth year — is becoming an increasingly important part of its 12-month program.
“We want to play to our strength and our strength is what we do in the field,” said Herndon Sales Manager John Williams. “We can be the eyes and ears for our customers on the ground and in the field. As an importer from Peru, there’s no third party involved and we have the same people monitor the quality as we do with Vidalia.”