Urban Farms taking produce production to new executive farming level
David Proenza, chief executive officer and president of Urban Farms Inc. in Rio Hato in Panama's central-southern coast, became interested in what his company calls food growing facilities when climate change began affecting his part of the world.
The growing system is sometimes referred to as vertical farming, and in Asia it is commonly referred to as plant factories.
"We have been in the food business since 1985," said Proenza. "Initially we were in packing, marketing and distributing in the U.S., but we began field farming in Panama in 1998 under the Global Farms name.
Santa Cruz expects strong, high quality fall program out of Watsonville and Santa Maria
“We have what looks to be a later-than-average season for us” in Watsonville, CA, so for the fall period this year “we are going to have a lot of nice fruit out of Watsonville, CA,” in addition to summer plantings specifically for the fall harvest in Santa Maria, CA, said Fritz Koontz, owner and president of Santa Cruz Berry Farming Co. LLC in Watsonville.
Asparagus sales have room to grow, says Southern Specialties exec
There are still a lot of people who haven’t tried asparagus or don’t eat it as often as they might, said Charlie Eagle of Southern Specialties, which has its corporate offices in Pompano Beach, FL. It is for this reason that the firm’s vice president of business development believes asparagus, and especially Peruvian asparagus, has a bright future in front of it.
Michigan Apple Committee, like industry, recharged after an unusual production year
LANSING, MI — Diane Smith has worked for the Michigan Apple Committee, based in a comfortable office here, since the mid-1990s. It was in July 2012 that she became the organization's executive director.
Royal Rose radicchio dubbed a certified Superfood
Royal Rose radicchio was officially certified a Superfood based on a laboratory analysis of its nutritional breakdown, including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
IGSA convention to open Aug. 28 with new president at the helm
In September 2012, shortly after the close of the 84th annual convention of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association, Travis Blacker, president of the organization, left to take a position as industry relations director for the Idaho Potato Commission. The following month, Mark Klompien was hired as the new top executive of the organization.
Klompien, who was previously vice president of supply chain management at Idahoan Foods, will be at the helm of Idaho Falls-based IGSA as it opens its 85th annual convention Aug. 28 in Sun Valley, ID.
Port of Tampa signs agreement for express rail service to Midwest market
The Tampa Port Authority announced the signing of a letter of intent with Green Express for the development of an on-dock transload and rail-served facility connecting the Port of Tampa to the Midwest market region.
The Green Express platform provides a sustainable logistics solution for perishable products combining speed, reliability and available capacity to control and optimize long-haul transportation. This results in optimized food quality, improving product freshness that converts into more sales, less waste and higher margins for growers, processors and retailers.
Green City Growers hires two new staff members
Cleveland, OH-based Green City Growers announced the hire of two new staff members on Aug. 5.
JOY PELLEK joined the company on July 15 as director of sales and marketing.
Alpine sees growth opportunities in Peru
Because of a variety of reasons, there has been some decline in asparagus acreage in Peru, which leaves Alpine Fresh Inc. believing there is a great opportunity for growth.
“We are looking at some new regions to develop,” said Walter Yager, chief executive officer of the Miami-based grower, shipper, distributor and importer. “The overall acreage is down so we believe Peru offers a great opportunity to add some production.”
Crystal Valley exec says jumbo market should be better in the U.S.
U.S. chefs know better but the regular consumer shopping at the supermarket just doesn’t know that the larger, thicker asparagus spears are the best-tasting ones.
Rick Durkin, director of business development for Crystal Valley Foods, based in Miami, said top U.S. chefs will pay a premium for jumbo and extra-large asparagus spears but U.S. consumers typically need a discount to buy that size. He said that is not the case in Europe, where the larger spears are a sought-after commodity.