Most California grape varieties continue to be early, with excellent quality
The 2013 California table grape harvest started one to two weeks earlier than normal on most early varieties for many growers in the San Joaquin Valley. That earliness continued through the mid-season varieties and in general appeared likely to continue through the later varieties as well, although some growers say the later varieties are looking closer to normal timing.
United Supermarkets changing name as part of strategic branding initiative
United Supermarkets LLC announced a name change for the parent company as the result of a strategic branding initiative for the entire organization.
Moving forward, United Supermarkets LLC will be known as The United Family, reflecting the company's multiple store brands as well as its rich family history.
Grape commission promotions continue into winter and holiday season
As the autumn and winter periods become increasingly important for California table grape growers, fueled in large part by the introduction over the last few years of numerous high-quality late-season grape varieties from both industry-funded and private breeding programs, the California Table Grape Commission has responded with strengthened late-season consumer education activities, trade promotions and international market development activities.
Buurma Farms recalls cilantro for possible Listeria contamination
Buurma Farms Inc. in Willard, OH, is voluntarily recalling 465 boxes of cilantro due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Buurma Farms has not received any case of reported illness related to this product to date.
Food Lion leaning on fresh for image revamp
The new chief executive officer of Food Lion has a plan to turn the chain around, and fresh produce is part of that plan.
Beth Newlands Campbell, who was named CEO of the Salisbury, NC-based retailer following the departure of Cathy Green Burns, told the Charlotte Observer, that clean stores, fresh produce, helpful associates and consistency from store-to-store are all key elements in her plan to better compete in the cutthroat world of supermarket retailing.
New York announces names for new apple varieties
The apple industry has been calling them the NY1 and NY2 apples for a couple of years, but on Aug. 1, Cornell University announced that after a year of rigorous consumer testing, the two new apple varieties developed in partnership with the New York Apple Growers (NYAG) now have official names. They are “SnapDragon” and “RubyFrost.”
Stacy Holthaus joins Market Fresh Produce
Market Fresh Produce, based in Nixa, MO, announced STACY HOLTHAUS as its new category manager on Aug. 2.
“I’m excited to have a person with Stacy’s background to help in taking our tomato category to the next level,” Market Fresh’s Director of Procurement Tyler Phipps said in a company press release.
Opportunities ripe for Rainier’s ready to eat pears
There is no question that consumers are increasingly seeking out ripe pears in the produce department. And Yakima, WA-based Rainier Fruit Co. is expanding its ripening program to meet this demand.
“Ripe pear sales have seen an upward trend the last few years,” Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter told The Produce News. “We continue to experience growing demand for our ripe pears and strongly believe there is tremendous growth potential for ripened D’Anjou pears.”
Klamath Basin Fresh Organics expands packaging options
Klamath Basin Fresh Organics will introduce 15 new packaging options for its organic potatoes this season. “We chose our new packaging with the consumer in mind,” Director of Marketing Hollis Baley told The Produce News. “We chose materials that would ensure maximum storage efficiency, picked convenient sizes to cater to a variety of household sizes, and included educational information. Our new paper packaging has some unique features. It protects potatoes from greening.
A bumper crop of Michigan apples for a huge comeback
SPARTA, MI — This season may very likely yield Michigan's largest fresh market apple crop ever.
Mother Nature is giving back after vicious freezes in the spring of 2012 devastated apple buds throughout Michigan. The 2012 crop was Michigan's smallest since 1944, according to several growers.