New hires, new offices, new bag program are among changes at Index Fresh
There are “some fun things going on” at Index Fresh Inc. this year, according to Dana Thomas, president of the company. One of those is a new bagging program called “AvoBuddies,” which was rolled out to help move the abundance of small fruit being harvested in California this spring
T&A's field-packed lettuce impresses in the field and online
When buyer-segment demand spurred Tanimura & Antle to reintroduce it's field-fresh packaged leaf lettuce, the Salinas-based company had a trick up its sleeve, or at least on its packaging: a personal trip from T&A's fields through its shipping process, into the grocery store and then the kitchen.
New discoveries could potentially make thousands of acres available for garlic planting
It is significant that while there are some 25,000 acres of farmland in California, mostly in the San Joaquin Valley, devoted to garlic production, there are also some 14,000 acres in the valley that have been taken out of production due to the presence of a devastating and persistent soil-borne disease called white rot with the expectation that garlic may never be planted in those fields again.
Mission Produce names director of strategic marketing
Mission Produce Inc., based in Oxnard, CA, has hired Robb Bertels as its new director of strategic marketing.
Peru poised to become larger player in U.S. avocado market in coming seasons
Peruvian avocados first gained access to the U.S. market late in the season in 2011, making 2013 the third year but the second full season that avocados from Peru have been available to buyers in the United States.
The Peruvian season runs from June through September, corresponding to the peak of the California avocado season, and also to the peak consumption months for avocados in the United States.
Dole a step closer to going private
David H. Murdock, chairman and chief executive officer of Dole Food Co., signed a definitive merger agreement with the company to acquire for cash all of the outstanding shares of Dole common stock not currently beneficially held by him.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Dole stockholders will receive $13.50 in cash for each share of Dole common stock that they hold, in a transaction that places the total value of Dole at approximately $1.6 billion.
Supervalu names new VP of produce merchandising
Supervalu announced Aug. 13 that John Jefferson has been named vice president of produce merchandising.
Taylor Farms voluntarily shuts down processing at Mexico facility while probe continues
Taylor Farms has suspended production of salad mix and leafy greens from its processing facility in Mexico while the Food & Drug Administration investigates the Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened 535 people, the company announced Aug. 12.
Health officials have reported at least 535 cases of Cyclospora infection from 18 states, although federal health authorities are still unsure whether all the cases are tied to the same outbreak.
Attendance soars to more than 400 as Texas Produce Convention tackles tough topics in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TX — More than 400 people packed the Westin La Canterra Resort, here, Aug. 7-9 for the 2013 Texas Produce Convention, co-hosted by the Texas International Produce Association, Texas Citrus Mutual and the Texas Vegetable Association.
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California Giant will have strawberries into November, other berries into September
The late-season berry program at California Giant in Watsonville, CA, involves more than just strawberries. The company will also have California-grown raspberries and blackberries as well as Northwest blueberries well into September, according to Cindy Jewell, marketing director.