Primavera Marketing reports early California apple crop can cause spotty movement
On July 29, Richard Sambado, director of domestic sales for Primavera Marketing Inc., in Linden, CA, told The Produce News that the movement on the company’s California apple crop had started about five days earlier, which was about seven days earlier than the crop started last year.
Thomas expects to increase the vegetable side of its business
Chuck Thomas is a third-generation produce broker who has seen tomatoes be the core of his business for many, many years.
“Year-round, they represent about 60 percent of our business, and that has remained fairly steady for the last few years,” said the proprietor of Thomas Produce Sales in Nogales, AZ. “But I expect that to decline a bit as the years go by, and we will get closer to 50 percent tomatoes and 50 percent other vegetables.”
Bozzuto's Inc. holds 2013 Merchandising Marketplace
Bozzuto’s Inc. held its 2013 Merchandising Marketplace Aug. 6-7 at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT. The event was extremely well attended and drew many new retailers, said Greg Veneziano, vice president of perishables at Bozzuto’s.
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California season will continue into November with late-season support from CAC
With a larger crop of avocados in the market this year, California growers expect their shipping season to continue later into the year than usual, with peak volume continuing through August and much of September, good volume into October, and some shipments moving into the market as late as November.
In support of the large crop and the extenuated shipping period, the California Avocado Commission will be continuing promotional activities well into fall.
Kingston announces arrival of its Peruvian sweet onion program
Kingston, a distributor, importer and shipper of a variety of fruits and vegetables grown in Central America, South America, Mexico and the United States, announced that it will begin shipping its premium quality sweet onion program from Peru with first U.S. arrivals, which are slated for mid-August.
New Mevi Avocado packing facility positioned for growth
Avocado grower Mevi Avocados’ new packing facility is up and running and already poised for expansion.
Strategically located in Ciudad Guzman in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is now the second-largest source of avocados in the country after Michoacan, the operation’s 35-container-a-week capacity will lift significantly when a second packingline is added in the coming months.
FPFC luncheon raises big bucks for City of Hope
CERRITOS, CA — The Fresh Produce & Floral Council's August luncheon, held Wednesday, Aug. 7, here, resulted in a generous contribution to the City of Hope, the Duarte, CA-based cancer research hospital that is the favored charity of the local produce industry.
Big displays of Peruvian asparagus are key to big sales
The best way to increase sales of Peruvian asparagus at retail is to build large displays and utilize all three colors: green, white and purple. At least that is the view of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association and Priscilla Lleras, its coordinator. “Go big,” she said. “Large vibrant displays of fresh Peruvian asparagus will boost sales at retail level. Direct the consumer’s attention to the vibrant colors of fresh asparagus: green, purple and white.”
Southern Specialties hosts Step Upp leadership class
Southern Specialties, a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, hosted the 2013 Southeast Produce Council Step Upp leadership class for an educational presentation and tour of the company's facility in Pompano Beach, FL, on Aug. 1.
Maurice Carl Kophamer, Kern County grower, was 91
Maurice Carl Kophamer, a retired Kern County (CA) farmer, died July 14 at his home in Lookout Mountain, GA. He was 91 years old.
Mr. Kophamer began his farming career on leased ground around the Santa Anita Race Track. He was a pioneer in the development of vegetables grown in Kern County.