Michigan vegetable crops thriving in 2013
BENTON HARBOR, MI —Michigan’s vegetable crops are flourishing this summer, according to Oliver Wolfe, a partner with his wife, Judy, in Above All Produce Inc., located on the Benton Harbor Fruit Market, here.
The Wolfes had started shipping Michigan melons and grape tomatoes in mid-July, while Romas kicked off July 26 and round tomatoes began Aug 1. Eggplant and other commodities were set to start in August as well.
Tater Man out the gate the first week of August with cured sweet potatoes
Tater Man, a sweet potato grower located in Sydney, FL, began harvesting product in southern Alabama and northern Florida in late July.
Jason Bell, account manager for Tater Man, told The Produce News, “We started harvesting in both areas within the last 10 days of July. Shipments of cured sweet potatoes started toward the end of last week.
PTI workshop scheduled for Miami
A workshop that focuses on the Produce Traceability Initiative will be held Sept. 19 in Miami, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about industry wide traceability requirements from some of the top experts in the field.
The workshop, which is being organized by the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, is open to all produce categories and will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center in Miami.
Superior Sales partners with J&R Baker Farms
Hudsonville, MI-based Superior Sales Inc. is partnering with J&R Baker Farms out of Norman Park, GA.
With the addition of this successful grower, Superior will be closing the gap on year-round supply.
“It has been a long time coming and we are excited to partner with Jerod and Rodney Baker," Randy Vande Guchte, president of Superior Sales, said in a press release.
Superior Sales will start with J&R Baker Farms around Sept. 15 and will feature "Superior" brand corn, cabbage, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, squash and assorted greens.
North American Produce Buyers reaps benefits from joint venture
North American Produce Buyers Ltd. is having its most successful year ever, and one reason is a joint venture the company entered into two years ago.
The family-owned business prides itself not only on family values like integrity and honesty, but also on an ability to adapt to changing needs in the industry.
PMA's new president to focus on external relationships
Cathy Green Burns, who will join the Produce Marketing Association as president effective Dec. 1, will focus on people and board development, and be the public face of the association, according to Bryan Silbermann, the current president and chief executive officer.
She will report directly to Silbermann and be the No. 2 person at the association, though the rest of the senior management team will also continue to report to the chief executive officer.
Heeren Bros. recalls cantaloupes distributed in Michigan due to Listeria concerns
Grand Rapids, MI-based Heeren Bros. Produce is recalling some 5,400 cantaloupes after routine sampling by the Food & Drug Administration detected Listeria monocytogenes, the firm announced Aug. 6.
The Athena cantaloupes, which are not stickered or marked as Athena varieties, were distributed to small, independent grocers in Michigan from July 23-26. The company said it has not received any reports of illnesses to date.
Stop & Shop closing stores, leaving New Hampshire
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC announced plans to exit New Hampshire, closing all six of its Stop & Shop stores as well as its gas stations by Sept. 21.
American Mushroom Institute focusing strong efforts on food-safety initiatives
"The industry does a great job of collaborating on food-safety issues. Everyone shares their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the entire sector: growers, packers and shippers," Laura Phelps, president of the American Mushroom Institute in Washington, DC, said. "The Food Safety Task Force of the American Mushroom Institute has been reviewing the proposed rules that will implement the Food Safety Modernization Act, and is preparing comments to be filed by the September deadline."
721 Logistics/J&K Fresh East enjoys early success in the Delaware River region
PHILADELPHIA — Most companies measure growth in percentages. To do that, 721 Logistics and its J&K East division, here, would need a pretty impressive calculator. Formed 18 months ago in a partnership with J&K Fresh of Inglewood, CA — a 50-year fixture on the West Coast — 721 has mushroomed from a mere handful of clients to a current roster of more than 200 customers.
The company has also swelled to 20 employees, with more coming on board as the business continues to grow.