Barthel rejoins Central American Produce
SHANNON BARTHEL has rejoined Pompano Beach, FL-based Central American Produce to take on the newly created role of director of marketing.
Barthel, a 25-year industry veteran, was most recently director of West Coast operations for Southern Specialties. Prior to that, she was with Central American Produce for nine years.
Belle Foods to sell all remaining stores
About one month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Belle Foods has announced plans to sell all of its remaining grocery stores.
Belle Foods and C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. have reached an agreement for debtor-in-possession financing to be extended by C&S to Belle, which has been approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Potandon Produce to conduct retail display contest
Potandon Produce LLC, based in Idaho Falls, ID, will launch a retail display contest in which retailers are encouraged to build an attractive and memorable display using "Klondike" brand potatoes along with complementary fresh produce items to demonstrate healthy eating and drive overall produce sales.
Industry Viewpoint: Produce industry can do better serving retailers engaging in foodservice
Not long ago, the convergence of foodservice and retail seemed simple. Department stores offered snack bars (think: hot dog, popcorn and ICEE). Convenience stores installed microwaves to heat up the beef stew you might find (if you looked hard enough) beside the motor oil. And grocery store delis just started offering take-home rotisserie chickens in addition to their fried fare.
How times have changed.
Expansion and upgrades allow Strohauer Farms to begin year-round shipping
Expansion, upgrades and new equipment at its LaSalle, CO, packing facility has allowed Strohauer Farms to begin year-round shipping, according to company President and Owner Harry Strohauer.
“Our Colorado packing facility is going through significant changes this season with the additions of an optic sorter/sizer, new washing and drying equipment, increased cooler capacity and overall streamlining of our sorting and packing operation,” Strohauer said in late June.
Steinbeck Country Produce develops animated ad campaign
Steinbeck Country Produce announced the launch of a series of animated spots that highlight its “Nature’s Reward” brand. The spots will air strictly in the digital sphere in the form of banner ads and online videos. The creative focuses on the company’s line of premium-quality “Nature’s Reward” fresh vegetable and strawberries.
Mi Pueblo files Chapter 11
Mi Pueblo, which has 21 Northern California stores targeting Hispanic shoppers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection July 22, claiming it has financing issues with its main lender.
In a letter to its vendors, dated on the same day, Juvenal Chavez, founder and chief executive officer, said all stores would remain open as the supermarket chain reorganizes.
Growers Citrus Packing joins Sunkist
Growers Citrus Packing, a Terra Bella, CA-based grower-shipper of citrus, primarily Navel oranges, is joining Sunkist Growers Inc.
“We are pleased to be joining Sunkist, where we will benefit from their broad worldwide customer reach and marketing expertise," David Evans, chief executive officer of Growers Citrus Packing, said in a press release. "We look forward to a long and prosperous future together.”
Projected to pack 1.6 million cartons annually, Growers Citrus Packing will be part of the robust Sunkist packinghouse network.
Colombian trade pact is a winner for U.S., Colombian flower exporters say on first anniversary of agreement
In the first year after the signing of the U.S.-Colombian Free Trade Agreement, the head of the flower exporter group in Colombia contends the United States has come out on top. Augusto Solano, president of Asocolflores, the flower exporters group, told The Produce News, “The media in both countries has pronounced this particular free trade agreement as having been more beneficial for the United States than it has for Colombia.”
Monterey Bay greenhouses host tour
A crowd of about 1,200 area residents visited one or more of the six growers on the Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers fourth annual open house tour June 15. Kathleen W McDonough, who organized the event, told The Produce News that more than $10,000 was raised from flower, plant, and refreshment sales for five local charities, including state parks and a cancer fund.