O’Hare center gets Chicago city council approval
The lease agreement for a $2 million perishables center at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago was approved by the city council there in a unanimous voice vote on June 26, two days after approval by the council’s committee on aviation. The ordinance calls for city officials to execute the lease within 30 days, according to Karen E. Pride, director of media relations for the Chicago Department of Aviation.
Billion-dollar U.S. Christmas tree industry expected to see sales rise
The farm-grown Christmas tree industry in this country is a billion-dollar industry that sold 24.5 million trees last year, and 2013 should see an increase, according to Rick Dungey, public relations director of the National Christmas Tree Association in Chesterfield, MO.
NORCAL Sun ’N Fun expands tours, ed sessions, draws 400-plus
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Expanded grower tours, more education sessions, a golf tournament on a championship course, awards, a floral fashion show with wearable floral craftsmanship, a flower fair with 42 exhibitors, convention grounds decorated by a team of seven floral designers — all were on hand, along with a record crowd of more than 400 for the NORCAL Sun ‘N Fun Weekend here July 17-20.
It’s show time; trade pacts in spotlight
It’s show time. NORCAL held its biennial Fun ‘N Sun Weekend earlier this month, and we have a report filed at press time from the show.
Also in this issue are photos from the International Floriculture Expo in Miami Beach, FL, which will move to New Orleans next summer. The Southern California Expo of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council was also held this month in Anaheim, CA.
Seald Sweet to import Australian summer citrus
Beginning the first week of August, Seald Sweet will be importing citrus from Australia into the port of Long Beach, CA. This move adds further growth to the company’s well-established summer citrus programs.
Ocean Spray appoints global chief marketing officer
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a grower-owned cooperative based in Lakeville-Middleboro, MA, announced the appointment of Thano Chaltas to the newly created role of global chief marketing officer.
Chaltas will be responsible for global brand development and will be part of the cooperative leadership team. He will report directly to Ken Romanzi, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Ocean Spray Brands.
Growers cut cantaloupe acreage to deal with water issues
Cantaloupe growers in Rocky Ford, CO, have decreased planted acreage dramatically to address water shortages.
“Acreage is down 60 to 70 percent this season,” said Chairman Michael Hirakata, who is also general manager of Hirakata Farms.
The association has a total of 15 members this year. In addition to cantaloupes, some growers have also planted watermelons and honeydews.
Hirakata said water supplies were not as big of an issue at the beginning of the season as planting ramped up.
To-Jo rolling out foodservice packs of Portabella Sliders at PMA Expo
Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo Food Products Inc. in Avondale, PA, said the company is presenting its complete line of fresh and processed foodservice products at the upcoming Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA, July 26-28.
Foster resigns from USApple
The U.S. Apple Association, based in Vienna, VA, announced that Nancy Foster, president and chief executive officer, has resigned after 11 years as head of the organization.
Foster will leave the association in late-August, and a search committee has been formed to seek her replacement. The committee will be headed by Mike Wade of Columbia Fruit Packers in Wenatchee, WA, and members of the committee include Mark Nicholson of Red Jacket Orchards in Geneva, NY, John Rice of Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, and Julia Rothwell of Belding Fruit Storage in Grand Rapids, MI.
'First Pick' marks start of Michigan blueberry harvest season
The Michigan blueberry harvest is in full swing with local growers working long hours to ensure that the blueberries are picked, packed and distributed to retailers, restaurants and consumers throughout the country.
Bob Burr, mayor of South Haven, MI, helped kick off the local harvest by visiting local blueberry grower Tom Bodtke, Bob Hawk, president and chief executive officer of the grower-owned Michigan Blueberry Growers cooperative, and Brian Bocock, vice president of product management for Naturipe Farms LLC.