PMA Perspective: PMA Foundation for Industry Talent: Support the cause that supports us all
As decision-makers within our companies, we’re routinely asked by vendors and customers to contribute to all sorts of causes. For my company, Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent represents a cause we can champion because it’s very much our own cause, not just somebody else’s.
The leaders of Progressive Produce are all in our 50s. We needed to pay more attention to who would be filling our shoes; however, when left to our own devices it was too easy to push that effort behind seemingly more immediate needs.
Sunny Creek Farms placing focus on food safety, locally grown and logistics
What started out as a sales call ended up as a new job for produce veteran Mark Rogers, sales director of Sunny Creek Farms in Tryon, NC.
Domex launches Instagram promotion to make meaningful consumer connections
Building on the recent launch of its new consumer-focused website, Domex Superfresh Growers announced a new Instagram promotion called "Picture a Healthier You."
Fairway to open new store in NYC
Measuring in at 26,500 square feet, Fairway Market’s newest — and smallest — store will take up a full block in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City.
“We’re thrilled to announce our fifth Manhattan store and 13th Fairway Market, coming to Sixth Avenue between 25th and 26th streets this summer,” the company states on its website. The grand opening is scheduled for July 24.
The new location will offer a chopped salad bar available in salad or wrap form and produce directly from the farm as well as a full line of organic produce.
Tasti Lee tomatoes receive Heart-Check Mark
Bejo Seeds Inc. Tasti Lee tomatoes are now certified as part of the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Food Certification.
The Heart-Check Mark helps consumers to easily identify foods in retail stores that meet the nutritional standards of the American Heart Association to promote healthy eating habits.
Tasti Lee is a new hybrid variety of round beefsteak-style tomato developed at the University of Florida by Dr. Jay Scott.
Scott worked to develop this variety for more than 10 years, resulting in significant improvements to health, flavor and freshness.
Eastern Propak’s growers all reporting good peach crop, movement has already begun
“I am highly optimistic about this season’s New Jersey peach and nectarine programs,” Jeff Danner, general manager of Eastern Propak LLC in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News.
“I work with four New Jersey growers: Summit City Farms in Glassboro, which is our largest supplier; Heilig Orchards in Richwood; F&R Grasso Farms in Mullica Hill; and Gala Orchards in Elmer. I met with all of them in the past week, and they are all reporting a very full crop,” he said June 28.
GreenGate Fresh shares news of cutting-edge facility at PMA Expo
Jay Iverson, vice president of sales and marketing for GreenGate Fresh LLLP in Salinas, CA, told The Produce News that the company will be exhibiting at the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA, July 26-28, and it is looking forward to telling everyone there about its new facility.
Florida orange crop forecast drops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its final forecast Thursday, pegging the 2012-13 Florida orange crop at 133.4 million boxes, down 9 percent from last season.
There are 66.3 million boxes of Valencias, down 700,000 boxes; early-mid varieties climbed 100,000 boxes to 67.1 million.
Good production, quality and sizes seen on California garlic as harvest kicks off
Harvest of the 2013 California garlic crop both in the San Joaquin Valley and in the Gilroy area were just getting under way in early July, but strong demand was paving the way for an optimistic outlook for the season.
"So far, the crop looks very good," said Bill Christopher, president of Christopher Ranch LLC in Gilroy. "Last year, yields were down a little bit. This year, yields are going to be average to good," and the size of the garlic is also good, "so there will be plenty of fresh California garlic for the market this coming year."
Colorado potato icon Tom Ford dies at 81
Longtime Colorado potato grower and industry icon Thomas R. Ford died June 25 in East Wenatchee, WA, from an apparent heart attack while traveling to the National Potato Council Summer Meeting in Walla Walla. He was 81.
Born July 18, 1931, in Carmel, CO, Mr. Ford married the former Donna Dee Belt in 1951, and the couple made their home in the San Luis Valley where he farmed potatoes and barley for more than five decades.