California Giant hosts food blogger contest
California Giant Berry Farms is tapping into the growing network of food bloggers by hosting a contest that will ultimately result in gaining a new set of brand ambassadors.
By hosting a contest specific to food bloggers, California Giant hopes to extend its reach to consumers continuing to build brand loyalty and participate in new exciting recipes created by foodies at home in their own kitchens.
Is it difficult to become PTI compliant?
A lot has changed since the concept of the Produce Traceability Initiative burst on the scene a half-dozen years ago. At the time, case labeling every carton with a code that could be read up and down the supply chain appeared to be a daunting task, but now experts say it isn’t that difficult at all — and is much less expensive than first imagined.
Dan Vaché, vice president of supply chain management for the United Fresh Produce Association, said the technology providers have worked through the issues and have solutions for shippers and retailers and everyone in between.
Specialty crop groups praise House for passing scaled-back farm bill
WASHINGTON —The House narrowly passed, by a 216-208 vote, a stripped-down farm bill for the first time without the nutrition title, an unorthodox move fiercely criticized by House Democrats but praised by specialty crop producers if it gets a five-year farm policy bill into conference with the Senate.
Kinoshita: Onion crop looking good
Fagerberg Produce, located in Eaton, CO, is moving into its 2013 onion season with a sense of guarded optimism. “The snows that we got in April and May really, really helped things,” said Sales Manager Alan Kinoshita. “We’re not 100 percent normal. But we’re pretty good.”
Kinoshita said planted acreage has remained stable this season. Wetter conditions during the spring translated to planting delays in 2013.
“We are two weeks later than normal,” he commented. Some early planted stands thinned out due to weather. “But the rest look fairly normal,” he said.
Babé Farms expanding numerous ways, shows off year-round items
Santa Maria, CA-based grower-shipper Babé Farms, has been a leader in specialty vegetables and gourmet salad blends for more than 25 years.
Ande Manos, marketing and new business development representative for the company said that its staff is looking forward to the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, CA, July 26-28.
CAC’s Tom Bellamore: A man for all seasons and climates
Tom Bellamore, the president of the California Avocado Commission, has had a diverse career and life that took him from the Garden State of New Jersey to the harsh climate of the far reaches of Alaska before he began calling sunny and mild Southern California home.
In the Trenches: Keep a sharp eye on the e-commerce grocery business
In earlier days, small neighborhood grocery stores were situated on every corner while supermarkets were expanding rapidly. Competition wasn’t so fierce then and the little family-owned neighborhood stores, which focused on offering good service, never marketed themselves in newspaper ads or by any other means except word of mouth.
Former produce retail executive launches consulting firm
Craig Carlson, a former produce retail executive who has worked for some of the top chains in the country during his 30-year career, announced the formation of his new firm, Carlson Produce Consulting.
Carlson told The Produce News he had been thinking about forming his own consultancy for a while and the timing now seemed right.
California Avocado Month draws nationwide attention
The California Avocado Commission recently promoted June as California Avocado Month through comprehensive public relations outreach and partnerships with noted chefs in 11 markets across the country.
Generation Next: Good work ethic and determination defines Gourmet Trading’s Kevin Vines
As the middle child in a family of five children, 27-year-old Kevin Vines learned at an early age what it takes to stand out in a crowd.
“Growing up in a big family made it very easy for me to talk to people and also get my point across when it is needed,” said the Redlands, CA, native. “It also molded me into the worker I am today and taught me that you cannot get anywhere in life without hard work and determination.”