Claims mount in Walla Walla Gardeners' Association bankruptcy
Claims against the 97-year-old Walla Walla Gardeners' Association in Walla Walla, WA, continue to mount after the onion and asparagus packer and shipper shut its doors in November 2012 following a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing.
According to court documents, the dollar amount of unsecured nonpriority claims in late March surpassed $1.5 million, and the packing facility itself was bought by Sweet Clover Distribution of Walla Walla in early April.
Marketing Plus celebrates new facility
Marketing Plus in Fresno, CA, celebrated its new facilities with an open house on Friday, June 28. The move will enable Marketing Plus to bring on a full-time graphics and creative department.
RPE partners with Frenchman Valley Produce
RPE Inc. has entered into a partnership with Imperial, NE-based Frenchman Valley Produce Inc., in which RPE will serve as the exclusive marketer for Frenchman Valley’s fresh potato sales.
Frost pushes harvest timetable back for Buurma Farms’ Michigan operations
Earlier frost conditions are expected to delay some of the first crops grown by Buurma Farms Inc. in Michigan during 2013.
“Frost took out the first couple of plantings of most crops, which put us about a week to 10 days behind schedule. We just have to be patient,” Treasurer Loren Buurma told The Produce News. “But quality looks really good on what we have coming.”
The history of the multi-generational farming company dates back to its founding in 1896.
Mucci eyes future with facilities expansion, innovative products
Springing up from humble roots with a small vegetable growing operation dating back to the early 1960s, Mucci Farms Ltd. continues to implement a plan for sustained and strategic business development as it moves into the future.
“We have finally finished a year-long warehouse and office renovation at corporate headquarters and couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Joe Spano, vice president of sales and marketing at the Kingsville, ON-based company.
Paul Maglio joins Maglio & Co.
Glendale, WI-based Maglio & Co. welcomed fifth generation family member, PAUL MAGLIO to the company as a member of the buying team on June 3.
In his new role, Maglio’s responsibilities will include commodity buying and expand to include the company’s full scope of tomato items later this year.
Bengard Ranch continues to prosper with commodity focus
Long considered one of the premier growers in the Salinas Valley, Bengard Ranch continues to prosper with its focus on the core commodity products that the nation’s Salad Bowl produces.
Headed by Iceberg lettuce, Bengard’s product list mirrors the top vegetable sellers in virtually any retail or foodservice operation. On that list are such items as broccoli, Romaine, Romaine hearts, celery, cauliflower, green onions, red leaf, green leaf, kale, cilantro and parsley.
Albert’s Organics: Millennials pushing demand for organics
Albert’s Organics, headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, is precisely what its name implies, a company that specializes only in organic foods, which it has since its founding in 1982. Today the company is a leading wholesale distributor with distribution facilities scattered throughout the United States. The company carries a full line of organic produce.
Simcha Weinstein, Albert’s Organics’ director of marketing, said that the top consumers of organic products are between the ages of 45 to 54.
FoodSource continues focus on supply chain management
For many years now, FoodSource, a C.H. Robinson company based in Monterey, CA, has concentrated its efforts on offering total supply chain management for both its buy-side customers and its supplyside providers.
Creativity sees Maglio Produce to 5th generation
Maglio Produce securing a fifth-generation member this spring “speaks to the longevity” of the company, Sam Maglio, owner of the Milwaukee-based firm, said.
His son, Paul Maglio, graduated from Boston College this spring and comes to the family firm, established in 1902, with a degree in finance and information systems.
Longevity is acheived by way of creativity, Sam Maglio noted. “If you don’t evolve you can’t expect to be around.”