EPC and NEPC to co-sponsor educational conference
The Eastern Produce Council and the New England Produce Council Inc. are co-sponsoring a two-day educational conference Sept. 17-18 in Connecticut featuring speakers from the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association.
RPE adds former Cañon Potato owner and salesman
RPE, a leading potato and onion grower-shipper based in Bancroft, WI, added two former members of Cañon Potato Co. to its sales team.
David Tonso comes to RPE after most recently serving as co-owner and acting chief executive officer of Cañon Potato Co., where he has been employed for almost 30 years. Cañon Potato Co. recently announced that it was closing its doors.
Jewell: Blueberries are a fresh harbinger of summer
Industry intelligence is making it clear that the blueberry category continues to enjoy good retail growth and consumer popularity.
“Data shows that blueberry consumption continues to be on the rise across the U.S. and is gaining popularity every year with increases in consumption, retail advertising and total sales,” said Cindy Jewell, director of marketing for California Giant Berry Farms.
JemD highly excited about new Dublin, VA, greenhouse
“Due to overwhelming demand across North America, we are pleased to announce significant production increases of our entire Artisan Series line-up of specialty and snacking produce,” Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms in Leamington, Ontario, told The Produce News. “Our Artisan series tomato acreage is being increased between four- and 10-fold, depending on the variety, for the 2013-14 season.”
Generation Next: Patrick Kelly grows his business on the foundation of growing up in the business
As early as he can remember, Patrick Kelly wanted to build a business in produce. His dad grew avocados and traded orange juice out of San Diego when Kelly was a toddler.
“Since I was in diapers, I always wanted to be actively involved in my dad’s business conversations,” Kelly said. “Through the years, I would go with my dad to work throughout the country.”
Walmart and Kroger top list of largest retailers in U.S.
With $328 billion in U.S. retail sales, Walmart holds a dominant position as the largest retailer in the United States.
In 2012 Walmart had higher sales numbers than the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-largest retailers combined, according to STORES magazine's annual report on the top 100 retailers in the United States. The U.S. accounts for approximately 70 percent of Walmart's $467 billion in worldwide sales.
Jim Cathey leaves Del Campo Supreme, joins JemD Farms in sourcing
Jim Cathey, who was sales manager at Del Campo Supreme Inc. in Nogales, AZ, since 2001 and in recent years also held the title of general manager, has retired from the company effective June 30, and has joined JemD Farms in Leamington, ON, as sourcing manager for Arizona and Texas.
LoBue Citrus hires VP of sales and marketing
LoBue Citrus announced that citrus industry veteran Norm Gatineau will join the company July 8 as vice president of sales and marketing. Based in Lindsay, CA, Gatineau will oversee the management of the sales department, develop and manage the marketing strategy and new business, and work with retail and wholesale buyers on category development.
T&A's Artisan lettuce perfect for Fourth of July celebrations
As the Fourth of July approaches and consumers are shopping for their parties and cookouts, Tanimura & Antle's field-packed heart-healthy Artisan lettuce is sure to catch their eyes.
The packaging process for T&A's Artisan lettuce offers superior freshness and protection as a direct response to consumer preferences and retailer requests.
'Salad Bowl' designation still earned by Monterey County
Monterey County — and the Salinas Valley in particular — has long been called the nation's "Salad Bowl" by those both in and out of the area. The latest crop statistics prove that it still has earned that designation.