Programs connect consumers to locally grown products
New York state government is sending a strong message to consumers in the Empire State, encouraging them to take advantage of the Empire State’s rich agricultural heritage and bounty. The message: buy local.
Fresh Valley Foods and A.J. Letizio Sales announce partnership
Fresh Valley Foods Corp., based in Haverhill, MA, announced it has entered into a retail brokerage partnership with A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing Inc., based in Windham, NH. Under this new agreement, A.J. Letizio will become Fresh Valley Food's exclusive retail broker in New England and New York for the processor's full line of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.
Rivermaid Trading Co. shipping ready-to-eat pears in early July
The California pear is coming at least 11 days early, according to marketing consultant Dave Parker of Rivermaid Trading Co.
“In addition, the crop looks to be really high-quality and great-eating,” added Ken Carter, marketing director for Rivermaid. “The timing and quality give retailers a huge opportunity in fresh pear sales.”
Judge places FDA on court-ordered schedule for FSMA rules
WASHINGTON — The Food & Drug Administration must issue final produce safety and preventive controls regulations no later than June 2015, and propose other key food-safety regulations by Nov. 20, 2013, according to a court order handed down by a federal judge after two consumer groups sued FDA over its delay in releasing FDA Food Safety Modernization Act rules.
Revised website launches California Endive's 30th season
California Endive Farms has launched a new website as it enters its 30th season of endive production in California.
After adopting a new name and logo last October, the company recently revamped its website, giving it a stronger educational focus with improved visuals that showcase the unique two-stage endive production process as well as the culinary versatility of the company's red and white endives.
Produce for Kids names Trish James vice president
Produce for Kids has named Trish James as its vice president. James will be leading the strategic development and creative positioning associated with future Produce for Kids brand development. She will also be responsible for consumer outreach, in-store campaigns and managing day-to-day organizational operations.
With a background in grocery retail at ACME Markets and most recently on the commodity side of the industry, James has a proven, successful track record of creating and executing in-store programs that increase the sale of fresh produce.
Foxy Facebook contest offers chance to attend live taping of ‘Cook’s Country’
Foxy brand produce has launched a Facebook recipe contest with the winner receiving a trip for two to view a live taping of the public television show, “Cook’s Country.“
The contest, part of a yearlong partnership between Foxy and America’s Test Kitchen, encourages consumers to use any Foxy produce item in a tasty recipe, and submit it along with a photo onto the contest platform.
All recipe submissions will be judged on taste, flavor, visual appeal, use of Foxy produce items, as well as clarity of instruction.
Giumarra hires western region business manager
Giumarra has added Kellee Harris to its marketing team. Harris joins the company as western region business manager.
She comes to Giumarra from Package Containers Inc., where her responsibilities included business development and account management for the California, Utah and Colorado regions. She has also held positions in the nonprofit and sporting goods sectors, with an emphasis on marketing and sales.
CAC's social media outreach enhances retail programs
Social media continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and the California Avocado Commission is taking full advantage of these new opportunities to reach consumers with targeted messages. CAC has expanded its social media efforts to fully support retailers with a variety of customer-specific programs and communications.
Citrus import demand up and growing in the United States
While per capita consumption of fresh citrus has declined since 1980, total U.S. consumption of citrus fruits has increased 20 percent since that time, according to a report titled “U.S. Citrus Import Demand: Seasonality and Substitution,” compiled by Katherine L. Baldwin, formerly of the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, was presented at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting in Birmingham, AL, in February 2012.