Telesis Onion adds new Volm bagging machine, increases bag production
At one time, Telesis Onion Co. Inc. in Five Points, CA, grew and packed onions predominantly for the foodservice sector. But retail business has become increasingly important for the company in recent years, according to salesman Mike Smythe.
“Telesis is still mostly a foodservice company,” he said. “We mostly supply onions to our foodservice customers. But as time goes by,” more and more retailers want cartons and consumer bags.
Eastern Shore producing another pretty potato crop this season
Butch Nottingham, marketing specialist for the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, headquartered in Richmond, VA, told The Produce News that the agency focuses heavily on the state’s potato crops.
“Farmers in Virginia typically produce between 3,000 and 4,000 acres of potatoes,” said Mr. Nottingham. “But we’ve seen an eight to 10 percent decrease this year for various reasons.”
Many new elements in grape commission’s 2013 promotional campaign
The promotional campaign that the Fresno, CA-based California Table Grape Commission has built for the 2013 season — not only for the United States but for Canada and for countries around the world — is “an aggressive one,” according to Kathleen Nave, president of the organization. “It focuses on the many ways in which California table grapes can be incorporated easily and conveniently into a healthy lifestyle. We will be communicating those messages to retailers, foodservice operators and certainly to consumers around the world.”
Whole Foods Market shows what your grocery store looks like without bees
One of every three bites of food comes from plants pollinated by honeybees and other pollinators. Yet, major declines in bee populations threaten the availability of many fresh ingredients consumers rely on for their dinner tables.
Initiative will unleash Indiana’s agricultural potential
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is marching toward 2025 with a clear vision about the importance and potential of the state’s agricultural sector. “We really have an opportunity to be a leader,” Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann told The Produce News in a recent interview.
In the Trenches: Will Iceberg lettuce make a comeback?
In my area, it is somewhat unusual to find a wedge of Iceberg on restaurant menus anymore. However, we happen to have a local restaurant in town that has that very item on its list. I often order it draped in chunky Roquefort or blue cheese dressing, which makes for an outstanding meal in itself.
Late spring rains have West Coast tomato producers optimistic
As the first week of June was coming to a close, rainouts in East Coast baseball parks were mounting as wet weather gripped a swatch of land from New England to Florida and from Tennessee to the Atlantic coast.
Indy Fruit stays on cutting edge with innovative programs, apps
Indianapolis Fruit Co. continues to develop services and programs that unlock the full potential of today’s cutting-edge technology.
Larry Jacobs, founder of Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, nets green award
For more than 30 years, California farmer and entrepreneur Larry Jacobs has been a pioneer in scalable and equitable organic food production, demonstrating that food can be grown profitably without chemicals.
In April 2012, the Natural Resources Defense Council named Jacobs the Business Leader winner in its 2013 Growing Green Awards that honor leaders and innovators in sustainable food and agriculture.
Favorable weather translates to quality bananas for Organics Unlimited
Mayra Velazquez de Leon, president of Organics Unlimited, said she couldn’t have ordered better weather for the current banana season. “Weather means everything to us,” she told The Produce News. “Weather-wise, we’ve had the best.” And she quickly added that good weather translates to a quality season for the fruit.