Good outlook for N.J. crops
HILLSDALE, NJ — Retailers and other distributors of New Jersey produce crops have enjoyed good early-season items so far this year, and they can look forward to high-quality vegetables, a full crop of peaches and a beautiful harvest of blueberries as the 2013 season progresses, according to several reports given at the June 11 meeting of Eastern Produce Council.
With the New Jersey Department of Agriculture hosting the event for the 26th consecutive year, a big crowd was on hand, as usual, at Demarest Farm, here, in northern New Jersey to hear the reports.
Charles Collings, former Raley’s CEO, dies at 87
Charles (Chuck) Collings, a longtime member of the grocery industry, died June 8 at the age of 87.
Mr. Collings spent nearly 50 years holding various positions at the West Sacramento grocery chain, including time as the president and chief executive officer of Raley’s Superstores.
After his retirement in 1998, Mr. Collings continued to serve on the company’s board, holding the title of CEO emeritus.
Water issues cause shift in planting for West Side cantaloupes
Total acreage planted and yet to be planted this season for cantaloupes on the West Side of California’s San Joaquin Valley is expected to be similar to last year, with perhaps a slight variation up or down depending on the observer.
Anthony Vineyards will begin transition from desert to San Joaquin Valley late June
Anthony Vineyards Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, which grows grapes in the Coachella Valley of California, the earliest district in the state, and also in the southern San Joaquin Valley, expects to begin the transition from the desert deal in Coachella into the San Joaquin Valley deal in late June this year, according to John Harley, vice president of sales and marketing.
The company expects overlap between the two deals, due to the grapes in Coachella running later than usual and an anticipated earlier-than-usual start in the San Joaquin Valley.
Flames, Sugraones and Summer Royals are main varieties for Columbine through July
Columbine Vineyards in Delano, CA, which grows grapes in the San Joaquin Valley of California, both in the Arvin area and in Delano, expects a sizeable crop for the 2013 season.
“It is looking like a big year” with “lots of fruit, lots of bunches,” Sales Manager Anthony Stetson said in an interview with The Produce News. “It is too early to say on quality, but if everything comes to fruition, it will be a nice volume year.”
Stevco has increased acreage in Flames and Sugraones for early summer
For Stevco Inc., which is headquartered in Los Angeles and has branch offices in Nogales, AZ, and in Coachella and Bakersfield, CA, will have an increase in acreage of both Flame seedless grapes and Sugraone green seedless grapes during the early part of the season in California’s San Joaquin Valley, according to Jared Lane, vice president of sales and marketing.
Sundale Sales continues volume growth, including early-season varieties
Flame seedless grapes and Sugraone green seedless grapes, the two major early-season varieties for Sundale Sales Inc. in Tulare, CA, are among the varieties in which the company will have increased volume in 2013 due to young acreage coming on line.
“We have increased acreage of both, with two new blocks coming into [fuller] production this year, both on Flames and on the Sugraones,” said President Sean Stockton. “Last year, we had first-year crop” on those vineyards, he said. “This will be the first full crop on those early acres.”
Crown Jewels has additional grape acreage for 2013 season
Crown Jewels Produce Co. in Fresno, CA, expects an increase in its table grape volume out of the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 2013 season as a result of additional acreage coming into the program, according to Atomic Torosian, a partner in the company.
“Crown Jewels has picked up a little bit more acreage than we had last year,” Torosian said. “We are expecting to pick, pack and ship somewhere around a million-and-a-half boxes of grapes. It should be a full season.”
Pandol Bros. expects red grapes from San Joaquin Valley for July 4
It has been unusual in recent years for most grape growers in the San Joaquin Valley of California to have fruit in the market for the Fourth of July to any significant extent. That period has been served primarily by fruit from the Coachella Valley of California, or from Mexico.
But this year, some producers are expecting to begin harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley toward the end of June, early enough to have fruit in at least the western markets for the Fourth of July pull. Pandol Bros. Inc. in Delano, CA, is one of those.
Chuck Olsen Co. expects increase in early-season Flame production
“In our early-season program, we’ve got a few more Flames” this year than in 2012, Jeff Olsen, vice president of The Chuck Olsen Co. in Visalia, CA, said in an interview with The Produce News. The additional volume will come from a new grower whose fruit the company will be handling this year.
“Other than that, it is about status quo as far as the early season is concerned,” Olsen said.