Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo champions Fair Trade-certified organic produce
Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, also referred to as JF/DC, headquartered in Pescadero, CA, has practiced innovative organic growing methods, and has been an organic industry leader for over three decades.
Martori Farms shipping Kandy Lemondrop melon for summer
Martori Farms, an Arizona-based grower and shipper of premium cantaloupes and honeydews, has a new offering for the summer: the Kandy Lemondrop melon.
The Lemondrop is extra sweet with a flavor profile similar to a Galia, but with a refreshing tart lemon finish that comes from the melon's naturally occurring citrus acid.
With its distinct exterior appearance, high Brix level and one-of-a-kind flavor profile, the Kandy Lemondrop melon is a unique addition to any produce department.
Sambrailo to expand tomato capability in Mexican plant
The grape tomato category has seen significant growth in recent years and it has reached the point where it makes economic sense for Sambrailo Packaging to manufacture one-pound RunRite grape tomato clamshells in its Mexican plant.
“This will give us quicker turnaround time for our customers in Mexico,” said Jim Scattini, vice president of sales and marketing for the company.
“It also lets us avoid some of the issues involved at the border crossing” with regard to bringing empty clamshells from the United States down into Mexico, he said.
Eclipse continues with grape tomatoes
When the summer rolls around, Eclipse Berry Farms LLC in Oxnard, CA, rolls out its “other” crop with the harvest of its grape tomatoes.
The company is one of the larger domestic producers of grape tomatoes with all of its acreage in the Ventura County area.
“Well, we’re the largest grower in this area,” said Rick Hearst, who along with Stuart Gilfenbain, handles sales of the product.
Diamond’s Tim Wetherbee expects more blueberries from New Jersey
HAMMONTON, NJ — Barring unforeseen weather problems during the upcoming harvest, industry veteran Tim Wetherbee is expecting more blueberries this season from New Jersey than last, with volume more on par with historical norms.
Supreme Court sides with grower against raisin marketing order; widespread implications unclear
In a rare case of unanimity, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a California raisin grower in his battle against the federal raisin marketing order, ruling that the grower can have his day in court against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the order.
The case was not a direct challenge to the order itself but rather gives the grower, Marvin Horne of Kerman, CA, the right to have his case heard by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Buyer demand drives T&A's reintroduction of 'Field-Fresh' wrapped leaf lettuce
Someone once said, "What's old is new again." Reviving a unique harvesting technique originally launched a decade ago, Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle has reintroduced its "Field-Fresh" wrapped leaf lettuce for one simple reason: buying segment demand.
Giorgio Fresh says organic mushrooms meet consumers’ demand
Organic mushrooms satisfy consumers’ desire for great value and quality, according to Giorgio Fresh. The company, a leading grower and shipper of fresh mushrooms, headquartered in Temple, PA, became a certified organic grower on March 11, 2004.
The Garlic Co. says interest in organic garlic is here to stay
“We offer garlic in a variety of forms: whole bulb, peeled, diced, VakPak, frozen and shelf stable puree form,” said Michael Layous, sales and marketing representative for The Garlic Co. headquartered in Bakersfield, CA. “And all these forms can be made with organic product. We sell the majority of our garlic in peeled and whole bulb form. This holds true for our organic products as well.”
Cantaloupe Board adopts mandatory government-inspected food-safety audits
The California cantaloupe industry has adopted a mandatory government-inspected food-safety program.
"We have the only mandatory program in the produce industry that invites government auditors in to inspect the operations," John Gilstrap, manager of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board in Dinuba, CA, told The Produce News. "That is what the board's main focus is this year."
Marilyn Dolan, vice president of The Marketing Department and a consultant to the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, elaborated on the program.