Mushroom industry heading for record-breaking year
The Mushroom Council, headquartered in San Jose, CA, said that mushroom demand increase is widely evident in shipments reaching record highs in 2012, and 2013 has shown an impressive start.
According to Bart Minor, president of the council, shipments have increased approximately 6 percent this year to date.
Homegrown branding appeals to Hoosiers
By all measures, the "Indiana Grown" branding program has established invaluable connections between farmers and consumers in the Hoosier State. "It's very much a pride item here," Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann told The Produce News. "Indiana Grown is a nice way for Hoosiers to know they have local products. Hoosiers want to know where their food is coming from."
The program was officially launched in 2012 and showcases the fresh, high-quality foods the marketplace has to offer. A total of 16 organizations are currently registered under the Indiana Grown program.
Walmart announces new produce initiatives for consumers
Walmart, the nation's largest retailer and seller of produce, announced to its customers, through the consumer press, that it was changing its produce-buying habits and would also institute "a 100 percent money-back guarantee" in its fresh produce department.
DJ Forry will begin shipping Summer Fruit Trio in mid-June
California produce marketer DJ Forry is set to kick off the 2013 California stone fruit season with the release of its new Forry's Finest California Summer Fruit Trio.
The new two-pound package configuration contains a combination of kid-sized tree ripened peaches, plums and nectarines.
Salinas-based Mann Packing’s new video supports sustainability of its vegetable trays
Mann Packing, based in Salinas, CA, released a new video and ad campaign at the recent United Fresh 2013 convention in San Diego, which looks to reinforce the sustainability features of its lidless vegetable trays.Last fall the company redesigned its vegetable platter and removed the familiar black plastic portion of the package commonly used as the lid.
Commission emphasizes exceptional quality for coming stone fruit crop
Growers in the Pacific Northwest are moving into the 2013 stone fruit season on solid ground. “We’re a little later producer for stone fruit,” said James Michael, promotions director for the Washington State Fruit Commission. The region boasts longer growing hours, which in turn, creates stone fruit of exceptional quality.
Michigan apple industry ready for comeback
After extreme weather events knocked out most of Michigan’s 2012 apple crop, the state's apple growers are looking forward to a busy harvest season in 2013.
“Our growers are feeling very positive about the 2013 crop,” Michigan Apple Committee Executive Director Diane Smith said in a press release. “We had one frost earlier this month, but most of the orchards came through that with little or no damage. There were a lot of blossoms on the trees, and we are hoping Mother Nature smiles on us this summer.”
Sun World announces promotions
Bakersfield, CA-based Sun World International LLC announced the promotions of several employees and other staff adjustments.
R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce overcoming challenges in early spring
An unusual spring weather pattern has led to a challenging season so far for R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce, based in Vineland, NJ. But things are starting to even out and the firm expects to have a strong season the rest of the way.
Ryan Flaim, a fourth-generation member of the family that grows and markets a full line of vegetables produced in the Garden State, said the spring season was delayed by about 20 days across the board.
Stemilt Growers’ new marketing programs
If any company has a secret weapon in its cherry promotion arsenal, it is probably Stemilt Growers LLC in Wenatchee, WA.
Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl said Kyle Mathison, vice president of research and development, has dedicated himself to applying the science needed to produce the region’s finest cherries. “Kyle is my hero,” Pepperl said.