Legendary coach Bobby Bowden to keynote SPC fall conference
Along with a full schedule of events, both educational and social, that has always marked the Southeast Produce Council’s fall conference, the council has announced that Bobby Bowden, Florida State University’s legendary football coach, will deliver the keynote speech Sept. 27 at the general session of the 2013 conference.
Perfect weather turns Vidalia onion crop around, second half yields and quality are ‘phenomenal’
As the Vidalia onion season started in mid-April, growers feared they had a disaster on their hands. With seed stem bolting through the crop, it appeared that as much as half the Vidalia deal would disappear. For the first half of the season those projections were correct.
Sun Pacific adds Wawona and Moonlight to Cuties cooperative
Moonlight Cos. and Wawona Packing Co. have reached an agreement with Sun Pacific Marketing to supply clementines and mandarins that will be marketed under the "Cuties" brand.
Mike Marshall to head FNGLA for 2013-14
President-Elect Mike Marshall automatically advances to head the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association in 2013-14 and other officers will be elected at the association’s annual meeting June 15 in Weston, FL, an association news release announced.
The FNGLA Nominating Committee has made its recommendations for 2013-14 president-elect, Sandy Stein, and secretary-treasurer, Billy Butterfield. Wes Parrish, the current president, automatically advances to become past-president in 2013-14.
Tops acquires four Big M stores, converts nine Grand Union stores
Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, has completed the acquisition of four Big M supermarkets. The company has also converted nine former Grand Union supermarkets into Tops stores.
Nardelli Bros. dedicated to family, farming and satisfying customers’ needs
Bill Nardelli, president of Nardelli Bros. Inc., in Cedarville, NJ, told The Produce News that the company has had a good season so far in the state, although crops started a little slower than usual this year.
“The weather has been cooler and wetter than usual from the deep south to the north,” said Nardelli. “We were delayed a little in the early part, but then we got one extremely warm week. It cooled off again after that, and now we’re seeing normal temperatures. Crops are coming on fairly well, but some things could be about a week or so late.”
Reduced crop size will bump up cherry sizing for Domex
Even as it deals with the effects of a recent cold snap in the Pacific Northwest, Domex Superfresh Growers anticipates it will market larger-sized cherries this season.
“The weather has impacted our volume of cherries for the 2013 season,” Vice President of Marketing Howard Nager, told The Produce News. “Cool, windy weather during pollination as well as some frost damage has reduced the size of this year’s crop by about 22 percent. This smaller crop, however, will lend itself to larger fruit size, with almost 88 percent of the crop being 11 row and larger.”
Rick Tomlinson new California Strawberry Commission president
Citing the need for continuity and expertise in environmental issues, the California Strawberry Commission board of directors announced its unanimous decision to name Rick Olivares Tomlinson as its next president, effective immediately.
Tomlinson fills the position after previous president Mark Murai transitioned out of the role to pursue a new opportunity in the private sector. Tomlinson has served as the commission’s vice president of public policy for the past eight years.
Young company aims for growth by staying hands-on
Kelly Bros. Inc. out of Exeter, CA, is an up-and-coming fruit company devoted to working hands-on with its suppliers and customers. The company is just three years old and has built a devoted customer base of fruit processors and distributors across the United States.
Culinary tour provides avocado inspiration
MORELIA, MEXICO — A group of U.S. chefs and food writers spent several days in Mexico over the Memorial Day weekend being immersed in Mexican cuisine, with a special focus on using avocados in a variety of dishes.
The culinary tour was sponsored by Avocados From Mexico and was held in conjunction with Morelia en Boca, one of the more important food and wine events in Mexico.