Watermelon volume coming on full force; retailers can take advantage with in-store promotions
Georgia and north Florida watermelon growers are late to the game due to a cool spring, earlier season delays held back some of the Mexican and Texan crop, and California and Arizona are coming into their own as production ramps up in June. All that means the United States will be awash in watermelon from now through September, setting up ample opportunity for retailers to promote with abandon.
PTI momentum continues
Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council members agree the increasing percentage of produce cases marked with PTI labels is a reassuring sign that momentum for PTI continues, supported by buyers who are preparing to receive labels later this year.
The Leadership Council, representing 32 companies in the produce industry, held its biannual meeting in mid-May in conjunction with the United Fresh 2013 convention in San Diego.
Retailers urged to put 'pop' in their stores
SAN DIEGO — When retail consultant Harold Lloyd told retailers that they need to have more "pop" in their stores, he wasn't talking about expanding the soft drink category.
Speaking at the United Fresh Produce Association convention in mid-May, here, Lloyd gave the crowd a visual demonstration of his viewpoint by wearing a costume designed by Scotland Yard. He is all about having a produce department making a statement visually. He gave dozens of take-home tips during his 40 minute presentation.
Delhaize looks to sell Sweetbay, Harveys
Belgian-based Delhaize Group has hired Lazard Ltd. to handle the sale of Harveys and Sweetbay, two of its U.S. banners, according to two anonymous sources in a Reuters report.
In the article, Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Oliver Beckers did not comment on Lazard or any other advisors being involved in a potential sale, but he confirmed that the company was looking at options for the banners.
Bridge collapse will slow, not halt, agricultural movement
Jack Wallace, co-owner of G&D Wallace Inc./Wallace Farms in Burlington, WA, said agricultural producers in the region will deal with the effects of a bridge collapse on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River on Thursday as they would any other problem thrown their way.
“Farmers are used to dealing with obstacles. It’s going to make it more difficult,” Wallace told The Produce News the morning of May 25. “We can work around it.” The company grows and markets conventional red, white, gold and purple potatoes as well as organic red and russet potatoes in the Skagit Valley.
Inspection, audit programs benefit buyers and sellers
As in past years, New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing & Development is providing New Jersey’s fruit and vegetable industry with vital and expert inspection and grading services. Working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NJDA’s inspectors work with brokers, shippers, dealers, processors and farmers throughout the state.
2013 New Jersey produce industry outlook good on quantity and quality
The 2013 produce season is underway and should be highlighted by good quantities of high-quality produce.
Nice weather has had a significant impact on the growing conditions for spring Jersey Fresh produce. Our seasonably cool spring got everything off to a slow early start. Spring was a little moister than usual, as well.
This weather caused many growers to delay getting seed or transplanting into the soil and discouraged more plowing and planting. We saw more gradual growing conditions and bee pollination this spring.
Licensing and bonding protect New Jersey growers
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture requires any person buying or receiving produce from New Jersey growers on a credit basis to be licensed and bonded. Security must be filed with the department in an amount relating to the value of their credit purchases. The security is meant to provide financial protection to New Jersey producers in the event of a default on payment.
Jersey Fresh marketing is gearing up for another great season
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture takes pride in the fact that our state’s produce is as fresh as fresh gets.
That has been our marketing slogan for the past several years and will continue to be an underlying theme in the Department’s communications with consumers and retailers. But this season, our marketing message is that Jersey Fresh is consistently great, year after year. In 2013, Jersey Fresh is having “Another Great Season.”
Christe administration kicks off Jersey Fresh season with farm tour
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher on May 21 visited farms in Cumberland and Gloucester counties to highlight the start of the Jersey Fresh growing season. Stops included Dooley Farms and A. Pagnini Farms in Vineland and Dan Graiff Farms in Newfield.