Food culture trends bode well for produce industry
June Jo Lee, a self-described ethnographer, told a crowd at the United Fresh Produce Association convention that "food culture" is the basis for all food trends, and the future looks bright for fresh produce.
In fact, she said that most of the important trends have increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables as their major component. Before delving into those trends, Lee explained the kind of work she does and how it relates to the industry.
Increased uncertainty on the farm requires a more nimble produce industry
While the entire world may be embroiled with the seemingly never-ending debate about climate change — the causes, its short- and long-term realities — our produce farmers in New Jersey simply know that for now they must deal with the effects of weather-related changes in growing conditions.
Ecuador trade office kicks off campaign for trade pact extension
The Ecuador Trade Office in Chicago launched a campaign May 15 to extend trade agreements between Ecuador and the United States that expire July 31. Unless either the Andean Trade Promotion & Drug Eradication Act or the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences program are renewed by an act of the U.S. Congress, tariffs on imported products from Ecuador will be imposed and their prices will likely increase.
Alaska peony industry shows growth spurt, prediction hits mark
The Alaskan peony industry is enjoying a growth spurt, according to a new report by two university researchers, Patricia S. Holloway and Kathleen Buchholz of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. They stated that commercial peony growing began there in 2004, with small test plots of 20 plants. By 2012, that number had grown to 120,000. With an average yield of 10 stems per plant, the harvest is projected to be 1.2 million fresh-cut peony stems by 2015.
Monterey Bay greenhouses host open houses June 15
A giant globe made of succulent plants will be on display at one of the six growers on the Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers fourth annual open house tours on June 15. The floral masterpiece of living plants that accurately represents the world was two years in the making. It is the brainchild of Succulent Gardens owner Robin Stockwell. And, he said in an interview, “It spins.”
USDA expands hours to accommodate floral importers in Miami
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expanded its import inspections on a non-overtime basis at Miami International Airport for the first time in 66 years. Christine Boldt, executive vice president of the Association of Floral Importers of Florida, said the agency added an entomologist at its Miami Inspection Station on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Previously, the station had done inspections on Saturdays only when importers paid for overtime
California flower grower group to launch own certification label
If you are confused by the array of certification labels for cut flowers and foliage, stand back: here comes another one. The California Cut Flower Commission has decided it will develop a new sustainability certification exclusively for California flowers, according to Kasey Cronquist, its chief executive officer and ambassador.
OFA Short Course exhibit space sells out
Exhibit space for the OFA Short Course in Columbus, OH, July 13-16, is sold out and a waiting list has been established. The association said in a May 10 news release that the seven-acre trade show will have about 585 companies occupying more than 1,500 exhibit spaces.
Miami flower importers, feds worked together for Mother’s Day
In March, the U.S. Congress implemented the sequester. mandatory across-the-board budget cuts upon most federal agencies, including the Customs & Border Protection Agency, because Congress was not able to get a budget passed.
The Association of Floral Importers of Florida began to worry about Mother’s Day (May 12), the biggest floral sales holiday of the year.
Industry award winners to be honored at FNGLA annual meeting on June 15
Irv Betrock of Betrock Information Systems in Hollywood, FL, will be inducted into the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the nursery and landscape industry at the association’s annual meeting June 15 in Weston, FL. Awardees were announced in an April 17 FNGLA news release. The Hall of Fame award is one of the highest awards the association can bestow.