NMB partners with new celebrity spokesman for Mangover campaign
The National Mango Board's new marketing campaign, Mangover, officially launched May 2 with new celebrity spokesman Clinton Kelly. Mr. Kelly, the co-host of "What Not to Wear" on TLC and "The Chew" on ABC, has partnered with the NMB to motivate consumers to refresh their dishes and upgrade seasonal favorites with the fresh and delicious taste of mango.
The NMB's Mangover campaign encourages consumers to explore mangos as an easy way to add a pleasant, sweet surprise to everything from breakfast to a late-night snack.
Poindexter Nut Co. hires Jeff Weaver
JEFF WEAVER recently joined Selma, CA-based Poindexter Nut Co. as manager of retail and produce development.
With the new plant expansion at Poindexter Nut Co., and the continued growth of their retail brand, Mr. Weaver will be in charge of sales growth in the packaged nut line, which is expected to double in the next three years.
Mr. Weaver recently graduated Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business and was introduced to the produce industry through several internships. He has been working in the industry for two years.
Curry & Co. partners with Suncrest Produce Solutions to enhance sweet onion program
Curry & Co. has formed an exclusive multi-year partnership with Suncrest Produce Solutions LLC, based in Lake Wales, FL, that will enhance the Brooks, OR-based company’s year-round sweet onion program.
Suncrest, which is owned by 20-year industry veteran Jason Turner, is a large importer of Peruvian sweet onions. The partnership brings these imports into the fold of Curry & Co.’s 52-week vertically integrated sweet onion program.
More than 200 containers of Peruvian sweet onions will be shipped this coming fall and winter in this partnership.
Michigan apple shipper preparing for large crop
Following what seemed like a late spring and colder-than-normal temperatures, Mother Nature did an about-face in early May and provided sunshine and temperatures up to 80 degrees F. The result was that Michigan apples began blooming at about the normal date, if not two or three days sooner.
FPAA members elect new board members, honor Member of the Year
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas held its annual membership meeting May 7 in Nogales, AZ. This year’s meeting had several significant highlights:
Meijer marks milestone with 200th store opening
Meijer, a Grand Rapids, MI-based retailer with supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, will mark a milestone May 16 with the opening of its 200th store.
Northampton dodges Florida rains, gears up for Georgia, Carolinas
On May 3, Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers, headquartered in Cheriton, VA, told The Produce News that Florida “got hammered” with rain during the previous couple of days.
“We were finished there, but some of our neighbors still have things in the ground,” said Mr. Cullen. “Rainfall ranged from nine to 12 inches in one day, not including what we got earlier in the week. Most growers are close to being done, but there is definitely some damage done to what was still there.”
Sunny Valley anticipating its South Carolina start for May 20
Sunny Valley International’s South Carolina peach harvest was anticipated to begin May 20.
“Our growing partners in Monetta, South Carolina, Cotton Hope Farms, expects to begin harvesting the Flavorich peach variety on May 20,” Bob Von Rohr, director of customer relations for Sunny Valley International Inc., headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News May 6. “This is about two weeks later than they started last year.”
Fig board, association work to boost fig use through social media
Social media campaigns have become major tools for many commodities in their efforts to boost consumption, an approach being used extensively by the California fig industry through the California Fig Advisory Board, a marketing order for dried figs, and its sister organization, the voluntary California Fresh Fig Growers Association in Fresno, CA.
Keystone looking for increased Walla Walla sweet onion volume
Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. is anticipating a good Walla Walla sweet onion production season in 2013. “We had a mild winter and a cool spring. The May forecast looks very good for growing onions,” Sales Manager Dan Borer told The Produce News. “Based on expected yields, [we anticipate] 10 percent to 15 percent more volume than last season.”