Family Tree Farms cherry program focuses on early-season varieties
Family Tree Farms Marketing LLC in Reedley, CA, may not be one of “the big guys” in the California cherry deal. But in the early season out of the Central Valley, the company is one of the main players, according to Dovey Plain, marketing coordinator.
Malena grape program has added acreage and a full crop
“We have a good grape program coming up,” Gonzalo Avila, vice president and general manager of Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales, AZ, said in an interview with The Produce News.
Malena will have additional acreage in its Sonora grape program this year. “We are growing our program a little bit,” Mr. Avila said. “We have new vineyards coming on, particularly in Flames,” but “volume is going to be up across the board for us at Malena.”
Organics Unlimited and Chiquita ink deal on organic bananas
Chiquita Brands International and Organics Unlimited have formed an agreement to supply organic bananas to the U.S. market under the "Chiquita" label. This agreement for Organics Unlimited is an expansion of its distribution in the United States with organic bananas from Mexico and Ecuador.
Weis Markets investing in new stores, remodels
Weis Markets announced that it would invest $135 million in its 2013 capital expenditure program, an 8 percent increase compared to the year prior, to put toward 37 major projects, including four new stores, 15 major remodels and 17 remodels.
Two Mexican cucumber suppliers named in Salmonella outbreak probe
WASHINGTON — Two Mexican suppliers of cucumbers are now on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Import Alert list after FDA followed the paper trail back from cucumbers eaten by six people who are part of a multi-state outbreak.
At least 73 people in 18 states are infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention announced April 25. Fourteen people have been hospitalized and no deaths reported in the latest outbreak.
Production at new facility to ramp up for Holthouse Farms
Production is set to begin in earnest at the new facility for Holthouse Farms of Ohio Inc. “We had a fire in 2010 at the Walcher area,” said Kirk Holthouse, partner and head of sales and buying. “The new building project is now complete, and we can ramp up production.”
Wiers Farm celebrates 117th year of operation during 2013
Wiers Farm is celebrating its 117th year of operation during 2013. “It’s always a pleasure to see members of our family’s fourth, fifth and sixth generations working side by side at the farm,” President Ben Wiers told The Produce News.
From its headquarters in Willard, OH, the company farms over 40 commodities in Ohio and Florida. The extensive commodity manifest includes cabbage, varieties of lettuce, leafy greens, cucumbers, parsley, peppers and squash.
Business philosophy serves Sanfillipo Produce well
Sometimes father knows best. Partner Jim Sanfillipo reflected on what it takes to differentiate a company from its competitors, and created a guiding philosophy that has served Sanfillipo Produce Co. Inc. well.
“Our motto is we say ‘yes’ when the other guy says ‘no’,” his son Jamie Sanfillipo, company president and partner, told The Produce News. “This philosophy has really had an impact on our business.”
Buurma Farms increases operational efficiencies
Facilities expansion and upgrades at Buurma Farms will translate to increased operational efficiencies. “We have expanded our farmland so we can better rotate our crops, which should improve soil health and improve our crop yields,” Buurma Farms Treasurer Loren Buurma told The Produce News.
The history of the multi-generational farming company dates back to its founding in 1896. The company is headquartered in Willard, OH, with farming operations there and in Gregory, MI. Buurma Farms of Georgia LCC grows fresh produce in Claxon, GA.
Interest in ‘Agriculture Is Cool’ heats up
Agricultural groups across the Buckeye State have once again joined together to sponsor “Agriculture is Cool” at this year’s Ohio State Fair. Under the program, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio State Fair and agricultural commodity groups educate school-age children about the importance of agriculture and careers opportunities available to them as they grow older.