New growers could boost Flavor Tree’s early cherry volume by 100,000 boxes
The Flavor Tree Fruit Co. LLC in Hanford, CA, has brought in some new cherry growers that will increase the company’s already substantial cherry volume significantly this season.
“We are going to add, just in this district, probably another 100,000 boxes of cherries,” said Maurice Cameron, managing partner.
Weather dependent as always, California cherries have potential for sizeable crop
Crop production projections for any produce commodity always come with the caveat, "depending on the weather." With the vulnerability of cherries to rains during or close to harvest, or to hail and wind damage, that universal caveat is especially applicable to cherries, as nearly every person in the in industry with whom The Produce News has discussed the upcoming California cherry crop has been quick to point out.
CPMA’s 2013 trade show a record-breaking success
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association held its annual convention and trade show at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto April 17-19, and this year’s event was one for the record books, according to incoming CPMA Chair of the Board Walt Breeden.
The convention had 522 booths, the most in CPMA history. CPMA President Ron Lemaire said the success of this convention built on the momentum created two years ago in Montreal.
Mushroom Council’s ‘Swap It or Top It’ summer promotion in full gear
Bill Litvin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Giorgio Fresh Co. in Temple, PA, said that the company is preparing to participate in the Mushroom Council’s new summer “Swap It or Top It” recipe contest.
“We are challenging consumers to transform their typical summer grilling recipes using mushrooms by reinventing the turkey burger with the use of mushroom ‘swapability,’ such as topping a traditional beef burger with a grilled portabella, or combining all five food groups to create a tasty MyPlate burger,” said Mr. Litvin.
Significant reduction expected in 2013 Vidalia sweet onion crop
Above-average rainfall and unseasonably cold weather as late as Easter weekend combined to delay the start of the Vidalia sweet onion season, but growers have uncovered another issue with their 2013 crop: Seed stems, also referred to as "bolters," "flower stalks," or "seeders," are showing up throughout the Vidalia onion production district in alarming numbers.
Growers noted high percentages of seed stems in mid-April across the production area, according to the Vidalia Onion Committee.
Hunts Point negotiations remain at a standstill
Stand inside at one end of any of the four main rows of the Hunts Point Produce Market and look toward the far end. You will be looking into one-third of a mile from where you stand. There are four such rows, in addition to two smaller units at the market. It sits on 113 acres in the South Bronx section of New York and has 1 million square feet of interior space. The market opened in 1967.
About two decades ago, the market began operating as a cooperative with an elected board of directors representing the approximate 50 produce companies whose businesses are on the market.
Keber Distributing harvesting its last crops
After a 27-year partnership between grower and sales agent, Keber Distributing Inc., based in Thermal, CA, is planning to shut its door as early as the end of May as the two principals head into retirement.
Sales agent Dick Keber, who founded the company in 1986 in partnership with grower Joe Kitagawa, said that Mr. Kitagawa has signed an agreement to lease all 2,200 acres of his farmland to Bakersfield, CA, based Grimmway Farms and its Cal Organics division for the purpose of growing organic carrots and others crops.
Tops Markets launches new store format focused on fresh
Tops Market, a 155-store chain based in Williamsville, NY, with locations throughout upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, has launched a small-format, fresh-focused concept store called Orchard Fresh, which is located in the upscale Buffalo, NY, suburb of Orchard Park.
The store opened April 14, and so far it has exceeded expectations, according to Steve Wright, director of produce and floral.
DMA Solutions promotes Megan Zweig
DMA Solutions, an Irving, TX-based marketing agency for the fresh produce industry, announced the promotion of MEGAN ZWEIG to strategic marketing director.
Good production, ample promotion opportunities for fresh apricots
Apricots, being vulnerable to frost and hail, have taken a hit from inclement weather in some growing areas over the last year or so.
But the 2013 California fresh apricot crop, as of mid-April, was shaping up to be a full crop with good quality and ample promotional opportunities, according to growers in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where the majority of the nation’s fresh apricots are produced.