Sunkist hockey program scores in Canada with record Navel sales
Sunkist Growers is marking record sales in Canada this year of its specially themed 10-pound Navel cartons and strong results for four- and eight-pound giro bags, offered for the first time this season as part of Sunkist's national hockey program.
The promotion was successful in moving more than 1 million 10-pound cartons, a first in the program' history, and 800,000 giro bags, which are a new offering this season.
Using social media to better communicate with customers
By 2014, half of the people in the United States will have a smartphone. That means access to the web, email, social media and custom apps from anywhere at anytime.
You've seen them in your store, reading their shopping list from their smartphone, suggesting dinner ideas to the person on the other end of a Bluetooth headset — all the while checking their Facebook newsfeed.
Southern Specialties sees light early Fla. movement
“Unseasonably cool weather has affected Florida’s spring crops this year,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News in early March. “We are moving specialty tomatoes in Homestead. Our line includes Heirloom, Medley, tear drop and yellow beefsteak tomatoes in varying quantities. The cool weather has slowed production on all of our tomato items.”
Village Farms to present new ‘Olde World Flavor’ line at CPMA
Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for Village Farms, a leading greenhouse vegetable growing operation with U.S. headquarters in Eatontown, NJ, said that the company will be represented at the 2013 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show in Toronto April 17-19 at Booth 1300. In addition to Ms. Aquino, representatives from the company who will be at the show include Rob Jackson, regional director retail sales, Tony Cho, Vancouver regional sales manager, and Andrew Sable, British Columbia gatekeeper.
OriginO expansion builds Oppy organic pepper program
Origin Organic Farms is adding a welcome splash of color to The Oppenheimer Group's sweet Bell pepper menu, and greater volume to accommodate market demand.
Building on last year's trial season, the Delta, BC-based grower has expanded four-fold, and added yellow and orange peppers to the mix. Oppy will begin shipping the full range of "OriginO" branded organic peppers at the end of April.
Ready Pac to showcase new fresh offerings and award finalists at United Fresh 2013
Ready Pac Inc. will feature its latest advances in fresh-cut produce at the upcoming United Fresh Produce Association convention, to be held May 14-16 in San Diego, CA.
With two award finalists this year for best new product, as well as a wide variety of fresh, unique flavor profiles to suit all tastes, Ready Pac is poised to make an impact at this year's event.
EPC hosts annual gala
Joseph DeLorenzo (right) of Alpha 1 Marketing in White Plains, NY, was inducted into the Eastern Produce Council's Hall of Fame.
Chilean imports enjoying smooth movement with blueberry increases this year
“This season, the fresh produce item with the highest volume from Chile coming into the U.S. is blueberries,” said Nelly Yunta, vice president of sales, marketing and customer care, liner and logistics business groups for Crowley Maritime Corporation in Jacksonville, FL.
“Last year, we also had a high volume of blueberry imports from Chile, and so there has not been much change in that regard. Volumes for this commodity continue to be high this season,” she added.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods is in high gear
“Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ Florida citrus programs include Valencia oranges, which run April through June,” said Nichole Towell, marketing development manager for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL. “Our red grapefruit runs through April through May, white grapefruit is available April through May and honey tangerines are available in April.”
Mexican grape crop appears light at start, good volume through June
The 2013 Mexican grape season is expected to start out a little later and a little lighter than normal, but with full crops, abundant promotional opportunities and normal timing from late May or early June through the end of June, according to most of the growers, shippers and marketers The Produce News talked to about the deal.