Ocean Mist Farms grows marketing department
Ocean Mist Farms announced changes to its marketing department with the promotion of one employee and the addition of another to the team.
Excellent weather and a solid market have Vidalia growers optimistic heading into 2013 deal
VIDALIA, GA — Drenching rains that soaked most of the South Georgia Vidalia onion-producing area dumped 14-17 inches of water on the 2013 crop in the last two weeks of February. But what could have been disaster turned into a positive when strong winds followed the rains and dried the crop heading into what now appears to be a promising market.
United Fresh to honor 25 produce managers at San Diego convention
Exceptional produce managers representing 21 different supermarket chains, commissaries and independent retail stores in 16 states and Canada will be the honored guests at United Fresh 2013 this May through the United Fresh Retail Produce Manager Awards Program.
Kings raises the bar with new location
GILLETTE, NJ — Even before its signature pasta-ribbon-cutting ceremony, the March 22 grand opening of the newest Kings store was a huge success. Hundreds of eager customers passed through the entrance to find themselves inside the MarketSquare.
"We created an amphitheater of produce," said Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce and floral for the Parsippany, NJ-based chain.
Mastronardi receiving strong reception to new ‘Inspired By Flavor’ initiative
“We invite everyone to visit us at the 2013 Northeast Produce Council Produce and Floral Expo in Boston,” said Chris Veillon, marketing director for Kingsville, ON-based Mastronardi Produce. “Our booth number is 19, and we want everyone to stop by to see how ‘Mastronardi/Sunset’ is ‘Inspired By Flavor.’”
CBS Farms increases organic acreage
CBS Farms LLC in Watsonville, CA, which handles strawberry sales for Watsonville-based Colleen Strawberries Inc. and Beach Street Farms LLC (hence the name CBS), has strawberry production in both Oxnard, CA, and Watsonville. In Watsonville, the company has both conventional and organic strawberries.
For the 2013 season, “we have a slight increase in conventional acreage” in Watsonville and a 30 percent increase in organic, said Charlie Staka, director of sales.
It’s all company production in both districts, grown by the farming companies that own the marketing company.
Rene Produce hosts Mexican president Peña Nieto for Crusade Against Hunger event
"Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto chose the Rene Produce ranch in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, as the location to sign a nutrition initiative for the national Crusade Against Hunger," according to a Rene Produce press release dated March 25.
The crusade is "a comprehensive, multi-faceted effort to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in Mexico," the release said. "Rene Produce, a grower and distributor of fruits and vegetables in Culiacan for 50 years, was chosen to symbolize the initiative's focus on increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables."
Produce market managers push FDA official for answers on FSMA compliance
COLUMBIA, MD -- Produce market managers looked for answers as to whether they will be on the hook for the new Food Safety Modernization Act but left with few answers from the March 23 meeting of the National Association of Produce Market Managers.
Former produce executive promoted at Safeway following high-level retirement
Safeway Inc., based in Pleasanton, CA, announced the retirement of Bruce Everette, executive vice president of retail operations. Kelly Griffith, president of merchandising, will succeed Mr. Everette in the post.
Del Monte brings healthy twist to spring break
Hundreds of spring breakers from around the world took part in the inaugural Del Monte Fresh "Beach Bash Dash" in Daytona Beach, FL. The event was part of a new campaign to promote healthful eating habits among college students, in response to growing concerns that youths aren't eating enough fruits and vegetables.
The students competed head-to-head in a beach obstacle course that included a variety of healthy and fun challenges and enjoyed plenty of bananas. Students even participated in a massive "Banana Dance" featuring Del Monte's famous full-body banana suits.