Even as other players muscle in, Florida blueberry growers look forward to an excellent season
Even though Florida’s exclusive window as the producer of the first fresh blueberries of the calendar year is narrowing, production is ramping up and this year promises and abundant crop and ample returns to growers, despite a mild freeze in early March that damaged some fruit in the northern part of the state and nipped at the edges of central Florida fields.
Dos Gringos debuts touch screens to chart, post progress reports
Dos Gringos, a flower grower and bouquet maker in Vista, CA, has introduced a set of digital touch screens installed throughout production and office areas. Jason Levin, the company head, said in a news release the purpose is “to post key metrics throughout the day so everyone from quality assurance to logistics to assembly line leaders know in real time exactly how we’re stacking up, especially with regard to quality.”
Dutch floral exports hit high mark
The export value of Dutch flowers and plants climbed to a highest-ever total of 5.4 billion euros ($7.19 billion in U.S. dollars) in 2012.
That total represents a 3 percent increase over the previous year’s export value, the Dutch Agricultural Wholesale Board/Flowers and Plants reported. The organization is located near the flower auction in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands, and its report appeared in mid-January in the newsletter of Florint, the international florist association.
Exeter Produce President Leonard M. Veri dies at 76
Leonard M. Veri, president of Ontario-based Exeter Produce, died March 1 while on vacation in Asia. He was 76 years old.
Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods opens division on L.A. Wholesale market
Crystal Valley Foods, a Miami-based importer and distributor specializing in specialty produce from South and Central America, has opened a new division, Crystal Valley West, in Los Angeles.
Located on the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market, Crystal Valley West will focus primarily on sourcing specialty products from Mexico, as well as servicing the parent company’s West Coast customers with products from its points of origin, according to Rick Durkin, director of business development.
Wholesum Harvest Facebook contest seeks creative cooks
Organic grower Wholesum Harvest is giving its Facebook fans a chance to showcase their culinary chops, as well as their photography skills, in a new cooking contest that will run March 1 through Nov. 1.
ATPC to shine light on new administrations
With President Obama coming into a second term, a new administration taking over in Mexico and immigration reform finally on the federal table, the third annual America Trades Produce Conference, scheduled for March 6-8 in McAllen, TX, could not come at a better time.
Coming weeks vital to shaping bill on immigration reform
WASHINGTON — The next few weeks are critical to sway lawmakers that a comprehensive immigration reform bill must have an agreed upon labor fix for the agriculture industry, said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association.
“Obviously, there is a race to get a bill introduced in the House and Senate on immigration reform,” explained Mr. Guenther, March 6, in between meetings on Capitol Hill. “There is a window. We want to make sure ag is part of a broader bill if one is developed in the Senate,” he said.
Vidalia Onion Committee kicks off program with Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer
The Vidalia Onion Committee, which represents South Georgia growers in the region where America’s favorite sweet onions are grown, wants consumers to take their product outside. Literally.