A.J. Trucco: In-store promotions help Italian kiwifruit sales
Despite some problems, A.J. Trucco Inc., located on the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Market in the Bronx, NY, is promoting its Italian kiwifruit. “This has been a challenging season for the import industry,” Nick Pacia, vice president of A.J. Trucco, told The Produce News in late February. “Fuel prices are high and so transportation costs are rising, and that also applies to ocean shipping lines. These costs are at a higher level than we expected, and it makes it more challenging to import produce.”
Record numbers at 2013 Southern Exposure
ORLANDO, FL — The Southeast Produce Council's 10th annual Southern Exposure was termed hugely successful in all areas, from the golf tournament to the field tours, from the keynote address to the trade show. And the conference drew record attendance throughout the event, held Feb. 28 to March 2 at the Caribe Royale Resort & Conference Center, here.
Jerry Callahan named VP of produce merchandising at Albertsons
Albertsons LLC, based in Boise, ID, has named Jerry Callahan vice president of produce merchandising. He will be responsible for continuing to grow sales and profits through fostering innovation in the category and assisting the divisions in providing the best-in-fresh quality produce and programs, the company announced in a Feb. 26 press release.
Suspension agreement will sharply increase floor prices for Mexican tomatoes
The U.S. Department of Commerce published the final version of a newly renegotiated antidumping investigation suspension agreement with producers and exporters of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, which sharply increases the reference or floor prices at which Mexican tomatoes can be sold in the United States, effective immediately.
The new reference prices, which are identical to those in the propose agreement announced by Commerce Feb. 2, range from nearly 50 percent higher than under the previous agreement to nearly three times as high.
Food safety is hot topic in mango industry
As one would expect on the heels of last year's mango recall at the end of the Mexican mango deal, food safety is the hot topic this year.
Recognizing this, the National Mango Board was scheduled to hold a free seminar for the industry March 6 in McAllen, TX, during the third annual America Trades Produce Conference to make sure that everyone had the latest information and the industry could take every precaution necessary to provide consumers with the safest product possible.
Prizes and healthy food at Del Monte’s Spring Break competition
As part of its initiative to raise awareness among college students of the benefits of eating healthful, fresh and fresh-cut produce, Del Monte Fresh will provide its first Beach Bash Dash competition during Spring Break from 12-4 p.m. March 6-8 and March 11-13 in front of the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, FL.
Crown Jewels expects spring delay, strong March
“We are going to see a delay” of two to three weeks in the start of many spring commodities out of Mexico, due to cold weather in January, said Luis Corella, a salesman in the Nogales, AZ, office of Fresno, CA-based Crown Jewels Produce Co.
But while the products may come in a little later than originally expected, they will come in “with pretty good volume,” he told The Produce News Feb. 8.
Core values have set a strong foundation for Liberty Fruit
A set of core values, which has been passed from generation to generation at Liberty Fruit Co. Inc., has laid a strong business foundation and allowed the company to thrive.
“Service, quality and competitive pricing are what I believe in,” Arnold Caviar, owner and chief executive officer, told The Produce News. “I have always been a believer in hiring good people and paying them well. My people know — from the COO down — I spend money to make money. I have instilled this in my children and employees as a core company value.”
Alabama Watermelon Queen Amber Nolin takes national crown at NWA convention
Hundreds of watermelon growers, shippers and industry affiliates took over the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, TX, Feb. 20-24 for the National Watermelon Association’s Centennial Celebration and annual convention.
Produce groups share FSMA concerns at first two-day FDA meeting on proposed rules
WASHINGTON -- Produce companies may be focusing on changes coming from the new safe-growing standards proposed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, but another one of its regulations, preventive controls, may have broader effect throughout the produce supply chain, Kathy Means, vice president of government relations and public affairs at the Produce Marketing Association, told FDA officials March 1.