WP Rawl announces first-ever Katie’s Camp
This summer, WP Rawl will host a three-day camp for 12 Katie’s Krops grant recipients from all across the country at WP Rawl’s headquarters Pelion, SC. Every child that has received a grant from Katie’s Krops, a non-profit focused on empowering kids to plant vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to the underserved in their communities, is eligible to apply for a spot at the first-ever Katie’s Camp.
FDA to begin inspections of cantaloupe packinghouses in wake of high-profile outbreaks
WASHINGTON — The Food & Drug Administration plans to inspect U.S. cantaloupe packinghouses during the 2013 growing season to make sure the industry is preventing Listeria and Salmonella contamination in the wake of recent outbreaks, the FDA said in a Feb. 25 letter to the industry.
N2N Global adds industry veteran as chief strategist
N2N Global, a world leader in business solutions to companies operating in the food industry, announced that Craig Stephen has accepted an offer to join the company as chief strategy officer and member of the board of directors.
Mr. Stephen brings 30 years of experience in developing growth and profitability strategies for global businesses. Prior to joining N2N Global, he spent 22 years at Chiquita Brands International Inc.
IPR adds growers, ups Bell pepper volume
For a new company to survive its first 10 years in business in the Nogales produce industry is not an easy task, observed Jose Luis Obregon, president of IPR Fresh, which was founded initially as a brokerage in 2003.
IPR has continued to grow its business, and “we have a steady plan of growth” for the future. It is “nothing too outrageous,” he said, but “we want to continue steady growth which hopefully will keep us here for the long term.”
Millennials will change the produce industry
The workforce that once made the United States what it is today has changed over the years. We do not do work today the way we did it a few years ago. Computers, robotics and other technologies have changed the way companies work.
Not only will state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge methods change the way companies do business in just a few short years, but so will future workers.
For employers, the workers of tomorrow will dramatically revolutionize the way in which business is conducted.
Country Fresh Inc. launches branded ‘Pink Lady’ slices
Country Fresh Inc. of Houston and Pink Lady America of Yakima, WA, announced the availability of branded sliced organic “Pink Lady” apples for the first time, with the product launch coming in a market test at a major retailer.
Meijer, with help from Mastronardi, offering Michigan tomatoes year round
Fresh, vine-ripened Michigan-grown tomatoes will be on Meijer store shelves throughout the year, even in the middle of winter, thanks to Mastronardi Produce's state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse in Coldwater, MI.
Stemilt teams with Lantao to market d'Anjou pears in China
Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, WA, and Lantao of Shanghai, China, have teamed up to be the first marketers of d'Anjou pears from Washington state in China under the new protocol between the United States and China, which was announced earlier this year.
Mike Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing for Stemilt, said that the d'Anjou is a good multi-purpose pear that is well suited for the Chinese market.
Giorgio Fresh increases staff by four key appointments
“Giorgio Fresh has been a member of Southeast Produce Council since it was founded,” said Bill Litvin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Giorgio Fresh headquartered in Temple, PA.
“And we have exhibited at the Southern Exposure Retail & Foodservice Conference & Expo every year that it has been held,” he said.
The company will be there again this year — and with strong team presence — at booth number 622 on Feb. 28-March 2 at the Caribe Royale Resort & Conference Center in Orlando, FL.
Fresh Farms expects ‘very large’ watermelon program, some new items this spring
Among the commodities that will be offered by Fresh Farms in Nogales, AZ, during the coming spring season are watermelons, and the company’s watermelon program is “very large for us,” said Jerry Havel, director of sales and marketing.