Tom Argyros joins GM Produce Sales
GM Produce Sales LLC, an importer of Mexican mangos, has added TOM ARGYROS to its sales force.
Mr. Argyros, who will work from the company’s Nogales, AZ, office, is a seasoned sales specialist with over 24 years of experience in produce at some of the larger importers such as Splendid Products, Diazteca Co. and most recently L&M Cos.
FPAA awaits FDA rules on Foreign Supplier Verification Program
One on the provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which became effective Jan. 4, is a mandate for food importers to verify the safety of food they import, though what is being called the Food Supplier Verification Program.
According to the FDA website, under the new law, “for the first time, importers have an explicit responsibility to verify that their foreign suppliers have adequate preventive controls in place to ensure that the food that they produce is safe.”
NWA’s centennial celebrants stunned by mystery guest at San Antonio convention
After months of buildup about a mystery special guest at the National Watermelon Association’s centennial celebration — underway in San Antonio, TX, Feb. 20-24 — hundreds of attendees at the Feb. 22 morning keynote session were stunned when former President George W. Bush strolled through the door of the Westin La Cantera resort to a thunderous ovation, accompanied by a phalanx of Secret Service agents.
USA Weekend and 'The Doctors' highlight cholesterol-lowering benefits of apples
Almost 50 million people learned about the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of apples on Feb. 17 from USA Weekend. The popular Sunday publication partnered with the Emmy Award-winning medical television show "The Doctors" to advise Americans on small steps to keep their cholesterol on track, including eating apples.
Nick Leger joins Mack Farms
Mack Farms, headquartered in Lake Wales, FL, hired NICK LEGER as a sales associate.
His responsibilities at Mack Farms include servicing existing accounts and developing new accounts, with some procurement and food safety responsibilities, he told The Produce News.
Prior to joining Mack Farms, Mr. Leger worked at Melon 1 Inc. for two years. He has been working in the produce industry for over five years and was first introduced through his family’s company, L&M Melon Sales/Leger & Son Inc., where he worked during his teenage years.
To-Jo launching new ‘Swapper’ meatball product at Southern Exposure
“We are looking forward to the Southern Exposure event again this year,” Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo Mushrooms Inc. in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News.
“Our comprehensive line of fresh and prepared mushrooms will be showcased, and we’ll be promoting a new protein-type item that we are particularly excited about: a mushroom meatball.”
Farmer’s Best adds Euro cukes, TOVs
“We’ve got a couple of new items this year,” said Steve Yubeta, vice president of sales at Farmer’s Best International LLC in Nogales, AZ. “They are European cucumbers and tomatoes-on-the-vine.” The company has been offering those new items through the winter, and they will continue into spring. “Thus far, we have had very positive feedback from all of our customers that have been receiving them,” he said Feb. 9. “It looks like it has worked out very well.”
Suntreat expands Sumo shipments, adds new general manager
Suntreat has begun shipment of its exclusive Sumo citrus, which continues through April. This year marks the third commercial crop by the same group of citrus growers who originally brought the wildly popular fruit to California from Japan, where it is known as Dekopon or Shiranui.
SPC has much to celebrate as 10th annual trade show rolls around
A decade ago, the still-new Southeast Produce Council held its first Southern Exposure trade show with less than 100 businesses participating. This year, hundreds from the industry will gather at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL, Feb. 28-March 2, more than 230 companies will be exhibiting on the trade show floor and there is a waiting list both for booth space and entrance to this year’s keynote luncheon.
Promotions need proper execution, says Richard Ruiz of Ruiz Sales
When Richard Ruiz, president of Ruiz Sales, an Edinburg, TX-based importer and distributor of tropical items from Mexico, was approached by Texas retailer H.E.B. about running a Super Bowl-themed lime promotion, he gladly accepted the challenge.
After all, the promotion presented an opportunity to move more fruit and to give consumers what he believes are the highest-quality limes in the area.