Uniq Fruit season at Brooks Tropicals going ‘great guns’
Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, said that the company’s green papayas are the main ingredient in a mainstay dish for Asian cultures, particularly Thai and Vietnamese.
“These are papayas that are and remain immature,” said Ms. Ostlund. “Often referred to as cooking papayas, they are eaten raw, such as sliced thin in papaya salads. This fruit’s popularity is increasing not only with the Southeastern U.S. population but with the popularity of restaurants focusing on these cuisines.”
2013 programs sweeten the pot for Curry
Attendees at this year’s Southern Exposure expo will have an opportunity to find out why 2013 represents such a sweet year for Curry & Co. “First of all, is our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News Feb. 11. “We’ll have samples at the show, and people can try these delicious carrots first hand. Our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program will run from late February/early March until about mid-summer. We are expecting our largest crop to date, and the quality has been excellent.”
Vidalia Onion Committee takes it outside with Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer
What is sweeter than a Vidalia onion? How about Vidalias in the summertime? That is the theme of this year’s Vidalia Onion Committee marketing campaign, which will partner up with several other well-known brands to help drive sales and provide consumers with the ultimate outdoor summer dining experience.
The committee, based in Vidalia, GA, has partnered with Johnsonville Sausage, the National Mango Board, Avocados from Mexico, Stemilt Cherries, Gourmet Garden Spice and the National Watermelon Promotion Board for the Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer promotional program.
Double Diamond Acres’ state-of-the-art greenhouse facility now in operation
Chris Mastronardi, owner and president of Double Diamond Acres, a leading greenhouse producer in Leamington, ON, told The Produce News that the company’s new high-tech greenhouse facility in Leamington — in a separate location from the company’s existing operation — is now up and running.
Orange County Produce expands into Ventura County with new partnership
As farmland in Orange County, CA, becomes increasingly scarce due to urban development, Orange County Produce in Irvine, CA, has found it expedient to look beyond the confines of Orange County for its strawberry production.
With the formation of a new partnership with a farming family in Oxnard, CA, Orange County Produce is now selling strawberries from Oxnard district packed in the “Ventura County Farms” label along with strawberries grown in Orange County and packed in the “Orange County Farms” label.
Lorna Christie ending 11-year tenure at PMA
The Produce Marketing Association announced Feb. 19 the departure of Lorna Christie, executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Feb. 28.
Ms. Christie is leaving to pursue her goal of consulting with companies ready to take their next steps in establishing a business model based on integrated strategic communications, including crisis mitigation, management and public affairs, according to a press release issued by PMA.
Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association raises the bar for melon food-safety standards
When cantaloupe has been in the news of late, that news has not been good. A new organization, the Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association, hopes to change that by implementing a vetting and auditing process that could provide a competitive edge for members and peace of mind for retailers, wholesalers and consumers.
Rivermaid now handling cherry and apple sales for Farmington Fresh
Farmington Fresh, a Stockton, CA-based cherry, apple and pear packer, has moved its sales and marketing to Rivermaid Trading Co. in Lodi, CA.
The Farmington Fresh agreement, together with the stone fruit and grape volume added through its purchase of Wespak Sales and Enns Packing in 2012, represents an additional 2 million cartons for Rivermaid. The additional volume places Rivermaid among California's larger fresh cherry growers and marketers.
Phil Colson, a green bean innovator and former president of C&E Farms, dies at 76
Phil Colson, former president of C&E Farms, headquartered in Cheriton, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, died Feb. 14 at his winter home on Marco Island, FL, following a battle with emphysema. He was 76.
Vidalia Onion Committee awards banquet
The Vidalia Onion Committee hosted its annual awards banquet Feb. 16 at the Hawks Point Golf Club in Vidalia, GA, for growers in the seven-county south Georgia area that is home to production of the famous sweet onion. Ray Farms Inc. in Glennville, GA, was named Grower of the Year. The award was presented to Danny Ray by Committee Chairman Kevin Hendrix of Hendrix Produce in Metter, GA. Named to the Vidalia Onion Growers Hall of Fame were Buck Shuman, who was inducted by his son John Shuman of Shuman Produce Inc.