Jarrod Snider joins Richter & Co.
Richter & Co., a vertically integrated distributor of fresh produce headquartered in Charlotte, NC, announced the hire of JARROD SNIDER as director of vegetable commodity development on Jan. 21.
Mucci Farms reporting busiest year-and-a-half in the company’s history
“It has been a very busy past year-and-a-half here,” Joe Spano, vice president of sales for Mucci Farms, a leading producer of greenhouse vegetables in Leamington, ON, told The Produce News in late January. “We have constructed and planted an additional 45 acres of new high-tech glass greenhouses, and we got them planted on time, despite all kinds of weather systems and construction issues.”
Crowley’s organizational realignments include new appointment for Nelly Yunta
On Dec. 20, Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that it had made organizational realignments within its shipping and logistics team, effective Jan. 1.
Nelly Yunta, who previously served as vice president of U.S. imports, customs brokerage and consulting for the company’s Miami-based Customized Brokers’ customs brokerage subsidiary, has been promoted to the position of vice president of sales, marketing and customer care for Crowley Maritime.
Dave Parker leaves SGS to take a position with Rivermaid Trading
The Produce News has learned that Dave Parker, previously director of marketing for Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC in Traver, CA, has left SGS to take a position with Rivermaid Trading Co. in Lodi, CA.
Neither Mr. Parker nor Rivermaid executives were immediately available for comment.
New Jersey groups convene for second combined convention
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Building on the success achieved last year when the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s State Agricultural Convention was held along with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey’s convention and trade show, the two groups held their second annual joint event Feb. 5-7 here at the Trump Taj Mahal, drawing excellent attendance and enthusiastic crowds.
Lettuce market remains red hot
Warm weather in November and cold weather in December and January have kept the Romaine market red hot, and most leaf items are also still showing very strong demand. However, broccoli and cauliflower couldn’t hold their demand as their prices soared and those markets have come way down.
Chris Herlihy, who works on the sales desk at Fresh Kist Produce in Salinas, CA, told The Produce News Feb. 5 that broccoli and cauliflower prices were down in the $7-8 range and having trouble holding that number. Just 10 days earlier, both items were trading north of $20.
IPC continues to expand international marketing programs
BOISE, ID — The 75-year-old Idaho Potato Commission has historically focused its marketing efforts on the domestic market, but about eight years ago the group began to undertake an international market development program.
PECO Pallet winning over watermelon growers
PECO Pallet in Yonkers, NY, “offers complete pallet pooling solutions for watermelon growers and shippers” throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to a written statement furnished by the company to The Produce News Jan. 25. “Over the last few years, more and more watermelon growers have partnered with PECO Pallet because of the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, service and safety.”
PECO has built its reputation “by consistently supplying high-quality pallets” and by its responsive service, according to the statement.
Tater Man shipping the freshest possible sweet potatoes year round
As of Jan. 26, Sydney, FL-based Tater Man had already started its 2013 season. “The demand for our fresh sweets is as early as possible,“ said Jason Bell, account manager. “Our processing partners have been able to expand their production windows and take on new business, which is keeping the demand on our crops extremely strong.”
New association formed to enhance confidence in Eastern cantaloupes
A new group formed to enhance consumer and retail confidence in the Eastern cantaloupe supply chain will kick off with a round of meetings Feb. 11 in Atlanta for foodservice and retail buyers.
The newly established Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association met in early January with cantaloupe growers and potential members hailing from Indiana down to southern Florida. Having solidified mandatory food-safety guidelines for the association, the group is now ready to unveil these standards to its produce purchasers.