Lone Star Citrus Growers riding high with great weather, phenomenal crop
Texas citrus growers are in the catbird seat with none of the problems that have plagued other domestic growing areas through the first half of this season, according to Trent Bishop of Lone Star Citrus Growers in Mission, TX.
Lone Star was launched six years ago by three Texas industry veterans: Jud Flowers, T.J. Flowers and Mr. Bishop.
Christopher Ranch, citing strong demand, sees room for growth in organic category
Demand for domestically grown organic product is so strong that Christopher Ranch has trouble keeping up.
In its extensive organic line, Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, offers fresh whole garlic bulbs in bulk and packaged. Its organic garlic line also includes peeled, roasted and processed garlic, as well as chopped, crushed and roasted garlic puree, which are shelf-stable in jars.
Chelan Fresh Marketing enters Chinese pear market
Chelan Fresh Marketing of Chelan, WA, will soon begin shipping d’Anjou pears to China under its “Trout” label, according to Mac Riggan, marketing director.
New USDA snack food standards could increase produce sales
The produce industry is hoping a new U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation announced Feb. 1 that puts limits on snack foods sold to children during the school day will not only promote healthy eating but drive up produce sales.
Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, USDA must establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, besides the federally supported school meal programs. The Smart Snacks in School proposed rule unveiled Feb. 1 requires all foods sold in schools meet the following criteria:
Tentative deal reached on tomato suspension agreement
The U.S. government and Mexican tomato growers reached a tentative agreement Feb. 2 that raises the minimum reference price for Mexican plum, cherry and other tomatoes that are sold in the United States.
"I am pleased that we were able to come to an agreement on fresh tomato imports from Mexico that restores stability and confidence to the U.S. tomato market and meets the requirements of U.S. law," Francisco Sanchez, undersecretary for international trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said in a statement.
Mike Martori joins Pura Vida
Pura Vida Farms, a nation-wide pineapple importer and grower-shipper of melon products based in Scottsdale, AZ, announced Jan. 21 the hire of MIKE MARTORI as vice president of East Coast sales.
Johnston Farms dodges wintry bullet, has ample fruit and excellent quality
Johnston Farms, a fourth-generation family farming operation in Edison, CA, near Bakersfield, started shipping citrus in 1982. So the wintry weather of early January that brought five consecutive nights of sub-freezing temperatures was nothing new, nor was it a drastic setback — but it was a pain in the neck.
Albert’s Organics preparing to relocate two major U.S. facilities
Albert’s Organics, headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, is in the process of preparing for relocations of two of its U.S. facilities, according to Simcha Weinstein, director of marketing for the company.
January freeze to have lingering effects on some items from Mexico
Tight supplies on yellow squash, green beans, sweet corn and some other commodities from northern Mexico were pushing market prices to unusually high levels in late January and early February due to the lingering effects of a mid-January freeze in southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico.
Former Adams CEO admits to fraud
Scott David Grinstead, who was the chief executive officer of Adams Produce Co. in Birmingham, AL, when the company declared bankruptcy last April, has entered into a plea bargain with the U.S. Attorney's office admitting fraud, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Alabama