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
To-Jo names marketing director
To-Jo Fresh Mushrooms Inc. has hired Julie West Petrovick as director of marketing. Ms. Petrovick will be responsible for the development and implementation of innovative marketing strategies for both the fresh and food products divisions of the company. She will also be responsible for the company's in-house creative services initiatives.
Bayer CropScience gets behind Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools
Bayer CropScience announced that it is teaming up with the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation to support Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools, a public health initiative developed to increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption by providing salad bars to schools across the United States. This initiative is supported by evidence that children will choose fresh and healthy foods if they are available.
Phillip Cuccerre joins Le Best Banana Supply
Hidalgo, TX-based Le Best Banana Supply Co. hired PHILLIP CUCCERRE as sales manager on Nov. 10.
In his new position, Mr. Cuccerre is responsible for developing grower-direct programs with retail, foodservice and processors. He handles the “Carmelite” brand, which includes premium bananas and gold pineapples from Mexico.
Prior to joining Le Best Banana Supply Co., Mr. Cuccerre worked for Chiquita Brands International in Cincinnati for 12 years, and The Oppenheimer Group for three years.
Sound business decisions guide Stemilt’s organic growth
During the past decade, Stemilt Growers Inc. has made calculated business decisions allowing for seamless growth in today’s organic arena. The company, located in Wenatchee, WA, has been farming organic tree fruit since 1989. Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl said significant changes have occurred since those early years.