PRO*ACT promotes Brian Kane to COO
Monterey, CA-based PRO*ACT, a leading distributor of fresh produce, announced Jan. 22 the promotion of Brian Kane to chief operating officer.
Mr. Kane joined PRO*ACT in 2008 as vice president of client services, leading the team’s development and management of perishable sourcing and distribution programs for multi-unit foodservice companies, according to a company press release.
Wisconsin potato producers harvest highly promotable crop in 2012
Duane Maatz, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, provided a snapshot potato production for the 2012 season.
“The WPVGA has estimated 2012 harvested acres at 63,500,” he stated. Total planted acres for the season were up slightly when compared to 2011. But Mr. Maatz said crop acres were comparable.
Potato movement steady from SLV but down from 2012
Monte Vista, CO — Although movement of potatoes from Colorado’s San Luis Valley was holding steady going into 2013, year-to-date figures show overall shipments were down by more than 10 percent from the same period in 2011-12.
Florida growers’ woes help others prepare to cope with greening disease
California citrus growers are finding out what Florida and Texas growers already knew: that the biggest threat to their livelihoods may not come from the Asian Citrus Psyllid, a tiny insect that spreads the deadly citrus greening disease HLB, but from homeowners who see their backyards as the best source of fresh citrus.
Savanello rejoins Allegiance Retail Services
ISELIN, NJ — Allegiance Retail Services LLC announced that Victor Savanello has rejoined the company as director of produce and floral. He had left Allegiance in mid-June to join JOH Sales & Marketing as account executive in commodity sales.
FPAA study: Tomato prices could double if punitive tariffs placed on Mexican imports
The U.S. Department of Commerce, at the behest of U.S. tomato producers, is currently contemplating discontinuing an anti-dumping investigation suspension agreement under which the Mexican tomato industry has been operating since 1996, and the Mexican government, on behalf of Mexican producers, has been attempting to re-negotiate the agreement to the satisfaction of all concerned. A comment period, prior to the department making a decision, ends Monday, Jan. 28.
Homegrown Organic Farms shipping organic limes from Arvin, Calif.
There are new and interesting things going on at Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA.
“We are now bringing in organic limes from Mexico, and shipping them out of our Arvin, CA, facility," said Scott Mabs, director of marketing. "We have been working with this grower in Mexico for the past year and have developed a good relationship.
“We are also we’re bringing in Chilean blueberries,” he continued. “Our domestic program has grown so large that the imports will help to keep our volumes at needed levels.”
Staff and leadership make Ben B. Schwartz & Sons outstanding
Nate Stone, chief operating officer for Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc., located on the Detroit Terminal Market, said the company has outstanding leadership, and that the upbeat staff members share a great relationship. Everyone under the Ben B. Schwartz & Sons’ roof has a positive attitude about the firm and what their role in it is.
Commitments to family, agriculture deep at Wholesum Family Farms
Three generations of the Crisantes family have been tied to the land and each other as they bring premium fresh organic produce to the marketplace. Wholesum Family Farms, which distributes fresh commodities under the “Wholesum Harvest” label through its warehouse in Nogales, AZ, has been committed to agricultural excellence for 80 years.
Miguel Crisantes Gatzionis moved to Mexico from Greece in the 1920s. His son, Don Miguel, started farming in Sinaloa, Mexico in 1930. Don Miguel Crisantes’ son, Theojary, transitioned the family’s farm to organic using sustainable practices.