PMA members get first chance to hear about two FDA food-safety proposals
Now that the Food & Drug Administration has proposed two new food-safety regulations, Produce Marketing Association experts jumped in front Jan. 17 to lay out the new proposals and field questions from members during back-to-back webinars.
Required under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the two regulations, released Jan. 4, propose new safety standards for produce and new preventive controls for a wide variety of FDA-registered food facilities. Comments on the more than 1,200-page rules are due May 16.
New U.S. postal stamp features beloved New York apple
The office staff of the New York Apple Association in Fishers, NY, was bubbling with excitement on Jan. 17 when the U.S. Postal Service notified them that the Northern Spy apple, an older but beloved cooking apple, was chosen as one of four U.S. apples to represent a new postcard stamp collection.
Ecoripe Tropicals’ diverse line appeals to various Asian cuisines
Marc Holbik, director of grower relations for Ecoripe Tropicals in Medley, FL, told The Produce News that the company carries a widely diverse line of Asian fruits and vegetables.
“The line was developed specifically for a wide range of Chinese, Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines,” said Mr. Holbik. “These foods and the dishes they are used in have become increasingly popular in North America.”
Forrence Orchards wrapping up season early
Peter Forrence, one of three cousins who own Forrence Orchards in Peru, NY, told The Produce News that the key to the eastern apple deal this year is that there are limited supplies. Overall, New York’s apple production is down by 60 percent due to freeze and frost damage.
“Supplies are running out rapidly,” said Mr. Forrence. “And demand continues to be strong. The Western U.S. had a sizeable crop, and some of that fruit is working its way to the East to fill the demand.
Hard work, determination and big dreams know no boundaries for Chloé Varennes
In a time where many recent college graduates are struggling to start their careers let alone find any sort of employment, 23-year-old Chloé Varennes is the exception.
After graduating a little over a year ago from California Poly-San Luis Obispo with a degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing and minor in packaging, Ms. Varennes has not only already begun a promising career in the produce industry, she’s also managed to snag her dream job.
Cold spell in California keeps growers busy with frost-protection measures
Several successive nights of freezing temperatures in California's San Joaquin Valley and in coastal growing areas have kept growers busy implementing costly frost-protection measures in the hope of preventing or minimizing damage to citrus, avocados and strawberries.
Some vegetable crops in the southern coastal areas may also be affected by the cold, but are said to be of less concern.
Bolthouse Farms takes innovation to next level with new state-of-the-art facility
BAKERSFIELD, CA — Bolthouse Farms, a leading fresh carrot grower-shipper, unveiled a new state-of-the-art facility that will promote new product development and enhance the company's portfolio of existing products, which includes a line of beverages and salad dressings.
The company's new Innovation Center was celebrated during a grand opening ceremony Jan. 16, here.
Sweetbay to close one-third of its stores by mid-February
Tampa, FL-based Sweetbay Supermarket said Jan. 16 that it will close about one-third of its 105 stores by mid-February. All the outlets earmarked for closure are designated as "underperforming" by Sweetbay's Belgian parent company Delhaize Group, and many face in-house competition from newer, bigger Sweetbay stores in the same neighborhoods.
Of the 35 stores to be closed, 18 are in Sweetbay's home territory of Tampa Bay. Some have leases coming up for renewal while others have been made obsolete by openings of new Sweetbay markets.
Opal returns with new promotions, charity initiative
FirstFruits Marketing, the Yakima, WA-based marketer of the widely acclaimed Opal apple, has launched its 2013 campaign with a new website, in-store point-of-sales efforts and the announcement of a new charity initiative.
IEOOC promotes healthy lifestyle and preventative services in Treasure Valley
Through the cooperative efforts of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee (USA Onions) and Boise, ID-based St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, women in the Treasure Valley were given access to screening services at a mobile mammogram unit that visited various packing sheds in the onion-growing region.
The services were provided during December and were available to shed employees and members of the community. According to IEOOC Marketing Director Sherise Jones, the mobile unit spent a half day at participating sheds.