CPAC to dovetail with USPB and ‘Linda’ campaign
Monte Vista, CO — Using the U.S. Potato Board’s “Five Distinct Potato Seasons” campaign as a matrix, the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee will be reaching out to consumers in 2013 with promotional information that ties potatoes to nurturing in winter, energy and anticipation in spring and outdoorsy fun in the summer.
The USPB’s campaign was developed to reach “Linda,” a composite consumer who represents the board’s target audience (female, 25-54 years with kids under 18 at home) and who accounts for 40 percent of all fresh potato consumption.
Worley & McCullough benefits from Wada partnership
Monte Vista, CO — In year one of its partnership with Idaho’s Wada Farm’s Marketing Group, Worley & McCullough of Monte Vista, CO, has seen its potatoes move at a solid, steady pace.
W&M Sales Coordinator Trampas McCormick told The Produce News in early January, “We’re shipping at a good rate, and the year has been going really well for us. Wada has been a great asset and a great partner. Their ability to work in so many areas is a real plus, and our business is good from their organization.”
McCormick & Milne start the New Year upbeat and busy
Monte Vista, CO — Sales for McCormick & Milne going into 2013 were described as good overall by John McCormick, company principal, who said that while the 2012 crop came in short, sales were “holding steady.”
He said, “We’re down a little, but things are moving well. Our process side is good, and all our contracts are in place.”
Aspen Produce says holidays brought ‘good push’ for spuds
Center, CO — Citing good quality and steady movement of potatoes out of the Aspen Produce warehouse in Center, CO, sales agent Michele Peterson said the closing weeks of 2012, particularly the holidays, kept the facility busy.
“The holidays were good, and movement has been steady,” Ms. Peterson said in late 2012. “It’s been a good push, just what you’d like to see this time of year. We’re seeing good quality across the board, and our Rio Grandes and some of the numbered varieties are especially good for us this season.”
White Rock Specialties busier than expected
The newly formed White Rock Specialties, which ships conventional and organic fingerlings and specialty potatoes out of Mosca, CO, is moving ahead full bore.
“We’ve been busy, probably busier than we expected,” said Paul New, one of the company’s managers.
Sheldon Rocky of Rockey Farms is the other manager in the new enterprise.
Monte Vista Potato Growers ‘right on track’ with shipments
Monte Vista, CO — Monte Vista Potato Growers General Manager Steve Tillman said the cooperative’s nine-farm grower base has stayed stable in both acreage and production over the past several years, and in early January, Mr. Tillman said the shed was “basically right on track with what we usually are at this time of year” with shipments.
Cañon Potato Co. says business is steady, storage down
Center, CO — “We had good holiday sales, and our business hasn’t been bad,” David Tonso, president of Cañon Potato Co. in Center, CO, said in late December.
The season, which had gotten off to a slow start, picked up during Thanksgiving and stayed steady, Mr. Tonso added.
However, due to the San Luis Valley’s critical water shortage and lower yields, acreage had been cut back, and supplies were short.
“We’re down between 33 and 35 percent,” Mr. Tonso said of stocks. “That’s across the board, in every variety. And we will clean up in May.”
Hess Bros. Fruit announces new partnership
Fred Hess, co-owner of Hess Bros. Fruit in Lancaster, PA, told The Produce News that his brother, Jerry Hess, who was previously his partner in the business, has retired.
“I now have three new partners,” said Mr. Hess. “Jerry’s son, Ryan Hess; my nephew, Andy Figart; and Jerry’s son-in-law, Zack King — who are all young men — have joined me in ownership and management of the company. They have all worked for the firm for some time.”
With rich history propelling it forward, Diamond Fruit Growers hits 100 in 2013
An event totally unexpected on the Mayan calendar will take place on March 19, 2013, when Diamond Fruit Growers in Hood River, OR, hits the venerable age of 100 years.
The passage has not gone unnoticed.
Partnership makes peppers plentiful at Oppy
This spring, retailers can look to Oppy for top-quality, B.C.-grown sweet Bell peppers in abundance thanks to a unique new alliance. But they won't have to wait for a first taste of this new greenhouse partnership, which also adds year-round volumes of long English cucumbers to the marketer's offerings.