Record cold, smaller crop may make Chinese ginger scarce, pricey
A record cold snap in China along with a reduction in acreage will have ginger in short supply with higher prices, according to a leading importer of the product.
Unlike garlic, there are no official statistics kept on the planting area and yield of China's ginger crop, so the total yield is hard to estimate, according to Jim Provost, president of I Love Produce in Kelton, PA.
NJDA and veg growers association to showcase Garden State agriculture
TRENTON, NJ — The second annual New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show is scheduled to take place Feb. 5-7 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ.
The two groups — the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey — held their annual gatherings concurrently for the first time in 2012, garnering a strong response.
Gourmet Trading names procurement manager
Gourmet Trading Co., based in Los Angeles, announced that Luciano Fiszman has been promoted to procurement manager during the company's Chilean blueberry season.Luciano Fiszman
Chilean blueberry production down from earlier projections
On Dec. 27, the Chilean Blueberry Committee, an organization linked to the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association, headquartered in Santiago, Chile, issued its week 52 crop report, which stated that exporters there were recovering from their export target levels during week 51.
Produce groups see early window for immigration reform
WASHINGTON — Just weeks after suffering the latest disappointment in passing a 2012 farm bill extension, the produce industry is set to take on an ambitious list of priorities from immigration reform to food safety in 2013.
“Immigration reform is at the top of the list,” said Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, based in Maitland, FL. “Following the election last fall, there is renewed interest in pursuing immigration reform.”
Fresh Summit creates visibility for Northern Plains Potato Growers Association
Ted Kreis, marketing director for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association in East Grand Forks, MN, said the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit creates just the kind of visibility that gets Red River Valley potato growers noticed. “We have participated for 33 years, since 1979,” he told The Produce News on Dec. 7. “Of all the shows we do, we get the best participation at PMA from our shippers, which is very important.”
FDA Food Facility Registration deadline extended to Jan. 31
The Perishable Specialist Inc., headquartered in Miami, issued a Dec. 13 memo to its customers and others of interest to advise them that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has extended it deadline for Food Facility Registrations until Jan. 31, 2013.
USA Onions’ retail display contest underway
USA Onions/Weber grill products “Get Grillin’“ football bowl season retail display contest kicked off Dec. 15, and produce managers across the country have received their custom logo-emblazoned black Weber Kettle grills as well as plenty of Spanish Sweets from the Idaho-Eastern Oregon onion-growing region.
Rice Fruit reports record-setting, high-quality apple crop
Although it is located in the Eastern United States, Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA, is a major exception to the huge crop losses most growers suffered in 2012. In fact, the company has the largest crop of apples in its near 100-year history.
John Rice, president of the company, told The Produce News that the firm’s situation is different than other apple producers due to its precise location in the Adams County Fruit Belt.
Galaxy Nutritional Foods follows trend timelines to keep finger on pulse of consumer demands
The media exposure related to food allergies, including lactose intolerance, during the past few years is a clear indication that consumers are looking for more dairy-free foods, according to Jamie Schapiro, director of marketing for Galaxy Nutritional Foods, headquartered in North Kingstown, RI.