Gourmet Trading Co. wins award for innovative package
Gourmet Trading Co., a North American distributor of fresh asparagus, blueberries and blackberries, won the WorldStar Award in the food category for its two-piece display-ready asparagus shipper from the WorldStar Packaging Organisation.
The company was able to enter this international competition after winning the Institute of Packaging Professionals 2012 AmeriStar Packaging Competition for its innovative asparagus package on April 5, 2012.
SunFed begins installation of solar power system
SunFed, a Rio Rico, AZ-based grower-shipper, has begun work on one of the largest commercial installation of solar power in southern Arizona. The nearly half-megawatt solar system will be mounted on the roof of the company's 46,000-square-foot refrigerated produce distribution facility.
The solar system will nearly offset all the facility's electrical consumption as well as drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and further reduce the company's carbon footprint, according to a Dec. 13 press release issued by SunFed.
FDA grants extension for food facilities to register
U.S. and foreign food companies will have one more month, until Jan. 31, 2013, to renew facility registration with the Food & Drug Administration, the agency announced Dec. 12.
Food facilities that manufacture, process, pack and store food and feed are required by the new FDA Food Safety Modernization Act to renew their registration by Dec. 31, 2012, and every two years after that. Most farms, restaurants and retail establishments are exempted, although certain activities can trigger registration.
MAS is building back winter acreage after reduction two years ago
The acreage of melons being grown in southern Mexico by MAS Melons & Grapes LLC in Nogales, AZ, for the winter season will be a little higher this year than it was the last two years, according to Miguel Suarez, the company’s managing partner and sales manager.
Giorgio Fresh mushroom packs a holiday tradition for retailers and consumers
Bill Litvin, regional sales and national account manager for Giorgio Fresh Co., headquartered in Temple, PA, said that the company offers special holiday packs of stuffer mushrooms that sell extremely well during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter.
Florida citrus growers launching Legend of Sun Lion tangerines
Two well-known Florida citrus growers are launching a branded tangerine product aimed at getting healthy snacks to children while saving an endangered species.
Lake Wales growers Vic Story and Marty McKenna have created the "Legend of Sun Lion Florida Tangerines" brand for the 2012-13 season. The new venture is pledging 10 percent of company net profits to Florida panther conservation efforts.
Domex lends a helping hand at WSHA
Domex Superfresh Growers lent a helping hand at the 108th annual meeting of the Washington State Horticultural Association, which was recently held in Yakima, WA, Dec. 3-5. It provided speakers and panelists for four of the education programs in addition to sponsoring the social and cocktail hour Monday evening and the cherry educational session on Wednesday morning.
New MamaMia Produce state-of-the-art bagging machine draws strong interest from retailers
"MamaMia Produce has a new state-of-the-art bagging machine, and retailers are liking it a lot," Joe Sferrazza, sales manager for the East Rutherford, NJ-based company, told The Produce News Dec. 11. "We have had it running for about two weeks, and we could not be more pleased with how it has already increased our efficiencies and volumes."
The bagging machine, he added, took the company about a year to find because they wanted it to specifically match its product line of avocados and citrus. And it is in keeping with the growing consumer demand for bagged items.
Ecoripe Tropicals gearing up for peak season of Honduran vegetables
If there were a horoscope specifically for the produce industry, the stars would be in perfect alignment this year for Ecoripe Tropicals.
The Medley, FL-based company enjoyed a highly successful PMA Fresh Summit, where it showcased its new one-pound clamshell of “Lafinita” brand rambutan, in addition to sampling the product to visitors. The product is packed fresh from Global Good Agricultural Practices-certified orchards, and is marketed under the “Lafinita” brand.
Chile and Peru taking lead for exports to U.S.
According to a 2011 report from the Produce Marketing Association, 4 percent of U.S. fruit imports each year come from Peru.
In the report, which was written about in PeruthisWeek.com on Sept. 29, 2011, Nancy Tucker, PMA’s vice president of global business development, stated that mangos, grapes, bananas, avocados, asparagus and artichokes are the most popular Peruvian produce items purchased by U.S. consumers.