Idaho Potato Commission names foodservice promotions director for Southeast
Jef Pryor has joined the Idaho Potato Commission's foodservice marketing team as promotions director for the Southeast. Working closely with Don Odiorne, vice president of foodservice, and the other regional foodservice promotion directors, Mr.
TRF provides $1.26 million for BrightFarms Pennsylvania greenhouse farm
The Reinvestment Fund, a national leader in financing neighborhood revitalization, has provided BrightFarms Inc. with $1.26 million in senior debt capital for its Pennsylvania greenhouse farm.
BrightFarms’ 53,000-square-foot greenhouse, under construction in Bucks County, PA, will grow up to 500,000 pounds of fresh produce per year, create up to 10 jobs and increase access to flavorful, healthy vegetables.
Farm bill’s future remains tied to fiscal cliff negotiations
WASHINGTON — The top House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders met Dec. 4 in a sign that progress is being made in hammering out a five-year bill, but the farm bill’s future appears tied to the outcome of high-stakes tax and budget negotiations.
Politico reported that Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) met “amid real signs of progress in resolving their differences over the commodity title.”
First company shut down by FDA under new food-safety law
WASHINGTON — If produce companies were questioning whether the Food & Drug Administration would use a new enforcement tool and shut down a food plant under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, ask nut processor Portales, NM-based Sunland Inc.
Sunland became the first business to have its food facility registration suspended by the FDA, thereby shutting it down, after its testing records showed it shipped Salmonella-positive products, the FDA said in a Nov. 26 letter from Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to Sunland President Jimmie Shearer.
Put a big red bow around it and you have 'Southern Selects' holiday French beans
Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, know that its “Southern Selects” French beans are so special and well-suited for holiday meals with family and friends, that they decided to adorn it with a big red holiday bow this year. The new pack was introduced at the PMA Fresh Summit in October, and is available to retailers during the months on November and December.
Malena expands in eggplant, pickles and peppers, adds hard squash, extends season
Malena Produce Inc. in Nogales, AZ, will have increases in several commodities for the coming winter season and will be adding a few new ones, according to Vice President Gonzalo Avila.
Some of the product expansions will extend the company's shipping season as well.
Produce industry cultivates support on Parliament Hill
Representing the diversity of the Canadian produce industry and to strengthen the industry's voice with elected officials, the Canadian Horticultural Council and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association hosted industry representatives from across the produce supply chain during the 2012 Fresh Harvest Event.
B&H Flowers emerges from Chapter 11
Hans and Esther Brand, owners of B&H Flowers in Carpinteria, CA, announced Nov. 15 that B&H has officially emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection.
“After 18 months of reorganizing and streamlining,” they said in a statement, “on Nov. 8, the court approved B&H’s plan of reorganization.”
WF&FSA speakers describe new generation of leaders, dominance of social media
MIAMI — “What’s Next?” was the theme, and it covered both the new generation of leaders and the dominance of social media in the industry in the years ahead. The annual Floral Distribution Conference for the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association’s was the event, held here Oct. 24-26.
Gallup & Stribling announces new vice president of sales
Brian Meagher, the new vice president of Gallup & Stribling Orchids in Carpinteria, CA, has announced that Steve Dodge, formerly with Ocean View Flowers and Kendal Floral Supply, has joined the Gallup & Stribling staff as vice president of sales. The announcement was made in a Nov. 16 news release.
Mr. Dodge had been director of business development and prior to that head of mass market sales at Ocean View in Lompoc, CA. He started his career at Kendal Floral. Mr. Dodge serves on the Floral Council of the Produce Marketing Association.