It’s Italian chestnut, kiwi, grape, dried fruits and nuts time at A.J. Trucco
Sal Vacca, president of A.J. Trucco Inc., located at the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in the Bronx, NY, told The Produce News that the company would be promoting Italian chestnuts heavily at the New York Produce Show & Conference on Dec. 4-6 in New York City. The company has exhibited at the show since it began two years ago.
The term ‘chip off the old block’ resonates at Ben B. Schwartz
Nate Stone, chief operating officer for Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc., in Detroit, MI, told The Produce News that the company has the absolute perfect combination of management and staff, which results in things moving along flawlessly.
Chris Billmeyer, the company’s president and chief executive officer is the third generation to own and operate the company. His son, Jake Billmeyer, joined the company in 2009, and is working in numerous capacities to learn about every function of the business.
Wayne E. Bailey’s ‘George Foods’ brand strongly accepted by firm’s customers
George Wooten, president of Wayne E. Bailey, headquartered in Chadbourn, NC, told The Produce News that the company’s launch of its new “George Foods” rebranding initiative was strongly received at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in October.
The Garlic Co. says garlic supplies could be tight for the coming year
Things are lining up to result in a unique year for the garlic industry, John Duffus, vice president of sales and marketing for The Garlic Co., headquartered in Bakersfield, CA, told The Produce News. The firm private labels for a major distributor in the New York region, and the New York Produce Show & Conference is therefore an important event for company officials to attend, he noted.
Eastern Produce Council looking forward to a top-notch show
Expectations are high for this year’s New York Produce Show & Conference, Dec. 4-6.
“The cocktail reception at the Sheraton Hotel on Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd streets in Manhattan will kick-start what will prove to be another outstanding show,” John McAleavey, executive director of the Eastern Produce Council, told The Produce News. “The reception starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, and we look forward to greeting all show attendees there.”
Mini peppers delight Prime Time
Consumers just don’t seem to be able to buy enough of the bagged mini peppers that have skyrocketed in popularity over the last year or two.
“We can’t seem to find the ceiling (on production),” quipped Mike Aiton, marketing manager for Coachella, CA-based Prime Time International. “We continue to expand production. In fact, we are going to at least double what we did last year and demand is still very good.”
H. Brooks and Co. stakes reputation on industry know-how
Corporate commitment to sustainable agriculture and the highest food-safety standards are hallmarks at H. Brooks and Co., based in New Brighton, MN. The family-owned business has been in operation for more than a century.
President Phillip Brooks said the company sells more than 800 fresh, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and specialty products.
Product is sourced domestically and internationally, and Mr. Brooks said its customers are located in Minnesota, neighboring states and the Lake Michigan region.
Dixondale Farms lays claim to title of world’s largest grower of onion plants
Special to The Produce News by Dixondale Farms
Bruce Frasier may know more about growing onion plants than any man in America. As the fourth-generation president of Dixondale Farms in Carrizo Springs, Mr. Frasier oversees the largest and oldest onion plant farm in the country. Dixondale Farms started growing onion plants in 1913 and the family-owned company has done so every year for the past century.
Prospects for 2012 farm bill remain uncertain
WASHINGTON — Advocates for a 2012 farm bill are questioning whether Congress has enough time or the political will to pass massive farm policy legislation, suggesting that lawmakers may agree to a short extension instead, which could be bad news for the specialty crop industry.
Florida ag commissioner optimistic about future of Florida produce
The 2012 presidential election did not go the way most Florida farmers would have preferred. The future of the Farm Bill is cloudy and workable immigration reform seems years away. Foreign competition is increasing and the Sunshine State faces challenges ranging from diseases like the citrus-destroying HLB to the ongoing tangle of water-quality restrictions imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But Adam Putnam, commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, is optimistic about the future of Florida produce.