Misionero wins Best New Produce Launch
Misionero Vegetables, a family-owned-and-operated business, showcased its new flavorful and nutritional salads at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA, and was awarded Best New Product Launch.
“We looked at emerging trends in the fresh-cut category and found consumers are incorporating vegetables with a high nutrient content or ‘super foods’ into their diets,” Alicia Blanco, marketing manager, said in a press release. “Our Baby Kale and Superfood Blends are the perfect fit for the savvy consumer.”
Rainier's new apple varieties generate big buzz at retail
Rainier Fruit Co., which will exhibit at booth No. 500 at this year's New York Produce Show & Conference, is armed with a strong message designed to increase retail apple sales. "According to AC Nielsen, sales data from September 2011 through April 2012, showed the 'other' category increased over 50 percent in both sales dollars and volume," Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter told The Produce News Nov. 1. "This presents an opportunity for retailers to shift their focus to new varieties and drive additional dollars through the department."
Jan DeLyser assumes chairmanship of PMA
On Oct. 25 produce industry veteran Jan DeLyser officially assumed the role of chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, as the association kicked off Fresh Summit 2012 with a theme of “Say Hello to the Future.”
Ms. DeLyser begins her PMA chairmanship nearly a quarter-century after she first volunteered for PMA as a member of the education committee in 1988, when she was working at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council.
Produce and floral veteran Douglas Bernard dies at 69
Dale (Doug) Bernard, a produce and floral industry veteran who was known for his work in importing and distributing fresh chili peppers in the United States and Canada, died Oct. 24 in Miami. He was 69.
Starting in 1968, Mr. Bernard became active in a business venture in El Salvador, Pavos S.A., which produced and marketed frozen turkeys throughout the Central American market. He remained an active part of this business through the end of his life.
Consumers are driving food culture change
ANAHEIM, CA — The food culture in America is changing, and the fresh produce industry is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the changing desires of consumers.
That was one of the topics discussed at a workshop held Friday, Oct. 26, during the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, here.
Foxy partners with PBS show for organic veggie sponsorship
The Nunes Co. has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement for organic vegetables with public television's No. 1 cooking show, “America's Test Kitchen,” for 2013.
New acquisitions give Homegrown Organics year-round lemon program
“We have just started a year-round lemon program. That is new for Homegrown organic Farms,” said Scott Mabs, director of marketing.
The expanded lemon program was made possible with the acquisition of some new ranches in Southern California, he said. “We now have lemons in all three [California] districts. It will allow us to continue a lemon program year round for our customers.”
Mariani Nut Co. offers new store-ready high-graphic pallet display
Mariani Nut Co. in Winters, CA, which specializes in California walnuts, California almonds and pecans from various parts of the United States, has seen broader use of its products for a variety of applications throughout the year in recent years than in times past. Still, they remain “a core item for the holiday season,” according to Matt Mariani, who oversees the company’s sales and marketing activities.
“We are fortunate now that our items do sell year round,” he said, “but the holidays are still a very important time, and it is definitely our peak selling season.”
NFL’s Brian Mitchell walks the walk with ‘Fuel Up to Play 60’
Long before he became a television and radio personality, before he set seven National Football League records that still stand, before he was a three-time All-Pro, before he helped Washington win Super Bowl XXVI, before he was drafted into the league, before he set records in the NCAA — even before he entered the hallowed halls of the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette — Brian Mitchell was a kid at the family dinner table.
And on that table every day were homecooked meals with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ready Pac introduces new fall-winter fresh-cut fruit selections
Ready Pac has launched a new ready-to-serve fresh-cut fruit products. The new items feature seasonal fruits rarely — if ever — seen in the fresh-cut produce category, including pears, oranges and kumquats.