Salinas pavilion exceeds expectations
ANAHEIM, CA -- Following the lead of several countries and other U.S. growing districts, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California created a pavilion-type concept for its members at the Produce Marketing Association convention, held Oct. 26-28, here, and invited competitors to display their products together.
"It worked out better than we could have ever imagined," Jim Bogart, president of the association, told The Produce News. "We had great participation from our members and they reported increased visitation to their booths."
Leadership Council agrees to enhance Produce Traceability Initiative
Acknowledging that significant progress has been made to reach the Produce Traceability Initiative goals over the last four years, the PTI Leadership Council has agreed that a buyer-centered implementation focus is needed to ensure continued industry movement toward case-level traceability.
The council, representing 32 companies in the produce industry, met recently in conjunction with the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA, and decided to:
Duda Farms to introduce new retail packaging for Mandarins, Meyer lemons
“We are continuing to come up with new innovative packaging,” Paul Huckabay, citrus manager for Western citrus at Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. in Visalia, CA, said in an interview with The Produce News Oct. 19.
Johnston Farms marks 30 years in citrus packing, 65 in farming
Johnston Farms in Edison, CA, near Bakersfield, is a fourth-generation family farming operation. According to Dennis Johnston, a partner in the company, his grandfather, John C. Johnston, started farming potatoes in the Edison area of Kern County in 1947, and the family planted its first Navels in 1963, making 2013 the 50th anniversary of the company’s involvement in citrus.
American Pistachio Growers expecting record harvest of around 550 million pounds
With the 2012 harvest nearing completion, pistachio growers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada are expecting a record crop of around 550 million pounds, but that number is down from a pre-harvest estimate of around 600,000 pounds, according to Richard Matoian, executive director of the 450-member association.
Turbana’s Fundauniban celebrates 25 years of Colombian community empowerment
Just 25 years ago, the people of Colombia were caught in a vise of poverty and terror. Powerful drug organizations like Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel and southern Colombia’s Cali Cartel battled for control of the country’s finances, politics and people. As much as half of the country’s economy came from the cocaine trade, and that product had surpassed even coffee as Colombia’s leading export. In the struggle for control, thousands were killed and honest citizens found they had no means of support.
Ready Pac garners PMA Impact Award for Disney-themed line
Ready Pac's Disney-themed Ready Pac Cool Cuts salads and mini-meals line was awarded a PMA Impact Award for packaging excellence at Fresh Summit 2012, held Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, CA.
Initially named one of 25 finalists from a pool of 61 entries, the salad and mini meals line was one of six award winners.
PMA workshop encourages attendees to 'close the gap' by engaging multiple generations in today's marketplace
ANAHEIM, CA -- Seth Mattison, a renowned expert on workforce trends and generational dynamics, helped kick off the 2012 PMA Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, here, Oct. 26 with a fun and informative workshop entitled "Closing the Gap: Engaging Multiple Generations in Today's Dynamic Marketplace." During his presentation, Mr. Mattison advised attendees about how to truly understand today's customers, sales and marketing professionals by first gaining a clear understanding of the different generations that consume the marketplace.
Stay on your toes, the e-revolution is coming
ANAHEIM, CA — The e-revolution is changing the produce industry, including how product is grown and tracked as well as how consumers make purchases.
“As landscapes change, the things you’ll need to do in order to compete will change,” Kevin Coupe of MorningNewsBeat.com said at an educational session titled "The Innovation Conversation: How to Survive the e-Revolution” held at the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit, here.
Going bananas: Thermal Tech expansion doubles production capacity
BLYTHEWOOD, SC—The nation’s largest producer of banana-ripening equipment is going bananas, you might say, with a $1.2 million expansion that has doubled its production space to 28,000 square feet in tiny Blythewood, SC, a town with about 2,000 residents about 16 miles north of Columbia, the state capital.
Thermal Technologies Inc., here, has built patented ripening systems that handle 100 million pounds of bananas a day and in 25 years has cornered about 70 percent of the market for banana ripening systems. It also produces equipment to ripen stone fruit, avocados and pears.