Dan Garcia joins Wileman Bros. & Elliot
Cutler, CA-based Wileman Bros. & Elliot Inc., a grower-packer-shipper of California citrus, welcomed DAN GARCIA on July 2 as its senior sales account manager.
Mr. Garcia brings with him 20 years of experience in the produce industry, most recently working for Dinuba, CA-based Fruit Patch Sales LLC for the past 10 years. His primary focus at Wileman Bros. & Elliot will be to distinguish and develop new business.
Lone Star harvesting first crop citrus from its new trees this season
Heading into its sixth full citrus season, Lone Star Citrus in Mission, TX, has plenty to celebrate. In short order the company has become one of the state’s top providers of citrus. The company recently inked a deal to be the exclusive provider of Texas grapefruit for Sunkist. And this season, Lone Star will mark a major milestone when it harvests the first fruit from the first trees planted in its own groves five-and-a-half years ago.
The latter is a particular source of pride for the company.
Nash Produce posts a remarkable 12 months with its improved facilities
The last 12 months have been remarkable for Nash Produce of Nashville, NC, one of the larger sweet potato distributors in the United States. The company improved traceability, added new bagging and packing capabilities, and Director of Marketing Laura Kornegay was selected as one of 36 participants in the PMA Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program.
Protected agriculture group in Mexico sets food-safety and sustainability agenda
Protected agriculture continues to grow in Mexico and now represents a preponderance of horticultural exports to the United States, according to Eric Viramontes, chief executive officer of the Associación Mexicana de Horticultura Protegida A.C., or Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture, headquartered in Culiacan, Sinaloa, and better known by its acronym AMHPAC.
Dry conditions during growing season affecting current harvest
In sharp contrast with the 2011 production season, potato growers in the Red River Valley may have to deal with the impact of dry weather as they begin production on this year’s crop. “For the most part, we’ve been drier than average,” said Ted Kreis, marketing director for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association in East Grand Forks, MN. “Last year, we had a problem with crops getting drowned out. [This year,] we could have used some additional rain.”
Ecoripe Tropicals introducing one-pound rambutan clamshell
Marc Holbik, director of grower relations for Ecoripe Tropicals based in Medley, FL, will be joined by the company’s general manager, Isabel Hurtado, to greet visitors at the annual Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit Oct. 26-28 in Anaheim, CA.
Serjio Sanchez joins Cal Giant
California Giant Berry Farms, headquartered in Watsonville, CA, announced the hiring of SER
Wada Farms introducing ‘Wada Farms’ shrink-wrapped jumbo sweet potato
“We are excited about the launch of another new product in our sweet potato line,” Shane Watt, vice president of production for Wada Farms Marketing Group, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, told The Produce News. “It is a jumbo-size shrink-wrapped 14- to 18-ounce microwavable sweet potato. We are offering it under our ‘Wada Farms’ label.”
Curry & Co. brings on its ‘A game’ with imported blueberries
Curry & Co. will highlight its year-round blueberry program and emphasize its import program at this year’s Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit.
“We’ll have a full Curry & Co. team,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News Sept. 24. Mr. Curry and Mike Klackle, Dave Hicks, Adam Blocker, Sandra White, Trish Lovell, Jamie Brannen, Melody Garcia, Jake Mayfield and Patrick Garrison will be available to talk with attendees and field questions during the trade show at booth No. 1164.
Ready Pac to showcase innovation at PMA Fresh Summit
Fresh-cut produce and fresh foods marketer Ready Pac is putting the final touches on preparation for its participation at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit in Anaheim, CA, Oct. 26-28. The company will feature several recent new product innovations and will unveil a new design for its exhibit booth (No. 1502). The new design focuses on fresh innovations and aligns with Ready Pac’s brand image and the new look and feel of Ready Pac’s website and social media marketing.