J.J. Jardina Co.’s third-generation owners focus on giving back to the community
FOREST PARK, GA — The J.J. Jardina Co. was founded in Gainesville, GA, in 1925 and has been serving clients throughout the Southeast from its spot on the Atlanta Farmers Market for years. Specializing in apples, citrus and Chilean fruit, the company is one of the Southeast’s leading distributors of fresh fruit. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the J.J. Jardina Co. has become well-known for its charitable nature and giving back to the community it serves.
Pura Vida Farms selects new director of watermelon operations
Pura Vida Farms, nationwide pineapple importer-grower-shipper of melon products, announced the selection of Shawn Avera as the director of watermelon operations for its Eastern region. Mr. Avera began his duties Aug. 20 and will be based at Pura Vida's new Moultrie, GA, office.
New Southern California company offers storage, repack services for imported produce
Cool-Pak Solutions LLC, located in Carson, CA, in close proximity to the port of Los Angeles and the port of Long Beach, is a newly formed company offering cold storage, packing and repacking services for imported fruit and other fresh produce "from all over the world," according to company President Steven Karo. The company started in July.
Rainier takes packingline technology to the max
Rainier Fruit Co., one of Washington's premier apple grower-packer-shippers, has raised the bar in anticipation of its new packingline, known as The Max Line. The state-of-the-art line is expected to become operational around Oct. 10 according to Suzanne Wolter, the company's director of marketing.
United Fresh addresses aftermath of failed merger at WPPC meeting
WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association Chairman David Krause, president of Paramount Citrus, kicked off the Oct. 2 opening breakfast at the Washington Public Policy Conference by addressing a burning issue: the future of United Fresh after this year's failed merger with the Produce Marketing Association.
Market Fresh promotes 30-year industry veteran
Market Fresh Produce LLC recently promoted Jeff Jones, a 30-year veteran of the produce industry, from director of sales to vice president of supply chain management. He has extensive experience in produce procurement, innovative merchandising and marketing programs. Mr. Jones has worked for leading industry companies, including Publix, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Banta Foods and Martinous Produce Co.
Black Gold promoting bold bags
This is a season of redesign and reimaging for Black Gold Farms. "This past season, we took a look at our Black Gold Farms label and designed a new high-impact poly bag," National Director of Sales Glen Reynolds told The Produce News Sept. 17. "The imagery and copy points highlight the benefits of red potatoes as well as tell the Black Gold Farms story in an easy-to-read and attractive layout."
Mexican importers, U.S. tomato producers square off on brewing trade dispute
WASHINGTON — Importers of Mexican tomatoes say that the U.S. Department of Commerce's step toward terminating the 16-year suspension agreement, officially announced Oct. 2, will wreak havoc on Mexican grower decisions and leave U.S. retailers without a stable supply of Mexican tomatoes.
The brewing trade dispute was being discussed among attendees of the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference, though United Fresh is not taking a position on the matter.
USDA awards $101 million to specialty crop producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Oct. 1 the award of more than $100 million in grants to support specialty crop producers that provide fruits, vegetables, nuts and other nutritious foods for millions of healthy American meals each day.
Approximately $55 million of the total will be invested in 56 specialty crop block grants to states that fund748 initiatives across the United States to strengthen markets and expand economic opportunities for local and regional producers.
Research, nimble response keep River Ridge Farms on the move
Herbs add an easy, gourmet touch to family meals at the holidays, and Donna Vis, marketing executive at River Ridge Farms in Oxnard, CA, has developed an herb garden line that has evolved over the years in response to research, feedback from retailers and customer requests.