Gourmet Trading projecting a 30 percent increase for the 2012-13 berry season
“Here at Gourmet Trading, we expect an increase of approximately 30 percent over the 2011-2012 [berry] season,” said Scott Hulsey, vice president of procurement for Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co.
Julia Inestroza, marketing director for the company added, “Blueberries are the fastest growing segment of the berry category for us. In addition to the incredible growth of existing blueberry packs, new packs such as our ‘Green Giant Fresh’ brand blueberries with the ‘Box Tops for Education’ label are increasing sales. This equates to more profit for retailers.”
WSPC elects new commissioner
Mike Madsen has been elected as the newest commissioner for the Washington State Potato Commission. The election took place during the WSPC’s quarterly meeting Sept. 6. Mr. Madsen will fill the WSPC’s vacant at-large position and begin serving his term immediately.
Mr. Madsen has worked in the potato industry for over 40 years and has spent the last 18 years of his career with AgriNorthwest. He currently works as a farm unit manager for AgriNorthwest’s Plymouth Farms, where he is responsible for all aspects of production including planting, harvesting, storage and monitoring.
Bard Valley Medjool Growers launch new snack packs as volume continues to climb
With substantial new plantings coming into production, Medjool date production in the Bard Valley, located along the lower Colorado River, is on the rise.
United Cranberry Growers Cooperative strives to bring independence to growers
Tim Feit, executive director, and Linda Prehn, chairperson of United Cranberry Growers Cooperative in Wausau, WI, spoke with The Produce News in early September to announce the initiatives of the new and fast growing organization.
NJ agriculture secretary samples healthier school lunch options
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and Patricia Dombroski, regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Service Mid-Atlantic Region, joined a panel of middle and high school students, school district officials and other dignitaries at Secaucus High/Middle School in Secaucus, NJ, in sampling new school lunch menu items that meet healthier federal guidelines enacted this school year.
COI membership growing
Members of Certified Onions Inc. will test 75 percent of onions produced in the Treasure Valley this season. President Kay Riley, who is also general manager of Snake River Produce Co. in Nyssa, OR, said Central Produce Distributors is the latest company to join the organization’s ranks. “We now have 25 members,” Mr. Riley told The Produce News Sept. 6.
Snake River Produce notes good demand and heavy movement
Early-season onion demand has been good and movement heavy for Snake River Produce in Nyssa, OR, according to General Manager Kay Riley.
Mr. Riley told The Produce News during the first week of September that first loads had gone out Aug. 14, “about a week ahead of normal.”
He said, “Quality is good, despite a very hot and dry summer.”
Rail shipments of cured onions were expected to begin mid-month, and Mr. Riley said he sees a repeat of 2011’s rail volume.
‘High quality’ describes 2012, Champion’s Wong says
Reflecting on a late start for the Treasure Valley’s onion season in both 2010 and 2011, John Wong, president of Champion Produce Sales in Parma, ID, said this year’s harvest and shipping are “on schedule for a normal year.”
Ontario Produce expecting fewer storage onions
Summer heat is expected to cause some reduction in onion sizing for Ontario Produce, headquartered in Ontario, OR. Sales Manager Bob Komoto said weather presented its own set of challenges during 2012. “Early in the season after planting, there was hail and wind that thinned several fields and force some replanting,” he told The Produce News on Sept. 4. “The early part of summer was ideal. But in the latter part of July and early August we had seven to 10 days of over 100-degree weather. That aged the crop and probably will cause some size reductions.”
Stop company profits from eroding
How does your company stand on profit? How does it compare with five years ago? Three years ago? Last year? Is it better, even or worse? If you’re celebrating record earnings, that’s great. If your company broke even, it prevented growth. If the numbers came up unpleasantly worse, it’s time to stop the profit bleeding.