In the know: U.S. berry demand and imports
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, over the last two decades the strawberry industry has experienced a huge increase in the rate of consumer consumption of berries.
Central Produce joins COI
This summer, Central Produce Distributors, headquartered in Payette, ID, joined Certified Onions Inc. "This season, we'll be fully ramped up and going," General Manager Ray Burzota told The Produce News on Sept. 6.
California Giant Berry Farms increases focus on imported berries every year
“We look forward to increased availability again this year as we continue to focus on our imported berry program,” said Cindy Jewell, director of marketing for California Giant Berry Farms headquartered in Watsonville, CA. “If weather cooperates, we are expecting our volumes to increase by between 15 and 20 percent over last year.”
Seth Tillery joins Homegrown Organic
Porterville, CA-based Homegrown Organic Farms announced that SETH TILLERY has been hired for the newly created role of grower relations and operations manager for the San Joaquin Valley, effective Aug. 29.
In a company press release, Scott Mabs, director of marketing, said that Mr. Tillery’s new position is a great opportunity for the company to better serve its growers in a more comprehensive manner.
Strong mango market expected throughout fall
In the late summer early fall period — when Brazilian mangos dominate U.S. imports — the market is typically firm, but this year it is as strong as any season in recent memory and there is no let up in sight.
National Mango Board responds to FDA notice regarding 'Daniella' mangos
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a consumer advisory against eating "Daniella" brand mangos, stating that the affected mangos were supplied by Agricola Daniella, a mango supplier in Sinaloa, Mexico, due to concerns that the mangos may be contaminated with Salmonella Braenderup bacteria.
In response to the FDA announcement, William Watson, executive director of the National Mango Board, released the following statement:
McDonald’s eyes expanding produce offerings in 2013 menu to boost healthy offerings
McDonald’s USA says it plans to test adding more seasonal fruits and vegetables and additional produce to food dishes for its 2013 menu as it tries to entice more health-conscious consumers.
Disney-themed Ready Pac Cool Cuts salads and mini-meals launched
Back-to-school lunches and snacks just got a whole lot more fun – and nutritious – with the help of Ready Pac Foods, which launched a new line of Disney-themed Ready Pac Cool Cuts salads and mini-meals.
Sun Valley adds sweet corn for New Jersey fall deal
SWEDESBORO, NJ — The third harvest of peppers, pickles and cucumbers — three major items at Sun Valley Orchards — was expected to be ready around the first week in September, according to Joe Marino, one of the owners of the company, located here in southern New Jersey.
That would represent fairly normal timing, a change in New Jersey where a mild winter and spring led to early harvests of most produce items as the season progressed.
Volume steady, outlook bright for Bushmans’ Inc.
The staff at Bushmans’ Inc. is ready to move a quality crop of Wisconsin potatoes to its customers in the eastern United States. Bushmans’ has farmed potatoes for the past century.