Sundale is covered for fall, with increases in all major late varieties
Sundale Sales Inc., the marketing arm of Sundale Vineyards in Tulare, CA, continues to expand its table grape production as it has for several years, and most of this year’s growth has been in late season varieties, according to Sean Stockton, president of Sundale Sales.
The big focus for the company’s fall program, he said, will be on Autumn Kings, Autumn Royals, Crimsons and the company’s proprietary Sundale Red, he said. “We’ve increased acreage in each and every one of those varieties over the last year.”
New varieties, covered vines, packing facility help Anthony go later in season
With vineyards at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Anthony Vineyards in Bakersfield, CA, has historically had some of the earliest grapes in the valley.
But “our retail partners have indicated that they would like to see us stay engaged in the business as long as we can,” said John Harley, vice president of sales and marketing.
Texas Produce Convention draws almost 400 as attendees focus on border issues and international trade
SAN ANTONIO, TX — About 400 people packed the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk Aug. 15-17, here, for the annual Texas Produce Convention, which was about one-third education, one-third information and one-third recreation with an agenda that kept conventioneers busy from arrival to departure.
Hess Fruit looking forward to strong market with good prices
“We have just started harvesting Gala and Ginger Gold apples,” Fred Hess, president of Hess Fruit Co. in Leola, PA, told The Produce News Aug. 8. “Both of these early varieties are very popular and demand is strong.”
Mr. Hess, who co-owns the company with his brother, Jerry, added that the Gala is a sweet-tart apple with orange-yellow skin. The Ginger Gold resembles the Golden Delicious with slick skin. It too has a sweet-tart flavor.
T&A recalls lot of Romaine due to possible E. coli contamination
Tanimura & Antle Inc., based in Salinas, CA, is voluntarily recalling a single lot of Romaine lettuce because it may be contaminated with E. Coli O157:H7. The affected product is limited to Tanimura & Antle field fresh wrapped single head romaine packed in a plastic bag with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and a Best By date of “08 19 12.” The product was available at retail locations from Aug. 2 to Aug. 19. No other T&A products are part of the recall.
Curry & Co. Peruvian onions get sweet reception in marketplace
There is no stopping the growth of the sweet onion category. And Matt Curry, president of Curry & Co. in Brooks, OR, said Peruvian sweet onions are a critical part of the company’s year-round sweet onion program. “Peruvian onions remain an important part of it,” he said Aug. 8. “Many consumers and retailers consider Peruvian sweet onions to be the closest onion to the ever-popular Vidalia onion. It has the same shape and is very similar in color as well.
Full service fleet leasing from PacLease gives Liberty Fruit needed reliability
Liberty Fruit Co. Inc. in Kansas City, MO, is a full service produce distributor providing delivery services to foodservice, retail and wholesale customers across an eight state area in the Midwest.
“We did over 4.5 million miles last year in transportation miles,” said Scott Danner, chief operating officer, in an interview with The Produce News July 22.
Potential record year filled with export opportunities for USA Pears
With the start of the 2012-13 pear season only weeks away, the Pear Bureau Northwest in Milwaukie, OR, is already excited about crop prospects and export opportunities. “We’re coming off a great export year,” International Marketing Director Jeff Correa told The Produce News July 23. “We’re on pace for a record year with volume and size.”
Despite recent storm, Holtzinger will market increased apple volume
Although Washington’s apple producers expect the 2012 statewide volume to be down this season due to a recent hailstorm, CM Holtzinger Fruit Co. anticipates a 30-percent increase in its available apple inventory for the coming season.
The company is headquartered in Yakima, WA, and is a packer-shipper-marketer of quality fruit from the Evergreen State. The company’s field staff has been increased and its grower network has expanded to move increasing amounts of fruit into the pipeline.
CDC, health officials say Indiana cantaloupe likely cause of latest outbreak
WASHINGTON — Health officials have yet to name the southwestern Indiana farm that is being investigated as a likely source of a deadly Salmonella outbreak tied to cantaloupe.
On Aug. 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states. Two deaths were reported from Kentucky, a state hard-hit by the outbreak. Illnesses began to appear July 7 to August 4 and 31 patients have been hospitalized.