Globe, Crimson, Autumn King are mainstay varieties for Fruit Royale
Fruit Royale Inc. in Delano, CA, offers a wide array of grape varieties for the fall season, including several new proprietary varieties. In fact, the period from September on is “basically my whole program” except for Flames, said Louie Galvan, a partner in the company.
But the “mainstay” varieties for the company are Red Globe, Crimson and, “later in the deal,” Autumn King, Mr. Galvan said Aug. 7. “We will have promotable volume ... all the way into December,” with an emphasis on those three varieties.
Changing business model gives Tavilla new ‘Vision’
Tavilla Sales Co. of Los Angeles has changed its name to Vision Produce Co. to mark the fact that it is a different company than it was when President Bill Vogel founded it in 1980.
Wyatt Torosian’s interest in international relations is asset to the family business
FRESNO, CA — Wyatt Torosian, 21-year-old son of Atomic Torosian, a partner in Crown Jewels Produce Co. here, joined the company on the sales desk on Sept. 21, about nine months after graduating from the University of California-Los Angeles.
He is the second member of the second generation in the company. Robbie Mathias Jr., son of Rob Mathias, also a partner in Crown Jewels, is also in sales and has been for several years.
Mr. Torosian told The Produce News that in addition to doing sales, “I am also assisting with business development.
Montreal rooftop greenhouse to expand to United States
Lufa Farms began with an idea to provide local produce to the community. Five years of developing the project and today, Lufa Farms is feeding over two thousand customers weekly from it’s Montreal 31, 000-square-foot rooftop greenhouse. Founded by Mohamed Hage, the city farm provides fresh produce baskets direct to consumers. Customers can order a variety of baskets some supplemented with organic product from local farms.
Basciani Mushroom Farms: Mushroom use in foodservice is skyrocketing
Fred Recchiuti, general manager of Basciani Mushroom Farms in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News that mushrooms are definitely on the super-food list today, and interest is stronger than ever.
“But the mushroom industry is facing some serious challenges,” said Mr. Recchiuti. “Our input costs are higher than ever, and we’re facing a critical shortage of growing medium due to the drought. Corn crops are dying all across the Midwest, and we’re worried about getting enough corn hay to maintain production.”
Clementines facing challenges as supplies build
A large supply of clementines this summer from multiple points of origin has created a very difficult and different marketing situation for the commodity this year.
Chile, Peru and South Africa each sent more fruit to the U.S. East Coast this summer, with a great deal of it bunching up during June and July.
Mayda Sotomayor, chief executive officer of Seald Sweet International in Vero Beach, FL, said that the increased volume tells part of the story.
Array of promotions forge positive reputation for Washington potatoes
Ryan Holterhoff, director of marketing and industry affairs for the Washington State Potato Commission in Moses Lake, WA, said the organization is coordinating a variety of promotional programs to strengthen awareness about potatoes from the Evergreen State.
Crown Jewels offers grapes, melons, pomegranates, pears and apples for fall
FRESNO, CA — Crown Jewels Produce Co., here, “will be going hot and heavy on grapes” through the months of August, September, October and November,” said Atomic Torosian, an owner of the company. “Our tonnage is up a little bit this year,” quality is better than last year, and movement has been good.
Larry Krempel, former Kroger produce executive, dies at 61
Lawrence (Larry) W. Krempel, who spent 37 years in produce merchandising and procurement with the Kroger Co., died unexpectedly Aug. 3 at University Hospital in Cincinnati. He was 61. The cause of death was not immediately available.
Fresh Directions
Salinas Valley Romaine shippers are seeing surprisingly good demand from midwestern and eastern destinations, which normally rely on regional growing deals this time of the year. Lettuce shippers say demand is firm and steady. West Side melon shippers are seeing steady demand and slightly lighter supplies. California and New Mexico yellow onion shippers are experiencing steady and brisk demand, while red onion shippers were seeing strong demand and limited supplies.
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