Eastern Propak highly optimistic for peach and nectarine programs
Jeff Danner, general manager of Eastern Propak LLC in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News June 28 that he is highly optimistic about this season’s New Jersey peach and nectarine programs, which he anticipates will run through mid-September. He also concurred with others who are reporting that New Jersey peaches got a 10-day to two-week jump start on the season due to the warm winter and spring this year.
FPAA warns of disruption in trade, financial pushback from Florida's tomato trade war
WASHINGTON — The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas fired back a warning that an escalating trade battle with Mexico over tomato prices could result in long-lasting damage in trade disruptions and job losses.
Shani McKinney joines Crown Jewels Produce
SHANI MCKINNEY joined Fresno, CA-based Crown Jewels Produce on June 4.
Wholesum Harvest Organic Produce earns "Fair Trade Certification"
Wholesum Family Farms Inc., which is more commonly known as Wholesum Harvest, has earned Fair Trade certification for its produce line in recognition of the company's commitment to free trade, fair labor practices, equitable compensation and environmental sustainability.
Editorial: The responsibility of the trade press
Though it is not our practice to editorialize about industry issues, there is currently industry chatter about the responsibility of the trade press and that subject is in our wheelhouse.
Don't look for the farm bill 2012 on next week's House floor calendar
WASHINGTON — The House Republican leadership has decided not to include the 2012 farm bill on next week's calendar for floor debate, leaving only four days for the House to take up the bill before its August recess.
Frustration is growing among lawmakers and farm-friendly lobbyists who are trying to pressure the fiscally conservative House leadership to take up the five-year farm policy legislation before the program expires Sept. 30, 2012. The Senate approved the bill last month, followed by the House Agriculture Committee vote July 12.
Mann Packing to debut Better Burger Leaf at PMA Foodservice show
Mann Packing Co. will debut a new leaf lettuce — Mann's Better Burger Leaf — at the PMA Foodservice Expo July 22 in Monterey, CA.
The lettuce, a Nunhems exclusive seed variety, is a green leaf-Iceberg hybrid developed as part of Nunhems "Sandwich Concepts" launched officially at Fruit Logistica in February.
To-Jo debuting ready-to-use ‘Simply Sautee’ at PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo
“We will be promoting our full line of foodservice packs of processed mushrooms, which were designed specifically for the foodservice industry, at the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Exposition in Monterey, California, July 20-22,” Paul Frederic, senior vice president of sales and marketing for To-Jo Food Products Inc., in Avondale, PA, told The Produce News. “And we’ll be featuring our new ‘Simply Sautee’ item, which is entered in the PMA’s New Product Showcase.”
PAIA placing focus on retail sales in 2012-13
Helping promote retail sales in the new economy is a primary focus of the Peruvian Asparagus Importer's Association as importers begin the 2012-13 season.
Peru enables U.S. retailers and consumers' access to asparagus at times when domestic supply does not exist since 90 percent of Peru's production is focused when domestic producers are not in season.
United Marketing Exchange says Western Slope fruit is coming in early and good
Following a light but good overall cherry season, United Marketing Exchange in Delta, CO, was looking ahead to early peaches and, if weather holds, good pears and apples as well.
United Sales Manager Mike Gibson said on June 26 the cherries would be finished by June 29.
“We started shipping on June 12, two weeks early,” Mr. Gibson said.
General Manager Harold Broughton added that the crop “was fantastic until the freeze hit on Easter Sunday.” As a result, the crop was thinned, but Mr. Gibson said size and pricing were good.