VIP Marketing is grateful to still be in business and ‘pushing forward’
LOG ANGELES — Things haven’t changed a lot in the past year at VIP Marketing Inc., here, and considering that things changed for the worse for a number of Los Angeles area produce companies over the last year, not much change can be considered a good thing.
Mid-season cherries peaking for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
Commenting July 18 on Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers' 2012 cherries, Marketing Director Scott Marboe said the season has reached the halfway point, and fruit from the high orchards is peaking.
He went on to say that weather has been a factor but added, "We are starting to get in to those orchards we were waiting for."
Trade groups explain positions on failed merger talks
The question of how the chief executive officer of a new national fresh produce association would be picked proved to be the issue that doomed the merger talks between the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association.
Former CTFA president joins MCL
MCL Fresh Inc., a Los Angeles-based grower, packer and shipper of organic, conventional and specialty fruits and vegetables, announced that Sheri Normandin (formerly Sheri Mierau) has been named director of sales and customer relations.
Fresh Directions
Salinas Valley leaf lettuce shippers were seeing a substantial spike in demand. West Side melon shippers were experiencing strong early-season demand, while California and New Mexico yellow onion shippers are seeing steady and firm demand. Idaho russet shippers are experiencing modest carton demand.
TRANSPORTATION & FUEL
Demand for trucks and the cost of freight remain at peak levels and will continue as such through July.
Onions emerging early for Fagerberg Produce will be harvested
Because water is a wildcard for Colorado’s agricultural producers in 2012, companies like Fagerberg Produce will not delay harvesting of their crops. Sales Manager Alan Kinoshita said this year’s onion crop will come on earlier than it did in 2011. “Because of water, we will take the onions when they’re ready,” he said.
L&M announces new ‘Nature’s Delight’ Idaho potato label
“We are promoting a new Idaho marketing partnership between High Country and L&M,” said Carrie Smith, marketing manager for L&M Cos., headquartered in Raleigh, NC. “We will have a new ‘Nature’s Delight’ Idaho label for cartons, as well as High Country’s ‘Oven King’ label. We are reintroducing High Country and L&M as an Idaho quality pack.”
Sunview Marketing International hires Tennison Hoofard
TENNISON HOOFARD joined Sunview Marketing International on June 18.
Mr. Hoofard will be working in export sales, handling all varieties of table grapes that Sunview grows.
Mr. Hoofard has been in the produce industry for almost nine years and credited his family for first getting him involved. Prior to joining Sunview Marketing, he worked for Kings Crown Produce Sales, located in Terra Bella, CA, for five-and-a-half years.
Retail-ready Oceanside Pole tomatoes return
Oceanside Pole tomatoes are back and better than ever, according to Aaron Quon, vegetable category director for the Oppenheimer Group.
Since the Vancouver, BC-based full-service marketer and distributor created a partnership with renowned vine-ripe tomato producer Harry Singh Jr. — innovator of the Oceanside Pole growing method — last winter, Mr. Quon has been impressed by Mr. Singh's operation as well as the response from retailers.
Giumarra asparagus grower earns Fair Trade certification
Giumarra Borquez, a partnership between the Giumarra Cos. and the Borquez family that grows, packs and distributes asparagus grown in Mexico to the North American market, announced that its asparagus fields in Obregon, Mexico, are now Fair Trade certified.