California Avocado Commission kicks off pre-Super Bowl campaign
2005-01-25
?We are going to kick off our consumer advertising campaign? for California avocados "right before Super Bowl," Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, told The Produce News Jan. 6.
Consumption of avocados during Super Bowl weekend is traditionally heavy, and since it comes just about the time that the new-crop California Hass harvest gets going in earnest, it is a good time to begin building interest in the new crop.
Monsanto to acquire Seminis
2005-01-24
ST. LOUIS -- Monsanto Co. announced that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Seminis Inc. for $1.4 billion in cash and assumed debt, plus a performance-based payment of up to $125 million payable by the end of fiscal year 2007.
Blizzard slows northeastern produce trade
2005-01-24
A major snowstorm that hit the Northeast Jan. 22-23 caused some disruption in the produce trade in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, the latter being particularly affected as up to three feet of snow fell in areas north and east of the city.
Mike Alliman named CFO of River Ranch
2005-01-24
River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, announced the appointment of Mike Alliman to the position of chief financial officer.
Mr. Alliman will be responsible for all accounting and finance activities of the company, including grower accounting, payables, receivables and financial reporting.
A certified public accountant who holds a master of accountancy with an emphasis in cost accounting, Mr. Alliman reports directly to Jim Lucas, CEO and president.
Veneman named to lead UNICEF
2005-01-24
WASHINGTON " U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has been named to take over as head of the United Nations Children?s Fund, starting May 1.
?Her qualifications are outstanding," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said of Secretary Veneman, who has headed USDA since 2001.
The outgoing secretary will be in charge of more than 7,000 people spanning 157 countries who respond to the needs of children, ranging from running massive child immunization campaigns to mobilizing aid in disasters such as last month?s devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.
PSJ expansion well under way
2005-01-24
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA " Pride of San Juan, a leader in the gourmet lettuce, herb and edible flower businesses, is well along the path of expanding its headquarters, here.
PSJ is expanding its headquarters from 55,000 square feet to 170,000 square feet. Expansion of its Yuma, AZ, facility from 45,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet was completed Nov. 20.
?We needed to go along with the growth we?ve had," said Joe Feldman, vice president of sales and marketing. "The bar keeps being raised for food safety and quality."
Broccoli plantings reflect consumer demand
2005-01-24
A steady consumer demand for broccoli has led growers to offer the commodity in a number of forms and packages.
Maggie Bezart, vice president of marketing for Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, said that the company has a "conservative increase? in broccoli acreage in Coachella, CA, this winter.
?There?s a higher demand on crowns," Ms. Bezart said. As a result, Ocean Mist is striving to increase its yields. More of Ocean Mist?s size 18 packs are going to shrink wrap to meet consumer demand, she said.
F.S. Duda announces retirement as CEO of A. Duda & Sons; Joseph A. Duda appointed new CEO
2005-01-23
Ferdinand S. Duda, chief executive officer of the agribusiness A. Duda & Sons Inc., based in Oviedo, FL, has announced his retirement from full-time employment with the family-owned business, effective Jan. 1.
Mr. Duda has been elected to serve as chairman of the board of directors and will continue to work on special projects for the company on a consulting basis.
Joseph A. Duda will succeed his brother as chief executive officer and continue to serve as president.
Half of Costa Rica?s banana crop flooded
2005-01-23
At least four Costa Ricans were killed, 16,000 people were evacuated and thousands of acres of bananas were destroyed when record-breaking rains struck the Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica and northern Panama Jan. 8. While the worst rainfall was on Jan. 8, the downpour didn?t end until Jan. 13.
RETAIL VIEW: Wal-Mart's RFID initiative on track
2005-01-23
When Wal-Mart asked its 100 top suppliers to be moving aggressively toward RFID-readiness by Jan. 1, 2005, many in the chip industry doubted it was possible. And it was somewhat of a foregone conclusion that no produce industry firms would be able to comply " nor were they asked to. But just as the giant chain?s general merchandise suppliers began to move toward radio frequency identification, so did some of Wal-Mart?s top produce suppliers. And in the first week of January, some produce shipments did go to the chain with an RFID attached.
