River Ranch to outsource harvesting operations
In an effort to upgrade the quality of its product, River Ranch Fresh Foods LLC in Salinas, CA, will outsource its harvesting operations using Valley Harvesting & Packing Inc. during the Salinas vegetable season.
Kim St. George, senior marketing manager for River Ranch, which is a firm that specializes in producing value-added products mostly for private labels, told The Produce News that the company is continually trying to make improvements to all aspects of its operation. "This is a great opportunity to enhance the quality of our pack."
School snack program touted at United workshop
LAS VEGAS -- There is no time like the present to seize the opportunity to provide fresh produce to children in the United States, said members of a United Fresh 2009 workshop panel discussion titled "Turning Policy Victories into Produce Sales -- From WIC to Schools."
Eric Schwartz resigns top post as Salyer American battles for survival
Amidst a takeover effort by its bank creditors and much uncertainty exhibited by both suppliers and employees, Salyer American Fresh Foods Inc. President Eric Schwartz resigned the last week of April, with the word hitting the street Tuesday, May 5.
Richard N. Jurgens elected chairman of FMI board
ARLINGTON, VA -- The Food Marketing Institute announced May 5 that Richard N. Jurgens, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Hy-Vee Inc., was elected chairman of the FMI board of directors.
He has served on FMI's board since 2005 and on the executive committee since 2007. He was FMI's chairman of the member services committee from 2007 to 2009.
People and produce to power CPMA convention and trade show
The 84th Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Trade Show is aptly themed "Produce: Powered by People." Melanie Richer, senior manager of marketing and communications, said that CPMA is anticipating record- breaking crowds at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The convention begins May 6 with registration and the annual general meeting, and concludes the evening of May 8 with the annual banquet reception and dinner.
Retail super session explores changing consumer and harmonization of audits
LAS VEGAS -- Today's consumers are living in a fast-paced, changing world, and they are changing just as quickly. To capture these customers, supermarket retailers are going to have to reach out and find new ways to do business.
That was the general message delivered by Kevin Coupe, a former reporter who monitors the retail sector and who spoke at the Retail-Foodservice Super Session April 23 during the United Fresh Produce Association convention, here.
EPC inducts new officers at April meeting
WEST ORANGE, NJ -- The Eastern Produce Council elected a new president and vice president at its dinner meeting April 28 at the Manor in West Orange, NJ.
Dean Holmquist, director of produce and floral for Foodtown Inc., is the organization's new president, replacing Joe DeLorenzo, director of produce merchandising and operations for Alpha 1 Marketing and who served as the council's president for the past four years.
Paul Kneeland, vice president of produce and floral for Kings Supermarkets Inc., is the council's new vice president.
Original Tanimura & Antle partner John Tanimura has died
John Tanimura, a first-generation member of the Tanimura family that began a farming relationship with Bud Antle and his family in 1948, died in his sleep April 27 in Salinas, CA. He was 88 years old.
Julian Sarraino brings fresh ideas to Fresh Taste
TORONTO -- It was somewhat of a trial by fire when Julian Sarraino started working full time at Fresh Taste Produce Ltd. as an apple and grape buyer in May 2008. Mr. Sarraino, 24, represents the fourth generation at the wholesaler run by the Sarraino family and located here at the Ontario Food Terminal. "My dad and grandfather threw me right in without a lifejacket and the water was deep with nothing to grab on to," Mr. Sarraino said. "I learned pretty quickly what to do and what not to do."
HarvestMark making inroads in produce
LAS VEGAS -- With traceability now perhaps the key issue for consumers and the produce trade alike, YottaMark is seeing increased interest in its two- year-old HarvestMark traceability solution, as evidenced by three major produce marketers that have adopted the program in the last month alone.