United Fresh meets in Las Vegas
LAS_VEGAS -- An announced crowd of 4,000 registrants met here April 21- 24 for the United Fresh Produce Association's annual convention and trade show.
Outgoing Chairman of the Board Tom Lovelace of McEntire Produce in Columbia, SC, told the opening general session participants that the registration for this stand-alone show topped last year's number when United shared its show with the Food Marketing Institute. FMI is returning to Las Vegas next year, but United will again go it alone at the same venue and roughly the same timing.
Growers Express buys Green Giant Fresh rights from Sholl Group II
LAS VEGAS -- In what is basically a swapping of positions, Salinas, CA-based Growers Express LLC has become the holder of the master license agreement for the "Green Giant Fresh" brand, while the previous holder of that agreement, The Sholl Group II, has become a sub-license holder for use of the brand in the value-added sector.
Woody Johnson , senior vice president of Growers Express and general manager of the new venture, told The Produce News that his firm had become the volume leader so it made sense that it manage the branding agreement with the 13 other sub-licensees.
California Giant launches traceability pilot program using HarvestMark
California Giant launches traceability pilot program using HarvestMark
April 23, 2009
California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, a leading berry grower and shipper in the United States, is deploying HarvestMark for unit-level traceability of strawberries. HarvestMark codes on California Giant strawberry four-pound clamshells will deliver instant traceback to its buyers and new levels of information to consumers interested in learning more about the products they purchase.
Salazar approves two important Washington state water projects
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced April 15 that two water projects of significant importance to agricultural producers in Washington state will be funded as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The stimulus package will include $5 million for the Potholes Supplemental Feed Route and another $50 million for the Weber Siphon Complex.
Center, CO, potato grower seated to U.S. Potato Board during annual meeting
Following a November 2008 appointment by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, Roger Christensen, a Center, CO, potato grower, was formally seated as a board member on the U.S. Potato Board during the board's annual meeting in Denver.
The March 10-13 gathering, which was the board's 37th annual, saw representatives from the nation's potato-growing states seated and new leadership elected.
Delaware River port community honors Barbara Hunter with award
For the past 21 years, one member of the Delaware River port community is selected every spring by a jury of his or her peers to receive the prestigious Spirit of the Port Award. This year was notable on several fronts.
Barbara Hunter, director of imported commodities for Western Fumigation, is the first woman to receive the honor, and it happened on the historic day -- April 18 -- that the crew of the Maersk Alabama took back their ship from pirates off the coast of Somalia.
United foundation establishes Center for Global Produce Sustainability
LAS VEGAS -- The United Fresh Produce Association's Research & Education Foundation announced April 22 that it will form a new Center for Global Produce Sustainability, designed to help companies across the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain enhance their businesses through sustainability. The center will initially be funded through a $1.1 million endowment grant over four years from Bayer CropScience.
Eurofresh Farms announces chapter 11 filing
Eurofresh Farms in Wilcox, AZ, and its subsidiary, Eurofresh Produce LTD, announced April 21 that they had reached an agreement with a group of investors to recapitalize the company. As part of the negotiated settlement, Eurofresh filed a voluntary petition for protection under chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code that will allow the company to implement a plan of reorganization, according to a company press release.
Nogales firms recognized for their commitment to quality
Two Nogales, AZ-based produce distributors and one wholesaler- consolidator with a Nogales presence were honored for their commitment to produce quality at a dinner in Nogales Wednesday, April 15, sponsored by the Mexico Calidad Suprema program.
Companies honored at the dinner were two shipper-distributors, a broker- consolidator and a retail chain.
New farmers market facility planned for the Hartford regional market
HARTFORD, CT -- The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has exciting news for early birds who thrive on locating outstanding Connecticut-grown products at great prices while their neighbors are still fast asleep: it is planning a new farmers market facility at the Hartford regional market.