Youmans promoted to vice president of sales at Driscoll
Driscoll's Strawberry Associates in Watsonville, CA, has announced that long time sales manager, Tim Youmans, has been promoted to vice president of sales for the company.
Mr. Youmans, who has been with Driscoll's since 1999, will head sales for the retail, foodservice, export and wholesale channels, and will head the company's category management team. Mr. Youmans will report to Michael Hollister, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Steady supplies, good quality are expected for most crops in the Nogales spring deal
Winter has been a mixed bag for the Nogales, AZ, produce deal, with high volume and low prices on products in the tomato category for much of the winter and up-and-down volume on some vegetable items leading to volatile pricing that distributors say was at times high enough to discourage movement.
California carrot production holds steady
California fresh-market carrot production has held relatively steady for the past several years. The production total came in at 20.29 million hundredweight in 2008, a slightly higher tally than 2007.
In 2006, the tally was 20.89 million hundredweight and in 2005, the tally was 20.6 million hundredweight. Production came in at slightly over 20 million hundredweight in both 2003 and 2004.
Infinite Herbs' Colombian production applies various means for the same end
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- On one fresh herb farm, visitors must don sterile surgical scrubs before entering a super-high-tech greenhouse. Inside, harvesters in blue scrubs and armed with sterilized scissors are suspended over the crop, hovering face down above broad rows, comfortably reaching a few inches to clip basil.
Tanimura & Antle introduces new clamshell packaging for 'Artisan' line
Tanimura & Antle Inc. has introduced new, exclusive scalloped clamshell packaging for its four- and six-count packages of "Artisan" lettuce, available for retail and clubstore sales.
The "Artisan" lettuce selections of fully mature, petite head lettuces are available in new, proprietary scalloped clamshell packaging designed to ensure freshness and a shelf life longer than packaged salad.
Jessie Condit blossoms in produce marketing role
As a fifth-generation member of her family's cattle ranch in Solvang, CA, Jessie Condit practically grew up on horseback. The 26-year-old comes from a very close-knit family. In fact, her grandfather, father and brother, Austin, 23, compete together in team roping. Ms. Condit's grandfather taught her to drive a flatbed truck when she was six. She once owned a clothing company with her mother and her grandmother. She learned responsibility early and learned how to work with others.
Mark Seetin joins USApple staff
VIENNA, VA -- The U.S. Apple Association has announced the appointment of Mark Seetin to the post of director of regulatory and industry affairs, the responsibilities of which include representing apple industry issues to federal regulatory agencies and related coalitions as well as management of USApple's industry information program.
Founder of Detroit's Rocky Produce dies at 79
Rocco Russo Sr. died suddenly Friday, Feb. 20, after several years of declining health. He was 79 years old.
Mr. Russo was the namesake and founder of Rocky Produce Inc. in Detroit. Two of his sons, Rocky Jr. and Tom, are involved in the business.
In his later years, Mr. Russo devoted his time to Rocky's Historical Market, a small retail store in the Eastern Market section of Detroit.
He loved people, especially children, and was famous for his greeting over the public address system in the store: "It's a beautiful day at Rocky's."
Colombian greenhouse employs advanced methods
ANAPOIMA, COLOMBIA -- Countless technical features make this an outstanding basil greenhouse, but it is the women hovering over the herb crop that makes a startling and lasting impression.
An herb farm here producing in partnership with Infinite Herbs, based in Miami and Everett, MA, utilizes customized technology that makes it fitting to call this a place that is truly unique in the world.
Two food-safety bills to mandate new produce safety standards
WASHINGTON -- Two bills introduced in Congress this month would set new food-safety standards for fresh produce, but both allow leeway in setting those standards.
At a March 2 press conference at DiMare Fresh-Tampa in Riverview, FL, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) said that he planned to reintroduce his bill, the Safe Food Enforcement, Assessment, Standards & Targeting Act, or the Safe FEAST Act.