Mann to launch annual spring promo
Mann Packing Co. is gearing up for its annual Swing Into Spring on-pack offer promotion.
Starting March 1, Mann will place instant-redeemable coupons on 200,000 packages of eight-ounce stringless sugar snap peas and six-ounce snow peas. The offer is good for $1 savings on any two packages of Mann's products purchased. This is one of eight on-pack offers Mann is planning in 2009 to encourage consumers to try its products and build sales.
Water infrastructure most pressing issue for California agriculture, say speakers
TULARE, CA -- Educational seminars at the World AG Expo, the world's largest annual agricultural equipment show, are not always well attended, presumably because the show's 100,000 attendees are too busy looking at the 1,600 exhibits and buying equipment they need for their operations.
Prices of several commodities could rise sharply due to severe water cuts
FRESNO, CA -- Growers in western Fresno and Kings counties in California's San Joaquin Valley who have been relying on water from the federal Central Valley Project have been warned to expect a zero water allocation this year. As a result, more than 330,000 acres of land that would normally be in production will not be planted this year.
Sunkist celebrates another billion-dollar year
VENTURA, CA -- "2008 was another billion-dollar year for Sunkist, the 11th in the past two decades -- which includes four freeze years," Sunkist President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Hanlin was quoted in a Feb. 18 company press release as saying to the more than 500 growers attending Sunkist Growers' 115th annual meeting at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. "In 2008 our total revenues were up 8 percent over 2007, and at $839 million, payments were up 5 percent."
Vietnam tour an education for NWPB marketing executive
Gordon Hunt had been in South Vietnam for eight months. Troops were to receive a rest-and-relaxation break every six months.
But war being what war is, Mr. Hunt's chance to break had not yet arrived.
It was 1968, and Mr. Hunt, who today is director of marketing for the National Watermelon Promotion Board in Orlando, FL, finally received word that a handful of slots had opened up.
Colorful Harvest gaining traction as major berry player
SALINAS, CA -- Colorful Harvest LLC has gained visibility in recent years with items such as multi-colored carrots, red corn, multi-colored cauliflower, seasonal green beans, melons and strawberries.
The company, based here, increasingly is becoming a major player on the bushberry scene with its strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries as well as year-round offerings of both conventional and organic berries, according to Chief Operating Officer Doug Ranno.
S.F. market ramps up waste management
The San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market has kicked off a new phase of its comprehensive waste management program, according to Michael Janis, general manager of the market.
"The goal is to decrease what goes to the landfill," he said. "We're aligning our merchants with the city's waste management."
Ben Parker Inc. debt approaches $8M
Ben Parker Inc. in Dallas ceased operations owing almost $8 million in debt, with accounts-receivables of about $3 million, according to court documents prepared by the firm's in-house accounting employee.
Trade associations launch interactive web site for Produce Traceability Initiative
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association, the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association announced the launch of producetraceability.org, an on-line resource to aid produce companies in the transition to new traceability measures proposed by the joint Produce Traceability Initiative.
Loblaw's program looks to enhance shoppers experience
Loblaw Cos. Ltd.'s customers should soon find an even better shopping experience at its produce departments across Canada.
The country's largest retailer recently implemented a new "Field-to-Fork" program, with "the end goal being to put fresher, higher-quality product in the hands of our customers," the program's director, Mike Mauti, told The Produce News Feb. 11.