Combs Produce adds equity partner to facilitate growth
Combs Produce, a company that celebrated its 50th year in Dallas in 2008, has partnered with a private equity firm in a concerted effort to grow itself with regard to geography and product lines.
"We consider this a very good time to grow," Brett Combs, president of the family-run operation, told The Produce News Jan. 20. "Our business is strong - probably as strong as it has ever been."
He acknowledged that the country is going through a difficult economic time, but he said that this has not hurt business for Combs Produce.
Revamped web site offers greater value to retailers and foodservice businesses
The Produce Marketing Association's I Know Produce on-line reference library has completed a major refresh to increase its value to wholesalers, foodservice companies and retailers who are seeking to increase produce sales, lower their shrink and get the most value for their produce investment.
European Flavors program focuses on kiwifruit and blood oranges
The European Flavors marketing program is in its second year of a three-year effort to promote both fresh and processed fruits and vegetables grown in Europe to the United States, Russia and Japan.
The marketing efforts vary among the three target countries. Currently, in the United States, European Flavors promotes two items: kiwifruit and blood oranges, both of which are grown in Italy and approved for importation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Blue Book branching out
The Blue Book will begin offering its extensive credit-reporting services to the lumber and building materials industry after being selected from among a half-dozen candidates to fill a void created when a long-time credit agency for that industry ceased operations. Since 1876, the lumber and building materials industry had relied on industry-specific credit information from an organization known as Lumbermens, according to Nicholas Kent, president and chief executive officer of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, based in Rolling Meadows, IL.
'American Classic' cauliflower available in variety of colors
Salyer American, based in Monterey, CA, is now offering a full line of cauliflower in a variety of colors under the "American Classic" brand. Harvested fresh from Salyer American farms in California and Arizona, these varieties are available year round and are all-natural, with no artificial colors or dyes added. Popularized by local farmers' markets, these heirloom varieties have made the jump to grocers' shelves nationwide. "American Classic" colored cauliflower can be found at select Safeway, Wal-Mart, Kroger, Albertsons, Ralphs and Dragers locations.
Sunkist shines spotlight on lemons during culinary showcase
OJAI, CA -- The versatility of lemons was on display during a recent culinary showcase sponsored by Sunkist Growers Inc. and held at the Ojai Resort & Spa, here.
While much of the country was in the grips of a cold snap the second week of January, foodservice editors from the consumer and trade media gathered Jan. 12-14 in this Southern California hamlet 15 miles east of Ventura, where temperatures soared to 90 degrees.
PMA program pools efforts to develop industry talent
The Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent is pooling efforts toward identifying and attracting talent to the fresh produce industry. PMA FIT has raised about $3.5 million toward its goal of $5 million.
"Philanthropy actually steps up in tough times," said Cindy Seel, executive director of PMA FIT, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 corporation that was founded in 2006 and is dedicated to ensuring a quality workforce for the industry.
Storey's Fruit & Produce shuts its doors
PHILADELPHIA -- At Storey's Fruit & Produce on the Philadelphia Regional Produce Terminal, here, not a single box of produce was in sight Jan. 16.
On a sunny and bitter cold day, Butch Storey attended to the final details as the company prepared to close its doors for good.
Upstairs in the antiquated business offices constructed in 1959, Butch Storey's brother, Danny, and father, Dan, worked on closing the company's accounts.
River Ranch sheds 16 in round of layoffs
River Ranch Fresh Foods Inc. in Salinas, CA, laid off 16 people over the past two weeks including Bruce Knobeloch, who was vice president of marketing.
'Frost-kissed' artichokes now available in stores
As a result of the recent cold spells throughout California, highly flavorful fresh artichokes known as "frost-kissed" artichokes are now in local grocery stores. Artichokes are frost kissed when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Following a freeze, artichoke plants take two to three weeks to start producing frost-free artichokes again.