South African organic grapes in mid-January
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- The season's first arrivals of South African organic grapes were set to arrive in mid-January, according to importer Marc Solomon.
Mr. Solomon, president of Fisher Capespan, said that his firm has "a small program" for the Prime variety of white seedless organic grapes. He told The Produce News Jan. 8, meeting in the firm's office, here, that these South African grapes will be received through February.
PMA traceability conference updates industry
MONTEREY, CA -- The "plumbing" largely is in place to move forward with the broad initiative of produce traceability, according to Gary Fleming, the Produce Marketing Association's vice president of industry technology and standards.
Kid's TV program films four days in Boise
In the fall, millions of kids across the United States will learn about the exciting world of Idaho potatoes. "Awesome Adventures," an award-winning weekly syndicated television series, takes kids ages 13-16 on incredible journeys around the world -- and Boise, ID, was their latest adventure destination.
COOL final rule harbors no surprises
WASHINGTON -- Fresh fruit and vegetable businesses should not expect any surprises from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's long-awaited final country-of-origin labeling regulation that goes into effect March 15.
The Jan. 15 final rule is similar to the Aug. 1, 2008, interim final rule, according to Ken Gilliland, director of transportation and international trade for the Western Growers Association. "It pretty much follows the interim final rule with a slight tweaking," he told The Produce News.
Grower-Shipper Association hires director of membership
The Salinas, CA-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California has hired Joann Greathead as its first-ever director of membership in its nearly 80-year history.
For Ms. Greathead, the role means a change of venue within the GSA building: For the past five years, she was manager of the Central California Lettuce Producers Cooperative. She stepped into her new role Jan. 5.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: The new Washington
When the new president and new Congress take their oaths of office this month, they will be confronted by an economic crisis unrivaled since the Great Depression as well as high-priority issues including war, health-care reform and global warming. Given the gravity of these enormous issues that cut through all sectors, what can we expect on produce industry issues such as food safety, nutrition and immigration?
NEFU appoints new president
Annie Cheatham has been selected to lead the New England Farmers Union. Formed in 2006, the union represents farming and fishing families in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
USDA proposal would grant Peruvian Hass avocados access to U.S. market
A proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service would lift a ban on the shipment of Hass avocados from Peru into the continental United States, subject to the implementation of a phytosanitary protocol similar to that required for other imported fruit.
APHIS issued a notice of the proposed rule Jan. 6 and published the notice in the Federal Register Jan. 7. The proposal is now in a comment period, and APHIS will "consider all comments received on or before March 9," according to the notice.
Good U.S. apple volumes mean great promotion opportunities
When the U.S. Apple Association's annual Market Outlook Conference, held Aug. 21-22 in Chicago, drew to a close, apple professionals from around the world returned home thinking that the U.S. apple crop, which helps to dictate projected seasonal movement and prices internationally, would be short on volume.
Salyer American hires new director of marketing, names new sales manager
Monterey, CA-based Salyer American Fresh Foods, a fully integrated grower and shipper of top-grade vegetables, has hired Marci Bracco as its new director of marketing.