Fresh produce can earn chefs and companies a trip to United show
The competition is underway again to honor companies and chefs among the foodservice industry's top produce performers in the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation's Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards.
Winners will be honored in each of five business categories: fine dining restaurants, casual and family dining restaurants, quick-serve restaurants, business in industry/colleges and hotels/healthcare operations. Nominations must be submitted before Feb. 15, and a nomination form is available on- line at www.unitedfresh.org.
'Scramble for a Cure' golf event raises $7,200 for American Cancer Society
The eighth annual "Scramble for a Cure" golf tournament, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society, was held Oct. 4 at the Glen Eagles Country Club in Delray Beach, FL. "I am extremely pleased and proud to announce that collectively we raised $7,200 in the fight for a cure of this deadly disease," Ken Nabal, vice president of sales for Frontera Produce in Boca Raton, FL, an organizer of the event, said in a press release. He proudly dubbed this year's tournament a "huge success."
Leadership symposium will help executives prepare for tomorrow's opportunities
Executives seeking to revitalize their leadership skills and recharge their batteries might want to participate in the Produce Marketing Association's 2009 Leadership Symposium, which will be held Jan. 14-16 in Dallas.
USDA to commit $5.8 million to fight Asian citrus psyllid in California
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced Friday, Nov. 21, the commitment of $5.8 million in funding to stop the spread of Asian citrus psyllid -- a small insect that feeds on citrus plants and trees -- in California.
The Asian citrus psyllid can carry citrus greening, which is one of the more devastating citrus diseases in the world. The funding will be used to stop the spread of the pest in California before it seriously damages citrus production in the state, which at $1.1 billion ranks it second in citrus revenue behind Florida.
Ocean Mist Farms brings California artichokes to Minnesota shoppers
Shoppers at the new Kowalski's Market in Eagan, MN, got a fresh taste of California in late November when Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms served artichokes as part of the store's grand opening.
Ocean Mist Farms served 1,800 servings of grilled, fresh, long-stem artichokes with artichoke hummus on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20-21. The Ocean Mist Farms demo team showed shoppers how to use a potato peeler to remove the outside strands of a long-stem artichoke to prepare it for cooking.
USDA intends to purchase up to 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apples
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to purchase 2.9 million pounds of fresh-cut apple slices in two-ounce bags, which it will donate to child nutrition and other domestic nutrition assistance programs.
SE Regional Fruit & Vegetable trade show sold out
The SE Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, sponsored by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Association and the South Carolina Peach Council, has announced that the 2009 trade show has been completely sold out.
Albert's Organics now Primus-certified
Bridgeport, NJ-based Albert's Organics is now Primus-certified at its six distribution centers located throughout the country.
Romaine lettuce 'prime suspect' in E. coli outbreak in Ontario
Salinas, CA, is once again in the hot seat.
Canadian and U.S. officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 30 people, nine of whom were hospitalized, in southeastern Ontario.
SunnyRidge finding success producing very low-latitude blueberries in Mexico
TUXPAN, JALISCO, MEXICO -- The acquisition of the exclusive rights to several University of Florida-developed blueberry varieties that require few to no chill hours to thrive has enabled SunnyRidge Farm Inc. to develop a Mexican blueberry program that it debuted Nov. 21, here.