Avocado growers vote to continue marketing order
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that Florida avocado producers voted to continue their federal marketing order program.
The referendum was held from Sept. 22 through Oct. 6. In order to be eligible to vote, a producer must have produced avocados within the production area during the representative period of April 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008.
Southern Specialties expands 'Southern Selects' specialty tomato line
Southern Specialties Inc., headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, has added Florida-grown grape and teardrop tomatoes to its "Southern Selects" specialty tomato lineup.
The new additions include "Southern Selects" conventional red grape tomatoes as well as "Southern Selects" organic red grape tomatoes and yellow grape tomatoes. The company will also introduce "Southern Selects" organic red and yellow teardrop tomatoes, which are available in a conventional style as well.
The History Channel's 'Extreme Trains to feature Railex
ROTTERDAM, NY - Railex LLC has a ticket for The History Channel's new show "Extreme Trains."
Paul Esposito, senior vice president of sales and logistics for Railex, told The Produce News that the firm, a division of Riverhead, NY-based ADS Management LLC, would be featured on an upcoming episode of the show.
Harvest New England conference slated
HARTFORD, CT -- Harvest New England has announced that its 2009 Agricultural Marketing & Trade Show will be held Feb. 24-26 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, MA.
IN THE TRENCHES: 'Handcuff philosophy' stunts produce sales
In the early days of boxing, fighters were often viciously beaten by their opponents. Some were so battered that they could hardly get back on their feet for the following round. When managers realized their fighters were being pulverized and could not continue, they would throw an article into the ring such as a sponge or towel to signify defeat. This practice eventually coined the aphorism "throw in the towel." Today, the phrase is still used and means to "give up" or to "surrender."
Giumarra Nogales shipping two new melon varieties
Giumarra's Nogales division is now offering two new melon varieties shipped under its "Nature's Partner" brand. The varieties are the Summer Sweet cantaloupe and Sweet Pearl personal seedless watermelon.
"The melons are coming from our new crops in Hermosillo and Guaymas Sonora," Giumarra Nogales Sales Manager Nick Rendon said in a Nov. 18 press release. "Our crops look outstanding, as does the fruit. Volumes are ample right now and will be increasing."
Pommes Ma-gic slices into eastern Canadian convenience store market
ST.-LEONARD, QC -- A new partnership between Pommes Ma-gic and Aliments Martel will see the former's sliced apples being distributed at gasoline station convenience stores across eastern Canada.
Sebastien Alix, Pommes Ma-gic's general manager, told The Produce News about the new partnership at the Quebec Produce Marketing Association's Oyster Party, held here Nov. 7 at Le Rizz.
CPS awards first grants to critical food-safety research projects
The Center for Produce Safety hopes that $500,000 in new research will help the produce industry gain a better understanding of ways to prevent contamination during production.
The California-based center was launched in response to the 2006 E. coli outbreak and funded with $2 million from the Produce Marketing Association and another $2 million from Taylor Farms. The California Department of Food & Agriculture and the University of California also pledged financial resources for the center, which is housed at the University of California-Davis.
Supreme Cuts debuts 'steaming bag' packaging
Supreme Cuts, a distributor of fresh-cut produce products based in Mahwah, NJ, introduced a "steaming bag" packaging for three of its popular products.
The first three Supreme Cuts products available utilizing this new steaming bag packaging technology are snipped green beans, wax beans and rainbow medley, a mix of yellow and green beans with carrots.
NWA releases commodity-specific food-safety program
The National Watermelon Association Inc., with collaboration from academia, government, industry, retail, foodservice and other trade associations, unveiled the first edition of a comprehensive food-safety program that is specific to the growing, handling, packing, distribution and traceability of the watermelon crop in North America and Central America.