WAC moves forward to select new president
The Washington Apple Commission, headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, is working to appoint a new president in January. This past September, former President David Carlson was placed on administrative leave, and Ken Severn was appointed interim president of the organization.
According to Robin Mooney, WAC vice president and operations director, the position has been advertised in industry publications, websites and general circulation newspapers. "We have it out there," she told The Produce News in October.
Welcome takes helm at packaging association
WASHINGTON -- Jerry Welcome has been named president of the Reusable Packaging Association, based here. He started the job Nov. 3 as the first full- time president of RPA, a group whose membership has grown considerably over the past year.
Mr. Welcome returns to heading a trade group after serving as executive vice president of business development at the United Fresh Produce Association from 2006 to 2008. Before that, Mr. Welcome had been president of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association for three years until it merged with United Fresh in 2006.
Stemilt making big push to introduce consumers to 'AppleSweets'
Stemilt Growers Inc., based in Wenatchee, WA, is slicing its way into one of the faster-growing value-added market segments of the fresh produce industry.
Two years ago, the company began slicing and bagging fresh apples, and it is currently making a big push to introduce consumers to its trademarked "AppleSweets." During the latter part of October, the product -- and the cutting-edge technology used to create the slices -- were featured on the Food Network's show, "How'd That Get on my Plate?"
RETAIL VIEW: Wegman's wades into sustainability issue
LA QUINTA, CA -- Wegman's Food Markets Inc., the Rochester, NY-based supermarket chain that is often credited with having one of the better produce operations in the country, has started to wade into the sustainability debate. Bill Pool, the chain's manager of agricultural production and research, was on a panel exploring the subject at the Western Growers Association convention, here, Nov. 9-12. From his company's perspective, he defined sustainability as the development of business practices and strategies that promise the long- term well being of the planet.
Politics and sustainability key issues at WGA convention
LA QUINTA, CA -- Western Growers Association's 83rd annual convention, held here Nov. 9-12, carried the theme "Produce, Parties & Politics," and featured a heavy dose of all three.
Kevin Andrew of Sun World International was elected chairman of the board Nov. 10. Mr. Andrew, who is chief operating officer of Sun World, based in Bakersfield, CA, succeeds outgoing Chairman of the Board Robert Gray, chief executive officer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. in Salinas, CA.
Mexican trade delegation to visit West Coast companies
A trade delegation of four buyer-importers from Mexico will visit the Salinas, CA, and Fresno, CA, areas before traveling to Portland, OR, in upcoming days.
Grower-shippers are encouraged to meet with and pitch their products to the delegation. Suitable products to promote include vegetables, fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, kiwi and stone fruit, as well as value-added produce products and specialty produce products.
Food Innovation Center launched at Rutgers University
BRIDGETON, NJ -- A new, modern Rutgers Food Innovation Center was inaugurated Oct. 17 in a food industry park, here. Roughly 200 people attended an opening ceremony, facility tour and a buffet made with the products of the center's food clients. The facility is a Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
First female board member tops list of changes at DRC
The year 2008 has been one of leadership change in North America. Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) both campaigned on platforms of change during the U.S. presidential race and Mr. Obama was victorious because of it.
The Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corp. has also seen changes to its leadership on its board of directors from all three member nations (the United States, Canada and Mexico), including the first woman to join the board.
Estimates for California orange production show sizable drop
A nationwide crop production report released Oct. 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated California's orange production to be 44 million boxes (1.65 million tons) for 2008-09, down 32 percent from 2007-08 final numbers and 4 percent below the 2006-07 crop.
California's Navel oranges for 2008-09 are estimated at 32 million boxes (1.2 million tons), down 34 percent from 2007-08 and down 7 percent from 2006-07.
SunnyRidge enters strawberry business with new Florida farm
SunnyRidge Farm Inc., a grower, packer and shipper of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries based in Winter Haven, FL, has announced that it is adding strawberries to its line for the 2008-09 season.
The company is a family-owned-and-operated grower, packer and shipper of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. It has purchased land to develop new strawberry farms, and also purchased some acreage that was already producing strawberries, both in Dover, FL, near Plant City. It will produce a total 150 acres in the coming season.