MHAIA plans integrated marketing campaign under new leadership
Jacqueline B?hmer, the new marketing director for the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association, has taken bold steps to revamp the organization's marketing program. Qualitative and quantitative consumer studies conducted in August provided detailed insights that will be used to guide promotional activities.
E. coli investigation moves to California
The Iceberg lettuce identified as the most possible source of a multi-state E. coli outbreak in the Midwest came from California, but Michigan authorities say it is still unknown where the contamination originated.
The heads of lettuce supplied to Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce Co. for washing, cutting and bagging during the outbreak were identified as California lettuce, said Jennifer Horton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. "We still don't know at which point it was contaminated," she said.
California Avocado Commission gears up for PMA convention
IRVINE, CA -- On the heels of the California Avocado Commission's debut of the groundbreaking California Avocado Grower campaign, the commission will unveil plans to build upon the campaign responding to evolving consumer trends at this year's Produce Marketing Association convention in Orlando, FL.
Chilean avocados star at Latino events
Reaching Latino consumers, especially in Southern California, is an important part of the Chilean Avocado Importers Association marketing program. "We recognize that Latino families are an important target for us, because they are heavy users of avocados and because we have seen such a positive response from them," Maggie Bezart, the association's marketing director, said in a press release.
Supreme Cuts receives AIB's 'Superior' rating
Supreme Cuts LLC, a premier processor and distributor of high-quality pre- cut vegetables based in Mahwah, NJ, has received a "Superior" from the American Institute of Baking during its recent food-safety audit.
The audit, which is conducted by specially trained food-safety auditors, analyzed all aspects of the company's food-safety practices and awarded Supreme Cuts the prestigious rating based on the company's outstanding programs and practices in place, as well as its commitment to providing safe, high-quality products to consumers.
Monterey Mushrooms launches vitamin D-rich 'Sun Bella' brand
Monterey Mushrooms Inc. is launching its "Sun Bella" brand mushroom, which it says is the first fresh mushrooms to provide at least 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D in a single, three-ounce serving (about four or five mushrooms) through a natural sun ripening process.
JC Produce will close its doors
West Sacramento, CA-based JC Produce, an independent statewide distributor of fresh produce and other perishables in California, is going out of business.
John Tedesco, who was formerly the chief financial officer of the company, confirmed to The Produce News an Oct. 15 story in the Sacramento Bee newspaper that the company would make its final delivery on Friday, Oct. 17. Mr. Tedesco, who retired several weeks ago, has returned to assist JC Produce in closing the business, which he hopes will be completed by the end of the year.
Traceability offers opportunity for success
We have the product, now we need to protect it.
We are at a crossroads in the produce industry and we must act now if we are to ensure the stability and profitability of our industry. In light of tough economic times, it is more important than ever to consider technologies with the potential to affect our bottom lines.
European Commission levies heavy fines on Dole and Del Monte
Dole and Del Monte faced huge fines from the European Union while Fyffes plc in Dublin, Ireland, announced Oct. 15 that "it has not been found to have breached EU competition rules and no fine has been imposed on it."
Fyffes said that this followed an Oct. 15 European Commission announcement that it had concluded its investigation into the supply of bananas to the northern European region of the European Economic Area.
How good of a leader are you ... exactly?
Attendees of the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit will have the opportunity to ascertain exactly how well they lead by attending Harold Lloyd's seminar, "Am I the Leader I Need to Be?" He has developed a system that individuals can use to determine their "leadership quotient," which quantifies their leadership skill and highlights their specific strengths and weaknesses with the goal of helping them to improve immediately.
Mr. Lloyd, a celebrated speaker and a regular guest lecturer at Fresh Summit, will deliver his presentation at 9:35 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.