New table grape variety looks to be a success
International Fruit Genetics, a major table grape and stone fruit breeding organization in Bakersfield, CA, said that its new table grape variety called Sweet Sunshine has surpassed expectations.
The first commercial crop of Sweet Sunshine has been harvested in Arvin, CA, by Grapery, a grape producer owned by Jack Pandol.
Sweet Sunshine is a mid-season, naturally large, elongated, white seedless grape that ripens with similar timing to Thompson seedless but is said to be larger, crunchier and more flavorful.
What's in a name? Ask Reagan Bush
Let's face it, some people are just born into this world to fill some pretty big boots. Reagan Bush, who joined the sales team at Harvest Select in Monte Vista, CO, this past May, can give some insight if you're a tad skeptical. Mr. Bush, who hails from Texas but is no relation to the current president of the United States, does have some incontrovertible ties to America's 40th president and 33rd governor of the state of California, however.
New Jersey fall season should see good volume, despite early August hail
The 2008 fall produce season is underway and should be highlighted by good quantities of high-quality produce, even though some scattered areas around south Jersey, where the majority of the state's commercial crops are grown, received significant hail damage Aug. 10 to crops at certain farms.
Challenging legislative agenda dominates WPPC meeting
WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association members spent little time celebrating the success of a newly passed farm bill at the group's recent Washington Public Policy Conference, even though it promises to deliver billions of dollars to support fruit and vegetable programs.
Instead, United Fresh members who traveled to the nation's capital during the annual conference focused on making sure promises are kept on funding the farm bill, along with a short list of legislative must-haves.
Food safety to take center stage at PMA's Fresh Summit
Food safety remains in the spotlight this year, in part due to the most recent high-profile foodborne illness outbreak linked to fresh produce. Substantial changes are needed to restore consumer confidence in produce safety, and to address regulators' and legislators' concerns.
An interactive town hall meeting and other educational workshops at Produce Marketing Association's 2008 Fresh Summit international convention and exposition, to be held Oct. 24-27 in Orlando, FL, will tackle this issue head on.
Idaho apple crop could be the best 'in several years'
PARMA, ID -- With more than a century of farming expertise at work in many of its orchards, Idaho has long contributed to the production of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Rome, Jonagold, Jonathan and Braeburn apples of the western United States.
Last year, as the result of spring freezes, the state saw a reduced crop, but 2008 is shaping up to be a good season for Idaho's apple varieties across the board.
"The Idaho apple industry is optimistic about this crop," said Candi Fitch, executive director of the Idaho Apple Commission.
Kam Quarles joins United
WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association announced in mid- September that it has hired Kam Quarles as its new vice president of government relations and legislative affairs. With the addition of Mr. Quarles, United Fresh continues to bolster its presence on Capitol Hill for the remainder of 2008 while strengthening the association's role to address the key policy issues that affect the fresh produce industry before a new administration and Congress take office in 2009. Mr.
FTC looks to restore confidence with new marketing programs
NAPLES, FL -- The Florida Tomato Committee is aggressively going after consumers with several new marketing programs to let them know that Florida tomatoes will soon be back on store shelves and are safe to eat.
Green Giant is growing
The famous Green Giant is getting bigger than ever with a new look on "Green Giant Fresh" brand produce packaging.
The Sholl Group II, the Minneapolis-based marketer of select "Green Giant Fresh" brand produce products, is changing the packaging and increasing the size of the Jolly Green Giant on all of its "Green Giant Fresh" products in grocery stores nationwide.
PakSense and YottaMark partner on new Ultra T3 label
Imagine a device that would allow for farm-to-fork traceability with integrated temperature monitoring and country-of-origin labeling capabilities.
Impossible?
Not for PakSense Inc. and YottaMark Inc., whose new Ultra T3 label, powered by HarvestMark, accomplishes all three.