Coast to Coast's Peter Sticco dies at 55
Peter Sticco, founder of Coast to Coast Produce LLC, headquartered in Cheshire, CT, died Monday, Sept. 1 at his home in Cheshire following what was described as a long illness. He was 55 years old.
Mr. Sticco was born Dec. 31, 1952, in New Haven, CT. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and attended Sacred Heart University.
Food safety, upcoming elections to shape United's WPPC conference
WASHINGTON -- With Congress and the White House poised to change after November, this year's Washington Public Policy Conference comes at a critical time as Congress and the next administration -- no matter who wins -- are likely to change food-safety regulations.
"Any election year is important, but this one is mega important for the produce industry," said Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Produce Association, which hosts a Washington lobbying blitz every September.
Honduran melon shipper still on import alert
Contrary to an Associated Press story on Sept. 2 and other published reports, the melon grower-exporter Agropecuaria Montelibano in Puerto Cortes, Honduras, remains on import alert.
Food safety, upcoming elections to shape United's WPPC conference
WASHINGTON -- With Congress and the White House poised to change after November, this year's Washington Public Policy Conference comes at a critical time as Congress and the next administration -- no matter who wins -- are likely to change food-safety regulations. "Any election year is important, but this one is mega important for the produce industry," said Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Produce Association, which hosts a Washington lobbying blitz every September.
Pristine about to make return engagement
Last year marked the first year that the late-season green seedless Pristine table grape was on the market in significant volume. This year's return engagement shapes up to be even more impressive.
The flavor profile for the large, crispy grape starts with a sweet vanilla streak and ends with a zesty Granny Smith apple finish. The unique Pristine variety was developed by Delano, CA-based Anton Caratan & Son after more than 20 years and more than 225,000 crossbreeds.
Florida tomato industry upbeat
NAPLES, FL - One might think that Reggie Brown would be upset about the Florida tomato industry these days, but in fact, he is actually quite upbeat about it.
Mr. Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee, told The Produce News before the 2008 Florida Tomato Institute, held here Sept. 3 at the Ritz- Carlton Naples as part of the 33rd Joint Tomato Conference, that in spite of the Salmonella scare that decimated tomato sales, "I think the industry is relatively stable. Except for the last 90 days, we had a pretty good year."
Thomas Darlington, an innovator in the cranberry industry, was 84
It was an ironic twist of fate that brought Thomas Darlington into the cranberry and blueberry industries.
Mr. Darlington was an engineer by trade and was working in 1950 for the Westinghouse Co. designing jet engines when his brother Joseph was killed in a plane crash.
Mr. Darlington was expected to take his brother's place running the family's cranberry and blueberry operation, Joseph J. White Inc., and although he was not a farmer, he immediately went to work creating several pieces of machinery that would help make harvesting the fruits easier.
Medfly gone from California borders, but new Oriental fruit fly quarantine announced
Recent weeks have brought good news and bad news with regard to agriculture pests in California as an Oriental fruit fly infestation was announced less than two weeks after the Mediterranean fruit fly was declared eradicated from the state.
A joint release from the California Department of Food & Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Aug. 14 that the Medfly had been eradicated and that quarantines in place since 2007 in parts of Santa Clara, Solano and Los Angeles counties were being lifted.
FFVA's 65th annual convention to tackle tough, timely issues
Food safety, sustainability and immigration reform will take center stage at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's 65th annual convention Sept. 21- 23 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Naples, FL.
Correction
In its July 7, 2008 issue, The Produce News published an article, "Karla Stockli joins Cal Fig Advisory Board." Due to an unfortunate error by our Western Editor, Brian Gaylord, substantial portions of this article were inadvertently copied from an article which ran in the June 30, 2008 issue of The Packer, "Fig advisory board names general manager", written by Don Schrack of The Packer.