Industry remembers longtime industry leader and retailer Robert Backovich
Former Safeway produce executive Robert Backovich died June 30 of a kidney ailment at the age of 76.
Mr. Backovich spent his entire produce career with Safeway Stores, rising to the top position in the produce department, which he held for many years. He was also very active in the produce industry, especially in volunteer roles within the Produce Marketing Association.
Mann Packing Co. introduces 'Simply Singles'
Salinas, CA-based Mann Packing Co. has introduced its highly successful "Simply Singles" whole-leaf lettuce items to the retail supermarket channel.
"Simply Singles" are washed and ready-to-use single lettuce leaves available in three popular varieties: Romaine hearts, red leaf and green leaf lettuce. Mann introduced the items to the foodservice industry in 2000, and they were met with overwhelming success.
Seald Sweet citrus to benefit wounded and fallen service members
Seald Sweet International has launched a special marketing campaign benefiting wounded and fallen veterans.
The firm will contribute proceeds from fresh citrus commodities in special promotional packaging to help wounded and fallen service members and their families through the Fisher House Foundation. The program commences in conjunction with Seald Sweet's summer citrus program with plans to run throughout the year.
Driscoll's data show effect of berries
In July, summer fruits such as peaches, grapes and nectarines come into play and compete head to head with strawberries in retailer produce aisles.
According to Valerie Sill, strawberry business manager for Watsonville, CA- based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc., strawberries need not lie down for the competition. The industry should help retailers understand how important berry sales are and that they can compete with other categories.
Peruvian asparagus industry anticipating increase
According to the Peruvian Asparagus Importer's Association, exports to the United States are forecasted to increase by 8-10 percent for the 2008-09 season.
In 2007, the United States imported more than 273 million pounds of fresh- market asparagus, of which Peruvian asparagus represented over 56 percent of the total world supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture further indicated an approximately 2.2 million-pound increase from 2006 to 2007 for fresh- market Peruvian asparagus imports for consumption in the United States.
Oppenheimer to represent one of Brazil's larger grape growers
Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group recently joined forces with grape producer Fazendas Labrunier in S?o Paulo, Brazil, with a five-year agreement linking its established Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere grape programs with a solid supply of preferred varieties.
Jalapeno and Serrano peppers become latest target in Salmonella probe
WASHINGTON -- Federal disease officials advised at-risk consumers not to eat fresh Serrano or Jalapeno peppers in the latest development of an ongoing Salmonella outbreak that appears to have started with tainted tomatoes and now widened to peppers.
This is the largest foodborne outbreak linked to culture-confirmed cases to date and one of the larger Salmonella outbreaks, Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's food safety division said at a July 9 press briefing.
L.A. market feels effects of economic slowdown
LOS ANGELES -- It is often said that the produce industry fares better in hard economic times than many other industries because people still have to eat.
But that is not to say that produce is immune to the effects of economic vicissitudes.
In fact, most of the shippers, wholesalers, repackers, distributors and brokers in the Los Angeles area with whom The Produce News has spoken in recent weeks say that they are feeling a slowdown in business and that most of their customers and suppliers are as well.
Congress to investigate FDA handling of Salmonella outbreak
WASHINGTON -- It would appear that Congress heard the cries from the suffering tomato industry, as a House of Representatives agriculture subcommittee has planned a July 15 hearing to investigate the federal government's handling of the tomato and spinach contamination outbreaks.
This comes after news that the federal government was expanding its outbreak investigation to other produce items commonly served with tomatoes.
Gonzales Packing's tomato cooler burns down
A cooler loaded with about 30,000 cartons of tomatoes burned to the ground July 8 at Gonzales Packing Co. in Gonzales, CA, when a faulty generator sparked an electrical fire that quickly spread to the building.
Office Manager Melanie Horwath said July 9 that the fire was very large and temporarily resulted in the cessation of operations, but she said that the firm hoped to be up and running in a very short time. "We are going to have a crew in tomorrow cleaning things up, and then we'll see where we're at."