Biofuel feedstock catches eye of A. Duda & Sons
In less than two years, biofuels have gone from promising fossil-fuel alternative to scourge of the planet.
Criticisms surrounding feedstock for biofuels tend to center on two main points of contention: that growing feedstock for biofuel takes good agricultural land out of production, thus leading to escalating food prices and exacerbating global hunger; and that the world's thirst for biofuels has led to deforestation and its attendant problems.
Fresh from the Start earns AIB 'Superior' rating for broccoli
RIVERHEAD, NY -- It's a "Superior" for Fresh from the Start LLC.
Fresh from the Start, a division of ADS Management LLC, based here, earned a "Superior" rating from AIB International for its broccoli growing and shipping operation in Caribou, ME, and the firm expects this year's deal to kick off in mid-July.
California Giant Berry Farms teams with Giant Foods and Sesame Street
Spectators who stopped by the Giant Foods booth at the 2008 American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania June 25 saw the walk-around Cookie Monster and had an opportunity to enter a raffle offering prizes that promoted healthy lifestyles to children.
California Giant, a partner in Sesame Street's Healthy Habits for Life program, has teamed up with Giant Foods in Carlisle, PA, and at its booth, the firm encouraged children to make healthy choices through activities, handouts and an appearance by walk-around Cookie Monster.
PMA notes passing of Bob Backovich
NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the death of Robert G. Backovich, a long-time retail produce veteran. Mr. Backovich died June 30 at the age of 76.
Mr. Backovich suffered from from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, a disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid in various organs and tissues of the body.
Mills Family Farms restructuring takes effect
Salinas, CA-based Mills Family Farms will be inactive as of Saturday, July 5. David Armanasco, a spokesperson hired by the company, said that the Blue Book has listed the company as inactive as part of a restructuring taking place at Mills Family Farms.
Mr. Armanasco said that Mills' product would continue to be available through other distribution channels and that Mills is in contact with its customers regarding these matters.
The Produce News reported news of the Mills restructuring in its June 30 issue.
United addresses Salmonella issue
(United Fresh Produce Association e-mailed the following information Tuesday evening, July 8 on the "status of government food safety advice to consumers and industry" regarding the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak.)
Over the past 24 hours, we have received a number of questions from members regarding the [Food & Drug Adminstration's] and [Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's] official advice to consumers and the industry regarding potential actions related to the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak.
Louis Pizzo Sr. dead at 91
Louis Pizzo Sr., the former mayor of Deerfield Township, NJ, and one of better-known citizens of Rosenhayn, NJ, died the evening of Friday, June 27, 2008, in the hospice inpatient unit at the Bridgeton Health Center in Bridgeton, NJ. Mr. Pizzo was a lifelong resident of Deerfield Township and had been in declining health. He was 91.
Partnership creates Naturipe Foods LLC
Four leading berry producers -- Michigan-based blueberry grower MBG Marketing; Santiago, Chile-based berry-growing corporation Hortifrut S.A.; Delano, CA-based Munger Bros. Farms; and Salem, OR-based Pan-American Berry Growers LLC -- have banded together to form Naturipe Foods LLC, a value-added berry-marketing company.
Pan-American Berry Growers was not previously part of sister fresh-pack company Naturipe Farms and is new to the mix.
Brooks Tropicals excels in food safety audit
Brooks Tropicals' Homestead, FL, packinghouse, shipping docks and storage cooler were recently audited, and the inspector was quite pleased and impressed by what he found.
According to a Brooks press release, the facilities were so on target that the food-safety inspector had trouble believing his eyes, and he said that he planned to come back to see it again.
U.S. apple delegations extend arms to Cuba and Russia
Some U.S. apple professionals engaged in interesting travel abroad in April and May. The New York state Department of Agriculture & Markets in Albany organized a Cuban trade mission that took place April 21-24.
And on May 19-24, a delegation of apple-industry professionals from several states participated in a trade mission to Russia that was organized by the U.S. Apple Export Council.