FDA deems most Florida tomatoes safe
Charles H. Bronson, commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, announced Tuesday afternoon, June 10, that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has deemed Florida-grown tomatoes safe.
Later in the evening, the FDA updated its website to reflect the change. As of that update, 24 states and seven offshore countries had been added to the FDA's list of areas that "have not been associated with the outbreak."
Florida counties poised to begin shipping tomatoes again
MAITLAND, FL -- Florida's tomato growers enthusiastically welcomed the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's announcement that consumers are clear to eat tomatoes harvested in 19 Florida counties. The counties encompass the Ruskin-Palmetto and Quincy areas of the state, Florida's prime tomato- producing regions.
Warmerdam Packing looks to the sun
HANFORD, CA -- Warmerdam Packing LLC, here, a fruit grower and packer whose products are marketed by Trinity Fruit Sales Co. in Fresno, CA, has for many years been involved in implementing innovative practices and technologies in its farming, packing and cooling operations that are designed to improve sustainability.
New facility in Thailand enables Sundia to expand cut fruit line
Sundia Corp., based in Oakland, CA, announced that its certified organic manufacturing facility in Thailand is open for business. The new facility will process and package "True Fruit Organic" brand fruit cups, which are filled with organically grown mangos, peaches or pineapple.
Produce sets the tone
NORWALK, CA -- Fresh produce sets the tone for Albertson's newer Southern California stores, according to Sue Klug, president of that 286-store division of SuperValu, which is based in Minneapolis.
Speaking June 4 at the bimonthly meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, here, Ms. Klug said that at the chain's newer upscale stores, "produce is up front and in your face. It sets the tone." She said the emphasis on fresh is very important in those stores and does drive sales.
Habelman Bros. forms marketing pact with The Cranberry Network
Habelman Bros. Co., a leading fresh cranberry grower and packer, has entered into a cranberry sales and marketing agreement with The Cranberry Network LLC, a Wisconsin-based sales and marketing company.
FDA considers Florida plan to keep tomato market alive
WASHINGTON -- The Food & Drug Administration is considering a plan that would allow tomatoes from certain certified counties in Florida to be shipped -- good news for some Florida growers grappling with a nationwide Salmonella outbreak that continues to expand to new states and has contributed to the death of one person so far.
Ingardia Bros. bustling with activity
On June 16, brothers Sam and Joe Ingardia will celebrate their firm's 35th year as a produce distributor in Southern California. Ingardia Bros. Produce has become one of Orange County's larger produce, seafood, dairy and grocery companies.
In early February, Ingardia Bros. moved into a new 63,000-square-foot distribution facility in Santa Ana, about 25 miles south of Los Angeles.
Monterey County agricultural products hit record $3.8 billion
Monterey County's farm-gate value of its agricultural products, which is the equivalent of overall gross values, jumped to $3.8 billion in 2007 -- an increase of 9.5 percent over 2006 as detailed in the Monterey County Crop Report 2007 released Tuesday, June 3.
The crop report is compiled by the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. The $3.8 billion total is the highest farm-gate value the county has ever achieved and the sixth time the county has exceeded $3 billion in gross production value.
Sales contest jump-starts sales for Pro*Act
This has been a difficult year for the produce industry due to economic, social and weather events. For Pro*Act, a leading distributor of fresh produce to the foodservice industry, the year started strong with fresh fruit sales, thanks to a first-ever sales contest for its members, which was sponsored by the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.