OsoSweet's Lone Star crop off to good start
After pioneering the winter sweet onion category over 20 years ago in Chile, OsoSweet is expanding its season and moving north to Texas.
"We're off to a great start, despite there being a lot of onions in the marketplace," John Battle of Battle Produce Exchange in Traverse City, MI, the exclusive sales agent for the "OsoSweet" brand, said in a press release.
Research provides consumers with sweeter celery and added convenience
Duda Farm Fresh Foods says it is committed to delivering quality, innovation and service to its customers, which is why the 82-year-old, family-owned, nationwide fresh fruit and vegetable company uses consumer research to guide its development of new varieties and innovations in packaging and merchandising.
Research shows that consumers are looking for convenience in their shopping trips. Merchandising can help provide that convenience by locating celery products adjacent to one another.
Railex on track to expand service offerings
Railex LLC is riding the rails of success.
With diesel fuel prices at an all-time high and no relief in sight, the firm, a division of ADS Management LLC, is in the midst of building a new, state-of- the-art, freight-forward distribution terminal in Delano, CA. Railex currently has facilities in Wallula, WA, and Rotterdam, NY.
Eric Schwartz joins SK Foods
Eric Schwartz has joined Monterey, CA-based SK Foods as vice president of corporate strategic planning for the international tomato and vegetable processing firm.
In addition, Mr. Schwartz will oversee the business operations of Salyer American Fresh Foods and SK Frozen Foods. SK Foods is an international processor of tomato and vegetable products -- organic and conventional -- for re-manufacturers and foodservice marketers.
Schafer predicts farm bill veto, followed by congressional override
LAS VEGAS, NV -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer believes that Congress will pass a "bloated" and "pork-barrel"-laden farm bill that will be vetoed by President Bush, with that veto overridden by Congress, whose members want that bill to pass for the purpose of touting it during upcoming re-election campaigns.
Frank McCarthy to retire from United Natural Foods and Albert's Organics
After several decades of working in the food and wine industry, Frank McCarthy has decided to retire in July at age 65.
Mr. McCarthy will walk away from his role as vice president of marketing for Albert's Organics at its Dayville, CT, location, a role he has held for the past four-and-a-half years. He is also director of brand positioning for United Natural Foods Inc., which owns Bridgeport, NJ-based Albert's Organics Inc.
Martin Streef loses battle with cancer
Martin Streef loved nature.
About five years ago, Mr. Streef, an avid hunter and fisherman, was diagnosed with terminal adrenal cancer, and soon after, he put several thousand rainbow trout in a deep-water pond at one of Streef Produce Ltd.'s farms, which he operated with his four brothers, Peter, John, Albert and Jacob, and where he served as president.
New tomato variety and colorful carrots debuted by Nunhems
LAS VEGAS, NV -- With commercial production slated to kick off in late 2008 and first shipments leaving Mexican hothouses in January 2009, the driving forces behind the "Intense Tomato" are betting on solid reception on multiple market levels.
Additionally, new varieties of colored carrots are making their way into produce departments. Both crops are from seed developed by Nunhems and are part of the program at the global company's Parma, ID, facility.
Jackpot in Las Vegas -- United Fresh exceeds expectations
LAS VEGAS, NV -- One might expect Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, to speak enthusiastically about his association's just-concluded convention and exposition, held here May 4-7. And he did. But so did many others.
"This was a great convention for us," said Frank Maconachy, president of Ramsay Highlander in Salinas, CA.
IN THE TRENCHES: Selecting a produce manager is a crucial decision
Are there enough good, talented produce managers available to go around the supermarket industry today? Trying to find a fully qualified and top-rated produce manager is like searching for a needle in a haystack.