Steffanie Smith credits success to hard work, family and friends
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Steffanie Smith, chief executive officer of River Point Farms LLC in Hermiston, OR, was honored Monday night, May 5 at the United Fresh Produce Association's Women in Produce reception.
The annual reception honors all women working in the fresh produce industry, and pays special tribute to one outstanding female industry leader.
In her remarks to a crowd of several hundred attendees, Ms. Smith offered these tips to success: Never start anything you don't plan on finishing, invest in people, and be as good a listener as you are a communicator.
Industry reps to meet at CPMA annual convention
It is time to make the connection at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 83rd annual convention and trade show. "The convention is the largest of its kind in Canada and is the best opportunity for key members of the produce industry to interact and develop business and personal relationships, which last a lifetime," Ron Lemaire, CPMA executive vice president and director of marketing, told The Produce News.
Commodity-specific food-safety guidelines advocated at United workshop
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Representatives of tomatoes, leafy greens and tree fruit crops advocated commodity-specific food safety guidelines at a United Fresh Produce Association seminar during the organization's annual convention, here, May 4-7.
A trio of speakers representing dozens of crops agreed on the message that one standard does not fit all, so commodity-specific guidelines are necessary.
TFM courts new clients for its marketing services
TFM International Inc., a produce marketing consulting firm in Mulberry, FL, is now representing Miami-based M&M Farm Inc., a grower-shipper specializing in tropicals.
TFM International, previously the exclusive marketing representative of J&C Tropicals in Miami, is looking to expand its client base, according to Mark Vertrees, president and owner of the firm.
"I am basically functioning as M&M's marketing manager," Mr. Vertrees said. "I created this firm to be other people's marketing directors."
Shaun Ricks leaves PIM to start new firm
Shaun Ricks, who for the last six years has been manager of the grape division of Salinas, CA-based Pacific International Marketing, announced Wednesday, April 30, that he has started his own company, The Grape Guys.
The new company "is made up of three active partners" and a silent equity partner, he said. Mr. Ricks is president, and the other active partners are Greg Irby, who is chief financial officer, and Mark Kalafut, who is sales manager. Mr. Irby and Mr. Kalafut were also previously with PIM.
Kern County down in russet potatoes, up in Yukon Golds
New potato acreage has reversed course in California's Kern County, dropping from 9,268 acres in 2007 to 8,362 in 2008, a decline of nearly 10 percent, according to published data from the Kern County Department of Agriculture.
The figures exclude the Kern County Department of Agriculture's category for "chippers," or potato chips, a category that is not used in the calculations by the Kern County Shippers Association. Also, one major Kern County packingshed does not publicly release its acreage and therefore is not included in the totals.
Foodservice Forum: Chef Zach Allen embraces Batali-Bastianich traditions at Las Vegas restaurants
Mario Batali, the celebrity guru of Italian restaurants in America, claims that the keys to the cuisine in his restaurants are freshness and simplicity. But that mantra is almost contradictory to what patrons express after dining at any of the 14 restaurants.
Sweetbay Supermarket announces new vice president of human resources
Sweetbay Supermarket, the Tampa, FL-based supermarket company of the Belgium-based Delhaize Group, has named Lori Malcolm vice president of human resources at the supermarket chain.
Ms. Malcolm's primary responsibilities include promoting Sweetbay's passion for food and passion for people among associates, senior managers, and operating officers and directors. She will also be responsible for enhancing Sweetbay's corporate culture and values, helping to create a vibrant place to work for the employees.
Nielsen confirms Crunch Pak as a top prepared-food item
Market data recently released by AC Nielsen indicate that sliced apples marketed by Crunch Pak LLC in Cashmere, WA, rank among the top prepared food items consumed.
Crunch Pak Director of Marketing Tony Freytag said that the one-pound bag of sweet apple slices was fourth on the list, and the company's tart apple slices ranked 12th. This is no small feat, he noted, because the overall list includes 1,400 items classified as prepared foods.
Grossman to retire from fresh produce industry
After more than 60 years in the fresh produce industry, Jerry Grossman is ready to call it a job well done. Mr. Grossman spent most of those years as an independent produce broker. His license expires May 20, and at 86 years old, he is closing the business. It would seem that he has had a pretty good run. "I don't think anyone's ever called me a rotten son of a bitch," Mr. Grossman joked. The secret to his success, he told The Produce News, came down to these three attributes: quality, honesty and volume.