Gourmet Trading buys large California blueberry farm
Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co. has acquired one of California's larger blueberry operations, including substantial plantings and packing capacity.
The purchase moves Gourmet Trading closer to being one of the larger growers, packers and shippers of fresh blueberries in California. Chris Martin, president and chief executive officer of Gourmet Trading, said that the company sees its acquisition of the blueberry operation as key to its ongoing growth in the blueberry market.
Ballantine to market stone fruit from P-R Farms
CLOVIS, CA -- "Ballantine Produce Co. Inc. [in Reedley, CA] and P-R Farms Inc. [here] are pleased to announce a strategic arrangement whereby, beginning with the current growing season, Ballantine will manage the farming and be responsible for the packing and marketing of P-R Farms' stone fruit," stated a press release issued jointly April 17 by the two companies.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas
WASHINGTON -- On the eve of its first Las Vegas trade show in 20 years, the United Fresh Produce Association, headquartered here, said that it plans to return to Las Vegas for its 2009 annual trade show and will continue expanding its reach to foodservice buyers and focus on produce innovations.
United Fresh 2009 will be located at the Sands Expo Center and the Venetian Hotel, headquarters for the April 22-24, 2009, event.
Grape producers, distributors and buyers meet for Sonora Spring Summit
As a kickoff to this year's Sonora grape season, growers, shippers, distributors, retailers, foodservice buyers and others involved in the production and marketing of Mexican table grapes gathered in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in the heart of one of the state's major grape-growing areas, for the industry's second annual Sonora Spring Summit. The event is hosted by the Asociacion Agricola Local de Productores Uva de Mesa, the local association of table grape growers in Sonora, commonly known by its Spanish acronym AALPUM.
Veteran retailer Sidney Feinstein dies at 86
Sidney Feinstein, a veteran of supermarket retailing for more than half a century and best known for his long tenure at Kings Super Markets, died Sunday, April 20, at Boca Raton Community Hospital in Boca Raton, FL. He was 86 years old and a resident of Boca Raton.
The cause of death was congestive heart failure, according to his son Norman Feinstein.
Cinco de Mayo kicks off heavy promotion period for CAC
Kicking off the prime California avocado season with a bang, the California Avocado Commission is supplementing its recently announced advertising campaign with promotional activities in support of Cinco de Mayo, the celebration in which guacamole and other avocado dishes are as ubiquitous as turkey is for Thanksgiving.
The commission's promotion plans include public relations outreach featuring celebrity chefs, an extensive on-line campaign and strong in-store merchandising support.
Grower-Shipper Association rolls out new logo and web site
Salinas, CA-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California has rolled out a new logo as well as a new web site that offers more information than its previous site.
Public relations drives success of Fresherized Foods' products
A strong marketing and public-relations program has propelled "Wholly Guacamole" processed avocado products to lofty heights, with more than $100 million in annual sales. Similar efforts are enabling other products marketing by Fresherized Foods, based in Ft. Worth, TX, to enjoy similar success.
Role of buyers and government debated at food-safety meeting
SEATTLE -- With the Food & Drug Administration reluctant to set national safety standards, big buyers and their risk-averse lawyers are driving food- safety standards and demanding more microbiological testing and audits, according to produce consultant Devon Zagory of NSF Davis Fresh.
California Bings lighter than last year, but volume up on early varieties
No official estimate was available at this writing, but industry sources suggest that the total California cherry crop for 2008 could be similar in volume to last year's record 7.5 million boxes.
Bings, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of the state's total cherry volume last year, will be a little lighter this year. However, the early cherry varieties such as Brooks, Tulare and Sequoia are expected to be up in volume, due largely to new plantings coming into production or young plantings coming into fuller production.