Sunny Valley adds a vegetable grower to its summer product mix
Fresh fruit is the specialty of Sunny Valley International Inc. in Glassboro, NJ. This summer, however, vegetables are going to play a larger part in the firm's marketing mix, according to Phil Neary, Sunny Valley's director of operations and grower relations.
"We have dabbled in vegetables from time to time over the years," Mr. Neary told The Produce News April 14. But recently, "we were approached by a vegetable grower to take his whole deal. It's a relatively small deal overall," but it will be a strong program for regional retail markets, Mr. Neary said.
Retailers offer advice to suppliers at FPFC luncheon
LA MIRADA, CA -- A panel of Southern California retail produce executives discussed vendor relationships during the regular bimonthly membership meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, held here April 9, which drew an overflow crowd of 250 industry participants.
United announces expanded show in Las Vegas for 2009
WASHINGTON -- United Fresh Produce Association announced that it will expand its annual trade show and convention to focus on produce innovations, fresh meals and technology solutions for the retail and foodservice marketing channels, and the total fresh produce and fresh meals supply chains.
After 46 years in business, every day still a celebration at Frieda's
"There are a million things going on at Frieda's," said Karen Caplan, president and chief executive officer of Frieda's Inc. in Los Alamitos, CA. "And some, like our 46th anniversary, are especially exciting. My mother, Frieda Caplan, started in business on April 2, 1962. Although every day is a celebration at Frieda's, this makes the day extra special."
Ms. Caplan said that the company held a national sales meeting and then a celebratory luncheon, which included employees from other areas of the country.
Salyer American parent SK Foods under investigation
SALINAS, CA -- Local news sources reported that FBI and IRS agents executed a search warrant under a sealed affidavit on the offices of SK Foods on Wednesday morning, April 16, in Monterey, CA.
Salinas, CA-based KSBW-TV reported that SK offices in the California towns of Williams and Lemoore were searched Wednesday morning in addition to the firm's Monterey headquarters, and that FBI agents confirmed a private residence also was searched.
FreshSense will stand behind fruit with guarantee
FRESNO, CA -- FreshSense in Parlier, CA, which represents the "Ripe 'N Ready" brand of peaches, plums and nectarines from a group of California growers and packers, announced a new "Great Taste Guarantee" program for fruit packed under the "Ripe 'N Ready" label at an April 10 press conference.
Under the guarantee, FreshSense promises "to buy back from consumers any piece of 'Ripe 'N Ready' fruit if it fails to deliver great taste," according to a prepared statement.
New marketing order formed for lettuce, spinach and spring mix
SALINAS, CA -- California Leafy Greens Research Program is a new marketing order that replaces the longtime California Lettuce Research Board and now includes spinach and spring mix.
The program's fiscal year began April 1 and operates under the California Department of Food & Agriculture, which oversaw the Salinas, CA-based California Lettuce Research Board.
Thomas Merrill has died
Longtime Salinas Valley industry leader Thomas Monroe Merrill died Tuesday, April 8, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was 79.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: How to strike it rich in Las Vegas
It has been 25 years since the fresh produce industry was in Las Vegas, the No. 1 convention city in the world. This year, for the first time, United Fresh Produce Association is co-locating its two expositions -- FreshTech and Fresh Marketplace -- to bring more of the entire produce supply chain to Vegas.
Ballantine and P-R join forces
CLOVIS, CA -- Ballantine Produce Co. Inc. and P-R Farms Inc. have announced 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.