Melissa's in sixth season with Ojai Pixie tangerines
"We introduced the Ojai Pixie tangerine to America in 2002," said Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa's/World Variety Produce in Los Angeles. "We are now entering our sixth season, and we are geared up for the continued increase in demand."
Mr. Schueller said that the Ojai Pixie is "the best tasting fruit out there." He described the flavor as a cross between a King and a Dancy tangerine.
Ocean Mist Farms turns farmland into wetlands
CASTROVILLE, CA -- As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture, Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower of artichokes and other fresh vegetables, has formed an alliance with an environmental group in Monterey County to convert farmland into wetlands.
The unusual alliance, called a "convergence of interests" by those involved, started in 2006 when Hugo Tottino and his partners, owners of Ocean Mist Farms, agreed to sell 183 acres of farmland to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation for much less than the land's market value for Salinas Valley.
Chiquita reaches strategic African sourcing agreements
New long-term agreements in Africa will help Chiquita Brands International overcome European duty issues, which have plagued "dollar" banana suppliers for many years.
Chiquita, based in Cincinnati, announced March 4 long-term strategic associations in Africa for the export of bananas to the company's core European markets from Angola with ESCOM, a member of Grupo Espirito Santo, and from Mozambique with Matanuska Africa Limited.
Organic blueberry and cherry production way up at Rainier
Responding to increased demand at retail, Rainier Fruit Co. in Selah, WA, has ramped up its organic production and expects to double volumes of blueberries and cherries in 2008, according to Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter.
Ms. Wolter said that the two items run simultaneously, with first shipments expected in early to mid-June. Both organic blueberries and cherries will ship into late July this season, although Ms. Wolter noted that new blueberry plantings will take the season into August in coming years.
SPC moves into new office
The Southeast Produce Council has moved into a new and larger office, reflecting the growth it has experienced since it was founded in 1999.
The council, which began looking for new space about a year ago, moved March 1 into a 1,000-square-foot office in Riverview, FL, just south of Tampa, according to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees.
The council is also looking to hire a part-time employee, which will allow Mr. Vorhees to "get out on the road to visit members more often," he said. Mr. Vorhees hopes to have that person in place by around June 1.
Frontera creates QA division
EDINBURG, TX - Frontera Produce Ltd. has announced its reinforced commitment to quality assurance by creating a dedicated division focused on food safety and security. Recent hire Betsy Klein will direct this new division.
As the quality assurance supervisor, Ms. Klein is responsible for all activities involving food safety and security for Frontera and its subsidiaries, including compliance with regulatory programs, government protocol and good manufacturing practices. In addition, Ms. Klein will drive to attain safe quality food certification for the company.
'Broccolini' celebrates a milestone birthday
SALINAS, CA -- One of America's favorite vegetables, "Broccolini" brand baby broccoli, is turning 10 this year, and to celebrate, the vegetable is sponsoring a new festival called Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Broccolini, a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, made its debut in 1998 as a new-to-the-world vegetable grown by Mann Packing Co. Inc. in Salinas, CA.
Oppenheimer adds to sales team
Vancouver-based marketer The Oppenheimer Group has welcomed two familiar faces back to its sales force.
Larry Hanson rejoined the company's Los Angeles sales team March 17. Additionally, David Cheung has returned to a sales role at the company's headquarters in Vancouver.
Mexico and Canada tighten restrictions on imports as apple moth spreads in California
It has been just over a year since the first light brown apple moth, an invasive pest species native to New Zealand and Australia, was found in California. Since that first find in the San Francisco Bay area in February 2007, the moth has spread to 14 California counties.
While most of those counties are in Northern California, recent finds were made far to the south in Santa Barbara County. In all, some 17,000 moths have been trapped in the past year, and millions of dollars have been spent on ongoing efforts to suppress and eradicate the pest.
Meeting addresses challenges of spinach processing
WASHINGTON -- University of Georgia researcher Mike Doyle said that his research is pointing to a new possible culprit in the contamination of fresh- cut produce: the coring knives used to cut and core lettuce in the fields during harvesting.